Author's Note: Ah! Okay, you guys can really slap me now. I didn't mean to go bad on my word or anything, I really didn't, but with school starting and then my internet acting up again and everything, I sort of forget.

I'm really sorry! I won't promise it'll be up, but I will really try to remember Wednesday. I really, really will, so look for it but…

Well I hope you enjoy it, even if it is a few days late, and please R/R. I give you permission to yell at me if you want.

Summary: As Trip and T'Pol grows closer, Selak's mission deepens. Will what he has to do be accepted by the Captain?

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Through Fire: For Truths and Consequences

Enterprise, Captain's Mess

"So," Trip started, trying desperately to break the silence that had fallen over them ever since their dinner had arrived. T'Pol looked up at him, expecting him to continue. "Got any plans when we get back to Earth?"

The Vulcan rose an eyebrow at hearing him say 'once' but choice not to comment, trying to be equally optimistic about their mission. "I… am not entirely sure."

"Really? Don'tcha have some Vulcan friends or somethin' you'd like to see?"

"There are a few colleges I would enjoy seeing again."

Trip nodded, chewing hard on a piece of food. For a moment, she seemed to debate whether or not to mention something before going back to her food as well. He sighed, not quite loud enough for her to hear.

"There's, um, a bar in San Francisco that I spent a lot of time at when I was at the Academy. I was thinking about taking the engineering staff there, to celebrate. You're invited, if you'd like to come," he added.

The Engineer looked sheepishly up at her, not knowing what he should expect. "I would… enjoy that."

A soft smile tugged at his lips. "Good, I'll betcha like it."

"We will see."

"T'Pol? What… if… when we get back, what do ya think the Vulcan High Command will do? I mean, you quit and all and then came with us anyway. I mean… would they letcha back in?"

T'Pol thought over his question a moment. She could feel his gaze on her, watching her as he waited for an answer, but she didn't dare look up at him. "I would imagine that I would not be very… 'warmly' receipted by them, but they would quite possibly accept if I were to ask to be reinstated."

"Oh," he nodded. "Wait, if? You mean… you don't plan to even try?"

Again, the Vulcan looked at him, her eyebrow raised. "No."

"Then… then what are ya goanna do?"

T'Pol looked away, slightly embarrassed by what she was about to reveal. "I have been contemplating… requesting to enter Starfleet Academy."

When T'Pol finally got up the courage to look up at the Engineer, she was met by his astonished gaze- the man in a complete stupor.

"You're goanna what?"

"Enter Starfleet Academy." A smile crept over his lips. "You do not believe I should?"

His smile dropped some, hearing the disappointment in her voice. "No, no that's not it. I just… I was just trying t' imagine you in a Starfleet uniform… And Soval's face when you tell him! Please let me be there for that!" He begged, chuckling at the mental imagines playing out in his mind.

"I merely said I was thinking about it, not that I was going to."

"Okay, okay. Whatever. But, if ya choose to… I'll support you all the way. Maybe the Cap'n could pull a few strings and bump ya up a bit so you don't have to go through basic training and whatever."

"I would… appreciate that."

"I'm sure the Cap'n would be-"

"Not that," she interrupted, stopping Trip in mid-sentence with her soft voice, forcing him to go back to his previous statement to figure out what she meant.

He nodded, a soft smile still tugging at his lips. "Anythin' I can do t' help, just ask."

"I will remember that, Commander."

Enterprise, Selak's Quarters

"Computer, begin personal log, Stardate 78942.36. January 6, 2154, 1721 hours," the Vulcan recorded on the handheld computer.

With a sigh, he continued. "I'm afraid I just lost my job… I know I ruined my career but… ah, but it was worth it. It seems that after they pulled me out, everything had just gotten worse. Destroying only half of the weapon didn't stop the scientists from thinking up something… things just seemed much more desperate.

"Not to mention that I didn't have time to fix things around here. When they got back… let's just say it didn't help things. Though I would have enjoyed hearing Archer and T'Pol's conversation with Starfleet and the Vulcan High Command- they must have thought that the two were insane after that report.

