A Personal Matter

A Personal Matter

By: TLR

Rated : R
Disclaimer: ***Enterprise is the property of an ungrateful and incredibly stupid UPN & Paramount Pictures........ Sorry just venting a little, but can you blame me....

Author’s Note: I don't know if anyone else is as upset as I am, that the campaign to get Enterprise a 5th season has come to an end. I know it has really dampened my spirits, in that I loved picking apart the episodes and rewriting them the way they should have been written in the first place. Sadder still are the spoilers that promise little in continuing or furthering T/T's relationship other than an illusion to a V/H baby from DNA and a shared decommissioning of Enterprise at the ripe old age of 10. Usually the spoilers I read are either better than the actual show, or grossly understating the good stuff.... I hope the remaining 4 episode spoilers are the latter. In any case, for as long as you can dream.... our favorite duo can have the life they were meant too...... Enjoy..... This story is just after the end of “Bound.” Not that I have anything against the Mirror series... I think they are very interesting indeed, but I prefer the problems of the good Trip and T'Pol, to the evil ones.

April 26th 2005

Trip stepped through the door of the cabin and plopped down on his bunk. He looked at his chronometer,20:10 hours. The day had been long, but productive. Also his time spent with her was less tense, and even had its moments when he tried to see what havoc he could wreak through this bond of theirs. While waiting for systems to reboot, Trip tried many times to contact her mind, to see what her reaction would be. Mostly he was just kidding himself, in that she didn't even seem to look over at him, but other times he could have sworn that she shot him a look of annoyance when she thought he was unaware.

This pleased him no end. (I will have to practice this......Maybe I'll look it up in the Vulcan data base...) another amusing thought came to his mind. Trip scratched his head and saw the metal filings fall from his still damp hair. He felt dirty for the first time today and wondered if T'Pol's annoyed looks were more from his smell than his thoughts.

The engineer got up and quickly exited to the bathroom. He started the water and enjoyed the steam that arose filling the small cubical almost immediately. Quickly he stripped out of his jumpsuit and underlying garments. He dropped them into the recycler and adjusted the settings to the "Extra Yuk" cycle. Working on EPS conduits on the panels was one thing, but when he had to inch his way into the crawl space, that's when Trip realized what the next big task his crew would be doing. It was time for Enterprise to get a good spring cleaning. He entered the shower and felt the heavy flow of warm water competing with his tight muscles. (I really over did it today, but it was worth it...) he thought. He remembered the fun he had teasing T'Pol about how she'd be really good at jigsaw puzzles, seeing as how she got many a system full of melted circuitry up and running. She merely turned to him and asked why she would take on such an endeavor. What purpose did it have in the refitting of the EPS systems?

Trip grabbed up a heaping hand full of soap bubbles and tackled the mangled mess atop his head. He scrubbed vigorously trying to get all the sediment and scrapings to come out with only one wash. The suds ran down his face and he closed his eyes to avoid the stinging sensation. His mind went back to work and how the changes he noticed between them were quite entertaining. There still remained a bit of stiffness in his neck and a slight twinge of a headache threatening his conscious mind. Trip reached his hand back and enclosed his cervico-thoracic vertebrae with two fingers. His technique was flawless as the two digits found their position at the base of his neck, just at the level of his shoulders. He held the appropriate amount of pressure there until he could feel the release in both his neck and head.

(AAHHHH) He thought then realized he wasn't sure how he knew to do that. It's true he had performed neuropressure occasionally on T'Pol, but the most she would let him work on was her lower back and feet. Anything about the neck and shoulders she deemed too advanced, and he was to learn that at a later time. Then suddenly it hit him. (The Bond) and he stood very impressed at the extent of its affect. Thinking back, he realized it worked both ways. A few times today when T'Pol was talking with engineering staff, Trip would think of a funny comment to say back to them and in some eerie way T'Pol would echo his thoughts which would illicit the strangest looks from the crewmen....Afterward, T'Pol would shoot Trip a stern glance and return to her work...

(Interesting...... It might be fun having T'Pol as a ventriloquist dummy......Nah....) He rethought after a moment..(That wouldn't be very nice, besides she was much more practiced at this mind thing.....Imagine what things she could make me say.....Hell she might even get rid of my accent.) Trip giggled some at that....He finished rinsing his soaped up hair, before moving onto his body...

