Generational

Generational

By TLR

Rated PG 13 - adult content
Disclaimer: Enterprise is still the property of an ungrateful UPN and Paramount Pictures. I don't know about you all, but in my area it comes on at 3AM on Sunday morning. It's a good thing I got the DVDs.

Summary: Since the end of the series, I have come to really enjoy my DVD collection. I especially like the deleted scenes that give a bit more of a glimpse into the characters interactions. In the E² episode, there was a particular deleted scene that I would have paid good money to see drawn out. Perhaps into a whole other episode, (hey they did it with the mirror universe). For those who have the box set, it is deleted scene # 22 and it recounts an added script between Lorian and Trip. Trip is talking with him about his dad, and how Lorian has his mom's ears, but it goes on from there. Trip actually wants to know how he and T'Pol got together, and you get a sense from the way Trip asks, he wants to know more for the assistance, than the fascination value. So that got me to thinking, what really happened when the Enterprise was thrown back? So this is my interpretation of how Trip swept the very frigid Vulcan off her feet. Remember the beginning of that episode, Trip and T'Pol had already been with each other and now she was avoiding him like the plague due to her laps in control and the overwhelming feelings she was having for him. This story takes up one week to the day that the crew realized they were not going to make it to the rendezvous with Degra and the Captain had officially given the order to let the fraternizing begin. Enjoy.

January 15, 2006

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"Personal log star date…." T'Pol cocked her head and thought hard about what date she would have to use. The recording paused automatically hearing no words to take down. She decided for accuracy, it was necessary to keep the dates corrected, not wanting to miss their rendezvous with the first Xindi weapon. After all this plan of the Captain's depended on that, to save the first 7 million, and keep anyone from having to die at all.

"Stardate 23 - 04 -2037 " she stated confidently, then began her recollections. "It has been an interesting week, the crew now taking part in the Captain's new directives. Formal ship activity has drastically changed. Fraternization between crew members has become part of the regulations. Though while on duty, the old regulations stand, however it is the off duty time that has greatly changed. I don't know if this plan of Captain Archer's will work, but he seems to hold high hopes for it. I don't know if it is logical to expect this crew's offspring to take up our mission, and then to pass it on once again. Vulcans would have the discipline to do so however Humans may lack the drive to carry through the teachings of their ancestors, that is if this ship survives long enough to stop the first weapon from being launched." T'Pol paused a moment, tired and sore from her activities in Engineering today.

"There is also the fact that Enterprise was not created for a voyage of this length. While there is no doubt we will most likely be able to search or trade for food and clothing items, engine parts and deuterium are more difficult to come by. It is quite a possibility that we could become stranded and not be able to make any mission at all. It is more likely that we will be forced to find a habitable planet and begin our lives there. But the Captain has faith, and for Humans that is all it takes. I must assist him in any way possible…… at least until my time arrives. I will begin to train Ensign Marratta to take over my station once I have departed. I hope that I will have a few more years in which to train him. He looks to be a capable officer and hopefully he will become as good at these duties as I have been." T'Pol clicked off the recorder and gave a thought to the type of death she would most probably have.

Locked in her cabin, tearing at the bulkheads with her bare hands, not an easy thought for anyone, especially a Vulcan. She considered talking with Phlox about a neurotoxin strong enough to put her directly to sleep. That way she could pass without endangering the crew, but somewhere in the Vulcan, T'Pol knew the doctor would have none of that. If he knew of her condition, he would try to resolve it, and clearly there was no one on board who could resolve it for her…….(except maybe him.)

That thought crept into her mind and she quickly dismissed it. Looking at the chronometer, the Vulcan saw it was nearing time for the mess hall to open. She turned out the light over her computer terminal and made her way down the passage toward the turbo lift.

***

Entering the lift, T'Pol was pleased she was alone. But before the doors could close, a hand peeped in and activated their failsafe. As the doors opened again, in stepped the young blond haired engineer. He looked at the lift's occupant and turned to face the doors again. Since her dismissal, a week ago, the young Human had been even more worried about her. His attempts at interacting with the science officer were not always smooth. Mostly they were very regulation, much to the Human's dismay.

"Good Morning, T'Pol…. Did you sleep well?" He started.

"Yes…. And you?" She returned a little distressed to be locked in this small space with him. The lift sped along its way, dropping the 4 floors to G deck, G as in galley. The doors opened and Trip offered the young alien the right of way.

"Very well thank you. You going to get some tea?" He asked pleased that she had even answered him today.

"Yes…."

