Chapter Ten
With his hands behind his back Trip stood in the Infirmary watching, as Dr. Day had T'Pol in the Imagining Chamber. As Day read the readings, Trip stuck his tongue in the side of his mouth and rolled it around thinking about the consequences of what had happened to him on the Cardassian warship. The Infirmary doors opened and Trip turned around to see his sister standing there.
"When were you going to tell me that you were feeling better?" she asked.
"Liz, not now," he said. "Report to your duty station and I'll talk to you later."
"I'm off duty," said Elizabeth said, "and I want to know how my brother is."
"I'm doing better," Trip said, "and I'm captain of this ship, so go away and I'll talk to you later."
Elizabeth looked past Trip at Dr. Day and T'Pol in the Imagining Chamber. She then looked at her brother.
"What's wrong with T'Pol?" she asked.
"It's none of your business."
"And it is your business?" she asked.
"Oddly enough, it is," he sighed.
Day turned off the chamber. He then opened it and T'Pol got out of the large imagining tube-shape chamber. T'Pol was once again wearing one of catsuits, this time a red one. Trip found himself once again captivated by the female Vulcan officer.
"Ensign Tucker," T'Pol acknowledged Elizabeth.
"T'Pol, it's good to see you," said Elizabeth.
"Lizzy is about to leave," said Trip.
"Trip, I wanted to find out how you were," she said.
"He's good and getting better," said Dr. Day. "Now, Captain and SubCommander, please go into my office so we can have a private consultation once I've seen your sister out."
Trip and T'Pol walked into Dr. Day's office and waited for him, while he escorted Trip's sister out of the Infirmary. For a moment silence hung between them until finally Trip spoke.
"Are you feeling okay?" he asked.
"I am having flashes of uncontrollable emotions, am beginning Pon Farr, and I am highly attracted to you, so I am not feeling okay, as you would say," she said.
Trip chuckled, "Okay."
"I do not mean to insult you, but this is my first Pon Farr and I am far removed from Vulcan, which makes it a dangerous time for me," she said.
"We will do our best to help you, T'Pol," he said.
His sincerity and compassion in his voice touched her heart causing another wave of emotion. She closed her eyes in order to suppress those emotions.
Day entered his office, walked past them, and sat down behind his desk. He looked at a PADD for a moment then shook his head.
"Your sister is tenacious and she's worried about you. Actually, she is worried about you both. She likes you, SubCommander," said Day.
"Ensign Tucker is an able colleague," said T'Pol.
Day smiled then he sat back in his chair.
"Captain, according to my test there are parts of your brain which are usually inactive but now are active. I can only assume this is because of this nascent bond that occurred between the two of you," Day said.
"I believe you are correct, Doctor," said T'Pol.
"Okay, give me the short hand on this in terms of T'Pol's illness and this bond," said Trip.
"SubCommander, do you want to explain it or should I?" asked Day.
"I find my control slipping, so please proceed, Doctor," said T'Pol.
"What I am going to discuss here is confidential. It will not leave this office and there will be no record of it on the ship's log," said Day.
"Thank you, Doctor," said T'Pol.
"Pon Farr is part of the Vulcan mating cycle. It occurs every seven years, as T'Pol has explained to me. During this time the female ovulates and both the male and female have an uncontrollable urge to mate," Day explained.
"Why is mating forced onto Vulcans?" asked Trip.
"Because suppression of emotions and logic has dulled our sex drive. This forces the Vulcans to mate and have children keeping the species going. It is an evolutionary development assuring that our race does not die out," T'Pol said in angry growl. "Please, proceed, Doctor."
"Vulcans are also very monogamous. They only mate during Pon Farr with someone they are bonded with. During your incarceration and torture in an attempt to help you, T'Pol accidently started a bond between the two of you," said Day.
"So, what you are saying is that I'm the only one who can mate with T'Pol during Pon Farr?" asked Trip.
"Exactly," said Day.
"And if I don't?"
"If you don't then she will die," Day said.
"I see," said Trip, who fell into deep thought.
"I can understand your apprehension, Captain. I am Vulcan and you are Human. You probably don't even think we are compatible," said T'Pol. "If I must die, all I ask is that you give me privacy during Plak'tow. I do not wish to embarrass myself."
Her body tenses up. She shyly looked over at Trip hoping to get an answer from him that didn't doom her.
"I'm not going to let you die, T'Pol," said Trip then he looked at Dr. Day.
He smiled at her and she nodded.
"What happens if we mate during Pon Farr?" he asked.
"The bond could become permanent."
"And that means?"
"You and I will be connected. I will feel your emotions and you will feel mine. In extreme cases, bonded mates can speak mind to mind. And we will be married by Vulcan law," she said.
"Okay, is that all?" smirked Trip.
"Humor is not appropriate at this time, Captain," said T'Pol with her anger showing.
"Sorry, but it is a defense mechanism," he said then looked at Day. "When do we have to mate?"
Day looked at T'Pol. She again composed herself to speak.
"In three days I will enter the Plak'tow, the blood fever. We need to mate then," she said.
"How long can this last?" he asked.
"Two to four days," she said.
