Reflection-Ch 13

Reflection

By Triplover

Disclaimer: I don’t own a thing.
Rating: R

Summary: Trip must face some old demons when a friend from the past reappears asking to stay on Enterprise as a member of the crew.

A/N: Well this is it, the very last chapter. Yay!!!!!! I just want to thank everyone for your comments through out this story. It was nice to hear from you guys and get encouragement to continue. So thanks. And thanks to my wonderful beta Stubadingdong. I’d also like to thank the person who gave me some good suggestions for this story, thanks Pookha! Thank you all and enjoy! ;)

Chapter Thirteen

T’Pol had wanted to say goodbye, she’d wanted to talk to him one last time before he’d have to leave. There was only a little less than twenty minutes left before he’d be gone and T’Pol couldn’t stop herself from seeking him out. She was not prepared for the sight before her. Sim and his associate Rylic were holding a body in their hands, Trip, dragging him out of their ship. “Sim!”

Sim’s head went up instantly to see T’Pol standing before him. Rylic set Trip down gently then turned with a phaser in his hand pointed directly at her. “I’d stand as still as possible if I were you unless you want to be unconscious too.”

Sim’s eyes met hers. “You didn’t really think I’d let him die did you? His family already lost Elizabeth. They shouldn’t haffta lose him too.”

“This is Trip’s mission. Why are you doing this?” she asked him.

Sim walked over to her and rested his hand to her cheek. “You know why. Take care of him T’Pol.”

“Sim, you don’t have to do this for me,” though inside she knew she was relived that Sim was doing this she also knew how Trip felt about this mission.

“Not just for you T’Pol, for this ship. I would never fit in here, I don’t belong here. I don’t belong anywhere. I’m just a clone, a reflection of someone standing in front of a mirror. It’s okay, this is my choice. He loves you, more than he’s ever loved anyone else. I can’t let him give up his life when I never should have existed in the first place. This is his world, and I won’t take that away from him.” Sim then paused, before turning his head to kiss her cheek. “Ask him about Sindy Croft, I’ve been tryin’ to figure out why Trip would want to do this for me when a sudden memory sorta came up. I think it might explain a few things to ya.” Sim breathed in deeply and T’Pol could see him shaking slightly. He was afraid. Finally he let out his breath, his face only a few inches near hers and kissed her lips. T’Pol was too surprised to do anything about it because by the time she realized what was happening he had pulled away, smiling down at her. “That’s for old times sake,” he explained before winking at her.

T’Pol watched as Sim grinned at her then turned towards the doors of his ship. Rylic followed and walked in first. T’Pol stood looking at the Sim as her right hand touched her lips lightly. “Sim!”

He turned to look back at her, ready to leave. “Yeah T’Pol?”

“Thank you.”

Sim cocked his head to the side. “For what?”

T’Pol looked down at the man lying on the floor. “For the gift.”

A small chuckle escaped his lips. “Well thank you too.”

It was T’Pol’s turn to be confused at his statement. “I have done nothing.”

He shook his head lightly. “Oh on the contrary T’Pol, that’s two unbelievable goin’ away presents I’ve gotten from you,” he told her before touching his own lips. “Trip’s a lucky man.” With that he left and the door closed behind him.

T’Pol looked over at Trip, before kneeling down beside him, taking him into her arms. She couldn’t help the small smile that graced her lips for only one second. “And I am a lucky woman,” she whispered. Sim had given Trip back to her; she owed him a great debt of gratitude.

==

Archer watched the ship draw closer and closer towards the Enterprise. “Remember Malcolm we have to look as if we aren’t expecting his hits. Take time before you begin firing back at them. Travis, let them get a few more than normal.”

Both Travis and Malcolm nodded just as T’Pol walked in with Trip next to her rubbing his left shoulder. Trip seemed pretty upset. Archer stood in surprise. “Trip?”

T’Pol was the one that spoke, “Sim took his place. He wouldn’t take ‘no’ for an answer.”

Archer let out a sigh as he looked back at the alien vessel drawing closer and closer every second. “Damn,” he whispered before again glancing at the two standing before the turbolift doors. He then grinned at Trip, not even trying to hide his feelings about the matter. “It’s good to have you back Trip.”

