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The Proposal

Author - plumtuckered | Genre - Endless Summer 2004 Hiatus Story | Genre - Romance | Main Story | P | Rating - PG | T
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ENDLESS SUMMER HIATUS CHALLENGE

The Proposal

By plumtuckered

RATING: PG
GENRE: Romance
DISCLAIMER: I don’t own Star Trek Enterprise or any of its wonderful characters.
SUMMARY: The story title says it all. :)

`’`’`’`’`’`’`’`’`’`’`’`’`’`’`’`’`’`’`’`’`’`’`’`’`’`’`’`’`’`’`’`’`’’`’`’`’`’`’`’`’`’`’`’’`’`’`’`’`’’``

“Vulcans do not experience fear, or so they have convinced the rest of the universe,” muttered Trip Tucker heatedly. He stood on a sward looking at the dense foliage and tall trees surrounding him on all sides. “No, Vulcans aren’t afraid of anything,” he continued, his voice tight but hushed. “Except committing to a life with an emotional human, that is.”

“Commander?”

Trip looked up with a start. Standing only a few meters from him was the very object of his frustrations. T’Pol gazed back at him evenly, her expression giving nothing of her feelings away. Her eyes, however, sparked with a hint of amusement and Trip felt a flush of embarrassment warm his ears.

“I believe you should be focusing your attention on finding the insect,” T’Pol admonished lightly. “Instead of what transpired between us this morning.”

“Yeah, right,” Trip replied. “The damn bug.” He wandered into the low-growing bushes then knelt and peered beneath them.

“The insect resembles an Earth katydid, Commander.”

“Believe it or not, I was paying attention at the doc’s briefing, T’Pol,” groused Trip. “Phlox needs the secretions of this bug to create a vaccine against the Ligeerian flu.” He pushed back some of the leaves then grunted when he saw no sign of the insects.

“I apologize. You were indeed paying attention.”

Trip sighed in exasperation then continued grumbling under his breath. “And they say human women are from Venus and the men are from Mars. Ha! They should write a book about the women from Vulcan. I could guarantee them at least one sale.”

Enterprise’s chief engineer stood and looked back over his shoulder at the science officer. They’d been lovers for almost seven months, but he wanted more. He wanted her not only as his lover, but also as his life-long companion. He wanted to wake to her every morning and have her at his side every night. He wanted a family with her. He wanted her to be his wife.

Trip sighed again. Apparently she wanted something different.

His mind flashed back to that morning. He’d planned the brunch so carefully from the candles and the music, to her favorite light pasta, and of course, his grandmother’s ring. Everything had been laid out perfectly. He’d gotten down on one knee and had asked her to share his life with him.

The engineer looked down at his feet and bit his lower lip. Instead of agreeing to marriage, she’d looked at him with what Trip could only guess was trepidation. Then the captain with his impeccable timing had hailed all senior officers to the situation room. They hadn’t had a chance to talk since.

“You appear to be sulking, Commander.”

Trip looked back at T’Pol. “I am not,” he retorted then he rolled his eyes, realizing how childish he sounded.

T’Pol lifted one slender brow, the perfect picture of calm. “It seems I’ve misinterpreted your mood,” she said. She locked her hands behind her back and walked over to stand at his side. “As I believe you misinterpreted my reaction to your proposal this morning.”

Trip squinted his eyes. “I don’t think I misinterpreted anything, T’Pol.”

“Did you not take my reaction as a rejection?”

“Of course I did. You didn’t exactly squeal for joy.”

T’Pol’s eyes shimmered with subtle amusement again.

“Well,” Trip amended grumpily. “Not that you’d squeal anyway.” He looked down and kicked at the stump of a small tree. Then realization dawned on him and he met T’Pol’s dark eyes. “Did you just say I misinterpreted your reaction?”

“Yes. I believe that’s what I said.”

“But I thought you were scared.”

“Vulcans do not experience-----,” T’Pol began.

Trip waved his hand. “I know, I know. Vulcans don’t experience fear, but what I saw on your face, T’Pol---well, it wasn’t exactly elation.”

“What you saw was mild surprise, Commander.”

Trip chuckled and shook his head. “Mild surprise?” he repeated.

T’Pol nodded once. “Yes.”

“Then----,” Trip began. A loud clap of thunder drew his eyes skyward. “Oh, oh.”

