To Have Learned Nothing At All- Ch 2

To Have Learned Nothing At All

By Samantha Quinn

Rating: PG-13

Disclaimer: Nothing’s changed. I still don’t own Star Trek or its characters and am still not making any money from this. Please don’t sue.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter 2

We’re Off To See The Colony

~~~

In his quarters, Trip dreamed.

Elizabeth Tucker sat in the same spot she always occupied in Trip’s dreams-at the small, round white patio table that formerly sat on her deck. The table that haunted his dreams had been where Trip had first broken the news that he had been assigned to the Enterprise. While Lizzy had been happy for her sibling, she had been fearful for his safety as well. In the end, Lizzy’s final words had been sadly ironic: “Space’s a dangerous place, Trip. Be careful.”

With that she got up and walked away, and Trip had no other choice than to turn back to T’Pol.

~~~
The alarm chose to awaken him at that moment. After turning off the alarm, for a moment , he just lay there, contemplating the dream he had awoken from. It was the first time he’d had this particular a dream.

*So why the change?* Trip wondered. As relieving as it was to wake up without having nightmares, a slight part of him felt guilty. The facts hadn’t changed-Lizzy had still lost her life. What kind of man did it make him if he was able to not only stop mourning his baby sister’s death, but was now choosing to talk to T’Pol instead of Lizzy in his dreams?

