Only You Ch 7

By Athena

Rating: PG-13

Disclaimer: Star Trek: Enterprise is the property of Paramount

Summary: As Pon Farr approaches for T'Pol she has to make some choices regarding her relationship with Trip. Of course nothing goes as expected and Trip and T'Pol must decide how to proceed with their relationship.
Spoilers: all the way through the end of Daedalus and AU after that.

Authors Note: No noodle salad yet. Patience.

Chapter 7

T'Pol sat impatiently on the biobed as Phlox completed his scans. The doctor seemed to be taking a great deal of time and T'Pol was anxious to find Trip before her duty shift began. She had been aware that he was upset ever since he had left her quarters yesterday. It was the barest whisper in her mind and she might not have been aware of the origins of those faint emotions if she hadn't realized she and Trip were bonded. Now that she knew, she was more sensitive to the possibility of his presence in her mind. Still, she would have thought that presence would have been stronger after the mating. Perhaps it would take time to grow or perhaps his being human would hinder the bond. There was much to digest and explore.

"Doctor, please complete your exam expeditiously. I have many duties to perform."

Phlox did not answer her right away, which caused her to become mildly irritated. Finally he said, "T'Pol, could you please step over to the imaging chamber. There's something I'd like to check on."

T'Pol got off the biobed but made no move to cross the distance to the imaging chamber. "I fail to see what purpose that would serve. As you have no doubt discerned, I am fit for duty."

"T'Pol, please humor me," Phlox sounded exasperated. He motioned for her to go over to the imaging chamber. She acquiesced and laid down on the chamber bed. A few moments after Phlox had begun the scans she heard him exclaim, "Remarkable."

When he made no further comment T'Pol prompted him for an explanation. "Doctor?"

Phlox released her from the chamber and she sat up on the bed.

Phlox was transferring data from the chamber to a PADD. Once he had completed that task he handed the PADD to T'Pol. "It appears that you have conceived." Phlox was studying her intently.

T'Pol was so startled by the doctor's words it took her a few moments to find her voice. "I am pregnant," she stated finally.

"Not exactly," Phlox replied.

T'Pol felt fear start to take root. "What do you mean?"

"For a pregnancy to result, the embryo must implant into the uterine walls and begin to grow. This has not occurred."

T'Pol felt panic rising as she asked, "Why not?"

Phlox regarded her intently. "From what I understand from the small amount of information available, a Vulcan-human embryo is not recognized by either human or Vulcan bodies as a legitimate conception."

T'Pol felt betrayed by her body. How could it not recognize she had conceived Trip's child! Was there any hope of saving the embryo? How could Phlox just be standing there instead of doing something about the situation? T'Pol felt a sense of dread, perhaps nothing could be done. But she had had a child with Trip in and alternate future. Phlox should have requested the data on that conception and birth. Fear warred with anger as she turned on Phlox. "How could you not have prepared for this by taking the necessary information from the older Enterprise?" She was only vaguely aware that her voice was filled with emotion.

"I take it that you wish to attempt to maintain this conception and become pregnant?" Phlox let his excitement show at last.

T'Pol felt some of the fear dissipate. "Yes, Doctor," she replied more calmly.

Phlox smiled at her. "As it turns out I did request all the data pertaining to Lorian's conception from the other Enterprise. Normally, I enjoy solving a medical puzzle myself however, in this case, I felt it prudent to leave that to my alternate."

T'Pol nodded. "What is required to… become pregnant?"

Phlox frowned and T'Pol felt the fear return. "Your body has to be convinced that the conception has occurred and then nurture the embryo. Lorian was conceived only after your alternate had undergone several treatments to convince her body it was already pregnant. You will be starting this pregnancy without that benefit. I would prefer to transfer you to the Vulcan ship and consult with the doctors there about how to proceed."

T'Pol merely nodded as she was incapable of speech. She could lose this child, Trip's child. Still, she must do everything possible to save their child.

As if reading her mind Phlox said, "T'Pol, I can't guarantee you'll even become pregnant, or that you'll carry to term if you do."

