Disclaimer: Star Trek in all its forms belongs to Gene Roddenberry and the Corporations. There is no infringement intended, as this is just a humble fan fiction intended to amuse and entertain. No money will be made nor is any expected. Just a few reviews to make the author smile and feel it is worth writing more.

A/N: Ok everyone this is AU big time. I decided that I did not like the way Elizabeth Tucker died . After all Trip is not the only one with the Tucker charm. It took me a while to come up with a workable solution to save her and I hope it works. As always the ratings will be from G to NC-17.

A/N: Thoughts and Telepathy in Italics

Challenging Destiny

Part 12 Chances PG

Kevan watched the female with interest. While it was clear she was a slave she did not approach them for assistance in gaining her freedom. This struck him as illogical. Or it did until he spotted the child. It occurred to him that t he female was clearly shielding the boy. He wondered if perhaps he was her son or a sibling? He carefully snapped a photo of both. It possible he would find out who those two truly were. He did not approve of slavery and he especially did not like when his people were subject to it. However he could only free them legally. He still had to maintain his position. As much as he would like to spirit the two away it would damage the beginnings of trust he was creating. A trust that in the end would save far more lives. He was however not giving up. He had noted the look of interest on his grandson's face. That alone made him consider the female valuable. She was aesthetically pleasing even if her hair was the color of the sands. Her vivid blue eyes were clearly a through back to the awakening. He wondered if she truly was Vulcan or a member of their distant kin? No matter he would plan to keep her under observation.

T'Lia laid out the designs. It was rather ironic that Kevan suggested she work with Koss. She was right in guessing they would want them to work together. Jankel had been forced to agree. It seemed she had taken that beating for nothing. However she was glad of it. Koss's designs were brilliant. She was rather shocked that the Vulcan's were sharing however it did make sense in a way. Waste went against the core of Vulcan values. It was also clear that Kevan wanted to build bridges here. She was however still uncertain if Jankel was worthy of the apparent trust the Vulcans were giving.

Koss watched the pale hared Vulcan female. She is aesthetically pleasing he thought. He liked her deep blue-green eyes. So sad but proud. It had shocked him to learn she was a slave but it was clear she was not completely broken. The glare she given her master was barely hidden dislike. She was clearly protecting the child. Her son? She seemed to young for that. So the boy must be a sibling. When had she been taken? It was more then clear that the ordeal had affected her emotions. Then again she was clearly young such a thing must be difficult. Koss decided he would offer what support he could. Perhaps he could even help her regain her freedom. He was a wealthy male and Orions always wanted to turn a profit. He would meditate on this for a while.

Vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv

Soval returned to Earth. His heart was heavy as he looked down from his shuttle. The blackened earth was a reminder of his failures. He had long ago worked to keep the humans from space. Not to hold them back but to protect them. It was now more then clear that this policy was an error. He suddenly felt tired and old. He stiffened as he heard someone walk up to him.

"Sir you need to strap in. We are getting ready for decent." A soft youthful voice said. He looked behind him and nodded.

"Of course Corporal Cole." He let her lead him to his seat and he sat down. He was surprised when she snapped the safety belt into place.

"There you go Ambassador. I would hate to have something happen to you."

He looked up and was shocked to see genuine concern for his well being. It had been a long time since any human cared so much. The last had died to save his life. He felt a little disconcerted at this. "Thank you Corporal." He said.

"No problem sir. After all our shuttles are not the same. It is easy to forget that."

"Your shuttles are comfortable enough." Soval said. He was surprised at her blush. However he sat back. Catching her hand. "Perhaps you should strap in now."

"Of course Sir. " Amanda buckled in with a blush. Clearly she did not value herself as highly as she did him. This made Soval frown.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

"We must take the chance. If there is even a chance at destroying the weapon I will have to take it. I have no choice. No Trip you and T'Pol are needed here. Malcolm I am counting on you to keep the ship out of trouble. Now fix that ship for me. I won't hear any arguments." Archer said.

"But sir surly you can be risked." Malcolm said "Let me do this."

"Sorry Lt. But you get sea sick , No You are needed here." Archer said as his armory officer turned a bright red. "Trip I need you to fix the ship and I am not explaining your death to Soval. T'Pol see if you can help Hoshi with the translating of the other Xindi languages just on case." Archer left them and headed to his ready room. Trip however was not in a mood to let this go. He followed his long time friend. "Cap'n you can not do this. Let me or Malcolm go."

Archer spun around the door had closed and he was grateful. "I can't you know why. If something happens to you it happens to T'Pol and Malcolm would be to ill to do this mission. I am not sending anyone else to die. I can not do it Trip."

Trip noted the stiffened stance. His friend and Captain was at the breaking point and he had been to absorbed in his own pain to notice. He sighed. "Alright Jon I will help you. But my momma is goin box my ears for this. She likes you. She will be mad I let you do this thing."

Jonathan Archer smiled at that. "I plan to come back Trip."

His friend nodded and pretended he did not know the odds of that happening.

TBC...