If you are seeing this paragraph, the site is not displaying correctly. You can see the content, but your current browser does not support CSS which is necessary to view our site properly. For the best visual experience, you will need to upgrade your browser to Netscape 6.0 or higher, MSIE 5.5 or higher, or Opera 3.6 or higher. If, however, you don't wish to upgrade your browser, scroll down and read the content - everything is still visible, it just doesn't look as pretty.

Forsaken - Pt 4

Author - Stubadingdong
Fan Fiction Main Page | Stories sorted by title, author, genre, and rating

Forsaken

By stub

RATING: R - just to be safe
DISCLAIMER: I don't own these people. Paramount does.

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

Part IV


I hadn't been home more than 20 minutes when I heard a soft knock at my door. I sighed and finished lighting the last of the meditation candles. Figuring it was probably Malcolm I didn't bother to put on a robe and went to answer the door.

It wasn't Malcolm.

There before me stood the same Vulcan male who accepted T'Pol's plaque at the ceremony. He wasn't wearing the formal robes, though. He wore slacks and a long coat. He straightened his already rigid posture as his eyes met mine.

"Good evening, Commander," he said softly. "I hope I am not disturbing you."

I blinked at him. His right eyebrow lifted just a fraction. My eyes narrowed at him, just a little. Who was this guy and why was he making such a late night, personal visit? The words came out before I could stop them.

"Who are you?" I asked. I stood there in the doorway in just my boxers and a tank top, gaping at my guest. That was kinda rude, I thought belatedly.

"An acquaintance of your Sub-Commander," the Vulcan responded unflapped. "May I enter?"

He knew T'Pol.

I was suddenly very curious as to what brought this young man to my door. I opened the door wider and stepped aside, sheepishly mumbling an apology.

"You were meditating." It wasn't a question, though he did look rather surprised.

"I hadn't started yet," I said. "Have a seat. You want some tea or something?"

"No thank you, Commander," the young man replied. He perched on the edge of the sofa and looked around the living area. "T'Pol taught you to meditate?"

I sat down in a chair opposite him. "Nah," I said, shaking my head. "We never got around to that. I just started lighting the candles after she…" My voice trailed off.

"You taught yourself?" he asked quietly.

I looked up at him. He seemed awfully curious for a Vulcan. Maybe because he was so young. Maybe he was one of those V'tosh ka'tur, Vulcans without logic. Maybe I just had had the wrong idea about Vulcans altogether.

"Not sure I'd call it meditating," I replied. "More like watching the candles melt and thinking."

He nodded.

"What's your name, anyway?" I asked.

The young man's eyes widened and he stood quickly. "Forgive me, Commander. I am Kel. This is my first time to Earth."

"Well, it's nice to meet you, Kel," I said. I couldn't help but smile at him. Poor guy probably had never been this up close and personal to this many Humans before. Especially in one's own dwelling.

"It is a pleasure to meet you as well, Commander."

There was a bit of an awkward silence. Curiosity got the better of me. I took a deep breath and said, "So Kel, what brings you by at this late hour?"

Kel suddenly looked very eager. "Perhaps you could dress. We can walk for a while. There is something I must tell you."

"Why can't you tell me here?"

"Please, Commander," Kel replied. "It is a request that Sub-Commander T'Pol asked me to fulfill."

That was all I needed to hear for the moment. I got up and excused myself. I practically ran to my bedroom, threw on a sweatshirt and some jeans. I slid on a pair of shoes and was back out in the living room in a matter of seconds.

"Where are we going, then?" I asked. I opened the front door and ushered my guest outside.


* * *

We walked along the darkened streets towards the Vulcan Consulate. Kel walked briskly and with purpose. I had to jog to keep up with him. But he wasn't talking. I thought that was the whole point of this walk. I decided to break the ice a bit.

"Kel?" I said. "How did you know T'Pol?"

He slowed and looked around the street. "She was under my care in the infirmary."

"The infirmary?"

"Yes, on Vulcan. Soval brought her in with critical wounds."

I stopped short. "Soval? She made it to Vulcan?"

Kel stopped and turned around to face me. "Yes, of course. Vulcan ships have fully equipped medical bays. They were able to sustain her until she arrived in my ward."

T'Pol didn't die on that ship!

"How long was she in your care?"

"Come along, Commander," replied Kel and started walking again. "She was with me for several weeks. She spoke of you and the crew of Enterprise often…and with much affection."

My heart was hammering loudly in my ears. She didn't die.

"What did she say?" I heard myself ask hoarsely.