*Then again, didn’t Lizzy give me permission to talk, in my dream?* Trip rationalized. He allowed a slight smile to grace his face as he remembered the ease with which Lizzy had accepted T’Pol’s presence. The idea of T’Pol getting along with his family made Trip very happy. Not wanting to dwell upon why that was, Trip climbed out of bed and began heading towards the shower.

~~~

For once, Trip arrived in the mess ahead of T’Pol. As he watched her enter, he felt a familiar feeling of comfort wash over him. He was also glad to see she was wearing the red suit that had been one of two outfits to replace the darker uniform she’d given up when she’d resigned her commission with Vulcan High Command. *Good. I like the red one,* Trip thought inwardly. With a slight sigh, Trip remembered a time not so long ago when he hadn’t viewed T’Pol as a potential sexual partner. *Damn it, when did I stop thinking of T’Pol as an annoying colleague and start thinking of her as a woman?*

Things had been much easier when she’d just been an annoying colleague, Trip decided.

“Is something troubling you, Commander?” T’Pol’s voice shook him out of his daze as she stood before him, holding her tray and looking at him expectantly.

*You have no idea.* “Nah, I was just thinkin’, T’Pol. Good mornin’, by the way,” Trip responded.

T’Pol nodded and sat down across from him. “Was your sleep uneventful?” she questioned.

Trip nearly choked on his eggs. When he regained control of himself, he saw that T’Pol was staring at him with a look of concern. “Commander?” she queried. “Have the nightmares returned?”

“Not exactly,” Trip answered slowly.

T’Pol laid her spoon next to her bowl of plomeek broth with her trademark fastidiousness and folded her hands in front of her. “The question can be answered with a ‘yes’ or a ‘no’, Commander,” she responded.

Trip shook his head. “No it can’t.” *And there’s no way I can tell you that you’ve been popping into my dreams. No way at all.*

“Then perhaps you should explain,” T’Pol urged.

“Nah, it’s not that important,” Trip assured her.

T’Pol regarded the stubborn man in front of her, attempting to determine exactly what it would take to force him to reveal himself. “Charles,” she said quietly, “it would be best if you discussed your dream with another.”

Trip looked up in surprise. In all their time together during the Expanse, T’Pol had never called him anything less formal than “Mr. Tucker.” He’d encouraged her to call him Trip, but she’d refused, stating that it wasn’t his name and therefore there was no logic in calling him Trip. With a sigh, Trip knew he couldn’t refuse her after such a concession. *No one’s called me Charles but my momma, but it’s a hell of a lot less formal than ‘Commander,’* Trip reflected. Taking a deep breath, he confessed his dream.

Pleased that her method had worked, T’Pol listened intently and paused to digest the implications of the dream after he was finished. She inferred that Commander Tucker was disturbed by his dream, but she could not ascertain why.

“Well, T’Pol, say somethin’,” Trip ordered impatiently. *I knew it. She’s horrified that I’m having dreams about her. She’s either going to kill me or never speak to me again or both.*

“I do not believe your dream should cause you discomfort, Charles,” T’Pol responded. “Previously, your nightmares have demonstrated that you had a substantial amount of ‘survival guilt.’ This dream demonstrated that your sub-conscious is aware of the futility of that guilt. By having Elizabeth give you permission to. . . " T’Pol paused as she searched for the right word, “. . .enjoy yourself, you were admitting that you should bear no guilt for having the ability to continue in your normal lifestyle.”

Trip frowned. “T’Pol, I know ya don’t have any siblings, but Lizzy’s not been dead long enough for me to just quit grievin’,” Trip argued.

“Charles, no amount of time shall pass that will be sufficient for you to no longer feel the pain of losing your sister,” T’Pol agreed. “Particularly if you were as close as you have professed to have been. But there exists a difference between grief and ceasing to exist. We have been in the Expanse for a substantial amount of time. During that time, you were able to focus on Elizabeth’s death nearly exclusively in our pursuit of the Xindi. You no longer have that luxury.”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right,” Trip agreed softly.

Seeing that Trip was still not completely convinced, T’Pol tried again. “Do you recall our conversation concerning the katra?”

“Yes,” Trip answered. The conversation had occurred during one of their sessions. Since his sister had died, Trip had found himself questioning mortality and the afterlife. He’d shared his beliefs and T’Pol had explained hers. He’d found it to be an enormously helpful experience.
"Then you recall that our katras are shared and taken back to Gol in order to be released, whenever possible,” T’Pol recounted. When Trip nodded, she continued, “It is typically a family member who is trusted with the katra. Regardless of their own . . . discomfort, they must make the trek to Gol and release the katra of their departed. Those who do not are driven to insanity.”

“So. . .you think Lizzy’s katra was urgin’ me to let it go?” Trip questioned.

“Perhaps. I see no reason why a human would not have a katra as well,” T’Pol replied smoothly.

“Thanks, T’Pol,” Trip said softly. He was genuinely happier than he had been when they had begun this conversation.

Sensing that this train of thought was completed, T’Pol turned the discussion to other things. “I trust you contacted the Captain?” she asked.

Trip frowned. “Yeah, I contacted him. Just like I have every day since he stopped eatin’ with us. And just like he’s said every day, he said he had other things to do.”

“Perhaps he shall change his mind in the future,” T’Pol suggested.

“I doubt it,” Trip snapped in a combination of anger and frustration. Neither was directed at T’Pol. However, as the man it was directed towards was unavailable, T’Pol served as an efficient substitute. Trip immediately regretted it. “I’m sorry, T’Pol. I didn’t mean to yell at you.”

“Your trepidation is understandable. I too am concerned about the Captain and he and I do not share the emotional bond that you and he do,” T’Pol answered smoothly.

“Did,” Trip corrected. “Did, but I’m not so sure we do anymore, T’Pol.”

“You still care for him,” T’Pol replied. “That has not changed. Nor have his feelings for you. Your relationship shall recover.”

Trip pushed around his bacon around the plate for a moment before responding, “How can you be so certain?”

“My time with humans has led me to believe your people to be capable of great emotional flexibility,” T’Pol responded.

Trip smirked in reply. “I thought you said we were all stubborn,” he reminded her.

“No. I believe I said certain members of your species were stubborn,” T’Pol answered.

“Certain members, huh?” Trip chuckled, nibbling on his bacon.

T’Pol furrowed her brows at the barbaric display. With a repressed sigh, T’Pol rejoined, “Yes, Commander. I was referring to you.”

“Gee, T’Pol, don’t hold back,” Trip remarked sarcastically. “And yes, I recall you thinkin’ I’m as stubborn as a dog,” he smirked in reference to her Toto comment.

T’Pol reflected that she had never heard the expression “stubborn as a dog,” but she chalked it up to another human quirk before commenting, “By the way, after you left my quarters I did some additional research on the Wizard of Oz.”

T’Pol did not understand the grin the split the Commander’s face. “Course ya did, T’Pol,” Trip replied with a slight chuckle.

Deciding once again to ignore what was clearly a sign of Trip’s eccentricity, T’Pol continued unabated, “I was unaware the film was originally a novel which served as an allegory of Gilded Age political structure in Earth’s United States’ history.”

“I didn’t know that either,” Trip responded honestly. “Like I’ve said before, history’s never been my best subject.”

“The historical symbolism in the film-and presumably the novel as well-were utterly fascinating,” T’Pol remarked.
“What kinda symbolism?” Trip asked skeptically. *Leave it to T’Pol to want to deconstruct The Wizard of Oz.*

“The novel was written during a period of great agrarian unrest. Dorothy symbolized the typical Midwest farmer. The Cowardly Lion represented William Jennings Bryan, the Populist candidate for presidency. The tin man was a token of the industrialism of the period,” T’Pol informed him.

“Who do the munchkins symbolize?” Trip asked, mildly interested.

“The working class, presumably,” T’Pol replied. “You will note that in the start of the film, the munchkins are being oppressed by the wicked witch of the east. She is a personification of the tyrannical nature of cities along the eastern coast of the United States as argued by the Populists.”

Trip regarded her with a heavy dosage of disbelief. “T’Pol, it’s The Wizard of Oz, for crying out loud.”

“I am not disputing that fact, Commander,” T’Pol replied.

“No, but ya want to historically analyze it,” Trip retorted. “The Wizard of Oz is a classic film and shouldn’t be subjected to historical analysis.”

“Fascinating. I do not understand your species predilection towards turning important literary novels into films. I maintain that much more could be gained by simply reading the works,” T’Pol responded.

Trip sighed. “I suppose you’re in favor of abandoning movie night in favor of a book readin’ again? I thought we’d cured ya of that notion, T’Pol.”

“A reading would be a more mutually beneficial activity,” T’Pol replied.

Trip didn’t stifle his groan. “Well, like I’ve said before, T’Pol-if ya want to start a book club, go ahead. But I doubt a whole lotta people are gonna want to join ya.”

T’Pol looked at him quizzically for a moment. “I do not understand why you presume to believe I am interested in beginning a book club for the entire crew, Commander. At no time did I mention them.” With that, T’Pol arose and exited the mess hall swiftly.

Trip remained seated for a moment. *What the hell was that? If she wasn’t talking about the rest of the crew, was she just talking about her and me?* Trip wondered.

Trip shook his head. Not in the realm of possibility. Surely the Vulcan hadn’t just asked him out on a date. *And I certainly didn’t just turn her down.*

With a sigh, Trip emptied his tray and headed towards the bridge. *It’s going to be a long shift,* he thought morosely.

