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A Sweet Goodbye - Part 2

Author - TLR
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A Sweet Goodbye

By TLR

Rated G:
Summary: Enterprise is the property of UPN and Paramount Pictures.
This story picks up the morning after the last part left off. T'Pol and Trip are back on Vulcan, their extra crewmates are gone and after a rather rough night, our two favorite characters are now just starting to communicate. Enjoy


September 5, 2006


*****

Part 2

The room was still very dark as Trip awoke to find himself alone in T'Les' bed. He searched the linen first then glanced about the room. Over in the corner he found T'Pol standing by the bureau. She had her back to him, busy doing something he couldn't quite see. Hoping not to startle her by calling out, the human made a rather obvious yawning noise and stretched exaggeratedly.

"Did you sleep well?" The voice came from the tiny figure as T'Pol turned to face him.

"Yep…. Believe it or not I slept like a baby." He noticed the darkness of the room and decided to comment. "I forgot you Vulcans like to get an early start on things. What time is it?"

"O4:20." She replied turning back to her work

"Oh….you slept in this morning, did you?" Trip smirked and wondered when he was going to find out why getting up early was so important around here. He was rewarded with a slight glare over her shoulder.

"I had a rather rough night. I suppose I was a bit more tired than I thought." came a dry reply as she concentrated once more on her work.

"Yes you did…." Trip began to get up then realized he needed to catch the front of his pajama bottoms. The thin cotton tie often released itself in the movement of sleep. After doing so, he came to stand beside her. "You feeling any better?"

"Yes….. Thank you for your assistance last night. I was quite disturbed by the images I saw and lost control of my emotions. I apologize for my lapse." T'Pol tucked a few more items into a box sized knapsack before her. Trip's sight finally adjusted and he could now make out what she was doing.

"Hey that’s okay…. You don't have to apologize to me for feeling sad….. You've seen me loose control a lot of times. I dare say you have a few lapses coming to you." He watched her in interest but didn't know what to say about what he saw.

"Whatcha doing?" He asked finally too curious to go on in silence.

"Packing….." She returned dryly.

"Packing up some of your mother's things?" The Human quizzed on.

"No….Mine……. I will need these items on my journey." Her voice was even and held no hint of the upset from last night.

"Your journey?" Trip was feeling some of the old exasperation coming back to his mind. "What journey would that be?"

"Today I leave to travel to the Takara sanctuary…… The ruins of the Takara sanctuary." T'Pol corrected her wording, looking up into the darkness as she realized their meaning.

"Why on Earth would you go to that place?….. You know what you will find there…Come on T'Pol, do you really want to torture yourself that way?" Trip started to put his arm about the Vulcan then felt her steel before him. Instead he rested a light hand between her shoulder blades.

"Look…. I know you are feeling really guilty for not saving your mother, but we both know that is how she wanted it….. Why travel such a dangerous journey to relive that moment…. Wasn't once enough?" Trip didn't know which feelings were greater, his concern over what he knew his mate was going through or his angst that she may be trying to use this journey to get away from him again.

(Couldn't any of our steps forward be permanent?) The Human thought as he fought to hold his tongue.

"This journey has been planned…… It is what Vulcans do to complete the grieving process." T'Pol turned to look him right in the eye. "I have to do this Trip…… It is expected……"

"You don't have to do anything you don't want too…..That is what is expected. You are mourning…. Getting over your feelings of loss. To make you hike through a desert wasteland, a trip I might add that could kill you like it killed your guide, what was his name…..Arid…Arav.."
The engineer tried in vain to find the name of the Vulcan that was killed by the Sand Fire.

"Arev…." T'Pol corrected.

"Yeah…Arev…. He was a Vulcan….Lived in the forge for many years and still he was killed by that place… It is illogical for anyone to expect you to go there."

"What do you think they meant when they wished me a successful mourning? Trip this is what we do. Granted, most Vulcans do not have to make such a drastic journey, however it is what needs to be done." T'Pol turned back to her packing and felt the sharp grasp of his hand on her arm as Trip wheeled her round to face him.

"I figured they were being polite…. If I thought for one moment they meant for you to trek through the desert to do god knows what over some ruins…. I would have never let you come here." This protective streak surprised the female. Someplace low in the pit of her being she reacted to it as being part of the bond they shared. It was alluring, calling on her to respond with the same powerful feelings, but in a much different way. Instead T'Pol steadied herself, trying not to take his mouth to hers the lusty way she desired too.

"I will be fine…. I am trained to handle any dangers I may come across." She tried to reassure him, but found him woefully disinterested in appeasement.

"Arev was trained too and look what it got him…. I said you're not going and that is that." Trip folded his arms across his chest and gave her his best determined glare.

"You have little say in where I can or cannot go on my home-world. I respect the fact that you are concerned for my safety, but I assure you…" Her words were cut off by his disgusted expression as he whirled around and stomped about the room.

"You knew about this all along and you didn't even tell me….. Why do you treat me like this? I thought we were friends….. Hell, Jon treats Porthos with more consideration than you show me." He was seething and it came through in spades to her mind, pounding his hurt feelings deeper into her heart.

"I apologize for not indicating earlier…" She started and again was cut off.

"You apologize…..That's just great…. Has anyone ever told you that you Vulcans apologize at the drop of a hat…. You can't possibly mean it…." He stammered a bit. "What,… you apologize you didn't give me your itinerary…… you apologize you didn't mention that I'd be sitting here alone for a week while you go traipsing off into the desert facing god knows what to go pray over some fragments of burnt rock and DNA….. What apology is it gonna be this time T'Pol…. Give me a clue." He slapped at his locks trying to plaster them back to his head. His frustration was palpable and T'Pol was once more feeling very saddened by their lack of understanding.

"I didn't expect that you'd be staying here with me. You said you were gonna work on fine-tuning the specs. How was I to know that wasn't what you were really here for?" She tried to keep her emotions under control.

