Author's Note: I had been told how my stories a little confusing, and yes that's good because it's supposed to be that way. Once the story is over, I think and hope that it will make a lot more sense. Hope ya like the story!
Summary: Do T'Pol's parents know more than it seems?
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Chapter 16:
Nightmares
Archer and Trip asked politely questions about T'Pol's parents, their jobs, what they were doing, and just whatever to pass time. T'Pol sat quietly as her parents, mostly her father, answered the questions.
When dinner was finally served, two crewmen walked out carting trays of food. One handed a type of Vulcan salad to the Vulcans; T'Pol sitting on her usual side of the table and her parents were sitting across from her. The other crewman handed Trip and Archer, who sat at the ends of the table, steak and potatoes.
Trip looked down at his food and scowled slightly. Then he looked up at the crewman and said, "Uh, actually I think I'll have a salad. I'm not really in the mood for meat." The confused crewman took the plate and handed him a bowl of salad.
'Trying to suck up to my parents?'
Trip looked over at T'Pol and gave her a sly grin before thinking, 'Naturally.'
He took a bit of his salad as T'Pela gave him a suspicious look. "Interesting."
"That I like salad?" Trip asked, not understanding what she meant by that. She raised an eyebrow but otherwise ignored him. He took it as a sign to stop there and he respected that. Instead he asked Sevel, "So, Sevel, what do ya do as a diplomat. I mean, what do ya specialize in? Anythin' in particular?"
Sevel, almost eager to speck with his future son-in-law, stopped eating, looked at him, and answered, "I specialize in Vulcan/Human issues. T'Pela works mostly with internal matters."
"Cool. So, what was one of your latest…cases?"
Sevel looked far away as he seemed to remember something:
"How could this help your…employers?"
"They tell us only what to do, not why." An elderly man answered his Vulcan counterpart.
"What about us. Don't we get a say?" A human piped up, seemingly outraged by the conversation.
"We will…consulate your people, of course. But it is purely the choice of fate, not us or you."
He blinked once or twice before saying, huskily, "Something very… different and…quite unbelievable." Sevel and Trip's eyes locked as Trip searched to see exactly what he had just said. He found that he spoke the truth. The only other thing, was that it seemed Sevel allowed his emotions to be far closer to the surface.
T'Pela, not really liking where this conversation could head, inquired, "How are the wedding preparations coming along?"
T'Pol, who had remained silent, said, "Well."
"Human or Vulcan?"
"Human ceremony, then," Trip paused, sensing T'Pol's panic. "Uh, yea…yea, human."
Though the behavior was peculiar, neither directly questioned Trip about it. Instead T'Pela asked T'Pol, "Vor'ti'pe Human ta'ho'ta'la."
Trip could perceive that T"Pol was very upset at her mother's, what seemed like a, accusation. He dug into her mind slightly so he could understand what was just said. 'You've allowed the human to have his own traditions forced upon you.' Once he knew this, he could feel his own anger rising, though he only allowed it to be seen in his eyes.
"Te'pel'te'so cun'tal'fa, Trip." Trip, having not left her mind, knew that she said that both of them had made the decision of how they would get married.
Archer, having no knowledge of the Vulcan language, sat oblivious to what was being said. The looks on the other four occupants in the room told him that it was not pleasant. "Sub-Commander, how is your analyzes of the scans we took coming along?" It was a simple, innocent question designed to change the topic to something a little less…hostile.
"I am close to completing it, Captain."
The next half hour passed quietly as they ate in silence Sevel was quickly growing to like, respect, and admire Trip, while his wife was finding more reason to hate him.
**Trip's Quarters**
"So, what's the deal with you and your mother? You two don't seem to be on the friendliest of terms," Trip asked after waiting patiently for her to finish meditating.
T'Pol stood up and walked over to his bed, in which he was sitting up in to read his PADD. She sat down and allowed herself to be enveloped in his strong arms. Her back was on his chest and her cheek was rested on his.
She sighed, then answered his question, "My mother and I have never been very…close with my mother. My father was the one I was…I believe Humans say 'was close to'."
Trip nodded. "Yea, it was opposite for me. My father was the one who always pushed me real hard. He always said that I could be better at everything and he tried to force me to see that. My mom, though, was a very kind, gentle person. She was the one I 'was close to' 'cause she was the one who got my dad off my back long enough fer me to get outta the house."
T'Pol looked at him and saw that he, too, had done the same. He smiled at her and she returned the gesture. "I suppose that all families are quite different."
"Yet so alike," Trip added and she bowed her head slightly, not taking her eyes off his. He then kissed her forehead and rested his own on hers.
**T'Pol's Parent's Quarters**
"And why should we believe you? Or help you for that matter?"
"Because, if you don't, our masters will destroy every living thing except those they want."
"Why must it be our daughter!?"
"Because she is one of the chosen. Besides, we have already begun the process. You no longer have any jurisdiction in this matter!"
"The process has been completed. Send someone to check on them soon. But remember, you must appear angry and or they will become suspicious."
Sevel's eyes sprung opened as the memories he fought to burry resurfaced. His meditation had gone nowhere and sleep would not take him. He was lying in the bed the humans had provided for himself and his wife.
He could feel the slight sweat that had gathered on his forehead. His heart rate had returned to its natural speed after it had been racing. His silk robes that he wore to bed, were clutching to his bed because of all the sweat.
He looked over at his wife, sleeping peacefully. Carefully, he stood up and walked out the door. He headed to the Mess Hall in hopes that some hot tea would help him sleep.
When he walked in, he saw that he was not the only one with insomnia that night. Commander Charles 'Trip' Tucker was standing, starring out into the stars. Sevel walked quietly up behind him and, he too, looked out the window as well. The stars flow by so fast it only allowed the naked eye the ability to see white lines.
"When I was a boy, I would stare at the night sky for hours on end. My dream was to enter the Vulcan Science Academy but my parents would not let me. They told me to become a diplomat and I did."
"If my parents told me that I couldn't be in Starfleet, I woulda freaked." Trip had not turned around but he knew who it was because of the voice. After a pause, he turned around and looked Sevel in the eye. "Sir, if you don't mind my askin', but why are your people so… content on controllin' their children's lives. Arranged marriages, tellin' them what job t' get, how t' live their lives."
Sevel almost smiled at him; it was a good question. His people had that tendency to do that; it was just their culture. He sighed and looked back out the window. "I have no idea. Perhaps to make it seem we have some control over something besides our emotions."
"Yea," Trip turned back to the window and watched the stars pass them. After a minute or two of silence, Trip asked, "Couldn't sleep?"
"No," was the flat statement that Sevel hoped wouldn't cause any more attention.
"Me neither. Bad dream?" Trip asked with a small smirk. It was meant as a joke but the annoyed raised eyebrow told Trip he didn't appreciate it. So he shut up and looked out the window.
"And you, why could you not sleep?"
"Uh, I was just thinking about something that happened awhile ago. T'Pol and I were captured for three weeks. They blocked our memories and neither of us has ever been able to remember much. I've tried, but I've… can't recall anything."
Sevel looked guilty and was glad Trip couldn't see him. "That would give anyone insomnia."
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Hmm, what were all of Sevel's dreams about. Hmm, I wonder. R/R if you know.
Oh, yea, I know taking the extra ten seconds to click on the button to review is so hard, but I need reviews. Else wise I wont write any more. Well, actually I will because even I'm a little curious as to where I'm taking this story, but you know what I mean.
