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The Decisions We Make

Author - JWJ | D | Genre - Finale Fix Challenge | Genre - Romance | Rating - PG-13 | T
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FIX the FINALE CHALLENGE

The Decisions We Make

By JWJ


Rating: PG-13 sexual situations
Disclaimer: Enterprise is the property, unfortunately of UPN and Paramount Pictures
Genre: Romance
Summary: This story begins right at the end of “Terra Prime”. It was my attempt to show what one fan would have liked to have seen in future episodes. Trip and T’Pol actually getting together and living happily ever after.


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

They sat on the edge of T’Pol's bed still holding hands. The new information that it was possible to procreate with human and have a healthy Vulcan-human child did give T’Pol comfort and hope. Was this what she wanted? Did she want a child that was shared with a human? The events of the day forced her to face something that she felt she should no longer repress. She needed to reveal her true feelings for Trip. She could feel his deep sense of loss over Elizabeth and she could see how it visibly affected him. Was this even the appropriate time to burden him with more? Their undefined relationship had continued in its undefined way for so long that she had grown used to it. But the time had come; no longer would she wait.

“Trip. There is something that you should know.”

“What is it?”

“Elizabeth was important to me, not just because she was a part of me, but also because she was a part of you,” she said with a slight strain in her voice.

Trip recognized the stress; she did it whenever she struggled with her emotions. “I feel the same way too.” He looked at the soft curve face. “Now, what do you really wanna say?”

“Losing Elizabeth has impressed upon me how precious life is and also how fragile. The time that we may have together is undetermined, but however long that may be, I would like to share that time with you.”

“Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”

Suddenly, the communicator sounded. It was Hoshi. “Bridge to Commander Tucker.”

He got up and touched the pad. “What is it Hoshi?”

“Sorry to disturb you commander, but your parents have arrived in the Shuttle bay. They are being escorted to the mess hall.”

“Thanks Hoshi. Tell ‘em I’ll be right there.”

He looked back at T’Pol. “I want to finish this conversation but I have to go.”

“I understand.”

“Hey, why don’t you come with me?” He walked over to her and held out his hand. “I want you to meet them, my parents.”

She took his hand and she felt contentment. The feelings were coming from Trip. She looked up into his eyes and kissed him lightly on the lips.

Trip WAS happy. The thing that he had been dreaming about for almost two years was finally being realized. T’Pol had practically declared her love for him, definitely said that she cared for their child, and he thought that she said that she wanted to marry him. A lot of uncertainty for a human, but for a Vulcan, she bared her soul to him. Within that small kiss he felt the barriers between them falling away and the promise of a future.

Softly he said, “We had better go meet them.”

“I agree.”

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

Trip’s parents

Trip’s parents waited anxiously at a table. They stood up when Trip and T’Pol walked in and walked over to greet their son. Although the sight of his parents moved Trip moved to tears again, to them he seemed different. Earlier when they had spoken with Trip he was visibly grieving for the loss of a child that he barely knew. Now, his spirits seemed higher, like he was already coming out of the darkness that had swallowed him. “We came as fast as we could.”

“I know how you two hate flying so this means a lot.” He turned to introduce the mother of their grandchild. “This is T’Pol, Enterprise’s first officer and Elizabeth’s mother. T’Pol, these are my parents, Charles and Jacqueline Tucker.”

T’Pol nodded to his parents. “It is…nice…finally to meet you. Trip has spoken about you on many occasions.”

“It’s nice to finally meet you,” responded Mr. Tucker. “ We’ve heard volumes about the Enterprise’s first officer from Trip, but he forgot to mention how beautiful his colleague was.” He gave his son a look. He believed that there was more to the eye than these two just being shipmates.

Trip interrupted, “Uh, did you want something to eat?”

“That would be nice; your father and I had decided to hold off on dinner since we were coming up here. We didn’t want to embarrass you by puking all over your deck plates.”

T’Pol raised an eyebrow, as to say “So this is where you get these expressions.”

“Mom come and help me pick something out for dad, plus I’m one arm short today.” Referring to his sling. “Chamomile tea?” he directed to T’Pol.

