The Hand of Fate

The Hand of Fate

by

The Watch Stander

Genre:
Rating:

This takes place after First Flight and just before Bounty. It’s a scene that I felt was needed at the beginning of Bounty just before Archer and Trip come back to the ship and I thought I’d write it. Some of you will recognize the dialog at the very end of the story as being part of the beginning scene from the tv episode Bounty. Enjoy!

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The planet below had blue oceans and mountains and promised to seduce the crew of the Enterprise with its Earth like atmosphere and relaxing landscapes. Archer had approved of orbiting it and allowing the crew to take shore leave.

He had already decided to take Trip with him to the planet below, but Porthos sat at his feet eagerly watching as his Master put on a tan colored hiking outfit.

Archer smiled down at the dog, knowing he wanted to go and just run free for a short while.

“I’d take you Porthos, but I really think Trip needs this break more than you do right now. “

The answering whine from the dog brought another smile from Archer as he realized that the animal had been cooped up for almost as long as Trip. The way the dog sensed things made him wonder if dogs knew what their masters were thinking.

Reaching over to his small night table, he pulled out a bag of doggie treats and tossed one down to the dog who’s tail was now beating on the floor in eager anticipation.

“That’s all you’re getting for now.” He tried to sound firm, but added, ” When I come back I’ll bring you some cheese.”

Porthos finished the treat and looked up at Jon once more with sad brown eyes. He knew that tone of voice and getting up trotted over to his bed where he curled up, rested his head on his paws and stared pitifully at Jon.

Archer shook his head.

Why do I feel so guilty, he asked himself as he quickly exited his quarters on his way to meet Trip at the shuttle bay.

********************

Trip smiled when he saw Jon coming down the stairs to the shuttle. He was dressed in the identical tan outfit , the same one they had worn on their fateful visit to the desert planet long ago.

Trip was looking forward to this shore excursion with Jon for Archer needed a break and so did he. It would give them time to talk and spend some time together. Something they hadn’t done in quite a while.

They both got into the shuttle and took seats behind the pilot, who was one of the ensigns that occasionally relieved Travis on the bridge. He was flying the shuttle to get the necessary hours to become full relief to Travis.

Archer approved as everyone needed to become familiar with all operations on the ship. It was a necessary precaution just incase something happened to any of the key officers.

Trip leaned back in his seat as he felt the shuttle drop down from the shuttlebay launch area and head down toward the planet below.

He turned to Archer with a grin on his face, “So, what did you tell Porthos about where we were going?”

Jon looked over at him surprised,

First Porthos, now Trip is reading my mind.

He answered back with a smile, “I told him there’s some cheese in it for him when I get back.”

Trip laughed, “You’ll spoil him, Capt’n. The dog already thinks he’s human!”

“I know, I know, but you didn’t have to look at his pitiful brown eyes begging me to take him along.”

Trip’s smile widened as he shook his head and teased, “You’re a sucker for sad looks!”

Jon continued,“I seem to remember seeing that same look in your eyes the last few times I didn’t take you on an away mission.”

Trip taken back by the remark looked at him quizzically,”What?”

“Never mind, ”Jon added then smiled knowing he’d made his point.

********************

The rest of the trip down was uneventful and the two men chatted about the duty roster and who was covering engineering while Trip was on leave. Once out of the shuttle Jon took in their surroundings and pointed out the small mountainous area nearby.

They decided to hike up the small mountain ridge that seemed to offer a mild challenge to the two ship bound men. Archer took the lead on the narrow trail being careful to watch where he put his feet. For all he knew no living thing had ever stepped on this path.

Trip was just behind him keeping up with Archer’s brisk pace. They had been at it for little more than an hour and already they were halfway to the top of the ridge.

Jon was enjoying himself, the air was fresh and out here there was freedom from responsibility and worry. He was glad he’d come down and was also spending time with Trip ,whom he considered a kid brother as well as best friend. With the death of A.G.Robinson, Archer’s old pal from flight training, he’d come to realize just how precious his few friends were. It meant a lot to him that he had someone he could confide in and enjoy water polo with. Trip had also known A.G and mourned his passing as well.

The sun was bright but not too hot as the two men made their way up the incline. They had both brought extra water and Archer decided it was time for a break as his breath was getting short from the exertion and the thinning atmosphere as they drew closer to the top. He called a halt and sat down taking out his canteen as he did so.

Trip sat on an outcrop and took a long drink from his own canteen. Doing this made him think of the time they had spent on the desert planet where Jon had saved his life. They had run out of water and if it hadn’t been for Jon, Trip would have died of heat stroke. Even when Trip had told Jon to leave him, Jon had refused practically carrying him across the desert. It had cemented their friendship and proved once more that Jon was the best friend he would ever
have.

“I wonder what old A.G would have thought of this planet?” Trip asked softly.

Archer smiled again as he realized how in tune he and Trip were in their thinking. “Funny, I was just thinking about him as well. I’m sure he would have loved it.”

“Yeah, I guess he would at that, “Trip remarked softly. “Funny how fate picks people and makes things happen to them so suddenly. One minute you’re fine, the next you’re gone.”

Trip’s mood seemed to be all right despite his words. It was more of a reflection on life than a sadness that was inspiring his conversation. Jon looked at him carefully and noting this tried to sound more hopeful.

