Title: THE TIES THAT BIND
Author: T'Lin ( LinkyS@aol.com )
Series: ENT
Codes: A/T, A, Soval, au
Rating: PG-13
Parts: 2 (1/2)
Summary: Archer and T'Pol, while on a 'first contact' mission, find themselves at the mercy of a hostile alien race. While Tucker and the rest of the crew try diplomacy to win their release, the Vulcan High Command has other plans. The confrontation between Archer and Soval, who led the rescue mission, becomes personal when T'Pol is injured by 'friendly fire'.
Author's Note: This story takes place sometime during the later part of the first season, in a slightly alternate universe.
Disclaimer: The TREK Universe belongs to Paramount/Viacom. I just play in it from time to time. Although the characters are not mine, this original piece of fanfiction is the brainchild of T'Lin, © 13 October 2003; inspired by a 'conversation' on AOL's ST Forum.
Archiving: ASC* and my own web page -- http://www.geocities.com/tlin_s/ --
all others, please ask first.

*******

THE TIES THAT BIND
by T'Lin -- 0310.13



"Ship's Log - Commander Tucker reporting:

"At the request of the Trak'lan'na -- whom we encountered two days ago, when we answered a distress call -- Captain Archer and Subcommander T'Pol have taken a shuttlepod to the capitol city of Trak'l to attend a 'Banquet of Thanks'. Apparently, the son of the Prime Minister was one of the passengers on the ship we rescued. As the Captain says, courtesy dictates that we accept their invitation.

"Although I fully agree that these 'first contact' encounters are what we're out here for, and we're the closest thing to 'diplomats' you're gonna find, there's *somethin* about this trip that makes me uneasy. I said as much to the Cap'n during our briefing, but I couldn't put my finger on what was botherin' me.

"I hope it is just my reluctance to be in command for an extended time that is at work here. After all, the last few times I was left in command, something went wrong ... I might just be getting' a bit paranoid about it.

"On a more positive note, if things go well tonight at the banquet, the Cap'n is planning on asking if we can stay in orbit for a few days, and take a bit of well deserved R&R. Trak'l is not the pleasure planet that Risa is, but I doubt many of us will mind. What it lacks in 'sophistication' it more than makes up for in beauty ... its parklands and beaches should provide us with all we need to get out and enjoy the fresh air."

Tucker switched off the recorder. He had been silent for only a few seconds when Hoshi said, "Commander, the shuttle just reported in that all systems are go."

"Malcolm," Tucker said, as he turned to face the tactical officer, "open the shuttle bay doors, and launch shuttle."

"Shuttle launched, Commander. They have cleared the ship, and are on course to Trak'l." Reed's eyes never left his tactical display, as he reported the shuttle's condition.

"Hoshi, give me a channel to the shuttle," Tucker ordered, and at her nod, he said, "Cap'n, safe journey ... and I hope you have good news for us when you return."

"I hope so, too ... we could all do with a walk on the beach."  Tucker could hear the smile in Archer's voice ... and tried to visualize the look that T'Pol was probably giving him. He smiled himself. "I'll give you a call when were about to leave ... take care of my ship while I'm away."

"Will do, Cap'n. Tucker out."

~<>~<>~<>~<>~<>~

The short trip to the surface was uneventful, but not entirely unenlightening... at least not for Archer. As had become his custom on these shuttle trips, he tried to engage his companion in a little 'personal' conversation -- an extension of his 'breakfast talks' -- a means of getting to know one another a little better. He had gotten to know his senior staff quite well this way, but there was something about T'Pol that still eluded him.

She had been opening up to him quite a bit ... until the incident at P'Jem. Since then, their relationship had been awkward ... almost as difficult as in the beginning. When he had asked her about her feelings over what happened at P'Jem, she had looked at him with a blank expression, and stated flatly that she had no feelings, one way or another ... but Archer could tell she was holding back. He could see it in her eyes.

But he hadn't pressed her on the issue. It was enough that he had convinced her to remain aboard, and not let the Vulcan High Command recall her to Vulcan for reassignment. However, in the ensuing weeks, he began to wonder if her 'distance' was due to this decision. Would she have been happier if she had left the ship?

