Chapter Seventeen
Archer stood behind the protective glass along with T'Les. They were observed their daughter being fed by a nurse wearing a quarantine suit. T'Mir took her bottle of formula with a peep. Her treatment had taken, but they were keeping her in quarantine until her immune system grew stronger. The doctors didn't want to take any chances with corrupting her immune system.
"She's beautiful," said Archer.
He couldn't believe just how beautiful his daughter was. Clone or no clone, she was his daughter. Half Vulcan and half Human, she was his daughter. He accepted her without even a second thought, even though she had been created more than born. T'Mir was his flesh and bone.
"A Human reaction to a child, Captain," said T'Les.
Archer cringed for a second at her remark then forced his reaction away. This was her child, also, and their child was half Human and Half Vulcan. He needed to be more understanding about this fact because it made her very different from him. His daughter was half Vulcan, so he needed to make the effort. God knew that he'd dealt with them enough already that he should understand them better. He even carried the katras of Syrann and Surak, though this incident didn't increase his understanding of Vulcans.
"And your reaction, T'Les to T'Mir?" he asked.
"I cannot wait until I am allowed to touch her," said T'Les.
This made sense to Archer. He also had a wish to touch his daughter. There was a tactile need within him to hold her in order to prove to himself that she wasn't just a figment of his imagination. For T'Les she had a need to touch her mind and katra to make sure that there was nothing defective about her, other than the fact she was half Human.
"I agree. I can't wait to touch her, either," smiled Archer. "I love the smell of babies."
"The smell?"
"Yeah, babies. I love the way they smell – fresh, clean, and so different from an adult."
As a Vulcan female, her olfactory was far stronger than a Human. Suddenly, she appreciated what he had said. Babies did smell differently. It was a pleasant smell.
T'Les looked at Captain Archer and wondered if he would still want to touch his daughter if he knew it might form a parental bond between them. Soval had recommended that she discuss with him, but T'Les decided to see if it was possible first. She knew that Captain Tucker had an extremely strong mating bond with T'Pol which proved unusual.
Archer took a deep breath as he viewed his daughter now being burped by the nurse. He had plenty of conceptions and misconceptions about Vulcan which he now needed to challenge. He wanted to understand his daughter.
"T'Les, may I ask you a favor?" he said.
"Please, Captain, ask," she said.
"Call me Jonathan, T'Les. Captain is too formal," said Archer.
"I shall, Jonathan," said T'Les.
"I have been asked to lead an escort of Andorian and Tellerite starships to Earth for a conference. I'll be gone for ten to fourteen days. Please, don't leave with T'Mir for Vulcan until I come back," he said.
T'Les looked at him. His assumption that she was leaving for Vulcan with their daughter showed he didn't understand the Vulcan concept of family. She had already asked for residence at the Vulcan compound for her and T'Mir. They were no leaving.
"I shall be here when you return, Jonathan. We can speak then," said T'Les.
"That's good. We'll be able to talk when I get back," smiled Archer. "I should see Trip and T'Pol before I leave."
"I believe T'Pol is to be removed from her healing trance today," she said.
"Damn Paxton and his people," said Archer.
T'Les thought it illogical to damn them, yet she found herself unable to correct him.
"EU Police, Starfleet Intelligence, and Starfleet Security are working to wrap up the rest of Terra Prime. They're now considered an illegal organization," Archer stated.
STSTST
Trip entered Starfleet Medical. With the help of Flynn Trip was able to make two visits to T'Pol while she was in a trance as they cleansed her blood of Trellium-D. Today, he was able to visit with a wide awake T'Pol. He found himself actually smiling with anticipation. He'd missed her.
Since his release from the hospital a day ago, he spent most of his time avoiding the press and being debriefed by Starfleet Security. The press hounded him wanting to discuss his beating by his Vulcan mate, while Starfleet Security took his report on Paxton and Terra Prime then gave him an update on where the organization now stood. Walking up to the reception desk on the third floor where T'Pol was staying, he offered the nurse a friendly smile.
