TITLE: Away from the Sun

AUTHOR: plumtuckered

RATING: R

GENRE: Drama/Mystery

PAIRING: T/T'P

SUMMARY: The crew of Enterprise deal with trouble on Earth.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Trip and T'Pol are an established couple in this, but the rest of the crew all play significant roles as well. I got the idea for this when word came out about two upcoming fourth season episodes.

As always, reviews are most welcomed and appreciated.

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CHAPTER ONE

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Jonathan Archer couldn't help but snort with amusement. "No, Trip," he chuckled. "You must have misunderstood him. Admiral Gardner would never say something like that." He glanced at the younger man who walked at his side.

"I don't know, Cap'n," replied Enterprise's Chief Engineer with a mischievous grin. "Sure sounded like it to me."

Jon shook his head at his friend. "Do you really think a newly promoted admiral would make a comment about Minister T'Pau's legs?"

Trip shrugged. "Well, sir, he did have a couple drinks under his belt."

"Trip," reprimanded Jon lightly. He looked up at the empty city street ahead of them. "Are you sure T'Pol won't mind me joining you two for dinner? Maybe she has something special planned."

"She won't mind, Cap'n."

"Where are we supposed to meet her?"

Trip looked around perplexed. "Here," he replied.

"Maybe the steward took down the wrong address. These look like a bunch of warehouses."

"Let me check with her." Trip pulled out a little hand-held device from his jacket pocket, flipped it open then hit a few of the tiny buttons on the keypad. "Hey," he said softly as he turned away from Jon.

The captain cleared his throat and moved his gaze to the ground. He'd grown accustomed to his engineer's change in demeanor when the younger man was dealing with his bond-mate. Gone were the days when Trip would bristle in T'Pol's presence and gone were the days when the Vulcan would react the same to the engineer. The two had formed a strong union, one of which Jon found himself oddly envious. He'd only had that sort of connection with another once in his life, but Margaret Mullen was long in his past. He wondered briefly where she was and if she'd found happiness.

"Well," said Trip tightly as he shoved the little cellular device back in his pocket. "T'Pol never sent me a message."

Jon frowned, his heavy brows furrowed in confusion. "Someone playing a joke?" he asked.

Trip shrugged. "Bad one if it is," he replied then he smiled. "She does think dinner together is a great idea, though."

The captain heard the strange clicking sound almost at the same time he felt Trip tackle him taking them both to the ground. He felt red hot pain shoot through his side, felt the breath forced from his body as his friend landed on top of him, then heard Trip's frantic voice close to his ear telling him to stay down.

As darkness crowded his vision, Jon could hear the commander hailing someone for immediate medical assistance. The captain wondered vaguely who needed a doctor then he felt his body being lifted and held against someone warm. Strong arms surrounded him and a distant voice spoke to him. Jon tried in vain to understand that familiar voice knowing the words were important, but they were simply jumbled and confused. He clung to the comforting sound, though, as the darkness crowded him further.

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"Did you see anyone at all, Commander?"

Trip sighed angrily. "For the last time, Agent Spanek, I don't know who the hell it was!" he barked. He paced back and forth across the waiting room floor of Starfleet Medical, his hands balled into fists at his side. He stopped and turned on the Starfleet agent who stood before him. "Why aren't you out there searching for this guy instead of wasting time asking me the same questions over and over again?"

"Commander," said Malcolm Reed, a hint of warning in his voice.

Trip turned on the lieutenant. "No, Malcolm!" he replied sharply. "Someone just made an attempt on the cap'n's life and this….this agent doesn't seem to give a damn!"

"We have a team out there now, Commander, combing the scene for any evidence of this assassin," explained Spanek patiently. "Rest assured Starfleet is doing all it can to find the person responsible for this."

Trip sighed. He already felt like days had passed since he'd held his injured friend watching the life slowly seep out of him. He looked down at the dried blood staining the front of his jacket and shirt then held his hands out in front of him to see the dark red smeared over his fingers. Nausea threatened as he saw just how much blood there was.

"Why don't you sit down, sir," said Malcolm gently. He took Trip's arm and led him away from Spanek to a couch then helped him to sit. He knelt in front of the engineer. "You okay, Trip?"

The engineer nodded, his eyes downcast. "I didn't see the bastard, Malcolm," he whispered. "I saw the street light catch on the weapon then all I could think about was getting the cap'n out of the way."

"I know."

"It all happened so fast," Trip continued dejectedly. He looked up toward the big double doors that led into the emergency room wondering what was going on inside. He knew Dr. Phlox was with Archer, but that gave the commander little comfort. He gazed back down at his hands; there was just so much blood.

"Commander?"

Trip looked up to see T'Pol standing at the entrance to the waiting room. He stood and met her eyes. Even without touching her, he could feel her concern for him, her mind searching his determinedly for assurance that he was okay. He felt her relief like a warm, comforting breeze and felt stronger for her soothing touch.

"How is Captain Archer?"

