And Baby Makes 4 - Part 7And Baby Makes 4 By: TLR Rated PG Summary: We pick up right where we left off, with the cliffhanging moment in sickbay. Phlox has just indicated to the commander that his wife was coming along beautifully and that she needed to continue to supplements a while longer. Trip wondered if she was almost done with Pon Farr, why she needed to take them since she never really lost her appetite. Phlox then disclosed that they were not for loss of appetite, but for conception, which left Trip’s mouth open and his mind swimming. Great cliffy huh….Enjoy…..T. August 20th, 2005 ******************************************************************* Part 7 
“Yes…Conception….That is precisely why taking the supplements was so important.” Phlox relayed the information in a rather positive manner, feeling pleased that he was able to help the couple. When the commander’s demeanor didn’t change, the Denobulan wondered what it was that was making him act so strangely. “You do understand, that conception is what Pon Farr is all about, don’t you Commander?” Phlox moved more into the eye line of the young man. T’Pol on the other hand, felt the waves of discourse and squatted to be nearer to her daughter. Lizzie felt the rising sadness in her mother and clamped onto her neck, hugging furiously to keep the bad feelings from overtaking them both. “Commander?” Phlox once more tried to get the young man’s attention. “Commander” This time the good doctor was more forceful and used a hand on the young man’s arm to magnify his demand. Trip shook his head, trying to clear some of the jumble. “Sorry Doc…. I just wasn’t expecting this kinda news. Does this mean T’Pol really is pregnant?” He thought back to the conversation he had with the captain not minutes ago, where he swore that his wife was by no means pregnant. “We won’t know for at least 10 days, maybe more Commander….but I fail to see your confusion on the matter? Didn’t you read the journals the other T’Pol gave your wife?” Now the Denobulan’s face was in a slight frown, while over in the corner, a very upset T’Pol was curled around her daughter like a snake. The child’s eyes grew fearful and you could see her confusion flowing through the beautiful blue orbs. “The journals were in Vulcan… I didn’t translate them. T’Pol told me what they said… I mean I thought she did.” Trip was now feeling a bit left out of the loop. “Commander…. When the other T’Pol had Lorian, that Trip was 47 yrs old. Even with the serum, it was three Pon Farrs before conception and a completed pregnancy took place. The first round yielded nothing. The second yielded a pregnancy but a miscarriage soon followed. The Phlox of that ship, had detailed files as to why the previous attempts failed and made changes to better the Commanders’ chances. But even the best medicine in the universe cannot guarantee a baby with every ovulation.” Now the good doctor had the engineer’s full attention but still seemed as though he was not getting through to him. “I understand that Doc, it’s just I didn’t think we’d be starting so soon. I guess I didn’t put the two things together. I knew that Pon Farr was sparked by the ovulation cycle in females, I just didn’t realize…” Trip was trying to ease the idea into his brain. “Commander…. Human females ovulate every 30 days or so.. is that not true?” “Yes….that’s what they tell us in biology.” Trip was trying to understand the gist of the good doctor’s conversation. “Vulcan females ovulate only once every 7 years….. And then, even with a prepared time for conception, concentrated effort, and two Vulcan parents, the Pon Farr cycle usually leads to a child only 1-2 times in their entire life span. To wait for the next one, is to decrease your chances of ever conceiving…. T’Pol knows that.” His words finally got the young man’s attention. “You do want other children with your wife, don’t you?” “Of coarse I do….. I guess I just wasn’t thinking of it that way.” Trip looked down at his shoes, trying to sort out his feelings on the matter. “Commander….what is the real reason this news is making you so concerned?” “I guess it’s because I didn’t know that was what we were doing?” Trip scuffled his feet on the floor while he watched them intently. “I mean it’s not like we had a choice to go through Pon Farr or not.” He started and the good doctor finished. “That’s true. Not meeting the needs of your mate during Pon Farr would have killed her.” “I guess I would have liked us to decide whether or not to take the serum this time together.” He again kicked at the surface. “Not taking the serum could have been disastrous.” Trip shot him a puzzled look, so he continued. “Human and Vulcan DNA can combine without the serum, but if it had, then the pregnancy would have not gone to term. Even if it had, then the child would probably not have survived for long. Elizabeth was formed without the benefit of the serum and you remember how unstable her vital signs were, and the illness she had. She did have the benefit of genetic engineering to work out some of the difficulties. In fact the only thing that saved her was the serum, T’Pol brought to me in those journals.” Phlox’s eyes began to water as he remembered the frail young baby dying in the isolette and his feeling powerless to stop it. “But you were able to save her doc, I mean after the fact.” Trip was shocked by this new information. “Yes….but a child conceived by normal means wouldn’t survive. The difference would make the deformities too hard to overcome. T’Pol knew that. She also knew how hard the other Trip took his wife’s miscarriage. He grew depressed and despondent, this going on for almost a year.” “So you’re saying, that it was necessary to take the serum….even if we weren’t trying to get pregnant?” Trip’s mind was now starting to put the pieces together, although his heart was still feeling a bit hurt. “Not to do so would have been condemning any child you did conceived during this time to a most certain death. It would have been irresponsible not to take every precaution.” Phlox noticed the changing mood of the science officer. She was now huddled on the floor with her daughter. Her pain was almost palpable. Even the good doctor could sense it without being connected, and yet her mate seemed totally oblivious. “Commander…..may I have a moment of your time?’ he asked seeing that the young man was not realizing what his feelings were doing to his mate. “Commander…. Being one of the only two aliens aboard this vessel has been quite a learning experience for me. I, like your wife have had to learn to adapt and conform to all kinds of interesting customs to say the least. However, it hasn’t always been easy and many times I find myself constantly at a loss to understand why human behavior is as it is.” He watched his friend and wondered if he was getting the point. Clearly the scrunched look on his face indicated the answer was no. “I can only imagine how hard it has been for T’Pol. Vulcan culture is so much more regulated than Denobulan. Many times she would confide in me her frustration at not understanding things better. That in itself, must be frustrating, for as you probably know, Vulcans pride themselves on being so enlightened.” Phlox saw a hint of comprehension starting. