Bound and Determined

Bound Fic CHALLENGE

Bound and Determined

By Favors

Rating: PG-13
Genre: Action-Adventure
DISCLAIMER: Star Trek: Enterprise is owned by Paramount, not me. No infringement intended, no profit made.
Summary: Response to the Challenge for fanfiction anticipating “Bounty.”

A/N: italics represent inner-thoughts & musings.

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“Commander. Do you need any assistance?” T’Pol’s well modulated tone broke Trip’s concentration.

Trip was under a console, still repairing damage from the recent Klingon attack. Trip was bone weary. All the males on the ship had gone nuts as far as he was concerned. Sure the Orion slave girls were pretty, but irresistible? No. All the men, save him, had been fighting over those 3 women. He was tired, and at this point was even willing to accept T’Pol’s help. He wiggled his way out from underneath the console.

He gazed at her tiredly. She seemed bound and determined to accost him at every turn. He was just as bound and determined to avoid her at all costs. However, right now he was too tired to care.

“Here, why don’t ya go over these diagnostics? That panel over needs replacin’.” Trip handed her a PADD with the repair list and then went back under the console.

T’Pol stared after Trip’s retreating form for a few seconds before going over to the panel. Lt Hess approached, looking equally weary.

“Where’s Commander Tucker?” she asked T’Pol.

T’Pol turned slightly and pointed to his feet, sticking out from under the console.

“Chief?”

“Anna?”

“Yes, sir. I’m finished with the recalibration, what’s next?”

“Just a sec, I’m almost done.” Within a few minutes, Trip once again wiggled his way out from under the console.

Trip stood, eyes closed and bent backwards, stretching his back out. Trip felt a wave of concern wash over him and when he opened his eyes, T’Pol was staring at him.

“I thought you wanted to help? Helpin’ would actually entail you fixin’ that panel.” As soon as the words left his mouth he instantly regretted them. Again he felt a wave of emotion wash over him, this time it was hurt, rejection.

I feel like scum. But I just can’t get caught up in her again. I left this damn ship to get away from her, and all I can do is think of her 24/7. But I’m not apologizin’! How many times has she hurt me and not cared? Everytime! God I’m an idiot for continuin’ to love someone who doesn’t love me.

Hess wisely remained silent. She knew there was history between these two, and most thought Commander Tucker left because of her.

“Well, let’s see what else is on the repair list.” Trip selected another PADD and activated it, reviewing the list of repairs with Hess, he turned his back on T’Pol. After reviewing the list and providing Hess with more repairs for her and her team, Anna Hess departed swiftly, but not before she shot a dark look at Commander T’Pol.

T’Pol had seen many of those looks directed her way since Trip had left Enterprise. She knew many of the crew blamed her for his departure. Engineering in particular had taken it quite hard. Commander Kelby was not the engineer Trip was and the ship was suffering.

Trip was gathering his tools, preparing to move onto the next project.

“You’ve lost weight.” T’Pol commented.

“So.” He replied, his back still to her.

“You have dark circles under your eyes.”

“What’s your point Commander?” Trip finally turned, hands on his hips.

“You haven’t been sleeping or eating.”

“Well, in case ya didn’t notice, I’ve been real busy. Most of the crew is goin’ all ga ga over those Orion girls. Frankly I just don’t get it.”

“Only the males, except for you.”

“What?”

“Only the male crew was affected. In case you didn’t notice, your only help with repairs the last 3 days has been from the female crewmembers. Don’t you find that odd that you are the only unaffected male crewmember?” T’Pol pressed.

I only want one woman, and she’s standin’ right in front of me.

“I guess they just don’t do it for me.” Trip replied evasively.

“I don’t believe that is the cause.”

Course ya don’t. I’m sure you think you’re the cause. That I’m so hung up on ya that I don’t want another woman. Course that’s exactly what’s true.

Trip did his best to look everywhere expect at T’Pol. When he did chance a glance up, her eyes were locked on him with that penetrating stare. Little did he know his thoughts were loud and clear to T’Pol.

“Well maybe you could enlighten me on your theory later. Right now, I gotta lot of work to do.” And with that Trip collected his tools and raced off.

“Trip!” T’Pol started after him but stopped, when 4 women in Engineering looked up at her from below. They wore accusing expression on their faces, so T’Pol backed away, embarrassed. She had been trying to talk to Trip ever since he had returned to Enterprise, yet he brushed her off at every opportunity.

