Title: Do You Love Me?
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters and I most likely never will.
Rating: friendship, romance, fluff, angst
Pairing: Archer and T'pol
Summary: T'pol and Jonathon Archer love each other, but are too stubborn to admit it. Then T'pol starts to "experiment" with trellium. What will Archer do when he finds out?
AN: Everything T/T'p NEVER HAPPENED in this story. Thoughts and bond-speak are represented like this. Feel free to e-mail me anytime! Enjoy!
CHAPTER 1: How It All Starts
Sickbay, 19:46 hours, one day after contact with the Seleya
T'pol lay on her isolated bio-bed in sickbay. She felt so weak and vulnerable. Underneath the thin, gray blanket that covered her, she was still cold and shaky. Dr. Phlox put her under observation ever since Captain Archer had carried her in from the Seleya. She was declared "unfit for duty" because of the trellium.
The conversation she had with Jonathon still rang throughout her head like one of the loud gongs they used in the koon-ut-kalifee on her home world. She remembered asking… more like telling… him if he could drop her off on an uninhabited planet while they fight the Xindi. He denied it without hesitation. Why did he not agree to my most logical solution? I must ask when he comes to check in on me, She was amazed with herself. Since when did she depend on Jonathon to "check in on her?" She knew that he always did, so that must be the reason for her illogical thoughts. It must be the trellium still affecting me, She thought to herself.
Dr. Phlox pulled back the curtain to T'pol's bio-bed. He gave her a large grin and remarked cheerfully, "Ah, Sub Commander, you're awake. How are you feeling?"
"I feel nauseous and I have cranial pain."
"I'll get you a hypospray." As soon as he said it, he walked over to one of his many cabinets and pulled out three trays. They each had a medicine that could help ease her discomfort. He brought them over to her and said politely, "I have anti-nausea, a sedative, and an acetaminophen."
"I would appreciate everything except for the sedative… please," T'pol said, barely above a whisper.
"You need your rest as well, Sub Commander. I would suggest that you-"
"No sedative!" T'pol interrupted in a slow, loud tone as if wanting to make her point clear and end the discussion. "I want to speak with the Captain, Doctor. I cannot do that if I am asleep, can I?" T'pol said with a slight tone in her voice.
Phlox noticed her emotional response. "Can the Captain not wait?" Phlox asked impatiently.
"No, it is important… personal. You may give me the sedative after our talk. Please… do this for me," T'pol pleaded with unshed tears in her eyes.
Phlox thought a moment. She made it sound as if it would be the end of her world if she did not speak with him. He also noticed the water building up in her eyes and the fact that she sounded as though she were about to cry. Not only that, but he's been noticing their growing friendship over the last three years. He reasoned that her request sounded logical enough.
"Fine, Sub Commander, but I won't forget." Phlox stated firmly. "I'll contact him and ask him to come down here, but only after I give you the anti nausea and acetaminophen."
"Agreed," T'pol sighed.
"Sickbay to bridge," Called Dr. Phlox.
"Tucker here, what can I do for ya?"
"I'm calling for Captain Archer, Commander. Do you know where he is?"
"Well, he's sorta in his ready-room. Been in there for 'bout, uh, two or three hours now."
"Do you mind retrieving him and asking him to come to sickbay?"
"Doctor's orders, huh?"
"Well, orders, yes…but not from me," Phlox joked.
Trip giggled, even though he didn't get the joke. "Give 'em five minutes, or so, Doc."
"Will do, Phlox out."
Trip nodded to Hoshi as if to say "cut the comm. off," and looked out to the other bridge crew. He asked in a suspicious manor, "Anyone know what that was about?"
"No sir, but I believe it would be best if we kept this to ourselves… whatever it is… for security and personal reasons, sir," Stated Malcolm in his rich, British accent.
"Good idea, Malcolm. Now if you'll excuse me, I need ta go get the Cap'n."
Phlox looked over at T'pol, just laying there as if waiting for something that will never come. She looked so depressed, lonesome. She didn't seem like herself ever since they entered the Delphic Expanse. No one did, not even himself. He's been trying to keep up good spirits, he's noticed everyone is, even T'pol.
As he made his way over to her bio-bed, he stated, "Commander Tucker told me that he will try to convince the Captain to come down here."
"What do you mean 'try to convince', Doctor?"
"Phlox noticed how disappointed she looked. "Well, I've been told that he's been in his ready room for about three hours."
"Perhaps he is busy."
"Not the way that Mr. Tucker explained it. Apparently, it's not work-related."
"I only hope that he will come." She felt a wave of disappointment, hope, and longing wash over her entire body, and drenched her in sadness. She wanted him to come to sickbay… NOW!
Jonathon stared out of the porthole in his ready room, watching all of the stars as they pass by. He wanted to be alone to sort out the thoughts and emotions that were swelling inside of him. Is T'pol going to be okay? Hell, am I going to be okay? I just… damn… I can't believe this!" He didn't know why he cared for her so deeply. I mean, yeah, they were friends. Maybe that was why. Whatever it was, Jonathon didn't know. He hated this, these emotions, thoughts, questions that couldn't be answered, all nagging in the back of his head like a bad toothache. Unless… oh no. No, no, no, no, NO! I… I can't love my first office… science officer… my friend. When did this happen, oh, yeah… on that 'fateful' visit to P'Jem."
He always respected and trusted T'pol, even with his life. He knew that she would never let him down. He even considered her his best friend, if you will.
"CHIME" Jonathon's thoughts were interrupted by the door chime. "It had better be important!" He yelled. He was not in the mood for visitors.
