Chapter 2
I The Lightness of Being
The wake and the funeral and boarding Enterprise went through his mind like a movie on fast forward. He saw glimpses of his parents, Tara's mother, Jon's hand on his arm, dirt thrown over a coffin. And then a bright light as he tried to move his arms and say something.say what? He forgot what he wanted to say. He opened his eyes. He was in Sick Bay. He could tell just by the examining lights on the ceiling. He felt so tired, still, but becoming more aware. He slowly turned his head to the side, taking in the figure on the chair, asleep, next to him. He wondered how long he had been out. His mouth was dry. He wanted a drink and tried to say something. A dry sound came out of his throat. "Aaah, Commander.", Phlox said as he came into the small curtained area. "You're awake." And busied himself with some of the controls that monitored Trip's vital signs. "Forgive me", Phlox said, not looking up "let me get you some water." Phlox turned and filled a cup at the counter. "Just a little bit, now." He said as he held the cup to trip's mouth and Trip raised his head slightly. Trip gulped the entire cup. "How long have I." Trip asked. "More than twenty four hours," Phlox answered. Trip looked at the chair next to the examining table. "And..?" "The Sub- Commander has been here for twenty two hours." "Twenty two hours? How could you let her."? Phlox cut him off. "Let her? Commander, I am capable of many things, but talking the Sub-Commander into doing something she does not want to do is not within my immediate control. She has slept, she refused to eat, however, Vulcans require little food. I could not justifiably order her out." Phlox said, smiling in a way he often did when he was playing with the truth. T'pol's eyes fluttered open. "Charles?" she said and clumsily stood up.
II Roundtable
In a dim, cold room, far away, they argued, they debated. "Archer will no longer trouble us," a blue mouth moved. "You cannot be sure, the timelines are manipulated second by second, " an insect-like being answered. A muted pounding came from against the glass the Water Dwellers were behind. "And these others. We have been told of others who will stand in the way," Blue Mouth raised his hand as he spoke. "HE has told me more, but not much that I can decipher. HE only says to move quickly. HE says the future and the past work against us. HE talks about these weak Humans and Vulcans as if they were a threat." "Ridiculous," Scoffed a robotic-looking, half- humanoid. "Not possible." Blue Mouth pulled out an ancient scroll. He began to open it. "What is that and can't you put it on a data padd?" a reptilian being on the other side of the table called out. "This is a prophecy my people have kept for centuries. And NO. "he said, pointedly looking at the reptilian, "This will not go on any data padd. " It has been translated, but no scholar has interpreted the meaning. It reads: 'In the year of the Tempest, the triumvirate will emerge. Havoc will reign and the people be fought to extinction. Sagitarri will prevail and the bonded ones will pull his bow.' This, my friends, is the year of the Tempest. This is what HE speaks of. " An uproar began in the chamber. All talking at once and overloading the translator. "GET THAT WEAPON FINISHED!!!" A squeal could be heard over the voices and clearly through the translator.
III Restlessness
Archer sat on a metal floor, cross-legged. He could see several species of Xindi he was familiar with and some aliens he was not familiar with. He couldn't hear what they were saying and he was sure they couldn't see him. He had the idea whatever they were saying wasn't good. Finally he heard something that pierced his ears, "GET THAT WEAPON FINISHED." Then he was somewhere else. He could feel fingers over his arms, lightly. Hands through his hair. A soft, feminine foot, brushing over his calf. 'No,' he mumbled in his sleep. 'We can't do this' and he felt a delicate, pointed ear brush his mouth. The comm on the wall made him jump out of sleep. Archer hit the button out of habit, not quite awake yet. "Phlox to Captain Archer." "Archer here," he said, as coherently as he could. "Commander Tucker is awake." "I'll be right there." After a short, very cold shower he thought.
