Author's Note - The events in the story take place before "Proving Ground". I continue to miss the Archer/Trip friendship in the show but I won't ever abandon it in my stories! Be warned, this also continues the growing relationship between Trip and T'Pol.

Reviews are welcomed and greatly appreciated!

Disclaimer - I do not own any of the characters of Star Trek: Enterprise and I certainly don't make any money from them.



ZEEKIEL

By plumtuckered



Chapter One



"I don't know why the captain just didn't give the Datorians spices instead of using Enterprise as a shuttle service," muttered Commander Trip Tucker as he pushed around the food on his plate. He put his fork down and looked across the table at his friend. "We're close, Malcolm, I can feel it."

Lieutenant Malcolm Reed took a bite of his cereal. "We'll find the weapon, Commander. Especially with the information they gave us. Well," he amended. "That is if they're right and the Xindi ship carrying the Kemosite passed through this section of space."

"That's just it," replied Trip. "We don't know. Captain Archer is too damned trusting sometimes. This may just end up being a four day detour." The chief engineer shoved his plate away in frustration.

Malcolm stopped eating. "I've never heard you say anything disparaging about the captain before. Are you feeling alright?"

Trip rubbed his eyes with his thumb and forefinger. "I'm fine. Just haven't slept very well the last couple of nights."

"Perhaps the sub-commander should double your treatments," offered Malcolm with a sideways smile.

"Very funny," snapped Trip as he stood from the mess hall table. "I better get to engineering."

"But you've hardly eaten."

"I'm not hungry."

"Commander," began Malcolm. "Trip."

The engineer's shoulders sagged and he sat back down. "I'm sorry, Malcolm."

"Are the nightmares worse again?"

Trip nodded and leaned back in his chair. "Yep, and this time that woman is in them."

"What woman?"

"Meesa."

"The elder Datorian? You're joking?"

"Nope. I'm watching my sister die and she's standing to the side just smiling," Trip explained. He ran his fingers through his hair then looked at Malcolm. "There's something not quite right about her."

"She's been sleeping ever since she and Zeekiel were brought on board, Trip," replied Malcolm as he took another bite of his cereal. "And she will remain so for the rest of the trip."

"But when she looked at me, Malcolm---."

"You must have imagined it. Even Dr. Phlox said there was no way she could have awakened in her current state."

Trip sighed. They'd brought both the elderly woman and her companion on board only two days before when Archer had agreed to transport them to Datoria IV in return for information on the Xindi ship carrying the Kemosite. Trip had been setting up the old woman's special sleeping pod in sickbay when she'd awakened for only a moment. Her deep purple eyes had met his briefly before they had slid shut again. He'd felt strangely unsettled ever since.

The commander shivered. "I know what I saw," he said simply.

"Well she'll only be on board two more nights. Try not to think about her in the mean time."

Trip nodded then sat forward. "Don't you think it's strange that the Datorians would send their elders to a whole other world?" asked Trip. He looked at his friend. "I mean if they're as revered as Zeekiel says they are, why ship 'em off to a rock for the rest of their lives?"

The lieutenant shrugged. "I don't know," he replied. "There are some people back on Earth who would prefer to ship off their elders to a rock instead of caring for them."

"Yeah, but these people don't seem cold and heartless."

"True," replied Malcolm. "Perhaps you should ask Zeekiel. He seems quite taken with you."

Trip snorted. "He's just being friendly, Malcolm."

"I don't know, sir."

"Come on, Malcolm," sighed Trip then his vision suddenly blurred. He watched in stunned silence as his hand reached for his knife.

"Kill him."

Trip raised the utensil and embedded it deep in the lieutenant's chest. Hot blood sprayed the engineer's face and he gasped.

"Trip?"

The commander started. He looked down at the table where his knife still rested on his plate then he looked up at Malcolm who was staring at him curiously.

"Are you alright?"

Trip swallowed. "What the hell was that?" he asked.

"What was what, sir?"

Trip looked at his knife again then shook his head. "Nothing," he replied, still in shock. He stood. "I'd better get to work. See you, Malcolm."



"Archer to Commander Tucker."

"Tucker here."

Jon smiled. "Any idea what time it is, Trip?" he asked.

"Time, sir?"

"Lunch?"

"Ah damn, Captain. I'm on my way. Tucker out."

The captain turned to his guest. "Trip can get pretty focused in his work. He'll be here shortly."

"An admirable quality, Captain," replied Zeekiel. "How long have you and the commander known each other?"

Jon sat down and placed his napkin in his lap. "Just over ten years now."

"Your relationship is strong?"

"Yeah, at least I hope it still is," replied Jon with a worried smile. "We really haven't spent a lot of time together in the Expanse. We've had our fair share of ups and downs but somehow our friendship seems to survive. I guess you could say we're like brothers as well as friends."

"Brothers?" asked Zeekiel. "Those are two males born to the same parents, is that right?"

Jon furrowed his brow in confusion. "That's right."

Zeekiel nodded. "Then your relationship with the commander is not physical?"

Jon shook his head. "No. I love Trip as my friend and my brother but I'm not IN love with him."

Zeekiel nodded then fell silent.

