Honeymoon on Vulcan - Part 2

Honeymoon on Vulcan

By: TLR

Rated: PG
Disclaimer: Enterprise is the property of UPN and Paramount Pictures........

Summary: This story picks up where part one left off. Trip and T'Pol are resting in her parents old room, Lizzie is with her grandparents in the main living area, discovering all the new and fascinating toys her grandparents have brought her and Soval is on his way back to pick up Trip for his audience with the Vulcan High Council, where he will make his bid for the hand of the woman he loves.......Enjoy.

June 15th 2005

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Part 2

"Look here Miss Elizabeth." The elder Tucker pulled yet another toy from the bag. This one was a small stuff lamb, its curly black fur and red sewn nose got the little girl's attention almost immediately. She reached out her hand and grabbed for it, pulling it to her and sticking its nose into her drool-laden mouth. She chewed steadily on it for a good few seconds, before removing the toy and waving it up and down in a frantic motion.

"Hey.... I think she likes it...... How'd you know she'd prefer the black one?" Charles asked as he watched his wife come to join the two on the blanket. She hesitated a moment, easing herself down onto the floor beside her husband and reached out to steady the little one's movements.

"Her bunny is white.....she needs something different." The older woman grabbed at the toy and found Elizabeth keeping it just out of her reach.

"Oh...you wantta play that game.....well....." She reached out again making a mock attempt to grab the item from her fingers. Falling short, she huffed.

"Darn..... I'm gonna get that...." She tried again and noticed the child's exuberant smile growing with every pass. Lizzie finally giggled loudly, speaking and sputtering as little amounts of spittle went everywhere.

"MA...MA.....MA.....MA..." The little girl turned, lamb still in hand, rolling onto her stomach. From there she got to her hands and knees and began to crawl rather stealthfully toward the east wing of the home. The grandparents watched her diaper clad bottom swish back and forth as she dragged her new friend along with her. She continued to make the same noises as she moved. "MA....MA....MA......MA....."

"Will you look at that little minx go..." Charles, Jr. laughed then noticed the rather perturbed look on his wife's face. "What.....she wants to show mom her new toy.....It's sweet..."

"Yes, but her mother has a rather bad illness and we don't know if it's contagious...... so being near her mom is the last place she needs to be." Catherine pointed in the direction of the child who by now had made it half way down the hall. Charles got up and followed closely. "Yeah but you gotta admit..... she sure does look cute, her little bottom swishing back and forth..." He commented then picked the child up just 20 feet from the heavy wooden door.

"MA....MA.....MA......MA." She protested as her grandpa brought her back to the blanket.

"We'll see your Mamma later..... She's resting now..... Let's play with these toys here..." Poppy tried to distract the little one with the broad array of toys she now had to choose from. Her mind wondered a moment and allowed her family to interest her by the actions they made with the various items. There was a knock on the door, and the older male got up to answer it. Catherine reached out a hand to let her spouse help her up. As she did so, they both turned and faced the doorway. Lizzie put down the colorful duck she held, picked up her lamb and rolled over once more... Without being noticed, she began her crawl back toward her parents' sleep chamber.

Charles, Jr. opened the door and found Soval standing just beyond. The two humans let out a collective sigh and their faces relaxed as he ushered the Vulcan male into the room. He stepped forward, toward the cushions then came upon the toy laden blanket on the floor.

"Excuse us....we were playing with..." Catherine started to explain then realized the blanket was missing a very important item...

"Elizabeth...." She exclaimed.... "Charles darling.. Where'd she go....?" The human was becoming frantic...
They all looked around and finally found her even closer to her destination then she had gotten the first time. This time it was Catherine who scooped her up and saw the surprised look upon the child's face at having been apprehended.

"She is a determined little thing...... I don't know which side she gets that from....." The older woman didn't chance setting the child down again.

"Yeah....but what gets me is that she knows where her folks are...... How could she possibly know......These are new surroundings for her..... and yet she heads right for them every time." Charles played with her stocking covered feet.

"Vulcan children can hone in on their parents through their bond. She would know where they are regardless, but having them so close, she would naturally be drawn to be with them." Soval touched the soft black toy. He saw her eyes looked a bit flustered at having her plans disturbed.

"As for being determined.....Curious is more the word...... Vulcan children have a growing need for information. The child simply wanted to know more about the toy and figured her mother would explain it to her." Now Soval reached out his finger to the little girl. She hesitated a moment, still a bit miffed at her detour, then relented grabbing onto it with a strong, unyielding grip.

Soval could feel the child's concern at not seeing her parents and tried to relay to her that they were resting.... He reassured the child her grandparents were there to keep her safe and that she could relax in having only them around for now. His thoughts seemed to help the little one, who then began playing with the fur on her new found friend. Catherine noticed the change and offered up her thanks.

"What ever you said to her really must have done the trick. Thank you...I guess she doesn't quite understand words yet.....not like she does that bond thing."

"Glad to have been of service.....It must be difficult not being able to communicate like normal Vulcan parents. But she will come to understand you as she does her mother and your son.....It will just take a bit of time..."

***

Trip lay with his mate in his arms. He'd been awake most of the hour they set aside for rest and knew that it was just about time for him to get ready for his meeting with the High Council. He watched as the features on T'Pol's face showed that her condition was improving and he could at least not have to worry about that anymore. She turned to face him in her sleep, nuzzling against him and Trip couldn't help but be lost in the comfort her closeness brought to him. He wished he could just stop time at this moment, now having everything he'd ever wished for....but frustrated he knew he couldn't.