I have become too emotional! It is that human’s fault! My logic had been compromised because of him! My health is being compromised, as is his, since we are apart. How dare he have the audacity to make me love him! Doesn’t he understand? Meditation will help me, I will speak to him tomorrow, make him understand his gross error in leaving Enterprise.

T’Pol angrily replaced the panel and continued repairs in engineering for several hours before returning to her quarters to meditate.

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

Hours later Trip finally made his way to his quarters and peeled off his uniform.

A shower and some sleep. If only I could stop dreamin’ about T’Pol.

Trip let his body relax as the hot water washed away the grime of the day. Trip let his mind drift as he showered and once again found himself in the white room.

Not again! He thought to himself. T’Pol was sitting cross-legged on the floor of the brilliant white room, her eyes closed. Angrily Trip strode over to her, and stood before her dripping wet and completely nude.

“Don’t you think you should put come clothes on?” she asked acerbically.

“Why? It’ not like ya haven’t seen me naked several times. I know it can’t possibly bother ya, ya made that real clear.”

“I am trying to mediate. Please leave.”

“With pleasure!”

Trip mentally ripped himself away from the white room and discovered he was still in the shower. The water was beginning to turn cool. He quickly exited and donned under shorts and climbed into his welcoming bed.

Within minutes Trip was asleep and once again in the white room.

“You have got to be kiddin’ me!” Trip stood before T’Pol, hands on his hips, in Starfleet issue blue underwear.

“At least you are somewhat clothed this time.” T’Pol didn’t seem offended at his presence this time.

“Ya know this place is just plain borin’. There’s this small, pretty beach in Pensacola, that’s real relaxin’.” Trip focused on the beach he remembered from childhood, and to his amazement the white room dissolved into that very beach.

T’Pol stood abruptly, shocked at the change in scenery. “How did you do that?”

“How the hell should I know?!? I don’t even know why I keep endin’ up here! Every time I go to sleep or let my mind drift, I wind up in that dull white room of yours, watchin’ you meditate! But this is a hellva lot better than the white room if ya ask me. I’m goin’ skinny dippin’.”

“Skinny dipping?”

“Swimming without clothes.” Trip wasted no time in removing his skivvies.

T’Pol actually looked envious; she glanced out at the ocean, and wondered what it would feel like. He had once offered to teach her to swim and she of course had refused.

“I’d invite ya, but I already know your answer. ‘Vulcans don’t swim.’ Have fun sittin’ here on the sand.” Trip turned his back on her and started to dash towards the ocean.

“Trip! Wait, please.”

Despite his earlier self-admonishment to ignore her, he stopped and turned. She looked so vulnerable, so lost, so alone. Waves of regret, fear, anger, pride, and even love cascaded over him.

Why is it that every time I get with 30 feet of her I am overwhelmed with emotions?

“Well?” he prodded.

“You may show me how to swim.”

“Well, now I know this is a dream. And since it’s my dream, strip baby. Peel it all off! Or better yet, let me help ya.” Trip approached her with a wide easy smile. Mischief dancing in his eyes.

T’Pol could sense that Trip thought this was actually a dream. She allowed him to peel off her catsuit. He ran his hands over her body, lingering her where she liked it best, nuzzling her neck with kisses.

“Ya know, this dream is turning out to be real good. I’ve missed ya, darlin’. Make no mistake about that. Come on, let’s get wet and tired and then get all wet and tired from somethin’ else.”

T’Pol knew exactly what that something else was. She allowed Trip to pull her towards the ocean. She stopped as she got closer, afraid of the open water.

“Baby, I’m not gonna let ya drown. Trust me. Here, hold on.” Trip faced her and placed her hands about is neck and began to walk backwards into the water, his hand on her hips. “Trust me.” He kept his eyes locked with hers as their feet entered the water.

Trip could feel T’Pol’s fear and pulled her closer. “It’ll be fine, just trust me, and listen to what I tell you. OK?”

T’Pol merely nodded and allowed Trip to teach her the basics of swimming. After what seemed like hours they left the water and headed towards some warm dry sand.

“Ya know I’m probably gonna wake up soon, so I say lets get to the fun part before I do.”

Trip gathered T’Pol in his arms and made love to her on the beach, relishing in her sweet scent, the silky feel of her skin.

“Well, Miss Dream T’Pol, I can at least tell you how much I love ya. I do, I love ya more than ya can possibly know.”

