Disclaimer: Paramount Owns Everything.
Rating: R to NC-17 for drugs and explicit R/S sex.
Enme of Romulus looked out the window of his room on the Romulan mining colony and surveyed the desolate, mountainous landscape. He was glad it wasn't that beautiful, since the men here would soon be strip mining it beyond recognition.
"I am Enme of Romulus," he said to no one in particular, as he was alone, "and I am bloody annoyed."
Enme knew he had no right to feel sorry for himself. He had won the genetic lottery, having been born the first son of one of the Empire's wealthiest and most powerful men. He had every advantage growing up, including brains, athletic ability and charm. Sure, he couldn't draw a straight line and he was a lousy dancer, but that didn't matter much in the grand scheme of things. No, he was a blessed man and self-pity would be disingenuous.
Unfortunately, the Gods had seen fit to make up for his blessing by giving him two irritating full brothers and a half-brother that was out-of-his mind. One of his full siblings worked as a legislative assistant in Capitol City and had his own sights on the Senate. Consequently, Enme couldn't stand to be the same room with for very long, so low was his tolerance for ass-kissing and schmoozing. The next youngest brother never met a bottle of Romulan Ale he couldn't finish in one sitting and was well-acquainted with most of the high-end concubines on Romulus, which made his company only slightly less trying than the one before. Then, there was Ston.
Enme had always known Ston to be high-strung, but he hadn't quite realized how stupid he was. The best case scenario he could imagine involved Ston being locked away in a mental hospital for the rest of his days. This wasn't because of his ill-advised journey to meet their long-lost Vulcan sister, although that was stupid. Under Romulan law, giving her a sample of dilithium was treason. Treason was punishable by death. If he was in a merciful mood, their father could exile the boy in a sanitarium. If not, Enme was relatively certain their father to be capable of ordering Ston's execution.
Ston's stupidity and recklessness had put the whole mining operation under threat. Enme also believed that Ston posed a threat to their sister. From reading her dossier, Enme had no doubt that she could take care of herself, but he also knew that Ston had the element of surprise on his side.
****
T'Pol carried her bag over her shoulder as she headed to the shuttle bay.
"I don't see why I can't go with you," said Trip.
"Because you're needed here," replied T'Pol, in full on Vulcan stoic mode, "and the captain believes that you would pose an unnecessary distraction for me."
"Was I such a distraction last time?"
She didn't even bother raising the eyebrow.
"Fair enough," said Trip, "but promise me you'll take good care of Malcolm. Hoshi, too."
T'Pol stopped just outside the shuttle bay. She stood on her toes to kiss him goodbye where no members of the crew could see.
"I promise. You take care of the captain. We should be back in two days."
"Say hi to the station for me, and don't use the sauna in your single room, I hear its dangerous."
"See you in two days," she said as she pivoted on her feet and headed into the bay.
Trip felt uneasy, but he sucked it up. She could take care of herself and he had to trust in that.
****
Some hours later, the shuttlepod with Hoshi, Malcolm and T'Pol docked into the station again. Since the modifications that would allow them to avoid the minefield and scan for dilithium were going to take time, Captain Archer had decided T'Pol should return to the station and carefully try and determine why the Romulan had given her the dilithium. Everyone agreed he wanted something, but no one knew what. That was their only goal. Malcolm was along for extra security and backup, while Hoshi was to get as much exposure to the Romulan language as she could.
T'Pol had decided to stay in the Vulcan Section of the station this time, while Hoshi and Malcolm were going to stay at the hotel section.
"Stay in constant communication," said Malcolm.
T'Pol nodded and slipped away into the bustling hallways of the station's transport area.
"So, now we wait," said Malcolm.
"I've booked us just one room," said Hoshi, "as I thought we might want to stay on the space side."
Malcolm accepted this news as normal. They had spent a few more platonic nights together in Hoshi's room, so it made sense that they share. Still, he was getting a bit confused as to the nature of his relationship with Hoshi. They had become close in the last few days, but he didn't have a clue what that meant. Furthermore, the last thing he need on such an important mission was an unwelcome distraction. He was too old and too experienced to allow some sort of a crush on his colleague to interfere with his work.