“Please.” She sat at the table with Trip’s father.

Trip’s parents exchange a quick glance.

“So, how are you?”

“I am…. missing Elizabeth” she said quietly.

“I didn’t know that Vulcans could miss people.”

“I am not like most Vulcans.” An admission she would not have made a few days ago.

“So I am beginning to see.”

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

His mother put various dishes on the trays along with the cup of hot tea. Unexpectedly, Trip stopped his mom before she could turn and go back to the table. “Mom, I need you send something to me from back home.”

“What is it?”

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

When they returned to the table they both had a slight smile on their faces. His father wondered what secret they had just shared. They ate and kept the conversation light.

After dinner, they all walked to the shuttle bay and Trip hugged his parents good-bye. “See you at the service tomorrow.”

“I’ll send you the package first thing in the morning,” said his mom. “It was nice to meet you T’Pol.” She hugged Trip’s colleague, tightly. T’Pol was a little taken back at the intimate gesture did not know what to do with her hands. She finally put her arms around Mrs. Tucker tenderly.

They stepped in the shuttle and waved good-bye again.

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

“So what did you think of ‘em.” Trip asked as he walked T’Pol back to her quarters.

“They are very much like you.” T’Pol touched the pad and they stepped into her quarters.

“I’m glad you liked ‘em. About that conversation we were going to finish. Could we talk after the service? I’m really beat. I don’t think that I’ve slept in over twenty-four hours and I know that you haven’t meditated in quite a while.”

“How would YOU know that?”

“Because I haven’t ended up in that white room lately.”

“Hmm. You are right. I haven’t been able to meditate. My mind has been … unsettled.”

“I don’t want to leave you if you’re not gonna be okay.”

“I’ll be...okay. As I told your father, I am missing Elizabeth.”

“So am I. I didn’t think that I would feel this way when I first heard that she existed. She was not a child that I consciously or unconsciously helped to create.”

“I held her for only a few short hours, but now I find that my arms feel light, empty.”

Trip reach for T’Pol with his right arm and pulled her close. She instinctively hugged him back. They stood holding each other in silence. T’Pol broke the embrace and said “Thank you.”

“You don’t have to thank me, I needed that as much as you. I’ll see you in the morning.”

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

T’Pol changed out of her formal gowns and lit her candles as she routinely did. She settled down among her pillows and started to meditate. She finally had some peace of mind. She prepared herself for what lay ahead at the service for Elizabeth.

Trip was in the white room again. This time he walked over and sat opposite T’Pol in silence and just closed his eyes.

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

Elizabeth’s service

The service was held in Star Fleet command. With security measures so high they were sure that no Terra Prime terrorists would dare to interrupt. The delegates at the conference were in attendance. So were all of the Enterprise’s bridge crew and Trip’s parents. When the service was over everyone offered their sympathies and bid Elizabeth’s parents good-bye. T’Pol and Trip now stood alone over the small casket.

Trip bent down and spoke to his daughter. “I wish I could have gotten to know you. I won’t forget you Elizabeth.”

A single stream of tears flowed down T’Pol cheek. The way it did when her mother T’les had died. But she knew unlike the Vulcans, Trip would not condemn her for showing such strong emotions. She longed to cradle the small infant, even if it were just for a minute.

Trip stood up and looked at T’Pol. He saw her crying! Such a display of emotion from a Vulcan was unheard of. He knew that Elizabeth’s death had affected her greatly, he just didn’t realize how much so until this moment. He held T’Pol close and supported her weight as they walked away from the graveside.

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

The conversation continues

When they returned to Enterprise and Trip asked T’Pol to accompany him to his quarters.

“Is this a bad time to talk…about us?”

“No.”

They entered his quarters and sat down on his bed.

“So, am I mistaken or did you imply that you wanted us to be together, to be a couple?”

“I did. But, if you still feel that we don’t make ‘the perfect couple’ then…”

“I didn’t mean that when I said it,” interrupted Trip. “ I guess I was just trying to make myself feel better. You had just married Koss and I was trying to rationalize the situation.”

“Oh. In any case there’re some things that you don’t know about me, that you may never have known about me if I had not come this point in my life.”

