Dr. Phlox and Hoshi had been standing uncomfortably in sickbay for about an hour. "Are you sure she'll be here?" Hoshi shifted here weight from one foot to another impatiently. The Doctor nodded his head excitedly "She should be, Her nasal numbing agent will be wearing off very soon." The Ensign smiled at his enthusiasm. "You're really getting into this aren't you?"

"Absolutely! I've never had a chance to study Human Literature until now!" He was almost jumping up and down, "I am indeed intrigued about this human concept of 'Drama' and 'Acting'."

Hoshi laughed and turned towards the door.

"Oh, Ensign?"

"Yes?"

"What is my 'motivation'?"

Hoshi Santo just rubbed her forehead and muttered "Actors."

*******************************************

T'Pol had been trying for hours to meditate with no success. Something had been intruding on her concentration and by the time she realized it was because her nasal numbing agent had worn off, she had lost valuable meditation time. She was almost to Sickbay when T'Pol heard voices. Apparently, the Doctor and Ensign Hoshi were having a conversation,

About her.

T'Pol had originally thought about merely interrupting them but then a particular sentence caught her attention. " You were right not to tell T'Pol," She was sure that voice was the Doctor's. The thought that the only other none human on the ship was helping to hide something from her brought out a slight feeling of betrayal inside of her but she quickly ignored it. Inside the room, Hoshi seemed to take a long sigh "I know, but Trip was practically crying in my arms."

Commander Tucker had been weeping? Why would they seek to keep that from her?

The Doctor spoke again, a little more urgently. "Yes, but if Sub-Commander T'Pol was to ever learn that Commander Tucker was in love with her it would seriously affect their working relationship."

If T'Pol had been capable of emotional expression, she would have screamed in shock and fear, but she didn't. She kept her control firmly in place. But the news still left her breathless. Commander Tucker held affections for HER?! That was impossible. Illogical. Highly unlikely. Her very presence brought out the worst of hostilities in him. Or…maybe He was merely using that as an excuse to avoid her. Perhaps that his emotional pain was so great that he wished to hide it from her by using harsh words. Something inside of her twisted in pain.

She

Was

Hurting

Him.

Meanwhile, the conversation continued onward. "What did you tell Mr. Tucker?" Dr. Phlox asked expectantly. "I told him…" Hoshi paused, "…to forget about any chance of getting through to that unfeeling bitch." T'Pol felt genuinely offended by that comment. Vulcans felt emotions. They simply suppressed them. That was their way, their tradition. It did not mean that they were incapable of caring about someone. In fact, she had indeed begun to care about the Commander.

She had often found herself remembering that time in the Decon Chamber when Tucker had touched her ears. Touching one's ears in Vulcan society is a sign of affection and ownership. When he had touched her there it made certain parts of her anatomy reach out and …

Meditation! This issue would require much reflection and consideration.

T'Pol walked quickly, not ran because that would betray emotion, back to her quarters. Then, for the rest of the night she tried desperately to purge herself of these new emotional feelings.