Snapshots - Part V

Snapshots

By: Valleygirl

Summary: Key moments or ‘Snapshots’ from Trip & T’Pol’s relationship, starting on the trip to Vulcan
Spoilers: All aired episodes (thru Divergence); the overall idea from “Bound;” any other similarities to spoilers real, imagined, speculated or made-up is purely coincidental.
Rating: PG-13 (mild language, and suggestive stuff…)
Disclaimer: Paramount owns it all; I just wanted to fill in some of the gaps and envision a possible future...
Genre: Romance/Humor

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

PART V (Chapters 8 & 9)

Chapter #8 - Charles Sa’Jon Tucker, IV

Jupiter Station - February, 2161

Trip Tucker ran through the Sickbay doors at a full sprint. Dr. Phlox narrowed his eyes at him as he screeched to a halt looking as guilty as sin.

“Well, nice of you to finally join us, Captain. I hope we didn’t drag you out of anything too important.”

Trip winced. Between the ice-melting glare his wife was giving him and Phlox’s sarcasm, he knew he was in deep trouble.

“I just got the message,” he tried to hastily explain. “I was workin’ on a tricky piece of upgraded circuitry and I told one of the new Ensigns I didn’t want to be disturbed. He didn’t realize you and the Doc were a standing exception...”

“I’m sorry to have bothered you...” T’Pol said, the venom dripping from her voice.

“Aw, Honey, I’m sorry. I thought the whole team knew we were expectin’ this baby...” He knew full well he was on the losing end of the argument.

*Perhaps we should continue this discussion later...* he heard in his mind. At that moment T’Pol fully dropped her mental shields broadcasting to Trip the full impact of the contraction rippling through her abdomen.

Trip almost buckled over at the surprise assault. *Wow* he ruefully thought to himself, *Maybe this joint labor thing wasn’t such a good idea after all...*

He took a couple of deep breaths summoning all of his internal strength. He really did want to participate in the Vulcan technique. They had practiced and been prepared for T’Lissa’s birth, but in the end couldn’t perform the exercises. Trip had to deliver their daughter himself when T’Pol had gone into labor in a shuttlecraft hours away from Enterprise and Dr Phlox.

Having discovered a reserve of courage, Trip dropped his own mental shields allowing T’Pol to experience the full magnitude of love and support he was prepared to shower her with over the next several hours. She began to relax immediately as Trip went dutifully to her side.

As Phlox, Trip and even poor T’Lissa knew well, T’Pol had spend the last 2 months of her difficult pregnancy evading any and all attempts to touch her. As hard as it was to accept for the very tactile and demonstrative Trip, it was even harder trying to explain the near phobia to their 2 1/2 year old daughter.

The doctor watched with fascination the interaction between husband and wife, otherwise known to Phlox as the woman who had made the last 2 hours of his life miserable and the only man capable of preventing further torment. He observed the dramatic change in his patient in the presence of her bondmate. Trip had gently scooted T’Pol forward on the bio-bed and settled in behind her, allowing her to lean back into him. His hands ran gently up her arms to rest on her shoulders silently encouraging her to further relax.

He began to massage her shoulders and upper back kneading deeply. *This is not part of the Vulcan technique,* she gently chided him.

*I know, but I thought it might feel good, you are still really tense.* He felt a knot unclench in her upper back and heard a small, but audible sigh.

*You may continue.* Trip’s grin got stuck midway up his face as another contraction flooded his consciousness. They breathed through it together using techniques T’Pol had first taught Trip on Enterprise during their neuropressure sessions.

After a final deep breath, *Ya know, Darlin’ maybe you could give me a warnin’, next time...* She turned her head long enough to flick him an eyebrow.

*Hey, I think it’s safe to say I’m the first human male to be experiencing labor like this...I need a few minutes to get into the swing of things. Will you help me?* He nuzzled his nose into the side of her neck.

*You got pregnant without my help.*

Trip groaned inwardly and shook his head. *You really are never gonna let me live that down are you?*

“Well, now,” Phlox said, emerging from the shadows, finally daring to interrupt the mental interplay between the two lovers. “I trust you will now let me examine you, T’Pol?”

“Of course, Doctor,” came the docile reply.