T’Pol grabbed Trip’s wrist. “We should return to the shuttle immediately.”

Trip held his ground. “No, T’Pol. I need your answer first,” he implored. “Will you marry me?”

“Commander, the rain is coming. I will answer you in the shuttle.”

Trip shook his head. “Please, T’Pol. Don’t make me wait any longer.”

T’Pol stepped close and placed her hands on Trip’s chest. “I do hope our offspring inherit my patience,” she said.

“Offspring?”

Children, Commander.”

“I know what they are, T’Pol,” replied Trip with a wide grin. He brought his hands up to clasp hers. “Then your answer is---?”

“Yes. I will share a lifetime with you.”

>>>>>>>>>>

The rain started just as Trip pulled T’Pol into a fierce embrace. “Commander,” she began, but she was silenced quite soundly by Trip’s mouth over hers. She intended to protest, but found herself warming quickly to her ashayam’s gifted lips, the chill of the rain suddenly no longer a concern.

When the engineer released her, he took T’Pol’s hand and led her back through the dripping trees to where they’d left the shuttle. Trip opened the hatch, allowing T’Pol to enter first then he hopped in and shut the hatch behind them.

“We should contact the captain, inform him we will be unable to return until the storm passes,” directed T’Pol.

Trip nodded then leaned over the front console, pressing the comm. button. “Tucker to Enterprise.”

T’Pol heard nothing but static as a reply.

“Tucker to Enterprise,” repeated Trip. “Come in, Enterprise.”

“Go ahead, Trip.”

“Cap’n? When did you get back?”

“Just a few minutes ago,” Archer replied. His voice faded slightly. “Trip? You still reading me?”

“Yes, sir. We’re going to be a while getting back, Cap’n. A storm’s kicked up.”

“We’re picking it up on our scanners. You probably should just sit tight and ride it out.”

“Aye, sir.”

“Oh, and Trip?”

“Cap’n?”

“My team found more than enough insects to keep the good doctor happy, so just ride out the storm then get back here when it’s safe. Understood?”

“Understood, Cap’n. See you soon. Tucker out.” Trip pushed the button to end the transmission then peered out the front view port. “Damn, it’s really coming down now and the wind’s picking up. Can you hear it?”

“Yes.”

Trip turned to look at T’Pol. “I guess you probably don’t like the rain, coming from a desert world and all.”

T’Pol settled herself on the rear bench. “I find the sound of it to be quite soothing,” she replied.

Trip smiled sadly, his eyes taking on a distant look. “Florida gets hit with hurricanes a lot. You haven’t seen rain until you’ve lived through a hurricane, T’Pol. And the wind? Screams like a banshee.” He sighed then visibly shook himself from his memories. “So, where were we before the weather so rudely interrupted us?”

“I believe I had just agreed to be your bond mate.”

The engineer smiled brightly. “Ah, that’s right.” He knelt down in front of T’Pol and took her left hand in his while his right disappeared into his hip pocket. “Here it is,” he said triumphantly as he pulled his hand out and opened it, displaying a small ring in its palm. “My granddaddy gave me this after my grandmother passed away,” he continued quietly as he slipped the ring on T’Pol’s finger. “Grandpa made me promise to keep it until I was absolutely sure I’d found the woman I wanted to spend my life with.”

“And you are sure?”

Trip leaned in and kissed her. “Never been more sure of anything in my life.”

T’Pol looked at the ring shimmering on her finger.

“I know you don’t wear jewelry, so if you decide not to wear it, its----its okay.”

T’Pol met Trip’s eyes. “I am honored to wear it, Commander.” She looked back down at the tiny band. Her eyes widened slightly. “These two are Vulcan rain stones,” she observed.

“Yep, and that center one is a diamond. I had the jeweler replace the two smaller diamonds with the rain stones.”

“They are quite rare. Where did you find them?”

“Ambassador V’Lar helped me.”

“The ambassador?” T’Pol looked up again, unable to hide her surprise.

Trip smiled. “She was-----pleased that we were together,” he explained. “In fact, I need to contact her to let her know you said yes.”

T’Pol arched an eyebrow at her ashayam.

“Are you upset that I told her about us?”

“Quite the opposite,” replied T’Pol. She lifted her hand and placed it on Trip’s cheek then leaned in to kiss him. “Thank you, Trip.” She kissed him again and lightly stroked his cheek, noting suddenly the chill to his skin. “You are cold.”