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but Humans rely a great deal on verbal communication between their spouses, don’t they?” Trip nodded his head as he answered. “Sure they do Doc, it’s crucial to have good communication in a marriage.” “Ah yes… On Denobula, we rely more on body language and scent when dealing with our mates, a practice that must seem quite strange to humans.” Trip nodded again agreeing with the male. “I believe Vulcans spend a great deal of time developing their empathic connections. This bond, I am studying about, is quite amazing. It allows for each partner to know in advance what their mate needs. Is that not true?” Phlox saw the light of recognition starting to grow stronger. “Yes…. It is quite powerful.” Trip acknowledged his experiences with their bond. “So T’Pol knows when you are hungry….sleepy….aroused, before you do at times?” Phlox saw his friend flinch at that last point. He nodded anyway. “I suppose she then takes care of those needs… Brings you food, urges you to rest and provides…” He stopped and smiled softly knowing the Commander’s shyness when talking about his love life. “Your point Doc.” Trip was feeling cornered. “You wanted another child, didn’t you…..Don’t you think your wife knew that too?” He saw a softening of the young man’s expression. “I seem to recall a conversation we had right after you found out about Elizabeth’s existence, where you told me of your regret at not knowing your son when he was little. That you hoped you’d have that chance again, but for the moment, finding your daughter was your main priority.” Trip remembered the scene in sickbay all too well. “I believe Lorian was 14 yrs old when his father died. How did you feel about that Commander?” “I hated that I wasn’t there for him while he grew up. I hated that he had to come through it without his dad there to lean on.” Trip remembered his feelings about the event. Finding out that his son grew up without a father for most of his life, was a difficult pill to swallow, even now. “Don’t you think T’Pol knew of those feelings?” Phlox once more reminded the man of the link he so cherished. “Probably…” It was now sinking in. “I guess I would have just liked to have been informed, that’s all. I know we wouldn’t have done anything differently. You’re right, there were no other options, I just…” The young man’s frustration was palpable. “I understand your feelings Commander….I imagine your wife does as well. Of everyone aboard this vessel, she has had to change the most to meet everyone’s approval, especially yours.” That statement drew a sharp look from the blond haired man. This did not hinder the good doctor’s comment. “I quite think that she has had to give up a lot of who she is to fit in on board this ship. It is sad that Humans don’t adapt to other cultures with the same determinedness that Vulcans do.” Now the commander was starting to wonder if he’d hurt T’Pol in some way she hadn’t told him of. Phlox decided it was time for the point of his innuendo. “The communication was there Commander, but she simply delivered it in a way natural for her. It’s just a shame that you didn’t notice it. I guess she will have to learn now to communicate everything the Human way and give up that part of being Vulcan as well.” Phlox’s words seemed especially harsh, but he was in a sense accurate. Most everything in the couple’s life was done the Human way, because it was easier for Trip. He’d never considered how much more difficult it was for his mate, since she was so into pleasing him, she made it seem effortless at times. And those times when she did have difficulty, Trip realized he found them amusing, often making fun of her efforts at first, then lending her a sympathetic shoulder after the fact. (Was he really that demanding in their relationship and simply didn’t realize it?) That thought started to creep into his mind. Meanwhile, Phlox watched as the young Vulcan had turned herself into a ball on the floor. Her mate’s negative feelings invaded her weakened defenses and caused great discord within the young woman. She sat with her knees to her chest and head lodged tightly against them. Her daughter knelt beside her clinging and shaking, wondering why her mother’s feelings were so disrupted. The good doctor could take no more of this self pity on the part of the Human, and knew he could not touch the Vulcan in her still defensive state. “Commander….” He watched as the engineer went from considering his allegations to getting ready for some new ones. “May I suggest, in your wife’s weakened condition, you try communicating in Vulcan for a while.” The rotund man pointed in the direction of his patient and pulled the commander by the sleeve to get him back within visual range of his mate. Trip saw the quivering mass upon the floor and his heart sank immediately. “Damn….” He exclaimed and went right over to pick the two of them up off the floor. He pulled Lizzie off her mother then righted T’Pol by the waist. She immediately clung to him, trembling and in need of his comfort. Trip wrapped his arms about her, realizing all the more what Phlox had tried to express. It had to be very difficult to be the alien in the crowd. He knew all of this was his doing, and found it quite hard to understand why he didn’t pick up on her state sooner. “Perhaps your own preoccupation with your feelings was blocking her needs out, Commander.” Phlox stated coming up to the group. It was as if the Denobulan had read his mind. T’Pol often tried to teach Trip blocking techniques, but he was too unwilling to learn them. He simply let her block things, since she was more skilled at doing so. (How selfish is that?) The realization hit him hard. If he had blocked his feelings just then, his wife wouldn’t be so distraught right now. “I’d remember Commander, although T’Pol may be able to speak, she is still quite ruled by her feelings, a lasting affect of the late stages of Pon Farr.” Phlox stated, watching the commander try to collect his family. Trip shot the doc an understanding look. He picked up his daughter and wrapped a very protective arm about T’Pol. They left for their quarters, uncaring if any passers by saw this intimate gesture. The chief engineer had some repair work to do and for once, it had nothing to do with the engines…. *** Once back in their quarters, Trip eased his wife over to the bed. He put down his daughter on the spread. She leaned into her mom and hugged the woman as hard as possible. Trip sat on the other side of them and pulled his wife close. She clung to his chest, quiet and still. He