"Come on T'Pol…… How long have you known me….. You knew damn well why I came and it wasn’t to work on any damn specs." Trip made another circle about the room. He felt like walking out, but instead came right up too her.

"I care about you….In fact, you are all I ever think about…. Hell I left Enterprise, my friends, my home because you were always on my mind and I couldn't think straight….. We can't seem to communicate anymore…. Everything I say is wrong….Everything you say hurts me… What the hell good is being bonded if it only forces us farther and farther apart?" His look was sincere, he wanted answers, no he needed them and she was his only source. When T'Pol remained silent, Trip turned around again in defeat.

"Well if you gotta go on this trip then you're looking at your traveling companion." He said starting to straighten up the bed linen in a rough fashion.

"You are not trained to be out there in the desert heat." She answered with as much force as her wounded heart could muster.

"Neither was Cap'n Archer, but he went there and came back….So can I….." Trip snipped at her as he walked past and out the door. I'm going to get a shower then pack. Be ready to leave within the hour." His words left no room for argument and secretly the Vulcan was feeling a bit better about not being alone to face those demons she knew she'd find there.

When Trip appeared from the hallway, he found two knapsacks lying on the flat cushioned couch. T'Pol was not in sight, though something inside told him she was in the kitchen. True to form, his instincts were getting better. There she stood over the replicator dishing up some steaming mush into a square shaped container.

"What's that", he asked as he picked up one of the two bowls of mush she left out on the counter.

"Mashy…" T'Pol replied as she continued to pack up the remainder into storage. "It is a protein rich supplement that keeps well. It can be eaten hot or cold and will bring us nourishment during our travel.

Trip saw the size of the container she was packing. For his sake the Human hoped he liked this stuff, for it was all the Vulcan had prepared. He brought it to his lips and found it a richer version of sweet potato. Filling and tasty, the engineer decided he could possibly live off this during their journey. A square cup of red tea sat beside the bowls. Trip recognized this instantly as the Vulcan's version of coffee. It was supposed to be caffeine free, but had a kick like a stubborn mule at saddling time. Its cinnamon smell and cherry taste still puzzled him, but went down with little effort.

"Bringing some of this along too?" He asked taking in a bit more of his tea. Trip watched as he saw T'Pol open the parcel wider to reveal a second container. It was small and metallic in nature, but big enough to hold the whole leaves that went into brewing the concoction. Beside it was another rather large container. It peaked the Human's curiosity.

"What's that got in it?" He asked sipping again from the square cup.

"The sehlat's food." T'Pol continued her packing.

"They are going with us?" Trip wasn't sure if he was worried or relieved.

"I hadn't planned on going to the sanctuary alone. Ambassador Soval did offer to accompany me, as did his son, Stepon, but I felt neither would be appropriate. The ambassador is not as active as he once was and his son is newly bonded expecting their first offspring." She spoke as calmly and coolly as if she were talking of the weather.

"You mean others didn't want you to go alone and you didn't take them up on it?" Trip was still a bit hot over the subject. This silenced his mate not wanting to hurt him any further.

"So what did you think a couple of furry tigers were gonna do…. Could they bandage your arm or leg if you got hurt? Could they carry you to safety if you fell down a cliff and were stranded….What?" The Human was hot and not letting go of the subject.

"No… but they can warn me far in advance of approaching predators…long before I could sense them myself…. They can also sense a fire storm before it appears on the horizon, allowing me more time to find appropriate shelter…." Going through the list, T'Pol felt once more like she was defending herself for reasons that were still lost to her. "They are also excellent fighters and protect those they are charged with."

Trip sat down his cup. He knew his anger was showing, but felt a bit dismissed by her earlier intention. "So they are handy…that still doesn't replace humanoid help. You should have told me about this T'Pol." Trip leaned into her a bit, allowing his shoulder to push at hers to emphasize his point then turned toward the main living area. Checking the second knapsack, he found several pouches of water, a packet of some type of blue gel and side lined darkened sunglasses, the type he'd use in laser work. Like it or not, T'Pol was thinking of him now, judging from what was packed into his carry. The guilt from his anger was eating away at his resolved stubbornness.

T'Pol came up behind him and eased the pouch of food stuffs into the bottom portion of her bag. It was heavy and for a moment Trip thought to correct her selection. But after the miscommunication they'd been having, decided to stay silent. He was surprised when she spoke up.

"I am aware that we have been having difficulties. I suspect it is because neither of us knows how to handle the connection between us. I will admit that I was not looking forward to this journey on my own…. If it is any consolation, I am pleased that you will be joining me." Her voice sounded like the young child he'd seen in the dream. He could feel the hurt it expressed and suddenly he felt like taking her into his arms and melting all that hurt away. Instead, fearing a breach of what ever etiquette he still didn't understand, Trip simply smiled back at her indicating that all was forgiven. The look he got in return reminded him of their last big flare-up in the expanse. The one where he was about to stomp out and she called him back admitting her lack of control. It melted his heart instantly as it had done back then and his smile grew.

"How we gonna get Curly and Moe to the forge……We aren't gonna walk the whole way, are we?" a sickening feeling came to the human's soul.

"I have ordered a special transport to take us to the area before Gateway. Though the sehlats would rather walk, I doubt we could make the journey in the limited time we have by foot. They will not like the trip, but will do as I ask." Trip got an image of two sehlats, their heads hanging out the transport window, their fur pushed backward and fangs exposed enjoying the breeze. He began to laugh which totally perplexed his mate. She stared at him, wondering what made his moods swing so greatly. But Trip simply shook his head, deciding not to try to get her to see the humor. After another twenty minutes the group was packed and boarding the transport, a long vehicle with a seated area in the front and ample space for cargo in the aft section. To his surprise, the male driving the device simply got out and handed T'Pol the controls. He then proceeded in the direction of town, a good 10 kilometer walk under the orange of the morning sky.

*****

The initial flatness of the land was an easy walk, the two animals jogging past and falling back to the humanoids intermittently. Several times they got under Trip's feet and he came close on many occasions to falling over them.

