Honeymoon on Vulcan

Honeymoon on Vulcan

By: TLR

Rated PG 13
Disclaimer: Enterprise is the product of UPN and Paramount Pictures.
Summary: This story is the first sequel to the Little Lizzie series......It's been six months since Enterprise went back on it's way, with Trip, T’Pol and Lizzie aboard. As promised T’Pol held Trip to sending regular updates and pictures to his folks back in Georgia, and with the advent of his last communication, the two elder Tuckers were preparing for a long journey, in the black of the Georgia night.

June 5th 2005

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21:30 hrs

"C'mon Poppa, we don't want to be late. You know these Vulcan's are notorious for being punctual." Catherine Tucker said while checking through the mounds of bags that sat beside their luggage. She rifled through the first, checking that all the toys she purchased for her little grand daughter were present and accounted for. She then moved to the other three bags that held baby clothes, blankets and such, everything a growing child needs and more. Charles Tucker came down the steps with two additional suitcases. He looked questioningly for a place to set them down, waiting for his wife to take the hint and move some of her paraphernalia. As she did so, he dropped the bags rather roughly on the hardwood floor.

"Is that everything?" the older woman asked, not believing four suitcases held enough for two weeks away from home.

"Yes dear..... Everything but the kitchen sink. I can go and get that if you be suspect'n we're gonna need it." Charles flashed her a smile, knowing how excited and nervous his beautiful wife was to see their grand baby again.

"OH you.... I just want everything to be perfect....... you wouldn't like it if I forgot something major. It's not like they have a corner drugstore." She replied coming up and kissing his cheek softly. There was a giant crash of thunder, and outside you could hear the drenching rains that threatened to delay their trip.

"I wish it was nicer weather." Charles started, looking through the lace curtains that draped over the living room picture window.

"Well.... they tell me these Vulcan shuttle pods can fly through anything. At least it's not a hurricane." Now it was Catherine's turn to be sarcastic.

Another crash of thunder came, which took them both by surprise. The elder woman looked out eagerly awaiting the vessel, when she was startled by a heavy knock upon the door. From her position, Catherine could see three hooded gentleman, drenched and standing upon her front porch. She looked over to her husband and gave him a questioning stare. Charles Tucker Jr. opened the door and came face to face with these stoic creatures. Their features were like stone, not moving even when they spoke.

"Mr. & Mrs. Tucker ........ my name is Capt. Vanik.... I am from the starship T'Mur...... I have been ordered to transport you both to Vulcan immediately." The very tall slender male, pushed back the hood of his cape and revealed a pale, sallow complexion and graying hair. This sent more than a little concerned through Catherine, now coming up to stand beside her husband.

"We appreciate your assistance Sir." Charles Tucker pushed his fingers in to the V position and held it for the appropriate time. The captain of the Vulcan vessel returned his courteous gesture then fell silent. Both husband and wife donned their wet weather gear, and began collecting up their things. Watching them fumble with the items, Vanik motioned for his crew to relieve them of their burdens. When they complied, Charles was free to take hold of his wife's hand, as they exited their home, locking the door behind. The tall Vulcan replaced his hood and motioned for the couple to follow. They walked a short distance through the torrential rain, to a field just beyond their backyard. There, a strange looking vessel, which was encompassed by a huge wheel shaped router, awaited them. The group boarded, and within minutes they were on their way back to the larger version of this ship.

Once docked, the airlock swished open to reveal a more familiar face. There, in the doorway stood their favorite Vulcan Ambassador, Soval. He greeted them with the traditional V move and bowed slightly in kind to Catherine's words of thanks. "Thank you so much for this...... I don't know how we will ever repay you for your kindness."

"Repayment is not necessary...... Your being there with your grand daughter is an important part of her further development. It would be illogical to deny you the right to perform your grand parenting functions." Soval then turned to Captain Vanik....

"We may get under way at any time." With that the tall Vulcan stepped quietly down the passageway, not indicating his goodbyes to the Humans.

"He doesn't seem too happy to be hav'n to do this." Charles Tucker commented, knowing Soval was used to being around Humans.

"It is irrelevant whether he cares to do this or not. He is under orders and it would be illogical for him not to comply." Soval gestured the two to follow their luggage, as the other Vulcans carried it past them. "They will take you to your quarters..... get settled in and try to rest. Breakfast is at 05:00. I will see you then. If you are in need of anything, simply request it via the comm and it will be brought to you. The two followed the crewman down the hallway to their quarters. They unpacked slightly, and turned in for a restful night's sleep. It would be a long and challenging four days.