could feel the despair coming from her and wondered how he would fix this one. “T’Pol…. It’s okay honey…. I love ya more than anything… you know that, don’t ya?” He kissed her forehead and closed his eyes at her nearness. Trip concentrated his feelings at her, letting his love flow freely between them. Her hurt feelings made this flow less affective. Trip then motioned for Lizzie to move over. He laid down taking his wife with him. T’Pol curled up along him, quickly as the child found her own comfortable spot on his other side. The engineer pulled his family to him and kissed them both lightly. He could feel Elizabeth’s fears ease, but T’Pol’s were still a bit mistrusting. This remained a while until the three of them fell a sleep. It was an hour or so before Trip felt the presence of his wife’s mind in his again. She lay there still, her mind relaying more thoughts, than emotions this time. He ran a soothing hand up and down her back. “You okay?” he asked wondering if she was still feeling the affect of his bewilderment. T’Pol nodded her head. There was another long moment of silence, before the Vulcan spoke again. “You are displeased with me.” Her words held a hurt that made the young Human uncomfortable. “I’m not displeased with you. I was merely surprised at Phlox’s news. I didn’t know we were trying so soon.” Trip tried to put it evenly, but in truth he still held some shocked feelings of his own. “I don’t understand…..” T’Pol raised her head and looked right at him. “I just mean I didn’t know about the treatments…. About our trying to conceive.” This statement by her husband confused T’Pol even more. “It was my Pon Farr….. my time of mating…. You did not understand that is what this time meant?” She watched him, not accusing, but truly worried that her husband had changed his mind about having children with her. “I guess I did…. I don’t know.. Human females don’t go through this big of an event when they ovulate…I mean they may get a little moody, but…” Trip was fumbling with his words. “I guess I didn’t put the two together.” “It is illogical not to expect a possible conception from a Vulcan’s Pon Farr. Are you upset that you assisted me during mine?” T’Pol knew his feelings, but wanted her mate to use his words to describe the reasons for his discourse. “No… not at all. You know I would do anything for you…,. For Lizzie…, I guess it’s just that…. I wish someone would have reminded me of those facts….I know we wouldn’t have done anything different, but…” “Trip…you must understand that conceiving a child, especially between a Human and a Vulcan, without those treatments would be condemning the child to death. That is presuming the pregnancy would go to term.” T’Pol’s tone was now more like he remembered. Her logic was tempered with an understanding of Human emotions. “I know that now…. Phlox told me in sickbay, but I didn’t know that then. Honey…you can sense me, my mood… hell even my thoughts at times through our bond, but I am not as good at that. I mean I can tell when your hungry, tired, even when you’re in a romantic mood,..” Trip saw the look she shot him and raised a brow to counter her argument. “Yes, you do get in the mood, and not only because I am, so don’t even try to argue.” His finger came up and pointed directly at her to emphasize his point. “I only get some of what you do, and I still need to communicate verbally, so that I know I understand what you want….. need. I know this was something we had to do…. I just wish I had known that going in. I know it’s not logical, it wouldn’t have changed anything…. I just would have liked to have been part of it.” Trip was at a loss to try to get this Vulcan to understand Human emotions. “It is very likely, we did not conceive during this cycle… According to the journals…” She started, rationalizing that he would feel better if he knew of the past failures, seeing as how he didn’t seem to want a pregnancy at this time. “I know… the other Trip was 47 when Lorian was born…I know….. but I hope we did…” He smiled down on her which only added to her confusion. ‘”T’Pol…. I don’t want to be in my forties having our first child together… I want to be there for a long time in his or her life, just like Lizzie. Besides, having a playmate for our daughter wouldn’t be so bad. She always seems so alone, nobody to run and play with.” “Sehlats are not permitted aboard ship.” T’Pol said evenly and got a soft chuckle from her mate. “I know…. I mean other children….. Didn’t you have any friends when you were little?” The Human was happy for a positive change in their interaction. “I met children when I entered my early schooling, but until then, Kelmouth was my only companion, except for my mother and father, of course.” Her face was so expressionless, that suddenly he knew his wife was back completely to her former self. “That’s too bad. I loved playing with my big brother Jimmy and Elizabeth. We would play hide and seek, tag, stick ball……” Trip went on cherishing the memories of his childhood. “And Stinky would come over…” He started and was interrupted by his wife’s confused look. “Who was Stinky?” she asked deadpan and straight. “He was a kid that lived behind us… His name was Howard, but everyone called him Stinky.” Trip was trying to remember how his friend bought that nick name. “Did he have a particular odor problem?” T’Pol’s question took him by surprise and he began to chuckle. “No… It was just a nickname that somebody gave him and it stuck.” “Nicknames are often given for a particular characteristic or circumstance. Your nickname was because you were the third Charles James Tucker to be born in your family, so why do you think…?” T’Pol was determined to get to the bottom of this stinky thing and Trip was loving the chance to exchange something other than sex with his wife. “I guess he had smelly feet, okay…,…. I don’t know… They just called him that.” Trip began to chuckle yet again. This change in his mood made the feelings of hurt in his mate relax and fade almost entirely away. He held her close to him again and looked down at his still sleeping daughter. She seemed peaceful, a far cry from the pained look he saw on her tiny features in sickbay. Trip wondered just how much of this Pon Farr thing his little cherub experienced and how much was kept from her. Relaxing a bit, he turned back to his mate, now enjoying the coolness of his uniform’s fabric. The familiar smell of reactor coolant and machine lubricants, which permeated every fiber through the years, had a pleasantly familiar effect, in that it acted to sooth her still edgy nerves. “Malcolm was telling me a bit of what Lizzie did while we were disposed. She apparently gave them a fit.” Trip chuckled imagining this tiny child putting the entire security force of the Enterprise on alert. “She is apparently a little Houdini, in her own right.” “She was probably trying to get to me….” T’Pol returned not stopping her