“I do know, and I love you as well.”

“Ya know, this is the best dream I ever had. I hope I wake up now, cause, nothing will ever beat this.”

T’Pol granted his wish by ceasing her meditation session. Oddly she felt more relaxed than she had in weeks. Gathering herself up, she climbing into bed and promptly fell asleep.

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

T’Pol sought out Trip the next morning in the mess hall, determined she would have her say.

“Good morning Trip. May I sit with you?”

Trip sighed heavily; he had been enjoying his breakfast, reliving his wonderful dream last night. Not looking at her, Trip waved in the direction of the chair, indicating she could sit. “You will anyway.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” T’Pol asked is little hotly.

“Seems like since I came back, I can’t shake you. Not here, not in Engineering, not in my drea…” realizing he said too much, Trip clamped his mouth shut.

“I thought you said you were sleeping well.” T’Pol pointed out. An eyebrow raised in question.

“I sleep just fine.” Trip replied.

“You sure about that?” T’Pol smirked.

“Quite.” He responded. “I better get to Engineering.”

“I shall join you. Did you wish to hear my theory regarding why you were unaffected by the Orions? ”

“Ummm….uh…maybe later.”

The walk towards Engineering was silent and uncomfortable. T’Pol was wracking her brains trying to find a way to broach the subject of their bond. Trip had once told her that if you focused too much on a problem, sometimes you couldn’t see the solution, even though it was right in front of you. Sometimes you needed to take a step back and relax, let the opportunity present itself.

They found Captain Archer waiting for them in Engineering.

“How are the repairs coming along Trip?” Archer asked, not surprised to see Trip and T’Pol together. She had sought him out constantly since he returned.

“Almost done, should be outta here within a few days. Your new chief engineer hasn’t been takin’ care of my engines.” Trip joked with Archer. Archer smiled tightly at the remark. No, he thought to himself, Commander Kelby was no Trip.

“They are no longer your engines.” T’Pol remarked acidly from behind Trip.

“What?” Trip whirled on T’Pol.

“I said they are no longer your engines.” T’Pol repeated. “You told me that your engines still needed you. But apparently you don’t care about them as much as you indicated.”

“I care about my engines. But, it was pointed out to me that my engines didn’t need me anymore. That they were content to be left alone! That they had other priorities!” Trip was facing T’Pol, standing a mere foot away, his eyes blazing.

“Well maybe your engines made a mistake! Perhaps they need you and find it difficult to inform you!” she shot back.

“If my engines could just be direct and tell me the truth I might not have left them!”

By now a group had collected to watch the couple’s exchange. Obvious to all was the fact they were in no way discussing the engines. Neither Trip nor T’Pol registered the fact they had an audience.

“Perhaps your engines find it difficult to speak about their feelings! They are not used to dealing with feelings. Maybe your engines thought you understood! Perhaps you are the one being unclear!”

“Unclear?!? How could my engines possibly think I didn’t care about them?”

“Did you ever tell them? No! You just up and left your engines without an explanation, a chance to discuss things.”

“That’s because my engines didn’t want me! They told me my feelings for them were affecting my work!”

“I thought you said you didn’t leave Enterprise because of the engines.”

“Well I did. And now, all I can do is think of my engines. Day and night. It’s like torture, torture because, I love my engines, and they don’t love me. And it hurts. That’s why I left.”

Silence filled engineering as Archer and the engineering crew watched the couple. Archer started to mentally dictate the formal request to Starfleet and Captain Hernandez to re-instate Commander Tucker to Enterprise. It was obvious where this was heading.

“Your engines love you. I love you.”

Trip’s mouth gaped open, shocked into silence.

“Those dreams you have been experiencing, aren’t dreams. It is our shared minds, joined. You are present when I mediate.” At his disbelieving look, she continued. “The boring white room, the beach?” She reminded him.

Trip looked stunned and started to turn pink, remembering their time on the beach.

“We are bound.”

“Bound?”

“Yes, bound. That is why you were unaffected by the Orions. We have formed the Vulcan mating bond. It cannot be broken. Our minds are joined, permanently. ‘Til death do us part.” T’Pol replied quietly, adding the words she memorized from the human wedding rituals.

“You love me?” Trip seemed awed more by the fact that she admitted her love, than by being told he had bonded to a Vulcan.