***

Trip walked about the living room with a very unsteady Lizzie holding on to his fingers. Her gate was reckless. She picked her legs up in an exaggerated fashion, as if trying to march in time with her father. On her face, she wore a wide mouthed grin, her three teeth showing brightly through their muted color gums. The child giggled exuberantly as her father took her one more pass around the center table. Trip watched down as his little girl displayed her excitement about her new surroundings. His heart grew full of love and happiness knowing that one day this would be her home to stay.

T’Pol was in the kitchen, cooking frantically to have special treats available for her soon to be in laws. She got the recipe for pecan pie from Chef and wondered if she could make it as good as Catherine had been known too. Their journey to Vulcan had been uneventful. Enterprise simply drop them off on her way past to the Corridon system. The ship had been on routine diplomatic missions since the Tucker's left. The on going investigation into the Terra Prime groups, proved to be more complicated then first thought. Though many of the groups had been rounded up, there were still factions out there that were causing minor inconveniences. It was the decision of Star Fleet and the Vulcan High Council, that the Commanders remain with Enterprise a while longer to keep their special child safe.

When they arranged for this visit to Vulcan, it was with the understanding that Elizabeth would not leave T’Pol's family estate. Shuttlepod one delivered their group directly to the plateaus that were the Vulcan's backyard. From there it was a short walk to reach the familiar surroundings that Trip had become so fond of. Their first day there was spent settling in and getting the child used to her new environment. She took to it immediately, remembering quite a bit from her time in meditation with her mother. Often the little girl looked around for her furry friend, and found he was nowhere in sight. Today was the day, Trip's parents were to arrive. This little game of walk the baby helped him past the time. He grew nervous and noticed the exaggerated hum of the humidifiers T’Pol had set up in every room. The environment was particularly dry this time of year and the science officer wondered if it would be too harsh on the elderly parents of her bondmate. So she took great care to change the controls, to allow them a more comfortable living area. The humidity hadn't gone unnoticed by T’Pol who felt for the last two days that she'd been breathing through a thick noxious cloud, but disciplined herself to ignore it as she'd done aboard the Enterprise. The tiredness was showing as she turned to put her first attempt at Pecan Pie into the food reprocessor. The Vulcan then stepped out to the garden, wanting to pick some fresh vegetables for the group's evening meal. The heat of the afternoon sun weighed down upon her more than usual and she simply attributed it to nervous tension.

***

The huge wooden gate opened slowly and in stepped a very tired Charles and Catherine Tucker. Their climb up the residential steps in mid day probably wasn't such a good idea, and they now knew why the Ambassador suggested they not attempt it. But they were eager and with a bit of fortitude, they got here, tired but in one piece...... Catherine looked about the tranquil garden....."This is lovely..." she uttered still too tired to think of anything but breathing..... Soval and his aids set down the luggage they carried and he dismissed them to wait in the transport at the lower level of the village. Charles came up and rested a hand on his wife's shoulder, still huffing and puffing himself....."Yes real nice.....real nice..." he sighed finding the nearest bench and coming to rest upon it.... Trip heard the commotion out in the garden and picked up the little girl. He went immediately to the inside door and swung it open wide....

"Hey.....you made it..." He howled exuberantly...and came out to get a hug from his mom and pop. Catherine dropped her bags and grabbed the child from his arms, before even affording him a kiss on the cheek.

"Oh my god....do you see how much she's grown...." Grandma exclaimed and saw the smile of recognition grow, three teeth and all. Soval watched the interaction waiting to check in with T’Pol before he bid them a farewell.

Trip walked up to the man.... "Thanks for taking care of all this for us......I really do appreciate it..." His words were heartfelt and the ambassador nodded in a most honorable way.

Poppy came over to his beautiful grand daughter.....He nuzzled her close and pulled her from his wife's grip to plant numerous kisses on her cheek and neck... She giggled wildly occasionally attempting to say a few words.
"DA...DA...DA...DA...DA" She stuttered along.

"She's got them down much better than last week son...." The elder Tucker was pleased to see the child was developing normally...or at least for a Vulcan.

"That's not all she knows...." Trip said and got the attention of the little minx. "Lizzie....who's this...." the younger man pointed to his father.
The child stared him down a moment, then started...."PA...PA....PA....PA....PA" she huffed the sounds, not quite getting into voice fully.

"Well will you look at that...." He said pleased that the little girl knew who he was, even after 6 months apart.