enjoyment of his closeness. “How much do you think she knew about what was happening here?” Trip asked a bit worried that his daughter might have been privy to some of their intimacies. “She knew little more than I was in trouble and needed assistance, if she realized anything.” T’Pol glanced over to her child, still resting in the crook of her father’s arm. She ran a soft hand over Lizzie’s hair and saw a slight smile curl upon her lips. “Did you sense things like this when your parents went through it?” “No… when my mother’s time came, my father would block those feelings from me, and when it was his time, my mother would do the same.” T’Pol returned her hand back to her mate’s chest. “That must have been scary for you. I mean to be cut off from both their minds all at once.” Trip stared to the ceiling, rubbing a light chin across her head, in a comforting move. “Not really… Anytime my parents wished their privacy, they would block me, much like I do Elizabeth during our times together. I would simply turn to Kelmouth. He’d look after me while they were busy.” “That had to be hard on you. I mean a little girl alone with only her pet to keep her company.” Trip was getting a view of what an isolated life his wife must have had growing up. “Not really… Vulcan children rarely have siblings and if they do, then they are usually many years apart. That is why we do not attempt to plan our pregnancies. Our population naturally controls itself by virtue of biology. Children are use to forming close bonds with their sehlats. That is why they are in every household where children are present.” She leaned her head back and looked up at her husband’s strong features. “Humans, I have noticed, place great emphasis on being in large numbers. They plan for families of more than one. They go to places to be part of a larger group. They even form close bonds with many people, not their mates, a thing known as friendships. I can see why you would judge my life as being somewhat isolated and disadvantaged.” T’Pol now rested her chin on his chest looking straight into his eyes. “But it wasn’t….. Vulcan families share feelings deeper than any Human families could. They constantly keep their children protected, both mentally and physically. They have to in order to prepare them for what they will have to learn in the future.” Trip knew her words to be true, since he could easily sense his daughter’s feelings and there were never any feelings of sadness, as long as she was with one of them. He wondered if his perspectives were one sided as Phlox mentioned and how he would go about getting them to be more attune to his family’s. The three of them lay there for a long while, until meal time came and Trip left to get his brood dinner. *** It had been almost two weeks since T’Pol’s Pon Farr ended. Her daily trips to sickbay were becoming nerve racking to the young man, who was biting his nails waiting for the results of her tests. The Vulcan returned to full duty and had of course conveyed her sincere apologies to Corporal Cole for the incident in their cabin. The MACO simply decided to stay as far away from the rabid Vulcan as possible in the future. However, when she got her new rotation schedule and found herself posted for all night shifts, she was forced to confront the alien once more. “Excuse me Commander..” Amanda approached a busy T’Pol at her science station. “Yes Corporal, what can I do for you?” T’Pol never looked up. “I would like to speak with you about my posted schedule..” She stood there holding a palm padd with the schedule displayed on the screen. “Is there a problem Corporal?” The science officer remained looking at her scanners. “I am afraid there is…. I work night shift this entire schedule. How am I supposed to work a schedule like this?” She shook the padd a bit in her direction to try to get the senior officer’s attention from the screen. When it didn’t, then she continued. “This is because of your jealousy over my being friends with your husband, isn’t it.” Cole waited there expecting to hear a lie from the Vulcan, but instead a stream of truths came pouring out. Much to her dismay, the attention about the bridge, she attracted with her own accusing statement, was equally as interested in the Commander’s answer. T’Pol looked up from her screen and directly at the MACO. “Actually it is. After our little incident in my quarters, I went about deciding the proper way to remedy this continual problem. Before, I simply allowed my husband to deal with the unwanted attention in his own way. When our daughter began to pick up on his discomfort, my husband simply altered his daily routines, not attending movies, bringing food to our cabin to have lunch instead of being with his friends. This was an admirable solution, since it helped to alleviate some of his discomfort. However it was causing him alienation from his fellow crew members, which you know is difficult for Humans, since they thrive on interaction with others. Do you understand me so far Corporal?” T’Pol threw that one in to get the young woman’s daze glare to come back to attention. “I had to consider helping everyone to regain as much mobility without adding to the discourse. Since the Commander and my jobs required we work primarily on the first and second shifts, it was only logical that your schedule could be manipulated to create an affective barrier between the two parties and aid in everyone being able to be less restrained in their private time. If you’ve noticed, I have the Commander working second shifts on most movie nights, so you may feel free to attend. In exchange your working night shift would have you resting during the mid day meal, so Commander Tucker may feel free to eat in the mess with our daughter and his friends when he wishes too. A very fair compromise, do you not agree?” The Vulcan’s face was even and expressionless. Her words seemed as if she was doing the young woman a favor by exiling her to the grave yard shift for the next 8 weeks. “How long will I be on third shift?” Cole asked plainly irritated, much to Hoshi’s amusement. “A fair test of any experiment would be a full solar year, however if we see marked improvement in comfort levels, then possibly a lesser time frame may be considered.” She kept the dry tone to her voice as she continued. “However, if you feel this, not a fair solution, you are always free to take it up with the Captain, I will abide by his judgment.” “Is there any chance he may see differently?” she asked not wanting to face an equally annoyed captain. “I am unsure. However Captain Archer often finds my logical solutions to problems, of help when dealing with differences of opinion among the crew.” T’Pol’s eyes fell back to her work, her hand tapping at the buttons on the console. (In other words, fat chance.) Amanda watched the alien dismiss her a while longer. When T’Pol finally noticed the MACO was not leaving, the Vulcan