"What is with these guys….?" He swore after Ke'Lara stopped bolt in front of him and refused to move.

"They are protecting you from the dangers of the land." T'Pol came over to stand beside him. The heaviness of the glasses she gave him made seeing the different shades on the sand difficult. He removed them and was hit by the blinding whiteness of the mid morning sun.

"What dangers?" Trip squinted hard, his face full of sweat with a light coat of dust along the ridge of his chin and nose. He watched as T'Pol pointed to the area just beyond the female sehlat's body. She picked up a rock and tossed it into the brown spot. It disappeared instantly.

"Oh…" he replied a bit horrified at how close he came to stepping into that spot himself.

"Sandpits….they are like Earth's quicksand, but much quicker." She motioned for him to go around the area. "You must be careful not to step in anything that does not look pure white."

"Well I couldn't really tell with these glasses on. He handed them to her and reached into his pocket. From there he pulled out his Raybans, and eased the metal framed items into place.

"They will not provide you with enough protection. The glare will get around them and may damage your retina." T'Pol disparaged him and saw a stubborn look returned to her.

"I don't see you wearing those things…. Why should I?"

"My inner eyelids will protect my vision. Your eyes however are not adequately protected by regular wear." She saw him squint and cock his head sideways trying to see the extra covering she spoke of. This gesture only made her more frustrated. "Besides those glasses don't cover enough of your face. Your skin will be exposed and burn."

"Look T'Pol I am okay for now… I'll just pay attention to the sehlats, don't worry." Inside Trip found it sweet the way she was mothering over him, though he wasn't about to let his mate know that. He bent down and scratched at Ke'Lara's head. "Thanks old girl….." With that he made a mental note not to say another bad thing about the creatures' actions. The group stopped occasionally in the shade provided by tall dunes and at the base of the foot hills that surrounded the forge. Trip sipped heavily from a pouch of water and offered it every time for T'Pol to consume. She turned him down at each attempt. Finally sitting in the shadow of a tall ledge, he was turned down one too many times.

"Look T'Pol….. I don't have cooties. Stop being so damn stubborn and take some water." The heat was really plucking at his last nerve.

"My species evolved on this desert world. I won't need water for several more days. I only packed it for you." She saw her mate realize once more he'd overstepped his bounds, as he tilted his head downward to let the sweat drip off.

"Look T'Pol. I am sorry that I am so grumpy, but I don't do deserts that well. I didn't mean to snap at you." His breathing was hard, the thin air getting to him. Suddenly Trip began to snort. "Why is it anytime people take me places, I always end up in the desert….. Doesn't anyone go to the beach anymore?" He looked up sideways at the Vulcan and saw her quizzical look.

"I believe I was the one who got you to Risa….. There were few deserts there, did you end up in one?" Trip thought about his experience and decided that perhaps this situation wasn't as bad as it seemed.

"Okay….forget what I said, this is much better than Risa…" He began to chuckle harder which totally stumped the alien in his presence. He looked at her puzzled stare and simply replied. "Don't ask."

"Do those guys need any water?" Trip was ready to offer his new found protectors part of his rations when he saw T'Pol pull two large flat leaves from her sac. They were like cactus, but had no thorns. She threw them into the sand before each of the sehlats and watched as they dug into them with their long fangs. They looked as though they were sucking the moisture right through them. The human looked to T'Pol for an explanation. "They use that as their water?"

"Rainfall and watering holes are scarce, but succulent plants can hold large amounts of moisture that is digestible. These portions will last them a day or two depending on how much daylight traveling we do."

"Can we drink that too?" Trip was fascinated.

"Yes, but Humans would have to digest the meat of the plant in order to get the moisture out."

"You mean Humanoids, don't you?" Trip thought her slip in words was due to tiredness.

"No, Humans…." This answer made him feel a bit ill.

"You mean Vulcans have fangs?" He asked staring at her like she was one of his horror flicks, half fascinated and half in shock.

"They are not fangs… They are merely teeth that are hollowed to allow us to ingest the vegetation that is native to our environment." T'Pol seemed a bit defensive.

"Honey….hollow teeth are fangs …." He again looked closely trying to see the difference. "Which ones are they." His shock turned to blatant curiosity as he got closer.

"Commander….. Your species still has the remnants of a tail. You don't see me trying to study that feature on you." Her voice was corrective and stern.

"Yes you do…. Every time you think I am not looking." He eased back and snorted after her. He took great pleasure in the surprised look she glared back at him. His smile grew larger and larger.

"First inner eyelids and now fangs…..got anything else you want to tell me about…?" He quipped and saw her stand to collect her things. "You don't by any chance hang upside down a lot when nobody's watching, do you?" This was the most fun the Human had on this trip so far and even though his mate appeared very annoyed, it was more their usual banter and not anything that made for hurt feelings.

"Just because my ancestors evolved from Chiroptera doesn't mean we aren't capable of doing far more than your species. I dare say bats are higher on the evolutionary ladder than simians." She slung her knapsack over her shoulder and looked at her sehlats.

"They are not finished their drinks, sit back down…." Trip kept a laid back attitude and saw his new friends eager to remain a while longer. They repeatedly stuck their protruding teeth into the soft flesh of the vegetation and remained still for several seconds. This just frustrated the female all the more as she eased down on the rock again.

"And just because we came from the apes, at least we learned to form more cohesive packs. Maybe that is what Vulcans are lacking." This was the statement that overstepped the boundaries.

"Vulcans lack for nothing. We have superior hearing, superior knowledge and reasoning ability. We have superior life spans and mostly we have keener insight and instincts. We have sonar acoustics, and superior environmental radar." T'Pol was bordering on arrogance.

"Are you also as blind as a bat?" Trip snorted and watched her start to rise once more. "Careful there old girl, your dander is showing."