Trip said nothing for a minute then nodded. “Yeah.”

Trip and T’Pol both took their stations on the bridge and waited as finally the ship moved to firing range. Archer sat in his chair raising his chin up and giving the vessel a smug smile. When this was all over he was going to be sure to give Trip a nice hug, it had been killing him to know that Trip would soon die. “Alright everyone, hold on tight.”

As soon as the words left his mouth the ship began firing. It gave them everything they had almost throwing him off of his chair. Sparks flew behind him, a few catching his neck and burning him. Archer winced cursing that damn ship that was attacking them. After a few minutes past Archer looked at Travis. “Evasive maneuvers Travis. Don’t let them get another shot in.”

“Aye sir,” Travis said.

Archer turned to look at Malcolm. “Malcolm, give them all you’ve got, just enough to stop them from causing too much damage to Enterprise.” Malcolm nodded as his hands flew over his console. Enterprise shook hard as Travis began maneuvering the ship, dogging the phaser fire directed towards him. Archer waited a few more seconds before he hailed the ship where Sim was. “Archer to Sim.”

“Don’t try to talk me out of this Cap’n!” Sim shouted over the com.

Archer smiled at the man that so reminded him of another engineer he knew. It was amazing how much they were alike yet so very different in heart. He turned to look at Trip who was gritting his teeth fiercely. “I wouldn’t dream of it Sim. I just wanted to say good luck.”

“Good luck to you too Cap’n. And tell Trip I’m sorry for havin’ Rylic shoot him. I know how rough our stun gun can be.”

Archer looked back at the screen. “I know you were just doing what you think was right. Thank you Sim,” he said and turned off the com. Sim truly was a good man but how could he not when he was cloned after Trip? He’d never been more proud of Sim. He had sacrificed more than anyone else ever had on Enterprise and that was something Archer would never forget. Archer looked around at his crew, and his eyes soon stopped at Malcolm who was grinning almost as much as the Captain was. Trip was alive, and Sim would always be known on Enterprise as a hero for it.

==

Sim turned to look at his friend Rylic. “Ya sure ya wanna do this with me? You could make a life on Enterprise. You could do anythin’ you want,” Sim offered.

“I have been with you through life and I will be with you through death. What are friends for?” Rylic asked.

Sim chuckled shaking his head. “Well then, welcome aboard friend. Now let’s destroy those son’s of bitches for good eh?”

Both grinned as their ship flew away from Enterprise and headed towards Tesic’s ship. Rylic jumped out of his seat and ran for the back to activate the weapon. “Sounds like a plan.”

==

Tesic watched from the bridge as the Starfleet vessel moved back and forth dogging their weapons fire. They will not be able to dodge the weapon Sim left them. He thought to himself with amusement. My master will be very pleased. He then noticed Sim’s vessel coming towards him. “Hail Sim,” he ordered.

His people hurried to get him on the screen. When Sim finally appeared Tesic smiled. “You’ve gotten the weapon inside already? Did you obtain the information the master wanted?”

Sim nodded though his face was hard with guilt. “Yeah Tesic we got it. I downloaded the entire computer just like you asked. It’s done.”

“You’ve done a good thing Sim. The master will be most pleased with you.”

Sim breathed in deeply. “Just let me dock so we can get outta here.”

The captain inclined his head. “As you wish Sim.”

He then cut the transmission and turned to one of his officers. “Prepare to dock with Sim’s vessel.”

The officer nodded and moved over to his console to begin docking procedures. Finally he looked back up at him smiling. “It’s done sir.”

Tesic stood proudly. “Good, now get us the hell out of here. Goodbye Enterprise.” Tesic watched as the Starfleet vessel soon disappeared as they went to warp. It was too bad the ship and everyone inside would be destroyed. He was sure he could learn a lot from people like them.

==

“Time Malcolm!”

“Ten seconds before the weapon goes off sir,” Malcolm answered.

Archer got out of his seat and stood stiffly. “Follow them Travis.”

“Sir?”

