Love and Loss - Pt 2

Love and Loss

By Triplover

Disclaimer: I own nothin’… and it sucks.
Rating: PG-13
Summary: After a very dangerous mission Varen Tucker returns home but is not prepared for what will come next.

Part Two

Trip kissed his wife passionately as he led her to the bedroom. He grinned when she broke the kiss to move his shirt off over his head. “You know T’Pol… I must be the luckiest man in the world.”

“Why do you say that?” she asked while tasting his face and moving her hands down his chest.

“For as long as I’m alive I’ll always have the most beautiful wife… I don’t know many of my buddies who can say that.” T’Pol looked into his eyes before moving her forehead to his. Trip moved his arms around her and kissed her once again just before he heard his console beep. Trip sighed and moved his head down her neck to rest on her shoulder. “Ignore it. It’s probably just Tavor buggin’ me again.”

“You need to answer it Trip… your work is important.”

Trip shook his head. “No T’Pol… YOU are important. Besides… ya already got me all hot and bothered honey. There’s no stoppin’ me now.” The console beeped again. Trip rolled his eyes and looked up at her frowning as he saw the stern look on T’Pol’s face. “Fine, this’ll only take a second.”

He then walked to the next room in his office and sat at the computer. He quickly turned it on as his eyes went wide with surprise. “Hello father.”

“Varen? Hey kiddo! I thought your ship was on a mission right now!”

“They were… the mission has ended. How are you doing father?”

“Well I’m just fine kiddo… but you sorta got me at a bad time right now. I was kinda in the middle of somethin’.”

His son nodded smiling. “I apologize. I simply wanted to tell you I was going to make a stop home late tomorrow. The Orlando needs a rehaul and I’ll be able to have a few weeks off. I thought I’d spend that time here if it wouldn’t be too much trouble.”

“That’s great son! That’s wonderful! But uh… we’ll be at your Uncle Jon’s house this week stayin’ at his house. You know the Enterprise crew has a reunion comin’ up soon.”

Varen shook his head. “Of course father… I’d nearly forgotten.”

“You could always come with us?” Trip offered.

Varen frowned. “I don’t know father… I doubt Jennifer would wish to see me after the last time we talked.”

Trip knew exactly what his son was talking about… that hadn’t been a very good day. Varen still wouldn’t talk about his reasons for breaking up with Jennifer. Trip had a feeling whatever his reasons they were good ones even if it ended up hurting people. “You’re still friends right?”

“I hope… but Jennifer may still need time. Perhaps it would be better to go see grandmother and grandfather Tucker.”

“Varen… Jonathan Archer and Jennifer have been like a part of this family all your life. Just because you broke things off with Jen doesn’t mean you avoid them.”

Varen closed his eyes and sighed. “I still love her.”

Trip smiled. “I know kiddo… I know.”

Trip walked back towards his room and grinned at his wife who was sitting on the bed. He ran back into their room and moved over to her. “Now where were we?”

“You spoke to Varen? He’s coming here?”

Trip nodded before planting a kiss on her neck then her shoulder. “He’ll be comin’ to the reunion for the crew of the Enterprise. He’s gonna meet us here the day before we leave.”

T’Pol stood and looked back at him saying, “I will have to get the house ready for his return. I’m afraid we will have to… continue this later.”

Trip sighed then sat on the bed frowning. “You’re killin’ me here T’Pol! You’re really killin’ me!” he shouted out to her then fell backwards on the bed.

==

Varen looked around him trying to suppress his smile. It had been at least five years since he’d been able to come home. He hadn’t realized how much he would miss it. “Varen?”

Varen looked behind him and this time could not help the smile that appeared on his face. “Sorik?”

“Greetings Varen… you seem different somehow.”

Varen nodded. “Like the uniform? I’m an ensign now.”

“That is very good news Varen. It has not been the same here since you left for the academy.”

“I take it you got my letters?”

Sorik nodded. “Of course… I was glad to know how you were doing. What brings you here?”

“My ship the Orlando is in dry dock getting some repairs done. The crew gets two weeks of R and R. I am spending that time with my family.”