Unfortunately, the time never seemed right to ask her about it ... until now. This shuttle trip would take no more than 30 minutes, but he planned on making the most of that time. A direct approach was the only way, of course, given T'Pol's temperament, not to mention the limited time he had to work with.

"You have to stop beating yourself up over P'Jem, T'Pol," he said by way of opening the conversation.

She looked at him with a raised brow, asking, "And what makes you think I am 'beating myself up' over P'Jem?" Her tone implied that she did not agree with his assessment, but was nonetheless curious as to how he came to his conclusion.

"Well, you've been moody and distant ever since Soval tried to recall you to Vulcan over the destruction of P'Jem," Archer noticed the slight flinch at the mention of the Vulcan Ambassador, and pressed the issue, "if it's not guilt over your part in it ..."

"I assure you, I am not 'feeling' anything over it," T'Pol said, slightly exasperated sounding to Archer, but he let it pass. This was not the time to point out her somewhat overemotional response to the conversation, as she continued, "I have meditated on the situation, and resolved any conflicting emotions that may have been present in my mind. Kaiidth -- what is, is. There is nothing I, or anyone can do to change what happened."

Archer let her finish what she was saying, then continued as if she hadn't spoken, "If it isn't guilt, the I can only assume it has something to do with what Soval said to you before we resumed our mission."

The look of surprise on her face spoke volumes ... he hadn't been entirely sure if she had actually spoken to Soval or not. Now he knew, although she remained silent.

"Look, T'Pol ... I know you spoke to him privately. If you'd like to talk..."

"There is nothing to talk about, Captain. It was a personal matter." With that, the conversation came to an end, as it was time to land the shuttle.

~<>~<>~<>~<>~<>~

The Trak'lan'na were a generous people. The banquet was sumptuous, containing a wide variety of vegetarian dishes, so that even T'Pol had an ample selection to choose from. Knowing that the Trak'lan'na had conferred with Phlox over dietary needs and such, Archer did not concern himself over the safety of his choices. Trying to convince T'Pol to enjoy the food, however, was nearly a lesson in futility. Eating was something she did only for survival ... she had yet to learn the art of eating for social reasons. Archer made a note to himself to work a bit more on this aspect of her personality.

He was pleased to note, however, that her conversational skills over 'dinner' were improving. At present, she was in conversation with the Prime Minister, his recently rescued son sitting quietly beside him, looking far better than the soot-smeared youth who could barely speak for all the smoke in his lungs when the ENTERPRISE's transporter pulled him, and his three companions, from their burning ship.

All four young men, and their families, were present at the banquet along with several highly placed members of the PM's cabinet ... Archer soon discovered that they were all involved with the department of space exploration. ENTERPRISE was the first ship they had ever encountered from another world… and the fact that there were representatives from three different worlds aboard her gave them hope that they, too, would someday join in the exploration of space.

Archer and T'Pol also learned, in more detail, what had happened to the boys, and why they were in the small ship to begin with. The story was a familiar one to Archer -- four boys, out for a good time, decided to borrow transportation to do so. Unlike his own reckless youth, when he 'borrowed' his dad's car, these boys 'borrowed' an interplanetary shuttle used to transport workers to the mines on the moon -- one, however, that was in need of repair.

Halfway to their destination, the ship malfunctioned. Not wanting to get caught, and thinking they could handle the situation, the boys tried to fix the ship on their own ... by the time they admitted defeat, it was too late for a ship from home to get to them. Had ENTERPRISE not come along when it had, these boys would have died along with their ship.

The conversation shifted to Archer, and his crew. How spaceflight developed on Earth; first contact with the Vulcans; in general, a very rough overview of the journey from unmanned rockets, to the warp-five ship they were currently traveling in. The Trak'lan'na were a good people, and very kind. They were at a similar stage of development as Humans were at the time when Vulcan first made contact, but gave all the appearance of beings who were far more cautious -- through mutual consent, contact between the Trak'lan'na and other worlds would remain minimal, so as to prevent contamination or tampering with their development.

By the end of the evening, Archer and T'Pol were quite pleased with the way things had gone, and arrangements had been made for small groups to return to the uninhabited areas of the planet the next day for a few hours of R&R. It had been a very successful first contact. It would be interesting to return here in fifty or a hundred years, and see how they were progressing.

