Title: "2084"

Author: Quills

Contact:

Series: ENT

Rating: PG-13

Disclaimer: Paramount owns Star trek and I derive no financial gain from this story.

Codes: T/Tu angst, drama, romance, humor, action/adventure

Summary: This is a "Somewhere in Time" type story. It takes place in the Enterprise universe as seen on TV, but about 70 years before Enterprise.

Chapter 7

Trip Tucker opened his eyes slowly. His head throbbed with a dull ache, and he reached up and rubbed his temple. Looking around, he could see he was in a doctor's lounge. He remembered going in while waiting for news about T'Pol. The ordeal had apparently taken more out of him than he had realized. For shortly after going in, he had fallen asleep on the short orange couch in the room. Sitting up, he took a deep breath. He wondered how long he had been asleep. Had T'Pol come out of surgery yet? Was she ok? He needed to find out. Suddenly he started, looking up. He could hear someone trying the lounge door. Whoever it was, they were being cautious. His police training instinctively kicked in, and tensed himself before remembering where he was. Watching the door swing open, his eyes widened in surprise. It was T'Pol, and she was alive! She was wearing a white medical gown, and except for a slightly haggard look, she appeared to be in perfect health. Tucker leapt off the couch, running to her. When he reached the door, he stopped suddenly. She was studying him intently. He held her gaze, as she continued to stare at him with penetrating eyes. They were a deep chestnut color and he wondered why he had never noticed them before, for they were strikingly beautiful, just like their owner. Glancing down, he looked at her full pouting lips, soft and moist. She didn't wear any lipstick, or for that matter any make-up and it made him smile. She didn't need it. Following the contour of her olive skinned cheek he only saw smooth, unblemished skin. Looking past her cheekbone, his eyes traced the edge of her delicately shaped ear, ending in an exotic tapered point. Swallowing hard, his breath became short, and he felt an overwhelming sensation…as if he were cornered and could not escape. She leaned in close, and he could feel her warm breath caressing his skin. Her lips parted and a word escaped from them. No, not a word he corrected himself, a name. His name.

"Trip," the voice said. "Trip…wake up…Trip…Sergeant!"

Tucker's eyes shot open, and he sucked in deep breath. Swallowing hard, he struggled to sit up, but felt something hard pressing down on his shoulder. Turning, he could see a leathery hand gripping him. It was a man's hand. Instinctively, Tucker looked up, to see who it was that was holding him down.

"Cap'n?" he said, recognizing Forrest right away. "W-What the hell are you doin' here?"

Forrest gave him a slight smile. "I've been here for the past three hours."

"Three hours?" repeated Tucker in confusion. He tried focusing his eyes, shaking the sleep out of his brain. He tried to remember what had happened. He was working a case, but…then he remembered.

"T'Pol!" he shouted, moving to stand up. Captain Forrest braced his arm against Tucker's shoulder forcing him back onto the couch. Tucker tried to break his hold, but although the older man didn't look like much, he could hold his own against any of his younger officers.

"Easy man," said Forrest, trying to calm the agitated Tucker. "She's alright. Came out of surgery a few hours ago. Doc said she was real lucky." Tucker looked up at Forrest. The captain could see the younger man's concern. "Also said you put your gun to his head and threatened to blow his brains out."

Tucker swallowed hard. He remembered that too. "I…uh…I was…"

"Under considerable duress," said Forrest congenially.

Tucker looked at Forrest in surprise. The man was smiling warmly at him and being extremely sympathetic. "T-Thanks capn'," said Tucker skeptically. "Your bein awfully understandin'. Am I fired?"

Forrest smile widened. "No…you're not fired," he said. "Doctor Sullivan has decided not to press any charges. He's the one who suggested you were under 'considerable duress'. Me…I think it's a bunch of horse shit and you're just a loud mouth jerk who can't keep his gun in his holster. But Sullivan can believe whatever he likes as long as the department avoids a lawsuit."

Tucker gave Forrest a smile. "Thanks…I was worried you were goin' soft on me for a minute there."

"Not a chance," said Forrest, standing. "Now get your ass up."

Tucker pushed himself off the couch. Straightening, he looked around to see if there was any coffee. Looking past Forrest, he spotted a coffee machine on the counter top, against the far wall. It still had half a pot on it. Moving past his captain, Tucker headed over to the counter. Forrest turned, shaking his head as he watched him.

