The captives
By panyasan
Chapter 8
Disclaimer : Enterprise and its characters are property of CBS/Paramount.
Time-line: Takes place a year after Terra Prime (January 2155) in the beginning of the year 2156, the start of the Earth-Romulan war (2156-2160).
Summary: Archer works at Starfleet Headquarters while Enterprise is in dry dock. Trip was working on a retrieved Romulan ship at a distant facility in the Kajani-system while T'Pol was in prison. In this chapter, Archer makes the call to Trip, as seen in chapters 5 and 6, but from his point of view.
Author's note: Thanks to my beta, KKGlinka.
He was back on his ship. Stepping though the corridors, he was walking to his quarters. Just the thought of being in space again made him happy. The familiar surroundings of his cabin welcomed him. He looked through his window to see a big beautiful orange moon.
Sitting on his bunk as if she had always been there, he wasn't surprised to see her. The light of the moon shone on her curly blond hair. With a smile, she gestured for him to join her. She wrapped her arms around him and, leaning against her, he told her about his day. She listened with interest to all his stories. He felt his body relaxing, being in this location full of warmth and caring. This was the best place in the universe. He felt more at peace than he had been in a long time.
She whispered something and when he turned around to see Rajiin's face, he looked into her almost magnetic blue eyes. He expected to see the love and tenderness he had felt.
Her eyes were blue and cold as ice. There was not a single trait of emotion to be found.
He felt his throat become dry. A question dawned on him and escaped his lips, "What did you do with the colonist?"
Rajiin smiled and reassured him, "That's not your concern, Jonathan. Relax." She pushed him back on the bunk.
He felt paralyzed and then he heard beeping. His head felt heavy. His hands... He had wires attached to them. In panic, he pulled at the wires... With a shock he woke up anxious and sweating.
Jon went to his kitchen apartment to get a glass of water to take away the bad taste in his mouth, the familiar aftermath of these nightmares. He only had them a couple of times, but the day after such a dream left him on pins and needles. He had thought about talking with Phlox about his strange dreams, but the mere thought of Phlox probing into his personal life, never mind the memory of Phlox's suggestive smile when dealing with his relationships with women in the past, changed his mind.
His best option for someone to talk to was Erika Hernandez, his girlfriend for the last two years and captain of the starship Columbia. Erika was a good listener. She honestly told him if she disagreed, but he knew she cared for him. He usually wouldn't hesitate to tell her anything, but the situation was different now.
He had to wait until the next day to see Erika's sympathetic face again and settle the storm in his heart. She contacted him at Headquarters. He clung to her image like a drowning man to his lifebuoy.
He almost sighed when he spoke, "Erika, so glad to see your face," a sure sign he had missed her badly.
Erika smiled back, her eyes light up for a second. But almost instantly, Erika's face became serious. This was no social call. "Three days ago we received a distress call from a colony in the Dosa system, stating they were under attack. I'm not allowed to give you any more details right now. We'll try to reestablish contact, but all the lines are dead. It looks serious, Jon."
"A Romulan attack?"
"I think so. I asked Starfleet Command for back-up. They're probably going send Enterprise as well."
They talked for a half hour about the threat of war and the situation at Starfleet. Without realizing he was bringing a subject into the conservation he had tried to avoid, he told Erika about Black's message.
"Haven't they decided yet? They should've made their decision regarding Commander T'Pol quickly. Command is taking its time," Erika commented. "I wondered the other day, you never talk about her since she returned to Earth. How is she?"
He swallowed his dislike of sharing this with Erika. "It seemed to me like she had a pretty rough time on Vulcan, but T'Pol will manage. She always does."
"So she's working at Headquarters, in the Science Department?" Erika asked.
"No. Not really. I assigned her to a new science project on the Moon, but she resigned. From what I gathered, she has a part-time job writing articles for the Science Monitor, the Department's chief publication."
"You gave her an assignment on the Moon? Earth's Moon?" Erika was bewildered.
"It was a very good scientific project. The results were impressive. I thought, T'Pol would be eating it up with a spoon, but she didn't fit in, they told me."
