"Trip" Tucker awoke from a restful sleep. His stirring was in response to an very annoying sound...an very annoying beep to be exact. He sat up slowly, rubbing his eyes as he rose.
What the hell was that noise? He thought. Then it occurred to him...it was a communicator...his...or T'pol's. He turned over to see the Vulcan science officer sleeping next to him. The low illumination of the camp lighting system accentuated her form. His mind was foggy, but he was certain of one thing. They had slept with one another. The continuous beeping noise drew his attention back to the communicator. No doubt Enterprise had returned and was signaling them. If he didn't reply soon he knew his Captain would send a full security team to investigate. He might even chance using the transporter. Just what they did not need. A full security team finding them both laying next to each other, naked as jaybirds.
Trip leaned over and reached for the communicator. Flipping the antenna grid open he responded "Trip here."
The voice on the other ended spoke. "About time Trip, we were becoming concerned when we couldn't hail you or T'Pol."
Trip heard T'pol stirring behind him. He turned to see that she was already sitting up. The blanket that was covering her fell to her midriff exposing her bare breasts.
The two officers looked at each other a moment and then Trip responded into the communicator.
"Uh...sorry about that Cap'n" Trip responded "we were both asleep."
"Must have had your hands full." said Archer
*You have no idea* thought Trip as he watched T'pol cover herself with the blanket.
"Uh...yes sir." he responded "what's the situation with the plague."
"Good news, the Doctor says the initial treatment had a greater effect than expected. We'll be bringing aboard the kovolite, you two retrieved, and then head back to the Medusan home world to follow up treatment. A Vulcan Science Academy team will be meeting us there. Is the kovolite ready to transport back to the ship?
"Yes sir." responded Trip.
"Excellent," replied the Captain "How soon till you can lift off?
"Give us about 20 minutes to pack all the gear Cap'n." said Trip.
"Twenty minutes "acknowledged the Captain "see you soon...Oh...and good work.to both of you."
"Thank you sir, Trip out." He replied
Trip closed his communicator and turned to T'pol. The Vulcan first officer already started dressing. He wasn't sure what he should do or say, but he couldn't just do nothing.
"T'Pol?" he called out questioningly. If he wasn't mistaken he almost thought he startled her. She stood with her back facing him for a long moment before responding.
"Commander, we need to prepare the shuttle for departure." she said matter of factly. "We can expedite this best by focusing on the task at hand with a minimal of diversions."
With that she walked away finishing the last of the fastening clips on her uniform.
"I'll be God Damned." Trip muttered " she's gonna sweep this whole thing under the carpet. Well that's just fine. See if I care what she does."
He stood up to get dressed and looked down at the floor where they had both lain and he sighed. This was not going to be so easy.
20 minutes later
For Trip the twenty minutes it took to ready the Bonaventure for liftoff seemed like an eternity. He wanted to say something, but it was painfully apparent that T'Pol did not share that desire. This was definitely not the woman he...made love to last night. He felt hurt and even a little used.
She seemed to be discarding him once he had served his purpose. She could at least acknowledge what they had shared. Didn't she at least owe him that? He would have to find a time and place to talk to her about what had happened. However, this was not the time or place. T'pols voice jogged him from his thoughts.
"Initiating liftoff sequence." she said as she checked over the helm one last time.
He would definitely have a talk with her.
The shuttle Bonaventure returned to Enterprise where its medicinal cargo was offloaded.
Tucker and T'Pol were on their way to the bridge after being summoned by Captain Archer.
The lift came to a halt and the two officers exited as the doors opened.
"You two look like hell." said the Captain in obvious good spirits.
"I could use a shower and a decent bed sir."
"You got it." Replied the Captain "You have the next 48 hours off." Archer looked over at T'Pol. "That goes for both of you, understood?"
"Yes, captain" she responded "thank you."
"Don't thank me, you earned it. Now get outta here. Bridge is off limits to duty personnel only." He said smiling.
The two officers turned and made their way back to the lift. Once they entered, Commander Tucker activating the hand control. The lift began it's downward motion. Trip looked at T'Pol.
Come on, say somthin. He thought. Once she gets of this lift she's gonna lock herself in that Vulcan Temple she calls her quarters and not come out for two days. He had to talk to her. It was now or never.
"T'Pol." he started before she cut him off.
"Commander, I am extremely exhausted. I do not really desire idle conversation right now."
Trip turned the lift control bringing it to a sudden stop.
T'Pol looked at him questioningly.
"Commander, why have you stopped the lift?" she asked
"You know damn well why." he said raising his voice.
"Perhaps you would care to enlighten me." she stated
"Enlighten you!? I'd like to knock you on your god damn ass!" he told her.
