Stake Thy Claim

Stake Thy Claim

by John O.

Rating: PG13 – some language/adult situations
Genre: Redux/AU/Romance
Disclaimer: Paramount owns Star Trek characters/names/fans’ souls/etc. I call shenanigans.

A/N: I've wanted to repair a mistake that burned my *** from the moment Trip turned down the last chance that T'Les gave him to 'be a little human' and tell T'Pol how he felt, regardless of the consequences. After all, isn't the recklessness of the heart combating the logic of the mind one of the central themes of TnT's romance. In my opinion, T'Pol may very well have harbored a secret wish that he object... As a human, unruly behavior would have been less surprising and would have saved T’Pol from having to do it... Enjoy!

Also, *-*-*-*-* is a goofy border I decided will represent changes in POV, since much of the content is about how each is perceiving the situation.

Vulcan

The Vulcan robes were dry, but soft and surprisingly elegant for a logical culture. It was not an all-together unfitting description of T'Pol herself, he realized, as he stepped forward onto red stone. The scratch of dirt under Trip’s feet brought him back to reality from the dazed contemplations that wandered through his mind as the moment approached. There was another loud 'gong' and his feet moved him forward another half-dozen steps. He wasn't sure where they were taking him, but he was powerless to stop himself from following their lead, knowing the destination was inevitable. He realized that the rhythmic thumping of his heart was tickling up to his throat as he stood there looking at T'Pol. She was clad in a violet ceremonial wedding gown not meant for him to admire. She seemed to glow like a human bride on her wedding day, the smile she lacked for the part only minimally detracting from the beauty of the woman in front of him.

Beautiful Vulcan, Tucker thought. But the Vulcan was more radiant than any human woman he had ever laid eyes on, or ever would. Just when he thought the quaking in his chest would knock him over, her lips quivered in protest and they opened to speak, though they seemed to long for something else.

"I'm grateful that you're here," T'Pol told him, her voice faltering. Her lips flinched and many Vulcan eyes in the area darted covertly towards them. She searched his face for some sign, some indication that his human heart would push him over the edge she dared not near; begging him to leap and take her with him. Begging him to stop her. When he stared at her helplessly, unsure of what she wanted from him, she sighed slightly, his hesitancy strengthening her composure. In an instant she was a properly detached-looking Vulcan.

"You look amazing," he thought to himself, the words slipping from his lips without intention. Her eyes softened again and rimmed with moisture that threatened to break its bonds and pour down her cheek, breaking the fragile portrait of control she struggled to paint.

*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*

She took one solid breath as a soothing rush of confidence infused her from some unknown source. It touched her from inside, reinforcing her fragile resolve that the choice was the right one, that her duty was clear. She would never expect that the wash of confidence came from a selfless human heart. Trip's eyes became drier and his head fell briefly. There was a break in the silence that seemed to last forever.

"It is time.” The voice of T’Les broke into the silent Universe between Trip and T’Pol and popped it like a bubble.

Vulcan acolytes and priestesses moved between them and Trip shied behind in ignorance of their ways. He fell a few steps back, and T’Pol sensed a darkening of the fragile light within that willed her to endure each passing moment. She turned and found him preparing to disappear into one of the shadows lurking near the back of the garden. Perhaps forever, she worried sadly. He was retrieved when T'Pol did not move forward but took a step toward him. He stopped, as if unsure of her intention when she took his hand and moved nearer. She pressed her lips to his cheek, mimicking the human expression
that she hoped would embolden his courage… even his selfishness. Many humans act selfishly to pursue emotional attachments. Why not Trip? Why not now? T'Pol demanded inwardly. Could he not sense her reluctance? Could he not hear her begging him to stop her?

She pulled away and his eyes watched her cheek slide away from his while he looked down on her. She had just begun to turn when Trip blinked and stepped with her. He took her hand once more, wrapping his fingers around her palm again and absorbing the warm beat of her heart. She paused and looked back at him to search his face, unsure if she dared believe that he intended what it appeared. She tilted her head, wordlessly asking if he were indeed prepared to take three more steps into the rest of a difficult life together. Their eyes met in agreement and Trip's fingers squeezed around hers comfortingly. She nodded almost imperceptibly.

"Alright," he whispered, stepping closer into her.

*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*

T'Les turned and spied the inconsonant de facto union taking place a few steps from the altar, and most notably, between the wrong pair.

Her instincts took over and she moved to approach them and whisk T'Pol to a secluded corner in order to chastise her daughter before anyone else noticed her hesitation. In an instant, it became too late for T'Les to act out against the marital mutiny that was about to explode in front of a dozen Vulcans. At the same time, she doubted the action, and knew that she had encouraged the human to act on his feelings.

