Samantha Title: Perfect friendships PART 4

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 my first story (part 4), so depends on you people, if I will continue with it, (or maybe not). I must say a have lots of fun reading all the e-mails I have received, from this web site, and few others. So I shell leave Archer -T'Pol-Trip situation open as long as I have material for a good story. If you have any requests, you are most welcomed to drop me an e-mail, and if you would like to see additional characters in this story, again, not a problem.

11.10 PM

"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.

"Nothing "

"Don't you .nothing to me John" Trip was not happy with Captains behaviour, and it was evident in his voice.

"Trip, please, let it go, I'm too tired to have this conversation tonight"

"I don't care John! I'm sick of you holding everything back, for the past few months. We use to talk about things. I know this is a dangerous mission, and because you are a Captain doesn't make you a super human. I'm telling you now John, I'm not moving from this spot, until you tell me what's going on with you"

Captain just nodded, not saying a word. He couldn't help but notice that Trip have moved closer to the sofa.

"You moved from your spot Trip"

John was trying to lighting up the mood, but Trip surprisingly was not the one to laugh. John realised he was in trouble .Trip will not be leaving early tonight.

Both men were quiet, not willing to be "the first", who will brake the silence.

11.30 PM

Trip could not stand it any longer

"Whoa, but did it suddenly get distinctly chilly in here, or what?"

"I'm not surprised" Captain observed tightly."Criticising me in the name of the whole crew wasn't exactly the smartest thing in the world to do"

"Just telling it like it is" Trip replied. It's not my fault if you are hypersensitive to criticism. In fact." Trip suddenly stopped, his body also came to a halt as he encountered a look in Captain's eyes. A look he'd never seen before. A look that held neither warmth nor amusement, and he held up his hands defensively. "Hey, no offence meant John. Look, as a Commander to the Captain, I apologise, but as a friend to a friend, I'm not." "Common John, we at least were able to have a laugh together. Remember the jokes we use to say about Vulcan population" said trip with a smirk.

"I don't find this jokes funny any more" Captain declared, his eyes hard, cold.

"Wow John! Don't tell me T'Pol was able to get some sense in your silly head" Trip laughed.

"Maybe" Captain replied.

Trip stared at him for a second. "Captain Archer the "Protector of Vulcan", I don't think Ambassador Soval would believe his ears. T'Pol must have done a good job. I don't believe how much you have changed towards Vulcans since our Starfleet days"

"If you mean I've grown up- realised what and who is important in my life, and how to be a better Captain-than, yes, I've changed" Captain replied.

"Who is important in your life" Trip could feel, that he is finally getting somewhere with his friend.

"This ship and this crew are more important to me than anything else, especially now, when we are fighting for survival of our planet. Everything else is secondary"

"What about your future John. Don't you ever think about having kids, wife and a family?"

Before Captain answered, he took a deep breath, like he was trying to swim into a very "deep waters". "Trip, I will tell you this only once. This mission and this crew, are more important to me than our friendship, any woman I may or may not like in a future or past. And yes, I would like to settle down with somebody one day, but unless we get hold of this weapon, it will be no future for any of us"

Trip grinned. "Whoops, but I have suddenly got that chilly feeling again. This doesn't really tell me all together, why have you been such a pain in an ass lately? I will even grovel if I have to .Satisfied now? So you better tell me.

"Trip, listen."

"It's not me, is it!? " Trip asked suddenly.

"No! Don't be stupid Trip" answered Captain.

"Malcolm?"

"No"

"Travis?"

"No"

"Hoshi?"

"Not in a million years. Listen Trip, this is ridiculous, I'm not upset at any member of this crew"

"Dr Phlox"

"Jesus Trip! No!"

"I can feel I'm getting warmer here John. Let me see, who have I forgot to mention . hmmm.AAA...What about T'Pol?"

"No!!!"

"Captain Archer, can I say something "

"What!"

"You are not telling me the truth" confirms Trip.

"Trip, I had enough, I think it's time for you to go" Captains eyebrows snapped together.

"John, do you think I'm blind. Ever since I "got back to the land of living" you and T'Pol haven't spoken a word to each other. I will not try to understand why, but at least, I think, you should apologise to her"

"What! Are you insane! Why should I apologise. You don't even know, why we don't talk to each other" said Captain.

"Ha! So you admit, something happened between you and T'Pol"

"Nothing out of ordinary, I assure you Trip"

"What ever it is John, I think you should talk to T'Pol about it. You don't want to break her Vulcan heart, do you now?

"Ha, ha . I don't think that's possible Trip, anyway, that is more your area"

"I think my reputation is not going any further than Planet Earth John"

"Really? What about that Princess?

"O.K. that was one off"

"One off? Do I have to remind you about the others, like.?"

"O.K. Stop there, I got the message John . It's not like I'm forcing girls to like me" defensively said Trip.

"The trouble with you, my friend, is that far too many women have been bowled over by your charm over the years"

"I hope you are right" quietly said Trip

"About what?" questioned Captain

"About women liking me, and my charm"

"What are you saying Trip. Are you interested in somebody?"

"Yes"

"You're serious about here?" carefully said Captain.

"Well, I had lots of time to think about her, over the past few days, and I realised how much I started to like her"

"Does she know?"

