We are finally getting into the final chapters of "Love Between Worlds." Right now, we are going to touch on the events of "Demons" and "Terra Prime." Originally, I thought that I could not improve these episodes, so I left the events mostly intact. Yes, there were a few changes, like Trip and T'Pol being married and T'Pol being pregnant. But it did not change the course of the events on the galactic scale. So, just as it happened in the show, Elizabeth dies a painful death as her parents watch. There is no difference there. What is different is what happens afterward. That's what the next two chapters deal with: The aftermath, which was never really covered in the show. It is also different from the beta canon, as I had not read "The Good Men Do" before writing this story. So, what happens there does not happen here at all.

Additionally, there will be a one-shot released soon where I did attempt to save Elizabeth's life. It is my fanfic with Phlox as the main character. However, since it has not been edited yet - it will take some time to come out. Most likely after this fic is complete. Let's get on to it!

T'Pol sat in their quarters alone, clutching her mother's IDIC. The events of the last few days had shaken her to the core. She had no idea that zealots would go this far to hurt her or her family. The idea of making a child just to have it die defied logic. She had no idea why Paxton would do this. Elizabeth had done nothing to him. She was innocent. Yet she suffered horribly before finally succumbing to her illness. It was cruel and inhumane. An irony was lost on that man. He didn't care who or what he hurt so long as he achieved his goals.

Trip had insisted that he go and rescue Elizabeth on his own. He said that it was too risky with T'Pol being nearly three months pregnant. He told her that he didn't want to risk both of their children to save one. It was logical. It made sense. T'Pol should have listened, but she couldn't. Elizabeth was her daughter, too. She had to go despite her husband's objections. They ended up in a heated argument that almost cost them their marriage. Trip forgot that T'Pol was not human. She didn't need to be protected as much as a human would be in her condition. It would be at least another month before she showed. They could complete the rescue before that happened.

And she was right about that. They did find Terra Prime. They did find their daughter. They were able to stop Terra Prime from ending the alliance between worlds before it got off the ground. They were able to whisk Elizabeth from them. Only, they couldn't save her. No one could. Paxton was right when he told her that she need not harm the child. It was written into every code. Her DNA broke down. Her body fought against itself, and she passed away. They lost their daughter after knowing her for a few days. It was devastating. It also scared her to her core. They had another child growing inside her. What if he or she will suffer the same fate? What if they lose him or her before their first birthday? She couldn't take it if that happened. It would kill her.

The door opened to reveal her husband. She didn't need to see his face to know how he was feeling. He was just as devastated and worried as she was. He had grown just as attached to Elizabeth as she had. Now, he had to prepare her funeral. It wasn't right. It wasn't fair. Elizabeth deserved more than this.

Trip sat down beside her. As he spoke, his voice trembled. Betraying his emotions. Which were like a cascade. They were almost as intense as hers. Grief, Sadness, Worry, Anger, and self-loathing. He hated himself for failing to protect his daughter. He didn't care that it was not his fault. He did his best. It just wasn't enough, that's all. She didn't blame him. He shouldn't blame himself.

"The, uh . . . Delegates at the conference, they've, uh, asked about the service for, um . . ." He started to break down. He tried to hold the tears back, but in the end, he failed. ". . . For Elizabeth."

T'Pol felt his pain as he said her name. A name that they gave her right before her passing. Elizabeth deserved a name. She couldn't die without one. She had to know that she was wanted. That her parents loved her as if she were made from their love. Not hate, as she was really made. Paxton might have created her, but she was created from their DNA. She was just as much their child as the one growing within her. Which made having to bury her all the harder.

"They want to attend."

T'Pol did not look at him. She couldn't. She just looked at the wall as she said. "She was important."

Tucker sighed. He took a second to gather his thoughts and continue. "There's something else." He took a sharp breath in. "I spoke with Phlox. Turns out there was a . . ." He took another sharp breath. "A flaw in the technique that Paxton's Doctors used in the cloning process."

He cleared his throat. "Human DNA and Vulcan DNA are compatible. He says that our little one in there will probably be okay." He tried to hold back the tears again, but failed. "That's sort of comforting."

T'Pol dropped the IDIC on his lap, then took his hand. She held on to it for dear life. In that moment, the two of them shared their pain and agony. They grieved together as one. They were a mother and father mourning the loss of their child. They stayed that way for hours. Not leaving each other's side. Trip couldn't stop crying. No matter what he did.

