Decisions
Author: Trekaholic
Paramount owns Enterprise and all the characters. All I own is the aliens that will probably never be known outside this story, but if Paramount wants they can have them too. As an Enterprise fan, I feel obliged to mention that anyone who watches the show should tune in on Wednesdays when the ratings matter, at least from what I've heard. I mean, don't we all want a fourth and fifth season? Secondly, I have read a lot of Trip/T'Pol fan fiction, but not all of it, therefore if a storyline similar to this has been used, I don't know about it. If someone who reads this story feels I copied their own, then all they have to do is tell me and I'll change it. I hope no one has though cause coming up with all this isn't easy! Finally, I'd like to thank everyone who has read and reviewed my story, you don't understand how much authors like reviews! I will take in a lot of the suggestions I've gotten and I'm sure the reviewers will be aware of the changes I've made based on their proposals.
Chapter Three
"Are you sure there's nothing there?"
"I've run every sensor sweep there is, Ensign. I can't find anything out of the ordinary near your quarters, or on the ship for that matter." Malcolm crossed his arms and looked up at Hoshi. "You could have imagined it."
"I know what I heard. And I checked with the Doctor, nothing's wrong with me." Hoshi looked at the screen then back to Malcolm. "Where were you last night, anyway? I came to your quarters first but couldn't find you."
"I was working late in the Armoury, trying to implement the new upgrades Starfleet sent us."
"I shoulda known you'd be playing with your weapons again." Hoshi rolled her eyes.
Malcolm couldn't help but slightly grin at that. "Is that sarcasm I detect?" But before they could continue their friendly banter, the Captain came out of his ready room and approached the two, who had been working at Malcolm's station.
"Find anything?"
"I'm afraid not, Captain. The sensors didn't pick up anything unusual around Ensign Sato's quarters last night." Archer looked at Hoshi, who obviously wasn't satisfied with the findings.
"I didn't imagine it. I know it's hard to believe, but there was definitely something rattling in my ceiling."
Archer sighed. When she had woken him up, he had accompanied her back to her quarters to check the problem out himself, but when they got there, everything seemed normal. "I'll have T'Pol check it out once she gets here. She's due on the bridge any minute now."
"Thanks, Sir."
"Don't mention it." Archer gave her a reassuring smile and took his place in the Captain's chair. He knew there was a chance Hoshi was imagining it, but there was no harm in checking it out. They had been in the Expanse for some time now, and the last thing he wanted was an unexpected surprise. "How we doin', Travis?"
"We're holding steady at Warp 2.5, Sir. So far with minimal field fluctuations."
"Good. Let's hope it stays that way." Just then the turbo-lift doors opened and T'Pol stepped onto the bridge. She bowed her head slightly to the Captain and took a seat at her station. Archer returned the gesture. "Sub-commander."
T'Pol noticed Hoshi at Malcolm's station. Both were looking intently at her then back to the Captain. She raised an eyebrow and spoke. "Is something wrong?"
Archer turned his attention back to T'Pol. "We're kinda hopin' you might be able to tell us." At another raised eyebrow he continued. "Last night Hoshi heard some rattling noises in her ceiling, but by the time I got there it was gone. Malcolm's been running some scans but we haven't found anything."
T'Pol took a moment to take in the information and formulate what their next course of action should be. "I can run the scans again, but I doubt my findings will differ from the Lieutenant's. I suggest we run a system-wide diagnostic. It may take several hours but if there is a problem, then we will have a better chance of isolating it."
"Do what you can. Just let me know if you find anything."