"So what the hell happened?" asked Forrest gruffly.

Tucker picked up the coffee pot, and looked around the counter. i Damn, where are the cups. /i Opening the cabinets he gave a quick glance back to Forrest, before resuming his search.

"We interrupted a 211 at a convenience store," explained Tucker.

Forrest stared at Tucker. "Why the hell didn't you call for backup?" he asked, clearly annoyed.

Tucker shook his head. "No time. We had to move in."

"And endanger innocent civilians," said Forrest. "Not to mention get one of you shot!"

Tucker stared at Forrest. He was right and he knew it. If they had followed procedure…if he had followed procedure then all this might not have happened.

"Did the Vulcan go along with this hair brained idea?

Tucker turned, looking at Forrest. "T'Pol…her name is T'Pol. And no…it was my call. She was just backin' me up. It wasn't her fault."

Forrest narrowed his eyes on Tucker. "Just what the hell is goin' on between you two?"

"Nothin' capn'," said Tucker defensively "I swear!"

"There better not be," replied Forrest, skeptically, "and if there is…just keep tellin' me it's nothin'."

"Cap'n-"

"Because," said Forrest, interrupting, "there's a damn good reason we don't saddle you with female partners."

"But she's a Vulcan."

"And?" said Forrest

Tucker rolled his eyes. He wasn't going to get drawn into an argument with Forrest. Whatever he thought was going on, wasn't. T'Pol was a good cop and a good partner, but that was all.

"Look, we did our job," said Tucker.

"Uh, huh," he snorted. "She said the same thing."

Tucker turned and looked at him in surprise. "She what…you mean she's awake?"

"Yeah," Said Forrest. "She was askin' for you. Wouldn't say why."

"Well, why the hell didn't ya say," shouted Tucker angrily.

Rushing for the door, Tucker threw it open. Bolting down the hall, he raced to the nurse's station. Sliding across the smooth floor he came to a quick stop at the end of the counter. The nurse on duty looked up in alarm when she saw Tucker. He recognized her as one of the nurses who had been on duty when he came in with T'Pol.

"We don't want anymore trouble," she said nervously.

"T'Pol…the Vulcan…which room?"

She hesitated for a moment, before deciding to tell him. They had already seen him fly off the handle.

"Room 104…down the hall," she said pointing to the adjacent corridor.

Tucker started into a run, but stopped, when he felt a hand grab his arm. Turning quickly, he looked to see who it was, before he knocked him on his ass.

"Tucker," said Forrest, in a labored breath. The veteran cop had run after him, and just now caught up with the impulsive detective.

"Cap'n, please…I gotta see her," he said.

Forrest looked in Tucker's eyes. He wasn't sure what it was he saw, but was certain there was a dire sense of desperation behind those steel blue eyes.

"Trip…just take it easy," said Forrest. "You can see her. We'll go down together."

Trip took a deep breath and shook his head. Forrest let go of his arm and gestured for Tucker to head down the hall. As Tucker made his way towards the room, Forrest looked at the nurse, giving her an apologetic look. She scowled at him and went back to her paperwork.

Trip Tucker stopped in front of room 104. He just stared at the door, unwilling to step forward and open it. Forrest came up behind him. He already knew what was eating at the man. He blamed himself for T'Pol getting shot. He'd seen it before. Tucker was a good cop, even if he was impulsive. He just hoped that what was bothering him wouldn't affect his work. He had one detective down and a Vulcan serial killer still on the loose. He needed Tucker frosty.

"It wasn't your fault, son."

Tucker turned and looked at Forrest. "I screwed up cap'n. She wouldn't be in there if it wasn't for me."

"Trip…I wasn't there," said Forrest, abandoning his usual gruff voice. "I can't say what you did was right or wrong. But if it means anything, you helped save her life."

He shook his head. "I'm the one who put her in danger."

Forrest wanted to say something, but he knew it was useless. Tucker blamed himself for what happened to T'Pol. And there was no convincing him to look at it any other way. Turning away, Tucker opening the door. Entering the room, he saw T'Pol lying on a hospital bed, wearing a white dressing gown. She turned and looked at him, and he froze, unable to move or say anything. Their eyes met, and Trip swallowed hard. He wasn't sure what to say. T'Pol sensed his discomfort and decided to put him at ease.