"And who is this?" Trip then pointed to his mom....Again Lizzie considered a moment.... "AMMA....AMM.....AMM...AMM..." her pronunciation of that one still needed a little work, but the older woman was very pleased as punch at the effort. To the little girl's glee, her grandparents rewarded her with another round of kisses and hugs...

"Where's T’Pol... Soval interrupted after the excitement died down, eager to get back into the main city before heading to his own dwelling.

"She's inside....C'mon it's cooler in there and less dry... T’Pol has tried to compensate for the unusual dryness this time of year." Trip grabbed up the bags and started into the house leading the group...

As they walked through the doorway, Soval could feel the difference in the humidity level and asked to see the Vulcan immediately. Trip looked at him puzzled, but just thought he was still in a hurry or something. "T’Pol"...he called out toward the kitchen.... and saw the Vulcan politician give a decidedly unsettled look.. "What is it?" Trip could now palpably feel his concern.

"The humidity level in here is dangerously high.....I want to see if T’Pol is all right.....you said she was in the kitchen...." The ambassador pushed past the man and headed for the adjoining room. Trip, now very worried, followed him meeting stride for stride, the taller man's steps.

There in the corner of the room, sat T’Pol, balled up on the floor. Trip raced past the male and looked her in the face. She was conscious, but her breathing was labored and her body was burning up.... "T’Pol.....what is it....?"

"It is the humidity level, it's making it very difficult for her to breathe." Soval responded opening up the back door and allowing some heat from the garden to enter the room. He then went to the environmental control unit, and adjusted the moisture level 3 degrees lower than normal. T’Pol, still not responding to her mate's words, sat there chest heaving and a greenish hue forming about her features. Trip pulled her to him and felt the unnatural warmth of her skin. "She's burning up." He exclaimed, now easing his other arm beneath her knees. He picked her up in an easy motion and carried her in to the other room. "We gotta get her to a doctor." her mate was now frantic about her weakened condition.

"No." T’Pol grunted moving her hand to lay lightly upon his chest.

"But T’Pol...... you're sick." again Trip was concerned.

"My presence on Vulcan cannot be known. This may jeopardize Elizabeth's safety." She managed with a huff. The older Vulcan understood and went immediately to the comm.

"I will call my son, Stevron....... He is a healer at the University, and will come here to treat her." Soval opened the link to the university directory and within moments had given his son enough details to send him on his way.

"Take her into the bedroom, and get her to bed...... Poppa, honey you keep miss Lizzie out here, just in case this thing is contagious. I'll go make some chicken soup...." Catherine's motherly demeanor took charge, and unknowingly offended the Vulcans in the room.

"Mom !!!..." Trip exclaimed as he carried his beloved to the room they shared. Catherine realized her slip, seeing the concerned look on the ambassador's face as well.

"Oh.... well I'll make some of that vegetable broth instead. Ambassador, would you please be so kind to assist me." The human woman turned toward the kitchen and saw the uneasy expression on the Vulcan.

"I do not cook." Soval replied plainly.

"I'll do the cook'n, but I doubt they have an old stove in here. I'll need you to read the markings on the appliances, so I know how they work." Soval's expression relaxed and he followed her into the other room.

In the bedroom, Trip helped T’Pol change into her sleep ware. He went to the bathroom and retrieved a cool rag for her forehead. He brushed back her hair, watching as her eyes fought to stay open. She began to shiver, and he pulled the covers up close about her neck. Her eyes met his for a moment, showing the deep gratitude they felt for his loving kindness.

"It's all right..... You're gonna be OK...... Soval has sent for a doctor to come check you out." Trip once more ran his hand over her hair, sending soothing thoughts and feelings through his bond with her. T’Pol's eyes closed, as she relaxed her concerns and settled off to sleep. Trip got up and began opening the windows about the far corners of the room. The dry desert winds blew in, taking his breath for a moment, his forehead growing a rapid film of sweat meeting the heat that those winds brought. A light orange hue filled the otherwise darkened room, and outlined his beloved's face in warm sun light. She looked so small and fragile to him at that moment, and Trip's fears began to overwhelm his control. He went back over to her and lay down. Easing his body to hers, he covered her with his arm and leaned his head into her hair, trying to send all the love and support he had through their bond. Faintly, he could feel her breathing relax, although only a bit. This gave him some comfort as Trip waited for what seemed to be countless hours for help to arrive.

Soval checked in on the couple occasionally to gauge T’Pol's condition. He was pleased to see the commander taking an active role in her recovery. (Had he known how to do this, the ambassador was unsure. One thing was for certain....these two individuals were truly bonded and deserved to remain so....Now if only the High Counsel would see it this way.) He pondered, his concern for their family growing with each passing day. There came a knock on the outer door and Soval hastened to get to it before the humans.

