Chapter Four



T'Pol stood silently by the bedside of her commanding officer. She cast a furtive glance behind her at the commander who sat in a chair sound asleep. Her careful gaze noted the livid bruises on his face, his disheveled hair, and the blood spatters on his uniform. T'Pol was not surprised when the engineer had quite adamantly refused to leave until he was certain the captain would recover.

A low moan drew T'Pol's attention back to Archer. "Welcome back, Captain," she greeted evenly.

Archer opened his eyes then blinked. "Enterprise?"

"Yes, Captain," replied Dr. Phlox. He stood across from T'Pol his eyes focused on the monitors over Archer's bed.

"Then you found us."

T'Pol lifted a brow. "That is an obvious conclusion," she stated.

"In the nick of time, I believe is how you would put it, Captain," said Phlox. "As it was, I needed to resuscitate both you and Commander Tucker."

"Trip? Is he okay?"

Phlox motioned with his hand. "See for yourself."

Archer turned his head and T'Pol stepped aside slightly so that the captain could see the commander sleeping soundly in the chair, his chin resting on his chest.

"How long has he been there?" asked Archer with an affectionate smile.

"Since I revived him twelve hours ago," replied Phlox. "He hasn't been asleep very long. I have to marvel at his stubbornness, Captain. He refused to leave your side until he knew you were out of danger."

Archer chuckled then grabbed at his side.

"It was only a flesh wound but you lost a great deal of blood," reported Phlox clinically. "You'll need a few days bed rest."

The captain nodded then took a breath. He looked at T'Pol. "What happened?"

"With the help of the Tozran militia, we were able to locate the pod in which you and Commander Tucker escaped," said T'Pol as she clasped her hands behind her back. "We thought initially that you both perished when the Karelle was destroyed. However, after reviewing their scans, the Tozrans discovered that one pod had been launched. General Taroot immediately hailed us with the news that the bio-signs were human and then he assisted us in finding you."

"I'm not sure I completely follow but I'm sure you'll fill in the blanks later," replied Archer.

"Of course, Captain."

Archer looked over at the commander again with a smile. "Would you wake him up and help him to his quarters? He can't be comfortable sitting like that."

T'Pol reached down and placed her hand on Tucker's shoulder. "Commander?"

The engineer started and sat up. "Wha---?"

"Captain Archer is awake, Mr. Tucker," said T'Pol gently.

Tucker stood, a smile spreading quickly across his bruised face. "You're okay," he said then his hand went to his side and he grimaced.

"Yes he is, Commander," announced Phlox. "Now I want you to go to your quarters and I don't want to hear about you doing anything but resting for the next twenty-four hours, do I make myself clear?"

"But can't I just----," Tucker began.

"No."

"Come on, Doc," the commander persisted.

Phlox picked up a hypospray then walked around to the engineer's side. He placed the device against Tucker's neck and released the contents. "Sub- commander, would you please accompany Commander Tucker to his quarters?"

T'Pol nodded and took Tucker's elbow moving him toward the sickbay doors.

"I guess I'll see you later, Cap'n," Tucker said over his shoulder.

"Hey, Trip?"

T'Pol stopped so that the engineer could turn around.

"You didn't fail me, Trip," Archer said, his voice catching. "And you never have. You got that?"

Tucker nodded slowly. "Yes, sir," he replied softly.

"Good. Now get out of here."

T'Pol drew the engineer around and led him out the doors into the corridor. He remained uncharacteristically silent for their entire journey to his quarters and T'Pol wondered briefly if she should return him to see Dr. Phlox.

"Are you alright, Commander?" she asked finally as they stood outside Tucker's door.

Tucker nodded then wavered slightly. "Your gut instinct was right, T'Pol," he said, his voice slurred by fatigue.

T'Pol wrapped an arm around Tucker's waist then keyed in her override code. The door slid open and she guided the commander into his quarters and sat him on his bunk.

"Yep," Tucker mumbled. "Gotta trust your gut, T'Pol. Cause usually its right." Then he laughed softly. "Whatever the Doc gave me is sure kickin' in."

"We should remove your uniform, Commander," T'Pol said. She reached for his zipper but he put his hand over hers, staying it. She held his eyes for a long moment then he dropped his hand to his lap. T'Pol pulled the zipper down and Tucker started slipping his arms out. "Commander, we need to first---," she began but it was too late. The commander flailed both arms around as he tried to rid himself of his uniform. T'Pol stood up and observed the sight in bemused silence.