"What is it?" a soft voice came from beside him.

"Sorry....did I wake you again?" Trip asked turning his eyes to hers.

"No....actually it was Elizabeth....she was calling out for me and it is hard not going to her." T'Pol ran a hand along her mate's chest. The soft cotton of his T-shirt felt smooth against her palm.

"I know.... I heard her too.....something about a different fuzzy bunny?" Trip smiled at the wonder that was his daughter.

"Where did she get a different fuzzy bunny?" T'Pol questioned his interpretation of the little girl's thoughts.

"My parents.....they brought her a whole lot of toys, stuff animals and such.... Mom's making up for not having been there for the last 6 months." He ran a hand lightly over her hair, brushing back the bangs that lay wet against her forehead.

"Why does she not save them for her Birthday celebration.....?"

"Because.....that's 6 days away.... My mom would burst if she had to deprive her only grand daughter of playing with toys for that long. Don't worry....she's got a few hidden for the big event." Trip leaned in and planted a soft kiss upon her skin. T'Pol pulled herself to him harder, clinging as tightly as possible to his solid reassuring frame.

"Besides....how else are they gonna sidetrack her from wanting to be with us for the three days we'll be on our honeymoon. You know that's not gonna go over well..."

"Perhaps we should take her with us." T'Pol started and was abruptly curtailed.

"No....this is our honeymoon and that little munchkin needs to learn that there are others who love her and will protect her when we are not around. This time is for us....to be together.....I want to spend it looking deep into your eyes and not watching as you keep our daughter entertained...." There was possessiveness to Trip's words that appealed to the Vulcan...

"Understood....but she will not make it easy on your parents....."

"Well, my folks have had to deal with determined kids all their lives, one more isn't gonna be that bad." Trip again kissed her forehead and tugged at the arm he had wrapped about her frame.

"It's getting late.... You should prepare for the ambassador's arrival." T'Pol stated the obvious, knowing full well that was all that her beloved had been thinking about.

"I know..... Where are the clothes I'll need." Trip eased his arm out from around her and looked back to see where she would indicate.

"I will get them for you." T'Pol started to sit up, then felt a slight dizziness pull at her mind.

"See.....you stay put....just tell me and I'll get them." Trip sensed her discomfort and watched as she pointed to the cabinet at the far end of the room. He walked over to it, feeling a bit like he was getting ready to go through things he had no right to see. Opening it, he saw a variety of men's apparel, pants and jackets in muted colors of brown, olive green and bronzy gold. He selected the ones he wore before not knowing if that would be appropriate, then turned to lay them on the bed, awaiting her approval. He watched as T'Pol's hand ran along the shimmering fabric, sensing in her the sadness at seeing the all too familiar clothes.

"They will fit you well." T'Pol's words mimicked her mother's to the human so many months ago.

"I know.... Your mom seemed to like the way I looked in them." Trip started to remove his own sweats and tee.

"These were her favorites of my father's clothes. She was pleased to see them in use again after all those many years." T'Pol eased up on her elbows affording herself a better view of her mate's body as he undressed. She lingered over the curve of his back and bottom, seeing the smooth line his underwear made clinging to his form as it did. Trip sensed her interest and turned to see her eyes on his body.

"You know....once you get better, we can do something about that....." His words broke her stare. He smiled back at her flustered look. "But until then darlin'...." He came over to her still only in his briefs. "I think we should keep the exertion level to a minimum...." He kissed her softly on the lips then went back to getting the strange fitting items on.

The young man sat upon the bed, easing his legs one at a time into the pants. He noted once again that the fasteners for the apparel were on the side. His curiosity peaked, this time not lost in sadness over loosing his mate.

"Tell me sump'n?" Trip started and turned to indicate the side clasp.

"How do they go to the bathroom in these things?"

T'Pol looked at him a bit puzzled. She couldn't understand what the correlation was between the fastener and using the restroom. Trip continued as he saw her still not understanding him. "I mean, how do they.....?" He eased the front flap over indicating that there was no easy way to access the necessities while wearing the slacks. T'Pol now started to surmise his concern.

"I would assume they would go before they dressed..." she returned evenly, still a bit puzzled why this fact intrigued him so.

"Yeah, but what if they gotta go in the middle of the day?" He pressed on, still fiddling with the clasp.

"They would not have to.....Vulcan's discipline their bodies to control their functions. They would simply tend to such matters before dressing and before retiring....I would assume....Since I have never seen a Vulcan male go to....... I have no frame of reference to formulate a response. However if this concerns you further, you may ask Ambassador Soval.... I am sure he would share with you the needed information."

Trip just stared at her in total amusement. He realized that the question was a stupid one to begin with, but she'd taken it so seriously, and gave it great thought..... He knew he would never tire of her unending fascination with humans and their need to know. It was T'Pol's turn to question his response. She couldn't understand why he found so much amusement in her trying to provide him with the answer he sought.

"It was just a stupid question sweetie....... I don't think I'll be ask'n the ambassador about sump'n like that..." He again kissed her on the cheek and saw the features of her face soften in delight.

