The Man in Her Life

Chapter Four Unbidden Companions

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By Penmom

T'Pol does her best to display a stoic expression. She intentionally blurs her eyes as she stares at the image in front of her. An old but effective childhood trick, it is easier to not show emotion if you are not truly looking at the individual in front of you. Emotionally, she retreats as far back as she can as she awaits the 0900 response from Vulcan.

Feelings of doubt, hurt – even betrayal float through her consciousness. These unbidden companions bring another emotion with them – panic. How can she face one of the very ones who have shunned her – like this?

Before she can form another thought a wave of strength and reassurance runs through her. Trip.

She cannot imagine that she will ever become accustomed to his presence in her mind. Even four decks down in engineering, he can feel her unrest. Beyond their psychic connection, the fact that he chooses to reach out to her remains the greatest miracle. Reaching out to a mate on Vulcan would certainly be considered impolite at the very least. To acknowledge that one could pick up another's vulnerabilities would be insulting to both parties. But Trip, to Trip the ability to sense her emotions is a gift. The only thing alien to him would be sensing her distress and not reacting.

"Sub Commander T'Pol?" The regal voice of Commissioner Bach'Tal rouses her from her internal dialogue.

She acknowledges the elder Vulcan with a slight nod, "Commissioner Bach'Tal, I trust you are prosperous." Despite her words of traditional goodwill, her voice is flat. It strikes her as ironic that such a tone would be considered disrespectful abroad Enterprise but is perfectly acceptable to the Commissioner.

"You have spoken to your Captain?"

"He is aware of your request. I was able to provide him with additional information from my own research." She added the last comment as an intentional jibe given the minimal information that Bach'Tal had provided.

"Ahh yes, I gathered as much. You were always a curious student."

The comment stings but with Trip's bravado coursing through her veins, she responds quickly and with confidence. "I was not aware that this was test."

For the briefest second, Bach'Tal seems taken aback by T'Pol's response but makes no comment.

"Your Captain? He has made his decision?"

"Considering the proximity of the Zearon system to Enterprise's current course, he is willing consider the possibility of providing some assistance." She is intentionally vague in her response; two can play this game.

"The possibility of some assistance. Explain."

T'Pol holds her head up a fraction of a inch higher, "As I noted previously, much of our information regarding the circumstances on TerraZed 4 came from my own research. Without a clear picture of the situation, any assistance would most likely prove less than optimal."

Seeming to tire of the give and take, Bach'Tal responds with as a few words as possible. "Very well, the High Council's records regarding the events on TerraZed 4 will be forth coming. I will expect to hear from Enterprise once the ship is within one earth day of the system. Bach'Tal out."

With Trip's personality running through her, T'Pol fights off an impulse to stick her tongue out at the now blank screen.

TBC