"Anyway, I'm back because I believe finishing my job will help to prevent such a worse turn of events. Hopefully, the real completion of my mission will allow me to change the future for the better, change the war for the better. Let's just hope."

Selak sighed once again, running a hand over his tired face. Sitting back down on his bed, no longer interested in pacing, he tried organizing the information in his head before finishing.

"My second objective is already in the works. I just hope he's willing, though I can easily find ways around such things. I just… I just don't look forward to returning to that place, to those people.

"The third objective could prove to be far more… problematic. I doubt that Archer would consent with it; I may lose the little trust I've managed to rebuild with them. Who knows what might happen, though I'm ready for it. I'll manage without a problem, I know.

"The forth objective, of course, shouldn't be much of a problem… though I'm not entirely sure how to allow events to happen and not be swept into them. But that, I'm sure, can wait until they happen.

"The fifth objective. I know that, originally, there never was one. But something happened last time, something I'm assuming I might have inadvertently caused, to prevent this from happening. I know that I can't force it into happening, but I just hope that my presence doesn't foul it up farther. Perhaps that will even help it in happening. I'm not sure. And, frankly, I don't much care, just as long as it does."

Again, he ran his hand over his face. With his back up against the wall, he leaned his head back as well, reporting as he did so. "I have to commend Dr. Tanith on her hypothesis of time travel and how it affects memories. It seems that, once I returned, I started to become aware of events that I never remembered before, people I never knew, things that I did that, well, I never did. I even started to forget some people that I do… did… do know.

"It's all starting to become a little confusing. My former mental state appears to be… overclouded, at times, by I guess my other mental state. The two converging to create what seems like a third at other times. It's odd, before- as much as I can remember- I seemed more Vulcan, I acted more Vulcan. Controlled my emotions and everything. But, it seems, that some event either happened, or didn't happen, that changed this. Now I'm more impulsive, more emotional, chaotic."

Selak paused there, thinking back to when, over the past few months, that he had started to notice the changes. It hadn't taken long; a few days or weeks. Little things as easy as remembering a name of an unknown face or forgetting a person that seemed to no longer exist. Speaking of events that never happened, or that did but didn't.

Again, the Vulcan sighed, muttering, "Computer, end log."

Enterprise, Bridge, Orbiting Devenion, Next Day

Hoshi's hails were finally answered five minutes after she started trying. With a simple order from her Captain, she activated the view screen. On it appeared a man surrounded by his console and many others.

His expressionless gray eyes met Archer's. The Captain almost instinctively knew that he was in not charge. Starring up at the alien, Archer immediately noticed the blue scale-like area on his jaw and neck. He said nothing; it seemed that he was waiting for the Human to start.

"My name is Captain Archer of the Earth Ship Enterprise."

"Why are you here? What is your business?" The man on the view screen demanded of them, not bothering to introduce himself.

"We are a peaceful ship. We have no intention of harming you or your people," Archer assured him, taking his suspicious questions as a fear of their ship.

"Hump. They all say that just before they invade you," he mumbled to himself, barely allowing Archer to hear him. "What is your business here?"

Archer seemed almost taken aback at his repetition, but Selak was hardly fazed. "We are here to see an Ambassador Ke'Kou," he demanded with air of talking to a mere servant. "Tell him to expect us."

The man nodded before mumbling, "Hump, no respect for us common slaves," abruptly cutting the connection.

Enterprise, Bridge

"So, what do you think about Selak? With the whole time-traveling thing?" Trip asked the Vulcan Sub-Commander, leaning over the Captain's chair as he spoke.

She turned her head to look at him, a single eyebrow raised- both in confusion and annoyance. "I am not sure what to think. There was no means of escape for Lieutenant Selak, and he was gone for nearly two days. His hair growth would have been impossible to achieve after only two days which suggest-"

"That he was right and had been gone for a while," Trip finished with a smile, purposely trying to lead her answer.

"I will consider the possibility that he is a time-traveler. Considering the evidence, that is thus far the only explanation."

"So, are you, Sub-Commander T'Pol, admitting to the possibility of time-travel?"

"You are merely repeating what I just stated," she said, mock annoyance rising in her voice.