When Koss turned and saw that Tucker and T'Pol stood very distinctly at one another's side and had joined hands, it hardly took Vulcan rationale to deduce his bride's intention. T’Pol had threatened it in her home earlier, in this very same stone enclosure within the sharp Vulcan hearing of anyone in the house, but he had clearly not believed that T’Pol could be so bold. Even now, he seemed doubtful. The clear conviction of a Vulcan heart inscribed the truth on her face though, and although to Koss it was very likely but an emotional aberration, T’Les understood it completely. A potent memory of T'Pol's father crippled any offending disgust T’Les should have felt as her eyes landed on their entwined fingers. A woman bonded once to one for whom she deeply cared, T'Les could see her daughter's choice was made, and made no move to disapprove.

Koss had stopped banging the gong, and subsequently, every pair of raised brows in the wedding party landed on the mixed pair standing a few meters from the gathered priestesses.

*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*

Trip raised his eyes from T’Pol’s, immediately meeting Koss' dispassionate gaze. For a moment Trip wondered if Koss would even be upset, or if he even cared for T'Pol in any capacity that would hurt him to lose her. The smug, composed response he found on Koss' face convinced him. This is the right thing to do, this is the right thing...

"I... object to this marriage," Trip called across the party, addressing them all. A buzz of murmurs and disapproving frowns erupted, particularly from Koss' side of the family. A severe looking Vulcan man of all gray hair, and very old ,Trip thought, pulled his son aside as if to admonish him for some offense. Trip looked back to T'Pol uncertainly. She wrapped her fingers more firmly against his as he began to sweat nervously. The Vulcans continued to murmur. Finally, when Trip was beginning to wonder if they would ever respond, a single voice emanated from the group.

"You have no place to intervene here." Koss stepped forward authoritatively. Trip moved forward, about to launch into a tirade of reasons why he should object when something stopped him.

"Be silent." a Vulcan commanded, addressing both Koss and the human.

"You are human, are you not?" the aged Vulcan asked, his position at the center indicating he was the High Priest. He continued without awaiting a response.

"You are not of our race, not of our people, nor our culture. What could you know of what you speak?"

Trip licked his lips nervously and stepped forward, releasing T'Pol from his grasp.

"I’m Charles Tucker the Third, sir, of Earth" Trip replied as he stepped forward confidently. "And I know that in a marriage on Earth, a man has the right to object if they got reason. And you can bet I’ve got reason," Trip offered bravely, his fingers shaking with adrenaline as he nervously addressed the Vulcan priest.

The priest folded his hands at the front of his robes and appeared to fall into a moment's meditative silence. His eyes rose to meet the engineer, squinting critically as he appeared to debate inwardly. Koss' family and the other guests remained pensively quiet but attentive to proceedings. T'Les looked on with an intrigued expression. Trip imagined for a moment that she might even look a bit hopeful.

"There is cause, in our culture, for one to object to the bonding of another," he announced speculatively. "Do you wish to take this mate for yourself and declare the right of Kun-ut kali-fi?"

"No," T'Pol replied sternly, stepping forward. Trip turned to her in confusion. "Yes, yes of course I do!" he stepped ahead of her towards the priest, ignoring T'Pol's protest.

"Trip you do not und--" she was cut off as Koss stepped forward.

"The challenge has been declared," he interrupted. "And accepted," he turned and replied to the priest, who nodded. T'Les stepped toward her daughter pensively, coming to her side in a un-Vulcan demonstration of support.

"Trip!" T’Pol admonished him, moving towards him. He turned to look at her as the priests retreated to make preparations. T’Les motioned them toward a secluded corner of the gardens, blocked from the view of the rest of the botanical area by a large stone enclosure. Trip placed a hand on T’Pol’s hip and drew her closer, his fingers sliding on the silk fabric. She was too distraught at his declaration to protest the open touch, and allowed herself to move toward him until they were all but touching chest to thigh.

"You don't know what you've done," she pleaded desperately, whispering close to him as she hid the fright in her eyes at this unintended repercussion. Several Vulcans moved off while others appeared to move about the gardens making some unknown preparations. A few moments later, they soon found the chamber nearly empty. Koss' father stood tall at one entrance and the high priest stood near the altar upon which bondmates would kneel and commit to one another. T'Les remained near to her daughter and Tucker, in the concealed corner of the gardens.