"Where's your brain lately!" Erika cried out. "You sent her to Terra Prime country, after she'd just been released from a dreadful place and you're surprised she walked away? Of course, she would."
"Terra Prime is dismantled and she's Vulcan. They're not really sentimental people. She wouldn't care, she doesn't feel rejection. No emotion, you know!" he shouted.
"And what is with you lately?" Erika fired back "What's eating you? Every time we speak you're moody, grumbling about how bored you are, you're irritated, rigidly following rules, sometimes downright judgmental toward Vulcans. You never liked them, but this is getting out of hand."
"Like you're a big fan of them!"
Erika regained her poise. "You're right, I'm not a fan, but I do believe that T'Pol's been through a very tough time and she does care about her crew, Earth, the child. And you worry me. Speaking as a fellow officer, you should get your act together. If this attack means war, you need to stay focused and in control. No distractions of any kind, nothing hindering you." She stayed silent for a second. "And as someone who cares about you, loves you, please try to resolve whatever it is that's troubling you."
Her pleading eyes and words spoke to his heart and for a split-second he thought of telling her. He couldn't. It would hurt her and he couldn't risk losing Erika. How could he tell her he had dreams about a beautiful women he met once in the Expanse? Especially after the time she had found out about the Orion women in a Starfleet report instead of him telling her. Erika hadn't said much, but he had felt she wasn't very happy about it.
"I'm tired and frustrated. If only I could go back to the ship, being captain again..." he answered weakly.
"Whenever you want to talk..." Erika responded.
"I know," he said and changed the subject, before ending the conversation.
In a couple of hours, Erika's words become true and he was ordered to collect his crew and leave space dock in three days to assist the ships at the scene.
The first order of business was to contact his crew, who were involved in different Starfleet projects. While he was preparing to make the calls in his office, his secretary Janine informed him that Ambassador Soval had called. He wanted a word with him. "I'll get to him," he promised her, knowing that Soval's patience was probably getting thin.
On top of his list was his call to Trip. He tried several times to reach him at the research facility in the Kajani-system. Finally he was able to get in touch with Anna Hess. She informed him that Trip wasn't in his cabin and put him on hold, while looking for Trip. Drinking his fifth coffee with growing impatience and staring at the screen, he realized he was wasting precious time. Finally, Trip's face appeared on the screen.
"You've been taking your time. Your second in command didn't know where you were!" he snapped. "We've lost contact with one of our colonies. Starfleet has ordered the Enterprise launched again to investigate the attack. You are ordered to come back to Earth. We are at war."
He let his irritation get the best of him, like many times lately and he rigidly said "In these kind of times, swift communication is essential. Don't keep me waiting next time."
"Captain, it's very early in the morning here and I already started my shift without Hess knowing," Trip came back with his excuse.
He accepted his apology, still thinking Trip should have informed Hess. "The entire crew of Enterprise is being called back and we're leaving dry-dock in three days. Columbia already been sent there and both ships are assigned to investigate."
Trip asked him about the attack, what to do with the research team and how the crew were going to be transported to Earth. Trip's question about the research team made him think of the report he had read about a Vulcan engineer by the name of Kov on that very team. Soval wanted a Vulcan on the ship. He jumped at the idea of asking this particular one to serve on the ship. At the end of the conversation, he asked Trip about this engineer and if it was possible to speak with him. To his surprise Trip said he would have a look and within seconds a chubby face filled the screen. With Vulcan ears.
He realized the Vulcan engineer had been present during his entire conversation with Trip. He didn't like that discovery.
"Captain Archer," the Vulcan greeted. "It is good to see you again."
Again? He searched his brain for any memory of meeting this person before. For a moment, he missed T'Pol who was much better at remembering names and faces.
"Did we meet before? I heard you're a very skilled engineer. Starfleet seemed very impressed by your findings."
The Vulcan replied in the same way as every other Vulcan he had seen, logical and precise. "It was very hard to find anything, except from some ancient Vulcan and Andorian texts without any logic. The basic engineering is the same as what we've seen before. Nothing revealing."
