Chapter Seven



Hoshi felt herself laugh and it felt good. She watched in amusement as Travis attempted to show Corporal MacKenzie how to dance. The young MACO had sworn to the helmsman that she had two left feet and virtually no sense of rhythm, but Travis had only taken that as a challenge. He was currently grimacing as the corporal stepped on his foot for the third time.

"Would you like to dance, Ensign?"

Hoshi turned at the gentle tap on her shoulder to see Lieutenant Reed smiling somewhat shyly down at her. She took his proffered hand and allowed him to lead her to the dance floor.

She smiled. "Why, I didn't know you could dance, sir."

"You must be joking. I come from a military family, remember?"

Hoshi shook her head slightly. "What does that have to do with dancing, Lieutenant?"

"Every Friday night on the naval base, there was always a dance. My mum made certain I attended every one of them and of course, my father would have never forgiven me if I'd made a mockery of the Reed family name. I took lessons every Saturday afternoon. I'm not really complaining, though. I was one of the few boys in the class."

Hoshi laughed again. "Oh, I see. You were just trying to pick up pretty girls," she teased.

"And it worked, too," smiled the lieutenant. "I see Travis has his work cut out for him."

"I guess the corporal was right when she said she couldn't dance."

Reed looked down at Hoshi. "You're certainly gifted on your feet, Ensign."

"Years of ballet. And I'm your subordinate, Lieutenant. You can call me by my name."

To Hoshi's dismay, the armory officer blushed and he looked quickly away. "I suppose I could," he replied. He spun her around then dipped her backwards.

"Starfleet really out did themselves tonight, didn't they, sir?" asked the ensign when she found herself upright once more.

Reed nodded. "A real heroes' welcome."

"I'm not so sure I feel quite like a hero yet."

"What do you mean?" asked Reed. He stopped dancing and lifted Hoshi's chin so that she was looking at him. "You are a hero, Hoshi. Don't ever doubt that."

Hoshi smiled. "I said I didn't quite feel like one yet, Lieutenant. But I hope to eventually."

Reed spun her again and she laughed.



"I was wondering where you disappeared to."

Trip smiled at his friend. "Hey, Cap'n," he greeted then he turned to look back out over the bay, the cool ocean breeze blowing gently across his face.

"You're usually the life of the party, Trip. You feeling okay?"

"I'm fine," replied the engineer. "Just haven't been around that many people in a long time. Kinda overwhelming."

Archer leaned on the railing next to Trip. "You still leaving tomorrow to visit your folks?" he asked.

Trip nodded. "Yep. Admiral Forrest still okay with you coming with me to visit the Memorial?"

"Yeah. I have to be back by Friday, though, for my official debriefing."

"You know you're more than welcome to visit my family with me, Cap'n," offered Trip. "My folks would love to see you again."

Archer smiled. "Thanks, but I've got plans already."

"Rebecca?"

"Yep. We're going to drive up the coast and stay at a little bed and breakfast, walk Porthos on the beach, and just get reacquainted."

"Reacquainted, huh? Is that what you're calling it now?" teasedTrip.

Archer laughed and shook his head. Trip suddenly realized how long it had been since he'd heard his friend's laugh. He'd missed it.

A companionable silence fell as the two men looked out at the bay shimmering in the moonlight.

"I bet your mom's planning quite the homecoming," said Archer finally.

"She was, but I asked her not to."

"How come?"

Trip shrugged. "I don't know actually. I mean, I'm happy to be home and all, but----," he stopped then shrugged again helplessly.

Archer sighed. "I think I understand, Trip, and I feel the same way. I guess we all just need time to wind down, to deal with what happened out there." He turned to face Trip, one elbow braced against the railing. "Unfortunately, we're not going to have too much time to do that."

"Sir?"

"The Andorians and Vulcans seem to be at odds again. Admiral Forrest wants Enterprise out there to keep an eye on things. There's talk of war."

"Again?"

Archer nodded. "Soval told me that the High Command is willing to reinstate T'Pol's commission, so she'll be along for the ride." He nudged Trip teasingly. "That should make you happy."

"Yeah, but will it make her happy?"

"What do you mean?"

"She's been through a lot, too, Cap'n. She's a different person now just like all of us."

"T'Pol's still an explorer and a scientist at heart, Trip. I can't imagine her giving that up to stay at the Vulcan compound."

"I don't know, sir."

"Did she say something?"

Trip shook his head. "We've hardly spoken since I woke up in sickbay last night. She stopped by to see me this morning, but she seemed pretty distracted."

Archer patted Trip's arm. "She'll come around," he said. "You two have gotten pretty close, haven't you?"

"You tell me. One minute I think we're heading in one direction, and the next----hell, I don't know where we're heading, Cap'n. I've always had a hard time figuring out women, but T'Pol's Vulcan to boot, so I'm totally lost here."