turned once more to address her. “Is there anything else I can assist you with today, Corporal?” She asked flatly, which caused Amanda to turn and exit the bridge. “No Sir.” “Very well….. Dismissed.” The Vulcan replied evenly to a retreating Cole half way to the turbo lift. She glanced about the room and saw the muted smiles of half a dozen crewmen, who quickly went back to work upon her stare. Hoshi however didn’t shy away from her look, only smiled brighter and nodded knowingly. This, the Vulcan bowed her head too before returning to her current survey. *** Phlox watched the Human with great interest. “Commander, I am sure your wife simply lost track of time. It is only 11:10 hours, please try and relax.” Elizabeth followed her father with her eyes. She sat at her pint sized table and chair set playing with her picture board and puzzle pieces. Seeing her father’s concern, Lizzie got up to lend her assistance. The child went to his side and held up her hands demanding he pick her up. After a moment, the engineer noted her request and hoisted her into his arms. She lightly touched his cheek, hoping to ease his discourse. Trip took her hand in his and kissed it quickly then went back to his questioning of the good doctor. “You said we would know something in ten days, it’s been two weeks and still there are no results.” Trip came back up to the man holding his child close to him. “I said it could be ten days or more before we would know for sure. Commander, I suggest you try and calm your frustrations before your wife and daughter get any more upset.” Lizzie’s hand came up again and stroked his cheek. This time the young man noticed his daughter’s effort wasn’t just a playful game. “Would you like a sedative?” “No doc…. That’s okay…. I’ll be fine.” Trip turned and walked over to his daughter’s play area. He sat down in the tiny chair with Lizzie on his knee. He brushed her cheek and returned the smile she showed him. It was his wife’s entrance into the room that brought him clumsily to his feet. “It’s about time…. Where have you been?” Trip came up to T’Pol with more force than he meant too. His comment was met with a stern look, then a quick change of topic by the Vulcan. “I apologize for my lateness. My survey was interrupted by scheduling issues with a member of the crew.” T’Pol glanced over to her mate and relayed the picture of the person questioning her work shifts. He understood immediately the problem and decided not to elaborate just yet. Phlox showed her the way to the exam area. He pulled out a hand scanner, and began running the initial scans of her lower torso. Trip stood there pensive, with Lizzie coming to greet her mom. The Human stopped her progress, knowing that the readings would be tainted if she joined her mother on the biobed. “Well….” Trip urged within seconds of his starting the scans. “Patience, Commander….Patience….. Rome wasn’t built in a day….” The Denobulan ran the scanner several more times over his patient then tapped at the buttons on the larger screen. A faint image appeared on the overhead projector. The massive swirling dots were meaningless to the uneducated eye of the young engineer. The silence went on for what seemed like an eternity to the Human. He tried to keep it under control, but lost to the need to know. “Hey Doc….” Trip tapped the rotund man’s shoulder. His gesture drew an irritated look from the alien and his mate. Finally the doctored decided to make his analysis known. “It looks as though we are coming along nicely. I count 254 beats per minute.” He stated absently staring at the flickering lights on the screen. “What does that mean, Doc?...Is she or isn’t she?” Trip was beyond patience now. “She is.” He clarified with an overly abundant Denobulan type smile. “Congratulations to you both.” Trip jumped in place then leaned over and grabbed his wife into an aggressive hug. “Yes..!” he exclaimed with an equally huge grin. “Commander, please be careful with your wife.” Phlox placed a protective hand on his shoulder. Trip corrected his behavior and righted himself. He saw Elizabeth replace him, climbing up and laying beside her mother on the biobed. “Have you been feeling any symptoms, Commander?” Phlox looked to the Vulcan wanting to know more about her status. Trip also looked to his mate, wondering why the doctor would think she’d know anything more. “I have noted some shortness of breath and some mild gastrointestinal distress. Other than that, I have no other symptoms.” She stated evenly, much to Trip’s surprise. “You’ve been having symptoms and you didn’t tell me?” The young engineer seemed almost hurt. “Commander… the symptoms your wife has been having could also be from taking the supplements. Simply having them wouldn’t have told her anything about her condition.” Phlox was very defensive of his patient. “The medication encourages the development of copper based hemoglobin, from iron based.” His explanation was confusing the Human. Trip looked even more confused than before. “Humans have iron based hemoglobin… which makes them require more oxygen than beings with copper based. Since Vulcan’s are copper based, a fetus trying to survive within them, would have to be primarily copper based as well. However without the supplements, the child created would be primarily iron based and wouldn’t get enough oxygen in the womb to develop normally. It was necessary to encourage the development of copper based hemoglobin in order to give the child a fighting chance.” Phlox closed up his hand scanner and returned it to his pocket. “And that is what you did for Lizzie?” Trip asked remembering their earlier conversation. “Yes….somewhat… The genetic engineering Paxton’s doctors did, gave Elizabeth a larger percent of copper based hemoglobin than iron. However, the mix was still to rich with iron to allow her to function normally. When I diagnosed this problem, I had no clue how to change the situation. T’Pol then brought me the journals, and I found the entries by my counterpart. It was a long shot, but it worked and her blood work normalized.” Phlox reflected a look of accomplishment, as he glanced to his youngest patient. “So basically, you had to make them both more Vulcan in order to get them to survive.” Trip was trying to interpret the new information. “Yes…. That is essentially correct.” He answered and noticed a slight change in the Human’s behavior. “Commander….. had you been Vulcan and T’Pol Human, than the children would have had to been more Human, … it is crucial that the child and mother’s physiology match, in order for the pregnancy to go to term. “If T’Pol is pregnant with a Vulcan child, then why is she feeling symptoms? Is it just from the medicine?” Trip lent a hand to his wife as she eased herself and her child from the biobed. “She is not pregnant with a Vulcan child Commander. She is pregnant with a Vulcan/Human hybrid…… The scant amount of iron hemoglobin not converted