(Yep....this mind thing was gonna be interesting... She can feel what I feel....Hear what I hear....think what I am thinking and even see what I see...) Trip reviewed the known boundaries of the bond as he began soaping his well muscled abs and so forth. Suddenly he looked up a bit flushed.....

(She can see what I see....) That thought reran in his mind.....(could she be watching right now?) Trip lowered his hands to cover his manhood while looking about the shower stall.....() One of his hands slipped back to cover his behind, then realized his front was once more exposed, so it rejoined the other back in front. Trip was becoming paranoid....(What the hell was he to do, never shower again?.. Could she see things all the time, or only when she was meditating......No that's not right, she and I saw the Orion tow cable's position at the same time.....or was that just a coincidence?)

Trip became a bit annoyed. Where it had been funny putting T'Pol through her paces today, this was something he wasn't sure he could handle. But once again, he was reminded that it worked both ways. (If she can see me then....I should be able to see her.....) Trip closed his eyes and concentrated hard, his hands still covering the necessities. After several minutes of trying without result, he opened them again and swore a bit out loud.

"Hell.....I'm just be'n stupid.....She can't see me.....I can't see her....What was I think'n?" He wanted to go back to washing, but found his hands unconvinced. "Well maybe she can see....but it's not like she hasn't seen it before.....I mean hell, a lotta ladies would love to get their hands on this....." Trip looked down and was talking directly to his stubborn digits. They finally gave way.

"Hell yeah....Amanda sure wanted some...." He started talking to the walls. "That's right....See what yer miss'n....Take a good look baby.....Cause it's all mine....I say who can and who can't, so ya better start being nicer too me.." Trip felt a bit more revived by that statement and went back about lathering his very nicely built body. "That's right....look long and hard......Eat your heart out.....Hah Hah Hah.." Trip was acting a bit drunk by this voyeuristic behavior. His body responded at the thought of her checking out his package and it rose to the challenge. Trip got flustered....

Covering himself again, he started trying to convince his overactive libido to behave.. (Now cut that out....She knows how it works, she doesn't need a live demonstration.....I said behave.) He pushed down on the part and only got more aroused by his own touch.

Trip took a deep breath and tried to calm his frantic thoughts.....(Okay think old ladies.....naked old ladies......naked 150 yr old ladies......) nothing was working because the references he was using weren't human....
(Okay....Old Nuns.....Catholic School teachers.....grandmas......) Trip was getting desperate and thought about taking care of his dilemma in the oldest way known to man, but then remembered he could have an audience. Instead he decided to lower the temperature of the water until Trip, Jr. could get himself under control.

He inched the water temperature downward from its original setting of 44 degrees to 36 degrees.....32.....all the way down to 27 degrees before his hyperactive friend decided to calm down and quite frankly went into hiding. Shivering, Trip quickly got out and dried off. This shower was proving to be less relaxing than he thought it would be.

When his temperature did re-equilibrate with the room, Trip sat on his bed, a towel draped over his shoulders and one wrapped about his waist. He noted a bit of his manhood peeking out through the opening and quickly pulled the towel to cover it...(Oh, No you don't!)

Trip ran his fingers through his hair again and found it still too wet. He brought the towel about his shoulders up and began rubbing the oversized droplets out of the tasseled blond strands. The friction felt good in that it created even more heat that helped him get over the frigid experience he had in the shower.

He lay back on his bunk, spreading the towel across his pillow. His eyes were heavy and his mind was rampantly reviewing the day's exciting events. He relaxed and closed them for a few moments and went on considering his thoughts.

***His mind wondered again...(Frosty....she certainly wasn't that today....I think she even enjoyed herself...even with the little slip ups ..Hah Hah Hah.) Again Trip felt a bit of vindication for some of the heartache he had suffered over the last few months.

Trip's stomach growled....and suddenly he was reminded that he had missed dinner once again, nothing new for the young man who made working double shifts into an art form. Trip would never have to worry about his weight, 'cause quite frankly, if someone didn't remind him, he would probably go for days without consuming any nourishment. He got lunch though....Trip thought back on the event with great enthusiasm... He had gone into the mess hall and saw T'Pol nibbling away at her usual fresh garden salad and chopped raw veggies. It seemed to Trip that the only time Chef had to cook for T'Pol was at dinner time when he happened to throw a few of lunch's raw veggies on the grill and serve them up as a gourmet delight. Even her attempts at Chinese were nothing more than stir-fried veggies. Face it....when it came to T'Pol.....Chef really didn't have to do more than reheat, chop and grill. No elaborate sauces....No fancy garnishes....Just cut 'em up and plate ‘em.... And yet she seemed to enjoy them more today....

