Time and Again - Chapter 1

Time and Again

by Rogue

Category: Plot Summary #5, Trip/T’Pol Summer Challenge

Rating: PG
Genre: Romance

Disclaimer: Paramount owns all, lucky people. If I could make money doing this, I would be, but I’m not. *sighs*

Spoilers: Through Season 3. Since I’ve actually now seen seasons 1 and 2!

Summary: After the Alien-Nazi timeline is reset (because the concept boggles my mind), Trip and T’Pol learn how to live in a post-Xindi, post-Temporal Cold War era.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter 1:

“I hate dress uniforms,” Trip muttered, tugging at his collar.

“I do not understand how humans can apply what I believe is considered one of the more negative emotions to an inanimate object,” T’Pol observed.

“Words like love and hate only carry their true meaning when directed at a person,” Trip answered with a smile, sidestepping the Tellarite ambassador. “Or warp drives.”

“Then by my understanding, you carry conflicting emotions towards the warp engines of Enterprise,” she said, carefully ignoring the nod of Soval’s head that constituted a beckons towards him.

“Hey, I’m going to go get some punch. You want anything?” he asked.

“Punch would be acceptable. Thank you, Commander.”

He nodded, disappearing into the throngs of people crowding the reception hall in search of the buffet table, and T’Pol watched Soval wind his way through the crowd toward her now that Commander Tucker was no longer occupying her attention.

“T’Pol,” Soval addressed her, his voice barely betraying his displeasure.

“Ambassador,” she said, her tone level as she watched for her companion to reappear and customarily offend the Vulcan ambassador.

“I attempted to gain your attention to no avail, T’Pol. You should not allow yourself to become so focused on one thing to the abandon of all else around you.”

“Perhaps I simply did not wish to answer your summons, Ambassador,” she said coolly.

“That is—“ the ambassador stopped himself. “That is unwise, considering your current state.”

She turned to face the taller man, no longer keeping in mind the social obligations that required she show him respect. “Ambassador, please say what you mean. What about my current state?”

“The Vulcan High Command is concerned about your emotional state, and considering our conversation, I’m inclined to agree with them,” he said, his eyes narrowing.

“I resigned my commission with the High Command,” she reminded him, noting Commander Tucker carefully weaving his way through the crowd, a glass of punch in each hand. “I fail to see how my emotional state is any of their concern.”

Soval stiffened, either at her comment or Trip’s appearance. The commander offered the ambassador a smile that was barely a shade off sincere as he handed her the glass in his left hand. “Here you go, T’Pol. Ambassador.”

Soval barely acknowledged his greeting. “I will expect to see you at the consulate tonight. Your former quarters have been reassigned to you for the duration of your stay on earth. Your debriefing will begin tomorrow morning.”

He swept off before T’Pol could protest, and Trip sighed. “Wonder who stuck the stick up his ass.”

T’Pol shot him a reproachful look, one eyebrow arching. “I believe the disrespect I showed him many have had something to do with his—irritation.”

“I thought Vulcans didn’t get irritated,” Trip said, close to her ear.

“I believe the ambassador may be an exception,” she said. “And you, Commander, could irritate anyone.”

She began moving through the crowed and Trip caught up behind her. “Hey, I resent that remark.”

“I’m sure whatever she said about you was completely true, Commander Charles Tucker III,” a familiar voice said behind him.

T’Pol stepped out of his way to avoid being knocked over by the violence of his turn. “Mom!” She watched as the chief engineer wrapped his arms around a woman who closely resembled him, then allowed her companion to hug him as well. “Dad! I didn’t think you were going to be here.”

His mother smiled. “It took four calls to Starfleet Command and a full-fledged Joyce Tucker hissy fit, but we managed to catch the last shuttle from Tallahassee. You didn’t think we were going to miss you coming home, did you?”

He laughed, the kind of laugh T’Pol hadn’t heard him laugh in a long time. “Oh, T’Pol, this is my mother, Joyce, and my dad, Charlie. Mom, Dad, this is my friend, T’Pol of Vulcan.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, T’Pol of Vulcan,” his father said, and Trip was gratified that his father remembered not to stick out his hand.