is floating between mother and child. It is not in enough quantity to hurt either one, but will cause occasional discomfort to both which we will have to monitor closely.” Phlox walked around the biobed, holding Elizabeth’s bunny Ping. He handed it over to the young child and watched as she hugged it close to her. A large grin crossed her face in thanks for the older male’s courtesy. Trip collected his wife and child. They stood facing the Denobulan and awaited further findings. Instead they got some simple instructions, minimal nutrition requirements, and of course the continuation of the supplements. T’Pol reflected a disgusted look at that comment. Shortly there after, the Tucker family was heading down the hallway toward the mess hall for an early mid day meal together before returning to their respective duty shifts. ******************************************************************* Part 8 (Conclusion) 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 commentsGood one. Looking forward to the next part. Hmm. One thing caught my attention as rather far-fetched: It's obvious that if a race is to survive, every male-female pair must produce at least two offspring (statistically). In fact, even more when we include accidents, premature death etc. So, as a conclusion - where did you get this, shall I say, rather stupid idea? Thanks again for a great chappy! To Marc: blame the writers of Star Trek canon and not TLR-have you ever known any Vulcan Star Trek characters to have brothers/sisters? Excepting Sybok, as he came from another mother than Spock, I think TLR's explanation fits rather well... First off Marc...The seven year cycle is fact based on all the fiction from star trek original series on up. Secondly, I didn't say they all only had one, but it was rare that they had more than two, hence the controlled population. An thirdly. If you don't like the stories, then you don't have to read them. I could spend my time more efficiently doing my school work you know..You don't need to be so insulting...T Ahh good old missunderstandins messinthings up again for Trip,,,, Good job explainin why Trip was a bit in the dark,,,,, that boy needs to learn more then one Vulcan language. ;),,,,,, an that makes sence bout the Vulcans,,, Sarek only had Spock an Sybok,,, while Tuvok had I think 4 children,,,, And besides wuldnt it make sence for a desert plant Race to be sparcly populated??? Lack of food an what not,,, ya cant have a billions apon billions of people livin on dust now can ya,,,,, Ans besides the 200 year life spans of Vulcans can make up for their weaker fertility then humans.,,,,,,,,, Great Chapie TLR,,, I hope to see more of Trip adjustin to the Vulcan forms of Comunication in the follow ups.,,,Pluss of course some Lizzy cutness. ;) Nicely written, no criticism in that point. I like your plot. But why have we humens always to be the lowest scum in the universe? Not that long ago, you were already old at the age of 40 and could die of an simple flu. Today, you can expect to become easily 75years old and a flu is not even worth of talking. By the way: our life expectancy is increasing every year! And imagine how old you can get with the technology 150years in the future. loved it cant wait for more I think the idea of few children makes sense. You have to keep in mind the life span of vulcans. If humans lived for hundreds of years, imagine how many generations would be alive at the same time and how many people that would equal. Anyways, great chapter. Looking forward to more of your work. Thank you TLR, I love your story, after the last chapter I thought they would start to quarrel, what a nice way to finally come along and understand each other, well done. We should take this way for an example. ! TLR - you did it again! I just love your stories. I can just picture little Lizzie. She just has to be the most adorable little girl. Keep on writing. Maybe we can see some of the symptoms? Thankyou, I quite agree with your portrayal of Vulcans having few children considering their lifespan and desert planet conditions. Just wish I could have seen this on TV but your descriptions are so vivid I can see it all in my mind just as well. More soon please. It is true humans are living longer, however I think Trip realizes if he has his child(ren) in his forties or later, then even with 30 yrs together, the child will still have 170 yrs to grieve his loss. I think Trip feels guilty for what he knows T'Pol and his kids will have to go through when he dies, the many years of loneliness. For a glimpse of what I am saying, read my story "A glimpse", but be warned it's a tear jerker, so bring lots of tissues. TLR: first thing - don't get too offended. If I didn't give a damn about your story, I wouldn't read the previous 6 chapters without giving a hint of displeasure. Having or not having children isn't a question of scarce food, harsh desert environment or long lifespan. It's a question of survival! Pure mathematics! Dying generation needs to be replaced by its offspring. What you wrote has no explanation in any series or movie and is just a product of your imagination. And I think at this moment your imagination played a trick on you. Yes, of course, movie characters rarely have siblings, Vulcan or not. It makes them more "special" and "one of a kind". Archer is the only child, Kirk too. Picard had a brother if I remember correctly, so he's more "ordinary". Why create a silly theory to support ridiculous thesis? To marc: Low birth rates doesn't necessarily mean extinction. In fact, it would keep the population in check to a much better extent than our own! We're overrun, we have so many people, and besides, how many of them live to the full potential human lifespan? Earth is probably getting close to the point where we couldn't support everyone, even if we tried! If the population growth is slow, there is a better chance of overall survival of the species, versus immediate survival, and then dying of starvation later. ANYWAY, great story, can't wait for another chapter! TLR great job on this chapter. I liked the explanation you gave for Trip being in the dark. Once again great chapter and can't wait for the next one. Humanity in total has a problem with overpopulation, that´s correkt. In industrial nations it´s the opposite. The population is in the average too old. If most vulcan families have just one child and that since centuries... You can guess. sorry windrider but a couple of yrs ago the UN did a study and they found out that the whole earth's population CAN fit into the state of Texas. with room to spare GO TEXAS LOL It's not that they scum...it's that compared to other species we would encounter with the same or higher technology, we are still an infantile race. Species with greater technology would naturally see us a less mature...possible even a lesser race. I think the Vulcan's showed great restraint... I rewatched