Trip took advantage of her being there already and invited himself to sit down... She didn't seem annoyed, and even though most of their conversation involved work or work related topics...due to no privacy...he still had a most enjoyable time. There was no tension, at least not like there had been. However Trip's need to touch her was another thing, but he knew that if things were gonna get better between them, he'd have to respect her need for privacy when it came to the rest of the crew. He was even shocked when she got up to get another glass of ice water and brought him back a refill of ice tea without his asking. A good sign he thought.... (Did she know I wanted the tea or was she just being polite?) Again thoughts of her kindness got him thinking more about their mutual need. (How did this bond work, really?) Trip had many questions. He decided to get some answers if only not to have to spend another cold evening in the shower.

**** Trip went over to the comm and pressed the buttons on the console. "Tucker to T'Pol" He voiced calmly and awaited an answer.

"T'Pol" She returned briefly.

"T'Pol.....I need to speak with you..." Trip kept his message short knowing there may be prying ears on the line.

"What's this about Commander?" T'Pol too knew their conversations were not secure unless on an encrypted line.

"A personal matter." He returned, not sure if that would be too much information for the rumor mill.

"Understood Commander. My quarters.....10 minutes okay?" T'Pol seemed even about the whole thing and Trip was glad she wasn't making excuses.

"Great....See ya then." Trip closed the line and went into the other room to dress. He donned a muted blue pair of sweat pants and a pale gray tee shirt before slipping on his loafers. The pants were formfitting at his butt, showing the faint line of his regulation blue undies, however the shirt was too snug about his shoulders for him to wear the standard blue undershirt, so he left it off.

Making his way through the corridors, Trip came across the occasional crewman returning from the gym or from break, but for the most part, much of the crew was either at their stations for second shift or tucked away in their quarters with a good book, he imagined. Luckily, crewman Fuller who had the quarters, right next to T'Pol was a permanent second shifter. He stepped up to the door and began running his fingers through his drying blond locks. The traces of dampness were sporadic mostly along his neck and around his ears. His scalp held a bit of moisture where the outward areas seemed to be nicely quaffed into place. (I'm clean, well groomed and smelling like a rose. What else could she possibly want.) He thought and with that he confidently pressed the door chime while the hallway was still empty. Her answer came swiftly as from the passageway Trip heard her voice activate the door. "Enter"

Trip noted upon the door opening that the room was dark with the faintest hint of flickering candle light. (Must have caught her meditating, I should apologize for the interruption.) The thought came instantly to his mind and he walked through the archway. The door swished closed behind him and he started to speak as he rounded the edge of her locker. "T'Pol....We need to....." His voice trailed off as his eyes searched the room briefly and found T'Pol standing like a silhouette against the backdrop of her portal.

The room was dark, however Trip's eyes could make out quite plainly that she was nude, standing there with her head held up, her eyes locked onto his and no outward sign of being self conscious. She lingered just a moment as Trip's eyes surveyed from head to toe and back again. His mouth hung open in mid statement, and the young engineer was quite sure he hadn't breathed for the last 30 seconds or so. Then T'Pol moved towards him in a sultry manner. She kept her eyes locked on his, but her voice belied every emotion that her face might not have.

"I know..." she said huskily finishing his thought. With a very few steps, T'Pol eased up and took his head with her hand. She brought it down to brush her cheek as she took a long inhale of his now clean masculine scent. She brushed her face beneath his chin, while moving her body into his.

Trip thought a moment, wondering if he should be setting some limits here, especially after the little speech he had given her in the shower a few moments ago, then decided talk could wait, his awakening little friend couldn't. His hands came up and encircled her waist. T'Pol made use of his gaping mouth, by taking first his lower lip, then his upper as she nibbled softly at them. Playfully, she covered both lips and skirted her tongue back and forth across the boundary encouraging his own to follow her lead.