Trip turned his head to look at his wife. “You haven’t been givin’ the Doc a hard time again have you?”

“I don’t know what you mean,” she replied innocently.

“Uh-huh.”

*Trip, now,* she interrupted.

*What?*

*NOW!* another contraction caught him off guard as a small groan escaped his lips.

***
They were stuck on a plateau of five-minutes between contractions. Neuropressure performed on her lower back had taken the edge off the pain allowing the couple to find a comfortable rhythm for the breathing exercises. Trip had tried a Vulcan massaging technique on her belly, but it still seemed to have had no effect. Meanwhile, he had learned to cheat by keeping half an eye on the monitor tracking T’Pol’s contractions giving him a few extra seconds of warning time. It helped, but not much.

During the last 6 hours Trip had gained a finer appreciation for women in general and his wife in particular. *I shoulda been nicer to my Momma growin’ up,* he sighed after a particularly strong wave of pain.

T’Pol suddenly slid herself off the bio-bed, a little unsteady on her feet. Trip immediately grasped her arm only slightly more stable himself.

“Hey, where are you goin’?!”

She sighed. “Sometimes walking around can help speed up labor.”

“Well, I’m all for that, but we’re in this together, remember?”

A look of independent determination crossed her face, but her husband wasn’t fooled. *I know you’re a bit frustrated at this point, T’hy’la. Tell me what I can do.*

“I require a meditation candle.”

Trip smiled. “Be right back. Hey, Doc? Can you make sure she doesn’t try to run off while I’m gone?” He felt the glare boring into his back as he turned to leave.

*Nice ta see you haven’t lost your sense of humor, Darlin’.* He quickly sped up his departure before he got himself into more trouble.

***

It turned out Sickbay was not the most conducive spot for meditating even with her usual meditation mat, pillow and three small candles. Sensing her continued annoyance, Trip positioned himself across from her mirroring her posture perfectly.

*Come on, Ashayam. Let me help.*

She quirked an eyebrow at him, higher than usual.

*I know I wasn’t too hot at this meditatin’ stuff when I first began, but you’ve said yourself I’ve improved quite a bit over the years...*

*You have done well under my supervision.* she patiently explained.

*How would you know how well I meditate alone, if by definition, you’re not there to experience it?*

She narrowed her eyes at him well aware he was trying to confound her with classic Trip Tucker logic. She was too tired to rise to the bait.

*I would prefer to do this exercise in the privacy of our quarters.*

He understood her completely. Their joint meditation exercises were extremely intimate and very often ended with an act of physical intimacy between them. In fact, it was probably the consequences of such a session that had them here in the first place.

*I know how you feel, Ashayam, but T’Lissa was born in a shuttlecraft. This baby is gonna be born in Sickbay if it’s the last thing I do.*

Another contraction hit just as she reached out for him. He gripped her hands tightly as they rode out the wave together.

When it had passed, T’Pol suddenly got a very perplexed look on her face.

“What?” Trip queried.

“You spoke of T’Lissa. Where is she???”

“I dunno. I thought you made arrangements for her.”

Trip enjoyed watching his wife’s eyes widen in horror, before letting her off the hook. Grinning widely he said, “Jon came by early this morning and took her home with him for the next few days. I thought you could use the extra rest and he loves showin’ her off at the Academy. I told you this...”

“You did not.”

“Oh, sorry,” he conceded knowing full well he had indeed told her of his plan the previous evening.

*You are not assisting in my meditation as promised.*

*Oh, right.* He attempted to become serious again, but not before a small chuckle escaped him.

*You enjoyed that!* she accused.

*Yup!* he easily admitted.

Even through closed eyes the glare he knew he was receiving burned a hole straight through his forehead and out the back of his skull.

*Come on now, T’hy’la. Concentrate.* Trip’s words resonated through to T’Pol as they jointly breathed through another painful spasm.

***

T’Pol was pleasantly surprised; she hadn’t given her husband enough credit. Meditation was easier to obtain with his steadying presence. However, when they reemerged from their meditative state 30 minutes later, the smug ‘I told you so’ look didn’t last long. They soon realized the contractions had suddenly jumped from five minutes apart to one.

Trip stood first and made a move to help his wife back onto the bio-bed. She had only moved a couple of inches off the floor, when a groan crossed her lips.