"So I'm told by my chief engineer. Still, one day we're going crack the code." The fact that nothing substantial had been found on the ship was the source of great chagrin for him. It was one of his major disappointments this last year. He had hoped with all his heart that his discovery would help Starfleet vastly.
He looked at the Vulcan and he thought that Kov would be thrilled, in a Vulcan sort of way, by his offer. So he explained his idea. "Like I said, I could use a good engineer and a Vulcan on Enterprise. It's a good opportunity for you, to serve on the best warp ship we have and it's good for the relations between Earth and Vulcan. What do you think?"
He didn't expect Kov would pass over such an opportunity, but he did.
"I am sorry, Captain. I think I will be more useful advancing the relations between our people here. But I am honored that you did consider..."
Frustrated he ended the conversation, but before he could give his dismissal and stop the transmission, Kov made a final remark that made him face his frustrations of the last year all over again.
"Captain, there is a solution for your problem. She has served you very well for years and is very capable. And she is Vulcan. I am sure Commander T'pol…."
T'Pol. What to do with her? Why was he fighting against her return to Enterprise when so many in Command obviously wanted to appease the Vulcan government, to show there were no hard feelings? He hardly understood himself anymore and he didn't want and couldn't explain the situation to this almost naive looking Vulcan. "That's no longer an option. Good night, gentlemen. Archer out."
His headache became worse. Rubbing his temples, he decided he could use a short break to clear his mind. He told Janine he was going for a walk in a nearby park.
Walking in the park, he crossed a field where children were playing. He looked at how they were playing baseball, while their mothers were chatting with each other. The park was a peaceful place, but it didn't lift his spirits. Thoughts of the coming war ran through his head. Would these children grow up in peace or would the hounds of war soon destroy their peaceful surroundings? It was Starfleet's job to protect Earth, but would they be able? he thought.
When he came back from his unhelpful walk, Janine was nervously waiting for him. "Captain, there is someone in the waiting room anxious to speak to you," she said in lieu of greeting him.
"Let him make an appointment, we're leaving in two days and I'm kind of busy," he said.
"If you can make the time for a walk in the park, Captain Archer, there is certainly time for me. It would only take a minute."
The voice, the unmistakable posture of a Vulcan and even the words could only mean one thing. He couldn't escape Ambassador Soval anymore.
Observed by a very curious Janine, he walked in the office together with Soval and closed the door. He gestured to Soval to sit down, while taking his place behind his desk again. The Vulcan ambassador slid into the chair opposite his desk carefully, before handling him two PADDs.
"Here are two detailed reports about the Dosa-system and the nearby Lota-system, with English translations. They were compiled by a young Vulcan ensign, many years ago, while investigating the death of one of our ministers. I expect Starfleet will find the information extremely useful."
He had expected a strong reprimand from the old Vulcan, not an offer of help. "How do you know about the attack in the Dosa-system?" he demanded to know.
"Let's say I have my sources." Pointing to the PADDs he added, "It may be of particular interest to you to check the ensign's name. You probably are familiar with her."
Jon pushed a button on one of the PADDs and instantly a text in Vulcan with English translation appeared. It was unmistakably written in T'Pol's style. Above the text stood her name.
Soval continued, "Captain, I am aware that Earth in on the verge of a war that will influence the whole Alpha system. I believe that it is in the best interest of Earth and Vulcan that the Coalition stays intact so that Vulcan will help Earth in this coming war. However, the present Vulcan administration thinks that the way of Surak is best served by taking a pacifist stance and dismantling our military. I am offering you my support and any information I have and may receive to assist Starfleet." He paused meaningfully, "For the benefit of both our planets."
He was surprised by the ambassador's candor and his open disapproval of his own government's current policies. For years, Starfleet had tried to coax the reluctant Vulcans to share their information with them. This was too good to be true.
"What's the catch? What's the price that Starfleet has to pay?" he asked Soval.
