A Fine Mess-Ch. 18

A Fine Mess

By Chianna

PG - Action/Adventure/Romance
Disclaimers in part one

The Chapter 18

The Promise

************

T’Pol held the blond head to her shoulder and her arms tightened reflexively around the one now in her care. They sat on a covered patio. The house was built into a rugged hillside over looking a very alien landscape. The red sky was dipping to maroon as another day was coming to an end on the Vulcan homeworld.

"Hush now Charlie, there is no need to cry."

"He’s such a baby, Grandmother. You’d think by know he would know how illogical it is to fuss about this story."

T’Pol looked over the head of the small boy in her arms, to her granddaughter.

"Vivian, you too should know that impatience is not an overly attractive emotion. And this is the first time he’s heard this story." The harsh words were tempered as she held out her arm and Vivian gracefully sat on a cushion at her grandmother’s feet.

Vivian looked into the face above her. She had seen pictures that Trip Tucker had taken all over the house and the woman in front of her had little changed from the one of the story from so long ago. Maybe her dark hair was shot through with some silver if you looked closely and her step just a faction slower. Grandmother T’Pol now taught at the Vulcan Science Academy. From time to time she would get a faraway look in her eye and Vivian knew that in a few weeks there would be an announcement of an expedition to some far off colony.

Calmer now, Charlie looked up into T’Pol’s eyes for reassurance. As she met his eyes T’Pol was amazed yet again at blue that so reminded her of another. His small face was stamped with the inherited features of two worlds. Beneath his tousled light hair peaked two small pointed and decidedly Vulcan ears.

"But Grandma, what happened to the commander? Was he hurt bad? Is he gonna be okay? Did you really save him..."

"All right sprout. ‘Nough pestering for one evening. Who’s wanting some pecan pie?" Both children looked expectantly, but waited until the older man had placed the pie on the table and started slicing a piece for each of them.. The years have taken a greater toll on the human but T’Pol saw the figure before her with different eyes.

"Now Charlie, don’t I look fine to you?"

"Yes Grandpa."

"And you know that Grandma rarely ever fails at what she puts her mind to. Right?"

"Right!"

"So how could you doubt that she saved me? I’m standing right in front of you – living proof. So there’s nuthin’ to be scared of little guy."

Vivian added, "And don’t forget that Grandfather made a promise too." Charlie frowned at his sister. She liked being a know-it-all and he had a sneaky suspicion that she knew more of the story than she let on. Big sisters are such a pain.

"I sure did. I told your Grandmother that I’d come back to her if she’d wait for me. And you know your Grandmother, infinite patience under infinite circumstances. And believe me, I’ve tested that patience more than a time or two." Trip reached his hand across the table and held out two fingers to T’Pol. T’Pol’s fingers met his and curled around his. For just a moment the children were forgotten and only memories of the past and content in the present existed for them.

Okay, Charlie thought, enough of the mushy stuff already. With just a touch of the bellyaching that his granddad had polished to a fine art, Charlie whined, "But I wan’na know what happened after the Vulcan’s caught the bad guys. Did you and Gran’ma get married right away... and, and what happened to Rook?"

"It is past your bed time. Tomorrow night, Charlie."

"Awww, grandma. I’m not tired yet." A yawn that almost unhinged the youngster’s jaw escaped before he was fast enough to hide it.

Only Trip saw the smile that T’Pol could hide from everyone but himself.

T’Pol picked up the little boy, who was more than half asleep already, and whispered, "Tomorrow night Charlie. You’ll have to wait until tomorrow night."

The End.

Sort of...

Please read and review. It’s what keeps the writers on this site going.

For everyone else older than Charlie: you only have to wait until I start the next story. You see, I think that I’m having so much fun with this that "A Fine Mess" might just be the start of a series of stories.

My story also took this turn after I have spent the last few days with some very amazing men. They are the volunteers of a World War II squadron know as the American Volunteer Group or more famously - the Flying Tigers. Sometimes I forget that some of our greatest heroes can be the parents and grandparents that we take for granted. There are more stories there than I could write in three lifetimes. And my ‘dinner date" last night was a charming southerner and P-40 pilot. The twinkle in his eyes made me think of another southerner...

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A whole mess of folks have made comments

I love this story and I love Trip!! I hope there are more to come!!

porthos is a looooossseeeerrr!! Nice story, is there a sequel yet?????

hey, this is a great story, please continue!!

I have to say Chianna, this having been the 3rd time I've read this story, I love it more and more each time.
Do we fanfic writers have the right to call our stories classics? If so, this one would have to be added to the list.

I loved this story to pieces, Chianna. Just got to have more of the story. With T'Pol and Trip getting closer and closer and more of Rook too. You are brilliant, this story is wonderful. You should feel justly proud for a superb effort - almost as proud as we are of you! Keep writing and many thanks and hugs, Ali D :~)

Awwww, that was sooo sweet! I can't wait to hear more of the story!

Hi Chianna - This was a brilliant piece, well crafted, and completely engaging. You remained true to each and every character every step of the way, and that is a rare thing.

I will admit I did some clandestine editing as I read this - I'm a writer myself, it's in my nature to make corrections (I used to enjoy correcting the employee letters of my former company's CEO). It was all superficial - use of apostrophes, writing out numerals, removing ampersands and modifying Trip's abbreviated grammar. Nothing major in the long run. However, from the moement the song begins, I didn't change a thing. I can't think of a better way for Trip and T'Pol to ultimately express their tangled up emotions for each other. It was a beautiful piece and you should be proud.

If you are ever in need of a beta reader, look me up. It would be a pleasure and a joy to be part of your craft.

Channain

I love this story!! Can't believe I missed it before! The development of the relationship is just so perfect.... which makes it even harder to realise you didn't write a sequel!! That really is a pity!!

Very well written. This was a joy to read.

great story, but what happened to the sequell. without the show these stories are our lifeline

great story, but what happened to the sequell. without the show these stories are our lifeline

Wow!! I loved this story!! You really captured the heart of the characters. It was touching and funny all at the same time. Please write the sequel. These stories truly are our lifeline without the show. You are one talented writer!! Thanks for the great entertainment!!!