Title: "Enemy of the State" 19

Author: Quills

Contact: quillsthequillpen.net

Series: ENT

Rating: PG-13

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

Codes: A, T/Tu, Ma, S, R, P angst, drama, romance, humor, action/adventure

Summary: The starship Enterprise is on a desperate mission to save Earth from the mysterious Xindi. While searching for the weapon the Xindi intend to use against Earth, Captain Archer and his crew are reunited with their friend from the future, Captain Soma, who brings news of an even more sinister plot by a Xindi faction involving the Vulcans, which threatens not only Earth, but the entire galaxy. Now it is up to Archer and his crew, with the help of Soma, to unravel the Xindi plot and prevent Earth and the galaxy from falling at the feet of their greatest threat…Vulcan. Special note: This story takes place after the season three episode, "Carpenter Street", but before the episode "Harbinger".

Chapter 19

T'Pol and Archer stood inside a partially enclosed alcove leading to a circular staircase. They had discovered that the stairs led down to an establishment catering to the seedy, wild side of Vulcan nightlife. The lustful howls and shouts of the club's exclusive patrons could be heard echoing up the stairwell. Trying to gain entry, they had been gruffly turned away by the rather large pair of Klingons standing outside the double doors.

They had both been waiting for Soma, who had ventured into the small red stone storefront just across the street. He had suggested going in alone. Their last three attempts to gain information had proven unsuccessful. Soma felt the storeowners and patrons were suspicious of them, and that they might have better luck if only one of them went looking for information.

Archer watched as two Vulcans walked passed them, heading down the staircase. He noticed they were both male and well dressed, one wearing a dark brown formfitting suit, while the other wore a light loose fitting cloak. Their mannerism suggested they might be intimate partners, but Archer couldn't be sure. Did homosexuality even exist on Vulcan? It wasn't really something he had bothered considering. But the intimate manner of the two men suggested that it did. Whatever their sexual orientation, they were a sharp contrast to the last two patrons he and T'Pol had seen descend the stairs. A black leather clad humanoid female with ridges on the bridge of her nose. He wasn't familiar with the species, but her companion's species was quite familiar to him. He was a Xindi humanoid. From his muted attire he didn't look like his situation was any better than Archer's. The red tattoo on his neck settled the question. He was a slave. It seemed that not all the Xindi faired equally in their bid to change history.

While Archer watched the two Vulcans, T'Pol observed the crowd of passing people. She was watchfully alert to any signs of trouble – even if she wasn't certain how or where it might occur. Their intelligence was spotty at best, but left them with few options and even less time. Glancing up the walkway, she looked at the crowds of people moving in either direction along walkway. Suddenly, she saw a familiar form. Turning back, she strained to see what it was that had caught her attention. For a moment, she looked into the crowd of people moving along the walkway. She was certain that she had seen…then she saw it… a figure in black armor. No, three of them…all black armored soldiers coming down the walkway. Just like the ones they captured aboard Enterprise.Turning, she grabbed Archer's arm.

"Jon."

Archer turned to T'Pol, who motioned him to look up the walkway. Turning, he saw what had caught her attention.

"Trouble," said Archer.

"They appear to be randomly questioning people," said T'Pol, observing the three soldiers as they stopped two pedestrians.

"I don't think we're going to stand up to scrutiny."

T'Pol turned back, looking down the staircase. "If we attempt to gain entry again, it will undoubtedly attract attention."

Archer shook his head in agreement. "Let's move further down the street. We can double back once they're gone."

Nodding, T'Pol followed the captain as he moved to exit the alcove.

Suddenly, he caught site of a soldier no more than two meters away. The man had apparently separated from the others, and neither he nor T'Pol had noticed him. In less than a second, his options ran through his head: fight or flee. In either case, they would be exposed. They couldn't afford to have the authorities actively looking for them. It would jeopardize the mission. Then a third option occurred to him. Without considering what he was about to do and without any warning to T'Pol, he swung around quickly pulling her to him – pressing his lips to hers in a passionate kiss.

T'Pol responded in surprise, struggling as she pressed her hands against Archer's chest. He held onto her, as he continued kissing her. After a moment, her hands relaxed as he wrapped his arms around her, tightening the embrace. The two stood at the opening of the alcove, passersby barely noticing the open display they were engaged in.

The black armored soldier walked into the alcove, eyeing Archer and T'Pol for a moment. He studied them both intently as they continued their long kiss.  As he stepped towards them, Archer could see the Vulcan reaching out with his black-gloved hand. It hadn't work. They would be questioned and exposed. Balling his hand into a fist, he tensed, ready to strike at soldier. He and T'Pol would have to run.

"Trelik," shouted a deep voiced male from outside the alcove.

The soldier stopped, turning towards the voice. Archer waited and listened.

"Leave them," the voice said in Vulcan. "You have better things to do than indulge your voyeuristic fantasies."

