Honeymoon on Vulcan - Part 3

Honeymoon on Vulcan

By TLR

June 17th 2005
Rated PG

This story picks up right where part 2 left off. The Council has voted to allow Trip and T'Pol's marriage. Trip is now questioning what T'Pol is hiding from him about a Vulcan's true mating practices and his parents are fast trying to cope with an ever precocious little girl with the hunting instincts of a blood hound. Enjoy.

Enterprise is the property of UPN and Paramount Pictures.

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

Part 3

Soval had dropped Trip off at the bottom of the long stairway that led to her family's home. He walked up them slowly, not allowing the still daunting heat to overwhelm him. He was surprised at how cool the long flowing robes kept him and wondered how these people must have adapted to their environment over the centuries. But mostly he was remembering the conversation in the council chambers. T'Pol's lack of reply to their accusations and the sick feeling that kept creeping into his stomach as they brought up various things from the couple's past. He wondered what he would find, when he confronted his mate about the issues. As he hit the last few steps, the young human was just starting to break a sweat. Entering the garden, he eased the cloak back after shutting the gate. He stood a moment in the coolness this area afforded and watched silently the lapping waters of the large urn in the corner.

( How would he broach this subject with T'Pol.) he wondered forgetting totally that their minds were linked and that she could sense his every thought. There was a pang of hurt that hit him and he looked out absently to determine why this would bother him so.

(T'Pol loves me..... I know this to be true.... She would never hurt me......I don't understand...) Trip sat down on the flat stone bench across from the fountain, the one that he and his family shared with the big furry creature in T'Pol's mind. (This is crazy.... I was alive in the other timeline.... We had to have mated then.... Lorian was 14yrs old before I died, so I must have been able too....) his mind wondered, trying to find some justification for his mate's belief in their bond.

"Da...Da.....Da......Da..." The noise was growing louder as the little girl crawled her way through the crack in the inner door. A very exasperated Catherine Tucker came chasing after her.

"No you don't....." She swooped in and picked the child up before seeing her son sitting there.

"Hey honey.....How did things go....okay?" The mother in her took over as she'd seen this distant look on her child's face before. Balancing Lizzie, as she reached frantically out to her father, Catherine came over and placed the little girl into her parent's arms.

"Yeah...everything went well.... The ceremony is a week from today...." Trip's voice belied heavily his less than exuberant feelings. Lizzie grabbed for him, burying her face into the metallic type fabric of his cloak. The little cherub then looked up excited to see her parent after an afternoon away from him. Trip smiled softly back at her. He bend down and kissed her cheek, watching her lunge forward and place his favorite open mouth equivalent back on his. This time she lingered there, making chewing movements to emphasize her delight in being in his arms. The slobber ran down his cheek and began dripping onto his collar. The young man didn't care he just returned her a few more kisses on the forehead and turned to look at his mom.

"Trip....you okay son...?" He could feel the woman's palpable concern.

"Yeah mom....just a grueling meeting.... I got a huge headache from the whole thing and all I want to do now is lay down and rest a while. Could you watch Lizzie again for me?" He asked knowing that his child was a bit more of a handful than he and his siblings had ever been.

"Sure....you go in and lay down with T'Pol. I'll call you when dinner is ready."
Catherine took the child from his arms and watched her son walk slowly into the house. She knew there was much more going on, but decided it was for the two of them to work out. Looking back at the child, she sighed, realizing she'd been given double duty. "C'mon lets go find your Poppy... I think it's his turn to play chase the baby." Grandma watched as the little girl returned her an unsure glance. The two walked into the west wing of the home where the elder Tucker was napping. They joined him briefly, before Catherine excused herself to start preparing dinner.

Meanwhile, Trip entered their sleep chamber slowly. He saw Stevron sitting on the bed along side his mate. They seemed quite friendly, for Vulcans in their interactions with each other and once more Trip's human emotions got the best of him. When he was detected, the Vulcan male stood to address him.

"How was your audience with the council....productive, I hope." He seemed quite gregarious and Trip wasn't in the mood to trade pleasantries with him.

"Very...thank you....." The engineer walked over to the cabinet and began to put the cloak into its proper place. "How is T'Pol?" He asked coming back over to the two.

"She is making good progress. I noted her scans have improved greatly and it is evident she will make a full recovery." Again this man was too outgoing to be a Vulcan.... at least the average type that Trip had come to know.

