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CHAPTER SIX

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"What you're proposing, Commander, is unorthodox to say the least," said Phlox. "You yourself said that this has never been attempted before."

T'Pol nodded. "Dr. Yuris believes it can be done," she replied.

Phlox looked from T'Pol to Trip who sat silently on a bio-bed. The young commander had remained silent while the Vulcan science officer had explained Dr. Yuris' proposal to both Phlox and the captain.

"From first hand experience I can tell you that mind melds are dangerous," said Archer. "I don't think the risk is worth it, especially since this---technique has never been used before on a human. I don't want Trip used as some guinea pig for Yuris' research. He's already been put through too much at the hands of---scientists."

"I don't want any harm to come to Trip---Commander Tucker either, Captain. I am merely giving an alternative treatment," replied T'Pol somewhat curtly. "Dr. Yuris is confident he can help him."

"It's too dangerous, T'Pol," replied Archer sharply.

Phlox tilted his head and regarded his silent patient. "I believe the decision should be Commander Tucker's," he said finally. "If you two will excuse us, I'd like to discuss the commander's treatment with the commander."

Both Archer and T'Pol looked back at Phlox with expressions of surprise, but neither moved from Trip's bedside.

Phlox motioned to the doors. "If you please?"

Archer looked indignant, but then nodded. "We'll be in the corridor if you need us, Trip," he said.

Phlox watched both officers leave the sickbay then he turned and pulled his stool over to the bio-bed. He sat down directly in front of Trip whose eyes remained downcast.

"Thanks, Doc," said the engineer.

"They both care a great deal about you, Commander."

Trip snorted softly. "I know," he replied.

"So what is it you want to do, hmmm?"

"I want to try the mind meld," Trip replied without hesitation. He looked up and met Phlox's eyes.

"Are you certain?"

Trip nodded. "It scares the hell out of me, Doc, the thought of having someone else probing around in my mind, but I think it's the only way."

"There are more traditional treatments, Commander."

"I know, I know, but they all take time, Doc. I'm not sure how much longer I can take this."

Phlox regarded the young man before him. He could easily see that Trip was indeed scared, but in his eyes, Phlox saw the steely determination he'd come to associate with the commander over the years. Trip had made up his mind and Phlox realized there was nothing he could do to sway him.

The doctor stood from his stool. "I'll ask the captain to set a course for Vulcan," he said as he turned to the door.

"Hey, Doc?"

Phlox turned back to Trip. "Yes?"

"Will you stay with me? During the meld?"

Phlox smiled warmly. "I won't leave your side, Commander," he affirmed.

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"Do you understand what I am going to do, Commander?"

Trip nodded. "You're going to go into my mind and make me forget the memories," he replied.

"And you agree to this procedure even knowing you will be losing those memories?" asked Dr. Yuris.

"They're not my memories, Doctor," replied Trip wryly. "I won't mind losing them."

"And you agree to this procedure even knowing the dangers involved?"

"Yes."

T'Pol watched Trip's jaw set and knew he was not going to change his mind. She felt a pang of fear, knowing he was doing this at her suggestion. She knew she would never forgive herself if anything happened to him.

"Very well," said Yuris. "We will begin immediately if you are so inclined."

"The sooner the better," said the engineer with conviction.

"Trip, are you sure about this?" asked Archer from T'Pol's side.

The commander nodded.

Yuris stood from the chair he'd taken upon the arrival of his guests. "I ask that you two remain in here. Commander, Dr. Phlox, please come with me," he directed

Trip rose and with Phlox, followed the Vulcan doctor passed Archer and T'Pol.

The captain reached out to grab Trip's arm. "Trip," he said pleadingly.

"I'll be okay, Cap'n. Don't worry."

Archer nodded then reluctantly released Trip's arm.

The engineer stepped in front of T'Pol. She met his eyes and he smiled. "I'll see you soon," he said.

"I'll be waiting."

Trip smiled again then took her hand and squeezed it gently. He then followed Yuris into the back bedroom.

"I'll make certain he's all right," said Phlox.

