Title: The Family Way
Authors: Sita/T'eyla
Genre: Angst/Romance
Rating: PG
Codes: T/T, R
Summary: Enterprise is en route to Vulcan, and Trip, T'Pol and their little son have to face T'Pol's family, who declared her an outcast because of her marriage. Then, however, something happens that changes everything...
Disclaimer: Paramount owns Enterprise, we're not making any money from this.
---------------------------
Chapter 8: Awakening
"Commander."
Trip opened his eyes, blinking as the bright sunlight from the window blinded him for a moment. When his eyes had gotten used to the light, he saw T'Pyr leaning over him.
"You need to wake up now."
Blearily he tried to remember why he was lying on a small uncomfortable couch in a strange room. Then yesterday's events came back to him, and he sat up quickly. Too quickly; the world blurred before his eyes and he blinked again, waiting for the dizzyness to subside.
"How's T'Sai?" he asked, massaging his neck where a cramp had built overnight. His hands ached. T'Pyr handed him a glass water and he downed it in one swig.
"Lady T'Sai's condition is stabilizing. She is out of danger. For the moment."
T'Pyr took the glass and handed him a tray with fruits, and Trip noticed for the first time that he was actually hungry. He took a red striped fruit from the tray which looked a little less poisonous than the rest and carefully nibbled at it. It tasted sweet.
"You know of her heart disease?" he asked, looking up at T'Pyr.
She clasped her hands behind her back. "I know Lady T'Sai is suffering from a terminal cardiac disease. The heart attack she experienced last night was not her first, but she has only had very small infarctions so far. From now on she will have to take medications daily to prevent another attack which would probably kill her."
Trip noticed that T'Pyr told him these things as if he were a close relative of T'Sai. She seemed to know that T'Sai had accepted him as a member of the family.
"Do you... do you know how much time she has left?" he asked quietly. T'Pyr hesitated a moment before she answered.
"She might have years left, but we cannot know for sure. Her disease has very different effects on those concerned; some live for years without needing special treatment, others do not survive very long. But for the moment Lady T'Sai is out of danger, owing to you."
Trip looked away, embarassed. He was glad he'd been able to help, but to be regarded as some sort of hero by a logical Vulcan, of all people, made him feel slightly uneasy. He cleared his throat. "I think I'd better go to T'Pol now."
T'Sai's eyes glinted with amusement at his rather awkward try of changing the subject.
"Of course, Commander. I will join you in a few minutes so we can begin the procedure."
She left, and Trip got up, heading for the door. When he stepped beside T'Pol's bed, he felt anxiousness and excitement building in his stomach at the same time. He wished he could have had Sam with him now. You're going to get your mom back, he thought, just as I promised. He took T'Pol's hand, squeezing it slightly. I won't settle for less.
The door swished open. Trip turned, expecting to see T'Pyr - and froze when he saw a man standing in the doorway. The same man he had spoken to over week ago, when T'Pyr had told him to notify the family. T'Pol's father. For a moment neither of them spoke. The dark-eyed Vulcan looked at him, but this time there was no contempt in his eyes, and the cold anger Trip had seen there before was gone. The man's face was devoid of any expression as he took a step forward, the door closing behind him.
"Your name is Charles Tucker," he said without introduction.
Trip nodded, involuntarily straightening up as the Vulcan came closer. "Yes, Sir."
The man - he was called Solkar, Trip remembered - came to stand right in front of him, looking him straight in the eyes. Trip forced himself to answer the piercing glare, trying to keep the nervousness from showing on his face. What on earth did that guy want from him now?
"I came here," Solkar said slowly, "because I need to talk to you."
Trip swallowed. "Okay."
"I want to express my gratitude."
Trip stared at him. "Er... come again?"
Solkar raised an eyebrow. "I want to thank you for saving T'Sai's life."
Still not believing he had heard him right, Trip cleared his throat.
"Well... I'm glad she survived."
Solkar looked at him for a long moment before he spoke.
"So am I."
Before Trip could answer, the door opened again. T'Pyr hesitated for a moment when she saw the two men, but as Trip greeted her with a smile she stepped closer.
"Commander." She nodded politely in his direction, then turned to Solkar, who clasped his hands behind his back.
