The captives

By panyasan

The Epilogue

Disclaimer : Enterprise and its characters are property of CBS/Paramount.

Time-line: Takes place between 2155 (after the events of Terra Prime) and the beginning of the year 2156, just before the start of the Earth-Romulan war (2156-2160).

Author's note: At the end of this journey, I would like to express my sincere thanks to my beta KKGlinka, for all her help and support shaping this story and to all my readers, who made this story a joy to write.

A week after the battle with the Romulan ships - T'Pols beach house at Stenson beach -

The sun had rising and rays of lights shine in his room, making the yellow guest room he was staying warm and sunny. He could hear the soft breeze of the wind and the gentle crashing of the waves of the sea nearby. Kov woke up.

Nephew Noru was already awake. Placed on a pillow in a corner of the room, with a candle placed in front of him, he was meditating. Kov quickly put on a robe and prepared for meditation. After this, he made breakfast and thought about his task for this day. He would help the guests, from offering them food and drinks to helping the non-Vulcan guest in their robes. Most importantly, he would be a witness to Trip and T'Pols wedding. Trips best man.

Briefly his mind wandered off to T'Rel. He knew by now her father wasn't very pleased with him. His father on the other hand, was very much in favor of him marrying T'Rel and Kov trusted his fathers negotiations skills. What more, he had seen evidence that T'Rels katra was set on him. It only would be logical that one day he would be standing before the priest, kneeling down and touched fingers with her. That day, that he would bond with T'Rel, couldn't come soon enough. Now it was Trips time.

Starship Enterprise, heading back to Earth– two days after the battle -

He couldn't remember the last time he had felt this way. Somehow just the sight of Erika brightened his day. Jon looked at the women across the table: her friendly face, the way the mood in her eyes went from amusement to seriousness.

Captain Erika Hernandez of Columbia was here on official business and quickly they went down the list of things to discuss. "The explosion of the Romulan ship was charged with an unknown material, enough to vaporize every trace of DNA or other clues. Science team is looking into the matter, see if they can discover more about this material," Erika told him. She handled him the PADD with information.

Erika waited for him to put the PADD down, before she told him her other news. "Did you also read the file of the team that is investigating the where-abouts of Raijin? By the looks of it, the way no trace in to be found and this report, it's all very convenient for the Romulans. Too much for my taste."

He nodded, his mind racing by the mentioning of Raijin. Using the Romulan database, the team stated in their report there were strong indications the Romulans killed Raijin, because she failed their mission. Jon had felt a strange mixture of anger and sadness, when he had heard the news. He knew that Raijin had hurt his best friend, had attack the crew in the past and also used him like a lab rat. This whole year of hell behind him, the nights waking up in sweat because of his weird nightmares, it was all her doing. In his darkest hours, he had wanted her dead. But now it looked like she was, her death gave him no satisfaction.

He quickly changed to subject. "I think Starfleet Command agrees that recent events makes it look like the Romulans have the upper hand. The memo with direct orders they sent yesterday making the matter of Tenson and the nanites classified has everything to do with it."

"The famous "keep your mouth shut" memo" Erika replied, "I heard Command wants to make every crew member involved to sign a document swearing complete secrecy on the matter. I think that's going a bit to far. A official order to the crew members to keep silent would be enough,"

"They dropped the idea of signing a document, if my talk with them yesterday was any indication" Jon reassured her, "The whole memo sprouted from their fear that people on Earth will hear about the fact that one of there was a Romulan spy. Command is horrified by the idea that story about how a Romulan has infiltrated Starfleet on the highest level, combined with nanites influencing the mind of our officers will become public knowledge. It would seriously damage Starfleet prestige. Terra Prime and other groups could use it to vilify us. Command fears that people would start second guessing Starfleet and that support, also financially, would fall back. And we need all the support we can get when this Romulan conflict starts."

"Of course I see the need of secrecy," Erika responded with a slight irritation in her voice. "So the memo was the reason you spoke with Command yesterday for two hours."

Erika was always had been very perceptive of what went on, but the memo was not all he had discussed with Command. Even he immediately developed a headache thinking about the implications regarding the chain of command and fraternization rules, Jon felt a small surge of satisfaction that he got to tell Erika the most juiciest news in the young history of Starfleet."No, that had to do with two of my senior officers."

Erika's eyes got big. "Commander Tucker and T'Pol. What about them?"

"They are getting married."

