The
Cultural Addition
a Star
Trek: Enterprise - based fan fiction
by: Joycelyn
Solo
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Summary: An unexpected pregnancy has some interesting consequences
for Trip, T'Pol, the Enterprise and the future of Humanity.
Author's note: This story takes place Season Three, so
expect general episodic references, but with definite AU qualities.
Disclaimer: Star Trek: Enterprise and associated
characters are property of Paramount Pictures. I mean no copyright
infringement, this story is for entertainment purposes only.
Special Thanks: To Stub, the wonder beta
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Trip/T'Pol Romance; Mystery
Chapter Nine - Beware phase cannons
It had been four months since Trip and T'Pol found out they were going to be parents; a month since they learned the hybrid was female.
In that time, both senior officers could be found in each other's company -- on duty and off -- as their respective commitments to the ship allowed.
Trip couldn't explain it, really, but he just knew that he felt more at ease when he was in T'Pol's presence. He didn't know if it was simply the pull of the paternal bond or other feelings he wasn't ready to study, but he did know that he hadn't felt this content -- this whole -- since the Xindi attack on Earth and the death of his sister.
Thinking of Lizzie was still enough to form a lump in his throat, but he was no longer plagued with nightmares or the need to escape all human contact. It wasn't that he'd forgotten Lizzie -- never that -- but he'd learned in the last four months that life really did go on as long as those living chose to continue living.
And, right now, he was living for his daughter.
It was still weird on a lot of levels to think that he was going to be a father. Even weirder to think that T'Pol was the mother of his child, but Trip could think of worse fates than a life with the Vulcan science officer. Granted, they'd yet to determine where that life was going to be or what it would entail, but, as T'Pol pointed out, they did have another seven months to figure it out.
In the meantime, Trip was proving his resolve to be a part of the child's life by accompanying T'Pol to see Phlox at least once a week and making sure the first officer was taking care of herself by eating right, getting enough rest and not standing in front of phase cannons.
"I will not be in front of any cannons, Commander," T'Pol corrected, her fork poised over the plate Trip had readied for her. "I will simply be helping Mr. Reed compile a list of supplies he would like to procure at the next availability."
"I don't want you standing in a room full of weapons with Malcolm," Trip said, repeating the protest he began shortly after T'Pol informed him over breakfast that she was headed for the Armory.
T'Pol raised an eyebrow at him, though he didn't need the physical action to know she was irritated with him. He noticed in recent months of being connected through the bond that her emotions were becoming more pronounced, at least to him. He wondered if it had to do with the pregnancy or being connected to an emotional and irrational Human.
He hoped it was hormones from the pregnancy. He hated to think that their link was having a negative affect on her.
T'Pol watched as Trip paced the length of his quarters. She'd noticed in recent months that he'd taken to pacing as an outlet for his emotions, rather than blurting out whatever he happened to be thinking or feeling. "Do you not trust the lieutenant? I was under the impression he was your friend."
"He is my friend," Trip admitted, slowing his steps but continuing to walk back and forth before her. "That's why I know he can get a little excited when there's the potential to blow something up."
"I highly doubt that happening, Commander. Lieutenant Reed would not wish to diminish his supplies any further."
Trip gave her a look, seeing the futility of arguing further. She'd already accused him of hovering and he'd promised not to interfere with her duties.
Well, he promised to try not to interfere with her duties.
And, as first officer, she'd been appointed to create an inventory from all departments so that when Enterprise encountered a less-than-hostile planet they would know what to barter for and what they could barter with. They'd already been in the Expanse with no sign of the Xindi for six months. There was no telling how much longer they could survive on the supplies Starfleet stocked them with back on Earth.
"Eat the rest of your fruit," Trip finally acquiesced, "and I'll promise not to cut power to the Armory."
An hour later, Malcolm waited expectantly as T'Pol looked over the PADD he'd prepared. In addition to the supplies the Armory required, he'd added a list of suggestions for weapons upgrades based on what they knew of Xindi defenses -- which wasn't much -- and was interested to know what she thought of them.
"Your acquisition requests seem reasonable, Lieutenant." She advanced the PADD to the next screen, "And your theory about the Reptilian weapons is --"
"Sub-Commander, are you all right?" Malcolm asked, concerned as a grimace passed over her face.
With visible effort, T'Pol composed her features. "I do not believe the large breakfast Commander Tucker insisted I consume is agreeing with the hybrid."