"No catch, Captain. No price. I only want someone that I can trust on your ship and I will share my information with her. She will keep Starfleet informed. It will been seen as a token of cooperation, a way for Vulcan to demonstrate support for the Coalition. Maybe it will even help convince the my government to give military aid."
"Or they'll let us muddle on through on our own," he interrupted Soval.
"I cannot offer you any guarantees, Captain, but I will promise you I will do my utmost to aid both the Coalition and Earth and will encourage others to do the same," Soval responded.
"All I have to do is take my former XO back? That's it? Why would I do that? The last time I saw her, she didn't look in very good shape. Besides, I thought Vulcan officially cast her out, and she sure looked like she had no place on her own planet, but now you want her to represent Vulcan in Starfleet?" Jon refuted.
"That is true, but the circumstances surrounding her punishment were very complicated. Adapting to a normal life, regaining her place in Vulcan society again, cannot be achieved without diligent effort on her part, but it's possible. Furthermore, the persons who implemented her punishment are informed of the fact that the warden of Lethizeh, the facility she was sent to, made the observation that Commander T'Pol regained logic during her stay. Her behavior was exemplary," Soval said in a clipped voice.
I bet it was, Jon thought, not at all reassured by Soval's words.
Soval proceeded, "Commander T'Pol had served you and Starfleet well and is a strong supporter of the Coalition. She entered the Expanse and fought with the Enterprise crew for the survival of Earth. Commander T'Pol has grown adept at working with Humans, experience no other officer currently possesses. I trust her and I think she is the best choice."
"What about her emotional state?" he wanted to know. "I don't think she's capable of working on a starship."
"As I stated, her condition has greatly improved. I visit her everyday to help her and she is making significant progress. You will not notice anything remiss when it come to her performance," Soval reassured.
Soval always follows a certain political agenda, Jon thought. He and T'Pol had on occasion not seen eye to eye, Soval frequently disagreeing with her decisions. Therefore, even though Jon was aware of Soval's sympathetic side, he was still taken aback by the notion that Soval was helping T'Pol with her emotions. It put all of what Soval said until now in a different light, which caused him to say, "You have all these nice justifications lined up, but you aren't telling me the real reason. This is either a Vulcan trick with some pointlessly mysterious goal or it's something personal."
Jon saw a flicker of emotion cross Soval's face, but he heard no emotion in Soval's voice when, after a moment of silence, he said, "My perspective of Commander T'Pol is based on my life-long relationship with her. I have known her since the day she was born. Her father was my friend, or as you Humans say, a brother to me. I also understand her condition, because I have been in that situation twice."
Jon's eyes widened. He couldn't imagine Soval being sent to prison once, let alone twice.
Apparently his confusion was clearly written on his face, because Soval added, almost reluctantly, "Her stay in Lethizeh has made a strong impact on Commander T'Pol, but I was referring to her grief concerning her child. I am familiar with how difficult that is."
Jon hadn't thought about the child, since the events of Terra Prime took place over a year ago. He looked at Soval's face, which suddenly looked older, and responded to his words. "Enterprise is hardly a place for counseling, especially now that we're heading for war. And her relationship with Commander Tucker is over, so I don't see how that would help, either."
"Enterprise is where she needs to be, Captain. It's hard for me to explain and I am not sure if you are willing to accept any of my explanations. It has to do with our Vulcan ways," Soval added vaguely. "It's also not very relevant in this case, because I have given you more then one reason why you should ask for Commander T'Pol to be reinstated. All of them benefit Starfleet and Earth. I know most of Starfleet Command want her back. So maybe it is your own personal reasons that have clouded your judgment."
Angry, he wanted to contest Soval's assumption, but Soval put another proposition on the table. "To meet you halfway, Captain, why don't you make Commander T'Pol a science officer on Enterprise for one month. If you still don't want her after that period, other possibilities shall be considered."
Jon realized all of a sudden that he had nothing to lose. He would gain information Starfleet needed and Soval's undying support. There were also four years of serving and fighting together with T'Pol that he couldn't dismiss. He would make everybody happy by accepting Soval's last proposal, except possibly himself, but sometimes that was part of his job. So he did.
