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Bang the Drum

Author - Stub & Joe | B | Genre - Angst | Genre - Contest Winner | Genre - Romance | Main Story | Rating - PG-13
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Bang the Drum

By stub & Joe

DATE: 01-23-03

RATING: PG-13 – R (for some swears, naturally)

DISCLAIMER: The characters are not ours. Do we really need to say anymore?

SUMMARY: Trip and T’Pol try and figure out what’s really going on. An “in-between episodes” piece.

SPOILERS: Takes place from Singularity through Precious Cargo, with a nod to the Seventh. Mostly written because stub was not at all happy with Trip’s actions in Precious Cargo.

NOTES: This was written for the contest at Trip/T’Polers. I think it falls into Category 3: Love vs. Friendship. Maybe? Oh, and any incidental Archer-bashing one may perceive was carefully constructed.

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

Trip Tucker was glad they cleared that black hole. He still couldn’t believe he’d taken Captain Archer’s request for repairs to his chair quite so seriously. Though it hadn’t been his fault entirely, he still couldn’t help but feel like a damn idiot.

And he still felt bad at how he treated Malcolm. They bickered the whole time and actually got into a fight. Trip couldn’t even remember exactly what the hell that was about. He actually felt sorry for T’Pol. She had been the only one unaffected by the radiation and had taken a lot of misguided anger for her troubles. At least Malcolm was being just as big an ass as Trip had been. Hell, even the Captain wasn’t very congenial. He was glad he wasn’t the only one.

He grunted as he lifted the barbell over his head. Trip toyed with apologizing to them. It might make him feel a little better about it. He and Malcolm had been avoiding each other for the last few hours. No doubt the security officer felt just as stupid. Trip felt even more so…doing all that just to please his captain. No…to please his best friend.

Eighteen, nineteen, twenty…he clanged the barbell back on its supports. An angry knot settled in his stomach as he lay on the bench. Did he really want to go there? He tried not to think about the last few months in which Jon had seemingly begun to gradually drift away from him…to T’Pol. They’d been spending quite a bit of time together. And it had infuriated Trip when they disappeared together to catch some Vulcan fugitive. Jon wouldn’t tell him anything, not even things an Acting Captain ought to know. There was too much secrecy and it drove him nuts.

Trip sat up and looked around the gym. He sighed heavily. He definitely didn’t want to be thinking about this. He wiped his hands on a towel, got up from the bench and wandered over to the mirror. He studied his reflection for a moment. Trip mopped absently at his brow with the towel. He tried not to feel left out. What a childish thing. We’re all adults, Trip thought. But I was friends with her first.

If he were to really think about it, Trip would admit that he’d been spending as much time, if not more than Jon, with T’Pol. She always needed assistance with something or other and Trip was more than happy to lend her a hand. It was kind of fun, really. It allowed him to stretch his skills and solve a few science problems here and there. Besides, Trip actually liked spending time with the Vulcan. It might even be possible that she liked spending time with him as well. In fact, it was usually T’Pol that called him to help her, and he figured she knew by now that Trip wasn’t going to turn her down. They worked too well together.

“Trip?” asked a distinct British voice.

The engineer snapped out of his thoughts and looked at Malcolm Reed’s reflection in the mirror. He forced a smile and turned around.

“Hey, Mal.”

Both men stood there and looked at anything but each other for a bit in uncomfortable silence. Trip, not able to handle silence for long, was the first one to break it.

“Look, Malcolm,” he started and waved a hand absently. “I’m sorry. Even though it wasn’t really anyone’s fault, I treated you like crap an’ I’m sorry.”

“Nonsense,” the armory officer replied with a shake of his head. “I bugged you about my upgrades incessantly. I don’t blame you for getting pissy with me. I came here to apologize to you.”

Trip chuckled. “I guess we were both kinda outta line, huh?”

Malcolm smiled and nodded. “Yes, I suppose we were.” After a pause, “All’s forgiven?”

“Definitely,” Trip said. His smile faded. “At least between us. I still have one more person to apologize to.”