"Great...." It was T'Pol now sensing in him, his reluctance to exchange conversation with her old friend.

"Well.... we mustn't keep you from your rounds back at the hospital...." T'Pol started giving her friend a hint that she needed some time alone with her mate.

"Yes..... I am glad you will have your marriage ceremony.... May I congratulate you now on the upcoming event." Stevron seemed almost beaming and now Trip was getting annoyed.

"Most kind..." he grunted moving past the male to sit between him and his mate.

Stevron nodded then turned to T'Pol. "Seheik Noshtra Ka'ta'pak." He nodded slightly and left the room. This only inflamed Trip even more knowing full well that now T'Pol had her faculties back and could understand English again.

Once he left....Trip asked. "What was all that?" He indicated after the Vulcan and began unbuttoning the tight collar that had been grabbing at him half the day.

T'Pol thought a moment.... "A man of deep emotional turmoil," was her reply as she waited for his response.

"So he's saying I'm emotional...." Trip began tugging at the remaining buttons when T'Pol's hands came up and pushed his aside.

"He could feel your uneasiness about his presence and realized that his being here might have caused some disturbance in our bond. That is considered illogical, since he is already bonded and would have no interest in me, so there would be no reason to cause deception between us." She finished unbuttoning his shirt and helped him ease it off his shoulders.

"So you're saying, he thinks I'm jealous." Trip was very uneasy right now and didn't want to let his anger show.

"No.....just upset... and for good reason.... They were very harsh to you in the council chambers. I felt your anger at them." T'Pol reached up and rested a hand upon his chest.

"It's funny....I didn't hear you offering up any suggestions.....Did you fall a sleep?" Trip looked at her wanting with every bone in his body for that to be the reason.

"No..... I had no response legitimate to their concerns...." She returned plainly, and Trip's head began to swirl.

"So you're telling me that they are correct in their concerns...... That you only bonded with me because of your exposure to Trellium D." Now there were definite tears welling in the young human's eyes.

"The Trellium exposure could have played a significant part in how the bond formed, but it didn't create my feelings for you. They had been there since long before we entered the Expanse." T'Pol swallowed hard knowing that this conversation would be one of their most difficult. Trip, hearing that looked at her, searching for a hint that what she said about her feelings was true.

"T'Pol..... I think you had better start at the beginning. I need to know all of it....it won't change my love for you... I just can't go on not knowing your true feelings...." He looked very unsure as she eased back against the pillows once more.

"I started noticing my feelings for you were changing about the time of Koss' family's letter, during our first year together. Your interaction with me was different than with the other crew and I began looking upon you as a friend.... a close friend.... Shortly there after I started noticing your physical attributes when we worked closely together." T'Pol's voice started to waiver a bit and Trip reached out to take her hand, showing her words did not disturb him.

"Using my disciplines, I mentally chastised myself for allowing my mind to spend time on these frivolities. You were a human and a lower ranking officer.... There was no logical reason I should be thinking along any other lines, but the thoughts continued to come to me anyway. I began dreaming of you occasionally, seeing you in my world, learning and growing as you so often seemed to want to do." T'Pol was now palpably nervous by her admissions, thinking that her mate would see her flawed logic as a weakness on her part, but instead she felt him warming up, his cold anger turning into a loving acceptance. The Vulcan female was now finding the strength to push onward to the hard parts.

"When we came upon the other Vulcans, those that practiced expressing their emotions, you became quite fond of Kov. However, my experience with Tolaris was less than friendly.... While showing me a new meditation technique, he attacked me.... forcing himself upon me and leaving me badly injured." Trip became enraged. The surprise of this admission brought to the forefront many emotions of protectiveness for his mate. He reached out and pulled her close to him. "T'Pol..... I didn't know.....why didn't you tell me?"

Trip's anger for the male was palpable and his eyes grew red with the heat of his tears. T'Pol lingered in his arms and felt a bit of her frustration over the event melt as she became protected within the comfort of their bond. Trip leaned back from her and gauged her thoughts a moment. "How could you let him get away with it?"

"He didn't get away. Phlox reported my injuries to the Captain and he dealt with him.... Once I was safe, it mattered little what retribution I received, just that he could no longer harm me." T'Pol looked away from his eyes for the next part.

