Chapter 9-

T'Pol stood with Marisetta under the watchful eye of Zale. All T'Pol needed to do here was state her position and retrieve her's and her fellow crewmen's uniforms. She knew she could not force any issue at this time. That was unfortunate for Commander Tucker, but realistic.

Treianna entered from her bed chamber, still dressed in her ceremonial gown. She nodded to Zale and waved her hand, to which he immediately bowed at the waist and backed out of the room.

"I am sorry to disturb you on this evening, but our guest wishes to challenge your choice of a mate." Marisetta announced.

"Is that so?" Treianna smiled at T'Pol.

"Yes." T'Pol answered.

"That is an ancient right, not enacted in years." Treianna knowlingly directed at Marisetta.

"But still valid." Marisetta countered.

Treianna turned toward T'Pol and regarded her closely. "Charles belongs to you? Or your captain?"

"Commander Tucker belongs aboard the Enterprise," was T'Pol's direct response.

"You, no doubt, have researched the procedures to this right, Marisetta?" Treianna asked.

"Yes."

"Then you also know that as head of the council, I reserve the right to discount a claim." Treianna smiled at her.

"Treianna," Marisetta moved closer to the woman. "I know you are not thinking clearly. You have suffered a great loss in Trey..."

"That is enough!" Treianna cut her off. "If I allow T'Pol her challenge, I will have Charles taken to the hermitage for holding and purification until the challenge can be arranged."

"When will we be informed of your decision?" T'Pol asked.

"Before the sun sets in two days." Treianna replied.

"Then I wish to see him now." T'Pol told her.

Treianna smiled. "If you are to claim him in the ritual, then he must not be influenced by you prior to the challenge."

"You have had lengthy contact with him and will continue to," T'Pol reasoned. "I have not. I am requesting a brief time with him prior to his isolation."

"It is reasonable, Treianna." Marisetta reinforced.

"Very well," Treianna nodded. "Follow me."

----------

Treianna let T'Pol in, surprisingly retreating and closing the door. T'Pol saw Tucker lying on the bed, eyes closed as if asleep. She moved closer to him and stood next to the bed watching his face. His exposed skin glistened in the candlelight as his tense muscles were defined with perspiration.

"Commander," T'Pol called to him. Trip's eyes fluttered open and she thought he looked dazed and weak.

"Please, no." Trip moaned.

T'Pol sat down next to him and placed her hand on his shoulder. "Trip."

He turned his head to her and blinked back the fog. A faint realization crossed his face. "T'Pol?"

"Yes. It appears you are under the influence of Treianna once again."

"Can't move," Trip whispered. "Feels like I'm paralyzed."

"What is this?" T'Pol fingered the collar around Tucker's neck.

"To keep me in line." Trip said. "She's got a box. If I'm a bad boy she'll choke the life outta me."

"That is illogical." T'Pol told him. "To kill you for an infraction would not serve her purpose. However, the discomfort could be enough to 'keep you in line'." T'Pol produced the hypospray from her sequined brassiere. "You are too vulnerable. You will not be able to thwart her advances."

"Get me outta here, please?" Trip asked her.

"That is the goal. However, it will not be easy." T'Pol placed the hypospray to Tucker's neck and a soft swoosh was heard.

"How come I knew you'd say that?" Trip asked, sarcastically. He started to move slightly on the bed, the injection working instantly.

"I had to protest Treianna's claim to you according to their customs. Now she and I must compete for your submission."

"Come again?" Trip squinted at her.

"We will attempt to seduce you without any physical contact, to see which one of us can stimulate you. Cause you to submit to our commands."

Trip's expression could only be described as sickened. "Please tell me that hypospray isn't workin' and I'm still real fuzzy."

"As appalling as that thought is to you, that is the situation."

"How the hell are you gonna compete against Treianna's pheromones?" Trip rubbed his eyes now, lifting his head slightly. "Geez, it's bad enough havin' this happen to me in private. But you, of all people, are gonna have a front row seat to the peep show."

