Author's Notes: Please see previous notes.

XXX

"What do you mean she is missing?!" Trip snapped on the call to Domenic.

"They signed into the facility, T'Pol met with T'Lev for 7 minutes, there was an incident…"

"Incident?"

"Apparently, T'Lev broke T'Pol's nose," Domenic winced.

"What?!" Trip snapped again. He was walking down the hallway on the transport vessel to Vulcan and all of the people in the hall, mainly Vulcans, were looking at him.

"I saw the video, she cold cocked her," Domenic said. "They left the facility and then walked out of surveillance range. They seemed to be talking to each other."

"Her cousin?" Trip asked, he couldn't remember her name at the moment.

"T'Sel," Domenic reminded him. "T'Pol is holding something to her nose and they are going toward the parking area. That's it."

"And that was…?"

"Three hours ago," Domenic said. "Orik thought that…"

"Orik?" Trip asked, annoyed as he punched in the code for his cabin.

"T'Sel's husband," Domenic informed him.

"Orik," Trip repeated to himself.

"Orik said he thought they may have gone somewhere to talk, away from the children," Domenic said uncomfortably.

"Why?" Trip asked.

Domenic cleared his throat.

"Apparently, they can smell my attraction to T'Pol and wanted to make sure she wasn't in some kind of three-way human relationship," Domenic said quietly.

"What?! Why?" Trip asked, confused. "You haven't tried any…"

"No, I am still attracted to her, but I respect your relationship now that I see it's important to her," Domenic said. "But Vulcans have sensitive noses…"

"Tell me about it," Trip sighed. "So, let me get this straight, she's missing and so is T…"

"T'Sel," Domenic provided. "Yes."

"Maybe they are just talking somewhere," Trip said. "Or has anyone checked hospitals t see if…"

"Orik has called them all, there is no one of her name of description," Domenic provided. "Orik also said T'Sel has never missed a night tucking her children in when she's home."

Trip nodded, that was strange then.

"And have you notified the Vulcan version of local PD?" Trip asked.

"Orik said that they will not take any report until 6.8 hours have passed as, logically, most people turn up in that time frame," Domenic added.

"Well, ain't that convenient," Trip sighed as he rubbed at his jaw. "Nova?"

"Orik tucked her in as well as his sons," Domenic said. "She asked for T'Pol, but we said she was still out, she seemed satisfied with that response."

"She won't be when she wakes up and she's still gone in the morning," Trip muttered.

"Probably not," Domenic said.

"I have gone to the holding facility and looked at the surveillance footage, interviewed the guard and tried to interview T'Lev but she just screamed…my gut tells me they were taken," Domenic added.

Trip nodded. His did as well.

"Orik can't call T'Sel or…" Trip started.

"Her PADD is going to voicemail," Domenic said.

"Who would want T'Pol or…or maybe it has to do with T'Sel, she's a genetic bank scientist, right?"

"Yes," Domenic said. "But Orik said there have been no issues, nothing alarming, basically they lead an incredibly boring and predictable life with no enemies."

"So, it's T'Pol," Trip said as he shifted in his seat. "She is not boring, or predictable or without enemies."

Domenic just nodded.

"Another 3.8 hours before anyone will investigate…" Trip muttered.

"I am back at the house because I didn't want to leave Nova…"

"She's still in her bed?" Trip asked, suddenly alarmed for his daughter.

"She is, I just checked," Domenic said.

Trip closed his eyes for a moment and hoped he wouldn't regret the next words coming from his mouth.

"Okay, I want you to stick with Nova," Trip said. "If someone is after T'Pol, they may be after her as well. T'Pol is extremely skilled and can hold her own until the police get on this."

"Are you sure you don't want me to…"

"I'm sure," Trip said, his voice quite unsure. "You protect Nova."

Domenic nodded, understanding how challenging that decision must have been. He may have chosen differently himself, but he was not here to act for himself alone.

"Understood," Domenic nodded.

"Okay, let me get some Vulcan contacts I know involved, see if we can't speed up this investigation," Trip said as he called up another screen. "I need you to report any new information to me immediately and please don't take your eyes off Nova."

"Understood," Domenic nodded.

"And…thank you Domenic," Trip swallowed hard. "You don't know how grateful I am to have your there right now."

"I'm feeling a little useless," Domenic offered.

"No, you are going to keep Nova safe and that's the most important job right now," Trip said before they disconnected.

He quickly dialed another number.

"Pgua, I'm sorry for the hour but I need some help," Trip said when a very tired Vulcan male who worked on his team appeared on the screen.

XXXX

"You should sleep," T'Sel said as she cleaned T'Pol's nose with a piece of material she'd ripped off her jacket.

"For what purpose?" T'Pol asked.

"At the very least so you can fight him if he attempts to…"

"He won't," T'Pol said as she turned her head away from her cousin.

"But he said…"

"He wants me to beg for him," T'Pol said quietly.

"Oh," T'Sel said softly.

"Let's not speak of Koss when we don't have to," T'Pol cautioned.

"Can I inquire about Domenic?" T'Sel asked, trying to shift the subject.

"You may," T'Pol said.

"Was Koss accurate when he said you and Domenic resolved your pon farr?" T'Sel asked.

"That was accurate," T'Pol nodded.

"My assessment of his pheromones was correct," T'Sel said.

"Domenic still seems to be attracted to me," T'Pol said. "But our relationship was, mainly, limited to pon farr. He was strong, a colleague and available."

