Title: "PREY" – Chapter One, The Hunt Rated PG-13 (some violent scenes) Series: Enterprise! Author: Andorian Ice Princess Contact: jazzy_888@yahoo.com Summary: After the un-preventable death of a friend and crewmember T'Pol helps Trip to overcome his guilt and terror. Disclaimer: Enterprise and its characters are owned by the B boys (Berman & Braga) and Paramount. No copyright
RUN DENNIS! Those words kept screaming over and over in Trip’s head. "Why the hell didn’t he just listen to me?" he yelled out loud. But there was no one there, no one to hear the pain in his voice, no on to see the terror in his eyes and no one to wash away the innocent blood from his hands. Ensign Dennis was dead and it was his fault. It wasn’t really but Trip kept telling himself over and over again, that if only he had acted sooner or did something differently the young ensign might be alive. It was almost morning. Time to get moving. The hunt would resume again and this time time was not on his side. His only chance was to get back to the shuttle and get it fixed before it found him. Could he do it? That would remain to be seen. "Try to contact them again. I need to know if either one is still alive!" demanded Archer to anyone who would listen. He fixed his gaze on T'Pol who had worked all through the night to try to contact Trip or track either one of his missing crewmembers via their comm badges. It had been two days since Trip had to crash land on the planet below after returning from what was supposed to be a peaceful away mission. He had taken Ensign Dennis who was Trip’s right hand man in Engineering. Trip spoke highly of Dennis and said he showed real promise as an Engineer. Now both his friend and his pupil were missing, presumed dead. The force field around the planet prevented them from sending any more shuttles or from even using the transporter. Their only hope was to somehow break through the force field and then attempt a rescue of any kind. "I think I may have found a way into the planet’s defense system!" said Malcolm Reed almost astonished. "What is it?" he asked walking over. With the two of them engaged in deep discussion they did not notice T'Pol leave the bridge and head for her quarters. She needed to be alone right now. Thoughts of her last few moments with Trip began to fill her head. She remembered every word he said even the way he smelled. Now those moments seemed like they happened an eternity ago. You honestly want to have dinner with me? Even after what I said in Engineerin’ earlier today? His words echoed in her head. And she had meant it. She wanted to get to know him, but not in a rushed manor. This relationship would take time to develop, but somehow it would be worth it. There were so many doubts, so many what if’s and so many reasons why a human and Vulcan should not pair. But both wanted it, even if the words failed say so. She finally reached her room and collapsed on the bed. She had been up ever since he left and this was the first break she had had in days. She needed to be alone. Needed to remember him. But most of all she needed him back. Oh Trip are you okay? She kept asking to no one. Only one person had the answer, and he could not be found. The agony of not knowing if he was dead or alive was killing her. She closed her eyes and tried to find some relief in sleep, none came. Almost there, almost made it. Trip kept urging himself to press forward. He had to make it, had to keep going, or Dennis’s life sacrifice would have been in vain. He remembered how they landed on the planet, Dennis had said it was not so bad since they were both in tact. Then hell broke loose. They were attacked by some sort of beast that clearly had no regard for life of any kind. They had tried to reason with it, tried to bargain with it, even tried to bribe it, but in the end only one thing was clear, it was going to kill them. Trip could still smell the odor of death when the beast had brought them both back to it’s lair. Dennis was awake since he had not sustained the blow to his head as Trip had. But he was a young officer, young and inexperienced. New to the ways of combat, new to the ways of a hostile planet, and new to the ways of life. Damn! He was only 20 years old for petes sake, Trip cursed again. WHY? He yelled out loud. He remembered the fight so clearly. At one point it seemed that they had the upper hand, but when Trip got his leg caught in the steel trap Dennis went after it. That was his last mistake. If only he had stayed with him as he was ordered to. Damn him! He cursed again. If only……his thoughts then trailed to T'Pol. He remembered his last few moments with her. Remembered how she smiled somewhat nervously as she asked him to join her for a special Vulcan dinner. It was some holiday observance back on Vulcan and she did not want to celebrate alone. She asked him, not the Captain or someone else, but him. He was so happy at first he didn’t say a thing. "Is something wrong Commander? Have I offended you in some way?" he remembered her asking. Then he asked if she honestly wanted to have dinner with him. He had said a remark earlier in the day that he regretted, but she did not mention it. When she nodded