Regression - Part 4

Regression

by Hoshissis

Disclaimers in Part 1

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Chapter Seven

The next morning, T’Pol walked into sickbay for her usual check up in regards to her Panar Syndrome.

“How is Commander Tucker this morning? Is there any change?” she asked with a hint of concern in her voice. She looked over at the man curled up on the far bio bed.

“I’m afraid there’s no change in his condition,” replied Phlox. “And unless we can find out just what happened, I don’t think I will be able to find a cure any time soon. Has Mr Reed found any new evidence?”

“No,” replied T’Pol sadly. “We have discussed where to go next in the investigation, but with the captain and Mr Reed unable to agree on whether Calla exists and whether she is responsible for Mr Tucker’s predicament, a favourable outcome looks quite hopeless.”

“What about you, T’Pol? Where do you stand?”

“I am with the captain in that I believe she exists because I remember having a conversation with her on more than one occasion,” explained T’Pol. “I can not explain or understand why we are the only two people who remember her or what she has against Mr Tucker to do this to him. I find the whole situation quite…… illogical.”

“Hmmmm….. it’s quite a mystery isn’t it? Anyway at least one good thing seems to be coming out of this.”

“What is good about our chief engineer regressing to a four year old?” asked T’Pol, with a slight raise of her usual eyebrow.

“The captain and Commander Tucker’s friendship seems to be reasserting itself. I must admit I was becoming quite worried about them both.”

“Commander Tucker’s youthful exuberance is quite inescapable and disarming at the moment,” replied T’Pol quietly as she gazed across the room at Trip. Then getting up off the bio bed she turned to Phlox and asked, “Will that be all Doctor?”

“Everything looks fine, T’Pol. I’ll see you again in a few days.”

“Thank you, Doctor.” Turning around with her hands behind her back, she slowly walked up to the bio bed where Trip was lying. She was quite concerned for Commander Tucker since they had become really close friends during their recent mission and she cared for him deeply.

“Hi!” said Trip looking up at this pretty woman with funny ears.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you.”

“Ya didn’t,” replied Trip as he sat up while stifling a yawn. “What’s your name?”

“T’Pol.”

“I’m Trip.”

“I am already aware of that.”

“How?”

“We are already friends.”

“Oh!” replied Trip, stifling another yawn.

“Would you like to join the captain and me in the mess for breakfast?”

“What’s that?”

“It’s where we sit down to eat.”

“Oh…. the dining room, okay then,” smiled Trip as he stood up and held T’Pol’s hand.

Understanding that Trip might need some reassurance during his present condition, T’Pol allowed him to keep hold. She didn’t think that a four year old would understand that Vulcans didn’t like to be touched. “Why don’t you let Doctor Phlox help you get washed while I go and get you something to wear?”

“Okay.”

As T’Pol headed out the door to Trip’s quarters, Trip rubbed his eyes and allowed Phlox to lead him off to the bathroom so he could get ready. Ten minutes later, feeling a lot fresher and cleaner, Trip came back into sickbay where T’Pol helped him dress into some jeans and a t-shirt. Then, holding hands once more, they walked out of sickbay to go get something to eat.

T’Pol noticed that he kept giving her sly glances along the way, like he wanted to ask her something.

“Is there anything wrong?”

Trip shyly shook his head.

“Is there something you would like to ask me?”

“Yes,” replied Trip softly.

“Go ahead, I do not mind.”

“Why are your ears pointy? Did ya hurt yourself?”

“No, I was born like this. I am a Vulcan; it is one of the many differences between my species and yours.”

“Can….. I touch them?”

“Yes, go ahead.”

Trip slowly reached his hand up and softly caressed her earlobes with a wondrous expression on his face. His soft touch sent a shiver down T’Pol’s spine, bringing back memories of their shared intimacy not long ago.

“They feel and look funny…..kinda like Tinkerbell’s.”

“I am not acquainted with that person. Is she Vulcan?”

“Dunno….. Can I make mine like yours?”

“No…… that would be illogical. Yours are nice as they are.”

Trip smiled; this lady was nice. // I like her //

The Mess Hall was still quite empty when they walked through the door and entered the Captain’s Mess.

“What would you like me to order you for breakfast?”

There was no reply. Trip gripped T’Pol’s hand even tighter.