“Who’s that?” asked Malcolm. “The Captain?”

Hell no, Trip thought bitterly. Aloud he said, “T’Pol, actually. I was kinda rude to her, too. She didn’t deserve it. She jus’ wanted some help and I couldn’t give it ‘cause I was so goddamned fixed on that stupid chair.”

Malcolm said nothing, but nodded as he watched his friend. “Everything alright?”

“Yeah, why?”

“Dunno,” Malcolm shrugged. “You just seem a bit…well, angry.”

Trip blinked. “If I’m angry it’s at myself for actin’ like I did.”

“You’re sure that’s all it is?”

“Yes, Malcolm!” Trip snapped. He wasn’t in the mood for an interrogation.

The security officer held his hands up in defense. “Ok, Trip. Point taken.”

Sighing, Trip bowed his head for a moment. “Sorry again,” he mumbled. “Look, I’m gonna get outta here before I ass-up again. I’ll see ya later, Malcolm.” And with that, Trip disappeared out the doors leaving Malcolm Reed standing alone in the gym wondering what was bothering his friend.


***

After a quick shower and a change of clothes, Trip went to visit T’Pol. It was a bit late in the evening, but he figured she would be awake. Trip knew she was a night owl. They’d spent many a late night working together on various projects.

Trip rang the buzzer and waited. Maybe she isn’t home, he thought with a scowl. Probably in Jon’s quarters. But a few seconds later the door whooshed open and his scowl vanished.

“Commander?” T’Pol greeted him.

“Evenin’ Sub-Commander,” replied Trip. “Can I come in for a minute?” He peeked in around her and added quickly, “If you’re not busy?”

“I’m not and yes you may.” T’Pol stepped aside to let her guest in.

“I’ll keep it short,” said Trip as he walked into the room. T’Pol raised a curious eyebrow. “I just came by to apologize.”

“Apologize for what?” asked T’Pol.

“For bein’ an ass to you.”

Stepping closer, T’Pol said, “It was not your fault. The radiation from the black hole was causing abnormal behavior in all the members of the crew.”

“Yeah, well…that doesn’t mean I don’t feel bad for what I said to you,” Trip tried to justify. “I’m still responsible for my own words and actions. And I jus’ wanted you to know that I’m sorry.”

She studied him for a moment. “Actually, I should be thanking you, Commander,” said T’Pol. At his look of confusion she continued. “It was your behavior that alerted me to the problem.”

Trip thought about this and nodded. She knew him well, apparently. But she also knew Jon and chose him to help her this time. He felt that knot in his stomach cinch up just a bit.

“Why not wake Travis to pilot Enterprise? Or Malcolm?” Trip suddenly asked. “Or me?”

T’Pol cocked her head and replied, “Ensign Mayweather had been drugged by the doctor. He was my first choice. Logically, after he was out of the question, I went to Captain Archer as it is his ship. He knows Enterprise just as well as anyone.”

“Not as well as me,” Trip said quietly. “I wish you’d have come to me.” He didn’t look at her.

The Vulcan said nothing, but her brow furrowed slightly in confusion. “Is there something bothering you, Commander? If the way I handled the situation is not satisfactory to you-“

“No,” Trip interrupted. “No, it’s not you.” He worked his way back to the door and paused. “T’Pol, what did you and the cap’n do on that away mission?”

She blinked, caught off guard by the question. “Why are you asking?”

Trip shrugged and leveled her with a stare that teetered somewhere between a gaze and a glare.

T’Pol inclined her chin slightly. He could see her putting on the ‘professional’ mask. “I cannot tell you, Commander. It’s classified.”

Trip nodded and looked away. “Fine,” he said. “It doesn’t matter anyway. I’ll see ya later.” And he was gone.


***

T’Pol stood in her room and stared at the door. She blinked. She certainly didn’t understand this man that just left. The more time she spent with him, T’Pol was certain she was getting to know him, but then he did odd things like this. Perhaps the radiation hadn’t worn off completely.