"As well as the captain, Ensigns Mayweather and Sato, Crewman Cutler and the council."

Trip flopped his head back down and closed his eyes. "Just go back to the shuttle, grab one of those phasers we left behind, crank it up and take your best shot."

"Perhaps we can find a less final solution." T'Pol told him. "How are you feeling?"

"Better." Trip said. "I only see one of ya now."

"Treianna has two days to decide whether or not to allow my contesting of her claim on you." T'Pol told him. "You understand that we are not in any position to prevent her from keeping you here with her."

Trip inhaled a deep, ragged breath and let it out slowly. "I know."

"Remember, Commander," T'Pol said. "You can try to fight off her advances, but that may only prove to cause you more...discomfort. In the end, her pheromones may become stronger and you will not be able to defend yourself. Nothing that may happen will be perceived as your fault."

Trip eyed the stoic vulcan. Was she trying to make him feel better? Consoling him about the fact that it was inevitable he would most likely not leave this planet with his honor in tact?

"I'll give it one helluva try, Sub-commander." Trip smiled at her.

T'Pol rose and went to get the women's uniforms. Once they were neatly over her arm, she turned back to the commander. He was looking at her longingly. She knew he wanted to come with her; back with the others where it was safe.

"I believe Treianna will allow the challenge." T'Pol finally said. "She believes there is no contest against her control. And she is right. This will just allow us time for a solution that will be less damaging overall."

Trip let out a small laugh. Less damaging overall. Well, anything for the masses.

"See ya in two days?" Trip asked.

T'Pol cocked her head to the side in a half nod and exited the room.

Trip stared at the orange light dancing on the walls and the ceiling. He wasn't as confused as he was before T'Pol zapped him with the drugs. But he still wondered why he was so afraid of Treianna. She was an attractive woman that was totally enamoured with him. Why should he resist her advances?

He sighed and shifted on the bed, lying on his side now and staring at the door. Why resist, he asked himself? He knew damn well the answer to that. Because she was a control freak. One hundred percent her way or no way. Except he really wasn't sure what 'her way' was. And that, he decided, was what scared the hell out of him.

----------

Marisetta had Zale retreive all of the men's clothing. She and T'Pol made their way back to her hut in silence for most of the way. Marisetta knew the vulcan must be concerned for Charles.

"I do not believe he is in any real danger," Marisetta said. "Treianna is firm, but not cruel."

"He is wearing an ancient training collar." Then T'Pol reminded her, "And she is not acting like herself, you have said."

Marisetta sighed, wearily. "He will be all right."

"You do not know Commander Tucker. He is stubborn and can be very difficult. I believe those will not be traits Treianna will allow in her presence."

"No," Marisetta shook her head. "I'm sorry," was all she could say.

----------

The only feasible plan had Marisetta deactivating the magnetic field in the upper atmosphere without Treianna's authorization or knowledge. Once back aboard the shuttle, they could contact Reed and have Trip transported back. This was risky, but Marisetta believed it the only solution if they could not get Treianna to realize the ludicrousness of the situation she had created. Marisetta also believed Treianna would not go so far as to destroy their starship, no matter how upset she was.

Their hostess did not hold to the gender pecking order with the Enterprise crew. Marisetta allowed the men to stay in the house in one room and the women in another. Archer and Travis had long since recovered from the ceremonial 'mickeys'. The captain had met with T'Pol in the study and she briefed him on her visit with the commander.

"In the morning Marisetta will visit Treianna and try to reason with her." T'Pol told the captain. "If that does not work, then she will let us know and we will begin to make the journey to the shuttlepod. She will deactivate the magnetic field, contact us by communicator and we can contact Enterprise."

Archer was listening, but only partly. His mind was with Trip and what he must sacrifice to protect the rest.

"He was okay when you left him?" Archer asked solemnly.