"I'm here to see Commander T'Pol," he said. "I'm Captain Charles Anthony Tucker III and I'm here to see her."
The nurse checked on the computer then she looked up at Trip. Immediately, he knew something was wrong.
"Dr. Yuris needs to speak to you before you see Commander T'Pol, Captain Tucker," she said.
"Where is he?"
"Let me show you to a consultation room then he'll join you there," said the nurse.
Trip was shown to a small room where he sat down on a small black sofa and waited for Dr. Yuris. After fifteen minutes, a Vulcan doctor arrived. He was wearing Starfleet Medical togs and was a Vulcan.
"I can see you are confused by my dress," said Yuris. "I am a member of the Interspecies Medical Exchange. I've been practicing on Earth the last fourteen months."
"Sorry if I looked confused, but Commander T'Pol is the only Vulcan I know who is serving in Starfleet," said Trip.
"She follows her mate," he stated gently then he sat down in an armed chair in pulled close to where Trip sat. "I have been working on T'Pol's case."
"Is she alright, doc?" asked Trip.
"I know you have been described the effect of prolonged Trellium-D on a Vulcan," started Yuris.
"Doc, I just want to know about T'Pol and know now," growled Trip.
Yuris could sense that their bond was strong. He knew that T'Pol had closed off her end of the bond and the Captain was now suffering from its absence. Before he let him see her, he needed to know the possibilities and effects of what happened to her.
"Captain, listen to me and you will understand, but it is imperative that you exhibit patience," he said.
"Sorry, sir, please continue."
"T'Pol was administered directly to her blood stream an overdose of Trellium-D by Paxton. It was supposed to drive her insane then, eventually, kill her. He assumed that one large overdose would have the effect of prolonged exposure," said Yuris.
"Does it?"
"No. T'Pol has been able to recover a great deal through her healing trance, as well as our efforts to cleanse her system of Trellium-D," he said. "There has been some damage to her neural pathways. This damage makes it harder for her to suppress and process emotions."
"Is it permanent?"
"Her brain may rewire itself bypassing the damage, as like the Human brain the Vulcan brain is a remarkable organ, but only time will tell in this case. Until then she will need assistance in dealing with overloads of emotions," he said.
"She needs me," stated Trip.
"She needs her mate greatly, but she also seems to believe she has failed her mate in what occurred. I know this because I have mind melded with her in order to check her progress."
"Doc, if you are going to tell me that she has put barriers up to our bond, I know already. If you are going to tell me that I have to help her deal with her emotions regardless of what she wants then I already know. She needs me, and if she thinks she somehow is going to protect me from herself and what she views as a failure then my wife isn't the genius I know she is," Trip said.
Yuris was impressed with this Human, as Trip found himself impressed with the Vulcan doctor. He wondered if he could convince him to join Dr. Day's staff on the Valley Forge. It would be nice to have a Vulcan on board to care for T'Pol.
"I shall take you to her," he said.
"Thank you, Dr. Yuris."
STSTST
Meditating only helped so much to suppress and assimilate the emotions she was feeling. Seated upright in her hospital bed she felt trapped by her own emotions. The fact that she beat her mate, her t'hy'la, devastated her. She had no control over herself and hurt Charles. It caused her pain to think of it, which again would overwhelm her with emotions.
She felt him approaching. Charles was coming to visit. The door opened and he entered by himself. He was dressed in his service dress uniform, a mix of emotions from shame to desire immediately pushed at her control. She closed her eyes to deal with it then she heard his voice.
"I've had some time alone, darlin', the last few days because you placed a barrier up shutting down your end of our bond. You know it's been a revealing time," he said softly, gently.
His voice caused her pain, but she wanted to hear more.
"I've had time to request some interesting literature and such from Soval. You see I wanted to find out if there was a word or words in Vulcan for what I felt for you. I had my doubts because you Vulcans like to suppress your emotions," he said.
His voice was a balm and a torture to her. She wanted to drop her barrier and she all with him, allowing him to assist her with her emotions, but she was ashamed at how she treated him. She was ashamed at losing control. Vulcans had to be stronger than that. She did not want to damage her adun, her k'diwa.