her head yes, he just smiled and said that nothing was wrong and that he’d be honored to join her. Honored, was the right word. He wanted so desperately for her not to be afraid of him, for her to respond to his gentle but persistence advances, and above all wanted her to give in to whatever he hoped she was feeling. Feelings? For him? He hoped so. But was she ready for a human/Vulcan relationship? He was. It would take time, and time was the one thing on their side, if only he could live long enough to make it back to the ship. He cocked his head, it was coming, bearing down on him. It smelled the blood on his uniform. But unless he wanted to run buck naked through the forest he had to take the chance and keep it on. He checked the bandage on his wounded leg and started to make another run for the ship. Gotta keep going! "There! See every 7.6 minutes there is an energy flux in the barrier." Said Reed excitedly, "if we keep our energy pulse aimed at the spot where the shuttle craft went down." "Can we get the shuttle craft through in that time?" "Sorry sir, it only stays open for about 2 minutes each time, but…" his voice trailed off. "But what?" asked Archer. "Well sir we can use the transporter. Trip always had no problem with it, you know that." Explained Reed. He knew that that was to be their only course of action. He hated to leave technology on a planet that was foreign to them if they didn’t have to, but in this case they would have to. "Okay. We’ll have to wait for them to contact us and then see if that is what they want. Agreed?" asked Archer, knowing full well that to use the transporter however dangerous and untested it was, looked like it would be the only means to save their friends lives. If they were still alive. The silence on the bridge was deafening as they all spent their time waiting with baited breath for a message from the surface. Would it come? Trip could see the ship in sight. He almost allowed himself to think he was home free. But was he? Where was his hunter? Would he be able to get away in time? He checked the makeshift bandage that held his broken ribs together and decided to press on. He could hear it coming, behind him, not far. He reached the ship and collapsed on the floor. He gathered himself together after a few peaceful moments and got his bearings. He first closed and barricaded the door. That thing was not coming in in an easy way. Next he got the extra phaser out of the storage compartment. He would need the energy to jump start the boosters on the shuttle. Would it be enough? He doubted it very much, but he still had to try somehow. And if that failed, it was still an effective weapon. Trip could feel drowsiness starting to take over. He had not slept in days and had not eaten in just as many. But he could not afford to sleep now. Timing was everything now, it was his life. He kept picturing T'Pol in his mind. A reason to go on. A reason to keep fighting, a reason to live. Men fought and died for love all the time, he was no different. "I will not be prey to some unknown beast!" he said out loud. He had a new life start waiting for him back on the ship, that reason alone gave him the little bit of extra strength he needed to keep going. Oh T'Pol I hope you still want me! He said in his head. T'Pol woke from her sleep with a start. Trip? She knew that he was not there. Where was he? The shuttle party still was not heard from. She had gotten Archer’s message about the transporter and agreed that whatever it took to get them back was well worth the risk. Was he hurt? Was he still alive? Was he thinking about her? It was a selfish question, and she knew that, but still somehow she needed to know, she wanted to know, she would have to know. Human’s viewed love just as sacred a life, something worth fighting for, something worth dying for, but was it something worth living for? Did Trip value her friendship with the chance of life with her as something so vital to him that it would keep him alive at any cost? She knew she had no answers, only a million questions that played out in her mind. Oh Trip come back to me, she moaned out loud. I need to know you’re okay. She couldn’t take it any longer, she had to get back to the bridge. If she stayed in her room her thoughts would swallow her up, and she would be ineffective to do her job. The bridge was the only place where she could focus on getting him back safely without betraying herself to her shipmates of her feelings for him. Only Trip knew the truth and she hoped it would stay that way for awhile. She got dressed and head for the bridge. BANG! It was the second hit the beast gave the ship. At least he’s persistent, Trip said out loud. Almost got it! There! "Trip to Enterprise. Come in Enterprise." He said through a broken comm. For a second the bridge crew thought it was a dream when Trip’s voice came over the comm in broken tones. No one wanted to touch a button in case it would not be real, but it had to be. "Trip come in." came Archer’s excited voice over the comm. "Are you both okay?" "No sir…" there was a silent pause. Archer looked to T'Pol only to see a perplexing look on her face. Worry? For Trip? Could it be? "What is it