"Yes," T'Pol answered. "He was tired, but physically well."

"That's good." Archer moved to look out the window. "He's a fighter. I just hope he keeps his wits about him." The captain laughed, nervously.

"Captain," T'Pol attempted. "Mr. Tucker's wits will be, undoubtedly, compromised. I believe his resistance could prove uncomfortable for him. I told him so."

The captain turned and looked at her. His expression was one of slight confusion. "You told him that?"

"Yes."

"What did he say?"

"That he would, 'give it one helluva try'."

----------

Treianna stood beside the bed, looking down at the human male she found so intriguing. He was lying on his side boldly looking up at her with crystal blue eyes. She knelt down and softly stroked his forehead. To her astonishment he did not tense up or pull away. But those eyes stared back as if trying to see through her.

"You are tired, Charles?"

"Yes, ma'am," his voice coming in a low whisper.

"I am not without compassion. I know that it is hard for you to understand, but it is the truth."

Trip watched her get up and move off to the closet. She retrieved a pair of drawstring pants and a sleeveless shirt like the ones Zale and the other males wore. She placed them at the foot of the bed and looked back at him.

"You will be allowed to speak freely until tomorrow when we leave these chambers." Treianna told him.

Trip pushed himself up on his elbow and looked at the clothes. "Are those for me to change into now?"

"No. Tomorrow morning before we go out you will put them on. But, the ceremonial wrap needs to be put away."

Trip looked down at the oversized diaper and then back up at her. "You aren't gonna leave, are ya...ma'am?"

"This is my bed chamber, Charles. And you are my mate." There was no smile on her face.

Sitting up and playing with the tassel on his garment, Trip swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood up. Treianna had to back away quickly to avoid a collision. His piercing eyes never left hers as he began to untie the belt.

Treianna held her breath as this fireball of a male stood in front of her rebelliously loosening his wrap, unraveling it and pulling it off in one quick tug. He held it out to her, his expression never changing. He appeared to have recovered from her assaulting pheromones.

"You are different." Treianna stated.

"I guess you're losin' your power. Or maybe I'm just learnin' how to resist." Trip now tried to play with her mind.

"No," Treianna shook her head. "But no more tonight."

"You asked if I was tired before. Am I gonna to be allowed to sleep now?" Trip asked.

Treianna took the wrap and turned to put it away. She so wanted to consumate their union on this night, as was the custom. But she knew he was not going to give in willingly. And she worried if she intensified her channeling, she may overdue it for herself. She needed to have all her strength if she were to allow the challenge from T'Pol. And that, she had not decided about yet.

"In the morning, you will begin to learn your place." Treianna told him.

Trip quickly got under the covers before she turned around again. When she did, she saw him with his chin propped up by one hand.

"What happened to that boy today?" Trip asked her curiously.

"The boy?" Treianna was not sure what Charles meant. She walked to the bed and sat down next to him. Then she remembered. "Ah, in the square. What do you think happened to him?"

"I think that lady made him cry." Trip told her. "Did she hit him?"

"Charles," Treianna exclaimed. "We do not strike children. Do you think me that cruel?"

"I don't know what to think."

"He was told how he disgraced her. The boys learn early that displeasing the females brings shame and they react to that."

"Oh," Trip laid down, yawning. "But you do strike the men?"

"Sleep now. In the morning a whole new existence will open up to you. I believe it to be just what you need."

"Ya keep sayin' that." Trip yawned again. "And part of me is kinda curious. Then there's the part of me that's..." He caught himself. What in the world was making him want to confess to her he was scared?

"I will ask again. Are you frightened of me, Charles?"

Treianna began to gently rub Trip's cheek with the back of her hand. His eyes fluttered and he let himself relax enough to close them completely.

"Yes...ma'am..." As his breathing changed and Treianna realized he was asleep, she rose and began to undress.

----------

TO BE CONTINUED