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 Six----------------------------------------------------------
Trip Tucker ran his fingers slowly along his bare chest, tracing the rough, thick patches of skin with a careful touch. He stared ahead at the mirror in front of him, with a slight resignation and sighed softly. The explosion aboard Enterprise the month before had left him with some unsightly scars which did not please him.
"Is there something wrong?" Trip jumped slightly and turned to see T'Pol gazing at him intensely. He shook his head marginally and sat down on the medical bed with his face directed toward the floor.
"Just tryin' to get used to my new look…You sure you want to be seen around Vulcan with a Human that looks like me? I mean everyone might think I'm some deformed alien or somethin'."
"What do you mean? You are not deformed. There have merely been some injuries to your skin. Does this upset you?"
"Well, of course it does. I wouldn't want you to…" He paused and smiled lightly, shaking his head from side to side, his tongue pressed firmly into his cheek. "Forget it. It doesn't matter."
T'Pol raised an eyebrow inquisitively. "Are you concerned that I…may find you less visually appealing?"
Trip couldn't help but laugh. "Well, something like that…"
"I assure you there is no cause to worry. Our connection is not merely a physical one. It is also spiritual."
"So you do think I look like hell…"
"I do not understand."
"I said just forget it."
T'Pol blinked, slightly confused. She paced the room for a moment and then walked over to the bed, stopping in front of Trip. "I did not mean to upset you. Humans seem to need a great deal of reassurance," she mused aloud. "Very well then…I have always found your appearance to be...quite pleasing to the eyes. That has not changed now because of some minor imperfections."
Trip looked back at her silently. "If I just could have gotten that last wire…a few more seconds and I'd of had it. Just a few more seconds…"
"It is illogical to place the blame on yourself, Trip. You saved the ship and its crew. Do not ever forget that. If you had not disabled that explosive device…everyone would surely have died, including myself and Captain Archer."
Trip nodded his head slightly, listening to her words. He gazed at her solemnly. "I can't imagine being without you, T'Pol," the young man whispered tenderly.
"Are we ready to proceed?" a voice interrupted, not allowing the Vulcan a chance to respond. Dr. Phlox had entered the room unbeknownst to his former crewmates. Trip reached for a shirt that lay crumpled on the bed and quickly slipped it over his head.
"I'm ready, Doc," Trip stated with enthusiasm. He turned toward his Vulcan bond mate. "You ready, T'Pol?
"Yes."
"All right, T'Pol," Phlox stated," I want you to lie down on the table here and lift your shirt for me."
"Hey, watch it, Doc," Trip snorted in jest.
"Relax, Mr. Tucker, it's just part of the procedure. We will not be able to see the young fetus with any clothing in the way. Unfortunately, my scanner doesn't work too well through cotton." He flashed Trip a quick, sarcastic grin and then helped guide T'Pol down onto the table. She moved her shirt upward, revealing a slightly rounded bulge in her abdomen. "Ahhh… you have begun to show. This is a good sign that the baby is growing properly," the Doctor stated with a reassuring smile. "Now let's take a look, shall we?" He looked up for a moment, glancing at Trip. "Commander, can you get the lights please?"
"Sure thing." Trip jumped up and hurried to the switch, flicking it off. He dashed back and stood anxiously behind Dr. Phlox, his eyes peering over the Denobulan's shoulder. "Mmmph," Phlox grunted, giving Trip a somewhat irritated glare.
"A little space please, Commander," the Doctor requested sternly.
A look of remorse spread over the expectant father's face. "Oh, sorry. Guess I'm just a little excited." He smiled bashfully and took a few steps back.
"Mmm…well that is to be expected." Phlox glided the medical instrument along T'Pol's skin, his eyes fixed on the large, square receiver before him. The profile of a tiny head came into focus, as a silhouette against the background screen. Two small hands moved vigorously in every direction, their tiny fingers distinct and perfect. The baby floated and bounced about, arms flailing and legs kicking. The doctor slid the scanner down and focused on the unborn child's chest. A small, white rounded area pulsated rhythmically within the petite body.
Trip felt a lump form tightly in his throat as his eyes stared at the tiny life he helped create. He gulped, trying to swallow his emotions, but swiftly recognized the burning moisture that pooled in his tender blue eyes. A single tear trickled down his cheek and fell silently to the floor. There was a sudden sense of pride that encompassed him; a feeling of completion and awe.
T'Pol turned her head from the picture screen and fixed her eyes onto her partner. A strong wave of fulfillment fell over her as she sensed Trip's thoughts. His eyes stared through her as their minds touched gently. For a brief moment there was a catch in her chest. Perhaps it was the slight glistening of his cool azure tinted eyes or the mild upward curve of his lips or the pure comfort that transcended her when he was near…T'Pol didn't know. But she felt certain that just beneath the surface of her stoic Vulcan demeanor, a love flourished for this man.
"Would you like to know the sex?" the Doctor questioned, once again interrupting the couple.