*Honey, you’ve gotta breathe,* Trip pleaded from his place behind her as he gently set her back down. She tried to comply and immediately groaned again and hunched over. Trip tried to massage a pressure point on her back with one hand as his other one rested gently on her belly. She gripped his hand hard as a third powerful contraction caused her water to break. She gasped in surprise as the sudden gush of fluid threatened to surround her on the floor.

The anxious husband decisively picked her up carefully and moved her back to the bio-bed. “Hey, Doc? I think we’re in business!”

“Ah, yes.” Phlox hurried over to the couple and whipped out his trusty hand scanner. He frowned a bit at the readings as Trip glanced over and noticed a dark green stain setting into the carpet near the meditation mat.

“Phlox!” the doctor looked up startled. “Amniotic fluid is supposed to be mostly clear right? Look! There seems to be blood mixed in...”

Dr Phlox looked back at his tricorder readings before answering him. “It would explain these readings, as well.” He looked at Trip seriously before hurrying across the room to fill a hypospray. As he pressed it to her neck Trip could feel the light sedative kicking in. He had to mentally back away from his bond to T’Pol so he could focus on the doctor’s words.

“T’Pol’s uterus has become unstable, which is causing the bleeding. Her vital signs have dropped significantly in the past hour.”

“Well we’ve been meditating, couldn’t that account...”

“No,” he quickly interrupted. “It merely inhibited your awareness of it.”

“And the baby?” Trip asked desperately.

“He seems to be doing fine at the moment, although that could change. T’Pol’s body is programmed to protect the fetus first, even at a detriment to her own health. I’ll have to go in there and try to stop the hemorrhaging, if I don’t she could bleed to death. “

“Which means an emergency C-section...” Trip tried to complete the train of thought, sighing heavily.

The doctor shook his head “No, it’s too late for that; the baby’s head is already in the birth canal. We need to act quickly, Captain and get him born. The baby is full-term; the risk to him is minimal. Right now, we need to be concerned about T’Pol.”

“Whatever you say, Doc, I’ll do.”

“I’m going to try to speed up the contractions. There’s no time for an epidural to work, it’s going to be very painful. You just need to keep doing what you have been. Your support is more crucial than ever. She will need to rely upon your strength to pull her through this.”

Trip wasted no time returning to his wife’s side, as Phlox pressed another hypospray to T’Pol’s neck.

*Honey, I need you to hang on for me, okay? Honey?*

“Doc! She’s all over the place; I’m having a hard time getting through to her, it’s like she keeps fadin’ in and out.” Trip was starting to get alarmed.

“Keep trying, Captain! She needs you.”

*Come on, Baby. Stay with me.*

“Trip?” he heard audibly. “What--?” She started to fade away again.

“Uh-uh. Look at me, focus on my face. T’Pol!” He sat her up supporting her with his arms.

*Ashayam… feel so weak...What’s happening to me?*

*Darlin’ you’re bleeding internally. Doc’s tryin’ to get the baby born as quickly as possible so he can go in and fix it. You’ve got to stay with me. Promise me.*

*I’ll try*

He shook his head. *No try, just do. Come on breathe with me, focus on that. In for 3 beats then exhale for 2, remember?*

*Hurts.*

*I know, Baby. I’m right here with you. Hold on to me.*

*Can’t...hurts!*

*Give the pain to me...That’s right. Good.* He momentarily winced.

She began to fade again. Trip had her in his arms willing her to hang on with all his might. He caressed her with his hands, spoke to her both verbally and through their bond, anything he could think of to keep her alert and in the moment.

“I see a head!” Phlox called out “Just a few good pushes and we’re there. How are you holding up, Captain?”

“She’s exhausted...we both are.” Trip had looked at the doctor to answer his question, but the act of breaking eye contact with T’Pol caused her eyes to flutter shut and her body to sag. Trip shook her gently and tapped a hand against her cheek. “T’Pol! Stay with me, Darlin’. Come on, look at me!”

She moaned. *You are being annoying.*

*I know and for once I’m not gonna apologize...ya gotta stop scarin’ me like that!*

*Sleep...I just want to sleep.*

*I know, Darlin’ but just a few minutes more...Doc says were almost there...Think how excited T’Lissa’s gonna be to meet her new baby brother.*

*Baby...here?*

*Not yet, Darlin’. One more push....Come on, Baby, you can do it! I’ll help you...*

*So tired...just to need sleep.*

“T’Pol! Come on, focus! Just one more push on the count of three...”