"Don't know yet," Trip replied. "Phlox is with him."

T'Pol nodded once then her eyes moved to Spanek who stood only a few meters from her.

"This is Agent Kyle Spanek, Commander," introduced Malcolm. "He's investigating the incident."

"Indeed," replied T'Pol. "Then why are you here?"

Spanek smiled. "Trying to get a statement from Commander Tucker, ma'am."

T'Pol looked at Trip. "Have you told the agent all that you witnessed?" she asked.

Trip nodded.

"Then I see no reason for your continued presence here, Agent Spanek. If you will excuse us."

Spanek visibly bristled. "I'll stay, if you don't mind, Commander," he replied tersely. "I'm under orders to stay with Captain Archer."

"Lieutenant Reed and his team are perfectly capable of protecting the captain."

"With all due respect, ma'am, I'm not leaving."

Trip felt T'Pol's irritation toward the dark-haired agent. "Maybe you should wait in the hall, Spanek," he recommended.

Spanek held T'Pol's eyes, but nodded in agreement. He turned and moved into the hall just outside the emergency room doors then leaned back against the wall, his arms crossed over his chest.

T'Pol moved to stand in front of Trip. Every instinct in his being screamed at him to take her into his arms, to hold her, to find comfort in her contact, but he refrained. She wasn't a tactile person, especially in public and he'd accepted that when he'd fallen in love with her all those months ago.

"I'm going to get some more security personnel down here," said Malcolm. "Once word gets out, there's going to be reporters to contend with. I'll be in the hall if you need me, Commander."

Trip nodded then smiled. "Thanks, Malcolm." He watched his friend leave the little waiting room then turned his eyes back to T'Pol. She was staring at his blood-soaked shirt. "He'll be okay, T'Pol," he said soothingly. "You know how tough the cap'n is."

"What happened?"

"We were just leaving Admiral Gardner's gathering when one of his stewards gave me a message from you."

"Asking you to meet me for dinner," concluded T'Pol.

Trip nodded. "Sounded like a good idea to me since I was starving. They never serve much of anything at those Starfleet functions…."

"Trip."

The commander sighed tiredly. "I invited the cap'n to join us and we decided to walk since it wasn't that far from Headquarters. I just thought the steward took the address down wrong, T'Pol." He sat down heavily on the couch. "I didn't know it was a set up."

T'Pol sat beside him. "You couldn't have known, Trip," she said gently.

Trip stared at his hands again. "I tried to push him out of the way, but I wasn't fast enough." He hung his head and shook it slowly. "I just wasn't fast enough."

"Look at me, Ashayam."

Trip lifted his head and met T'Pol's dark eyes. She raised her hand discreetly and rested it lightly over his. Trip's lower lip trembled slightly; he immediately felt her wash over him. Tears threatened at the love and understanding he felt radiating through his body; her love and understanding for him and him alone. In her eyes, he saw that she felt it, too.

Then T'Pol lowered her hand and the deep connection was broken, leaving Trip with only the ghost of her presence in his mind.

"Commanders?"

Trip turned his head to see Phlox standing a few meters away.

"The captain is out of danger," continued the Denobulan. "He lost quite a substantial amount of blood, but he arrived here just in time."

"May we see him?" asked T'Pol.

"He'll be unconscious for several hours, I suspect, but as soon as he awakens, I'll let you both know."

"Thanks, Doc."

Phlox smiled at Trip. "You should try to get some rest, Commander, and clean up a bit."

"I think I'll just stay here until the cap'n wakes up."

"I understand, but do take it easy, hmmm?"

"I will see that he does, Doctor."

Phlox nodded then turned to leave, but stopped when Malcolm appeared followed closely by Spanek and a team of Starfleet security personnel.

The agent stepped around the lieutenant. "Do you know what type of weapon was used?" he asked.

Phlox looked puzzled. "I beg your pardon?"

Malcolm moved around Spanek, the irritation clear on his face. "Dr. Phlox….Agent Kyle Spanek."

"Ah, of course," said Phlox.

"The weapon, Doctor," pressed Spanek.

"It was a weapon that discharged a projectile."

"A projectile? You mean a bullet?"

Phlox nodded his head. "I'm uncertain, however, what type of….bullet it was since it passed through the captain's side. I can be certain when I say this was not done by a MACO weapon or a Starfleet weapon."

"Thank you for the information."

"If you'll excuse me, I'm going to check on my patient."

"Let us know if there are any changes, Doc?"

Phlox smiled at Trip. "Of course, Commander."

Trip felt his shoulders relax as he watched Phlox disappear back into the emergency room. Archer was going to be fine.

"I want you two stationed outside these doors," directed Malcolm to the security crew. "Someone is to be with Captain Archer at all times. Is that clear?"

The two men nodded. "Aye, Lieutenant," they replied.

"You four, come with me."

