"Good of you to join us T'Pol." the Captain said.
"I apologize for my tardiness Captain. I lost track of the hour."
"What? Is Miss Perfect-Vulcans-can-do-no-wrong actually apologizin'? I wouldn't believe it if I didn't hear it with my own two ears." The Captain tried to hide his smile but the Commander openly smirked at her. He loved ruffling her feathers. However T'Pol was in no mood. Ignoring Commander Tucker she proceeded to eat her meal without uttering a word.
"What's the matter T'Pol? You got no comeback for that one?"
"Alright Trip, that's enough. Let's just eat our dinner in peace." the Captain said.
"Sure thing Cap'n." Although he didn't say another word to her, Trip continued to smile openly at T'Pol.
Once dinner was finished and they were waiting for dessert Trip tried to engage them both in a conversation. After trying several times unsuccessfully he couldn't take it anymore.
"What the hell's the matter with you two? he yelled. "Why aren't you talking? Are you mad at each other? He looked back and forth waiting for them to give him a clue.
"Where not mad Trip. And we are talking to each other."
"Yeah, well you coulda fooled me. What's goin' on? Does this have anything to do with the transmissions you both got earlier?" he asked.
Archers jaw tightened, when Trip spoke, and he spit out the next few words between clenched teeth. "I told you Trip, leave it alone."
"I can't leave it alone. What the hell has got you so down? It's the Vulcans isn't it? Are they causin' trouble for you again?"
"Trip….." the captain started to say, but Trip didn't want to hear it.
Swinging his gaze on to T'Pol he started to yell, "What the hell did we do now T'Pol? Why the hell can't your people leave us alone? he spit at her. If it's not one thing, it's another. We just can't win with you people."
"Trip that enough!" the Captain yelled. "This isn't her fault. I told you it's a personal…." But Trip interrupted him before he could finish.
"I know, I know it's a personal matter. But god damnit John…."
Before the argument could escalate any further T'Pol chose that moment to speak up.
"I have been removed from my position on Enterprise. The transmissions the Captain and I received were one and the same. While Starfleet was informing him of my departure, the Vulcan High Command was informing me." When Trip just stared at her she asked him, "You said you wanted to know what was going on. Does my answer not satisfy your curiosity?"
Dead silence filled the room. Trip didn't know what to say after that. He looked guiltily at T'Pol.
"I'm sorry T'Pol. I had no right to say those things to you."
"It is alright Commander. You were just defending the Captain. You didn't know any better." Although her words were meant to comfort him, they just made him feel even more guilty.
"Why the hell are they makin' you leave?"
"I prefer not to discuss it if you don't mind."
"What do you mean you don't wanna discuss it?" he asked her. Seeing he wasn't going to get a response from her he turned to the Captain. "Jon, what's going on?"
"I don't know Trip. T'Pol won't tell me either."
Turning to T'Pol, Trip decided to try again. "So that's it. You're jus' gonna leave without even givin' us an explanation. Damnit T'Pol, you owe us more than that," he yelled.
"Calm down Trip. It's obvious that T'Pol doesn't feel the same way that we do. She obviously could not care less about Enterprise, and everyone on it. Forget how we have all come to think of her as part of the crew. Some of us even think of her as a friend. I mean, I know I do. But I guess we're not worth fighting for." Waiting for his words to sink in, Archer and Trip just stared at T'Pol. She continued to stare at her lap and wouldn't look them in the eye. They were surprised when she lifted her head and they got a good look at her. Were those tears in her eyes? No, Vulcans don't cry. That is a human emotion. They were both about to say something when she spoke.
"You are wrong Captain. You are wrong. I do not wish to leave Enterprise. It has been my home for over a year now. The only home where I have ever felt truly welcome." Archer and Trip looked shocked when she said this. Was she admitting that she had come to like living among them? "Now if you will excuse me I would like to retire to my room for the night. I need to meditate." She got up and was half way out the door before Archer found his voice again.
"Wait T'Pol. We need to talk about this."
"Not tonight Captain."
"T'Pol….." he tried again.
"Please. I cannot talk about this anymore."
She said please Archer thought. It was that one word, so alien on her lips that stopped him. "Alright T'Pol, but this isn't finished. We're going to continue this conversation tomorrow. Ok?" he told her.
"Yes Captain." And with that she left the room leaving Archer and Trip to stare in wonder. After a few minutes Trip finally spoke.
"What the hell was that all about Cap'n?"
"I don't Trip, but you can bet I'm going to find out."