When Soval left the room, satisfied with the outcome, Jon reflected on their strange conversation. He had never considered whether or not Soval had children, let alone possessed strong paternal impulses. Curious, he searched Soval's Starfleet record. The file, recently updated, contained more than 300 pages, but was probably not as big as his file in the Vulcan database, he thought.
He searched under the word "children". He found a list with five names. Three of those showed an open-ended date of birth. Two of them, with the names Linan and S'Vai, also a date of death. So far, Soval's story was holding up.
According to the date, S'Vai's death took place two years ago, almost the same time Enterprise had been in the Expanse. Intrigued, he clicked on the name and the picture of a young Vulcan women filled the screen. She had Soval's brown, almost amber colored eyes. She looked at him the same way Soval had done in their conversation, but her face was softer. In many ways, she looked like any young beautiful woman, bursting with life and ideas.
He read the first line of her file. S'Vai, Lieutenant, science officer aboard the Seleya. Died in the Expanse after the Seleya was destroyed on stardate.... His eyes became blurry and he couldn't read any further.
He had never thought much about the victims of the Seleya. It was an accident and nobody could saved the crew anyway, like he told Soval in that meeting after Enterprise returned. They had already been too severely exposed to the Trellium; they were too far gone. He knew T'Pol warned him about the danger of the warp core being unstable when they overloaded the power grid, but it was their only way to escape the Seleya and return safely to Enterprise.
Soval, as a logical Vulcan, had also come to the conclusion that his actions saved Earth and Vulcan and thanked him afterward for his efforts in the Expanse. But before, in that first meeting, Soval had been asking questions, questions that made a lot more sense to him now. Soval had asked him why he'd not even downloaded the ship's data records and how Jon knew that all of the crew couldn't be saved. "You didn't try to save a single Vulcan crewman," was Soval's almost bitter conclusion. Now Jon was looking at the picture of that one crew member Soval would have given anything to save and the victims of the Seleya had a face. A face he couldn't ignore.
He turned away from his screen to the little globe of Earth on his desk. It was for the mission, he thought. To save Earth. He picked up the globe. He absently turned it around and looking at it he thought, I have gained my world. But in the process he lost some of his soul. It took him a long time before he was able to go back to work.
The next day, he made a few calls to Black and to others in Starfleet Command. In a few hours it was official, T'Pol was pardoned and reinstated as Commander. Next he had to make a call to T'Pol at her beach house. He knew T'Pol was living in a beach house in the San Francisco area. It appeared she had bought the house using her mother's inheritance, because Vulcan authorities had confiscated all her possessions. The house on Earth was all she had left.
Jon had been with Starfleet since the early beginnings, always wanted to join and thought that everybody would feel the same way, so at first he wasn't surprised T'Pol wanted to come back. But now he realized, it didn't make sense. Of course, he knew that she had apparently nowhere to go but Earth, but why go to the very organization that had prosecuted and dismissed her? If he had been treated like her, scapegoated for more than one officer's sloppy mistakes, he'd be mad enough to quit.
Perhaps she wanted to join Starfleet again because the Coalition was so important to her that she would do any thing to help keep up a good appearance? If the first Vulcan to join the fleet left Starfleet, it would feed endless speculations of racial prejudice that would only harm the Coalition. It was conceivable she wanted to help Earth again, like she did in the Expanse. Maybe... He didn't understand. All these arguments, but they didn't seem sturdy. Jon got the feeling Soval and T'Pol weren't telling him the whole story. There was an unspoken underlying reason, but there was much to gain from her return. So he made the call.
From the minute she answered, there was no hesitation, no surprise.
He expected to see the same T'Pol he met the last time. She still looked a bit off and emotional, but there was a change for the better. Soval had said so, but he was baffled by it. He couldn't really tell what it was. Maybe her eyes. Last time her eyes had almost an empty stare, but now she looked at him with clear eyes and in her usual first officer tone she asked, "What time do I need to report for duty?"
