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.
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Trip/T'Pol Romance; Mystery
Chapter Twenty-Six - Any excuse for a shirtless Rostov
It wasn't long after Captain Archer left for the Bridge that Rajiin convinced Pam Isley they would be more useful assisting Phlox in Sickbay.
Personally, Pam figured she could be just as helpful hiding in a cabinet until the ship stopped shuddering around her, but she couldn't very well let Rajiin go alone.
That was how she found herself dressing the burns that covered most of Michael Rostov's arm and chest. Having treated her own injuries over the past months under Phlox's watchful eye, the doctor had thought Pam perfectly capable of handling the pseudo-triage in the corridor outside Sickbay. The engineer was actually her fourth patient, but he was the first who had to disrobe in order to be treated.
"I'm sorry we don't have much in the way of privacy out here," Pam said, noticing the looks that -- even with half of him charred and crispy -- Michael Rostov's bare torso attracted. In an effort to draw his attention from the stinging salve and prying looks, she asked lamely, "Was engineering hit hard?"
"Not too bad," Rostov answered bravely, though he winced as Pam applied a large quantity of salve to his shoulder. "Just enough to rupture the plasma conduit I was working on. Ah -- that smarts!"
"I'm sorry," Pam apologized. "Usually, my biggest complaint with Phlox's ointments is how badly they smell."
"Yeah --" Rostov hissed through his teeth, "Not too many plants breathing fire on you, I guess."
Pam smiled at that as she added more salve to the engineer. "I'm almost done."
"Good. The engines may not have taken a beating, but Engineering's still a mess. Commander Tucker's going to need all the help he can get down there."
"Don't listen to him, Ensign," came the unexpected comment of the Enterprise chief engineer as he approached Isley and Rostov. "Hess and her maintenance crew have everything in Engineering under control -- including the mess you made of that plasma conduit."
Before Rostov could comment, the commander turned to Pam. "I heard T'Pol came down here."
Pam nodded, her eyes dropping to the container of salve and away from the senior officer. "I think she's with Dr. Phlox, sir. Actually, I don't know if she's with the doctor, I just know that she didn't come back out here for treatment."
Tucker nodded, gave Rostov a light punch on his good shoulder, and headed toward the Sickbay doors.
"He seems pretty calm," Rostov observed after his commanding officer disappeared into Sickbay. "Compared to the last time T'Pol was in Sickbay, at least."
Pam shrugged, preparing to apply more of the salve to the engineer's burnt parts. "Maybe being married to a Vulcan is having a calming effect on the commander."
"T'Pol?"
T'Pol turned her head at the sound of her husband's voice, surprised she had not been aware of his presence sooner. Of course, when one took into consideration the bleeding gash on her forehead and the unexpected appearance of her father -- aboard an Andorian vessel, no less -- it wasn't hard to believe that her thoughts would be otherwise occupied.
"You alright, Darlin'?" Trip asked, taking a seat next to her. "The twins?"
"We are well, Husband," T'Pol answered, touching her fingers lightly to his. "How did you know I was in Sickbay?" Despite her own lack of focus, she had attempted very deliberately not to allow her own situation to distract her mate by shielding as much of her mind as possible.
"Hoshi mentioned it when she was giving us her damage report." Trip sighed. "She also mentioned that your dad's coming aboard."
T'Pol, not wanting to think about the impending confrontation with her father, said, "The wound is superficial. However, the captain insisted I see Dr. Phlox."
"And what'd Phlox say?"
"The doctor has yet had time for me. Several crewman were severely injured in the attack and have taken precedence."
Trip took T'Pol's hand in his and leaned his head back against the wall. "Engineering isn't as bad off as it could be, considering the strain the anomaly field and tugging that Xindi ship put on the engines. Hess is coordinating repair efforts to other parts of the ship."
T'Pol was silent for a moment, then tightened her grip a fraction on her husband's hand. "When I saw Mr. Rostov, I was concerned for your well-being."
Trip smiled, warmed by the sentiment. Like T'Pol, he had attempted to shield his own mind so as not to distract his wife from her duties on the Bridge. "Rostov was unlucky enough to be repairing a plasma conduit right before it blew. I saw Isley taking care of him out in the hallway. How'd she get drafted?"
