PART 52
Author: Witezon@aol.com
Pairing: A/T
Rating: PG-13
Everything belongs to Paramount/UPN
A slightly hysterical Riann. That is, if a Vulcan were to describe the situation.
Tears poured down her white face, she was panting heavily, and kept looking around as if something terrible was going to happen to her. She held onto Cutler for dear life, visibly trembling. She kept pulling Cutler around so she acted as a barrier between Nybm and herself. Nybm had already realized what she was doing, so she went to stand by T'Pol.
Everyone stared at Riann in shock, and then in embarrassment tinged with anger. Cutler looked over at the Sub-Commander with an apologetic look, clearly uncomfortable with the situation. Riann continued to hide behind Cutler, keeping away from anyone who looked different than she did.
T'Pol looked up at Nybm, "Doctor Nybm? I am Sub-Commander T'Pol. Thank you for your assistance." Nybm was looking at T'Pol's injury and took the first aid kit that Watson held out to her.
"You are welcome, Sub-Commander. You are injured?" The Mezzians had learned over the years to ask Vulcans that question, even when it was obviously true. They were more likely to accept treatment if their dignity remained intact.
Nodding, "Yes, but it is nothing." She gestured to Riann, "Is this a result of the treatment or perhaps the stasis?"
"Sub-Commander, could I repair the wound and explain about this?" She also gestured, but without looking, at Riann.
Jonathon sent her a thought, 'Please, T'Pol, let her fix you up. I hate it when you're hurt, and so does the crew.' Arching an eyebrow at the view screen, she asked, "Would you please repair my injury, Doctor?"
Jonathon waited for a moment while Nybm began, then continued, 'Her emotions are really battering at your shields. Its even making me uncomfortable. Are you alright? Has this happened to you before?'
'It is uncomfortable, but I am able to handle the situation. Our crew, and most other humans I have met, do not make themselves hysterical when they meet Vulcans.'
Nybm quickly repaired the wound and handed her a small, pre-moistened towel to wipe away the blood that had run down her face and neck.
Nybm finally looked back to Riann, who cowered behind Cutler again. "T'Pol, this is not a reaction to either the stasis or the vaccine. This person seems to be xenophobic, severely xenophobic."
"Can we do anything to help her?" Riann looked harder at T'Pol, from behind Cutler, the voice seemed somehow familiar.
"I cannot prescribe a sedative at this time. It would slow her biological systems return to normal time and interfere with the vaccine. If, after 24- hours she hasn't calmed down, then I would strongly recommend one."
Everyone continued to stare at Riann. The Mezzians and T'Pol in an analytical manner and the humans in an angry and embarrassed manner. Her continued insult to T'Pol and to the Mezzians, who were saving her life, just made them angry.
T'Pol tried an intervention, "Riann, I am Sub-Commander T'Pol of the Enterprise. I met you before with my Captain, Jonathon Archer. Do you remember?"
Riann swallowed convulsively and looked over at Watson. T'Pol arched an eyebrow, but said, "Ensign Watson, perhaps you could help Ensign Cutler and Riann."
At the same time, Archer grumbled. 'Damn it, this is awful and I'm embarrassed. I'm so sorry, Aisha. I had no idea she was like this.'
Watson slowly nodded, understanding that his presence would seem to make it safer her and may help calm her down. But it didn't mean he had to like it.
He went to over to stand on the other side of Cutler, who was softly talking to Riann, "Riann, that is Sub-Commander T'Pol. She's a Vulcan and she won't hurt you. She's in command of this ship, right now, and she's here to protect you."
Riann swallowed nervously again, but she did look out at T'Pol, from between Cutler and Watson. Both still looking incredibly uncomfortable.
She slowly got a word out, "Who?" Her eyes darted to the Mezzians.
In the same voice T'Pol used to calm Jon, she replied, "Riann, these are the Mezzians. They are doctors and healers."
She waited a moment, then continued gently, "Do you remember the Andorian, Shran? You had asked him for help?"