"The Kun-ut kali-fi is a..." T’Pol began, unable to finish before the priest rang the gong once more. Trip cupped her head against his chest and held her, his fingers resting at the base of her neck. T'Les looked on with poorly disguised sympathy and watched as he stroked T'Pol's hair, pressing his lips against the center of her forehead. Trip returned T’Les’ silent inquiry as he turned to look at her and nodded pensively. As she suspected, Tucker was apparently more informed than T’Pol knew. He stroked T'Pol's hair lovingly once more in bittersweet memory making before pulling away from her to meet her eyes.

"I already know what it is, sweetheart. I looked it up when...” he paused. ”I guess wanted to know our options when you told me you were gonna' marry him," he whispered into her cheek. He touched her lips with his, a salty drop falling down her cheek to mix with their kiss. He turned and walked into the main chamber, a single tear on his mate’s face, sanctifying the parting caress of her Vulcan heart to his.

Fin

End Note: Although there is no intended sequel forthcoming, Distracted insisted I leave it open ended for that remote possibility in the future. Personally, I prefer to end this single standalone on a note which emphasizes that they’ve taken this path which will have incredibly inconvenient consequences, but that it is an unavoidable consequence of their love. I don’t think that this could be resolved pleasantly without straying from reality or injecting some kind of deus ex machina just to reach a pleasant end (i.e., Trip couldn’t win), when in fact love is so often unpleasant.

Back to Fan Fiction Main Menu

Have a comment to make about this story? Do so in the Trip Fan Fiction forum at the HoTBBS!

A whole mess of folks have made comments

(Sob!) Beautifully written. You're right about leaving it there. Reminds me of the fade-to-black films of the `40's and early `50's where the viewer was left to their own conclusions. We know Trip can't possibly win, but the story left where it is, we dare to hope.

Uh, WHY couldn't Trip POSSIBLY win? Yeah, I know Vulcan's are stronger, but Koss is a CIVILIAN, while Trip has just spent a year in the Expanse, his Star Fleet combat training having been further augmented by MACO training...I think that this training, coupled with the likelihood of Koss severely underestimating him would most assuredly give him a fighting chance. Also, in Star Trek, main characters don't lose fights to the death to minor guest stars :)

Doomsayer I understand what you are saying, but Koss wouldn't of lost. He's stronger than Trip and Vulcan's even civilian vulcans are trained in combat.

Saying that I loved this story. The last paragraph was just great.

All civilians by Spock's time may have been trained in combat, who knows about civilians in these unenlightened pre-Kirshara times (and who SAYS they are ALL trained...I've seen every episode of every series and I don't recall ever hearing that...I do not speak of novels but only that which is strictly canonical. Furthermore since when have Vulcans (in any era) ever been portrayed as invincible? And lastly, you seem to forget Trip is Chief Engineer of Enterprise, and THEY make a habit of doing the impossible 2 or 3 times a day. But if you want to keep on insisting it's impossible, feel free, I may not change your mind, but I KNOW you won't change mine...to each his or her own interpretation :)

I have my motives for leaving it this way -- I also have working theories on how I would finish it in a way I was comfortable with as a writer, were I so inclined.

VERY effective, John. You know what I want, though. Sorry. Can't help it. Gotta have my happy ending.

Ahem. I respectfully beg to differ about the possibility of Trip winning. Item- Archer decked a young and perfectly healthy Vulcan priest at P'Jem with a single punch. Item- Archer described Trip as 'tough as nails', and Trip is younger than Archer and in top shape. Item- As has been previously pointed out, Trip is a trained professional killer while Koss is an architect, a desk jockey. Item- In TOS Kirk fought Spock during his Amok time and even though Spock was in the grip of berserker rage Kirk held his own, only losing because McCoy doped him. Item- Archer also beat a berserk Vulcan *officer* aboard the Seleya unconscious with his bare fists when they were in the expanse. Granted Vulcans are stronger than humans, but they are not that much stronger. In TOS, Voyager, DS9 and TNG there have been multiple instances where humans have fought both Vulcans and Romulans and won. Item- Strength alone does not guarantee victory. I can cite a recent local case where a 90 pound policewoman beat a 200+ pound criminal into submission and cuffed the fool. He was a bloody mess when she stuffed him into her car. Granted she didn't do it by boxing with him. She used superior craft, skill and experience. Experience is the main thing. Trip has experience. All the training in the world (even assuming Koss has any training) would not compensate for Trip's three years of experience in actual combat conditions. If training was just as good as experience, green recruits would be just as effective in battle as seasoned veterans. But they aren't.

Conclusions? Trip would rip Koss to pieces. That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it. :)

Yes, he could win, as in Peter Simons's very interesting Kun-ut Kali-fi, though the heart of that story is also the part where Trip chooses to fight.

If you can only win by killing the other guy, you are right: no happy ending is possible. I would think that you (the author) would have turn Koss into an worse vilian before it would be ethical to kill him.