Trip just smiled, suppressing his laughter, as he nodded. "Yes, but I want to hear you say it."

"I already have, Commander."

"Oh, come on, T'Pol. You're such a party pooper."

"I was not aware we were attending a party at the moment," she retorted, arching her eyebrow once again- an almost silent dare to challenge her.

"Sub-Commander, Shuttle Pod One reports that they've landed safely and without a problem," Mayweather reported, swiveling in his chair to see the two commanders, almost unable to hide his smirk at their banter. He had to admit that it was more amusing than their arguments they had been in, and some had been down right hysterical.

"Thank-you, Ensign."

Amocku Controlled Planet, Devenion, Ke'Kou's House

The triangular door slid open in front of him- surprising Archer by splitting in three (one triangle going up, and the other two going to their respective sides). He stepped forward, followed closely by Hoshi and Selak- the Vulcan claiming he already knew the language but it could be productive to bring the linguist with them.

Ke'Kou sat at his desk at the far end; he was so involved with the holographic view screen that he never noticed their entry. As Archer grew closer, it became more evident to him that he wasn't yelling at another government official but watching some kind of televised sport.

The Governor didn't look up even as the small group stepped in front of his desk. The Captain gave a low cough, hoping that would catch the man's attention but was only met with a mumbled, "Put it over there."

Archer looked to Selak- not understanding his words and not entirely sure what to do. He was confused by the behavior, hoping that Selak would have something to add about why they were being ignored.

But Selak was not watching him, instead he was focused on the screen. As Archer watched, he could see the faint hint of something- anger? rage? maybe fear- towards both the man and screen.

But it vanished, replaced by Selak's outward Vulcan calm. "He should not have done that. Now he is caught, he'll never get out of it."

Ke'Kou glanced up for only a second, not seeming to realize that anyone was still in the room. But then he counted with, "No see, he's faking him on."

But the A'Mocku's smile quickly disappeared as he saw that Selak was right; the fight was over. "How did you know that?"

"I know a lot about gladiators and the arena."

"I didn't know such a… foreign alien knew anything about this," he said running a hand through the thin, holographic screen. It wavered with the disruption, turning off.

Selak ran a hand through his freshly washed and cut hair. He had decided it would be better to keep up his old appearance, though he left some of the length. Even his face was left with the slight stubble that had formed while he was gone. "I know a lot about your people, you'd be amazed at what I do know."

Another low cough from Archer reminded the two that he was still there- and horribly unaware of what was being said, not to mention what had just happened on the screen.

"Ah, Captain Archer." Governor Ke'Kou smiled, he attention now on the Captain as he stood. His hands- palms facing in- went near his chest, opening them in a seemingly gesture of welcome.

Archer smiled, mimicking the motions. "It's nice to finally meet you."

"And you, Captain," he replied, hearing the translation via Hoshi's communicator.

"Now, what exactly was it that you wanted to see me about?"

Selak waited for Hoshi to translate to the Captain, knowing that Archer knew very little of the details and that he would- in the end- be talking anyway.

"There is a device you have, we're curious about it. Well, actually, we need it."

"What device would this be?"

"A weapon."

"I have scanned your ship, boy, you have many weapons."

Selak resisted the urge to scowl at the "boy" comment, not at all appreciative of the nickname. "Yes, but they're not quite… as powerful as we need."

"And how powerful do you need, boy?"

His cocky smile had returned, but a new, subtle suspicion crept into his eyes. "Powerful enough to defeat our enemy."

"At war are you? Well, I'm afraid we do not involve ourselves in others' wars. I am sorry, I cannot help you." He turned around, walking back behind his desk- his air dismissive.

"I don't buy that. You get involved with many things," Selak stated, leaning forward on the desk Ke'Kou just sat down in. "And this kind of thing is no different."

"I'm afraid the word is final! We have laws and rules against such things. It would not be wise for me to do such a thing."

Selak glared down at the man, hoping to scare him into consenting. But the Amocku weren't ones to be intimidated. Of course, he already knew that.