For a moment she allowed more of her xenophobe disgust to show, which they all saw. She replied, "Yes."
"He took you to the Mezzians to help you get better. Do you remember that you were sick?"
Archer sent T'Pol more love and support, along with his anger at Riann. 'I saw that last look and I don't like it. Do you think it would help if I transported over?'
Riann only nodded at that question, but T'Pol still continued in her calming tone, "They did help you. They cured you of your illness."
She grabbed onto Watson's arm in protection from the strange greenish woman with the pointed ears. "I am cured?"
"Yes."
Zengen moved to complete some systems repairs, but it caused Riann to gasp in fright and clutch Watson even closer. Something he might have enjoyed, under different circumstances - with someone else.
Again, T'Pol spoke, "Riann, it is alright. Zengen is completing some repairs on the ship.
Riann stared at T'Pol, but asked Cutler, "Ensign Cutler, why are her ears pointed?"
Reed all but growled at that question. Watson looked at her in disgusted surprise, while Cutler didn't answer. The Mezzians looked at T'Pol. T'Pol, being a Vulcan, did nothing.
However, Jonathon wasn't, and said into the silence on the bridge, "That's more than enough of this crap. Trip, you've got the bridge. T'Pol, transport me over to the Vergent."
Reed looked at T'Pol for permission. She nodded.
In a few seconds, Jonathon Archer stood on the bridge of the Vergent. He glanced around the bridge at everyone, but exchanged a long look with T'Pol. Emotions passing between them.
'Aisha, I am so sorry.' 'There is nothing to forgive.' 'I love you.' 'I adore thee.' He smiled at her, then turned to Riann.
She took one look and flew to him, tightly clasping her him in her arms. A hug he didn't return. A hug that made him incredibly uncomfortable. A soothing thought from T'Pol helped. He jerkily, but gently, patted her on the back.
Riann looked up at him, then put her head back on his chest, "Jonathon, thank the havens you are here. Take me away from these strange...beings with the ears and scales. I want my son. Our son. Take me and our son home, Jonathon."
"Captain?" 'Aisha?'
He tried to turn away from Riann to look at T'Pol, but she just held on tighter. "Yes, Sub-Commander?"
"Perhaps it would be a good idea if you and Ensigns Cutler and Watson took Riann to my quarters on this ship?"
'Noooo, I don't have any desire to go anywhere with this woman!"
"That's probably a good idea, Sub-Commander. Thank you."
He firmly pulled away from Riann. "How do you know I have your son?"
"Oh, that strange blue...being. He laughed, quite a lot, but said he would be happy to give you and your Vulcan a surprise." She shivered. "I had no choice. There was no one on my world who would take in a fatherless child."
T'Pol could feel Jonathon's anger increase at her comments. 'I never knew that she was this arrogant. But then again, I didn't knowingly father her child either.'
T'Pol sent him a wave of love, 'Jonathon, you probably do not want to have this conversation on the bridge. If you need me, I am only a thought away.'
Looking at T'Pol over Riann's head, he smiled at her, 'I do love you, T'Pol. I don't know what I'd do without you.' The bridge crew watched the unspoken conversation between Archer and T'Pol, then the smile, and felt all the better for it.
"Let's go, Riann, we can talk privately in T'Pol's 'temporary' quarters." He turned her towards the turbolift and she grabbed his hand, a smug smile appearing on her face.
'You know, Aisha, I don't like this. I know, its to make her feel better, but I still don't like it. I'm going to tell her that we're bond mates. I'm getting a bad feeling about what she wants.'
'I would expect you to do so at the appropriate time. But when you do, it might be better to do it privately.'
'Yes, dear.' At that she turned around in her chair and stared at him, arching an eyebrow. He just smiled at her as the doors closed.
Nybm looked at T'Pol. "I believe that the Captain is your bond mate?"
"Yes." Nybm merely nodded.
T'Pol looked at Sertam, who had been quietly watching the whole scenario play out before him, and then Tucker, who looked sympathetic. Looking back at Sertam she said, "Sertam, would you please tow us to the system for repairs?"