Blast this Andorian acid or whatever it is, thought Malcolm. He'd done research on various psychotropic substances and learned that some of them caused people to develop attachments to fellow users of the drug. Other substances simply uncovered attraction that was already there. He didn't know which was which, or whether Hoshi was attracted or not. Now they were going to be sharing a room, and that was an unwelcome yet undeniably intriguing complication.
****
Back on Enterprise, Trip got pinged that there was a subspace communication call for him. It was personal, so he took it in his quarters rather than in Engineering. It was from Mississippi.
He pressed the button the screen and his mother's face appeared. She was in her sixties, with greying hair and a few lines. She appeared worried.
"Hello Trip," she said.
"Hi Mom," he replied, "Has something happened?"
"No," she replied.
Trip waited for a moment. His mother was usually plenty talkative, so obviously something was wrong. No doubt she was still angry about him marrying T'Pol.
"Well," said Trip, "it's good to see you."
"Is your wife there?"
"No," said Trip, "She's out on a mission. She'll be back in a few days."
"Oh," she said, "It must be nice to have the place to yourself."
"Not really. I miss her every moment she's gone," replied Trip pointedly.
His mother took at deep breath, but she said nothing. Finally, Trip had had enough.
"Look, Mom," said Trip, "I get that you and Dad don't approve of me marrying a Vulcan. . .or probably any alien, but I did. You don't even know her. . ."
"Charles," snapped his mother, "you never gave us the chance to know her. You never told us the two of you were romantically involved. We heard that the two of you had a child when a reporter called the house to get a statement. . . "
"Baby Elizabeth was a clone; we didn't even know she existed until a few days before she died. It was kinda an insane time. Before that, things were on and off between T'Pol and me. It was when we went to Vulcan for the funeral. . .we just decided we didn't want to be apart. That's when I sent you and Dad the letter."
"But we've still never met her. You didn't even want us to come to see you after the child died. . .you only sent letters. . . no calls . . .and we're stuck here knowing less than the reporters that call to question us."
"We were going to come, Mom, but things got away from us."
Trip's mother shook her head in frustration.
"I can't say that we were thrilled to hear that you'd gone and married that woman, after what happened. But that has nothing to do with her or her people. Truthfully, we don't like you living with a target on your back - the focus of so much attention. But we'll get used to it."
"That woman has a name. It's T'Pol."
Elaine Tucker's face softened.
"You said in your letter that you love her, but does she love you back? Can she?"
Trip sighed.
"Yes," he said, "Vulcans love. They just do it differently than humans."
"And is that enough for you?"
Trip heard a tinge of sadness in his mother's voice.
"It's more than enough. It's. . .just trust me. She's wonderful. I can't wait for you to meet her. . .and I wouldn't have survived the incident with Terra Prime without her. . .I promise you'll like her."
"If you love her, we'll love her," she said, though Trip thought she was trying to convince herself. Still, it was a start.
"Thanks, Mom."
"I love you."
"Love you, too, Mom."
****
T'Pol sat across the table in the cafe from Javon. She had transfered the data about the dilithium to him.
"I assume this isn't shocking to you," she said.
Javon shook his head.
"It's confirmation of what I suspected. I didn't know precisely what they were mining, but it had to be something along these lines. And while I do appreciate the information, that's not why you are here. You want to know about the young man who gave you this sample."
T'Pol blinked and nodded.
"I know very little. He showed up a few weeks before you, and his interest wasn't in the alliance. He was interested in you. He wanted to meet you."
"Why?"
"He never said."
T'Pol did not respond. She simply sipped on her Vulcan tea and stared at Javon. She had noticed a strange burn mark on his hand. She wasn't certain, but it was the kind of burn that could come from overuse of certain kinds of hyposprays, if they were used on an improper setting. Such marks were considered a tell-tale sign of drug addiction - different from Trellium-D, but often no less detrimental to Vulcan control. On this station, she assumed Javon would have access to a plethora of exotic substances.