But something was bothering the Commander. T’Pol had her suspicions, given the questions he’d asked. However, she did not believe it to be her responsibility to find out. As she got ready for bed, she couldn’t shake the niggling in her head. It may not be her responsibility, but she found that she wanted to know for sure what was bothering Mr. Tucker. T’Pol had no idea how to do this. It was unfortunate.

Perhaps she could inquire with the doctor in the morning. He knew how to better deal with Humans than she did. T’Pol climbed into bed and tried to find a comfortable position.

Perhaps she could talk with the Captain. He and the Commander were good friends. Captain Archer could handle this much better than she. T’Pol turned over.

Perhaps Lieutenant Reed knew something. The two men had become quite good friends, from what she could tell. T’Pol sighed.

Perhaps she should just leave things alone that did not concern her. T’Pol closed her eyes and willed herself to stop thinking and just go to sleep.

***

The next morning at breakfast, T’Pol and Captain Archer sat patiently and waited for Commander Tucker. He was late. Archer had paged Trip twice in his quarters but there was no response. After fifteen minutes and no Chief Engineer the captain gave up.

“Let’s eat,” he snapped. Archer signaled for the stewards and they brought in breakfast.

“Captain,” T’Pol said. “It is not like Commander Tucker to skip breakfast without notifying you.” She cut delicately at her grapefruit.

“I know,” replied Archer. He salted his eggs and looked curiously at the Vulcan.

T’Pol did not look at him. Against her better judgment, she continued. “I thought perhaps you knew if there was something bothering him.”

Archer put his fork down and stared at T’Pol. “Is this concern I see?” He sat a little straighter in his chair. “You’re worried about Trip. Do you know something I don’t?”

“Not at all,” she said quickly. She glanced up. “He stopped by my quarters last night. He seemed…out of sorts.”

“He stopped by your quarters?” Archer cocked his head towards her, his fork stopped midway to his mouth.

“Yes,” said T’Pol. “It isn’t unusual, Captain.” She considered his posture and continued. “What was unusual was his behavior. And he didn’t seem to want to address it with me.” She raised an eyebrow. T’Pol did not tell the captain that Commander Tucker was usually more forthcoming with his personal life. She didn’t think Archer would appreciate that, though she didn’t know why she had this…instinct, her brain supplied for her.

“Oh,” Archer said. He was silently pushing his eggs around his plate. He’d grown unusually quiet.

“Sir?”

“Huh?”

“I thought perhaps you could talk to him,” T’Pol suggested uneasily. It was not her place. She shouldn’t be concerned with this. “He is your…best friend, is he not?”

The captain stared seemingly through her, his brow furrowed.

“Sir?”

“Yeah.” Archer snapped out of his reverie. “Yeah, he’s my friend.” He glanced at her and sighed. “I think I might know what’s bothering him.”

Curious, T’Pol thought. Aloud she said, “So you will talk to him?”

A slight scowl clouded his face but quickly cleared. He seemed to force a smile and looked at his science officer. “Sure, T’Pol,” Archer said with a dose of false cheer. “I’ll talk to him.”

T’Pol nodded, studying him. Should she be concerned with his behavior as well? Her idle thoughts last night about the lingering radiation effects crept back into her brain. Perhaps she’d better keep a close eye on her Human colleagues today. T’Pol turned back to her breakfast with a silent vow to run more tests this morning.

***

It was a boring day in Engineering and Trip Tucker was just going through the motions. He sat in front of his monitor in the corner pretending to work and trying not to think. He didn’t feel like being in a good mood today. Everyone always expected him to cheer them up. It was starting to annoy him. Some days a guy just wants to be left alone.

The door to Engineering opened and the captain stepped in. Trip groaned inwardly. The knot he’d thought disappeared last night reared its ugly head again in the pit of his stomach. He’d dodged a bullet this morning. Trip should have known Archer would come looking for him. Can’t hide from the Captain.