With a defeated sigh, he turned away, saying, "Ah, well. I had hoped to be able to see your Generator Plant. I've heard great things about the way they're run. Supposedly the best in this region of space. But, if you have such high believes to the contrary-"

"No, no. I think we could fit in a tour. We have nothing against… hosting people. Just sharing technology with them, in war and such things, of course."

Selak nearly beamed, not at the acceptance but at his achievement. Well, at least he'd get something. He nodded warmly, hearing Ke'Kou tell them that he could take them there immediately while Hoshi translated the words to Archer.

Ke'Kou clapped his hands together- a gesture he had learned long ago meant the man was pleased with himself- as he led them out the door. Archer leaned close to Selak, following the man without any real enthusiasm (he seemed to have realized that he played absolutely no part in this away mission).

"How did you manage that so… quickly?"

"It was quite easy, Captain. The Amocku are an extremely egotistical race. As long as they think they're better, they'll do just about anything to continue to prove such a thing."

Archer nodded, not knowing- or really, to some extend, wanting to- how he had become such a genius on this race. "But why do we want to go to this place?"

Selak looked at his supposed CO. He couldn't help but smile. "No reason really, Captain. No reason at all." With that, he walked faster, catching up with Ke'Kou, and leaving Archer behind to mull in what he had just heard.

Enterprise, Sickbay

"How have you been feeling?" Phlox asked, running his tricorder over Trip's body.

"Not bad," the southerner reported, shifting uncomfortably on the biobed.

"How well have you been sleeping?"

"Ah… well, but T'Pol's been helping with that."

"How many times a week does she perform neuropressure?"

"Um… every night," he said with a shrug, not sure if that was a good or bad thing to admit.

"Do you feel that it's necessary?"

"Um…" he said with a sigh, "I'm not really sure but… it helps."

Phlox gave a passive nod, not replying. "Have you been nauseous at all?"

Trip shrugged at the sudden change in questioning before thinking back to the past few days. "Now that you mention it, um, not fer a couple o' days. "

"Good," Phlox commented with a smile, putting his scanner away. "There seems to be virtually none of the toxin left in your system."

"Well, that's good."

"Yes," Phlox nodded in agreement.

"Um, can I go now, I've gotta be on the bridge in a couple minutes."

"Just one more thing," he said from the next room, Trip not able to see him from his position on the bed. "I just want to give you this. It should help to rid the rest of the toxin from your system."

Trip turned his neck, allowing Phlox to administer the injection, wincing slightly when he felt the small prick of the needle. "There you go. I want to see you again in two days."

"No problem. Thanks." Trip hopped down, just glad to be getting out of there; he really hated doctors, Phlox- though a trusted friend and good physician- was still among them.

Phlox sighed, watching his friend leave. He still had a long road ahead of him. He already had a tough life, it wasn't fair to add this on top of all that.

Amocku Controlled Planet, Devenion, Generator Plant

"And this, Captain…" Selak heard Ke'Kou say as he led Archer and Hoshi the other way. But Selak hung back, hoping that the alien would not notice his absence- or that either of the Humans would point out the fact.

Looking around him, he found that the plant was bussing with activity and people, none of whom spared him a glance. He immediately noticed their uniforms- they were slaves. Right down to the numbers (handwritten) onto their left pectoral.

With a sigh, he walked across to the computer terminal, reminding himself that he could do nothing to help them- they probably wouldn't even want it, much less the fact that they had nowhere to go. Just like he sometimes found himself realizing.

With the press of a few simple buttons, Selak managed to get into the mainframe, punching up the data he wanted. Another minute, he was skimming over the schematic in front of him. Sure enough, it was what he wanted.

Pulling out a small, hand-held device from his pocket, the Vulcan quickly hooked it up to the terminal, his hands quivering from the amount of adrenaline pumping through his body. His stomach felt as if it were doing back flips just as he lungs wouldn't give him a second to enjoy a breath.

Running a hand over his face, Selak tried to stop the pounding in his head- caused by a mixture of his fast pumping blood and trying to translate the foreign text. But he didn't have time for that. Ke'Kou would have them back at any moment, he had to move quickly.

He had to move quicker…

"As you can see," he heard Ke'Kou's voice echo in the distance, hearing their footsteps grow closer.