"I believe he means you no harm," said Javon, "or at least he thinks he means you no harm."
She nodded.
"Can you arrange a meeting? I would like to find out who he is."
"Is tomorrow morning soon enough?"
T'Pol nodded. She instructed Javon to tell the young Romulan to meet her in the main observation area at 1100 hours.
The two finished their tea in silence. Then, before she left, she spoke again.
"How have you found life on the station? Do you miss Vulcan?"
Javon met her eyes.
"Do you?"
"There are many things I miss about the homeworld, but I am content with my choices."
"I should think so. You're husband seems quite taken with you. No doubt he is more demonstrative than a typical Vulcan male. I know from experience how easy it is to succumb to such pleasures."
"It seems to me you've succumbed to many other kinds of pleasure," said T'Pol, glancing down at his hand.
"Tell me, T'Pol, how is it that you allowed yourself to acquiesce to your husband's advances? Most Vulcans would easily suppress their feelings."
"You're assuming it was he who made the advances."
If Vulcans smiled, Javon would have smiled at that. Instead, he just raised an eyebrow. He liked this woman, and he felt he knew her better than almost any Vulcan could.
"Touche. However, I suspect it took more than a pair of blue eyes and talented hands to tear down your Vulcan walls. What was it?"
"That is not your concern," replied T'Pol without judgement. If anything, she felt enormous compassion for Javon.
"It is not easy living among off worlders," said Javon, "but I have found that the sacrifices are worth it. Have you?"
"Yes," she said simply.
"I do miss the simplicity sometimes," he said, "that notion that all can be solved with logic and that emotions can be controlled."
T'Pol nodded.
"You shouldn't regret it," said Javon, "It's worth it - no matter what the cost."
T'Pol felt her hands begin to tremble, but she suppressed it.
"I know."
****
Malcolm and Hoshi looked around the large, double room that was theirs for the night. It was the same one Trip and T'Pol had shared on the earlier mission. Hoshi threw her bag in the closet and headed into the bathroom.
"Wow," she said, "that tub is not here for bathing. It's big enough for two - three if you're a small species."
Malcolm laughed, awkwardly.
"I'll bet Trip and T'Pol made the most of this room," continued Hoshi, noting the oversized bed as well as a mirror that was next to it.
"Well," said Malcolm, "they are still newlyweds."
Hoshi laughed.
"I'll bet you any money you want that she's fire under all that Vulcan ice. I'm sure they had plenty of fun," said Hoshi.
Malcolm felt himself blushing. He really didn't like thinking about his friends' sex life. It wasn't that the thought hadn't crossed his mind; it was just he felt like it was none of his business.
"You know," she said, "Vulcans are touch-telepaths, and it is thought that they form telepathic bonds with their 'mates'. I studied Vulcan a great deal when I was younger. Their mating rituals are - unique that way."
Malcolm again remained silent.
"Can you imagine?" she continued, "How great would the sex be if you knew exactly what the other person needed? What if you were mind-linked to them?"
Hoshi laid down on the bed and looked up at the ceiling.
"You think they are telepathically linked?" asked Malcolm, curious. He had noticed that Trip and T'Pol seemed unusually close.
"I'm pretty sure," she said, "I've watched them work together since they came back from Vulcan. They are completely in synch with one another."
"Seems a waste," said Malcolm, "to have such a link and only use it every seven years."
"Maybe she figured that out," said Hoshi, "and that's why she married him."
Malcolm approached the bed, and he laid down next to Hoshi. He hoped she wouldn't find him presumptuous, given the platonic nights they had spent together.
"Malcolm," she said, "have you felt a strange connection since we went on our little psychonaught journey? Because, I feel like I've connected with you in some way."
Malcolm sighed.
"It could be the drug, Hoshi. It could be totally artificial."
"But what if the drug uncovered something latent, something that was there all along."
Hoshi reached over and slipped her hand into Malcolm's hand. A energy sparked between. It wasn't exactly a telepathic bond, but it was something. The drug had some how connected them.
