DISCLAIMER - I do not own or have any rights to the characters of Enterprise. I do, however, enjoy them immensely!

FALSE STARTS AND NEW BEGINNINGS

Chapter Three



Enterprise's Chief Engineer surveyed the table. Everything looked perfect. Then why was his stomach one big knot? Trip inhaled deeply in an attempt to calm down, but grimaced as his cracked ribs protested. The captain had been nice enough to let him use his private dining room, but then again, the captain was laid up in sickbay, Trip reminded himself. Even so, he was surprised at the offer. He had known his friend long enough to know how much it took for him to admit his jealousy. Trip looked at the table again and adjusted a spoon with his good hand. Discretion was going to be so much easier without being out in the middle of the crowded mess hall. He had told Hoshi that he and T'Pol were going to go over the results of the autopilot testing. He hoped that would assuage any suspicion on the young ensign's part. She was almost as good at deciphering behavior as Dr. Phlox.

Trip looked up when the door slid open. T'Pol stepped in and he felt his heart rate increase dramatically. He pulled out her chair and she sat down. He took the chair to her right. She reached for her glass and took a sip of water. After returning her glass to the table, she looked at her plate then looked at his.

"You are eating only salad this evening?"

"Uh, yeah. I know how offensive you find it when I eat meat. I wanted this meal to be perfect for you."

"There is no need for you to change your eating habits, Mr. Tucker. I have become quite accustomed to them."

Trip smiled. "Well maybe on our next date, then."

T'Pol tipped her head slightly in acknowledgement.

They both ate in silence. Trip glanced over at T'Pol several times just to satisfy himself that she was enjoying her meal. As always, her face showed nothing but she wasted little time in cleaning her plate.

When they were finished, a steward came in and removed their dishes. After he'd left, Trip picked up the pitcher of water and refilled T'Pol's glass. He then refilled his. He took a quick sip and swallowed. Then he yawned unceremoniously.

"You are tired, Commander. We should have postponed our---dinner until such time that you are fully recovered."

"We've already had to put it off once. There was no way I was going to postpone it again!" Trip replied. He started wiping the condensation off his glass with his index finger, his mind working furiously for something to say. "So, T'Pol," he began. "Tell me what your childhood was like on Vulcan."

T'Pol looked at him sideways, one eyebrow raised. "You wish to know about my childhood?"

"Yeah. Where were you born, what are your parents like, any brothers or sisters?"

"As you are already aware, we do not normally share such personal information, Mr. Tucker."

"We being Vulcans?" asked Trip. He raised his right hand to cover his mouth as another yawn took hold of him.

T'Pol nodded. "You should be sleeping, Mr. Tucker. If I agree to tell you my family history on our next---date---will you agree to get some rest?"

Trip paused. He wanted this evening to be perfect but he was exhausted. He hadn't gotten much sleep over the last couple days and with his adventures that day as well as the shot Dr. Phlox had given him, he was dead on his feet. He smiled though as he realized she had referred to their next date.

"All right, T'Pol. The doc gave me something for the pain and it seems to be knocking me out," he replied reluctantly. "But you promise you'll tell me all about your childhood next time?"

"I promise, Mr. Tucker."

Trip stood and wavered slightly. T'Pol rose and grabbed his arm quickly to steady him. Her fingers brushed his damaged ribs and he gasped.

"I hurt you."

He shook his head emphatically. "No, sweetheart, you didn't."

T'Pol cast him an odd look and he felt his face flush. "Just a term of endearment, T'Pol," he said quietly.

Together they left the captain's mess and made their way slowly to Trip's quarters. When they were inside, T'Pol guided him to his bunk then turned him to face her. She reached around him and pulled back the covers then very carefully started undressing him. He put his hand on hers, staying it on his uniform zipper. He looked down at her face so close to his.

"If you will recall, I have seen you in your underclothes several times before," she admonished him quietly. Trip smiled. He was too tired to argue so he removed his hand. He was surprised at how gentle she was as she pulled down his uniform and helped him to sit on his bunk. She removed his boots and socks then carefully pulled his uniform off, laying it over the back of his desk chair. She then slowly unbuttoned his black undershirt, avoiding touching his ribcage and broken wrist as she pulled it off. Before he knew it, she was lowering him down on his back and lifting his legs onto the bunk. She pulled the sheet and blanket over him. The last image he saw was her face over his as she tucked the blanket under his chin.