"You came to visit your wife, Solkar?" she asked and Trip noticed that her voice sounded unusually cold. She had never said it, but he knew the Healer didn't approve of Solkar's refusal to visit his daughter. Solkar seemed to have noticed as well; he averted his eyes for a short moment before he answered.
"I came to visit my wife, Healer... and my daughter as well."
T'Pyr gave him a long look. "That is fortunate," she said at last. "Your presence at the kir'y'pan'la will be appreciated." She turned to T'Pol's bed and sat down in her usual chair. She motioned both men to come closer.
"When I initiate the procedure, it is most important that everyone whose presence T'Pol will feel stays calm and controlled. She must be reassured that it is safe for her to allow herself to return to consciousness. Try to project that in your thoughts. Do not try to rush her, just be there and be of help when she needs it."
Trip was feeling far from calm and controlled. Nervously he looked down at T'Pol. What if he couldn't control his feelings, would the procedure fail? T'Pyr put a hand on his arm.
"Commander. Do not try to fight your anxiousness, it is only natural and will not do any damage. Try to concentrate on peaceful images, memories of your time together. T'Pol will react to that."
He nodded, grateful for her understanding. T'Pyr turned to Solkar. "You understand that the... disagreement between you and your daughter is of no importance now. If you are to stay, you must show her in your thoughts that you accept her the way she is."
This time Solkar did not avert his eyes. "I understand."
"Very well." T'Pyr straightened up, placing both her hands on T'Pol's face. "I will initiate the meld now."
Her voice sounded different, entranced, as she began the ancient chant of the mind meld.
"My mind to your mind, my thoughts to your thoughts..."
The monotone rhythm of the words helped Trip to sort out his thoughts and forget his nervousness, concentrating on...images...
-
...T'Pol, sitting on the floor of her quarters, looking up at him. The warm candlelight softens her features and she looks more beautiful than ever before. "This is illogical, Commander," she says, but there is a warmth in her voice belying the words.
He smiles down at her. "Now why would you say it's illogical, Subcommander?"
She raises an eyebrow. "You are always trying to provoke me, criticising my command style, complaining about my attitude towards the crew, objecting to the Vulcan way of life, Vulcans in general and me in particular. If what you just said is true, then why do you do all these things?"
"Why?" He sits down on the floor beside her, glad the semidarkness in her quarters will hide the blush creeping up his cheeks. "Simply to get your attention..."
...The water of the lake feels cool on his skin, refreshing after sweating in the hot sun for so long. He does a few strokes, then turns back to see T'Pol standing on the shore, her arms crossed before her chest. She is wearing the blue one-piece bathing suit Hoshi has lent her, but obviously the idea of getting into closer contact with the water makes her uncomfortable.
He waves, splashing around. "Come in! It won't bite you!"
Still sceptical, she raises an eyebrow and very carefully sticks one toe into the water.
"It is cold."
He sighs. "Of course it's cold if you do it like that. You just have to jump in, that's the way to do it!" She frowns, contemplating. He watches her, grinning. "You're not afraid, are you?" A moment's silence and then there is a splash, and she is right beside him, dripping wet, shaking with cold, but smiling...
..."You may now kiss the bride."
Wipe that grin off your face, Jon, he thinks as he bends down, feeling T'Pol's warm lips on his own. The mess hall erupts in cheers and suddenly they are surrounded by people who are shouting, throwing rice, taking pictures. Malcolm elbows him aside and, grabbing T'Pol by the shoulders, he plants a wet kiss on her cheek. Noticing both bride and bridegroom glaring at him, he shrugs. "Don't look at me like that. That's what the Best Man does."
He turns and there is Jon, pulling him into a big hug. "I'm so happy for you, Trip."
Letting go of him Jon gives him a playful slap on the arm. "So how does it feel, being married to a Vulcan?" He looks over at T'Pol who despite Hoshi's and Liz Cutler's pleading stubbornly refuses to throw her bridal bouquet. How does it feel? "Strange," he says, turning back to Jon who is grinning again. "It feels strange, but... wonderful."...