"I am not old…" T'Pol turned and kept her back to him. She took several long breaths to try and get her emotions back under control. Trip watched her realizing for the first time just what she must have gone through aboard a ship full of illogical humans. He marveled at her control and knew that had she been one of her ancestors, the young engineer would have been left quite injured and bleeding beside a sand dune. How much control she had to maintain must have been exhausting. Trip wondered if he could ever get her to break through that veneer and let out what he knew was really back there. For now though, he thought best to let her cool down. Standing, he came up to her and placed his hands on her upper arms.

"I know you are not old…..I was just trying to get a rise out of ya." He rubbed up and down vigorously easing some of the tenseness he found beneath his touch.

His touch, even through the heavy layer of fabric was inviting, though her mind still reeled from his words. She closed her eyes and let the feeling help to reinforce her control once more. After a few minutes of silence, the two sehlats came to stand beside them. Kemute nudged Trip on the leg with the side of his head, getting the Human's attention immediately.

"Finished your snack there, old boy?" Trip bent down and addressed him face to face. The creature's eyes penetrated the engineer's mind and for the first time he could hear the thoughts of the animal in the affirmative. This shocked the young man, causing him to fall backward onto his bottom. "Whoa…..did you hear that?" He stared surprised up at T'Pol.

"Of course….they are empathic…..I have told you that." His look of shock went from his mate to the furry creature and back again.

*****
"Is it really necessary to send a sehlat with me to take a leak?" Trip sounded displeased as he rounded a large mound of sand and was trailed by the male sehlat. His voice shown the embarrassment he'd had as the fur clad animal checked out his efforts.

"Would you prefer to step into a sand pit and disappear for good?" T'Pol answered back standing up and readjusting her pack into place.

"No….. I wouldn't mind so much if they weren't so curious about everything." The red on the Human's face was mostly sunburn, but inside he could feel himself flush.

"I imagine they felt much the same way when you watched them go." T'Pol dusted herself off and came to stand before him. Noticing the burned areas, she dropped her satchel and bent to dig through it. Without thinking, she pulled one of the packets of blue gel out and began slathering it around Trip's cheeks and forehead. Her sudden movement startled him backward. T'Pol saw his reaction and began to elaborate.

"Your skin is burning. This will ease the pain and help to protect you from further exposure." With that she went back to her ministrations and this time her mate did not move away. Instead he closed his eyes and reveled in her touch. The blue gel was cooling, like an icy wind off the pacific. It eased the tightness that he felt across his forehead and lessened the burning on his cheeks. His mate's movements began to slow and Trip opened his eyes to find hers wide and longing just before him. He found himself leaning into her fingertips wanting more than just them to be in contact with his body. The Human's hands came up and clasped themselves about her waist, pulling gently at her body finding no resistance there. Their faces were just millimeters apart, the heat from her skin was strangely appealing. It was as if in slow motion, as their faces began to sense the other's auras. As if split second timing, the moment that would find their lips meshed into one another was cut by a loud screech from the female sehlat, Ke'Lara. It jerked the couple out of their mesmerized trance. They wrenched backward and shook off the affects of their bond. Trip felt an overwhelming disorientation, his vision was blurred and his mind reeling. T'Pol recovered a bit quicker, although her breathing was ragged and her head hurt like it had been bashed by a blunt object.

Focusing her attention on the sehlat, she tried to sense what made the creature cry out so. It wasn't too long before the furry animal got her intentions across to the alien. "We must seek shelter." T'Pol stated searching the ground for her knapsack.

"What?" Trip was still very hazy.

"Sand fire….. They sense it is coming….. We must leave right now." T'Pol picked up her mate's carry and handed it over to him. She then searched the canyon walls for an opening while the sehlats started to jog ahead. Within moments, the creatures were sniffing at an entrance just 30 meters or so from the humanoids. They let out a series of cries to denote their location and their find. Trip followed T'Pol, struggling to keep up with the svelte young woman. He fumbled a couple of times falling to his knees only to be urged up again by the seriousness in her voice.

"Come on…. This way…."

Standing at the opening of the cavern, T'Pol waited for her mate to catch up. The sehlats had already entered the cave, checking it for any unwanted predators. It was clear and another screech to the Vulcan told her it was safe to proceed. She entered, helping an overheated Trip through the entrance and down the short rocky steps just inside. Quickly she set to work finding boulders that could be used to cover the entrance.

"What are you doing?" Trip asked out of breath and leaning against a nearby rock formation.

"We must seal the entrance to keep the electrostatic charges from reaching us." He saw her heave an unusually large rock into the opening and got up to assist. Between the two of them they had the bulk of the entranceway covered in a short time. Just as they finished, a large burst of light traveled cross the entrance into the far corner of the cave. Instinctively Trip grabbed his mate and pulled her to him as they both fell against the cavern wall. The sehlats joined them up against the wall, keeping their backs to the entrance and away from the open part of the space.

"That was close." Trip murmured not letting go of T'Pol. He hugged her to him staring at the opening for any other charges. It would be several more minutes before anyone chose to speak again.

"Is this what killed Arev?" Trip asked almost not wanting the answer. He felt T'Pol's head nod against the opening in his shirt. The voice caught in his throat as he uttered simply…."Oh."

Another long moment passed…." Are we safe in here?" Trip needed the reassurances and his mate knew from their bond he was more in fear for her safety, than his own.

"As long as we stay away from the open area and up against this wall. The lightning bolts can not turn…. They will only reach us in the center of the cave." T'Pol clung to him, feeling his heart rate almost reaching hers.

"That's good to know…" He shook, seeing another bolt reach through the rock and strike at the back wall of the cave. The sehlats screeched in resistance, easing themselves closer and closer to the huddled pair. The creatures flanked them one on either side, as if in their own fear, they still needed to perform their duties.

"Loyal things." Trip pondered looking from one to the other.

"Yes…. Very…. However they are more interested in our protecting them. They are mimicking our behavior. As long as we stay against this wall, so will they." T'Pol placed her hand onto his chest. She leaned her head up a bit and saw her mate assessing the situation. Not wanting this closeness to end, T'Pol knew that the bond was drawing them together, even if it was not what she had intended. Their near kiss was so inviting and yet she knew it may not have been what Trip wanted, given his mood of the morning.

