NOTE: Thanks for all the reviews, keep them coming. Sorry it took so long. I waited until Enterprise was over for the season to finish because I knew things would change for the captain and Trip. I wanted to be sure they didn't change Trip's personality completely. I guess we won't know until next season.

CHAPTER 11

T'pol's eyebrows arched in disbelief, "It appears commander, you are capable of clear, logical thinking on occasion."

Archer saw the confrontational look on Trip's face and spoke quickly to prevent a war of words, "Trip told me of his suspicions, but without proof there wasn't anything we could do. We began following him and caught him in the act. He was arrested and court-martialed, sentenced to life in a penal colony."

"I never read any reports on such an incident in our database," T'pol said.

"You wouldn't have," Trip replied. "Starfleet didn't send a report to the Vulcan's. I guess they didn't think it was any of their business."

"Starfleet didn't want the publicity and neither did Trip," Archer emphasized. "Trip and I went to Florida to break the news to Gary's parents, and Trip promised not to mention the incident to anyone."

"Whose personnel file contains the Lieutenant's name?" T'pol asked.

"Ashley James," Trip said. "Three years ago, she was stationed for six months at the penal colony Gary was committed to. Accordin' to the report, she was there to upgrade the recyclin' system and Gary was assigned to help her. A week after leavin' the colony, she put in her application to serve on Enterprise."

"Commander, has her behavior in the past two years made you question her loyalty?" T'pol enquired.

Exasperated, Trip ran his fingers through his hair making it stand on end, "I've gone over all our conversations and nothin' stands out. She's a competent engineer."

Archer looked at T'pol, "Find out where she was before the explosion. I want to know what she was doing and I want verification," T'pol nodded and walked quickly from the room.

Trip pushed his covers off and swung his legs over the side intent on standing up. A wave of dizziness and nausea stopped him, "Where are you going, Commander?" Archer asked.

Breathlessly he replied, "I'm goin' to help T'pol. James might be more willin' to talk to me than T'pol. I'd like to at least hear what she has to say, hell I'm probably graspin' at straws." Trip stood up slowly his left arm held protectively over his stomach and grinned at Archer, "There, now if ya'll help me find my clothes, I can get outta here."

Archer watched Trip sway slightly on his feet; "You're not going anywhere until Phlox says its o.k." Placing his hand on Trip's shoulder gave a gentle push, toppling the commander onto the bed. "One step and you would've ended up on your face, so stay put. I want you to think about what you're going to say at the inquiry."

"What can I say, there is no defense, all the evidence points to me." Climbing under the covers he lay back on his pillow and closed his eyes. "Just leave me alone Cap'm, I want to sleep."

Archer stared down at the commander for a moment, compassion darkening his eyes; turning on his heel he left the room.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

T'POL'S QUARTERS

"What is your relationship with Gary Bullock?" T'pol watched James expression when she asked her first question, hoping to elicit an emotional response. James didn't flinch, her expression puzzled.

"I thought you were going to question me about the accident in engineering; what does Gary Bullock have to do with that?"

"Just answer the question Lieutenant." T'pol said evenly.

James shrugged, "there is no relationship; I worked at the penal colony where he was an inmate. He helped me modify a recycler, end of story."

"Did Mr. Bullock talk to you about Enterprise or anyone who is now serving aboard her?"

"He did say he worked on some of the weapons systems for Enterprise, and he briefly mentioned he knew Commander Tucker and the Captain, but that was all."

"Did he tell you why he was sent to the penal colony?"

James replied irritated, "No, now would you please tell me why you're asking these questions?"

T'pol gave James a lift of her eyebrow and continued, "where were you between 0800 and 1200 on the day of the accident?"

Rolling her eyes, James replied, "I'm sure you know the answer, but if it will help, I was checking the plasma manifolds with Lieutenant Hess. Commander Tucker expects them to be examined every morning for any signs of stress or weakness, it's routine."

"Did you see Commander Tucker that morning?"

"Yes, he was everywhere as usual, he's a very hands on sort of person. I didn't see him every second, but I'm sure he was in the engine room. I knew something was going on because he wouldn't let anyone work on the main power grid, when I asked why he just smiled."

"Is there anyone else who could verify whether Commander Tucker was in engineering during that time?"