T'Pol stood over the engineer watching him drift off to sleep. She felt an unfamiliar tenderness for this man and it warmed her. She watched him sleep for several minutes before she decided she should leave. As she turned to go, she heard him mumble. She turned back to him and saw that he was beginning to shift around, his brow creased. T'Pol knelt by the bed. He was mumbling more and his movements were becoming more violent. She reached under the blanket and took his right hand in both of hers. She spoke soft Vulcan words to him as she gently stroked his trembling fingers. He slowly quieted, his breathing deepening. T'Pol pulled the chair from his desk and set it next to his bunk. She sat down and reached for his hand again. She realized there was nowhere else she wanted to be except by his side to comfort him through his nightmares.



The captain sat in his quarters patiently waiting for his science officer. Dr. Phlox had just released him with the promise that he would rest and keep his weight off his healing leg. The brace Phlox had put on him to hold the bone in place was uncomfortable but Jon preferred the discomfort to the thought of spending any more time in Phlox's sickbay. While Jon had come to respect and even care for the Denobulan doctor, his unmatched cheeriness and non-stop chatter could only be handled in short doses. Jon smiled warmly and shook his head.

"Come in," he called out in response to his door chime. He watched as the sub-commander walked in and moved to stand at the foot of his bed.

"You wanted to see me, Captain?"

"Yes. You didn't answer when I comm'd your quarters. I had to ask Hoshi to track you down."

"I was with Commander Tucker in his quarters, sir."

Jon felt his stomach drop. "I didn't realize your relationship had gone that far."

T'Pol tilted her head, her face calm. "Is there something you needed, sir?" she asked, completely ignoring Jon's comment. He saw a hint of irritation in her eyes and knew he'd overstepped his bounds with her.

"I received a message from Admiral Forrest. It seems we're to rendezvous with a Vulcan transport ship this evening to pick up a guest. We'll be taking her to Talazor so she can help High Premier Colthera stabilize her government and shore up Talazor's relations with Vulcan."

"That sounds like a logical course of action on the High Command's part. May I inquire as to the identity of our guest?"

"Ambassador V'Lar," Jon replied with a smile. He knew his science officer, like himself, had enjoyed the Vulcan diplomat's company on her last visit. He was looking forward to seeing the older woman again.

T'Pol's eyebrows arched and she shifted on her feet slightly. "Should I ask Ensign Sato if she would relinquish her quarters again, sir?"

"I already have. She'll be happy to."

T'Pol nodded her head then moved to the door.

"T'Pol?" Jon called and she turned to face him. "May I ask you a personal question?"

"Captain?"

"Have you told Trip about your illness yet?"

T'Pol drew in a breath and dropped her eyes to the bed cover on which Jon lay. "No."

"Don't you think he has a right to know?"

"Yes. I have not found the appropriate time yet, Captain."

"I've known Trip for a long time, T'Pol. He's a good man. The best, actually," Jon smiled. "If you're afraid his feelings for you will change because of the Pa'nar syndrome, don't."

T'Pol looked up at him and for the first time, he realized the depth of her feelings for Trip. He felt a brief pang of envy for his best friend but he quickly let it go.

"Thank you, Captain," the Vulcan replied quietly. She then turned and left his quarters.

Jon looked down at Porthos who had remained curled up at his side. He scratched the little dog's ears affectionately and tried to ignore the heaviness that settled in on him.



"Why are you so nervous, Commander?" whispered Malcolm who stood next to Trip outside the launch bay door.

Trip shrugged. "I'm not nervous, Malcolm. What makes you think I'm nervous?"

"You're fidgeting, sir."

"Oh," Trip replied, realizing he was rolling forwards and backwards on his feet. He continued to open and close his right hand, which hung at his side. He glanced down at T'Pol who stood just in front of him. Although she looked as calm and cool as ever, he could sense that she was wound a little tighter than usual.

Malcolm reached up to open the door when the light signaled the bay was pressurized. The three of them entered and walked to the back of the Vulcan shuttle. The hatch opened to reveal Ambassador V'Lar. The older woman stepped gracefully out onto the deck. She nodded her head in greeting to T'Pol who returned the gesture.

"Commander Tucker," V'Lar greeted and she held out her hand.

"Ambassador," Trip replied as he took her hand and shook it gently. "You remember Lieutenant Reed, our tactical officer?"

"Of course I do, Commander. It hasn't been that long." V'Lar took Malcolm's hand then looked back at Trip. He felt the heat rise up his neck and travel to his face. The Vulcan seemed to enjoy teasing him.

"I apologize for Captain Archer's absence, Ambassador. He was injured in an accident only yesterday. His injuries are not severe but he is under doctor's orders to remain off his feet," explained T'Pol. She motioned with her hand toward the door then fell in beside V'Lar as they walked. Trip and Malcolm followed quietly, Malcolm carrying her overnight bag.

"I see the commander was injured as well," said V'Lar as she turned to glance behind her.