"Well they're really not that smart if they think I can protect them." Trip was lost to the sarcasm of the moment. He didn't return his attention to his mate until he heard her reply.

"You are doing an admirable job so far." As he looked down, Trip saw the enormous beauty of T'Pol's eyes beaming up at him. He wasn't quite sure if it was love or admiration, but he knew she hadn't made the comment lightly. Fearing he'd almost breached what little truce they had, instead of picking up where they left off in the desert, he smiled softly and brought his hand up to hold her hair gently. This made the Vulcan relax even further in his embrace, laying her head back to him and trying to ease her still disrupted breathing patterns. The better part of an hour went by before either felt like moving. When they did, it was between lightning bolts and not more than a few meters from the wall surface. Between the two, they managed a small fire and began to cook a portion of their evening meal. Afterward, they set up to try and get some rest. The storm raged on outside, but the changing shadows denoted Vulcan's second sun had set.

Trip laid up against the wall surface, a thin metallic cover draped over him. T'Pol did the same a few meters away. For her, the temperature drop was not an unexpected thing, so she pulled on the thick linen cloak and donned the hood. For the Human however, his jacket left little coverage. Even with the metallic blanket, his burnt skin warred with the ever changing temperatures. In his sleep, Trip began to shiver markedly. He was surprised by the figure of T'Pol crouched over him. Without a word, she eased against him, Trip opening up his arms and letting her in. The Vulcan took the large cloak and draped it over both of them, covering their bodies. Only their heads stuck out of the oversized linen. Her body was warm, easing much of the chill he had moments ago. His mind reeled once more with the heady feelings they had shared standing out in the canyon. Her closeness was inviting, making the Human begin to sweat but for much different reasons. He wanted nothing more than to take her right there, but knew if their closeness was to last, it would have to be done on her time table, not his. He took a deep breath and continued to look down in longing at the top of her head. It was only moments before she turned upward to face him. Trip's glance seemed to ask a question, and the Vulcan responded in the only way she knew how.

"You were cold." The answer, not what he asked told Trip exactly what he'd expected. She was not ready for any furthering of their relationship. She was just being a good mate, not desiring him as he did her. Trip began to gently rub T'Pol's back easing her to him once more. Within a few moments they were both sound asleep again.

*****

Trip opened his eyes to find T'Pol once more missing from his embrace. He squinted and tried to search the far corners of the darkness. A splash of electrostatic charge split the cavern, illuminating the darkest corners, still no Vulcan. Finally the human looked to his left and couldn't believe what he saw. There against the wall sat T'Pol facing Kemute. She was very still, sitting on her folded legs as the creature licked steadily at the top of her head. The furry animal stood taller than the female, making long slow strokes with its tongue along her crown.

The engineer couldn't believe what he saw and rubbed vigorously at his sleep filled eyes. When they readjusted to the dim light, the scene was the same.

"A little grooming session?" He quipped sitting straighter, letting the linen cloak fall to his waist. T'Pol's eyes snapped open. She turned to face him and felt a correcting nudge from the fur laden creature. Returning to her previous position, the Vulcan tried to explain.

"Kemute is getting the sand from my hair." She remained still not wanting another corrective motion from the creature.

"A brush wouldn't suffice?" Now Trip was seeing the humor in this.

"Apparently not….I tried to discourage this behavior but he is being very persistent." She demonstrated by trying to turn her head again, and was rewarded with another correction.

"You think there is anything more too that?" Now Trip was all out chuckling. This action only got him a stern glare.

As he watched the interaction between sehlat and master, it struck him by her facial expressions that T'Pol actually enjoyed his touch, gross as it seemed. He watched a moment longer and saw her eyes close in complete relaxation.

"You're enjoying that." Trip exclaimed in astonishment. Again T'Pol simply looked at him. "You are actually enjoying that creature licking your hair." The human stood and moved over to face them, a huge grin on his face.

"His actions are stimulating the neural nodes in my scalp. T'Pol felt she had to justify her taking pleasure in the act.

"Come on now…..Are you telling me that sehlats know how to perform neuropressure?" His smile turned into a look of disbelief.

"They know how to groom. The fact that he is activating neural nodes is quite by accident."

"Hey…." Trip exclaimed suddenly…. "Neuro pressure is just that…. pressure…. I don't see him holding pressure on your scalp…." Trip became defensive and was scolded by another corrective look. This one only made him more determined to understand and he returned it with a squinted version of his own. He remembered her stern criticism for his performing neuro pressure on Amanda because he wasn't trained enough. Now this creature was allowed to do the same with impunity.

"The neural nodes of the face and head need little sustained pressure. Often a consistent rhythmic rubbing motion is sufficient to activate them." She closed her eyes and decided to enjoy Kemute's actions further. Fascinated, Trip came up to the wooly beast. With a waving motion he waved the creature off and took his place before T'Pol. The cessation of the stroking caused her eyes to jut open. There she saw a rather pleased-with-himself human.

"Turn around." The engineer commanded and waited to see if his idea would be accepted. Intrigued, T'Pol twisted on her knees until she faced away from him. With his fingers, Trip began raking through her slightly moistened locks. He was surprised with the furiousness of his actions, Kemute hadn't matted or slobbered her hair to any great extent. Instead the silky strands glided easily through his digits, making a very easy combing motion across her dome. His touch to T'Pol was both soothing and alarming. She eased her mind into a calm state and simply allowed herself to enjoy the sensations. This relaxed state translated directly into the human's mind, as he found himself getting more and more content with his work. A light haze filled his head as his heart grew warmer and warmer by the moment. It wasn't until he experienced a dream like state that Trip realized it wasn't his mind he was sensing, it was hers. This amazed him that T'Pol was enjoying his touch. Further more it brought back a sense of encouragement that she got such pleasure from him, even in their present situation. Her mind was devoid of the dangers that lurked about them. The splashes of lightning that still touched the back wall, were now just a faded presence in her thoughts.