He looked down at the device, mentally urging it to move faster, to download the data faster. He needed this information; he couldn't get caught.

"Hurry up, hurry up," he muttered under his breath, trying hard to keep his trembling hands steady and his foot silent, the urge to tap his feet or something suddenly over coming him.

He looked over his shoulder where he had heard Ke'Kou's voice. He couldn't yet see them, but he could hear them getting closer. Nearly turning the corner. If that happened, they would see him. Which could only lead to awkward questions and a messier situation than he would like.

A high pitched, yet quite, beep alerted the Vulcan that the download was complete. Hurriedly, he practically ripped out the link, shoving the device into his pocket as he attempted to shut down the computer.

His hands shook, making him push the wrong button. His stomach did a summersault as he heard Archer's distinct voice. He looked over his shoulder, scolding himself as he realized what his instincts had caused him to do: waste time.

Just as the group of three turned the corner, Selak slipped in front of the terminal, pretending to be interested in something he saw on the wall. In truth, it was a simple machine Vuclans had long ago lost need with, having invented more efficient machines.

"Ah! Lieutenant! There you are!" Ke'Kou exclaimed. Selak took a deep breath, trying to calm both his exterior and interior- wishing that his blood wasn't pumping so fast.

Turning, he was the model of Vulcan poise. "Yes, I thought you had gone that way. I thought you might return here," Selak told him with a ghost of a smile, gesturing to the opposite way they had gone. "So, what did I miss?"

Ke'Kou seemed to have completely forgotten the event, going on to explain to him something about power relays and so forth. Selak just tried not to roll his eyes; trying to remember if all those things were out dated by the Vulcans.

"Um, Selak, I think it's about time for us to be heading back to Enterprise." The Vulcan nodded at Archer, thankful that he would be able to get out of there.

"Thank-you very much for the tour of your facility," Selak told him, his voice shifting easily to the Amocku language in Ke'Kou's ears.

"Perhaps you would enjoy coming to dinner, later," the man offered, Hoshi quickly translating the words to Archer.

"I would like that," the Captain agreed with a smile, hoping that it would help in some ways with whatever it was that Selak was trying to do. The Vulcan nodded politely, not sure exactly if it was a good thing or bad- he knew he wasn't finished with his mission.

"Please, bring your other officers. I would be delighted to have them as well."

Archer looked to Hoshi, nodding with the translation. Truth be told, he didn't like the harsh sounds the man's language was made up of, but that wasn't something he was going to comment on, it didn't mean that the man himself wasn't interesting.

"Thank-you. I will extend the invitation, but they have been very busy lately." Ke'Kou nodded, excitedly, as he led them back to their shuttle.

Enterprise, Bridge

"So, Cap'n, how was it?" Trip joked as Archer, Hoshi, and Selak walked off the turbolift.

"It was… interesting. Ke'Kou invited us back down for dinner. All of us, which means you two, and Malcolm, are invited to come along."

Trip looked over at Malcolm, in truth the two of them had just finished discussing why they didn't want to go down there.

"Um, actually, sir, I'm still very busy with… these diagnostics. I don't think I… should go."

"Yeah, me too. I have a lot of catch up work down in Engineering. Actually, I should be going now. Tell 'im thanks anyway," Trip said in a rush, moving off toward the turbolift.

"Wonder what's his problem," Archer muttered, looking to T'Pol. "What about you?"

"I do not think that would be wise. With Commander Tucker so busy, I will be needed on the bridge," she rationalized, having stood from the Captain's chair in anticipation of his taking it.

"If that's what you want. We'll be leaving in an hour. Have Shuttle Pod Two prepped."

"Yes, sir."

"Hoshi, you still willing to go down, or will I have to use Selak as my translator?" Archer asked, grinning at his communications officer and long time friend.

"I think I'm game to go back down. Besides, I'm just starting to get a handle on their language. It's very complex," she explained, already pouring over notes and such that she had gotten while on the planet.

"If you want. Selak, you're still coming?"

"Of course, Captain," was his short answer, the Vulcan already standing at his station.

