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 Thirty-One - Insert clever title here
Fresh from his third shower of the day, Archer suppressed a growl as the communicator on his desk chimed.
He set aside the towel he'd been using on his damp hair as he answered.
"Captain, you have an incoming transmission from Admiral Forrest."
Archer smiled, despite everything, at Hoshi's cheerful tone. The ensign had been nearly giddy since her visit with T'Pol and T'Les the day before. Since T'Les had missed her daughter's nuptials, Hoshi had made a copy of the ship's record of the event. Apparently, the Vulcan mother-of-the-bride had appreciated the gesture a great deal and the three women had spent several hours together.
"I'll talk to the admiral down here, Hoshi," the captain said, settling into his desk chair. He attempted to comb his hair to some semblance of order, but succeeded only in making it stand at odd angles.
"Hello, Jonathon," Maxwell Forrest greeted as his visage appeared on the screen. The admiral eyed Archer's hair. "Am I catching you at a bad time?"
"Not at all, Admiral. Just following Soval's advice."
Forrest nodded in understanding. "Said you smelled bad, did he?"
"Several times."
"It's really too bad that Vulcans have such a sensitive sense of smell and live on such a warm planet."
"That it is, sir." Archer's smile faded a bit. "I take it you heard about the threats to the hybrids."
The admiral's face also turned grim. "I did, and I can't say I'm surprised."
At Archer's questioning look, Forrest continued, "Soval wasn't the only Vulcan on Earth to be upset about T'Pol's pregnancy. Several other representatives have expressed their disapproval over the sub-commander's relationship with Commander Tucker."
"Disapproval I can understand, but threatening the lives of unborn children..."
"I know, Jon. I know. It's hard to believe anyone -- Vulcan or Human -- could be capable of such a thing. However, not looking too far into our own history we know that such atrocities are possible." Forrest was quiet a moment. "You've taken proper security measures?"
"Lieutenant Reed and Major Hayes have members of both their teams watching T'Pol and Trip. We also have an officer following T'Les, at Trip's suggestion. Soval has his own security detail, but his wife could be viewed as a viable target."
"Good thinking. If there really is a group out there who believes Humans have tainted Vulcan, Soval could be just as much to blame as T'Pol and Tucker."
It was hard for Archer to believe that, while Earth was in the process of making new allies with the Xindi, they could be in danger of losing their friendship with Vulcan.
"How are the negotiations with the Xindi representatives going, Admiral?"
Forrest's frown dissolved into a pleased look. "Very well, Jon. It's taken some time for both sides to resolve the conflicts of the last year, but I'm beginning to think that our relationship with the Xindi could be quite beneficial for all of us." Forrest smiled. "Your friend Rajiin has been quite helpful."
Archer smiled as well, thinking of the mysterious woman who, while lightyears away, retained a warm spot in his heart. "I'm glad to hear that, Admiral."
"She also asked that I give you a message."
"Oh?"
Forrest reached for a PADD on his desk, his face serious as he read Rajiin's missive: "'Be sure to plume the Orcanian ivy.' I didn't realize you were a gardner, Jon."
"It's an inside joke, Admiral," Archer said, hoping Forrest wouldn't press for details.
"Ah," Forrest said, not understanding the joke itself but understanding the manner of it. "Is there anything you wish me to pass along to her?"
"No, Admiral, that's quite alright. I'm sure we'll be back to Earth soon enough."
"You're hopeful of the investigation, Jon?"
"Soval has arranged a meeting with the Vulcan High Command. They apparently have some information from their own investigation to share with us."
Standing in the Vulcan High Command office, Malcolm couldn't help the anxious feeling in the pit of his stomach as the three members of the Vulcan High Command entered the office where he, Captain Archer and Trip had been ordered to wait.
Perhaps it was the severe look on their faces or the unbearable heat of the room, but Malcolm had a hard time not thinking of the disastrous scenarios that played through his head.
Judging by the expression on his fellow officers' faces, he guessed that Trip and the captain were experiencing the same sensation.
Taking their places at the large table, the Vulcans nodded for the three Humans to be seated. Once they were, the center Vulcan -- whose name Malcolm couldn't remember -- spoke.
"You may close your investigation into the incident at the Earth Embassy, Captain Archer. Our security detail has found and detained the perpetrator."
It took a moment for the captain to recover from that announcement. And, even when he did, all he could ask was, "Who?"
"An Andorian agent has been apprehended and claims responsibility for the bombing," the Vulcan to Malcolm's right provided.
