Perceptions

Perceptions

By Samantha Quinn

Rating: PG
Spoilers: Cogenitor, Strange New WorldDisclaimer: I don’t own them. They belong to Paramount and lots of other people that live far, far away from Indiana. No profit being made, please don’t sue.
A/N: This is not a true *story*, per se. It’s a glimpse into T’Pol’s head.
Summary: After the events of Cogentior, T’Pol reflects on Trip’s behavior.

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I attempted to warn the Commander of the potential repercussions of his actions. He did not head my warnings.

He is stubborn. He is impulsive. He gives into his emotions and permits them to be the determining factor in his judgments.

He is in pain.

The expression he wore as he emerged from his conversation with the Captain clearly demonstrated his pain.

I do not know what was said, as the Captain instructed me to leave the room. I did not wish to leave. I knew the potential fury of Captain Archer. I have come to learn that when humans are angry and driven by emotion, they tend to be at their most harmful. My instinct was to stay. I would be the voice of unemotional logic.

But I could not. Instead, I busied myself with work.

It is difficult not to attempt to re-examine the situation. I had been in command. Perhaps I did not handle the situation effectively. Human crews differ from Vulcan crews. My years of training often leaves me ill prepared for human interpersonal crew relationships.

The Commander was experiencing personal distress. Perhaps if I had been more adequately prepared to assist him in such matters, the entire unfortunate event would not have taken place.

He would not be hurting.

The Commander claimed I was not listening to him. He could not have been more in correct. I listened, and I gave him advice. Advice which he refused to head. I forewarned him that his interceding on the Cogenitor's behalf would cause conflict.

I knew he would react in the same fashion that he responded to my betrothal to Koss. He would judge the situation by human terms and react accordingly.
As a result, the foolish man would unwillingly share the advice of Velik, “Challenge your preconceptions or they will challenge you.” Commander Tucker’s interference in my life certainly challenged the preconceptions I had of Vulcan society as well as its superiority over human cultures.

Indeed, the Commander’s daily task seems to be to continue to challenge my conceptions of human culture and ideals. As much as I attempt to cling tightly to the Vulcan path, he makes it increasingly difficult to continue to do so.

Knowing this, I attempted to give advice to the Commander to intercede his compassion. I will never be the same after his interference and I knew the same would be said of the Cogenitor.

I attempted to use logic to persuade him. Logically, these aliens are not human and should not be judged by human standards. Logically, the Captain values first contact and you are in danger of damaging this irreparably.

Did I do no better than he? The Commander is not Vulcan. Why should he be persuaded with Vulcan logic?

No. He is human. A human driven by compassion. I should have appealed to that side of his character.

A small part of me knows that compassion is not a Vulcan value. It implies emotion. Logic should be valued above all else, compassion included.

As my shift nears an end, I head towards the turbolift. As a Vulcan, I do not excel at compassion. I am uncertain how to provide comfort.

But tonight I will challenge my perceptions of my Vulcan culture. Yet again.

And again, thanks to Commander Tucker.

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Two folks have made comments

There has to be a sequel! I so want to see T'Pol comfort Trip and if possible have his side of the story explored. This was a well written insightful piece and well illustrates the Vulcan Sub-Commander's dilemna in dealing with humans. It seems to be one never ending rollercoaster of unchannelled emotions breaking over her own calm pool of understanding. Thank you so much for a good story. I leave hoping for more. Ali D :~)

I thought T'Pol was too hard on Trip before... I guess this explains things from her POV better.