Malcolm decided enough was enough. He took his other hand and placed it gently on the side of Hoshi's face. He then leaned down and kissed her, harder than he thought he would, but she didn't seem to mind. He slipped his tongue inside her mouth, and her arms went around him. They kissed for a long time, until she finally broke the embrace.
"No risk, no reward right?" she asked.
Malcolm may have been reticent to get involved, but once he decided to move forward, he was all in. His hands moved to the zipper of her uniform and he carefully, languidly undressed her while still being aggressive with his kisses. She returned the favor, removing his jumpsuit and regulation blues, then taking the time to explore the angles of his body with her fingers.
He looked her up and down, amazed at seeing her familiar body in such a new way. He didn't care if it was the drug anymore, he was just glad not to feel alone in this moment. He didn't care what tomorrow brought. He did however, care that she enjoyed herself.
His fingers found their way between her legs and he caressed her there. She moaned against his lips and whispered his name. She grabbed his shaft and moved him inside her. He gasped.
She looked into his eyes.
"That feels so good," she whispered.
He smiled and kissed her. As he moved inside her, his fingers worked the nub between her legs. They continued like that for a long while, until finally he felt her breathing quicken and body start to tremble. Spasms rocked her body and cried out. He then continued to move in her until he joined her in ecstasy.
After his breathing returned to normal, he rolled off her. She laughed.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
"I'm great," she said with a sigh, "That was great."
"If I had know how good that was going to be I'd have suggested we do that long ago."
She laughed again and snuggled up against him.
"I never thought this would happen. I mean, the thought had crossed my mind. . .but I never . . .well, anyway, I'm going to sleep well tonight."
He brushed the hair from her flushed face.
"Me too. Probably better than I have since the last time we were on this station."
****
The next morning, it was all business once Malcolm & Hoshi met T'Pol in the observation area. They discussed many options for the meeting, but finally decided that T'Pol would behave as though she simply wished to thank the Romulan. Hoshi would come along as a "friend" and Malcolm would watch from nearby, set-to-stun phase pistol at the ready.
At the appointed time, Hoshi and T'Pol sat at a little table near the giant window, doing their best to effect casualness. The cavernous observation area was crowded with all sorts of species.
From his vantage point, Malcolm immediately saw the young Romulan approach Hoshi and T'Pol. He couldn't hear what the conversation was, but after a few moments, it didn't matter.
The Romulan quickly appeared to tack on some kind of devices to Hoshi and T'Pol's uniforms. Then, the three of them transported away.
"Dammit," said Malcolm, his heart in his throat.
The station had blocking technology that was supposed to prevent any unauthorized transports. Clearly, it hadn't worked.
Knowing it was useless to head to the spot from which his friends had disappeared, he headed straight for station security. They might know where the transporter signal came from and to which ship it belonged.
****
T'Pol and Hoshi found themselves aboard a conference room on what appeared to be a Vulcan freighter. The Romulan stood there staring at them.
"Welcome," he said.
"Why have you abducted us?" asked T'Pol.
"I needed to spend time with you," he said, "which will be your thank you for the dilithium I gave you. I could get in a lot of trouble for that."
T'Pol and Hoshi locked eyes.
"Again, thank you," said T'Pol, "Although I would like to know why you did it."
"It's supposed to be a secret," said Ston, "but I'm going to tell you. Maleek! Take the human woman out of here!"
Maleek appeared in the doorway, and T'Pol immediately took note that he did not appear at all happy. She knew that these were civilians, unlike her previous experience with Romulan kidnapping.
"I'm not going to hurt her," said Maleek. His tone indicated exasperation rather menace, something else which T'Pol immediately noticed.
"She is a citizen of Earth and a Starfleet officer. If something happens to her, anything, there will be consequences."
Maleek nodded.
"Come with me," he said to Hoshi, "You'll be fine."
When they had departed, T'Pol turned to Ston. She had been examining his features and decided they were familiar. She suspected he might be related to her, but she wasn't sure.
"I object to being kidnapped."
"Did you object when it happened before?"