Kel looked up at me. His eyes were dark with sympathy. "She said she wished things could have ended differently."

I felt hot tears pricking my eyes. All I could do was nod and keep walking.

Oh God, T'Pol, I wish things would have ended differently, too.

I nearly ran into Kel as he stopped in front of a building with a red door. I heard the soft tones of jazz permeate the air.

"We've arrived," he said. He produced a small black cap and slipped it on his head, covering the points of his ears. Kel tugged on the brass handle and nudged me inside.

It was relatively well lit, for a night club. There was a live band on the stage near the back of the place. A decent crowd was gathered at the bar. I noticed most people were smiling and enjoying themselves. I turned to Kel.

"What the hell are we doing here?"

Kel, ever the Vulcan, merely led me to a corner table that had been recently vacated. Empty drink glasses crowed the small table.

"Please sit, Commander."

Was he intentionally trying to rip my heart out? T'Pol had told me about her musical tastes, one of the few personal conversations we'd had. I had planned to take her here when we got back to Earth. I bit my lip and looked around. I sat down and glared at my companion. I was running out of patience.

"Kel, why'd you drag me all the way out here? What was so goddamn important?"

The Vulcan leaned forward, his hands clasped in front of him on the table. "It's about the Sub-Commander."

I sighed and rolled my eyes. "I kinda gathered that, Kel! What about her?"

"She's-"

"-Standing right beside you," finished a soft, familiar voice.

My head snapped up and my mouth dropped open. I slowly stood up and gazed at the woman. She wore dark clothing and a black cap similar to Kel's.

"T'Pol?" I said, reaching out a hand to touch her. I never would have recognized her. She was so thin. Dark circles ringed her eyes and she looked tired. But it was her.

"Trip."

Her hand met mine and our fingers entwined. I thought for sure my heart stopped beating. I couldn't breathe. I couldn't speak. My mouth hung open in shock and surprise. My other hand reached up to caress her face. She was here. She was real. I felt tears spill down my cheeks. T'Pol lifted a hand up and brushed them away. Her eyes never left mine. Her hand snaked around my neck and she pulled me to her. I wrapped my arms around her and held her tightly. There was no way on Earth I was going to let her go. Not again.

I wept softly into her shoulder. Tears of relief, joy, confusion and countless other emotions wet her neck and coat. She whispered soothing words into my ear. I think she may have been speaking Vulcan.

When my sobs had subsided, T'Pol gently pushed me back and gazed up at me. Her eyes were shining in the semi-darkness of the nightclub. She looked on the verge of bursting into tears or cracking a huge grin, either way walking a thin line of control. I leaned forward and kissed her forehead. I buried my face in her neck and shoulder again and inhaled deeply. I pulled back and looked at her.

"You smell different," I said. I couldn't place it.

T'Pol cocked an eyebrow at me. "I've been on Vulcan."

I frowned quizzically at her. "Is that what Vulcan smells like?" I asked absently.

I looked around at a small crowd of onlookers. Apparently I had made quite a scene there.

"We have much to discuss," she told me quietly, ignoring my comment. She glanced around the bar at the crowd. "Is there somewhere else we can go? Somewhere private?"

I nodded and said, "My place isn't far." I turned to Kel…or rather the place where he was sitting a few minutes ago. He was gone.

"He was a great help," T'Pol said. "I could not have done this without him."

"Why'd you send him? Why meet here? Why didn't you just come to my apartment?" The questions spilled out of my mouth before I could think about them. "Why didn't you come to the ceremony? Why didn't you let me know you were alive?"

"All your questions will be answered," she replied cryptically. "But not here."

We walked briskly back towards my apartment. My impatience for the truth was only tempered by the fact that T'Pol was alive, her warm hand in mine. I felt absolutely giddy and fought back the tears that kept threatening. I couldn't tell if I wanted to laugh or cry. All I knew for certain was that this walk was a lot longer than I remembered.

When we finally made it back to my place, I shut the apartment door and locked it. I turned and looked at T'Pol. I saw a very familiar fire in her eyes. I took a step towards her.

"God, T'Pol," I whispered. "I've missed you so much."

Before I could take another breath, her mouth was on mine.


* * *

We laid in my bed in a post-coital embrace. It could have been hours or it could have been minutes. I'd lost all track of time. It didn't matter. I was snuggled against T'Pol, my limbs wrapped around her, touching every inch of her. I knew I wouldn't get any answers from her until she was good and ready to talk. My head rested on her shoulder, my fingers traced the light scars on her stomach. Her fingers combed through my hair.