"Aye, Captain." T'Pol started up the diagnostic and programmed it to check the entire ship's systems. Once it was under way she returned to her other console to resume her duties. There was little to do now but wait. Her thoughts drifted back to last night. She wanted to keep her mind on her work, but there was nothing of value to note on her screen. Despite her best efforts, images from the night before flooded her mind. She played back the kiss in her head, trying to remember the feel of his lips. The feel of his powerful arms wrapped around her body. She had felt so safe in that moment; free to enjoy the experience without worrying about the many problems they would have to face because of their newfound relationship. T'Pol pushed her thoughts aside. It was illogical to be thinking about such things. She tried to concentrate again on her work but another thought crossed her mind. Wasn't it also illogical to pretend she wasn't experiencing these emotions? She remembered what Ambassador V'Lar had told her once about emotions. "We simply hide them better." Perhaps she had been correct in her assessment.
T'Pol allowed herself to think about her 'date' tonight. She found herself once again experiencing certain feelings she had been trying to suppress before. One in particular was foremost in her mind. She was having trouble identifying it, so she tried to recall a situation where she had experienced it before. It was the same feeling she had when she knew her and Charles were going to have a neuro-pressure session. She always looked forward to them. T'Pol thought for a moment then realized she had identified the emotion. It was---anticipation. She was looking forward to seeing Charles tonight. She found that accepting the emotion allowed her a certain peace of mind, which she hadn't gotten from trying to suppress it. Her thoughts drifted again. She wondered what he was doing right now. Most probably still sleeping, she surmised. Perhaps she would go to his quarters once her shift was finished, since that would be well into the evening. That way she could see how he was doing before they went to see the movie. Satisfied with the course of action she had decided upon, T'Pol resumed monitoring the computer's progress, this time with no trouble at all.
..........
The starship Enterprise continued on its course through space, zipping by countless planets and stars along the way. The casual observer might think of it as a silver discus with wings, flying through the endless black void known as the universe. But upon closer inspection, and to the few who have the technology, one would see a small green vessel docked on the port side, cloaked in order to make its presence unknown to the crew aboard the ship. Its occupant is but a single entity, and to the few who have the technology, it is no longer occupying its own vessel.
Exhaust. Frustration. Impatience. It moves through the vents aimlessly, still unsuccessful in seeking out what it has come to find. Maybe it is time to turn back. Maybe this endeavour is useless. No. It has come too far to turn back now. It has been very lucky in finding this ship. There is a chance it won't have the opportunity again. It makes a right, then a left. It's moving purposefully again, no longer allowing distractions to slow it down. It comes to a sudden stop, hovering over another's quarters. This one is different. It senses a weakness that seems almost too good to be true. This one's mind has suffered recently. A perfect candidate. The one yesterday was much stronger, just like the rest. But this one would make an excellent prey. It lowers itself from the vent, careful not to arouse the sleeping form. It stays in midair for a while, touching its mind briefly with the one oblivious to its presence. Satisfied, it closes in and enters its new host. Very lucky indeed.
..........
"Captain, the computer has finished running the system-wide diagnostic." T'Pol looked up from her console. At her announcement, everyone on the bridge turned their heads toward her. They waited, and waited, but it didn't look like T'Pol was going to say anything anytime soon. It was Archer who finally ended the tension building up on the bridge.
"And?"
"Nothing unusual was found."
"Nothing at all?" asked Hoshi from her station.
"As I stated, nothing unusual was found, Ensign. Perhaps the rattling noise was a figment of your imagination. Humans can often be susceptible to their subconscious mind." Everyone on the bridge winced at that. This conversation had just taken a bad turn.
"So you think I'm crazy." It was more of a statement than a question.
"That is not what I meant. I am simply trying to determine various factors that may have resulted in what you experienced last night." T'Pol didn't understand why Hoshi was upset. She was only trying to help find a solution, but had obviously offended Ensign Sato by suggesting that her mind may have been in a fragile state when the incident occurred. Perhaps the Captain and Commander were correct. She needed to develop more 'people friendly' skills.
The last thing Archer needed was to have his Linguistics Officer pissed off at his Science Officer. "Hoshi, T'Pol is only trying to help. You have to accept the possibility that maybe this didn't happen." He hoped that was subtle enough. "Now unless it happens again, I think we should all just try and forget about it."
