Time and Again - Chapter 4

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.

A/N: I’m so glad you all liked the last chapter. This is my first fic here, and all the feedback is great. *huggles to all*

A/N 2: Many thanks to www.sanfrancisco.com and my baby brother for all the information they provided to a girl who’s never been over the Mississippi River. :)

~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter 4

T’Pol allowed herself the luxury of eating breakfast in her quarters the next morning, foregoing the inquisitive looks and murmurs of illogic that would follow her in the dining hall. If she was going to embark upon a day of deviant behavior, she might as well begin now.

At eight forty-five, she rose from her desk and adjusted her headband around her head to disguise her distinctly non-Terran ears before exiting her quarters.

She intended to leave the compound through the back, as a way to avoid most of the other Vulcans living at the consulate, knowing her attire would cause them to wonder about her mental faculties at the moment, and would cause them to pose questions that she would rather not answer at the moment.

There was, of course, a message currently being delivered to Ambassador Soval’s office explaining that she would not be present for her debriefing, due to other obligations, and expressing her sincere apologies for inconveniencing him and Ambassador V’Lar. Her plan to avoid his wrath until the evening would have worked perfectly, had she known that the ambassadors had broken from their usual routine and were currently in route to Soval’s office along the same corridors she was taking to escape them.

“T’Pol!” Soval’s voice said, and there could be no mistaking the disapproval or surprise in his tone. “What are you doing?”

She raised an eyebrow. “I am leaving the compound for the day. You will find my cancellation waiting for you when you return to your office.”

Soval’s gaze swept over her human-style clothing with disdain. “To do what?”

“I have plans with a friend today,” T’Pol said coolly. “Perhaps we can continue our debriefing tomorrow. If you will excuse me, I am late.”

She moved past them, and Soval’s voice rose again. “You are going out with the human commander, are you not, T’Pol? I forbid it.”

V’Lar stepped in before T’Pol could answer again. “You will not forbid her to do anything, Soval. T’Pol has the right to go where she pleases. She nodded to T’Pol, who continued her way down the hallway, unimpeded by any other Vulcans.

“You should not have interfered,” Soval said. “I see no other alternative but to have T’Pol examined by a mental health physician on Vulcan. She is obviously unstable.”

“Hardly,” V’Lar said. “T’Pol has lived among humans for over three years. It is logical to assume that she would make friends among them.”

“Did you not see her clothing? T’Pol is losing herself among these humans. It is necessary for her to return to Vulcan immediately. Undergoing the Kohlinar may save her yet,” Soval said, his tone determined.

V’Lar steeled her own voice to match his own. “Most certainly not. T’Pol is capable of making her own decisions and mistakes. And as much as you would like to control your goddaughter, Soval, Earth is no longer under your jurisdiction. It is under mine, and you will leave T’Pol alone.”

Soval’s eyes focused on her face for a moment, and he inclined his head in response before continuing on his way down the hall. V’Lar glanced behind her in the direction of T’Pol’s departure, and hoped that the day would be worth it to the young woman.

***

Trip was waiting outside when T’Pol finally appeared outside the gates to the consulate, and his grin spread across his face. “Morning.”

“Good morning,” she greeted him in return, shouldering her bag. “I apologize for my lateness. I was detained.”

“No problem,” he said. “I hope you didn’t run into any trouble.”

“It was no trouble,” she said as they began their walk down the sun-filled San Francisco streets.

“Nice outfit,” he observed. “Where’d you get it?”

“In an effort to continue cross-cultural exchange, Ensign Sato provided me with this clothing,” T’Pol explained. “In turn, I gave her a copy of The Teachings of Surak in the original old Vulcan.”

“I’m sure Hoshi had a ball with that,” Trip said. “I wonder how long it took her to decipher it.”

“The ensign was already familiar with old Vulcan,” T’Pol explained. “But I believe she claimed it would give her a chance to ‘brush up’ on her linguistic skills.”

“Like she needs the help,” Trip snorted. “Oh, come on, there’s the streetcar. Hurry, we can still catch it.”

They hurried down the street, and managed to jump onto the streetcar before it pulled away. “Where do you want to go first?” he asked. “We can go to the museum, or we can go to the open air market in the Mission District.”

“Do you not have a preference?” she asked.

