TITLE: Needs Be - A Sequel to Hidden Truths

SUMMARY: When tragedy occurs, Archer tells Trip that he remembers everything about Trip's real identity and the events surrounding Regis Jata. Not soon after, some old enemies show up.

DISCLAIMER: I own nothing trek related.

NOTES: Here's the next installment straight away. It's complete in 5 parts.

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CHAPTER TWO

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For a moment no-one spoke. No-one knew what to say. No-one knew what to do. "What the hell happened?!" Jon finally shouted.

"The energy charge came from a ship on the far side of the planet. I cannot detect anything there now." T'Pol said.

"What?! What do you mean?" Jon exclaimed. This was ridiculous. Ships that destroy planets and kill innocent people do not just disappear.

"I'm sorry Captain, the ship is no longer there."

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An hour after the crisis, Enterprise was still orbiting Talos while repairs were made and T'Pol headed the team to discover just what had happened. Jon was walking at a swift pac towards engineering - before he changed his mind. The death of four innocent people and the destruction of an entire planet was enough, in his mind, to justify what he was about to do.

When he reached engineering Jon spotted Trip right away. He was the one working furiously while directing others to do the same. "Trip." He called. "Can I talk to you?"

"Now? Uh, I'm kinda busy Cap'n, can it wait?"

"Not really." Jon countered.

"Okay then, shoot."

"Not here."

Trip put down a padd and followed Jon into the corridor. It must be something important to drag him from his work. "What's up?" He asked Jon - who, Trip noticed, looked up and down the corridor to check for other people.

"I know Trip."

"Know what?"

"I know who you are. About the Kamidari, about the Kett and the rifts through time. Everything."

The colour drained from Trip's face and all other thoughts were shunted aside. Should he deny all knowledge? How did Jon know? Everyone's memory was wiped of the events surrounding Rigis Jata! "Wh....h, how?" He managed to utter.

"I don't know. When you pulled that little memory trick, I wasn't affected. But how I know isn't important. I know, and now I need your help. I know you can change what's happened."

"Maybe so," Trip said, still shocked. "but I won't."

"So you'll only change time when it suits you?" Jon said, the slightest hint of contempt seeping into his voice. Trip appeared to notice, and his tone changed to a more defensive one.

"I made a mistake, and maybe it turned out okay in the end, I still shouldn't have done what I did. You know, this is exactly why no-one was supposed to remember. Not only does it put you, me and everyone onboard this ship in danger, now you expect me to change something you don't like."

"The destruction of a planet? The deaths of that family? I wouldn't call those things I just 'don't like'."

"Bad things happen. They've happened before, you never asked me to change them."

"That's because I didn't have the opportunity before."

"You don't have the opportunity now. I won't change anything."

"Whatever happened to 'the tiniest thing can change the time-line' being a myth?"

"This isn't some tiny thing! We're talking about changing a huge event, I won't do that."

Jon finally came to his senses. He was asking too much from Trip. And he hadn't seriously thought about any repercussions. "You're right. You're right I'm sorry. I just....I just wish there was something I could've done."

Trip sighed and the two let the subject drop. "You knew all this time. Why didn't you say anything?"

"I was afraid you'd try and hit me over the head and give me amnesia." Jon teased. Trip smiled, pleased that Jon didn't still hold anything over his head.

"I had no idea. You're almost as good at keeping secrets as I am."

"As I recall - and I do, by the way - you weren't all *that* good at it."

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So Jon knew. Did this change things? After the conversation that had just taken place, he still wasn't sure. In some ways it was a fantastic relief. Jon knew all about him and he had accepted it. Even made jokes about it.

But it some ways it wasn't as good. Jon had just demonstrated how things had changed. Asking him to do something like that, what was he thinking? *He probably wasn't. Just like you weren't thinking when Hoshi died.* Trip thought. He wasn't sure what the elders would think about this - he was sure they would know.

"Commander Tucker, please come to bridge." T'Pol said over the com. What now? Trip had more than enough work to be getting on with, and more than enough thinking to do. Nevertheless he left engineering after giving a few orders and went to the bridge.

Jon appeared on the bridge soon after Trip. It seemed he had been summoned by the Sub-Commander too.

"What is it T'Pol? Have you made any progress with the investigation?" He asked.

"It would appear so. A ship has approached and claimed responsibility for the destruction of Talos."

He hadn't expected that. "Who are they?"

"I do not recognise their species, and they refuse to say anything other than they are the ones responsible. Their technology is far superior to anything I have ever seen."

It was just then that the ship drifted into view on the screen.

Only two people recognised the dark gold coloured ship, and neither was too pleased to see it. But for once, Trip had someone to share his thoughts and this time both men had a one-track mind. The Kett were here.

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End of Chapter Two

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