Disclaimer: Enterprise and its characters are property of CBS/Paramount.
A/N The story so far: After a secret mission goes terrible wrong, Trip and his team members are declared dead. When evidence is delivered that Trip is alive, a rescue team is formed.
On their way, the team finds a pod floating in space. Inside is Trip's mission leader Roger Dubois. Malcolm and Hoshi are transported to the pod to investigate.
Meanwhile, Trip comes in contact with Kirak, T'Pol long lost father. A pregnant T'Pol stays at Starfleet Medical Facilities.
Many thanks to my wonderful beta Dinah.
Part one
Purple – From his point of view, Malcom could clearly see the stains of red blood on the floor, amidst some older looking green and purple spots. He could just envision the scene: a body, broken and beaten, blood seeping on the floor, alone in a pod, drifting in space.
The body had belonged to a fellow Human, a Starfleet officer by the name of Dubois. It was the same man who had taken Trip on a classified mission. Just earlier this day, Reed and his team had rescued the man from certain death.
Dubois was now in sickbay, under the care of Phox, unconscious and unable to give more information. That's why Hoshi and he had transported themselves to the pod in order to find some new clues.
The pod was clearly not meant for two persons. Standing in this cramped space together with Hoshi far too close, he wished to be back on the Lincoln, where he at least could create some distance between the people around him.
To his relief, Hoshi took two steps away from him and checked the walls. He scanned the floor and loaded the information in his PADD. He had just started as an alarm on his PADD went off.
It sent a shock through his body. He had created this alarm to alert him to intruders at the Lincoln. The feeling in the pit of his stomach that he had the minute they had rescued Dubois deepened. It was no coincidence that just moments after their cloaked vessel was ready to beam Hoshi and him out, intruders came aboard the Lincoln. The pod had been the bait and they had taken it. They had been watched.
It fueled his conviction that there was a Romulan mole working in Section 31.
The mission assigned to Trip had Section 31 written all over. As soon as he heard about this mission, he had become furious and contacted Harris, his former boss at Section 31. He was angry, because he should have been the man for the mission, not Trip. Section 31 didn't want him to be involved. He had threatened Harris, that he would spill the beans about his covert operations during the war, if they didn't cooperate. Section 31 HQ didn't seem impressed by his threat, but they agreed to investigate the matter and contact him.
When a blond woman approached him, claiming to have evidence that Trip was alive, he just had accepted that she was a Section 31 operative. She had been every inch a lady and he had liked her.
Only when Amanda had warned him that things were going too easy and that they had to check this blond woman, had he realized his quest for finding Trip had him blindsided.
To make things worse, the blond woman, who he had admired, was nothing more than Ellen Tenson, a famous Romulan spy. His personal enemy. She had killed Rianna, the love of his life. Even after all these years, the memory of her death, the accident with the consoles, still caused him pain.
He couldn't believe he had been so stupid, fooled by a pretty face, after years of covert operations.
Archer had arranged they could use the best covert ship there was: the Lincoln. Also he had pulled some strings and assembled the rescue team. Malcom had thought he was going to lead the mission, but to his surprise Archer had taken command. He didn't get it. Archer was the candidate for Earth presidency and the election was in three months. But he knew what Trip meant to him, to all of them.
He had told Archer that he had updated the ships programs, had added extra safety measurements and cloaking devices, extra shields and had expanded the weaponry of the Lincoln. He was about to use them now to defeat the intruders.
He assumed the intruders would go to the bridge first, so he contacted engineering, using the secure communication line he had with every room on the ship.
"Rostov, scan the ship for non-humans," he said, "Procedure Reed Delta one."
Ten long second later Rostov reported back. "Orions have come aboard, they are now on the bridge. Travis, the captain and Cole are also on the bridge." Rostov sounded calm and he had acted without hesitation. His trainings during the war on Enterprise for every crew member had not gone without result. "I have raised the force field in the bridge as instructed. Nobody can leave the bridge."
He was relieved to hear the intruders had not reach sickbay to bring their prisoner Dubois back to the Orions.
"Now release the gas, you know the procedure."
Three seconds later, Rostov confirmed he had released the gas. "I am heading to the transporter room." The transporter room was small and close to the bridge.
Malcolm gestured Hoshi. "We're going back," he said. "Intruder alert. When we're on the ship, put a gas helmet on."
Hoshi frowned slightly, before her face got that alert, professional look he had seen so many times during the war.
The second they stepped off the platform, Rostov handed them a gas mask. "The bridge is flooded with gas," he said.
Malcolm scanned the whole ship just to make sure the intruders were only to be found on the bridge.