"I was shocked when I found what I was looking for. Now I'm probably going to butcher it, even though I commed Sango to help me with the pronunciation, but here it goes: Shan'hal'lak."
Shan'hal'lak. She heard the word. It had been with them since the ancient times where it was found in much of the literature of that time. It was considered a rare, if improbable, occurrence now by most Vulcans. It translated the engulfment, or love at first sight. Her barrier started to crack.
"The first time I saw you, darlin', I was in love, but I just didn't realize it. You see I need you, as much as I think you need me. My life just ain't the same without you. I know you are having a difficult time right now with your emotions, but you should know that this problem is minor in comparison our love. Now, tal-kam, it is time to since your burden with the Human who loves you," he said.
She opened her eyes to see a gently smile on his face and tears in his eyes and she knew she was safe. The barrier came down and the emotions rushed through the bond. Trip didn't care that they were causing him a headache he had T'Pol back.
"Why don't you teach me to meditate and well deal with these emotions together," he said.
"Taluhk nash-veh k'dular, k'diwa," she said.
"You know, darlin', I cherish you, too," he said.
T'Pol reached her arms out and Trip closed the distance between them, sat down on the bed, and brought her into a hug. She was going to fine. He'd make sure of it because she was his soulmate and they loved each other.
STSTST
Archer sat on the Bridge of the Enterprise. Three Daedalus-Class starships were chosen to be part of the escort. The Patton, the Trafalgar, and The Victory, which was now commanded by Captain Erica Hernandez, were the ships. Archer had Hoshi to tell the other ships that they would be cruising at warp 4.8 to the rendezvous point with the Andorian and Tellerite ships.
He looked over at his XO to see Malcolm standing at ease with his eyes cast down at the deck. The sense of guilt wafted off of his XO, a guilt that had already caused him to ask for a transfer from the Enterprise. Archer knew he needed to deal with this problem.
"Hoshi," he smiled, "you have the conn."
"Aye, aye, sir," she grinned.
Archer stood up and looked at Malcolm. His XO made eye contact with him. He could see in his eyes the guilt he was feeling. Archer knew he had to put an end to this.
"Mr. Reed, my Ready Room," he said.
The two men walked off the Bridge and made their way into his Ready Room. Once they had privacy, Archer turned on Malcolm.
"Snap out of it, Malcolm, you have nothing to feel guilty about," he said.
"Sir, I was part of the reason they chose your genetic material and T'Les'," he said. "I have a great deal to feel guilty about."
"The crewman who was responsible for stealing the material has been found and handed over for prosecution," said Archer. "I knew what you were up to, Malcolm, and I agreed with you. Hell, Mal, I went along with it, so you have no right to feel guilty. You did you duty and now I need you to continue to do your duty as my XO."
"But, sir, I thought you'd want me to leave the Enterprise," said Malcolm.
"Why?"
"Because I failed to protect you, Captain. You, sir, are my captain and I failed to protect you," he said.
"From my standpoint, you did your duty and you did it well. I can't afford to lose my XO, Malcolm. We are trying to build a coalition and God knows if the Romulans will send more drones our way. I need you," he said. "Do you want to leave the Enterprise, Mal?"
"Captain, no, sir. I love serving on the Enterprise," he said. "It's the best damned ship in the fleet."
"Well, the Enterprise's captain needs you, Malcolm. Your request for transfer is still on the PADD on my desk. I haven't forwarded it. Do you I have your permission to kill it?" he asked.
Malcolm nodded in the affirmative then said, "Yes, sir."
"Good. Now relieve Hoshi from the conn before has to give a command," he smiled.
"Aye, aye, sir," said Malcolm then a slight smile cracked his face. "She has come a long way in her space faring ways from when she visit arrived on board, sir."
"Yes, she has, but I still don't think she's ready to command a starship yet," grinned Archer.
"Good point, sir."
