The Taming of the Engineer

The Taming of the Engineer

By ShouldKnowBetter

Rating: PG13
Disclaimer: Paramount owns the characters, the Star Trek franchise and the universe. I just use them for my own private, non-profit making amusement.
Summary: A less than serious look at what should have happened after ‘Horizon’.

Author’s Notes:
1. This doesn’t ignore Season 2! Contains minor spoilers for ‘Precious Cargo’ and ‘Horizon’.

**********************

Reed entered the gym with a determined stride and halted facing Tucker, who was on an exercise bike, eyes focussed on the opposite wall. “I thought I’d find you here.”

“I guess being tactical officer’s good for something then.”

“Well, it’s nice to see you more cheerful too! This has gone far enough, commander.”

“Last time I checked, lieutenant, I was still Enterprise’s chief engineer. That means I get to set the priorities for what gets fixed around here. Trust me, the cinema equipment is so far down the list, it’s not even on it.”

“That is so short-sighted.”

“You don’t even like movie night.”

“Not usually.” Reed sidled closer. “Can’t you make an exception for a friend? Ensign Sato’s agreed to go with me.”

Tucker scowled at him. “Starfleet operates a non-fraternization policy.”

“Oh, come on! Who thinks that applies anymore? If the captain’s dating Sub-Commander T’Pol …”

The engineer slid off the bike and grabbed a towel to mop his sweating face. “I’ve got better things to do than maintain a dating facility. And if you bring it up again, lieutenant, I’ll shove you out the nearest airlock.”

He stomped out leaving a frustrated Reed behind him. It had taken the tactical officer weeks of maneuvering to finally obtain Sato’s agreement. Even though the scheduled film was a musical travesty of a perfectly decent Shakespearean comedy, Reed had been looking forward to it. What he hadn’t built into his plan was a non-cooperative chief engineer and Tucker was needed. Various members of both the armoury and engineering teams had tinkered with the broken projector in their spare time but signally failed to fix it. It obviously needed Tucker’s talent and for some reason he wasn’t playing ball. Slowly, Reed adjusted one of the bikes and climbed onboard. He needed a contingency plan.

Archer looked up from the PADD in his hand. “So you’re satisfied with the current efficiency ratings, sub-commander?”

His first officer raised an eyebrow. “They are within acceptable limits.”

“And you don’t perceive a threat to those figures?”

“I am aware of none.”

“What about the cancellation of movie night?”

A faint look of disgust crossed T’Pol’s face. “The loss of one leisure facility should not affect the performance of a group of professionals.”

“I thought you enjoyed our date last week.”

She ignored the observation. “I concur with Commander Tucker’s assessment. There are a great many other tasks that require his attention.”

“I think you’re both wrong.”

“You wish me to instruct Commander Tucker to increase the priority assigned to the task?”

“No, T’Pol, I’ve got a rather different assignment in mind for you.” Archer rose and came to rest on the desk closer to the Vulcan woman. “Normally, Trip would have been the first one in there to fix that equipment. Something’s troubling him and we need to find out what it is. I’m delegating that job to you, sub-commander.”

“Surely either yourself or Lt. Reed are better qualified to speak to the commander if you believe he has a personal reason for an entirely logical decision.”

That produced a frown from the captain. “I want you to do it, T’Pol. You’ve steered clear of personnel issues for too long. Look upon this as a chance to explore another aspect of your duties as first officer.”

“I consider it most unlikely that Commander Tucker will chose to discuss his personal problems with me.”

“There’s the challenge. Find out what’s troubling our chief engineer, sub-commander, and help him to overcome the problem. That’s an order.”

********************

Her new assignment was not one she relished and so T’Pol lost no time in getting started. She located the chief engineer in Engineering, running a diagnostic on a defective power coupling. “May I speak with you privately, Commander Tucker?”

He didn’t look up. “Here’s good enough.”