...T'Pol, lying on the bed, a blanket draped over her bulging belly. She looks worn out and tired, the Vulcan picture of misery. He finishes filling the hot-water bottle and sitting down beside her, he lifts the blanket a few inches to place the bottle at her feet. She looks at him, a weary almost-smile on her lips. "Thank you, Charles."
He smiles in return. "You're welcome. How was your day?"
A small sigh escapes her, and he shakes his head sympathetically. "That bad, huh?"
"When I first came to the bridge, Captain Archer would not allow me to finish the scans, but told me "just to sit down and relax a bit." After I had been sitting at my station for approximately half an hour with nothing to do, Lieutenant Reed brought me the new sensor data and informed me that I "looked like a beach ball with legs", advising me to go to my quarters and get some rest soon. A few minutes later Ensign Mayweather voiced his opinion that it might be twins, after all, and began arguing with Ensign Sato, discussing the advantages and disadvantages of taking care of two babies at the same time. That was when I decided to spend the rest of the day down in Science Department."
He sighs. "I know what you mean. Lieutenant Hess kept bothering me all day I should rather go and keep you company instead of repairing these stupid micro-circuits. Well, I guess they mean well."
T'pol raises an eyebrow. "It was quite a taxing day after all."
He puts a hand on her belly, stroking it softly, and suddenly feels a slight bump against his fingers. A grin spreads on his face. "Yeah, but you know what? It's getting better..."
..."I think he looks like you."
"You can't be serious. What about the ears?"
"It does not matter. The eyes are the same."
"Okay, he's got blue eyes. But his face reminds me of yours."
"Because it is green?"
"No, because it's beautiful, stupid! He 's not so green anymore, after all. He was when Dr. Phlox first gave him to me, but now he looks just like his mother. Thank God he's got your nose as well."
"What is wrong with your nose, Charles?"
"Well, let's just say it might look funny on a Vulcan."
"You are being illogical. A nose is a nose. Even if it is slightly out of shape."
"Honey?"
"Yes, Charles?"
"I love you..."
-
Somebody placed a hand on his shoulder and Trip blinked, slowly returning to the real world. T'Pyr had gotten up from her chair beside the bed and was now standing beside him, holding his shoulder as if she was afraid he might lose his balance.
"What - ?"
"The kir'y'pan'la has been completed. Now go and wake her up."
Unsteady Trip stepped beside the bed, hearing T'Pyr quietly talk to Solkar. T'Pol's eyes were still closed, but she looked different, more... alive than she had before. He took her hand.
"T'Pol," he whispered, his voice sounding hoarse. "T'Pol, come back to me. I know you can do it..."
Turning his head he noticed Solkar standing beside him. His voice was very quiet as he spoke.
"Daughter. Wake up. There is nothing to be afraid of."
Trip held her hand in both his own, squeezing it slightly.
"We're all here, T'Pol. Come back to us. I love you. You hear me? I love you!"
Her fingers which had been lying limply in his palm, suddenly tightened around his hand. Trip felt his throat constrict.
"You're... you're awake!"
Her grip tightened even more and then, slowly, laboriously, T'Pol opened her eyes.
"Charles..." Her voice was nothing more than a hoarse whisper, but Trip understood her clearly. Blinking, biting down hard on his lip, he answered.
"Yes, I'm here. But somebody else has come to see you, too." He shifted a little, making room for Solkar who stepped up beside the bed. His features had softened and his voice sounded slightly unsteady.
"Daughter. I am glad to see you awake."
T'Pol's eyes widened slightly as she heard his voice and she turned his head to look at him.
"Father..."
Solkar touched her hand. "Yes, I am here."
T'Pol closed her eyes for a short moment, but when she opened them again, the expression on her face had changed. She looked awake and when Trip saw her confused frown, he realized how strange all this must look to her.
"What... what happened, Charles? I remember being in the Armoury with Lieutenant Reed..."
He stroked the back of her hand, speaking in calm low voice so as not to upset her.
"There was an accident, and you were hurt, badly. You lapsed into a coma and we had to take you to Vulcan, so the Healers here could help you. We - we were afraid you might not wake up again. But everything's all right now..."
T'Pol gave him a long look. "You were there, Charles. You and my father, calling me..."
"I know. And we're so glad to have you back."
T'Pol closed her eyes again, and T'Pyr who had been standing a few feet away, came closer.