Hoshi looked down to the floor and nodded, obviously embarrassed because of the whole situation. "Sorry I accused you like that, Sub- commander. I'm just---frustrated with all this."
"It is an understandable reaction. I accept your apology." T'Pol turned back to her station.
Hoshi looked up in surprise. She hadn't expected T'Pol to take it so lightly. And from the look on everybody else's faces, neither did they.
..........
A couple hours later, once her duty-shift on the bridge was over, T'Pol dismissed herself and headed to her quarters. She decided to meditate before her visit to see the Commander. Being in his presence did require some extra effort on her part. Certain activities such as neuro-pressure, and of course the more recent intimacy they engaged in, did put strains on her emotional control.
After a sufficient amount of meditation, T'Pol blew out her candles and changed out of her ceremonial attire. The movie would begin in an hour, and now would be the best time to depart. She left her quarters and made her way to the Commander's, and once she reached it, pushed his chime and awaited his answer. A minute later, when there was still no response, T'Pol pushed the chime again. She thought perhaps he was still sleeping, or busy taking a shower. She would have to come back again later if he didn't answer soon. Before she had a chance to think further, however, the door opened to reveal the object of her affection.
"Good evening, Sub-commander."
T'Pol thought it was rather odd for him to address her formally off- duty, but then again, he did have an odd sense of humour. "Good evening, Charles. Am I disturbing you?"
"Actually, I am kinda busy. Is there somethin' you wanted?"
An odd sense of humour indeed. "I thought I would come by early to see how you were. If you're preoccupied we can meet at the mess hall before the movie begins."
"I don't think I'll be able to make it tonight. I'm not feelin' up to it."
"Is there something wrong?" T'Pol didn't understand his sudden change in behaviour.
"Nothin's wrong. I just need a little rest that's all."
"Would you like me to assist you? Some neuro-pressure exercises will help you sleep." Maybe he wasn't recovering as well as she had thought.
"Look, I don't need your help. Why do you keep pushin' it?"
"I simply care for your well-being. I thought I made that clear to you last night." His outburst was uncalled for. Why was he angry with her?
He seemed to contemplate this for a moment. "If it's all the same to you I'd rather forget last night ever happened. I wasn't myself and I think I said a lot of things I didn't mean. So can we drop this?"
"Very well. I apologize for my intrusion. Goodnight, Commander." But the only reply she got was the door that closed in her face. She couldn't believe what had just happened. Just yesterday he told her he felt the same way, and now? Now he wanted her to forget it ever happened. T'Pol felt her chest get heavier and had to use every ounce of her strength to concentrate and control the torrent of emotions that threatened to overwhelm her. Why had he changed his mind about their relationship? Why had he suddenly changed his attitude toward her? She had trusted him with her feelings, and had believed that sharing her emotions with him would bring them closer together. But now she didn't know what to believe. Did last night mean nothing to him? T'Pol stood outside Trip's quarters, silently contemplating the questions that neither she nor the empty halls had answers to.
..........
After finally getting rid of unwanted company, it walked back to the desk and continued where it had left off. It needed to gain enough information before they had a chance to become suspicious of its behaviour. The human was proving to be more resilient than it had originally predicted, but he was getting weaker, and that meant it was only a matter of time. It had taken a great amount of effort to recall the previous nights conversation with the Vulcan, mainly because this 'Charles Tucker' was resisting any attempts to have his memory tapped in to. But patience and time were things the entity was prepared to sacrifice. Soon enough the human's defences would fall, and soon enough the entity would integrate itself completely with the lower being, making all his thoughts and memories its own.
I know, I know. How can a T/T shipper go and ruin a date like that? But there has to be some obstacles in the way. I would like to thank again everyone who has reviewed my story and offered input. I will definitely take some of the ideas and put them to use, most probably in the chapters to come.