Sure enough, the Captain spotted him and strode forward across the room. Trip put on his game face and greeted Archer with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

“Hey Trip,” Archer said casually. He also had a forced smile in effect this morning. “You missed breakfast,” he pointed out. “That’s not like you. Everything all right down here?”

“Fine, Cap’n.”

The two men stared at each other.

Archer raised his eyebrows expectantly. When no further information was forthcoming he crossed his arms and said, “You could’ve called to let us know you weren’t coming.”

Trip narrowed his eyes and replied, “Guess it slipped my mind. Sir.” He added emphasis on the last word. “Sorry ‘bout that. I’ll try to let you know my every move from now on.”

Archer was slightly taken aback. “What’s going on with you?” he asked. His brow furrowed in concern and frustration.

The engineer merely lifted his chin in thinly veiled defiance. “Didn’t feel much like havin’ company this mornin’. Is that a crime now?”

“Watch your tone, Commander,” warned Archer.

Trip crossed his arms over his chest and bowed his head. He was struggling not to lose his temper. He looked up at Archer and nodded. “Sorry.”

Both men knew he didn’t mean it. Archer looked around Engineering. “Let’s take this conversation someplace more private, shall we Commander?”

“After you, sir.” Trip held his arm out in a gallant gesture.

He followed the captain out of Engineering. They made their way to a small observation lounge. Trip sat heavily in one of the chairs and waited.

“Have you been sleeping enough?” Archer asked. He wandered over to the window.

“Yep.”

“Eating?”

“Uh-huh.”

Archer turned and looked at his friend. “Then what the hell is your problem, Trip?”

“Is it Trip or is it Commander? I’m havin’ a tough time tryin’ to sort out when I’m your friend and when I’m your Chief Engineer,” Trip said calmly. He glanced up and met a fiery glare.

“What is this all about?” Archer threw his arms up in exasperation. “You’re pissed at me, that much is clear. What’d I do this time?”

“Nothin’.” At the captain’s blank stare Trip continued. “That’s the problem. You do nothin’. You don’t give me any information when you leave me in command. Nadda. I guess I’m startin’ to resent that.”

Archer opened his mouth to speak but Trip pressed on. “For example, you go runnin’ off with T’Pol on some secret mission and don’t even bother to tell me a goddamn thing!” His voice was getting louder. Trip stood up. “What if I’d had to launch a rescue? I wouldn’t have known where to start lookin’. You run outta here half cocked-“

“That’s enough!” Archer shouted. “Enough, Trip!” He balled his fists, seemingly out of frustration. They glared at each for several moments. “I couldn’t tell you anything. It was classified.”

“Bullshit!”

“Commander! I’m done warning you,” Archer growled.

Trip shook his head and continued. “You coulda easily told me which planet, or set up some communication time to check in…you didn’t hafta leave me blind an’ stupid up here!” Trip was seething. Before thinking, he added, “You like havin’ a secret with her.” It was an accusation.

Archer was silent. “So that’s what this is about. You know, I had a feeling this is what was bothering you.” He pondered that before continuing. “Why are you waiting til now to tell me off? Why let yourself stew about this for so long?”

Trip snorted derisively. “Maybe you’ve forgotten, but I tried gettin’ information outta you back then. You ignored me. An’ hell, you’ve been ignorin’ me ever since.”

“I have not!” Archer spat.

“Fine. Whatever. Go spend your free time with T’Pol an’ leave me be.” Trip turned away from Archer.

Archer stared at Trip’s back. He put his hands in his pockets and waited. After a minute of tense silence, he spoke in a softened tone. “Is that what you see, Trip?”

“Yes,” Trip answered, his back still to Archer. “Nowadays, you only come lookin’ for me when you have an Engineering problem. For anything else, you go to T’Pol.”

“I do not,” Archer insisted.

Trip turned around and stared incredulously at Archer. “Cap’n, please.”

Archer put his hand up. “Wait a second, Trip. Let’s not let this cross over into personal.”

“Jon,” Trip sighed, “it already has.”

