Immune- Chapter 16

Immune

by Trinneergirl

Disclaimers in Chapter 1

Chapter Sixteen

Commander Charles 'Trip' Tucker opened his deep blue eyes. For a long moment there was a blur, but slowly his vision cleared. He was lying on a white bed in a white room. The lighting was pleasantly dim. Trip felt incredibly relaxed and as weak as a kitten. By the time he could see the room properly his memory had returned. He was dead. He had died alone on Enterprise. Sadness swept through him. He had had so much to live for. He became aware that someone was holding his hand. It took all the strength he had, but Trip managed to turn his head. He was perplexed by what he saw. Seated beside him was Captain Jonathan Archer. He was wearing his Starfleet uniform and he was smiling gently at Trip, tenderness and tears in his hazel eyes. The young commander tried to comprehend why Jon would be here when he himself was dead. The only answer he could come up with brought tears of grief spilling down his cheeks.

Jon was surprised and hurt by the reaction. Did Trip hate him so much now? Just the sight of him had made Trip cry! Then he spoke.

"You didn't make it?" Trip whispered in anguish. "None of us made it? I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!"

"Of course we made it," Jon reassured, realising what his young friend thought. "Thanks to you, we all made it." With his free hand Jon picked up a cup off a shelf beside the bed. He held the straw it contained to Trip's mouth. "Drink some of this," he ordered. Trip obediently drank the liquid. "It will help you get your strength back," Jon finished. Trip drank until the straw loudly sucked more air than liquid and Jon put the drained cup back.

"I died," Trip stated. Uncertainty broke through and Trip's forehead creased. "Didn't I?" Jon took a deep breath.

"Yes," he agreed. "The Dryalian ship damn near broke up getting here. You weren't dead for long and they were able to revive you."

Trip thought for a long moment about what that meant. He'd come back from the dead! It was an awesome concept.

"How long was I dead for?" he asked. Jon looked a little uncomfortable.

"Nearly three days," he replied softly.

"Three days?" Trip whispered incredulous. Knowing Trip would prefer the whole truth and all at once, Jon nodded.

"Until we were revived, they didn't know how to reanimate a Human brain. You were kept in a fluid called mectara. It kept you from… from putrefying, but it makes the hair fall out."

"I have no hair?" Trip questioned. He had been wondering why he felt different.

"No hair, no eyebrows, no eyelashes," Jon confirmed gently. "No hair." Trip raised his free hand slowly up to his head and felt his bald pate. The long sensitive fingers ran down to feel his brows.

"The Dryalians have introduced a drug into your system that will temporarily increase your folicle growth. You'll be back to normal in a few weeks."

Trip drifted in his thoughts as his arm fell back. He saw the bones protruding and the hollows of emaciation around the muscles. Looking down to his hairless chest, he could see his ribs sticking out.

"Kurt Wilkinson?" he asked.

"Under armed guard," Jon replied. "You've been through a hell of a lot, Trip." Lying there, the young engineer remembered the nightmares of the Vort Cloud. The hatred that had nearly taken his life. "I know you're not up to talking much," Jon acknowledged quietly. "But I need to talk to you. Seriously talk. Will it be too much for you? If you'd rather sleep I could go..." The hand he held clutched at him with surprising strength.

"No!" Trip interrupted. "I'm up to it, Cap'n. Please don't leave me alone!" The frightened words struck Jon deeply. Until Trip was better he would have to be with someone all the time. Jon rubbed the warm hand in his, feeling the pulse thumping in the wrist and gave thanks that Trip was alive.

"Okay," he promised. "I won't leave you alone."
Slowly the terrified grip ceased as Trip was reassured. When the recumbent form under the white sheet had relaxed and the breathing returned to normal, Archer began his confession.

"You know Starfleet are near completing the building of the second starship. They are talking seriously about six more in the next four years."

"I bet that got Soval worried!" Trip murmured, smiling.

"Damn near crapped his robe, according to the Admiral," Jon replied, grinning wickedly. Trip gurggled his laughter. Sobering, Jon continued. "Starfleet will need captains and crews for all those ships and they will certainly be looking for people with experience." Jon lowered his eyes to the hand he held. "When you told me that you were thinking of taking your Command exams, I didn't think of you, Trip. I panicked." Trip stared at his Captain's shamed face, bewildered. Jon locked his gaze on his young friend. "I can't apologise enough for the way I've been treating you, Trip," he revealed. "I've been taking you so for granted that you thought I didn't respect you. I rely on your support so much that I just expected it, and you, to always be there." Trip swallowed as he saw the truth shining in Jon's eyes.

