A/N: This is yet another story inspired by the events in "Rajiin". There are a few references to "Similitude". Warning - there are hints of T/T'P throughout.

Reviews are welcomed and most appreciated!

DISCLAIMER: As always, I don't own the characters of Star Trek: Enterprise.



THE FORMULA

By plumtuckered



Chapter One



"Archer to Commander Tucker."

Enterprise's Chief Engineer set the picture of his sister down and hit his desk comm. "Tucker here."

"Trip, join me for a late dinner?"

"I'm not really hungry, Cap'n. Can I take a rain check?"

"You feeling okay?"

Trip smiled and rolled his eyes at the note of concern in his old friend's voice. "I'm fine, Cap'n, just not hungry. I think I'll hit the gym then try to get some sleep."

"You sure? Chef saved some prime rib."

"Yes, sir. Thanks, though. Tucker out." Trip pressed the button to end the call then looked at Elizabeth's picture again. "I miss you, sis," he whispered as he ran his index finger down the photo, carefully tracing the curve of the smiling face. "Happy Birthday."

After changing into a pair of workout pants and t-shirt, Trip made his way to the gym. He'd only been running on the treadmill a few minutes when the door slid open to reveal Archer.

"I thought you were at dinner," commented Trip as he ramped up the speed.

Archer wandered over and stood next to the engineer. "I was until Chef told me he hadn't seen you all day."

Trip cringed.

"What's going on, Trip?"

"There's nothing going on, sir," Trip replied curtly. He increased his speed a little more.

"Did Phlox okay this?"

"Okay what?"

Archer reached up and hit a button, slowing the treadmill. "This kind of physical exertion. It's only been a couple weeks since he released you."

Trip scowled. "He released me to full duty, sir, said I was free to resume normal activities."

"I doubt he meant training for a marathon, Trip," scoffed Archer.

Trip stopped the treadmill and leaned forward on the control panel. "Are you ever going to stop?" he asked mildly, eyeing his friend.

Archer looked confused. "Stop what?"

"Treating me like that naïve kid from ten years ago."

"I don't treat you---," began Archer indignantly then he stopped. After a moment, he chuckled and shook his head. "Probably not, Trip."

"Good," replied Trip with a smile. "Just checking." He stepped down from the treadmill, picked up his towel and wiped his face.

"Now that we've cleared that up, mind telling me what's bothering you?"

Trip sat down on the edge of the running machine and stretched his legs out. "Today was Elizabeth's thirty-first birthday," he said softly.

Archer sat down next to him. "I'm sorry."

Trip fixed his eyes on his shoes and willed himself to remain in control. "She always said she wanted to be married by thirty-one, start a family by thirty-five---," Trip's voice failed him and he felt Archer's hand on his shoulder. He expelled a long calming breath. "They took that all away from her, Cap'n."

"I know," replied Archer simply but he squeezed Trip's shoulder in comfort.

Trip nodded then stood up. "Thanks." He started for the door then stopped. "He's gone, you know."

"Who?"

The commander turned his head to look at his friend. "That naïve kid."

Archer swallowed hard and nodded. "I know he is, Trip," he replied softly.

Trip held his friend's eyes for a long moment then turned and left the gym.



Jon watched the engineer leave. The naïve kid was indeed gone and just for a moment Jon let himself mourn his passing. He wondered if any of the crew would ever get the pieces of themselves back that they'd lost to the Xindi. He wondered, too, how much more they were still going to lose.

He shook his head, knowing he didn't want to go there. Jon knew why Trip had refused to grieve for his sister for it was why the captain refused to deal with his own demons. There'd be time for that later, after they completed their mission. Only then, Jon knew, would Trip allow himself to mourn and only then would Jon look at himself in the mirror.

"Bridge to Captain Archer."

Jon sighed and stood, moving quickly to the comm. "Go ahead."

"Sir, we're being hailed by a Tozran transport vessel. They say their life support is failing," reported Ensign Hoshi Sato.

"I'll be right there. Archer out."

Jon entered the bridge and moved to his chair. He nodded at Hoshi and within seconds, a face very similar to the chemist, B'Rat Ud, appeared before him. "I'm Captain Jonathan Archer----," he began.

"There is no time for pleasantries, Captain. Our life support systems are failing and we need your help."

Jon glanced at T'Pol who nodded. "I am picking up ship-wide power fluctuations," she replied.

"There are at least forty bio-signs, sir," said Hoshi.

"We have families on board. Please, you must help us!"

"I'm reading only minimal weapons, Captain," reported Lieutenant Malcolm Reed.

The opening of the turbolift drew Jon's attention and he turned to see Trip step onto the bridge, his hair damp from a very quick shower. "What's going on?" he asked.

"You up for some repair work, Commander?"



