Title: The Impossible Dream
Author: Chocolatequeen
Rating: PG
Archiving: Archers and Endeavors, anywhere else please ask
Disclaimer: I own neither Enterprise nor Don Quixote. Once again, the
chapter title is a line from Don Quixote, written by Cervantes.
Summary: After watching a recording of his high school play, Jon finds
himself lost in another world.
Chapter 3: Fair and Softly Goes Far
When T'Pol arrived, Malcolm, Hoshi, and Doctor Phlox were seated around the table waiting for her. "I apologize for my tardiness," she told them. "There was a matter I had to see to before meeting you. The captain is. otherwise occupied and won't be joining us."
That information caused a few raised eyebrows, but it still left the question of the whereabouts of the two remaining senior staff. Glancing at the two men and then back at T'Pol, Hoshi asked the question that was on all of their minds. "Are Travis and Commander Tucker coming?"
"Ensign Mayweather has been working double shifts while Ensign Thomas is sick, so I chose not to wake him," T'Pol answered. "Commander Tucker is taking care of a delicate matter and could not join us."
"Sub-commander, I think I speak for all of us when I say we are most curious to hear what is on your mind. In fact, the little bits of information you've just given us puzzle me even more," Phlox commented.
"I understand that, Doctor. I will begin my explanation shortly, but first I have a question. Are any of you familiar with the story of Don Quixote?"
"You can't mean to say you woke us all up to discuss literature," Malcolm queried, incredulity coloring his tone.
T'Pol opened her mouth to rebuke him then closed it, remembering that had been her own reaction as well. "I'm sure the Sub-commander has a point to this Lieutenant," Hoshi cut in.
"Of course. I apologize for my tone ma'am," Malcolm said stiffly. "To answer your question, I know the basics of the story but not much beyond that."
"I read it when I first learned Spanish, but that was years ago," Hoshi admitted. "I'm afraid I don't remember much more than Lt. Reed."
All eyes turned to Dr. Phlox who was shaking his head slightly. "I'm afraid I have never had the pleasure of reading the book. However," he said, his expression brightening, "I did see the musical production 'Man of La Mancha' while I was on Earth. Musicals give such an insight into human culture and society."
"Yes they do, Doctor," T'Pol interjected quickly when she saw he was about to launch into one of his cultural dissertations. She moved her gaze from the amiable doctor to the worried look on Hoshi's face, resting it on Malcolm's frankly contemplative look before speaking again. "It seems the captain has suffered an injury to the head which has left him believing he is Don Quixote. He has ventured into the mess hall looking for an adventure, and he claims Commander Tucker is his loyal squire, Sancho."
Shock filled the room with silence as her words sank in. Phlox's medical concerns kicked in first when he realized why he was present. "Where precisely was this blow?" he asked seriously.
"It was just below his left temple."
"Did he seem to be a danger to himself or others?" Malcolm asked, shaking himself out of his stupor and going straight into full security mode.
"No, he was simply speaking of quests to be won," she answered. "He is quite harmless; in fact when I left him with Commander Tucker, he was singing," she added, purposely leaving out the fact that he was singing to her.
Phlox looked at her sharply, a speculative gleam in his eyes, but whatever he might have said was cut off by Hoshi. "What will Star Fleet Command and the Vulcans says when they hear about this?"
"They aren't going to find out," T'Pol replied curtly. "As long as the captain regains his senses before he goes on duty, there is no need to report this."
"Yes, but how do you intend to go about that?" Malcolm quizzed. "In fiction, the hero with amnesia is usually rendered another blow that brings back his memories, but I don't know if that really works and frankly I'm not sure I'm willing to hit my captain over the head with a blunt object."
"It's a crude method, but yes it would work," Phlox verified. "However, I believe I have a cure that would be much less painful, both to the captain and to your career. With your permission, Sub-commander?"
"Of course Doctor."
"I have been working with several of the specimen we have retrieved so far, experimenting with new remedies. One of them, the Vorkr needle toothed rat, produces a saliva which should be useful in repairing neurological damage. It also reduces swelling, specifically swelling of brain tissue. It should prove most efficient in restoring Captain Archer to his former self."
"Is there any chance he could have a negative reaction to it?" T'Pol inquired.
"Well of course allergies are always a concern when using new medications," he said. "I assure you that I have seen no indications that it would react poorly to human physiology in general, but I would prefer to have Captain Archer brought to the sickbay for treatment so I can monitor his reaction as I administer it."
"Shall I collect him for you?" Malcolm asked.
T'Pol looked at hi m with barely concealed irritation. "You can collect old coins or stamps Lieutenant; when you are speaking about your captain it is more correct to ask if you should assist him to sickbay."
"Again, I apologize. Shall I see if the captain needs assistance in getting to sickbay?"
