Chapter 36
Her head hung as an expression of depression and shame spread across her face and she refused to make eye contact. He never thought he would see this coming from any Vulcan, let alone T'Pol.
He had observed a milder version of this reaction from her--several times, in fact. Each time had been after receiving orders to leave Enterprise or return home.
But nothing equaled the emotions she'd been attempting to hide since arriving at the docking port. He couldn't be sure why. Perhaps due to the fact that her family had removed her this time, not the High Command… or maybe because absolutely no chance remained for her to stay. She would be leaving this time and nothing could change that. In any case, this situation differed in many ways from her past experiences, and only T'Pol could explain which detail was the main cause of her obvious pain.
He wanted to help her, but he also knew how little he could do. He knew she would appreciate very little from him at this point anyway. In fact, very few members of the crew could offer her the support she needed. But the Vulcans had only allowed him, as the Captain, to attend, as regulations required him to officially remove her from his command. The rest of the crew was required to remain in either their rooms on their posts.
He wished that more of his crew had been allowed to attend, if for no other reason than to even out the numbers. He stood in front of the docking port with T'Pol and seven seemingly-angry Vulcans, simply waiting for the inevitable departure of his friend and first officer.
But everyone had been forced to simply wait. No one had been allowed to join him. This Vulcan "request" was, of course, the hardest on Trip, who felt responsible for T'Pol's predicament and wanted to apologize. Not to mention say goodbye. Instead, as Captain and friend, he'd locked Trip into his quarters. If he didn't, everyone knew what would happen, and it would not only hurt Trip, but T'Pol and Enterprise as well. Unfortunately, Trip had been uncooperative so Malcolm just slapped a couple extra locks on the outside of the door as if it were no big deal to lock up your superior officer.
But this was a big deal. The Vulcans were making a diplomatic incident out of this. It was turning out exactly as he had feared. He'd hoped for the best of course… hoped that he was imagining impossible outcomes. But instead he'd been forced into this situation. He was losing his science officer and friend, Trip was locked away like a criminal and also in danger of losing his position, an ever-sinking diplomatic blunder was in progress, and worst of all, Trip had decided to fall for T'Pol at the worst possible place and time. And now the Vulcans knew that as well.
Everything was going wrong at once. Everything bad was increasing exponentially into something even worse. Even T'Pol's mood was at an all-time low. She was staring blankly at the floor and looked about ready to cry… if that was even possible.
A Vulcan speaking drew him out of his thoughts. "Captain?"
He shook his head and looked up at the Vulcan addressing him. "Sorry. What do you need?"
The Vulcans didn't look very happy at his sarcastic question. "You are required to formally relieve Sub-Commander T'Pol of her current assignment."
The Vulcans certainly got right to the point. "Yes. I know." When he finally received a glance from T'Pol, he showed every apology he could in one expression. He lifted a PADD then lowered it again as he found where to begin. "Sub-Commander T'Pol," he began officially, reading what was required. "It is my duty as Captain to officially relieve you of duty and back to the Vulcan High Command." Normally, Captain's would stop there, but he had other plans. "Also as Captain, I find it my place to apologize for all those crewmembers which weren't allowed to be here today." Before continuing, he caught a fairly evil glare from several of the Vulcans. "I know that as you leave today, we will not only be losing a science officer, but a friend. And I know many would like to say goodbye but can't today, so I think they deserve a goodbye in their place. So goodbye on behalf of the entire crew of Enterprise."
From the looks on the Vulcans' faces it was obvious that they'd been expecting a short goodbye, not a speech. But this Captain offered his crew real goodbyes. And this particular goodbye was from several specific crewmembers, Trip in particular, who'd asked him to say goodbye for them. He hoped T'Pol would realize that, and she seemed to. The nod she gave showed her understanding.
Also with the conclusion of his speech, the Vulcans started grouping around the airlock. The Captain knew this meant they were ready to leave, and he reluctantly walked over the controls. Just as reluctantly, he pushed a button and the large door moved aside, allowing the Vulcans to continue on their way, T'Pol dragging behind, apparently ashamed of walking through the airlock opening.
"T'Pol!" he called to her as she started walking in.
She turned around rather quickly, finally moving as he was used to seeing her. "Yes, Captain?"
He walked up to her and held out his hand. She took it immediately, their friendly handshake a symbol to her that the Enterprise crew would do everything in their power to help her. After a few moments, he wordlessly stepped back, allowing her to continue.
As he stood silently, the door slid slowly back into place and he hoped, more than he'd ever hoped for anything before, that his friend would return. He also knew that, behind all those locks and doors, his very best friend was devastated. And he didn't like it when his friends were devastated…
A/N: ok, sorry that took WAY TOO long, but I warned you it would be a while…. I do have one non story-related comment… I'm grateful to the person who defended my maturity level (a long time ago), but I would appreciate it if you would email one another if you want to say stuff like that… you don't need to make it into a review… Thanks!