Trip finish closing the top neck buttons of his jacket. He remembered briefly the difficulty he had with them before, mostly due to his distress over the wedding. He also remembered the warm hands of T'Pol's mother as she came up and tried to soothe him with her words. He turned to his beloved.

"How do I look?" He asked holding out his arms and allowing the clothing to lie flat against his skin.

"Very appropriate..... My father would be pleased his clothes would be used to help us achieve our marriage."

"Yeah.... and I think your mom would be relieved as well. I got the impression the last time that she wished I'd throw a human temper tantrum and put a stop to the wedding." Trip swung the large cape like cloak around his shoulders and fiddled with the tie.

"What do you mean?" T'Pol asked him in a quiet whisper that signaled to her mate that she was feeling saddened by the mention of her mother's name.

Trip came over to her and sat on the side of the bed. "Your mom and I had a long talk while I was getting ready for the wedding. She could feel my sadness and knew how much I felt for you.....Maybe even before I did. When she confronted me with those feelings, I didn't hide them from her. It felt like she was pleading with me to tell you before you married Koss."

"Then why didn't you?" T'Pol asked taking some comfort in finding out her parent truly wanted for her happiness.

"Because....I knew you weren't marrying him for love....you were doing it for your mom..... Vulcan's do that kinda thing.....I knew if I told you, you'd probably just go through with the wedding to Koss, only this time it would be even more unbearable then it already was." Trip took her hand and brought it to his face. "Why....would it have made a difference?"

T'Pol looked down to the coverlet. "I knew of your feelings for me..... I had known for a while..... That was part of the reason I asked you to come to Vulcan with me in the first place..... but my obligations to my family..... I could not disregard them..... even for my own happiness......my mother knew this."

"That's what I figured..... I didn't want to make things worse for you by speaking them..." Trip pulled her eyes to his. "Besides..... True love survives everything..... It wasn't easy, but I finally got you as mine and I'm never letting go...." Again his possessiveness was showing and T'Pol took comfort in finally being happy with the circumstances in her life. There was a soft knock upon the door.

"Trip....." Charles, Jr. opened it slowly. He looked in at the figure of his boy draped now in the regal robes of this strange planet. "The ambassador is here son..... I think it's about time for you to go with him."

Trip just nodded and looked back to T'Pol. She placed a hand upon his cheek and sent loving support through their bond to him. He smiled at her his understanding then tucked the coverlet back around her shoulders. "You rest.....I'll be back before ya know it." He leaned down and kissed her on the lips softly. T'Pol watched as he rose and went to join his father at the door. They exited and she suddenly felt all the fear her mate had been shielding from her.

***

It wasn't long after Stevron arrived, that Trip found himself sitting beside the Ambassador in the small ground transport. They both donned their hoods, the engineer now realizing the need for the Vulcan clothing. It was never the intention for him to have to dress this way for the proceedings. However, to get into the council chambers relatively unnoticed, he would have to blend in. With his blond hair and blue eyes, blending would be the last thing he could achieve. The ambassador had arranged for them to enter the council chambers through a lesser traveled entrance. He still had to pass through security, which had been heightened since the bombing, now over a year ago, however his disguise worked well getting him from the transport, into the building. Trip kept his head down and the hood drawn low over his features as Soval had instructed. He was glad that their passage went so smoothly and within moments, they found themselves in the large empty council chambers.

Trip stood nervously fidgeting from one foot to the other. This didn't go unnoticed by Soval who was at this point attempting some light meditation to prepare him for the fight at hand. There was a rustling of feet and opening of doors, then in stepped T'Pau accompanied by 8 other council men. They were all dressed in darkened robes, hoods framing their faces gracefully. They entered and took their places along what appeared to be a judicial bench. As they settled in, Soval motioned for Trip to take a seat next to him on the marble slab that passed as a defense table. The two waited in silence for the council woman to speak first.

"We are here to consider the petition brought forth to us by Commander Charles Tucker III of the star ship Enterprise." Her words were even and betrayed no sense on her part as to which way she would go on the matter.

The Ambassador looked to Trip and motioned for him to stand and commence. He did so, folding his hands before him in a relaxed way, the full open ends of his cloak hiding the nervous movements his fingers made against each other. Trip felt awkward having to recite the words the ambassador had told him to say, but at least he was glad he didn't have to do so in Vulcan.

"I am here to claim my rights to the woman T'Pol, daughter of T'Les, daughter of Stepon, to be my mate. I would take on any and all challengers to this petition and request this committee grant me possession of her as per Vulcan law." The words trembled slightly as they came from his mouth, Trip feeling a bit like a slave master requesting to buy yet another human life. He felt the reassuring glance of Soval as he looked back to be sure he didn't leave out anything.

"Is the female present?" T'Pau asked looking past the two gentlemen.

"No....Council woman....she is ill..... I am here to speak on her behalf." Soval stood next to the human, his relaxed form comforting the engineer, like a good friend in a time of need.

"To what right do you speak of in possession of the female, T'Pol?" The council man on the right of T'Pau spoke up out of turn.

"The right of Kun'ut so'lik ." Trip answered, in his best Vulcan phrasing, his accent didn't go unnoticed on the group.

"You speak of a bond witnessing ceremony.....are you proposing that you and the female have already bonded?" Yet another council man added a bit amazed by this human's grasp on the ritual.

