Chapter 2
T'Pol swiftly turned around, and met Trip's blue eyes. She was not surprised in the slightest that this conversation had come up. She could feel his nervousness cascading inside of him, being transferred to her through their bond, and it was slightly unsettling. Even though she had considered a conversation similar to this herself, many times in fact, she had still not come up with a definite answer.
"Trip…" T'Pol began, the use of his nickname indicating how important this conversation was.
Trip held up his hand to silence her. "T'Pol, please. Just let me say this, and then you can say or do whatever you want, just let me finish, please. I need to say this."
Trip's voice quivered slightly as he spoke, "I know we've been through a lot together, and I don't know what you want in regards to us, but here goes. T'Pol I love you, and I want us to be together. The last few months have only stood to reinforce that, and I do not care what people will think, if people cannot accept it then screw them! You and I are the only ones this concerns. I want us to be together, and I hope you do to."
T'Pol didn't know what to say. She was aware that the engineer had feelings for her, and if she had to admit it she, a Vulcan had feelings for him too. However, she had not realised the extent of her human's emotions, and his words had… surprised her. T'Pol frowned slightly, since when had she been thinking of Trip, as her human?
T'Pol looked towards Trip. What was she supposed to say? Declarations of love were not regular occurrences for Vulcan's. What if they were together and then something happened and they separated. Would Trip move to Columbia again? Away from his friends, because of her? What would happen if anyone found out? Terra Prime would no doubt retaliate, would she be putting Trip and everyone else in danger? Could she risk his life, and those around her because of her…feelings?
T'Pol hadn't responded for several minutes. To Trip it had felt like hours had passed. After every silent second passed, Trip's heart sank a little more.
"T'Pol," Trip began again; "I didn't want to put pressure on you," he paused as if to consider something. "Maybe I shouldn't have said anything at all." The young engineer continued. For as long as he had been alive, he had always put everyone else's feelings before his own. A sad, but true fact. He had done it when she had married Koss. Trip had stood by and supported her, even though it had nearly killed him. Now he was regretting ever saying anything. She would no doubt say no, and then it would become uncomfortable between the two of them. Something he really, really didn't want. T'Pol was one of his best friends on Enterprise, putting their friendship in jeopardy was the last thing he wanted, but now that seemed to have happened.
Trip rose to leave, a defeated look on his face. In that split second T'Pol had made up her choice. She stood and raised her arm to stop him, he turned, his eyes glistening with unshed tears and she leaned forward to kiss him, just as the comm. sounded.
"Trip, T'Pol, I hope I'm not disturbing you." The voice of Captain Archer cut through the speaker system.
If T'Pol had been human she would have frowned in annoyance, but she was Vulcan, and so showed no sign of anger at getting disturbed at such an inconvenient time. Trip however was, and his irritation was evident on his face.
"We're here Cap'n what can we do for you" Trip inquired, not taking his eyes off T'Pol, who was standing mere inches from him.
"I was wondering if you had found anything? Our visitor should be waking up shortly, and I need as much information as possible." Archer responded.
"We should be finished here within a matter of minute's Captain. We will report to the bridge, and update you on our progress" T'Pol interjected.
"Ok, good work you two," with that Archer shut off the comm.
Trip's eyes found T'Pol's, almost scared to venture the question he asked "Does this mean?…." in response T'Pol nodded
"We should continue this later." said T'Pol "Somewhere we can't be interrupted," she continued, raising an elegant eyebrow.
Trip grinned; at that very moment he didn't think he could be much happier. He climbed out of the craft smiling so much so he thought he could give Phlox a run for his money.
The two quickly arrived on the bridge, looking for their commanding officer.
"The captain just got a call from Phlox; it seems the patient woke up early. The Captain and Lieutenant Reed just left." stated Hoshi, who had been left in charge of the bridge.
Hoshi had hoped to have gone with them, thinking that perhaps the Vulcan couldn't speak English, and so needed her to translate. However that had been why the universal translators had been taken. She thought back to around five years ago. If this had happened back then she would have done anything to avoid meeting their new, potentially dangerous 'guest'. But now she was eager to go! It had surprised her how much she had changed in the last few years, she had grown into a stronger and more confident person- joining Enterprise had been the best thing she had ever done.
Nodding to Ensign Sato, T'Pol walked over to her station, Trip close behind. At least this way they could finish decrypting the information before the Captain arrived, as whoever had encrypted the data had certainly done a good job.
Down in sickbay the mysterious Vulcan male was finally regaining consciousness. Lieutenant Reed was close by, a phase pistol gripped in hand. Archer didn't want the first images when the Vulcan awoke to be of an armed security officer, but past experiences had taught Archer to air on the side of caution.
The Vulcan's eyes flew open; he squinted around the room, his vision still slightly blurred. His eyes settled on several cages, full of different species of animals. 'Where am I this time?' He thought grimly to himself. His hands came up to the wound on his chest and he felt to see how badly he had been injured. The wound was healed, but had also left a permanent reminder, a large, unattractive scar. 'One more to go along with the others', the Vulcan considered bleakly. He looked once more at his surroundings, only now aware of the humans that stood before him, one with a weapon pointed at him.