“We’re all just pawns in the game that fate plays. We can’t change it, just have to go along with it and hope we make the right decisions.” Jon truly felt this way.

Trip continued to look straight out at the valley below and continued softly, “There are no right decisions, just choices. Each of us has to choose his own path and hope it will be the correct choice.” He looked back down at his feet as he recapped the water bottle.“ Fate is really in control, it already knows the answer. “

They sat there in companionable silence for a few minutes thinking about all that had happened and enjoying the view. Finally, Archer decided it was time to make it to the top. They could rest there before heading back down.

“Let’s go, we need to get to the top, just so we can say we did it.”

Trip smiled and got to his feet. “Sounds good to me,” his voice once more animated.

As they approached the top Archer quickly stepped on a small ledge then boosted himself up the path to the crest. He was about to declare they’d made it when the sound of crumbling rocks and Trip crying out whipped him around. He saw the younger man’s footing disintegrate from under him and as he started to fall Archer leaped to grab him, flattening himself along the edge of the ledge. He was just barely able to snag one of Trip’s arms and used both of his own hands to hang onto it. The dead weight of the younger man put an overwhelming strain on Jon’s shoulder muscles, but he held on just the same knowing the fate that awaited Trip if he didn’t.

Trip, blue eyes filled with fear, looked up at Jon as he dangled over the edge and tried unsuccessfully to grab hold of anything with his other hand to help relieve the strain so that he wouldn’t slip from Jon’s hold.

Even if it meant getting a better grip on Trip’s arm, Jon wouldn’t take the chance of letting go with one of his hands. He was afraid that if he tried, Trip would slip from his grasp and fate would have one more of his friends as its prize. The valley below seemed to be reaching out for the younger man and Jon stubbornly refused its request.

Perspiration formed on both their faces as Trip suspended in midair continued to try and grab onto the rocks around him and finally he found a place for his feet below the ledge that would support him.

Jon felt the sudden release of the strain on his shoulders, but held on just as tight knowing that Trip might slip and he would loose him if he wasn’t prepared.

Somehow he managed to help Trip climb up and over the edge. Jon was so exhausted that after being sure Trip was safely back on the ledge he sat down beside him and closed his eyes. He could feel himself shaking both inside and out, it had been too close.

Trip lay back on the ledge taking deep gulps of air as he tried to get his heart rate back to normal. He had been terrified and was still dizzy from the adrenaline surge that had helped him survive.

Jon sat with his eyes closed but reached his hand down and rested it on top of Trip’s left shoulder, wanting to reassure himself that Trip was really there and not lying somewhere in the valley below broken and dead.

The younger man recognized the gesture for what it was and still trying to catch his breath and unable to talk, covered Jon’s hand with his own. He let it rest there for no words to express his gratitude seemed to come to mind and his throat was so dry he doubted he could say them if they had.

Finally Jon removed his hand and took out his canteen. He nudged Trip and offered it to him. The younger man sat up slowly and taking the canteen drank
deeply.

Jon broke the silence first, “That was way too close. Let’s not tempt fate again.” He tried to sound matter of fact but failed, still thinking of how close he had come to losing his friend.

If I hadn’t turned when I did...he’d be gone.

Trip nodded in agreement, still unable to speak. His throat felt like it was closed.

Jon knowing Trip was still in shock over what had almost happened, took the lead, “Let’s call it a day shall we? “

Finally Trip was able to talk. “Let’s do that, I’ve had all the fun I can stand for a while.”

Jon stood and then gave Trip a hand up. The younger man’s face was pale and he seemed to be slightly unsteady on his feet.

“We’ll take it slow going down.” Jon’s shoulders were sore and he knew Trip’s arm must be as well for he seemed to be holding it close to his side.

Together they headed down the trail, Jon ever watchful that Trip didn’t fall or get too close to the edge.

********************

On their way back to Enterprise they received a hail from T’Pol telling them about a Tellerite that wanted to speak with the Captain. Once back on board and heading for the bridge in the turbo lift, Trip seemed to become more himself.

Jon asked about the mishap now that Trip seemed more willing to discuss just what had happened.

“Maybe you were light headed from the altitude?”

Trip shook his head, “I didn’t slip. That overhang gave way the minute I stepped on it. “

Archer looked at him bemused, “I walked on the same ledge you did.”

Trip smiled slightly, “Well, maybe you loosened it. You do weigh a few kilos more than I do,” he added with some of his old spirit showing.

Archer would have made a retort but they arrived at the bridge and Malcolm was waiting for them as the door opened.

The two men stepped out and Archer was once again Captain of the Enterprise. He took a deep breath and realized how good it was to be back on his ship and
how lucky he was that he still had his best friend with him......


END :)

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Half a dozen of you have made comments

Bravo! This was wonderful! Bonus points to you for making it about Archer and Trip! :-)

Another fantastic fill in scene. Well written.

Gr8 1! That was a fun read and nice to see the two of them happy together :D

Great addition - thanks

yeah a good archer and trip story,
i thought the choice for them to have been mountain climbing before they come back to the ship was interesting because in a way it was a tribute to a.g. (who died mountain climbing) and the cogenitor who wished to climh mountains.

Beautifully thought out and written. And I love the Archer/Trip stories. I like the way you manage to put just the right amount of drama - not too little, not too much. Perfectly balanced.
Thanks! Give us some more!