"She has to rest now," she said quietly. "The procedure is very exhausting. You will be able to see her later."
Trip didn't like the thought of leaving T'Pol alone now, but he understood it was necessary. Reluctantly he let go of her hand and rose from his chair. Once they had reached the door, T'Pyr dimmed the lights and increased the room temperature by a few degrees. Then she followed Trip and Solkar into the hallway, the door closing behind her.
"You both did very well," she said, clasping her hands behind her back. "You helped her find her way back. She is out of danger."
Trip averted his eyes. He knew she had seen him cry earlier, and he didn't mind because he knew she understood, but he didn't want Solkar to see the tears in his eyes. Clearing his throat, he smiled at her.
"Thank you, T'Pyr, for everything."
That almost-smile crossed her face again, but after a second her features were as calm and dignified as ever.
"I am glad I could be of help, Commander. Now if you will excuse me, I need to get some rest as well. The procedure is quite exhausting for the Healer, too."
Trip and Solkar watched her walk down the hallway, then turned to look at each other. After a moment's silence Solkar opened his mouth.
"I had not finished my speech earlier."
Trip eyed him warily, still not really knowing what to make of all this. Solkar continued.
"I want you to understand that I did not approve of your marriage with T'Pol."
"I noticed," Trip said dryly, but Solkar went on undeterred.
"I was afraid for my daughter. The ways of the humans are very different from ours. I thought you were... dishonest and superficial. I wanted to protect T'Pol."
"I would never... I love T'Pol!"
"I know. You saved her life and you saved the life of her mother. I am grateful."
Trip shook his head. It was strange, hearing Solkar say these words. He'd thought this man felt nothing but contempt for him, and now he was standing here in front of him, practically apologizing. But he was ready to take the offer.
"I'm glad you came, Sir. I'm sure it helped T'Pol a lot, hearing your voice. She cares very much about you."
Solkar hesitated for a moment, then opened his mouth again. "Tell her she is welcome in my house anytime. As... are you."
Before he turned to leave, he raised his hand in the Vulcan salute.
"Live long and prosper, Commander."
Authors: Sita/T'eyla
Genre: Angst/Romance
Rating: PG
Codes: T/T, R
Summary: Enterprise is en route to Vulcan, and Trip, T'Pol and their little son have to face T'Pol's family, who declared her an outcast because of her marriage. Then, however, something happens that changes everything...
Disclaimer: Paramount owns Enterprise, we're not making any money from this.
---------------------------
Chapter 8: Awakening
"Commander."
Trip opened his eyes, blinking as the bright sunlight from the window blinded him for a moment. When his eyes had gotten used to the light, he saw T'Pyr leaning over him.
"You need to wake up now."
Blearily he tried to remember why he was lying on a small uncomfortable couch in a strange room. Then yesterday's events came back to him, and he sat up quickly. Too quickly; the world blurred before his eyes and he blinked again, waiting for the dizzyness to subside.
"How's T'Sai?" he asked, massaging his neck where a cramp had built overnight. His hands ached. T'Pyr handed him a glass water and he downed it in one swig.
"Lady T'Sai's condition is stabilizing. She is out of danger. For the moment."
T'Pyr took the glass and handed him a tray with fruits, and Trip noticed for the first time that he was actually hungry. He took a red striped fruit from the tray which looked a little less poisonous than the rest and carefully nibbled at it. It tasted sweet.
"You know of her heart disease?" he asked, looking up at T'Pyr.
She clasped her hands behind her back. "I know Lady T'Sai is suffering from a terminal cardiac disease. The heart attack she experienced last night was not her first, but she has only had very small infarctions so far. From now on she will have to take medications daily to prevent another attack which would probably kill her."
Trip noticed that T'Pyr told him these things as if he were a close relative of T'Sai. She seemed to know that T'Sai had accepted him as a member of the family.
"Do you... do you know how much time she has left?" he asked quietly. T'Pyr hesitated a moment before she answered.
"She might have years left, but we cannot know for sure. Her disease has very different effects on those concerned; some live for years without needing special treatment, others do not survive very long. But for the moment Lady T'Sai is out of danger, owing to you."