"Yes."
"Sub-commander, I don't mean to be pessimistic, but one of the things I do remember from the story is that Don Quixote was quite happy in his delusions and resisted being 'cured.' What if the captain doesn't want to go to sickbay?" Hoshi questioned. "What should Lt. Reed do then?"
T'Pol fixed her gaze on Malcolm, her eyes boring into his as she responded. "Then he calls for reinforcements."
"Do you mean a security detail?" he asked for clarity, his brow furrowed in confusion.
"No Mr. Reed, I don't want anyone knowing about this besides the four of us and Commander Tucker. Take Ensign Sato with you, but have her remain outside the mess hall. If you find you cannot persuade Captain Archer to join you in sickbay, ask for her assistance. Dr. Phlox and I will also be standing by if we are needed.
"In the meantime we will be preparing sickbay for the captain's arrival. Remember, the longer this takes the likelier it is that word will leak out. I'm sure I don't have to tell you to proceed with discretion." Seeing their nods of assent, she said, "Good."
Recognizing their dismissal, Malcolm and Hoshi headed toward the mess hall. After they had left, Phlox turned to T'Pol and commented, "You know, I really don't need your help. The serum is already formulated, all that remains is loading the correct dosage in the hypospray."
"I am aware of that Doctor," she replied somewhat coolly. "However, I have some questions I wish to ask you about amnesia and how it affects humans and I would prefer to do so in private."
"I thought that might be the case," he said with a smile. "Well, we're not getting anything done standing here, shall we go to sickbay?"
She was about to answer in the affirmative when the comm beeped. "T'Pol here," she answered, hitting the button.
"Sub-commander, did you guys come up with anything?" Trip asked, a hint of desperation in his tone.
In the background T'Pol could hear raised voices and some sort of commotion. "Has something happened, Commander?"
Just then Travis' voice came over the comm. "I am not a knight!" he insisted. "I'm not even a lieutenant, I'm just the ship's helmsman!!"
"Ya hear that?" It was Trip again, the desperation now covered up by an edge of humor. "I think the cap'n has Travis confused for someone else. You'd better get down here before he enlists the entire crew in his crusade."
"The doctor believes he has a cure. Lt. Reed is on his way now to accompany the captain to sickbay," she told him.
"That's the best news I've heard all day!" he announced. "Tucker out."
Before T'Pol could close the connection on her end, she heard one last frantic comment from Travis. "I told you, I don't have a sword!"
A/N: The title is referring to T'Pol's insistence on taking the path of least resistance.
Chapter 3: Fair and Softly Goes Far
When T'Pol arrived, Malcolm, Hoshi, and Doctor Phlox were seated around the table waiting for her. "I apologize for my tardiness," she told them. "There was a matter I had to see to before meeting you. The captain is. otherwise occupied and won't be joining us."
That information caused a few raised eyebrows, but it still left the question of the whereabouts of the two remaining senior staff. Glancing at the two men and then back at T'Pol, Hoshi asked the question that was on all of their minds. "Are Travis and Commander Tucker coming?"
"Ensign Mayweather has been working double shifts while Ensign Thomas is sick, so I chose not to wake him," T'Pol answered. "Commander Tucker is taking care of a delicate matter and could not join us."
"Sub-commander, I think I speak for all of us when I say we are most curious to hear what is on your mind. In fact, the little bits of information you've just given us puzzle me even more," Phlox commented.
"I understand that, Doctor. I will begin my explanation shortly, but first I have a question. Are any of you familiar with the story of Don Quixote?"
"You can't mean to say you woke us all up to discuss literature," Malcolm queried, incredulity coloring his tone.
T'Pol opened her mouth to rebuke him then closed it, remembering that had been her own reaction as well. "I'm sure the Sub-commander has a point to this Lieutenant," Hoshi cut in.
"Of course. I apologize for my tone ma'am," Malcolm said stiffly. "To answer your question, I know the basics of the story but not much beyond that."
"I read it when I first learned Spanish, but that was years ago," Hoshi admitted. "I'm afraid I don't remember much more than Lt. Reed."
All eyes turned to Dr. Phlox who was shaking his head slightly. "I'm afraid I have never had the pleasure of reading the book. However," he said, his expression brightening, "I did see the musical production 'Man of La Mancha' while I was on Earth. Musicals give such an insight into human culture and society."
"Yes they do, Doctor," T'Pol interjected quickly when she saw he was about to launch into one of his cultural dissertations. She moved her gaze from the amiable doctor to the worried look on Hoshi's face, resting it on Malcolm's frankly contemplative look before speaking again. "It seems the captain has suffered an injury to the head which has left him believing he is Don Quixote. He has ventured into the mess hall looking for an adventure, and he claims Commander Tucker is his loyal squire, Sancho."