Even T’Pol could hear the hostility and gave a small mental sigh. Commander Tucker was never easy to deal with – except over important matters. “Captain Archer has instructed me to determine why you are reluctant to repair the cinema equipment.”

“I’ve told you, I’ve got better things to do.”

“I concur. However, Captain Archer believes that you have an ulterior motive.”

He finally looked up at her, scowling. “Does he? Well, you can tell him …” He broke off with a shake of his head and returned to work. “I’m busy, sub-commander. Is that all?”

“You do not wish to … confide … in me?”

He head jerked up and T’Pol was surprised at the anger in his eyes. “No, sub-commander, I don’t wanna ‘confide’ in you or anyone else. Now if you’ll excuse me?” and he turned his back on her.
T’Pol left Engineering in a state of mild annoyance. Commander Tucker was clearly not his usual positive self but she doubted her qualifications to deal with him. Captain Archer would have been much better advised to engage the services of one of the humans but since he had made it an order, she was reluctant to admit defeat so soon. A little research was evidently required.

********************

“Ah, sub-commander, always with your nose in a book.” T’Pol glanced up with resignation at Enterprise’s chief medical officer. She had respect for Phlox’ professional abilities but could have lived more comfortably without his good cheer. Now he took the seat opposite without asking her permission and stuck a fork into one of the large number of dishes on his tray. “You know what humans say: ‘all work and no play’. Still, I trust you enjoyed your date with Captain Archer last week.” T’Pol maintained a dignified silence. One of the reasons – although not the most significant, of course - she supported Tucker’s decision not to repair Enterprise’s cinema was that it meant she could not be bullied into attending another instance of an entertainment oeuvre she found too trivial for pleasure. “What are you reading?”

‘It is none of you business, doctor,’ sprung to mind, but was sternly repressed. “A paper on human behavioural patterns.”

“Ah!” The Denobulan paused to swallow more food. “I trust you’re not thinking of impinging on my territory, sub-commander.”

“Indeed not.” T’Pol hesitated but it was possible that Phlox could offer advice. “Captain Archer has instructed me to investigate the cause of a crewmember’s uncharacteristic behaviour. However, the crewmember has not proved willing to speak with me. I am researching ways in which to ‘draw him out’.”

Phlox beamed. “An excellent idea of Captain Archer’s! Just what you need to integrate yourself more closely with the humans.”

“I am glad you think so.”

The doctor took no notice of T’Pol’s dry tone. “I’ve always found it easy enough to get humans to talk about their problems.”

“Indeed?”

“Oh, yes. Make them feel comfortable, put them at their ease, add in a touch of persistence and there you have it.”

“Thank you, doctor.” T’Pol finished her tea and rose. “I will consider your input. Good day.” She headed for her cabin, reviewing her research and Phlox’s suggestion as she went. Much of the published literature was contradictory and there were many aspects she could not comprehend. The doctor’s instruction were comprehensible, at least, but … Persistence was always necessary when dealing with humans, but Commander Tucker was such an illogical creature that the idea of putting him at his ease just did not seem likely to achieve the desired result. Discomfort, therefore, must be the solution.

Pleased with her strategy, T’Pol proceeded to the planning stage; she always followed due process.

********************

There was pleasant silence in the shuttle pod – or there was until Tucker broke it. “This is crazy. You know I’m busy. Why’d you have to bring me along?”

T’Pol did not look up from the pilot’s board. “Following several unfortunate incidents – usually involving yourself, commander – Captain Archer has decreed that solo missions are not permitted.”

“There are eighty two other people you could have brought along.”

“Perhaps I wished for your company.”

Tucker gave a snort of disgust. “Oh, sure! You’ve hardly spoken to me for the last nine months.”

T’Pol glanced over at the engineer but he was looking the other way. Perhaps she had mistaken the bitterness in his voice. “It is unfortunate that Enterprise’s mission has meant that interaction between us has been limited. I believe that we had established an acceptable working relationship.”