This doesn't sound very dramatic, but could Trip talk his way out of this fight, plead his case eloquently? Protest that the fight to the death is a horrible waste when T'Pol obviously wants to be with him?

How about Trip says, "Can't we all just get along?" and he's so sweet and cute that everyone agrees. Ok, it's late and my brain is fried. (Oh, well.) Thanks for the story, even if it did end abruptly!

Whatever. I didn't feel comfortable writing it because the way I see it, Trip is an engineer, he has had one or two instances where his combat prowess has been tested (Zocan in Dawn) but other than that the 'training' you speak of is insignificant. The MACO training course by military standards was a CQC survey course, not hell weak at Parris Island. And people don't just train once in their life and remain finely tuned combat machines forever. Like he'd have been training on Earth when they got back? Or in the past few months in the Expanse when the ship had been so torn apart they could barely keep grav plating online?

Koss already has a good 40 lbs and a couple of inches on him, on top of the Vulcan strength. Besides Koss said he'd do "whatever's necessary", that sounds like pretty damn strong resolve to me. He would have gone after Tucker with strength, speed, stamina and focus that Tucker simply doesn't possess. I think he's being lauded up here as more than he is, he's a damn good looking engineer with a decently good looking body, he's not Major Hayes or even Malcolm.

One of those two I might lay odds on, especially Hayes. And if it all came down to it, Trip doesn't have the killer instinct, it's just not in his nature. Someone like Hayes does.

ok, first, well done-you have never let me down with your stories and this is no exception.

I do however believe that Trip would win. You see Koss may have the superior strength required but not the most important element,that is he does not have the passion to "win" T'Pol. When I was in basic training in '86 I was certainly not the strongest of the gals there, but I graduated just fine whereas some who were so strong in the physical aspect failed out--why?? I simply wanted it- I had the mental strength and I know that each of us have examples from our own lives where we overcame our shortcomings with sheer will power. That is how I see a battle between Koss and Trip. Trip wants to win, Koss just doesn't want to lose. Huge difference. IMHO :)

Just to clarify, I didn't say Trip was guaranteed to win, or even that the odds would be in his favor, I just said it wasn't IMPOSSIBLE for him to win. That said however, we must remember to follow a simple equation: Trip=Main Character, Koss=Minor Character who appeared in two episodes for like 15 minutes combined. Add to that 'it's Star Trek' and 'it's a fight to the death.' All that, IMHO=Trip wins someway, somehow, even if that just means that Koss drops dead of an undetected heart condition or Q sticking his nose in because he thinks Trip and T'Pol are such a cute couple :)

PS: If Archer can beat Commander Shran (a hardened lifelong soldier if ever there was one) with a weapon that Shran was a master of (and that Archer had never even HEARD of before) then I have no problem with Trip beating a Vulcan civilian...and you know why? Because it was (supposedly) a fight to the death and Archer's a main character, while Shran (cool as he is) isn't lol.

What a great story. I always felt that this episode was very well handled in the series, with Trip's reaction and silent acceptance of T'Pol's decision. Many stories where he steps in during the wedding make it seem like a soap opera or like a bad romance novel. However, you've handled it amazingly well with great emotion, character voice and description. I was also pleasantly shocked with the ending, expecting a resolution. But upon further thought (though I'm in Distracted's camp and want my happy ending) I think you made the right decision that left a powerful impact. Great story and can't wait to read more of your stuff. Today's just been my lucky day getting three updates from you! Thanks for sharing your talent.

If it dreams, it dreams until in fund!

Respectfully, John, I disagree with your thesis statement here. You stated: "After all, isn't the recklessness of the heart combating the logic of the mind one of the central themes of TnT's romance." and I don't agree with that. To me, it has been (as has been stated elsewhere by Kevin Thomas Riley) more of a look at the birth of the Federation encapsulated in those two people - like the broader Federation, they learn to come together to become better than their disparate parts. Recklessness has ALWAYS gotten them into trouble and I can't see season 4 Trip acting in the way you portrayed him here; he stopped being an impulsive idiot after "Cogenitor" (that horrific "finale" aside). He KNOWS that T'Pol is doing this for her mother and in the event that he actually wins the challenge, the likelihood that Koss' family will still extend the protection they were going to afford T'Les is frankly nil. If he loses, then not only is T'Pol STILL forced into a marriage that she did not desire but she also has to cope with Trip's death (this being a fight to that point and all) - he HAS to know that she is still struggling with her emotions (since he called her on it once before and she admitted to having some problems.) Knowing this and still acting as he did is surprisingly selfish...