"Yes."
Ston wrinkled his eyebrows at that.
"He's very powerful, you know."
"How do you know him?"
"He's my father. That makes you my sister."
T'Pol was in full-on Vulcan control mode. This news, while slightly surprising, did not affect her, except in it made it more likely that the young man meant her no harm.
"Why have you abducted Hoshi?"
"I didn't want you to be alone. Also, she'll make good insurance in case you try and be unpleasant."
T'Pol nodded to indicate she understood. She sat down at the table.
"So," she said, "do you have a name?"
Ston smiled and took the chair next to her.
"It's Ston, and I'm sorry I didn't get to meet you at my father's cottage. I was very disappointed."
"Obviously," said T'Pol.
Vulcans generally didn't lie, unless it was absolutely necessary. T'Pol determined that a course of deception was necessary in this case.
"You know, it wasn't necessary for you to kidnap me. You need have only told me who you were . . ."
Ston's face brightened at that.
"I couldn't take the chance you would go back to your ship right away. I went through a lot of trouble to see you."
T'Pol nodded, acknowledging his efforts.
"I understand," she lied.
"I'm not going to hurt you," he said, brushing a stray hair from her face.
She pulled away instinctively and then immediately recognized that the move upset her captor.
"I'm sorry," she said, "Vulcans do not like to be touched, especially by strangers."
Ston put his hand on her cheek and leaned very close to her.
"I'm not a stranger. I'm your brother."
T'Pol lowered her eyes in faux subservience.
"No. You are not a stranger, and so I think you would be happy to respect my customs."
Ston took his hand away.
"We have a lot to talk about," he said.
****
Maleek showed Hoshi to a room on the transport. He spoke to her in Romulan, impressed she understood without needing the translator.
"Don't worry," said Maleek, "you won't be here long. You'll be back on your ship before you know it."
Hoshi glared at him. Maleek sighed.
"I know you don't trust be. Why would you? But I can tell you that you and your friend are going to fine."
Hoshi looked very hard at the first Romulan she had ever seen up close. He was very young and quite un-menacing, and she didn't sense he was interested in harming her at all. He seemed genuinely apologetic.
"Are you a member of the military?"
"No," said Maleek, "If I were, you would be on your way to your ship by now. I'm really not in a position to help you, unless things get really out of hand. It's a Romulan thing, but just relax."
Hoshi nodded. She felt the ship they were on go to warp.
"Are you taking us into Romulan Space?"
"Sort of," said Maleek.
He walked over to a panel on the wall.
"You can order up simple food and water here. Nothing fancy. Nothing human, either. But I'll bet there's something for you to eat. We'll lock the doors, of course. Please, don't try and escape - neither of us need that hassle."
With that Maleek left the room, shooting a look of pity at Hoshi.
When she was alone, Hoshi surveyed the room. It was probably easily escapable, but she had no idea where she would go or what she would do if she left. She decided to stay put.
****
Trip was working in engineering when he got a sense T'Pol was in trouble. He quickly found his way to his private office. He sat down and closed his eyes, finding himself in white space. T'Pol stood there, looking serene.
I thought you were in trouble.
I am. Hoshi and I have been abducted by a group of Romulans, led by my half-brother.
What? Where? Do you know where they are taking you?
No. We appear to be on a freighter. So far, there have been no threats against us. I believe the young man, the same one who gave us the dilithium, believes he has rescued me.
Then why'd he take Hoshi?
Insurance. To make sure I wanted to be rescued. I don't know much about Romulan culture, but the young man seems mentally unbalanced. However, I do believe escape will be possible. Do not worry.
You know better than to ask that of me.
In the white space, she embraced and kissed him passionately.
I'll be all right, Thy'la. As soon as I determine where we are going, I will let you know. I love you.
I love you.
With that, she disappeared from the white space.
T'Pol opened her eyes. Ston was shaking her.
"Are you all right?"
"Yes," she said, "I was just meditating. It is important for Vulcans to do so. I will ask you to allow me that."
Ston nodded.
"All right, I will."