Trip stood unmoving, his gaze still focused on T'Pol. He blinked and broke contact with her, looking back to the squirming figure on the monitor. "Let's wait and be surprised," he stated, with a quick smile.
"You wish to wait?" T'Pol didn't expect this from Trip. "I have been often told that Humans insist on having instant gratification," the Vulcan quipped, somewhat surprised.
Trip chuckled under his breath and crossed his arms. "Well, if that were true, Darlin', you and I would've never hooked up in the first place."
She tipped her head in realization. "Indeed," she returned, giving a slight nod of concurrence.
Phlox clicked off the video screen and lifted his medical scanner from T'Pol's abdomen. "Everything looks perfect. The baby is growing normally and appears quite active and healthy. Congratulations. I'm sure the two of you will make fine parents." He paused and placed a hand along Trip's arm, with a smile. "It must be a great pleasure to finally be able to go home. Being cooped up in a medical facility for more than a month could have detrimental affects on a life form of any species. When are you and T'Pol scheduled for transport to Vulcan?"
Trip glanced down at his watch. "In about twenty minutes, Doc."
"Twenty minutes? Well, I guess the two of you had better get going then."
"Look, Doc, I want you to know how much I appreciate what you've done for me…stayin' here away from your family for a month…I just want to thank you."
"Oh, it was my pleasure, Commander. I'm happy that you have recovered so well. I'm off to Denobula myself later today. My three wives are waiting for me." He paused and flashed his patented ear to ear grin. "Good luck to the both of you."
'Thanks, Doc."
T'Pol nodded her head toward Phlox appreciatively. "Thank you, Doctor."
Several hours later, aboard the transporter to Vulcan, a silence filled the air. Only the soft muttering of several passengers in the nearby distance and the delicate hum of running engines could be heard. Trip sat beside T'Pol, the two somewhat secluded from the other travelers. His eyes fixed upon her face, as he took note of how quiet she had been for over an hour. "So, you happy to be goin' back to Vulcan?" he whispered, startling her briefly from the reverie. "Oh, wait…check that." He rolled his eyes upward in pensive thought, taking delight as he always did, in these little games. "Are you content, you know, like a Vulcan would be?" She looked back at him and nodded, saying nothing. Trip crinkled his face in confusion. He turned his head and scanned the compartment with a quick glance. Upon seeing that the other occupants aboard were all distracted, Trip slid his hand cautiously onto T'Pol's. He skimmed the warm, soft skin with his fingertips and squeezed lightly. The young man smiled tenderly at his partner with glowing eyes. "You're not havin' second thoughts about this, are you T'Pol?"
"Of course not. I have already made my decision."
"Well, then, what's the trouble, Darlin'?"
"There is no…trouble. I am merely relaxing."
"Oh," Trip returned. He glanced down at their clasped hands and felt a warmth wash serenely over him. He could sense T'Pol's calmness and peaceful satisfaction. Trip sighed softly, appeased by his mate's comfort. "Do you think the universe is ready for us, T'Pol?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, you know…a Vulcan and a Human couple…soon to be married…with a child…"
T'Pol nodded, in understanding, and pondered his question for a moment. "I do not think the galaxy has a choice. Everyone will have to learn to accept us in the same manner as they must learn to accept one another."
"But, we're so different…"
"Yes…and that is precisely why it is so meaningful and important…not for just us…but for all species. We must appreciate and respect our disparities in order to find the balance to live harmoniously." The Vulcan paused as she gazed into Trip's eyes. She felt the pleasant touch of his hand embracing hers. T'Pol moved her head closer to him, her face mere inches from his and spoke softly. "You and I have found that balance, have we not?"
Trip tipped his head slightly, reacting to her words. "Yeah, I guess we have. It's kind of like that necklace you have…the one your mother gave you. What's that called again?"
"It is an IDIC necklace. It means infinite diversity in infinite combinations." She paused, in thought. "When I read the Captain's speech, I discovered that he wrote about having a dream. He had a vision…a vision of a peaceful world, a tolerant world…" T'Pol looked at Trip, clutching his hand tightly. "The Captain may have aspired to that type of future, but you and I, Trip…we are living it. We are the future. Our baby symbolizes hope…the same hope that Elizabeth was…ohh…" T'Pol shifted in her chair, obviously disturbed by something.
"What is it?" Trip questioned anxiously.
"I believe I have been kicked."
Trip smiled brightly. "What? You felt the baby move?"
"Correction, Trip. I am feeling the baby move."
"You mean right now? This second?"
T'Pol lifted Trip's hand gently and placed his palm delicately down upon her abdomen. Her belly quivered slightly through Trip's touch. His face lit up with wonder after each successive jolt. Trip smiled at his mate, a hand gently rubbing her dancing skin. It was a smile typical of him, lips curved upward in a tender display of happiness. His entire face beamed at her, his bright blue eyes glistening, his cheeks flushed a soft pink. T'Pol knew that she and Trip hadn't reached Vulcan yet, but in that moment she discovered that she was already home.
Final Note: Well, for those of you who made it this far, I hope you are not drowning in the sap.