Three days later, the funeral service was held for Elizabeth. It was held in the mess hall. But had to be done in shifts, just their marriage reception had to be. However, this time it was not just crewmembers who wanted to express their sympathy. It was many delegates from the conference. Along with people like the President of Earth, several admirals from Starfleet Command, and other influential leaders on Earth. Beside them, his parents attended.

For T'Pol, it meant more to her that the vulcans from the consulate and the delegates from the conference showed up. She appreciated that they cared so much about her loss. It told her that there was hope for humans and other species to get along. Along with maybe one day they would accept their child among them. She didn't know when exactly she started looking toward the future again, but she had. She was still in pain. That was true. But he had a son or daughter to take care of. Along with a husband who needed her.

The hours passed slowly. T'Pol didn't remember everyone who came to see her that day. Or what was said by most of the people. There were just too many people. You would have sworn that Elizabeth was a public figure. She was just a baby. An innocent child who did not deserve her fate. Perhaps what happened to her shocked people almost as much as Terra Prime's attack on San Francisco. It seemed to have brought people together. Which was not their intent. It seemed that Terra Prime failed in its mission. She hoped that Paxton would spend the rest of his life in prison for this.

"Hey, T'Pol, are you okay?" Trip's soft voice broke her out of her self-induced trance.

She looked at him. Worry and pain were etched on his face. How she envied humans sometimes. Right now, she wanted to feel, but couldn't. Her emotional suppression prevented her from expressing her pain. He did not have that limitation. It was plain to see. "No." She finally said, taking his hand. "But I will be."

He squeezed her hand. "Alright, just remember I'm here, okay? Let me know if this is too much." Then he released her hand.

He knew how much vulcans did not like public displays of affection. In the hours that they held this service, Tucker never left her side. He never sat. He didn't eat or drink. When most people came up to them, he did most of the talking for her. As T'Pol did not wish to speak. He did not push her. He let her decide when she wanted to speak. He also watched to make sure that no one hurt her or harassed her. Yes, he knew that there were security officers all over this event, but he didn't care. He acted as her protector. He was obsessed with making sure that she and their baby were fine.

About halfway through the service, Ambassador Soval paid his respects to the couple. It meant a lot to T'Pol that her former superior was there. She knew that there was a lot of bad blood over how she left the High Command. It gave her hope that this was changing. It gave her hope for her remaining child's future.

"I grieve with thee, T'Pol." Soval greeted her in Vulcan. Then repeated the same phrase in English for Commander Tucker. "I grieve with thee, Commander Tucker."

"Thank you, Ambassador." T'Pol said. It was the first that she had spoken in an hour.

"This was a true tragedy. For someone so young to pass in this manner. It is illogical." He said.

"Who said that humans are logical?" Trip's voice was hard and bitter. "A little girl was brought into this world by a madman who wanted to watch her die." He choked up. "Well, he got his wish. And our daughter suffered as a result. I hope he's happy. Because I know that I'm not."

T'Pol turned towards Tucker. "Are you alright, husband?"

He shook his head. "No, I'm not."

She could feel that he was on the verge of tears. He needed to get out of there for a bit. She told Soval. "My apologies, but my husband needs a moment alone."

Soval nodded. "Of course, my apologies if I have caused this."

T'Pol said in vulcan. "My husband is an emotional being. This has been very difficult for him. He means no insult."

"None taken." Soval responded in vulcan. "The loss of a child is hard for any parent. Regardless of whether or not one is vulcan. For a human, it must be unbearable."

T'Pol nodded then steered Trip out of the room. She brought him back to their quarters. Which was out of bounds for all visitors. She wondered what to do. She didn't like seeing Trip like this. She couldn't leave him like this. However, she had no idea how to help him. In the end, she decided to see if his parents were still on the ship. Maybe they would know what to do. Fortunately, his mother was still there. So, she tracked her down. Elaine Tucker was talking to someone whom T'Pol had never met before when she found her. She waited a moment, then finally interrupted.

"Mrs. Tucker?"

"Yes?" She said before she realized who was speaking to her. "T'Pol, dear, how are you?" The woman looked as if she wanted to hug her, but decided against it. T'Pol was grateful for that. She did not want a hug.