This was not good. The moment Trip had entered the ready room after admiral Black's call he knew something was wrong. T'Pol was already there, sitting up in a very straight matter in one of the chairs, opposite the desk where the admiral was sitting. He couldn't sense much of her, only a vague feeling of confusion. Next to him, and that another sign that something was going on, was Ambassador Soval.

"Sit down, Commander Tucker," Black invited him. He took on the chair.

He looked at the admiral, his stern, but friendly face, how his spotless uniform hang on his perfectly straight shoulders. "First of all, Commander Tucker and T'Pol, on behalf of Starfleet Command, I would like to congratulate you on your intention of getting married."

He hadn't expected to be congratulated and he softly released a breath he didn't know he was holding.

"Nevertheless, your marriage will lead to some consequences. It has raised some issues about the chain of command and fraternization rules. Of course, the two of you or one could resign, but we like to keep you. We therefore strongly recommended that you and Commander T'Pol serve on different ships. "

Trip had expected and threaded this moment. He and T'Pol had wanted to be as forthcoming to Starfleet as possible. Nonetheless, he and T'Pol needed to be on one ship. He didn't want to be separate from her and his Vulcan wife to be certainly had all the reason not to.

"That is not an option, sir," he started, but Black interrupted him. "I know, Ambassador Soval told us that in the Vulcan fleet couples served together and Vulcan tradition demands that at least in the first years you serve together. It's a matter of biology the Ambassador explained to us and being separate from your mate would lead to health problems."

Black turned to Soval. "I hope I phrased it correctly."

"You did," the Ambassador spoke calmly for the first time.

"Starfleet Command sympathizes with Vulcan customs, but several members of Command have pointed out that we are a Human organization and that Human rules would prevail," Black continued.

"With due respect, sir," Trip answered him, "I disagree. If we are going to be a Coalition of several species, serving together, Starfleet just can simple say that every member should obey Human rules. Generally speaking yes, but there should be room for exceptions, especially when it has to do with the biological needs of a specie."

T'Pol added "Captain Archer told me that Starfleet had plans in the far future for a mission of five years in deep space. If such a mission is to be taken place and the captain is married, I think Starfleet would not order him to leave his wife on Earth alone for five years. They would make an exception."

Trip nodded. "Rules are good, but in the past rules were changed for the better good."

"There weren't changed overnight, Commander," Black retorted. He gave them a stern look before concluding "Ambassador Soval brought up the same objections. We discussed them last night, we came to the conclusion they were valid, so we decided to make this exception in your case." He paused. "We still have a favor to ask from you."

Here is comes, Trip thought. The real reason why we are here. The sinking feeling he got when he entered the room reappeared.

"You know we sent a memo out ordering every one involved in the case of Tenson and the nanites to keep this matter confidential," Black embarked. "Not a word to any one outside Starfleet. I don't have to tell you what the consequences would be if this story will leak to the press."

He did anyway and spelled out those effect for his audience"We will lose all our support on Earth and we need it. We can't win this war when people having serious doubts about us. More then they already have. Tied into this, we would like to let the people think that the reason Commander T'Pol disappeared for a year, was because of the break up between the two of you. If any one finds out that Commander T'Pol was sent to prison for being unfit in command in a war situation, this could be the final blow in the already fragile relationship between Earth and Vulcan and maybe also to the Coalition."

"What has this do to with the favor you wanted to ask form us?" Trip inquired.

"It means that the best way to prevent any disturbance, is that you keep your marriage low profile. No public announcement, no public ceremony. The people who should know about it, are already informed and that would be enough. For the public eye, you two are still separated and certainly not married."

"Isn't being a public act what makes a marriage? It's an act of commitment, made for any one to witness," Trip objected. He casted a look at T'Pol. She didn't like it either.

"You could say, it's public, only for a select group," Black defended his proposition.

Trip knew it was not the same. "Could you give me a moment with T'Pol to discuss this?" he asked. He was given permission and left alone with T'Pol, Trip asked what her thoughts were.

"Starfleet grants us an opportunity to marry and serve on the same ship," T'Pol brought up. "The other possibility is that we both resign from Starfleet and make our marriage public."

"We have no idea what the effect would have on Starfleet," he answered, "and I can't live with the thought of abandon Starfleet in a time like this. If the Romulans attack another Human colony or Earth, like the Xindi, I don't want to be a bystander. I want to be involved and the only way we can protect Earth and the colonies is by the only starfleet we have."

He saw a flicker of pride in her eyes. "I thought you would. I am leaving Starfleet either. Our best option is to accept Starfleet Command request."