"It wasn't until later did Phlox discover that my injuries were far more severe than first thought. I had contracted a debilitating degenerative neurologic disorder call Pa'Nar Syndrome. I began suffering from its affects and the good doctor started treating me immediately to slow the disease as much as possible. A year later he would go to my government to try and get their latest research only to have me almost removed from the Enterprise in disgrace. When we entered the Expanse, the increased stress of the mission coupled with the affects the altered space had on me made my symptoms more noticeable. It wasn't until we came across the Seleya, and I had that horrible experience, did I notice the other effect that Trellium had on Vulcans. It seemed to calm the symptoms of the Pa'Nar." Trip watched intently as she told her story. He held onto her loosely, keeping her body just a few inches away from his.

"I began experimenting with small quantities.....I was desperate.....I needed to be fully functional... for the ship....its crew and its mission. I began ingesting Trellium. At first the affects were markedly improved, but with the improvement in motor skills, came something else. I found I could access certain emotions, ones I couldn't before.... This intrigued me and I wanted more..... So I began injecting larger amounts of Trellium directly into my vasculature." T'Pol could feel Trip's surprise and more over see it on his beautiful features. She bowed her head to shield herself more fully from his gaze.

"It wasn't until I almost was killed trying to get to Cargo bay 2 after the Xindi attack, that I realized I was addicted and sought out Phlox's help. I have not used Trellium since that time, however there has been lasting damage from my abuse of the substance." She ended her comment with a long audible sigh.

"So our time together....that first time was due to the Trellium?" Trip asked already knowing the answer.

"Yes... I was still on the Trellium at that time....but again it only hampered my control. It didn't cause the feelings I felt for you....I would have felt them anyway.... I simply would have talked myself out of acting upon them."

"Well....it explains an awful lot....Why you started keeping me at arms length afterward." Trip bent his head trying to capture her eyes once again.

"Trip.... your emotions were so powerful....they frightened me.... I was having a very difficult time controlling my own, and here you came with powerful ones...... I panicked...... I had to regain control and being still on the Trellium, I couldn't have accomplished that staying around you." Her head drooped lower.

"I sensed something was up with you....but I just figured you were suffering the same stress that everyone else was. I had no idea you were going through so much. You could have come to me..... I would have helped you." Trip decided now to use his hand to lift her eyes to him. "That's what friends do...they help." T'Pol nodded her understanding now.

"So is T'Pau and her councilmen correct in saying that this mating time is dangerous to me?" He asked still holding onto her chin.

"Yes......" T'Pol whispered and felt Trip let out the breath he was holding. "But it is not insurmountable." She continued.

"When we came across the other Enterprise.... Lorian's Enterprise.... I met with my other self. She was to answer some technical questions for me, but she also knew of what I had been suffering. She asked me if I was coping with the new emotions I was experiencing." T'Pol placed her hand upon his and rested it down onto her lap.

"When she informed me that the damage to my neuro pathways was permanent, the elder woman could feel my distress. We talked at length about her life with her Trip and what the possibilities would be for me and you. I was unsure, still very shaky in my control, but somehow she knew of my need. She gave me a PADD containing schematics for the ion particle collectors we used to get through the sub space corridor, but along with that information, she sent log entries that contained data on many things about her and her mate's life together. The formula Phlox came up with that made Lorian a possibility..... Detailed data on how she and her mate survive their first mating time.... There were many facts there that led me to believe that a bond with you was not such an unlikely thing."

"Is this mating time really that dangerous?" Trip wondered almost too skeptical to believe. T'Pol nodded silently.

"It is the Pon' Farr.....the time of mating.....It is a time for us that strips away our minds and leaves us with nothing but the urge to mate. We become savage...., desiring for nothing but the act of mating.... Speech is lost to us, reason gone.... We cannot feed or bathe ourselves....it is all about the mating process for as long as the time lasts. With my considerable strength, it is plausible to assume I could damage you....That is why they were concerned... They have a reason to be." T'Pol now held her breath. She knew if there was anything that could turn her mate's feelings from her, this would be it.

"And you've never had this Pon' Farr thing?" he asked.

"Not truly.... It usually doesn't start in Vulcans till close to 70 years of age. I did experience some small feelings from it once. Phlox and I were exposed to a virus that brought out dormant symptoms in me while we were confined to decon."

"I remember that .....It was when you ripped open the door with your bare hands and decided to go after Malcolm. You're right.... that was a bit wild." Trip smiled remembering the sight of her standing behind Phlox eating with her fingers and looking at the Commander like he was to be dessert.

