Author's Note: Please see previous notes. Our story continues a few episodes after Twilight with residual memories continuing to surface and play with everyone's lives. This one takes place right during Harbinger. I added to some confusion last post—I meant that Trip and Amanda were just friends (they do neuropressure but there was no kissing etc. bc she's with Travis). Sorry about that! I think T'Pol just didn't like seeing him so friendly with another woman (the crew is unaware of Travis & Amanda's relationship). Remember, at this point, most relationships are not public knowledge. Let me know what you think! Enjoy!

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"Delay the transfer for now," T'Pol said with authority.

"The Captain gave us an Order," Trip said, knowing that didn't really matter to her, but that it needed to be said.

"Let me speak with him," T'Pol said as she met his eyes.

Malcolm left and the two of them were alone.

"You're dancing on insubordination," Trip said as he stepped toward her.

"I realize that," T'Pol said softly. "But he is not acting logically."

"Humans aren't Vulcans," Trip reminded her.

T'Pol raised an eyebrow and said nothing.

"Why don't I talk with him," Trip offered. "We have a history and…"

"You don't think I can convince him?" T'Pol asked, surprised.

"It's not that," Trip said. "But he sometimes gets his back up when you approach him on things like this. And, with the little sleep he's working on…he's bound to be irritable."

"I appreciate your offer, but I can handle myself," T'Pol said, standing slightly taller.

"Oh, I know that you can handle yourself," Trip chuckled.

"Now if not the time for sexual innuendo," T'Pol noted.

"Is there ever a good time for it? Or a bad time for that matter?" Trip asked with a tilt to his head.

T'Pol started to step away from him when he caught her arm. She turned to look at him surprised.

"I got my injection," Trip said.

"How overdue was it?" T'Pol asked.

"Look, I just assumed you were…" Trip started.

"Vulcans do not take any medications that are not absolutely imperative," T'Pol explained.

"A few months," Trip said.

T'Pol rolled her eyes.

"You said Phlox…" Trip said as he placed a hand on his hip.

"It is incredibly unlikely we could conceive, or I could carry to term if we did," T'Pol said. "But precautions must be taken."

"I agree," Trip nodded. "I'm sorry for being so…lax."

"I appreciate that you have finally caught up on birth control injections," T'Pol said softly. "It would not be an opportune time to conceive."

"Yes," Trip agreed.

"And I apologize for not discussing my lack of birth control before we engaged in sexual relations," T'Pol said honestly. "I assumed you were on birth control as most males your age and with your experience…"

"I don't have much experience over the course of this mission," Trip said honestly.

"So, because you were inactive…?"

"Because I'd been inactive for some time," Trip corrected her. "It just seemed pointless."

T'Pol nodded.

"I don't wish to know about your previous activity with any members of this crew," T'Pol said. "My reaction to Lt Cole was…"

"Over the top?" Trip asked.

"Possibly," T'Pol said, crossing her arms over her chest defensively.

Trip chuckled.

"Darlin, if I didn't know any better, I'd think you were a little possessive," Trip chuckled. "I like it, but I was a little caught off guard."

"Which is why I have no desire to know about any crew members you may have been involved with at one time," T'Pol said.

"All you need to know is you are the only woman I want to be involved with from now on," Trip said as he leaned down and quickly kissed the top of her head. "Besides, I hear Travis is knocking boots with Amanda."

"Knocking boots?" T'Pol asked, confused. She pictured them smacking their feet into each other while standing in a corridor.

"Having sex," Trip smiled at her. "They've been hot and heavy for a bit according to Malcolm."

"Interesting," T'Pol said thoughtfully.

"Darlin, you are the only person I've got eyes for," Trip smiled at her as he stepped toward the door.

"You will only knock boots with me?" T'Pol inquired. Part of her was worried that now that he was on birth control, he may seek multiple partners, as some humans do.

Trip turned and looked at her surprised. The surprise on his face scared her; maybe it was an unreasonable request in their relationship?

Trip stepped toward her.

"Darlin, I never cheat," Trip said clearly. "I believe in monogamy."

"Good," T'Pol sighed. "Vulcans do as well."

"Glad we cleared that up," Trip smiled at her. "Now go and convince the Captain that he's acting like a moron."

XXX

"Captain?" Anna asked Jon as he almost marched past her in the hallway without a second glance.