STSTST
Even though the remnants of Terra Prime's hierarchy were being hunted down and dealt with, Trip had arranged for an apartment for himself and T'Pol on Starfleet grounds. He didn't want to take any chances of the bastards getting even close to his adun'a. With the help of Elizabeth, he picked her up at Starfleet Medical and brought her home. Elizabeth was there preparing food for T'Pol. She was in the process of making plomeek soup.
"Hey, Lizzy, we're home," Trip called out as they entered the apartment.
He put down T'Pol's bad then leaned over and gave her a kiss on the cheek. Through their bond he felt that the kiss calmed her. More and more she was become used to his demonstrative need to touch and kiss when in private. Along with meditating together, his touch helped her deal with the damage that had been down by Paxton and the overdose Trellium-D.
"I'm going to check on Lizzy," he said. "Sit down and relax. You and have the next ten days to ourselves. Commander Flynn has been given temporary command of the Valley Forge, which has been sent out a simple patrol cruise."
T'Pol sniffed the air and smelled the hint of plomeek soup.
"Your sister is making plomeek soup," she said.
"She is giving it a try. I got the recipe from T'Les. By the way, T'Mir is doing much better. She is not only going to make it, but we will be able to visit her in a couple days. I thought you'd like a chance to play big sister," Trip told her.
"I am hungry. It would be agreeable to have plomeek soup," she said.
"Good," smiled Trip. "Now sit on the sofa and I'll check when lunch will be ready.
T'Pol sat down, while Trip went into the kitchen. He looked at his sister who was staring at the pot of opaque green soup. Walking over, he took the spoon from her and sampled it. As always, plomeek soup tasted bland and in need of some pepper and hot sauce.
"Tastes about right," he said.
"I don't taste a damn thing," she said.
"Well, that is about right. According to T'Les Vulcans have highly refined palates so that the subtlest of favors appeal to them the most," he told her.
"Right," Lizzy laughed.
He kissed his sister's forehead.
"I should be angry at you for getting leave and not going on the cruise with the Valley Forge, but I have to admit that I needed you here. Thanks, sis," Trip expressed his feelings.
Elizabeth gave him a hug then turned away and got out a bowl from the cabinet for the soup.
"What are we eating?" he asked.
"Check the stasis, Trip. There are plenty of already prepared meals in there sent by the chef," she said.
"Chef better have sent some of my favorites," he grinned.
"Just check," she told him.
He checked the stasis and saw plenty of his favorites then his eyes fell on pan fried catfish with fritters and a pecan pie. His eyes lit up.
"Remind me to thank the chef," he said.
"Yes, sir," she teased.
"Elizabeth, after lunch I need you to make yourself a ghost," he said. "We are going to spend the rest of the afternoon and probably most of the evening meditating. She is getting closer to having her control back and meditating with me helps her."
"Trip, I more than understand," she said then a big smile took over her face.
"What is it?" he asked her.
"You and T'Pol – you're meant for each other. I don't know how it happened but a Vulcan ended up with her soulmate being a Human and a Human ended up with a Vulcan as his soulmate," she stated.
STSTST
The cloaked four Birds of Prey entered the space of the EU colony, Farthest Point. There was no Starfleet presence at the colony, only an orbiting defensive array and a few local patrol cutters. It was an easy first victory in their war against the Humans.
Commander Tareth look over at the Centurion Selark. They stood on the Bridge of the Bird of Prey Horath. He offered him a predator's smile.
"This will be the first of many victories," he said.
"They defeated the drones," said Selark.
"We are not the mindless toys of Admiral Valdore," said Tareth.
"Be careful who you malign, Commander," whispered Selark, who then looked over at Sublieutenant Tetal. "There are ears and friends of Valdore in many places."
"Damn him and his toys. He exposed us and now it is up to the fleet to make the points for the Star Empire that he could not attain," said Tareth. "On my command de-cloak, raise shields, and ready weapons to destroy this Earth colony."
"Aye, aye, sir," said Subcommander N'Vak.
"For the Empire," he called out.
"For the Empire," replied his crew.