"That is just it, Trip.... that was a faint example of the real thing..... I was still somewhat rational....I could still reason and still speak.... When the real thing hits, I will be able to do neither..." She looked away from him feeling the shame at her ancestral trait.

"Yeah... but you said they came up with a way to handle it....and we got time.... How frequently do these times come once they start,..... yearly?" Trip decided the pragmatic approach would help alleviate both their stress about the event.

"No....once every 7 years... It is sparked in females by their ovulation cycle." Trip stopped a moment and did some quick math.

"The other Trip died when Lorian was 14yrs old.... Was it because of...." he didn't finish that statement realizing he probably didn't want to know.

"No.... the log entries indicated 3 successful Pon 'Farrs resulting in little to no injury...... And that Trip died in battle against an alien species the ship came across in the Expanse." Trip felt himself let out an audible sigh.

"Well then....what are we worried about.....How did the journal say we were to handle these Pon...." Trip slipped down beside her taking his mate into his arms.

"It was specific that there should be no hesitation upon the beginning of the symptoms... Hesitation only causes the need to be more dramatic. It was also quite clear in indicating that I felt great fear at possibly harming you and for that reason I chose to be continuously sedated throughout the process, to lessen my ability toward aggressive behavior. I would also go on to teach you some defensive maneuvers in case the sedatives didn't work."

"Geez... this is starting to sound like star fleet training..... Did we at least have a little fun through all of this or was I too busy to enjoy myself?" Trip had visions of a Vulcan trying to mate being heavily sedated and in a choke hold.

"There were no direct comments to this, however further log entries indicated that you were looking forward to the second and third cycles." This, plus the whimsical look his mate flashed him caused Trip to chuckle softly.

"What else did this journal say?" He asked absently stroking her back as she lay against him.

"That you were a wonderful father to Lorian. It made several references to that... It also indicated that we even talked of trying again for a little sister, however our further attempts didn't yield another conception." Trip heard her sorrow at that and could feel her fear at not being able to have a child the normal way. He held her close and nuzzled her hair.

"Well regardless, we have Elizabeth.... Sure I'd like to see Lorian again, have another chance at raising him, but if it doesn't come to pass, it doesn't come to pass. That won't change the way I feel about you and Lizzie.... You have to know that .....don't you?" T'Pol simply nodded her head.

"Ma...Ma.....Ma....Ma....." the noise was deafening through their bond and was distinctly heard coming down the hallway as well.

"Oh no you don't..... Elizabeth Catherine Tucker.....you come back here right now...." This sound came from a very exhausted grandma as she once more chased after her little energizer bunny.

Trip looked at T'Pol and she looked back to him. He broke into a laugh and pulled her closer, feeling her soul chuckling right along. Something told them both that his parents would be more than ready to leave after their three days of terror with this unique little soul.

***

Trip headed out through the hallway toward the main living area. Their sleep last night was a restful one and after giving T'Pol another dose of the antibiotic spray, he decided to help out his folks and bring her breakfast back to the room personally. He heard the familiar sounds that popped up several times last evening after dinner.

"Da....Da.....Da.....Da...Da...." The child barked out these sounds in time to her movements as she crawled from the kitchen area, through the living quarters and directly for her parents' chamber. She looked up and let out an excited squeal seeing her father walking towards her. Her crawling became frantic as she happily scootched her way along a bit faster. Trip bent down and lifted her to his face.

"Hey, you cute little terrorist...What have you been doing to my folks this morning?" He hugged her close and found the child grabbing tightly to his shirt. Trip growled, as he playfully gave her the same open mouth chewing motions that the little minx was so known for. He heard her giggle happily back at this interaction.

"C'mon," Trip lifted her up into his arms and hugged her close to him. "Let's go see if your grandparents are ready to jump ship yet." Just inside the door, Trip let the child down and held onto her fingers as she tried her best attempt at walking into the room.

"Hey.....missing something?" He asked stepping straddled around the little one's attempt at walking. Trip smiled as he saw his parents turn to each other for an excuse.

"I thought you were watching her?" Catherine scolded her husband.

"Hey....you asked me to make the morning juice..... I didn't know how these blue green things opened. She mustta slipped out while I was fiddling with its outer shell." Charles, Jr. held up the hard rind item in his defense. "Have you ever tried to juice one of these things?"