Finally, Tucker stilled, both sleeves turned inside out but still clasped firmly around his wrists. T'Pol watched as his eyes slid closed. He sat upright for only a few more seconds then he fell onto his side, his cheek landing on his pillow, quite obviously sound asleep.

T'Pol regarded him for a long moment. He was without a doubt the most exasperating human she'd ever met but somehow, over the three years they'd served together and more so over the last few months in the Expanse, she'd come to cherish his company. T'Pol lifted a brow at that admission then she knelt beside the sleeping commander and finished removing his uniform.

After several moments, T'Pol finally finished her task and she carefully settled the engineer on his back. She pulled the blanket up over him, regarded him once more, then quietly walked to the door, dimmed the lights and left his quarters.



Hoshi Sato glanced up from her data padd as the mess hall door opened. "Captain," she said as she stood. She moved quickly to Archer's side. "I didn't know the doctor had released you, sir."

Archer smiled. "This afternoon," he replied.

Hoshi took his elbow to steady him. "It's late, sir. Shouldn't you be in bed?"

"I had this craving for vanilla ice cream," replied the captain. "With chocolate syrup."

The ensign laughed. "Why don't you have a seat and I'll get it for you." She moved to the dispenser. "Do you want a small serving or a large one?"

"A large one," directed Archer. "And don't be stingy on the syrup."

"Aye, sir."

Hoshi finished preparing the dessert then set it down on the table in front of her captain. She took the seat opposite him and watched in delight as he dug in.

"Mmmmm."

"Good?"

"Oh, yeah," replied Archer with a smile. "What've you got there?" he asked with a nod toward the padd lying before her.

"Just catching up on some reading," said Hoshi. She picked up the little device and hurriedly switched it off.

"Oh?"

Hoshi felt her cheeks flush. "A romance novel, sir," she said uncomfortably.

Archer smiled then turned his attention back to his ice cream.

"I bet Porthos is happy to have you back."

The captain nodded then swallowed a big bite. "Thanks for watching him for me."

"Oh it was my pleasure, sir. He's good company."

Archer smiled warmly. "That he is."

"Have you read the final report on the Tozrans?"

"This morning."

"Do you believe General Taroot?"

"I guess I have to," replied Archer. He stirred the ice cream around with his spoon. "Everything Trip and I went through and the formula really was for Trellium-D."

Hoshi nodded then she looked at the door as T'Pol and the commander entered, deep in the middle of a conversation.

"No," said Trip. "She let him go because she DID love him."

"But that is not logical," replied T'Pol. She placed a mug under the dispenser. "Mint tea, hot."

Trip waited patiently at the sub-commander's elbow. "No one said love was logical, T'Pol," he replied with his most disarming grin.

Hoshi tried to hide her smile. The two clearly had no idea anyone else was around. She glanced at Archer who was watching the couple as well, his eyebrows lifted in a mixture of surprise and amusement.

"But if she did indeed---love him, why didn't she simply convey that to him?"

"Coff---," began Trip but he stopped when T'Pol placed her hand on his forearm. "Oh, right. You don't want me having caffeine this late." He smiled at her almost shyly. "Milk, warm. Anyway, she didn't tell him because she thought he'd be happier without her."

T'Pol seemed to ponder that response. She sipped her tea. "But he clearly had affection for her as well."

Trip nodded and pulled his mug from the dispenser.

"Vulcan courtships are far less complicated," said T'Pol.

Side by side, the two moved back to the door still oblivious to Hoshi and Archer's presence.

Trip opened the door. "And probably far less, um, entertaining. No fire, no passion---."

"Vulcans feel passion, Mr. Tucker," replied T'Pol. "We just---."

The door closed behind them leaving Hoshi and the captain in silence.

"Huh," grunted Archer. "I didn't know tonight's movie was a romance."

"It wasn't," replied Hoshi still trying to hide her amusement.

Archer stirred his ice cream. "Then what was that all about?"

Hoshi shrugged. "Wouldn't know, sir."

"Huh."

"Well, I think I'll turn in. Will you be okay here alone, Captain?"

Archer nodded and took a bite. "Yeah, I'll be fine. See you in the morning."

"Good night, sir."

"Night."

Hoshi stood and walked to the door. She cast a glance back at Archer as the door slid open then she stepped into the corridor. She heard one final bewildered grunt from her commanding officer before the door closed behind her.



THE END