"I am . . . doing better." T'Pol managed to say. It wasn't a lie per se, but it did suggest things were going better than they were. "Can you please come with me?"

Trip's mother looked confused. "Sure, but what's wrong?"

"Trip needs you."

The woman understood immediately. She said, "Bring me to him."

T'Pol guided Mrs. Tucker to her quarters. When they went inside, T'Pol told her husband. "Trip, your mother is here."

He looked up, tears in his eyes. Things had gotten worse since T'Pol had left. "Mom!" He sucked in a sharp breath. He tried to stop the tears, but failed.

"Oh, honey." Mrs. Tucker said before she ran over and hugged him. "It's okay. I'm here."

T'Pol stepped back and let his mother help him. She would have done it herself, but this was better handled by a human. Tucker needed to express his feelings. Here he could do it privately without having to put on a brave face. There would be no prying eyes. He just needed to feel what he needed to feel. His feelings washed over her like a mighty tidal wave. It was hard to separate his feelings of loss from hers. It was quite disconcerting. T'Pol was glad that they were not in public at that moment.

They stayed that for at least half an hour before Trip could go back out and meet the crowds. For the rest of the night, his mother didn't leave his side. His father caught up with them a short time later. They were both staying on Enterprise for the night. Captain Archer had put them up in the quarters. That way if they could be close if they were needed. Finally, after almost 6 hours, the service ended. The crowds thinned out. Leaving only those who worked on the ship and Trip's parents. The rest were slowly shooed away. They could finally grieve in peace.

Trip barely slept that night. He kept waking up in a panic. He would check on T'Pol almost constantly. As if he were afraid that she or their baby would be gone. They were both fine. The doctor had checked her out shortly after their return to Enterprise. No harm had come to their unborn child. He or she was still healthy and strong. Trip need not worry.

They had the next week or so off. So, they went to Earth. He took her to his parents' house in Mississippi. It was as nice as she remembered it from their link. She felt like she had been there before - even though she had never been before in her life. Normally, he would have taken her to see the sights. But he wasn't in the mood. He just wanted to be away from people and be with her. So, they stayed put until it was time to go back.

Once they returned, they knew that they would have the unenviable job of telling Captain Archer about her pregnancy. Which necessitates a transfer. She could not complete her duties while pregnant or with children. Tucker would not leave her. Especially not now. Wherever T'Pol went, Tucker went. So they both would be leaving the Enterprise soon.

"Congratulations, you two." Captain Archer beamed. "That's really good news!"

"Thanks, Captain."

Archer grew serious for a moment. "Has Phlox checked him or her out?"

"Yes, our little one has a clean bill of health. No major genetic issues to be found."

Archer looked relieved. "That's great."

"Elizabeth died because the bastards didn't care to make sure that the cloning process was done right." Trip could not keep the anger from his voice. "But, little Tucker Jr was conceived the natural way. So they're fine. Proves that humans and vulcans can make babies."

"Sounds like you don't know the gender yet." He stated.

"Phlox knows what gender our child is. He was the one who checked their genetic code for errors. There is no way that he did not find out. However, Trip asked not to be told their gender. He wants 'to be surprised.'" T'Pol said that the last bit with a hint of derision. She clearly thought that was a stupid human custom, but she humored her husband. She went along with his decision not to know the gender of the child.

"That is a very common human custom. You'll have to humor your husband on it." Archer chuckled.

"I suppose."

His face became more serious. "On a more serious note, this ship isn't equipped to take care of children. Along with being too dangerous for them. As such, they cannot remain onboard long-term. You need to take another post if you want to remain with your child."

"We're aware, Captain." Tucker chimed in. "And we're willing to move. So long as we stay together."

Captain nodded. "I'll see what I can do. Hopefully, I can find a good post for you. Don't worry, I'll make sure that you don't get something horrible."

"Thank you, Captain." T'Pol said.

"In the meantime, you've left me with quite a problem: I am down a Chief Engineer and a Science Officer. Can't really explore space without them." Archer mused.

"We'll help you find replacements for us." She promised.

Archer smiled. "I'll hold you to it."

They left his ready room shortly after. The meeting went well, but the result was set in stone before they held it. T'Pol could not be pregnant and serve as the first officer. Nor could she keep their child onboard. So, if she had to leave, Tucker was leaving too. He said that he was never leaving her ever again.

That's it for today. Thank you for reading and reviewing!