CHAPTER 3 The Expanse, All The Emotions

Everything on Enterprise had gone better then the crew's predictions. There were several injuries but no fatalities. Many of the systems were damaged but all repairable. Long-rang sensors showed that the weapon was completely destroyed. It also found no Xindi life signs in the area. However no human life signs were found either. Captain Archer was to drop his cloaking device and hale them in five minutes. Everyone on the bridge became very quite, started staring at their instruments waiting for his hale. It didn't come.

An hour later it still hadn't come. The longer they waited the more irrational T'Pol became. She could feel Commander Tucker's fear and grief mixed with her own. She needed to get control. If she couldn't stop his emotions from over whelming her she wouldn't be able to function. Commander Tucker seemed to be able to place great control over his emotions but often chose not to. This was one of the times he did. He was acting like the man she wanted to bond with again and she was reveling in the ability to feel his control. But it wasn't helping her own.

Logically she knew it was partially the expanse, but mainly the bond. If it had been a complete bond…a shared bond…she would have been able to block out his emotions. Control their shared emotions, but it didn't calm her now. She had decided during the briefing that she would go see Dr. Phlox as soon as the mission was complete. He had shown a remarkable ability to heal the Vulcan mind and she thought with her help he may be able to again. However her thoughts were becoming more and more illogical. She didn't know if she could wait until the mission was over. She at least needed to meditate.

She repeated the same search pattern she had been repeating for the past hour and a half. Her reserves were leaving her. She could no longer prevent the crews emotions from affecting her own. She was becoming so upset she was starting to shake. She had lost mental control half an hour before and now was losing control over her body as well. A sob escaped from her throat, then another, then another. She felt herself sliding to the floor but was stopped before she hit it.

She was wrapped in Commander Tucker's strong arms again. He let her go almost as quickly as he had grabbed her. But it had been enough for the warmth of his body seep into hers, soothing her as nothing ever had before. She wanted to bury herself in him and stay until she was safe. Before she had a chance to step into his arms and wrap herself around him in an undignified manner he spoke…"Sub-Commander, can I speak to you privately"…

She was barely able to construct an answer with out tears streaming down her face…"Yes, please join me in the ready room".

As soon as the door shut behind them her tears started to flow. She felt herself collapse into his arms. He started nuzzling her ear with his nose, while running his hands up and down her back rubbing her pressure points as best he could through her uniform.

"I have lost all control"…she mumbled into his wet neck…"The expanse, all the emotions"

He stopped her speaking with… "Shhh darlin' Shhh, you don't have to give me any explanations. It's all right. You're goin' to be okay if you let me help you. Can I help you?"

He could fill her nodding yes against his neck He breathed her smell in deeply and press her more firmly against him. He did think after today he would be able to hold her again. He was heart broken, he knew she had told him it was only curiosity but he hadn't believed her, hadn't wanted to. She slept with him not Jon but she obviously loved his best friend. When he saw her crying over Jon he knew he never had the chance with her.

Things weren't turning out the way he wanted them to. He had put so much work into building a friendship with T'Pol. Had so many hopes for their future. She should have been his .He wanted to tell her how much he loved her, wanted her. He wanted to yell at her, tell her how hurt he was but knew he couldn't. She needed him and he couldn't hurt her more when she was already. So all he said was "Come on, let's get this uniform off ya, love."

He closed his eyes after he decided he wasn't going to look at her. That he was going to be clinical about undressing her. That after today he was going to be clinical in all his decisions concerning T'Pol. He only had to get through today then he could pout, scream, be angry with her… or should he be angry with himself ….He wasn't sure. All he knew is that he needed to morn everything that has happened to him lately.

For a second after he said 'let's get this uniform off ya, love' she thought he was going to …make love…to her. She was disappointed when she realized he had only removed her closes to perform neuro-perssure but she supposed it would probably benefit her more emotionally then sex right now anyways. Besides she had stopped their sexual relationship for a reason and even if she had to keep reminding herself of the fact, it was a very good reason. No matter how much she missed him in that way they weren't ready to be…lovers…mates…but she thought they might try a human custom she had heard about…a make out session…Her mussing was stopped when she heard herself let out a loud moan after he hit a sensitive spot. She couldn't stop the smile her lips formed and didn't try.

She let out a string of low moans, she had learned… recently… how much pleasure he received from hearing her own enjoyment and wanted him to feel it now. She was defiantly going to kiss him when this mission was over. Maybe she could even get him to do that thing with his tongue and her ear she had been dreaming about…Again her thoughts were interrupted, but this time by him stopping. She had become relaxed so quickly she felt drugged and it took her a minute to know why.

He was talking to Hoshi through the intercom, saying…" No, don't send him a message if you think it might be detected but change our heading immediately. The Sub-Commander and I will be done here in a minute, we'll make an announcement to the crew when were back on the bridge. Tucker out".

He was smiling when he turned around but stopped when he saw her breasts. She couldn't help but tempt him further by putting the top of her uniform on more slowly then necessary. He had to lick his lips before speaking…"Did you hear that"…after she shook her head no he continued, …"we've received word from Captain Archer. He was just able to get communications back up. The shuttles dead in the water and he's having difficulty maintaining life support but he's fine. Travis says will be able to reach him in twenty minutes".

She felt the corners of her lips tip up while she spoke…"Good, we should get back to the bridge". But she stopped before they reached the door and griped his hand…"I have appreciated all your help today. I have regained my control. When this mission is over come to my quarters and I shall reciprocate".

He laughed to himself …I shall reciprocate…she was adorable and those breasts…Man how he loved her. Man how he wished she loved him back. He thought sadly that Jon was one lucky S.O.B.

Captain Archer ran off the shuttle pod… " You two, my ready room now. I need to now our status"…

They weren't even half to the captain's ready room when they were stopped by the intercom…"Lieutenant Sato to Captain Archer"

He answered…"Archer here, what is it Lieutenant."

The shock and fear in her voice was noticeable through the intercoms wiring…"Were being haled Sir. It's the Xindi".