Longevity

Longevity : An Enterprise Vignette

By: Tanya Reed

e-mail: tanya@flickguy.com

Rating: PG, Romance
Spoilers: I'm pretty sure there aren’t any
Archive: At Trip/T'Polers. Anyone else, please ask.
Disclaimer: I have no claim on any characters that are owned by Paramount. I wish I did, but alas...
Summary: This story is non-canon as it takes place in the middle of the second season. I like it as it stands, but I am also considering making it part of a larger story or making it part of a series of vignettes. This is my first time posting Enterprise fic, so please be gentle. I hope you like it. Also, I'm not sure of Vulcan afterlife believes, so please forgive me if I got anything wrong. Lastly (this note is almost longer than the story), I do not write Trip with his accent, but you know it's there. :)

---

Trip reached out and caressed T'Pol's chin gently with the tips of his fingers. When she still did not look up or speak, he lifted her face to look in her eyes. They were troubled and expressive, and not just for a Vulcan.

"What is it?" he asked, putting all of his caring into his voice.

After a few more moments, she answered, "We cannot continue."

Trip was caught by surprise. "What?"

"This relationship, it cannot continue."

"Why?"

"Because I am Vulcan. You are human."

Trip let go of her and turned away, disgusted. "Not more of that crap. I thought we were past that."

"It is not what you think," she protested, and he felt her hand rest on his leg for just a moment.

"Then what is it?" He still did not look at her.
"You will die." This admission seemed to come with difficulty, and T'Pol could not keep all of the emotion from her voice. He heard it, and it softened him. Her emotion always did because he knew how hard she fought to be the perfect Vulcan.

"We all die, T'Pol."

"I have been thinking." She slid back on the bunk until she rested against the wall. Like a child, she pulled her knees up against her chest. Trip waited a moment and then scooted back beside her. He was facing her again. "You will live such a short time. My lifespan is three times that of yours. If we join together, you will die, and I will be alone."

Trip reached out and took her hand. She let him twine their fingers together. "I've been thinking about this a little myself." He chuckled at her raised eyebrow and continued, "Yes, I do think. Occasionally. This is what I've come up with. No matter who they are, a body doesn't know how long they have. People are ripped from each other every day without warning. And yes, it hurts. Even for a Vulcan who suppresses that kind of thing, I imagine it hurts. But, you can't live your life in fear of losing, T'Pol. You just can't. If you do, you're too afraid to even try, and you've already lost."

"But..." Trip silenced her by gently putting his fingers on her lips. Then, he leaned over to whisper in one delicately pointed ear. "I will wait for you."

T'Pol shivered at the simpleness of this statement. She could feel that he meant what he said. He knew their views on death were different; she knew that belief in an afterlife was illogical. Despite this, she found herself squeezing his hand.

"And if need be, I will for you as well."

The end

Back to Fan Fiction Main Menu

Have a comment to make about this story? Do so in the Trip Fan Fiction forum at the HoTBBS!

Eight hardy souls have made comments

Awww, that's just so beautiful.

Congratulations! This is quite good for your first ENT fic. I think it flowed well, had good characterization and good dialogue. I would love to see you continue with this, or make into a series of vignettes.

I loved it, what made it so beautiful and special were those simple heartfelt words - "I will wait for you..." This touched me and felt so right. Thank you, Ali D :~)

Well done on your first piece. It was beautifully written and their struggle was nicely observed. As you pointed out, if we are afraid to take the chance to love, we really are lost before we've begun. Please continue this as a series of vignettes.

Very sweet. I also think this was beautifully written, especially for a first time. And the lack of Trip's accent never bothers me; I just read it with an accent!

"I will wait for you."
So simple. So tender. So Trip.
Very nice. I'd love to see more. Yes, a series would be nice. Not big long things (unless you feel up to it) but short vignettes, little moments.
For a first time, great job!

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who read and responded to my story. You sure make a girl feel welcomed. :)

re-read this story and its still so great!! i wish jolene blalock could read this too:-)