Trip looked away, embarassed. He was glad he'd been able to help, but to be regarded as some sort of hero by a logical Vulcan, of all people, made him feel slightly uneasy. He cleared his throat. "I think I'd better go to T'Pol now."
T'Sai's eyes glinted with amusement at his rather awkward try of changing the subject.
"Of course, Commander. I will join you in a few minutes so we can begin the procedure."
She left, and Trip got up, heading for the door. When he stepped beside T'Pol's bed, he felt anxiousness and excitement building in his stomach at the same time. He wished he could have had Sam with him now. You're going to get your mom back, he thought, just as I promised. He took T'Pol's hand, squeezing it slightly. I won't settle for less.
The door swished open. Trip turned, expecting to see T'Pyr - and froze when he saw a man standing in the doorway. The same man he had spoken to over week ago, when T'Pyr had told him to notify the family. T'Pol's father. For a moment neither of them spoke. The dark-eyed Vulcan looked at him, but this time there was no contempt in his eyes, and the cold anger Trip had seen there before was gone. The man's face was devoid of any expression as he took a step forward, the door closing behind him.
"Your name is Charles Tucker," he said without introduction.
Trip nodded, involuntarily straightening up as the Vulcan came closer. "Yes, Sir."
The man - he was called Solkar, Trip remembered - came to stand right in front of him, looking him straight in the eyes. Trip forced himself to answer the piercing glare, trying to keep the nervousness from showing on his face. What on earth did that guy want from him now?
"I came here," Solkar said slowly, "because I need to talk to you."
Trip swallowed. "Okay."
"I want to express my gratitude."
Trip stared at him. "Er... come again?"
Solkar raised an eyebrow. "I want to thank you for saving T'Sai's life."
Still not believing he had heard him right, Trip cleared his throat.
"Well... I'm glad she survived."
Solkar looked at him for a long moment before he spoke.
"So am I."
Before Trip could answer, the door opened again. T'Pyr hesitated for a moment when she saw the two men, but as Trip greeted her with a smile she stepped closer.
"Commander." She nodded politely in his direction, then turned to Solkar, who clasped his hands behind his back.
"You came to visit your wife, Solkar?" she asked and Trip noticed that her voice sounded unusually cold. She had never said it, but he knew the Healer didn't approve of Solkar's refusal to visit his daughter. Solkar seemed to have noticed as well; he averted his eyes for a short moment before he answered.
"I came to visit my wife, Healer... and my daughter as well."
T'Pyr gave him a long look. "That is fortunate," she said at last. "Your presence at the kir'y'pan'la will be appreciated." She turned to T'Pol's bed and sat down in her usual chair. She motioned both men to come closer.
"When I initiate the procedure, it is most important that everyone whose presence T'Pol will feel stays calm and controlled. She must be reassured that it is safe for her to allow herself to return to consciousness. Try to project that in your thoughts. Do not try to rush her, just be there and be of help when she needs it."
Trip was feeling far from calm and controlled. Nervously he looked down at T'Pol. What if he couldn't control his feelings, would the procedure fail? T'Pyr put a hand on his arm.
"Commander. Do not try to fight your anxiousness, it is only natural and will not do any damage. Try to concentrate on peaceful images, memories of your time together. T'Pol will react to that."
He nodded, grateful for her understanding. T'Pyr turned to Solkar. "You understand that the... disagreement between you and your daughter is of no importance now. If you are to stay, you must show her in your thoughts that you accept her the way she is."
This time Solkar did not avert his eyes. "I understand."
"Very well." T'Pyr straightened up, placing both her hands on T'Pol's face. "I will initiate the meld now."
Her voice sounded different, entranced, as she began the ancient chant of the mind meld.
"My mind to your mind, my thoughts to your thoughts..."
The monotone rhythm of the words helped Trip to sort out his thoughts and forget his nervousness, concentrating on...images...
-
...T'Pol, sitting on the floor of her quarters, looking up at him. The warm candlelight softens her features and she looks more beautiful than ever before. "This is illogical, Commander," she says, but there is a warmth in her voice belying the words.
He smiles down at her. "Now why would you say it's illogical, Subcommander?"