In regards to the actual fight, I'm on the fence here. As has been portrayed on the show, Trip was pretty incompetent when it comes to hand to hand fighting, regardless of what training he received from the MACOs. As an ex-infantryman, I can tell you from experience that it's actually pretty rare for a GRUNT to be super high speed when it comes to martial arts since the focus is always on killing the enemy with ranged weapons before they get that close since the enemy may actually be better trained for close-up stuff. Factor in Trip's "real" job as the ChEng and I find the likelihood that he's HTH capable pretty low.

However, he's also a main character and - from what I saw - obviously more in shape than Koss. I would tend to suspect that, in a real fight here, Trip would emerge victorious but be very badly injured afterwards. This leads to my previous comment that T'Les is STILL unprotected from the aggression of the corrupt VHC which is the point of the Koss/T'Pol marriage in the first place. AND it's why she never mentioned the challenge to Trip, knowing all of the above and operating on Logic.

That said, I also don't agree with justTrip'n's comment that it wouldn't be ethical to kill Koss in this situation. To human ethics, that may be true but this is an ALIEN ritual and human ethics don't necessarily come into play. What we see as unethical may simply be the result of evolution based on the male cycle of pon farr.

Obviously this episode -- this situation, holds a lot of emotional weight with all of us, and to begin with there was certainly a wide spectrum of opinions on whether Home ended as it should, or if it should (or could) have gone another direction. As always in my writing, I don't necessarily write what I think SHOULD have happened, rather what just could have. I'm pleased to see such response (mostly positive ;)

By the way, there's another standalone planned called "Home 2: On the Rocks", which is unrelated to this, but takes place on Earth - following what really did happen on Vulcan, in canon, like the events between Home and Borderland.

My personal take on this situation is that Trip would be horrified by the whole idea of a fight to the death and would have too much self-respect to get involved in such a thing. The idea that aliens have their own moral system and our morals no longer apply in an alien culture doesn't sit well with Trip, as we saw in the Cogenitor story and other incidents.) Maybe he learned his lesson about noninterference, but the fact remains that Trip is human and this situation I beleive is wrong for HIM.

Having said that, its fun to explore "what if" and I'm perfectly willing to suspend disbelief for a good story.

I think that at this point the Koss we saw in the series would have backed down. That he let T'Pol go later after the Vulcan Arc shows that. But since T'Pol could have avoided the marriage I can't see it coming to a fight, I think Koss was bluffing and T'Pol knew it. How else was she able to get his family to agree to her return to Enterprise?

I have a still unfinished story using the old earth device of a proxy wedding, just assuming that the old preSurak illogical warlike Vulcans who almost destroyed themselves would have had to have something along the same lines.

It just hit me, I got so into the debate that I neglected to say that I really enjoyed the story...SO...I really enjoyed the story lol. Also, while a follow-up would be interesting no matter which way it went, it's also one of those TnT stories that stands just fine on it's own and doesn't actually need anything to be added to it. And happy to hear about your upcoming one-shots as well :)

Uhh... I have no logical (or otherwise) arguments to make in favour of either option. I just hate to think Trip would die. That makes me very very sad. :*(

Although, thinking about it, Trip would definitely have a fighting chance. What with his job and all.

Still. Very well done, I really enjoyed this! :)

A thought occurs. Have any of you seen "Trekkies: The Documentary"? Quite hilarious stuff. Anyway, at the end of the movie, they show a bunch of Star Trek comedians. One guy's spiel goes something like this:

"You ever notice how on away missions there's the one minority character who goes down that doesn't come back up? They're like, 'Alright, Jim, Spock, Bones, Scotty... and Rodriguez.' Rodriguez is dead. They get down to the planet, and Jim goes, 'Rodriguez, check behind that rock. Regular cast, stand over here.' Of course, there's a brain-sucking plant behind the rock. Rodriguez goes, 'No, Jim, you check behind that rock. I lost two cousins on this show last season.'"

Anyway. I thought it was funny. :)

Since we're debating the whole "Would Trip survive" question, how about this wrinkle: Have Trip cheat.

Trip can't win fair and square against a male Vulcan in his prime. Kirk couldn't. Practically any human male would be seriously outclassed physically, not to mention Vulcan is a tough place for a human anyway.

Yeah, yeah, I already hear people objecting that Trip is practically a boy scout, yadda, yadda, yadda. But this is a fight to the death and all is fair in love and war. And this is both.

It's time to be ruthless. Besides, I could see T'Pol making a logical argument defending his actions due to his relative handicap. The Vulcans may disapprove, but may be swayed. Even if Trip is considered a rogue on Vulcan thereafter. Heh.

