"Captain Archer."

"Captain Salec."

The Vulcan captain inclined his head very slightly.  "May I introduce Healer Vala, Hear T'Myr and Healer Selik." 

Archer nodded in turn to each physician; the portly, bald, Vara, the slender T'Myr with her long, auburn hair, so rare in Vulcans, and the distinguished, silver-haired Selik.  The dark-haired, dark-eyed Salec continued.  "They will be leading the team who will be tending to Commander Tucker."

"I am very pleased to meet all of you," Archer responded formally.  "And may I introduce Dr. Phlox, our ship's physician, and Subcommander T'Pol, my science officer."

Salec raised a brow.  "Surely that is no longer an accurate honorific, Captain?"

Archer knew what he was getting at.  For a number of reasons, T'Pol was no longer member of the Vulcan High Command.  At any other time, he would be annoyed on her behalf.  But not now.  He needed the good will of these people.  More importantly, Trip needed them.  He shrugged, keeping his voice level.  "A matter of convenience, Captain.  Easier for my crew to continue to refer to my science officer by her former rank."

"Logical," Salec admitted.  High praise from a Vulcan.

"Subcommander T'Pol will function as my liaison between our two crews, as she has understanding of both human and Vulcan cultures.  Do you agree?"

"I do.  Again, a logical decision, Captain."

Hang around a Vulcan long enough and logic rubs off, Archer thought, but simply bowed his head slightly in response.

Healer T'Myr spoke.  "Dr. Phlox.  I read your recent paper on cross-species viral mutations.  An elegant and concise analysis."

The Denobulan inclined his head.  "You honour me, madam."  He looked at the other two healers.  "May I take you to our Sickbay?  I'm certain that you wish to begin Commander Tucker's treatment as soon as possible."

"Time is of the essence," Vara agreed.

"The Commander's case present us with a unique learning opportunity," Selik added, echoing T'Pol's initial assessment.

"But of course," Phlox agreed blandly.  "If you will accompany me," and he indicated the way.  The three healers followed him, leaving Archer, T'Pol and Salec behind. 

"Captain," Salec said, "our two crews will be working closely together for the foreseeable future.  It would therefore be logical, and more efficient, to have our two vessels physically connected."

"I agree," Archer said.  "I assume that you have a method of accomplishing this?  Our two docking hatches are not compatible."

"Indeed.  We have a universal docking collar.  We can easily attach it to Enterprise.  It will then be a simple matter to construct a connecting corridor between our two ships.  If you are agreeable?"

"Yes.  My engineering crew is at your disposal, Captain."

"Thank you."  The Vulcan peered at Archer curiously.  "I must say, Captain, that I am surprised.  I was led to believe that you were not particularly co-operative."

Probably been talking to Ambassador Soval.  "Don't believe everything you hear, Captain."

Salec raised a brow.  "So it would seem.  Additionally, Captain, I would take it as a personal favor if you would allow your crew to freely interact with mine.  It would be a valuable learning experience – for both sides."

Archer nodded.  "Logical," he said, enjoying the faint look of surprise on the other's face.  "Let me start that by inviting you and the healers looking after Commander Tucker to dinner.  My chef has mastered several different Vulcan dishes."

Salec looked mildly doubtful, but answered in the affirmative nonetheless.  "Very well.  And, now, Captain – I, too, would like to examine Commander Tucker."

"Of course.  Right this way."

*  *  *

Salec raised a brow.  "Interesting," he said to Phlox.  "And certainly a unique method of treatment."  He looked into the tank.  "Does it require a great deal of maintenance?"

The Denobulan shook his head.  "My osmotic eel only needs a nutrient broth every few days.  Less if she is being used for treatment."

"I see."  The Vulcan looked over to where Trip was lying, and raised both brows.  Archer was sitting by the engineer's bedside.  He was holding the younger man's hand in his, stroking Trip's face with the other, and whispering into his ear.  Trip turned his face towards him, and Archer kissed him gently.

"Is this typical?" Salec asked Phlox.

Enterprise's doctor smiled slightly.  "Please be more specific, Captain.  If you are referring to interactions between Captain Archer and his crew at large, then the answer is 'no'.  However, if you are referring to Captain Archer and Commander Tucker, then the answer is 'yes'."

Those brows rose again. "Indeed?"

T'Pol spoke up.  "Th'y'la."

Salec looked to Phlox, who confirmed this.  "A good a definition as any, Captain."

"Indeed."

*  *  *

"So, Captain Archer," Salec asked matter-of-factly, as he sipped his plomeek soup, "precisely how long have you and Commander Tucker been lovers?"

Archer choked on his iced tea.  "I beg your pardon?"

Salec turned to T'Pol.  "You did say Th'y'la, did you not?  In the fullest sense?"