Her head hung as an expression of depression and shame spread across her face and she refused to make eye contact. He never thought he would see this coming from any Vulcan, let alone T'Pol.
He had observed a milder version of this reaction from her--several times, in fact. Each time had been after receiving orders to leave Enterprise or return home.
But nothing equaled the emotions she'd been attempting to hide since arriving at the docking port. He couldn't be sure why. Perhaps due to the fact that her family had removed her this time, not the High Command… or maybe because absolutely no chance remained for her to stay. She would be leaving this time and nothing could change that. In any case, this situation differed in many ways from her past experiences, and only T'Pol could explain which detail was the main cause of her obvious pain.
He wanted to help her, but he also knew how little he could do. He knew she would appreciate very little from him at this point anyway. In fact, very few members of the crew could offer her the support she needed. But the Vulcans had only allowed him, as the Captain, to attend, as regulations required him to officially remove her from his command. The rest of the crew was required to remain in either their rooms on their posts.
He wished that more of his crew had been allowed to attend, if for no other reason than to even out the numbers. He stood in front of the docking port with T'Pol and seven seemingly-angry Vulcans, simply waiting for the inevitable departure of his friend and first officer.
But everyone had been forced to simply wait. No one had been allowed to join him. This Vulcan "request" was, of course, the hardest on Trip, who felt responsible for T'Pol's predicament and wanted to apologize. Not to mention say goodbye. Instead, as Captain and friend, he'd locked Trip into his quarters. If he didn't, everyone knew what would happen, and it would not only hurt Trip, but T'Pol and Enterprise as well. Unfortunately, Trip had been uncooperative so Malcolm just slapped a couple extra locks on the outside of the door as if it were no big deal to lock up your superior officer.
But this was a big deal. The Vulcans were making a diplomatic incident out of this. It was turning out exactly as he had feared. He'd hoped for the best of course… hoped that he was imagining impossible outcomes. But instead he'd been forced into this situation. He was losing his science officer and friend, Trip was locked away like a criminal and also in danger of losing his position, an ever-sinking diplomatic blunder was in progress, and worst of all, Trip had decided to fall for T'Pol at the worst possible place and time. And now the Vulcans knew that as well.
Everything was going wrong at once. Everything bad was increasing exponentially into something even worse. Even T'Pol's mood was at an all-time low. She was staring blankly at the floor and looked about ready to cry… if that was even possible.
A Vulcan speaking drew him out of his thoughts. "Captain?"
He shook his head and looked up at the Vulcan addressing him. "Sorry. What do you need?"
The Vulcans didn't look very happy at his sarcastic question. "You are required to formally relieve Sub-Commander T'Pol of her current assignment."
The Vulcans certainly got right to the point. "Yes. I know." When he finally received a glance from T'Pol, he showed every apology he could in one expression. He lifted a PADD then lowered it again as he found where to begin. "Sub-Commander T'Pol," he began officially, reading what was required. "It is my duty as Captain to officially relieve you of duty and back to the Vulcan High Command." Normally, Captain's would stop there, but he had other plans. "Also as Captain, I find it my place to apologize for all those crewmembers which weren't allowed to be here today." Before continuing, he caught a fairly evil glare from several of the Vulcans. "I know that as you leave today, we will not only be losing a science officer, but a friend. And I know many would like to say goodbye but can't today, so I think they deserve a goodbye in their place. So goodbye on behalf of the entire crew of Enterprise."
From the looks on the Vulcans' faces it was obvious that they'd been expecting a short goodbye, not a speech. But this Captain offered his crew real goodbyes. And this particular goodbye was from several specific crewmembers, Trip in particular, who'd asked him to say goodbye for them. He hoped T'Pol would realize that, and she seemed to. The nod she gave showed her understanding.
Also with the conclusion of his speech, the Vulcans started grouping around the airlock. The Captain knew this meant they were ready to leave, and he reluctantly walked over the controls. Just as reluctantly, he pushed a button and the large door moved aside, allowing the Vulcans to continue on their way, T'Pol dragging behind, apparently ashamed of walking through the airlock opening.
"T'Pol!" he called to her as she started walking in.
She turned around rather quickly, finally moving as he was used to seeing her. "Yes, Captain?"
He walked up to her and held out his hand. She took it immediately, their friendly handshake a symbol to her that the Enterprise crew would do everything in their power to help her. After a few moments, he wordlessly stepped back, allowing her to continue.
As he stood silently, the door slid slowly back into place and he hoped, more than he'd ever hoped for anything before, that his friend would return. He also knew that, behind all those locks and doors, his very best friend was devastated. And he didn't like it when his friends were devastated…
A/N: ok, sorry that took WAY TOO long, but I warned you it would be a while…. I do have one non story-related comment… I'm grateful to the person who defended my maturity level (a long time ago), but I would appreciate it if you would email one another if you want to say stuff like that… you don't need to make it into a review… Thanks!