Archer looked down at Travis, his face full of determination. “I said follow them. I want to make sure this works.” Travis nodded and turned to look down at his console. He worked quickly, his fingers dancing across the console as Enterprise went to warp.

“Ten… nine… eight… seven… six… five… four,” Malcolm counted down.

Trip looked up at the screen from his station, sorrow in his eyes for the man who would once again be sacrificing his life. “Goodbye Sim,” he whispered.

“Three… two…” Malcolm went on.

==

Sim looked back at the weapon and smiled as the console counted down. “This is it!” he shouted. He looked over at Rylic and smiled with pride. “It may not have been a long life but it was worth it. I just hope Trip will feel the same way.”

Rylic looked back at the weapon. “I think he will. He thinks just like you do, after all. He’ll understand.”

Finally the count down came down to one and Sim closed his eyes as the weapon began to burst into flames engulfing both Rylic and Sim in its fiery heat. The two cried out in pain, their senses overloading with the feeling of their body burning. But the sensation didn’t last and in its place was an everlasting peace. Sim’s ship exploded.

==

“Sir! Sim’s ship has exploded!” the officer exclaimed in fear.

Tesic’s eyes shot open. “What?! Oh god, the weapon!”

That was it, the fire from Sim’s ship moved on to Tesic’s ship beginning to engulf it as it had with the first ship till the flames surrounded it and everyone inside was burned alive. Everyone except for Tesic….

==

Archer watched the two ships explode together, the explosion growing bigger and bigger until there was nothing left but metal floating in the vast void of space. Archer took steps closer to the screen watching what was left of Sim’s ship. It was over… for now.

==

He had been given another chance. He was alive. There was so much ahead of him. His career, his friendship with the captain and other members of the crew and then there was his relationship with T’Pol. So why was he so upset? Why was he so angry with Sim? Why was he so upset that he hadn’t gotten the chance to pay back Sim for what he’d done for him before? It wasn’t like he wanted to die. Part of him was very relieved not to have had to give up his life. Still, it should have been him and he couldn’t help but think about that fact. It should have been him this time.

When he first saw Sim he hadn’t known what to think. Their relationship had been an awkward one. Sim had hated Trip and Trip didn’t know how to feel about Sim. And yet Sim once again had given up his life for Trip. Why? Why would he do that? He hadn’t even lived one year and yet he gave up the life he could have had. Why?! Trip just couldn’t figure it out. It was illogical! Sim had died once. He shouldn’t have had to die again. He didn’t deserve that. He didn’t deserve to die. He was too young. He may have had all of Trip’s memories but they were his, not Sim’s. Sim’s memories were filled with things Trip didn’t even want to think about. He glanced down at the padd Sim had stuffed in his uniform and hesitated for only a few seconds before grabbing it and activating the message he’d decrypted nearly an hour ago.

The message played and Sim’s face appeared on the screen.

Trip,

There are some things in life you just can’t change. So don’t even try. Just accept it and move on. Because dwellin’ on the past won’t bring the people who’ve died back. And I think each and every one of them would tell you the same thing I’m tellin’ you now. You have a life, and you have friends that love you. Don’t ever forget that. They need you. T’Pol needs you. Don’t let them down. Goodbye Trip. Have a nice life.

The message ended there and Sim’s face faded away. Trip smiled lightly before hearing the buzzer to his door sound. “Come,” he called out.

T’Pol walked in his room and looked over at him to find Trip laying in bed in complete darkness. “I came to see how you were doing.”

Trip smiled tenderly at the woman who’d somehow taken his heart. He scooted over on the bed to give her room to lie down beside him. “I’m fine T’Pol.” It was then that he realized he was lying to her. He couldn’t do that. Trip moved his arm around her and closed his eyes. “At least I will be fine. I just need some time.”

“Do you want to talk?” she asked.

Trip turned his head to look at her. He could see her face glowing in the light of stars outside his window. “It’s okay T’Pol. I don’t need to talk. But there is something I do need. I don’t want to be alone.”

T’Pol turned on her side and rested her head on his chest. “You aren’t alone Trip. You’ll never be alone. I am here. I am with you.”

Trip grinned in the darkness. “Yes, yes you are.”