“We’ve heard so much about you,” Joyce said. “Thank you for all you’ve done for Trip. For all of us.”

T’Pol watched Trip squeeze his mother’s shoulder in support. “It was an honor to serve with the commander, Mrs. Tucker, if at times somewhat trying.”

“Now, just a minute,” Trip said, pointing a finger at T’Pol. “I see to remember a few times—“

“Trip Tucker, I swear to goodness,” his mother said, grasping his hand. “Will you never learn any manners? I’d have thought this young woman here would have knocked some sense into your head by now.”

“I believe that is what humans refer to as a ‘lost cause,’” T’Pol remarked, rewarded by a forgiving smile from Trip.

“Mom, Dad, I’d like you to meet the only Vulcan in this room with a sense of humor.”

“I believe that may have to wait,” T’Pol said. “Admiral Forrest has been attempting to get your attention, Commander, for the last 2.3 minutes.”

“Aw, hell,” Trip said, ducking his mother’s glare at his use of language. “You were avoiding Soval like the plague. I can’t do the same”

“Unlike Soval, Admiral Forrest is your superior officer,” she pointed out. “It’s unlikely to take long. I will remain her and speak with your parents. Perhaps your mother will teach me techniques for ‘knocking some sense into your head.’”

Charlie Tucker let out a loud laugh at T’Pol’s comment, and Joyce Tucker couldn’t help but smile. “We’ll be right here, Trip.”

He backed away, unwilling to let them out of his sight longer than necessary, and Joyce Tucker turned her Southern smile on T’Pol. “I hope my son’s been behaving himself.”

“The commander has been extremely diligent in his duties and helpful to me in any task in which I required assistance,” T’Pol answered. “Our professional relationship has been most gratifying.”

“I’m glad to hear that,” Joyce said. “What do you suppose Admiral Forrest wanted that was so important?”