"Yes....We have bonded....by choice, now we wish to have it witnessed to make our claims legal in both the human and Vulcan realms." Trip was starting to feel a little like one of Phlox's amebas under the microscope that was this courtroom.
"Indeed.....and why do you propose that your request should be granted?" Now it was T'Pau's turn to speak. "You are not of this world.... You do not fall under our laws per say."

"I am bonded to a Vulcan citizen..... I am prepared to live my life under Vulcan laws and be respectful to a Vulcan lifestyle. We hope to one day come back here to reside for good, hence this ceremony would make our cohabitation legal in the eyes of its people. It is a logical step in forming a life here on Vulcan for myself, my mate and our offspring." Trip bit his lip, but knew that Lizzie was an important card that had to be played early enough to sway public opinion.

That statement didn't go unnoticed by the group. "Your offspring..... Commander you are aware that there has never been a successful replication of Human and Vulcan genomes." The third council man to the right added in.

"Until now....." Trip held up a picture of his daughter. He wasn't sure if this was a smart move on his part, but knew that her existence would come out sooner or later and needed them to know that the possibility had come to pass. She was their child, no matter how she came into being and it was gonna be something they'd have to reckon with right here, right now.

The council men leaned forward and studied the screen closely. "The hybrid child we heard of.....so it wasn't a myth as we were led to believe." Yet another council man heard from.

"No....she is real...and she is ours..." Trip exclaimed standing proudly in front of his judges.

"And this is the reason you two chose to bond?" T'Pau asked innocently.

"No....we were bonded long before this.....We chose to bond before T'Pol's marriage to Koss, but were unaware that the bond had formed until after her marriage ended." Trip relayed the facts, then felt a bit of hesitation on his mate's end.

(What aren't they suppose to know about that?) He asked her through their bond.

(It would not be a subject I would have brought up, but no matter now. Continue... you are doing well Ashayam.)

"Then her marriage to Koss was not an honorable one?" This time the council man on the far right of T'Pau was taking an interest in the young woman's integrity.

"T'Pol had no knowledge of our bond at that time... Nor do I believe her marriage was an honorable one, but not for the reasons you suggest. T'Pol was forced into marriage with Koss by his father who threatened to persecute her mother if she didn't honor her father's commitment." Trip was now getting the hang of this logical game.

"She married him to fulfill her family's obligation, but had no intention of bonding with him, for she felt this, a deceptive practice, but was helpless to keep her mother from persecution." Now the engineer felt he was getting their sympathy.

"Entering into a marriage without intention of bonding is a deceptive practice at best...." Trip's face fell to the floor as T'Pau began her speech.

"It would have been more logical for her to petition the High Command for a review and let her mother air her grievances in open court."

"Yes...but Koss' father was the High Command....and with all the Romulan involvement in that old system, do you really believe she could have gotten fair treatment?" Trip responded his annoyance showing a bit.

(Trip....please.....control your emotions.) T'Pol pleaded with him.

T'Pau considered his words a moment then agreed. "Our past problems might have made it difficult for her to get justice, as you say, however to knowingly marry another when you are bonded to someone else is not logical."

This time it was Soval's turn to step up. "But as he pointed out, Councilwoman, T'Pol and the commander weren't aware of their bond at the time. The bond between a human and a Vulcan is most likely a weaker one in the beginning and she probably mistook it for simple background noise, as many of us that work closely with Humans perceive. The Commander knowing little of our customs, at the time wouldn't have known it as anything more than a day dream..." Trip was surprised at how much the Ambassador knew. (Had T'Pol been filling him in,) he wondered, but he was just glad to have him on their side.

"Perhaps.....however that does not make your request a logical one..... I am concerned you know little of what it means to be a bond mate." T'Pau leaned forward looking intensely at the young human. Trip was floored by her statement.

"Excuse me, councilwoman, but I don't find your statement all that logical. T'Pol and I are bonded. We share a very strong and committed connection between us. One which both of us desire to continue and neither of us would do anything to jeopardize. We also share a child's future, one that is bright, hopeful and full of possibilities, that is as long as her parents are there to guide her......both of her parents.... How could you find my request illogical..... On Earth, these are exactly the reasons humans marry..... Why here is this so different?....... You say I don't know enough about this bonding thing, well perhaps that is true, but the only way I am gonna learn is to continue on in it and watch as it grows stronger with every passing day." Trip was now visibly tense and nothing T'Pol could say would have helped him, so she remained silent.

"Commander....I do not deny that your reason's are just, to ask for the Kun'ut so'lik , however the extent to which you are unaware of the needs of your bondmate is what is making your request invalid. As for the growth of your bond, there is still time...... Your bond may be dissolved and a proper bondmate can be chosen for the female T'Pol.... One who can guarantee her needs be met." T'Pau's voice was even, not realizing at all the amount of anger she was stirring in the human male.

Trip was shocked.... He absently walked forward toward the council members, dazed and simmering. Soval's hand upon his arm was the only thing that kept him from reaching out and grabbing the small disagreeable female off her perch and onto the floor. "I can't believe you.......I came here, all this way to respectfully ask for a simple marriage ceremony.....Instead you tell me that not only can I not marry T'Pol, that you intend to dissolve our bond and pick another more suitable male for her needs...... You have the audacity to say I am not man enough for her......and yet I am ten times the man that any of you guys are.......I would do anything for my mate....anything...even die for her if that is what it took to keep her safe and happy..... I dare say anyone simply picked from a group would do the same..." Trip paced around in a circle still ranting lowly to himself.

