Chapter Eleven

Thankfully Phlox didn't think surgery was necessary when he re-examined Trip's wrist the next morning, so Trip went back to work in Engineering with the promise that he wouldn't overdo things. Getting into his normal routine in Engineering helped a little bit, but he was still feeling extremely stressed in regards to his family, which wasn't helping with his symptoms. Despite an injection from Phlox earlier, he could feel another headache coming on and he was having trouble trying to stop his hand from trembling. In fact he was focusing so hard on maintaining a tight grip on his PADD that he didn't hear Captain Archer enter Engineering and walk up behind.

Archer had been a little annoyed earlier at the mention of Trip's mom, but he was determined not to let her actions spoil his friendship with Trip … his younger brother. "Wow," he thought, just the sound of that was weird. He always felt there was a special connection between the two; from the day that Trip stepped in and defended their dad's work, to the split-eating grin on both of their faces when he asked Trip to be his Chief Engineer on Enterprise. Now he knew why.

Entering Engineering and seeing the tense, stressed person sitting in his 'office', Archer decided that it was his duty 'as a big brother' and his captain to help him relax and wind down.

"Busy?" he asked, making Trip jump out of his skin.

"No," replied Trip, "an do ya mind not doing that?"

"Doing what?" asked Archer with a slight laugh.

"Sneaking up on someone, that's what."

"I didn't sneak. If you weren't so focused on your work you would have noticed that. What've you done to your hand?"

"Had a slight accident in the gym, that's all. Nothing to worry about. Anyway, what do ya want me for?" Trip asked, trying to steer the conversation away.

"Just thought I'd see if you want to grab a break and watch that last batch of matches that Forrest sent me, which we never got round too."

"Capt'n, I--"

"Shall I make it an order, Commander?" interrupted Archer. "We depart soon and I want my Chief Engineer to be at his best. You're looking far too stressed at the moment," he said, indicated with his head for Trip to follow him back to his quarters.

Realizing that he didn't have much choice in the matter, Trip sighed, put his PADD down on the desk to finish reading later and followed him out. Anyway he wondered if the matches the Capt'n was talking about were the ones that he'd secretly watched before, then he knew he was going to at least have some fun teasing because he already knew just how badly Stanford sucked.

-------------------------------------------

Four hours later, feeling a lot more relaxed, Trip laughed again as Captain Archer threw another handful of pretzels at the monitor in disgust.

"You're enjoying this far too much."

"Now why would I enjoy myself seeing you get mad at Stanford losing again," asked Trip with a 'duh' expression, chuckling as Archer threw him a dirty look, while also throwing another handful of pretzels his way.

"If I didn't know any better I'd think that you've seen these before," he said, to Trip's feigned look of disgust, as the comm. buzzed.

"Archer."

"Sorry to disturb you, Sirs," said Hoshi, "but there is a visitor to see Commander Tucker."

"Visitor?" Trip asked, wondering who would come up to Enterprise to see him.

"He's at the docking hatch, Sir. Shall I get someone to escort him to your quarters?"

"No, Hoshi," replied Archer. "We'll go and meet him."

Wondering also who it could be, Archer follow Trip out of the room towards the Docking hatch.

-------------------------------------------

Opening the Docking Bay hatch, there to the surprise of both Trip and Archer, stood Charles Tucker II.

"Dad! What are you doing here?"

"Waiting to be invited on board," he smirked, before walking towards Trip and greeting him with a huge hug. "Can't the old man come and visit his son on his return from a dangerous mission?"

"I was glad ya did, it's good to see ya," said Trip, hugging him back. Then, standing back to introduce his dad to his Captain, "Dad, this is Captain Jonathan Archer. Capt'n, this is ma dad, Charles Tucker II."

"Jonathan …"

"Mr Tucker …"

"I was gonna visit," said Trip, wondering what the special occasion was for his father to come all the way up to Enterprise, "but I though mom wanted some space … you know with Lizzie …"

"It does concern your mother, although that's not why I'm here," explained Mr Tucker as they walked back along the corridor, glancing casually at Captain Archer as if to indicate that what he had to say was private.

"Ahhh……!" exclaimed Trip, catching on. "Captain, if ya don't mind, I think me and my Dad need to talk …"

"Don't mind at all," answered Archer. He was curious as to what had prompted this surprise visit but he didn't want to get in the way, as he could tell whatever it was, it personal. "It was good to see you Mr. Tucker. Maybe we could all have dinner later?"

"I'll look forward to it, Captain Archer," replied Trip's dad, as Captain Archer left them to it. "Please, call me Charlie. Mr. Tucker sounds too formal."

"Charlie it is," smiled Archer, before turning round and walking back to his ready room.

"Soooooo….!" Exclaimed Trip, "I take it you've come all this way to spank ma bottom for upsetting mom earlier."

"It did cross ma mind," replied Mr Tucker, throwing his son a glare. "Don't disrespect ya ma again like that son, ever."

"Sorry, I didn't mean to. I was just a little upset. It seems like people at the moment are forever dancing around me as if they're trying to avoid telling me something."

"That's part of the reason I've come to see you, Trip" said Mr. Tucker. "It's time we talked and I gave you some long overdue answers to those questions."

-------------------------------------------------