“Would you like some eggs and toast……” asked T’Pol as she felt Trip grab her arm with his free hand and pull himself behind her. She turned around to look at him with a confused look on her face.

“Is everything alright?” asked T’Pol, as she looked at Trip’s frightened face. Looking across at where Trip was staring, she concluded that this was the first time he had realised he was onboard a ship in space and not on a planet.

“You are quite safe….” said T’Pol trying to reassure him, “I know the chief engineer. He is very capable and good at his job so you don’t have to worry about anything breaking.”

It wasn’t working as he was still frozen to the spot, his eyes wide like saucers.

“We are on a ship.”

“Ship…..” replied Trip softly, trying to place the image in his mind so he could understand where he was.

“Yes a ship. We are exploring the stars.” Hopefully if she put it as simplistic as possible, he would be better able to understand.

“Ya mean like a pirate ship?” asked Trip getting a bit more enthusiastic about the idea.

T’Pol didn’t understand what he was referring to, but she still said yes, as it seemed to take away his fear.

“Pirate ship?” queried Captain Archer as he walked into the mess.

“I was explaining to….. Trip….. that he was on a ship when he thus referred to it as a pirate ship.”

“Are you Captain Hook?” asked a very enthusiastic Trip, who had obviously drawn his own conclusions and made five. “Is that why you brought me here, to show me Peter Pan and Never Never Land?”

“Why do you think that, Trip?”

“Second star to the right, then straight on ‘til morning,” smiled Trip pointing to the stars outside.

“Damn T’Pol, he’s just too clever for us. I told you he would figure it out before too long,” winked Captain Archer, joining in. If Trip was happy thinking this, then he was happy to play along.

Trip cautiously walked up to the window and peeped through, trying to get a closer look at the vast array of stars outside. Tentatively he brought his finger up to touch the glass.

“Don’t touch that……!” shouted Captain Archer suddenly.

Trip jumped back with an alarmed look on his face, but this soon changed when he realised the captain was only joking. Pretty soon they were both shaking from laughing so hard. T’Pol just raised her usual eyebrow at this as she sat down at the table. She couldn’t understand what was so funny, but it didn’t matter – it was good to see them both looking happy again.

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Chapter Eight

Captain Archer and Sub Commander T’Pol were in his ready room going over some crew reports.

“Phlox to Captain Archer………”

“Archer…….What can I do for you, Doc?”

“Can you come down to sickbay Captain? I’m afraid Commander Tucker has had a slight accident.”

Captain Archer and T’Pol both jumped up with looks of concern on their faces.

“We’ll be right there, Doc…” replied Archer as they practically fell over themselves going through the door. Both of them had been spending a lot of time with Trip over the past few days and despite previous concerns about forming attachments, it was becoming apparent they cared for him a great deal. Whether this was Commander Tucker from before or Trip as he was now, these past few days had showed them how much they had missed his friendship.

They both raced into sickbay together and saw Trip sitting on the nearest bio bed with a bad cut on his forehead and nursing his arm, with a very worried Travis standing next to him.

“What happened?” asked Captain Archer, as Trip looked at him with tears in his eyes.

“I’m really sorry, Captain,” answered Travis, “I didn’t think there would be anything wrong, and it’s not like he hasn’t done it before…..”

“Why don’t you start from the beginning, Ensign,” replied T’Pol, trying to defuse the tense situation.

“I had some spare time before my shift, so I took Commander Tucker to the sweet spot to have some fun. He had been telling Doctor Phlox that the captain was really Captain Hook and that he was taking him to Never Never Land to see Peter Pan. Commander Tucker said that he was really looking forward to this because he had always wondered what it was like to fly. That’s what gave me the idea of the sweet spot.”

“A logical conclusion, Ensign.”

“He must have had a great time,” said Travis continuing on with the story, “Because he was so giddy on the way back that he slipped on the last six rungs and fell off the ladder. I tried to catch him but he fell at an odd angle. I’m really sorry, Captain, I just wanted him to have a good time. I didn’t mean for him to get hurt.”

“Don’t worry Ensign, it’s not your fault – it was an accident. Don’t beat yourself up about it. Why don’t you go back to the bridge with T’Pol, since your shift starts in ten minutes? I’ll stay with Trip.”

