Chapter 29

Jon sat on a bio bed, looking over at a sedated Trip as Phlox ran his scans. "Nothing is broken and there doesn't appear to be any internal damage...just the bruises."

"How is he? Do you know what caused the seizure?"

"I'm not sure exactly what caused it, but there is something odd going on with his neurological system."

"Odd? What do you mean?"

"There are areas of his brain that are heightened...over stimulated. The areas of his brain...well quite frankly...if he were Vulcan, I would say he was in Pon Farr."

"Pon Farr? Are you saying that is what's causing him to act this way?"

"No. That would be impossible. He's not Vulcan."

Jon looked over at Trip debating with himself. "Um...Phlox? Has Trip or T'Pol told you?"

"Told me what Captain?"

Before he could answer, T'Pol burst into sickbay. She was breathing hard and sweating. "Where is he?" She growled. "Where is my t'hy'la?"

Jon got up and moved over next to Trip in a protective stance. T'Pol screeched at Jon while lunging towards him. "Get away from him! He's mine!" Phlox jammed a hypo spray filled with sedatives into her neck. T'Pol took a couple of wobbly steps before collapsing from the sedative.

As Phlox was putting her onto a bio bed, Jon looked between the two. "What the hell is going on?" He asked quietly.

XXX

After Phlox ran his scans and confirmed that T'Pol was in Pon Farr, the questions concerning Trip arose. Phlox was just at much of a loss as Jon. Jon decided he needed advice...from a Vulcan.

"We do not discuss these things, Captain." Soval stated in disdain.

"Soval. I know this is uncomfortable for you. It's uncomfortable for me as well, but I need to know about Pon Farr...for Trip's sake."

"Commander Tucker? What does he have to do with this? From what I understand his relationship with T'Pol ended years ago. In fact, I've been told that you and the Commander are now...mated."

"We're married, that's true, but over the past couple of weeks, Trip has been exhibiting unusual behavior. Phlox says that his brain activity is the same as a Vulcan in Pon Farr."

"A human experiencing Pon Farr? Impossible." Soval practically scoffed at the notion.

"Are you aware that Trip and T'Pol are bonded?"

Soval couldn't suppress his shock. "What? That's impossible. A human absolutely cannot bond with a Vulcan."

"Well they are."

"Captain...do you understand a Vulcan bond?"

"Not really, no. Trip pretty much explained it as that they were in each other's heads. T'Pol once told me that Trip has shielded himself from her and that she can't "read" him."

"Captain, it's more than that...much more. They are...life mates."

"I don't understand. What does that mean?"

"Captain...I'm sorry, I truly am. You have to allow Com- Trip...and T'Pol to mate. If they do not...the neurological stimulation to their brains will build and kill them both. They must purge themselves of this stimulation."

"You mean I have to stand by while my husband...with T'Pol?"

"I'm afraid so."

"Isn't there any other way?"

"The only other way would be...unfavorable. T'Pol would have to declare a kal-if-fee...if she so chooses, but it sounds like she does not wish this."

"Surely she could see that it's illogical for her to want to...mate...with Trip when he's married to someone else?"

"Her reasoning and logic is lost to her at this time Captain. Right now her sole focus is to mate."

"What if I declare this kal-if-fee? On Trip's behalf?"

"Captain...the kal-if-fee is a fight...to the death."

"Oh."

"You see the conundrum."

"Yeah...I think I'm starting to."

XXX

Phlox had kept Trip and T'Pol sedated while Jon spent the next several hours thinking about what to do. He was standing beside Trip, watching the muscles in his face twisting in agony. "Captain, whatever you plan to do, we need to do it fast. The stimulation to their neuro network is building rapidly. At this rate, I fear they won't make it through the night." Phlox gently informed him.

Jon let out a deep sigh. "I know. Any option available feels...wrong. I guess it will have to be the lesser of two evils." A tear trickled down Jon's face. "Alright. Let's get them ready."

Phlox and Jon had the sleeping pair moved into Jon's quarters. "How long will it take?" He asked Phlox.

Phlox shrugged a shoulder. "Hmm. The little information I was able to ascertain says it could be a few hours or a few days. Vulcans are very tight-lipped about this subject you know."

"Yeah...tell me about it." Jon muttered. He turn to Malcolm. "Stay outside at the door. No matter what you hear...don't come in and don't allow anyone else in either. No matter what...keep the door locked until it's over."

"How will I know when it's over?" Malcolm sounded a little confused by what was going on.

Phlox gave a smile. "You'll know Lieutenant."

Jon looked down on the sleeping pair wondering if he was making the right decision. He blew out a breath. "Ok Phlox, wake them up."

Phlox pushed the hypospray into each of their necks before turning to Jon. "We should leave before they wake."

"Mm-hm. Go ahead. I'll be right there." He watched as the pair began to stir. "God I hope I'm doing the right thing. Porthos. Come on boy...let's go."

As he walked out the door he turned and took one last look. Trip and T'Pol were beginning to sit up and looked at each other with wildness in their eyes. Jon closed the door behind him and turned to Malcolm. "Remember...no matter what...keep the door locked."

"Yes sir."

Just then they heard a loud crashing sound and a wild animal-like shriek. Jon shuddered and took a step towards the door. "Captain." Malcolm said quietly as he put a hand up to stop Jon. Jon looked at the door then quickly walked away with Porthos scampering behind him.