The Ending Kiss

The Ending Kiss

By T2Fan

RATING: PG
SUMMARY: SPOILER IN SUMMARY!: I was thinking about poor Trip’s impending brush-off, and how he might handle it. Then this silly idea popped into my head and made me giggle, so I wrote it down. Figured we could all use a laugh.
SPOILERS: “Daedalus” (I think)
ARCHIVE: Yes.
DISCLAIMER: Enterprise is the property of Paramount. No profit is being made.

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Trip paced outside the door to T’Pol’s quarters. His slightly mussed hair, and the faint sheen of sweat on the taunt arm muscles exposed by his tank top, were evidence of yet another demanding workout that had failed to quell his rising impatience. It had been a week since the events on Vulcan had unfolded - a week since Koss had released T’Pol from her vows.

He’d had an opportunity to speak to her privately only once, right when she had returned from Vulcan. When he’d learned of the death of T’Les he was genuinely grieved. Although, initially, the older woman had been somewhat hostile, Trip felt that they had reached a kind of mutual respect and understanding by the time he had left Vulcan. In any case, Trip knew that whatever conflicts there were between mother and daughter, the two of them truly cared for one another. His heart had ached for T’Pol, when he’d seen the lost look in her eyes.

“T’Pol,” he’d said gently, “I’m so sorry about your mother.”

She had looked at him, but her eyes were unfocused, her mind still trying to cope with all she’d been through.

“Thank you, Commander.” she’d murmured, and walked away. More than anything, Trip had wanted to follow her, to fold her into a comforting embrace, but he had held back. It wasn’t his place, any more.

Later, he had learned about the dissolution of her marriage. He had felt exhilarated. Any of the lingering “Romeo and Juliet” doubts he had expressed to her just a few short weeks ago dissipated instantly. During that unhappy exchange, he had known as soon as the words left his lips that he was just rationalizing. He couldn’t have her, and it was killing him, so he tried to make himself believe that it would never have worked out anyway. What a fool he’d been. The hurt on her face had been plain to see, and he had thought about going to her later, to reassure her, but he hadn’t. Why torture ourselves, he’d thought. Better to keep some distance between us to lessen the pain. Of course, he’d realized later, nothing could ease the misery he felt every minute of every day since he’d watched her marry another man.

But now she was free! He’d given her some space since she’d been back. At first he had tried to speak with her a few times, and while she didn’t exactly avoid him, she just didn’t seem to be really there, when he spoke to her. It was as if her mind was somewhere else. But he couldn’t wait any longer. They had to talk.

Finally, Trip stopped pacing outside her door. With one smooth motion born of sudden decision, he pulled the towel from around his neck and flicked it at the door chime. As he stepped inside her quarters, the first thing he noticed was that the air was deeply fragrant with the aroma of meditation candles. He knew that aroma very well, but it had never been so intense. She must be meditating every free moment she had, he realized, with surprise. And, in fact, even now she was seated on the floor, her graceful form bowed over the candles.

“T’Pol? I’m sorry to bother you, but we really need to talk.”

T’Pol shifted slightly, to get her feet underneath her body, and then rose in one fluid motion. She regarded him serenely.

“What do you wish to speak about?” she said. Her voice was low, and carefully modulated. Not cold, but flat and emotionless. Trip felt a sudden chill. He swallowed, hard, and then flashed his most disarming smile.

“I wanted to talk about us. You’re free now, and-“

“There is no ‘us’.”

Her calm tone frightened him. What had happened to her?

“What do mean, there’s no ‘us’?” He said incredulously. “T’Pol,”, he said slowly, each word a painful chore, “Don’t you have any feelings for me, any more?” Bitterly, he searched her face for a sign, any sign that he was getting through to her.

He saw it then, a slight tremor in her facade, a flicker of her eyes. Then she imperceptibly pulled herself together and resumed her stoic mask.

“That is better left in the past. My focus now is to commit myself to the discovery of the true meaning of Surak’s teachings. My recent experiences have shown me that the only pathway to true learning is to immerse myself in it. I cannot afford any distractions.”

Trip fought down the feelings of anger and hurt that her words evoked. Instead, he took a deep calming breath, just as she’d taught him, and studied her dispassionately.

She cared for him. He knew it; deep, down in the recesses of his soul, he knew it. It was an undeniable connection they had that was unspoken, as yet unexplored, but somehow known by both of them. It was something he sensed in a way he never had with any other woman. So why was she pushing him away again? Then it hit him. She was frightened. Frightened of the instability of relationships - of the instability of life itself. She had just lost her mother. Someone whose death, given the life span of Vulcans, and given T’Les’s good health, she had probably never really contemplated. With all she had been through over the past year, this was the final shock to her system.

She was driven to take solace and shelter in the only way she knew how - through her Vulcan roots - her newly discovered Vulcan roots. Only thing was, he couldn’t let her go too far down that path. There was a danger that she would sink so deeply into this mind set, that her feelings for him would become secondary - a faintly pleasant memory. He’d be damned if that’s all he’d be to her. He wouldn’t let her forget what they were - could be - to each other. She needed a reminder.

Trip’s face settled into an expression of sad, but calm acceptance. “If that’s what you really want, T’Pol, I won’t stand in your way.”

T’Pol’s even tones faltered only a touch. “I am gratified that you are taking this so well.”

“If it’s really over between us, then I’ve got one last request”, Trip continued.

“What is that?” said T’Pol, a wary note creeping into her voice.

“The Ending Kiss”, said Trip.