T'Pol simply nodded.

Archer looked from one to the other, while the other Vulcans around the table watched the little by-play with avid interest.  "Tie-what–a?" he asked.

"Th'y'la," T'Pol said calmly.  "A Vulcan term.  Its meaning is fluid; difficult to translate exactly, as it can be used to describe a number of relationships.  In this particular case, it means one who is 'friend, brother, lover'.  All in one.  I indicated to Captain Salec that this form of the word accurately described your relationship with Commander Tucker."

Jesus H. Christ.

"Was she incorrect?" Salec inquired.

And just what the hell business is it of yours?  But Archer managed to speak quietly.  "May I ask why you are so interested?"

Salec raised his brow again. 

I wonder if they teach them that in school? 

"I was under the impression," the Vulcan said, "that human beings were more open in discussing these matters.  Was I incorrect?"

"It depends on the circumstances."

T'Myr spoke up.  "Our interest is not simply vulgar curiosity, Captain Archer.  If you and Commander are indeed Th'y'la to each other, this will impact on our proposed treatment plan for the Commander."  He looked at her in astonishment.  "We treat the whole patient," she added.  "All aspects of a patient's life are important considerations."

"I see," Archer said.  So part of Trip's treatment was going to include laying out their love life for these Vulcans to dissect?  Give me strength.  He sighed, mentally, then braced himself.  Whatever it takes.

"Also," Salec added, "my particular field is xeno-psychology.  Specifically, alien relationships."

Archer was initially startled to hear he and Trip characterized as "alien", but then realized that from Salec's point of view, they were just that.  "I've known Trip for nearly ten years," he said.

""Trip'?" Vara asked.

"A nickname," Archer explained.

"Is the Commander particularly clumsy?" Selik questioned.

Archer smiled.  "No, no. Quite the opposite, in fact.  No, in his case, 'Trip' is short for 'triple'."  The four Vulcans looked blank.  "His full name is Charles Tucker III," he added.  "He's the third.  Hence, the 'triple'."

His guests were silent for a moment as they considered this.  "I think I understand," Selik finally said.

"Did you give him this 'nickname', Captain?" T'Myr asked.

Archer shook his head.  "It's a family name.  He's had it since childhood.  Actually, he prefers it to 'Charles'."

"Interesting," Vara mused.  "I wonder why."

"I've never asked."

Salec was not that easily sidetracked.  "You say you have known him for almost a decade.  And you have been lovers all that time?"

Archer sighed very slightly.  Obviously, generalities were not going to be enough.  "No," he replied.  "But it's safe to say that Trip and I were friends from the moment we met, though."

He smiled slightly, remembering those first few days.  He, Trip and A.J. had committed assorted acts of mayhem, piracy and just general all-round mischief in their quest to prove that Henry Archer's engine design was sound.  And damned if they hadn't succeeded, too.

"Then when did your relationship change?"

"Not that long ago," Archer told him.

"I see," Salec said, although it was obvious he did not. 

Archer took pity on him.  "We finally realized that somewhere along the line, our relationship had changed from friendship into something deeper."

Salec's face was alight with restrained, Vulcan curiosity.  "Then am I correct in assuming that your relationship was not primarily based on a physical attraction?"

"Neither one of us is primarily attracted to men in a purely sexual sense," Archer said, forcing himself to remain detached and clinical, "if that is what you mean."  Ah, what the hell – in for a penny, in for a pound.  As long as it helps Trip, what does it really matter?  "I think it's safe to say that in our case, the emotional aspect is first and foremost.  Not to say that we don't enjoy an active sex life."

"Fascinating," Salec murmured.  "Speaking of your sex life, Captain – "

"Would you like some b'ar'at?" Archer asked pleasantly.  He didn't wait for an answer, but ladled a generous helping of the vegetable stew onto the Vulcan's plate.  "I will be pleased to discuss that aspect of our relationship.  Later," he added firmly.

Salec was disappointed, but took the hint.  He also took a spoonful of stew.  "Adequate," he murmured.  He looked at Archer.  "I would like to discuss this with Commander Tucker as well."

"Well, I can't speak for Trip.  You'll have to take it up with him."  He smiled.  "When he's able to do so, of course."

"Of course.  I would not expect him to be able to answer these questions in his present condition."  And he continued to eat. 

Archer, noting the looks he was receiving from the other healers, sighed mentally.  It looked like the next few days were going to be excruciating, to say the least.  Vulcans, he thought with rueful amusement, rushing in where angels fear to tread.  He imagined Trip's reaction to these questions, and smothered a smile.  That would be something to see.  He ought to sell tickets. 

He realized that for the first time in days, he was assuming that Trip would eventually completely recover.  And that, he realized, would be worth any amount of embarrassment.

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