~<>~<>~<>~<>~<>~

"Unlike Humans," T'Pol said, once they had returned to the shuttle, "they will not need the supervision of a more advanced race to prevent them from moving too quickly into areas they do not fully understand."

"Do you really believe that," Archer replied, bristling slightly at the remark, then continuing, "or are you just saying that because you know how much it bothers me?"

"I do not know," she admitted, then added, "at one time, I believed it to be true ... and there are days when your actions support that sentiment," she smiled ever so slightly as she noticed his frown increase, "but I do believe you re growing in wisdom and judgment."

Her humor was subtle, and it had taken Jonathan Archer quite some time to recognize it, but there was something in her eyes -- an 'almost-smile' that touched them when she was enjoying herself. He saw it now, and smiled himself. This was more like it ... the T'Pol of the past few weeks had not joked with him, and he had missed it.  He was almost tempted to kiss her, but knew that *that* would be a big mistake. Instead, he turned and said, "Thanks for the compliment... I think."

The light banter between them stopped as they went through the pre-launch check of all systems. Once completed, Archer contacted the ship, letting them know that they were on their way.

~<>~<>~<>~<>~<>~

Much to Archer's surprise, T'Pol was the one to initiate their dialogue on the way back to the ship, resuming their previous conversation as if there had not been a three hour long break. "In my last conversation with Soval, he felt the need to remind me of my duty," until this point, T'Pol had not been looking at Archer, but now, she turned so that they had eye contact, as she continued, "not to the High Command, but to my family."

Cautiously, Archer asked, "And what duty ...?" but his question was interrupted by the sound of an alarm bell, drawing his attention immediately back to the control panel.

"Incoming weapon fire ... some sort of energy weapon," T'Pol reported, as she scanned the immediate area. Without hesitation, Archer altered their course, trying to evade the blast. The shuttle was responsive, but not enough ... they started to spin, as the leading edge of the blast caught their tail; energy crackled from every panel, shorting them out.

Spinning and disoriented, Archer fought to get the unresponsive shuttle under control ... the sight of the Trak'l'ien moon looming larger with each rotation of the small craft. But the spinning slowed, then stopped, as Archer gained manual control of the maneuvering thrusters. Once the shuttle was stabilized, he took a moment to assess their situation ... and saw T'Pol lying on the floor, unconscious, the slight movement of her chest the only indication that she was alive.

He wanted to go to her, but their situation was too precarious ... the shuttle was nearly dead; all of her panels unresponsive, including communications. Their only hope was to land on the moon, and wait for rescue.  After all, Trip saw what happened ... standard operating procedure would have meant that Reed would have been tracking their progress from the moment they left the planet. Another shuttle would be launching any moment now ... the sooner he landed this craft, the sooner they would be rescued.

Landing, however, would not be an easy task without proximity sensors. Carefully slowing their decent, he watched through the forward viewport, looking for a place to set down. As the moon grew in his vision, he spotted lights on the horizon, and remembered that there was a mining colony here. The shuttle was heading directly toward the lights -- the most likely place to land, but also the most likely origin of the weapon fire that crippled them.

Suddenly, he wondered if the story given them by the boys had been entirely true ... had their ship suffered from mechanical difficulties, or had they, too, been shot at ... and if so, why? Archer contemplated his options, realizing that there were few; he wanted to discover why they had been shot at, but that would have to come later. For now, he had to think of their survival.

With his limited control, Archer veered away from the lights of the mining colony, and searched for another landing site. As he brought the shuttle in for a rather bumpy landing, T'Pol stirred. He couldn't see her, as he concentrated on bringing the shuttle to a complete stop, but the sharp gasp of pain that she was unable to control told him that she needed medical attention. He just hoped that Trip and Malcolm found them before the ones who shot them down did.

~<>~<>~<>~<>~<>~

"I've just detected an energy burst from the moon, sir," Malcolm said, as he continued to scan the area, then he added in a louder voice, "and it's directed toward the shuttle. It looks as if the shuttle has been hit, Commander... it is out of control and heading toward to moon."

"Are we within grappler range?" Trip asked, as he turned to face the tactical officer.