“Nah. At least not anymore,” the commander replied.

“You should remove your wet clothing immediately.”

Trip’s eyes widened playfully. “You want me to take off my clothes, huh?”

“Commander,” admonished T’Pol.

The engineer frowned then stood up.

T’Pol stood as well and stepped close to her ashayam. “We should find a way to warm you,” she said as she reached for his uniform zipper.

Trip rested his hands on her waist and gave her a sideways grin. “I could adjust the environmental controls,” he suggested.

“Yes, you could.”

“Or I could wrap myself in one of those thermal blankets.”

“That is a viable option as well.”

Trip leaned down and gently nuzzled T’Pol’s ear.

T’Pol closed her eyes. “I believe the most logical course of action, however, would be to engage in sexual activity.”

Trip chuckled softly, his breath warm against T’Pol’s sensitive skin. “You think that’ll warm me up?”

T’Pol pulled the zipper down with one sharp tug. “The friction created by our bodies should create sufficient heat.”

“Damn, I love it when you sweet talk me,” Trip murmured against her ear.

T’Pol shivered, certain her reaction had nothing to do with her own rain-soaked uniform.

>>>>>>>>>>

THE END

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A whole mess of folks have made comments

That was so great. So great. If you hadn't bolded the key words I would never have known this was a challenge story, it was so perfect.

*sighs*

I adored this, you wove the words into place seamlessly and the story was wonderful. Nice to see a slightly playful T'Pol and I liked it that Trip initially misunderstood. So kind of the storm to step in and give them some quality time alone before they have to head back to Enterprise. I wonder what everyone's reactions will be when they see the ring on her finger. Ali D :~)

SEQUEL! SEQUEL! SEQUEL!

Aw come on! Can you blame me? Cause this was just priceless! ;)

Who wouldn't want a sequel?

wish it comes true .

lovely very lovely, espcially after coming back from work! A+++++++++

i can sum up this story into one word: PERFECT!!!

i agree with Triplover, I want a sequal, and i don't mean "sometime in the future I want a sequal"- i want it NOW :)

Oh that was really wonderful. :) This line was just priceless: “Damn, I love it when you sweet talk me,” Brilliant. :)

I'll continue the chant for a sequel now...

SEQUEL, SEQUEL... ;)

This is the best and most subtle challenge story EVER! GREAT job, ooooooo! What fun!

Friction, write more about friction! :)

Excellent. Beautiful. Perfect!

Fantastic story! Just what I needed to read this afternoon after a long fustrating day at work!

I´ve forgotten something. I soooo loved:

“I do hope our offspring inherit my patience,”

:-)))))) So perfect!

I so love your stories, you draw the reader effortlessly into Trip and T'Pols' world with your characterisations. Brilliant use of the opening challenge line.Only complaint? Too short!:-)

I love it. Sequel please.

This was reeeeeeally good!!! :-)

Wow. I agree with everyone who said I never would known it was a challenge. Seamless. Beautiful. You are a master of happy, happy endings! And all the dialogue? Priceless. Can't wait to read more!

I really enjoyed your story -so many of the fan fics skip over the actual proposal or only mention it in passing...:o)

Great writing! A sequel, please!

SEQUEL SEQUEL SEQUEL

ditto!

"Or I could wrap myself in one of those thermal blankets." -- "That is a viable option as well."

Hehe, great story! The dialogue was _very_ amusing, I loved the playful T'Pol.

Thanks everyone! :-) I'm not sure about a sequel at this point, but I'll definitely think on it.

Thanks again! Glad you enjoyed it!

I tried three times to review this story at fanfiction.net but I failed. I don't know, whether you got my reviews, they never appeared on the site. Okay, so once more: Although I am a great fan of your Archer/Tucker friendship stories I enjoyed reading this one very much. I definitely would like to read a sequel.
Greetings from Germany
Gabi

The pace and the dialogue fit the storyline perfectly...the end was a bit un-Vulcanlike, but fit the mood well.

that was so nice. Awww I've got warm fuzzy feelings! hee hee, I laughed a few times. This is definitely one of my favorites of yours. Oh and keep thinking about that sequel...I would love to see the crew's reaction!

Nicely paced, great timing. Sequel, the sooner the better. Lots of memorable lines like "I do hope our offspring inherit my patience."

Lovely!