"Trip," she said quietly.

"Hmm?" I kissed the swell of her left breast.

"I'm sorry," T'Pol said.

I pulled back and looked at her in confusion. "What in the world do you have to be sorry for, T'Pol?"

"For not returning sooner."

"You were dead," I replied with a smile. "Maybe you should start with the answers now?"

"Indeed." T'Pol turned in my arms to face me. She bit her bottom lip, a gesture of concern I'd never seen before.

"Just start from the beginning," I said, stroking her cheek. I kissed her softly. I decided to urge her on with a question. "What happened after Soval beamed you out?"

T'Pol allowed herself a sigh. "I can't remember. The last thing I recall is Major Hayes shouting a warning to me on the Xindi weapon. I remember an intense burning pain in my abdomen…then nothing.

"I awoke many days later in a Vulcan infirmary. I had no notion of time or what had occurred. Kel, my personal medical attendant, filled me in. Though he only knew what the High Command wanted him to know."

She paused in her story. T'Pol turned those big, brown eyes on me. She looked so hurt and confused. Betrayed, I thought. She shifted again, pushing me on my back so she could rest her head on my shoulder. Her fingers idly played with my chest hair as she continued.

"Soval told Kel I'd been shot by unknown weaponry in a battle with the Xindi; that when I was properly healed, I would be taken for the Kolinar ceremony."

"Kolinar ceremony?" I asked. "What's that?"

"The purging of unwanted emotions and memories," T'Pol replied. Her voice cracked.

"Wait a minute," I said. "Soval wanted to wipe your memory of the Xindi?"

T'Pol shook her head slightly. "Of my time on Enterprise."

"That bastard!" I said without thinking.

"He didn't get the opportunity to go through with it. Kel was a formidable ally in helping me recover without the Kolinar. You see, he was a member of the V'tosh ka'tur. Kel downplayed my recovery to Soval. He asked many questions about my tenure on Enterprise. I felt comfortable telling him the truth, that I felt more at ease with a ship full of Humans than with even one member of the High Command."

I whistled softly. "Well I'll be damned."

"Kel and I devised a way to avoid the Kolinar," T'Pol continued. "Soval became suspicious of my slow healing. We knew Earth was planning an elaborate ceremony for the crew of Enterprise. We pushed our luck but were able to delay Soval's plans until after his Starfleet engagement on Earth."

A smile crept across my face at the thought of T'Pol going behind the ambassador's back. Making him wait. I felt a chuckle rumble up from my throat. A thought occurred to me.

"Why didn't you contact me?" I asked. "I would have been there in a heartbeat. I'd have busted you out, helped to ensure a clean getaway."

"I could not risk that. It was best for the time being that the crew thought me dead. And Soval made every effort possible to make me aware of just that. I believe he derived great pleasure in ensuring me that my crewmates did not expect me back."

"So let me get this straight," I said. "You played sick until Soval left for Earth, delaying your memory wipe. You hitched a ride here, without Soval or the rest of the Command knowing?"

"Essentially, yes."

"How'd you manage that?"

"Kel's father is a member of the Command. I believe he used some improper channels. He arranged transport on the ship his brother is traveling on. You remember Kov?"

My eyes widened. "Kov? Kov is Kel's brother? Son of a bitch."

"Kov said he was quite fond of you and owed you a favor. He agreed readily to bring me back to Earth."

"How'd my name get dragged into all that?"

T'Pol was silent for a moment. Her fingers stilled against my chest. When she spoke, her voice was barely above a whisper.

"I told Kel you were my th'y'la."

"Thyla?"

"My beloved."

She looked up at me. I felt the tears welling up again. God how this woman could reduce me to emotional pudding.

"Are you saying what I think you're saying?" I asked softly.

Instead of answering me with words, T'Pol leaned into me and kissed me deeply. When we finally broke off, she snuggled back against me.

"So," I said, trying to pick the conversation back up, "you're here illegally and that's why you didn't tell anyone. That's why you didn't show up at the ceremony."

"Correct."

"But why have Kel come over to get me to meet you at the jazz club?"

She didn't answer.

"T'Pol?"

"It was a small indulgence on my part," she replied quietly. "Besides of which, I wasn't certain if you lived alone or if you'd have guests after the ceremony. I found it safer to do it the way it was done. I did not know if I was being followed."

I frowned. Followed? Were the Vulcans really that paranoid? I decided to let that last comment go and held her tighter.

"Tell me," said T'Pol, "how is everyone?"

"Oh, things are chugging along, I guess," I replied with a sigh. "Most everyone has signed on to the NX02."