He contacted Phlox. To no one's surprise, the good doctor protested against the use of gas, because it also could hurt the captain, Travis and Cole.
"I am aware of that, Phlox," he said. "As soon as the Orion women are transported back to their ship, we will clear the bridge and you can help the others."
Together with Rostov and Hoshi he took the unconscious bodies of the Orion women and moved them quickly to the transporter room. On their faces there were purple spots, the side effects of the gas. He transported the Orions back to their ship, hoping they remained unconscious for a long period. He cloaked the ship immediately. As Phlox and Rostov cleared the bridge and brought Archer, Amanda and Travis to sickbay, he resumed course for the mining facility on Farel moon, the last place Trip had been seen.
Part two
Earth – Starfleet Medical Facilities
Purple - "This is great," Trip said, almost sighing. "I forgot how nice the white space could be."
T'Pol was in his arms, lying on purple, beige and brown meditation pillows, surrounded by her white space. She couldn't smell Trip's unique scent or feel the familiar coolness of his skin. But lying in his arms, as he gave her soft kisses in her neck, was indeed pleasurable.
And also distracting, because when she was about to remark that the first time in her white space they only argued, Trip kissed the tip of her right ear and she lost her train of thought entirely.
For a moment she was immersed in his affection, there was only him and her. She moved upward, studying the face of the man near her. Her Human. The young, almost naïve look of the first years on Enterprise had disappeared. The look in his blue eyes was of a man controlled and steadfast. The invisible scars of the war and a difficult life were in his face, only for her to see. She was proud of being his wife. He always supported her and she wanted to do nothing more than do the same. He smiled at her and his eyes softened. It was a genuine smile and T'Pol realized how she missed it.
She had missed his presence in her life. She had missed that small whisper in the back of her mind, the one that told her he was there, his sweet affection through the bond, even the portion of anger, frustration and irritation that sometimes leaked through their bond.
But now he was back and T'Pol drank in Trip's features. She loved him; she had always loved him. This feeling had frightened her, it seemed illogical and the wishes of a weakling, before she had realized he was her bondmate and it was logical and made her strong.
A primitive desire washed over her. She captured his mouth, hungrily kissing him. The response came immediately. Trip kissed her back with the same passion.
As she ended their kiss, Trip looked at her, amusement dancing in his eyes. "You're very passionate today, darling," he said. "Not that I am complaining."
She raised herself to a sitting position. "I missed you," she said simply, but her words conveyed a whole world.
If not only for her, but also for T'Lessa she was content that Trip was back. T'Lessa was half Human; she would need Trip's help after she was born. Now she was growing in an artificial womb. After the transport, the womb had been closed off by a material made of small sensors. The transport had gone well, but doctor Cutler was afraid of future complications. She had suggested a new method.
"We need to discuss a procedure Doctor Cutler has recommended," she told Trip.
Trip looked at her sharply. "Is something wrong with the baby? Those artificial wombs are still in the early stages of development."
She could sense his worry. "T'Lessa is doing well. However, Doctor Cutler noticed that the baby is less active in the artificial womb. The outside of the womb is made of soft sensors. If we are to attach the artificial womb to my body, I can easily touch this skin and bond with the child. The baby also can hear my heartbeat better. It would also provide other possibilities for supporting the growth of T'Lessa. In short, this procedure will benefit the baby on many levels."
"Have they done this before?" Trip asked. "Are there any risks?"
"The attachment to the mother's body has been done once, with excellent results. Doctor Cutler is positive that it would help T'Lessa."
"If it so good for T'Lessa, why haven't you gone through with the procedure?" Trip was genuine curious.
"You're her father. I didn't want to make decisions for her without consulting you first."
His eyes lit up. "I really appreciated that. But if it's better for the baby and for you, I am all for it."
They talked some more about the baby. "I wish I was back on Earth with you and the baby," Trip said, "I sure hope I will be back soon."
He paused and she could feel his discomfort through the bond. "I have something to tell you. Do you remember that you told me during the war that the attack patterns of the Romulans resembled the ancient patterns of Vulcan?"
"I have reported my observation to Starfleet Command," T'Pol said, remembering the event well.
"Let me guess, they never acted on that information," Trip said with a bitter tone in his voice. "Why should we listen to a Vulcan commander with more space experience than any of us?"
"Why is that important?'" she was curious. In her experience many of her suggestions before and during the war were dismissed by Humans. This was nothing new.
"You know my friends and I were rescued by the crew of your father. Among his crew and my friends, I have met with three species: Vulcan, Heterian and Romulan."
T'Pol was intrigued. "You have seen a Romulan?" The appearance of a Romulan was a closely guarded secret. Five years of war hadn't given the Coalition one clue what they looked like.
