A Woman in His Life

Chapter Eight - Hypothesis

By Penmom

Author's Notes -- (1) Since this takes place beyond the present cannon - this is AU. (2) Thanks to MacKenzie, for helping me rethink this chapter and what I wanted to say - hope the typos are few and far between. (3) thanks to everybody who responded and enjoyed Chapter 7 - keep it up! (4) Special thanks to Eratta - it's a great complement to think that I didn't write too cheesy of a love scene! (5) More feedback equals quicker writing!

He hasn't had the luxury of reflecting on whatever happened between he and T'Pol since the ship encountered this latest anomaly - not much time to dwell on things when you're trying to save your ass. Pressing the comm button, he prepares to give the Captain an update on how things were going in engineering. He can't help but think about the fact that he'll be talking to her too.

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As they add yet one more mathematical variable to their latest set of equations, T'Pol reaches up to tentatively massage her temples. The sound of Commander Tucker's voice coming in over the comm system prickles at her skin.

She follows the conversation between Archer and Tucker with interest, although other more personal concerns intrude on her concentration. She has much to consider. What Commander Tucker did; it was illogical. How could a human male initiate a Vulcan mind meld? The great majority of the Vulcan population could not and would not even manage such a thing, and certainly not with such ease.

There had to be an answer, she must simply examine all of the possible explanations - no matter how illogical - disproving each until only one remained.

There is Commander Tucker himself. He is a human of great intelligence. He is perceptive, but no more so than several others on the crew. He has proved to be an apt student in the ancient art of Vulcan Neuropressure. Could the practice have caused some sort of latent knowledge to rise to the surface? It is highly unlikely, that he has any such latent knowledge --- but she? She might be another case.

An obvious fact is that he is, after all, a male. She thinks back to the social morays and customs surrounding the discipline of Vulcan Neuropressure. Throughout recorded Vulcan history, females have only engaged in the practice with either their spouses or a female practitioner. Could this custom have a scientific basis? Could she somehow be responsible for the Commander's uncharacteristic behavior? And if so, how?

He had utilized a tremendous amount of focus and empathy in performing the L'Teal. If she had not experienced this herself, she would never have considered the possibility of such an effort.

"So what do you think, T'Pol? Should we reconfigure the relays now or wait?" Archer asks.

She responds - acknowledging a bit of embarrassment that she is not been as focused as is her usual standard. "I concur with Commander Tucker's recommendation, a reconfiguration of the secondary relays may indeed afford the ship's support systems a greater degree of stability as we encounter future magnetic anomalies."

The decision made, she politely dismisses herself, having decided to seek further counsel regarding her situation.

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"So let me see if I understand you correctly, Sub-Commander." Phlox states with a barely concealed twinkle of interest in his voice. "The Vulcan Neuropressure seems to have triggered some sort of psychic link between you and Commander Tucker. I assumed as much when he was able to rouse you from your coma."

T'Pol's slightly uneasy reaction is not lost on the Doctor. He knows enough about Vulcan culture to realize that speaking of such a personal matter must be disquieting if not unseemly for T'Pol. He tries to put her at ease by tinkering with one of his flats of herbal plants while he awaits her answer. He learned long ago that sometimes patience is the greatest healer of all.

"When you approached me with a possibility of relieving Commander Tucker's insomnia with the practice of Neuropressure, I too thought that it was an -- -" she hesitates attempting to find a neutral word, "an acceptable intervention."

She continues now that she has begun, still standing straight, only the hasty cadence of her words indicate her unease. "While I agreed that it was a --- a favorable course of action, I did not judge it necessary to review many of the Vulcan customs surrounding the discipline with you."

Looking up from his plants, Phlox responses with a smile of genuine interest. "Is that so? I am always quite interested in the customs and social practices of other cultures. Please, please --- continue." Phlox takes a seat across from her and sets his full attention upon her.

Choosing to stand, she continues again, "You are aware that there are many taboos in the Vulcan culture surrounding both mind melds and mating practices. In both cases, these ancient taboos may actually serve to protect the population from devastating neurological conditions. Unfortunately, there is not as much scientific information about these practices nor the physical consequences of breaking them."

With great frustration, she reflects that it is highly illogical for a culture built upon the discipline of logic, to summarily avoid such an important aspect of both its heritage and its health. T'Pol gathers her strength before looking up to meet the Doctor's eyes. "I must caution you that what I am telling you is solely based upon hypothetical reasoning."

"I understand, please continue." Phlox prompts as he leans forward.

"There are customs surrounding the Discipline of Vulcan Neuropressure as well. The most significant being that unattached females traditionally practice the discipline with a practitioner of the same sex. Females do practice this discipline with their spouses. I have drawn the conclusion that this custom has a physiologic basis."

The expression on the Doctor's face encourages her to continue.

"I believe that by engaging in this reciprocal discipline - given that I am an unattached Vulcan female - I have begun to experience ---- the symptoms of sexual maturity."

"Ah yes, a fascinating biological process. It is my understanding that this cycle occurs once the intended Vulcan male also begins his endocrine cycle." The Doctor's comment leads her to see that he is not far from her own conclusion.

"It is my --- I believe --- that somehow --- through the mutual practice of the Neuropressure, I may have somehow triggered a similar hormonal response in Commander Tucker."

By the end of her revelation, Phlox notices a rather attractive bronze blush coloring her serene features.

The ramifications of her conclusion - if she is correct - are quite thrilling to the doctor. While he has observed many instances of cross species mating - a Vulcan and a Human - well, who would have guessed?

Dampening his excitement, he responses. "Is he? Is he aware of this? Have you spoken with him."

The bronze coloring grows, as she answers with downcast eyes. She speaks as the doors to Sickbay open but caught up in her confession, she takes no notice.

"Not precisely, Doctor, he is aware that something is happening. But I wished to consult with you regarding my hypothesis before I spoke with Commander Tucker."

"Commander Tucker?" A familiar voice questions. "What you wantin' me for?"

TBC