"I thought you'd stopped wanting to be my friend," Trip owned and sobbed on the words, the pain of the last few months raw again.

"That will never happen, Trip!" Jon promised.

As Trip began to cry in earnest, Jon stood, seated himself on the bed and pulled the skinny body tenderly to him. He was shocked by how light Trip was, at how the sobs that tore through him seemed too much for his frail torso. Holding him close, Jon soothed the younger man, letting the build-up of troubles find release. For a long time the two friends remained like that, until Trip's tears ceased. Laying back down, Trip felt very tired, but so much better he was amazed. He accepted a tissue from Jon and wiped his eyes. Jon watched carefully while Trip blew his nose, scrutinising him for signs he was too exhausted to continue. Trip saw and hastened to reassure him.

"I'm okay, sir. Please, I need to know the reasons!"

"And I need to give them," Jon replied. Captain Archer took hold of the thin claw-like hand again, wondering briefly if Trip would ever regain his weight and health, he seemed so fragile.

"For years I'd needed you as we fought against the Vulcans and the cowards at Starfleet to get Enterprise launched. I came to accept that for the first time there was someone who would always wholeheartedly fight in my corner. I don't have many good friends, Trip. What your support meant to me, I can't tell you enough. When T'Pol came onboard and pushed you down to Second Officer, I was embarrassed and angry that I'd had to shunt you aside. When I took T'Pol on permanently, I should have come to you and explained my reasons. I didn't. It was the first time I just believed you would accept my decisions and so I didn't tell you my reasons. In the past couple of years I have done that more and more. And I admit I was jealous of you." Trip, listening and beginning to understand, was thrown by this.

"Jealous of me, Cap'n?" he questioned. "Why?"

"As I say, I don't make friends easily. You have this gift for it. They way you got to know Travis, Hoshi, and even Malcolm. Do you know how hard it is to know Malcolm? I visited him in Sickbay once and I swear he stood to attention lying down!" Trip smiled.

"He's a bit stiff-upper-lip with you because you're his commanding officer," he reminded Jon.

"You’re his superior officer too, Trip," Jon came back. "But you made friends. It seemed the only person you had some difficulty making friends with, was T'Pol. It sounds petty, and it probably was, but I cultivated a relationship with her and enjoyed the fact that you didn't because I was jealous that you had all these friends and I didn't." Jon blushed a little. "I asked her for opinions and took them, partially because it was sound advice, partly to show you, you weren't all I had. It was stupid and low, Trip. I wanted you all to myself.

"At first I came to you with problems, to reassure myself that you still had time for me. But as I settled in, I knew always that you'd be there for me, Trip. So I started cutting you out of things you should have been in. I even left you shot on the planet thinking you'd understand and condone my reasons for doing what I did. I wish more than anything I hadn't. I wish that I could explain to you just what you mean to me, how much I really need you beside me just to get through day by day. What took it to a head was you saying you wanted to take your exam to become a full Commander."

"I still don't understand," Trip confessed.

"Trip, you are one of the finest officers in Starfleet. You have two years deep space experience. You have taken control of Enterprise, of away missions, you know the territory. I was scared that Starfleet would promote you to captain of one of the new vessels. That I'd lose you. You have been so essential for this mission, for me, that I didn't want to face losing you. They couldn't promote you as a Lieutenant Commander, but they could as a Commander. You're only one rank below me now, Trip."

Trip thought about what Jon was saying. It was true that a captaincy could only be offered to a full Commander, he couldn't have jumped two ranks. The young officer listened as Jon Archer continued.

"I know that one day you will be captain of your own ship. And I know that you will make a damn fine captain at that. But not yet Trip! That's why I brushed you off that you shouldn't become a full Commander for a couple of years. Not because I didn't want you to outrank T'Pol, but because I need you on Enterprise more than anything and the two-rank jump was my protection that Starfleet wouldn't just come and take you away." Jon shook is head. "As it is, I chased you away myself with my selfishness," he told Trip ruefully. "When you came and said you were leaving... Oh, Trip, please don't go! I'll make it up to you, I swear! Please don't leave me. I rely on you in so many ways and I took them all for granted. I'm sorry, Trip. So very, very sorry!"

Looking into the hazel eyes, Trip felt the cotton-wool move from his mind and the scales from his eyes. Jon hadn't tried to stop Trip getting his promotion because he wasn't worth it, but because Jon knew he was.

"I do outrank T'Pol now, sir," he replied softly. "And some things have to change because of that, but if you really mean it, I'll stay with Enterprise." Tears snailed down Jon's cheeks at the words.

"Thank you, Trip!" he offered gratefully. "There are a couple of things you will need to know and I have T'Pol's permission to tell you."