Her voice was hoarse with emotion as she replied, "I understand Doctor, but I must try."

Phlox gave her shoulder a pat. "Then I'll contact the Vulcan ship and transfer the data to the doctors there. Would you like to inform Commander Tucker?"

T'Pol felt her heart jump within her. She didn't want to tell Trip. Not yet. If she lost the baby he would take the loss very hard. She would spare him grief if she could. "I do not wish to inform the Commander. Not until I am sure it will be good news."

Phlox regarded her compassionately. "T'Pol, we won't know for certain until the baby is born that this will turn out well."

"I understand doctor, but I wish to wait for more favorable odds."

Phlox smiled at her. "Then we shouldn't waste time talking about it. You should pack a few things you might want and inform the captain you won't be returning to duty in the near future. I'll meet you back here in one hour."

T'Pol nodded gratefully and quickly left Sickbay.

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Archer shook his head in disbelief. "You can't be serious."

Trip frowned. "Why does everyone think this is such a bad idea? We were just talking about this a few weeks ago and everyone thought the Columbia could use someone from the Warp-5 project on board now that Hanson's got a baby on the way."

Archer tried to look at the situation from an unbiased perspective. Hanson was going to be difficult to replace. He wondered if his wife had deliberately gotten pregnant to keep her husband back on Earth. Starfleet had reservations about assigning the current Chief Engineer to the job. Maybe Trip's idea wasn't so crazy.

Archer glanced back over at Trip, who looked terrible. He imagined Trip was having trouble sleeping again. Would a transfer help or just make things worse? He needed to know what was going on between his two most senior officers before he could make that call.

"Trip, I need to know about you and T'Pol before I can seriously consider this," Archer said compassionately, hoping that, at last Trip would confide in him.

Trip looked down and shuffled his feet. He seemed to have trouble figuring out what to say so Archer prompted him, "I know things seemed to be going pretty well before the marriage. That can't have been easy for either one of you. I would have thought things would be better again now that the marriage is over." He paused but Trip remained silent so he continued, "but that's not the case is it?"

Trip finally looked up and met Archer's gaze, his eyes looked like they were beginning to tear. "She wants to follow Surak's path…without any distractions." Trip looked away again. "Something happened to her in the Expanse and she's had a hard time dealing with her emotions ever since. She's never really talked to me about what it was, but I knew she was going through something." He looked over at Archer as if he was wondering if T'Pol had confided in him.

Archer put his friend's mind at ease. "She never said anything more to me other than she needed more time to meditate."

Trip gave him a small grateful smile. "I guess it doesn't help that it was probably her mother's dyin' wish that she devote herself to Surak and logical and all." Trip locked eyes with him and Archer could see the intensity within them. "Jon, there's nothing logical about a Vulcan and a human being together." He let his head drop.

Archer stepped forward and put a hand on his friend's shoulder. "That doesn't mean T'Pol won't choose a future with you anyway; and I take it that's where the two of you were heading before your trip to Vulcan." He gave Trip a knowing look.

Trip made a half-hearted attempt to smile. "I'm not sure we even knew what was going on with us…between us, before she found out she had ta get married. The marriage kinda forced everything to the surface." Trip shook his head slowly. "Then this whole mating thing came up and well it's just too much now."

It now occurred to Archer that T'Pol had probably wanted a Vulcan mate because things were so messy between her and Trip right now. By side effects she must have meant emotional side effects. She was right, Archer acknowledged. This did have consequences for Trip. I bet her original plan didn't involve Trip even finding out about Pon farr.

"Trip, maybe you should talk this through with T'Pol." He grimaced inwardly as he caught a glimpse of fear in Trip's expression. "The worse thing that could happen is that she tells you to go ahead with the transfer." Secretly Archer doubted that would happen. Trip hadn't seen T'Pol's assertion that no one but Trip would touch her when the away team was down on the planet. T'Pol might need space right now, but he doubted she'd let Trip leave Enterprise to give it to her. Archer smiled inwardly, if Trip knew that T'Pol had referred to him as her "chosen mate" he probably wouldn't consider a transfer.

