I want to take a moment and thank all my reviewers. I love opening my inbox
and finding the reviews, it makes me happy. ( I especially want to thank
Aeryn, because she's been giving fantastic reviews even though she's not an
A/T shipper. (Sure the story isn't overtly romantic, but it still means a
lot to me. Thank you.)
Title: The Impossible Dream Author: Chocolatequeen Rating: PG Archiving: Archers and Endeavors, anywhere else please ask Disclaimer: I own neither Enterprise nor Don Quixote. The chapter title is a line from a song out of "Man of La Mancha." Summary: After watching a recording of his high school play, Jon finds himself lost in another world.
Chapter 5: Pure and Chaste From Afar
".So I tried to explain why he needed to come with me, but he became very agitated," Malcolm informed T'Pol. "He called me Dr. Carrasco and told me to tell the The Enchanter that his plan wouldn't work. Are you sure he's not a danger to others?" he asked skeptically.
"This is becoming more complex than I had envisioned," she mused, glancing over at Dr. Phlox who was busy preparing the serum. "Doctor, I believe Commander Tucker said The Enchanter was Don Quixote's archenemy. Are you familiar with a character named Dr. Carrasco?"
"Dr. Carrasco," he pondered, holding a vial in mid-air. "Ah yes, the learned fiancé of Don Quixote's niece Antonia. 'A man who carries his own importance as though afraid of breaking it." He started to say more but paused when he saw the indignant look that crossed the security officer's face. "It's just a line out of the musical Lieutenant," he sid, finishing the process of loading the serum into the hypospray and setting the empty vial down onto the counter.
"But why would the captain believe Lieutenant Reed to be this Dr. Carrasco?" T'Pol questioned.
"The good doctor was the primary person behind the effort to get Don Quixote to face up to reality," Phlox answered. "I must admit I find it interesting that the captain seems to remember both halves of the role, not just the delusional part."
"It is apparent the captain will go nowhere with you, Lieutenant. Did you inform Ensign Sato that you would need her assistance?"
Malcolm nodded curtly, obviously still upset by the turn of events. "Yes Sub-commander," he replied. "She went in just as I was leaving. I can only hope the captain."
"Thinks I'm his niece," Hoshi finished for him as she walked through the door. "I'm guessing from your blush that you've already heard about our new relationship?"
"The doctor told me, yes," he replied, shifting uncomfortably.
"You can relax Lieutenant, I'm not expecting you to buy me a ring. Now my uncle might feel differently about it," she teased before catching the quelling look T'Pol sent her way. "I'm sorry, I know that was inappropriate," she hastily backpedaled. "I just feel so helpless and it's making me nervous."
"That is understandable Ensign," T'Pol told her. "I gather you were also unable to persuade Captain Archer to come with you?"
Hoshi nodded miserably, saying, "I tried, I even played along when he called me Antonia, but he just stood there and told me he couldn't leave the mess hall because Lieutenant Reed and The Enchanter were plotting against him."
"Very well, I will go myself. In the meantime, I think it would be best if you and Lieutenant Reed were not here when I return with the captain. If you will go back to the briefing room, I will inform you of any updates.
"Yes ma'am," they chorused and walked out of sickbay together.
After they were gone, T'Pol turned to Phlox. "I do not anticipate that this will take very long," she informed him. "However, in the event that I am unsuccessful it may become necessary for you to go to the mess hall and administer the treatment there."
"I doubt that will be necessary T'Pol. After all, Don Quixote had complete confidence in his Dulcinea," Phlox commented casually.
Her back still turned toward him, T'Pol forced herself to respond calmly. "What makes you think he will call me Dulcinea?" she asked.
"It's only logical actually," he replied in a conversational tone. "After all, there are only three female roles in The Man of La Mancha, and I somehow doubt Captain Archer sees you as his housekeeper."
The Vulcan swallowed as she slowly turned to face him. "Doctor, could you tell me something about human delusions?" she requested.
"Of course Sub-commander! What is it you would like to know?"
"What is it that determines how the delusions fit into reality?"
"Ah. You mean why does the captain believe Commander Tucker to be his squire instead of Lieutenant Reed and why does he see you as Dulcinea instead of Antonia?" She nodded briefly so he continued. "The only one who can truly answer your question is the captain himself, but if I was to guess I'd say he's transposing the relationships of the characters with those he shares with his friends."
"What do you mean?" she inquired.
"Well, for example the relationship between a knight and his squire bears a certain resemblance to that of best friends, and it is certainly no surprise that he seems himself as Ensign Sato's protective uncle," the doctor explained.
"There is a flaw to your logic Doctor," T'Pol pointed out. "By that reasoning, the captain has. romantic feelings for me."
Phlox seemed to consider that for a moment, stroking his chin lightly before shrugging his shoulders. "Yes, there's the rub, isn't it?" he asked rhetorically. "Well like I said, the only one who can truly answer your question is Captain Archer. If you bring him to me so I can see to his recovery I'm sure you'll have an opportunity to ask him" he added nonchalantly.
T'Pol's eyes widened and she whirled around, activating the door release. "Of course Doctor.. I'll return as soon as possible," she said, rushing out of the room.
