Aftermath

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Codes: A,T'P PG-13

WARNING: SPOILERS for Damage.

Author's note: This is the first fic I ever put on the web. I wrote this over lunch after reading some reactions to T'Pol's secret. I think her secret has dramatic potential.
I changed one sentence in this story since posting it at The Logical Choice. I did that because of word repetition.

T'Pol clutches the blanket tighter to her body. She shivers yet sweat covers her skin. Erratic emotions flood her mind. The need screams over all of them. T’Pol’s face contorts in anguish as she struggles to find her center. The need consumes her body, muscles spasm, blood sings, and pain dances along her nerves. She stares blankly out the viewport at the stars streaking past the ship.

A sound filters through the room. T'Pol does not notice.

"T'Pol, you didn't answer the com, so I decided to come in."

She lies facing away from him. He can see her body shaking under the covers.

"T'Pol… T'Pol can you hear me?"

His words filter through her concentration. With a low, hoarse voice she manages to force out, "I requested no visitors."

"I'm sorry, I had to come and see how you are doing."

"Why do you want to see me after what I did…the ship." Her voice cracks with emotion. He hears the guilt and regret behind it.

"The ship is okay, and the crew is as well. What happened wasn’t your fault. I told you that before, and I meant it.” Archer takes a breath. They discussed this before, the memories of that encounter are still fresh, and he hopes this one will turn out differently.

“I came here as your friend not your captain. I care about you.” He recovers from his slip saying “We all care about you. These past few days I’ve been stopped and asked about you so many times I’ve lost count.”

T’Pol remains silent, looking out at the stars that stream past the viewport. She hears Archer’s voice behind her. She brings her concentration back on it, trying to hear his words over the need gnawing at her.

“You don’t have to do this alone. If you need someone to talk to, I’m here.”

He looks at her wishing she would acknowledge what he said somehow. He watches her for a moment and wishes more than anything that he could find some other ways to help her. This is her battle to fight, and the only way he could help is if she let him. He doesn’t know what else to say, he exits her quarters resolving to see her again soon.

T’Pol hears him leave. She understands he wants to help her, but she feels she must not burden him with this. Her body distracts her from her train of thought. The need has lessened over the past week. T’Pol knows the symptoms of withdrawal with eventually disappear and the need will fade. One thought repeats over again in her head. With time logic will prevail.

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