Title: Eternal Linkage

By: Bether6074

Rated: R, I guess only because I would be a little uncomfortable if my 13 year old read this, but nothing major here. Mild language, some suggestive scenes and graphic imagery.

Genre: This is a tough one. Overall, I would have to say Fluff, but there is definitely some Drama, a bit of Action/Adventure, some Angst and, of course, Romance is sprinkled throughout.

Archive: Take it if you want, but please let me know.

Disclaimer: All characters belong to Paramount. No infringement intended here.

Summary: Taking the timeline from TATV, six years following Terra Prime, Enterprise is being decommissioned and returning to Earth for Archer's big speech and the signing of the charter. Trip and T'Pol have many issues to confront and deal with due to these events. A disaster aboard the ship has huge ramifications for the two.

Author's Notes: My finale fix and it got way more involved than I intended it to. I'm going to have to ask for a little leeway from readers here because action/adventure is not my strongpoint. I hope the scenario I created isn't too implausible, but I figured it had to be better than what aired. It was extremely difficult imagining where T/T would be six years in the future, but I played with it a bit and this is what I came up with. I hope you enjoy it.

---------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter Five----------------------------------------------------

The bell sounded out, jarring Captain Archer from his concentration. He laid the small paper held in his hands down upon the table and rose from his chair, approaching the entrance to his quarters. He stopped short of the door and spoke faintly. "Come in." There was a gentle swooshing and then T'Pol stood silently before him. She walked in; her hands folded behind her back as she approached Archer calmly.

"I wish to apologize, Captain."

Archer gazed back at her, his face crunched slightly in confusion. "For what, T'Pol?"

"My behavior after the incident with Commander Tucker was…illogical. I should have never left the bridge. You ordered me to be in command…"

Archer took a step forward and looked into her eyes sincerely. "Personally, T'Pol, I think your actions under the circumstances were warranted. You were unable to contact me or Trip…" He sighed and smiled reassuringly. "It was a difficult time for all of us. I'm sure you used your best judgment before making that decision."

T'Pol nodded and looked down at the floor in contemplation. "Commander Kelby…what would cause him to commit such a sinful act?"

"No one really knows the answer to questions like that. Apparently, he had some sort of vendetta against Trip. Kelby wanted to be Chief Engineer and the one person who always stood in his way was Trip. Vulcans aren't the only species whose emotions can become out of control. It can happen to humans as well…"

"But how did he obtain the materials?"

"Crazy minds can also be the most resourceful and the most ingenious…a shame really. He had such a bright future ahead of him with Starfleet." Archer noticed T'Pol's gaze distance away, her mind obviously elsewhere. "How's Trip doing?" he questioned with genuine concern.

"Improving…his lungs are beginning to heal. Dr. Phlox says it's a miracle that he is still alive. The Doctor is going to stay at the medical center with us at the base until Trip is well enough to be discharged."

Archer couldn't help but smile at her use of Trip's nickname. He wondered if she even realized she had done it. "Well, leave it to Trip to cause such a commotion just a few days before my speech. I'll have stop by prior to the big address and give him hell for it." The Captain chuckled softly at the thought, feeling a great sense of relief that he would be given the opportunity. "If you'll excuse me, T'Pol," Archer said, stifling his laughter. "I really need to finish writing this. I'm sure you want to get back to him."

"Yes," she stated simply, with a nod and exited.

T'Pol stepped briskly through the hallway on the familiar path to Sickbay. It was a walk she made many times over the past several days. The Vulcan had struggled mightily to maintain her stoic demeanor in the face of her bond mate's brush with death. One emotion she sensed lurking now was relief. T'Pol was comforted that Trip had fought so valiantly for his life. Knowing that her partner would be able to share part of the future with her and their child filled the Science Officer with a sense of peacefulness and tranquility. T'Pol quashed the thought of the feelings which smoldered heavily beneath her suppressive Vulcan disposition. She focused on the approaching doors of Sickbay, attempting to regain a consummate control.

Dr. Phlox stood over Trip, a careful eye studying him thoroughly, and ran a medical scanner diligently along the entire length his body. T'Pol entered and stood next to Phlox, fixing her gaze on the young engineer resting on the biobed.

"How is the patient feeling today?" she inquired, scanning her partner's face.

Trip managed a meager smile. "A helluva lot better than I was three days ago…It still hurts like hell to breathe and these burns are killin' me." He turned his head toward the Doctor. "Ya got some more high-powered stuff in that little bag of yours, Doc?"

"Ahhh…you're such a fine patient, Commander Tucker. Quite frankly, with third degree burns over more than twenty percent of your body, you're extremely fortunate to have the privilege of feeling that pain." The Denobulan paused briefly, the events of the past several days rushing through his mind. "It is truly amazing that you are recovering so well…or for that matter that you survived at all."

