Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Rating: R for non-explicit sexuality and angst.
Chapter 3
"Are you okay?" he whispered when he could finally form words.
She nodded. He rolled off her and pulled her into an embrace. Through this new bond, he felt a terrible fear and regret in her.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
She trembled in his arms.
"You don't understand. Vulcans mate for life. There is likely no way to break the bond now."
"I do understand that," he said, "I can feel it through you."
"You have every right to be angry. . "
"You tried to warn me, but I wanted this," he said.
"Why?" she asked.
"Because this is the first time since the first Xindi attack I've felt like life is worth living," he said. "Look, T'Pol. . .I don't know what's going to happen tomorrow. We both know that either one of us or both of us could die. . .but I don't regret being here or what's happened. We'll deal with the consequences of this thing as they come."
She inhaled.
"C'mon," he said, "Relax. Just let go of everything for awhile."
He gently caressed her back and arms. She slowly softened against him. After awhile, he got up and headed to her small bathroom. When he emerged, he brought a washcloth and gently gave her a sponge bath before redressing her in her pajamas. She found this nearly as peculiar as his concern for her during their sexual encounter. At times like this, Vulcan men were simply too overcome with delirium to even think of their mate's well-being.
"Now, let's see if we can squeeze into your bunk," he said as he pulled on his sweatpants, "I'm not sure I'm up for another night on the floor."
"You wish to stay with me?"
"If you don't mind."
T'Pol shook her head. T'Pol knew the common human euphemism for sexual relations was "sleeping together" and she knew that humans did commonly share beds with their mates. So, she allowed Trip to crawl under the coverlet on her bunk, and she followed him. She nervously let him place his arms around her, and she laid her head on his chest.
"It's weird. . .I can feel that you're still scared. Don't be, okay?"
Being held by him was stranger to her Vulcan sensibilities than the gentle copulation had been. She nevertheless found herself adjusting to the idea.
"This complicates things. Our existence is already complicated enough," she whispered.
"No," he said, "It simplifies things. We'll take care of each other, I promise."
"We should probably keep this between us," she said, "I am unsure how the crew will react to the captain and the first officer having mated."
Trip smiled at her Vulcan phraseology, and then he squeezed her a little. She had a point. He was optimistic that most of the crew would be fine with their relationship, but he didn't know about people on the surface. Both of them had important positions to maintain.
"You're probably right," he sighed, "We'll keep this between us for now."
****
Trip's eyes fluttered open very early that morning. All the crew quarters on Enterprise were so similar, he at first forgot he wasn't in his own bed. Then, he smelled the slightly spicy Vulcan candles and the coppery smell of T'Pol's sheets, which reminded him of perfume except that it wasn't perfume. It was just a byproduct of her copper blood. He turned over and saw her sitting on the floor, meditating in front of a candle. She was fully dressed in her blue Starfleet jumpsuit. He glanced at the chronometer and saw that it read 0523. She was ever the early-riser.
"Good morning," he said.
She opened her eyes.
"Good morning, Commander," she said with her customary formality.
So, that's how it's going to be. Lovers by night, officers by day. He could live with that, he supposed.
She stood up, taking the candle with her and setting it on the desk. She turned on the lamp and blew out the candle. He sat up and put his feet on the floor.
"I'm going to the ready room," she said, "I'll see you at 0800 for the morning briefing."
"C'mere," he said, gesturing with his finger.
She approached him, her hands behind her back in a very Vulcan posture.
"Kiss me goodbye - then I'll treat you like my Captain for the rest of the day."
She looked at him awkwardly at first, then she leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on his lips.
"Thanks, Captain," he said.
T'Pol nodded, turned on her heels and disappeared out the door.
****
T'Pol reached the bridge and found Ensign Sato at her post.
"Have the evening's communications been sent to my PADD?" asked T'Pol.
"Yes, Captain," said Hoshi.
"Good. Is there anything else to report?"
"No," she said, "It was a quiet night."
"Very good," said T'Pol as she headed toward the Ready Room.
"Captain," said Hoshi, "may I join you for a moment?"
T'Pol nodded.
Once at her desk she sat down and beckoned Hoshi to do so the same.
"I just wanted to say that if you needed to take a day off from dealing with Captain Archer, I'd be happy to tell him the truth. We had a good relationship before, and I think he would trust me."
T'Pol leaned forward. She was pleased with the offer, though she had concerns.
"It is a difficult task," said T'Pol.
"I know," said Hoshi, "and you shouldn't have to do it every day. I think I can handle it once and awhile."
T'Pol nodded.
"I will speak to Phlox about the possibility. If he approves, I will take your offer. However, the first time I must be there with you. Also, I will not allow you to do it more than once a month. Even with my Vulcan control, I have found the task - draining."
"I know," said Hoshi, "that's why I'm offering."
"Very good, Ensign. You're dismissed."
****
Later that day, Malcolm and Trip worked together in the armory, attempting to add power to the weapons systems. It wasn't an easy task, especially working with the limited resources they had.
Since Earth's destruction, they tended to talk little about personal matters. It was too easy for the conversation to meander to people and places that no longer existed. On the other hand, the crew had become much closer to one another since all they really had was each other.
"You know Corporal Cole?" asked Malcolm, "The MACO?"
Trip nodded. He had seen her a few times, and she was certainly attractive. Hell, thought Trip, objectively speaking she was hot.