A foreign thought popped up in his mind. (We do work well together) That was followed by what seemed to Trip to be a slightly evil smirk, but he noticed the comment didn't refer to their engineering work, but to the tongue service which was being exchanged at the moment.

Trip let out a soft moan, and noticed the minx'y little voice seemed pleased. (AAHHH)

T'Pol then began to push up at the back of his gray tee shirt with her hands. Her body leaned heavily into him, which almost tore the item, since in front it was pinned fiercely between them. He eased back and allowed it to slip off. Trip pulled her again to him and enjoyed the feel of her curvaceous-ness applying different levels of pressure to his skin. He ran his hand down her back and enjoyed the dip of her flank leading into the roundness of her backside. His hands hit that sensitive spot, and now it was T'Pol's turn to stifle a moan. Trip took great pleasure in that as well.

T'Pol wasted no time getting the rest of the commander's outer ware off. She tossed them into separate piles on the floor and continued to keep his mind busy with passionate kisses and frantic touches. She eased him back toward the bunk and found him all too eager to let her take the lead.

Through their bond, all the caresses seemed to be magnified, and a few times Trip thought his head would explode from the levels of pleasure he was experiencing but the moment his mind judged that to be a possibility, there was an easing of the intensity and recuperation seemed possible again. Although this was simply a break, for only moments after Trip regained some of his control, the onslaught would hit him again and the feelings of overwhelming pleasure and passion were back.

Trip sat down on the bed, pulling a standing T'Pol down with him. His hands grasped her waist and turned her to lay flat beside him. Then the young engineer turned and began giving back a bit of the medicine she had been feeding him. Several times, he saw her eyes roll back in her head from the sensations he was creating and that pleased Trip more than his own pleasure could ever do. Their lovemaking was a perfect mixture of give and take and yet neither said a word. If Trip was capable of rational thought, he most likely would have attributed it to their bond, but right now he was only able to think of one word.......(T'Pol)

They continued their dance long into the evening, finally falling asleep in each other's arms. T'Pol seemed quite serene during the few moments Trip had remained conscious, but mostly she appeared to have accomplished her mission....( she was back in my arms....back in my life and back in my heart to stay...... Darn Vulcans.......Why are they so good at what they do?) Trip snorted to himself then fell happily off to sleep.

***When Trip woke again, there was a broad smile plastered upon his lips. Try as he may, nothing could change that fact and he let his mind wonder past the events of earlier in the evening. She was so responsive....so incredibly giving, his heart ached remembering the levels at which it soared. Their time before had been incredible, but this one was different. There was communication....and yet there were no words. Still Trip swore he knew what she wanted....needed even before she did and he enjoyed that fact no end. He looked over at her sleeping form and found the same serenity he'd seen as he fell off to sleep. (Things are gonna be better this time) his mind started going down that same happy street only to come to a crashing stop when a rude thought interrupted his daydream. (Yeah....but what about the morning after?) His mind couldn't help it....Given their past, the doubts he had were valid and Trip didn't want to spoil this overwhelming happiness with any of them.

But he couldn't deny the past... Their intimacies had never been easy and when you added sex to the mix they really became awkward. Another even more horrible thought came to his mind. (What if this wasn't her doing... What if like the jokes, my being.......made her respond without realizing it.) Suddenly the young engineer wanted to slip out and get away before causing her any embarrassment. (No....I can't believe that Vulcan's could be led to perform sexual acts by a mind thing.....No, that can't be...... They are too smart for that....I'm just be'n stupid again.) Trip kept repeating to himself trying to convince his frantic mind that he'd done nothing out of place with the woman he loved, but his fears were winning out....(but what if that's what happened....?) His conscious spoke back to him and the sinking feeling returned to his gut.

Trip felt a pair of eyes staring at him from beneath his neck. He looked down to find T'Pol's eyes open, assessing him with even coolness. (Oh God.....here we go) he braced himself for what was about to take place.

"Morning" he said sheepishly. T'Pol made no verbal reply and that only made his fears feel more valid. His mind was racing, wanting to run but at the same time wanting to hold her down and make her talk about it. Trip knew if he left without speaking of this, then the distance between them would become great again. He couldn't have that....Not now. Taking a long breath, the engineer eased over a bit on his side to face the young woman. She started to speak and he held up his hand to quiet her. (This time he was gonna be the one to set the rules.) he thought and pushed on.