"I made a real quick bolt for the door once I realized time had run out…" Trip explained.

"Still… you're a very lucky man, Commander. And as for your health, well I would expect you to experience discomfort and weakness for some time. Your body lost a lot of fluid. The escharotomy and skin graft procedure I performed will take a substantial number of days to heal. There will likely be some scarring along your neck and chest. As for your lungs, some of the damage appears to be permanent. Your air capacity will probably always be slightly diminished. Unfortunately, I don't believe you'll be able to resume your duties as Chief Engineer, I'm afraid," he added, sadly.

"Guess Kelby got what he wished for in a way, huh?" Trip looked dejected momentarily, but then his face brightened as his eyes locked onto his Vulcan mate. "T'Pol and I had different plans, anyhow. As long as I've got enough air in my pipes to chase some little ones around, I'll be good to go, Doc."

The Doctor smiled back at Trip, appreciating his optimism. "Well, if you'll excuse me, Commander Tucker and Commander T'Pol, I'm going to do a little last minute packing. We should be arriving at Earth in mere hours. And, as you both know, we will need to remain there for an extended period until Mr. Tucker has regained sufficient health. In the meantime, I'll try to locate some stronger pain medication for you, Commander."

"Thanks, Doc." Trip moved his eyes to T'Pol, who stood silently near the edge of the biobed. "How are you feelin'?" he inquired, sensing some discomfort emanating from the Vulcan. "You know…bein' that you're expectin' and all."

"I'm feeling fine, thank you." She glanced away and steeled herself. Trip remembered this gesture. He'd seen it many times before, despite all of her efforts to hide it from him. He recognized the slight movement of her head, followed by the downward gaze and tightening of her body. There were times when it was best to let her alone without pushing the issue, but Trip knew this time it was different.

"T'Pol? What is it?" His voice was raspy and weak.

She looked at him briefly and then turned away, gulping mildly. "These past few days have been…challenging."

"Well, they haven't exactly been a fly around the galaxy doin' warp seven for me either, Darlin'," he quipped, with a slight gleam in his eye. Trip sighed softly. "Why does it have to be so damn hard for you to talk to me? Just tell me what's bothering you. I won't snitch on ya, I promise." He began to cough lightly, each wave bringing a sharp sting beneath his ribs.

She took a step forward and pushed gently into the side of the medical table, eyes focused on Trip. "My reaction to your near death experience was…unexpected. Apparently, I've grown quite attached to you, as a Vulcan would to their mate."

"But isn't that exactly what we are T'Pol? Mates? As you so eloquently put it? Isn't that what I am to you? Your mate?" He breathed slowly and winced, a dull pain spreading across his chest. "I gotta ask you something, T'Pol. It's somethin' I always wondered about but never quite had the guts to mention. Do you…" he stammered anxiously, "Do you… have you ever… felt anything for me? I mean, actually felt it? I know…you're a Vulcan."

T'Pol raised both eyebrows and stared back at him, unflinching. "What is it exactly that you wish to know, Trip?"

"Have you ever, for even a second…" He rolled his eyes and gazed upwards at the ceiling in pensive thought. "When I was lyin' in that chamber, thinkin' I was gonna die… the only thing on my mind was… you." He turned his head back toward T'Pol, his eyes glowing, despite their slightly sunken in and fatigued appearance. "I thought about how I just wanted to be able to look into your eyes again. How I just wanted to touch you and kiss you…" He stopped talking for a moment and relaxed his eyes into hers. The hazel softened into his blue, an eternal link of bonded souls. Trip felt his heart jump. "I love you, T'Pol," he whispered simply and powerfully, each word swelling with emotion.

T'Pol stared back at Trip, unmoving. She blinked several times and spoke in a hushed tone, her voice cracking slightly. "You think I did not know this?"

"No, I was pretty sure you did. I…I just wanted to say it."

"And so you have…" her words trailed off quietly as she made a mental imprint of the tender expression of Trip's features. He was obviously worn from the injuries he had endured. His face was drawn and his skin was tinged slightly grey, with bandages wrapped loosely around his shoulders and neck. And yet, she couldn't recall a time when he appeared more visually pleasing to her.

"You never answered my question, T'Pol. Have you ever felt anything for me?"

"I agreed to marry you, did I not?"

"That isn't what I asked."

T'Pol sighed, in defeat. "I am Vulcan, Trip. We don't feel emotions in the way humans do. We are taught not to. They are present, but are usually deeply suppressed. There are moments when feelings may bleed through, but those moments are typically brief for most. Vulcans are individually unique, just as humans are. For some, it is more difficult to fend off these emotions. My mother once told me that my emotions were always close to the surface. Her assessment was correct… Although I may not feel love in the manner that you do, I am certainly aware of love. And I have become aware of it on more than one occasion over the past several days."

Trip stared back at her with piqued interest. "Really? When?"