"We have a staff meeting tomorrow at 9 o'clock. Starfleet HQ, third floor, conference room 312. Most of the crew will be on Earth again, but some will arrive at 6 pm. We leave orbit that day at 7 pm."
"Then I will report at 9 o'clock, Captain," T'Pol said.
The morning of their departure began with a very pleasant surprise. When he entered the conference room, he eyes caught a very familiar presence, one he hadn't expected to arrive until the last minute.
"Trip!" he exclaimed. He had missed his old friend and chief engineer, despite his earlier irritation over the tardy communication.
Trip turned around and walked toward him to greet him. "Good to see you, Cap'n."
"Good to see you too."
He stared into the face of his old friend. Though he looked older than when Enterprise made her first fight, Trip's demeanor made him look like the old Charles Tucker again. Last year – the times he had interacted with Trip – he had seen a reserved man, keeping everyone out. He always had a tight look and his smile had always been noticeably absent.
It was the return of that smile, that made him think. There was something about him. He noticed that Trip was more relaxed, almost happy. This was remarkable considering the circumstances under which they were meeting, with a war hanging over their heads, but he was still glad for Trip.
"You know, we both probably have a busy agenda before we launch. Why don't you join me at 13.00 in the officers' lounge, so that we could have lunch together? Seems like we have a lot of catching up to do," he invited Trip. He could use an old friend, if he still was one.
"Okay, Cap'n," Trip answered to his joy. Trip kept his eye on the door and while talking his smile became broader. Jon turned around to see Malcolm Reed, who was swiftly welcomed with a clap on his shoulder delivered by Trip. The friends had a lot to talk about. Hoshi also entered the room, together with Janine and Doctor Phlox. Travis was not back on Earth yet, so the only one missing was T'Pol.
Which brought him back to his task of informing his crew about the last minute Vulcan addition. When everybody was seated, Janine attempted to make small talk with Trip. She looked at him with admiration, the same kind he had seen before in other women looking at Trip. Trip didn't noticed Janine and stared, deep in thoughts, toward the door.
He started the meeting. "Welcome. It's good to see you again. We all know about the circumstances of our departure and our mission. You will find information about the area of space we will be traveling to at your communication terminals." Several terminals were placed in the table for everybody to peruse. "Before we go into details about the mission, there is a change in the bridge crew. The Vulcans have asked us to add a liaison to our crew and Starfleet has agreed," he explained.
"As long they don't put a mental hook in your head, Captain," Janine joked. "I've heard…."
"You shouldn't believe everything that's been told about us, child," said a familiar baritone voice behind him. Janine's face turned red. To his dismay Soval had entered the conference room. How did he get in unnoticed? Dressed in his traditional robe, standing perfectly straight, the old statesmen made quite an impression.
"Ambassador," Jon greeted.
"Captain." It was at that moment when he saw a petite women dressed in blue standing behind him. He seized the occasion and introduced T'Pol to the crew. "Malcolm, Trip, Hoshi, I think you all know Commander T'Pol."
"Reporting for duty, sir," T'Pol said. "Thank you for accompanying me, Ambassador."
Soval greeted everyone in the room, "Gentlemen. Ladies." With his usual dignity the Vulcan ambassador to Earth left the conference room.
Before the silence could become awkward, Malcolm saved the day. "Good to see you again, Commander. Glad you could join us." His smile was genuine. Phlox gave her a very Denobulan smile, Hoshi looked perplexed and offered a nod. Trip said something in a hoarse voice.
T'Pol took a seat. "Please, continue, Captain." All eyes turned to him.
He started to share his information to his listening audience. A few times he was interrupted by questions from Hoshi and Malcolm. He could see the serious looks on everybody's face when he told them about the attack and the chance of this being the first signs of war. Columbia and two other ships were already on site and investigating. The first reports confirmed they were dealing with a Romulan attack. It was Enterprise's job to support the ships already on the scene.
T'Pol was sitting opposite him and when he saw her stern face, it was like nothing had changed. Maybe it was because he could see her face so clearly or because their topic was a very serious one, that it drew his attention when her features unexpectedly softened. On impulse, his eyes went to Trip. His features showed amusement and he was looking at her with a knowing smile on his face.