Trip chuckled, and saw his mom flash her husband a less than happy look. "Don't worry, unless a door is open, there is little she can get into that is dangerous. Just make sure all the doors are latched well and she can crawl to her heart's content." Trip picked her up and accepted the glass of blue green liquid his dad gave him.

"Besides...you'll be happy to know that Stevron says T'Pol can be around her starting today, so I think you can relax some. We really do appreciate your taking her yesterday.....I know she can be a bit..........persistent." Trip came over and placed a soft kiss on his mom's cheek. She turned from her pots on the stove and was happy to see the child so content in her daddy's arms.

"Is T'Pol gonna be up for looking after her..... I mean Lizzie is a handful and T'Pol is just getting over being ill." Catherine suddenly felt a bit of sadness at not having the child to play with today.

"Don't worry mom.... Lizzie will be very happy just laying on the bed with T'Pol and her toys. But you can come in and visit as many times as you'd like. This is yours and dad's day off. I want you to get some rest. Maybe later this evening, I'll take you out back and show you the sunset over the plateaus, it's breathtaking...." Trip finished his juice and picked up a smaller glass for his daughter. Holding it steady, he watched as she attacked the surface, grinding her teeth buds against it, drool and little amounts of juice leaking down across her shirt. Catherine watched her son's messy attempt at cup training and came over to the child. She pulled the towel from her pants top and began dabbing at the stains that were about to set in.

"Trip...... I am sure this blue green stuff doesn't come outta clothes that easy... She should have a bib on..... Does T'Pol allow you to get her all messy like this....?" Catherine also dabbed at her son's tee shirt that was covered with an extra splash of juice.

"No mom....actually she says the same thing.....Boy are you two alike......That's probably why I fell so deeply in love with her......She reminded me of the other favorite woman in my life." Trip grinned down at her and knew instantly he'd gotten out of this female's dog house. He kissed her on the cheek once again and saw the happiness this simple gesture brought to her life.

"I'll take her to T'Pol and let her get Lizzie cleaned up, then I'll be back for our breakfasts." Trip turned to leave and heard a knock upon the inner door. He looked back at his parents then handed the child over to his father. "You guys stay in here..... I'll get the door."

Trip left a very nervous Catherine and Charles Tucker in the kitchen holding their grandbaby. He went to the heavy wooden door and opened it slowly. There before him stood a small framed woman, one he recognized from T'Pol's wedding ceremony to Koss. She seemed to be one of T'Pol's bridesmaids... if that is what Vulcan's call them. But this one was very disturbed when she saw T'Pol plant the kiss upon his face, as she exited the house for the garden ceremony. He stood there in utter silence and awaited the younger woman's response.

"Greetings.... my name is V'Lmir......I am an attendant to T'Pol's family.... I was hoping to speak with her......" The smaller woman wore the traditional cloak of sand colored pulled cotton. The rippled pattern it had, made the item seem quite comfortable and light weight. Her eyes were a darker brown then he'd ever seen on anyone, almost looking blackish and this only added to the creepy feeling he got from his first impression of her.

Trip stepped aside and motioned her in. "T'Pol is in her mother's sleep chamber....I can show you..." he started and she raised a hand to stop him.

"I am familiar with the home..... I will not require your assistance." She stood there waiting for his final permission though and Trip waved her in the direction of the hallway. Without another word, the woman made her way in through the home. As she reached the chamber door, she knocked and awaited a reply. Then she opened it and stepped through. Trip stood there in silence and saw his parents peek out of the other room, looking to him to see what the problem was. Trip waved them back into the kitchen and they hustled off, holding a perplexed Elizabeth in their arms.

Trip tried to hone in on the two women's conversation, and found them to be speaking in Vulcan. He didn't want to interrupt, but grew nervous needing to know the young woman's intentions.

(You alright in there?) he asked softly through their bond.

(Yes.... I am well....please come and join us, Ashayam.) T'Pol returned to him then went back to speaking to the young woman in their native tongue. Trip quietly pushed the wooden door open and slipped into the room. He saw the young woman's stares as he approached and sat down on the bed beside his mate.

"You have met V'Lmir?" She asked absently knowing that he'd been the one who let her in.

"Yes..." Trip nodded another emotionless welcome to the female.

"She is one of my family's attendants. I have asked that she help your parents during their time alone here with Elizabeth." T'Pol could feel her mate cringe at the mention of their daughter in front of this strange woman.

(Don't worry, Ashayam...... she is as loyal to our family, as she is to her own. She will help your parents protect Elizabeth and make their time here easier while we are away. She can be fully trusted.)