"No, sir ... and there's not enough time to calibrate the transporters, either," Malcolm said, anticipating Tucker's next question. He continued to scan the shuttle, hoping against hope that it would regain control of its spin, and when it did, he reported, "It looks as if the Captain has regained control of the shuttle ... it is descending toward the moon." Malcolm quickly secured his station, and stood, asking, "Permission to launch Shuttlepod Two?"

"Yes ... and take Phlox with you," Tucker said, just as Hoshi announced that they had an incoming call from the moon. He looked at Malcolm, who paused, wanting to hear the transmission as well. "Put it through, Ensign," Tucker said, as he resumed the captain's seat.

"We have your officers," the unidentified Trak'l on the screen said without preamble. He went on, "If you wish to see them again, you will provide us with the means of avenging ourselves."

"Are they alive ... unhurt? May I speak to them?" Tucker asked as he looked at Malcolm trying to think.

"They are alive. One was injured slightly, but she will live." There was a slight pause as he looked away, then he went on, "We have your ship in our sensors ... if we detect a shuttle launch, the female dies."

"Understood," Tucker said, seeing that Malcolm had returned to his station, where he was obviously looking for options. Undoubtedly, there was something going on here that they had been entirely unaware of. He needed to buy time, so that Malcolm could organize a rescue plan.

Negotiation was not an option, but there was no reason to let these people know that. Talking would at least give them time to come up with something else. "What are your demands?" he asked, as all eyes focused on him. Obviously, everyone on the bridge thought he had lost his mind, but thankfully they held their tongues while the Trak'l gave his list of demands.

When at last the list of weapons and other supplies was given, Tucker said, "It will take some time to prepare the items you asked for," he looked toward Malcolm, silently asking for a time estimate for his rescue plan. Malcolm had figured out what Trip was up to, and signaled that he would need an hour to implement his plan. Trip nodded, then turned back to the viewscreen, saying, "We can have everything ready in two hours. How will we get the supplies to you?"

"You have one hour ... load everything into a shuttle. We will talk once everything is in place." with that, the connection was broken.

There was a general murmur of voices expressing various degrees of shock and dismay at Tucker's actions, but he ignored them all as he turned to Malcolm, asking, "Can we use the transporter to rescue them?"

"I'm not sure, sir. There appears to be some kind of interference in the atmosphere of the moon that I am having difficulty scanning through. I've found where the shuttlepod landed, but I have been unable to pinpoint the location of the Captain or T'Pol."

There was a pause, as he continued to scan the area, after a second of silence, Hoshi said, "Commander, I was able to trace that transmission to its source... I would say that the Captain and T'Pol were not currently in the same place, unless they were able to transport them a great distance in a matter of minutes." She sent the coordinates of the transmission to Reed's station, where he superimposed them on his map -- red blinking lights indicated the shuttle; blue lights flashed for the transmission. Several miles separated the two. Malcolm concentrated his scans on that expanse, hoping that the Captain and First Officer's life signs would be found along that path.

There was no need of pretending to gather the items asked for ... they would never be given. Instead, Trip helped Malcolm prepare the transporter, while Hoshi and Travis continued to look for their missing officers. They had all been so intent on their respective jobs that the Vulcan warship arrived on the perimeter of the system without their notice.

The comm system came to life, startling Hoshi, who quickly answered the hail from the surface of the moon. "What is the meaning of this? If that ship comes any closer, I will kill the hostages," came the Trak'l's petulant voice.

Hoshi looked at her monitor, and saw the identification signal of the Vulcan ship for the first time. Ironically, this proved that the captain's suspicions were correct -- the Vulcans *were* 'keeping an eye on them' -- and that could cost them their lives right now. Opening the channel, she said, "I will inform them of the situation." The connection to the moon was severed as quickly as it had been established. Hoshi then contacted the Vulcan ship, quickly informing them of the situation, and what they were currently doing about it.

The patronizing reply of the Vulcan Commander made her angry, yet she held her tongue. The lives of the Captain and T'Pol were at stake, and the Vulcans had found them with their more sensitive sensors. At least they halted their approach when she asked them to. Undoubtedly, their superior transporters could have locked onto them once they were within range, but Hoshi had no doubt in her mind that the Captain and T'Pol would be long dead before that happened.

She called Commander Tucker to the bridge. Time was running out, and they were no closer to finding a solution ... somehow, they were going to have to convince the Vulcans to help them improve their own transporters, and penetrate the interference.