"With a couple of adjustments. The marriage has to be legal on Earth. You would have the rights as my wife as any other Human woman would. If we are so lucky to have kids, I want them to have a double citizenship, on Earth and on Vulcan. I don't want my children to be treated as an alien on their home planet."

"There is nothing as such at this moment, but we could ask if Ambassador Soval could make legal adjustments to our treaties with Humans," T'Pol suggested.

"I want also Starfleet to investigate who is sending you those threat letters," he added.

"The threat letters have little to do with our situation," T'Pol remarked.

"Not true," Trip answered vehemently, anger filling his voice. "It's the fear of riots and slander from guys like Terra Prime that made Command made this request. We taking a step back if we want to establish a Coalition between species that would benefit all."

He continued "Wouldn't the truth be a better way to deal with bigots like Terra Prime? To show that a relationship between a Vulcan and a Human can work. When they find the person who is sending those sick letters, at least something is done against them. Now it's looks they are winning."

T'Pol brushed his shoulder in a comforting gesture. He stared into her warm, brown eyes. "We are together, Trip. They will never win."

Admiral Black and Ambassador Soval returned and their requests were met with the promise they would be granted. Black asked them to inform any one involved today.

Trip couldn't read Blacks face, he expected that the admiral would look pleased or relieved, but nothing was shown on his face.

"It was an reasonable favor of Starfleet to ask from us, he thought. "Every body gets what they want. It's the only way." But when he shook the hand of Black, almost in a fashion to seal the deal, he couldn't help a gut feeling arisen, telling him he made a mistake. It was a feeling he pushed aside very quickly.

A week after the battle with the Romulan ships - T'Pols beach house at Stenson beach -

The wedding guests stood outside in half a circle. In front of them stood Trip, dressed in a blue Vulcan robe. All the discussion, only a few days ago, were forgotten. All he had on his mind was that he stood here, ready for his wedding, sand beneath his feet, the sun warmed him and the wind gentle whispered, waiting for T'Pol to arrive. His eyes went to the faces of his friends, surrounding him. There were his best men: Kov in a yellow brown robe and Malcolm dressed in a green one. The witnesses of T'Pol stood next to them: ambassador Soval, dignified as ever and Phlox, looking rather short and funny in his Vulcan brown robe. They were other guest, Jon, captain Hernadez, admiral Black. The Vulcan robes looked good on them both. Before him the priest, Kovs nephew Noru, took his place

Trip had noticed the wisdom and the warm interest of the priest for the strange Human he was about to marry. Noru had explained to him the three Vulcan ceremonies of marriage. "Vulcan marriages are only complete after three ceremonies, one symbolizing the joining of logic and mind by the joining of the hands, one of the joining of katra's by spending time and living together for preferably a year and one is the joining of the body. As your priest who performs the first ceremony, you can always come to me for advice, for example if you want to have more information about the two other ceremonies."

"I think I will manage," he had said amused, thinking about ceremony number three. "But thank you for wanting to help us. " he said with a smile. "Are you married, Noru?" he asked out of simple curiosity.

"My order believes a priest should be married before performing ones. Marriage is seen as educational."

Educational. He bet it was. He would find out soon. Everything was set for the ceremony. For a second his mind went back to that horrible day , when he had seen the same setting. The time when he had realized he loved T'Pol and she had been walking towards Koss to kneel down and touch their fingers. He never had felt so lost. Even now it hurt just to think about it. He pushed the memory quickly away.

A whisper went trough the guests and when he looked to the house, he saw T'Pol walking towards him, stepping forward to be with him. She was coming to become his wife.

T'Pol was dressed in a beautiful flaming red dress, on her head a red veil. The same veil material was draped around her top part, that fitted her body nicely. The red layers of her skirt fell down with grace to the ground. She was totally a Vulcan woman. She looked wonderful. She looked gorgeous. She was changeling the world with that red dress and at the same time making a clear statement that she was his.

"That's my girl," he thought.

They knelt down at the same time, looking in each other eyes, their fingers found their way and they touched. Her brown eyes shined towards him and revealed adoration, affection, a deep knowing that they were making the right choice, and a determination to make things works. It was a moment he would cherish.

Then the priest, dressed in a brownish robe with purple decorations on his kerchief, started the ceremony, almost singing the words in his melodious Vulcan. He stopped and changed to English. "The bride have asked me to add some words to the ceremony."

Trip exchanged a surprised look with T'Pol, but then he heard the words of the priest. "Tucker, Charles Antony, do you take this woman to be your wife, to love and to hold, to cherish, in good times and bad times, in sickness and in health, until death will separate your katra's?"