Jon felt himself getting aggravated at Trip for not listening during a such a crucial meeting and looking at T'Pol, well, the way he was looking. And he was angry at T'Pol for her soft expression. Sharply, he asked Trip what he thought about the situation and without missing a heartbeat, Trip answered, showing that he was paying attention. It irritated him even more.
It was a small incident, that only lasted for a couple of seconds. But it stayed in the back of his mind 'til the end of the meeting. Malcolm engaged Trip in conversation and Phlox went over to T'Pol, saying that he was pleased she joined the crew.
Phlox made his most agreeable face, "Before reinstating, most officers have a routine medical exam. Maybe you could join me now medical facilities at Headquarters for yours, if you have the time," he suggested to her.
Jon didn't hear the rest of the talk and started to collect his things. He saw Trip, finished talking to Malcolm, leaving together with the rest of the crew.
"Trip, do you have a minute?" he hailed him.
"Sorry, Captain, I don't have much time; I have to see Phlox," Trip said, walking towards him.
He waited until everybody had left the room, then asked Trip, "Have you and T'Pol been in contact lately?"
"I've been on a secure research facility and on a ship full of Tellarites, who don't let anyone near their communication terminals, without a very good, official reason," Trip stated.
"I just thought, the way you interacted..." he tried.
"I've hardly spoken a word to her, Captain."
He felt ill at ease about the subject. Starfleet Command had good reasons to believe the relationship between Trip and T'Pol was over and he had thought the same. Now he doubted his presumption. He hated to bring it up, but he had to. "You know, Starfleet Command assumes there's no relationship between you and T'Pol anymore. Don't forget, you already have a reprimand in your file."
"Yeah, for conduct unbecoming, but as a victim of a mentally imbalanced superior officer," Trip quoted, with a hint of sarcasm in his voice.
When Trip said it aloud, Jon remembered Trip protesting in vain against the wording. He could imagine such words would dent a guy's ego.
"I still have to interact with Commander T'Pol. She is the chief science officer and I am the chief engineer. I assume we're allowed to discuss ship's business?" Trip asked in an impassive manner.
"Of course."
He was surprised when Trip continued in the same businesslike way, asking "Am I allowed to spend time with her, Captain? She's been in a Vulcan prison for a year and I think she sure can use a friend."
In all honesty, he could not forbid a working friendship between his two most senior officers. "Friendship is no problem. Just keep a low profile, that's probably best given the circumstances." Memories of the year behind them caused an uncomfortable silence to rise between him and Trip. He changed the subject quickly. "Anyway, I'm glad, you're back on Enterprise, Trip. The ship wouldn't be the same without you."
"Thanks, sir."
Trip was dutifully waiting for him to end the conversation. With a sigh of relief that they at least had talked about the new situation, he ended their conversation. "That will be all. Dismissed."
Trip nodded and walked quickly to the door. He seemed in a hurry.
Jon was looking forward to meeting with Trip for lunch. To his disappointment, Janine informed him half an hour before, that Commander Tucker left a message saying he couldn't make it. So at lunchtime, he was sitting all alone at his table, when the Denobulan doctor entered the officers' lounge.
Jon invited him to his table. "Doctor, did Trip come to visit you?" he asked, remembering Trip's excuse to leave.
"Yes, he did, Captain. Ah! Humans have such delicious food. Have you ever tried miso soup? It is quite tasty." Phlox started sipping his soup and enjoying his meal.
"I'm not into Japanese food. Why did he want to speak to you? Do you know where he is?"
"He said he had to go to attend some family business, before the launch. His other work was already finished."
"Family business? His parents are in San Francisco?"
"Most likely. There is one thing I still wanted to do. I wanted to thank you for the new additions in sick bay. Very well done."
"Yes, Enterprise is in better shape then ever," Jon said with pride.
They talked about the new mission, the renovated Enterprise and soon it was time to get back to work. In a few hours, he would be back in space.