IV RELIEF
T'Pol got her footing as her hand reached out for the examining table, but caught Trip's arm instead. "Commander, I am.." "Commander?" Trip smiled. "A second ago it was Charles" "I am sure I did not call you Charles. I am satisfied to see you are out of medical danger." T'Pol attempted to keep an even facial expression. "Didn't she call me 'Charles', Doc? " "Now Commander, I was much too busy to overhear." Phlox said a most cheery manner. "T'Pol" Trip said as he put his hand on her arm," You were here the whole time." "I was interested in the well-being of our Chief Engineer." T'pol attempted to remain stoic. "You stayed here for twenty two hours." He squeezed her arm lightly and she didn't pull away. He then brushed his hand slowly down her arm, lingering on the fingertips. "Commander, it is evident that your missed meditation sessions and lack of sleep has caused your precarious physiological condition. I will expect you to resume meditation and a regular sleep schedule as soon as Dr. Phlox deems acceptable. "T'Pol visibly shuddered in response to his touch in spite of herself. With his back turned to them, making himself busy, Phlox nodded his head and said "Excellent, Sub-Commander. The Commander will be fit enough for light activity within twelve to twenty four hours, we'll see after all the tests have been run." "Commander." T'pol said and looked into Trip's eyes. "Sub- Commander." Trip finally removed his hand from hers. "I will leave Dr. Phlox to his work." She turned and exited Sick Bay.
V CATCHING UP
Archer came through the Sick Bay doors, dressed in sweats and a sleeveless shirt. After all, it was 0300 hours. "Cap'n", trip tried to manage a smile. ""Trip, it's good to have you back." Archer said as he approached the examining table and solidly patted Trip's shoulder. "You were talking about Tara in your sleep." Archer tried to say very carefully. Trip turned his head away and looked at the wall. "We have to talk about this sometime." "Jon, I'm over it. I can't think about it." Trip lied. "Trip, everything happened so fast, so close to launch.I don't think you've had time to grieve." Archer felt helpless and useless for stating the obvious. "Well if I wasn't over it before, I am now. I've dreamt about it, meditated about it, thought about it. I'm sick of it. Every relationship I've had has failed and it's all been my fault. " "Now listen here," Archer found his strength, "Tara was not your fault. Tara loved you and I don't think could have gone on without you." "Tell her parents that," Trip spat. "Now that's not fair. To yourself or to Tara." Archer put a hand on Trip's shoulder. Trip finally stopped staring at the wall and looked at Archer. "You know she stayed here for twenty two hours?" Trip asked. Confused, Archer said "Who?"
VI Reliving the Moment
About 18 hours later, T'pol heard the door chime. "Enter." She answered. Trip came into the dim room, wearing his loose-fitting meditation clothing. T'Pol sat cross-legged, on the floor, in front of a low table with lit candles. "I'm sorry for comin' so late and without letting you know, I couldn't sleep," Trip stammered a little bit. "Not at all, Commander." T'pol stood up. She was wearing a silky turquoise two-piece pajama. "I was still awake. Shall we start with something simple?" she asked. "Tell ya the truth, I want to work on what we tried last week." Trip stared at her. T'Pol raised an eyebrow, "That technique is rather taxing, are you sure?" "I've been practicin' my breathing." Trip answered. "Then remove your shirt." T'Pol seemed satisfied. Trip seemed nervous, but took off his shirt anyway. "Please, sit on the bed." T'Pol gestured with her arm. Trip slowly moved toward the bed and sat. T'Pol kneeled behind him and started to work on his neck and shoulders, precisely and expertly pressing her fingertips. "Mmmmfff," was the sound that came out of Trip. "Do you find it unpleasant?" T'Pol paused her movements. "Nope. Don't stop, please." T'Pol continued. When she had completed the entire technique, she stopped. "Do you feel better, Commander?" "I feel great, " he answered and stretched out his arms. "It is late, you may leave if you do not wish to meditate" "Well, umm, actually, I was wantin' to return the favor." Trip finally said after a few seconds of silence. "That is not necessary, Commander." T'Pol said evenly, carefully. "But I want to." Trip returned. "Very well then." T'pol turned toward a wall and removed her top. When she turned back around, she swiftly crossed her arms over her chest and sat on the bed. Trip was frozen. He actually felt that he could not move. This was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen and he had the idea he might be in impossible territory. Trip took a deep breath and knelt behind T'Pol on the bed. He raised his hands to begin massaging her shoulders, but he couldn't help it. He tried so hard, but felt his hands moving slowly out of his control. His hands ended up on her ears, barely toughing, on either side of her head, he moved his hands slowly up their contour. A gasp escaped T'Pol's throat, but she said nothing. Trip's hands moved slowly up and down her ears. T'Pol's breath came faster, and he could hear it. He brought his face closer to the back of her head and breathed in the scent of her hair. He moved his head toward her neck and his mouth brushed her skin. T'Pol shuddered, "Com..Charles..I." was all that she could manage. Trip moved his lips all over her neck, eventually homing in on her ear lobe. When his lips touched her there, a guttural sound escaped her lips. T'Pol's hands fell from her chest to her side, leaving a feast for Trip to look down and gaze at.