Having shared morning meals with Trip, Malcolm could understand how anyone would have an upset stomach afterward. "Would you like to continue this some other time, perhaps?"
T'Pol took a deep breath and closed her eyes as she attempted to take control of her body. "No. The discomfort is subsiding."
"Very well," Malcolm agreed, though knowing she must be in tremendous pain to even admit it. If she insisted they continue, he could at least attempt to finish up quickly. He turned back toward the weapons locker, hand poised to key-in the security code --
There was a low groan and Malcolm turned in time to see T'Pol sink to the Armory floor.
"Sub-Commander!"
Moving quickly to the fallen Vulcan's side, he reached for a pulse -- and realized he hadn't the faintest idea where to even gauge it properly. He knew nothing of Vulcan physiology and was of little use to her.
He ran to the comm, signaling Dr. Phlox. "Sub-Commander T'Pol has collapsed. I'm bringing her to Sickbay."
Not waiting for a response, he pushed the door release, gathered the sub-commander into his arms and ran toward the turbolift.
Engineering. Minutes before.
Ever since breakfast, Trip couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong -- or about to go wrong. Unable to pin down whatever was causing the feeling, he had his team running diagnostics on every system he could think of.
He was somewhat disappointed when all reports came back within acceptable parameters.
But he still felt something was wrong.
Which was unfortunate for Ensign Montgomery. Unable to appease his anxiety, Trip's patience had grown thin. And poor, unsuspecting Adam Montgomery, had no warning when he handed the chief engineer his diagnostic report.
"There's a reason Starfleet developed protocols for warp diagnostics," Trip growled, glaring at the perfectly adequate report Montgomery handed to him. "Do you think just because you didn't have the time to thoroughly document --"
Montgomery chanced speaking when Trip trailed off in mid-rant. "Sir?"
Trip ignored the crewman, shaking his head in an attempt to clear it. What the he --
And then it hit him, an explosion of clarity as he finally realized what was wrong. It hadn't been the engines. It had nothing to do with Enterprise.
It was the baby. The baby was in trouble.
T'Pol was in trouble.
His family needed him.
Montgomery watched as a white-faced Commander Tucker ran out of Engineering.
"What was that about?" Lieutenant Ana Hess asked, coming up beside Montgomery as Trip ran off.
Montgomery shrugged as the the comm sounded: "Phlox to Commander Tucker."
Hess and Montgomery looked at each other before Hess moved to the wall unit. "This is Lieutenant Hess, Doctor. Can I help you with something?"
"Where is Commander Tucker?" Phlox asked, stress obvious in the Denobulan's voice.
"He just ran out of here like
the devil was at his heels, sir," Hess answered.
There was a moment's pause. "Please tell him to report to
Sickbay when you see him."
"Yes, sir," she answered and turned to Montgomery. "I have a feeling Commander Tucker is already on his way to Sickbay."
Montgomery nodded, picking up the PADD Trip had dropped in his haste.
Though the sub-commander was lighter than she looked, Malcolm wasn't sure how he was going to activate the turbolift without unsettling her or the hybrid.
If only they were equipped with motion sensors and voice-activation.
He nearly yelled with relief as he neared the end of the corridor and the turbolift door opened to reveal Trip Tucker.
Wordlessly, Trip held out his arms and took T'pol into his embrace, barely looking at security officer as he searched her face.
They were silent as the lift slowed and they walked to Sickbay, seeing Phlox standing outside the medical facility waiting for them.
"What happened?" the Denobulan asked, leading Trip to the biobed he'd prepared.
Malcolm recounted the events in the Armory as Phlox ran the scanner down the length of T'Pol's body. "She thought she had eaten something that didn't agree with her. Then she collapsed."
"What is it, Doc?" Trip asked as the doctor held the scanner over her abdomen.
"The womb has become unstable. I'm afraid her body is rejecting the hybrid."
"Can you stop it?" Trip asked.
His face grim, the doctor replied, "There are a number of things we can try...but are you sure, Commander?"
"You're talking about my kid in there!"
"I realize that, Commander. But as you also know, this baby is not a natural product. Perhaps this is the best for all concerned."
Trip's face contorted with pain, just as T'Pol's eyes opened. With great effort, she pushed herself up on the biobed. "You must save our child." Then, her energy spent, she collapsed onto the bed.
The engineer looked at Phlox, his face pleading. "That's all the answer you need, Doc. We don't care how the baby got in there, but we don't want her coming out until she's ready."
"Understood, Commander."
And Phlox got to work.