She raises an eyebrow. "You are always trying to provoke me, criticising my command style, complaining about my attitude towards the crew, objecting to the Vulcan way of life, Vulcans in general and me in particular. If what you just said is true, then why do you do all these things?"
"Why?" He sits down on the floor beside her, glad the semidarkness in her quarters will hide the blush creeping up his cheeks. "Simply to get your attention..."
...The water of the lake feels cool on his skin, refreshing after sweating in the hot sun for so long. He does a few strokes, then turns back to see T'Pol standing on the shore, her arms crossed before her chest. She is wearing the blue one-piece bathing suit Hoshi has lent her, but obviously the idea of getting into closer contact with the water makes her uncomfortable.
He waves, splashing around. "Come in! It won't bite you!"
Still sceptical, she raises an eyebrow and very carefully sticks one toe into the water.
"It is cold."
He sighs. "Of course it's cold if you do it like that. You just have to jump in, that's the way to do it!" She frowns, contemplating. He watches her, grinning. "You're not afraid, are you?" A moment's silence and then there is a splash, and she is right beside him, dripping wet, shaking with cold, but smiling...
..."You may now kiss the bride."
Wipe that grin off your face, Jon, he thinks as he bends down, feeling T'Pol's warm lips on his own. The mess hall erupts in cheers and suddenly they are surrounded by people who are shouting, throwing rice, taking pictures. Malcolm elbows him aside and, grabbing T'Pol by the shoulders, he plants a wet kiss on her cheek. Noticing both bride and bridegroom glaring at him, he shrugs. "Don't look at me like that. That's what the Best Man does."
He turns and there is Jon, pulling him into a big hug. "I'm so happy for you, Trip."
Letting go of him Jon gives him a playful slap on the arm. "So how does it feel, being married to a Vulcan?" He looks over at T'Pol who despite Hoshi's and Liz Cutler's pleading stubbornly refuses to throw her bridal bouquet. How does it feel? "Strange," he says, turning back to Jon who is grinning again. "It feels strange, but... wonderful."...
...T'Pol, lying on the bed, a blanket draped over her bulging belly. She looks worn out and tired, the Vulcan picture of misery. He finishes filling the hot-water bottle and sitting down beside her, he lifts the blanket a few inches to place the bottle at her feet. She looks at him, a weary almost-smile on her lips. "Thank you, Charles."
He smiles in return. "You're welcome. How was your day?"
A small sigh escapes her, and he shakes his head sympathetically. "That bad, huh?"
"When I first came to the bridge, Captain Archer would not allow me to finish the scans, but told me "just to sit down and relax a bit." After I had been sitting at my station for approximately half an hour with nothing to do, Lieutenant Reed brought me the new sensor data and informed me that I "looked like a beach ball with legs", advising me to go to my quarters and get some rest soon. A few minutes later Ensign Mayweather voiced his opinion that it might be twins, after all, and began arguing with Ensign Sato, discussing the advantages and disadvantages of taking care of two babies at the same time. That was when I decided to spend the rest of the day down in Science Department."
He sighs. "I know what you mean. Lieutenant Hess kept bothering me all day I should rather go and keep you company instead of repairing these stupid micro-circuits. Well, I guess they mean well."
T'pol raises an eyebrow. "It was quite a taxing day after all."
He puts a hand on her belly, stroking it softly, and suddenly feels a slight bump against his fingers. A grin spreads on his face. "Yeah, but you know what? It's getting better..."
..."I think he looks like you."
"You can't be serious. What about the ears?"
"It does not matter. The eyes are the same."
"Okay, he's got blue eyes. But his face reminds me of yours."
"Because it is green?"
"No, because it's beautiful, stupid! He 's not so green anymore, after all. He was when Dr. Phlox first gave him to me, but now he looks just like his mother. Thank God he's got your nose as well."
"What is wrong with your nose, Charles?"
"Well, let's just say it might look funny on a Vulcan."
"You are being illogical. A nose is a nose. Even if it is slightly out of shape."
"Honey?"
"Yes, Charles?"
"I love you..."
-
Somebody placed a hand on his shoulder and Trip blinked, slowly returning to the real world. T'Pyr had gotten up from her chair beside the bed and was now standing beside him, holding his shoulder as if she was afraid he might lose his balance.