See, John? Even Binah thinks they should cheat. ; )

And think of all the nasty fallout! Imagine an Admiral explaining what happened to Archer! Trip premeditatedly murdered a Vulcan citizen and now T'Pol is considered his property! Sure, Vulcan isn't pressing charges, but wow.

That could be a meaty story there. Especially if that was the first time Archer figured out TnT. *giggle*

You can tell how much of an impact a story has by it's reviews and boy did this story stir up a storm. Reading the reviews was almost as enjoyable as reading the story itself. Anyway loved the story and liked how you ended the story.(Even thou I am a sucker for happy endings.)Good job.

HOLY HANNAH! I write my opinion and look what happened! This is great!

Interesting take. Well written.

Regarding Trips chances. Koss is obviously out of shape and likely hasn't had any recent training or practice in anything resembling combat. Sure he has some familiarity with the weapons and proceedures but likely from long ago. He is also native to the planet so has that added to his advantages of familiarity and some greater strength. Is he as fast as Trip? Smaller size is often a great advantage. Durability I think goes to Koss but Trip will have an adrenalin boost that may more then equalize things for a short time. Should Trip fight fast and dirty I think he has a better than even chance of victory. Trip is motivated to win, Koss to not loose. Big difference. Morality would not be an issue until after the fact. When your life snf or love is on the line you do what you need to do. Trip has learned much about Vulcan ways from T'Pol and the VDB. I think in this situation he would act according to the rules as the Vulcans do but take any advantage. When in Rome et all.
Koss likely knows about TnTs bond or strongly suspects given the situation you describe. He also knows T'Pol will likely hate him should he win and most likely would have to reject her or kill her to ensure his own survival. So what logical reason does he have to fight? Lots of fun to speculate.

HtH

Interesting. Wouldn't this make an interesting discussion in the actual forum? As opposed to here in the comments area?

In any case, I really like this story. Very thoughtfully written. And I have to admit, I WOULD like to see a follow-up. I'm not big on leaving something hanging like this... even though I understand your point. Might even be interesting to see a couple different versions of a part two, to see how things might have turned out with different outcomes.

Anyway, do please write more!

Not to start a whole 'nother argument, but to the best of my knowledge, the only time Kirk ever fought a 'male vulcan in his prime' was when he fought Spock...and he 'lost' that fight largely, if not entirely because A) he was fighting defensively and didn't want to actually hurt, much less kill his close friend (ie he was holding back and Spock wasn't), and B) McCoy drugged him :) And how many dozen male Klingon's in their prime did Kirk get the best of? Are Vulcans notably stronger than Klingons? I honestly have no idea if they are or not but nonetheless, as much as I like Trip, of the two I'd have to say Kirk in his prime would have a far better chance of beating the aforementioned Vulcan than Trip...which is not to say that I've changed my mind that Trip would have had at least SOME chance of taking Koss down :)

First off, I like your poetic phrases such as "wash of confidence" and "the silent Universe between Trip and T'Pol". For me, that adds great depth to your story.

The discussion your story provoked on whether Trip could defeat koss in combat is fascinating. I can agree with points on both sides. But it is canon that humans have defeated Vulcans and Romulans in battle, although I alwasy thought it might be stretching things a bit since Vulcans are supposed to be three times as strong as humans. But as you and others have pointed out, training and experience can tip the balance. Guess I will just sit on the fence in this discussion.

And I liked that you left the ending open. It fit well here. Each of us has our own ending in mind, I'll bet. You don't have to create an ending, the story is complete in itself, but I'd love to see what you come up with if you decide to write a sequel...

Hmm, I also got sidetracked and forgot to say how much I enjoyed this story.

Onward in the debate
> Imagine an Admiral explaining what
> happened to Archer! Trip
> premeditatedly murdered a Vulcan
> citizen and now T'Pol is considered
> his property! Sure, Vulcan isn't
> pressing charges, but wow.

a: it would not be murder. This is an approved duel.
b: Vulcans would NOT tell the Humans anything, it is too private.

As so many others, I really liked this story. It was well written, well paced, and the descriptions of the planet and the people were beautiful. As to the actual fight and who would win, I think it would be a good idea to codify just how much stronger than humans Vulcans actually are. Vulcan is supposed to have between 1.6 and 1.8 times the gravity of Earth (I've seen both and am not certain just which is correct). That would mean that, all things being the same (relative physical condition and muscularity) a Vulcan would be 60% to 80% stronger than a human. This is not an insurmountable disadvantage, and really seems about right. Remember the difficulty MU non-martial arts using T'Pol had subduing MU Hoshi; that catfight took up a couple of minutes of screentime. If T'Pol were as much stronger than Hoshi as some fics make her (and some fics make it seem as though T'Pol is from Krypton or has green blood because of an accidental overdose of gamma radiation), it wouldn't have taken nearly that long. In fact, given the 1.6 to 1.8 gravity factor, T'Pol is probably about as strong as Trip.
But it would be nice to know for sure.