“What things?”

“Like why I allow myself to feel the strong emotions that I have, and why I really seduced you in the expanse. The two are related.”

“You said that it was an experimentation.”

“I hid the truth from you.”

“You mean you lied. I figured that one out for myself a long time ago. But I just assumed it was my devastatingly good looks and my southern charm.” Trip smiled.

“That was part of it.”

“Really, I was joking. Don’t beat yourself over it, I lied to you and myself for that matter a few times. I left the Enterprise because of you. My decision did revolve around you and I didn’t think that there was any chance of you returning my feelings.”

“I still believe that you should know the answers.” She took a shallow breath and started her story. “No doubt you remember my illness from being aboard the Vulcan ship. What you don’t know is that I became addicted to Trellium D.”

“You what? Why? It could have killed you T’Pol. What were you thinking?”

Hurriedly T’Pol continued the story. “After coming in contact with the Trellium D, I had accessed emotions that I had never felt before, and I enjoyed them. I wanted more. I found a way to inject myself with small amounts of the compound so that I could continue to experience the new emotions.”

“Are you telling me that the only reasons you made love to me that night was because you were on some drug induced high?”

“No. I am telling you that the drug allowed me to act upon the feelings that I had been repressing for months.”

“Months?” Trip considered all of this new information and shook his head. “Have you recovered from this addiction?”

“I have stopped the use of the Trellium for over a year, but I will never fully recover from the effects. The emotions I accessed will be with me for the rest of my life. I am learning to live with them.”

“And what part do I play in all of this.”

T’Pol stood up turned away from Trip, embarrassed by what she was about to say. “The emotions that you stir in me are powerful. They frighten me. That night in the expanse meant more to me than you know. I tried to push you away and I finally succeeded in my efforts. But, when you left Enterprise I still found myself attached to you. I missed you.”

“The daydreams.”

Trip stood up and put his hand on T’Pol shoulder and she turned to face him. Then she finally spoke the words that he had been waiting so long to hear. “I am in love with you.”

“That’s all I wanted to know.” Trip caressed her face and kissed her.

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

The proposal


“Hold that thought. There is something here that I asked my mom to send. It’s for you.”

“For me. What is it?”

“It’s a surprise.”

“Vulcans do not appreciate surprises.”

“Well I hope that you will appreciate this one.”

T’Pol had her doubts.

Trip walked over to his desk and retrieved the small package that lay there. He walked back over to T’Pol and guided her to the desk chair. “Sit right here.”

“Why is it necessary that I sit in this chair?”

“Will you stop being so difficult for once in your life and just sit in the chair!”

T’Pol sat but not before giving him a look of irritation.

“Thank you. Now don’t interrupt.”

He knelt down in front of T’Pol and opened the package. “This was my grandmother’s engagement ring.”

T’Pol look at the ring curiously. It was gold with a single square diamond sitting on the top. It was aesthetically pleasing. “What is it for?”

“On earth, an engagement ring is worn by a woman who accepts a proposal of marriage.”

She took a deep breath. “A proposal.”

“T’Pol, will you marry me?”

She looked at the ring. This custom was alien to her but she felt honored and was deeply moved. She was lost in his eyes and that was okay. This was what she wanted: to be his mate, to be the mother to his children and to spend a lifetime searching the depths of his soul through his amazing blue eyes.

“Yes, I will.”

Trip removed the ring from the container put it on the appropriate finger. He stood her up, held her close with his arm around her waist and kissed her passionately. “See, I told ya you would appreciate it.” Then he kissed her again.

All the emotions that used to frighten T’Pol came so easily now and she kissed him hungrily. She didn’t want to remember her life before Trip and she couldn’t imagine a life without him in it.


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

More Revelations

When their lips parted T’Pol spoke. Their faces were barely an inch apart. She suddenly had second thoughts. “Are you sure that this is what you want? Aren’t there questions that you would like answered before such decisions are made?”

Please don’t spoil the mood? Trip thought to himself. “I love you and you love me, what else do I need to know?”

“Although I have lived among humans for the past few years, some of your customs are still alien to me, no doubt you feel the same way about Vulcan customs.”