Trip hustled down the corridor to his quarters. He hit his entry pad then moved quickly to his desk, grabbing the small silver box from the shelf above it. He set the box down and opened it, taking a count of the tools within then shut the case.

As he turned, he nearly ran into T'Pol. "Sub-commander? What are you doing here?" he asked as he moved passed her into the corridor.

"You need to be cautious, Commander," T'Pol replied as she kept pace with Trip.

Trip looked down at her. "You don't trust these people?"

"No, I do not."

"Why not? They're the same species as that chemist, the one who gave us the formula for Trellium-D. He seemed harmless enough."

T'Pol grabbed Trip's arm staying him. She stepped close. "You need to stay alert, Mr. Tucker."

"Have you told the captain about your concerns?"

T'Pol nodded. "Captain Archer hears me but he does not always listen," she replied.

Trip placed a hand on T'Pol's shoulder. "He's under a lot of pressure right now. You can't take it personally." He dropped his hand then started up the corridor again. "Now why exactly do you not trust these--- these Tozrans?"

"I can not say."

Trip looked down at her. "What? What do you mean?"

"It is essentially a---a feeling I have, Commander."

Trip smiled. "Your gut instinct?"

T'Pol nodded somewhat reluctantly. "I suppose that is an apt description."

Trip opened the turbolift then stepped aside to allow T'Pol to enter first. As they stood side by side, Trip fought the urge to tease her. One look in her dark eyes told him she was very serious about her uneasy feelings and that was enough for Trip to take them seriously as well.

"I will not be able to accompany you because of the Trellium-D lining their hull however Lieutenant Reed was able to convince Captain Archer to take security. I believe Corporal Woods will be joining you."

Trip nodded as the door slid open. T'Pol exited first then they both made their way to the launch bay.

"I'll stay alert, T'Pol," the engineer said as they stopped outside the doors.

"I would feel more confident if you'd eaten today, Mr. Tucker," replied the Vulcan. "And if you were properly rested."

Trip furrowed his brow. "You checking up on me?"

T'Pol looked away briefly then met Trip's eyes. "I was merely performing my duty as first officer," she began.

Trip snorted softly. "So you're aware of all the crew's eating habits?" he prodded teasingly.

T'Pol held his eyes defiantly then looked away. "No, I am not," she replied.

Trip chuckled lightly and patted her arm. "Nice to know you care, T'Pol." He hit the button to open the doors. "Real nice, in fact," he added softly. He entered the bay then turned when T'Pol didn't follow him. "You coming?"

"Since Shuttlepod Two is still treated with---."

Trip shook his head. "I've covered it with a bio-hazard tarp. You should be okay as long as you don't climb inside."

T'Pol nodded her thanks then entered the bay. They walked over to Shuttlepod One where both Archer and Woods were waiting.

"You got everything, Trip?" asked Archer.

"I think so, sir."

Archer looked at T'Pol. "You have the bridge. We'll stay in contact, keep you up to date on our status."

"Understood."



Travis Mayweather watched as the shuttlepod easily docked with the Tozran transport vessel. He wondered briefly which officer had made the flawless connection as both Captain Archer and Commander Tucker were very capable pilots. Travis placed his money on Archer since the captain, nine times out of ten, insisted on taking the pilot's chair. He'd have to be sure to ask the commander when both men were back on board.

A flashing light drew his attention and Travis scowled. "That can't be right," he muttered.

"Ensign?" prompted the sub-commander. She appeared at his shoulder.

"They're releasing the docking clamp," reported Travis.

"Are you certain?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Lieutenant, where are our people?"

"They're on the transport, Sub-commander," replied Reed. "Wait a minute--- ." He paused.

"Lieutenant!" pressed T'Pol.

Travis picked up the urgency in the Vulcan's voice at the same time he felt fear grip him.

"I had all three bio-signs now I'm only picking up two."

"They're not answering my hails, Sub-commander," reported Hoshi.

Travis looked at the view screen again only to see the 'pod drifting away from the transport. He looked down at his display. "Sub-commander, they're releasing the passenger section!"

T'Pol leaned over, one hand on the edge of his console, one on the back of his chair. He sensed the tension in her immediately.

"They're powering up their engines!" shouted Reed.

"Target them, Lieutenant."

Travis felt the slight jolt of weapons being fired but watched in dismay as the torpedoes impacted with nothing.

"They've raised shields! Our weapons are having no effect!" reported Reed.

"Ensign, prepare to follow them," ordered T'Pol and Travis nodded.

"Sub-commander," reported Hoshi. "There are thirty bio-signs in the passenger section. And their life support is failing."

Travis looked up at T'Pol who was staring at the images on the screen. "What are your orders, ma'am?" he asked.



Continued