*You said that last time...*

*I know...I mean it this time...Here we go...* Both bondmates winced as they mentally and physically pushed the barriers of their breaking point. A weak cry was heard echoing through Sickbay from the newest resident of Jupiter Station. Both husband and wife were breathing hard from the exertion.

Trip glanced over as a small dark greenish looking baby was handed to the other resident physician, Dr. Luchiano. His eyebrows furrowed in concern. *T’Lissa wasn’t that green when she was first born!* His attention wavered as T’Pol suddenly collapsed in his arms and he felt his mental connection to her slip away, beyond his ability to reach.

“Doc! T’Pol...” Trip’s head was spinning.

“She’s just unconscious, Captain, but I need to get her to surgery right away. Dr. Luchiano is looking after the baby. You need to get some rest; I’ll take good care of her!” The last part of his statement was called out as he was wheeling T’Pol to the surgical unit.

A medic took Trip’s arm and guided him to a chair to sit down. *Wait...Baby...too green!* He quickly jumped up and brushed off the medic as he strode across the room. He found a whole medical team working on his newborn son, who had tubes and wires sticking out of him of every size, shape and color.

“Dr. Luchiano?” Trip gave the impression of a man on the brink of exhaustion, who couldn’t handle anymore bad news.

“Captain...it looks worse than it is.”

“That’s not sayin’ much!”

“Captain Tucker, I need you to calm down...Your son lungs haven’t fully developed and he’s having difficulty breathing on his own at the moment. It’s most likely an asthmatic reaction to something in the air. It is treatable, once his lungs have developed properly and we find out what exactly he’s allergic to. We’ve got him hooked up to a respirator unit and he will need to stay in a Sickbay incubator for a few weeks.”

“A few weeks? He can’t come home?”

“As I said, his lungs need time to fully develop and we have to assess his allergies. He’ll be in good hands, I can assure you.”

“I know. It’s just...” he sighed deeply and two fingers came up to pinch the bridge of his nose as he tried to comprehend the last several minutes.

“Captain, you’ve been through quite an ordeal...Let us take care of your wife and son, the best thing you can do for them right now is to go get some rest.”

“I’ll sit down and stay out of the way, but I’m not leavin’ them.”

“Fair enough. Marta?” He motioned to the young medic who guided Trip back to the couch. He sank in to it, elbows on his knees and rested his forehead on his hands. It was there Dr. Phlox found him 2 hours later, halfway between sleep and a meditative trance.

***

“Captain...Trip!”

“Doc?” Trip groggily looked up and was visibly trying to force himself to become more awake and alert. He noted with some dismay that he still wasn’t actively receiving anything from T’Pol through their bond, although her presence in his head hadn’t faded any more since she had first lost consciousness.

“How is she?”

“Well, the good news is T’Pol made it through the surgery with minimal complications. She’s still unconscious, though. I don’t expect her to wake up for the next several hours.”

Trip sighed in relief and then suddenly frowned. “So, what’s the bad news?” he carefully asked.

Phlox regarded the tired man for a moment before answering. “The bleeding was quite severe. I was forced to perform a hysterectomy in order to stop it. I’m sorry, Trip…but T’Pol won’t be able to have anymore children.”

The worried husband nodded slowly as he absorbed the new information. He smiled sadly looking slightly disappointed, “I guess we’ve beaten the odds one too many times…but I’m grateful for the two we’ve got.”

“That really is the best way to look at it,” the Doctor offered him an understanding smile.

“Speaking of…” Trip drew in another anxious breath.

Phlox nodded. “I’ve checked in with Dr. Luchiano. The next day or two will be the most telling, but he says there is every reason to hope that your son will pull through this. And I happen to know this baby has a dominant “stubborn gene”…from both sides.”

Trip half-smiled at that comment, but still needed more information. “Assuming everything goes as expected, what does this mean for the long-term?”