“I can’t deny that. In fact there is something that I’ve been dying to ask, I probably should have asked it before I proposed considering that it will mean quite a lot to me if the answer is what I hope it’s not.”

T’Pol took a step back. “Why would you ask me such a life altering question before getting all the facts if my answer could change your decision to marry me?”

“Hope, I guess. It’s about mating.”

“I see.”

“By the way humans call it making love; it’s a more romantic way of referring to the sexual act. Anyway, you mentioned that Vulcans only mate once every seven years. Please tell me that that there isn’t going to be a dry spell for another five years before we get to make love again.”

“What I had said was that Vulcan’s NEED to mate only once every seven years. It is called the Pon Farr, the time of mating. When my time of the Pon Farr comes I will have to… make love to you, or I will suffer from a neurological imbalance and die. But we do have to option to mate with each other more often if that is your wish.”

“It is.”

“What is the custom among humans?”

“Twice a day everyday.” He tried to say it with a straight face.

“That seems a bit excessive, even for humans. Are you sure that this is the custom?”

“I would sure like it to be, but I’ll settle for a few times a week.” He smiled.

“That would be agreeable. But I feel that I must inform you that at the time of the Pon Farr, it is not unheard of for Vulcans to mate several times in a matter of hours.”

“In a matter of hours? It’s all or nothing with you people, isn’t it? But, I guess it is like our honeymoon, it is also not unheard of for humans to mate twice a day every day during a week long honeymoon.”

“That is also agreeable.”

“Well now, you’re 67 years old, how many times have you gone through the ... Pon Farr?”

“Officially, never. A mating cycle was prematurely initiated three years ago when I was infected with a virus, but Dr. Phlox corrected the imbalance.”

“Dr. Phlox? And how exactly did he correct the imbalance?” A build up of jealousy was rising within Trip. The thought of Dr. Phlox and T’Pol together actually made his blood boil.

“With medication.”

“Oh.” He felt much better and a little ashamed of what he had assumed. Then the realization hit him; she had never been through the mating cycle before. “Am I the only person, human or Vulcan that you have ever mated with.”

“Yes.”

“I have been your only lover!”

“Yes. Why are you so surprised?”

“It’s just that you were so aggressive; plus you did it so well. And, it did not seem like you experienced any discomfort at the time. Human females do.”

“There was some discomfort, but nothing that I could not overlook.”

“You never cease to amaze me. So, it was much more than an experimentation.”

“Yes it was.”

“And that’s why we have this BOND.” Trip finally understood, for the most part. She really didn’t want to marry Koss; she was already bonded to me. She had chosen me months before.

“Yes. Is there anything else that you want to know about Vulcans and our customs?”

“Yes, but I think I can learn them along the way. Now shut up and kiss me.”

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

T’Pol felt so good. Her body was warm and inviting. Even though he only had the use of one arm he explored her curves the best that he could. Trip could feel his desire increasing exponentially and he knew that a threshold would soon be crossed. He pulled away from T’Pol and out of breath he said, “We should stop.”

“Why?” T’Pol was puzzled by his sudden actions or lack there of.

“The next time we make love, I want it to be as husband and wife.”

“I don’t understand. We have made love before, what difference will it make to wait?”

“It just will. Look, I want our marriage to start out on the right foot. I want it to be perfect. And I want our wedding night to be special. It’s old fashioned, but I really feel that we should exercise some self control.”

T’Pol couldn’t believe her sensitive Vulcan ears. Trip was lecturing her on self-control. She let it slide, this time. “I understand. Some Human and Vulcan traditions are not so different after all. It also was expected of me to stay chaste for my Vulcan husband as well.”

Trip opened his mouth to make some witty remark and decided against it. “So, when and where would you like to get married? On Vulcan?”

“It is illogical that we have the ceremony on Vulcan. My parents are deceased and there are no other family members that would approve of our union. Earth would be a more reasonable location. Your parents would easily be able to attend if they chose to do so.”

“Are you kidding, you wouldn’t be able to keep them away even if they had to travel to the Expanse. That answers the question of where. When do you want to do this?”

