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Retrieval- Ch. 7

Author - zealousgirl
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Retrieval

By zealousgirl

Rating: PG-13, general
Disclaimers in Chapter One

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

CHAPTER 7

Found

The room was dimly lit. Six hooded figures sat in a semi-circle on cushions on the floor. A small flame flickered from the open lantern that was positioned in the middle of the room. They appeared to be meditating.

Trip and T'pol stood in the doorway for several minutes - their presence did not appear to have yet been detected. He nudged her and was about to speak, when she stepped forward and addressed the occupants.

"Please forgive the interruption. I was informed that you may be able to help in my search."

One by one, seemingly by design for dramatic effect, each form lowered their hood and looked up at the intruders. All were Scaniran males, save one.

A young Vulcan male was the last to remove his guise. He looked up at her and smiled. "T'pol, my love. I knew that you would come."

T'pol maintained her outward composure, but internally she was shocked by how much he had changed since the last time she had seem him. And he was SMILING at her. Things were more advanced than she had anticipated.

Trip continued to stand behind T'pol, attempting to be inconspicuous. He was still confused about what was going on, but he did figure out that it was a 'who' not a 'what 'that they were here to retrieve.

"May I speak to you in private, Koss." T'pol motioned towards the exit.

Trip's eyes widened as he put the last piece of this puzzle into place. He wanted to grab T'pol and shake her for not telling him, but was prevented by the tall Vulcan now standing next to them. Trip remained silent.

"I presume he is one of your crew-mates." Koss pointed at Trip, and then sneered. "He seems too frail to be able to have the stamina to keep up with you in bed. I would have thought that you broke off the engagement for at least someone who was more robust."

T'pol spoke before Trip was able to rebuff. "Commander Tucker is a friend. As Captain Archer would not allow me to travel on my own, the commander was kind enough to accompany me." She hesitated for a moment, and then continued. "Your parents have contacted me to request that I bring you back to Vulcan. They are quite concerned about your decision to leave. And now I have reason to believe that they are correct."

"My love. . . I am not prepared to leave at this time. But I do wish to speak to you privately. I am aware that you are staying at the hotel near the market. I will come tomorrow morning to see you." Koss pulled the hood back over his head and returned to his cushion on the floor. The remaining occupants, who had remained quiet during this encounter, followed suit.

T'pol nudged Trip out the door, and they left the establishment.

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

Trip did not speak until they were nearly at the hotel. "T'pol, YOU had to come get HIM. Doesn't that seem a bit odd, since he really has nothin' to do with you anymore?"

"Although we are no longer getting married, I was ceremoniously betrothed to him when I was a child. That bond is lifelong, even if I should wed another man."

"Oh. . . he will always 'have a special place' in your heart, is that it? Well, what makes you think he will come back with you? or even, that he won't go into hiding again? I don't trust him. There is something 'non- Vulcan' about the way he's acting."

"He will come to speak to me tomorrow. I know this because I know him."

"You mean you know, KNOW, him." Trip was angered by that last statement. He grabbed her by the shoulders and spun her around so that she was now facing him. "That's why we came all this way to find him! Your ex-fiancé! You're going to take him back! Why couldn't you have told me that from the get-go? I would have tried to talk you out of it."

"Commander you are jumping to conclusions. I am merely indebted to his family and am fulfilling my responsibilities." She twisted herself out his grip and entered the hotel.

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

Trip paced outside the bathroom door. T'pol had been in there for nearly an hour, and he really needed to use the facilities. He was also disturbed by the events of the day - and, by his behavior. 'Sounded like a jealous boyfriend. What's the matter with me?'

T'pol could hear him muttering to himself. It was very distracting, and necessitated that she meditate longer in order to find inner control. Although she did not show it, her meeting with Koss had taken its toll. She could sense the emotions that he was no longer able to control. Being among the Scaniran was not good for him. . . or for her.

She had actually been pleased with the commander's response to finding out that it was Koss that they were here to retrieve. He had sounded jealous - so, he must care for her. 'Why do I care what he thinks of me?'

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

Continued in Chapter 8

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