"That is exactly my point." T'Pau started and was cut off.

"What....because I'm human.....because I have emotions and I'm not afraid to let them out.....Well let me tell you one thing, miss high and mighty Vulcan..... Expressing emotions may be taboo to you, but I sure as hell know some Vulcans who could use a good emotional enema, starting with a few in this room....... Geez....to think I actually started to believe I had misjudged you Vulcans...... Well it just goes to show you.....Maybe first impressions are right." Trip wheeled around and moved as close as Soval would let him get to the committee.

"Well one thing is for sure..... I am not gonna let a bunch of repressed 60 and 80 year old Vulcans dictate my life for me.... Any of you try and dissolve my bond with T'Pol and you're gonna have a fight on your hands..... It's a shame though..... Elizabeth did so love it here and I was truly hoping she could grow up learning about her people.....but it's clear that we are not welcome here.... I will get my family together and leave immediately...." Trip turned and started for the door.

"Are you quite finished yet Commander?" T'Pau's undaunted tone peaked his curiosity. Trip came back up to the Ambassador and let out a very pissed sigh.

"No one here will force you and T'Pol to dissolve your bond, nor can anyone here deny your petition for the Kun'ut so'lik." Trip slapped his hands to his thighs and made a very exaggerated disgusted sound. Soval laid a hand on his shoulder urging him to await the rest of the woman's response.

"I am just concerned, that T'Pol has not considered wisely in her choosing a human as a bond mate. It has nothing to do with your dedication to her and your child. That is evident. It has to do with her concern for your safety.... I do not believe she has given sufficient thought to this matter." T'Pau folded her hands in front of her upon the wooden surface.

"What,.... cause some human hating Vulcan will try and hurt me.... Come on... I know that Terra Primers are a threat.....but do you actually believe that there are Vulcans that would go against their teachings and harm me simply because I chose to bond with one of their own?" Trip's face was scrunched up in puzzlement, still a bit miffed that he had to go through with all this aggravation. "Well...don't worry about me......I can take care of myself."

(What is it with these people....why are they being so stubborn?) Trip's mind reached out to T'Pol's and found it curiously silent.

"And if there is no way my petition can be turned down, then why are you all putting me through this drama. I have stated my request, are you gonna grant it or not?" The young engineer watched as the committee silently considered their next response. T'Pau looked at the rest of her councilmen, then decided to broach the intensely personal subject she had been eluding too.

"Commander....there are no Vulcans that would pose a threat to you or your family.... This threat to your life comes from your bonding with a Vulcan female. Clearly you have not discussed fully with T'Pol all the requirements a bondmate has in keeping up with the needs of his or her mate. Nor has T'Pol thought this out rationally, knowing full well her requirements would most likely pose a threat to your existence." T'Pau seemed quite concerned for the young man, and yet she was talking in riddles and it was beginning to give the engineer a major headache.

"What needs are you referring too?" He asked simply trying to get to the bottom of this puzzle. He looked to Soval for assistance and found him as loathed to speak of it as the rest of them were.

"Her needs for mating." T'Pau finally found the courage to break the silence.

"Hey....don't worry about that.... T'Pol and I mated long ago.... We have no problems in that area.... She poses no threat to me.... I mean it can get a little rough at times, but that's how good sex can be." Trip couldn't believe he was discussing his and T'Pol's sex life with a committee of her peers.

"Commander," T'Pau was getting more frustrated at having to go into this very intimate subject. "You and T'Pol may have had sexual relations......however she is too young to have been properly mated yet.... Her time has not come and I don't believe you realize how dangerous that can be for you."

"Pardon me....but T'Pol says we have mated....and I believe her..." Trip got defensive and wondered why he heard nothing from his mate on the subject.

"While it is true, shared sexual relations is a technical form of mating...... It is not the real standard that Vulcans consider their mating time. Being bonded, there is no doubt that T'Pol feels the need to satisfy your sexual urges.... That is what a bond does.... It allows your mate to fulfill your needs as they arise..... It is unlikely that most if any of those urges were T'Pol's.....And clearly none were from her time of mating..... You would have been able to determine the difference." T'Pau absently leaned back into her chair.

"I don't know what you're referring too, but I know that not all those urges were mine..... There have been many times that T'Pol has initiated sex..... Hell sometimes she so determined, she'll take me right on the spot. If that isn't her urge, then I don't know what is." Trip couldn't believe he didn't hear an objection to that one and wondered a moment, if T'Pol wasn't telling him the whole truth.

T'Pau looked frustrated for the first time during these proceedings. She thought intensely trying to find another way to let this man know she wasn't trying to be difficult, that she truly only had his safety in mind. Trip saw her concerns and decided to get some closure to this subject.

"Look.....what ever you are referring too....It's clearly between me and T'Pol. One thing is for certain, I know T'Pol would never do anything to harm me... Nor would she not have already thought of these things before she allowed us to bond. There have been other Human Vulcan couples....have they had this problem you speak of?"

"The other couples, few as they have been, have not chosen to reside on either Vulcan or Earth due to the prejudice that your planet and our old command structure presented. We have little information to track if they survived their time of mating and cannot go on, in good conscience not making you aware of the dangers..... As for T'Pol having considered this in advance, while it is true she is a very intelligent and resourceful female, I have it on good authority that her time in the Expanse left her with some injury to the control centers of her brain, which may have allowed this bond to form against her better judgment....."