'Where am I?' he asked in Vulcan, his mother tongue being used with no thought to his audience. He immediately realised who he was talking to, and so transferred to English.
"Where am I?" He asked again. This time in English.
"You are aboard the Earth Star ship Enterprise, we received you distress signal. You are currently in our sickbay. I am Captain Archer".
Grabbing the side of the bed the Vulcan attempted to sit up "I am afraid that would be unwise" advised Phlox.
"I've suffered through worse," responded the Vulcan, attaining an upright position, and standing up. He looked unsteady on his feet but took a step forward.
"I am afraid I can't let you go anywhere," said Archer "I would also like to ask you some questions. For instance; why you were drifting this far out, what type of ship do you have, and where you got your injuries from."
"All in good time." responded the Vulcan, "but first let me introduce myself. I am called Sovek" he took a breath, trying to clear his pounding head. "I have come with a warning for both of our people. At this very moment, a species is preparing an all out war with Earth and Vulcan, one that could kill billions. I assume you have heard of the Romulans."
Captain Archer's head snapped up to the Vulcan's "Did you say the Romulans?"
"Indeed I did Captain. Now I believe it would be best if you gathered your senior staff together, what I have to say will no doubt involve them, and I would prefer not to explain this again."
Before Archer could respond Sovek walked towards sickbay's doors. "Sir?" inquired Reed.
"I think we need to hear what he has to say Malcolm. Lead him to the conference room, I'll be there shortly".
Nodding, the chief of security escorted the Vulcan out of Sickbay and along the corridors.
Malcolm was happy to walk in silence, and he had expected the Vulcan would be to. He was caught off guard however when Sovek began talking.
"How long has this ship been exploring deep space, Malcolm was it? Because I must say it looks quite impressive" enquired Sovek. His vision had cleared and he was feeling less and less disorientated. He had always found engaging in conversation put many species, including Humans at ease. It also meant he could find out more information about Enterprise. He disliked being in an unknown situation, with hardly any information about where he was, or what sort of people he was with. If he had to admit it, he also didn't mind casually conversing with other species. Unlike other Vulcans who deemed it unnecessary Sovek had found it brought people to trust more, and it sometimes worked in his favour. People were more likely to reveal information in what they believed idle conversation. He also surprisingly found it quite…..enjoyable.
Malcolm was taken aback; it was not often Vulcan's engaged in 'small talk', let alone complemented humans on their skills, or inquired about Earth's progress.
"It's been about 5 years now, and she is quite impressive isn't she." responded Reed.
Their conversations continued like this to the conference room, gaining a few odd stares on their way. Malcolm did not know what it was, but for some reason he was starting to like this Vulcan, that still didn't mean he trusted him though!
Arriving at the conference room were all of the senior officers, with the exception of T'Pol, who was just finishing with the decryption. They took their seats, all eyes on their new guest who was seated next to Captain Archer.
"Is this everyone?" asked Sovek. Like any Vulcan, he wanted to get straight to the issue at hand. Enough time had been wasted when he was in his ship, he needed to inform the humans what he had found, and then they could act.
"We are just waiting for our science officer she should be here shortly." responded Archer. "Let me introduce you to my other officers while we wait. This is commander 'Trip' Tucker my chief engineer. Lieutenant Malcolm Reed, my security officer who you have already met. My communications officer Ensign Hoshi Sato, my Pilot Travis Mayweather."
Just as he said this the doors opened, looking around he saw his second in command, "And my science officer…."
"T'Pol?" the Vulcan male answered, before Archer could respond.
T'Pol looked over to where the voice had come from, the padd in her hand dropped to the floor.
"Is that truly you? I believed I would never see you again," muttered Sovek, all eyes were drawn to their visitor.
"Do you two know each other?" Archer asked.
Instead of answering Sovek took several steps forward towards T'Pol, who in turn took a few steps backwards.
"Impossible." T'Pol whispered, "Your dead!"
To any outsider it would have appeared that T'Pol was being a model Vulcan, no emotions evident on her face. For the crew of enterprise it was different. They had spent the last five years with her, and could identify the small indications that showed an inner battle of emotions raging within. It was even more pronounced for Trip, who thanks to the bond they shared could feel the torrents of confusion, uncertainty and anger? Wash over him. He rose and walked over to T'Pol, putting him in a position between her and their visitor.
"Are you ok?" he asked her. A slight nod was his only acknowledgement.
"Who are you, and how do you know T'Pol" he demanded wanting to spare T'Pol any more distress.
The answer he received was not what he, or anyone else for that matter expected, "I am her Father."
At that very moment the tension in the room increased dramatically, everyone looked to T'Pol for conformation. "You are not my father." she shot back. "My father died many years ago." She glanced at Captain Archer "May I be excused?" he nodded in response, with that she left the room, Trip following a few moments later. The remaining members of the room were unsure of what to do next.
"I think you better explain what's going on Sovek," stated Archer. "And I want the truth".