Jon turned and looked at her surprised. "Sorry, I missed you there."

"You seem in your own world," Anna said as she stepped toward him. "We've been working on a plan for transferring power…"

"Good, good," Jon nodded as he wiped at his brow.

Anna noted that he was sweaty and seemed distracted. When they usually spoke he was intently listening and thoughtfully responding. Right now, it could have been anyone he was speaking with.

"Is everything okay?" Anna asked, concerned.

"Of course, why would you ask?!" Jon barked at her.

Taken aback, Anna swallowed hard. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to…"

He had never, ever, spoken to her that harshly. She didn't like this side of him. She must have looked a little scared, because she saw his face relax slightly and he gave her a small smile.

"I'm sorry. I'm just tired and…dirty," Jon said, suddenly conciliatory. "I hope you can excuse me."

"Of course," Anna said. "If there's anything I can do to…"

"Just work on getting me that power for the Xindi hatchery," Jon said as he quickly started to walk away from her.

Anna stood for a long moment and watched the spot where he stood even after he was no longer within her visual range. Something was wrong. Something was seriously wrong with the Captain. It was as if she was speaking to a completely different person just now. One that was in charge of their ship, making choices that may not be in their best interest, and Anna knew something needed to be done.

XXXX

"If he finds out what we're doing, we'll both end up in the Brig," Trip said as he looked at her seriously. "You're asking me to betray him."

"You can't allow your personal feelings for the Captain to affect your decision. We both know he's endangering this ship and our mission," T'Pol countered.

Trip rubbed at his jaw.

"You know, Anna just approached me," Trip started as he met her eyes.

"Lt Hess?" T'Pol clarified.

"She's been working with the Captain a lot on this Leadership Program and, well, Anna would never break rank unless…"

"We don't have much time," T'Pol said, anxious.

"She said she's worried about him, not acting like himself," Trip said. "Looked like she was going to vomit as she said it, she hates speaking against the Captain that much."

"She was concerned as well?"

"Yeah," Trip nodded.

Are any other people concerned?" T'Pol asked.

"Travis, Mal…" Trip said.

"We'll need them to…"

"Let me work with the Doc first and see if we can't…"

"Trip, you can't allow him to complete the power transfer," T'Pol said as she placed a hand on his arm.

"He's the Captain," Trip sighed. "And my friend. Let me try something my way first."

"Fine," T'Pol relented. "But if it doesn't work?"

"We'll do it your way," Trip nodded. "I better go. You need anything?"

"No, I'm fine," T'Pol sighed.

Trip walked toward the door and exited without another word.

XXX

"You asshole!" Amanda said as soon as she was released from the Brig.

"I couldn't…" Travis was stopped short by a punch that sent him reeling.

He grabbed his jaw and looked at her surprised.

"Shit," Travis said as he wiped the blood.

Amanda reached for the Comm.

"This is Lt Amanda Cole. I have been unlawfully held in the Brig for the last…"

Travis leaned in. "I'll handle it."

"Thank you, Travis," Jon's voice sounded over the comm.

"What the…?" Amanda asked as she looked toward him.

"There was a mutiny," Travis said as he rubbed at his jaw. "I needed you safe until it was over."

"Mutiny?" Amanda asked, shocked.

"The Captain was infected by the Xindi, and the crew, recognizing this, took away his position for the safety of the ship," Travis said. "You HAD to hit me?"

"Why did you lock me up?" Amanda asked, surprised and annoyed.

"Hayes was on the Captain's side and with him the other MACO's," Travis said. "I couldn't risk you getting in the mix."

"So, you stunned me and locked me up?!" Amanda yelled, incensed.

"If that's what it took, yeah," Travis said defiantly. "Phlox said the stun wouldn't harm…"

"Wait, this was a group decision?" Amanda asked as she hit the release button for the door to the hallway.

"Just me and Phlox," Travis said confused.

"You ever think it might be worth asking me?" Amanda asked, annoyed before she left.

Travis followed her out.

"I was trying to protect you!" He called to her.

"In case you aren't aware, I can protect myself," Amanda said as she nodded toward his chin that was now twice it's size.

"I know you can, but in this case…" Travis started.

"In any case," Amanda said as she turned to look at him. "It's always my choice!"

Travis was taken back by her anger and watched her march away.

XXX

TBC