“Enterprise is not scheduled for another mission until the conference is completed. That gives us 10 days.”

“You want to do this within 10 days?”

“Yes. When will Dr. Phlox remove your bandage?”

“In two days.”

“Then we will do it in three days and we will have seven days for a…Honeymoon.”

“Well, I guess there’s nothing left but to tell the Cap’n.”

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


Informing the Captain.

As they walked to the Bridge they mulled over several scenarios of what changes were in store. Would they have to leave Enterprise? If they didn’t leave, were they willing to change their current positions as Chief Engineer and First Officer? Whatever the answers, being together was all that mattered.

Entering the bridge Trip addressed Jonathan, “Cap’n, T’Pol and I need to talk you privately.”

Jonathan knew that something was up, and he was sure that it was going to be a doozey. “Travis you have the bridge.”

The Captain led the way to the ready room with Trip and T’Pol in tow. As soon as the door closed behind them Jonathan spoke consolingly to them. “Are you two okay? If you need more time to clear your heads before resuming your duties, I’m sure that it can be arranged.”

“Actually we will need more time but not for that reason,” responded Trip.

Here it comes, the doozey, thought Jonathan. “What is it then?”

“T’Pol and I are getting married…in three days…and we would like you to marry us.”

“Okay.” Although he was shocked by Trip’s announcement, Jonathan had known that there was something going on between his first and second in command for quite some time but he couldn’t be sure. The two of them hid their feelings for each other so well, plus they were always arguing. After the news sank in, he congratulated them both and agreed to perform the ceremony. The first marriage he had ever performed and the first done by a Star ship captain.

T’Pol finally spoke up. “We did have a few questions regarding protocol. Will a married couple be able to serve together on a star ship? If so, will we be able to continue in our current positions?”

“This will be a new one for Star fleet command. I don’t think that there are any regulations regarding married couples serving on board a star ship. But, I will find out and get back to you as soon as possible.” A question nagged at the Captain. “T’Pol, are you prepared to give up your position of First officer if that’s what’s required?”

“Yes.”

“Well did you two think that I may not be ready to give up my First officer just yet?” Archer joked.

“Sorry, Cap’n, but you know what they say, All’s fair in love and war.”

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

The Preparations

Trip and T’Pol had decided on a Human ceremony since Captain Archer would be officiating the marriage and it was unlikely that he or Trip would be able pronounce the Vulcan vows without weeks of practice. T’Pol would wear traditional Vulcan dress.

T’Pol spent the next day finding appropriate attire for the wedding. It was a task that turned out to be easier than she thought. She was able to locate a human seamstress thanks to Trip’s mom, who agreed to create something to T’Pol’s liking in two days. The dress was somewhat similar to what she had worn in her wedding to Koss but she selected a pale blue material for the color. Trip and the rest of the wedding party, The Captain, Hoshi and Malcolm, had it easy; their full dress uniform would serve them well.

Trip spent the day arranging the location of the wedding and the honeymoon. The ceremony had to be extremely private with absolutely no publicity considering the xenophobic atmosphere currently on earth. As the native American Indians were well known for their tolerance and love of all life forms, including aliens, Trip had contacted the tribal leader of a group of Navajo located in Arizona and was granted permission to have their wedding next to the Grand Canyon. Trip thought that the dessert conditions would remind T’Pol of home, plus the Navajo have had to endure their share of prejudice for generations and understood the couple’s need for secrecy.

Trip spent the remainder of the day arranging transport to Vulcan for their honeymoon. T’Pol family home was empty and they would have the place to themselves, something that Trip really looked forward to. He also had a small engineering detail renovate T’Pol's quarters so that they would have a larger bed and additional storage space. Her quarters were slightly larger than Trip’s, so it was the logical choice.

The day before the wedding, Trip and T’Pol ate breakfast together and discussed the vows that they would take the next day. “I’m having difficulty writing my vows. I am unaccustomed to sharing such intimate information with those that I am not intimate with,” T’Pol announced.

“Are you kidding, you have trouble sharing intimate information with those that you are intimate with. Don’t feel bad, I am having difficulty as well. I mean I know what I feel, but I don’t want to sound too sappy either.”

