Disclaimer: See pg 1!!
Early the next morning, Malcolm padded into the mess hall that the ship had, finding T'Pol sitting at one of the small tables by the window staring at the stars. As she turned towards him, he noticed the large bags under her eyes. "Bad dreams?" he asked. T'Pol shook her head.
"Not exactly." She said quietly. "How about you?" Malcolm walked over to the protein resequencer.
"Tea. Hot." he ordered it abruptly. Then, he sat down across from her with a sigh, frowning.
"Dreams." he replied slowly.
"About Enterprise?" she asked.
"No." he looked away
"Wouls you like to talk about it?" Malcolm looked up, surprised. Apparently noticing, she began to explain herself.
"Commander Tucker once told me humans talk about their problems...Forgive me if I was mistaken."
Malcolm softened. "No you weren't mistaken. It's just...I never have...and you, well..."
"You thought I wouldn't talk about problems either." He nodded. "A few days ago, I wouldn't have." she continued. "But I have changed." Malcolm nodded again.
"I understand how events can...change you." he replied. "My past has certainly changed me." Could she understand if I explained to her?? Malcolm thought to himself She probably could more than anyone.
"When I was young," he started. "My father..." he stopped, trying to find words.
"How?" Malcolm asked.
"It is called a mind-meld. It is an ancient Vulcan technique used to share thoughts." T'Pol explained.
"Isn't that what that guy Tolaris used on you, landing you in sick bay?"
she nodded. "Yes. But the result isn't always like that. He refused to break the link, and the struggle that resulted is what, as you said, 'landed me in sick bay'. It could also help you to resolve your issues as I would have a better understanding after seeing your dreams for myself."
"Oh." Malcolm said. " I suppose that makes sense. I am willing to give it a go if you are."
"It requires physical contact so I will place my hands on your face. You must try to relax. We will be able to communicate so tell me if you wish to stop." Malcolm nodded
"Ok"
Reaching across the table, T'Pol placed her fingertips on the sides of Malcolm's face.
" My mind to your mind, my thoughts to your thoughts." Malcolm breathed deeply, relaxing.
Suddenly, he could feel T'Pol's mind slip into his. "T'Pol?" he questioned.
"I am here." she replied. "Now try to remember the dream." Malcolm breathed deeply again, searching his mind for the dream. Then, the land scape changed, and T'Pol found herself alone, watching a scene from Malcolm's past unfold before her.
*SLAP*
The force of impact caused a young Malcolm Reed to
stagger backwards before the pain registered. A single tear of shame ran
down his cheek before the 9-year-old put his emotions in check.
"87 just isn't good enough Malcolm!" Malcolm straightened
his back and clasped his hands behind him as he listened to his father
throw all the wrongs he'd ever committed back in his face. Malcolm knew
better than to argue.
"Are you even listening to me?!" His father' yelled.
Before Malcolm could answer, he received another slap
across the face. Catching him off guard, it knocked him to the ground.
Hard.
T'Pol shuddered.
"Now get up!" His father yelled. Malcolm winced as
he did so. Unfortunately, his father noticed.
" Reeds don't show weakness!" The insults started
again. "How are you going to get into the navy with an attitude like that!"
"But I don't want to be in the navy." Malcolm seemed
to immediately regret the comment.
" Don't be insolent!" his dad's anger started up again."You're
getting three strokes with the belt for that!Into the woodshed."
T'Pol followed as Malcolm walked slowly to the woodshed
and faced the wall as his dad removed his big, black belt.
* CrAcK*
The impact of the blow sent Malcolm flying into the
wall.
*CrAcK*
He closed his eyes tightly, trying to stop the few
tears that leaked slowly down his face.
*CrAcK* The young Malcolm looked up at T'Pol, his young eyes full of pain as tears trickled down his face. She breathed sharply, slipping back into herself as the connection broke.
"I am sorry." she said breathlessly, as she found herself
facing Malcolm at the table.
"It's ok," he said. "That was most of it anyways."
She nodded. Taking a large drink of the green tea that
sat in front of her, she grimaced as she found it cold.
"Did your father do...that... often?" she asked quietly.
Malcolm nodded slowly, looking up at the ceiling to try and stop the tears
that were threatening to spill over.
"I am so sorry." T'Pol said.
"It isn't your fault." Malcolm replied, as he got control
of his emotions.
"I know. But I am still sorry."
"Isn't that an emotion?" he questioned, trying to change
the subject.
She nodded. "Yes."
"But..." he started.
"I have been having trouble concentrating on purging
my emotions."
"Oh."
She stood up. "I must go. Ens...Hoshi has asked me to
teach her how to deal with her dreams. If you would care to join us, I
could teach you too."
"Thankyou." Malcolm responded. "That would be very kind."
He stood to follow her.