"Good." Moving closer, Archer leaned against Selak's console. "By the way, where did you learn their language?"

"I spent time among them, I managed to pick it up well enough to speak it," he explained, knowing that Hoshi would be thrilled to spend time with someone who could speak the language, but he would prefer to spend as little time with them and speaking it. This was just a one-time affair.

"One hour, I'll see the both of you down in the Shuttle Bay," Archer ordered, receiving two nods from them before entering his ready room.

Amocku Controlled Planet, Devenion, Ke'Kou's House

With a simple wave of his hand, Selak shooed away the young man, his glass being taken with him. "I see you have an abundance of servants here. It must cost you a fortune to pay them all," Selak joked, by then his two companions were accustom enough to his unusual behavior.

"Oh, hardly, my dear boy." Ke'Kou laughed, he too waving away one of the other waiters. "That's the great thing about the Delvian Slave Trade- you get twice the slaves for half the price!" Selak forced himself to smirk with the Governor's amusement, Archer and Hoshi not able to hide their distain.

"And they are mostly obedient after they're… properly trained. Hun, boy?" Ke'Kou continued on, taking the slave-boy by the collar of his shirt. His eyes looked only at Ke'Kou's chest, no words coming to his mouth just as no fight was in his body.

"See what I mean?" It wasn't until then that he noticed the looks he was getting from the two humans. "Oh, why those looks? You do not approve of the training?"

"Oh, hardly. They seem… well trained. It's just-" he gestured to his Captain and Hoshi, "Human's do not believe in slavery. It bothers them."

"And you?" Ke'Kou leaned forward, intrigued by the young man. He could see the hatred in his eyes. It may have been hidden well, but it was there- covered over by his diplomatic approach and practiced acting. "Does it bother you?"

Selak smiled, leaning forward in an identical motion, his hands folded on the table. "Let's just say… I don't much care for those who choose to condone it."

Selak leaned back, not missing the look of annoyance on the Governor's face. Carefully, without drawing attention, he slid his hand into his pocket, slowly pulling it back out as he stood. Slipping a thin band around his finger, Selak approached Ke'Kou, he too standing.

"Well, I believe it is time for us to return to our ship."

"So soon? I was just starting to have fun."

"I apologize. But, we must be going." There was no emotion in Selak's voice as he replied to the Amocku's complaint.

"Your mission, of course."

Selak nodded, trying to look as if he were disappointed. Mimicking Ke'Kou, Selak copied the departing gesture effortlessly. "Thank-you again for all your help." Ke'Kou nodded, a small smile on his face. In a split second, Selak's grief disappeared. His left hand moved up, touching Ke'Kou's bare bicep.

In an instant, his airway began to restrict. His confusion quickly turned to fear as the Amocku realized what was happening. It took less than twenty seconds for him to hunch over the table, his body efficiently void of oxygen.

"We should leave quickly," Selak stated, turning and heading for the door.

Archer grabbed his arm, disbelief written clearly in his eyes. "You just-"

"I know what I did!" He yelled, his face only inches from Archer's. "I may have just saved thousands of lives. Now, let's move!"

Enterprise, Bridge

"They were my orders, Captain," Selak stated as the two entered his ready room.

"That doesn't change the fact that you killed a man. A potential ally."

"Any ally of that man is no man I want to know."

"I can see that, but you still haven't-"

"In three years, Captain," Selak interrupted, "he would have had two sons. Those sons would have begun the Amocku's thirst for power. Their imperialisation would have changed to complete military dictatorship bent on gobbling up land and power. And not just in this area of the Expanse, but they would, eventually, become one of the largest powers in the Milky Way Galaxy. Challenged only by Earth and her allies."

"So you killed him. Killed him so that his children, two boys that haven't even been born, couldn't create this so called empire?"

"I killed him in hopes that the war would be different. They're a fascist, totalistic people. They spend every moment of their lives concentrated on domination after their planet was depleted of all natural resources. Eventually a dictator will rise and their people will still begin a war- that we know. It's just that we hope that we'll make it a little better."

"And what if by eliminating these men, you've just opened the door for someone worse?"