"Yes, ma'am. Nothing serious, though," Trip replied. The ambassador hadn't changed a bit over the months since her last visit. She was wearing a flowing robe similar to the one she'd worn previously but this one was a deep red color. Her short hair was still streaked generously with gray and she still had the same twinkle in her eye. Trip had to smile. V'Lar and T'Pol were the only two Vulcans he had ever met who had shown any hint of mischief. No wonder he liked the ambassador so much.

"Ensign Sato has graciously given up her quarters for you while you are with us, Ambassador. I will take you there so that you can get settled," said T'Pol, pausing when the group reached the corridor. She took the bag from Malcolm. "I believe Captain Archer will be joining us for dinner later."

"I will enjoy seeing the captain again. Will you two be joining us as well?" asked V'Lar, turning to Trip and Malcolm.

"Commander Tucker will, ma'am. I unfortunately will be on duty," replied Malcolm. He reached up and closed the door behind them.

"That is unfortunate, Lieutenant. Perhaps you can join us for breakfast? I'd also like to see Ensign Sato so that I can thank her for letting me use her quarters again."

"I will ask the ensign to join us for dinner, Ambassador," responded T'Pol. She turned to Trip and Malcolm. "If you gentlemen will excuse us?"

Trip smiled at her warmly. He loved seeing her in diplomatic mode.

"Ambassador, Sub-Commander," he said, nodding his head at them both. He and Malcolm then watched the two women walk away.

"She certainly is unlike any Vulcan I've ever met," said Malcom softly.

"What do you mean?" asked Trip. They turned and started walking in the opposite direction of the two Vulcans. Trip felt the bandages encasing his cracked ribs pull slightly and he gasped.

Malcolm looked at him in concern. "You okay?"

Trip nodded. "Yeah."

"She seems more relaxed, more human almost," Malcolm continued. "Not nearly as stuffy as Ambassador Soval."

"Well maybe she likes us humans, Malcolm."

"Perhaps," the tactical officer replied.



Hoshi smiled at Captain Archer and Commander Tucker as she entered the captain's dining room. The commander rose to his feet and pulled out a chair for her.

"Thank you, Commander," she said, sitting down.

"Excuse me for not getting up, Hoshi," said the captain.

"I understand, sir."

The door opened and Ambassador V'Lar and the sub-commander entered. Commander Tucker helped them with their chairs then he settled into his. Hoshi smiled at the ambassador and greeted her in Vulcan.

"It is good to see you as well, Ensign," V'Lar replied. "I am sorry you have to give up your quarters again, however."

"No problem, ma'am. I'm happy to do it."

The ambassador then turned her attention to the captain. "Captain Archer, I am sorry to hear of your unfortunate accident. I trust you will be all right."

"I'll be fine, Ambassador, thanks to Commander Tucker here," Archer replied with a smile directed at his chief engineer. He looked back at V'Lar. "We should be arriving at Talazor day after tomorrow. I take it you've met the high premier before?"

"Yes. Colthera and I have known each other a good many years. She is a fine dignitary and I consider her a friend," replied V'Lar. She turned to look at the commander. "I understand you had a most horrific experience on Talazor, Commander."

Hoshi saw the engineer flinch. He looked down and toyed with his fork. "Yes, ma'am."

V'Lar watched him closely and Hoshi thought she saw concern cross her features. Commander Tucker looked up but his eyes met the sub-commander's. They looked at each other for a long moment before he looked down again. The science officer quickly averted her eyes as well. Hoshi knew at that moment that her suspicions were correct. They're brief exchange had carried with it deep feelings of concern for one another.

"Do you have any memories of the events at all?" asked V'Lar.

"It's all kind of jumbled up in my mind still, ma'am."

"I can see you are still quite upset, Commander. I apologize for broaching the subject."

"No, no. It's okay, Ambassador," said the commander quickly. He looked up and smiled at the older Vulcan. "I only clearly remember up to the point where Dr. Kronell and Dr. Chimra were taking me to tour their shipyard. After that, everything is kind of fuzzy. I remember feeling incredibly angry but that's about it until I woke up in sickbay."

"The commander has been suffering nightmares," said T'Pol. Everyone at the table looked at her in surprise. "He has spoken to me about them," she quickly added.

Hoshi looked at Commander Tucker who had turned a nice shade of pink. She looked down at the table and tried to hide her smile.

"Perhaps T'Pol can teach you some meditation techniques that will calm your mind," said V'Lar. She looked from the engineer to the younger Vulcan with what Hoshi thought was an almost quizzical expression.

The steward entered with a cart full of steaming hot food and they all settled in to enjoy their meals.



Continued