(So this is a Vulcan's pleasure zone.) his thought broadcast to her and caused her to immediately tighten her barriers, making their connection shut like a steel trap. This translated to Trip's brain like a brick smashing him in the head. His cranium pounded, causing him to stop his actions and grab it instinctively.

"What the hell was that?" Trip swore again as his mind throbbed from the broken connection. This action worried T'Pol, as she hadn't realized just how much of the barriers had dropped during their impromptu neuro pressure session. She twisted to see the pain she caused and reached to activate the nodes that would ease his suffering. Instead, Trip backed away, sensing instantly that this pain wasn't a random event. He sat back off his folded legs resting hard against the uneven rock wall surface. Rubbing his head and face, Trip tried to fight the building anger that was starting to take hold of his thoughts. Frustration set in and finally he could hold his tongue no longer.

"I don't know what the problem is T'Pol…. One minute I feel we are really starting to connect. I feel your emotions, your pleasure,…… hell even your pain at times and the next minute I feel like someone has hit me upside the head with a baseball bat. Why is this happening?" He looked to her, his face contorted by the anguish he felt over loosing their connection.

"Is this the way a bond is supposed to be….on and off like that?" Now the Human wanted some answers. A splash of lightening split the cavern again drawing his attention momentarily. When he turned back, Trip could see T'Pol looking to the floor, quiet and withdrawn.

"Well….Is it?" He insisted, the memory of the pain still fresh in his mind. "No" came the simple response.

"Is it because I am human…. I can't sustain a bond with you like a Vulcan could?" He was desperate for some answers and there was no time like the present. Again there was only a soft head shake.

"Well then what is it, cause I gotta tell ya I don't know if I can go on like this….. It's driving me crazy." He watched T'Pol as her eyes turned to his. A sudden pang of guilt hit him as he recognized the hurt he saw in those eyes. Trip turned his head in defeat. Once more their attempts at closeness had failed and now the human was beginning to wonder if they would ever get this bond thing right. He was surprised by a low voice that came after several long moments of silence.

"You are human….. You are not bound by our laws or customs." This statement confused Trip, as he was not sure what she was saying.

"Are you saying you want to dissolve this bond thing?" Trip asked a large rock weighing down his heart.

"No….but you do…" She replied her eyes now scanning the dirt on the floor beside her legs.

"Where the hell did you get that idea from?" Trip contorted his face as he turned to her. He saw her look back to him and awaited the reasons for her ideas.

"From you." T'Pol's voice was low, almost inaudible.

"I never said I wanted to dissolve this bond……. I have been trying like mad to understand it…. Why do you believe I don't want this connection?" Now his anger was more of concern.

"In the hallway outside sickbay….. You said so." Trip searched his memory and couldn't understand what she was talking about.

"I don't remember saying that…. Actually I even told you that it wasn't such a big deal…" He was emphatic about his memory trying to bring home the point.

"Exactly….." This response ignited much of Trip's frustration again.

"T'Pol…..this conversation is starting to give me a headache." The human closed his eyes and rubbed his temples again. He saw his mate's hands come up and instinctively go for the neural nodes, but dodged them as he had before. Instead he took her by the shoulders and moved the Vulcan back a meter to get some distance from the alluring pull of her body on his senses.

"T'Pol…… I said that it wasn't a big deal because you seemed to feel guilty for the formation of the bond. Humans don't have anything like that and I thought you'd think I blamed you for it forming. I don't blame you…..In fact I am happy we are bonded….. I just want to know how the hell to get it right." He sat back onto his folded legs and slapped his hands hard onto his thighs.
"It seems like every time we grow closer, and I start to get a sense of your mind, there is a wall that comes up and blocks me out….Am I not doing something right….Should I be trained how to keep in touch with your mind…. Can I even achieve this or am I just trying in vain to try and be bonded with you…..What?" He searched her eyes and saw a wounded child behind them. After a moment's silence, Trip let go of his legs and sat back against the wall again.

"You are not the cause of our disharmony…. It is me." The Vulcan stated quietly as she felt fully the sadness her actions were causing.

"So you don't want to be bonded with me." Trip asked feeling like he'd been right all along in thinking so.

"No…. I do wish for our connection to remain." She sat straighter as if wanting to leap into his arms again, but respected that he needed some distance to clear his head. "It's just that you are human." That comment made Trip's mind turn cold.

"And being that I am human, it would be illogical for you to bond with me…." He let out an angered breath. (Figures logic would play into this…. Maybe she wants to find a nice Vulcan guy so she can fulfill her duty or honor or something.) Now his mind was reeling. This anger translated to T'Pol, who could feel all his emotions, but was blocking his thoughts out of respect for his privacy. She coward a bit wondering why his emotions ran so cold for her.

"It is not illogical for us to be bonded. We both desired this connection, so it formed, that is the way it is with empathic creatures." T'Pol started and was cut off by her mate.

"But Humans are not empathic creatures…… You've made that quite clear on many occasions." He snapped still too angered to hear her words fully.

"Perhaps my comments were inaccurate. Humans do have some empathic sense, just not to the level of Vulcans….. Therefore you can bond with me and I, with you." Her words were faint, broken and held much hurt behind them.

"If that is the case then what is the problem?" He asked torn between wanting to hold her and wanting to walk away from the pain.

"You have no ability to block your mind from me…" T'Pol stated plainly. "It is not fair. I have to block it for you."

"So my emotions are annoying you….. and that is why you are always shutting me out." Now Trip was hurt.

"No…. I can't block your feelings from my mind. You are a part of me…. but I can block my mind from accessing your thoughts… To give you privacy. You have no developed barriers that would keep my mind from accessing yours. You would not have a private thought. It is my understanding that Humans do not like having their minds read." This response was totally not what Trip thought he would hear. His ideas of T'Pol's indifference to him were now being challenged by her concern over his mental well-being.