His irrepressible smile twitched up in one corner. “This is your day. I invited you, that means you get to pick what we do. Besides, if I remember, you’ve not seen too much of San Francisco. There’s all kinds of stuff to do. We can walk across the Golden Gate Bridge, rent a paddleboat, tour Alcatraz.”

“Was Alcatraz not used as a prison?” T’Pol asked.

“Well, yeah,” Trip answered. “But it’s real interesting. There’s a real good movie about Alcatraz. Had the greatest of all actors, Sean Connery. The Rock. We’ll have to watch it next time we have Movie Night. But anyway, we can go to Golden Gate Park and walk through the conservatory, go to the aquarium.”

“All of those options seem to be intriguing possibilities,” T’Pol said. “Is the museum open?”

Trip checked his watch. “Probably not. Want to head for the Mission District and the shopping?”

She raised an eyebrow. “That would be acceptable.”

Trip smiled. In T’Pol speak, that meant she wanted to go.

***

They strolled through the museum, enjoying the relative solitude a weekday tour of the San Francisco Museum of Earth Art provided them. “Isn’t this incredible?” Trip said, gesturing towards the paintings in the Leonardo da Vinci room.

“Da Vinci was a genius,” T’Pol said. “Had he been born in a different century, he might have developed the warp engine instead of Zephram Cochrane.”

Trip nodded. “Back then, we’ve have been lucky to see one of these paintings or drawings in a lifetime. All these used to be spread all over the planet in different museums. World War III destroyed a lot of our museums at the same time it destroyed our cities. I don’t think art critics will ever get over the damage to the Louvre in Paris. They were lucky to rescue what little they did. And it was a miracle they got the Mona Lisa out undamaged.”

“Da Vinci kept extensive notes, did he not?” T’Pol asked, continuing as Trip nodded again. “It is a pity that there are not notes to be found about the Mona Lisa. The Vulcan database mentions the Mona Lisa smile as a mystery which has perplexed Terrans for centuries.”

Trip pulled her into the makeshift line of people circulating through the room where the Mona Lisa was kept, and she tucked the bag of candles she’d bought at the market more securely under her arm. “That’s because no one has ever been able to figure out why she was smiling. She’s got a secret, and that’s what makes people come back here to see her again and again. Other than maybe the Sistine Chapel and the statue of David, she’s the greatest masterpiece of human art we have.” He glanced sideways at her. “That’s what I meant when I said old oil paintings were beautiful.”

She almost opened up her mouth to contradict him, to say that he had used the word ‘nice,’ but chose to accept the compliment for what it was.

“You know, back about a hundred fifty years ago, there was a theory floating around Earth that da Vinci’s work might have held the key to finding the Holy Grail.”

“I have heard the phrase ‘Holy Grail’ before, but I am unfamiliar with its etymology,” T’Pol said as they stepped out of the room.

“The Holy Grail is commonly believed to be the cup of Christ,” Trip said as they stepped into the next room. “There you go. The Last Supper. The Grail is supposed to be the cup Christ drank from at the Last Supper.”

“I am familiar with many of Earth’s religions,” she said, studying the painting. “Was the Grail retrieved?”

Trip shook his head. “The theory was that the Grail wasn’t really the cup of Christ. It was pretty much debunked, though, since the theory came from a book of fiction. One good adventure, that was, though. I remember reading it at the academy.” He grinned. “I think I’ll add Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade to the movie list. It’s got Sean Connery in it too.”

***

The top of the San Francisco Grand Hotel housed a vegetarian restaurant that provided one of the best views in the city, extending out over the bay and providing a spectacular circular view that encompassed both the Bay Bridge and the Golden Gate Bridge, the mid-afternoon sun glinting off the water. Trip whistled softly as he looked out the window from their table. “That’s a beautiful sight. I used to dream about seeing that bridge.”

T’Pol set down her fork, having finished the salad that accompanied the grilled Portobello mushroom she had ordered. “You never mentioned it.”

He shook his head. “It took a long time for me to quit dreaming about Elizabeth. At least until the weapon was destroyed. After that, I just wanted to come home. After training missions, we’d shuttle back down to Starfleet Headquarters, and that bridge was the first thing we always see. It meant coming home.”

“Mount Seleya has always held the same symbolism for me,” T’Pol said. “Shuttles are not often permitted near the mountain, but it is high enough that it can be seen from the Science Directorate and my home.”