~<>~<>~<>~<>~<>~

It was a rough landing, but they were down, and in one piece, albeit blind to everything around them. After ascertaining that their communications equipment was indeed dead, Archer went to T'Pol, who had burns on her hands, and a bump on her head. There was not much he could do for her, but keep her safe until rescue came. He sat back against the shuttle's wall, T'Pol cradled in his arms to help her stay warm. Within seconds, she regained consciousness and tried to extricate herself from his embrace.

He smiled, keeping his tone light as he reassured her that Trip and Malcolm would be there soon. He did not wish to alarm her, but he grew more concerned by the minute, as she started to shake from the cold. In an attempt to keep her awake, he asked about the conversation she had had with Soval, but she shook her head, and motioned for silence.

He practically held his breath, listening, hoping against hope that it was a shuttle from the ship that T'Pol had heard. Unfortunately, the sound that steadily grew belonged to some sort of animal, with the voices of Trak'lan'na calling out.

Archer stood, helping T'Pol to do likewise. A quick scan of the shuttle provided them with few means of defense. As they stood there, waiting for the approaching Trak'lan'na to find them, he said quietly to T'Pol, "Remind me to add weapons to the standard supplies aboard these shuttles."

T'Pol did not reply, but stood straighter; no sign of fear present in her countenance. Archer's respect and affection for her increased tenfold ... and he wondered how he had ever considered her unworthy of friendship and trust. At the sound of someone trying to open the hatch, Archer looked away from T'Pol, his own head high and chest out, alert to everything around him.

They were standing to the side of the hatch, not in direct sight of their captors. As the first one entered, Archer lifted his hands to show that they were empty, and stepping forward, said, "We are unarmed, and mean you no harm."

"Good for you," replied the Trak'lan'na, as he raised his weapon to chest height. "We *are* armed, and will harm you if you do not cooperate." He then motioned with his weapon for them to step outside. T'Pol looked to Archer, who nodded. She stepped toward the hatch, Archer behind her.

As they stepped out, they were grabbed by more Trak'lan'na, quickly searched for concealed weapons, then their hands were tied behind their backs. There was a small gasp from T'Pol, as her injured hands were bound, but otherwise, no indication that she was in distress of any kind. Neither one put up a fight... obviously, their captors had no intention of harming them, so there was no need to escape just yet. Besides, there was undoubtedly a rescue attempt already being planned, if he knew Trip like he *thought* he knew Trip. 

After they were tied, Archer and T'Pol were led a short distance away, and put in the back of a cart of sorts, that was drawn by a pair of snarling animals. The ropes binding their hands were tied to the frame of the cart, and more ropes looped around their ankles ... once they were secure, the cart began to move.

Archer was about to speak when T'Pol whispered, "Our captor has just contacted someone, letting them know that we are in custody." She paused, obviously trying to listen in on the conversation, then said, "We are being taken to one of the mines ... our captor will be notified after their demands have been made."

Archer whispered back, "Any indication of why we've been taken, or what their demands are?"

"No, sir ... but I doubt we are going to another banquet." A look passed between them. It was a look of surprise, more than anything, over her use of humor in such a situation ... and his affection for her grew once more.

~<>~<>~<>~<>~<>~

Trip's patience were wearing thin.

Before Enterprise's  mission had begun, he never would have considered Vulcans to be impulsive people. But when it comes to rescue missions, they apparently are. Who would have thought that the peace-loving Vulcans would be the 'shoot-em-up-first-and-ask-questions-later' type. Trip was the first to admit that there were time when that approach works, but not this time ... this time, that approach could get people killed.

He had argued the facts with Commander Sotaz, hoping that the man would see reason, and help them enhance their own transporters in an attempt to rescued T'Pol and the Captain. After all, ENTERPRISE was within range, but Sotaz refused to see reason. And to make matters worse, Ambassador Soval was aboard, spouting his anti-human rhetoric about giving us advanced technology when we weren't capable of understanding it. 

In any case, they were running out of time ... Malcolm, and several of Trip's engineering staff, had been trying everything they could think of to penetrate the interference and lock onto the Captain and T'Pol, but nothing seemed to work.