“I have been consulting the Earth database so that I could review several examples of wedding vows, maybe you should consider doing the same.”

“Thanks, but I think that I’ll just come up with something on my own.”

“I can’t wait. Your engineering crew have completed their assignment and I believe that our new quarters should be adequate, but slightly cramped. My meditation area has been reduced in size.”

“Well, it’s the best that we can do. Maybe when they build the next class of star ship they will take married couples into account.”

“Captain Archer has informed me that I will have to return to my post as Science Officer but the position of First Officer will be given to another. We will also not be allowed to go on away missions alone.”

“I was afraid of that. Maybe we should postpone the wedding until we are ready to leave Enterprise.”

“My mother once told me that there was more to life than a career, and I agree with her. Besides postponing our marriage changes nothing. I would still be in love with you and would not want to make a conscious decision that could send you to your death.”

“I guess you’re right. I didn’t think about that. I just wish there was another solution.”

“There is, we could serve on different vessels or you could resign from Star fleet.”

“Thanks, but those aren’t options, they’re penalties.”

“I said before that I was willing to give up my position as First Officer, nothing has changed. I believe that we can remain on Enterprise until we are ready to start a family.”

Trip lowered his voice. “Speaking of starting a family, according to Dr. Phlox, reproducing a Vulcan-human child would require medical assistance for the conception and the pregnancy so the matter of contraception is a moot point.”

Just then, Hoshi came up to their table to say she was honored to be a part of their wedding and that she was looking forward to it.

“Thank you Ensign. The past two days have been stressful to say the least. I will be looking forward to the end ceremony as well.”

Hoshi looked at Trip and smiled.

“Just wedding day jitters dear.”

T’Pol stood up, “If you’ll excuse me, I must finish some important details.”

Trip stood up as well, “Me too. I’ll see you later.” They walk out of the mess hall together leaving Hoshi behind.

Hoshi remarked to herself. “That’s okay I didn’t want to have company right now anyway.”

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


The Ceremony

Trip’s Parents were the first to arrive. Followed by Ambassador Soval, Travis and Dr. Phlox.

The ambassador was surprised at first that T’Pol had decided to bond with a human but it was illogical for him to oppose their union. He knew that it was only a matter of time before inter-species mating would begin. He just did not expect it to be so soon.

The entire wedding party with the exclusion of T’Pol beamed down from Enterprise only minutes before the ceremony. T’Pol had arrived an hour before and remained in the Navajo visitor’s center until she saw the entire assembly of guests and participants.

The wedding site was about a hundred feet away from the center and as she walked to meet her husband-to-be, Trip couldn’t help but smile and think that he was the luckiest man on earth. It seemed as if she were floating down the path instead of walking. He held out his hand to T’Pol, and she took it without apprehension. They now stood before their captain and friend.

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

“The honor of joining two people in marriage is a long held privilege bestowed upon captains since the time of the great sailing ships. It is now my honor today to join my friends and colleagues. T’Pol, I have known, Trip, Charles Tucker, for many years, even before serving on Enterprise. He has always proven himself to be loyal and true. Qualities that any successful marriage needs. Needless to say, you are getting one heck of a guy. Trip, when T’Pol first came aboard Enterprise, she was an outsider, a thorn in my side. But, I am glad to say that she has become like a member of this extended family and a true friend. I have grown to trust her even with my life. Saying that, I’m sure that this new adventure that you are about to explore will be one filled with joy.” Addressing the group, Archer announced, “Trip and T’Pol have written their own vows and they will recite them and exchange rings at this time.

Trip took a ring from Malcolm and held it in his hand. He took a deep breath and looked into T’Pol eyes. No one else mattered at that moment. It was as if the whole world melted away and all that was left was her. “Four years ago, if someone had told me that I would be marrying a Vulcan today, I would have thought that they were out of their minds. Yet, the things that are the most Vulcan about you I seem to love the most. I have loved you since we had our first argument. You have a quiet and mild spirit and you move with such gentle grace. But most of all, you are capable of such tremendous kindness. You have gone out of your way for countless others, including me, more times than I can count. I have never known anyone like you and I doubt that I ever will.” He slowly slipped the ring on her finger as he said, “ So today I give you my love, my honor and our life together.”