“Thanks, Captain….. Would you apologise again for me to Commander Tucker?”

“I’m sure he understands, Ensign,” said Captain Archer, “T’Pol, we’ll catch up on those reports some other time.”

“Yes, Captain,” replied T’Pol, then before turning to walk out of sickbay with Travis, “Call me if Trip needs anything.”

Captain Archer nodded his head and smiled. It was just like Trip, he thought. You just couldn’t help liking the guy. Somehow he always managed to draw you in.

“So….. how are you?” asked Captain Archer, as he turned to Trip and placed a caring hand on his shoulder.

“It hurts…..” replied Trip, looking up with tear filled baby blues.

“Don’t worry,” reassured Phlox in a gentle voice. “It’ll be as right as rain in a moment.” He eased Trip’s arm into a sling and pressed a hypo spray with painkiller into his neck. “I think it would be best if he had a rest. He’s had a lot of excitement for one day.”

“Can I stay with you?” pleaded Trip as he looked at Captain Archer. Doctor Phlox was a nice man, but being with the captain was so much fun.

“I don’t mind, Doc. I promise that he won’t get too giddy – we’ll find something to do that’s nice and relaxing.”

“Okay, but nothing too strenuous or exciting – his arm will still be sore for a while and he could get a headache.”

“Scout’s honour, Doc,” promised Archer as he took hold of Trip’s hand and walked out of sickbay.

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“Hmmm……. nothing too strenuous,” pondered Captain Archer when they were back inside his quarters. “Can you think of anything Trip?”

“Will ya tell me about all your pirate adventures?”

“Sure,” smiled Archer, “but only if you come and sit down next to me on the couch and rest.” He patted the cushion as Trip settled himself down next to him. Archer pulled a blanket over his curled up form so he would be nice and comfy. Before too long they were also joined by Porthos, who jumped up to settle himself on Trip’s lap.

“How are the arm and your head?”

“Okay. Can I ask you a question before ya tell me about ya adventures?”

“Sure, what would you like to know?”

“I thought you and Peter Pan were enemies.”

“We were but we decided to become friends and work together.”

“Where is he?”

“He’s back on Never Never Land taking care of the mermaids, Indians and the lost boys, but he let me take Tinkerbelle along as a guide and to help.”

“Wow! Ya mean that’s really The Tinkerbelle?”

Captain Archer nodded his head and smiled, “Don’t let anyone know though. She wants to keep it a secret from the crew, so she goes by the name of T’Pol.”

“I won’t tell, I promise,” replied Trip, “I’m the best at keeping secrets.”

“That’s a good boy,” smiled Captain Archer as he ruffled Trip’s hair once more. “Where were we…… hmmmmmm I was going to tell you about my adventures? Well I’ll tell you about the time I was……”

Two hours later Trip was fast asleep on the couch with his head resting comfortably on Archer’s shoulder.

“Phlox to Captain Archer……..”

Captain Archer very gently eased Trip’s head off his shoulder and onto a pillow. Tucking the blanket around him, he carefully stood up and crept over to the comm. unit.

“Archer….”, whispered the captain quietly.

“I’m sorry to disturb your fun, Captain, but it is time that I got Commander Tucker ready for bed.”

“He’s actually asleep at the moment, Phlox. Why don’t you leave him here for the night? He looks so peaceful I don’t want to disturb him.”

“If you’re sure you’ll be okay, Captain?”

“Me and Trip will be fine, Doc. I’ll send him over to see you right after breakfast.”

“Goodnight, Captain. Call me if you need anything.”

“I will, night Phlox.”

Pretty soon though this ‘one night’ turned into a regular occurrence as Trip pretty much moved in.

TBC

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A handful of people have made comments

Oh how sweet the scene in sickbay was. The interaction between Trip and his fellow crewmembers is heartwarming.

Tinkerbell!!!! lol gr8 1

just curious, what exactly happened to Trip's arm, he break it or summet?

Gr8 chapter, I was kinda right, Archer's becoming friends with Trip again and he boyish charms r getting T'pol, :D

Thanks for the comments eveyone

Yes, Neo Getz - he broke his arm when he fell.

The next chapter we will see some Hoshi interaction and in chapter ten, there will be some Malcolm interaction.

yey, Malcolm with a kid......

this story is really ;)!