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CHAPTER FOUR
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"How's he doing, Phlox?" asked Jon quietly. He looked across his friend's inert form to the Denobulan.
"I've stabilized him, Captain," replied the doctor. He peered closely at the monitors above Trip's bio-bed. "We got him here with very little time to spare." His gaze dropped to his patient. "I cleaned the wounds and then sutured them---properly this time. Once they've healed sufficiently, I'll be able to tend to the scarring. Hopefully, when we're done, he won't be able to see any sign of his physical trauma."
"What about his emotional trauma, Doctor?" asked T'Pol. She stood quietly at the foot of Trip's bed, her dark eyes never leaving his sleeping face.
"I'm afraid we'll have to wait and see, Commander," replied Phlox. "Given his reaction to our presence earlier, I can only assume he'll be confused and very frightened when he awakens. We'll have to take it slow and give him time."
As if on cue, Trip moaned lowly and shifted on the bio-bed. Jon watched as the engineer's hands flexed then clinched into tight fists.
"Easy, Commander," soothed Phlox gently.
Trip awoke with a start then looked around wildly.
"Hey, hey," whispered Jon. He reached out a hand to touch his friend's shoulder, but Trip cowered away. The captain couldn't remember seeing Trip so scared.
"Don't touch me."
Jon raised his hands in a placating gesture. "All right, Trip," he said. "No one's going to touch you. Just take it easy."
"You're on Enterprise, Commander," said T'Pol softly. She moved around and stood at Jon's side.
"This isn't real," insisted the engineer, his voice breaking. "You're still in my mind. What do you want from me?"
T'Pol put her hand over Trip's and he froze. "Your hand is warm," he murmured with disbelief.
"It's over, Commander," said the Vulcan. "You're safe now. They can not hurt you anymore."
"T'Pol?"
Jon watched as T'Pol took Trip's hand in hers and squeezed it gently.
"That's how I always knew," the engineer said quietly, his voice trembling.
"Knew what, Trip?"
Trip held on to T'Pol's hand tightly, but his eyes moved to Jon. "Cap'n?"
Jon smiled. "Welcome back," he said. He slowly lifted his hand and placed it tentatively on Trip's bare arm.
The commander flinched slightly, but then relaxed under its warmth.
"Is that how you knew what you were experiencing wasn't real, Commander?" asked Phlox.
Trip nodded and swallowed hard. His eyes clouded with tears, but he fought to blink them away. Jon gave his arm an affectionate squeeze. He had his dearest friend back by his side, he told himself. He'd gone to hell and back, but he was back right where he belonged.
"Did you---did you find them? The ones who took me?"
Jon shook his head. "No," he replied. "I'm sorry, Trip. By the time we found their space station, they'd already gone. D'Marr was able to trace them to that world where we finally found you."
"Where they just dumped the bodies like garbage," hissed Trip tightly. "Or---or was that all just a dream, too?"
"It was real, Commander," said Phlox with distaste. "And these Taipra Ku claim to be scientists."
"Is that what they're called? I never saw them, but I heard them." Trip squeezed his eyes shut.
"Take it easy, Trip," soothed Jon. "We don't have to talk about all of this now."
Trip nodded and opened his eyes to look up at him. "I don't think I can, Cap'n. What they did---." His voice trailed off.
"See if you can get some rest, okay?" said Jon. He patted Trip's arm gently. "We'll be here when you wake up."
Trip looked at T'Pol who nodded once in silent agreement.
The engineer turned his eyes to Phlox. "Can you give me something, Doc? I don't want to dream anymore."
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"Commander!" greeted Travis cheerfully.
Trip looked up from his cold cup of coffee to see the smiling ensign walking toward him with a tray of steaming food. Close on his heels was Hoshi.
"I didn't know the doctor had released you yet, sir," continued Travis.
"Hey, Travis," said Trip, forcing a smile. "I'm not on duty yet, but I think Phlox was getting sick of seeing my face. He released me to quarters." He pointed to a tiny device looped around his wrist. "But he's still keeping watch over me."
"Good to see you up and around, Commander," said Hoshi. "Mind if we join you, sir?"
"Be my guests."
"How are you feeling?" asked the helmsman, taking a seat at Trip's right. "It's only been just over a day."
Trip contemplated the cold contents of his cup. "The incisions will heal thanks to the doc's magic touch," he replied. "The one down my chest still hurts, but it's getting better."
"Lieutenant Reed told us what they did to you," said Hoshi quietly. "I'm so sorry."
"Hey, I lived," shrugged Trip. "And it was all in the name of science," he added bitterly.
"Some science," huffed Travis around a bite of macaroni salad.
"I've survived worse, Travis," replied the engineer.
"I'm not so sure about that, sir."