“Joyce, Starfleet moves in mysterious ways,” Charles Tucker said. “And whatever it is, I doubt Admiral Forrest will keep him long enough to risk your temper again.”

~~~~

“Ah, Commander Tucker,” Admiral Forrest said as Trip made his way toward him. “This is Commissioner Brenda Maupin. She’s been the head of the war memorial project in Orlando.”

Trip felt his spine stiffen, despite his attempt to remain relaxed. “Commissioner, pleased to meet you.”

“Commander, we’re dedicated the memorial tomorrow afternoon. Due to the great amount of people who wish to attend, it’s not an open ceremony. We’re only allowing dignitaries and special guests to be present on site during the dedication and I wanted to personally extend the invitation to you to be there.”

He stammered for a moment. “I’m—I’m honored, Commissioner.”

“Even though part of the memorial is for the lost crew of Enterprise, I’m afraid Captain Archer is going to have other duties to attend to, such as recovering from his injuries at Starfleet Medical,” Admiral Forrest said. “Even though this is the formal dedication, there’ll be another ceremony for the Enterprise crew if you would rather wait.”

“Thank you, sir,” Trip said, gratefully acknowledging the admiral’s gracious attempt to let him off the hook. “But Lizzie wasn’t on Enterprise. She was here. I’ll be there, Commissioner.”

“Commander, the offer applies to your parents as well. You all are free to share my shuttle with me back to Florida in the morning,” the commissioner said.

“Thank you, ma’am,” he said. “I’ll be sure to let my parents know.” He glanced back at the admiral. “If you’ll excuse me, they’re waiting for me.”

“Of course, Commander,” the admiral said. “I have no wish to have your mother angry with me again. I doubt a Klingon could faze that woman.”

***

T’Pol looked up from her conversation when she heard Commander Tucker’s voice greeting people as he approached them, sitting at one of the many tables that lined the walls of the room. “My ears are burning,” he said. “Talking about me?”

“We were conjecturing about Admiral Forrest’s reasons for calling you over,” T’Pol explained.

“I said he was promoting you to captain and giving you command of the NX-02,” Joyce said.

“Hardly,” Trip said, forcing a grin as he sat down next to T’Pol. “Engineer, remember? Besides, I’d have to have T’Pol along to keep me out of trouble, and I doubt you’d leave Enterprise. And I’ve put far too much time in on Enterprise’s engines to quit now.”

“Then you’ve been demoted for conduct unbecoming an officer,” his father joked.

“I regret to inform you both that my rank is remaining firmly intact, although Malcolm, Hoshi and Travis are all getting beaten with the promotion stick,” he said.

“Then as our conjectures were incorrect, perhaps you would enlighten us?” T’Pol said.

He sighed. “They want me to go to the war memorial dedication tomorrow in Orlando,” Trip said, looking up at his parents. “You’ve been invited too.”

His parents exchanged glances, and Trip could see the denial in his mother’s eyes, the same denial he’d harbored for months. “We’ll discuss it in the morning,” Joyce said. “Now, I heard Jonathan was at Starfleet Medical?”

“Yeah,” Trip said. “He got more than a little beat up. That was before I blew a warp nacelle and dosed everyone with a good amount of theta radiation. Oh, by the way, T’Pol, I take it back about you being the only Vulcan here with a sense of humor. Ambassador V’Lar is here, and she said to tell you that she would be at your debriefing tomorrow, in case she didn’t get a chance to speak to you tonight. Ought to make things easier with Soval.”

“Ambassador V’Lar is known for her ability to diffuse difficult situations,” T’Pol said, recognizing that the mention of the ambassador in changing the subject diffusing this particular situation. “But we should not let tomorrow disrupt our enjoyment of this evening.”

“T’Pol of Vulcan,” Trip’s father proclaimed as the Starfleet Honor Band struck up a lively tune. “You are very wise.” He held out a hand to his wife. “Care to dance?”

Joyce rose happily and Trip grinned as his father swept his mother out onto the dance floor.

“I believe I should apologize for drawing your parent’s attention away,” T’Pol said quietly.

“Not at all,” Trip said. “Besides, I’m going to have most of tomorrow with them. And I don’t think they’re ready to talk about what happened out in the Expanse yet anyway.”

“Perhaps not,” she agreed, letting her gaze follow the swirling couples.

She felt his eyes on her. “Want to dance?”

“Vulcans do not dance,” she reminded him coolly.

“Well, correct me if I’m wrong, but it looks to me like Ambassador V’Lar and Admiral Forrest are having a good time over there,” he said, clearly enjoying her discomfiture watching the admiral swing the Vulcan woman around the dance floor. “Sure you don’t want to dance? Stick it to Soval, maybe?”

He could have sworn he saw a mischievous look in her eyes, but it was gone too quickly for him to be sure. “Very well, Commander,” she conceded. “One dance.”

He smiled, taking her hand, and they joined the dancers rotating around the floor.

~~~~

TBC

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A whole mess of folks have made comments

Oh, that´s beautiful. Please continue sooooon!

Oh, I LOVE this. You're managed to keep T'Pol nicely in character while letting her unleash a little bit. I like their dynamic; it's so easy and open. This is really great!

Lovin' it! Earth, Archer out of the way, Trip's parents, Soval, V'Lar, what else could we ask for? (Well, besides an appearance by Lorian) :-)

aaawwwwww

Loved T'Pol's snide interaction with Soval. Interesting that Trip's mother is still in denial. Oooo, Ambassador V'Lar. Do we get some interaction with her? Please? Excellent, keep going!

Earth, Archer out of the way, Trip's parents, Soval, V'Lar -- and Trip and T'Pol dancing! Can it get any better? (Well, if you could somehow work in Lorian . . . . although that's probably a whole other story.)

Oooh, I like it very much.

My favorite part was this:

"her tone level as she watched for her companion to reappear and customarily offend the Vulcan ambassador."

This is great! I love the way you are setting up this story. Great pace and character interactions. I'm liking this.

Excellent! Love it, can't wait for more. Ali D :~)

Excellent! I saw this posted earlier this afternoon. Only, I wanted to read it when I got home, so as not to be disturbed. I have to say I really love your writting. Great pacing, dialogue, character interaction. This is very polished material.

AWW, this is really nice! It made my morning. Can't wait to read more!

I love the part with Soval & T'Pol. Can't wait to see what happens next.