Southern Comfort

Southern Comfort

By Valleygirl

Rating: PG
Disclaimer: Paramount owns it all; I just thought they missed something…
Genre: Friendship/Romance
Summary: Scene addition for “Zero Hour”
Spoilers: “Zero Hour”

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The Expanse was dissipating.

The Weapon was destroyed.

Earth was safe.

Enterprise was being returned home inside the Xindi Aquatic vessel. For the crew, what should have been a time of immense satisfaction for a job well done was instead a time faced with heavy hearts.

“The Captain didn’t make it, Trip.”

“The weapon exploded before he could transport to Degra’s ship.”

Malcolm couldn’t help but feel it should have been him. It was his responsibility that only four of them returned home...

It had been several hours since the away team had returned. They had taken their leave of the Xindi Humanoid and Arboreal whose courage and faith had been so instrumental in completing their mission. As they journeyed toward home, there was little to do but try and absorb the events of the last several hours, days and weeks.

T’Pol knew she should be meditating, but found herself wandering aimlessly in the halls of the ship. She had just come from sickbay and visiting Porthos and Phlox. While the doctor’s words offered some measure of comfort, she still felt empty inside. How could she inspire hope in the crew, when she herself felt so utterly hopeless?

Her internal battle was raging full force, when she hesitantly stopped by the door where her feet had led her. A sea of doubt surrounded her. Would he want to see her? He was hurting too, what right did she have to intrude? Would he push her away, as she had done so many times to him?

They say that the worst is better than not knowing at all. Trip wasn’t sure that was true. Several hours before in the Command Center he had been worried, but at least then there was a modicum of hope. This mission that had started with the death of his sister now had ended with the death of a man who had been more like a brother to him than his own.

Still in shock, Trip was trying to wrap his mind around this latest wave of horror creeping into his soul. His heart still bearing the barely healed scars of Elizabeth was now being assaulted once again.

For the moment, he was fresh out of tears when he heard his door chime. He knew who he wanted it to be. But remembering all too well her reaction the last time they thought Archer was dead, he also knew it was nothing more than a passing fantasy.

The chime rang again, Trip’s first instinct was to ignore it. Probably another crew member who needed him to be stronger than he felt capable of being at the moment. But no, he was second in command now, more was expected of him. The captain expected more of him.

“Come in.” He sighed heavily and stood up as the door to his quarters swished open. For a moment he just stood there and blinked at her.

“Am I disturbing you?” she asked softly.

“Of course not.” Quickly recovering, he motioned her inside.

Now that she was here T’Pol had no idea what to do next. She only knew that she had an illogical and overwhelming need to see this man, to be in his presence. For what seemed like endless seconds they stood there just staring at each other. Trying to read each other’s eyes, gain some insight into the other’s soul.

T’Pol broke the gaze for a moment and tried to focus on the inside of the Aquatic ship that loomed through his window. “I don’t know what to say.” she admitted.

Trip sighed heavily again. “Sometimes there’s nothing to say.” His voice betraying the deep feelings swirling through him. He took step toward her. “Can I show you how humans tend to communicate at times like these?”

She looked back at him, her wide eyes full of doubt. Trip searched the beautiful green irises for some sign of refusal. Finding none, he carefully wrapped one arm around her drawing her close to him. She stiffened as he brought his other arm slowly around her, but she didn’t back away.

T’Pol, losing the battle with her control, allowed herself to lean her head into his chest. As she turned her head she could hear the steady beat of his heart, which some how steadied her own heartbeat as well. Without thinking her arms crept under his, encircling his waist.

Trip allowed his chin to rest on the top of her head. When he felt her arms around him, he closed his eyes and released the breath he just realized he had been holding. Little by little, in almost imperceptible changes, he felt her begin to relax.

After several minutes, T’Pol felt a semblance of her control and ordered thoughts return. “What now?” she asked. Logically they could not stay like this forever, although the reasons behind that piece of logic eluded her at the moment.

“Stay with me tonight” he whispered, half a hesitant question, half a bold statement.

She looked at him with questioning eyes. “Nothing’s gonna happen,” he quickly assured her, “I just don’t want to be alone.” He took her hand and gently led her toward the bed. Arranging the pillows against the bulkheads he settled himself in a half sitting, half reclining position, opening his arm in a silent invitation.

To Trip’s surprise she quickly divested herself of her boots and the orange catsuit, leaving her in nothing but gray skivvies as she cuddled down next to him on the bed. He could have sworn he heard a small sigh as she molded her body next to his. Would this woman ever cease to amaze him? As he pulled the blanket up over them both his thoughts turned to more practical issues.

“What time do you expect the Aquatic ship to drop us off?”

“Not before 0800.” she replied “Why?”

“Computer set alarm for 0530...In case we fall asleep.” He said looking over at her.

“Hmm?” she asked slightly puzzled.

He grinned sheepishly. “Should give you plenty of time to get back to your quarters before you need to be on the bridge...Wouldn’t want to start up those rumors again.”

T’Pol started to get up, questioning the wisdom of their current arrangement. After all she should be above this, setting an example for the crew, not indulging herself with the Chief Engineer.

Trip sensing the sudden change in her attitude, drew her in closer to him. “Don’t worry, T’Pol, I’m sure everyone is too wrapped up in their own thoughts to be worried about what we’re up to.”

“Commander, I--”

“Hey, I thought we had finally settled on ‘Trip’.” She made no reply. He could see she was hesitating. “Look, just for tonight, we’re two people tryin’ to get by the best way we know how... I need you.”

She nodded slightly and settled back down. Just for tonight. Would his power over her never cease to amaze her?

Looking at her for silent conformation, Trip reached up and flicked off the dim cabin lights.

“What do you need, T’Pol?” he asked as the darkness enveloped them.

“Hold me...Trip.” With that she felt the simple warmth of his strong arms around her and willed them to never let her go.

The End

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A whole mess of folks have made comments

Oh, that was wonderful!

I have a really warm fuzzy glow all over. The ending is sheer bliss.

This is a great missing scene, I'm so glad you took the time to share it. Thankyou!

I love this, adore the rightness of it all. Trip and T'Pol are just so wonderful together and you capture the poignancy of it so beautifully. Thank you, Ali D :~)

Trip and T'Pol are wonderful together, and when they reach out to give or take comfort with each other, it only gets better. Thanks for this. :D

Don't know why but this made me down right misty. It was sweet and portrayed just the right amount of togetherness considering their state of mind.

This was great - now why can't the Trek writers put something like this in an episode?!

very nice valley girl :-) a good and decent story thank you :-D

i simply love and adore this!!!!

Tender and gentle-great job!

It's already all been said... Thank you.

Made my heart ache for them all over again!

Tender, sweet and subdued - just the right tone for what they are going through.

Thank you for a job well done!

What a lovely story -- a beautifully written description of caring and tenderness between two people who love each other. Keep writing please!

Oh very very nice... we needed this, we deserved this glad you gave it to us. Well written and so enjoyable.

Is this my Val? Vanessa??? Did she medicate you, cuz there is not enough angst to satisfy you in this ;-)

I loved it.

What can I say? It was very interesting... good job. I liked it... oh what am I say?! I LOVED it! I hope to see more of your stories in the future.

All I have to say is... awwwwww.