Charles was half way across the room with Elizabeth when he saw the ambassador enter abruptly. The look he received told the senior Tucker that maybe for now, it was better to let the Vulcan's handle this one. Soval hesitated at the door, still looking at the human.

"I'll go see what Catherine's got cook'n..." He replied getting the gist of the older man's thoughts. He took the child with him and once departed, Soval opened the large wooden door. There in the doorway, stood a rather tall slender male, his eyes a deep brown and hair black as cloud covered midnight. His features however looked to be a mirrored version of his parent, almost a look through a time warp and one could easily imagine what the ambassador looked like at that age.

"Sa'mekh" The younger man addressed his father.

"Sa'fu" Soval returned...."Rom'lashan." Their conversation continued in Vulcan, as Charles, Jr. plastered his ear against the wall trying to get a gist of what was being said.

Catherine Tucker stood at the protein synthesizer and attempted to remember what button was the one she needed to push to change the long tuberous vegetables she found into a glob of useable protein. She watched her husband with great interest as his frustration level built.

"Damn.....they are talk'n in Vulcan....Can't understand a word..." He swore softly coming away from the adjoining wall and moving over to his wife.

"Well why don't you just go and ask them...?" she returned innocently.

"Cause I got the distinct impression that nobody's supposed to know we are here....." He stated as Lizzie played grab the nose with Poppy.

"That's ridiculous.....someone is bound to find out....we are gonna be here for almost two weeks... and I am sure that, that Captain Vanik or one of his crew will tell someone who they transported here....." Catherine wiped her hands on the towel she tucked into the top of her skirt. She started for the door, and Charles stopped her immediately.

"I'm not kidd'n Catherine....Soval really wants us to stay in here.....I don't know why, but I don't think we should be try'n to second guess him...He'll come for us when it's all right to go back out there..... In the meantime.....we stay put." Charles' expression was deadly serious and Catherine pulled the baby into her arms and held her close.

***

Out in the living area, Soval went on telling his son about the unique circumstances that led him to request his help, rather than just take the patient to the nearest hospital facility. He listened in silence as his parent related the importance of this being a secure matter, then added the logistics that no doubt his son would realize the minute he entered the sleep chamber. It wasn't as if Stevron didn't know T’Pol, since they had been classmates growing up and were even being considered as possible bondmates, until Koss' family purposed a more logical offer. The young Vulcan had even kept up on the public news of his schoolmate's adventures aboard the human ship and the crew's heroic deeds that save their planet and the universe. It was news to him however, that the young woman, once honorably married to Koss, would then choose to nullify her union with a Vulcan, to be with a human. This didn't at all seem logical, and try as he may, Soval could bring no clarity to the conversation in the short time they had to discuss the matter. The ambassador led his son down the east passageway of the home toward the sleep chamber that had once been T'Les and his friend's.

Knocking lightly on the door, Soval began to open it slowly. Trip sat up a bit, but still stayed close to his mate wanting nothing more than to assure she was going to be fine. The two men entered and Soval looked to the young engineer, as they approached.

"Commander Charles Tucker III, may I introduce my son Stevron....He is a healer at the University......What you might call a physician in training. He is completing the final phase of his residency with Dr. Sovucan, a doctor of many years." The young man bowed slightly.

"Thank you for coming...." Trip came up bowing in return. "I didn't know T’Pol was sick....she must have been keeping that from me.....I usually know when she is tired or uneasy.... If I'd known, I never would have let her get this bad."

The tall doctor looked a bit confused at the human, then to his father. "The commander and T’Pol are already bonded....They came here to Vulcan for a witnessing ceremony, the Kun'ut so'lik to make their bond official...." Soval answered trying to not mention just yet about the other surprise the couple had lying in wait. Stevron simply nodded his understanding then moved past the human to have a look at his patient.

He walked over to the other side of the bed, and saw T’Pol's face buried partially in the coverlet. He drew it back and found her skin to be a paler shade of green, with noted darkened circles and splotches indicating her fever without benefit of a scan. The tall man removed a scanner from the parcel he carried and ran an initial set of readings. He reviewed the numbers than decided that a secondary set was necessary. He nudged her shoulder and watched as the warm brown eyes of the female opened.

"T’Pol.....Kwai'se'tu?" He spoke to her in Vulcan a casual greeting of long separation which won him a gentle glance in return.