"But if that was the case then why didn't you tell me?" Trip seemed a bit more eager to understand, his hurt feelings starting to recede. "T'Pol I don't know anything about this bond thing….I can't understand what is happening, couldn't you sense that?"

"You said it wasn't such a big deal…. I assumed you didn't want to be bonded to me." Her statement blew the human away.

"Why would you think that?"

"Because you keep your distance from me…. You do not wish to speak of it and don't seem to want to further it…" She looked more to him like a child than ever.

"T'Pol like I told ya…..I don't know anything about bonds…. I kept my distance because all I ever seem to do is piss you off these days. I thought with your mom's death that you were going through a really tough time and I'd give you some space…that's all." Trip eased closer to her finally getting to give into his need for her touch. He took her hands in his, feeling instantly the electricity it caused between them. This invited him softly to want the connection once more.

"But it is my blocking you from our bond that is causing the torment." T'Pol moved forward as her mate pulled her into his arms. She was feeling so guilty for his pain that even through her tight barriers Trip could feel it.

"Well then, just stop blocking me…. I don't care that you can read my thoughts. They are mostly about you anyway." He smiled and rested his chin upon her hair.

"But you will be disoriented by my mind." T'Pol knew what she dealt with daily aboard the Enterprise would be too much for the Human. "You would sense what I sense. All the emotions that I have to deal with daily, they would bother you."

"I'll get use to them as you have…. Really humans are better than you think at adapting…." Trip reassured her even though he worried that she might be right. "Just loose the barrier and let’s start from there."

T'Pol considered his words and finally relented. With a cleansing breath she lowered the barrier between them and an overwhelming sadness hit the Human square between the eyes. "Whoa…. " Trip was taken off guard by the emotion, not knowing just how deeply this turmoil had been affecting his mate. He pulled her too him harder rubbing at her back and planting soft kisses upon her brown locks. The feeling diminished somewhat but kept an underlying current between them. After several moments, Trip pulled the cloak from where it lay upon the ground beside them. He threw it over her shoulders and resumed his massage of her back. The doubt, the unsure feelings between them made him a bit uncomfortable, but mostly they made him want to hold her tighter. Like a parent wanting to take away all their child's fears, these feelings washed over the human. His anger disappeared totally from his mind, replaced by the urgent need to comfort his mate's wounded soul. As the storm raged outside, the couple stayed huddled together allowing no barriers to come between them anymore.

TBC

*****

Last part out by Weds. Sorry for the delay, but I have a long stretch of work shifts ahead and don't want to rush the ending.... T



Part 3

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


A whole mess of folks have made comments

Hey today i'm first!
TLR don't worry ! For a quality which you give us we could wait forever!!!

TLR one of the main things I like about your stories is the way you are not afraid to tackle the issues of communication. So many writers treat aliens like they were just plain folks. I have spent time with humans from different cultures who were harder to communicate with than most aliens are presented. I don't mean language necessarily. I mean mindset. Aliens are supposed to think differently than we do aren't they?

Your aliens at least seem to have some from a different culture, with a different way of looking at the world. It is refreshing.

Well, I have to say, the comment thread on Part 1 got me almost more than the story did! (No offence of course). That's what's great about this site. We're like badgers. We hold on. (10 points for the source of that quote).

Y'know, I go to the odd old Voyager Paris/Torres fanfic site to see what we'll (us, the TnT'ers) be like when OUR show has been off the air for five years.

Tumbleweeds guys. It's goin' down fast.

'Course THEIR show got THEIR characters safely wedded, bedded, and bredded before the curtain fell. They didn't have to CARRY the TORCH as we do! F***, we didn't even get a curtain! They just chopped the sets up for FIREWOOD while the actors were in the middle of their FREAKIN' SCENES! Well nearly. Bet they heated the set of frikkin' "One on One" or "Girlfriends" with the scraps. Kept those Top Models nice and toasty. >=(

Carry that torch. Carry it onwards my sweet, sweet colleagues! Keep our heroes alive. To 2009 and BEYOND!

Oh, and by the way,

I was watching "The 9" on Yahoo for August 28th, (http://9.yahoo.com/ - under Archives) and #4 of "The 9" discussed a site for the best and worst sci-fi TV intros.

Well, I went to the BEST list and found that #7, #6, and #5 were all Star Treks! Yay! TNG, DS9, and Voy.

Then I started the WORST list, and as I crept downward toward #1, I thought *please don't be enterprise, please don't be...*

Enterprise.

Thanks. Simply because of that *song*, too! (The author loved the montage and esp. the mirror universe intro). I don't know what's wrong with MY ears, but I don't think the song was bad enough to destroy the whole show. Whatever. I'm in the minority.

A lot of people responded, agreeing with the fact that the song was an odd (ok, crappy) choice. And many responders recalled the early, early golden days on 2001 when Paramount was actually TRYING TO GET PEOPLE TO WATCH THE SHOW (hard to picture, 'eh?). And the commercials used "Wherever You Will Go" by The Calling, interspersed with Enterprise clips.

So I found and put that song on.

And watch out guys, 'cause if you haven't heard it much yourself since those early commercials, you will find yourself literally gutpunched with childlike nostalgia for those sweet hopeful days of yore. When we actually had *new episodes*. We were so blessed. I felt like crying and laughing. The faces and noises I made were weird and involuntary.

So I had to write to all of you here and share my touching and confusing experience, since anyone else on the planet would have committed me. But you guys understand. Now, get that song and listen to it.

My final note:
Someone please, PLEASE! If you make music videos for this site, I BESEECH you!

Create for us lesser mortals a gossamer thing of visual beauty; set Trip and T'Pol against this song (which I used to hate hearing on the radio, and I never could remember why).

Actually, the song itself is simply adequate as songs go, but the thing that makes it so very poignant for me is that part of my subconscious which firmly and inextricably married the melody to images of my favourite show. I feel like a POW or something looking at pictures of his old barracks. Well, maybe. You can tell I have had a rather sheltered, peacetime existence.