“Yes, and I am determined to show you.” And with those words, T’Pol stepped forward the small distance and kissed Commander Charles Tucker the III with all the passion and love she felt. To Trip it was the most mind-blowing kiss he had ever received. He had thought their few nights of passions were extraordinary, but those nights didn’t even compare. She didn’t hold back her feelings for him as she had before. Her hand fluttered up to the contact points on his face, and Trip could feel her enter his mind. She showed him her love for him, her desire to be with him, her own dreams for their children. Trip’s arms snaked their way around T’Pol’s slight form and pulled her close, deepening the kiss. Trip had never been so happy in his whole life.

“Bound and determined, huh? I think the rest of this discussion should be in private. Seems we’ve got an audience.” Trip looked around sheepishly at his crew. They smiled back, obviously happy at the outcome. “Uh, Cap’n? Um…this is kinda embarrassin’, uh…I’d like to..uh…transfer…” Trip stammered, still holding T’Pol closely.

“I’m already on it Trip.” Archer started to head towards the doors, ready to deliver the bad news to Ericka. “Can Lt. Hess handle the repairs for today?”

“I should be able to sir.” Lt. Hess didn’t give Trip the opportunity to refuse.

“Then you two have the day off, use it wisely. Dismissed.”

Archer left engineering, happier than he had been since Trip left. His crew was back together, and despite the bad news he was going to deliver to Ericka, he was happy.

The End

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A whole mess of folks have made comments

this sucks

Awwwww - That was wonderful! The 'your engines' exchange was priceless! - and I think it's funny that T'Pol could 'hear' Trip's thoughts, even tho he didn't know it - of course, she'd probably have to in order to pull enough determination/confidence to confront him - Great story!

sweet, loved the engines exchange. the only nitpick i have is that Trip and T'Pol are bonded, not bound. That's the episode title

"Perhaps your engines find it difficult to speak about their feelings!" Hee hee hee! That was hi-LAR-ious! I loved it, and moobear is on crack, pay no attention. So great, as usual! :)

Hey. WOW you guys are great. Didn't think my idea of this challenge would get such results. I loved it.... the 'engines' discussion was great. I died laughing at the 'beach' scene and Trip's bluntness, I bet he'd be a bit embrassed later when it clicks, she heard and saw all that. LOL.

great story! thanks for sharing!

I loved it especially the part where trip and t'pol refer to each other as engines. Great Job.

Oh my, was that fun. :)

The whole engine exchange was classic. Thanks, I got a good chuckle out of it :-)

LOL that was a great story, humor and love, it makes for a nice read :) The engines-discussion was a great twist.

hahaha I loved the engines exchange!

Sweet. :D The engines discussion was my favorite!

ROTFLMAO
"...because, I love my engines, and they don’t love me. And it hurts. That’s why I left..."

hehehe LOL LOL...oh somebody stop me before I hurt myself...thanks for the laugh I needed that!!! :o)

I'm still laughing about the engines discussion. That was classic. Good job!

ok the engine discussion was priceless and I started giggling when Archer started his mental dictation to Hernandez. Great job!

THIS WAS GREAT! Hey moonbear, what's your problem?

Wow...very nice job indeed. The story makes my bound fic look like the scribbles of a second grader.

Hey Trubinator: Don't sell yourself short. Your fic is really great too!

this was really good-- the characters acted realistically, imo-- trip thinking that they were dreams in the white room/beach, and of course the "engine" talk. i love that t'pol was really chasing after him, almost to the point of being obnoxious. i think she really needed to do that to get him back, i was happy she stepped up even after the glares of the other females. and it was cute that trip taught her how to swim even though he was so pissed--aaaw! but the absolute best thing in this has got to be the line that she memorized from the human wedding ceremony, "'til death do us part"--that was perfect! it implies so much.

Thanks for all your terrific comments. I agree with scarletwitch Trubinator, I like your story as well.

I don't know what I'd do without awesome fiction like this to keep me sane! Wonderful job :)

HYSTERICAL!! ROTFLMAO reading the 'engine exchange"!!!! Nice, witty dialogue!!! I loved it!

Very nice fic. Like almost everyone else I loved the my engines exchange. Would like to see more of same. Please don't confuse moonbear with graybear.

Great story -- loved the engines exchange, of course, but I also liked the way you handled the shared thoughts, not letting us know right away that T'Pol could "hear" Trip, so that we saw it from Trip's POV. Nicely done!

Loved it! The engine conversation was great. :) Thanks for writing!

oooohhhhh this is great!!! too bad manny never took ideas from these fics...