Dear Doctor(season 2) the other night, and saw the parrell. Archer asked T'Pol what he was supposed to do, in that the non warp capable species wanted them to stick around and keep giving support, even though their species was dying. He said that the Enterprise couldn't just stay there for decades helping these people, and T'Pol brought up the fact that when the Vulcans stopped by Earth, they found them in need, so that just stayed to help...Now look... Archer realized what a vast committment the Vulcans made to Humans, when all the time he thought they were just there to be a pain in the neck. It's easy looking at fiction from the point of view of one species, the true test of the author is to get you to see the point of view from all sides.....That's the tricky part....T. Windrider: If a statistical pair doesn't have even two children, there is no population growth, slow or not. Population is dying, there is no "living to your full potential", civilization is in the decline. I'm not saying that we should reproduce like bunnies. I just pointed a fact that describing Vulcans as unable to have more than 1-2 children during their lifespan (with rare exclusions) is in fact, describing a dying species, going inevitably to extinction. Describing that as something natural to a species (in fact, in this story, T'Pol is talking about a POPULATION CATASTROPHE as something natural to Vulcans) is silly. The author should give it more thought before introducing it to the plot. I assure you that if such thing would happen on Earth, UN and other organizations would be seriously troubled, even more than they are troubled today when Earth's population is groving rather rapidly. Sounds like the Vulcans are already doing naturally what China is trying to do legislatively. It would make sense, though, for each couple to produce at least one "replacement" for each partner in their lifetimes to prevent negative population growth. I also imagine that the birth rate used to be much higher before the advent of controlled emotions to make up for all the deaths from all the wars, Kalifi, and such. Somebody over at Soval's annex could have a field day with that theory, I'm thinkin'. Great story, TLR. Interesting speculation. - : ) D Very good story, good chapter. I like your characterizations and dialogue. One quibble, not about population, copper is less reactive with oxygen than is iron. Thus, hemoglobin would be far more efficient an oxygenator than is cupriglobin (copper based hemoglobin). If there would be a problem with a hemoglobin-rich child being carried by a cupriglobin-rich mother, it would be that the child's more efficient chemical base might rob the mother of too much oxygen. Or possibly that the less efficient copper base blood couldn't provide enough oxygen for the child to remain viable. The idea of the mother and child must match up doesn't work because Amanda bore Spock, who was more Vulcan than Human. Amanda would have more oxygen to support the spock who would need less. But T'Pol would have less to support a child that would need more, hence they would do better if the child was more copper based. If T'pol or even Phlox had bothered to actually communicate with Trip about exactly what the Pon Farr mating cycle entailed then maybe Trip wouldn't feel so much out of the loop. TLR: Please don't take this badly, but you really do have to put more thought into your stories. Think of it on a smaller scale: if there are 5 men and 5 women, and they all pair off and have exactly one child, then there are only five children left. Then two in the next generation, and then only one. If a couple in the first generation has two, then the population decline only slows. And this is not considering early deaths, infertility, or similar factors! And IMO, your portrayal of Vulcan culture just seems to get sillier with each story you write. Call me a canon nazi if you must, but it would definitely behoove you to learn more about what has been established in ST canon before making things up. Vulcan society has never been misogynistic, for one. There's a big difference between fudging a bit for the sake of the story and completely frelling things up. I realize this is AU, but it's not AU enough to justify the massive changes you've made to Vulcan and its people. Fine...HopefulNebula....Then I won't finish the story. I apologize to all of you out there who have been so supportive of me. I wish I could finish this story for you, but I have been working so hard trying to turn out a chapter a week for you guys, to put up with the disrespect and down right nasty comments, well, I think it's time I just took a break. I thought I was doing you guys a favor, I mean we don't have any new storylines(show) and don't even have reruns in the US, I thought some new ideas would be welcome. I guess I was wrong. And to those people who have ruined it for the rest, then I hope you don't allienate all the writers like you have me. Then you won't have anything to read. I may finish the other story line, since part 2 ended in a big cliffy, and it's unfair to those people who really enjoy the work. Otherwise, I don't think I deserve the nastiness, not for the amount of time I spend anyway....T Aw TLR please finish the story. Im really enjoying it and cant wait to find out what happens. Your story is one of the few fanfics that have really captured my imagination and I can only imagine the work you put in to it. Please dont let a few naysayers spoil it for you. Youve done a great job and I loved how you resolved the previous chapters cliffhanger. Its a great story and I cant wait to find out the ending. Please please please please pretty please :o) TLR, TLR, I also would like to say that criticizing this story in such harsh and disrespectfull way some people here did was just painfull. Inga What story are you reading HopefulNebula? Misogynistic: None of TLR's storys have anything thing to do with a hatred of women, so either you don't know what that word means, or you haven't been reading the same stories the rest of us have. The Vulcan culture protects its females, cherishes them, hell even fights for them. That is exactly what TLR has written in many stories. I like having a new perspective on the culture, but after reading some of these postings, something bothers me more. You guys do know we are talking about a fictious race. I mean ST got the name Vulcan from the greek god of fire, hence all their ceremoies have something lit, a candle, a torch etc. It was a joke played on the audience by the writers. Like when spock said his eyes were flame, his heart was flame.