“Yeah, well … you’re the first officer.”

T’Pol could not think of an answer to that meaningless statement and allowed the silence to return. She was starting to agree with Captain Archer that Commander Tucker needed to unburden himself. It was fortunate that her plan was so very well thought out.

********************

Tucker glared around in disgust at the barren landscape. “I don’t see anything.”

“That is because the plants only live close to water and then only reveal themselves at night.”
“Why’d you need to study them?”

“It is considered that their ability to thrive in extremely low illumination levels may be of use when modifying food crops to grow on colony worlds.”

“Fine. So where do we go from here?” T’Pol pointed to the long slope that dropped precipitously away to one side of the shuttle pod. “Oh, great!”

“There is a pool at the bottom providing a suitable habitat. However, there is no room to land the shuttle pod.” She looked over at the engineer. “I understood that you enjoyed camping, commander.”

“Yeah, but not … Ah, what the hell? Let’s go.”

Contrary to Tucker’s expectations, they reached the bottom safely and the engineer dumped his load of equipment and stared around. “I guess it’s kind of pretty.”

T’Pol knelt to unpack the monitoring device. “I have noted before that humans find the presence of water appealing.”

“Don’t you?”

“Vulcan is a desert planet.” She held up a recording device. “Kindly mount this on the opposite wall of the depression.”

Tucker took the device, but eyed the only access to the other side of the pool dubiously. It consisted of a narrow ledge, barely above the waterline. “What wrong with here?”

The science officer gestured to an expanse of scree. “The flora are located within there. Mounting the recorder here will not provide full coverage.”

He sighed and moved away. “Guess I know why you wanted me along.”

The ledge was slippery. It was also unstable. Tucker was no more than three metres from his starting point when it gave way entirely and pitched him into the water that was much colder than it looked. T’Pol watched the incident with satisfaction, quite proud of the fact that she had noted the condition of the rock and been able to incorporate it into her plan. It was not only humans who were adaptable. Calmly she picked up her scanner and approached to run a more detailed analysis of the rock, ignoring the floundering engineer. She had no concerns for his safety; he was known to be an excellent swimmer.

Tucker was just hauling himself out of the pool when a cool voice halted him. “Please do not forget to retrieve the recorder, Commander Tucker.”

He cursed long and mostly silently and returned to the site of his entry into the water to grope around; the pool was little more than a metre deep. “Here.” He tossed the device to the waiting Vulcan and began to drag himself out again, not easy when the edge kept crumbling under his hands, pitching him back into the pool twice before he made it out. “Don’t bother to help, will you?”

“I see no reason for us both to become wet.”

Tucker scowled at her and limped towards their pile of gear. T’Pol followed, mildly concerned; she had not intended him to be injured. “You are hurt.” There was blood on the leg of his jumpsuit and she could see the lacerated flesh through the torn material. “Allow me to …”

Tucker flinched away from her careful touch. “I can manage.”

T’Pol regarded him thoughtfully and returned to her preparations. “I recommend that you remove your wet clothing, commander. Given the ambient temperature, you are likely to become ill if you remain as you are.”

********************

Tucker refused to help T’Pol set up her experiments, remaining huddled in a blanket by the camping stove, even though she pointed out that the small device was not designed to give off sufficient heat to be of benefit to him. She joined him as darkness began to gather. “I anticipate that the plants will not emerge for another hour. Do you require nourishment?”

He still didn’t look very happy. “What have we got?”

T’Pol extracted two food packs. “Vegetable lasagna.”

Tucker grimaced. “What’s in the other one?”

“Vegetable lasagna.”

“Excuse me? Is that it?”

“Yes.”

“I hate vegetable lasagna!”

She slipped a pack on to the heat and returned the other to the container. “I trust you will not object if I eat.”