"Come on, Travis. He survived getting pregnant and inhaling psychotropic pollen," interjected Hoshi.
Trip looked up at the communications officer to see a warm, caring smile on her pretty face. She was teasing him.
"Oh, no. Being ensnared in that creature's web in the cargo bay was worse," chimed in Travis. "Or maybe the hypothermia?"
Trip felt himself chuckle at the ensigns' amusement. "Don't forget heatstroke or that creature on Treylus IV," he added good-naturedly.
"Treylus IV?"
Trip looked at Hoshi. "Yeah, the creature that attacked the cap'n and me. Don't tell me you don't remember."
"Sir, nothing happened on Treylus IV," said Travis, suddenly confused. "We collected some plant samples for Dr. Phlox."
"That's impossible, Travis. I remember it very clearly." Trip looked between the two ensigns then his stomach dropped. "It did happen----didn't it?"
Hoshi exchanged a look with Travis. "Commander, nothing happened on that planet," she replied. She reached a hand over and touched Trip's wrist. "Are you all right, sir?"
"It must've been one of the dreams," whispered Trip, looking at the ensign's hand where it warmed his skin. "It---it seemed so real, but I guess it couldn't have been 'cause---I died on Treylus IV."
"Travis, maybe you should get Dr. Phlox."
"No, Hoshi," said Trip quickly. "I'm fine."
"I don't know, sir," said Travis. "You do look a little pale."
Trip smiled at the two young officers. "I'm fine. Just tired, is all. I think I'll just turn in early tonight." He stood, somewhat unsteady on his feet. "I'll see you two tomorrow."
"Aye, sir," said Hoshi. "If you're sure."
"I'm sure, Hoshi. Thanks for the concern, though."
"Good night, Commander," said Travis.
Trip walked to the mess hall door then hit the button to open it. As it opened, he stepped through only to bump into someone. "Sorry," he said absently. His hand went to his chest as he felt the sutures pull at the jarring.
"Trip?"
The engineer looked up into the face of his captain. "Sorry, Cap'n. I didn't see you there."
"No problem," replied Archer. "You okay?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah, I'm fine, sir."
Archer scowled as he scrutinized Trip closely. "Well, you don't look fine, Trip."
"I'm just tired, sir," Trip replied curtly then he sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "I'm sorry, it's just been a long day."
"Don't worry about it. Come on, I'll walk you to your quarters."
Trip nodded and side-by-side the two men headed down the corridor.
"I just came from sickbay, Trip. Phlox said you all but demanded he release you to quarters."
"I couldn't stay there, Cap'n," explained the engineer. "I just couldn't. Too confining and the smells----."
"Reminded you of the Taipra Ku?"
"Yeah, I guess."
"You ready to talk about what happened?" asked Archer. He walked closer at Trip's side, offering his silent support.
Trip shrugged. "Not much to tell, Cap'n," he replied nonchalantly. "I was never fully conscious for any of it."
"But you dreamed."
The commander exhaled a shaky breath. "Yeah, I dreamed. They made me," he began. "I could feel them in my mind, poking around. They were so cold." He shivered involuntarily and quickly brought his arms up to hug himself.
"What did you dream?" prodded Archer gently.
Trip remained silent, lost in cold dark memories; memories of dying, of watching his friends die, of cold hands. He shivered again.
"Trip?"
"They were just dreams, Cap'n," the engineer replied impatiently. "Just a bunch of damned dreams."
Archer seemed to understand any further probing would lead him nowhere. He simply nodded, keeping his shoulder close to Trip's. The contact warmed Trip somewhat and he dropped his arms to his side. He was grateful for the support.
When they arrived at his quarters, Trip hesitated slightly then keyed in his entry code. The door slid open to reveal the darkness within.
"You going to be okay? I can come in for a while," offered Archer.
"Nah, I'll be fine," replied Trip with a smile.
Archer smiled in return. "If you need anything, Trip, just hit the comm. and I'll be here, okay? No matter what time." He gave Trip's arm a gentle squeeze. "I mean it," he added. "Any time."
Trip nodded. "Aye, sir."
Archer patted Trip's arm then turned to leave.
"Cap'n?"
The captain turned around. "Yeah?"
"Thanks."
Archer smiled warmly and nodded.
Trip watched his friend walk away then turned to face his darkened quarters. He chided himself for being so afraid, for acting like a scared child. These were his quarters, the place he'd called home for over three years. He'd always been safe in them, and warm.
Hesitantly, the engineer stepped into the darkness.
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T'Pol stared at the door before her. She reminded herself somewhat sadly that it had only been a few weeks ago that she wouldn't have balked at entering these quarters without strict invitation. As she stared at the door now, she realized how much had changed between her and its occupant.