Archer didn’t seem to know what to say. “I-I didn’t know this bothered you so much.”

“Well, it does.”

“Trip…” Archer began. He walked over towards him. “I’m sorry I didn’t give you more information when I left you in command. I was between a rock and a hard place. I didn’t want to leave you hanging.”

“But you did,” responded Trip. He was still smarting about it and wanted Archer to see this.

“Yeah Trip, I did.” Archer and Trip were now standing side-by-side staring out the window.

“And you sided with T’Pol.”

Archer turned towards Trip. “There were no sides. I had my orders.”

Trip turned a sidelong glance at the captain. “You took orders from the Vulcans and kept it from the rest of your crew…from me. I woulda been your second-in-command, you know.”

“Yes, I know. But it wasn’t my fault…”

“Jon,” Trip turned to look at Archer. “You’re the Captain. The buck stops with you. T’Pol is a member of your crew. She’s a subordinate. Secret or not, if you wanted to tell me, you could have. You should have.”

“This was different, Trip. It was personal.”

Trip’s eyes narrowed slightly. Personal? He felt his chest tighten and his heart sink. “Personal or not, you needed to tell me something about where you were goin’. I deserved that much.”

Archer sighed. “Yes, I should have.” He paused. When he continued, his voice was more optimistic. “Trip, there is nothing we can do about the past. What’s done is done. We need to move on from here.”

Move on? Trip thought. What the hell? Aloud he asked, “An’ how do you propose we do that?” He couldn’t keep the sliver of anger from his tone.

“Well, for starters, whenever you assume command, I will be more forthcoming with my destinations.” Archer seemed pleased with his statement. Trip tried not to roll his eyes.

“It’s a start,” he replied coolly. “An’ how about the other stuff?”

Archer seemed momentarily agitated but recovered. “We’ll deal with that too.”

He was being too evasive for Trip’s liking. He honestly thought Jon had no idea just how much this was bothering Trip. The captain just wanted to sweep it under the rug and forget it all. Fine, Trip thought. He wants to play it that way, we will.

“Okay, Jon. Sounds fine to me.” At this point, Trip would have poked himself in the eye with a screwdriver to end this conversation and get out of there.

“So, we’re good then?” Archer asked hopefully.

“Yeah, we’re good.” Trip inwardly rolled his eyes. Clueless sonofabitch.

“Great.” Archer stuck his hand out and he took it. “I’ll see you for dinner then?”

Trip cursed to himself. “Sure, of course. Wouldn’t wanna’ miss two meals in one day.” He smiled, mainly for Archer’s benefit.

“See you later, Trip.” And with that, Archer left.

Trip stared at the door and shook his head. Jon had given him the flimsiest of ropes to hold onto. So he’d get some information from Jon when he was off the ship. Big deal. Jon still didn’t address the other issue…his burgeoning friendship with T’Pol. What the hell was going on there? And why was he the odd man out? He had a bad feeling about this. Trip fumed as headed back to work.

End Chapter One

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


Continue to Chapter 2

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Four of you have made comments

Aw come on!

Jeeze!

Don't leave us hangin'!

I really like,what you've done with your story so far I think the that show should have addressed Trip being angry at Archer for keeping secrets during the mission in The Seventh.You can feel Trip feeling isolated and being left out leading to his being angry and resentful.I wonder if T'Pol will also give Trip the cold shoulder,for trying to find out what happened in the Seventh and her changing relationship to Archer.I figure Trip will try to distance himself from both T'Pol and Archer.T'Pol will probably try to figure out what is wrong with Trip and why he's avoiding her and Archer.I look forward to seeing the rest of your story. You have great start so far.

mean...
acckkk
where is the rest...
real fun start.

You mention Archer-bashing in your comments before the story, but so far Archer's shaping up better than Trip. Trip is being jealous, immature, throwing a temper tantrum and expecting everybody to simply read his mind and know magically what's bothering him and fix the problem for him. Archer may be slightly clueless, but at least he's behaving like a rational adult. This distresses me, as I normally much prefer Trip.