Author: Trekaholic
Paramount owns Enterprise and all the characters. All I own is the aliens that will probably never be known outside this story, but if Paramount wants they can have them too. As an Enterprise fan, I feel obliged to mention that anyone who watches the show should tune in on Wednesdays when the ratings matter, at least from what I've heard. I mean, don't we all want a fourth and fifth season? Secondly, I have read a lot of Trip/T'Pol fan fiction, but not all of it, therefore if a storyline similar to this has been used, I don't know about it. If someone who reads this story feels I copied their own, then all they have to do is tell me and I'll change it. I hope no one has though cause coming up with all this isn't easy! Finally, I'd like to thank everyone who has read and reviewed my story, you don't understand how much authors like reviews! I will take in a lot of the suggestions I've gotten and I'm sure the reviewers will be aware of the changes I've made based on their proposals.
Chapter Three
"Are you sure there's nothing there?"
"I've run every sensor sweep there is, Ensign. I can't find anything out of the ordinary near your quarters, or on the ship for that matter." Malcolm crossed his arms and looked up at Hoshi. "You could have imagined it."
"I know what I heard. And I checked with the Doctor, nothing's wrong with me." Hoshi looked at the screen then back to Malcolm. "Where were you last night, anyway? I came to your quarters first but couldn't find you."
"I was working late in the Armoury, trying to implement the new upgrades Starfleet sent us."
"I shoulda known you'd be playing with your weapons again." Hoshi rolled her eyes.
Malcolm couldn't help but slightly grin at that. "Is that sarcasm I detect?" But before they could continue their friendly banter, the Captain came out of his ready room and approached the two, who had been working at Malcolm's station.
"Find anything?"
"I'm afraid not, Captain. The sensors didn't pick up anything unusual around Ensign Sato's quarters last night." Archer looked at Hoshi, who obviously wasn't satisfied with the findings.
"I didn't imagine it. I know it's hard to believe, but there was definitely something rattling in my ceiling."
Archer sighed. When she had woken him up, he had accompanied her back to her quarters to check the problem out himself, but when they got there, everything seemed normal. "I'll have T'Pol check it out once she gets here. She's due on the bridge any minute now."
"Thanks, Sir."
"Don't mention it." Archer gave her a reassuring smile and took his place in the Captain's chair. He knew there was a chance Hoshi was imagining it, but there was no harm in checking it out. They had been in the Expanse for some time now, and the last thing he wanted was an unexpected surprise. "How we doin', Travis?"
"We're holding steady at Warp 2.5, Sir. So far with minimal field fluctuations."
"Good. Let's hope it stays that way." Just then the turbo-lift doors opened and T'Pol stepped onto the bridge. She bowed her head slightly to the Captain and took a seat at her station. Archer returned the gesture. "Sub-commander."
T'Pol noticed Hoshi at Malcolm's station. Both were looking intently at her then back to the Captain. She raised an eyebrow and spoke. "Is something wrong?"
Archer turned his attention back to T'Pol. "We're kinda hopin' you might be able to tell us." At another raised eyebrow he continued. "Last night Hoshi heard some rattling noises in her ceiling, but by the time I got there it was gone. Malcolm's been running some scans but we haven't found anything."
T'Pol took a moment to take in the information and formulate what their next course of action should be. "I can run the scans again, but I doubt my findings will differ from the Lieutenant's. I suggest we run a system-wide diagnostic. It may take several hours but if there is a problem, then we will have a better chance of isolating it."
"Do what you can. Just let me know if you find anything."