She merely raised an eye brow .
"Oh don't pull this with me. We spent the night together and your acting like nothin happened." he said trying his best to hold back the full brunt of his anger.
"I am sorry Commander, but nothing did happen." she said.
"What?" he asked in disbelief.
"I am grateful that you offered yourself to save my life. It was a noble gesture and I will not forget it. However, that is the extent to which last night's events can be taken. It was nothing more than what you human's refer to as a..."one night stand'." she stated.
"You expect me to believe that." he said.
"It is the truth." she responded.
"Bullshit!" he said "maybe yer fergettin that little mind share we did. What did you call it...a mind meld? I don't totally understand it, but I saw into your mind.into your heart. You ain't the cold and unemotional freezer unit you try to put off."
"Commander.." she started before he interrupted.
"Don't Commander me. I want some answers." he said.
"I have none to give you. All is as I have stated. I am sorry you are finding what I have told you , difficult to accept." She told him.
"I think I'm in love with you." he said flatly.
She turned towards him with a look of genuine surprise. However, that lasted only a moment before she resumed her stoic and dispassionate look.
"Commander, you are suffering from nothing more than a hormonal imbalance. It will pass with time and you will come to your senses." She said as she resumed the lift's descent.
"My senses are fine and they tell me I got feelins for you." Trip responded.
"I am sorry Commander, but I do not reciprocate your feelings." she said as the lift halted. The doors opened and she exited the lift, leaving Trip Tucker to himself.
Trip Tucker couldn't sleep. This was the third night in a row that sleep had been denied to him. He was starting to think that he and sleep weren't ever going to be on friendly terms again. He had decided that outside intervention would be necessary and wandered down to sickbay to see if one of the orderlies could give him something to sleep. He had avoided doing so until now because he didn't want the Captain finding out that his Chief Engineer was becoming an insomniac. As he entered sickbay he saw that Doctor Phlox was on duty.
"Hey Doc, what are you doin here so late?" he asked
"Oh, Mr. Tucker, nice to see you." he responded jovially "I was just catching up on some fascinating medical reports on the Medusan physiognomy. They are a truly remarkable species. Did you know that they reproduce much the way a giant gas nebula forms whole galaxies?"
"Uh...no...no I didn't" Trip responded
"Absolutely fascinating." he said
"Yeah, well it sounds like it Doc, but I was wonderin if ya could tear yourself away for a minute and help me with a problem I'm havin." He said
"Certainly, that' what I'm here for." the Doctor replied as he turned off his consol "What seems to be the trouble?"
"Well doc, for the last few days I haven't been sleeping well." he explained.
"Oh, I see." he responded "Yes, that is serious."
"I was hoping you could give something for it." Trip said.
"Well, I can give you a sedative that will help you sleep." the Doctor told him.
"Great Doc." replied Tucker with a false sense of enthusiasm.
"However, I am concerned about the condition that is causing the symptom." said the Doctor "I'd like you to report back here in the morning for a full physical exam and tests...unless of course you would like to talk about what's bothering you."
Tucker looked up in disbelief. Was he that telling? He did have a lot on his mind and knew full well it was the source of his restless nights. Maybe talking to the Doc would help. There was no one else he felt comfortable talking with. Not even John.
It's kinda personal Doc." said the Engineer
"I assure you that everything said will be kept in the strictest of confidence Mr. Tucker." said the Doctor assuringly
Trip looked at the Doctor for a few moments and then began to speak. "It's T'Pol, Doc...my problem is with T'Pol." He said in an almost confessing manner.
"I'm listening." the Doctor told him.
"It was a few days ago, when we stayed on Ventax Prime while Enterprise headed to the Medusan home world." He began.
The Doctor simply nodded.
"T'Pol had been acting a little odd for a few days. She seemed on edge. Bein short with crew members and the like. Well, we weren't gettin along to well down on the planet. She seemed to be getting edgier and we actually started arguing several times. By the time we finished minin the kovolite the situation had gotten worse. We started arguing and....well...sayin things we didn't mean." He told the Doctor . Pausing for a moment he continued. "Things turned physical. I got in her way and she through me to the ground and ended up fallin with me. I was dazed, but when I looked up she was standin over me. Before I could do anything she.she kissed me."
Tucker paused letting the Doctor digest this bit of information.
"Go on." The Doctor said simply.
"Well, when she broke the kiss I asked her what was going on. She told me she was going through something called Pon Farr. A Vulcan mating ritual. But she wasn't bonded so she had to find a suitable substitute to mate with."
"So she chose you, Commander?" the Doctor asked.