“Have you thought about returning to Vulcan?” Trip asked. “Take some time, see your family, visit friends.”

T’Pol shook her head. “I believe if I attempted to go back to Vulcan now, I might be compelled to remain there. Ambassador Soval has expressed his concern over my mental acuity.”

“Because you’ve sent so much time around humans?”

“Among other things,” T’Pol said, taking a sip of her wine. “My briefing did not proceed as well as I might have hoped.”

“You want to talk about it?” he asked, shoving up the sleeves of his shirt under the warming glance of the sun outside.

“Talking about it would not solve the problem,” she said. “Ambassador Soval wishes for me to leave Earth and return to Vulcan, a recommendation he will argue for even more strenuously considering my cancellation this morning,” she said.

“He can’t force you to do anything, though, can he?” Trip asked.

She shook her head. “While I doubt that he could bring together the resources to bring me home, he no longer has jurisdiction here. Ambassador V’Lar is replacing him as ambassador to Earth. The official announcement will be made later this week.”

Trip sat back in his chair. “That’s great news. I mean, I know Soval and I have had some disagreements, but Ambassador V’Lar seems like she gets humans a lot better.”

“I would call that a fair assumption,” T’Pol said. “Ambassador V’Lar will make an excellent ambassador to Earth. I spoke with her at length yesterday. She believes that humans will accomplish a great deal in the coming years, and does not need the guiding hand our government has insisted upon. Instead, we should become allies.”

Trip blew out his breath. “Wow. That’s a lot for her to take on.”

“Ambassador V’Lar is quite formidable,” T’Pol reminded him. “If the Mazarites were unable to intimidate her, it is unlikely that Starfleet or the Vulcan High Command could either.”

“Who knows?” Trip said, leaning his elbows against the table. “Maybe humans and Vulcans will be the first two members of this Federation the captain keeps yapping about.”

“If the Federation does come into being, as Daniels claims it will, perhaps the Vulcan Science Directorate will change their views on time travel,” T’Pol said, glancing down at her plate.

“You sound like you don’t believe that,” Trip said. She didn’t answer as the waiter approached.

“More wine? Or dessert, perhaps?” he asked, refilling their water glasses.

“You want some dessert? They make a mean pecan pie here,” Trip said. T’Pol shook her head, and the waiter inclined his head. “We’ll just take the check, please.” He lowered his voice. “That’s okay. Mom sent me home with a pecan pie and two jars of peach preserves. And no one can beat her pecan pie, even Chef.”

“I will look forward to sampling your mother’s cooking,” T’Pol said, taking a last sip of her wine as Trip handed a card to the waiter, who nodded and disappeared for a moment.

***

The sound of children laughing wafted over them as Trip held out his hand for T’Pol to take some of the duck food he’d obtained from a standing feeder. Raising an eyebrow at the strange custom, she threw it out over the pond, observing the sudden splashing, honking and fighting as the ducks immediately appeared to inhale the food. Trip threw out his handful, and they ducks became even wilder as they fought over this fresh infusion of nourishment.

“I would think it would be difficult to regulate the eating habits of the ducks if they are fed in such a manner,” T’Pol said.

Trip shrugged, heading back towards the path. “Ducks are hardy creatures. And the park rangers maintain a pretty good equilibrium around here. It’s not too hard.”

She rejoined him, sparing a last look for the ducks which were swimming away, no doubt in search of more bystanders willing to throw food at them. Trip spoke again. “Did you think about taking the commission with Starfleet?”

“I believe it maybe the best choice. As a Starfleet officer, I could remain on Enterprise with no interference from the High Command. Many Vulcans see an unofficial tour of duty as illogical, despite their ignorance to many of the events that transpired around the Xindi attack.”

He didn’t say anything. “I would have thought you would be pleased. I had even been considering possibilities for you to be with me when I informed Ambassador Soval of my change of service.”

He grinned at her joke, but the laugh she had expected did not come. “Are you not happy with this decision?”

“I think it’s a great idea, I really do, T’Pol,” he said, taking the turnoff towards the Japanese Tea Garden.

“But you are not pleased?”

“There’s just-“ he rubbed the back of his neck with a hand. “There’s a rumor going around that if you take the first officer’s position on Enterprise, I may get transferred to the Colombia as first officer. No need for two full commanders on the same ship.”