Phlox chuckled after the door had shut behind her. "You know, I don't think she liked that idea," he confided to his bat. "I doubt I've ever seen a Vulcan in such a hurry!"
Title: The Impossible Dream Author: Chocolatequeen Rating: PG Archiving: Archers and Endeavors, anywhere else please ask Disclaimer: I own neither Enterprise nor Don Quixote. The chapter title is a line from a song out of "Man of La Mancha." Summary: After watching a recording of his high school play, Jon finds himself lost in another world.
Chapter 5: Pure and Chaste From Afar
".So I tried to explain why he needed to come with me, but he became very agitated," Malcolm informed T'Pol. "He called me Dr. Carrasco and told me to tell the The Enchanter that his plan wouldn't work. Are you sure he's not a danger to others?" he asked skeptically.
"This is becoming more complex than I had envisioned," she mused, glancing over at Dr. Phlox who was busy preparing the serum. "Doctor, I believe Commander Tucker said The Enchanter was Don Quixote's archenemy. Are you familiar with a character named Dr. Carrasco?"
"Dr. Carrasco," he pondered, holding a vial in mid-air. "Ah yes, the learned fiancé of Don Quixote's niece Antonia. 'A man who carries his own importance as though afraid of breaking it." He started to say more but paused when he saw the indignant look that crossed the security officer's face. "It's just a line out of the musical Lieutenant," he sid, finishing the process of loading the serum into the hypospray and setting the empty vial down onto the counter.
"But why would the captain believe Lieutenant Reed to be this Dr. Carrasco?" T'Pol questioned.
"The good doctor was the primary person behind the effort to get Don Quixote to face up to reality," Phlox answered. "I must admit I find it interesting that the captain seems to remember both halves of the role, not just the delusional part."
"It is apparent the captain will go nowhere with you, Lieutenant. Did you inform Ensign Sato that you would need her assistance?"
Malcolm nodded curtly, obviously still upset by the turn of events. "Yes Sub-commander," he replied. "She went in just as I was leaving. I can only hope the captain."
"Thinks I'm his niece," Hoshi finished for him as she walked through the door. "I'm guessing from your blush that you've already heard about our new relationship?"
"The doctor told me, yes," he replied, shifting uncomfortably.
"You can relax Lieutenant, I'm not expecting you to buy me a ring. Now my uncle might feel differently about it," she teased before catching the quelling look T'Pol sent her way. "I'm sorry, I know that was inappropriate," she hastily backpedaled. "I just feel so helpless and it's making me nervous."
"That is understandable Ensign," T'Pol told her. "I gather you were also unable to persuade Captain Archer to come with you?"
Hoshi nodded miserably, saying, "I tried, I even played along when he called me Antonia, but he just stood there and told me he couldn't leave the mess hall because Lieutenant Reed and The Enchanter were plotting against him."
"Very well, I will go myself. In the meantime, I think it would be best if you and Lieutenant Reed were not here when I return with the captain. If you will go back to the briefing room, I will inform you of any updates.
"Yes ma'am," they chorused and walked out of sickbay together.
After they were gone, T'Pol turned to Phlox. "I do not anticipate that this will take very long," she informed him. "However, in the event that I am unsuccessful it may become necessary for you to go to the mess hall and administer the treatment there."
"I doubt that will be necessary T'Pol. After all, Don Quixote had complete confidence in his Dulcinea," Phlox commented casually.
Her back still turned toward him, T'Pol forced herself to respond calmly. "What makes you think he will call me Dulcinea?" she asked.
"It's only logical actually," he replied in a conversational tone. "After all, there are only three female roles in The Man of La Mancha, and I somehow doubt Captain Archer sees you as his housekeeper."
The Vulcan swallowed as she slowly turned to face him. "Doctor, could you tell me something about human delusions?" she requested.
"Of course Sub-commander! What is it you would like to know?"
"What is it that determines how the delusions fit into reality?"
"Ah. You mean why does the captain believe Commander Tucker to be his squire instead of Lieutenant Reed and why does he see you as Dulcinea instead of Antonia?" She nodded briefly so he continued. "The only one who can truly answer your question is the captain himself, but if I was to guess I'd say he's transposing the relationships of the characters with those he shares with his friends."
"What do you mean?" she inquired.
"Well, for example the relationship between a knight and his squire bears a certain resemblance to that of best friends, and it is certainly no surprise that he seems himself as Ensign Sato's protective uncle," the doctor explained.
"There is a flaw to your logic Doctor," T'Pol pointed out. "By that reasoning, the captain has. romantic feelings for me."
Phlox seemed to consider that for a moment, stroking his chin lightly before shrugging his shoulders. "Yes, there's the rub, isn't it?" he asked rhetorically. "Well like I said, the only one who can truly answer your question is Captain Archer. If you bring him to me so I can see to his recovery I'm sure you'll have an opportunity to ask him" he added nonchalantly.
T'Pol's eyes widened and she whirled around, activating the door release. "Of course Doctor.. I'll return as soon as possible," she said, rushing out of the room.
Phlox chuckled after the door had shut behind her. "You know, I don't think she liked that idea," he confided to his bat. "I doubt I've ever seen a Vulcan in such a hurry!"
