ACT FOUR

FADE IN:

INT. ENTERPRISE - Captain's READY ROOM

SUPER: February 25, 2158

T'Pol enters the room. Archer sits on the edge of his desk. Trip stands at the farthest windows, hands clenched in tight fists at his sides. T'Pol glances at him before addressing Archer.

T'POL
You requested to see me, Captain?

ARCHER
Yes. We need to talk about your
conduct last night.

T'POL
Captain, I'm sorry about that. I
don't know what I was thinking,
but I can assure you it won't
happen like that again.

ARCHER
Ever since you revived sorry is
all I've heard from you. And what
do you mean, 'like that again'?

T'Pol doesn't answer. She watches Trip cross his arms over his chest, looking at the ceiling. Archer stands, stepping in front of T'Pol.

ARCHER
Last night I came to my wits end.
I'm reassigning your duties and
you will remain in Sickbay or
your quarters until Doctor Phlox
can cure you or we return to
Earth, whichever happens first.

T'POL
Why are you doing this to me?

ARCHER
Because we are all worried about
you, T'Pol. Even Doctor Phlox
admits that this has gone on too
long. He's going to do everything
he can to get that old, boring
you back. The one we trust.

T'Pol looks at the floor, looking lost.

ARCHER
Report to Sickbay. Doctor Phlox
is expect--

T'POL
Have you ever thought maybe
that's why I don't remember any
of this, Captain? I was boring!

Archer smiles, nods slightly.

ARCHER
But we'd come to expect it. We
all depended on you when things
got tense because you never flew
off the handle like we humans do.

T'POL
I'm human.

ARCHER
You're Vulcan.

T'POL
I am human!

ARCHER
T'Pol, you are a Vulcan. You were
born one, you will die one.

A tear rolls down her cheek.

T'POL
I'm human. Why can't you believe me?

ARCHER
Because it's not true, T'Pol.

T'POL
I can be her for you. I'll be her. I'll learn how to be.

ARCHER
I doubt that's possible with how
you've been behaving.

T'POL
Jonathan, I can be--

His anger rekindles.

ARCHER
You seem to be confused about whom
you have a relationship with and
you will address me as Captain.

T'POL
But I remember a time when we
talked about us and--

Archer lays his hands on her shoulders, looking her in the eyes. She stops talking, staring in his eyes

ARCHER
I am only going to tell you this
once, T'Pol, so listen very, very
carefully. My interest in you,
before you were bit, was only as
a friend, and even less than that
now. Before this someone loved
you and you loved him, so before
you do something foolish, you
should consider that.

Archer steps away. T'Pol looks from Trip's back to Archer. She shakes her head, backpedaling toward the door.

T'POL
That's a lie too. I didn't.

ARCHER
Yes you did.

T'POL
THAT'S A LIE! A DAMNED LIE! I AM
HUMAN AND I NEVER LOVED ANYONE BUT YOU!

Archer says nothing. T'Pol turns, slams her hand against the door control and runs out crying. Archer looks at Trip when he turns toward the door.

ARCHER
Trip, I'm--

Trip stops.

TRIP
(angry growl)
With all due respect, sir, I
don't have much to say to you
right now.

Trip leaves the room without a word. Archer walks over to his armchair and falls into it, massaging his temples.

INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE

SUPER: March 13, 2158

The bridge is quiet. Trip, Hoshi and Reed are working at their stations. Archer is reading a PADD. Something beeps on Hoshi's controls and she taps it.

HOSHI
Enterprise.

She listens a minute, her brow furrowing. She turns to Archer.

HOSHI
Sir, Travis is asking for you.

Archer sets the PADD aside as he rises to his feet.

ARCHER
Put him on.

Hoshi taps a control.

ARCHER
What's going on, Travis?

MAYWEATHER COM VOICE
(winded)
Sir, it's T'Pol. She's lost it!
We were unpacking, she grabbed a
phase pistol and shot everyone.
When we came to, she was gone.

Archer shakes his head.

ARCHER
And you don't know where she is?

MAYWEATHER COM VOICE
No, sir.

ARCHER
How is everyone?

MAYWEATHER COM VOICE
Shocked.

ARCHER
We'll be down shortly. Archer out.

Archer turns toward the lift.

ARCHER
Trip, Malcolm.

The two follow him onto the lift.

I/E. Uninhabited Planet, SHUTTLE POD - LATER

Archer stands at the side hatch of a shuttle pod, watching Phlox check over the five crewmen sitting on the benches. He turns to Archer.

PHLOX
They're fine, sir. She had it on stun.