Trip shook his head
"And did you....mate, Commander." the doctor asked.
"Yeah...I couldn't just let her die." he said defensively.
"I understand Commander. I'm fully aware of Vulcan mating rituals and the serious life threatening implications they involve. What you were told was very accurate."
"I've been with plenty of women Doc, but I've never had one inside my head." He told him. "We shared each others thoughts. I knew everything about her, including how she felt about me. I also learned something about myself." He said and paused for a moment. "That maybe I was motivated by more than sympathy for T'Pol. That maybe I got feelins for her that I haven't come to terms with."
"But your problem lies deeper than your coming to terms with how you feel towards our first officer?" the doctor asked in an attempt to get the Commander to go to the root of the problem.
"Yeah...Yeah they do." he responded "She won't talk to me. What little she will say is complete denial that she's got feelins for me."
"I see." said the doctor as he thought about what the commander had told him. "Commander, I do not wish to add to your troubles, but are you quite certain she shares your feelings. After all, she is not human." He asked.
"Doc...if you asked me back on Ventax Prime I would have no trouble answerin, but now...I'm not so sure. I felt her thoughts inside of me and I might not understand how we shared thoughts, but I do know what love is. Even if I hadn't shared her thoughts, she told me that she was in love me...more or less...as Vulcans go." He explained
"I see." said the Doctor "but now she refutes those statements?"
"Yeah, she says I'm suffering from a hormonal imbalance and it'll pass." Said Trip.
"Commander, my advice to you is to wait. If Sub Commander T'Pol does not wish to speak with you then trying to force the issue will avail you nothing."
"But.." he began before the Doctor raised his hand.
"Give it time Commander. I'm certain things will work themselves out." He told him " In the meantime I will prescribe something that will help you sleep."
"Ok Doc, I'll try. I guess your right and there really isn't anything I can do." He admitted.
"Here " he said handing Tucker two small blue capsules "take these when you return to your quarters. Come back tomorrow and let me know if they work adequately."
"thanks Doc." He said as he left the sickbay.
The Doctor looked on as the man left. He had a worried look on his face. The Commander looked much worse than he was letting on and the Doctor had his suspicions of what he was hiding.
Something would have to be done.
The Doctor buzzed the door outside the quarters of the ships first officer. He was greeted almost instantly by the door opening.
"Am I disturbing you?" the Doctor asked.
"No, I have just returned from bridge duty. May I be of assistance Doctor." Said T'Pol
"Yes, as a matter of fact I need you to speak to a crewman." replied the doctor. "I believe as first officer you are responsible for the operation of the ship and crew conduct."
"That is correct Doctor, what is the nature of the problem?" she asked
"The crewman in question has become listless and morose. He has not slept well in a number of days and it is beginning to effect his performance. If he continues on the current road he may become a danger to himself and the crew. Unfortunately there is nothing medically wrong with him so it is outside my pervue to treat him. I felt that I should inform the first officer and request you speak with the crewman." Explained the Doctor.
"My experience in this area is limited, but you were wise to bring this to my attention. If this crewmember poses a risk to either himself or the ship then he must be dealt with. I will do what I can. What is the crewman's name." She asked
"Commander Tucker" the doctor said.
T'Pol looked at the Doctor for a moment. She had just been...what was that earth phrase...oh yes..."suckered".
"Has Commander Tucker spoken to you about what is bothering him?" she asked.
"Yes he has." he replied.
"I find your attempt to resolve the problem between the Commander and myself to be highly questionable." Said T'Pol with a hint of animosity.
"Surely your mistaken Sub commander, I am merely reporting a crewman who is not operating within the ship mental fitness guidelines. That is the responsibility of the ship's first officer. You are the first officer aren't you?" he asked her.
"I do not see how my speaking to the Commander would improve his condition." she stated
"You might try explaining your reasoning to me." Said the Doctor
"It is a personal matter." she responded.
"Sub commander, I have already been made aware of the intimate details of this case. There is nothing, beyond your own version, that you can tell me of which I do not already know...and of course, like commander Tucker what you say will be held in strictest confidence." Said the Doctor.
"As strict as the confidence you held for Commander Tucker when you came to see me?" she retorted.
"Cards on the table Sub commander. I came to you because I can do nothing for the man. What he suffers from, medical science cannot cure." Said the Doctor.
"Neither can I doctor." T'Pol said with a waver in her voice.
"You can't or you won't." he responded "Do not try to pretend you are something you are not Sub Commander. Vulcans may bury their emotions behind layers of logic and mental discipline, but they have feelings just the same."
"That may be true, but it does not mean I share the Commander's...passions." she said.