"Me too,….. I mean I'm going for some coffee. I am really beat. I was up late last night. It was movie night, you should've come. They played an old Hope and Crosby picture, a real mood lifter."

"My mood…. Doesn't require lifting…. I was reviewing some rationing plans to improve the limits of our current supplies. It may be necessary, as children become part of the crew to make up a protocol that would keep them nursing longer than is normal to conserve our rations." T'Pol walked coolly beside the male and didn't turn to see his amused expression at that statement.

"Well you're gonna have some really cranky women on your hands, if that becomes a protocol." He jested sporting a half smirk and light hearted twinkle.

"It may be unavoidable. We also must look into improving our status units to hold large amounts for longer periods, so that when we do come across edible vegetation, we will have the ability to store as much as possible." She remained serious, keeping her deadpan expression throughout her calculations.

"You stayed up late last night thinking about this, didn't you?" Trip was being sarcastic, hoping to spark back a little banter from the over serious female.

"The Captain has charged me with making this plan work. I must utilize my time aboard to make the most of our survival abilities." She glanced to him, now feeling a bit annoyed by his obvious lack of seriousness on the matter. "At least I was up late working……what was your excuse?"

Trip couldn't believe that statement came from the emotionless ice queen. He looked at her wholly shocked that she would think he was making good on the Captain's new directives. "Hey I said I was at the movie last night." He returned rather sharply.

"Movie night lasts only 2 hours. At the very least you should have completed the film by 21:00. I don't consider that staying up late, even for a Human." She talked out the side of her mouth, keeping the words low and the sarcasm even lower.

"Hey we had technical difficulties….. The movie wasn't over till 23:00 and then I stayed to help Chef clean up the mess hall." Trip was feeling more defensive then he thought he should be.

"They have crewmen to do that duty…. In fact many are female…. Were you of adequate assistance to them as well?" That point slipped from the Vulcan's lips not meaning to be said, but definitely what she was thinking.

"If you must know, T'Pol the crewmen posted for clean up had an early shift this morning. So I let them leave and I helped Chef, and only Chef with the clean up. Why, are you getting a bit jealous about the 'no fraternization' rule being lifted?"

"I do not experience jealousy…." She started and Trip was all over that.

"Yeah….Yeah….Yeah… we've covered that topic and look where it got us. I think you talk a good game but when it comes down too it, you're just as susceptible to that old green eyed monster as the rest of us. Hey you've even got the skin tone for it." Trip was feeling very full of himself. T'Pol turned and addressed him short of the mess hall doors.

"I told you what happened between us was an exploration and had nothing to do with your interactions with Corporal Cole. Believe what you wish, but I am Vulcan and being such I'm not susceptible to any emotions, even after having been so long isolated on a ship full of Humans." Although her words professed her emotion free existence, her tone denoted that of a tired and cranky female. Trip took this as a sign to back off. He remembered her hands shaking much of the time these days, and his worry for her state was genuine. Egging her on was the only way he was sure she was all right. But enough had been tested for one day. He raised his hands and backed off with a silent nod. He stepped to the side and allowed the female to enter the galley first.

The alien stepped through the doors to find the room was more crowded than usual. The routine mix of crewmen now looked more like a dating club. Tables that used to hold 4-5 persons were paired up, with only two. And the couples were talking low, hunched over their meals, with the intermittent giggle and side long glance. Trip noticed it as well, feeling the odd air about the room. He walked almost mesmerized by the sight. At the tables where there were unmatched personnel, there were groups of females all being hit on by at least 1 or more males. As they walked through the crowd, several females returning from the line noticed the sexy young engineer. There was the frequent, "Hey Commander…… and Hi Trip" that didn't go unnoticed on the Vulcan's part. Even stranger was the number of male crewmen eyeing the alien openly. They watched her walk, her stance, even her reaching to get a white ceramic mug from the shelf. There was little trying to hide the looks, as everyone on board was charged with trying to bring an offspring into the crew's compliment. This made T'Pol very uneasy, as she made her way to the far end of the room. There at the table, near a port, she took a seat, not wanting to join the numerous crewmembers in line just yet. Trip, decided to gather both their meals, having seen the ungentlemanly ways some of the male compliment were acting.

He stood in line, feeling light touches of the women who passed by. They would smile and wink, wanting the most impressive male catch on board to be theirs. The captain hadn't set foot out of his personal mess, since issuing the order, not wanting to become part of the meat market just yet. He saw the change in the crew's behavior and knew it would be a hard adjustment for everyone. T'Pol could sense the attention she was drawing. It was rumored that the Human who got her with child would hold a higher stature in the upcoming years. For this reason, plus the fact that only one third of the crew were women, many males now felt the boldness it took to come right up and address the illusive beauty.