"Most kind." Trip returned to the woman who was clearly still checking him out, like a display in a museum.

"I have also discussed with her about our marriage ceremony..... She will help to prepare the courtyard for the proceedings." Trip again was surprised at the trust his mate put in this woman, but decided he knew less of the situation. Again he just nodded his thanks with a hesitant smile.

"If you would like, I could prepare the afternoon meal for you today."
V'Lmir seemed like she was ready to get to work.

"My mom has that covered..." Trip started nervously.

"However, I am sure she would be grateful for your assistance in knowing which fruits and vegetables are good in combinations with each other. I am going to be on bed rest for another day or so and will be unable to help her." T'Pol added trying to get her mate to accept this woman's help.

"I would be most pleased to offer my assistance. I will go to the garden immediately and begin picking some vegetables for the evening meal." The younger woman started out of the room and Trip stopped her.

"That's okay... I can do that for you......" The engineer realized this woman would have to pass through the kitchen to get to the garden and tried to get his concerns through to his mate.

"Yes.... he will have them ready for you when you return. In the meantime, please use the time to review your studies.... I am sure your classes at the academy are very taxing on you...." T'Pol acquiesced to her bondmate's nervous feelings.

The young woman nodded and replaced the hood atop her head. She moved from the room speaking a Vulcan dismissal. "Sanosh tu"

Exiting the room, she made her way to the outer door and left, closing it firmly behind her. Catherine and Charles heard the sound and peered out as the smaller woman left the garden. They headed to Trip and T'Pol's room, still carrying a very hungry little Lizzie along with them.

They knocked on the door, interrupting the mental conversation the bondmates were having. "Coast is clear... she's gone..... Who was she?" Charles started coming to stand with Catherine just inside the door. Lizzie squirmed seeing her mother. Trip came over and took the child from his dad. He put her on the bottom of the bed and watched as she crawled with glee along the coverlet and into her mother's arms. The child rested her head heavily against her parent's chest and kicked out her feet trying to get yet closer into her mother's skin. T'Pol wrapped her arms about the little girl and held her tightly. She leaned down and brushed her cheek against the soft brown curls that lay so perfectly about the circumference of her head.

"She's been want'n to do that for the last 24 hrs....." Grandpa noted absently and all three watched the loving bond between mother and daughter.

***

Two hours later found a very tired Lizzie napping lying up against her mothers hip. She occasionally chewed on the soft black fur of her new friend as her dreams took her to different places and times. T'Pol sat up with Catherine sitting across from her. Grandma admired the now still child and wondered if that was what all the hubbub was about.

"I'm surprised she isn't trying to race around the room. I couldn't keep her still yesterday." Catherine softly touched the child's stocking feet. They twitched in response and went back to being still.

"She is content to remain with me and play in silence... However her mind is full of so many questions, I find myself a bit tired from having to catch up and answer them all." T'Pol as well looked down into her sleeping face.

"Well.... you'll feel better after lunch.... I know that your attendant was supposed to come and help, but I managed to get a vegetable parmesan into the reprocessor all on my own." Catherine looked pleased at her triumph and noted T'Pol's puzzled look.

"That powder stuff was cheese...wasn't it?" Suddenly the older woman grew concerned...."It smelled like cheese..."

"Yes...it was most probably cheese.....a rare form of cactus milk cheese....It is quite tasty." T'Pol offered her some solace.

"You know...though, those purple vegetables really didn't come out of the protein resynthesizer all that well... They were kinda mushy.... I hope they are okay in the dish..." Catherine wrapped her hands absently in the towel still tucked into her pants.

"What purple vegetables?" T'Pol asked knowing fully the error the human made.

"What do ya mean..... The purple vegetables, Trip brought in from the hydroponic garden..." The older woman's face dropped realizing her goof. "They weren't vegetables...were they?"

"No....they are a fruit.....however....." T'Pol started trying to help her soon to be mother in law out of her embarrassment. "I am sure they will make a tasty fruit parmesan as well..."

Catherine looked down into her lap totally flustered. T'Pol saw this and reached out a hand to the woman. "Please do not be upset with yourself....You are on a strange planet, these are different things than you are use too..... It is very probable that you will make mistakes..... Please let V'Lmir assist you until I am up and around. She is a trusted friend..... I know you will come to like her after a while."