He just stared into T'Pols eyes, knowing he loved her. "I do," he said firmly. The priest turned to T'Pol. She spoke her "I do" with a soft, but strong voice and her eyes were smiling.

It was like a whole year of pain slipped of his shoulders.

The priest started singing Vulcan phrases again. This is the Vulcan heart. This is the Vulcan soul. The song washed over him, lifting his spirits, making him sure and happy of the path ahead.

Trip knew the journey before them wasn't easy. But like T'Pol had said "This is my path", it was his path too, a path that they would travel together. It made all the difference in the world. He was free and happy and whole.

They were alone. The guest had left. Without the sounds of chatter and laughs, the house was silent again. T'Pol didn't mind. She looked at Trip, who had taken a seat in one of the chairs and tried to loosen his collar. She walked over him and kissed him. Then she took his hand and gently guided him to their bedroom.

T'Pol moved her hand across his shoulder, getting him out the upper garment of his robe, while placing her lips on his for a kiss.

Trip threw her an amusing look. "Getting impatient, darling?"

Noticing from his response and his smell, she wasn't the only one. "It is tradition to move now to the second and third ceremony," she said between kisses, trying to release the white collar under his clothing and remove the second layer of the robe.

"I think you want to skip the second and start with the third," Trip teased her, kissing her back. At the same time he was trying, rather hindering her in her movements, to untie the button that held her zipper on the back of her dress. Their actions were even more hindered by the kisses they shared. Kisses that created a passion like a flame, warming her katra. In the past her desire for Trip had bewildered and confused her, but now she welcomed the sensation.

He twiddled at the button, unable to open it, so she whispered "Push the button and then turn clockwise."

"Luckily I have skilled hands," he grinned, releasing the button. His hand found the zipper and he pushed her red dress downwards. She relished his touch. The dress became a red pool on the ground.

Her research on Human wedding customs had indicated that the favorite undergarment on such occasion was a that a black velvet corset and black garters connecting stockings in matching colors. In the past her research had led to the wrong conclusions and miscommunication, not this time. Trip looked to her from head to foot with the pleasure in his eyes.

He kissed her and then there was only a craving to touch, a longing to be close, to feel each other, a yearning to become one. The bond sparkled between them, feeding their affection and joy, underlining the feeling of the touch of her kissing, their tongues dueling, the sweet fondling of Trips hands on her body, which made her feel loved and wanted more and wanted to give that same caress to him. Their joining was fierce and intense. All their accumulated and hold back emotions burst into one action.

They turned position and she laid down on his chest, feeling his cooler skin beneath her, her emotions overwhelming her. She realized how much she needed him and had craved him. How much she had wanted this day. There had been grief, remembering those who weren't with her any more. There was pain and regret of things past, that could not be changed again. There was also her old fear, sticking up his ugly head. "Never leave me" hadran to her mind "and if I ever turn away from you in my foolishness, know that my katra never will leave you." There was the unknown of the future with this coming war and their differences. Then and now other emotions flooded her katra, washing away those feelings: desire, longing, protection, affection, joy.

Trip noticed her turmoil of inner emotions. "You're okay?" He moved his hand slowly on her bare back, pleasuring and soothing her.

She moved slightly upwards, meeting him eye to eye. His blue into her brown. She saw his alien hair messy around his face, the face that she knew so well and had seen in her thoughts every day and night when she was in Lethizeh. T'Pol felt strong, truly connected to her Vulcan roots and like she finally was truly released. Prisoner Ras-kur kling dah-leh-teh reh-leh steh-kuh was no more. Everything had fallen into to place. She caressed his cheek with her two fingers, her eyes never leaving his, before laying down her head on his chest again. "I am content," she said.

Phlox had a great day. He loved weddings and being asked by T'Pol to be a witness on her marrying Commander Tucker was a great honor. "We have different personalities and difference of opinions many times, but I have come to respect you as my friend," T'Pol had explained. Her kind words, from a woman never expressing her feelings, had caused a great smile on his face. The ceremony was beautiful and the food was delicious. He had a hard time leaving.

When he traveled back, he decided not to go home, but to return to his work. Hoshi Sato was recovering well, but he liked to check on her regularly. He caught Hoshi, sitting upright in her bio bed, her right ear still in bandage, reading a PADD.

He walked toward her bed and said "I haven't giving you permission to work, ensign."

Hoshi didn't looked guilty at all and gave him one of her warm smiles. "I was bored and I am feeling much better. Besides, I have to give Starfleet enough reasons to let me hold my job."