"Yeah, Malcolm said the same thing," Trip said absently. Archer felt a stab of jealously that Trip had already confided in Malcolm with regard to his feelings about T'Pol. I've known him a good deal longer, Archer lamented. Maybe that was the price he paid for being the Captain. He'd have to make a great deal of effort if he wanted to win back the title of "best friend" and that wasn't going to happen if Trip transferred to Columbia.

"Do ya know where I can find her?" Trip asked, interrupting Archer's musings over the state of their friendship.

He realized that Trip must not know that Phlox had taken T'Pol over to the Kovar to make sure everything was okay. "I think she's still on the Kovar. Phlox took her over there to run some tests or something."

Trip's eyes got wide and he looked anxious. "Do ya think I wasn't uh, I mean it wasn't…that being with a human wasn't enough?"

Archer tried to suppress a grin. "I've been assured by all parties involved that that isn't the case." He paused for effect before adding, "Plus, you've been working with the Vulcan who was supposed to be T'Pol's mate all day."

"Sev, their Chief Engineer?" Trip said incredulously, his voice taking on a higher pitch.

Archer bit his lip to keep from laughing and nodded.

"I'll be damned," Trip said contemplatively. Then he looked back over at Archer. "So, if we talk and things don't go so well, you'll support the transfer request?"

Archer lost his smile. "I'd rather you two be able to settle things between you here. You don't need to leave the ship to give her some time to get over her mother's death and get some perspective on what's happened to Vulcan society." He hoped Trip would get his point that T'Pol had a lot to think about aside from a relationship with him.

"Captain, do ya really want a Chief Engineer whose incapable of doin' his job because he's so caught up in his own personal problems he can't think straight? My stay'n here could be dangerous. Hell, who knows if we'd been able to find that Vulcan ship in time if I'd been more focused on my work instead of T'Pol!" Trip was displaying guilt and frustration.

"Trip," Archer said sternly, "That ship was lost before we even started searching for her. Don't hold yourself responsible for that. Go get some rest and consider what you're going to say to T'Pol."

Trip nodded absently. "Yeah okay. Thanks Captain," and left.

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"Congratulations Commander, you are now pregnant," Phlox said with cautious optimism.

T'Pol allowed herself to relax for the first time since boarding the Vulcan ship. Phlox and two Vulcan doctors had been gradually increasing hormone levels in her body using various chemical compounds and monitoring the status of the embryo. T'Pol had initially been concerned about the reaction of the Vulcan doctors to her desire to conceive a child with a human, however both physicians had been intrigued by the idea.

"I recommend that you rest here and allow us to monitor you for the next 2 days," doctor T'Nar said. T'Pol merely nodded. She would do nothing to endanger the life now growing within her. The two male doctors had moved off to discuss the next stage of treatment so T'Nar regarded T'Pol with curiosity and said, "It appears that your doctor has had the data necessary to prepare for such a conception for some time, yet you were not initially planning to mate with a human. I find this most curious."

T'Pol did not answer the older woman immediately. Finally she replied, "I wished to resolve Pon farr without involving the humans." She did not meet T'Nar's eyes.

"Yet you have risked much to conceive this child. I fail to understand much of your situation." T'Nar's manner was not accusatory or contemptuous but merely curious.

T'Pol decided there would be no harm in confiding in the woman. "I hold great affection for this child's father. Although I was not prepared to initiate an intimate relationship with him before my Pon farr, circumstances have now changed and I wish to preserve the life we have created together."

T'Pol's tone held a determined quality that was meant to convey she did not regret her choice. T'Nar nodded. "I would like to meet the human who has earned your regard. Will you ask him to join you here?"

T'Pol felt her face flush at the thought of seeing Trip. "I do not wish to inform him of the pregnancy until the likeliness that it will succeed can be determined." T'Nar frowned slightly and T'Pol felt compelled to add, "He would grieve the loss and I wish to spare him that grief."

"He will understand your… omission?"

