Seek First...- Pt. 8

Seek First to Understand

Part Eight

by Aquila

Rating: R
Category: Angst
Disclaimer: Thank you Berman and Braga for creating Trip Tucker. Thank you Connor Trinneer giving him life. Paramount do you own their souls too?
Summary: Spoilers, Alternate Universe, The effect of the Expanse on Trip, T’Pol and their professional relationship. Part Eight is told from Trip’s point of view.

==

5.5 hours later

I admit that my plan is over the top. But it has the element of surprise and we would be taking the offensive. The casualty risk is high. As a matter of fact, the odds are that neither of us will return. But our action will give the Enterprise that extra edge to ensure victory.

“You don’t think we should try, do ya?” I sound like I’m whining. I am actually.

“Your plan is foolhardy, perhaps even suicidal, but I do not have an alternative to offer that has as much of a chance of succeeding as your plan, Commander.”

“Hot damn that sounds like the order to engage.” I can’t believe she agreed. I’d better reassure her. “It is not my intention to commit suicide. Just want to make that clear. I still need to know why you’ve been looking at me like a bowl of plomeek soup that you want to slurp right up.”

She stiffens. “We need to be in the vicinity of the enemy ship in .25 of an hour, Commander. Please put the shuttle’s power online.”

I pushed her too far with the plomeek soup remark. “Yes, ma’am.”

I begin a preflight check. Why do I keep drawing her attention to the fact that I am aware of her interest? Do I like makin’ her feel uncomfortable? Am I really that perverse? She’s been a good friend, loyal and supportive. But a friend can’t look at a fella that way and not expect a reaction. Especially now that my engine is idling, waiting for the signal to go to warp drive.

Hold on there, Sparky. You have no evidence that her interest is in you in particular. What if the captain were here? He’s not indifferent to her. Lieutenant Reed has been lusting after her for months. Commander Charles Tucker III is not the only male member of the crew willing to satisfy her cravings. But you want to be, don’t ya, Trip old boy? The revelation is disturbing. Maybe I’m reacting to a life and death situation?

She interrupts my musings with a life support report. We unlatch our helmets. I hate the helmet, too confining. It is a relief to be able to breathe the shuttle air.

You have about five minutes to work this through, Tucker. What exactly do you want from the woman, other than obvious? Do you want something casual, something public, something private? You know your relationships have combusted in the past. What happens if you and T’Pol implode while serving together? Heck that’s the reason the no-frat rule was invented. Just how many regs are you willing to break to have her?

“We’re almost there, T’Pol. I’m going to use that asteroid over there as cover. Latch that helmet, so I can take as many of the systems off line as possible.”

Jeez, I should have put that a little more respectfully. “With respect, Sub commander.” She’ll see right through me. I like the thought that she can.

“As you wish, Commander.”

As I wish? According to my chronometer I may have only thirty or forty minutes to live. And I know for sure that there are only about five minutes left for talking about things that aren’t mission related.

“T’Pol?” My heart is in my throat. “We may die out here today.”

I can’t tell what she’s thinking the glare on the helmet hides her face.

“Isn’t this an appropriate time to tell me what’s been eating at ya?”

I couldn’t keep the pleading out of my voice.

“The Expanse affects Vulcan physiology. It erodes our emotional control, which can lead to mental imbalance.”

Son of a gun! She’s scared.

“I am developing a compelling appetite for sensual activities, which appears to manifest itself most strongly when I am in your presence. I apologize if my…interest…has made you uncomfortable. When we are once again on board Enterprise I will do my utmost to contain it.”

For T’Pol that’s like saying “Your place or mine?” That starts the blood rushing to my groin.

“T’Pol,” I’ve got to control myself, “If it helps, next time you have an appetite, let me know. I get hungry too. Satisfying our appetites together is bound to be more pleasurable than satisfying them alone.”

I throw her a kiss, swiveling my chair toward the console, because I do not want to face anger or rejection. Not now, not yet.

End of Part Eight

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