Trip?" he urged him to continue. "Ship is badly damaged…I am hurt bad…. Dennis…is…dead!" and then all was silent. T'Pol just swallowed. What had happened down there? It was supposed to be a peaceful planet. What had Trip experienced? Archer looked at Reed and no one had the words to say what each other knew Trip was feeling. It was the same feeling of dread and horror they would have felt if they were in his position, and yet each one was glad that they had not had to experience what he had. It was selfish, but it was reality. "Trip can you get the shuttle up at all?" asked Archer knowing full well that if his Chief Engineer said something was not working, it was not working. "No sir, sorry. Tried and failed. Too much damage. Under attack right now. Can you send a shuttle ASAP?" he asked with panic raising in his voice. Trip looked to the now dented door of the shuttlecraft and knew that it would not be much longer before that beast had made its way inside. He thought about blasting open the front window with the little phaser power there was and trying to make a run for the high mountains. But in his condition he would be dead before he reached the end of the shuttle, and he knew it. He had to stay with the ship, no matter what the cost. "Okay if you can hold on for another," Archer paused as Reed whispered ‘5 minutes’, "5 minutes, then we are going to use the transporter to get you out of there. Is that okay with you?" "More than okay. And the sooner the better, I am not sure how much longer the shuttle door will hold out." "Just do whatever you have too to stay alive." He said hurriedly and closed off the comm. "Okay lets go get him. Count it down Malcolm." He called as he motioned to T'Pol to join him in the transporter room. They headed there in silence. Each thinking about the friend and shipmate they could still lose. T'Pol could still hear the fear in Trip’s voice, and wished she was right there beside him. Fighting off the beast that had taken a friend from him. And how bad was he hurt? Would they rescue him only to have him die on them? Oh the tortured possibilities that played out in her mind. The next 5 minutes seem to pass with eternal slowness. The door had almost given way. The beast could smell the blood on the prey inside the machine. This prey was stronger than other prey, but soon it would be his and he would feast on the soft flesh like he did the other one. The other one was weak, this one was determined, but in the end it would only make the kill that much more satisfying. "Hurry up guys!" He said aloud. Trip was starting to panic now. He had pushed almost everything in the shuttle in front of the door and still the beast was coming. His pain was starting to overtake him, and had it not been for the constant pounding on the door that reminded him that death was a just a knock away, he would have lay down and passed out. "One minute to go sir." Came Reed’s voice over the comm. T'Pol felt as if she was going to explode, but in this situation was very thankful for her Vulcan heritage as it helped her to remain calm. Then the beast stopped. What the hell? Thought Trip. No way was it going to give up that easily. But there was silence. It had stopped. Why? Had it heard their communication and given up? Did it know that reinforcements were on the way? Not likely. So what was the story? What had happened. Trip went to look out the window, big mistake, the beast was waiting for him to do that. Trip put his face to the window as a large fanged claw smashed through and grabbed his neck. It slashed the left side of his face starting with his ear and ending at his shoulder, nearly taking his eye. Trip grabbed his face and fell back in pain. The beast who did not care that the glass shards were cutting its arm continued to break the small window to get to Trip. Trip could feel the blood coming freely now, and he was at the point of passing out. "Thirty seconds. I have locked on to his coordinates. Standby to beam him aboard." Came Reed’s loud voice on the comm once again. Archer motioned to the transporter technician who got ready to beam the Chief aboard. The beast now had its one large arm and ugly head inside the shuttlecraft. Its large teeth were bared and it growled at the site of its prey. Trip grabbed a chair and hit the beast on the head. It cried out in a surprised pain, but kept coming. It’s strength allowed it to finally pull back part of the soft metal of the shuttle and get it’s other arm inside. Trip knew it was over. The ship had somehow failed to transport him and this thing was now inside. There was no time for him to move all the equipment away from the door, to try to get away. He thought of T'Pol once again. He saw the beast raise one clawed arm. He closed his eyes. It was over. If only…..his thoughts fizzled in his head. His vision went fuzzy and he started to feel tingly all over. Is this death? Is this end? "I’ve got him sir." Said the transporter technician, who was given the go ahead by the Captain to beam Commander Tucker aboard at Reed’s command. Archer and T'Pol stood still in front of the platform while Trip’s body slowly materialized in front of them. Trip opened his eyes only to see