"You better, Doctor," replied Archer.

The Denobulan disappeared into the other room then shut the door, leaving Archer and T'Pol alone. The captain moved across the small, sparsely furnished main room to stand by a window. He squinted against the brilliant Vulcan sun, his hands on his hips in a stance that reminded T'Pol of Trip. The men had been friends for almost a dozen years, so it seemed natural that they would have picked up each other's mannerisms and postures, and T'Pol found that oddly comforting.

"I don't know about this, T'Pol," said Archer.

"Dr. Yuris assured me he will stop if it appears he is harming Commander Tucker in any way."

Archer sighed. "I just don't like the idea of Trip going through what I went through when we were in The Forge."

"This is a meld, Captain, not the exchange of a katra. If I understand Dr. Yuris, he will have a deep connection with the commander's mind for a time, but there will be no lingering effects except, of course, the removal of those specific memories."

"Since he's determined to do this, I wish Trip would've agreed to let Dr. Yuris remove all the memories of the Taipra Ku. He doesn't need to remember the torture they put him through."

"He feels he does, Captain," replied T'Pol. She moved to the wall just outside the door of the bedroom and leaned back against it, her hands linked behind her. "And knowing Commander Tucker as I do, I can understand his decision." She looked across the room to the captain. "As I believe you understand it as well."

Archer smiled and nodded. "Tough as nails," he said. "I guess a part of me still thinks of Trip as that young naïve lieutenant I met over a decade ago. I still want to protect him."

"You care a great deal for him."

The captain turned his head to look at her. "So do you," he said knowingly.

T'Pol shifted uncomfortably on her feet, but did not trust her voice to respond.

"He loves you, you know," continued Archer. "Knowing Trip, I doubt he's ever told you that, but I thought you should know." He turned back to gazing out the window. "Just in case you might feel the same way."

T'Pol inhaled deeply forcing herself to get a grasp on the flood of emotion she was experiencing. Trip had never verbalized his feelings for her, but some part of her had sensed them, had known they were strong, but she'd never allowed herself to believe he could truly love her. That knowledge only made things more complicated. A Vulcan and a human were illogical, she thought, yet why could she not even consider a future with anyone else?

T'Pol tipped her head back against the wall and let her mind carefully examine that question.

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Phlox stood by quietly, watching the melding of two minds with both clinical interest and very real concern. He'd sedated Trip after Yuris' initial try at connecting to the young man's mind had failed. With Trip deeply asleep, the Vulcan doctor had been easily able to enter his thoughts.

The Denobulan shifted slightly on his feet. An hour had already passed and still Yuris seemed deeply entrenched in Trip's mind. Both men were silent, the only movement between them identical facial expressions. Phlox realized that whatever monsters were haunting Trip were also haunting Yuris.

"Forget," whispered the Vulcan doctor suddenly. After a long moment, he opened his eyes and removed his hands from the commander's face. He sat for a time then turned to look at Phlox. "The meld is complete."

"Did it work?"

"We will not know for certain until Commander Tucker awakens," replied Yuris. "They certainly did a number on him." One slanted brow rose in surprise. "Curious, I believe that is a human expression." He looked down at Trip. "Very curious, indeed."

Phlox couldn't help but smile. "I'll get the captain and T'Pol," he offered.

"Of course, Doctor."

Phlox moved to the door and opened it then motioned for the two officers to enter the room.

"He's unconscious?" asked Archer.

"He's merely sleeping, Captain," replied Phlox hastily.

"I asked Dr. Phlox to sedate him," explained Yuris. "Commander Tucker agreed."

"The sedative should wear off within the next hour," said Phlox.

"Were you successful, Doctor?" asked T'Pol.

"I was able to see his memories of the events quite clearly," replied Yuris. "I found it curious that he was able to communicate with me through the meld. I did not think that would be possible with his species."

"Were you successful, Doctor?" pressed Archer, the impatience clear in his voice.

"I believe so, Captain, but as I told Dr. Phlox, until Commander Tucker awakens, we will not know for certain."

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CONTINUED