“I am sure they will appreciate that, Varen. You should come by the house later if you’re not busy. I know my father and mother would be pleased to see you again. You should go to see T’Sel as well. She has… not been the same since you left. I know she too would be very pleased to see you again.”

“I will only be on Vulcan today… but I will make it a point to go and see her. It was great seeing you again Sorik!”

“It was good to see you as well. It has been a long time,” Sorik said and offered him his hand.

Varen nodded and took his hand giving him one firm shake. Then as their eyes met Varen smiled as they moved into a hug. Varen patted his back. “Too long old friend.”

==

Varen took a deep breath when he looked at the door of his house. The house he’d lived in for so many years. He looked over at his friend frowning. “Perhaps I should return later.”

Sorik shook his head and made sure to keep Varen right where he was. “Your parents are looking forward to seeing you, Varen, and you will not disappoint them.”

Varen nodded slowly frowning. “Right… I can’t let them down. Sure it’s been a while but they’re still my parents and I still love them.” Varen moved his fist to the door and knocked.

A minute later the door opened and Varen couldn’t help smiling as he saw the grin on his father’s face. “Varen! Sorik! Come on in kids. T’Pol’s in the kitchen makin’ dinner.”
Sorik and Varen walked in the house. Varen noticed the changes they’d made almost immediately. They had a different couch… and from the looks of it his father had done some redecorating. “Ya like it?” his father asked him.

Varen looked up at his father and nodded. “You have always been quite good at decorating father. Mother was wise to leave the decorating in your capable hands.”

His father grinned chuckling. “She had no choice. She’s got me whipped on everything else in our life but I draw the line when it comes to the house. I figure I built it, I should have some say in how it looks.”

Varen nodded. “I’ll just go put my bags in my room.”

Sorik stopped him before he could even move. “I’ll take them in there… why don’t you talk with your father a bit.”

Varen glared at his friend as he took his bags and left the room. Varen looked at his father and forced himself to smile. “So… how have you and mother been.”

“Pretty good… we miss ya but we’ve found ways to keep ourselves… entertained.” His father told him before sitting on the couch.

Varen cleared his throat when he saw his mother walk out of the kitchen. Trip smiled at her and tenderly kissed her. T’Pol looked over at her son and nodded. “I trust that your journey here was a good one.”

“Of course mother. It was quite good. I was able to catch up on some reading. I finally finished Moby Dick.”

Finally Sorik returned from Varen’s room and looked over at T’Pol. “Greetings T’Pol.”

“Greetings Sorik how are you.”

“I am well. And you?”

“I too am well. I did not realize you would be here.”

Sorik nodded. “Neither did I. I met Varen outside and thought I would accompany him here. I should return home.” Sorik looked over at his old friend. “I know we don’t have much time since you will be leaving tomorrow for Earth Varen but I would like it very much if you came by my house tomorrow morning before you leave. There is much I have to tell you.”

Varen grinned. “I can’t wait Sorik.” Sorik nodded. Then walked out the door. Varen was amazed by how controlled he was… he was so different from when they were children. Varen hadn’t realized how much he missed he childhood companion. Though he was still fairly close to Nolan, Sorik and Varen had grown up together. There was a bond he had with Sorik that he could never have with Nolan. Varen stared at the door for a long time then stood. “Well mother, father… I think it’s time I get some rest. It’s been a long day and I’ve had a rough week.”

His father nodded, his smile now gone. “Get some sleep kiddo. We’ll talk tomorrow.”

Varen nodded then left for his room.

Part 3

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Three people have made comments

Why is Varen behaving so strangely? First he breaks up with Jennifer for no good reason that I can see, and then he's awkward around his parents! Triplover, where are you taking us? Very good story -- you've got me hooked!

You've got me hooked as well!! Please continue with this intriguing story.

I would have thought that Trip would have at least embraced Varen and T'pol just asks if his journey was a good one!!!
Varen seemed happier to see his friend than his parents and they didn't seem that overjoyed either. Not a very hapoy reunion after 5 years.

Varen seems to have something on his mind and I'm wondering what Sorik has to tell him.