"Aye, Captain." T'Pol started up the diagnostic and programmed it to check the entire ship's systems. Once it was under way she returned to her other console to resume her duties. There was little to do now but wait. Her thoughts drifted back to last night. She wanted to keep her mind on her work, but there was nothing of value to note on her screen. Despite her best efforts, images from the night before flooded her mind. She played back the kiss in her head, trying to remember the feel of his lips. The feel of his powerful arms wrapped around her body. She had felt so safe in that moment; free to enjoy the experience without worrying about the many problems they would have to face because of their newfound relationship. T'Pol pushed her thoughts aside. It was illogical to be thinking about such things. She tried to concentrate again on her work but another thought crossed her mind. Wasn't it also illogical to pretend she wasn't experiencing these emotions? She remembered what Ambassador V'Lar had told her once about emotions. "We simply hide them better." Perhaps she had been correct in her assessment.
T'Pol allowed herself to think about her 'date' tonight. She found herself once again experiencing certain feelings she had been trying to suppress before. One in particular was foremost in her mind. She was having trouble identifying it, so she tried to recall a situation where she had experienced it before. It was the same feeling she had when she knew her and Charles were going to have a neuro-pressure session. She always looked forward to them. T'Pol thought for a moment then realized she had identified the emotion. It was---anticipation. She was looking forward to seeing Charles tonight. She found that accepting the emotion allowed her a certain peace of mind, which she hadn't gotten from trying to suppress it. Her thoughts drifted again. She wondered what he was doing right now. Most probably still sleeping, she surmised. Perhaps she would go to his quarters once her shift was finished, since that would be well into the evening. That way she could see how he was doing before they went to see the movie. Satisfied with the course of action she had decided upon, T'Pol resumed monitoring the computer's progress, this time with no trouble at all.
..........
The starship Enterprise continued on its course through space, zipping by countless planets and stars along the way. The casual observer might think of it as a silver discus with wings, flying through the endless black void known as the universe. But upon closer inspection, and to the few who have the technology, one would see a small green vessel docked on the port side, cloaked in order to make its presence unknown to the crew aboard the ship. Its occupant is but a single entity, and to the few who have the technology, it is no longer occupying its own vessel.
Exhaust. Frustration. Impatience. It moves through the vents aimlessly, still unsuccessful in seeking out what it has come to find. Maybe it is time to turn back. Maybe this endeavour is useless. No. It has come too far to turn back now. It has been very lucky in finding this ship. There is a chance it won't have the opportunity again. It makes a right, then a left. It's moving purposefully again, no longer allowing distractions to slow it down. It comes to a sudden stop, hovering over another's quarters. This one is different. It senses a weakness that seems almost too good to be true. This one's mind has suffered recently. A perfect candidate. The one yesterday was much stronger, just like the rest. But this one would make an excellent prey. It lowers itself from the vent, careful not to arouse the sleeping form. It stays in midair for a while, touching its mind briefly with the one oblivious to its presence. Satisfied, it closes in and enters its new host. Very lucky indeed.
..........
"Captain, the computer has finished running the system-wide diagnostic." T'Pol looked up from her console. At her announcement, everyone on the bridge turned their heads toward her. They waited, and waited, but it didn't look like T'Pol was going to say anything anytime soon. It was Archer who finally ended the tension building up on the bridge.
"And?"
"Nothing unusual was found."
"Nothing at all?" asked Hoshi from her station.
"As I stated, nothing unusual was found, Ensign. Perhaps the rattling noise was a figment of your imagination. Humans can often be susceptible to their subconscious mind." Everyone on the bridge winced at that. This conversation had just taken a bad turn.
"So you think I'm crazy." It was more of a statement than a question.
"That is not what I meant. I am simply trying to determine various factors that may have resulted in what you experienced last night." T'Pol didn't understand why Hoshi was upset. She was only trying to help find a solution, but had obviously offended Ensign Sato by suggesting that her mind may have been in a fragile state when the incident occurred. Perhaps the Captain and Commander were correct. She needed to develop more 'people friendly' skills.
The last thing Archer needed was to have his Linguistics Officer pissed off at his Science Officer. "Hoshi, T'Pol is only trying to help. You have to accept the possibility that maybe this didn't happen." He hoped that was subtle enough. "Now unless it happens again, I think we should all just try and forget about it."