"You must understand Sub-Commander, Commander Tucker goes where he is needed. I don't think anyone can tell you where he was at a specific time or for how long. If you don't have any more questions, I have an engine room needing my attention." The lieutenant turned her back on T'pol and walked toward the door.

T'pol stared at her retreating back, "One more question before you go Lieutenant, it appears the commander will be unable to resume his duties as chief engineer anytime soon, who do you think the captain will choose to take his place?"

Lieutenant James finger stilled on the door button, "I believe I'm next in line for the commander's job." Jabbing the button the door slid open and Lieutenant James passed through.

"Interesting," T'pol murmured.

T'pol's door chime rang, "come in." A crewman walked in and handed T'pol a PADD with a list of names. "Thank you crewman." T'pol scanned the list of names; Commander Tucker's was at the top. The board requested his presence in thirty minutes.

T'pol went to the comm. panel, "T'pol to Doctor Phlox."

"Phlox here."

"The board has informed me they want to interview Commander Tucker in thirty minutes, is that possible?"

"The commander is in no shape to leave sickbay, however if they wish to interview him here, I have no objection."

"Thank you Doctor, I will let them know." T'pol depressed the comm. again, "T'pol to Captain Archer."

"Go ahead, Sub-Commander," Archer answered.

"Doctor Phlox has agreed the board can interview Commander Tucker in sickbay in thirty minutes."

"Escort them to sickbay T'pol, I'll meet you there as soon as I can, Archer out."

^^^^^^^^^^^^

Trip watched the Vulcan's file in each taking a seat facing his bed. He gulped nervously wishing it were over. T'pol moved to stand against a wall and keep watch until the captain arrived.

"Commander Tucker, we regret we must question you at this time," P'nar stated, " however Starfleet wants this matter resolved as quickly as possible. "Tell us Commander why you neglected to inform Captain Archer of your intentions regarding the warp drive?"

Trip looked at each Vulcan in turn before replying, "I'd been workin' on a way to increase our warp drive for several months, I didn't want the cap'm to know until I was sure it would work, it was a surprise."

Sovan leaned forward in his chair and spoke, "There is no logic in waiting to inform Captain Archer of your project. Your protocol indicates all ideas of this nature are to be submitted to the captain for approval before proceeding, did you not understand this procedure?"

"I understand the procedure," Trip replied defiantly. "What happened had nothin' to do with that, someone tampered with the power relays causing a chain reaction and explosion."

P'nar continued, "Had you informed Captain Archer of your plans, is it possible the situation would have been better controlled thereby preventing an act of sabotage?"

"I suppose anythin' is possible." Trip licked his suddenly dry lips, "Look everythin' was fine durin' the test, ya wouldn't be here if someone hadn't interfered and tried ta destroy the ship. Ya should be concentratin' on findin' the bad guy." Trip glared at P'nar, his hands tightening on the blanket, his chest heaving with each rapidly taken breath.

T'pol listened as Commander Tucker's voice rose with each sentence, his accent becoming more pronounced, nothing would be accomplished if he became combative.

"I believe the commander needs a break," T'pol said quietly.

"Very well," P'nar replied, "we will wait outside." The three Vulcan's stood up and nodding to T'pol walked slowly out of the room.

"Thanks, Tpol," Trip said with a frown, "I wasn't sure how much longer I could stand their condescending attitude."

T'pol walked to the end of his bed, "They were not being condescending, their questions were valid. The board is right in their assessment, if you had informed the captain before performing your test more controls would have been in place possibly preventing an act of sabotage."

"What you're sayin' is I'm ta blame for what happened."

"You are jumping to conclusions. Telling the captain may not have prevented the incident, it is only a possibility."

Trip relaxed a little, "can ya tell me what Lieutenant James said?"

"She and Lieutenant Hess were checking the manifolds in engineering. When the captain arrives I will interview Lieutenant Hess. I believe this matter will be resolved soon, however commander it is in your best interest to remain calm when answering the boards questions. They are not attacking you personally, they are simply gathering information for Starfleet."

"It sure feels personal to me. I'm not promisin' anythin' but I'll try not to fly off the handle."

The Vulcan's returned and resumed their seats. Captain Archer followed going to stand by Trip's bed. He noticed Trip's pale face and sunken eyes but didn't say anything. Trip sighed with relief feeling he had just gained a strong ally.