The Doctor considered the question carefully. “Well, it is possible he will have to live with certain allergies, most all of which are highly treatable…it is also probable he will have a slightly diminished lung capacity for either a Vulcan or a Human. It shouldn’t affect a normal quality of life, but it is doubtful he will be able to sustain high exertion activities for extended periods of time.

“So, one day at a time, huh?”

“They are both resting comfortably at the moment, and I don’t expect that to change for the next few hours at least. Why don’t you do the same, hmm?” The Doctor looked pointedly at the exhausted Captain, who meekly nodded understanding the hidden intent.

“Call me if anything changes?” Trip looked at the Doctor in need of just a little more reassurance.

“Of course, Captain,” he nodded. “Rest well.”

Trip sighed heavily and made a move to comply with the silent order. He returned to his quarters for a hot shower and long overdue nap. He also sent a message to Archer, filling him in on the basics, and asking him to keep T’Lissa for a few extra days until things settled down.

***

Several hours later

Trip awoke suddenly with strong feelings of panic, despair, and frustration that he knew were not his own. A few seconds later the comm unit sounded in the Tucker family quarters.

“Phlox to Captain Tucker!”

“On my way, Doc!” Trip answered him having already slid on a pair of pants and shoes. He pulled a t-shirt over his head as he was hurrying out the door.

He found a distraught Vulcan, struggling against Dr. Phlox and another medic, who was trying to sedate her with a hypospray. Not having any of her usual strength, she lost the battle and slumped weakly back onto the bed.

As Trip looked slightly horrified, Phlox quickly walked over to him and grabbed him by the arm, pulling him to a more private area.

“Doc, what the hell’s goin’ on?!” His voice was an intense whisper.

Phlox grimaced, and took a deep breath, trying to recover for a moment himself. “She awoke a few minutes ago and quickly realized she was no longer pregnant. She was groggy and confused about what happened.”

“Well, what did you tell her?” Trip asked, trying to understand the situation amid the conflicting emotional assault he was getting from his wife.

“That the baby had been born…but when we couldn’t let her see him she quickly got irrational and paranoid, thinking we were hiding something from her…Part of her truly believes the baby didn’t survive the delivery…”

“You think I should try?”

“I didn’t tell her about the current condition of the baby because at this point, I didn’t think she could handle it.”

Trip nodded thoughtfully…”Let me talk to her.”

He walked over to T’Pol’s side, sat down on the bed, and began caressing her hand. He shot a ‘do you mind?!’ look at the medic still hovering nearby. The man glanced at Dr Phlox, who gestured for him to leave the couple alone.

*Hey, Honey.* Trip began gently. *How you feelin’?*

T’Pol’s eyes opened slowly as her head turned. *If you are here to perpetuate their lies you can leave.* She glared at him weakly.

*No, Darlin’, I’m here to tell you the truth…you can trust me…you know that.*

She seemed to calm somewhat, although still looked at him warily. Trip slowly filled her in on the condition of their son and the events of the last day, carefully trying to gauge her response as he went. He remained focused on her during the entire conversation attempting to reassure her with his own emotions.

*Both Doctors say there’s every reason to hope…but the baby needs to stay in the incubation unit for a while yet, and you’re still too weak for us to bring you to him.*

*I need to see him,* T’Pol implored her husband.

*I know that, Ashayam.* His hand went up to gently stroke her cheek. *Just give yourself a few days to recover from the surgery. *

She looked downcast, unable to meet his eyes. Trip almost thought he saw tears welling up in them.

She took a shaky breath. *I am sorry, T’hy’la…I cannot give you anymore children.* Waves of guilt and shame poured out of her and flooded across the bond.

Trip immediately gripped her hands tighter and forced her to look back up at him. *Do you know how lucky and blessed I think we are? We have two beautiful kids, not to mention each other…It is more than I ever dreamed of.* He gazed at her intently, hoping she would see the truth behind his words. He felt her relax slightly as her eyes fluttered shut. The conversation had taken its toll on her physically, but had produced the desired effect on her emotional stability and control. From the background, Doctor Phlox nodded and smiled in satisfaction.

***

Ever faithful, Trip remained by T’Pol’s side. Although every few hours he checked in with the other side of Sickbay and just watched the vitals board above the small incubator which held the tiny being for whom he already felt so much love. His face suddenly brightened as a thought occurred to him.

