Countdown-Scene Addition

Countdown - Additional scene

By T2Fan

RATING: PG
GENRE: Episode addition
SUMMARY: A missing scene. A bit sweet and sappy, but that's how I feel after finding out we're getting a season 4 AND a continuation of the relationship between our favorite couple!
SPOILERS: “Countdown”
ARCHIVE: Yes.
DISCLAIMER: Enterprise is the property of Paramount. No profit is being made.

Trip hesitated outside the door to her quarters. Damn, he thought, I must be a sucker for rejection. He almost turned to go, and then glanced at the tray balanced precariously in his left hand. He probably wouldn’t make it back to his quarters without dropping the thing. He sighed, and pressed the door chime.

“Enter”, she called out, and the door slid open.

His gut twisted at the way she looked. It always did. The way her silk pajamas slid over her smooth skin, the defiant lift of her chin, her haunted brown eyes. Haunted. T’Pol. That part wasn’t right, and now that she’d given him an opening, he’d do whatever he could to fix it. She was suffering, and she’d finally asked for his help. He was damned if he was going to let her back off from him again.

“You’ll never guess what chef made today – I didn’t want you to miss it.” said Trip cheerfully. And, with a flourish, he removed the cover from the tray.

“Pecan pie”, said T’Pol, and her voice betrayed her interest.

“That’s right – so take a break and have some with me”.

He placed the tray on a nearby table and held a hand out to help her up from the floor where she sat among her meditation candles. She hesitated.

“Come ‘on, T’Pol, I could use the company. It’s more fun to share it with someone who likes it as much as me.”

T’Pol looked skeptical, but placed her hand in his and began to rise just as he gave her hand a sharp tug. The momentum propelled her forward. Trip put out his arms to catch her, and she held onto him to prevent herself from falling. He didn’t let her go, right away, but held her close to his body, as he looked down into her eyes.

“Sorry” he finally said, and reluctantly set her aside.

He did not seem sorry, thought T’Pol. And she shivered with a guilty pleasure from their brief touch. Trip was already setting up the delectable dessert. He set one plate at one end of the small table, and the other at the opposite spot. He held out a chair for her, and smiled expectantly. Her face remained impassive, but T’Pol’s heart swelled at his smile. It always did. It had been too rare during the last nine months, and she was secretly pleased when something she did or said would coax one from him. When he’d smiled at her today, after she had all but admitted she needed his help, she had felt like weeping with relief. She had almost driven him away with her mini-tantrum. She swore to herself that it would never happen again. She took the seat he proffered.

Trip took up a forkful of pie. “Know where else I’m gonna take you to, besides the 602 club? There’s a diner, right around the corner, called Madge’s. They make a chocolate pecan pie to die for.”

“Chocolate pecan pie?” said T’Pol., doubtfully.

Trip grinned. “I know – how can you improve on perfection, right? That’s what I thought, until I tasted it”. Their eyes drifted towards each other again. T’Pol flushed slightly, and Trip’s grin grew wider. Trip’s attention returned to his plate.

“So, tell me what foods are considered delicacies, on Vulcan”.

After that, Trip drew her into a neutral discussion, asked her about life on Vulcan, discussed the merits of Earth music, teased her gently about her attraction to jazz - anything but the mission, or her present emotional state. The pecan pie had been relegated to crumbs for quite a while before they realized how late it was.

Trip rose to his feet. “You need to rest, T’Pol” he said. T’Pol inclined her head regretfully, and stood. She was not looking forward to yet another night of tossing, turning, and disturbing dreams. Trip continued, “and that’s why I’m gonna stay with you”.

T’Pol’s eyes shot to his in alarm. She desired him more than anything, but her emotions were so out of control that she wouldn’t--couldn’t --yet risk their coupling again. Trip watched her reaction with amusement, and some regret. Had their night of passion been that repugnant to her? He would have sworn otherwise.

“It’s not what you’re thinkin’, although I’m sorry the thought of that throws you into such a panic. For me, it was the best thing that ever happened to me”, he said simply.

T’Pol looked away, and then back into his eyes. She couldn’t continue letting him think his feelings were one-sided. She gathered her resolve. “The feelings I have for you are – powerful”. And for a moment, everything was revealed in her face, as she gazed at him –her confusion, desire, and all her love. It left Trip breathless.

“But then why-?”

She looked at him pleadingly. ”There are reasons – I just cannot tell you yet”. Trip studied her face for a long moment. It seemed like an eternity to T’Pol.

“OK”, he said. And he drew her into the circle of his arms, and just held her there. His quiet acceptance filled her with even more love and appreciation, and she closed her eyes in silent gratitude. He pulled away from her slightly and brushed his lips across her forehead. “So this is what we’re gonna do, tonight. We’re gonna cuddle”.

T’Pol’s eyes widened, “nestle together for affection, warmth, or comfort?”. Trip dimpled in appreciation of her textbook definition.