"You once told me that long ago a group of Vulcans left the planet because they didn't want to follow the path of logic, as taught by Surak."
T'Pol didn't understand why Trip brought this up, when it suddenly dawned on her. The many similarities between the ancient military traditions of Vulcan and the Romulans. The fact that they never showed their faces, that their whole culture was a complete mystery. Deep down, suppressed in her mind, she had always suspected this, but never had spoken it out loud.
"The Romulans are our long-lost brothers," she said slowly, searching Trip's face for traces of denial. It couldn't be.
"Yes, Vulcans, Heterians and Romulans share the same ancestors. They are all Vulcan species."
It would explain so many things. She quickly developed a theory: Romulans were the old military class of Vulcans, driven by the will to fight and conquer, forced into exile from the home planet. No wonder they hated Vulcans.
What if the Humans found out Vulcans and Romulans, their hated enemy, were related. Would it drive another wedge between the worlds she served with her whole heart: Earth and Vulcan? Would it have a negative effect on her daughter, a child of both worlds?
It gave her lot to think about.
Part three
Earth – Starfleet Medical Facilities two days later
Purple – Sitting in one of the chairs in her room at Starfleet Medical Facilities, T'Pol breathed slowly in and out. She was using a breathing pattern her mother had taught her many years ago. She lay a hand on her wide purple dress – a gift of doctor Cutler – on the place where the baby was growing in the artificial womb.
The news about the Romulan connection to Vulcan had given T'Pol food for thought, but she had decided first to concentrate on the wellbeing of Trip's and her baby.
An old lullaby, buried in her memory for decades, played in her head. No one was in the room. She started to sing softly, "T'nash-veh kan, t'nash-veh ka, ozhika fulag-tor, ko-mekh fulag-tor." T'Pol hadn't sung in many years and she thought her voice sounded off. But tucked away in the chair, just her and the child in her womb, she couldn't care less.
The womb had been attached to her body and together with accessory medical equipment it was a load to carry. The mini sensors that covered the womb functioned as a skin, which was helpful in the bonding process.
"The best way for a baby to grow is in her mother's womb. We can't beat the natural way, but we can do our best to mimic it as much as possible," Doctor Cutler had said, when she had completed the procedures and connected tubes from T'Pol's body to the womb.
The tubes were hidden underneath her dress. A small device, almost invisible to the untrained eye was attached to the artificial womb, monitoring all the vital signs of her and the baby. It was a fascinating to study the data. "With the monitor we always know where you are. Not that we expect you to go anywhere," Doctor Cutler had remarked, in a clear attempt at humor.
Her days were now filled with medical treatments, reading the data of the monitor, meditating, resting, studying new science data and watching the news.
There was a knock at the door. Doctor Liz Cutler entered her room. She was always friendly and confident, but now she seemed less at ease.
"T'Pol," she said with hesitation in her voice "There are two people to see you. I have told them I wanted to consult you first, before I let them see you."
With some difficulty, T'Pol rose from her chair. "I don't want to see anyone."
"I think you should," doctor Cutler responded. "It's ambassador Soval and Admiral Black."
T'Pol remembered how Soval had offered his support after Trip's so-called death. At that time it had hardly registered, but looking back she was grateful for his help. He had been on Vulcan to visit his eleventh grandchild and apparently now returned.
His companion was Admiral Black. T'Pol knew that during the war Soval had frequently interacted with Starfleet Command. The sending of Vulcan elite military personnel and technology to support Starfleet during the war was mostly to be credited to Soval. It had earned Soval the respect of the admirals, including Black.
Admiral Black and Starfleet Intelligence was investigating accusations that she had sold technology during the war to the Romulans. T'Pol never had confronted them with this rumor and had gone into hiding. It had been a great mistake on her part. She also had come to the realization she needed the help of Starfleet Intelligence. Trip had told her he wasn't at Farel moon anymore. The crew of the Lincoln, looking for Trip, had to be informed. Starfleet Intelligence was the only way to contact them.
She made her decision. It was only logical to take this opportunity to speak to the admiral and ambassador.
Soval and Black entered the room. The ambassador was dressed in a white medical uniform with a purple cap on his head, that hide his ears. Black wore civilian clothes and a doctor's coat. His perfectly straight back, the stern look on his face, his whole dominant presence gave away he was a high-ranking officer.
"Ambassador Soval, Admiral Black," T'Pol greeted them.
Black gave a short nod and took a seat by the table. Soval bowed slightly and offered her a small basket. Inside them were Pollu berries, purple berries that were often given to mothers to be.
"T'Pol," he said in her native tongue. "Congratulations on becoming a mother. I also heard the good news about Commander Tucker."