Trip gave his full attention as Jon told him of the two missions he'd gone on secretly with the Vulcan. Then he told Trip of T'Pol's illness.

"We don't know how long she has or whether we'll ever find a cure. But things will have to change as much for her as for you. I won't lose her unless I have to, so you will be needed much more for Bridge duties and to take command much more. She's still the same for now, but Phlox doesn't advise pushing her too much."

Trip, taken aback and concerned at finding out about T'Pol's illness, saw a lot of things he'd misinterpreted falling into their proper place. Jon's preoccupation with his Vulcan officer was one of those.

"If it will help her to have less stress, Cap'n, you know I'll do all I can," the commander reassured earnestly. Jon smiled, thinking how typical that was for Trip.

"She is stable for now, under Phlox's help," he reassured. "Right now, we all have to get you well." Jon moved off the bed and returned to the chair. He took Trip's hand again. "You left the cameras on that Wilkinson put on to follow you. We've all seen the awful lengths you went to, to keep us alive. I've seen your anorexia. If it's any comfort, Wilkinson infected the two frozen pecan pies Chef left for you with a poison."

"I couldn't eat anything!" Trip confessed. "I was afraid to eat or drink or touch anything! It took me too close to the edge."

"I knew you were strong, Trip. Tough. Capable. I never realised just how determined and brave you are. I'm so proud of you!" Jon watched as Trip blushed at the compliment.

"I just did my best," Trip mumbled.

"You did more than anyone's best, and it kept us alive." Trip was gratified that Jon valued him so highly, but sought for a way to deflect the conversation.

"How badly damaged is Enterprise?" he asked. Knowing Trip hated to be the target of fulsome compliments so he let it go. For now.

"We have warp and impulse, thanks to you. The Dryalians have helped us to get the life supports repaired but they and the bio-lab will need extensive repairs. We may need to return to Spacedock." Trip sighed. After all they had gone through it seemed like returning with their tails between their legs. "Frankly, Trip, my priority right now is you." The cerulean eyes met the hazel. "I have got a lot to do to make things up to you and your health is imperative." Trip smiled gratefully and his body relaxed for the first time in what seemed like months. As his troubles eased, tiredness took over and Jon saw the lids droop. He stood and retrieved his communicator from his uniform pocket.

"Archer to Reed," he said into the opened device. There was only a second before the reply came through.

"Reed here, sir."

"Malcolm, Trip doesn't want to be alone and I have to tour Enterprise with Travis, T'Pol, and some of the Dryalians. Would you come and sit with him for me?"

"On my way, sir. Reed out."

Jon retook his chair and watched as Trip fell back into sleep. It was going to be some time before the young man got his strength back and longer still before the troubles and nightmares of the past few weeks could be put to rest. Malcolm entered the room a few minutes later to see Captain Archer staring with protective affection at the face of the sleeping Trip. It was the first time Malcolm had seen Trip and he was shocked at the emaciated, hairless form on the bed. Slowly Archer turned and Malcolm could see that he had been crying. Jon acknowledged Reed with a smile and stood.

"He probably won't wake again for a while," he informed the Armoury Officer. "But if he does, tell him I'll be back as soon as I can."

"Yes, sir," Malcolm replied. To the Lieutenant's further astonishment Jon bent over the bed and placed a kiss on Trip's eyebrowless forehead.

"Sleep well," Jon whispered to the comatose form.

Standing he eyed Malcolm, knowing how friendly he and Trip were. For the first time Jon was able to see Malcolm as an ally in his affection for Commander Tucker, instead of a rival.

"Take care of him for me, Malcolm," he ordered softly. If there's any change in these monitors," he pointed to two embedded in the wall, "call the doctors immediately."

"I will, sir," Reed replied. "I won't let anything happen to him." Malcolm saw the look of guilt cross Archer's face. He moved to stand in front of his Captain and the two locked eyes. "WE won't let anything happen to him, sir," he clarified. "Will we?" The last wasn't a question. Jon smiled gratefully and looked down one last time at Trip.

"Not anymore," he promised softly. The Enterprise Captain walked away, leaving Malcolm alone with Trip.

Reed took the seat and watched the sleeping face, trying to get used to the sight of his friend without hair, trying to understand what had gone on between the Captain and Commander. He hoped that whatever it was, it signaled a return of Enterprise as a happy ship. Trip had been through too much for all of them for them not to respond with their very best to Trip. Reed reached out and took the hand on the sheet, not knowing that Jon had held it earlier. He wanted to be able to feel that Trip was really alive. The strong pulse beating in the slender wrist was reassuring. Malcolm smiled, blinking back tears, and carried on his vigil.

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