Disclaimer: Star Trek Enterprise belongs solely to Gene Roddenberry. No infringement intended nor am I, the author, gaining anything from writing this story except the satisfaction that an interesting character was given a chance (and possibly a couple reviews!)

Thank you to Alto Enchantress who was my wonderful beta.

Second Chance

Prologue

Dr. James Magree could remember that day well. He hadn't chosen to work for Terra Prime. Terra Prime had chosen him. Well, his expertise for that matter. He was proud of the scientific awards and acknowledgements he had received over the years, but Terra Prime wasn't his proudest moment. He had been coerced into coming to the mine to study the possible harmful effects on the DNA of miners and only then realized his blunder when he was escorted back to his lab after he made an attempt to return to Earth and gather more supplies. That day, James met Paxton for the first time and learned of his evil and devious plans. And that fateful day, he was given his assignment. He was to use the DNA he had received from two of the most famous explorers there were and was told to make a flawed baby from the DNA. The task was simple enough especially with the crew that was working with him; they were the best of the best. Paxton would allow no error. But then it happened. Something in the coding went wrong. Well, right. They had created a perfect Human and Vulcan "clone" when their assignment had been to create one with a flawed DNA pattern so that this beautiful baby would surely die. James wasn't a killer and he wasn't going to become one. He was able to sneak the baby away in the dead of night and handed her over to someone who would that day, leave on a cargo ship headed for Orion. She would be safe as she grew up on a ship that would, hopefully, one day reach Enterprise to exchange cargo. He would later find that "she" would be named Elizabeth Tucker.

Paxton was none the wiser. His newfound slaves created this flawed baby and stood by while her health continued to degrade. They experienced firsthand what it felt like to be a traitor to their own cause. As Enterprise headed for Earth, they took away the last dying reminder of the sin they had committed. When James and his colleagues were finally released and sent back to Earth after the imprisonment of Paxton and his co-conspirators, he stayed in the shadows, reading up on the trial that Paxton and the crew of Enterprise faced, picking up newspapers that had been thrown away whenever he could. He felt somehow connected to Trip and T'Pol. To be more accurate, he felt ashamed. He felt he could have somehow in some way put an end to their grief before it had begun. He hoped that one day, whether they knew him or not, they would have it in their hearts to forgive every one of the men who had created that dear, sweet baby when they were finally able to meet their real daughter. Someday.

TBC

This is my first story; reviews are much appreciated and constructive criticism is incredibly helpful!