Catherine looked up into the warm eyes of the Vulcan......"Thank you...." she stated and saw the woman having no true understanding of what she was now referring to.

"Thank you for caring for my son as you do......I couldn't ask for a better daughter-in-law..... You are always thinking of his happiness......You have made him so happy..... I don't know how to ever thank you enough for that." Catherine covered the hand T'Pol offered and squeezed it lightly.

"It couldn't have been easy for you....I'm sure your people have many doubts about your getting involved with my son. And I know they have most likely tried very hard to get you to change your mind..... I'm just glad you didn't."

"I couldn't have changed my mind about him... He is my Pon'tor,..... my soul mate... I realized that very early on..... Vulcans do not believe in fate, however humans do.... Through his eyes I saw our similarities.... and found out what a life with him would be like. I couldn't have rejected that life if I tried. I didn't know it then, but I know that now and will do all in my power to keep our marriage a fulfilling one." T'Pol nodded her respect to the woman that bore her bond mate.

In walked Charles, Jr. his face reflecting a worried look. "That woman is back and she is in your garden.... I don't know how she got in there, but she's picking a whole bunch of stuff.... I thought Trip told her not too."

"She is probably picking items for her family's evening meal......It is alright.... Vulcan's share their bounty with their attendant's families." T'Pol laid a soft hand on Lizzie's back as she stirred from the noise.

"Really?" The older male was surprised. He never thought of Vulcans being the sharing type.

"Productive land is scarce here.... My family owns a great deal....We have more room than most to grow our food. V'Lmir's family has less ability to do the same. So in exchange for her assistance with things around the house and grounds, we allow their family to take from our garden all they need to sustain themselves. It is an admirable exchange which allows both families to thrive and grow."

"Share crop'n" Charles exclaimed and saw the puzzled look on the Vulcan's face.

"Along time ago in the south, many families were poor and had little land to grow all the things they needed. On top of that, most of their soil didn't grow all the crops well, due to nutrients, light, or consistency. So they got together and decided to grow just one crop a piece, the one that their property would grow the best, but in large quantities..... Then each family would share equally with the others around them. This helped all the families to have what they needed. In fact that was where the idea of our modern day co'ops came from. This system worked well until the wealthy property owners came in and started demanding their share for letting them live on their land. Then the families didn't have enough to feed themselves, let alone others. Bottom line.... when you get money into the mix, caring for others ends up taking a back seat." T'Pol nodded her understanding.

"Our system negates the need for money or credit.... We simply do to help ourselves and others.... Hence insuring no one is left without assistance."

"Nice way to do things..... I think Earth could take a few pointers from you guys. The older male put a hand on his wife's shoulder.

***

Trip was alone out in the garden when his dad came through the wooden door to join him. "Whatcha doing out here all alone? I figured you'd be resting like the ladies of the house." Charles came over to the bench his son sat on. He hitched up his slacks and eased down along side.

"Just thinking pop." Trip sounded far off.

"Well.... your momma is really snoozing. I think all the running after Lizzie finally caught up with her." The elder man chuckled and saw his son do the same.

"Yeah....Lizzie crawled up next to T'Pol after lunch and both of them zonked out almost immediately. Sorry she's such a little handful, Pop... If there was any other way...." Trip was cut off by his father's hand.

"Son....we love that little girl....and we really like being here. This is a nice place ....It's the kinda place you could raise a kid in....." The elder man wondered if that was what was weighing heavily on his child's mind.

"Yeah I know....I think Lizzie will be very happy here, although it bites not having you, mom and Jimmy closer." Trip scuffed his feet against the smooth stone surface of the patio.

"Yeah, but I think your mom's getting the hang of this space travel thing...She only got lost once on that Vulcan ship....She ended up walking into some kinda meditation room and disturbing a half dozen of those guys, but hey...." Again he laughed along with the old man.

"If moving here is not what's got you so distracted,.....then what has?" The young man could feel his dad's concern. He knew this was the loving and caring way he used to get him to open up.

"I was just thinking of my son." Trip murmured and saw the surprised look on his father's face.

"T'Pol's pregnant?" Charles, Jr. gasped astonished that he might have another grandchild on the way to fuss over.

"No Pop....." He looked at him and smiled softly.

"This isn't for you guys to know.... It's confidential but I figured you should know anyway. Lizzie isn't the only child T'Pol and I have......." Now the look on the patriarch was definitely puzzled.