Trip watched through tired eyes as the armory officer led the other four guards back into the hall. He suddenly felt exhausted and moved back to the couch. He sat down and leaned back into the cushions feeling utterly drained. He looked up when another man joined Spanek at the entrance to the waiting room. Trip thought the younger man looked on edge. Stands to reason, he thought. He was only investigating the attempted murder of Captain Jonathan Archer.

"Did you find anything, Ely?" asked Spanek.

"No."

"There was no evidence at the scene?"

The younger agent turned to T'Pol. "No, ma'am, the investigation at the scene turned up no clues."

"Perhaps I will take a science team to the site," said T'Pol. She clasped her hands at the small of her back. "We may have more success."

"With all due respect, ma'am, we're not on board Enterprise. This is Starfleet jurisdiction. Agent Rawlings and I will handle the investigation," interjected Spanek tightly.

Trip saw T'Pol's jaw clench, but to his surprise, she didn't press the issue. He watched as Spanek and Rawlings left the room then smiled at T'Pol when she turned to him. She walked over and sat at his side.

"Starfleet only has the best, T'Pol. Let them do their jobs, okay? They'll find out who did this."

T'Pol nodded, but her jaw remained taut. Trip reached out and rested his hand over hers where it lay on one thigh. She turned to him and met his eyes. There was so much Trip could feel from her when they physically touched that it never failed to startle him. Her emotions were so strong that he found it remarkable that she could contain them so well. He felt her relax under his touch and her eyes softened. He loved that she could feel him through their bond, that he could offer her his love and support without words much like she did for him.

"You are right, Ashayam," T'Pol replied quietly. "I will try to remain patient."

Trip smiled. "That's my girl."

T'Pol looked at him oddly, but Trip could feel her approval and her amusement like a warm blanket. Keeping his hand over hers, he leaned his head back on the couch and closed his eyes.

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T'Pol sat quietly watching Trip as he slowly drifted into light sleep. He was emotionally drained after the events of the evening; she could see that simply by his appearance. She turned her hand under his and grasped his fingers gently, desiring to continue their contact. She could sense his emotions when they weren't touching, but only as a tickling in the back of her mind. She'd come to recognize and treasure his constant presence within her, but she'd also come to cherish and desire the flow of his feelings when they were touching physically. She wasn't sure what she'd be experiencing if Trip had been Vulcan, but it simply didn't matter. She was his completely and what they shared together brought her immense contentment.

Illogically, she thought briefly of her first meld with him. She'd been afraid of harming him, but he had been nothing but trusting and open. She'd relished being so emotionally intimate with him, so able to share all she felt for her human mate and all that he felt for her. His affection for her was fierce, powerful and so unbridled. They'd been physically intimate after and it had been intense and passionate. She remembered how they both had lain tangled up with each other, unable to move, so completely sated after their joining. Her thoughts had been a jumble, but through it all, she had felt Trip so warm in her arms and in her mind.

T'Pol slid back on the couch and settled close to her sleeping mate, their hands still joined but hidden between their two bodies. Only those closest to them knew of their bonding and T'Pol wanted to keep it that way. The current state of xenophobia on Earth was troubling to her. She couldn't imagine what would happen if word of their relationship got out.

Trip gasped suddenly and his brow creased.

"Hush, Ashayam," soothed T'Pol softly. "All is well now."

Trip's eyes flew open and he sat upright. He looked around wildly then finally focused on T'Pol.

"You were dreaming."

The engineer swallowed and nodded, scrubbing fingers through his disheveled hair. He sat silently for a long moment then squeezed T'Pol's hand, smiling a bit shakily at her. "I'm okay." He stood up. "I'm going to the restroom. Be right back."

"I will be here," replied T'Pol. She watched Trip move toward the tiny washroom just off the waiting area. She could sense his lingering fear from his dream and it worried her. "Trip?" she called softly.

Trip turned around at the entrance to the little room.

"You are not at fault," finished T'Pol.

The commander smiled then entered the washroom and closed the door behind him.

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"The bullet has to be out there somewhere," insisted Malcolm adamantly.

"I know that, Lieutenant," replied Spanek. "We still have our people at the scene looking. If it's there, they'll find it."

"How hard can it be? They weren't standing in the middle of an open field."

Spanek's face reddened slightly with irritation. "I understand that, sir," he hissed.

Malcolm sighed. "If your people don't find anything by morning, I'm sending my own team out to search."

"This is our jurisdiction….."

"I don't care whose bloody jurisdiction it is, Agent Spanek! This is Captain Archer we're talking about here!"

Rawlings cleared his throat. "Maybe it would be best if you went back to the waiting room, Lieutenant. Let us do our job."

Malcolm regarded the younger man through squinted eyes, but nodded in agreement. "You have until morning," he said then he turned and left the two men in the hall.

He looked over his shoulder just as he was entering the waiting room then paused. Spanek was clearly angry with Rawlings, his face only centimeters from the other man's as he spoke. Malcolm couldn't hear what was being said, but Rawlings' reaction gave him the idea it wasn't pleasant.

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CONTINUED