Archer chuckled. "You've got it bad, don't you?"

Trip snorted softly and looked down. "I guess I do."

"Do you love her?"

"I could if I let myself," replied Trip. He kicked at the balcony wall with one booted foot. "If she'd let me."

Archer turned backwards and leaned on both elbows. "You want some advice from an old friend?"

"Sure."

"Go ask her to dance."

Trip looked up at his friend. "That's your advice? I have it on great authority that Vulcans don't dance."

"Well, if you haven't noticed, T'Pol's not your typical Vulcan. She might enjoy dancing. Worth a shot, isn't it?"

"I don't know, Cap'n."

Archer slapped Trip on the back. "I'm going to tell you what my dad told me when I was kid, Trip. He said 'son, all she can do is say no'."



T'Pol stood quietly in a corner of the Starfleet reception hall. She'd long ago tuned out Soval and the other members of the High Command as they discussed the Andorians. Instead she'd found herself quite illogically scanning the crowd for one particular face. She finally saw him coming in from one of the balconies, Captain Archer at his side. The captain pointed in the direction of the Vulcans then to T'Pol's surprise, he seemed to give Trip a gentle push.

As the commander approached, T'Pol felt an odd mixture of apprehension and excitement.

"Good evening, Ambassadors," greeted Trip with a nod of his head.

"Commander Tucker," replied Soval. "Congratulations on the success of your mission."

Trip smiled disarmingly. "Thank you, sir."

"Is there something you needed, Commander?"

Trip's eyes moved to T'Pol. "I was wondering if you'd care to dance," he said. He held out his hand to her.

"Commander," admonished Soval. "Vulcans don't participate in such frivolous activities. Now if you will excuse us----."

T'Pol slipped her hand into Trip's. "I accept your invitation, Commander," she said.

Trip grinned haughtily. "If you'll excuse us, gentlemen, ladies," he said then he lead T'Pol toward the dance floor.

As they found an empty space, the lights dimmed and the music slowed. Trip wrapped one arm around T'Pol's waist, splaying his fingers across her lower back then he took her hand with his other, interlocked their fingers then lifted their joined hands to shoulder level.

"We must maintain a respectable distance, Commander," said T'Pol as she took a half step away from her dance partner.

Trip smiled down at her. "Why'd you say yes?" he asked as they started moving slowly to the music. "And where did you learn to dance?"

T'Pol kept her eyes carefully averted. "I was finding their conversation less than stimulating," she replied.

Trip chuckled lightly. "You were bored," he said. "And you didn't answer my other question."

T'Pol hesitated. "Since you were so insistent that I attend Movie Night, I felt it only logical to try to discern something from the films you selected."

"You did a great job discerning, T'Pol."

The sub-commander was about to thank her partner when she felt his foot under her own. "I apologize," she said uncomfortably.

"Don't worry about it," replied Trip good-naturedly. "I'll probably step on yours a time or two before we're finished."

They continued to dance in silence. T'Pol found the gentle movement oddly comforting as well as the close proximity of her dance partner. He smelled of soap and sea air, a pleasurable combination to T'Pol's sensitive nose.

"So are you coming back to Enterprise or are you going to stay here?"

T'Pol looked up at Trip. "I will be returning to Enterprise," she replied. "Captain Archer will be needing me."

"Yeah, I guess he will at that."

T'Pol felt the shoulder muscles beneath her hand tense. Her response had disturbed him.

"Perhaps we should discontinue this dance, Commander."

Trip released her and stepped back. "Maybe that's a good idea," he replied and he turned to go.

"Commander," said T'Pol. She reached out to grab his wrist. "I believe you've misunderstood. My ankle is still quite sore."

Trip's face reddened and he looked down.

"There is a bench outside in the courtyard. Would you care to join me?"

The engineer nodded. "Yeah, I'd like that."



Trip stood from the bench and began to pace. "You did what?" he asked in confusion.

"I don't believe it's necessary to repeat myself."

Trip stopped, put his hands on his hips and turned to T'Pol. He'd finally found out why her emotional control had slipped so badly. He looked at the woman sitting silently before him. She was contemplating her folded hands where they lay in her lap. He expelled a long, deep breath. As confused and angry as he was, he'd promised her he'd be there for her no matter what and he'd never broken his promises.

The engineer sat back down. "Why, T'Pol?" he asked imploringly. "Why would you risk your life like that and on a mission that was so damned important?"

"I didn't think taking the Trellium in small doses would harm me."

"But it did. That's why you're having so much trouble controlling your emotions?"

"Yes. Dr. Phlox believes the damage may be irreparable."

Trip leaned forward placing his elbows on his thighs. "I wish you'd trusted me with this sooner. Maybe I could've convinced you to stop taking it, made you see that you're perfect the way you are. I could've at least helped you through the withdrawals, made things easier for you."

