Regression

A/N This story is set about 2 months after the Expanse.

Thanks to Plumtuckered, my wonderful beta reader who I could not do with out.

It had been six weeks since they had returned from the Expanse to a triumphant welcome. Life had certainly been hectic for Trip since then, incorporating endless family reunions into a massive refit schedule, which Enterprise needed to get space worthy again. He was happy that Earth was safe, that no one else would suffer the loss of a loved one, but deep down inside was a lingering sadness – sadness for a sister he would never see again, sadness for his crew who had died during the mission and sadness for his friendship with Captain Archer which had been irreversibly changed.

He was a changed man, thought Trip, unfortunately changed not for the better. He was distant, aloof and isolated – a hardened soul who had taken upon himself the weight of all those who had perished throughout the journey and the tough choices he had to make along the way. Since they had returned, this cold distant front had remained, coming down only when it was deemed necessary, like visiting diplomats/ambassadors/Starfleet officials on Earth or hosting news crews and Reporters seeking out interviews and information from the brave heroic men and women who had put their lives on the line.

During the six weeks they had been in space dock, apart from official functions and work related incidents, they had barely interacted or said more than two words each other. The last evening they had sat down together as friends was the night before they set off on their new mission. Trip knew Captain Archer was still enormously troubled about the clone incident; he had hoped his mission to Azati Prime and the resulting diplomatic solution with the Xindi had put to rest Archer's feelings of remorse, but hearing about the loss of one fifth of his crew on his return had expanded the captain's sorrow enormously – almost to the point where he had taken each death as a personal failing by himself. Trip had tried to draw him out, but it was as if he had pulled a shield around himself and he was refusing to let anyone back in.

T'Pol was just as bad. Since Phlox had cured her from her recent addiction problems, she had returned to full Vulcan mode full force. While they were stationed at Jupiter Station for Enterprise's refit, Trip had asked her to accompany him on a visit to the Rockies and Yellowstone Park. He remembered that she had an interest in geology so he thought these places would be acceptable to her. Unfortunately she had refused and spent nearly the whole time cooped up inside the Vulcan compound reasserting her Vulcan side. So instead Malcolm had spent the first couple of weeks with him visiting Trip's family, before going to Malaysia for a reunion of his own. Hoshi had gone back to help out at the University and Travis was off on a rock climbing tour with some of his Starfleet buddies; so by the end of the six weeks when they were ready to depart, Trip was desperately in need of a friend.

Two weeks into their new mission everyone began to settle back into their old familiar routines – coordinating and organising departments, running diagnostics and maintenance, spending recreation time, having meals and going to the gym with friends, and attending Movie Night. T'Pol was starting to socialise more but it was as if she was only willing to 'stand on the outside and look in, not wanting to cross over inside'. When Trip discussed this with Phlox, he remarked that she was very ashamed of her behaviour; until she understood herself why she had behaved this way – letting her addiction get worse and worse until she was no longer in control - then she wouldn't be able to get past that moment and move on – whether this would be exploring her emotions and the human way of life, abandoning all of this to remain Vulcan or integrating the two. She was basically at a cross roads and until she decided which path she was willing to take, she would remain on the outside looking in.

Captain Archer was another exception, remaining distant, aloof, refusing to socialise with any of the crew and preparing for the worse. It was as if he was afraid to get close in case they got into trouble and he lost people again. It was a complete contrast to how he was when they first started out three years ago. Not basically a bad thing, thought Trip, when you think back on all the trouble they had encountered at the beginning and all the naïve decisions they had made, but no matter how much you are prepared, you are going to lose people at some step along the way. Cutting yourself off at an earlier stage isn't going to make their death any easier to take. Anyway it wasn't good for crew morale and that was essential on missions like this where you could be away from your loved ones for years at a time. Trip was determined to make Captain Archer see this even if it was the last thing he did. Even if he has decided to give up on everyone, I'm not going to give up on him, thought Trip as he sat down at his desk, remembering their last interaction two weeks ago.

"Hey are ya busy?" asked Trip as he walked into Captain Archer's ready room and sat down in his usual chair.

"Sort of, why?"

"Well I kinda wondered if you want to watch a movie with me. It's been a while since we've sat down together."

"Not tonight Trip, some other time."

"Wanna watch a polo match?"

"Sorry, I'm not really in the mood right now."

"Jonathon Archer not in the mood for polo? That's it! Now I know for sure – there is definitely something wrong."

Captain Archer just threw him a look then carried on pushing buttons on the monitor.

"How about a game of pool then? – I might even let ya win for once."

Captain Archer just shook his head.

"Hmmmmmm...... what to do, what to do?" pondered Trip drumming his fingers on the desk, while gazing into the air with a thoughtful look on his face.

"Your're going to damage something doing that."

"Doing what, drumming ma fingers on ya desk?"

"No, thinking. That's dangerous for someone who's not used to it," smirked Captain Archer.

Trip just threw his friend a 'don't be a smart ass' look.

"Well that's it then, there's only one thing left ta do."

Captain Archer threw him a puzzled look. "Leave?"

"No – be irritating!" replied Trip with an evil smile on his face. "99 bottles of beer on the wall, 99 bottles of beer."

"You can't be serious, Commander."

"Ya take one down and pass it around, 98 bottles of beer on the wall."

"Commander!"

"98 bottles of beer on the wall, 98 bottles of beer, ya take one down and pass it around, 97 bottles of beer on the wall. 97 bottles......"

"All right you win – I'll come out of my quarters and socialise. Just please no more singing."

"Hmmmmm..... Sooooooo...... what do ya want to do?" smiled Trip.

Captain Archer shook his head, then reached for the nearest pad and threw it at him. "You are an annoying, irritating pest."

"Glad to be of assistance Cap'n," smirked Trip. He'd won this round at least, but little did he know that it would be a while before he would get a chance to win another.

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