light before him. Two figures that were fuzzy were now coming into full view. Could it be? Was this the transporter? Was he saved? Yes! He was back on the ship. He was safe, he was alive. He had won the hard battle, that Ensign Dennis had not. He was safe at home and allowed himself to collapse on the transporter deck. Archer and T'Pol stood aghast at the sight before them as it materialized. Leg torn and bandaged, chest bandaged, hands bloodied and left side of face torn and bloodied, and yet he was alive. Both rushed to his side and helped him sit up. "You have got to try that ride guys, it’s wild." He said half smiling, before he passed out. Archer alerted sick bay that they had a medical emergency on their hands and they were bringing the patient there now, be ready! A few days later Trip awoke in a sweat. He could still see the look of horror on Dennis’s face just before he was killed. A memory sure to haunt him for the rest of his life. A memory he sadly had to share alone. His eyes focused on the dimly lit room he was in. It was sick bay. He was still there. He remembered hearing that he had been in a coma for a bit, but that he was healing rather well. He also heard the doctor talking to T'Pol telling her that she did not have to be at his side all the time, and that he would call her if his condition changed. He heard her soft voice whisper to him that she would never leave him, and then she sat back down and resumed her watch. The Doctor understood and did not say a word. Even Archer had come to terms with the special bond that was beginning to form with his two most trusted officers, and decided to back away, and let nature take its course. Trip lay his head back down. Sick bay was empty and he was alone, alone with his tortured thoughts. Life was not fair he thought. If only. The scenarios played over and over again in his head for things he could have done differently to save Dennis’s life. But could he have? The only reason the beast had left off hurting Trip was the fact that his leg was caught in the trap and he was not viewed as a threat. But what if he was free? Would he have been killed as quickly as Dennis? Or would they both have had a chance at escape. He would never know. And he never wanted to go back and test out his theory. "Damn!" he said aloud, not realizing that T'Pol was still here, sitting, silently watching him. If only she could read his thoughts, take away his pain or at least share some of it. But in his condition, she could not take the chance. "I am sure you did all you could to save him." She said softly. Trip turned his head and saw her for the first time. His left eye which had been swollen shut was starting to focus again on it’s own. There was no major damage the Doctor had assured him. "How long have you been here?" he asked quietly. "For some time." She replied getting up and walking over to him. He perched himself up on his elbows to get a better look at her. Still at beautiful as he remembered. But when he had gotten a closer look he noticed her eyes were red and swollen. Was she crying? For him? His heart melted. Was it possible she cared that much? "Are you okay?" he asked softly wanting very much to hold her in his arms. "You should have gotten some rest yourself you know." He said with his southern voice taking on even more of a husky tone. "I could not leave you. I needed to know if you would be okay. And until a few minutes ago I was not assured of that." She said gently stroking his face where the deep cut was healing slowly. He just let her touch his face, relishing in the thought of her being with him. And for a moment he forgot the pain he was under, forgot the nightmares he faced in the past few days and for a second forgot the torment of seeing a friend die. She was here with him, like it was the most natural thing in the world, like they belonged at each other’s side, now and forever. "Thank you." He said softly. "For what?" she asked. "For giving me something worth living for. Something to come back to." With those words her heart soared. Was it true? Was his reason for living her? Did that give him the extra bit he needed to hang on in such a tortured condition? No words were needed now. She just smiled at him and continued to look at him in a way that he never experienced with past loves. This was going to be different. Sure they were in for a few twists and turns ahead, but if their love continued to grow like it was now, no obstacle would be to great for them to overcome. "Are we still on for dinner?" he asked laughing. She laughed back and was glad for the light humor. "Of course. It was an open ended invitation." She said. "Good, cuz as soon as I get my walkin’ papers I am outta here. Just don’t let the Doc. hear." He said smirking. He continued to hold her hand for a few moments more. Time seemed to pass slowly for them, each lost in the others eyes, wondering why they couldn’t get inside the others head to share the pain and hope each held out. That was the source of their true strength. That would be the one thing that would get them through everything. "Hh..hmmm," came a voice clearing it’s throat in the distance. The both looked up to see the Doctor standing