“That may not happen,” she said. “It will still be many months before Enterprise is repaired, and they will want you to oversee the ship’s refit.”

“Don’t I know it,” Trip said mournfully, looking up at the sky, as if he could see Enterprise’s spacedock from here. “Rebuilding that warp nacelle is going to take forever.”

“I have confidence in your abilities,” she answered.

“Sure you won’t mind wearing a Starfleet uniform?” he asked.

“I have worn a Starfleet uniform before, if you will remember our incident at the hatchery.”

“Ah, yes,” he said, his smile twitching a corner of his mouth. “And our little mutiny. That was an adventure. Hope we don’t ever have to do that again.”

“As do I,” she said, pulling her jacket from her bag and slipping it over her shoulders. Although San Francisco was quite warm for the date, the sun was sinking beyond the horizon and there was now a nip in the air.

“I promised I’d buy you a drink tonight,” he reminded her. “Want to head for the 602 club? I bet Malcolm and Travis and half the engineering crew is there. I even heard them inviting Phlox to come along.”

She hesitated, considering her current state of dress. “Perhaps the 602 Club will be too crowded. However, I am familiar with a club that plays jazz music.”

He held out a hand. “Lead the way.”

***

The club was fairly full, but they wound their way around towards the back of the club to find a small table unoccupied. The waitress came to their table, took their drink orders, informed them that they would not run a tab, then hurried back, setting down a glass of wine for T’Pol and a pint of hard cider for Trip.

The musicians played, the soulful sounds of the saxophone wailing out the melody, and Trip placed his hand on the table, palm up. She barely met his eyes, laying her hand in his own, entwining their fingers.

They’d reached the club at the end of the jazz set, to T’Pol’s carefully repressed disappointment, and the band quickly disassembled their gear, and another band assembled their own just as quickly. Trip glanced over at her. “You want to go somewhere else? Try to find someplace else that has jazz?”

She shook her head. “I am unfamiliar with a great deal of Earth music. Perhaps we should stay.”

The band begin blasting out the tunes of the big band era, and Trip smiled. “My grandparents used to play this music all the time when I was a kid. They said the good stuff never went out of style.” The tables were emptying, and couples were moving across the floor, either dancing, or leaving in favor of different music, even as more patrons came in.

“Want to dance?” Trip said, and T’Pol recognized the wickedly challenging look in his eyes.

“Vulcans do not dance,” she reminded him.

His eyes floated to her headband. “Is that so? Because I thought I saw the new Vulcan ambassador dancing at a reception the other day. And the first officer of Enterprise was dancing with that dashingly handsome chief engineer.”

“I was not aware that the chief engineer of the Colombia was present at the reception,” she replied, her eyes following couples executing complicated dance steps to the music.

His mouth dropped open. “I can’t believe you said that. That-“

“Apparently, you believe I am not capable of saying many things,” she said.

He narrowed his eyes. “So, do I get to find out when your birthday is?”

“That is also considered intimate information,” she informed him, as the couples stopped to clap for the band, who launched into another song.

“All right, that’s it,” he said, rising and hauling her to her feet. “You’re dancing, for that comment right there.”

She didn’t have time to protest as he swung her out onto the dance floor. “Commander, I am not familiar with this style of dance.”

“That’s why I’m leading,” he said, maneuvering her around, the strains of music floating around them like the wind cutting through the cables of the Golden Gate Bridge.

***

The wind whistled as they leaned against the railing on the bridge. “God, it’s beautiful out here,” Trip said, his eyes towards the sky. “Where’s Vulcan from here?”

T’Pol turned, her back to the railing, her eyes searching for the constellation she had come to recognize as her mark to find her home. “Vulcan is over Orion’s head. It is barely visible from here.”

“I don’t know how you manage to be away from home like that,” Trip murmured.

T’Pol raised an eyebrow as she faced him, a bicycler speeding by them. “I have my work. I have my friends. I carry with me Surak’s teachings, and that is all I need.”

He nodded as the wind blew a fierce gust along the bridge. T’Pol’s headband slipped, and she reached up to adjust it.

She found his hand on hers, and instead of assisting her with putting it back on, he pulled it from her head, revealing her ears. “How come you wore this today?”