“Hey, Doc? I’ve got an idea…you got a video scanner hanging around down here?” Phlox routed through a few items before handing a specialized padd to him. “Thanks!”

Trip carefully shot a short video and a few close-up snapshots of his newborn son. He tried to minimize the appearance of all the tubes and wires still sticking into the small baby, so it wouldn’t cause T’Pol to worry even more. An hour later, after a few quick edits, he was able to share the images with his wife greatly easing her anxiety.

“Look, he’s got your dark hair, Honey…and of course your ears.” Trip grinned at her.

An eyebrow rose, “I’d recognize that nose anywhere,” she countered, snuggling closer to her husband, who had sidled up next to her on the bed and wrapped an arm around her.

The owner of the original nose nodded guiltily. “Yup…kinda an interesting twist on the ‘Vulcan’ look...” He gave her a gentle squeeze.

Not sure of what to make of his comment, T’Pol ignored it. “It goes well with the blue eyes,” she stated with a definitive measure of satisfaction in her voice.

***

One week later

T’Lissa Tucker was beside herself with excitement as she bounced around and squirmed in her seat. Uncle Jon was bringing her home and Daddy had promised her a special surprise when she got there. The smart little girl had assumed that could only mean one thing. From T’Lissa’s perspective, the shuttle ride was taking ten times longer than usual. And Jonathan Archer, as much as he loved having her with him, was counting the hours until his life could return to some semblance of normal.

Trip Tucker met his daughter and best friend at the airlock on Jupiter Station. He laughed and scooped the little girl up as she flew into his arms.

“Hey, Babygirl! I missed you so much!” he exclaimed as he planted a big kiss on her forehead. He then gratefully greeted his friend with a hearty handshake. “Good to see ya, Jon.”

“Daddy!” the little girl looked at him impatiently. “S’prise!”

Trip grinned at her. “Did I say that?” he asked innocently.

T’Lissa was clearly exasperated. “I wanna see Baby!” she demanded.

“”I think somebody told on me…” He shot Archer a mock glare.

Jonathan threw up his hands in defense and chuckled. “Don’t look at me! She figured it out all on her own.”

***

The trio walked into Sickbay and saw a nearly glowing T’Pol sitting up on one of the nearby bio-beds. She still looked slightly tired, but extremely content as she cradled her small son in her arms. She looked up and her eyes sparkled as she saw her daughter’s face shining with wonder and awe.

Trip sat down on the bed, while still having a firm grasp on T’Lissa, and allowed the little girl to get a good look at her new baby brother.

“Momma!” she breathed, “Baby here!”

“Yes, Daughter.” T’Pol reached out a gentle hand to cup the girl’s chin. “And I am pleased to have you home as well.” T’Lissa smiled at her for a moment before returning her gaze to the new baby.

“He’s so tiny!”

“Yeah, well I’ve got a feeling he’ll grow like a weed…just like somebody else I know.” T’Lissa giggled as her father tickled her lightly.

Jonathan Archer, who had been quietly observing the Tucker family, stepped forward. “So did you two finally decide on a name?”

Trip grinned proudly. “Jon, I’d like ta introduce you to Charles Sa’Jon Tucker, IV…or CJ for short.”

Archer raised both eyebrows.

“Sa’Jon is the closest Vulcan form of Jonathan that we could find,” T’Pol informed him. “Given your importance to our family, it seemed fitting to name him after the both Charles and you.” He remained speechless for a moment, extremely touched at the gesture.

It took a minute for their former Captain to compose himself, but once he did a huge smile crossed his face. “Congratulations, you two!” He lightly slapped Trip on the back, and then hoped T’Pol would indulge him as he placed a chaste kiss on her forehead.

Doctor Phlox gently interrupted the small group. “I hate to break up this reunion, but our patients still need their rest.”

All but T’Lissa took the cue as they knew baby CJ still needed to spend most of his time in the incubator. Only with a promise that they would return later, was Trip finally able to drag the little girl out of Sickbay and get her resettled at home. Father and daughter had a long talk about what having the new baby at home would mean, as mother and son got their rest and gained their strength. Uncle Jon flew home, to what suddenly seemed like a very empty and quiet house.