~~~

Trip was not alone in lamenting the tediousness of his shift. Most of the Enterprise crew were more anxious to arrive back on Earth and the journey home was nothing more than a dull stretch of time and space standing in the way of that goal. While the overall mood of the crew had shifted to a positive one, it was definitely an anxiety attached to that sensation. Little thought was given to the exploration or adventure that had dominated their thoughts so many years ago, when they had first left Jupiter Station. Surely they’d had enough of both while in the Expanse. Now it was time to return home where exploration and adventure would give way to celebration and reunions.

Unfortunately, space was big. Very, very big.

Of all the Enterprise crew members, no one realized the extent of the vastness of space better than the captain. Jonathan Archer sat stiffly in his chair, reviewing final reports that had to be finished before they returned to Earth. Pausing, he turned to survey his senior staff. Both Malcolm and T’Pol were fastidiously bent over their instruments, each surveying their equipment with their trademark dedication. Allowing a small smile to cross his face, he turned his gaze towards Hoshi, although quiet, gave a much more animated presence. Of all the senior crew, she and Travis were the showing their pleasure at being home the most. Turning back around to look at the helmsman, Archer wondered idly if Mayweather’s pleasure had to do more with being out of the Expanse than with returning home. After all, being a boomer, Travis didn’t have any reason to regard Earth as home.

Archer’s musings were interrupted by Hoshi informing him of a communication from Admiral Forrest. Archer nodded and told her he’d take it in the situation room. Heading in that direction, Archer hoped the Admiral was calling with more pomp and unnecessary ceremony instead of a homecoming-stalling event.

His hopes were misguided.

