Samantha Title: Perfect friendships PART 3

Author: Samantha

Rating: starting with PG

Pairing: Archer and T'Pol

Disclaimer: Don't own it... At least not yet . but you never know. This is for everybody who likes to see Archer/T'Pol together. This is my first story (part 3), so depends on you people, if I will continue with it, (or maybe not).

Warning: it will be easier to follow this story if you have watched "Similitude"

His heart contracted, and unable to bear looking at the T'Pol any longer, he let go off her elbow. She didn't say a word- she didn't have to. Look in her eyes was enough for Archer.

T'Pol looked at Captain again, and suddenly she realised how completely exhausted he looked. She knew how hard his been working recently - much harder than most of the crew, and yet, she could not find a logical explanation for his behaviour.

"T'Pol? Please answer me!" said Captain.

"Why?" said T'Pol

"I need to know T'Pol! I need to know, if you have done this, in the name of "humanity" or to help Enterprise, or for..I don't know!!! You must have a reason!

"Are you questioning my loyalties? Again?"

"No, I'm not T'Pol, and you know I 'm not, I just want to know where we stand with this"

"Where we stand?" surprisingly repeated T'Pol. "I wasn't aware, that I needed to explain my self to you Captain. You didn't complained too much, when I resigned from "High Command "to help you with this mission"

"T'Pol, this is not what I'm asking of you, I know that, I will never be able to repay you, for what you have done for this ship, and for this crew, but if it was me, if it was any other person in question, I would think, it would have to be a reason for such a decision" said Captain.

"You are correct Captain," said T'Pol

"About what" asked Captain

"About having prior reasons for staying" confirmed T'Pol.

"And they are? "

"None of your business" said T'Pol and before she could continue Dr. Phlox suddenly walks in.

"Oh, I'm so sorry to interrupt you, Sub- Commander, Captain, but it's very important that I speak with you both.

"I shell speak to you Phlox, when I'm ready" Captain replied, his voice uncharacteristically brusque. "Until then I'd be obliged if you'd allow us some privacy."

For a second Dr. Phlox looked surprised, hurt even, by the sound of Captains voice, but he was also curious. Very curious. Something was going on between Captain and T'Pol, and he was not allowed to be a part of it. Without saying any other word, Dr Phlox closed the door.

"That wasn't the smartest thing in the world to do" T'Pol protested the minute Dr. Phlox was gone."Dr Phlox was just trying to talk to us, and my guess is about Commander Tucker, and just because you are angry with me."

"I'm not angry at you"

"Well, you could have fooled me Captain, do you consider talking to Dr. Phlox and me like this on frequent basis.

"I don't think this is a time or the place for a discussion with Dr Phlox, while we are having private conversation." coldly said Captain.

"Fine" she said, her voice every bit as taut and cold as his. "Then perhaps you could consult your "scheduler" and "feel me in" for a day when it would be convenient for us to continue "our" private conversation"

And before he could reply T'Pol walked out.

TWO WEEKS LATER

"How you feeling Commander" asks Phlox.

"I'm feeling fine, thank you Doc" Trip confirmed, as he eased himself up onto the examination table. "In fact, now that I'm over the morning headache, the only thing I want is for you, to stop fussing over me," said Trip.

"Be patient Commander, I know you want to run through that door, and go straight to engineering, but you had just gone through major brain surgery. We all had a big fright these two weeks. At least, give me a chance to check on your blood pressure.

"O.K. Doc, I'm sorry, I just feel I let this crew down. I haven't done a thing, for two weeks. I need to start working again. We have Planet Earth to save, remember? said Trip with a smile.

" Hmmm, yes, but I'm sure Planet Earth can allow you 10 minutes brake, so please, be still, so I can check your blood pressure" said Phlox.

"Your blood pressure is up a bit, but that might just be because you knew you were going to be examined. Unless you've been doing something really silly, like, building new warp 8 engine" Dr Phlox said with a laugh.

"Chance would be a fine thing. If I so much as look at electronic screw driver, Captain's down on me like a ton of bricks, with saying I'm doing too much, putting a great risk."

"You said it Commander, not me, "Phlox whispers quietly.

"What do you mean? Dr. Phlox, has something happened, while I was in coma"

"No, nothing really important "

"Please, Dr Phlox, I could tell, that, Captain and T'Pol are hardly talking to each other , and not to mention the fact that nobody on this ship is able to talk about Mimetic simbiot"

"You mean your clone Commander"

"Yep! Clone. Call it what you will Doc, but even Malcolm is not talking, so could you please tell me what have actually happened to my clone. It seems like it was some sort of "Top secret operation."