"In the Expanse, we came across another Enterprise.....one that had been thrown back in time, over 110yrs into the past. On that ship....The captain was a Vulcan Human hybrid...named Lorian..... Dad, it was amazing.... He had your eyes...your nose....your chin but T'Pol's ears of course. He was warm and smart. He even smiled.....I'd apparently taught him about engineering before I died and he went on to become the Captain upon Jon's death. It was important he do so, because of his longer life span." Trip smiled a sad, sad smile while tears filled his eyes at the mention of his son.

"What happened to him?" Charles, Jr felt his child's answer before he said it.

"I don't know.....When we left to go through this sub space corridor, his ship was battling three others... They never made it threw behind us."

"Maybe they are still alive." The older man wanted to hold out hope.

"I doubt it dad......They were taking a beating to protect us for our mission. T'Pol seems to think that maybe because we didn't get thrown back in time, like we did before, then they simply ceased to exist."

"Well, son....I'd much rather have em not exist, than to think of them blowing up in a space ship." Charles put a soothing hand on his son's shoulder.

"Yeah....he would have been T'Pol's and my first child together....who knows...maybe he still can be.....Who knows....." Trip absently moved his feet in small circles on the floor.

"What made you think of him now, son?"

"I think of him all the time actually, but yesterday T'Pol and I were talking about him. I could feel her worrying about us possibly not being able to conceive.... It made me wonder if I could handle not seeing him again." Trip's smile was fading as he watched his motions on the floor.

"Well time will tell son...In the meantime you got T'Pol and Lizzie....you should learn to be happy with that and anything else will be just gravy for your biscuit." Charles smiled as his southern drawl comforted his child like no other could do.

"You're right dad.... Thanks ......for everything." They turned and hugged patting each other on the back, then sat together for a long while just enjoying the calm that this moment provided. Eventually, they joined the women in a brief rest before the evening meal preparation. The next few days were going to be busy as they readied for the child's birthday celebration and the marriage ceremony that followed the next day.

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

TBC............................. Part 4 out by Friday.............T

Continue to Part 4

Return to Part 2

Back to Fan Fiction Main Menu

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

A whole mess of folks have made comments

that's just genial. I love this story

Enjoyable to read. Love the baby.

That was just great and I loved the part where Trip and Charles talk about Lorian, hopefully we will see Lorian again.

Wow. There's nothing more to say. Wow. Go on, I love it!

I'm glad Lorien's mom gave T'pol some pointers, but when can we read about how she puts 'em to use? You got me all revved up waitin' for a hot Ponfarr story. This is all really sweet and stuff, but I'm itchin' for some action!

....I really wish you.....would stop...writing like this.......in your fics....it is very distracting...
and......unnecessary.

i dont mind the ... at all. to me it signifies thought pauses .
i also liked giving tpol a real reason for using the trellium in that it helped to combat the effect of the panars.

Sorry the ..... throws you, but in literary class that denotes a pause in the person's speech. It helps you better imagine the person saying what is written. Also for all the Pon Far people out there, there is a sequel to this story entitled " And Baby Makes 4", that will be my contribution to the many talented attempts I've seen at Pon Far. It will blow the roof off the house... I have already started writing it. Thanks again for the comments and I'm glad your enjoying Lizzie. She goes through the terrible two's in the next sequel and lord help the crew of the Enterprise....She goes mega terrorist then. Can you imagine anything worse than a percoscious(sp?)Vulcan going through the terrible twos. Malcolm best keep hold of your torpedos...cause Little lizzie is a comin through.....Til then....T

Im readin this story and lovin how TnT are gettin through the tough time's and the possible future with out the son they both so badly want to have one day, Brings a tear to me eye,,, And then I look at the reviews,, and see your gona write a sequal!! Yay TLR I just love Ya now so much for that bit of new's. :)

I like fics about TNT and any kids they might have. Makes them a little more 'real' in my eyes!! LOL.

Oh, you are the best! I'm loving this sequel! I can't wait to read about their wedding ceremony and how Gramma and Poppy handle Lizzie during the honeymoon. And then you tell us you're going to write another series after this one, its heaven!!! Three cheers for TLR!!!

Great story. I could just read about little Lizzie all day! Oh, and don't change the pauses, they make the dialog more realistic. :)

(*cue spontaneous conga music*) I can't wait for mo-ore! I can't wait for mo-ore! Yah da da da da-dah! And a sequel!?!! I think I've died and gone to fanfic heaven! :)