Continuing the explanation, the third Vulcan explained, "It is logical to assume the Andorians are attempting to drive a wedge between Vulcan and Earth in order to rally Humans to their side."
Malcolm found that hard to believe. What would an Andorian have to gain from breaking Earth and Vulcan ties and, if that was their purpose, there were other ways in which to do it. Off the top of his head, the security officer could think of at least three scenarios that would be better suited for those purposes.
Captain Archer also found the Vulcans' information hard to believe. "I know Andorians can be a bit hotheaded, but I don't think Captain Shran or any of his crew could be responsible for something like this."
"Commander Shran is an individual," Vulcan in the middle rebuked. "He cannot be representative of an entire race. Just as T'Pol does not embody all Vulcan."
Trip frowned at the Vulcan's statement. "What does T'Pol have to do with this?"
Vulcan on the right focused his attention on the engineer. "Your relationship with one of our officers, Commander Tucker, was a breach of conduct on both your parts. You further insult Vulcan tradition -- including the wishes of T'Pol's family -- by disgracing the bond of marriage. The eventual arrival of your offspring will be a further affront to the Vulcan people."
"Wait a minute," Trip said, "I thought we were here to discuss the attack on the Embassy."
"The matter of the Earth Embassy has been resolved, Commander. However, your continued presence on Vulcan is still an issue."
Archer took a step toward the Vulcan table. "I don't understand how you can say the Embassy attack has been resolved when Earth authorities haven't had a chance to see this suspect of yours. And I also don't understand how you can expect to attack two of my officers and get away with it."
"We have done nothing of the sort, Captain Archer," said Vulcan on the left. "T'Pol and Commander Tucker are in no danger from the Vulcan High Command."
"However," said Vulcan in the middle. "It may be best for all involved if, once T'Pol is able, you return to Earth."
"And if they do not leave?" Malcolm asked.
Vulcan on the right answered, "That is their choice, though I do not know how comfortable that life will be."
"If this is a threat --"
"On the contrary, Commander," Vulcan in the middle contradicted. "This is simply a warning for your best interest and the future interests of Vulcan relations with Earth."
"Just what is that supposed to mean?" Archer asked.
"Captain, we have apprehended and dealt with the agent responsible for killing several of your fellow officers as well as our own people." Vulcan in the middle turned his attention back to Trip. "The Vulcan High Command has nothing but good intentions toward our continued relationship with Earth."
Abruptly, the three Vulcans stood and filed out of the room, leaving the Starfleet officers with more questions than what they'd arrived with.
"Do we have any idea what the hell just happened?" Archer asked, staring at the door the Vulcans had retreated through.
"The entire thing seemed awfully suspicious to me, sir," Malcolm said, his look pensive. "I can't think of any Andorian who would spend more than a few minutes on Vulcan in this unbearable heat -- let alone long enough to get caught after planting a sophisticated explosive in the Embassy."
Archer nodded. "And I don't respond kindly to veiled threats. Do you think this is what Koss was warning us about?" The captain looked to his engineer expectantly. "Trip?"
The look on Trip's face was distant. "Something's going on," he finally said.
"It's obvious something's going on, Trip. Maybe Soval can --"
"No, that's not what I mean," Trip said. "Something's going on with T'Pol." He closed his eyes a moment, taking a deep breath. "It's the twins. I think she's gone into labor."
Not questioning how his friend knew that his absent wife was about to give birth, the captain reached for his communicator. "Archer to Enterprise."
Materializing in T'Pol's hospital room, Trip looked immediately to the bed his wife should have been laying in and the presence of his in-laws. "Where's my wife?"
Soval stood. "T'Pol is with the Healers, Commander. Your presence is not needed."
"The hell it isn't." Trip took a step toward the door, only to have the ambassador move to block his way. "Look, Soval. I'm trying to be nice to you for T'Pol's sake. But you try to get between me and my family and I'll shove your theory about inferior Human strength down your throat."
Soval looked to his wife, as though Trip's outburst was a demonstration of why he was unsuitable for their daughter.
T'Les, however, stood to join Trip. "Charles' place is with T'Pol, Husband. She will need him."
The ambassador stared at his wife for a moment before acquiescing. "Very well, Commander," Soval inclined his head toward a young Vulcan healer standing outside the room. "Sorel will lead you."
Author's Note: Sorel is from The Vulcan Academy Murders -- an excellent book if you're interested in Spock's family or the Vulcan culture. In the book, he is an established Healer. However, I think it possible he would be a young resident when T'Pol and Trip are about to become parents. If you want more advice on good Spock or Vulcan books, drop me a line and I can list off my bookshelf.