The healer began running another set of scans. "Esh'tor", he continued to speak to her in Vulcan, assuming her fever had made it difficult for her to understand anything but their native tongue. As ordered, T’Pol took a deep breath and then repeated it as he requested again and then a third time. The soft buzz of the scanner went unnoticed by the human, however this Vulcan's familiarity with his mate did not. His use of a language, he knew not was disturbing and wondered just how much he could trust this man with his beloved's life.

(What am I thinking....) Trip chastised himself. (This is Soval's son....a doctor for Pete's sake.) Now the young engineer was convinced that T’Pol's fever was starting to affect his judgment.

Stevron finished his scans and reached into his bag to withdraw a hypospray. He checked the dosage and injected the female in the neck with a long steady hiss. Concentrating for a moment on his patient, he then watched as her breathing became more normalized. After a few more moments, he ran a third and fourth scan. As predicted, her vital signs had stabilized and the fever was already starting to recede. He replaced the coverlet about her shoulders then stood, coming over to the two other men in the room.

"She was suffering from a respiratory infection..... no doubt advanced by the high levels of humidity...... I have given her a general antibiotic......" He held out the hypospray, now with a refilled vial of medication. "She will need three additional doses, one per day for the next three days...."

Trip accepted the item and listened to his instructions intently.
"She will be feeling much improved by this evening....but should remain on bed rest for at least another two days." Stevron noticed the warm blustery winds and went over to close the windows.

"I opened them to keep the humidity out." Trip offered wondering now why the Vulcan was so intent on decreasing the dryness of the room.

"The humidity has equilibrated nicely, but even a Vulcan can circum to the mid day heat of our binary system. I would suggest however, before you change the environmental controls, you allow my father to reset them to a tolerable level for both T’Pol and yourself." Trip nodded wondering just what this Vulcan was really thinking about their mixed relationship.

"Thank you again.....I don't know how I could ever repay you for coming so fast and helping her like you did." Trip decided he didn't care what this Vulcan's politics were, he helped his beloved and that was enough for him.

"No repayment is necessary.....T’Pol is a friend from my early years..... I would be remiss not to help her when she was in need of assistance." At that moment, Trip realized what bothered him so about this man......(An old boyfriend, is he?...)

Soval motioned for the three of them to move to the outer chamber to speak more freely. Trip was a bit reluctant at first, but when the ambassador indicated it was of utmost importance, he agreed. They went into the living area and sat down across from one another on the long flat cushioned surfaces.

"Commander....with T’Pol incapacitated, she will not be able to represent your bid to the counsel." Soval started gently.

"Well, we'll just have to reschedule....I'm sure that when they hear of T’Pol's illness, they will be amenable to a postponement." Trip looked up at the elder Vulcan, not wanting to meet the analytical stares he was getting from the competition.

"Trip....I don't know that they will be so willing to postpone....Their time is tight and if you don't go before them today, then it may be several months before they will grant you another audience." Soval pressed the young human wanting to know the level of determination he held toward this union.

"I don't know if T’Pol would want me to do that....She seems quite nervous about their reaction." Just the same way the doctor's studying gaze was making the human feel. An audible cry came from the other room, followed by muted sounds of others trying to quiet what sounded like an unhappy baby down.

"DA..DA..DA..DA" the distant sounds were heard again, followed by another round of unhappy noises.

Trip got up and pardoned himself. He left the room for the kitchen and took Elizabeth from his dad's arms. "What is it munchkin?" he asked softly, although not softly enough for the sharp ears of the Vulcans in the other room.

Stevron looked to his father......"The hybrid child......it was from the commander and T’Pol...." he surmised much to his parent's chagrin. Soval nodded. "This is why they bonded." He continued his analytical mind beginning to grasp for logical reasons for this union.

"They were bonded before the child's existence was known. It is a long story, and one that is not really for anyone's analysis." Soval now scolded his child, knowing that his curiosity might cause their security to be breached.
"Their presence here is not for general knowledge....They are still to remain aboard Enterprise until the child's safety can be assured."

"Then why are they here, if safety is of such concern?" The young man wasn't being rude, just inquisitive.

"They wanted their marriage witnessed, to give the child a proper family. Aboard the starship they cohabitate, in secret and against star fleet regulations. They wished to make their circumstances legal for all their sakes, especially before they relocate to Vulcan."

Stevron was impressed. His knowledge of Humans had led him to believe that honor and duty to family was not something this species regarded as a priority. He was glad to see that this human did, and knew now that T’Pol had chosen logically, from the humans she'd lived with these last 4 yrs.