"She's from Florida," he said, "Apparently, she grew up not far from you."
"Really?" said Trip, "Maybe we can get together sometime and talk about what isn't there anymore."
"Just as long as you remember who saw her first," said Malcolm.
Trip looked up.
"Are you two. . .?"
Malcolm smirked a little as he worked on the controls of one of the starboard phase canons.
"Not yet," said Malcolm, "but that's the plan."
"Carpe Diem," said Trip.
"I figure with so few humans left," said Malcolm, "It's time to think about creating some more humans, and Corporal Cole is attractive enough that I imagine she won't be single for long. I've decided to step up, as you yanks would say."
Trip laughed.
"Good for you. She's lucky."
"She doesn't know how lucky, yet," said Malcolm.
Trip grinned at his friend. Then, he felt a little sadness creep up. Life was moving on, and more and more small moments of happiness were returning. Trip thought it likely he would never feel pure joy again, but he felt comforted that life could move forward in some way.
"Speaking of which," said Malcolm, "I've gotten a report that says you haven't slept in your quarters in the last two nights."
Trip turned around.
"How do you know that?"
"It's from the door logs. There's a program that flags any anomalous readings from the doors."
"And not being in your cabin two nights in row is considered anomalous?"
"Not alone," said Malcolm, "but it could indicate the subject has been taken over by a non-corporeal being or have been infected by an alien virus or any number of things. . . mostly it just indicates that the subject is getting laid. In that case, I tend to ignore the readings. Except when it's you."
Trip turned back around to the console he was working on.
"It's not your business, Malcolm."
"I daresay it is," said Malcolm, "Especially, since it's you and our captain."
"Mal. . . "
"I'm not judging either of you," said Malcolm, "I've got no problem with it as long as you two don't let it interfere with your command decisions."
Trip slammed the the console shut.
"We won't. She especially won't, being a Vulcan. But, Malcolm, she and I agreed to keep this thing quiet for now."
Malcolm walked over to his friend.
"I won't tell a soul," he said, "but I am surprised. I sensed things had cooled between you after Archer got sick."
"They had. Just started up again - and for real this time. The Columbia - it just got to me and then she was there. You know."
Malcolm nodded.
"I know," he said.
****
T'Pol couldn't believe her eyes, when she stared down at the report on her PADD. It defied logic. The NX-03, The Endeavor, had fled the Sol system and sought refuge in Andorian space. It currently was operating with a skeleton crew, owing to the fact that it had barely escaped Jupiter Station as the Xindi had attacked.
"Soval will be headed to Andoria," said T'Pol to Hoshi, "He is one of the few with the coordinates to this system. He will personally tell Captain Clark our location, so as not to risk a subspace transmission that could be intercepted."
Hoshi smiled. This was the first good news that had arrived in a long time.
"There's more," said T'Pol, "An elementary school class was touring the ship at the time of the attack. There are 42 human children aboard The Endeavor."
Hoshi put her hands over her mouth to suppress a gasp. Then tears formed in her eyes that she couldn't control. She reached into a compartment on her console and retrieved a tissue to wipe her eyes.
"Ensign Sato," said T'Pol, "I thought you would be happy at this news."
Hoshi sniffled.
"I am, Captain," she said, "I am. These aren't tears of sadness, really."
After all her time among humans, T'Pol still didn't understand how crying could signify happiness as well as sadness, but she did feel compassion for Ensign Sato.
"You may take a break from your post, Ensign."
Hoshi nodded.
"Yes, Captain."
*****
The next morning, Malcolm, Trip and T'Pol sat around the breakfast table as usual. T'Pol sensed a lightening of the mood that was the most significant change in morale since before Earth's destruction.
"How did they ever survive?" asked Malcolm.
"With their weapons systems not yet online, Captain Clark decided his only option was escape. The initial attack focused on the station, rather than the ship. This gave him a chance to evade the Xindi ships by going to Warp 5. Lt. Commander Reed, your priority will be getting their weapons online when they arrive."
"What about the children?" asked Trip.
The report indicated that 36 of the children aboard The Endeavor were orphans. The six that weren't happened to have parents who had volunteered to chaperone the field trip.
"I've spoken to President Borges," said T'Pol, "He believes the children should be divided up. Some should be settled on the surface, while others should stay aboard The Endeavor and another group should be placed here on Enterprise."
"Why?" asked Trip.
"If the colony is destroyed, then some of the children aboard the ships might survive - assuming one or both of the ships could escape. If either or both of the ships are destroyed, perhaps some of the children from the colony will survive."
Trip closed his eyes. It was a wise, if somewhat sickening strategy.
"We shall have to look for volunteers among the crew to take over the care of any children that might come aboard as well as set up both schooling and recreational facilities."
Malcolm smiled.
"I think it will nice having children aboard," he said softly.
"Me too," said Trip.
T'Pol looked at them both. Vulcans still numbered in the billions, but anyone's best guess estimated the number of humans to be between 6,000 and 7,000. T'Pol well understood why everyone had reacted so strongly to the idea that children would be arriving.
"Soval believes they should arrive within six weeks," said T'Pol.
"We should plan some kind of a welcome party for them," said Trip.
T'Pol looked at him, and through their bond she felt a real happiness flow through her. Humans were certainly more resilient than Vulcans would be under the same circumstances.
"I shall assign Crewman Cutler and the Chef to prepare a celebration when the children arrive."