"I have a feeling Commander, that you have no idea of how much, Sim has done for this crew"

"No, I don't. But how can I! Nobody wants to talk about it."

"Well, if you like, I could feel you in, with details, that is, if you are willing and if you have 15 minutes to listen to me" said Phlox

"Pleasure Doc, and yes, I have 15 minutes" happily confirms Trip

15 MINUTES LATER

"I.I don't know what to say Dr. Phlox, this.decision must have been hard for John to make"

"Yes, very, I don't think Captain will ever forgive him self for taking another innocent life" confirm Phlox.

"But, he was trying to save me Doc, he didn't have any choice, he must know this"

"I know that Commander, but it's not as easy as you think. Captain watched "you" or Sim grow up into wonderful person, and in a period of just a few days, Captain made a bond with him. After all that, he had to tell Sim to willingly give his own life up, for yours. Even I felt .." Dr Phlox just couldn't finish the sentence.

"It's o.k. Doc, you don't have to tell me, I understand."

"I hope you do Commander, I hope you do"

"If you don't mind Doc, I would like to go to my quarters, if we are finished for today" "Yes, of course Commander .I shell see you tomorrow at the same time"

"Sure Doc. Good night

"Oh.one more thing Commander "

"Yes Doc?"

"Please, talk to Captain. I'm not certain, he can hold this much pain, any longer. I know it sounds silly, but talking to you, will help him to forgive him self, for Sims death."

"I will try Doc, I promise"

"Thank you Commander. Good night"

"Good night Doc"

And with this last words Trip walked out.

He felt bad. He could now see why everybody was so quiet about Sims death. For Captain alone, it must have felt , like , he was killing "him" . Trip knew, he needed to talk to Captain as soon as possible. And with this last thought he went directly to Captains quarters.

11.00 PM (OR 5 MINUTES LATER)

Jonathan was surprised to hear somebody's requesting permission to enter his quarters.

"Strange" Jonathan mumbled. "Who can possibly be awake at this time of the night?"

"Come in "

"Hey John, how you doing" cheerfully asked Trip.

Jonathan had to laugh. Even do, this was not the most cheerful time for him, Trip always knew how to make him feel o.k.

"Not bad Trip. Now.what are you doing at this time of the night, aren't you suppose to rest?

"Oooo.. come on John, I'm here as a friend, not as a "bloody" Commander"

"Ha, ha .o.k. Trip, I shell leave you alone ...for now. What can I do for you?"

"Well, I was wondering if you could tell me more about Sim, if you don't mind that is"

"Why do you ask?"

"John, Sim saved my life, what other reason do I need?

"Sorry Trip . I just don't feel I want to talk about it yet. Maybe you should get further information from Dr. Phlox"

"I did" confirms Trip

"And?"

"He said I should talk to you for more information, as apparently, you were very close with Sim"

"Anything else that was said by "Good old Dr. Phlox"

"No. well.at least not by Dr. Phlox "

"I don't like where this conversation is heading Trip"

"Tough luck John! You wanted to know, so I'm telling you. Members of the crew are saying, AND I QUOTE: you work too much, you hardly talk to anybody, and most of all, you are more temperamental than ever. Not to mention ..as many crew members have noticed, you hardly sleep these days"

"I never advertised the fact, Dr. Phlox was the only who knew"

"Oh common John!!! Did you think, nobody will notice if Captain of the Enterprise, is awake during sleeping hours. You have more activities during night, than during day! We all know T'Pol is the only one, who can sleep for only four hours.

"Jesus Trip, was I that bad?

"Yes, but I can understand why. You have to at least try to sleep for few more hours, you look like shit"

"Thanks Trip" sarcastically said Captain

"John, I'm serious "

"I know you are Trip, and I'm grateful for what you are trying to do, but I'm afraid, nightmares I'm having, are killing me"

"Have you mentioned this problem to Dr. Phlox?"

"Yes, I did"

Trip was surprised with Johns answer .It was strange that Dr. Phlox didn't try to call on T'Pol to help.

"May I give a suggestion John?"

"Anytime"

"Why don't you ask T'Pol to help you?"

"No!"

"I know what you are thinking , pressure point, waist of time , but trust me, I can't tell you ,how better I feel , since I started pressure point session with T'Pol"

"I bet" quietly said Captain

"What are you saying?!" Trip was surprised by Captains comment.

TO BE CONTINUED

P. S tell me what you think. Do you hate it, love it .or you are not certain

Samantha