"I was----ashamed, Commander. I still am."

Trip reached out his hand and rested it on hers. "You made a mistake, T'Pol. You can't keep punishing yourself for it." He sat back and sighed. "What's done is done."

T'Pol kept her eyes downcast. "I appreciate your words, Commander."

Trip squeezed her hands. "What can I do to help you now?"

"You are doing it," replied T'Pol. She turned to look at him. "You are allowing me to relax my control. You're allowing me to feel. I can not let my guard down with anyone else."

"Have you told the captain yet?"

"No, and I won't."

"T'Pol," began Trip.

"He will lose his faith in me as his first officer and his friend."

"I think you're selling him short, T'Pol. I think he'll understand."

"His trust is important to me, Commander. I can not lose it."

Trip looked at her, feeling suddenly hurt. He looked quickly away and removed his hand from where it still rested over hers.

"Commander----Trip," said T'Pol. "You are upset."

Trip shook his head. "No, no I'm not," he replied.

"You believe that since I told you about my addiction, losing your trust isn't important to me?"

The engineer snorted softly and stared down at his hands. "Jealousy isn't exactly what I'd call a fun emotion."

"I would have to agree."

Trip looked at her.

"I told you about the Trellium not because I didn't mind risking your trust in me, but because I knew I wasn't risking your trust in me."

"Come again."

Trip saw the familiar hint of amusement in T'Pol's dark eyes, but she remained silent, watching him. Then he smiled as he realized what she'd said. He felt his ears warm with embarrassment.

He looked away and cleared his throat. "So did the Trellium manufacture emotions or just enhance them?"

"Neither," replied T'Pol. "It merely allowed me to access the emotions I already had without losing complete control over all of them."

"So what happened between us that night, it was real?"

"Yes."

Trip exhaled in relief then grinned. "Then you do have feelings for me," he teased.

T'Pol simply lifted one slender eyebrow, an expression Trip had seen numerous times before and one he had come to love.

He reached out and patted her leg. "We should get back to the party. We don't want people talking about us." He helped her to her feet and they stood facing each other. Trip swallowed, feeling suddenly nervous.

T'Pol took his hand in hers and folded down his last two fingers. She did the same with her hand then touched their extended fingers together.

"You just kissed me," Trip said in surprise.

"You've been doing some research," stated T'Pol.

Trip smiled warmly. "A little," he replied. They began walking back to the reception hall.

"I suppose since you were quite---helpful in my exploration of human sexuality, that I should help you in your exploration of Vulcan sexuality."

Trip stopped walking as T'Pol continued forward.

She stopped and turned back to look at him. "Commander?"

"Are we talking a few books on the subject?"

The amusement appeared again in T'Pol's eyes. "I don't recall there being books involved in my exploration, Commander, so I don't see the need for them in yours," she replied then she turned and continued walking.

Trip remained in place, completely dumbfounded.



Dr. Phlox pressed the record button on the padd he held. "Dear Dr. Lucas," he began. "I am currently standing in the very spot it all began; in the surgical bay at Starfleet Medical. This is where I was first introduced three years ago to the Klingon, Klaang. Has it been three years already?" He paused and shook his head. "Now where was I? Oh yes, this is also where I was first introduced to Captain Jonathan Archer."

He moved from the doorway to stand beside the bio-bed. "This is actually the third letter I've recorded for you in recent days, but the only one of the three you will receive. The first was a list of bequeathals; the second was merely a catharsis of sorts. Now as you no doubt have heard, the first letter is thankfully not necessary. The second? The circumstances of which I spoke in that letter have since changed, but the emotions behind the letter are still quite valid. I am so proud of this crew, Doctor. They succeeded in their mission and I am overwhelmed with pride for each one of them, both for the ones who survived and for the ones who did not."

"There is also another purpose for this letter; to explain to you why I'm not telling you this in person. I had hoped to go home to Denobula to see you and to spend time amongst my own people, but I suddenly realized something. These are my people as well Dr. Lucas, and they will soon be shipping out again. I believe they will need me once more. Perhaps not to mend their physical wounds this time, but to mend their emotional ones. And I feel that they are the only ones who can help me to heal as well."

"I must sign off for now. There is a celebration going on and I want to be there with my friends. There is an interesting development between two of my dearest friends that I want to observe. I believe there are significant changes occurring in their dynamic and I find it highly intriguing. Perhaps I will explain further in my next letter if all proceeds as I suspect it will."

"Take care, Dr. Lucas. With warmest regards, your colleague, Dr. Phlox."

The Denobulan pressed the button to end his recording then he stood quietly. He smiled as he tucked the padd into the pocket of his tunic. For the first time in many months, Phlox felt great optimism for his future and for the future of his friends. He patted his pocket once then left to join those very friends in their celebration.



THE END