"What - ?"
"The kir'y'pan'la has been completed. Now go and wake her up."
Unsteady Trip stepped beside the bed, hearing T'Pyr quietly talk to Solkar. T'Pol's eyes were still closed, but she looked different, more... alive than she had before. He took her hand.
"T'Pol," he whispered, his voice sounding hoarse. "T'Pol, come back to me. I know you can do it..."
Turning his head he noticed Solkar standing beside him. His voice was very quiet as he spoke.
"Daughter. Wake up. There is nothing to be afraid of."
Trip held her hand in both his own, squeezing it slightly.
"We're all here, T'Pol. Come back to us. I love you. You hear me? I love you!"
Her fingers which had been lying limply in his palm, suddenly tightened around his hand. Trip felt his throat constrict.
"You're... you're awake!"
Her grip tightened even more and then, slowly, laboriously, T'Pol opened her eyes.
"Charles..." Her voice was nothing more than a hoarse whisper, but Trip understood her clearly. Blinking, biting down hard on his lip, he answered.
"Yes, I'm here. But somebody else has come to see you, too." He shifted a little, making room for Solkar who stepped up beside the bed. His features had softened and his voice sounded slightly unsteady.
"Daughter. I am glad to see you awake."
T'Pol's eyes widened slightly as she heard his voice and she turned his head to look at him.
"Father..."
Solkar touched her hand. "Yes, I am here."
T'Pol closed her eyes for a short moment, but when she opened them again, the expression on her face had changed. She looked awake and when Trip saw her confused frown, he realized how strange all this must look to her.
"What... what happened, Charles? I remember being in the Armoury with Lieutenant Reed..."
He stroked the back of her hand, speaking in calm low voice so as not to upset her.
"There was an accident, and you were hurt, badly. You lapsed into a coma and we had to take you to Vulcan, so the Healers here could help you. We - we were afraid you might not wake up again. But everything's all right now..."
T'Pol gave him a long look. "You were there, Charles. You and my father, calling me..."
"I know. And we're so glad to have you back."
T'Pol closed her eyes again, and T'Pyr who had been standing a few feet away, came closer.
"She has to rest now," she said quietly. "The procedure is very exhausting. You will be able to see her later."
Trip didn't like the thought of leaving T'Pol alone now, but he understood it was necessary. Reluctantly he let go of her hand and rose from his chair. Once they had reached the door, T'Pyr dimmed the lights and increased the room temperature by a few degrees. Then she followed Trip and Solkar into the hallway, the door closing behind her.
"You both did very well," she said, clasping her hands behind her back. "You helped her find her way back. She is out of danger."
Trip averted his eyes. He knew she had seen him cry earlier, and he didn't mind because he knew she understood, but he didn't want Solkar to see the tears in his eyes. Clearing his throat, he smiled at her.
"Thank you, T'Pyr, for everything."
That almost-smile crossed her face again, but after a second her features were as calm and dignified as ever.
"I am glad I could be of help, Commander. Now if you will excuse me, I need to get some rest as well. The procedure is quite exhausting for the Healer, too."
Trip and Solkar watched her walk down the hallway, then turned to look at each other. After a moment's silence Solkar opened his mouth.
"I had not finished my speech earlier."
Trip eyed him warily, still not really knowing what to make of all this. Solkar continued.
"I want you to understand that I did not approve of your marriage with T'Pol."
"I noticed," Trip said dryly, but Solkar went on undeterred.
"I was afraid for my daughter. The ways of the humans are very different from ours. I thought you were... dishonest and superficial. I wanted to protect T'Pol."
"I would never... I love T'Pol!"
"I know. You saved her life and you saved the life of her mother. I am grateful."
Trip shook his head. It was strange, hearing Solkar say these words. He'd thought this man felt nothing but contempt for him, and now he was standing here in front of him, practically apologizing. But he was ready to take the offer.
"I'm glad you came, Sir. I'm sure it helped T'Pol a lot, hearing your voice. She cares very much about you."
Solkar hesitated for a moment, then opened his mouth again. "Tell her she is welcome in my house anytime. As... are you."
Before he turned to leave, he raised his hand in the Vulcan salute.
"Live long and prosper, Commander."