T’Pol retrieved the ring from Hoshi. “Trip, you are my closest companion and confidant. Until I met you, I did not know that it was possible for me to have such a close bond with a human. And falling in love with you has been so easy that I don not know why I fought it for so long. I love your sense of humor, your compassion and the way you speak your mind, even when you should not. An elderly and wise Vulcan once told me a human saying: she said to follow my heart. For a long time, I did not know what my heart wanted. But all along, it has wanted you. So today, I give you my heart, my soul, and our future together.” T’Pol placed the ring on Trip’s finger and stared into his eyes.

And with a smile the captain concluded, “By the power invested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

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


The consummation

Trip and T’Pol were congratulated by all.

Trip’s parents said their good-byes once again. “Come and visit soon! T’Pol you will always be welcome at our home. Be good to our son. I love y’all.”

Then in a blink of an eye the newlyweds were beamed away to Enterprise. Alone at last in their quarters, Trip said “So Mrs. Tucker, this is it, the beginning of our lives together.”

“It appears so. If you’ll excuse me, I need to change out of this gown.”

“Do you need some help?”

“I’ll let you know.”

“You know, I ought to get a shower first. I was sweating like a pig down there, and I would hate to be offensive.

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

She nodded in agreement. Trip made his way to the bathroom and tried to make it quick. He had waited so long for this moment he didn’t want anything to go wrong. All he could think about was what it was like the first time and wondered how it would be like now. He stepped out of the shower only to be greeted by T’Pol shimmering white negligee. He was speechless.

“My research on human mating rituals revealed that such attire was appropriate for the occasion. I see that was correct.”

“Yes you were.”

She reached up, wrapped her hand around the back of his head and drew his face to hers. Moments later, all logic was gone. Instead, all there was was him, the moistness of his body combined with the heat of his breath. The rustling of sheets mixed with the rustling of her clothes and this time when their nude bodies pressed against each other there was only the soft whispered words that she heard in her mind, accompanied by faint occasional gasps.

In that moment they knew all there was to know about each other. Their bond permeated every inch of them and they gave in to it completely. They complemented each other, became each other, filling each other’s needs and enjoying the pleasures building in them. There was nothing on the Enterprise or the universe except the two of them, their love and their admission of their mutual need and hunger.

Their pleasure built beyond their ability to contain them and their world exploded and cracked apart. The clutched each other, as if trying to meld their bodies into one as they had with their minds. And somewhere deep inside Trip’s mind he heard the word T’hy’la.

Laying in each other’s arms spent from their most recent lovemaking, Trip asked, “there was a word that I heard in my head, T’hy’la, what does it mean?”

“It has several meanings, friend, lover, companion, beloved, dear one.”

“Which meaning were you referring to.”

“You are all of those things to me.”

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

Six years later and the fixer

Captain Archer had invited Trip and T’Pol for breakfast, but T’Pol, uncharacteristically, was not there.

Trip explained, “Her duty shift doesn’t start for another two hours, and she was still sleeping like a baby; so I just decided to come on over.”

“That doesn’t sound like T’Pol. What kind of extra curricular activities have you been putting my Science Officer through?” He mused.

“Ha ha! But you’re right, she’s usually up at the crack of dawn. Maybe I’ll…Aah!” Trip suddenly grabbed his temples and fell to the floor in agony. A word ripped through his mind, a scream.


“T’hy’la!”

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

“What’s wrong? Trip?” The captain jumped up and pushed the comm. “Archer to Sick Bay, we have a medical emergency.”

“No wait! It’s T’Pol, something’s wrong with T’Pol, she’s crying out to me!”

“What’s the emergency?”

“I don’t know, but get down to T’Pol quarter’s right away. Trip can you get up?” The captain didn’t quite understand the bond between husband and wife, but knew enough to know not to question Trip. He was always right when it came to his wife.

“I think so. Wait!” Trip searched the air as if he could visibly see something, “she’s stopped! We had better get down there.”