"Major Hayes, for one, who'd always been impressed by the young woman's fighting capability. He noticed her several times during training, and also in their missions together. Being of command rank himself, the dark haired MACO didn't feel it too unlikely that the two of them couldn't produce some superior offspring. It was strange that this military male would think in those terms, but it was all about saving Earth and any sacrifice wasn't too great of one to make to complete that mission. Besides Vulcan offspring would most likely be part of the generation that would be directly responsible for stopping the first weapon. To have his son or daughter in that battle was to this career man, a noble and honorable thing. He waited to see the Chief Engineer move away from his target before trying to approach the female.

"Good morning, Ma'am …." He stood there rigid, knowing the Vulcan would appreciate proper military fashion.

"Good morning, Major, …at ease." T'Pol answered seeing his respect of protocol.

"Is that all you're eating?" He asked noticing the long mug of light brown liquid. "The line is crowded, but I would be glad to bring you what ever you'd like."

"That is unnecessary, Major, the Commander is bringing me my morning broth. Your offer was most kind though." T'Pol watched as the man didn't retreat. "Are things prepared in the armory for the next munitions test?" She continued remembering that he and Lt Reed had been working on boasting the yield of the shield regulators output.

"Yes Ma'am. We should have the results of those tests later today, if you'd care to stop by and review them." The Major seemed pleased she didn't merely dismiss him. He was making some progress and stopped short of pulling out a chair and sitting down.

"Is there anything else, Major?" T'Pol ran out of professional banter for this Human.

"Yes, Ma'am. With your permission of course, I would like to set up a series of training sessions for myself with you." That statement drew a raised brow from the young woman. The Major quickly corrected.

"I've been wanting to learn the techniques you've demonstrated in our physical training sessions. I believe it is called, Suess'mana. It's a Vulcan Martial art form that is very affective in hand to hand combat, if I understand it correctly." The Major kept his best game face on.

"Suess'mana is a martial art that takes years to master. How can you possibly hope to learn it in a few training sessions?" She asked totally believing his desire to improve his skill.

"I don't expect to learn it entirely, and I suspect it will take quite a few sessions, but I had hoped to learn enough of it to teach my men, thus improving their training. I know we won't be coming up against any Xindi during our remaining time, but I'm sure they are not the only hostile species out there that Enterprise will need protection from." The Major stayed upright, mimicking the Vulcan's straight spine. He kept his words professional knowing she would appreciate the non emotional approach.

"Your suspicions that we will most likely meet other hostile species are most probably correct. I would be willing to instruct you, with the understanding that the basics must be achieved before advancing to the more difficult maneuvers. To not do so could mean injury and I could not be a part of that." T'Pol showed a respect for the Human that the Major picked up on immediately.

"By all means… I want to learn the right way, so I can teach my crew. I will be at your disposal whenever you have the time to spare for instruction." He finished his statement, and nodded respectfully. As he did so, a bewildered and slightly flustered Trip Tucker returned with a tray of food for the science officer and himself. He heard the part about the MACO's being at the alien's disposal and nothing else, which only aggravated him all the more.

"Commander..." Hayes put on his best military show for the alien's benefit. He looked to her again. "I look forward to our sessions together," then walked away.

Trip was floored. Was T'Pol giving Neuropressure to others? He looked at her with his face all scrunched. "What the hell was that all about?" He asked setting down the tray and pulling out the chair that was next to hers. He kept his eye on the dark haired male until he had left the room.

"The Major wished me to train him in the art of Suess'Mana." She returned evenly taking her bowl of broth from the tray.

"What's that…some form of massage technique?" He continued forgetting his food, now focused on his competition.

"It is a martial art form I used on the Klingons when they were coercing Tessick and his people." She lifted her spoon and sipped at the unusually weak broth. "He wishes to become proficient enough in it to train his staff."

"I bet he does…. And just how is he planning to get proficient in it. Let me guess, private sessions….." Trip's jealousy wasn't even trying to hide.

"Commander… The Major has a point. We will be coming across more hostile species in our travels. We will need to be ready for any possible attack, both mentally and physically. He is merely trying to be as prepared as possible." T'Pol leaned her head and gave him a faintly perturbed glare.

"Look T'Pol, with the Captain's new protocol, there is gonna be a lot of guys acting in a less than gentlemanly fashion around here, if you know what I mean. They'll try to approach you… Try to hit on you…" Trip stopped his phrasing thinking the alien knew what he was referring to. She didn't.