The two Vulcans made their way into the kitchen. There they saw the commander holding his exuberant daughter and two other humans, looking less than happy to see the new additions to the group. "Trip, honey..." Catherine Tucker pulled at the material of her son's shirt, turning to face the men as they stood in the door way. His grin melted from his features, wondering if this revelation was such a smart one on the ambassador's part.
Stevron walked over to the child, fascinated by her outward appearance. She seemed to be Vulcan, in her features, her actions and even her alertness, however something about her differed from all the Vulcan babies he'd known. There was a gentleness that exuded from her and it captivated him, as it had everyone else who'd met the child.

"Dr. Stevron......This is our daughter Elizabeth Catherine Tucker." Trip started a bit uneasy.

The young man came closer and looked the child right in the eyes. Lizzie stared back his gaze with equal intensity, then smiled her sparsely toothy grin at the sight of his pointed ears. She held out her hand, hoping to connect with his mind, now relating this feature with empathic abilities. The doctor hesitated, not wishing to contact the child's emotions. Lizzie then looked to her father awaiting an explanation for the man's rudeness.

(He doesn't want to play, darlin.....not today.) Trip sent through their bond. Lizzie resorted to her backup plan......."Gurr...Gurr...Gurr" This peaked the man's curiosity.

"What is she saying?" He asked knowing instantly that the child was communicating on some level.

"Well....when you wouldn't talk with her empathically, she decided to let you know she likes you by talking Sehlat at you." Trip replied, brushing the soft locks of brown hair that curled at the base of her skull.

"Sehlat.....She's been in contact with a shot and bonded with it?" Stevron looked to his father.

"No....she's just visited Kelmouth with her mom several times." Trip replied as if the Vulcan's statement was the outrageous one.

"Excuse me... but Kelmouth died many years ago...."

"Yeah.....but in T’Pol's mind, he's alive and kick'n.....When she meditates, often she'll bring Lizzie here and they visit with him,..... her parents......grand parents....Lizzie has met all of them that way......But she does love the sehlat though." Trip was talking of something that he thought was regular practice among Vulcan's. But from the strange looks he was getting from the other ones present, he began to think that maybe this wasn't such a usual thing.

"What....don't you visit your dearly departed in this way?"

"No commander." Soval came up and watched the child reach out to him. He extended a finger and gladly accepted the little girl's warm wishes.
"This technique is something new to our people...It is one of the things detailed in the Kir'Shara and it is a wonder that T’Pol could have mastered it so quickly."

Now it was Trip's turn to be surprised. In their meditations, all this seemed so effortless to his mate. He remembered her studying the text with unyielding veraciousness, but had no idea that she was learning a whole new way to communicate with her deceased loved ones.

"Fascinating...." Stevron replied watching the effortless communication the child had with his parent. There was movement behind the young engineer and Soval realized he hadn't introduced the other humans in the room.

"Stevron, may I introduce Mr. and Mrs. Charles Tucker......They are the commander's parents." Charles held up his V position while his wife simply smiled and nodded in his direction. The young doctor returned the courtesy and went back to studying the child. Catherine became a bit nervous with that and decided it was time for a diaper change. She took Lizzie from her son and excused herself and her husband from the room. They exited and went straight into the west wing of the home, feeling the pressure decrease as they entered the security of their sleep chamber.

***

Trip, Stevron and Soval all returned to the living area. The matter of the audience with the High Counsel today was weighing heavily on the ambassador's mind. "Commander....I believe it would be in your best interest to represent yourself and T’Pol at the meeting today. I can escort you there and remain to help you with your declaration if you wish."

"I don't know.....I'd have to speak with T’Pol about it. I don't wantta do anything that might mess this meeting up, but I also don't wantta have to wait another 6 months to be married officially to her either." Trip ran his hand through his golden locks.

"My father is quite correct in pointing out that a postponement would not look favorably on the outcome of their verdict." The young Vulcan now seemed very interested in keeping the couple together.

"Yeah...but what if I blow it..." Trip was feeling the pressure.
The two men looked at each other for a translation.

"Mess up.....What if they reject my petition because T’Pol isn't there to guide me through the thing." Trip stood and began to pace.

"I will be there to translate for you.....I can also offer you legal counsel if you wish." Soval offered standing to meet the human's eyes.

"I appreciate that...but I would prefer you here to help my folks.... With T’Pol incapacitated, I don't like the idea of them being here all alone."

"I could stay with them....that would also allow me to run further scans on T’Pol's progress. Your audience with the High Counsel should only take a few hours at most. I can return at the appointed time and be back to my post with minimal time lost." Stevron was now appearing to be overly eager to get Trip out of there for some alone time with his mate.