"Don't speak.....I want to say something to you and I don't want you to respond until I have had my chance to say it all......okay?" Trip watched her as she eased back into his arms and remained silently observing him.

"Thanks....." he sighed seeing she wasn't ready to override his wishes, at least not just yet.

"Look.... I know this is probably my fault and all." He started and looked about them indicating their situation. "But that doesn't change the way I feel about you."

He brought his arms a bit more snug about her back and felt only relaxed muscles beneath his fingertips. "I love you T'Pol.... I have for a very long while..... I know you've been going through some pretty bad stuff lately...Hell maybe longer than that, but that doesn't change things for me. I love you and I want you to be with me.....forever.... I wantta go to sleep at night and wake in the morning looking at your beautiful face. I wantta know when something troubles you and be able to help, if only by putting my arms around you and holding you tight..... And most of all, I wantta know that no matter what we face, we can do so together.... I have known since I met you that we were meant to be together.....My soul has been screaming at me for more than a year now. What I can't take is when you back away from me every time we get close. My heart needs to know that you feel the same and that you'll always feel that way." Trip realized he was running on, but this was the first time he had her corralled and was gonna take advantage of it.

"I know we speak two different languages." He started and saw her puzzled expression. "I mean our hearts and all. Mine speaks of emotion and yours of logic, but I think we can try and learn. I wantta know of your heritage.... your people and their ways, but you have to be able to understand mine as well. With a little give and take, we can make just as great a couple as we are a team."

T'Pol watched his face as he spoke. She concentrated on the emotions that were coming through their bond and found much sadness mixed in with the love. For the first time she was realizing the depth at which her problems had been affecting him.

"Most of all I need to be sure of this....My heart can't take all the ups and downs of the past. I need to know that you want to be with me, not just because we share a bond, but because you hold the same feelings" He hesitated, a bit at that word trying not to scare her with his emotional ways.
"thoughts for me." He gauged her face and still wasn't convinced she understood the significance of his words.

"I want us to marry...." He blurted out before his mind could control what his lips were saying. (Yikes....you trying to make her run....idiot?) Trip chided himself knowing that with humans, that statement could either make or break a perfectly wonderful relationship. Again he gauged her face and saw only even attention. "I know we are just getting use to this bond thing and all, but I need some reassurance that we are gonna try to make it work between us. At least this way, we could spend time together without having to worry about what our shipmates are saying about us. We could make our bond legal, just like on Vulcan....In a Vulcan ceremony if you wish... I can learn the words......I know I can." Trip ran on starting to seem pretty pathetic, but her silence stare was killing him and his own doubts were overriding his better judgment. Trip grew silent, knowing he could put off her inevitable dismissal no longer. He lowered his eyes away from her and awaited her stinging comments.

Instead he felt a gentle hand pull his eyes back to her. Her features were warm and softened, those brown eyes he loved so were water logged with emotion.

T'Pol nodded, wanting to know he was finished his say. Trip remained quiet, but somehow conveyed she could respond.

"I know that my problems have hurt you and I apologize for that." She started and Trip came eagerly to stop her apology, but like him she quieted him with two fingers upon his lips. He relaxed and pulled her in tighter for support.

"It is true that we know two languages....but they are not as different as you think.... Your emotions are mine too, but they are not something I can handle......." she paused a moment and felt a sinking feeling coming from the young man. "Alone." she finished and noted a lightening returning to him.

"Logic is difficult at times....and you are also correct that my mother's death has greatly affected my control. It is for that reason, I withdrew to try and regain it." Trip nodded slightly wanting to chime in but giving her the respect she showed him a moment ago.

"My people feel emotions distasteful and wouldn't subject anyone they cared for to them....Your people embrace their emotions and use them to convey their true feelings about the ones they love..... It is a difficult concept to understand and an even harder one to become accustom to." Again Trip's heart sank a bit.

"However....as I have come to know you.... I see that my emotions aren't distasteful to you...in fact you even try to get me to express them. That is a new thing for me. I sometimes have trouble with the conflicts it causes with my logic." T'Pol ran her fingers from his chin softly down his chest and rested them comfortably there.

"Your emotions can be quite powerful.....They are many....all infused into one great wave that contacts my consciousness at many levels. More over the emotions you stir in me are overwhelming at times.....they scare me..." She allowed a soft admission. Trip ran a warm hand up and down her back easing a bit of tension that was building as she spoke.