"You mind melded with him." he said simply. "A mind meld is a very personal and vulnerable undertaking for a Vulcan. You share your thoughts with the other person. There is no hiding of thoughts. The Commander said he sensed that you were in love with him. He said you confirmed as much after you melded."
"Once more Doctor, I must state that Commander Tucker is under an absurd delusion and he has apparently convinced you to share in this delusion." She stated.
"Oh I am sorry Sub Commander. I had hoped that perhaps the Commander was correct and you did share the same feelings for him that he apparently has for you. I can see that I was very much mistaken. You will accept my apologies, I hope. I will simply have to speak to the Captain...have Commander Tucker removed as Chief Engineer...at least temporally."
T'Pol looked at the Doctor "I do not believe that will be necessary."
"No...I believe it is very necessary. He is becoming a danger to himself and this ship. He needs some time with people who can assist him with these thoughts that are plaguing him. This ship cannot afford to have one of its senior officers so incapacitated." Said the Doctor.
"Surely.there is something you can do to alleviate the problem." Suggested T'Pol.
"I'm afraid not. The Commander is no doubt unbalanced and requires more in-depth therapy than I can give onboard the Enterprise." He said.
"He...He will object to that. Serving on this ship is the culmination of much time and effort on his part. Attaining the position of Chief Engineer was important to him." She said.
"I'm sure it was, but right now his mental welfare is of priority. Thank you Sub commander. You have been most helpful in this case . I won't take up any more of your time." He said as he turned and made his way for the door.
She couldn't let him leave. He would have Archer relieve Trip of duty. He would be a broken man. She had to act. This was not supposed to happen. None of it was.
"Doctor...wait." she said with more emotion than even she thought she had.
"Yes." he said turning back to her.
"It will not be necessary to relieve Commander Tucker of his duties."
"I'm not sure I can do that. The Commander needs help." He stated.
"Doctor...."she began.
"Is there something you wanted to say." Asked the Doctor.
She considered her options for the moment. Logic suggested that she continue on her current course. To deviate now would risk future peril. Logic be damned!
"I do love him." She said.
"I know. " said the Doctor.
"Explain" she asked with a puzzled look on her face.
"Sub commander, I have spent most of my life treating species from dozens of planets. Among those many species I have encountered a fair number of Vulcans. I am very well aware of your people's physiology, psychology and customs. "
"That does not explain how you knew I had feelings for Commander Tucker." She stated.
"Indirectly, it does. When Commander Tucker confided in me I decided that I would accept his statements as true. At the very least he had all the symptoms of an extra-species mind meld...insomnia...sporadic and uncontrollable thoughts as well as intense emotional state. If the meld took place then what he was saying was very likely true since a mind meld is the method in which Vulcans bare themselves with complete honesty. If you had feelings for Commander Tucker and were denying them.and him.you would not very well confide in me. " he explained.
"So you chose to put me in a position where I had no other choice than to tell you. Logical...if intrusive." She said.
"My apologies, but my diagnosis of Commander Tucker still stands. I may have exaggerated how far along he is, but I do know that if something is not done he will suffer a complete breakdown. " he stated.
"I understand and I will speak with him." She told him.
"Sub commander...T'Pol...may I ask...why are you trying so hard not to acknowledge how you feel about him. " he asked her.
"I...I do not wish to see him hurt." She said
"Well, your certainly going about it the right way." He said.
She looked at him hard.
"Sorry" he said regretting his last statement.
"No.you are correct. My intentions were in his best interests but they have caused him the suffering I had hoped to avoid." She said with regret.
"But why?" he asked not quite understanding.
"I am a Vulcan doctor. My people do not express emotions. What could I offer a human who needs someone who can reciprocate his feelings. " she said.
"That is not something I can answer with any certainty T'Pol. Love...be it human, Klingon...Vulcan or any of the dozens of known species is a complex interaction between individuals." He explained " One thing I do know is that you will never have an answer unless you try. You may very well be right. Relationships between Vulcans and emotionally charged species can be precarious. However, I have seen them work to the satisfaction of both individuals. If you want something badly enough you will find a way to make it work. Your people may not show there emotions, but they do have them and your regard for Commander Tucker's welfare is a clear demonstration of that and how you feel toward him."
She looked at him thoughtfully before replying.
"I shall consider it. Thank you Doctor. "
"Your welcome." He said as he exited her quarters.
The door chimed.
"Who the hell could that be at this hour." Trip muttered.
He made his way to the door, opening it.
"May I come in Commander?" said T'Pol
"I don't know...I might offend you with my hormonal imbalance." he said as he turned around heading back into his quarters. "Yeah, come on in."