And then, a rude invasion. The comm on the wall chimed. "Archer to T'Pol," blasted into the room, without waiting for an answer. T'Pol tried to catch her breath. Trip tried to catch his breath. Again, "Archer to T'Pol." T'pol stood and hit the comm. "T'Pol here," she still sounded a little breathless, but passable. "I need you no the Bridge. Sensors picked up a distress signal from a Vulcan ship. It's about one thousand kilometers from our position. It is not answering any hails." "Of course, Captain." T'Pol turned to Trip and stared at him for a moment. "I have to dress." "My ears ain't as big as yours, but I heard you. 'I have to dress?' Is that all you have to say?" Trip looked incredulous. T'Pol thought for a moment. She understood she had, by human standards, been cold, without meaning to be. "We shall continue this tomorrow..Charles."
To Be Continued..
I The Lightness of Being
The wake and the funeral and boarding Enterprise went through his mind like a movie on fast forward. He saw glimpses of his parents, Tara's mother, Jon's hand on his arm, dirt thrown over a coffin. And then a bright light as he tried to move his arms and say something.say what? He forgot what he wanted to say. He opened his eyes. He was in Sick Bay. He could tell just by the examining lights on the ceiling. He felt so tired, still, but becoming more aware. He slowly turned his head to the side, taking in the figure on the chair, asleep, next to him. He wondered how long he had been out. His mouth was dry. He wanted a drink and tried to say something. A dry sound came out of his throat. "Aaah, Commander.", Phlox said as he came into the small curtained area. "You're awake." And busied himself with some of the controls that monitored Trip's vital signs. "Forgive me", Phlox said, not looking up "let me get you some water." Phlox turned and filled a cup at the counter. "Just a little bit, now." He said as he held the cup to trip's mouth and Trip raised his head slightly. Trip gulped the entire cup. "How long have I." Trip asked. "More than twenty four hours," Phlox answered. Trip looked at the chair next to the examining table. "And..?" "The Sub- Commander has been here for twenty two hours." "Twenty two hours? How could you let her."? Phlox cut him off. "Let her? Commander, I am capable of many things, but talking the Sub-Commander into doing something she does not want to do is not within my immediate control. She has slept, she refused to eat, however, Vulcans require little food. I could not justifiably order her out." Phlox said, smiling in a way he often did when he was playing with the truth. T'pol's eyes fluttered open. "Charles?" she said and clumsily stood up.
