Three Days Too Die

Disclaimer: I own no rights to the characters, just the story.

A/N: Again, thank you all for your patience! I really hope this chapter lives up to expectations! Please enjoy :)

In her room, T'Pol meditates. The last few days had been straining, she had missed her meditation and the state of her mind was unsettled.

The arrival of Captain Archer with the plant had sparked relief through the crew, but T'Pol knew this was not the end. Captain Archer had spoken with her about Phlox's efforts on creating the antidote and had relieved her of duty so she could rest.

Upon leaving the bridge, she had been drawn to Sickbay. It felt as though some unseen force had her in its grasp. When she'd approached the doors, a shudder had ripped through her. Holding on to the fortitude afforded her by her culture, she had squared her shoulders and walked through the doors.

Sickbay had been quite; Phlox was occupied with the antidote and the other personnel were quietly performing their tasks. Tension had layered the air and, while there had been hope infused in everyone's movements, fear had tainted their hearts.

T'Pol had just stared at the Commander. Sweat had beaded on his brow and exhaustion rolled off his body in waves. Quietly moving closer, she had admired his strength.

He was one of the strongest men she knew. Where she had first seen a lack of strength, mentally and physically, she now saw how resilient and fortified he could be.

Where she had once questioned his intelligence, she now understood that his intelligence surpassed simple logic and his emotions gave him a unique and valuable perspective.

Where she had once seen blind stubbornness, she now saw his firm and established beliefs. She saw his loyalty to his friends and his selfless love.

His ability to put others before himself continued to amaze her. She still thought that some of his actions were reckless and she had yet to completely understand everything he did, but she was learning to appreciate what had been deemed his 'human nature'.

Once she had ensured that no one was watching, she had allowed herself to follow an instinct that had become too strong to resist and had placed her hand gently on Commander Tucker's brow.

Despite his coma, T'Pol would have insisted that Trip had leaned the slightest bit into her touch. Upon realization of her thoughts, she had quickly brushed such notions away, her logic had overpowered what she now deemed to have been stupid and wistful human-like thinking.

However, the longer her touch had remained, the more she had felt at peace. Trip brought a comfort that she had felt nowhere else.

Suddenly, she had been confronted with an emotion that she was terrified to feel. Quickly jerking her hand away, she had rushed from Sickbay, oblivious to the puzzled expressions she passed in her haste. It was un-Vulcan of her to feel such a thing.

She knew better. Yet, these human-like emotions that only Trip had been able to summon were breaking through her Vulcan fortitude.

Taking in a deep breath, T'Pol fought to maintain her meditative state. Evening out her breathing, her mind refused to stop reliving what she had experienced in Sickbay, but she was determined to detach herself from those thoughts.

Finally, she managed to drive her thoughts and worries to the back of her mind. Taking another deep breath, she embraced her meditation, welcoming the rest that it afforded her mind.

Opening her eyes in her mind, she found herself surrounded by white. Having reached her mental haven, she relaxed.

Everything was as it should be here. Quite, peaceful, empty. Well, empty wasn't quite right. T'Pol tilted her head as the feeling of another presence brushed against her senses. Looking around, she noticed that part of her mental place was clouded in grays.

Moving closer, she held her breath as a figure began to take shape. Suddenly, walls solidified themselves around her and she found that she was standing in a gray room with bars forming a barrier.

There was darkness here. Something like she had never felt before. The figure was lying on the ground. When they shifted, she slowly moved closer.

As their features came into focus, T'Pol gasped. It was Trip. How could she see him? Where were they? Had she somehow ventured into his mind?

Quickly kneeling beside him, she placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Commander Tucker, can you hear me?" When there was no response, she shook him.

"Trip? Please respond." A low grown was her only response. Emotions washed over her at an overwhelming pace and it was she could do to hold onto her meditation.

"T'P-pol?" Trip asked, weakly lifting his head. "I'm here." T'Pol took his hand in hers. It was cold to the touch.

"Capt'n's g-gon-e" Trip breathed, closing his eyes as tears slid down his face.

Puzzled, T'Pol looked around, thinking that somehow Captain Archer would be in this mental room with them.

"What do you mean?" T'Pol asked. If she was truly in his head, perhaps something had happened to make him believe the Captain had left him.

"I-I'm sorry we-e didn't make i-it off the plan-et." Trip sucked in a large, wheezing breath, "D-didn't mean to g-get us cap-tured."

T'Pol began shaking her head, he didn't understand, possibly didn't remember making it back to the ship, being stuck in his room, and all the events that had transpired before his coma.

"No, Trip, we made it off the planet. Captain Archer is well. You were poisoned by a plant; we've been working on the antidote. You're going to be fine."

Trip just stared at her. Disbelief was evident on his features.

"I s-saw them kil…" He paused, grief overcoming his expression as more tears made their escape, "I saw i-it happ-en. The Capt'n is g-gone."

Attempting to sit up, he continued, "T-they want i-information." T'Pol helped him to lean against a wall. Everything here felt so real, yet she knew they were still in her mind or his.

He became more agitated as he attempted to tell her what was going on.

"Breathe, Trip. You need to calm your mind."

"What in the b-blue blazes does a c-calm mind have to d-do w-with anything!" He exclaimed, his breath hitching.

"We are communicating telepathically. I was meditating when I suddenly felt your presence. You are in a coma in Sickbay."

"I'm i-in a c-coma?" Trip leaned his back against the wall, closing his eyes. Carefully, he pressed a hand to his ribs, "It sure f-feels like I-I'm aw-ake."

"I believe this has something to do with an aspect of the poison that facilitates hallucinations. I believe that that is what we are currently experiencing."

"I-if I'm the one h-alluci-nating…th-hen why a-are you h-here?" He asked, giving her a suspicious glance.

"It would appear that I am sensitive to your mind. My mind sensed yours and thus, here we are."

"T-this is crazy." He said, realizing that she had grabbed his hand, T'Pol made to remove her hand.

To her surprise, he held on tighter. Slowly, she began to sense something odd and uneasy.

"Trip? Focus on my voice. Feel my presence. Stay with me." T'Pol said, urgency flooding her senses even though she couldn't pinpoint why there was suddenly a feeling of dread.

"T-T'Pol? Somethin' doesn't f-feel righ-t. I-I can-n't-" Trip suddenly trailed off as his eyes rolled back in his head and his grasp went limp before he began shaking uncontrollably.

"Trip! Commander Tucker!" T'Pol gasped, shocked at what she was witnessing. She tried to hold onto him, to maintain their connection, but before she could blink, it was gone.

She opened her eyes to find herself sitting in her room, sweat pouring down her brow and breathing hard.

The feeling of unease continued to grow, and she found herself rushing from her room with one destination in mind.