"Why would anyone try to strike me? Everyone on board knows I am prepared to defend myself against attack." T'Pol was truly clueless.

"I mean they will try to get close to you…. You know……in a sexual way." Trip's words were intermittent denoting the discomfort he felt in talking about the subject. "I just don't want you to be taken in by their ploys."

"Commander…. I have lived quite a while as an adult female. And I have been as you say 'hit on' by males of many different species. I am capable of taking care of myself. I am also an empath and can tell more about a person's motives than you can with your preconceived assessments." T'Pol took another sip of her tea.

"Oh, so you're gonna tell me that he was being truthful about only wanting to get better trained then." The Human stabbed at his eggs.

"No, he wasn't…" Trip looked up at her surprised at the admission. "But neither are you with your exaggerated concern for my well being. The Major does have an alternate agenda, but it doesn't mean it will work. He has asked for training and if I find that I have the time that is all he will get." T'Pol looked at him again then picked up her spoon and finished her broth. Trip sat there quite surprised, until the science officer had finished. They parted when she left to check in with the Captain.

***

T'Pol entered Engineering, three hours later, having finished her meeting with Archer and caught up on all her duties at the science station. She found the chief engineer hard at work beneath a plasma manifold junction. He was working at reinforcing the structural integrity of the junction, something that he and his crew all decided would help the ship last the twelve decades they would need too. T'Pol waited silently, not wanting to distract him as he eased the last weld into place. Trip came up from beneath the glowing area. He lifted his mask and saw the sleek looking body of the science officer from a very enticing angle.

"Hey…what's up?" He asked a bit surprised to see her after this morning's rather awkward conversation.

"The Captain thought I would be of assistance to you with your repairs." She returned bluntly, not showing any emotion one way or the other.

"Great…. We could sure use the help." Trip rolled up quickly and came to a stand beside her. He backed off a bit realizing he was covered with grease and perspiration. "Sorry…. Must be kinda ripe right about now. Those conduits are pretty hot even after you shut off the flow." Trip pulled out a greasy rag from the pocket of his jumpsuit and tried to wipe more of the dirt away. The alien simply waited for him to finish.

"I could sure use some help over here." He pointed to a panel on the far side of the room. It was strangely away from the other crew members, but in secret T'Pol appreciated the break. Trip was right about the male compliment trying to find ways to be around her. Already this morning 5 crewmen approached her with questions they could have found the answers to themselves. And even Lt Reed seemed to have a great need to clear all his work through her, even more than usual. She was aware of the underlying air to these events, but kept her responses clean and totally professional. She followed Trip in silence, walking past the few remaining crewmen that stood in her path.

"These relays were blown out by our last attack. Normally crewman Taylor would be all over this kinda thing but…" He trailed off remembering what happened to the small wisp of a girl that was so brilliant and talented. T'Pol felt the pang of sadness coming from the Human and remained silent. He recovered after a few short moments. "These relays are all fused… You'll have to go through them one at a time and try to get 'em reconnected. They are all to back up systems, that's why I haven't given them greater priority, but if you've got the time to spare, that would sure help us out." T'Pol nodded and put her fingers on the keyboard of the systems check station. Trip started to leave then turned feeling a bit guilty.

"Look… I'm sorry about giving you such a hard time this morning…. I just wasn't sure you knew what to expect." He watched her as she stopped her movements.

"All species rely on pairs to continue their existence. When pairs are at work, there is often aggressive behavior demonstrated. My military training has prepared me well for such behaviors. There is no need for concern." Her eyes were soft, not accusatory.

"I know…. But you're my friend and I just didn't want you to get hurt…that's all…." Trip returned her in an even softer tone. His words were warm and T'Pol could sense the honesty of his admission. She thought a moment about explaining further, but decided the lesser approach to be more appropriate with the Human.

"Thank you." She stated and held his gaze until he began to turn away.

"Well I'll just be over here if you have any questions. I got a lot more plasma junctions to reinforce." Trip waved his hand in the direction he'd be and slowly moved away almost regretting the fact that they had to part. T'Pol turned back to her work, but his words rang in her ears for the remainder of the shift.

***

(Two Weeks Later)

Trip sat on the bike at the far end of the exercise and training area. He pedaled absently, perspiration falling from his forehead and his face red as a beet. But the redness wasn't from his activity. It was from his anger at seeing the Vulcan and the MACO in yet another late night training session. (This is the third night this week… What the hell is so important about these sessions that she has gotta be doing this so often?) He thought as he pedaled even harder.