Shock filled the room with silence as her words sank in. Phlox's medical concerns kicked in first when he realized why he was present. "Where precisely was this blow?" he asked seriously.
"It was just below his left temple."
"Did he seem to be a danger to himself or others?" Malcolm asked, shaking himself out of his stupor and going straight into full security mode.
"No, he was simply speaking of quests to be won," she answered. "He is quite harmless; in fact when I left him with Commander Tucker, he was singing," she added, purposely leaving out the fact that he was singing to her.
Phlox looked at her sharply, a speculative gleam in his eyes, but whatever he might have said was cut off by Hoshi. "What will Star Fleet Command and the Vulcans says when they hear about this?"
"They aren't going to find out," T'Pol replied curtly. "As long as the captain regains his senses before he goes on duty, there is no need to report this."
"Yes, but how do you intend to go about that?" Malcolm quizzed. "In fiction, the hero with amnesia is usually rendered another blow that brings back his memories, but I don't know if that really works and frankly I'm not sure I'm willing to hit my captain over the head with a blunt object."
"It's a crude method, but yes it would work," Phlox verified. "However, I believe I have a cure that would be much less painful, both to the captain and to your career. With your permission, Sub-commander?"
"Of course Doctor."
"I have been working with several of the specimen we have retrieved so far, experimenting with new remedies. One of them, the Vorkr needle toothed rat, produces a saliva which should be useful in repairing neurological damage. It also reduces swelling, specifically swelling of brain tissue. It should prove most efficient in restoring Captain Archer to his former self."
"Is there any chance he could have a negative reaction to it?" T'Pol inquired.
"Well of course allergies are always a concern when using new medications," he said. "I assure you that I have seen no indications that it would react poorly to human physiology in general, but I would prefer to have Captain Archer brought to the sickbay for treatment so I can monitor his reaction as I administer it."
"Shall I collect him for you?" Malcolm asked.
T'Pol looked at hi m with barely concealed irritation. "You can collect old coins or stamps Lieutenant; when you are speaking about your captain it is more correct to ask if you should assist him to sickbay."
"Again, I apologize. Shall I see if the captain needs assistance in getting to sickbay?"
"Yes."
"Sub-commander, I don't mean to be pessimistic, but one of the things I do remember from the story is that Don Quixote was quite happy in his delusions and resisted being 'cured.' What if the captain doesn't want to go to sickbay?" Hoshi questioned. "What should Lt. Reed do then?"
T'Pol fixed her gaze on Malcolm, her eyes boring into his as she responded. "Then he calls for reinforcements."
"Do you mean a security detail?" he asked for clarity, his brow furrowed in confusion.
"No Mr. Reed, I don't want anyone knowing about this besides the four of us and Commander Tucker. Take Ensign Sato with you, but have her remain outside the mess hall. If you find you cannot persuade Captain Archer to join you in sickbay, ask for her assistance. Dr. Phlox and I will also be standing by if we are needed.
"In the meantime we will be preparing sickbay for the captain's arrival. Remember, the longer this takes the likelier it is that word will leak out. I'm sure I don't have to tell you to proceed with discretion." Seeing their nods of assent, she said, "Good."
Recognizing their dismissal, Malcolm and Hoshi headed toward the mess hall. After they had left, Phlox turned to T'Pol and commented, "You know, I really don't need your help. The serum is already formulated, all that remains is loading the correct dosage in the hypospray."
"I am aware of that Doctor," she replied somewhat coolly. "However, I have some questions I wish to ask you about amnesia and how it affects humans and I would prefer to do so in private."
"I thought that might be the case," he said with a smile. "Well, we're not getting anything done standing here, shall we go to sickbay?"
She was about to answer in the affirmative when the comm beeped. "T'Pol here," she answered, hitting the button.
"Sub-commander, did you guys come up with anything?" Trip asked, a hint of desperation in his tone.
In the background T'Pol could hear raised voices and some sort of commotion. "Has something happened, Commander?"
Just then Travis' voice came over the comm. "I am not a knight!" he insisted. "I'm not even a lieutenant, I'm just the ship's helmsman!!"
"Ya hear that?" It was Trip again, the desperation now covered up by an edge of humor. "I think the cap'n has Travis confused for someone else. You'd better get down here before he enlists the entire crew in his crusade."
"The doctor believes he has a cure. Lt. Reed is on his way now to accompany the captain to sickbay," she told him.
"That's the best news I've heard all day!" he announced. "Tucker out."
Before T'Pol could close the connection on her end, she heard one last frantic comment from Travis. "I told you, I don't have a sword!"
A/N: The title is referring to T'Pol's insistence on taking the path of least resistance.