Trip had finally given up on trying to persuade Sotaz and Soval into helping them and returned to the transporter room. With only fifteen minutes left, he needed to come up with alternatives ... if nothing else, as a means of getting an extension on their deadline. As he discussed possibilities with Malcolm, the comm buzzed, and Hoshi said, "Commander, the Vulcan ship has just jumped into motion ... a sudden burst of speed toward the moon."

"What!?" Trip exclaimed.

But before he could ask anything else, Hoshi continued, "They have looped around the moon, and Trak'l and are once again approaching our position from the rear." There was a slight pause, and she continued, "Sotaz just informed me that the Captain and T'Pol are aboard their ship ... T'Pol has been shot."

Trip and Malcolm exchanged a look, then Trip asked, "Is she dead?" as the ship rocked. "Damn," he said, as he ran toward the lift, to get to the bridge. Malcolm was right on his heals.

~<>~<>~<>~<>~<>~

The weapon fire from the moon of Trak'l did little damage to the ENTERPRISE, but Tucker ordered the ship out of range, nonetheless. He was ready to jump down someone's throat over the reckless behavior of the Vulcans, but his anger was quickly assuaged by the sight of his captain on the viewscreen. "Good to see you, Commander. Please leave orbit of Trak'l, and proceed to the coordinates provided at Warp Two. When we rendezvous, I will return to ENTERPRISE."

"Sure thing, Cap'n. Are you OK? What about T'Pol?" Trip asked, seeing a tension in his old friend's eyes that he had never seen before.

"I'm fine ... T'Pol is in surgery. She may not make it. I'll fill you in when we rendezvous. Archer out." The connection went dead, and in seconds, the Vulcan ship was gone.

"Travis, lay in a course, and proceed to the rendezvous." Trip said, as he sat in the captain's seat, not envying the Vulcans one bit, if T'Pol didn't survive.

~<>~<>~<>~<>~<>~

"I suppose I should thank you for rescuing us," Archer said to Soval, as the two of them waited for word on T'Pol's condition, "but I am curious. Why are you here?"

"I assure you, Captain, it was purely a coincidence," Soval replied, knowing that Archer was under the impression that he was being followed by the Vulcan High Command. That assertion had been true, in the beginning, but no longer ... T'Pol had convinced him that it was no longer necessary. "I was on my way to negotiations in a neighboring system when word of your rescue of the Prime Minister's son was brought to my attention. The negotiations I have been asked to take part in concern protection of the ships in the system, due to a sudden increase in disappearances in the area. I was concerned that my mission, and the rescue of the young boys, were somehow connected ... and when your shuttle was attacked, I ordered Sotaz to change course and offer assistance."

"I see," Archer replied, not entirely convinced by the explanation, but willing to overlook his suspicions for the time being. Before anything more needed to be said, however, the doctor stepped out of the operating room, and spoke to Soval very quietly, in Vulcan.

Soval closed his eyes briefly, then turned to Archer, saying, "T'Pol will live ... but it is too soon to determine if there was any permanent damage done."

"Can I see her?" Archer asked, relieved, but afraid that the woman he was falling in love with would be lost to him forever.

The doctor gave Archer a cold look, then said, "She is resting ... I would not recommend disturbing her."

Soval looked to Archer, and then to the doctor, and said, "I will go with him ... we will only be a moment." The doctor dipped his head in acknowledgment, but said no more.

As Archer stepped into the room, he saw T'Pol lying on the bed ... bandages wrapped around her head. Suddenly, the last moments of their captivity replayed in his mind. They had been sitting in a small cell, with a guard just outside the door. They had been tied back-to-back, and gagged. They had been there for what seemed to be hours, when suddenly, the guard outside yelled out what was undoubtedly a string of profanity, and opened the door to the cell. He stepped into the room with his weapon raised, and said, "We warned them," then fired ... just as a tingling sensation swept over his body.

The sudden action in the transporter room of the Vulcan ship was enough to let him know that T'Pol had been shot, but until this very moment, he had no idea how badly. She had been whisked away from the transporter long before he had been released from his bonds.

He stood, transfixed by her vulnerability. Had he been alone, he would have taken her hand and whispered to her that everything would be OK. But he was not alone ... Soval stood by his side. Archer turned his head, and much to his surprise, caught Soval with his eyes closed once more, as he whispered, "Forgive me." Then his eyes opened, and he motioned for Archer to follow him out of the room.