"I have spoken with the Doctor. He has informed of your ...condition." she said
"Son of a bitch....great...so now what."
"Do not be angry at the Doctor. He was merely acting in your best interests." She assured him.
"How, by talkin about my private life behind my back." He said hotly.
"No.by making me realize how wrong I was." She said
"What?" he asked.
"I....I have deceived you Trip." She confessed
"Now we're back to Trip?" he asked.
She paused for a brief moment. She owed this man many apologies. She knew what his heart needed.
"I....I love you." She said "You were right and I was..."
She stopped feeling uncertain as she moved closer and closer to her emotional side.
"You were what?" he asked.
"I was trying to prevent you from being unduly hurt. I had thought that if I distanced myself from you then your feelings would diminish and so would your interest in me." She said
"But why?" he asked
"I am Vulcan. You are human. What kind of lover would I be for you? I would not even know how to reciprocate your feelings" she said as she held back her tears and her dignity.
"So that's what all this was about. You didn't want hurt me?" he said his voice turning softer. "Oh Darlin, there aren't any guarantees in a relationship. You take your chances and hope for the best."
"That sounds like a highly illogical method for choosing a mate." She responded.
"So is armed combat to the death." He said with a rue smile "Look, we have a saying on earth. 'it's better to have loved once than to have never loved at all.' If two people want it bad enough they will find a way to make it work. The question is, how bad do ya want it?"
The Vulcan considered his words for a moment. She raised her eyes to his and looked at him hard. Tucker wasn't certain what her answer would be, but he never expected what came.
The Vulcan grabbed the front of the engineer's shirt and pulled him close pressing her lips to his in a mad lustful kiss. They fell to the bed together only breaking their passion long enough to remove each other's clothing. Trip ran his hand over her body, seeking the special places, the secrets ones he knew from experience would illicit moans of pleasure from even the Vulcan.
She responded in kind by running her nails along his back as she nibbled at his ear eliciting equal reactions.
He slipped his fingers between her legs, and lowered his mouth to her breasts. Teasing her nipples and the small, hard tip under his thumb until she writhed and gasped with in ecstacy. He brushed his lips over her belly, exploring the contours of her body with his kisses. As she stifled a moan by biting her lips he pressing her legs apart with his hand. He kissed her between them. God, he could feel the heat of her. She was ready...willing and she would not wait! He leaned down flicking his tongue over her. T'Pol gasped with pleasure as he sucked at her the hard nub of her clitoris. Consciousness began to blur for both of them. The heat of there passion as they both intertwined in each others bodies. Once more their minds began to merge as one. She groaned, her body quivering as she neared climax. She could feel him in her mind. She had missed him so much. His tender touch. Then she cried out sharply, cumming with an explosive scream that tore from her Vulcan lips. Trip Tucker held onto her not letting her out of his arms as she road to waves of pleasure. Suddenly his own will power gave way and he to begain to ride the wave orgasmic pleasure. The two were one once again..
After a number of times making love both were claimed by the exhaustion of intense pleasure. They both collapsed in each others arms, but did not sleep. After a while, Trip stirred and kissed T'Pol.
"I love you T'Pol." He said
"I know." She said with a small smile " And I you."
He kissed her once more before getting up.
"Where are you going." she asked him.
"I'll just be a few minutes." He said as he began to dress "I have.someone to see."
She understood. Why shouldn't she. They were one again. They knew each others hearts and knew that the other loved them will all of theirs.
Trip Tucker made his way down the corridor. He hoped the man he wanted to see was still there. As he entered the sickbay he looked for the Doctor. He did not see him there. He must have gone to his quarters for the night. He turned to leave when a voice called out.
"Commander Tucker, is there a problem?" he asked "Did the pills I gave you not work?"
"No Doc.." he said "I'm sure they'll work fine. I haven't taken them and I don't think I'll have to."
"Really." Said the Doctor in mock surprise " Why not?"
"You know why." He said "thanks Doc. Your really somthin else."
"Then I take it Sub Commander T'Pol has been to see you?" he said with a smile.
"Yeah.she has" he said smiling back. "Things are good between us."
"I'm happy to hear it Commander." He said.
"We owe you Doc." He said.
"None sense, I was merely doing my job." He replied
"Like hell" Tucker retorted "I won't forget what you did for me."
The Doctor beamed a smile at the Chief Engineer.
"Goodnight Mr. Tucker." Said the Doctor smiling.
"Goodnight Doc." Said Tucker as he turned and left.
The Doctor smiled to himself as he turned the lights off to his office.
It had been a long night. He wondered what the new day would bring.
He smiled and made his way down the corridor whistling a quaint human tune he had picked up.
THE END