“That’s right, darlin’. And that’s all. Consider it a human form of neuro-pressure”.

Trip led her, unresisting, over to her bunk, pushed her gently into a horizontal position, and drew the covers over her. She watched, bemused, as he walked around her quarters, blew out the meditation candles, removed the soiled dishes, and straightened up for the night.

Trip turned off the lights, and then sat on the edge of the bunk to remove his shoes. He stood to take off his uniform, and T’Pol’s breath caught as, in the dimly lit room she glimpsed his hard, lean form in tank top and briefs. Finally, he returned to her bed.

“Turn around”, he said softly, and she turned on her side with her back to him. He slid under the covers beside her, and she soon felt his warm body spoon against hers. He folded one arm under his head, and, with his free hand, traced a gentle pattern up and down her exposed arm. T’Pol found it oddly soothing.

“And now, darlin’, you’re in for a treat – I’m gonna sing to you.”

“Are you?” T’Pol could not keep the amusement from her voice.

“Yes, I am”, he said firmly, “a lullaby my mama used to sing to get us to sleep, when we were little”. He paused. “I used to sing it to Lizzie, when she was a baby.” And then, in a soft, low, appealing voice that took her completely by surprise, he sang:

The stars are out
The moon is up
It’s time to go to bed

Go to sleep, my little one
Beneath the evening star
You will always have a friend,
No matter where you are

T’Pol relaxed against him. She felt warm, and cherished and safe. Trip’s voice washed over her softly as she drifted off to sleep.

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A whole mess of folks have made comments

Oooh! That was really, really nice. I'm home today with my sick son and needed something sweet like that to brighten my day. Really, really sweet!

That was so sweet.

"Cuddle"? It's official. Trip is officially 'whipped'! Great little fic.

^^ That's exactly what I was thinking... the guy is totally whipped! And the sad part is it doesn't bother him one bit!

Ahh...This was so sweet. Loved it. I could see Trip doing this for her. He is so whipped.

hmm u forgot one thing, humans are smelly to vulcans so when he took his shoe's off........

aawwwww!!!

Methinks she'd be used to the scent by now.

Aawwwwww!!!! That's so sweet! I can see this happening between them.

This needs a sequel ... or four :-)

I should have added "even if it is an additional scene"

aaawww thats so SWEET!!!
there better be a sequal to this!!!

I just loved this to pieces! I have never heard that lullaby before but it was perfect and Trip is so gentle and loving with T'Pol how could she resist? Lucky Vulcan. Thanks for a brilliant addendum, superb. All this and pecan pie too... Ali D :~)

"Sweet and sappy" (if that's what this is) is seriously underrated -- this was a lovely little piece. Keep writing!

That was a great story. Excellent handling of the voice of the T/T characters. Keep writing and thanks.

Great story - thank you!

I just love it when big, strong, tough guys show their sensitive side for the lady they love!

Sigh.........

So cute! Loved it.

Sweet...definitely! Sappy...nope, this feels nice and fresh and "I want a guy as lovely and considerate as Trip!"-ish.

Just what I needed to make me smile...thank you!

If you can't write a sequel, at least write equally gorgeous additional scenes...PLEASE!!!

I just loved it . I will be looking forward to seeing more. I just love were it's going....

I just loved it . I will be looking forward to seeing more. I just love were it's going....

Oh this was such a fitting piece. I could actually see the writer's giving this. Did any of you expect to get that scene ... the tears the touch??!!! we all hoped and wanted it but did we think we'd get it? NO!!! so can we see this wonderful delicious little scene happening? Oh yeah.

I love the voices, the images. Oh yes. And can I hear Trip singing... oh yes.... *sigh*

Sweet, sappy, wonderful, friendship, partnership, and love.

Well done.

Sweet sweet sweet sweet SWEET!!!!!!!!
Sooooooo sweet!
Pure sugar and fluff all the way.
I loved it! Great work!

Thanks everyone, for all your kind comments. If anyone's interested, the lullabye is called "Friends Lullabye", and it is track 13 on this CD:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000001M6D/qid=1085541356/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_1/103-5278388-3371037

I can never get enough of this kind of T and T interaction. More, please, there's a whole summer to get through! Tasty, and then some...

You were right, it is sweet. But soothing, these characters need the rest!

Perfect;True to character,sexy and lovely.Thankyou for such a short and sweet story.Series is not shown in Australia so I have to make do here on this site.Hoo-Roo.

I was wondering if I could post your story on my site. Email me at writing_teen15@yahoo.com with your reply.

My site address is www.geocities.com/writing_teen15

If your answer is yes, please also email me the following information.

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Beautiful, very, very beautiful!

Hey, the singing part was a great idea. Great job.

that is just so sweet.

After a horrible day stuck in bed ill that cheered me up no end - thank you.