“Considering my current status with the High Command, it would not be wise if they discovered I had spent most of my day in your company. Additionally, I felt we would attract much less attention if I appeared human.”

He accepted her explanation. “How come you didn’t want to go to the 602 Club?”

She glanced down at her outfit. “My attire is inappropriate for appearing in front of those under my command.”

He examined the simple outfit. “I like it. But without the headband.” He gently traced down the edge of her ear with a finger, his hand warm against her chilled skin.

“I am gratified that you approve,” she said softly. “Ensign Sato will be pleased.”

“How do you think Soval is going to react in the morning?” Trip asked.

She glanced up into his eyes. “However he responds—it will have been worth it.”

“I’m glad to hear it,” he mumbled, his lips already finding hers, her arms arranging themselves around his neck.

Another sudden gust of wind reminded them that Mother Nature did not care for public displays of affection, and Trip shivered. “Come on, let’s catch a cab. It can take you back to the consulate—“ he paused. “Or you can stay at my place, if you want.” The last words came out very fast, and he looked at the ground when he said them. “It’s clean. And there’s stuff to eat, I promise. Mom made that pie, and I’ve got some fruit and stuff.”

Her fingers found his chin, bringing his face back up. “I would be honored to see your home.”

He smiled, catching her hand in his own. “Then what are we waiting for? It’s freezing out here.”

***

Fin

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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

That was superb, I really got into this story, very well told, & kept my attention completely, Oh please do carry on with more chapters, I enjoyed this immensely.

Very nice...Is this the conclusion or will there be more to this interesting story?

lovely!!!! a nice day out for t'pol!!! cool

Terrific!!! I loved it. Loved the Vulcan political backstory. Loved it all. Especially the ease with which they spent their day.

Wonderful! Please keep it going.....

Rogue, I loved this story from the beginning. The story, pacing, characters, and dialogue were just a treat too read. GOOD JOB!!! I hope you continue to post your stories here.

Yeah, this is definitely a story that needs one more chapter at least... ;-)

Ooooooohhhhhhh Trip's inviting her back to his place. Uh huh... loved this! Your story is very great and you do a good job keeping the characters in line. Soval as T'Pol's goddaughter? Didn't think Vulcans had those. LOL

*hugs back*

Please continue!!!!

Oh, please, please, please: Continue! That´s such a great story!

Ok I loved it up until the last line...what do you mean Fin? lol if you mean finished...then I must implore you to give us at least one more chapter! this story was really great and I loved every chapter, for your first piece it was wonderful! I can't wait to see your future works!

I loved this! Just because the summer fic challenge is over doesn't mean you can't continue this you know... *hint hint*

Yeah you have to continue this! It was just so great!!!!! We ALL wanna see where this goes!!!!

Excellent story and very well written. I loved it! I've gotta agree with the comments above and beg you to continue.

Please, don't let that be the end. I've so enjoyed this story thus far. The reception, the way Trip and T'Pol spent thier day, everything. Great job!

This has been the best chapter of an absolutely wonderful story! I love the detail you put into it -- the little things, like using a card to pay for dinner, and explaining how the Mona Lisa ended up in San Francisco. I loved your description of Trip and T'Pol's day . . . and I loved the ending, even though I'm sorry it's over. Any chance of a sequel? (PLEASE, PLEASE give us a sequel!)

fin?!?!? fin?!?!?!? no no no no!!!

I loved their day together. and yes v'lar is as always a great person.

fin?!?!?!? um NO!!!!

Oh yes, please please please write another chapter! I'd love to see Soval's reaction when T'Pol comes strolling home the next morning after spending the night with Trip.

I thoroughly enjoyed this, the Vulcan back-story as much as the T/T interactions. V'Lar was particularly well written. I know that it's already been said, but I loved the detail that you put in - it made the whole scenario very believable.

My biggest fanfic pet peeve... people ending stories too early.

Just love Trip and T'Pol going on a *proper date* - this was wonderful! Can't wait to see what happens next. Am hoping stuffy Soval falls down a black hole... LOL. Ali D :~)

Maybe I'll write a short companion piece to feature the fallout in a couple of days, no? I've got a plot bunny for a different fandom that's been bothering the hell out of me, but once that's done...who knows?

~Rogue

I love it. Please continue the story. Don't Stop! What happens next?

squeal please love the fic