"I backed away before because I was scared..... I know that is not logical, but I was still under the affects of the Seleya exposure and with the added stress of our mission, I was having a difficult time then...." T'Pol opted not to expose her addiction at this time, but knew as their bond progressed she would have to own up to her actions. She worried that Trip would think less of her for it.

"It's okay..." Trip uttered softly then fell silent again respecting her time to speak.

"It is not okay....Obviously I hurt you deeply with my actions and now you fear our bond is some sort of pain filled affliction." Her words held more sadness than she intended, but understanding her own dilemma, Trip needed to speak up.

"It's not that..... I rejoice in this bond.... It's so incredible. I can't wait to see what else it can do.... I just want you to talk to me when you are having doubts....fears. You don't need to be ashamed of them with me.... I am your mate... You can and will share everything with me whether you want to or not."

T'Pol looked up at him astonished that his insight into their bond was so in-depth. (Was he reading her thoughts, accessing her knowledge?) She wondered amazed that a human without empathic or telepathic abilities could so quickly adjust to this psychic connection of theirs.

"The thing is T'Pol..... You have to trust me with your emotions..... I won't be ashamed of them.....I can even help you deal better with them...... And in exchange, you can teach me how to better control mine so they don't overwhelm you.... I can't get rid of them totally, but I will do anything to keep from letting them hurt you.... I promise." The corners of Trip's mouth turned up in a lusciously lazy smile that sent warm feelings pulsing through her body. T'Pol was mesmerized and lay there just enjoying the wonderful closeness he afforded her.

"So.....ya gonna marry me or what?" Trip asked breaking the silence, his smile growing with more confidence having gotten to speak his mind finally.

"Don't you think the crew will be a bit shocked by this happening so suddenly." She returned playfully and he knew it this time.

"Nah.....they know about us.....It's we who don't think they know......Denial.... total denial...." He chuckled and felt a similar vibration return in his mind.

"Oh....what would a human ceremony entail?" she asked just as playfully.

"A human ceremony?" Trip was a bit surprised.

"You stated you want this to occur as soon as possible....It may be some time, before we can return to Vulcan to have a priest officiate at the proceedings. A human ceremony can be carried out by the captain once we are deemed to be out of orbit. This seems a more logical way to accomplish your wishes..... So what does a human ceremony entail?" Her deadpan manner made Trip realize that T'Pol had been telling jokes a lot longer than anyone would have suspected.

"Well...." he started giving her the details. "We hold hands at the ceremony, not just touch fingers." Trip began outlining the differences between the two events and saw her wince a bit. "At the end of the ceremony, we kiss." Again came some stiffness and a look of discomfort.

"In front of others?" she asked to clarify.

"Afraid so..." he continued...."It's so they know its official."

"Oh.... " She nodded.

"Also so they know when to clap...." Trip added with amusement at her puzzled reaction.

"Then everyone comes up and gives us their warm wishes and congratulations usually in the form of hand shakes and hugs." Trip was enjoying her squirming and decided to go on with the emotional details to get her back for the Human wedding joke.

"Then we go to the mess hall and party.... Many people will feel compelled to dance with the couple to help them celebrate their good fortune." With that comment, Trip broke out laughing. Her eyes opened wider than he'd ever seen at the thought of dancing. He could distinctly feel a panic running through her, imagining having to participate in such an intimate act with half the crew members on board.

T'Pol looked at him questioningly at his reaction. He continued to laugh and she found it oddly soothing, feeling all the doubts in his mind melt away into the happiness now there.

"Or we could get engaged and at our first opportunity....go to Vulcan and get hitched...." He stifled his laughter and watched as she raised a lone eyebrow realizing he'd been funning with her.

"Indeed.....A much more logical plan." She replied and adjusted her head back into the comfort of his neck.

They rested there quite content for several minutes, then Trip's mind remembered the burning questions that led him there.

"Did you know of my feelings for you tonight..... The arousal I mean?" He asked feeling surprised that there was no embarrassment to his words.

T'Pol thought a moment. "Our bond lets me know of your needs.... It also compels me to fulfill those needs in order to restore peace back to the link."

"So I did cause this?" He asked now starting to feel uneasy.

"It was a mutual thing.... Perhaps you were picking up on my need for your presence?" She replied brushing her hands up and down lightly over his chest.