Hoshi looked down to the floor and nodded, obviously embarrassed because of the whole situation. "Sorry I accused you like that, Sub- commander. I'm just---frustrated with all this."
"It is an understandable reaction. I accept your apology." T'Pol turned back to her station.
Hoshi looked up in surprise. She hadn't expected T'Pol to take it so lightly. And from the look on everybody else's faces, neither did they.
..........
A couple hours later, once her duty-shift on the bridge was over, T'Pol dismissed herself and headed to her quarters. She decided to meditate before her visit to see the Commander. Being in his presence did require some extra effort on her part. Certain activities such as neuro-pressure, and of course the more recent intimacy they engaged in, did put strains on her emotional control.
After a sufficient amount of meditation, T'Pol blew out her candles and changed out of her ceremonial attire. The movie would begin in an hour, and now would be the best time to depart. She left her quarters and made her way to the Commander's, and once she reached it, pushed his chime and awaited his answer. A minute later, when there was still no response, T'Pol pushed the chime again. She thought perhaps he was still sleeping, or busy taking a shower. She would have to come back again later if he didn't answer soon. Before she had a chance to think further, however, the door opened to reveal the object of her affection.
"Good evening, Sub-commander."
T'Pol thought it was rather odd for him to address her formally off- duty, but then again, he did have an odd sense of humour. "Good evening, Charles. Am I disturbing you?"
"Actually, I am kinda busy. Is there somethin' you wanted?"
An odd sense of humour indeed. "I thought I would come by early to see how you were. If you're preoccupied we can meet at the mess hall before the movie begins."
"I don't think I'll be able to make it tonight. I'm not feelin' up to it."
"Is there something wrong?" T'Pol didn't understand his sudden change in behaviour.
"Nothin's wrong. I just need a little rest that's all."
"Would you like me to assist you? Some neuro-pressure exercises will help you sleep." Maybe he wasn't recovering as well as she had thought.
"Look, I don't need your help. Why do you keep pushin' it?"
"I simply care for your well-being. I thought I made that clear to you last night." His outburst was uncalled for. Why was he angry with her?
He seemed to contemplate this for a moment. "If it's all the same to you I'd rather forget last night ever happened. I wasn't myself and I think I said a lot of things I didn't mean. So can we drop this?"
"Very well. I apologize for my intrusion. Goodnight, Commander." But the only reply she got was the door that closed in her face. She couldn't believe what had just happened. Just yesterday he told her he felt the same way, and now? Now he wanted her to forget it ever happened. T'Pol felt her chest get heavier and had to use every ounce of her strength to concentrate and control the torrent of emotions that threatened to overwhelm her. Why had he changed his mind about their relationship? Why had he suddenly changed his attitude toward her? She had trusted him with her feelings, and had believed that sharing her emotions with him would bring them closer together. But now she didn't know what to believe. Did last night mean nothing to him? T'Pol stood outside Trip's quarters, silently contemplating the questions that neither she nor the empty halls had answers to.
..........
After finally getting rid of unwanted company, it walked back to the desk and continued where it had left off. It needed to gain enough information before they had a chance to become suspicious of its behaviour. The human was proving to be more resilient than it had originally predicted, but he was getting weaker, and that meant it was only a matter of time. It had taken a great amount of effort to recall the previous nights conversation with the Vulcan, mainly because this 'Charles Tucker' was resisting any attempts to have his memory tapped in to. But patience and time were things the entity was prepared to sacrifice. Soon enough the human's defences would fall, and soon enough the entity would integrate itself completely with the lower being, making all his thoughts and memories its own.
I know, I know. How can a T/T shipper go and ruin a date like that? But there has to be some obstacles in the way. I would like to thank again everyone who has reviewed my story and offered input. I will definitely take some of the ideas and put them to use, most probably in the chapters to come.