"You did not." T'Pol looked up at me again.

"How'd you know?"

She raised an eyebrow at me. "Rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated."

"I can't believe you're joking about that," I said.

"I'm hardly making light of it. I know you did not sign up for a new mission. Please tell me you do not blame Captain Archer for my…demise." She sounded like she was scolding me. I suddenly felt very sheepish and stupid.

T'Pol sighed and lightly slapped my chest. "You are more stubborn than you ever accused Vulcans of being."

She had me there.

"Tell you what, I'll kiss and make up with the captain if you sign on with me," I offered.

"Done," replied T'Pol without so much as a pause.

I smiled and kissed the top of her head. A peaceful calm settled over me that I hadn't felt in months. I finally drifted off into a peaceful sleep.


FINIS


Author's Note: One word for y'all: DUH! (You guys know I can't keep Trip angsted out like that. The boy doesn't deserve that.

A Second Note: No, I'm not doing an NC17 version so don't even ask. It'll detract from what this is supposed to be. It's not about sex. You'll just have to use your imaginations.

…or wait for my next story. Mwah…


Return to Part 3

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

YAY!!!!!! Thank you for the happy ending! :-)

Believe it or not I do not want an NC-17 version of this. It is quite satisfying without that. What you were trying to give us came through loud and clear and wonderfully.

Do I want more of this story arc OH YES!!!!

Love to see Soval's reaction. Love for Kel and Kov to be part of the wedding, cuz there will be one!

Well done and well shared.

The Cube

Wow. REALLY enjoyed this story. I agree that it doesn't need an NC17 addendum but I also agree that I would love to see an epilogue showing Soval's reaction and maybe a wedding.

Thanks for posting.

T'pol is not dead .... Yeaaah!!! I would love to see Soval's reaction on her escape. Priceless.
As for an NC17 version ... who cares ... I've never lacked for an imagination. Thanks for the story.

Absolutely brilliant! This was just what my shippy heart was waiting for, now I can breathe and smile again. No way should Trip and T'Pol be parted now and I loved it that Kov had a part to play in helping get them back together again. As for T'Pol going behind Soval's back to be with her ashayam I really adore that to bits. Well done and a million thanks, Ali D :~)

Stub,

A great story! It was hard not to scroll down and take a peek at the end of this chapter...but I resisted the temptation and read it from beginning to end! I think you captured Trip's (and your readers) excitement on seeing T'Pol alive and well!

I recall some time back after Harbinger aired that someone commented on how there may not be any more "getting together" stories to write about since they had done the deed! Well I guess there's always more to write and I'm looking forward to reading future stories from you and the other great writers here at the HoT!

Your next story? There will be more!? YIPEE!!!!
::warm fuzzy feeling:: So glad you gave us a happy ending. Indulgence on T'Pol's part-she's a romantic under that cool Vulcan shell.

Nicely done, great work. I'm dying to read the next one!

Great conclusion to a wonderful series. I didn't like seeing Trip so down and angsty, but you more than made up for it by having T'Pol fight to get back to him.

I LOVE IT!!!

I was so sad. You ended it wonderfully!!

I've read your other stories on here. You're awesome!!!

Great story - thank you!

Have to wonder about Soval's AND Archer's reactions to the news that T'pol is alive and well (and with our favorite engineer)!! :)

Great story! I did not expect T'Pol to be alive. Anyway, happy endings are great =)

She is NOT dead! THANK YOU!!! Wonderful conclusion and we don´t need NC-17 here at all.

Whoo, yeah, she's not dead! (Just because I thought you wouldn't kill her off and that this was some dastardly deed of Soval's, doesn't mean I'm any less pleased at being proved right!)

This didn't need any rampant sex (do you know how hard it is to type that?) it was a lovely heart warming end to this great story...but what the hell...Stub has T'Pol tell Trip not to blame Archer for her 'demise'...has she been exposed to radioactive material or something!?!?!

Nice happy ending!

Good. No NC-17 versions please. If they don't show everything on the series, it doesn't need to be shown in the fics. A nice "fade to black" serves a great many purposes.

:-)

Loved it, absolutely loved it, please more MORE!!

That was an excellent story. It truly warmed my shipper heart, especially becuase it wasn't NC-17. I would really like to see more stories about TT's journey together.

Stub, hate to break it to ya, but even their sex isn't just about sex. ;)
I love this story! Thank you for finishing it. You rock!

Ok I just noticed that you'd posted the conclusion to this! where have I been? lol great ending! I knew she was alive!