T'Pol gathered her resolve and keyed in her entry code. She was somewhat surprised to find the lights up. She wondered if her assumption that Trip would be sleeping was incorrect. When there was no movement within, T'Pol stepped quietly over the threshold. Trip was indeed sleeping, but restlessly. He lay on his bunk still in his t-shirt and sweatpants. From the look of the blanket that lay crumpled on the floor, he'd been tossing and turning in his sleep.
The Vulcan commander closed the door, turned the lights down to low, then moved further into the room. She pulled Trip's desk chair over to the side of the bunk then knelt to pick up the fallen blanket. Carefully, T'Pol placed it over Trip's sleeping form then sat down quietly. Her eyes settled on the engineer's face. She was certain he was dreaming and from his expression, his dreams were not pleasant. Her heart went out to him. He'd experienced nothing less than torture at the hands of the Taipra Ku. When she'd visited him in sickbay, he'd tried valiantly to convince both T'Pol and the captain that he was fine, but she knew him too well. He was in pain and not just physically.
T'Pol leaned forward and gently stroked Trip's troubled brow. She'd missed him terribly and in her quest to center herself on the path of Surak, she'd hurt him; something she'd never wanted to do. In fact, she thought sadly, she'd done nothing but hurt him, this kind, gentle human who'd unexpectedly taken her heart.
Trip rolled onto his back, his hands at his sides balled into tight fists. He mumbled something then shouted, sitting up abruptly. One hand went to his chest as he gasped for breath.
"Trip?"
The commander didn't seem to notice T'Pol's presence. He looked straight ahead, gulping in air like it was a rare commodity. His hand remained on his chest over the still-healing incision.
"Trip?" T'Pol prompted again. She reached out and rested a gentle hand on his shoulder. Trip started and turned to her, his eyes wide with fear. He stared at her as if he were trying to decide if she was real or not. Then his hand came up and covered hers where it still lay on his shoulder. He closed his eyes and breathed a heavy sigh of relief.
"You are safe," said T'Pol.
Trip nodded, his breathing slowing closer to a normal rate.
"Would you like me to call the doctor?"
"No," Trip replied. "I'm okay." Then he opened his eyes and looked at her in puzzlement. "What are you doing here, T'Pol?"
T'Pol hesitated. "I was concerned," she replied simply. "If I have overstepped my boundaries, I will leave."
Trip's hand tightened over hers. "No, no," he said. "I'm glad you're here. Please don't leave."
"Very well."
The engineer tossed aside the blanket then turned his body and threw his legs over the side of his bunk so that he was facing her, her hand still firmly grasped in his. He met her eyes for a long searching moment. T'Pol held his gaze steadily, though she felt a slight flush warm her face at his intense scrutiny.
"Thank you for being here," Trip said finally. "The cap'n offered to stay, but I told him I'd be fine. I honestly thought I could handle being alone." He snorted softly. "Really brave, aren't I?"
"You are one of the bravest people I know," replied T'Pol.
Trip looked at her strangely, apparently gauging whether she was being truthful or not.
"I know of very few who could have survived what you did."
"If I didn't know you better, I'd swear you were just blowing sunshine up my---well, you know what I mean. But you really mean that, don't you?"
"Yes."
Trip's shoulders noticeably relaxed and his gaze dropped to their joined hands. "I've missed you, T'Pol."
"And I you. You never ceased to be important to me, Trip," said T'Pol. "After the events on Vulcan, I felt lost and so distant from my heritage as a Vulcan. I was---confused by what I was feeling. I regret that I hurt you and I apologize."
"Don't worry about it. I know you needed space."
"I don't require---space any longer."
Trip looked up at her in surprise. "You don't? But I thought I wasn't---I mean that our friendship, wasn't on Surak's path."
"I was incorrect."
Trip smiled. "Infinite diversity in infinite combination," he said.
T'Pol arched a brow, unable to hide her surprise. "You know of IDIC?" she asked.
"I've done a little reading over the last few weeks. Just in case---well, just in case you needed a friend to talk to."
T'Pol felt her heart warm with affection. She wondered briefly if there would ever be a day when he would not surprise her with his thoughtfulness. She highly doubted that she would ever see such a day.
Trip held her eyes and in the dim light, T'Pol could see how drawn he looked. "You need to rest," she said.
The commander's expression changed, reflecting his apprehension. "I'm not sure I can," he replied.
"I'll stay with you." T'Pol stood from her chair and sat on the bunk, adjusting her position so that she was leaning back against the bulkhead.
Trip looked at her hesitantly. "What about you?" he asked.
"I don't require sleep tonight."
Trip balked slightly then slowly lowered himself onto his side facing away from T'Pol, his head cushioned across her lap. T'Pol arranged the blanket over him then began gently stroking his hair. Only after a few seconds, his eyes drooped then closed completely in sleep.
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CONTINUED