Archer could hear the soldier leaving the alcove. The two men started talking, joined by a third. But it was in Vulcan and he couldn't understand what was being said. Holding T'Pol close, he pulled back just enough to whisper to her.

"What are they saying?"

Waiting for a reply, he looked down at her. He could see her staring up at him with confused expression on her face.

"T'Pol?"

Looking away, she swallowed hard as she leaned closer. He felt her warm breath against his chest. Shuddering he gripped her shoulders.

"They…they are looking for insurgents," she whispered. "Members of an underground."

Archer pressed his lips to her ear. "Underground?" he replied in a low voice.

T'Pol felt the heat of his breath brush across her ear. Sucking in a deep breath, she nodded. But before she could say more, she saw one of the soldiers giving them more than casual glance. Pulling Archer back to their embrace, T'Pol kissed him deeply, running her hands wildly through his hair. Peering over Archer's shoulder, she could see the guard had lost his interest in them and had returned to the discussion. Watching them, she could see that they were starting to move off. They had not found what they were looking for and were apparently going to search further down the pavilion. Listening, she waited as she heard them slowly walking away, until the sound of their black armored boots was drowned out by the bustling noise of the crowd.

Across the street, Soma exited the storefront. Descending the small set of stairs, he came to the street. Suddenly, he stopped. His face became flushed with anger as his jaw set hard. Looking across the street, he could see the shadowy alcove where Archer and T'Pol were waiting. The lighting was poor, but he made out the two figures very plainly, He could see Archer – kissing his mother. He could see Archer holding her in his arms, his mother caressing him as she returned his kiss. Watching them both, he suppressed an ancient and primal urge that threatened to let itself loose. Clenching his fists, he bolted across the busy street.

Realizing the soldiers had gone, Archer pulled back from their embrace. Looking down, he could see a very flustered T'Pol. Swallowing, she took a deep breath, exhaling gently. Archer glanced down the walkway. The soldiers were turning the corner, heading away from them.

"It worked," said Archer, sighing in relief.

T'Pol remained quiet, studying Archer. The feelings and emotions she was experiencing came rushing to the surface, threatening to overwhelm her. For a moment, she thought that Soma might have been right. She was endangering the mission by using the Trellium. But she dismissed the thought just as quickly. What he had done…what they had both one was necessary…if unexpected.

"T'Pol?" said Archer, a "Are you alright."

"I'm fine, captain," she replied, slowly shaking her head. Realizing her mistake, she amended her response. "Jon"

"Are you sure?" he said, placing his hands on her arms.

"Your kiss was…unexpected."

"I'm sorry-"

"There is no reason to apologize," said T'Pol, shaking her head. "Your action was logical."

Smiling, he knew she was right, but it didn't help. The feelings the kiss elicited alarmed and excited him. She was a very beautiful woman…and his friend. She was also another man's wife. At least she would be some day. But it didn't change the feelings he was having or what he felt from T'Pol when she had deepened their kiss. He was feeling confused and more than a little guilty.

Suddenly, T'Pol pushed passed him. Turning, he looked in the direction she was moving.

Looking into the street, he caught site of Soma running towards them. But something was wrong. He could see the look on his face. Archer had grown to recognize the expression on Soma. He was angry. But why? Had something gone wrong? He had to find out if the mission was in jeopardy.

"Jonathan?" said Archer, running up to him. "Is everything alright?"

Soma stopped when he reached Archer. He gave the captain a hard look before his nodding. "Fine," he said. "I got what we needed."

"As did I," said T'Pol.

Soma turned, giving her a scowling look. "I'll bet you did."

T'Pol looked at him, both brows shot in surprise and shock. "Jonathan?"

Soma looked at the two of them. He desperately wanted to say something…to do something, but now wasn't the time or place. They had a mission to complete. He would deal with them both, later, especially Archer.

"We have to head down this street," explained Soma. "There's a man who might be able to help us. He's in a place called Delki. It's some kind of bar or club."

"What kind of help?" asked Archer.

"Information," said Soma, not bothering to look the captain. "We don't have time to waste. He won't be there all night."

Archer wasn't satisfied with Soma's answer, but he wasn't about to question him on an open street. Whatever the problem was, he trusted Soma enough to believe he wouldn't endanger them or the mission. They would proceed to this club and find the man Soma claimed was so important.

"Alright," agreed Archer.

"Then let's get moving," said Soma. Turning away, he started down the street.

T'Pol looked at Archer with a mixture of concern and confusion. She was clearly as mystified by her son's behavior as he was. What had caused him to regard them so coolly?

"Come on, let's not fall behind," he said.

Reluctantly, T'Pol moved on ahead to catch up with Soma. Archer started to follow, but stopped. Looking across the street, he could see the direction from which Soma had come running towards them. Turning, he looked into the alcove that he and T'Pol had been waiting in. A sudden chill went down his spine as a thought occurred to him. If what he suspected were true, then he had his answer for Soma's unexplained behavior.

TBC…