"Would you like some tea while we're waiting?" asked Jon still slightly off kilter from Zeekiel's questions. He lifted the glass pitcher.

"Yes, thank you."

The door to the captain's private dining room slid open just as Jon poured the ice-cold liquid into his guest's glass. He moved and poured some tea in Trip's glass as well then filled his own.

Trip sat down quickly. "I'm sorry, sir. You didn't have to wait."

"No problem. We haven't been served yet."

"Captain Archer was just telling me that you two have known each other for ten years," said Zeekiel.

Trip nodded. "Yep. Who'd have thought I could put up with him for that long."

Jon chuckled and shook his head. "So how long have you been a companion, Zeekiel?" he asked.

"Fifteen years."

"Fifteen years?" said Trip incredulously.

"Yes, Commander. Companions start their service at thirteen."

"And what exactly are your duties?" asked Jon. He leaned back in his chair as a steward set a plate in front of him.

"We tend to our elders' needs, whatever they may be. We are trained extensively in many areas. In fact, I have studied warp theory if you should need some assistance, Commander."

"Thanks," replied Trip. "I'll keep that in mind."

"I am also trained in the art of giving pleasure," said Zeekiel in a hushed voice. "If you should need assistance in that area as well."

Jon looked at Trip who seemed to be struggling with swallowing a bite of pasta salad. "I'm sure the commander will keep that in mind, Zeekiel," the captain responded taking pity on his uncomfortable friend. He had to hide his smile at the engineer's sudden flushed complexion.

Trip took two large gulps of his tea then set his glass down. "So am I to understand then by your training that you serve Meesa's---EVERY need?" he asked after clearing his throat.

Zeekiel smiled warmly. "You understand correctly, Commander."

"So how long have you been with her?" Trip continued.

"I have been with the mistress for eight years. Before her I was with Master Takor."

"What happened to him?" asked Jon.

Zeekiel picked up his tuna sandwich. "He was laid to rest on Datoria IV," he responded then took a bite. "This is delicious."

"Glad you like it," smiled Jon. He watched the young man take another bite. He was still amazed at how similar the Datorians were to humans. They were slight in stature, had tattoos across their noses, and had deep purple eyes but otherwise were very much like Earth's own inhabitants.

"So what do your parents think of their son being a companion?" asked Trip.

"I have no parents, Commander."

"Call me Trip. No parents?"

Zeekiel nodded. "We are created, Trip."

Jon exchanged a puzzled look with his engineer.

"You don't understand our ways. Datorians have different societal classes. For example I belong to the companion class. We are all created in the Great Hall. There are no family units only individuals created to serve their specific purpose in our society," explained Zeekiel.

"So the elders are created in this hall as well?" asked Trip.

"Our elders are members of other classes who have shown exceptional mental capabilities during their younger years."

"Interesting," said Trip as he took another bite of his salad.

Jon reached for the pitcher of ice tea and refilled the glasses. "So why do you take your elders to Datoria IV?" he asked. He couldn't help but notice the Datorian watching Trip curiously.

"When our elders reach a certain age, their mental abilities diminish significantly," Zeekiel explained then he hesitated. "They become a risk to themselves as well as to others. For everyone's sake its best that they leave Datoria Prime."

"What exactly are these---these mental abilities?"

The Datorian smiled at Jon. "You are a curious species, Captain," he said. "I'm afraid as a companion I have taken an oath to protect the elder class. Suffice it to say that each elder is unique in his or her ability."

Jon nodded his understanding and tried to tamp down his curiosity as he ate his sandwich. He glanced at Trip when he realized his friend had stopped eating. The younger man was staring at his plate as if in a daze. "Trip?"

The engineer didn't respond.

Jon put his sandwich down and reached out to lay a hand on Trip's forearm. "Trip? You okay?"

Trip pulled away and stood suddenly, knocking over his chair. He backed up against the wall, his breathing ragged.

Jon stood as well and moved instantly to his friend's side. "Trip!"

"No!" the commander gasped. He was visibly shaking and still focused somewhere far away.

The captain took Trip's face between his hands forcing the younger man's chin up. Jon searched his eyes. "Trip!"

Finally the engineer's eyes focused and he looked at Jon in fear.

"Trip, what's wrong?" Jon asked, his tone urgent.

Trip squeezed his eyes shut then opened them to look at the captain again. "Cap'n?" he croaked.

"You okay?"

The engineer swallowed. "I---I don't know, sir."

Jon guided Trip back to the table. He bent to pick up the tipped chair then helped Trip to sit. "What happened?" he asked as he knelt beside his friend.

"I---I was trying to kill you."

"What?"

Trip inhaled deeply then let out his breath. "I could see my hands close around your throat and then---." He stopped and covered his face with his hands before rubbing them back through his hair.

Jon stood and took Trip's arm pulling him to his feet again. "Come on. We're going to see Phlox." The captain turned to Zeekiel who was sitting quietly. "Please excuse us, Zeekiel, but I'd like Trip to see our doctor."

The Datorian nodded and stood. "Of course, Captain. I certainly hope he's alright."

"So do I, Zeekiel."



Continued