(ha.ha) So lighten up guys, you're scaring me and TLR, go right ahead and write your stories. I for one love to read them and it looks like I am not in the minority. I can understand, if you feel like that, TLR. Take it slow for a while, but not finishing the story would be exaggerated. The story is without doubt excellent, i´m always looking forward to read the next part. TLR You didn't offend me Ocean.... I enjoy people getting passionate about the characters. That is the mark of a good writer, to pull the audience in so fully, that they forget they are reading a story. It is more the characterization of me that I take offense too. Calling me silly or stupid is quite unnecessary. I read every piece of literature posted to this site(although less now then before school started), and if I don't particularly care for something, then I simply don't comment, for one because it is a free society and everyone has a right to their point of view(writing stories wise) and because I know how hard it is to turn out 20 pages per week. I respect people for who they are and what they think. I just feel I deserve the same respect. I will reconsider the last chapter, especially since I doctored the picture of Lizzie specifically for it, but I urge those who cannot take the story for it's fictional content, and be respectful, then please don't waste time in reading it. I prefer to deal with those who can derive some pleasure from my stories.....T "“Vulcan females ovulate only once every 7 years….. And then, even with a prepared time for conception, concentrated effort, and two Vulcan parents, the Pon Farr cycle usually leads to a child only 1-2 times in their entire life span" ahh i think this is wrong.. hmm in tos we learned the most powerufl vulcan was a female tpau. "“Vulcan females ovulate only once every 7 years….. And then, even with a prepared time for conception, concentrated effort, and two Vulcan parents, the Pon Farr cycle usually leads to a child only 1-2 times in their entire life span" ahh i think this is wrong.. hmm in tos we learned the most powerufl vulcan was a female tpau. TLR - I want to tell you how much I enjoy your series of "Little Lizzie." I have read every chater and eagerly look forward for the next. I appreciate the effort, time, and talent that goes into the creation of this story. I consider this to be my first post-Enterprise novel. Please keep writing Trip and T'Pol. TLR: I didn't mean to offend you or put you off writing, but I was offering constructive criticism. I never said you were silly or stupid, but that I took issue with your characterizations of Vulcans. That was what I was calling "silly." Also remember that "real" (aka: professional) writers HAVE to take constructive criticism. They can't go from publisher to publisher looking for an editor who will love what you write as is. There are none, and if you happen to find one, you've come across a scammer. An editor will never say "this rocks, write more, please!" without following it up with SOMEthing that needs to be changed. I also should have worded my comments more positively, because I really *do* like your stories. I just wanted to help you improve. You know? My first fanfic was an extremely crappy His Dark Materials story that I got two chapters into, four years ago. It was a Gary-Stu... not horribly so, but definitely one, and it lacked quite a lot in the way of description. Plot, yes. Characterization, setting, description? Not so much. Two of my first three reviews over at the Pit of Voles pointed this out to me. Well, I was pissed off at first and ended up deleting the story. Then I realized, the reviewers were right. I never did re-post it, but I made sure to use their advice in my next stories. And, I realize now that I *have* broken one of the main rules of concrit: I didn't tell you what I *like* about this story. I like how alien you make the Vulcans, even though I disagree with how you go about doing so. I also like Trip's sense of betrayal at not knowing what's going on because everybody assumes he knows. That really resonated with me. If this is how you take concrit, however, you're going to alienate more readers than concrit reviewers alienate writers. Just a warning. tntlover: Actually, thank you for asking me which story I was reading. I was thinking of a different story with a similar writing style. (No, I'm not saying whose it is; that's a can of worms best not opened here.) TLR... Keep writng these awesome stories. they have brought me great joy. To all that bash TLR for a little changes in historical evidence, you must take into account that not even the Star Trek franchise itself followed the historical happenings properly. Certain employees such as Rick Sternbach left the show because the executives were not following the history. times change, and places change, even races may change. Off the bat I cannot give any specific scenarios, but i will find one if one wishes for me to do so. So don't bash the writer who may use a little bit of a poetic liscense, to make a story work. Star Trek did it, so how may they get away with it and not a simple story that will not affect the franchise. You go T! Peekaboo: Bashing != concrit. Hey TLC, Wouldn't arranged marriages help explain the prevention of population extinction? In this situation everyone is almost guaranteed to marry and at least have 1-2 children. Maybe the writers added this arrangement as an explanation. The idea of more then 2 children or even multiples like twins is a rarity, though not out of the realm of possibility and could also prevent extinction. Just throwing some ideas out. TLR, I am sorry that you feel so disheartened about your writing. I hope that you will be able to write again soon. I really have enjoyed your stories. TLR, I am sorry that you feel so disheartened about your writing. I hope that you will be able to write again soon. I really have enjoyed your stories. TLR, I am sorry that you are so disheartened about your writing. I really do enjoy your stories and I hope that you will be able to continue soon. TLR, I am sorry that you are so disheartened about your writing. I really do enjoy your stories and I hope that you will be able to continue soon. TLR, I am sorry that you are so disheartened about your writing. I really do enjoy your stories and I hope that you will be able to continue soon. TLR, I am sorry that you are so disheartened about your writing. I really do enjoy your stories and I hope that you will be able to continue soon. TLR, I am sorry that you are so disheartened about your writing. I really do enjoy your stories and I hope that you will be able to continue soon. I hope you continue this story line. because it's one of the best. and I look always forward to the next part. thrught this story I come to the language English, because I'm from Germany. And I think you are a very good writer. so ich hoffe du schreibst weiter. denn du schreibst echt gut. und ich freu mich immer schon richtig auf einen neuen teil. beim lesen kann ich immer so richtig abschalten, vom ganzen ABI stress und so. deine story lenkt sogar von liebeskummer ab. und das heißt schon was. dank dir hat sich auch meine Englisch note gebessert. I hope you continue your great story. |