"Okay, I need to talk to Commander Flynn and make arrangements. We will keep this between as few people as possible. I get the impression Vulcans don't like this spoken about," he said.
T'Pol's body seemed to relax slightly then she spoke, "Thank you, Captain. I will go to my quarters to meditate until the Plak'tow."
"If you don't mind, T'Pol, but I'd prefer if you meditated in my quarters and stayed there for now. I'll stay in my Ready Room until the Plak'tow. In case of emergency, I'll be able to communicate with Commander Flynn better in my quarters," he said.
"I understand. I will retrieve some things I need from my quarters then I will meet you at your quarters," said T'Pol.
She quickly left leaving Trip with Dr. Day. Trip looked at Day, who looked to be struggling to suppress laughing.
"Really, Harry? You think this is funny."
"Sorry, Captain. Before you mate with her, let me know. I'll need to keep you a hypospray with a tri-ox compound to give you added stamina."
"Really, Harry?" said Trip. "I don't need help."
"Vulcans are stronger and have greater stamina than Humans and it appears during Pon Farr she will be unrestrained. You will need a lot of help keeping up with her. I'll also have to arrange to have food and drink set your quarters regularly," said Day.
"I can't believe this is happening to me," said Trip.
STSTST
Trip had Flynn in his Ready Room and was finishing giving him the sitrep on T'Pol and himself. When he finished he watched as his XO stood there in front of his desk speechless for a moment. Finally, he spoke up.
"Permission to speak freely and off the record," said Flynn.
"Go ahead, Jason," said Trip.
"You got to be shitting me," he barked. "This has to be some sort of Vulcan bullshit."
"Day says here hormones are out of balance and getting worse and that alone could kill her," he said.
"Still, you said this bond might become permanent," said Flynn.
"We'll deal with that if we have to," said Trip.
"How do you want to handle this?" he asked.
"When the time comes you say that the doc put us in isolation for a few days to see if we got some bug or other," said Trip.
"And the truth stays between you, me, and Doc Day," said Flynn. "T'Pol doesn't want this to become public knowledge and neither do I."
"I won't say I word, sir," said Flynn.
"Hell, Jason, you might as well call me Trip, since you are now privy to my personal life," sighed Trip.
Flynn smiled.
"First tortured by these Cardassians and now this," said Flynn, "I think you are handling things pretty well."
"T'Pol helped me on that ship. If she did do what she did, I think I would have broken the second day the minute they started torturing me again. I don't know how but she kept me calm and gave me some of her strength. I can't let her die," Trip said.
"Captain to the Bridge. We are being hailed by a Cardassian warship that is approaching Betazed," Sango voice came over the comm.
Without a word Trip was up out of his seat and both men were out of the Ready Room and rushed onto the Bridge.
"Shields up," ordered Trip, "and heat up the weapons."
"Aye, aye, sir," said Petrov.
Trip sat down on his command chair and Flynn stood beside him.
"Sango, put whoever hailing us on the view screen," said Trip.
Suddenly, a smiling Cardassian appeared on the view screen.
"I am Gul Talet of the Cardassian Union," he said. "You are?"
"Captain Charles Tucker III of the UES Valley Forge. We are here as the guests of Betazed," said Trip.
"And a friendly people they are," said Gul Talet. "You have an impressive starship. May I ask you about it?"
"Please do," said Trip.
"How fast?"
"Warp 7.2," smiled Trip.
Both Trip and Flynn noticed the tension in the neck. Trip decided to make the tension worse.
"The slowest ship in our fleet is warp 5.5," said Trip. "And you?"
"Our ships are not built for speed yet," said Talet.
"We like to combine speed with firepower," said Trip.
"I see. The reason I am here in Betazed space is because I believe you were attacked by some Cardassian Union renegade starships and I wanted to apologize," said Gul Talet. "I also was going to offer my apologies to Betazed."
"I accept your apology, Gul Talet," said Trip, "and I don't want to hold you up offering your apologies to Betazed. I hope we talk again."
"I'm sure we will," said Gul Talet.
Trip made the kill connection sign and Sango killed the connection. He now relaxed in the chair, while Flynn sighed.
"I don't trust them," said Flynn.
"I don't either," said Trip.
"The Council has offered us shore leave privileges," said Flynn.
"Set crew down in groups of fifty at a time. Forty-eight hour leaves are granted," said Trip.
"Cautious," said Flynn.
"I have no intention of getting caught with our pants down again by Cardassian. I want us to have constant passive security sweeps of this area," said Trip.
"Yes, sir," said Flynn.
"Also, all crewmembers must wear their biosensor so medical can constantly monitor them," said Trip. "I don't want anyone else kidnapped."
"Yes, sir."
STSTST
Malcolm reported to the Captain's Ready Room, as requested. When he entered Archer was reading a report. He motioned Malcolm to sit down then he kept reading. Once he was finished, he tossed the PADD on his desk and exhaled.
"Vulcan is having some trouble with a group called the Syrannites," he said.
"We are headed for Andorian space, so we can be escorted to Tellerite space," said Malcolm.
"Actually, Malcolm, we've been called to Vulcan to be on standby to evac important personnel if Vulcan's little rebel turns violent," said Archer.