On the far side of the room, T'Pol and Major Hayes were attempting to perform the Benvacot maneuver, a more advanced version of the Navercot. This time instead of simply dodging the attacker's advances, the victim then turns the attacker's actions upon them. It seemed to the engineer like a simple wrestling match. But this one was being done however, in a martial arts style. The Major would strike at the Vulcan, attempting to grasp on to her anywhere, but T'Pol would dodge his advances, then turn around and bring him down with a leg move, an over the body flip or some other maneuver that was decided by the proximity and angle of her attacker. So far she had thrown him at least a half dozen times. And yet the Major didn't seem to mind.

After each throw, as was custom, the aggressor would help the victim up from the floor. And this part was what Trip really objected too. He knew of T'Pol's distaste for unnecessary physical contact, and yet this Human insisted on her assistance every time. And when she did allow him the throw, he made what the engineer thought was an exaggerated point of pinning her to the mat, a fact that a few times almost got Trip off his bike and into the session. The blond haired Human never took his eyes off the pair, not even when Hoshi Soto came up and joined him on an adjacent piece of equipment.

"Good evening Commander." She said to an oblivious Trip as she mounted a nearby bike. The Asian woman noticed the engineer's interest and decided to allow him this one slip.

"They make a cute couple don't they?" She stated a bit louder, leaning into him, to be heard over the noise of the equipment.

"What?" Trip reacted finally realizing the young woman was next to him.

"T'Pol and Hayes…..They make a cute couple… Finally T'Pol can kick some butt without having to worry about damaging him." Hoshi took the towel from around her neck and laid it over the programmed console.

"What are you talking about? She is just instructing him in Vulcan martial arts." Trip grabbed the end of a towel from his chest and wiped at the sweat on his face and neck.

"Yeah, Vulcan martial arts…something no crewman should be without." She grinned at him. "They've been at it almost every night this week."

"They've only had three sessions this week and two last week… I hardly would call that anything but teaching. Believe me there is nothing going on between T'Pol and the Major" Trip looked straight ahead with the occasional glance over at the two, still engaged in close contact.

"Really commander, you'd better watch it, or else T'Pol will pick up on this jealousy thing you've got going." Hoshi pushed up the tension bar on the bike she was riding.

"I am not jealous of T'Pol and Hayes. She is merely instructing him in Vulcan martial arts so he can then train his crew. That's all it is." Trip turned down the buttons on his bike and wiped at his face again.

"Oh really…. If the sole purpose of this activity is to have all the MACOs trained in Vulcan martial arts, then why isn't she teaching them all? I mean when we had to learn combat techniques, they taught us as a group. I didn't get any private lessons from a MACO. At least none that were mandated by the Captain." Hoshi shot him a coy little grin.

"You've got it all wrong…. T'Pol knows what she's doing." Trip looked at the communications officer to make his point. Hoshi simply looked over his shoulder to help make hers.

"You're right, Commander. T'Pol really does know what she's doing. I mean their session isn't half over and she's already got his arms around her." A coy smile re-emerged on the young woman's lips.

Trip gave her a strange glare then wheeled around to find that the Major in fact had his arms around the Vulcan's shoulders. He was standing to her side, with one hand on her shoulder and the other wrapped behind her, grasping her waist. T'Pol stood there, her head tilted downward and eyes upon the floor.

"What the?" Trip uttered, as he flew off the cycle and to the Vulcan's side.

"Are you okay?" He asked knocking the MACO out of the picture and taking up his place, holding the unsteady alien on her feet. "What did you do?" He whirled around and accused the Major.

"I didn't do anything, Commander. T'Pol must have hit her head on the open floor when she went down that time." Hayes was both perturbed and concerned. He was mad that his time with the science officer had been interrupted, but was just as concerned as the commander about the young woman's welfare.

"Well you didn't have to throw her that hard." Trip whipped back at the male, pulling T'Pol even tighter into him for stability. He looked down into her face and saw her eyes starting to turn upwards again.

"It is not the Major's fault, Commander. I must have misjudged the end of the mat with that last maneuver." T'Pol's voice sounded hazy but defensive of the MACO.

"I think you should see the doctor….I'll escort you down there." Hayes was quick to state protocol.

"You've done enough, major…..I suggest you just back off and give the first officer a bit of air." Trip was almost spitting at the guy, although not being aware of it. "I'll see to it that she sees Phlox…. That will be all." Trip went back to studying the Vulcan. The MACO didn't like that last suggestion and began to protest.