Look up the lyrics, anyone, they are perfect. So many bits of footage would work for each line. I would do it myself, but my video-editing software is in the mail. (It really is... Amazon is so slow!)

Each of your subconsciousnesses my have done the same thing mine did! I believe, in watching it, each of us would die a little, each would shed a private tear, yet each would be rejuvenated for the DVD fight. This will end up being your favourite music video.

Write your letters. Stain them with your tears. Leslie is hoping we'll quietly give up, but he doesn't know us very well at all, does he?

Download the song/lyrics. You'll see what I mean.

PS - Posted this in a couple of spots to catch potential video-creators. I want to see this song in video form so bad!

Sweet, TLR. I love your take on this. I can see her putting up barriers because she's afraid he'll freak when he finds out she can tell what he's thinking. I can't wait to see how you resolve this.

Sad Girl, why not join the HoT bulletin board and start your own thread? I'm sure you'll get volunteers to put your "favorite" song together with TnT moments. We like to try to limit our postings here to discussions directly related to individual fics so that each author gets their time in the sun. The forum you're looking for... and the group who'll love to talk with you ad nauseum about what you've posted above... is on the bulletin board. Try the Trip/Tpolers forum. I'll be looking for your thread. Sounds like you have several interesting topics for discussion.

Sad girl... Your should hook up with Miss Ann Thropic.(See video section) She makes the most beautiful videos, full of heart and creatively astetic. I absolutely love her most recent one "On Fire" and encourage everyone to view it. I watch it daily to give me a bit of a lift. I think you could get her help to create the video of your dreams. Hope that helps. T....

Really great chapter, especially liked their talk. Looking forward to chapter 3.

An amazing chapter! Your stories are honestly some of my all time favorites. You tackle the messy issues in sensitive and interesting ways. Can't wait till the next part!

Well, this was one of the most enjoyable reads I have had on this site. Loved your inovations: sand pits, sehlat behaviors, that Vulcans evolved from bats...

Bats? LOL! I have a vision of Batman revealing himself as a Vulcan - hey, maybe that bat head cover he wears really conforms to the shape of his ears? "That was totally illogical Robin." Can't you just hear that?

I know, I'm nuts, right?

And gosh, an out loud laugh which made people turn and look at me like I was one of the crazies that ride the city bus when I was reading that the male sehlat follow Trip when he took a whiz.

Ok, one more comment and I'll shut up. Loved the fact that Trip has finally been to the desert with T'Pol. In The Forge episode, I was so wanting it to be Trip instead of Archer. You have 'made it so'.

There were a few requests for Trip to replace Archer on the desert trip. I didn't want to redo the piece, but hopefully found a way to give those people a chance to see him in the role without relying too heavily on the script. Part three is just about done and will definitely be out by Weds. I thought of a way to give Black'nblue something to chomp over. The sequel to this series will be "Competition" and will start just after I get the "Warp 7" series up and running. Glad you all like the story line. T.

Very nicely done, I like! More, please. :)

For me!? Little ole me! Bless You M'Lady :D *bows low in humble gratitude*

For that I will write you a story. It won't be a TnT story 'cause I am no good at them. But I will dedicate my first fanfic in your name. Whatever it turns out to be.

Blackn'blue, you write such thorough and intelligent comments, I am shocked that you have never written a fanfic!

I think perhaps your TnT fiction would be better than you give it credit for. The author often feels like a big idiot while writing the scenes... but just wait till someone else reads it. They will not see it through your eyes, noticing every line that gave you trouble.

They'll just love it for being another bit of adventure bewteen our 2 favourite cancelled characters.

So don't feel like you can't join in the fun. ;-)

I agree. The more the merrier. If we can't get the stubborn people at paramount to see what a dumb idea cancelling Enterprise was, than at least we have these stories to keep the memories alive. Give it a try, I think you'd do well at it too.

By the way, I just turned in part 3. There is an epilogue at the end, that hints to the next series spin off so don't miss that. Hope you all like it. T.

Yessss!!!

and I just turned in Part 9! Yay for overcoming procrastination and utter inertia! :D

Congratulations on getting part 9 out. Very good job enterpriseScribe.
Actually, I love to write so much that I don't have a problem turning them out. It's just that school has to come first and of course I work way too hard and too much. I love when I have a break from either, cause my mind is always swirling with ideas. You all will love the sequel to this story. It's coming out as fast as I can type it. T.

This is an excellent story. Can't wait for the next part. Will it be ready soon?

Yes I turned it in yesterday, so it should be out soon. T.

*twitches and starts to shiver*

Are you sure it's coming?

*looks around anxiously and gnaws a knuckle*

I don't see it. You said yesterday. Where is it then? I don't see it. Could you have made a mistake? Are you sure you sent it to the right place?

*starts to shake and cough*

Maybe you made a mistake! It could happen! Maybe you sent it to the wrong email address! Maybe somebody elsesomewhere is ready OUR story! YOU HAVE TO SEND IT AGAIN! YOU HAVE TO-

*stops abruptly and clenches his teeth. breathes heavily*

Could you please double check that you sent it to the right address? Just to make sure? And make sure that you actually did press the mouse button? Sometimes mouse buttons stick you know.

*clenches hands together to make them stop trembling for a while before he can type any more*

I'm sure it will be ok. It will. I know it will. After all, you can always just email it to all of us. Yeah, that's it. We can all send you our emails and you can email your stories to us individually. That will work.

*sighs in relief for a moment. then considers something and forehead crinkles*

But if your internet connection fails, what then? You won't be able to send them! NO!

*leaps up and begins to pace frantically*

Uhhhh... I think Blackn'blue's into the Trellium again.

Blacknblue. From an ICU nurse's perception, I think your prescription for Valium has run out. Either that or it has expired, please check the date and get a refill. LOL.

Don't worry. Bucky is very busy with work. She will get to it when she has a minute. She probably has her hands full with her new students. You know grading papers and all. Don't worry. T.