"I have to let Terra Prime know about this," Malcolm said through gritted teeth.
"I know, Malcolm. You have to do it."
"Yes, sir," said Malcolm.
"Carry on, Lieutenant Commander," said Archer.
Malcolm left the Ready Room.
STSTST
Trip woke up with a stiff neck. The sofa in his Ready Room was more comfortable in theory than fact. Sitting up he stretched then stood up and tried to work the kinks out of his back. His comm buzzed, so he walked over to his desk and answered it.
"This better be good because I was going to take a nice hot shower," he said.
"No time for that, Captain. I'll meet you at your quarters' doors with a shot for you," said Dr. Day.
"It's time?"
"It's time," answered Day.
Trip stood up straight then he commed his XO. Flynn answered.
"Yes, sir."
"It's time. I'll be indisposed unless it's an emergency," said Trip.
"Understood," said Flynn.
Trip disconnected the comm then stood by his desk. He was about to mate with a Vulcan. Yes, it was a Vulcan he was highly attracted to and even enjoyed her company, but still she was a Vulcan. Even more complicated was the fact that he might permanently bond with T'Pol, which would mean they were married. It was daunting to say the least, but he couldn't let her die. And, he was drawn to her.
Taking a deep breath, he exhaled then he turned and exited his Ready Room. All the way to his quarters he nodded to crew and tried to give the façade of being calm. Finally, he arrived at his quarters. Dr. Day was waiting for him.
"Let's make this quick," said Day.
He stuck him with a hypospray in the neck. Trip immediately felt a boost to his system. Day then gave him another hypospray.
"I thought you were only giving me one shot," said Trip.
"I decided to put some extra lead in your pencil," smiled Day. "You better get in there."
Trip snarled at the doctor then entered his command code and the door opened. He entered his quarters.
Several candles were lit and the lighting was on low. Standing in a corner dressed in blue silk pajamas with her hands up in almost a praying position, T'Pol was speaking to herself in Vulcan. She saw Trip and moved over to him so quickly he was shocked by her speed.
"T'nash-veh komihn," she said then she moved into his personal space and sniffed him. "Adun. Tel-tor."
She took her index and middle finger and traced his face then brought it down his chest. Grabbing his right hand she made him form his middle finger and index fingers like hers then brought them together. Trip felt his mind spark. The feeling was different, intriguing, and even addictive.
"Taluhk nash-veh, ashal-veh," she said.
"I don't know what you're saying, but I just want to say that I'm here for you," he said.
Just then T'Pol grabbed his shirt and started pulling it off him. Once it was off, she ran her hands over his muscular chest and then she bit him on the chest. Trip screeched in pain then he grabbed the sides of T'Pol's face and kissed her passionately. The kiss tasted different to Trip. It had a slight copper taste, the difference between her copper based blood and his iron based blood. She responded to the kiss by deepening the kiss then she pushed him towards the bed. The push sent Trip flying towards the bed. He landed half on it and half off it.
Looking up he watched as T'Pol now disrobed. She was magnificent. Instinctively he started to remove the rest of his clothes, as she came up to him and placed her hands on his face.
"Nahp, hif-bi tu throks," T'Pol said.
Suddenly, Trip's mind opened up to hers. He felt everything she felt and he knew she was now feeling everything that he was feeling. This was the most amazing thing he'd every experience. He was completely joined ant at one with another individual. They were sharing everything. He could lose himself in this experience.
STSTST
The Enterprise came into Vulcan's orbit. Already orbiting Vulcan were fifteen D'kyr Combat Cruisers. Archer didn't like being surrounded by so many Vulcan warships, even if they were peaceful towards Earth.
"Hoshi, hail Vulcan Space Port and ask permission for us to orbit."
"We are here at the request of the UE Compound. Tell them to contact Rear Admiral Duval if they have a problem," said Archer.
He got up and looked at Hernandez, "Commander, you have the conn. If the Vulcans want to talk, feel free to talk to them."
Archer smiled at her. She didn't return the smile.
"You don't want to talk to them?" she asked.
"I've had enough talk for now. Commander," Archer said then started to walk away.
"Coward," Erica mumbled under her breath.
He stopped and turned with a smirk, "That's captain, Commander."
He turned around and left the conn to her.
STSTST
Trip woke up with T'Pol snuggling up close to him. Her head rested on his chest. He could still feel her emotions and guessed she could still feel his. Closing his eyes he let the bond work. She was still in turmoil. The blood fever was under control but it hadn't been broken, which mean that they weren't done mating.
"Adun," T'Pol said softly.
"What does that mean?" he asked her.
"Mate, husband," she answered.
"What can I call you?" he asked.
"Adun'a, for one. If you prefer to call me something in Earth Standard I would understand," she said.
"Like darlin'," he said.
She felt pleasure from being called darling by him. The bond between them was strong, stronger than she thought possible. The chances of it being permanent were excellent and she found that agreeable. She was well suited for mating with this Human. It was not logical but it was true.
T'Pol sat up a little then captured Trip mouth with hers. She was aroused again and it was time for her mate to satisfy her.