"What are you talking about.....there is nothing wrong with her emotional control or her judgment." Trip was now wondering how much he didn't know about his mate, but didn't belie his concerns to these people. From a distance, T'Pol started to feel his concern and was now wondering if her plan to handle the dangers they spoke of was a truly good one.

"During your time in the Expanse.....your ship came upon the Seleya.....Its crew was badly injured, their minds ripped from them by exposure to Trellium D. T'Pol was affected from her time aboard that ship and came back to Enterprise altered and violent. Is that not so commander?"

T'Pau stated the facts, and the rest of the committee watched as she pinned the young man into remembering the event.

"Yes....but she got better.... She was fine after just about a week in sickbay...I don't see how this can have any bearing on what led to our bonding." Trip knew things were rough on the first officer, but began to piece together the facts, that it was after the Seleya that their night of passion had taken place. A sickening feeling arose in his stomach and Trip choked it down, not wanting these arrogant people to see his doubts.

"Perhaps, but her medical records indicated permanent damage to her neuro pathways that could account for her lapse in judgment in bonding with you. Nothing personal commander....you have proven to be a worthy mate for T'Pol, but T'Pol, as all Vulcans, swore an oath upon entering the military not to intentionally harm any other species. It is a belief our culture lives by and I believe she has not truly thought out this matter, and could potentially put you at risk for her actions..... As I have said before... we can not make you dissolve your bond, nor can we deny your petition for the Kun'ut so'lik. We are simply asking that you think this request through fully... Go back and discuss it with your mate..... I believe that both of you will come up with the logical answer..."

Trip stood there defeated.....He pondered a moment, noting now quite loudly T'Pol's absence of comment to these accusations. He stared at the floor and wondered what he should do about this evidently complex matter. He searched his heart and found no question about the answer. Slowly starting to shake his head, Trip began..."No......You said we have the right to this bond and to the ceremony...... I am right here and right now claiming that right and demand a date be set. I have no doubts in my bond with T'Pol....and no doubt that my mate will provide for my safety when this time of mating thing occurs." Trip stood erect, pushing his shoulders back, chest out and head held high, awaiting the response. The entire committee turned to see what the petite female in the center would do.

"Very well.... Commander.... I am impressed at your conviction for your mate..... The Kun'ut so'lik will take place one week from today, at the home of T'Pol's ancestors. I myself will attend and arrange for the priests to perform the ceremony. If you have a change of heart, Commander...." T'Pau left it open to the clearly enamored young man. Trip nodded abruptly not wanting to extend a prolonged courtesy to this aggravating female. The committee stood to leave. They reprised their hoods, and filed out in an orderly manner, each taking a final look at the human who was just now starting to relax his jaw for the first time since the proceedings began. Trip turned to Soval...

"Ya mind tell'n me what that was all about?"

"I think it would be best discussed between you and T'Pol. Come, I will return you to your home...." Soval donned his hood and motioned for Trip to do the same. The remainder of the ride home was a quiet one, and something in the young engineer wasn't too thrilled with the thought of his and T'Pol's upcoming conversation.

***

Back at T'Pol's home, her soon to be in-laws were busy chasing a rather precocious little Lizzie. She had her times crawling from room to room, always heading in the direction of the sleep chamber that held her mother. Catherine had become more than a little exasperated trying to distract her from her mission. Stevron remained silent on the couch watching the interactions, taking careful assessments of the child's skills and developmental levels. Occasionally he would get up and check in on his patient in the other room. Most of the time he found her to be resting, or at least appearing to be, but this final check found her laying there, her eyes open, looking blankly off into the distant light of the late day sun. He approached her, running yet another in a series of scans over her frame.

"You are healing well...." the young male sat down upon the bed.

"I am most fortunate that you could come and assist me in getting the treatment I needed." T'Pol returned and looked up at her old friend.

"Your daughter is quite amazing." He offered knowing that her dedication to the child would be a welcome subject.

"She is very intelligent.... and I find that her curiosity is even greater than a pure Vulcan child's would be." T'Pol turned a bit beneath the covers to rest upon her back. "Is she behaving well for her foreparents?"

"Yes...but she wishes to see you and is most determined to achieve that feet." Stevron relaxed into an almost soft smile.

"May she.... or must we still remain separated, due to my illness." T'Pol definitely was feeling the need to tend to her child."

"The fact that she is of special origins..... I would ask that you remain apart until tomorrow.... Then I can be certain the antibiotics have taken hold well enough to keep her from danger...." Stevron pulled the coverlet up around her shoulders in a most caring way.

"I have heard of your bonding...." T'Pol started making some friendly conversation. "Congratulations on your upcoming child.....do you know whether it is a boy or girl yet?"

"A male.....and I understand the bond you share with your daughter.... My son has been communicating with both my mate and I since his early conception. He is quite intelligent and seems to have a million questions...I had no idea that he would be starting so soon with his quest for knowledge." Stevron's voice held an almost palpable love for his yet unborn child.

"Yes..... Trip didn't believe me when I first told him of our daughter's questions..... but slowly he began to understand them himself, and now he wonders how I ever kept up with her demand for so much knowledge." T'Pol saw a curious look come across her friend's face as she mentioned her human bond mate. "What.....you have a question about my bonding with a human male?"