"Really Sir…. I think.." He was cut off by a very angry Trip glaring him down.

"I said dismissed…." He hissed the last of it and saw the major have no other recourse than to back down and leave the area. The few remaining people in the room, stared with great curiosity at the pair, as they stood waiting for T'Pol to get her sea legs back. When she did so, they left, the Vulcan still tucked beneath the protective arm of the southern male.

"You didn't need to be so direct with the major…. It wasn't his fault that I hit my head." T'Pol berated him low as they made their way down the corridor.

"You got hurt and he was the one who hurt you. That's all I need to know." Trip responded just as irritated by the situation. "Besides…. He was taking quite a bit of liberties out there, or didn't you notice that?"

"What liberties are you referring too?" The Vulcan straightened, pulling away from the male who was accusing her of improprieties.

"Pinning you down… laying on you an extra long time. That's not how training is supposed to go." Trip pulled at her waist, trying to bring her back into him a bit.

"And this is regulation?" She asked curiously, looking down to his hand about her waist. Trip noticed and loosened up on his grip of her, but didn't remove it totally.

"You were unsure on your feet. I was merely.." Trip was cut off by T'Pol's response.

"You were merely doing what the situation called for. So was the major. Pinning your opponent is key to preventing them from striking again. It is 'Defensive Training 101'." T'Pol looked at him directly.

"Well… I don't think that is why he did it." He retorted, helping her now into the turbo lift.

"The ulterior motives…." T'Pol reminded them both of the discussion they had two weeks ago. She thought a moment and continued. "I am still aware of them, and they will not have any affect on me, I assure you."

"Yeah… well… Doesn't mean I gotta like it." Trip grumbled as they both exited the lift on the level of sickbay.

***

(4 weeks later)

Trip was working with Malcolm on the routine downloading of the computer memory banks. There had been some difficulty, and Lt Reed called the Chief engineer down to give him a hand, due to the sensitive nature of the material being downloaded. They worked well into the morning before the downloading was once more in progress. The two stood there talking about the latest romances on the ship, when a beep signaled the Lt to take a good look at the material triggering the alarm.

He looked at the coding and found it to be encrypted material the Vulcan had stored in the memory banks more than a week ago. With the new security protocols, put into place during the Enterprise's study of the trinary black stars more than a year ago, it was procedure to be notified at the detection of any encrypted work not registered with the chief security officer.

"What's this?" Malcolm asked looking at the strange sequence of numbers and symbols that filled the screen.

"What's the problem Malcolm?" Trip couldn't see the point of his friend's concern.

"All encrypted work is supposed to be registered through me. I have not signed off on this material and will have to notify the Captain." Lt. Reed pulled up the file onto a palm padd and started for the door. Trip stopped him knowing what happened the last time T'Pol had anything encrypted.

"Look you've got your hands full down here. I am on my way to the Captain's mess for lunch. I'll see to it he gets it. If he wants Hoshi to decipher it, then I'll give it to her. No need you going all the way up there." Trip laid a hand on his friend's arm.

"Besides I think crewman Benning would like your assistance with the torpedo tube upgrades." He pointed to the incredibly young female with dark black hair and smoldering brown eyes. She grinned in the two men's direction and returned to work.

"Perhaps you've got a point. I am swamped down here. Thanks…" Reed closed the console to allow it to continue downloading and went over to the young crewman who was pleased to see him come. Trip left the area, detouring quickly to the bridge, to drop off the padd. He told Hoshi to simply decrypt it, and give it back to him. After that, Trip joined Archer and T'Pol for a relaxing lunch, away from the pinches, the pats and whistles he'd been being subjected too.

****

Hoshi Soto cornered Trip in his office later that day. She held the padd in her hand and wanted to get it back to him before going off duty. She had a hot date tonight with a MACO, Corporal Chang. She wanted to see the engineer in private so as not to alert any other members of the crew to their covert operations.

"Commander.." Hoshi waved to him from the doorway and was hailed in similarly.

"Here is the file you wanted decoded. It's in Vulcan, so you'll have to run it through the translator." She stood there waiting for his acknowledgement.

"You read it?" He asked expecting her to say no. But this time it was different.

"Just looks like a recipe of some sort, but I didn't read too much of it, I didn't think it would be right. Is that all you wanted Commander?" Hoshi seemed anxious to get going and nervously shuffled from side to side. Trip noticed that and surmised, like the rest of the crew, she probably had other things on her mind.

"Hot date?" He asked sporting a smile that told her he was getting even for that little discussion four weeks ago.