Chapter #9 - Rigellian Flu

Jupiter Station - October, 2163

Trip came home to empty quarters after a long day of warp schematics and diagnostics. He still hadn’t found the answer to the fluctuating energy readings inside the Columbia’s warp core. But at least he had eliminated a number of possibilities. He looked around and frowned. *Damn. It’s too quiet in here.*

“Personal log. Captain Charles Tucker III. My entire family has deserted me. T’Pol is on a 3 week Vulcan science mission studying what is thought to be a miniature black hole in the Ranaldi System. It’ll take them a week just to get there and another week back. She and CJ left 5 days ago so they should almost be there by now. Communications with them once they get there will be spotty at best. I’m glad she got to go though; she hasn’t been out of the solar system since CJ was born and we settled here on the Station. Her first real mission in almost 3 years. T’Lissa is on an overnight field trip to the Mars Colony. She couldn’t wait to see the experimental terraforming project on the Martian surface. She should be home within the hour, I’m sure I’ll hear all about it in extraordinary detail. Just like her mother that one, notices everything and stores it away for future reference. The Columbia’s been in space dock for a week now. Malcolm and Hoshi stopped by quickly before catching the transport to Earth for some shore leave. They should be able to spend a few days on the station with us before they ship back out. I’m sure Phlox has already arranged for long-range takeout from Madame Chang’s.”

The door slid open and Trip’s mood immediately brightened. “Hey, Babygirl!” he smiled as his 5-year- old daughter walked wearily into the room.

“Hi, Daddy.” She dropped her bag in the middle of the floor, something she wouldn’t have dared do if her mother had been home.

He narrowed his eyes at her. *Hmm, no eye roll or the usual reminder that she is in fact not a baby.*

“So, how was Mars?” He put his arm around the small figure who had plopped herself next to him on the sofa.

“Fine.” she replied leaning into his side and sighing.

*’Fine’??? I’m expecting a 30 minute dissertation and all I get is ‘fine’?*

“You okay, Hon?” he asked the sleepy girl snuggled up next to him. “Hmm?” he poked her gently.

“Uh-huh...tired...long trip back.” The last part sounded almost like a small uncharacteristic whine and Trip took note of the pout on his daughter’s face.

He stood up dragging her with him. Patting her back he said, “Why don’t you go get ready for bed...You want somethin’ to eat?”

“Not hungry,” was his only reply as T’Lissa trudged off in the direction of her room.

Fifteen minutes later when Trip went to check on her she was already lying face down on her bed sound asleep. As he lifted up the blanket to tuck her in he was surprised to see her still fully clothed, shoes and all.

Trip chuckled and shook his head. “You weren’t kiddin’ when you said you were tired...Come ‘ere.” He started with her shoes and in short order had her undressed and into her night gown. She stayed asleep throughout the entire process, but Trip wasn’t surprised. She had always slept like a rock; the problem was getting her to sleep in the first place.

***

A few hours later Trip had eaten, showered, and planned his schedule for the next day. Meditation wasn’t as easy or enjoyable without T’Pol present, but he had managed to get in a good 20 minutes. On the way to bed, he stopped in to check on his daughter again.

He bent down to carefully place a kiss on her head and brushed back a stray curl from her eyes. It was then that he noticed how damp her hair was, like she had been sweating profusely. Concerned, he placed a gentle hand on her face and forehead. Vulcans naturally had a higher body temperature than humans, but she was downright scorching. He shook her gently.

“Hey, Babygirl. Wake up, it’s Daddy.” T’Lissa moaned and rolled away from him with a huff.

“Come on, now, Darlin’. Just for a minute...T’Lissa!” he tried again.

“Lemme alone.” she wailed.

Trip marched over to the com unit. “Tucker to Dr. Phlox!”

After what seemed like an eternity to the worried father, “Go ahead, Captain.”

“I’m bringin’ T’Lissa down to Sickbay. She’s burnin’ up and she’s been cranky and seems kinda out of it.”

“Very well, Captain.” Phlox replied. “I’ll be waiting.”

Trip went quickly back to T’Lissa’s room and picked up his daughter from the bed.

“Nooo! Daddy!” she cried into his shoulder, her breathing starting to come in wheezes.

“Shhh!” He caressed her cheek and whispered, “It’s okay...I’m sure Phlox’ll fix you right up.”