"He will cherish this child. I believe the realization that a child is forthcoming will defuse his displeasure at having the news delayed."

Phlox returned to her side. "I must return to Enterprise for a short while. Can I bring you anything or anyone?"

"I have brought along several information PADDs which will allow me to continue some of my duties while I am being monitored."

Phlox sighed and hung his head a bit. "Very well Commander. I will see you shortly."

Once Phlox was gone the two Vulcan doctors moved to another part of the room, leaving T'Pol to rest. Now essentially alone she began to contemplate recent events. She had been so focused on achieving this pregnancy that she had pushed all other concerns from her mind. Now she allowed herself to focus on Trip and what the future and this child would mean for them. She could still faintly sense Trip's dismay, even though he was still on Enterprise. She knew she needed to clarify the situation between them yet she was afraid of how he would react to their existing bond. She knew that Trip valued the freedom of choice when entering a committed relationship. She had already, unknowingly, taken that choice away from him. She would have to make it clear that the bond could be severed if he wished it to be.

She then thought of her choice to follow the path of Surak. She had wanted to set aside her relationship with Trip until she had found her center again. Trip engendered strong feelings within her that overpowered her. She had not thought she could work through her mother's death and discover what recent events on Vulcan meant to her personal belief system while Trip was there to distract her. Now, however, she knew they were bonded and she was carrying his child. It did not make sense for her to keep him distant from her now. She must tell him about the bond and, later, the child. She fiercely hoped that he would accept her as a mate even though she had hurt him and rejected him repeatedly. Circumstances were about to test the strength of their feelings for one another.

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Trip had joined Malcolm and Travis for dinner in the mess hall. They were re-telling stories from their trip to the planet's surface to disable the tractor beam. The way the two were relating the various parts of the story made Trip think they'd told this story a few times already. He smiled and tried to keep his mind focused on what they were saying but his thoughts kept drifting back to T'Pol and his decision to ask for a transfer. Part of him was very nervous about talking to her and another part was anxious to see how she'd react to him leaving Enterprise.

"That story gets more impressive each time I hear it."

Trip looked up to see Hoshi standing beside him holding a tray containing a bowl of soup and a small sandwich. The women on this ship do not eat enough to stay healthy, Trip thought to himself.

"You're back from the planet already?" Malcolm seemed surprised.

"Keldar. The planet is called Keldar and the original inhabitants were called Keldarians." The way Hoshi stressed the planet's name gave Trip the impression she'd told his companions the name before and was annoyed they weren't using it.

"You never told us what the other guys were called," Travis interjected.

"Other guys?" Trip asked absently.

Hoshi had taken a seat across from him and now all three were staring at him like he had missed something obvious.

"Hey, I've been try'n ta put this ship back together and I was taking care of T'Pol before that so I've got no idea what's goin' on here," he said defensively.

Malcolm came to his rescue. "Right, well it seems that the planet was…" Hoshi shot an irritated look at Malcolm. "um, Keldar was originally inhabited by a pre-warp society that was quite peaceful. They never developed weapons or anything that they could use to defend themselves against an attack or invasion. Can you imagine a society whose evolution was completely lacking in any tactical or defensive capabilities? I wonder if they ever played games like Cowboys and Indians. They must have at least developed some sort of competitive sports or…"

"Malcolm, yer getting off the subject a bit. Could ya focus on the big picture here for those that need ta catch up?"

"Sorry." Malcolm recovered and continued, "Well, it seems that they were visited by a spacefaring race called…" He paused and looked over at Hoshi.

"They called themselves the Arythia. I think it means something like 'old ones' in Arythian. I'm still decrypting some elements of their language."

Malcolm picked up the story again. "Yes, well these old ones thought Keldar seemed like a nice place to settle down and spend their remaining days. It appears that they were dying out and wanted to find a nice resting place."

"They were the ones who built the shield and the tractor beam," Travis interjected. "We don't think they meant to leave it turned on though, right Hoshi?"