"Yes if you must know…. And he's not Starfleet so I wouldn't be breaking any regulations even if we had them." She showed him an equally broad grin.

"Well watch it. I hear those MACOs really pack a wallop." Trip added a chuckle and the young Asian woman joined in on the joke. She left as he plugged the padd into the computer console. The symbols came up, and the translation was soon to follow.

"What the Hell?" Trip murmured absently as he read the content of the page. His eyes grew wide and voice caught in his throat when he'd completed the last few lines.

( What the hell was T'Pol doing with this. What the hell is she thinking?) His mind was reeling as he read and re-read the data again and again looking for some other ulterior motive she could possibly have for requesting this data. He could find none. A sick feeling grew in the pit of his stomach as he grabbed the padd and left his office. He stormed out of engineering, not even signing out to his next in command down there. He needed to have this out with the alien. To find out what she could possibly be planning with information as dangerous as this. Had she lost her mind, the young male didn't know, but was sure gonna find out. He made his way down the corridors, to the lift and then to her door. He rang the bell a few times, without answer then began pounding on the cool steel with his bare fists.

T'Pol opened the door, quite shocked at the ruckus this Human was making. "Commander?....Come in.." She stepped aside and allowed him entrance. Before the door slid shut she searched the corridors to see if anyone else witnessed that display.

Trip standing in the center of the room, looked at the alien with the same determined stare he had when she'd greeted him. T'Pol could tell he was angered at her, but wasn't sure why. That is part of the reason she hesitated with answering the door, feeling his anger and frustration from the corridor. Now that he was here, she simply had to wait for his words to determine the cause.

"What the hell is this?" He asked handing her the padd, almost in a throwing motion. T'Pol read the contents of the screen. It was as she'd worried, that someone would get a hold of what she was doing and try to stop her.

"It is merely some research I have been doing for several weeks now. Why do you have it?" She kept her emotions tight, her worry not showing over that cool Vulcan exterior.

"Malcolm was downloading the computer memory…. Anything encrypted without his knowledge automatically sets off his sensors. He was about to take this to the Captain." Trip's voice got tighter as he spoke, more accusatory with every word.

"So…." She returned trying to pull off the biggest bluff in her life.

"So????? …… What was the Captain gonna think when he found out you were researching this stuff? You think he would have been fine with it?" The young man's arms flew up and slapped down hard on his thighs in frustration.

"I was merely researching these substances. I am after all a science officer and chemistry is part of my responsibility. Some of these substances could be of use to us." Again T'Pol was trying to bluff an old southern poker player and wasn't doing too well.

"What could we possibly need Brenoxia for…. Or Theropimide……" He pointed to the screen as he read them off. "And what about Sylenthimene? What good could they possibly do for us. They are not propellants. They are not chemical abrasives or corrosives. Hell they aren't even toxic to Humans, Denobulans or a half dozen other species. The only thing they are good for is killing Vulcans." Trip was almost yelling now. T'Pol leaned back from his breath that was hot against her cheek.

"What is going on with you?… Why did you research these chemicals?" Trip moved in even closer, his chin a few millimeters from her hair. T'Pol looked straight ahead not meeting his gaze.

"I am a scientist… I have to know of these chemicals and their side effects." She tried to put an even spin on things, but found it difficult.

"Is that so…. Then why did you request the recipes for them. This isn't just research. It is a cookbook of Vulcan poisons…." He stepped in front of her and made her eyes come to him. "Why T'Pol ….Why?"

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

Part 2

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A whole mess of folks have made comments

Interesting... I can't wait for me.

Wow, really like this story, and quite the cliffhanger. Great like always...

That is quite the cliffhanger. Sounds like the start of a very fiery argument. This could be ouchie.

Oh yer mean! Cuttin us off like that.
Damn Im bittin my nails here. T'pol thinkin an convinced herself that death is her only option when her Ponn Far comes (That is her reason isnt it?),, Damn. And Can I just say if that for weeks on end the crew were all talkin about Trip, T'pol an their late night N-pressure sessions,,, Then How big of an ass is Hayes,, Not to mention the other guys an gals on the ship.

Ya know right now I want Trip to kick the shit out of Hayes,, maybe its just me,,, But Yer Hayes TLR Is really getting on my nerves.,,,,,,,, BUt God I love this story,,,, an my hands were sweatin at the end there. Please update this soon.