"It was very displeasing to see you in such peril…and pain. If there is a time when I sense my emotions, it is usually when I look into your eyes…"

Trip gulped, knowing this was a huge revelation for her. He could sense a slight uneasiness emerging. "You mean, like you're doing right now?"

"Yes…" T'Pol answered, her eyes still intensely focused on his.

"I hope we're not interrupting anything." The Vulcan startled momentarily at the disruption. The voice came from the entrance as Malcolm, Hoshi and Travis walked in, casually.

"Not at all," T'Pol replied, turning to face the threesome.

"We just wanted to drop by before we got to Earth," Lieutenant Reed stated, his eyes moving from the Vulcan Commander to the Human Commander. "We'll all be attending the Captain's speech and then heading off to our new assignments."

"So what's the big news? Where are you guys headed?" Trip inquired.

Malcolm smiled and stepped forward. "The Columbia, ironically enough, Trip. And you may now refer to me as Commander Reed."

"A promotion? That's great news, Malcolm. Captain Hernandez will be lucky to have you." He turned his head, moving it gingerly across the sheets and focused his eyes upon young Ensign Sato. "What about you, Hoshi? You a Lieutenant now?"

Hoshi laughed, a broad smile crossing her face. "Don't I wish…no, actually, I'm going back into teaching. These past ten years on Enterprise have been wondrous and exciting, but my passion has always been for instructing young minds."

"Well, it has to be easier than tryin' to communicate with new species all the time, I suppose. I'm sure you'll do real well." He paused and moved his gaze toward Ensign Mayweather. "And what about you Travis? What's the future hold for a bright young man like you?"

Travis stood erect and proud, a bright grin shining over his face. "I have been promoted to Lieutenant, Commander Tucker."

"Wow, well isn't that somethin'? Everybody's movin' up in the world." Trip looked at his three friends, with a twinge of sadness. "It's been a great run. I sure am gonna miss you guys."

They all nodded in agreement, approaching the bed. Lieutenant Reed lifted his arm and extended a hand toward his comrade. Their eyes met as Trip clasped onto Malcolm's palm in a gentle farewell shake. "Good luck to both of you," Reed stated sincerely, glancing over to T'Pol with a slight smile. He winked at Trip, leaning over the bed, and whispered, "Guess you're the lucky guy with rights to that nice bum…"

Trip smirked with a laugh and then grabbed at his chest. "God, Malcolm. Please don't make me laugh. It hurts like hell. Only got half a lung now, you know…"

"Sorry, Trip. I'll see you around, all right?" He smiled mildly, taking in this bittersweet moment and then exited. Travis and Hoshi followed, offering a quick handshake and some parting words to their crewmates, before departing. Just as they were walking out, Captain Archer appeared in the doorway.

"Aw, hell, can't a wounded guy get some rest around this place?" Trip sounded out, teasingly.

Archer smiled down at his friend. "It's good to see you haven't lost your sense of humor. How are you feeling? You still look a little rough around the edges."

"Just happy to be alive, Sir. Thanks for helping me out…getting' me down here when you did. Doc said a few more minutes without Oxygen and, well… you'd probably be havin' my funeral about now."

"Well, we couldn't let that happen, now could we Trip? Although, carrying you would have been easier if you were a bit lighter. You need to lay off that pecan pie…it's a backbreaker."

"What I wouldn't give for a taste of it now…Sorry I won't get to see your speech, Cap'n. I'm gonna be laid up a while, I guess."

"Yes, and I was telling T'Pol earlier that you picked a great time for all of this. Trying to steal some of my thunder, are you Trip?" Archer joked.

"Don't be ridiculous, Cap'n."

Archer put a hand delicately on Trip's arm, being careful not to touch any burns, and smiled humbly. "I'll be up there for all of us, Trip. There are supposed to be dignitaries from eighteen different worlds…Well…we'll be arriving at space dock within the hour, so I'd better get going. Wish me luck."

"Knock 'em dead, Cap'n." The Engineer smiled softly at his Captain, knowing full well he would probably never see him again. Archer lifted his hand from Trip's arm and then brought it back down with a gentle pat. He turned toward T'Pol.

"I trust that you'll keep him in line?"

T'Pol folded her arms behind her back and glanced over at Archer. "Always, Sir," She paused a moment and then took a few steps forward, moving closer to him. "Good luck, Captain."

Archer raised a hand to her shoulder and squeezed lightly. "Thank you, T'Pol." Their eyes locked together briefly, in one last parting look. The Captain broke the gaze and began to move slowly toward the door. Just as he reached the exit, he turned and said, almost as an order, "I want to see pictures of that baby, understood?"

"Yes, Sir." The words were spoken simultaneously, from the Vulcan and Human, as a declaration of unity to their friend. Captain Jonathan Archer smiled and walked briskly through the doorway, disappearing down the hall and into history.