T’Pol’s eyes flew to his in surprise. “What is the Ending Kiss?”, she said suspiciously, “I have never heard of that.”

Trip’s blue eyes widened innocently. “It’s an old Earth custom - a sign of respect and courtesy, when a relationship comes to an amicable end.” Trip pursed his lips thoughtfully. “ I can’t believe you’ve never heard of it.”

“Possibly because it doesn’t exist”, T’Pol said dryly.

Trip’s posture stiffened suddenly, and his brows knit together. When he spoke, his tone was clipped, and curt.

“Well, that’s fine then; if you don’t want to pay me the courtesy of endin’ this in a civilized manner, then, I’d better go”. He turned on his heel, headed for the door, and prayed. He had to suppress a grin, when he heard her voice behind him.

“Just a moment.” Her voice faltered slightly. “I meant no insult. It is just that I recall past experiences of your teasing...”

Trip returned to her side and looked somberly down into her dark eyes. “Believe me,” he said, “I take this very seriously”.

Uncomfortable with his scrutiny, she broke eye contact. “Proceed,” she said.

“Well, first we have to join hands like this”, and he took her hands in his. They were cold, very cold, and her fingers trembled slightly. Unconsciously, he spread his large hands over her small ones to better warm them.

Casting about wildly in his mind for some suitably enigmatic words, Trip seized onto the first thing that popped into his head. “Now, uh, repeat after me:”

T’Pol regarded him alertly.

“There’s a lady who’s sure...-”

T’Pol dutifully intoned, “There’s a lady who’s sure...-”

“...All that glitters is gold...”

“...All that glitters is gold...”

“...And she’s buying a stairway to heaven,” said Trip.

“...And she’s buying a stairway to heaven,” T’Pol repeated, slightly puzzled.

Frantically trying to remember the rest of the lyrics to the 20th century Led Zeppelin song, Trip thought he’d better skip ahead.

“Ah - In the tree by the brook, there’s a songbird who sings...”

“In the tree by the brook, there’s a songbird who sings...” said T’Pol, earnestly.

“Sometimes all of our thoughts are misgiven,” said Trip with great seriousness.

T’Pol went on to repeat the rest of the words as Trip solemnly intoned them. She thought some of the phrasing odd, and the meanings obscure, but no more so than some of the more challenging pronouncements attributed to Surak. In any case it evidently held deep meaning for Commander Tucker, and as such deserved her respectful attention. This ceremony had a certain quiet dignity, she thought.

As the sound of the last words died away, Trip said, “And now we have the Ending Kiss,” and he leaned in towards her. T’Pol braced herself for a light brush of his lips against hers, and shivered involuntarily. He felt it and smiled. Then his mouth found hers and all rational thought fled both their minds. Instead of a light touch, he crushed his mouth to hers, angling his head so that he could better plunder her parted lips. Tongues tangled and explored, and tangled again. Without conscious thought, her arms slid around his neck to pull him closer. Trip’s hands slipped inside her silk robe, intimately roaming the curves beneath. She moaned helplessly. It was as if they were in perfect sync with one another, each sensing and satisfying the needs of the other. Trip could feel her heart hammering against his chest, mirroring his own. He felt as if he would explode for the wanting of her. She was breathless now, and almost frantic, as she ground herself against him. He was assaulting all of her senses, and she was nearly on overload. It was one of the hardest things he ever had to do, when he suddenly let her go, stepped back from her, and let his hands fall to his sides.

“And now, it is over”, he said with a slightly breathless formality.

“It is?” said T’Pol, with a hint of a wail in her voice. She stood panting, gazing at him with pure hungry frustration.

It took all of Trip’s willpower not to pull her back into his arms.

“I’ll never forget what we had,” he said, holding her gaze for a heartbeat.

Then, he turned and walked away from her. Just before her door swished shut behind him, he was able to make out a muttered Vulcan curse - a very bad word that he was shocked to hear coming from her lovely lips. Trip grinned widely and whistled the rest of the way to his quarters.

end

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A whole mess of folks have made comments

Oh that's soooo sad !!!
:-(

Why is it sad? I thought it was great. Put's the ball in her court for a change...

Sneaky Trip, giving T'Pol a taste of her own medicine. I have a feeling that once T'Pol researches the so-called Ending Kiss he is in for some serious fallout! Lovely, Ali D :~)

LOL! That was sad, but cute and funny at the same time. Aw, Trip... you're learning to play her like she plays you.

Hehe...nice. :)

Much needed funny fic. Sequel?

LOL!!! Very good, and very underhanded of Trip, but I must say I whole heartly agree with his method. Is there going too be a follow up chapter? :-)

Forgot. Loved the Len Zeppelin touch. :-)))))

Quite humerous, please write a sequal

Wow that was sneaky!! I like it!!

loved it. I also think a sequel is in order!

You go Trip!!

Ohhhh evil Trip... me like!

Iloved it. real cute add some more.

LOL. That is all... :D

I love this - serious, sad, hysterically funny and what an incredibly sexy kiss - one of my favourites!

Sequel please??

Oh, please, please, please: Don´t stop there!!!

I've finally stopped laughing long enough to leave a comment -- great little story and, yes, it demands a sequel!

Yes, a sequel is definitely in order, because T'Pol needs to learn that "there are two paths you can go by, but in the long run, there's still time to change the road you're on." :->

Robert Plant and Trip in one train of thought. I think my brain will be mush for the rest of the day!

I loved it! I too vote for a sequel... and soon!

Maybe it's time Trip tells her about the solemn Earth tradition of "break-up sex."