When they were in the main part of sick bay once more, Archer asked, "Why do you ask her forgiveness?"  

Soval had been looking at the door to T'Pol's room, but turned away at Archer's question. He took a moment to compose himself, before answering, "We had been warned that if we approached the moon, T'Pol would be shot. We had no choice, however."

"What do you mean, you had no choice ... I know my people ... undoubtedly, they were working on a reascue plan that would not have endangered her life." Archer said, starting to loose his temper with Soval. Apparently, just like with the Andorians, the Vulcans decided to take matters into their own hands, the consequences be damned.

"Your people were running out of time, as well as resources ... we could save you, they could not. It was as simple as that." Soval started to walk away, but Archer grabbed him by the arm. "Release me," Soval said in a menacing tone.

Archer continued to hold onto Soval, as he said in a threatening manner, "For your sake, she had better recover from this," then he released his hold, adding, "and once we have returned to ENTERPRISE, I don't want you interfering in her life ever again."

"Captain, if anyone should refrain from interfering in her life, it is you," Soval turned once again to leave, then as the door opened, turned back, adding, "it is within my rights ..."

"Within your rights?" Archer interrupted, "What about her rights? Last I knew, you weren't her commanding officer, and even if you were, you can't dictate her life to her. She's an adult, capable of making her own decisions."

"You are correct that as her commanding officer, I do not have the right to dictate her life choices," Soval said, obviously having difficulty keeping his emotions under control, as he continued, "but as her father, I do. I suggest you look for a new science officer, for she will not be returning to ENTERPRISE ... She will be returning to Vulcan, where she belongs."

Archer was speechless as he watched Soval walk out the door. Suddenly, T'Pol's reluctance to talk about her last conversation with Soval started to take on new meaning. The implications of her defiance to his wishes for her to return home were staggering, to say the least. There were so many questions he needed to ask T'Pol ... he could only hope that he'd get the chance.

Turning once again to the door leading to her, he contemplated going back in there, and holding her hand until she woke ... but the doctor was nearby, giving him a cold stare. He would have to return later, and hope that Soval let him visit with T'Pol.

~<>~<>~<>~<>~<>~

Archer returned to ENTERPRISE with reluctance ... and a feeling deep in the pit of his stomach that he would never see T'Pol again. He had confronted Soval once more, just prior to leaving the Vulcan ship, in an effort to try and see her -- she was now awake, and apparently would fully recover -- but Soval had refused his request. According to Soval, it was T'Pol's decision, but Archer found that hard to believe. It took every ounce of restraint that Archer possessed to keep from slugging the insufferable Vulcan, but Archer knew that his career would be over if he gave in to the impulse. 

Instead, he returned to ENTERPRISE, where he could come up with a plan to get a message to her. The news of her relationship to Soval spread quickly, and prompted Trip to tell Archer about the letter she had gotten from home, regarding her marriage ... and how she had refused to return, as her intended mate had required.

They were talking in Archer's office, when Hoshi interrupted, "Captain, there is an incoming message from the Vulcan ship ... it is not coming from their bridge, and is in Starfleet code."

Archer's face lit up, as he said, "Put it through, Ensign." There was a touch of static, letting him know that the connection was made, and he asked, "T'Pol, is that you?"

"Yes, Captain ... I have patched into the medical lab's communications terminal. I have been trying to get answers to many questions ... including why I am still aboard this ship. After a lengthy ... discussion ... with Soval," she said, with some hesitation in her voice, "I discovered that I was a prisoner here." There was another pause, before she continued, "I was told that you were dead ... and all of my requests to speak with someone on ENTERPRISE, to discover what happened, have been denied."

"I assure you that I am quite alive ... as a matter of fact, I wasn't even injured." Archer could have sworn that he heard a sigh of relief through the comm. "So can I assume that you did not request to return to Vulcan, as your father told me?"

"My fa ... how did you know?" T'Pol asked, surprised.

"He told me, when he said that it was within his rights to dictate the direction your life went in. I told him that you were an adult, and had the right to make your own choices." He smiled, even though she couldn't see him, adding, "As you can probably imagine, we argued about it. But you would be proud of me... I didn't hit him."