T'pol spoke to the captain, "If you will excuse me I have another matter to take care of." Archer nodded his head and watched T'pol leave the room.

"What did I miss?" Archer asked.

Trip looked at the captain in disbelief, "Nothin', just that I'm probably gonna spend the best days of my life locked up in some prison with a guy named Bubba."

Archer laughed, "It can't be that bad if you can still joke about it." Trip glared at him and said nothing.

P'nar broke in, "Captain, we would like to continue our inquiry." Archer nodded his consent.

"Commander Tucker," Sovan began, "will you explain why your DNA was found on two key components believed to have caused the overload and triggered the explosion?"

"Yes I can, my job includes inspecting all components before they are used. I use a scanner and sometimes I pick them up and visually inspect them. The circuit breakers in question I must have handled sometime in the past."

"When did you last handle these particular components?"

"I don't know I haven't personally worked with any breakers like those in at least a month."

"Commander," T'lau interjected, "are you aware of Starfleet regulations regarding perjury?"

Trip leaned forward and fixed T'lau with a hard stare, "Are ya accusin' me of lyin'?"

"Easy Trip," Archer cautioned.

P'nar cleared his throat, drawing all eyes to him, "According to the data from Sub-Commander T'pol, your DNA was left on the components the day of the incident. We verified this with scans of our own, there is no mistake Commander. Would you like to revise your statement?"

Trip stuttered, "That, that's impossible." Stunned, he looked at Archer, "ya didn't tell me my fingerprint was dated." Looking back to the Vulcan's, Trip shouted, "I'm bein' setup."

The Vulcan's looked at each other puzzled. Sovan asked, "Why would someone do that Commander?"

"I don't know yet, but T'pol and the captain think it's possible. There's someone in my past who has a grudge against me and we think he might be behind this." Seeing the disbelief in their eyes he immediately turned to the captain, "Say somethin' Cap'm, tell 'em I'm not crazy."

The captain moved to the front of the Vulcan's table and looked each one in the eye, "No matter what the evidence says we are convinced someone else is guilty of sabotage. The physical evidence points to the commander, but I'm convinced it's been fabricated. He has no motive for causing such a catastrophe. While you deal in tangible evidence we are looking at the intangibles."

P'nar replied, "Unfortunately Captain, Starfleet will only accept the physical findings of this inquiry. We have several more individuals to interview before we can make a recommendation. Please inform the next person on the list we will interview them in the conference room at 0800. It is very late Captain, we would like to go to our quarters now." Captain Archer motioned for one of the crewmen, stationed in sickbay, to escort the Vulcan's.

"That went well," Trip said sarcastically. "I might as well bring my own rope, I'm as good as hung." Throwing off his covers Trip pushed himself off the bed, taking a few minutes to find his feet. "If I'm gonna lose my freedom I'm not stayin' in sickbay another minute. I'm goin' to my quarters cap'm, and if ya try ta stop me I'll knock ya down, sir."

The captain watched Trip with amusement, "I'm not going to stop you, but how do you think the crew will react when they see you walking through the ship in your blue skivvies?"

Looking down at himself he laughed, "It would certainly give them somethin' to talk about."

Archer grabbed a blanket off the bed and dropped it around Trip's shoulders, "That should make you look a little more respectable. Come on, I'll walk you to your quarters. I wouldn't want you fainting in the corridor."

Trip looked at Archer seriously, "Thanks Cap'm for everythin'. If things don't work out I want ya ta know I'm grateful for everythin' you've done for me. These past two years on Enterprise have been a dream come true. I've seen things beyond my imagination and met people I'll never forget. I've fulfilled a lifetime of wishes, so if this is the end I'm satisfied."

"That's a very pretty speech Commander but a little premature, don't you think? I'm not giving up and neither is T'pol or anyone else on this ship. Save the speech for your retirement, then you can thank me. Right now let's forget it and concentrate on finding the bad guy and clearing your name, O.K?"

Trip nodded and with the captain's arm supporting him, they left sickbay.

END OF CHAPTER 11

Hurray I finished chapter 11. Sorry guys but I have the worst time finishing stories. Chapter 12 soon, I hope. Please be kind and review.