"I've only been able to get through some of their logs but I think they were just trying to protect the Keldarians. They gathered them all inside their great city and put up the shield. I think the tractor beam was simply left on after the last of them died. There is nothing in the logs to indicate the Arythia were anything other than benevolent."

Trip nodded. "Okay, so what happened to the planet's people after these old ones died out?"

Malcolm's expression took on a puzzled look. "Not quite sure actually. They seemed to have died off themselves. But there's no sign of struggle or warfare about. We thought perhaps they all got sick or something. I believe some medical data has been recovered but the medical staff on both ships are pretty busy with T'Pol right now so no one…"

"Whoa, just a minute, as far as I know T'Pol was just havin' some tests run on the Vulcan ship. Why would all the docs need ta be involved?" Trip could hear the anxiety and traces of panic in his own voice.

His table companions were stunned into silence for a few beats and glanced nervously at each other. Finally Travis spoke, "I guess she had some sort of relapse. She was transferred over to the Kovar this morning and she and Phlox have been there ever since."

"Actually, Phlox is back," Hoshi interjected. "He isn't staying though. I asked him if he was going back down to Keldar and he said not until T'Pol was stable."

Trip felt the blood drain from his face. She was still in danger then. I guess a human mate wasn't good enough after all. He prayed that T'Pol wasn't beyond the ability for a Vulcan mate to help her. He shook his head. This was simply a nightmare. He needed to find out how T'Pol was doing.

"Commander?" Trip looked up to realize that all three of his friends were regarding him with concern. He wasn't certain who had spoken.

"You didn't know?" Malcolm asked.

Trip shook his head again. "No. She said everything was fine this morning." Sev had gone back to the Kovar after lunch. Could T'Pol's condition have been the reason? He needed to find out. "I gotta go talk to the Cap'n," he said getting up.

He gave his companions a sad, apologetic smile, which was returned with looks that conveyed understanding and support. Then he left to track down Phlox or the Captain.

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Trip practically burst into Sickbay. He'd found out Phlox was still there and he all but ran to make sure he didn't miss the doctor before he returned to the Vulcan ship.

Phlox looked up at him in surprise. "Ah, Commander, what can I do for you?" The tone was light but Trip could tell Phlox was somewhat apprehensive.

Trip rubbed his chin absently as he searched for what to say. "I, uh, wanted to know how T'Pol's doin'. They told me she's still sick." He glanced around the room nervously.

"Ah, yes, well T'Pol did experience some… complications, but I believe she will be fine. She is being observed on the Vulcan ship until things are… stable."

Trip frowned. That was pretty much what Hoshi had said. Too bad he wasn't buying it. "You're not a very good liar Doc. There's more to it, isn't there?"

Phlox looked a bit sheepish. "You know I can't give you privileged information Commander. Please just trust me when I say that T'Pol will be all right."

Trip looked down, then around the room as he gathered the courage to ask his next question. "Does this have something to do with me? 'cause I'm human?" He could tell by the look on Phlox's face that it did, although the doctor tried admirably to cover.

"I can't give you any details Commander, I'm sorry. Please just be patient. T'Pol will be fine in time. Then you can discuss the matter with her." Phlox gathered a few items together. "Now, if you'll excuse me Mr. Tucker I should be getting back to the Kovar."

He gave Trip a sympathetic smile, Trip was really getting tired of that look, and then he nodded and left.

Trip wandered back to his quarters in a daze. So, T'Pol would be fine. He was sure Phlox wouldn't lie to him about that. But she had some complications and it had to do with him, with his being human. The most likely scenario was that T'Pol thought the Pon farr was cured but it wasn't because she'd had a human mate. So she'd gone to the Vulcan ship to be with a Vulcan mate.

Trip literally banged his head on the wall. He'd been working with the guy all morning, so now he could picture the two of them together. Once again the rational part of Trip's mind tried to tell him that Sev was helping to save T'Pol's life. Still, the irrational side clung fiercely to the jealousy that was overtaking him. Now that he'd been with T'Pol during Pon farr he knew exactly what was going on over there. That transfer was looking better and better with each passing minute.

TBC