II Roundtable
In a dim, cold room, far away, they argued, they debated. "Archer will no longer trouble us," a blue mouth moved. "You cannot be sure, the timelines are manipulated second by second, " an insect-like being answered. A muted pounding came from against the glass the Water Dwellers were behind. "And these others. We have been told of others who will stand in the way," Blue Mouth raised his hand as he spoke. "HE has told me more, but not much that I can decipher. HE only says to move quickly. HE says the future and the past work against us. HE talks about these weak Humans and Vulcans as if they were a threat." "Ridiculous," Scoffed a robotic-looking, half- humanoid. "Not possible." Blue Mouth pulled out an ancient scroll. He began to open it. "What is that and can't you put it on a data padd?" a reptilian being on the other side of the table called out. "This is a prophecy my people have kept for centuries. And NO. "he said, pointedly looking at the reptilian, "This will not go on any data padd. " It has been translated, but no scholar has interpreted the meaning. It reads: 'In the year of the Tempest, the triumvirate will emerge. Havoc will reign and the people be fought to extinction. Sagitarri will prevail and the bonded ones will pull his bow.' This, my friends, is the year of the Tempest. This is what HE speaks of. " An uproar began in the chamber. All talking at once and overloading the translator. "GET THAT WEAPON FINISHED!!!" A squeal could be heard over the voices and clearly through the translator.
III Restlessness
Archer sat on a metal floor, cross-legged. He could see several species of Xindi he was familiar with and some aliens he was not familiar with. He couldn't hear what they were saying and he was sure they couldn't see him. He had the idea whatever they were saying wasn't good. Finally he heard something that pierced his ears, "GET THAT WEAPON FINISHED." Then he was somewhere else. He could feel fingers over his arms, lightly. Hands through his hair. A soft, feminine foot, brushing over his calf. 'No,' he mumbled in his sleep. 'We can't do this' and he felt a delicate, pointed ear brush his mouth. The comm on the wall made him jump out of sleep. Archer hit the button out of habit, not quite awake yet. "Phlox to Captain Archer." "Archer here," he said, as coherently as he could. "Commander Tucker is awake." "I'll be right there." After a short, very cold shower he thought.
IV RELIEF
T'Pol got her footing as her hand reached out for the examining table, but caught Trip's arm instead. "Commander, I am.." "Commander?" Trip smiled. "A second ago it was Charles" "I am sure I did not call you Charles. I am satisfied to see you are out of medical danger." T'Pol attempted to keep an even facial expression. "Didn't she call me 'Charles', Doc? " "Now Commander, I was much too busy to overhear." Phlox said a most cheery manner. "T'Pol" Trip said as he put his hand on her arm," You were here the whole time." "I was interested in the well-being of our Chief Engineer." T'pol attempted to remain stoic. "You stayed here for twenty two hours." He squeezed her arm lightly and she didn't pull away. He then brushed his hand slowly down her arm, lingering on the fingertips. "Commander, it is evident that your missed meditation sessions and lack of sleep has caused your precarious physiological condition. I will expect you to resume meditation and a regular sleep schedule as soon as Dr. Phlox deems acceptable. "T'Pol visibly shuddered in response to his touch in spite of herself. With his back turned to them, making himself busy, Phlox nodded his head and said "Excellent, Sub-Commander. The Commander will be fit enough for light activity within twelve to twenty four hours, we'll see after all the tests have been run." "Commander." T'pol said and looked into Trip's eyes. "Sub- Commander." Trip finally removed his hand from hers. "I will leave Dr. Phlox to his work." She turned and exited Sick Bay.
V CATCHING UP
Archer came through the Sick Bay doors, dressed in sweats and a sleeveless shirt. After all, it was 0300 hours. "Cap'n", trip tried to manage a smile. ""Trip, it's good to have you back." Archer said as he approached the examining table and solidly patted Trip's shoulder. "You were talking about Tara in your sleep." Archer tried to say very carefully. Trip turned his head away and looked at the wall. "We have to talk about this sometime." "Jon, I'm over it. I can't think about it." Trip lied. "Trip, everything happened so fast, so close to launch.I don't think you've had time to grieve." Archer felt helpless and useless for stating the obvious. "Well if I wasn't over it before, I am now. I've dreamt about it, meditated about it, thought about it. I'm sick of it. Every relationship I've had has failed and it's all been my fault. " "Now listen here," Archer found his strength, "Tara was not your fault. Tara loved you and I don't think could have gone on without you." "Tell her parents that," Trip spat. "Now that's not fair. To yourself or to Tara." Archer put a hand on Trip's shoulder. Trip finally stopped staring at the wall and looked at Archer. "You know she stayed here for twenty two hours?" Trip asked. Confused, Archer said "Who?"