There was a hint of her own smile in her words as she said, "At the moment, I would not hold such action against you." Again, there was a slight pause, then she continued, "I don't have much time here ... I've already gotten Hoshi to find my exact coordinates here in the lab. I need you to calibrate your transporter to lock onto me the instant I lower the shields ... they will not remain lowered for more than five seconds, so the timing is crucial."

Archer turned to Trip, asking, "How long will it take?"

"Give me a minute to get there ... we can have it calibrated in 30 seconds after that," Tucker replied, as he stood to leave.

"Very well, I shall lower the shields in exactly two minutes. T'Pol out." There was another click, and the connection was severed. Trip was already on his way ... Archer followed in the next available lift ... if all went according to plan, T'Pol would be in the transporter room when he got there.

 ~<>~<>~<>~<>~<>~

And she was ... weak and bandaged, looking suddenly very small as Trip helped her off of the platform. Archer crossed the room, and placed his arm around her waist as her arm went around his. Together, they left the transporter room, heading toward sickbay.

When they arrived, Phlox helped her to a waiting bed, as Archer answered the comm. It was Hoshi, telling him that Soval was on the line. "Patch it through, Hoshi," he said, having anticipated the call. "What can I do for you, Ambassador?"

"Return T'Pol," was his angry reply.

"I can't do that, Soval," Archer said, as he looked at T'Pol, who was sitting on the bed, following the conversation with interest. "She has asked for asylum here, and I have granted it."

"We will see about that," Soval said, then the connection was broken. A moment later, there was a shimmering in the room, and Soval materialized. He ignored Archer, crossing to T'Pol's side, as he said, "You have defied me once too often, my child. I will not stand for it any longer."

T'Pol stood beside the biobed, as tall and proud as she had looked facing their unknown captors a few short days ago. "I mean no disrespect, sir," she began, and Soval opened his mouth to protest, but she continued, "but you gave up your fatherly rights when you started to demand unethical behavior from me." She hesitated, then turned her attention to Archer, saying, "Did you know that he assigned me to ENTERPRISE with orders to sabotage the mission ... and when he learned that you had been injured, and I not only saved your life, but continued on as you would have done, he *reprimanded* me? He told me afterward that I should have let you die ... everything would be so much easier if you weren't around."

"I had assumed you weren't there to help us ... and I must admit, I was surprise to learn that you didn't turn us back, when you had the chance," Archer said, remembering other times when her actions surprised him.

"You have obviously enchanted her in some way," Soval said, addressing Archer for the first time since he had materialized in sickbay. "You have turned her from her own people, and I will not stand for it any longer."

Soval reached out to take T'Pol by the arm, but Archer was faster ... he grabbed Soval, and spun him around so that they were face to face, his grip on Soval's upper arms like a vice. "Get off my ship, Soval ... right now. And if you try to force T'Pol into doing anything else against her wishes, you'll regret it. Do I make myself clear?"

"You don't frighten me, Archer ... I can have your job in an instant."

"Father ... you will do no such thing," T'Pol said, then added, "or you will find yourself in need of a new position, as well."

Soval relented, realizing that his days of manipulating Admiral Forrest and others in Starfleet may be coming to an end ... all because his only daughter had been brainwashed by a human. He had lost, for now ... but back home, there were others who would help him in his quest to sever all ties to these humans, before it was too late.

He opened his communicator, and called for transport ... and as he dematerialized, T'Pol collapsed. Archer caught her, and lifter her onto the biobed. Phlox quickly checked her vital signs, and determined that she had collapsed from sheer exhaustion. He told her to rest, and suggested that the Captain let her do just that ... but he said, "Just a minute. I promise I won't keep her awake for long."

"Very well," Phlox agreed, then left them alone.

Archer took T'Pol by the hand, and said, "Thank you."

"It is I who should be thanking you," she said, as she gave his hand a slight squeeze, then added, "but you must know, this is not the end. Soval, and those like him, have an agenda, and they must be stopped."

"They will be ... but rest now," Archer said, releasing her hand, and stepping away from the bed. "We can talk about it when you've fully recovered." Her eyes were closed; he stood there, watching her sleep for a minute, contemplating a future with her by his side ... he smiled.

~<>~the end~<>~



>:-]
    T'Lin

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     Round XII coming October 31, 2003!