Here is an aspect many may not have thought of. Maybe Koss would not fight at all. He would be pitied if he took a mate that wanted a human. It would disgrase his house and family. I honestly do not believe his family would then want T'Pol given she just made them a laughing stock. That being said I would say Trip have the edge because he would not wish to fail his T'Hala and if he did look it up I am guessing he would have trained for it. I can not see him being unprepared nor can I see him taking foolish chances.

Good point FireStar. Koss couldn't have wanted her very badly, otherwise he wouldn't have released her so easily...in fact, the more I think about it, it seemed like he couldn't wait to be rid of her...soon as T'Mom died he was outta there :)

I am not so sure Koss did not want her. If you look at the actor's face, the way he played the part, especially the scene where he says he is freeing her from the marriage, he looks sad. I am sure he also was thinking of his family's reputation, as FireStar says, and also that he may be insulted that an outsider was interferring with the way his culture worked, but I think he really cared about T'Pol.

Well, maybe I'm just looking at it from a human point of view, but from where I'm standing you don't use your family influence to force someone you 'care about' to do something they obviously and manifestly don't want to do..especially when it's something as serious as marriage.

Good fic, John. I see you stirred up a lot of conversation. :)

The only thing I would change would be for T'Pol to ask for the challenge instead. They have their moment of understanding and then she asks for the challenge, and him being completely aware that she will do so and choose him as her champion.

I also love the open ending. Good choice!

Wow. I had almost as much fun reading the comments as well as the fic.

First off, good fic, John! While a part of me screams for you to write a happily-ever-after sequel, I see the poetic beauty in leaving it where ti is. By itself, the moment of truth, when Trip decides he loves T'Pol enough that he would rather die than see her marry another man (or in a better scenerio: he'd rather kill to see her marry another man), is extremely poignant. Had you written the whole story through to the conclusion, it would have been lost, overtaken by either the happy ending, or the tragedy.

As it is now, we are moved by Trip's devotion, T'Pol's dilemna and T'Les' support. The rest is left to our imaginations. It is an a-typical ending, but it works.

Thank you. And I think that all that needs to be said about whether or not Trip would survive has already been said. I will, humbly, keep my less-eloquent and thought-out opinion to myself.

Rats, I really should proof read before I click "submit"! I meant "or in a better scenerio: he'd rather kill THAN to see her marry another man."

It may not have been obvious to Koss that T'Pol did not want to marry him. He might have thought she was just confused or damaged by the human contact she had for so long. Vulcans are can be stubborn when it comes to them against outsiders. He may have felt sticking to the engagement the families had set up was the only right thing to do and was best for him and T'Pol. Many cultures right here on earth still do not have 'love matches' but family alliances. And these marriages are sucessful, if not happy. I wrote a story from Koss's point of view awhile back because I don't think he is mean or unfeeling. But even so, I like Trip and T'Pol as a couple. I just don't think Koss is a big ogre, he is only operating within the only culture he knows.

Nice fic John, hope you do a sequel. great work!

If it wasn't obvious to Koss that T'Pol didn't want to marry him, then he was probably the biggest idiot on the planet. She mentioned that she was considering choosing the challenge...you don't tell your 'intended' that you may make them fight to the death just to be allowed to marry you if you 'want' to marry them. OTOH, after rewatching the episodes with Koss, I have to say he seems far more sympathetic in his subsequent appearances than he does in "Home"...so much so that I almost wonder if his personality was subject to an on-the-fly retcon or something.

Well, I guess we interpret Koss's behavior differently, and that is just IDIC in action, right Doomsayer? Both of our opinions are legitimate.

T'Pol's considering the challenge could be part of her 'damage by association with humans' reading of her by Koss. I thought he showed real concern for her well being in the Home episode. And in the Vulcan Arc episodes, freed her from the marriage - a very unVulcan thing to do. I think it is canon that Vulcans are not forgiving and they stick to a course of action once made - unless later proven illogical. He could have taken the viewpoint "she needs me more than ever now that her mother is gone, I am the only family she has now". But instead, Koss showed unVulcan-like flexibility when he was annoucing that she was free of him and I thought the poor guy was on the verge of tears. He was engaged to her since the age of seven, for heaven's sake. He probably freed her against his family's wishes -is my take on the situation. We really should allow for cultural differences here, the Vulcans just do not see things the way humans do. And why should they?

Peace and long life, Doomsayer, Okay?