"I appreciate that...but I can't ask you to do such a thing." Trip was looking for a polite way to get rid of this guy.

"It is a logical request and I would be most content performing this service for you and T’Pol. What is the appointed time?" Stevron stood and collected his things.

"15:30hrs." Soval added, and before Trip could offer up an objection, the young man had turned to leave.

Trip turned now to the ambassador...."I still don't know if this is what T’Pol would want me to do...."

"Then I suggest you ask her......I will return in two hours to help you prepare. Please have your answer for me at that time." Soval, like his son was out the door before the human could say another word.

(Well, now we know which side Lizzie gets her quick reaction time from.) Trip thought then went to actively seek out his folks and tell them the coast was clear of all Vulcans. Afterward, he went back into their sleep chamber and checked in on T’Pol. She rested comfortably in this dry warm place, her breaths falling evenly, without sign of effort or distress.

He cozied up to her on the bed and relaxed just feeling the security of her skin, now back to its normal warm temperature.

(What is it, Ashayam?) Her mind reached out to help calm the nervousness within him.

(I thought you were asleep.....you need your rest.) He returned nuzzling up to her even more.

(I will not rest as long as you are in turmoil, beloved.) T’Pol turned to face him and brushed a soft kiss upon his cheek.

"Soval wants me to go to the meeting anyway and represent both of us. I don't want to take the chance I might say the wrong thing and blow it." Trip looked deep into her eyes.

"I would prefer to be with you, but if Soval feels it is warranted that you go today then I would find it illogical to question him on it. Do you not wish to go through with the meeting?" T’Pol brushed back some stray golden blond that fell across his brow.

"I want this more than anything....I just don't want to mess up."

"Then go... and don't speak from emotion.....speak from logic." T’Pol was precise. "Logically list for them the reasons this bond should remain. Give them only logical examples of its importance and there will be no defense to this strategy."

"Yeah...but I haven't been playing this logical game for long....I know I'll end up emotional and go off half cocked." Trip looked away ashamed for once of his human emotions.

"Not if you care as deeply for our bond and family as I know you do..... You will remain in the logical realm to fight the battle against those that would see us apart."

"T’Pol...you make it sound like a war.....it's only a meeting." Trip smiled at her.

"Ashayam.....for Vulcans the struggle with logic is a battle we fight on a daily basis. Some days are easier than others, but never is there any rest from the internal war we have with our emotions. They will understand this and use it to see what their logic dictates as the right thing to do.....You must show them your logic on the subject and make them adopt it as theirs."

Trip thought a moment. "So you think my going is the right thing to do?" he asked looking deep into her eyes.

"I think you know it is..... I only wish I could be there to take them on for you.....but know I will be there within our bond and will help you in any way I can." T’Pol traced his chin with her fingers. This sent a relaxation through him and he smiled back at her. They huddled close for many moments.

"Where is Elizabeth?" T’Pol asked after many minutes of silence.

"With my folks.... Stevron found her too fascinating. My mom freaked and declared an emergency diaper change." Trip chuckled at that and the fact that T’Pol wasn't quite sure what to make of that comment.

"Hey.....where do you know this Stevron guy from?" Trip asked trying to bring it up in casual conversation.

"He and I attended early schooling together....He is a few years older than I. Being Soval's son, he would often accompany him here when the ambassador would come to visit my father, or my mother, after my father's death."

"So he's just a friend." Trip added hoping that a quick agreement would help to ease his distrust of the guy.

"Yes, but he was, at a point, one of my father's considerations for my chosen bondmate.....then Koss' family offered the more logical arrangement." That didn't help, and Trip was now wishing he hadn't brought the subject up. T’Pol however could feel the rising discomfort in her mate and decided to question it.

"Why?...... Do you feel jealous of him?" She asked innocently.

"No......I just wondered what you two were talking about....you know when he was talking to you in Vulcan." Trip's voice totally belied his true feelings.

"Trip....he merely asked if that was really me...... We haven't seen one another since before he joined the military..... I have changed significantly and so has he..." Again that didn't make Trip feel too good and now T’Pol was concerned this was causing him to doubt their bond.

