Disclaimer: Paramount owns Star Trek and all the characters created therein.
15: All's Well that End's Well
"Are you sure you want to use the transporter?" Trip asked for the third time. "It started this whole mess."
"I have confidence in your repairs, Commander," Kovar told him as they made their way toward the transporter pad. "Don't you?"
"Sure…but I won't be using that thing until the boys in space dock can pull it apart again. You never know."
Almost a week had passed since Medec had been revealed as Tola's killer. For two days Trip and the entire engineering staff had worked non-stop to try to repair the ship's systems again. Even with the assistance of Kovar and the other miners they made little headway. It was not until the T'Met, a Vulcan ship, and the Rallion, an Andorian cruiser, had rendezvoused with Enterprise that the three teams of engineers were able to stop the almost viral-spread of infected carillium and repair the damage it had caused.
"I spoke with Tuval," Kovar referred to the T'Met's chief engineer, "and she assures me that it's safe. The Andorian transporter technician agreed."
"Well, something I never thought I'd see, and Andorian and a Vulcan agreeing on something," Trip grinned.
"Indeed. It's odd…"
"What?" Trip asked as they passed an engineering team in the corridor. A Vulcan, and Andorian, and two Enterprise crewmen were checking power couplings beneath a length of deck plating.
Kovar stopped to watch them for a moment before continuing. "This project was supposed to be about great minds working together, breaking down species barriers. In a way we failed miserably." He looked back at the team in the corridor. The Vulcan and Andorian engineer replaced a strip of the deck while the two humans loosened and removed another. "But in another way…we succeeded."
"Who says we can't work together?" Trip asked as they rounded the corner and stopped before the newly rebuilt transporter.
"I believe we can," Kovar said pointedly. "There is nothing that should keep our species apart." He raised one eyebrow and Trip felt his face flush. He had wondered exactly what Kovar thought of he and T'Pol—he was anxious to gauge the Vulcan reaction to their relationship, even if the only Vulcan he had to ask was one as unusual as Kovar.
"I know it's kinda…strange, me and T'Pol," he started, "but she seems happy—I mean, she seems content…at least, it seems to be working…or I think it wil—"
"Commander," Kovar placed a hand on the engineer's shoulder and looked him dead in the eyes. "Good luck." He marched onto the transporter platform and turned as an embarrassed Trip stepped behind the controls and started the transport sequence.
Kovar raised an eyebrow, his expression unchanging. "I believe you are going to need it."
Trip laughed as his friend phased from view and was carried into the ether of space.
Once the Vulcan was gone Trip stood for a few minutes, staring at the transporter, thinking. "Nothing should keep our species apart…" he repeated softly.
He turned and headed back toward engineering, wondering what tonight's meeting in the white room would bring. It would bring T'Pol, he answered his own question. And really, that was more than enough.
Two Weeks Later…
"You were correct, Commander, I did enjoy the Sherlock Holmes film, but once again I must say that the book was far superior." T'Pol slid her fork carefully into the slice of pie resting on the plate before her. She lifted her forkful and examined it doubtfully before tasting it.
"It's apple," Trip said apologetically. "No pecan pie tonight."
"No pineapple upside down cake either," Malcolm commiserated.
Hoshi laughed. "Fine by me. Apple's my favorite. I make a mean apple crumb cake—too bad chef won't let anybody use his kitchen!"
The mess hall was almost empty as the four of them had spent the last hour discussing Trip's latest choice of film for Movie Night: a 2018 remake of The Hound of the Baskervilles.
"How do you like it?" Trip asked T'Pol as she chewed.
She swallowed and thought for a moment. "Though I prefer pecan, it is adequate," she told him before turning back to the movie. "This version of the movie made no mention of Sherlock Holmes' substance abuse," she continued. "I believe that aspect of his behavior added depth to the character—though he appeared infallible, he was not without failings."
"I never really liked that part of the Holmes legacy," Malcolm said staunchly. "Probably because I read the books when I was young and I didn't really understand it."
"It is an important factor in understanding who he is and why he acts the way he does," T'Pol insisted. Trip gave her an odd look and she suddenly became preoccupied with her dessert. "In the book it is, anyway."
"Do you have a copy of The Hound of the Baskervilles, too?" Hoshi asked.
"No," T'Pol answered. "But Commander Tucker suggested a number of titles to access from the library computer database. I must admit that reading an actual book is a more…tangible experience, however. I would like to acquire other volumes once we return to Earth."
Trip ducked his head but Hoshi could see that his face was flushed.
Malcolm was oblivious. "Well, maybe something lighter next time—like a classic war picture?"
"How about a musical?" Hoshi asked. We've never had one of those."
"With good reason," Trip mumbled into his pie. Hoshi kicked him underneath the table. "Ow!"
Malcolm smiled, then stretched and yawned. "I still have fourteen crew evaluations to go over before I'm on duty tomorrow." He made a face.
"Price of fame, Mal," Trip told him.
His friend nodded. "Think I'll see if there's any coffee left. Can I offer anyone else…"
"I'd love some," Hoshi told him.
"I'll go with you," Trip offered, rising. "Tea?" he asked T'Pol, who nodded.
The two women watched the two officers cross the mess to the drink dispenser, then exchanged glances—each shyly wondering if the other could be counted as a confidant.
Hoshi cleared her throat. "I've, um, been curious Commander…T'Pol."
The Vulcan turned to her, interested. "Yes?"
"Well, I know it's none of my business, but I was just wondering…where exactly did you get a copy of The Thin Man? It just seems so unusual…" her voice trailed off suggestively. She raised her eyebrows.
The Vulcan fidgeted with her fork for a moment before answering. "It was a gift," T'Pol admitted. "From Commander Tucker. It was actually a gift from the Commander's mother which he then chose to give to me," she told the ensign with pride.
Hoshi looked suddenly appalled. "What!"
"I realize it is a very intimate gift, however I feel that…Hoshi, what's wrong?"
The young woman was shaking her head adamantly, a look of disapproval on her face. What was the matter? Was Trip's gift inappropriate in some way? T'Pol's mind raced through every human gesture of affection she had ever witnessed. Nothing there told her that the presentation of a book to one's mate was of any particular significance…but Hoshi's reaction told her there was clearly something wrong in what Trip had done.
"Commander…" Hoshi began, then stopped. She dropped her voice and started again. "T'Pol…the Commander…he regifted to you!"
T'Pol leaned back in her chair, confused. "I am not familiar with this term."
"He got a gift from someone and he didn't really want it, so he gave it to someone else!" At the expression T'Pol was unable to suppress Hoshi added hastily, "But I don't think he would have given it to you if he didn't genuinely think you would like it. He obviously cares a great deal about you."
"I see," T'Pol said slowly. Hoshi held her breath, waiting for her reaction. She knew that underneath the surface Vulcan's possessed passionate, almost violent emotions. What would this particular Vulcan do in response to Trip's gift? Maybe she shouldn't have said anything.
T'Pol got a faraway look in her eyes for a moment, narrowing them as though focusing on something just out of the realm of her vision. Hoshi jumped as behind her a mug clattered to the floor and a familiar southern accent yelped, "Ow! Quit doing that!"
To Hoshi's amazement, T'Pol smiled.