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Mood Swing-Pt 14a

Author - Sue
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Mood Swing

By Sue

E-MAIL: susieqla@yahoo.com
SERIES: Enterprise
PART: 14a
RATING: PG-13
CATEGORY: Romance
SPOILERS: “Harbinger”
ARCHIVE: Yes
DISCLAIMER: Enterprise is the property of Paramount and its subsidiaries. No profit is being made.
SUMMARY: Missing scene.
NOTES: On-going series of vignettes focusing on this pair’s developing
relationship.

Part 14a


"Well, yes, or no? We keep goin' with the neuro-pressure?"

"Lower your voice."

"I'm not shoutin'. THIS IS SHOUTIN'!"

All heads in the Mess turned in the direction of the couple, who drew more and more attention with each passing day. Telling whispers disappeared into thin air.

Her face turning a deeper shade of green, T'Pol stilled Trip with an effortless glare. "I will *not* discuss private matters in public."

"This is as good a place as any," Trip shot back petulantly.

"You *are* getting emotional," she accused, barely moving her lips.

"Well, what d'ya expect? How'd you like bein' thought of as a fu--" Stopping abruptly, Trip struggled to drop his voice's volume as well as his inflammatory choice of word. "Some funky lab rat." The coffee he had drunk a moment ago tasted rancid in his mouth.

T'Pol felt a disquieting pressure building in her head.

"I said I was sorry if I--"

"Are ya sorry for last night?" He folded his arms across his chest, glowering at her with foul-tempered eyes, full force.

He'd asked the clincher, knowing he would, T'Pol assessed. She weighed her feelings carefully. "I'm sorry for hurting your feelings."

"Okay, that's a start, but it's not the answer I'm waitin' for."

"And for doing you a terrible disservice."

"A disservice?" The edge in his voice had sharpened despite his best effort to tamp his anger down. "You made me a happy man. *Real happy*. Happiest I've
been in months."

"I never behave as impulsively as I did last evening, and you know that, using you as I did. Practically attacking you." Involuntarily, a tremor coursed through her. "I wronged you. I apologize for having taken advantage of you in a therapeutic venue. My actions are inexcusable." Despite T'Pol demanding of herself to be forthright, her gaze eluded his again.

"Don't be so hard on yourself. It's only takin' advantage if I think so. I held my own, didn't I?"

Her greenish tinge deepened once again.

"Don't apologize for givin' me a clue. O'kay? If ya ask me, long overdue?"

"I should have asked your permission first. I had no right to involve you in
something so..."

"Intense," he ably supplied, winking.

"I will concede that. Intense, without your knowledge. Coupled with investigative." This time her eyes fell away from his face more slowly.

"No stone left unturned, but you don't hear me complainin', do ya?"

Sitting as close as he was to her now, he was whispering directly into her ear, the way he had last night. With each incendiary, raggedly-spoken undertone, he'd driven her closer and closer to the edge until, finally, she'd surrendered the side of herself he'd once thought it impossible for her to gain liberation from. If the Mess had not been so full, he would have leisurely kissed her cheek, following that up with doing the same to her eyes. When he'd kissed them, after they'd consummated, T'Pol had gasped several times, thoroughly undone by his genuine selflessness and tenderness.

He'd kissed her eyes after each joining. She would never have to imagine what it felt like their having been kissed so many times.

If she wanted to backpedal, he'd let her, never letting on that he knew it was a tactic. They had something and there was no denying it; the something went deeper than mere physical attraction, something infinitely deeper. He knew it, and he hoped she did too, even if it was only a little bit for starters. He wanted to believe whatever they had might grow.

"Just so ya know, if your results are inconclusive, I'm more than willin' to
volunteer for further investigation..." He stuck his hands up and wriggled his
fingers. After doing so, he plopped his left one down on her thigh, beneath the table, and gave it a firm yet playful squeeze. "No strings attached. Offer's good through the remainder of our mission." He paused and said even more softly, "And beyond if need be, but that's up to you. Hell, I'll sign on as one very willing test subject with your damn Directorate if strict protocol dictates. You're a dynamite researcher, the only researcher I want; you make exploration so excitin'. You give new meanin' to the words probin' investigation."

"Do I?"

"Just make that you're dynamite, period..."

Appreciative eyes looked her up and down, awash with fondness.

Another tremor wreaked havoc with her resolve to be aloof. How could she when being this close to him felt so good? He was too good. She rose with her cup of tea in hand, and noted the look of disappointment on his face...his beautiful face.

"I will consider your offer."

"An' get back to me?" he verbally nudged with roguish eyes, eyes she found herself getting lost in much too easily.

She nodded, not trusting the steadiness of her voice which felt buried deep within her throat.

"Where ya headin'?"

She paused at the dirty plates and utensils station to place her cup, the contents of which was lukewarm, in a rack. Trip was at her elbow in just that space of time.

"Wherever it is, mind if I accompany ya?"

Mind? Her eyes smiled although Trip could never swear to it. She was elated, as pleased and content as poring over Surak's tome, her favorite pastime, with a steamy cup of her favorite blend of mint tea within an arm's length. "I don't mind. Although, under present circumstances, it would be best if you waited outside my quarters while I finish preparing for duty. I must report to the bridge to begin my tour, and I am unable to locate my PADD."

"Don't trust yourself bein' alone with me at the moment, huh?"

"Don't be inconsistent." T'Pol looked as though she was making the hughest of concessions. "It is merely a request."

"I'll keep that in mind, Sub-c." It was all Trip could do not to shout out loud, having gained no small victory. "Hey, you can borrow mine."

"No, thank you. I would prefer to locate my own."

"Okay, but you're welcome." Turning tentative, he asked, "How 'bout dinner tonight? Just the two of us? Familiar territory, the captain's Mess. He'll be dinin' with Hoshi and Travis, in here. No pressure, just enjoyin' each other's company over good food, a touch of wine and sparklin' conversation."

"I accept." It was acceptance uttered before the wiser, staid voice had had the chance to curb her enthusiasm, prompting her to decline. The war within was waged, and with minimal casualties; what she wanted to do won out. "Thank you."

"Like I said before, no need to thank me. This is great. I'm glad I went ahead 'cause I already got Jon's permission; he owes those two the pleasure of his company. And I told Chef to pull out all the stops."

"Indeed. Why did you assume I'd agree?"

Laughing, Trip replied, "Why would you assume I wouldn't? Assume, that is."

She tried not to roll her eyes at him too much, but too many things she used to pride herself on were falling by the wayside. All T'Pol could think, while this all-too human male, who couldn't stop grinning unabashedly in her face, suggested they get a move on, was: *MINE*!

TBC


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Three people have made comments

Oh,that TPTB would film this! Perfectly wonderful - thanks for brightening my day!
LTT

Well, FWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAR! Very, VEERRRRY sexy stuff, indeed! I don't know where I've been these last several months, but I sure as heck am gonna keep up with this story from now on! :D Brilliant!

Sigh.....

The stuff of my dreams. What an enjoyable read. Thank you. Can't wait for more!