“It’s a human colony, Jon,” Admiral Forrest told him by way of preventing the captain’s anger. “The security and sewage systems need repair. You have both Tucker and Reed to lead those projects. The Enterprise is the only ship in the vicinity.”

“What’s a human colony doing this far away from Earth, anyway?” Archer asked, barely controlling his agitation.

“During the time you’ve been gone, there have been some substantial changes in Earth’s political structure. Externally, we’ve grown closer with several of our alien friends. Internally, a small minority of people blame the Xindi attack on our contact with aliens. The APA I colony is one such group,” Forrest responded.

“So, they’re revolutionaries? If they aren’t happy with the way Earth is being governed and they left to form their own government why should we help them?” Archer demanded.

“Because they’re human, Jon. We may not agree with all their policies, but we can’t turn our backs on them,” Forrest answered firmly.

“Are they dangerous?” Archer questioned.

The pause in Forrest’s answer did not make Archer happy. “No . . . they’ve never been known to be physically violent.”

“What exactly are they known for?” The Captain asked. “I have a right to know what I’m sending my crew into.”

“Of course you do. The APA primarily believe in segregating humanity from alien cultures. They believe exposure to non-humans has caused the human race considerable harm,” Forrest began.

“In the case of the Xindi, I agree,” Archer answered. “But the Vulcans haven’t attacked us-nor have the Tellarites or Andorians.”

“I know that, Jon. You know that. Your crew knows that. Most of Earth’s citizens know that. Even the APA know that. But they aren’t talking about just physical threats to Earth. They believe alien cultures have also contaminated humanity’s society by challenging our moral and ethical codes of behavior,” Forrest responded.

“Why would they have reason to believe that?” Archer demanded.

“I don’t know, Jon. Between you and me, I think they’re just looking for justifications for being xenophobic and racist,” Forrest confessed. “But regardless, they’ve asked for help, and we have to give it to them. But there’s one additional problem with their colony. There’s been some significant seismic activity lately and they need help trying to pinpoint specific fault lines. ”

Archer frowned. “Admiral, Trip and Malcolm will fix their sewage and security systems. We have a staff geologist, but the best scientist I have isn’t human. If they’re as xenophobic as you say, we may not be able to help them pinpoint their fault lines, after all.”

“I know. Do your best, Jon. But whatever you do, don’t anger them,” Forrest cautioned. “Earth was a very vulnerable place after the attack. In many ways, we’re still picking up the pieces. The last thing we need is a major political upheaval.”

“Understood, Admiral.”

“Good luck, Jon. Forrest out.”

Disconnecting, Archer let out a soft groan. His crew wasn’t going to be happy. But their homecoming was just going to have to wait.

~~

To Be Continued. . .

Continue to Chapter 3

Return to Chapter 1

Back to Fan Fiction Main Menu

Have a comment to make about this story? Do so in the Trip Fan Fiction forum at the HoTBBS!

A handful of people have made comments

Excellent! I just would so love to see this played out in an episode. Lovely, lovely dialogue between T'Pol and Trip. I would like to see what happens when Enterprise returns and how T'Pol and Trip handle that. Would T'Pol take Trip up on his suggestion that she could move to Earth? And if she did would it be near him? Would they find a way to work together and become even closer? Just imagining Mrs Tucker teaching T'Pol how to make Pecan pie but refusing to give up her secret recipe for pan fried catfish. Now there's an image to wrap your laughing gear around. Thanks for a good story, Ali D :~)

Wait, isn't this just chapter one all over again?

Good, the second chapter has finally been posted. I was thrilled to see there really was a plotline developing. I admit that I found the first chapter precious. The continuation, however, is as engaging as your previous work.

Ah, the correct part 2.

I really lived the part with T'Pol using the idea of the Katra to help Trip overcome some of his anxiety at his new dream. I'm patiently waiting for part three. Well, maybe not patiently, but I'm waiting. :)

Ooooo, T'Pol and Trip discussing, not only The Wizard of Oz, but mortality and the afterlife? Nice.
Ah, the subtlties of T'Pol. Poor Trip went and stuck his foot in his mouth-again.

Ooooo, a racist group of humans. That Enterprise has to help. Whatever shall we do? Hee Hee.

Can't wait for more!