He signed. "I know you find it hard that your hearing in your right ear isn't a hundred pro cent any more. I told you, there is nothing I can do to make it better. An operation is too risky and would probably make it worse. Remember Hoshi, you're the best linguist in Starfleet. Your knowledge of Romulan is surpassed. Starfleet Command would be a fool to let you go, just because of a slight increasing of your hearing."

"Malcolm said the same," she answered, still holding her PADD.

"You better listen to your friends advice," he answered, taking her PADD away from her. Reed had been a regular visitor, as was Travis and some friends from the science department. Also Commander The romantic in him was pleased, but he had to admit that they only seem to be friends. Well, they both could need a good friend.

"You should get some sleep. I would like you to take a hypospray for the pain." he advised her.

He took the pillow, placed it on the biobed and Hoshi laid down. "No need for a hypospray. I will be fine."

He beg to differ, but it was her choice. When he walked away, Hoshi said, laying down on her bed "I made an interesting discovery."

"You did?" he said, ready to cut the conversation short. She needed her rest.

"Did you know that the word "Vulcan" in Romulan is the same word the Romulans use for "dead one"."

"I think I heard it before. Now go back to sleep."

"The dead one lives more and the captives more free." I read that those were the last words of Tenson," Hoshi's voice sounded exited. "If she was playing with words, she could have said "The Vulcan is alive and the prisoners are more free then their guards." It would be interesting to find out why she would say such a thing."

He put on his stern doctors voice when he answered her "Hoshi, you're an excellent linguist, but I doubt if Tenson would ever play with words. It is clear Tenson thought she would honor the Romulan empire more in her death. She saw herself as free, because she was so proud of being a Romulan. Her actions showed that. She killed herself, protecting the Romulans. Any way, who would be that Vulcan, being alive and a prisoner? Why should Tenson mention him? It was all about her."

Hoshi nodded slowly. "You are probably right. I was reading too much in what she said." She closed her eyes for the much needed sleep.

Phlox tugged her in. "Go back to sleep." Hoshi's health was his first priority. To help his patients was the goal in his life.

"Good night, Hoshi."

"Good night, doctor Phlox."

The whole day thoughts of Rianna had played though his head. Malcolm Reed had a difficult day. He was glad for Trip, honored to be his witness and best man, but the wedding had made him aware what he missed. Rianna. After the wedding he went home. Quickly he thought of visiting Hoshi, as was his habit this last week, but he knew that wouldn't be fair. Not today. Not with him thinking of Rianna every minute. In his most cynical moods he laughed at himself and told himself he was a fool. She had used him. But most of the times he knew that she had cared for him. He wished she told him about her background and her work, but as some one who was involved with Section 31 he understood why she hadn't. Rationally.

He searched in one of his desk drawers to find the picture that he had tugged away in a despaired need to stop thinking about Rianna. There it was: her picture. He stared at her smiling, beautiful face. "I have lost you," he thought.

"You know, Rianna," he spoke to the face in front of him. "You succeeded. The plan of the nanites failed. Because of your actions, love. Because two people of different species love each other and found out there was something wrong."

He knew this was the last time he would look at her lovely face, because when he put the picture away, he vowed to himself never to look at it again.

The next day he went to Headquarters. He was working behind his desk, when a sound made him look up. It was the captain entering his office, looking grim. Malcolm knew the time of war had come.

"Enterprise is called for duty." Archer started.

"Another Romulan attack?"

The captain nodded. "We are going to be in space for a long time. We have to protect the Human colonies." Then Archer concluded "See you in my ready room on Enterprise at 14.00 hours. I am now going to contact Commander Tucker and T'Pol at their beach house."

"So much for a honeymoon for Trip", Malcolm thought.

When he walked into the ready room, they were all there. The captain, stress making lines into his face, Trip, looking rested and confident and T'Pol, with a warmer look then he had seen since he knew her. Travis also was present and to his surprise a pale looking, but determined Hoshi in Starfleet uniform. They were his family. He would die protecting them. These people were the reason he was in Starfleet. There were unique and presenting the best of their species. It was what he had to protect and why he fought the Romulans. To persevere the freedom to make choices. The freedom not be captives or slaves. For the strong conviction, the trust that the forces of chaos and oppression wouldn't win. For the friendship he had received. For the love he had witnessed. For the hope he felt, serving with them. Because without trust, friendship, hope and love, we all be captives.

The end

A/N: For those who are interested, I have a sequel planned, called "World of ice".