"He is bonded Trip....... Married to a woman,.....T'Lara.......who is expecting their first child in 4 months...." T’Pol turned his face directly to hers. "He would have no interest in me, nor would I in him. That is how the bond works. There will never be anyone else for me..... only you." That's what her mate needed to hear. Suddenly the guy seemed to be his best pal and Trip decided he could be totally comfortable with the doctor's continued care of his bondmate. The rest of the hour was spent reviewing the examples T’Pol felt would work well in his plea to gain the right of marriage. She also indicated that Trip would have to once more don her father's clothes to be presentable at the meeting. It would be another hour before Soval would be back for him, so they decided to take that time and rest.
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Part 2

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A whole mess of folks have made comments

I'm first great. this was great and i'm really glad that you continued this series and I really liked Stervon.

Woo hoo! A continuation! Yesssssss! (*does victory dance*) Ahem. Nicely done, I can't wait for more! :)

Just wonderful, I'm looking forward to the next chapter, thank you.

Interesting setup. Just a quick nitpick. You wrote "circum" when you meant succumb in the below fragment.

"...but even a Vulcan can circum to the mid day heat..."

Can't wait to see how this meeting goes and see the "Logical" Trip.

This is terrific as usual, TLR. It's so good otherwise that I find the occasional grammatical errors and misspelled words a little distracting. (It may just be me, of course. I tend to be a little obsessive about spelling and grammar.) Have you ever thought about making use of a beta to clean up the little stuff so your genius can shine through more easily? (Believe me, there's no criticism intended. All of your stories are great!)

Yeah.... I realized after the fact of the spelling errors, but you'll have to excuse me on this one. I was writing this with a 102 fever and sounding like a fog horn....Late spring flu....Yikes I felt bad, but I couldn't lay down, so what else could I do... I wrote. Atleast my creativity didn't suffer from the temperature like my spelling did... Would love to get rid of this cough though...It's driving me insane......Next Chapter out by Friday.....T

Trip in Vulcan clothes...

Anyway, as always great description of the characters and the situation and Trip's jealousy is just soo cute! More please, especially of Lizzie!

Thanks again, really enjoying this story!!

yes everyone has flu this time of the year... quite funny actually, everyone is sniffing. anyway, its a great story, im really interested in how it will develop. oh and dont mind too much about the spelling errors, you hardly notice it.... except of course when someone makes a list of every single grammar mistake made in the entire story.... hey distracted, are ya up for it?

Yippee - you're continuing this storyline!

Love Soval, the S(oft) Ole Vulcan - and his son, the Doctor. Poor Trip - any chance Soval will slip him a little Vulcan Versed before his 'appointment'? It calms colonoscopy patients and helps fuzz the details of their 'experience' as well - I think he's gonna need it... T'Pol's faith in him is endearing - maybe she can slip him a little post-meditative suggestion or at least a beer?

**sending_calming_logical_thoughts_to_Trip**

p.s. Are we gonna see The List of "Benefits of a Vulcan and a Human Mating"? ;)

YAY!!! More Lizzy!!
Really good so far,,, Cant wait for Trips "Logical" reasons for him an T'pol to get hitched. And I really have to wonder if T'pol learned her leason on over compensation?? Its really cute that Lizzy is still doing the Gur thing,,,, cant wait for the next update. :)

I was secretly hoping for a bit of Stevron/Trip aggro, like him telling T'pol he still loves her and threatening to murder Trip in the kalifee or something, since you know, Trip and Tpol aren't married yet. I am sure you will take care of everything. Great, I love this as much as Little Lizzie. Yay for you!

Really interesting beginning. I'm looking forward to reading more of this story.

I am looking forward to the next installment. Nice details, especially the baby's actions. Having the flu while you wrote this must have made you really empathize with a sick T'Pol.

Excellent story, Please write more soon !

Now, Klingonraider... if I went around correcting spelling and grammar on all of the fine stories on this website without specifically being asked to do so by the authors, people would start to find me rather annoying, don't you think? It was never my intention to discourage OR criticise you,TLR. I truly hope you were not offended by my comments. I also hope you've stopped coughing.:) D

Nay....I got straight A- in college for my writing coarses....and it wasn't even hard for me to write.....I have a natural gift at it, I know... but the minus' were due to of all things, you guessed it....my spelling.....occasionally my grammar got me a few points off, but the spelling got every time...and that was in the days before spell check and Thesaurus......No I am really telling my age...it was before computers too...Yikes I'm ancient....No offense taken....I just write for the love of the stories......One question though....What is a BETA?.... I am also computer illiterate........Maybe I should invest in one....T

Sorry... "Beta" is shorthand for a "beta reader"... someone who proofs the stories beforehand and corrects the minor stuff that bugs 'em before the stories get posted. (You know... You're the guy with the ideas... so you're alpha... they just do the clean-up, so...) Of course, a Word program with spell check and grammar check would work too! :) D