ARCHER
Malcolm.

Reed appears in the doorway.

ARCHER
Go back with Travis and the others.

REED
What are you going to do, sir?

Archer looks outside. Trip is sitting in the shade of the second shuttle pod, staring into the forest.

ARCHER
Trip and I are staying here to wait.

REED
For what?

ARCHER
Do as you're ordered.

REED
Yes, sir.

Archer steps out and Reed steps in, shutting the hatch behind him.

EXT. UnINHABITED PLANET - DAY

Archer walks toward Trip. Behind him the shuttle pod rises and heads toward the sky. Archer stops beside Trip, but he doesn't look up at him.

ARCHER
We should probably set up camp,
Trip. And tell Hoshi to get
started on scanning the planet
for her biosign.

Trip nods, but doesn't move. Archer sits down next to him.

ARCHER
But that can wait.

Trip doesn't answer.

EXT. UNINHABITED PLANET - camp site - NIGHT

SUPER: March 17, 2158

Two tents are set up next to the shuttle pod. Archer is leaning against a log, Trip sits against a tree stump. The crackling camp fire is the only sound that fills the night.

Trip holds a tin cup with both hands and stares blankly at the camp fire. Archer watches Trip as he idly tosses pinecones and sticks into the campfire, sending firefly embers into the darkness above.

ARCHER
It's strange not to hear any
sounds, isn't it?

Trip nods, a slight movement without emotion. Archer picks up a stick, picking the bark off of it.

ARCHER
Are you still angry with me?

Trip doesn't answer.

ARCHER
Trip, I didn't know she was going
to do that, and if I had--

TRIP
I'm not mad.

ARCHER
Are you sure?

Trip sips his drink.

TRIP
T'Pol isn't herself, I can't be
mad at her for acting like this
when she doesn't even know who
she is. And you did stop her. If
you'd stayed and... If all this
had turned out different, then I
might be angry still.

ARCHER
You stormed out of my ready room
like you were.

TRIP
I was. Then. Then I calmed down
and put it into perspective. I'm good.

Archer starts breaking the stick into little pieces.

ARCHER
She's lucky to have you. I doubt
most men would have forgiven her.

Trip looks past Archer, watching something beyond the shuttle pod.

ARCHER
To be honest, Trip, I never
imagined you and T'Pol together.
Ever. I'm still not used to the idea.

TRIP
(distracted)
Yeah? Here's another
shocker. She's come back.

Archer looks up, sees where Trip is looking and turns.

T'Pol stumbles into the firelight. She is dirty and a steady stream of tears has cut fresh tracks down her face. The knee of her pants is torn, revealing a scabbed wound.

T'POL
I thought you two would leave me.

She stops between them.

TRIP
No matter how angry or frustrated
I'd get, I'd never leave you, T'Pol.

Archer slowly turns around, pulling bark off the stick again. T'Pol looks from one man to the other and then walks up to Trip.

T'POL
I think you're right, Trip. I
mean, I know your right. I got to
thinking about everything you've
said and everything that's wrong
with me. I have green blood,
pointed ears... That's not human.

TRIP
No. That's not.

T'Pol sinks to her knees beside him. Trip lays a hand on her arm.

T'POL
I'm sorry, Trip.

Trip smiles, pushing her hair out of her eyes. She leans into him, letting him hold her tight.

T'POL
I don't remember being Vulcan.

TRIP
Well, I bet with all the rituals
you Vulcans have, I'm sure
there's one for this. We'll head
on back in the morning, you get
some sleep and a shower, a good
breakfast, and then we'll get a
hold of them together. Sound like a plan?

T'Pol nods. She presses her face into his chest, starting to cry hard. Trip holds her tight, whispering to her, reassuring her.

Across the fire Archer watches them.

INT. SHUTTLE POD ONE - Late DAY

SUPER: April 1, 2158

T'Pol hears people moving around her, but doesn't open her eyes.

ARCHER (O.C.)
How's the shuttle pod look, Trip?

TRIP (O.C.)
It can fly. I don't know why she
didn't lift off. And the COM is
functioning too. Wonder why she
didn't respond to Hoshi's hails.

Something metal twangs against metal.

ARCHER (O.C.)
I don't think she was able to do
much judging from the look of
this head wound. Hustle with
those repairs so we can get her
back to Phlox.

The sound of clothes rustling comes close.

TRIP (O.C.)
Another two minutes and we're in the air.

ARCHER (O.C.)
Do you think the Vulcans helped her?

There's a soft electronic beep.