They lay together like that for nearly an hour before T’Pol spoke again. “Who is Sindy Croft?” she asked him.

Trip’s eyes widened at the mere mention of his name. “Who told you that name?”

“Sim, he said while trying to understand why you were doing this a memory came up that explained things.”

Trip frowned sitting up in bed. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

T’Pol had not expected this. She had only been mildly curious about this Sindy, Sim had mentioned but upon seeing the haunted expression on Trip’s face she now realized that Sim may have been on to something. “Was it her that made you want to save Sim?”

Trip stood walking away from his bed. “I told ya the reasons why I wanted to take the mission.”

“Yes, you told me reasons… you told many of the crew reasons why you wanted the mission. But I suspect though each one may have backed up your claim there is one overall reason. Who is Sindy Croft?”

T’Pol could see the faint smile on his lips as the blood drained from his face, making him become pail. “She was a child I used to know, a long time ago.”

“She was important to you,” T’Pol said trying to fill in blanks.

Trip shook his head. “Hardly knew her.”

T’Pol cocked her head in confusion just as Trip walked back to the bed unable to look at her. “Who is she?”

“You mean ‘was’, she died a long time ago.”

“What does she have to do with Sim?”

“Nothin’, I don’t know what the hell he was talkin’ about,” Trip answered all too quickly.

T’Pol frowned. “I think your lying.”

Trip looked at her fiercely, his eyes filled with anger. “Look, I told you I don’t want to talk about it, okay? So just leave it alone.”

T’Pol wasn’t about to quit. “Trip-“

Trip stood abruptly. “I said I don’t want to talk about!” he yelled.

T’Pol’s eyes widened at his reaction. Perhaps it wasn’t such a good idea talking to him about it. It was obvious that he was not ready to face that part of his past. She nodded silently before standing to leave.

“Wait T’Pol, I’m sorry about that. I just… I just don’t want to talk about it.”

T’Pol stopped and turned back around. “I realize you feel at fault with Sim’s death-“ she began but Trip cut her off.

“I felt at fault for his life, T’Pol, along with his death. He never would have gone through any of this if it weren’t for me. I thought this time around I could change things. I thought for once I could make up for the mistakes I made in my past. When I learned about Sim’s death I knew it was my fault, he was my mistake. Maybe if I hadn’t been so careless about trying to find the Xindi quicker none of this would have happened. I thought I’d learned from that mistake, but I guess I didn’t.”

“Sim chose to die. There was nothing you could do.” She could see that she was not getting through to him. He was moving away from her, he wasn’t listening. T’Pol was unsure of what to say. What could she do to show him how important he truly was? The science officer paused letting out a breath. “I know you wanted to save his life Trip, I know it was very important to you but you must know that though you would have saved his life, your death would have taken mine. I cannot lose you.”

Trip opened his eyes, moving a hand to her cheek before brushing a lock of hair from her eyes. “Then maybe that’s why I’m still here.” He kissed her softly before wiping a tear that had escaped, falling down his face. “I’m sorry; I just wish things didn’t have to end like this. Sim shouldn’t have had to die.”

“I know, but perhaps he hasn’t,” she told him before laying her hand on his chest, where his heart would be situated. “As long as you are alive, he will live as well.”

Trip smiled, kissing her again only harder this time. “Thanks T’Pol.” Trip let out a breath and rubbed his forehead. “We should get some sleep. We got a big day tomorrow.” T’Pol nodded lying back on the bed. Trip moved in besides her, holding her tightly. He kissed her forehead. “I love you T’Pol.”

“And I you, Trip.”

==

T’Pol woke up not but an hour later to see Trip beside her, sleeping peacefully. She moved out of bed slowly as not to wake him and took her clothes, putting them on before leaving the room. She knew exactly where she wanted to go. As soon as she reached the science station on the bridge she brought up any file she could find on Sindy Croft. Thankfully it was the graveyard shift so not many were around, she could do this in peace.

When the files appeared she looked through each until something caught her eye.

Sindy Croft, age seven, died tragically today when an accident in one of the buildings owned by Starfleet Headquarters was flooded with dangerous radiation. The entire level had to be evacuated because of the radiation leak but this young girl was left when the explosion knocked down a beam, which pinned her to the floor….