CONTINUED IN PART 53
A slightly hysterical Riann. That is, if a Vulcan were to describe the situation.
Tears poured down her white face, she was panting heavily, and kept looking around as if something terrible was going to happen to her. She held onto Cutler for dear life, visibly trembling. She kept pulling Cutler around so she acted as a barrier between Nybm and herself. Nybm had already realized what she was doing, so she went to stand by T'Pol.
Everyone stared at Riann in shock, and then in embarrassment tinged with anger. Cutler looked over at the Sub-Commander with an apologetic look, clearly uncomfortable with the situation. Riann continued to hide behind Cutler, keeping away from anyone who looked different than she did.
T'Pol looked up at Nybm, "Doctor Nybm? I am Sub-Commander T'Pol. Thank you for your assistance." Nybm was looking at T'Pol's injury and took the first aid kit that Watson held out to her.
"You are welcome, Sub-Commander. You are injured?" The Mezzians had learned over the years to ask Vulcans that question, even when it was obviously true. They were more likely to accept treatment if their dignity remained intact.
Nodding, "Yes, but it is nothing." She gestured to Riann, "Is this a result of the treatment or perhaps the stasis?"
"Sub-Commander, could I repair the wound and explain about this?" She also gestured, but without looking, at Riann.
Jonathon sent her a thought, 'Please, T'Pol, let her fix you up. I hate it when you're hurt, and so does the crew.' Arching an eyebrow at the view screen, she asked, "Would you please repair my injury, Doctor?"
Jonathon waited for a moment while Nybm began, then continued, 'Her emotions are really battering at your shields. Its even making me uncomfortable. Are you alright? Has this happened to you before?'
'It is uncomfortable, but I am able to handle the situation. Our crew, and most other humans I have met, do not make themselves hysterical when they meet Vulcans.'
Nybm quickly repaired the wound and handed her a small, pre-moistened towel to wipe away the blood that had run down her face and neck.
Nybm finally looked back to Riann, who cowered behind Cutler again. "T'Pol, this is not a reaction to either the stasis or the vaccine. This person seems to be xenophobic, severely xenophobic."
"Can we do anything to help her?" Riann looked harder at T'Pol, from behind Cutler, the voice seemed somehow familiar.
"I cannot prescribe a sedative at this time. It would slow her biological systems return to normal time and interfere with the vaccine. If, after 24- hours she hasn't calmed down, then I would strongly recommend one."
Everyone continued to stare at Riann. The Mezzians and T'Pol in an analytical manner and the humans in an angry and embarrassed manner. Her continued insult to T'Pol and to the Mezzians, who were saving her life, just made them angry.
T'Pol tried an intervention, "Riann, I am Sub-Commander T'Pol of the Enterprise. I met you before with my Captain, Jonathon Archer. Do you remember?"
Riann swallowed convulsively and looked over at Watson. T'Pol arched an eyebrow, but said, "Ensign Watson, perhaps you could help Ensign Cutler and Riann."
At the same time, Archer grumbled. 'Damn it, this is awful and I'm embarrassed. I'm so sorry, Aisha. I had no idea she was like this.'
Watson slowly nodded, understanding that his presence would seem to make it safer her and may help calm her down. But it didn't mean he had to like it.
He went to over to stand on the other side of Cutler, who was softly talking to Riann, "Riann, that is Sub-Commander T'Pol. She's a Vulcan and she won't hurt you. She's in command of this ship, right now, and she's here to protect you."
Riann swallowed nervously again, but she did look out at T'Pol, from between Cutler and Watson. Both still looking incredibly uncomfortable.
She slowly got a word out, "Who?" Her eyes darted to the Mezzians.
In the same voice T'Pol used to calm Jon, she replied, "Riann, these are the Mezzians. They are doctors and healers."
She waited a moment, then continued gently, "Do you remember the Andorian, Shran? You had asked him for help?"
For a moment she allowed more of her xenophobe disgust to show, which they all saw. She replied, "Yes."