VI Reliving the Moment
About 18 hours later, T'pol heard the door chime. "Enter." She answered. Trip came into the dim room, wearing his loose-fitting meditation clothing. T'Pol sat cross-legged, on the floor, in front of a low table with lit candles. "I'm sorry for comin' so late and without letting you know, I couldn't sleep," Trip stammered a little bit. "Not at all, Commander." T'pol stood up. She was wearing a silky turquoise two-piece pajama. "I was still awake. Shall we start with something simple?" she asked. "Tell ya the truth, I want to work on what we tried last week." Trip stared at her. T'Pol raised an eyebrow, "That technique is rather taxing, are you sure?" "I've been practicin' my breathing." Trip answered. "Then remove your shirt." T'Pol seemed satisfied. Trip seemed nervous, but took off his shirt anyway. "Please, sit on the bed." T'Pol gestured with her arm. Trip slowly moved toward the bed and sat. T'Pol kneeled behind him and started to work on his neck and shoulders, precisely and expertly pressing her fingertips. "Mmmmfff," was the sound that came out of Trip. "Do you find it unpleasant?" T'Pol paused her movements. "Nope. Don't stop, please." T'Pol continued. When she had completed the entire technique, she stopped. "Do you feel better, Commander?" "I feel great, " he answered and stretched out his arms. "It is late, you may leave if you do not wish to meditate" "Well, umm, actually, I was wantin' to return the favor." Trip finally said after a few seconds of silence. "That is not necessary, Commander." T'Pol said evenly, carefully. "But I want to." Trip returned. "Very well then." T'pol turned toward a wall and removed her top. When she turned back around, she swiftly crossed her arms over her chest and sat on the bed. Trip was frozen. He actually felt that he could not move. This was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen and he had the idea he might be in impossible territory. Trip took a deep breath and knelt behind T'Pol on the bed. He raised his hands to begin massaging her shoulders, but he couldn't help it. He tried so hard, but felt his hands moving slowly out of his control. His hands ended up on her ears, barely toughing, on either side of her head, he moved his hands slowly up their contour. A gasp escaped T'Pol's throat, but she said nothing. Trip's hands moved slowly up and down her ears. T'Pol's breath came faster, and he could hear it. He brought his face closer to the back of her head and breathed in the scent of her hair. He moved his head toward her neck and his mouth brushed her skin. T'Pol shuddered, "Com..Charles..I." was all that she could manage. Trip moved his lips all over her neck, eventually homing in on her ear lobe. When his lips touched her there, a guttural sound escaped her lips. T'Pol's hands fell from her chest to her side, leaving a feast for Trip to look down and gaze at.
And then, a rude invasion. The comm on the wall chimed. "Archer to T'Pol," blasted into the room, without waiting for an answer. T'Pol tried to catch her breath. Trip tried to catch his breath. Again, "Archer to T'Pol." T'pol stood and hit the comm. "T'Pol here," she still sounded a little breathless, but passable. "I need you no the Bridge. Sensors picked up a distress signal from a Vulcan ship. It's about one thousand kilometers from our position. It is not answering any hails." "Of course, Captain." T'Pol turned to Trip and stared at him for a moment. "I have to dress." "My ears ain't as big as yours, but I heard you. 'I have to dress?' Is that all you have to say?" Trip looked incredulous. T'Pol thought for a moment. She understood she had, by human standards, been cold, without meaning to be. "We shall continue this tomorrow..Charles."
To Be Continued..