"I heard of your bonding with Koss....I was pleased that your life had returned to some sense of normalcy. After you resigned your commission with the High Command, I wondered what kind of life you could have with those humans... I was relieved, as was my father to hear of your marriage and I hoped this would bring you back to your home and your people." Stevron was speaking as a true friend and for the first time, T'Pol wondered just how much feelings this male held for her.

"My marriage to Koss was coerst. His father held my mother's career and her honor as a bargaining tool, and I was obligated to help my parent. The initial agreement between my family and Koss' had been broken two years earlier, when I refused to come home and marry him at the appointed time. I was under the assumption, there was no further desire to have me as a bond mate, by his family. It wasn't until I returned home from the Expanse, did I find him there trying to force his right of marriage using my mother's position at the academy as incentive." T'Pol eased herself up a bit to sit before her friend.

"Your mate.... he was there at the ceremony.... How come he did not challenge Koss for possession of you?" Stevron wondered why the human would allow his mate to marry another.

"Because...I didn't tell him about his right of challenge. Also I knew that even as a skilled combatant, Koss' superior strength and the heat of our atmosphere would probably overwhelm a human in combat with a Vulcan." T'Pol was now wondering what her friend thought of her logic on the matter.

"Is your mate good to you?" He asked curiously.

"Yes....he is very thoughtful to my needs and has made a wonderful father to Elizabeth.... She delights greatly in his presence in our bond." T'Pol now showed a soft smile of contentment.

"DoTn't his emotions overwhelm you...?"

"At times, but he is more responsive to that as well. When he senses my distress, he forces calm over himself to help alleviate my discomfort. He is also learning meditation techniques to better shield me from his overly emotional times." T'Pol realized at that moment all the changes her mate had made to be with her.

"He seems an admirable fellow...... It will not be easy for him....Conforming to a Vulcan's needs..... Do you feel he can survive it?" T'Pol knew all too well what the young man was eluding too.

"I feel that together, we can come up with a solution that will provide for his safety..."

"Indeed.... I am of the desire that you are able to achieve this..... It would seem that you have chosen wisely from the available males aboard your ship. He seems to be very adaptable to our culture and wishes only the best for you and your daughter. But what about other offspring..... Surely you are aware that there has never been a successful conception between a Human and a Vulcan..... This child was created in a lab..... Do you expect to have more children created in this way?" Now the man was being clinical.

"There has been one other Vulcan Human hybrid that we have met... who was not created in any lab. I have the specifications on the technology required to create such a child, but know that it may not work. For the Commander and me, we are content with Elizabeth, but if this technology should work for us, another child would be welcomed as our daughter has been."

This point fascinated the young man's inner scientist. "Do you plan to share this knowledge?" he asked almost knowing the answer before he spoke the question.

"I believe for now, this knowledge would not be too popular....However in time..... perhaps the air on our two worlds will change and then if the technology is correct, we would be eager to share it with the scientific community." T'Pol wondered still what her friend thought of her decision.

"Then you are content with your decision to mate with a human?" He asked a last time.

"Yes....very....."

"Then I am pleased that you found yourself someone to be so connected with and wish your family much success in its future growth." There it was, Stevron's stamp of approval... T'Pol nodded softly back.

"Most kind...." She relaxed knowing her friend would not pose a problem in her upcoming ceremony. However the discussion her mate was heading home to have with her was now starting to play upon her mind.

*******************************************************************

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A whole mess of folks have made comments

I love where this is going... Until this chapter, it hadn't occurred to me that in this version of events Trip still knows nothing about Ponfarr. Are we gonna get a marvelously hot, cold shower-requiring, smut-fest of a Ponfarr story soon? I hope so... I love 'em!

Well, that didn't go anything like I was expecting! At least Trip got thru the interview without losing his temper - Can't wait for that talk with T'Pol. Will the 'Kun'ut so'lik' trigger a pon farr-like mating frenzy? If so, will Vulcan EMS be on hand? with some Vulcan Viagra? haha. Poor Trip-nothin' with T'Pol is easy for him.

Lizzie's adorable, as usual. Glad StevieRon approves of T'Pol's bonding with Trip.

Looking forward to Monday...

[Did you mean "coerced" rather than "co-worst"?]

Great story. I loved Little Lizzie and this one as well. Keep writing.

Your sotory is very good, it is obvious you have a fertile imagination, but the council scene was a bit long winded and you have several blatant spelling errors...you really need a beta to go over your writing...sloppiness diminishes the power of your story
Vulcan's--Vulcans
feet--feat
co-worst.--coerced

wow, what a fantastic chapter, can't wait for the next.. Thank you for your time, looking forward to monday.