I don't want to speak for TLR, but I don't think T'Pol is considering suicide due to Pon'Farr. This takes place after Damage and The Forgotten and T'Pol is struggling to keep control of her emotions. She's probably also going through withdrawal symptons too. In addition, she's got the images of not only what happened to the Saleya's crew, but the other ship we saw in The Expanse at the end of season two. On top of that she has Pa'nar Syndrome.

I have to imagine that a T'Pol thrown back nearly 120 years is staring at a pretty bleak future. The logical conclusion would most likely be her end is not long in coming and will not be pleasant at all.

You really had me going there...nice new start! I can't want for you to update :) Cheers!

I anit tryin to speak for her either but

" I must assist him in any way possible…… at least until my time arrives. I will begin to train Ensign Marratta to take over my station once I have departed. I hope that I will have a few more years in which to train him. He looks to be a capable officer and hopefully he will become as good at these duties as I have been."

And " T'Pol clicked off the recorder and gave a thought to the type of death she would most probably have.

Locked in her cabin, tearing at the bulkheads with her bare hands, not an easy thought for anyone, especially a Vulcan. She considered talking with Phlox about a neurotoxin strong enough to put her directly to sleep. That way she could pass without endangering the crew, but somewhere in the Vulcan, T'Pol knew the doctor would have none of that. If he knew of her condition, he would try to resolve it, and clearly there was no one on board who could resolve it for her…….(except maybe him.) "

If she wanted to Kill herself for the events in the Expanse then shouldnt she see to her end sooner rather then later? an then theirs the fact that she hopes to have years to train her replacement Science officer. Pluss the Fact if Phlox found out her plan he would try to resolve it,,, an she already beleaves their is no one on board who could resolve "it for her", "Except for maybe him",,,,,,,,,,,,
Sounds to me Like she's planin to go out gracefully before her Ponn Far hits.

Can't wait!! Good story so far..

Whew! I wanna hear her explain herself, too. If it's just Ponfarr she's gonna kill herself over, I would say that's pretty damned stupid... especially since she's already sampled the merchandise, so to speak. I agree with Kevin. I'll bet she has a better reason than just Ponfarr.

Great so far even though I don't really like to read storys in the E2 'verse, because we all know how they ended. Otherwise looking forward to read more.

brilliant, as always. Can't wait for Sunday...

I love this story and can't wait for the next chapter. Please make it a long one.

Great story so far! I love the E2 stories, though there are so few out there on the net. Can't wait for more!

i don't normally like e2 stories, but this is amazing. The first thing I will do on Sunday is switch on my computer!

i don't normally like e2 stories, but this is amazing. The first thing I will do on Sunday is switch on my computer, then i will keep checking all day until part 2 comes up!

Glad you like it. I have some real cute ideas as to how to get their bond cemented. It proves to be some of the most tender Trip to date. God, I love writing that guy. Too bad his is a myth, cause I know I haven't met anything remotely like him. He is definitely in touch with his southern gentleman side. Hee. Hee. Hee...... Next part out by Sunday.... I promise....T.

Awesome, I love it... the Major Hayes and Trip stuff has some really good potential for "boys being boys" kind of jealousy and envy and fighting over girls. They could even get into a fist fight. I hope the angst isn't over, just b/c there's so much potential for it with Hayes.

You could even make T'Pol be a little more of a "woman's woman" and play her interests between Hayes and Trip before finally falling to his debonaire southern charm :D

LOVED IT!

I really enjoyed this. Can't wait for Sunday.

Great reading, loved it, can't wait for tomorrow!

I have to apologize in advance. I promised to have the next part out by sunday. But a friend of mine's daughter was murdered this week and I spent all my free time helping to raise money for her burial. I will work on it all afternoon today and tomorrow, and hope to have it out by Tues. Again I apologize for the delay, it has been a very trying and sad week. T....

Well it hardly would seem to matter after that news (above) but I loved this story. Interaction between Hayes and T'Pol priceless. I'm an "expert" in the Esquared Universe having also written a story about how our favorite couple get together in this universe (Forwards or Backwards) and ready to put out another. I've spent alot of time contemplating the possiblities of this universe :) and I think you got it right. Loved your take on the dynamics after the nonfraternization rule is lifted. GOOD JOB, great cliffhanger.

TLR,

Never apologize for having your priorities in the right order. You are right where you belong, with your friend. I look forward to your next installment.

I managed to get part 2 turned in today. Bucky should have it up soon. Thanks for your patience and your kind words. T.

Dude, like, soooooo unfair! I reeeeeeeeeally can't wait for more of this! (Stupid Hayes garbage face...) Keep it coming, I can't wait for the blow up (oh, and there WILL be a blow up, I can tell already)! :)