"Do you intend to block the door, Sergeant?" she asked, giving him an arched brow.

He gave her a weak smile. "I heard you're gonna be ok."

She nodded in agreement. "Apparently one of the interns is versed in Vulcan anatomy. I am indebted to her, the surgeon…and yourself."

Tucker shook his head. "Doc's the one who saved ya. Not me."

T'Pol glanced at Forrest questioningly. The police captain just shook his head. T'Pol understood the meaning behind Forrest's silent expression. It was something she would have to rectify, but in private. In her short acquaintance with Tucker, she found him to be a private man. Something that made him very much like, a Vulcan.

"Have you two managed to make any headway in the case?"

T'Pol was the first to answer. "We were able to extract some useful information from a man calling himself 'Profile'."

"Jackson Walters," said Forrest, recognizing the name, "the information broker?"

Tucker scratched his head. "What time is it?"

Forrest looked at his watch. "Ten to midnight. Why?"

"Awe crap," said Tucker. "Profile set up a meeting on the waterfront. We might have a lead."

Forrest was about to ask Tucker what he was talking about, when his phone buzzed. Pulling it out, he answered gruffly.

"Forrest…when? I thought I told you to let me know the minute they arrived!"

Closing the connection, he jammed the phone into his coat pocket.

"What's up?" said Tucker; clearly noticing his captains elevated agitation.

"A delegation of Vulcans just arrived."

Tucker's eyes opened wide. "Where?"

"Right outside the hospital's main entrance," answered Forrest. "They're on the way in right now."

Tucker looked at T'Pol. She didn't need to say anything. The look on her face said it all. The Vulcans were going to cause trouble.

"You know how to bust my balls Tucker," said Forrest. "You really, really do."

"They will wish to question us," said T'Pol.

"We don't have time for Q&A," said Tucker, looking outside the room.

"I would agree," said T'Pol. "But they will undoubtedly be insistent on having answers."

"I know I'm probably going to kill myself for this…," said Forrest. "but slip out the emergency entrance. I'll stall them."

"Cap'n?" said Tucker, not bothering to hide his surprise.

"Just go, before I change my mind."

"I am coming with you," said T'Pol moving to get up.

"The hell you are," said Trip, blocking her way. "I didn't threaten the emergency surgeon's life just so you could go and get yourself hurt again.

T'Pol looked at him in surprise. "You threatened him?"

"W-Well…"

Forrest rolled his eyes. "Look this is really touching in a disgusting kind of way, but you get moving and you get back in bed…and that's an order."

She looked at Forrest and then Tucker. "Is he always so dictatorial?"

"Only when he's pissed…which the only way I've ever seen em'."

"Enough of the crap, Tucker," said the captain. "Just get your ass out of here."

"I'm gone."

"Let me know what the hell you find out at this meeting," said Forrest. "We still have a serial killer out there and the clock is ticking."

"Will do," said Tucker, turning to leave. He stopped when another voice called out. Turning back, he looked at T'Pol.

"Trip…be careful."

He gave her a quick smile before ducking out of the room. He could hear footsteps coming from the adjacent hall. The Vulcans, he thought. It had to be them. He needed to put some distance between himself and them while Forrest stalled them.

While Tucker made his way to the emergency exit, T'Pol and Forrest waited for the Vulcan delegates to arrive. Forrest had been told an adjunct from the Vulcan embassy in San Francisco was being sent to handle the shooting incident. It was the first time in the thirty years since the Vulcans arrived that one of them had been purposefully injured. This had to be handled delicately or heads would roll.

Forrest heard the door open, and looked up. He saw a young Vulcan female holding the door open for a slightly older male. In truth, he suspected they were both older than he was given what he had heard about Vulcan life spans. Stepping forward, he introduced himself to the Vulcan.

"I'm Captain Robert Forrest," he said holding his hand out.

The Vulcan looked at him and then his outstretched hand. After a moment, he turned his attention to…

"T'Pol, it is a relief to se that you have survived your ordeal."

T'Pol looked up at the Vulcan, but said nothing. Forrest caught the look on her face. She knew him.

"Excuse me," said Forrest, "But exactly who are you?"

The Vulcan looked at Forrest with indifference. He clearly didn't view the Human as someone requiring his introduction, but for the sake of formalities, he answered Forrest.

"I am Soval…and I am hear to take my wife home to Vulcan."

TBC…