sheepishly in the corner. He was thankful he had only been there a few seconds. They needed their privacy it was obvious, and he wanted to grant it, and support it any way he could. "Well I think it’s time to give you the green light." Phlox said. "I’ll see you soon Commander." T'Pol said regretfully letting go of his hand and headed for the door of sick bay on the way to her quarters to get things ready for the dinner they would finally have, nodding at the Doctor as she left. "That’s a relief Doc," came Trip’s chipper voice. He couldn’t wait to leave and get back to his quarters to get ready for the date he could hardly wait to get to. It was about to finally happen. Trip checked himself again in the mirror. He was not going in uniform tonight. He didn’t have to work tomorrow and wanted tonight to be the best first date he ever had. It was going to be unique, but it would be worth it. He put on his cologne that he knew she liked, combed his hair and made sure his white dress shirt was tucked neatly into his black dress pants. He grabbed the single red rose he picked earlier and headed for her quarters. T'Pol took one last glance at the elegant table she had set. Never before had she shared this celebration with anyone, much less a human male. It would be an occasion worth remembering indeed. And after she would offer to share his pain, to delve into his mind to ease him of the horrors that would haunt him for some time to come. She checked the deep blue dress she had chosen to wear and even put on some perfume she borrowed from Hoshi. Then the door chimed. She held her breath and went to open it. Trip just stood at her, mouth open, unable to move. She took his breath away. Boy he thought she looked good in uniform, but out of it, wow, even better. He finally found his mouth again, and his brain slowly told it what to say, "Man you look terrific T'Pol. Here this is for you." He said handing her the rose and walking into her quarters. "Thank you and may I say that you look rather handsome yourself." She had learned the proper way that humans complimented each other on a date. The compliment obviously worked as his face went an even deeper shade of red. "I hope you like the Vulcan cuisine I have selected for tonight’s celebration." She mused. "I’m sure it’ll be just perfect." He said sitting down. It was here, the first date at last. He forgot his past week’s nightmares. Forgot that he was once prey for a horrific hunter whose hunger for death could not be satisfied. Forgot his wounds and aches. Forgot that he was Chief Engineer on the Enterprise. Tonight he was just Trip Tucker, southern guy on a first date with the most beautiful women he had ever had the privilege of getting to know. He would remember tonight for the rest of his life. T'Pol sat down in front of him. It was here, their first social occasion alone together. She would remember the details of the night and think fondly of them for weeks to come. The sound of the light music playing, the smell’s of the flowers, the scented candles and him. She would remember how his smiles seemed to ease away his past week’s painful memories. And soon enough if he let her she would share his pain with him. It would be her privilege, her honor, and her duty to him. The end of supper came soon enough. Both not wanting the evening to rush away from them to soon. He knew there would be more to come, but this night was the first night, the first of many things he hoped and that made it special. He smiled at the many firsts that were ahead of him yet. He would view each one as unique, something to treasure for the years to come. T'Pol grabbed his hand and gently pulled him to his feet. Trip silently followed her as she led him to her nearby couch and they sat down, facing each other. She studied his strong face for but a moment, then smiled. "What?" he asked smiling back, studying her beautiful face equally. "I want to ask you something?" she asked, her voice somewhat quivering. "What is it?" he replied just as nervously. "Will you share your pain with me? Allow me to help you to overcome your demons?" she asked innocently. "H-how?" he stuttered softly. "Let me show you. And I promise I will not hurt you." "I know you wouldn’t hurt me T'Pol." He said softly as she began to run one hand gently over his face causing his skin to tingle and to get goose bumps. "I want to be part of you." She said putting the other hand gently to the other side of his face and assuming the position for the mind meld. "And I want you to know all of me." He said putting his hands over hers and holding them to his face. They stared at each other for a moment, lost in each other’s eyes as they had done before. Now was the time for a new journey for them both. Him to experience a part of her world, and her to experience a part of his. She put her hands in place and prepared herself for what lay ahead. Trip closed his eyes and welcomed a chance to share his pain with the person he trusted most on the ship aside from himself. It would feel good to finally share this tragic part of himself with her. He opened his mind and let her in. T'Pol smiled and opened her mind to his. At last they were finally one. |