Thanks for the feedback.. This story line is a lot of fun to write. I have a hard time not expanding it. I knew co-worst wasn't what I was looking for, but do you know that is a real word. I couldn't look up it's meaning on Thesaurus, but spell check passed it. That is what is so difficult for me. All the words do pass spell check and I do use Thesaurus to look up any that I question, but damned if I still let a few slip...... I guess I just write too fast... I have the reader program, read and re-read the stories several times back to me before I turn them in, but no matter what I do, they still get by me. Sorry about that. Still got that damn cough that is driving me insane, but unfortunately I'm not sick enough to be home from work. That's not stopping this story though, I'm just putting the finishing touches on the next part due out by Monday.... Till then....Have a great father's day weekend everyone......T

UhOh!!!!!!!!! T'polly forgot to tell Trip a very important thing,,,,,;) This should be a very interesting conversation... An God is Lizzy a hand full or what! LOL I bet she'll have T'pol pulling out hair sooner or later. Man I loved this chapter,, an cant wait for the next one.. Just one thing that always bugged me,,, I Think Trip did have possibly an even an fair chance of beetin Koss.. Vulcans think Logicaly and Humans think out of the Box, thats a good advantage to have,, Pluss Trip is a trained Millitary officer who has proven himself in some pretty harsh conditions before (Dont care what anyone says,, they have Millitary Ranks, that Makes Starfleet officers Millitary IMO) ,,,Pluss if that Old fart of a center chair Monkey Archer can beet up a couple VHC Vulcan Commando's then Trip should be able to take on one Fat Vulcan Architect,, Pluss He played Football, I think?, ;) much tougher sport then Water Polo will ever be.. Sorry bout that,,, It just buggs the shit outa me when people assume that a Vulcan always has the upper hand. Loved this chappie!!!

Mitchell, I suppose it's possible that Trip could have beaten Koss if he got in the first lick, but I'm afraid he would be too much of a gentleman to strike first...and then his head would be mush...(Am I the only person on this site old enough to remember what the computer terminal on TOS looked like after Spock got pissed and hit it with ONE FIST?...Not a pretty sight if it's someone's head!) If I were T'pol, I sure wouldn't risk it!

TLR, You sound frustrated. Don't let the man (or in my case the obsessive-compulsive woman) get you down. Just write your stories and we'll enjoy them, and if you ever want another pair of eyes to supplement that spell-check program, just let me know. (That's the real trouble with machines... They can tell you if it's a word that exists and is spelled correctly, but they can't tell you if it makes sense.)

I always a story where they're together, but at this point I'd find it hard to believe that Trip doesn't know about Pon Farr!! Yes your spelling mistakes are a bit jarring because they are so unique!! LOL.

Spell check doesn't always catch mistakes like that because like Distracted says, it's a machine, and they can't catch all nuances of language. If you need a beta for spelling and overall style (I'd be hopeless with ST canon) please feel free to contact me.

sorry.....I always LIKE a story......

I didn't say Trip couldn't have taken him, but would he have been able to kill him..It is after all a fight to the death....You wouldn't want our Trip to have to murder someone face to face. It was bad enough he had to rig the lunar mining colony to explode like he did to get Lizzie away... Do you really want him having to come to terms with that. And as for Pon Farr.... How would he know, it's not like they list it in the Vulcan data base.....Yikes Phlox doesn't even know about it and he's a physcian. Believe me, if you are a student of the old Star Trek... Bones knew nothing of it....and if she hasn't gone through it yet, why jeopardize there relationship by telling him before the I do's..... That would be too honorable even for T'Pol...Besides what man would sign on for life threatening sexual carnage. Okay yes there is probably a few out there, but come on. Thats taking the term safe sex to a whole new level.....Chew that one over......T

Is that you, TLR? (For some reason you put TLC... A Freudian slip if I ever saw one... Do you need some after all this criticism, you poor thing?) I'm old enough to remember TOS quite clearly, and I agree with you, but I still think it's a mite out of character for T'pol to be willing to risk his life and not give him any say about it until he's already bound for good... Okay, so maybe she's so in LUUUV that she won't risk him saying no by telling him beforehand, and she's got some great plan to keep him safe. I'm gonna go with that and let YOU run with it. I can hardly wait to see what happens next.

Awesome!!! I love this sequel! I can't wait for Trip and T'Pol's conversation about Pon Farr! Please keep up the great work and keep 'em coming! (And I hope you get over your cough soon.)

hey startrek_chick, io don't believe TLR has any spelling mistakes , because i believe she might be from a country other then america i think ?

I wish I could say that I was from another country, cause right now with my cough and laryngitis(sp?) I sound like I'm from mars, but nope, I am a good old country girl, born and raised. Now If anyone has a good old remedy for a stubborn chronic cough, please write in cause I am about ready to cough up a lung.... Help please....T

The best remedy I can recommend is to go see your doctor. Don't wait until you get pneumonia or something... then we'll never find out how the story ends! LOL. (Seriously, though, I'm worried about you. Please go BEFORE you cough up a lung!) :) D

I really enjoyed Little Lizzie. I almost never read a story until it is complete, but I could not resist this one. I am a terrible speller, and since this has no spell check please forgive any spelling errors.

As far as Pon Farr goes, since T'Pol knows how to concieve a child thanks to Lorian's mother, it would be logical to assume that the older T'Pol also shared her method for keeping Trip safe durring Pon Farr. After all they obviously got through it at least once sucessfully.

A doctor makes sence, hot totties, steam, and cough drops sometimes help too. I hope you feel better.

Excellent chapter. Look forward to the "Pon Farr" converstation.

I'm enjoying this series very much. Poor Trip, no clue about Pon Farr, and the Vulcans still dance all around it when they're just trying to be helpful and give him a clue about its dangers. Can't wait to see how T'Pol explains it to him. Love little Elizabeth, my youngest niece was very much like that just a few months ago so it was easy to picture. Hope you feel better soon.

This should be interesting! I can't wait to hear THAT horribly awkward conversation. But, I'm sure Trip and T'Pol will figure something out! :)