Tucker muttered under his breath, fortunately too low for even T’Pol’s hearing to catch. “Gimme one of them.” She handed it over. “Once it’s been heated!”

“You should be clearer in your requirements.”

“Ah, just shut the hell up!”

********************

The plants emerged at their expected time and T’Pol went efficiently about her observations, pleased with the amount of noise generated by the loose rock underfoot. From Tucker’s restless tossing and turning, he was finding it hard to sleep, as had been his stated intention. Eventually, however, he grew still. T’Pol gave him five minutes and then dropped a storage container close to his head.

He yelped and sat up, scrabbling the blanket back around him when T’Pol raised an eyebrow at his nakedness. “What was that?”

“I apologize. A container slipped from my hand.”

He scowled and settled back down. “Be a bit more careful, can’t you?”

This time, T’Pol allowed him fifteen minutes and then contrived to trip over his feet. “Ow!” He lurched up again, clutching at his injured leg. “What the hell are you doing?”

“The illumination is poor and you take up a great deal of room.”

“So it’s my fault you trod on me?”

“Yes.” He was still wincing. “Is your injury painful?”

“Yes!”

“Do you wish me to inspect it?”

“No!” He lay back down, pulling up the blanket again.

T’Pol frowned slightly; Tucker did not seem to be growing more loquacious. Then she recalled the other element of her strategy. She would just have to persist.

********************

It was the sound of atonal music being played extremely loudly that woke Tucker the next time. He lay still for a moment, counting to ten, although that sensible undertaking only increased his temper and sent him to his feet, clutching the blanket against the chill night air. “What the hell are you doing this time?”

The science officer looked calmly back. “I have noted that the plants are sensitive to sound. I am endeavouring to characterize their behaviour.”

It was too much for Tucker’s strained nerves. He lunged towards T’Pol, grabbing for her scanner that was emitting the music. She held him off, he struggled, slipped and grabbed instinctively for the nearest support which happened to be T’Pol. For a few seconds it seemed as if they might both end up on the ground then equilibrium was established and Tucker found himself dressed only in his underpants with his arms full of hot, voluptuous Vulcan. His body reacted with interest; this was so much better than a skinny princess.

An eyebrow lifted as T’Pol noted Tucker’s growing arousal; it was always advisable to have a secondary as well as a primary objective in any strategy and it seemed that her secondary objective was about to be achieved. She pressed closer, hands sliding up Tucker’s back, provoking a breathless protest. “T’Pol!”

“Commander?”

“Are you enjoying this?”

“The sensation is most pleasant.”

“I thought you and the cap’n …”

“Captain Archer is a fine officer with whom it has been an honour to serve. As a companion, however, I find him tedious. You have never bored me, commander.”

“Could you make that Trip?”

“No.”

“Oh.”

“But I would be prepared to address you as Charles. In private, of course.”

“I can live with that.”

Warm hands caressed his chest and he moaned. Now for the primary objective. “Are you yet prepared to tell me why you refused to repair the cinema equipment?”

“Oh, that.” Tucker’s eyes were closed in ecstasy; this was the best thing that had happened in years. He just hoped he wasn’t going to wake up. “I didn’t wanna see you at movie night with the cap’n again.”

“You sabotaged the equipment?”

“Uh … maybe.”

“I am flattered.”

“Really?” He forced his eyes open just enough to assess how far he might be allowed to go. “So … how does your uniform come off?”

“Allow me to demonstrate.”

********************

Archer was waiting for his science officer and chief engineer when they emerged from the shuttle pod, pleased to see that Tucker’s moody expression was gone. “Everything go to plan, sub-commander?”

“The mission concluded most satisfactorily, captain.”

“I’m pleased to hear it. Care to have dinner with me tonight, T’Pol?”

“I believe I will be otherwise occupied.” She turned to Tucker who had been waiting politely to one side. “Commander Tucker, during our return journey I noted that the efficiency of the port thrusters had dropped by 0.79%. Please rectify the problem.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“There is a fault report outstanding against the EM sensors.”