"So, have you only mated with the two humans and Koss?" T'Sel asked.

"I have not mated with Koss," T'Pol corrected. "And yes, I have mated with two humans."

"You have not mated with any Vulcan?" T'Sel asked, surprised.

"No," T'Pol answered.

"I should not ask such personal questions it's very…"

"Un-Vulcan?" T'Pol asked.

T'Sel nodded.

"Who can I tell?" T'Pol asked, honestly.

Just then, the door to the room they were being held in opened.

"Time for the next injection, and I have brought you nutrient packets," Koss said. "Pre-sealed so you don't think I'm trying to drug you."

"Why would we think that Koss?" T'Pol asked sarcastically.

"Careful or I won't permit you use of the washroom," Koss chided.

T'Pol watched him place the packets down on T'Sel's chair and walk toward the table where the needles where housed.

"Security forces will be searching for us," T'Sel said.

"They will have just started," Koss said thoughtfully as he readied the needle. "And they will never find this location."

"You will harm her heart if you keep up this regimen," T'Sel warned him.

"Her heart has never been open to me," Koss said as he approached T'Pol "It doesn't matter what happens to it."

"Koss, you have a promising future, but if you continue…" T'Sel said.

"He only cares about hurting me," T'Pol said clearly. "He hates my emotions but yet embraces his own."

Koss injected her harshly with another needle. T'Pol hissed.

"You will soon feel an entirely new set of emotions," Koss cautioned her. "And instead of whoring yourself with your humans you will feel the force of a Vulcan man."

Koss threw the used needle across the room and left without another word.

XXX

"Where's T'Pol?" Nova asked as she wandered into the kitchen, Benny Bunny dragging behind her.

"She and your aunt had to travel to another area of Vulcan to investigate something and she left you with us," Domenic said as he cut his carrot.

Nova saw her two older cousins exchange glances and knew that Domenic was lying.

"Your father wishes to speak with you," Orik said as he handed Nova a PADD. "He has instructed you to call as soon as you woke."

Nova nodded and dragged Benny and the PADD to a nearby sofa. She hit the picture that was her father and waited.

"Hi sweetie," Trip said on the other side of the video. Nova noted that he looked very tired.

"What time is it there?" Nova asked her father.

"Well, as soon as we launch we're on Vulcan time so it's the same time as you have, but…by Earth time I should just be going to bed."

Nova nodded.

"Where's T'Pol?" Nova asked.

"She had…uh, she had to go on a trip and…"

"I know that is a lie," Nova interrupted him.

Trip swallowed hard and closed his eyes for a moment before opening them again.

"Nova, honey, she's going to be fine," Trip said as he looked into his daughter's worried eyes. "She's gone missing and we've…"

"Missing?"

"Yes, after she visited someone with your Aunt T'Sel last night, neither of them came home," Trip said. "We've got the police looking for them and I've got…"

"Has someone hurt her?!" Nova asked, alarmed.

"No sweetie," Trip sighed, not sure that his words were true. "They may have just gone off the road or run out of gas…"

"That is highly improbable," Nova interjected.

"Okay, well, your mom is a very capable and strong woman and I don't doubt that she's fine," Trip said, trying to make her feel re-assured.

"Who would want T'Pol?" Nova asked.

"I don't know darlin'," Trip sighed. "I've got some friends at Starfleet looking into that now and…"

"Does it have to do with the Vulcan man who visited me?" Nova asked.

"A Vulcan…has a Vulcan man visited you while you were there?" Trip asked, trying to keep the alarm out of his voice.

"No, when I was with my mama and my father. When I was little," Nova said. "The man T'Pol was married to before."

"Koss?" Trip asked, surprised.

"That is the name T'Pol told me," Nova nodded.

"Honey, he's dead," Trip said.

"That's what T'Pol said," Nova offered. "But could it have to do with him?"

"I, uh, I don't think…I hadn't…" Trip stammered.

"When do you get here?" Nova asked, clutching her Benny.

"Soon baby," Trip sighed. "A couple of days, but not quick enough."

Nova nodded.

"Are you okay?" Trip asked her.

"I'm scared she's going to die like my other mama," Nova said as tears formed in her eyes.

"Oh sweetie, that's not going to happen," Trip said as he touched the screen and wished it was her head. "She will do anything to get back to you."

"Promise?" Nova asked.

Trip knew how important promises were to her and he hoped he wasn't going to regret making this one.

"I promise she'll be back with us again soon," Trip said softly.

"Tell them to increase thruster power so you get here sooner," Nova pouted.

"I'll try darlin'" Trip smiled at her. "I'll talk to you later today?"

Nova nodded.

"Domenic is in charge of you until I get there so you listen to him okay?" Trip asked.

"Okay," Nova continued to pout.

"I love you, sweetie," Trip said with a smile as he reached for the disconnect button.

"I love you too, daddy," Nova said, knowing he liked it when she called him that.

Trip blew her a kiss and discontented to call.

Nova sat for a few minutes with her feet curled up and her head on Benny.

"Nova, come and try this oatmeal, it's got really tangy berries in it," Domenic called from his place at the table.

Nova sighed, placed her head back on Benny and just sat there for a while before Domenic brought a bowl to her and handed her a spoon. Only then, did she eat. Even if it was just a few spoonful's, Nova at least ate something as she worried about whether she'd see her mother again.

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