T’Pol moved on to the next file.

Sindy Croft would have been sixteen today if not for the terrible accident that took her life….

Again T’Pol moved on. This time the file was a report… writing by none other than a Lieutenant Charles Tucker the third.

When the experiment failed it caused a chain of events that were unavoidable. There was a rupture and a conduit carrying a dangerous substance leaked, spreading radiation through out the room. Lieutenant Peter Miller and I were in this room. When we were about to exit we found a young girl who was caught under a rather large beam that we could not move. She was alive, but the beam had her pinned by the waste with no hope of escape without help. We were unable to provide that assistance ourselves and had to leave her behind….

T’Pol’s eyes widened as she read the rest of the report….

==

The master stood in darkness letting out a sigh. “You have disappointed me. Your task was simple. Commander Tucker was supposed to take the place of Sim and try to destroy your vessel. Everything was working perfectly. Once I told Captain Archer of his betrayal he talked with Sim. Sim told him the truth. He made it clear that the only way to destroy your vessel was by using the weapon. Tucker was going to fly that ship. He was going to sacrifice himself for Sim. It would have worked perfectly. You have failed me.”

Tesic could feel his heart beating hard in his chest. “Master, what was I to do? I did not expect Sim’s heroism.”

“It is not about what you expected! You should have prepared properly. You should have found a way. You know I am unable to do anything myself to affect the past, it was up to you to see that my plan works. You have failed me.”

“Master, it will not happen again! I promise you! None of this will ever happen again!”

“No, it won’t,” he whispered. The master walked into the light… Daniels walked into the light and let out a soft sigh. “You have failed me, and now you must pay.”

Tesic’s eyes widened as Daniels moved closer and closer to him. Panic swelled in his heart as he stepped away from his master. “Please! It wasn’t my fault! How was I to know this would happen?”

“It was your fault Tesic. Do not blame it on ignorance,” Daniels said calmly before pushing him down and grabbing the handle of a rod, which at the end of it held a small silver ring. Tesic’s eyes widened.

“No! Not the ring! No! Please!” he screamed as the ring was burned onto his finger.

“Don’t worry Tesic, you may have failed me but this is not over. Commander Tucker will be stopped before history can be made, but I’m afraid I no longer need your services.” Daniels exhaled before turning to another servant who stood beside him. “Mr. Crilic, activate the ring.”

The End… or is it?! Bwahahahahahaha!!!!!

A/N: I know I left you at a bit of a cliffhanger ending there but don’t worry because the sequel to this story will be out soon. The sequel will be called Devil’s Advocate so look for it! ;)

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A whole mess of folks have made comments

oh my, DANIELS was the master!?! this is just gettin' juicy. thank you.

I liked the way you resolved the angst between Trip and Sim both wanting to do the honorable thing - but then they would, wouldn't they? I didn't expect the revelation that Daniels was the Master though it is a feasible possibility and certainly is impactive. Can't wait to find out just why Trip has to die. What did he or does he do that is so terrible in the future that Daniels wants to wipe him out? Look forward to finding out, Ali D :~)

Wow! What a twist...loved it.

Daniels?!?
I certainly didn't expect that...
Wonder what further catastrophies he has in store for Trip.

Great story, can't wait for the sequel.

Wow, you're just full of surprises, aren't ya? Good story! I loved all of it. I was sorry that Sim had to die, but happy that Trip & Polly could finally be together. :)

"Commander Tucker will be stopped before history can be made" -- Out of the frying pan, and into the fire. Now what have you got planned?

Thanks for the conclusion of this story. Enjoyed it! :-)

Just finished reading this in one go. Though I think it was drawn out a bit too far at parts, I did love the journey. It's not just the conclusion but also the journey that counts so yeah... Sim coming back was one of the best ideas I've seen in a story, I simply loved it. Thx for the read, I'm gonna go ahead with the sequel soon.

evil Future Guy!?!? so didn't see that one comming...

Great job!

evil Future Guy!?!? so didn't see that one comming...

Great job!