When Trip and the Captain arrived, T’Pol was sitting up in bed and visibly shaken. Trip hurried over to her and instinctively put his arms around her and held her close. “What happened to you, you were screaming out to me, I thought you were dying.”

Breathing heavily she said, “You were dead! You were dead and there was no bringing you back. It seemed so real.” T’Pol tried to regain her control. “I’m sorry, I was having a…nightmare. I dreamt that you had died.”

“But you don’t dream.”

“Not since the Trellium D incident.”

Just then Dr. Phlox sounded the chime and the captain opened the door. “Well what seems to be the problem?”

“Trip almost collapsed up in the mess hall because apparently T’Pol was having a bad dream,” spoke the captain.

“Now you didn’t have to say it like that,” responded Trip.

“Why did you almost collapse?” asked T’Pol.

“Because it felt like a knife had just been speared through my brain. You were crying out to me, T’Pol.”

“I was unaware of what my subconscious mind was doing while I was sleeping.”

The Dr. ran a medical scanner over T’Pol. He announced, “You have some unusual readings, I need to get you down to sick bay complete my exams.”

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

The announcement

“What’s wrong with her doc?” questioned Trip as he stood beside the bio-bed.

“There seems to be a neurochemical imbalance that being caused by elevated amounts of certain hormones.”

“Is there anything that you can do?”

“Trip, it seems that the fertility treatments that T’Pol has been receiving has worked. She’s pregnant.”

A shocked Trip became an ecstatic Trip and kissed T’Pol. “You Vulcans truly have a flair for the dramatic. But Doc, is this a normal side effect in a Vulcan pregnancy?”

“No, but we are not dealing with a normal Vulcan pregnancy. There is a mixed heritage here that seems to be playing a part in the hormone levels. T’Pol will have to receive neural agent in the time being so that she doesn’t have any more nightmares.”

“How long before the baby is born?” asked T’Pol.

“The fetus appears to be nine weeks old; a Vulcan pregnancy usually lasts for 12 months. But once again, that time period may be shorter since the child is part human.”

“I understand.”

“Commander, T’Pol may experience some volatile emotions until I am able to bring find the correct dosage so stay off the catwalk.”

“Great.”

Leaving sick bay the two talked about the news. Trip asked, “Are you happy about this?”

“I want this baby. But it seems that the time has come for us to leave Enterprise.”

“Yeah, I guess it’s a good thing that she’s being decommissioned this week. I won’t feel like I’m missing out some new adventure.”

“I believe we will have enough adventure in our lives in 10 months without Enterprise.”


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

Saying Good-bye.

The arrival back to Earth was one that was bittersweet. Enterprise had become a home and a family. But with the start of the United Federation of Planets, it seemed like a bright new world was on the horizon. Everyone was moving on to new projects, new ships and new assignments.

T’Pol resigned her commission with Starfleet to accompany her husband to his new assignment as Captain of engineering of the Utopia Plantia shipyard. The warp seven class of star ships was just rolling out and he would be a part of it.

“T’Pol, aren’t you afraid of facing a new and different life? And don’t gimme that ‘I’m Vulcan and I don’t feel fear.’ ”

“No, Trip. I’m not afraid at all. I’m going to be with you.”

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A whole mess of folks have made comments

awwww! BEAUtyful

Good story, but why did you suddenly change to bigger letters?

I loved the proposal!
"Would you just stop being so difficult for once in your life and just sit in the chair!"
That's SO good! LOL

Thanks. But didn't change lettering. The editor must have goofed.

^^ That was a coding error. Fixed as soon as I knew about it!

I definitely preferred your version -- Trip and T'Pol getting together and living happily every after. Thanks for sharing this!

I definitely prefer this version as well. I was upset for weeks after watching the finale!

I definitely prefer this version as well. I was upset for weeks after watching the finale!

I definitely prefer this version as well. I was upset for weeks after watching the finale!

I agree--the "Would you just stop being so difficult for once in your life and just sit in the chair!" was brilliant, if a little out-of-place in that particular scene. An all-around good story. Thanks!

Emily