"I believe she came in with Rajiin." T'Pol inclined her head to the bed where the alien woman was using her bio-scanning abilities to examine an unconscious crewman. "Though I may not fully trust her, she seems intent on helping where she can."
After following T'Pol's gaze to Rajiin, Trip's attention was drawn to the back wall of Sickbay. "I wonder if anyone's checked on Spunky and the others."
It took T'Pol a moment to recall that 'Spunky' was the hairless rodent her husband had taken a liking to. "I believe Ensign Isley did while she was gathering medical supplies."
"That's good. Being bounced around by anomalies and enemy fire is enough to rattle most people. I hate to imagine what it's like inside their little cages."
Before T'Pol could comment, Phlox came out from behind the curtain that separated the more critical patients from the rest of Sickbay. "I am ready to see you now, Sub-commander."
T'Pol stood and Trip matched her movement. "You want me to come with you?"
T'Pol could sense that Trip wanted nothing more than to stay with her, to be certain his family was well, but both knew he had duties to attend to. "You should return to Engineering, Commander," she said. I will be fine, Husband.
You better be. Trip turned to Phlox and offered him an encouraging smile. "You take good care of her, Doc."
"Not to worry, Commander. I'll let you know if there is anything to be concerned about." Phlox lead T'Pol toward another section of Sickbay that had been curtained off.
Turning, Trip was surprised to find the captain standing behind him.
"How's T'Pol?" Archer asked, inclining his head to where the science officer and doctor had disappeared.
"She says she's fine," Trip answered. "I think Phlox just wants to examine her to be on the safe side."
The captain nodded. "I'm sorry she got hurt at all, Trip. I should have ordered her off the Bridge."
"No, you shouldn't have, Cap'n." Trip admonished. He knew his commander and friend was only saying what Trip wanted to hear -- and he appreciated it. "She wouldn't have left even if you had."
"No, she wouldn't have." Archer agreed. "She can be pretty stubborn sometimes. Even for a Vulcan."
"It is you Humans who are the stubborn ones, Captain Archer."
Turning, Trip and Archer were surprised to find Soval and a Vulcan woman standing behind them.
"Ambassador," Archer greeted. "Welcome aboard."
Soval ignored the captain's attempt at pleasantries. "Where is my daughter?"
"Phlox is looking at her now," Archer provided.
"Was her injury severe?"
Trip, determined not to be afraid of the imposing figure that was his father-in-law, said, "She got a nasty cut, but she says she's fine. Your grandchildren seem to be okay, too."
Both of Soval's eyebrows shot-up in a very non-Vulcan reaction. "Children?"
"Twins, Soval," Trip smiled proudly -- he couldn't help it, even in the face of the Vulcan's scowl. "A boy and a girl."
"That is most unusual," the female Vulcan behind Soval commented. "Multiple births are unheard of on Vulcan."
"This birth is already looking to be pretty unusual -- for Humans and Vulcans," Trip said. "By the way, you would be..?"
Soval turned to his companion. "This is the Surak's healer, T'Vin. If Dr. Phlox would permit, I would like her to examine T'Pol. My daughter's health is my prime concern, even though I may not agree with her choices."
"And which choices would those be?"
Soval focused on the Enterprise engineer. "T'Pol was betrothed to a Vulcan of standing until your Human influence compelled her to break the engagement. Her actions aboard this vessel and her decision to remain a member of this crew has been an insult to the Vulcan culture."
Trip countered, "I don't know if T'Pol's marrying a Human could be as much of an insult to Vulcan as you all abandoning Earth when we needed help the most."
"It is not Vulcan's responsibility to --"
"Perhaps, Ambassador," Archer cut in, attempting to diffuse the situation. "We should continue this conversation elsewhere. T'Vin can stay here and talk with Dr. Phlox and T'Pol. Trip, I think you should return to Engineering and keep an eye on the repair crews. I want to get underway as soon as possible -- especially now that it looks like we've got some reinforcements."