"No, I don't think so"

"I'm guessing it would be a blow to your ego, if she says she is not interested .Dear God, Trip! You really sound serious about here"

"You recon?"

"I recon" Captain confirmed. "In fact, I think it's high time you settled down, if she's the one".

"And deny all the lovely women out there the pleasure of my company? No way."

"Ha, ha, I'm afraid so Trip. Because, if you are serious about "that" girl, no more messing about".

"You sound so bloody boring John"

"Sorry Trip. Now spiel it, who is she? "

"Sorry, can't tell"

"Why not?"

"If this doesn't work out, I don't want you to tell me, I told you so"

"Don't be a baby Trip, tell me who she is?"

"No"

"What about, her looks, is she pretty?" hopefully asks Captain

"Hmm.let say, she's gorgeous" Trip said dreamily

"Planet Earth to Trip"

"Sorry John"

"Why all the secrecy?"

"Well, if you must know , it took her a long time to like me, so I don't want to jump into this one"

"Do I know her?"

"Yes"

"Trip, just tell me who she is. I promise I will not give you a hard time .I can see, this is very important to you, so I will do everything I can to help you, if you need my help. If this is what you want, than, that is what I wont for you as a friend."

"You are serious"

"Yes, I am"

"And you will do everything you can to help me to get "my "girl?"

"Yes, and yes, and triple yes. Now tell me who she is.

"I have a feeling you will be a little bit surprised"

"Try me" said Captain.

"O.k. , you said it. It's your Sub Commanding officer" said Trip, as quickly as he could.

"My Sub..WHAT!?... You are .No.you are joking ... T'Pol.you are .having . for T'Pol"

"Yup"

A low moan came from Jonathan as he felt his heart twist and break inside. He was amazed to feel so many emotions in a few seconds. He felt sick, he wanted to throw up, but instead, all he was able to do is to look at his friend and say

"I'm happy for you Trip, you couldn't have fallen for a nicer person"

"Really? You are not going to give me a speech about, how two senior officers should not form any type of personal relationship"

"No, I promise"

"Good. Now .you remember the part where you said you will do everything possible to help me win T'Pol" said Trip with a wide smile on his face.

"How can I forget?"

"Ha, Ha .let get down to business John. I want you to apologise to T'Pol , for whatever you have done or said! "

"What! I told you already Trip, I..

Before Captain could finish his sentence, sudden beep startled him. Again for the second time this evening Captain was wondering who could have possibly be awake at this time of the night.

"Trip we shell continue this conversation tomorrow"

"I'm not leaving UNTIL YOU MOVE YOUR ASS AND GO TO TALK TO T'POL!"

"Trip, we will talk about it tomorrow, but if it makes you happy, I will talk to T'Pol as soon as a see here tomorrow"

Second beep informed Captain and Trip that somebody was patiently waiting at the door.

"COME IN" shouted Captain

T'Pol stepped in, elegant and professional as usual. She didn't need to be a genius to notice that both man, were surprised to see her. Maybe surprise was not the right word, as when T'Pol had a better look at Captain and Commander Tucker, she would say they looked like two children who were doing something really bad.

"I hope I'm not interrupting " said T'Pol

"Oh. not at all T'Pol, I was just leaving. See you tomorrow morning Captain"

"Sure thing Trip, good night"

"Good night Captain-T'Pol" said Trip and with this last words he left T'Pol and Captain alone in a room.

T'Pol stared down at the remains of captains sandwich, then said "I know things are far from perfect when it comes to our food options , but I think your sandwich looks everything, but appetizing.

"I'm guessing you don't want to try it" said Captain with a pinch of humour in his voice.

"No, thank you"

"Is there anything I can help you with Sub Commander"

Silence, again! I hope T'Pol will not be playing the same game as Trip, Captain thought.

"You don't like me very much, do you Captain?"

Whatever else he might have been expecting her to say, this wasn't it.

"How can you say that Sub Commander! You know I think highly of you and I think you are the best officer I ever worked with" said Captain.

"That is not what I'm implying. You don't like me as a .person, without my title and ability as Sub-Commanding officer"

"I don't know you well enough to dislike you or like you on a personal basis Sub Commander"

"That's what I figured" she nodded. "On Vulcan, we were always told not to discuss "our ways" with other species"

"I respect that T'Pol, I never intended to force you to adjust to human ways. It must be very difficult for you" quietly said Captain.

"Not at all, but occasionally I wish I could have less emotional environment"

"I guess"our smell" doesn't help" jokingly pointed Captain

"That can't be helped Captain, l 'm getting use to it somehow. But you still haven't answered my question."

He laughed. "I guess so , but can I tell you afterwards , at the end of this conversation , so that we don't start arguing".

"As I'm off duty Captain, I don't have to use my "self-control, so I can't guaranty we will not ague tonight."

"T'Pol I must say I'm a bit surprised with your approach tonight. I hope you truly don't think, we had all this disagreements based on my personal issues with you."

"I couldn't find any other logical explanation for you behaviour Captain"

"T'Pol, as far as I'm informed , you are very much liked with in Enterprise and its crew. Actually , I have been informed , that one member of this crew is having romantic feelings for you" said Captain.

Archer could not remember if he had ever seen an expression of shock on T'Pol face like this one before.

"What are you telling me Captain?"

TO BE CONTINUED

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