“I’ll get right on it.”

“The cinema equipment must be repaired in time for tonight’s movie.”

“I’ll make sure it’s fixed. Anything else, sub-commander?”

“Yes. Report to my quarters at 1930. You will escort me to the movie.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He grinned, winked at Archer and headed out of the launch bay, leaving the other man to gape at his first officer.

“Captain?”

“What’s going on? Why did you tell Trip to meet you tonight?”

“You ordered me to help Commander Tucker overcome his personal problem. I have done so.”

“By ordering him to take you to a movie?”

“By allowing our relationship to progress." I need to consult Dr Phlox, T'Pol realised. Commander Tucker is extremely enthusiastic and his stamina is remarkable. "If you will excuse me, Captain."

She left Archer considering the advantages of throwing himself out of the launch bay doors. He was the captain! Who else was entitled to win the sexy first officer? Perhaps it was time to consider crew re-assignments.

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 whole mess of folks have made comments

"Take that," said Shouldaknownbetter to the Powers that Be. I enjoyed the blow you have struck for all of us who believe in the inevitability of Trip and T'Pol.

There is a smidgen of hope for Season 3. Mr. Trinneer has posted a new interview on his personal web site, in which he commented on the realationship between Trip and T'Pol.

This was brilliant! I absolutely adored the way T'Pol suckered Trip and all those frustrating little antics down on the planet were just hilarious. But hot damn, the girl got she wanted in the end which meant so did we! A thousand thanks for a very satisfying story. Ali D :~)

Oh I just loved this! Very well done humor and we get the ending that we all so want! Nicely done.

If only this was the way "Horizon" ended. I could easily picture this entire story happening -the mark of good writing. The last scene was especially good, "yes ma'am", "I'll get right on it". That's so Trip - Just terrific. Now if we can just get TPTB to read this story!

I agree with Classic. This story was amazing and so well adept to the character's real reactions. There's still hope for us Trip/T'Pol trekkers out there, let's hope TPTB get the message.

Bwa hah ahah ahah ah hahaha!

Looks like Archer will be curling up w/ Porthos for now on LOL

Excellent story! Especially T'Pol's plotting and planning. I wonder if that's how Sarek got Amanda? Gotta love those Vulcans!

Hee-hee, T'Pol's a bit of a minx, all those antics down on the planet.

I could picture Trip's 'cranky' look from the episode 'Shuttlepod One' being fired at her every time she disturbed his sleep.

Of course, we knew why he was reluctant to do the repairs, but the journey of T'Pol finding out and the completion of your tale was very enjoyable. Thanks

This was such a cute story!

You've got their characters down perfectly. I love the bantor between T'Pol & Trip!

Love it !

Excellent! I love the humor you bring to these stories. T'Pol is a riot. I adore her when she is fiesty and not a prop for Archer's ego! And yes T'Pol and Archer are a snore.

Keep writing!

::laughs:: The bit down on the planet was hilarious! Poor Trip. Or, maybe it should be 'poor Archer'? Nahh...

Whoo WHOOOOOOOOOOO!

:p

very amusing. T'Pol's antics seemed so...her. Very natural. And crabby trip was funny too.

The Archer bashing was much appreciated, esp. the "I'm the captain so I shound get the sexy Vulcan!" line. Now if only TPTB would take this all to heart........

Great story! I just wish I'd seen these episodes. Keep up the good work.

I loved it althought I'm a archer fan poor guy maybe he'll get another woman :)

Yeah, Trip's a bit whipped here. Hee hee. I love this story!

hehe its always good to have a secondary objective. =)

I loved the end! And when Trip told Malcom he'd throw him out of the lauch bay doors if he mentioned T'pol and the captain again--lol!

I love this story!! T'Pol's parting line: BRILLIANT!! Hahahahahahahhaa!!!

Excellent!