Trip wasn't sure if the feelings of surprise were coming from her admission or from her intimate behavior.
"So you have to fulfill my needs...?" he asked.

"Yes mostly....like today... you were still thirsty but were out of your beverage." Now her hand was making lazy circles about his abdomen and Trip Jr. was starting to wake up again.

"So the bond told you to get me the tea." Trip eyed her hand and became entranced by its movement.

"No my heart told me to get it for you. The bond simply let me know what you wanted." She looked up into his eyes at that moment and found him staring in wonder at her.

"So the bond is merely a way of communicating....You still have the will to respond or not?" His mind was filling with hopefulness.

"Of course.... the bond doesn't over ride your will. What you do with the information it sends is still up to you." Trip leaned down and kissed her at that moment feeling his heart sing louder than he'd ever heard it before.

When they parted, he rested her head back comfortably on his shoulder.
"So tonight....you wanted this as much as I?"

"Possibly more." T'Pol could feel his smile without looking at his face.

Another thought entered his mind and he felt now was the best time to ask?
"Can you see me.....anytime?"

"Perhaps..." her words were evasive. "But I don't intrude on your thoughts or your body unless I know you are okay with it."

"And how would you know I was okay with it if you didn't ask me?" Trip glanced back at her. She merely looked at him knowingly. (The Bond)

He wondered a moment longer. "You still haven't answered my question." He brought her eyes up to look into his.

"Were you spying on me in the shower this evening?" He waited for her reply.

"I said I don't intrude on you unless you want me too..." she let her words fade then. "But you really should use less soap on your hair to keep it from your eyes. Also you forgot to wash your back while you were there, would you like some assistance next time?" Her deadpan words were now very poignantly showing her amusement.

Trip broke out in laughter......then he heard the words in his brain. (And as for Amanda Cole getting her hands on anything of yours....) Trip grabbed her to him and laid a passionate kiss upon her lips breaking her concentration immediately.

(I'm all yours baby.....No one else will ever do for me.) They continued reigniting their passions into another romantic love making event. Soon both were happily sleeping curled up together.

***Trip awoke on his back still wrapped in the towel he'd laid down in. His hair remained damp and a chill started to bring him back to his senses. He looked about his room and found it had all been a dream. Yes but what a dream... The memories had somehow reduced much of the reluctance and doubts he had about their relationship. (yes... that is what I need to say to her.....I need her to understand.....) He glanced once more at the clock.... 20:16hrs. (It had only been 6 minutes.........Now is as good a time as any.) He thought and began to make his move. Summing up some courage, Trip went over to the comm and pressed the buttons on the console.

"Tucker to T'Pol" He voiced calmly and awaited an answer.

"T'Pol" She returned briefly.

"T'Pol.....I need to speak with you..." Trip once more rationalized the privacy issue.

"What's this about Commander?" He also thought her response appropriate for the same reason and didn't take offense by her professional manner.

"A personal matter." He returned, not sure if that would still be too much information for the rumor mill.

"Understood Commander. My quarters.....10 minutes okay?"

"Okay.... See ya there." He returned and hurried to find the same blue sweats and gray tee. This would either be a great leap of faith or the biggest disaster in the universe, but tonight he was gonna have his say.....

The End

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Oh no, you didn't just make that a dream! ARGH! LOL Your descriptions of Trip in the shower and snug fitting clothes were delicious. Drool.

URGH! A dream! Noooooo! ;)

OMG, I was laughing so hard at Trip's thought processes in the shower.

Yes I admit I love to write dream sequences because it allows for so much more creative license, but I may remind you that "they share their dreams..." So technically it was real and Trip just doesn't realize it yet. To T'Pol, he's just coming over for an instant replay.... Lucky girl. Thanks for the comments.......Hope that allievates some tension.......T.

Man, that was one of the best fake-outs I've ever read! Kudos! :)

Well, in that case TLR, please write a sequel. :D

Very nice... I can't wait for the sequel. *wink-wink*

Good stuff!

That was great! Very cute pillow talk between T\T...delightful! And the ending was a pleasant surprise too. Thanks!! More?

That was fantastic,waiting for more.Great writing.

Loved it,cant wait for the sequel

I'm thinking that was more premonition than dream...and everything is going to happen as said...