"Thank you, Del'haiu Soval," she responded, as she took the gift and placed it near her bed.
They joined Black. "We have investigated the accusations that you sold technology developed by Commander Tucker to the Romulans. The evidence for this is overwhelming," he started.
"You believe these accusations to be true?" she asked, preparing to defend herself.
"No, I don't."
His answer was certainly unexpected. "I don't understand, admiral," she said, puzzled.
"We will investigate these accusations further. But I have been discussing them with the ambassador and my team. The documents, the voice recording. It is all too perfect. Just like with Shran, Gral and Henry Archer. Commander Tucker said he saw a pattern. And I saw it too."
For a moment his features softened and he looked at her in an almost friendly fashion, before becoming stern again. The admiral had been the one who told Trip and her to keep their relationship a secret. During the war he had always been straight to the point, unyielding, strictly following procedures. Their interactions were always formal, like she was used to in a Vulcan setting.
"All my observations and all the reports during the war," he continued in a dry, clinical tone, "have showed me that you're extremely loyal to Earth and Vulcan. I know you made mistakes in the past, but during the war, you became one of our most valued officers. Without you, your fellow Vulcans and the people you served with, we wouldn't have won the war."
Black straightened his back. "But the fight is not over," he continued in a much sharper tone.
"In three months, the Earth presidential election is going to be held. It's of the upmost importance our candidate, Captain Archer wins. All these accusations are aimed to hurt him as a presidential candidate. And now this Namara is in the news 24/7, winning the hearts of our people, forgetting the lives Starfleet sacrificed to free Earth from the Romulans, the great people who died, defending Earth."
T'Pol knew about this new Earth presidential candidate from the news. In Namara's campaign she had made it clear she wanted Earth to leave the just founded Federation and cut the ties with the other planets. Namara blamed Starfleet and the space program for the Xindi and Romulan wars.
"Captain Archer must win the election," Black slammed his hand on the desk. "He must come back to Earth and show the people he is the right man for the job! If this Namara woman wins the election, Earth will lose its position in the Federation. All we have worked for will be lost. And in no time, the Romulans will be back."
Black's eyes shine with anger and his mouth was a grime line. "Earth will never be free under the Romulans. We will be dead or slaves." Admiral Black stopped abruptly, his face red.
In the silence that fell, T'Pol asked the question that had been on her mind. "Why are you here, admiral?"
"Captain Archer organized the rescue mission for Commander Tucker. Without informing me, he also joined the rescue crew. I have given the order for another team to catch up with the Lincoln and bring Archer back to Earth. Lieutenant Reed is more than capable of leading the mission," Black explained.
For a second T'Pol felt annoyed that Starfleet seemed to care more about Archer than Trip, but she suppressed that illogical thought quickly. She had her doubts about Archer being a good candidate for the presidency. All these years they had served together, he never mentioned going into politics. He was only interested in building the Federation, not in becoming the Earth president. But she also knew the captain was popular, as the war hero from the Xindi and Romulan war and as the first Human captain in the space program.
"You have to tell Captain Archer to return to Earth," Black continued. "Reed will find Commander Tucker and finish Tucker's mission. That mission was to clear your name and all the people involved in this political game. Reed is perfect for this job."
The high praise of Black for Reed made T'Pol wonder why he wasn't chosen for this mission in the first place. However, Black's request did give her a chance to tell the rescue crew about Trip's escape from Farel Moon. It offered possibilities and she saw the logic behind Black's request of wanting Archer back on Earth.
"Captain Archer is not easily persuaded," she responded, "but I will try. But I think it's wise for Starfleet to seek out the other candidates besides Mrs. Namara and asked them to support the Federation and Starfleet."
"I will see to it," Black put his hand out.
She pressed down her reluctance of touching anyone besides her bondmate and took his hand and shook it.
"Then we have an agreement," Soval concluded, rising from his chair. T'Pol knew he'd rather stand than sit, like most Vulcans. "Let's make this work."
Part four
Earth – San Francisco – an unknown location
Purple – The spy laughed. The woman next to him, dressed in a purple dress, her blond hair in a roll in the back of her head, looked sharply at him.
"Why are you laughing?" she demanded to know.
The spy looked up from his communication device. "The daughter has contacted the Lincoln. The son-in-law has escaped. His captain is away from Earth."
"It's good Archer isn't here. He never will become Earth's president," the woman said in a harsh tone. "But we never will get Kirak out of hiding, now we can't control Tucker anymore."
The spy started to protest, but she cut him off. "The daughter will never be leverage for her father. She will not allow it."
He smiled. "I know. But she's pregnant. She would do anything to protect her child. And Kirak would do everything for his granddaughter."