"Then that's our problem, isn't it?" Selak turned, pausing for a moment before he finished. "We have ways of fixing these things. Don't worry."

"Just tell me it was worth it."

Selak paused at the door, a PADD still behind his back. He turned, looking at Archer; it was apparent that he was in deep debate about what he was about to say.

Finally he seemed to make a decision. He stepped closer to Archer, who was now sitting in his chair, extending his hand. For a moment, Archer looked at the PADD, then at Selak, before he taking the device.

"I believe that T'Pol will find it… useful."

"For what?"

"With this, I'm sure both she and Commander Tucker will be able to find a way to disable the spheres."

"I'm not sure-"

"Even if you are able to destroy this weapon, Captain," Selak continued as if he knew exactly what Archer was about to say. "There is no sure way to know it the Xindi will not make another. The only way to do that is to earn their trust, their friendship. Perhaps you will be able to prove to them how the transdimensional beings have manipulated you and them."

"By destroying the spheres for them?"

"By keeping the aliens from destroying all the life in the Expanse- and by keeping the Expanse from consuming the rest of the galaxy."

"And you think they'll believe us?"

"I think that… that is your part of the mission. I helped the only way I can." Archer nodded, looking down at the schematics on the PADD. "Am I dismissed?"

He looked up, trying to decide if he had anything further to say to the Vulcan. Instead, he just nodded, a silent thank-you hanging in the air. Selak turned, walking out the door in one swift motion, not unsure of his actions.

Enterprise, T'Pol's Quarters

Trip spoke amicably about this and that, looking over his shoulder as T'Pol worked the neuronods in his shoulders and neck. He had been getting better over the past few days, improving as he continued his regular sessions with T'Pol and working hard to want to get better.

"Commander, are you implying that Lieutenant Shiva is attracted to Lieutenant Reed?" T'Pol asked, trying to look him in the eye as best she could. It never ceased to amaze her about the wealth of useless information Trip managed to collect.

"Hey, I'm just saying it like I heard it," he protested, taking a sudden intake of breath as she put pressure on one of the more sensitive nods.

"Perhaps you should not be saying it at all," T'Pol retorted.

"Whatever," Trip said, his tone admitting his defeat.

A comfortable silence settled over the two. T'Pol merely continuing to focus on her work. But, for Trip, something kept nagging at him and he couldn't decide whether or not he should talk to her about it. T'Pol, seeming to sense this, broke the silence by saying so.

"Ah, it's nothin', T'Pol. Just… thinkin'."

"Turn," she ordered, continuing to speak as he did such. "About what?" His embarrassed, shy look urged her to push the subject. "Perhaps talking about it would ease your mind."

"I don't think its somethin' ya want t' talk about," he admitted, feeling the gentle pressure she applied to the front of his neck.

"How would you know if you do not ask?"

"I just know." He looked up into her curious eyes, waiting for him to break and spill. In that moment, he recalled what Selak had said. He had been for the past week ignoring what the young Vulcan had told him, trying not to even think about it. But he knew it must be important if Selak had bothered to tell him.

Giving an exaggerated sigh, he finally said, "About… about yer little experiment."

T'Pol's eyebrow rose, interested in what else had been running through his mind. "And?"

"Just… I guess I had really been hopin' that… we would of decided on something else than what we did."

T'Pol thought about that for a moment, contemplating on what he meant. But she knew without the need to ask what he wanted. She starred at her hands as they moved over his skin, wishing desperately to hide her emotions from him before they welled up to the surface, as she feared they might.

Trip's hands moved up to stop T'Pol's progress, forcing her to look up at him. She knew from the look in his eyes that he wasn't just finished with neuropressure for the night. His body shifted, allowing him to lean in closer and capture her lips with his. T'Pol's hands broke free from his grasp, moving behind his neck and tangling themselves in his hair. His, too, began to roam her body as he hungrily kissed her.

As her lips brushed past his again, Trip suppressed a shutter of desire. And, for that moment, he was in paradise…

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Hey look! There's some T/T in this story, amazing! It only took five chapters.

So, how was it? Either way, I hope you liked it, no matter how late it may be. Please, R/R and have a great day!