"He took you to the Mezzians to help you get better. Do you remember that you were sick?"
Archer sent T'Pol more love and support, along with his anger at Riann. 'I saw that last look and I don't like it. Do you think it would help if I transported over?'
Riann only nodded at that question, but T'Pol still continued in her calming tone, "They did help you. They cured you of your illness."
She grabbed onto Watson's arm in protection from the strange greenish woman with the pointed ears. "I am cured?"
"Yes."
Zengen moved to complete some systems repairs, but it caused Riann to gasp in fright and clutch Watson even closer. Something he might have enjoyed, under different circumstances - with someone else.
Again, T'Pol spoke, "Riann, it is alright. Zengen is completing some repairs on the ship.
Riann stared at T'Pol, but asked Cutler, "Ensign Cutler, why are her ears pointed?"
Reed all but growled at that question. Watson looked at her in disgusted surprise, while Cutler didn't answer. The Mezzians looked at T'Pol. T'Pol, being a Vulcan, did nothing.
However, Jonathon wasn't, and said into the silence on the bridge, "That's more than enough of this crap. Trip, you've got the bridge. T'Pol, transport me over to the Vergent."
Reed looked at T'Pol for permission. She nodded.
In a few seconds, Jonathon Archer stood on the bridge of the Vergent. He glanced around the bridge at everyone, but exchanged a long look with T'Pol. Emotions passing between them.
'Aisha, I am so sorry.' 'There is nothing to forgive.' 'I love you.' 'I adore thee.' He smiled at her, then turned to Riann.
She took one look and flew to him, tightly clasping her him in her arms. A hug he didn't return. A hug that made him incredibly uncomfortable. A soothing thought from T'Pol helped. He jerkily, but gently, patted her on the back.
Riann looked up at him, then put her head back on his chest, "Jonathon, thank the havens you are here. Take me away from these strange...beings with the ears and scales. I want my son. Our son. Take me and our son home, Jonathon."
"Captain?" 'Aisha?'
He tried to turn away from Riann to look at T'Pol, but she just held on tighter. "Yes, Sub-Commander?"
"Perhaps it would be a good idea if you and Ensigns Cutler and Watson took Riann to my quarters on this ship?"
'Noooo, I don't have any desire to go anywhere with this woman!"
"That's probably a good idea, Sub-Commander. Thank you."
He firmly pulled away from Riann. "How do you know I have your son?"
"Oh, that strange blue...being. He laughed, quite a lot, but said he would be happy to give you and your Vulcan a surprise." She shivered. "I had no choice. There was no one on my world who would take in a fatherless child."
T'Pol could feel Jonathon's anger increase at her comments. 'I never knew that she was this arrogant. But then again, I didn't knowingly father her child either.'
T'Pol sent him a wave of love, 'Jonathon, you probably do not want to have this conversation on the bridge. If you need me, I am only a thought away.'
Looking at T'Pol over Riann's head, he smiled at her, 'I do love you, T'Pol. I don't know what I'd do without you.' The bridge crew watched the unspoken conversation between Archer and T'Pol, then the smile, and felt all the better for it.
"Let's go, Riann, we can talk privately in T'Pol's 'temporary' quarters." He turned her towards the turbolift and she grabbed his hand, a smug smile appearing on her face.
'You know, Aisha, I don't like this. I know, its to make her feel better, but I still don't like it. I'm going to tell her that we're bond mates. I'm getting a bad feeling about what she wants.'
'I would expect you to do so at the appropriate time. But when you do, it might be better to do it privately.'
'Yes, dear.' At that she turned around in her chair and stared at him, arching an eyebrow. He just smiled at her as the doors closed.
Nybm looked at T'Pol. "I believe that the Captain is your bond mate?"
"Yes." Nybm merely nodded.
T'Pol looked at Sertam, who had been quietly watching the whole scenario play out before him, and then Tucker, who looked sympathetic. Looking back at Sertam she said, "Sertam, would you please tow us to the system for repairs?"
CONTINUED IN PART 53