"Uh… hey there, Cap'n," Trip said in an unsure voice. "I jus' got a call from Phlox sayin' that-"
"Saying what? Is it about T'pol?" Archer asked excitedly.
"Yeah. He told me that she needed ta talk to ya. It's important."
Archer hurriedly ran for the door, pushing Trip aside. It took him three tries just to push the button that opened the door. When he finally did, he ran for the turbo lift.
"Damn," whispered Trip to himself. He walked back onto the bridge only to see that everyone's eyes were diverted to the turbo lift area.
"Bloody hell! You'd think the man was being chased by Dr. Phlox and one of his bloody animals, with all due respect." Malcolm muttered.
"The day's not over yet, Malcolm." Trip retorted.
Archer had too much on his mind to be noticing all of the stares he got from running down the corridor like a maniac. All he was concerned about was seeing T'pol as soon as possible. Ever since he found out about her and Trip's neuropressure sessions, he's been hurt, jealous. Not to mention, angry at Trip for reasons he didn't know why he didn't know why. He knew that since his sister had died, he couldn't sleep. He also knew that neuropressure was done half naked in order to reach the pressure points. He felt guilty for being so selfish.
After what seemed like forever, he reached the white, glass platted sickbay doors. When he got inside, he did not like what he saw. T'pol's hair was a rat's nest, she had dark bags under her eyes, she was drenched in sweat, and she looked as if she had lost weight. He glanced over at Phlox, who was doing something in his office. Archer turned his head to see T'pol again. She was staring at him. Whenever their eyes met, his palms got ridiculously sweaty. Must be a curse. He thought. He slowly made his way over to her bio-bed. The whole time, they never took their eyes off each other.
"T'pol," He cleared his throat, "T'pol… you needed to speak with me?" He asked nervously.
"No, I wanted to speak with you. There is a small difference."
Jonathon chuckled at her attempt at "Vulcan humor, "as everyone called it. His nervousness was starting to melt away. He was still curious about what was so urgent.
"What did you want to talk about?" He asked politely, pulling up a stool to sit on by her bio-bed.
"I was… curious… as to why you didn't grant my request." Archer could tell she was trying her hardest to sound as unemotional as she could.
"If you're referring to the request in that I drop you off on some uninhabited planet while the rest of us go off to finish the Xindi… I couldn't."
"Why not?"
"Well… I'd be abandoning you, T'pol. Who in their right mind would ever go so far as to do that? Besides, I can't lose my best frie-… first officer." He looked away from her to hide his embarrassment.
"You corrected yourself. What were you about to say?"
"Never mind."
"Jonathon," She said in a warning tone.
He looked at her, surprised about what she had said and how she said it. It reminded him about his mother when ever he'd done something wrong. "I was… um… just going to say my… best… you know… friend." He looked at her sheepishly.
"I am… touched… by your words. May I ask you a question?"
"Sure."
"Would you mind if I called you Jonathon? You see, I too consider you a dear friend, perhaps the best one I have. It is obvious that I will need 'someone to lean on'."
"What about Trip? I would've guessed that you'd become good friends since you've been doing neuropressure. I guess I, once again, let my imagination run away with me.
That hit her square in the stomach. She didn't care for Trip in the way she cared for Jonathon. I wonder what he meant by 'once again let my imagination run away with me'. What else has he been thinking incorrectly? "Even though the Commander and I have gotten to communicate more, does not mean that I consider him a good friend of mine. We have become acquaintances."
"Oh. I'm sorry for bringing that up, T'pol. It's none of my business. I shouldn't have even asked. But yes, you can call me Jonathon."
"Well, Jonathon, I believe it is your business considering the fact that that I feel comfortable confining in you." She paused and looked down at her hands, which Jonathon noticed she was fidgeting, and took a deep breath. "I… trust you, Jonathon," She said, barely above a whisper. The words touched his heart. He wondered if she would allow him to cover her small, bony hands with his own. Ah, what's the worst that could happen? He slowly pushed his hand forward towards hers. He felt a small, warm hand on his. He looked down to see T'pol's hand there, and then he looked back up and stared into her chocolate eyes. She beat him to it. He wanted to say everything that was on his mind, but couldn't find the right words.
"I have all of my trust, faith, and belief in you. I only wish you could see how much," He told her instead. He knew that was only a fourth of what he felt.
"I can," She told him softly.
"Really?"
"I can see it in your eyes whenever you talk to me or look in my direction." She saw something else too, but wasn't going to mention that because she didn't know exactly what it was.
They sat there, staring into each other's eyes and holding hands for the longest time. Jonathon noticed and how tired he was and looked at the chronometer on the sickbay wall. It was 21:52 hours. Wow. Two hours have passed already? He looked down and saw T'pol almost asleep. "Go to sleep, T'pol. You need your rest."
"So do you, Jonathon. Please… stay here until I fall asleep."
"Okay." He watched as her eyelids closed and didn't take his eyes off of her lovely face until her breathing became slow. He was extremely tired. He thought that maybe I can just rest my eyes for a while. He lay his head down next to T'pol's on her pillow and let sleep wash over him.
Too bad Phlox came out of his office.
He walked over to the couple and gently shook his Captains shoulder. He awoke with a start. "Doctor, you scared me." He looked around and was suddenly embarrassed. "I… guess I should be going now." He got up and looked down at the woman of his dreams. "She won't need a sedative."
"So I see."
Jonathon waited until the doctor left, and then brushed his lips against T'pol's forehead, then left.
END OF CHAPTER ONE