TRIP (O.C.)
We talked before she left the
monastery. She appeared to be the
old T'Pol. I hope she is.

T'Pol opens her eyes, looking up at Archer. Behind Archer, Trip is working in an open panel. Archer smiles, laying his hand on her shoulder.

ARCHER
We're going to get you back. Trip
has a few minor repairs to make.
Hang in there, okay?

T'POL
Back where? Who are you?

Trip's tools clatter to the floor when he turns. Archer's smile melts into shock.

ARCHER
What?

T'POL
Who are you?

On hands and knees Trip scurries to her side. Archer moves out of his way. Trip takes her hand, staring in her eyes.

TRIP
Don't do this, honey. If you're
still not you, don't joke.
This isn't funny.

T'POL
What are you talking about? Who
are you two?

TRIP
No, no, no, no. What's your name?
Do you remember what species you are?

T'POL
(weak)
I don't know... My name.

T'Pol's eyes drift close. Trip laces his fingers in her, touching her face with his other hand.

TRIP
T'Pol, stay with me. Please stay with me.

T'POL
So cold...

TRIP
Please, baby, please open your
eyes. Please look at me. Please.

T'Pol doesn't respond.

TRIP
T'POL!

For a brief moment T'Pol looks at him and then dies.

TRIP
T'Pol?

Trip shakes her. He starts to cry.

TRIP
Cap'n, we have to give her CPR. Get the--

ARCHER
She's gone, Trip.

Trip gets up and pulls a defibrillator from one of the benches. He turns back to her. Archer stands, grabbing his shoulders.

ARCHER
She is gone, Trip. You can't
bring her back. Not this time.

Trip shakes his head, stepping back.

TRIP
No.

Archer reaches out and takes the defibrillator from Trip. Trip walks back to T'Pol and kneels down. He pulls her to his chest, cradling her head against his chest. Trip breaks down.

Archer sits down on the floor, dropping the defibrillator next to him. He puts his head in his hands.

INT. ENTERPRISE - SICKBAY

SUPER: February 7, 2158

T'Pol opens her eyes, finding Doctor Phlox's chest in her line of sight. He's leaning over her to change screens on the monitor overhead. She does nothing. Phlox looks down and smiles.

PHLOX
Welcome back.
(over his shoulder)
Captain.

Phlox walks away as Archer approaches. He smiles, laying his hand on T'Pol's arm.

ARCHER
You look better this morning.

T'POL
How long have I been in Sickbay?

ARCHER
A few days. Doctor Phlox was able
to make the antivenin in time. He
had a hard time keeping you
stable before it worked.

T'POL
I am...

ARCHER
You're what?

T'POL
Confused. Have I been in a
shuttle pod accident?

ARCHER
No. Why?

T'POL
Have I met with other Vulcans?

ARCHER
(jokingly)
Not unless you're not telling me again.

T'POL
Was I bitten by another serpent?

ARCHER
No, T'Pol. Why all these questions?

T'POL
I am confused about what events
have transpired. Please tell me
what has happened since I was bitten.

ARCHER
After the snake bit you we
brought you back here. I stayed
to finish trade negotiations and
we left the Osewa home world four
days ago. You've been in Sickbay
the entire time, but you were
delusional up until twelve hours ago.

T'POL
Where is Commander Tucker?

With his head, Archer motions to T'Pol's other side. She turns her head. Trip is unconscious on the bio-bed next to her.

T'POL
What happened to him?

ARCHER
One of those large poisonous
flowers shot a couple barbs in
his neck. Phlox says he's lucky
it missed his jugular or he'd be dead.

T'POL
I wonder how I knew...

ARCHER
What?

T'Pol looks up at the ceiling.

T'POL
With all due respect, Captain,
I'm quite exhausted still. May I rest?

ARCHER
Of course. I'll check back in
later on. It's good to have you back.

T'Pol doesn't reply. Archer leaves and Phlox returns to her side. He gives her a shot.

PHLOX
That should keep your arm from
hurting. Do you feel fine otherwise?

T'POL
Yes, Doctor. How serious is my injury?

PHLOX
Extensive, but not life
threatening any more. Do you
remember what you thought was
happening to you? You were very emotional.

T'POL
No. I remember nothing.

PHLOX
Most don't. Get some rest.

Phlox leaves her sight. She rolls her head to the side, her eyes already drooping with drowsiness.

T'POL
(whisper)
Get well fast, Trip. I want to
tell you about my hallucination...
You never gave up on me.

T'Pol drifts to sleep.

FADE OUT.

END OF ACT FOUR

WGA # 905327
Written by A. Rhea King