The only thing I saw from Koss in Home was arrogance and possessiveness, but if you (or anyone else) saw it differently I have no problem with that...the only thing I'd find intolerable (and unforgivable lol) would be your telling me you liked TATV :)

I HATE TATV, dispise it...it never happened. It was forced into the mind of the script writer by a very evil spirit, possibly a Romulan plot using kidnapped and tortured Vulcans to plant the telepathic suggestion! I am as rabidly against TATV as anyone could possibly be. So I hope I am not on your hit list Doomsayer, LOL! Trip is Not.Dead. I have a T-hirt that says so, and badge that says so. They were made for a bunch of us Not.Dead.ers that went to the Cleveland convention last Spring. But if you can stand to delve into my POV on Koss, see 'The Commission' on Soval's Annex. And I don't mind negative comments - wack away at him there so we can leave poor John O alone now.

John O is probably frustrated at the turn his story comments has taken, LOL. Well John, the quality of your writing is such that you have awakened the blood fever in humans...

Never fear, your star has risen in my book already...anyone that bashes TATV with that much enthusiasm has to be one of the good guys/gals :)

I rarely venture into Soval's Annex (for fear he might be in pre-Season 4 'Ambassador cranky mode,' but in this case I might make an exception. And yeah, John has only himself to blame...good writing tends to provoke discussion and debate even among the most orthodox Trip-T'Polers lol.

Well at first I was a little put off that argument was being stirred by comments, but then I realized what you all are saying finally, that it must have really been QUITE a scenario to put in people's minds since it has stirred such emotional debate, and reaction is an author's primary goal!

I'm enthused that it doesn't seem anyone has outright said "YOU DID IT WRONG!" but rather argue over my "extra thoughts" as to the belief that he couldn't have won.

But Misplaced I think put it best:
"By itself, the moment of truth, when Trip decides he loves T'Pol enough that he would rather die than see her marry another man (or in a better scenerio: he'd rather kill to see her marry another man), is extremely poignant. Had you written the whole story through to the conclusion, it would have been lost, overtaken by either the happy ending, or the tragedy.

As it is now, we are moved by Trip's devotion, T'Pol's dilemna and T'Les' support. The rest is left to our imaginations."

That was what I was going for, and the truth of whether he'd have won or not was really irrelevant (to me) in deciding to end it this way.

Well at first I was a little put off that argument was being stirred by comments, but then I realized what you all are saying finally, that it must have really been QUITE a scenario to put in people's minds since it has stirred such emotional debate, and reaction is an author's primary goal! So I don't really mind, cuz nobody's bashing me :D

I'm enthused that it doesn't seem anyone has outright said "YOU DID IT WRONG!" but rather argue over my "extra thoughts" as to the belief that he couldn't have won.

But Misplaced I think put it best:
"By itself, the moment of truth, when Trip decides he loves T'Pol enough that he would rather die than see her marry another man (or in a better scenerio: he'd rather kill to see her marry another man), is extremely poignant. Had you written the whole story through to the conclusion, it would have been lost, overtaken by either the happy ending, or the tragedy.

As it is now, we are moved by Trip's devotion, T'Pol's dilemna and T'Les' support. The rest is left to our imaginations."

That was what I was going for, and the truth of whether he'd have won or not was really irrelevant (to me) in deciding to end it this way.

Thanks again and may I encourage those who haven't to sample the other JohnO fics on the menu :D

I have sampled them JohnO and let me be the first to say, they're ALL good, so keep it up :)

You are absolutely right to take everyones comments as a compliment JohnO. The scenario was well written and has only sparked a healthy debate. Kudos to the author!!

Whoa! Its taken a while to catch up with the comments, you should be very proud of the reaction to this story.

I really enjoyed it and there is little left to say, other than to add my vote to a resourceful Trip having a fighting chance.

Well done!

Great fic! Wow, there are tons of comments.

I've been waiting for someone to write this, I've thought of maybe writing it myself, but I agree, I can't see Trip winning a fight against Koss.

Here's an idea, if Trip and T'Pol are already bonded at this point, what if T'Pol's subconcious "defend your bondmate" mode is turned on and she fights Koss. Or interrupts the fight to kill Koss...or beat him til he gives up.

Personally I think Koss was an ok guy. He was in fact the wronged one. I think he wanted T'Pol but let her go then his family forced the issue for whatever reason. Now I admit he should have said no but maybe he thought time would create the bond. He would not be the first person to hope that. IN the end he helped T'Pol when seh needed it and let her go. So in that regards he did the right thing late but he did it. I have an idea for a happy ending for Koss and will be writing it and posting it after finals.

Lisa