Her whimpers continued as she grasped his neck and began to shiver in his arms. He plucked the blanket off the bed and wrapped it around her. He rubbed her back trying to comfort her as he quickly made his way to the station’s medical bay.

***

Dr. Phlox looked at the worried engineer. “Rigellian flu” was his sobering diagnosis.

Trip stared at him in horror. “Wait a minute! Isn’t that usually fatal to Vulcans?!”

“Mm-hmm,” the doctor replied. “Has she been off the station?”

“Yeah, she just got back from a field trip on Mars!”

The Doctor nodded. “There’s been a Vulcan medical alert on Mars for the last 3 days.”

“What?!” Trip looked distraught. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “So what do we do?”

“Well, I’ve got her in medical isolation right now, on a rigorous course of antibiotics and 100% oxygen. I’ll put her in a hyperbaric chamber in the morning if we don’t see any improvement in her breathing by then…You know the fact that she’s half Human means she has a good fighting chance, Captain. That and you got her in here so quickly.”

Trip nodded mutely.

“T’Pol and CJ are away, correct?” Phlox asked watching Trip carefully.

“Yeah, they won’t be back for at least 2 weeks...I guess this coulda been much worse.” He sighed as he wiped his hand down his face.

“Well, let’s be thankful for small favors, hmm?” he cheerily replied. His tone softened. “Rest assured I’m going to do everything I possibly can, Captain. “

“I know she’s in good hands, Doc. Can I see her?”

“Ensign Marsailles will take you through the decontamination procedures for the isolation bay. I’ll leave standing orders that you can have 24 hour access. I think it’ll be good for her to know you’re nearby.”

“Thanks...Oh, I’ve got to try and get a hold of T’Pol before she gets to that gravimetric distortion...I don’t know what I’m gonna say...”

“Maybe no news is good news, hmm? It’s not like she can do anything but worry...” Phlox offered.

Trip sighed. “I can’t do that, Doc...if the worst were to happen...” his voice broke off. “She’d never forgive me for not tellin’ her,” he continued softly.

Phlox nodded his head knowingly. They had been there before he recalled; he was making the right decision. The Doctor put a hand on the back of Trip’s shoulder. “Feel free to use my office communications system whenever you’re ready.”

He walked away to quietly research any and all experimental treatments for Rigellian Flu. T’Lissa Tucker’s Vulcan half was extremely sick, her Human half would either be her salvation or his biggest challenge.

***

Little CJ Tucker was at the moment wondering why his normally affectionate, but reserved mother was hugging him so hard he could barely breathe.

“Momma!” he gasped. T’Pol finally released him and he looked up at her placing a small hand on her cheek. She absently tucked him back into bed and silently stroked his dark hair until he fell back to sleep.

Still distracted, she stood and made her way to her meditation pillows. But, alas her most recent conversation played over and over in her mind, stirring her emotions like a whirling torrent.

T’Pol had spoken with her husband over a live channel and immediately knew something was wrong. As he shakily filled her in on the condition of their daughter, she felt her chest constrict.

“Darlin’ are you okay? T’Pol!” Trip tried to get his wife’s attention. She slowly looked up at him.

“We’re coming home,” she stated emphatically, knowing full well she would have a fight on her hands with Commander To’Han about turning back.

Trip sighed. “You can’t do that! The station needs to go through an entire decontamination cycle. They probably wouldn’t even let you dock.”

She gave him a look that said *Let them try and stop me.*

“My daughter needs me!” she insisted.

“Honey, I know how you feel...”

She glared at him.

His lips tightened in determined intensity. “You need to be with CJ and take care of him. This virus won’t affect me, but I or the other humans on the station could still be a carrier. You’d be infected the moment you came aboard.” He paused, then continued quietly, “Look, Phlox says T’Lissa’s human half is keeping her alive...you don’t have that luxury.”

“Your argument is...logical” she said in a defeated tone.

“Finish your mission. We’ll both be here with open arms to welcome you back...in two weeks.” He pointedly said

She nodded. “Trip.”

“Yeah?”

“Take good care of her.”

He smiled weakly. “You don’t even have to ask.”

“I will try to send a recorded message as soon as I can...In the meantime, tell her...tell her I love her.”

“I will. We love you, too, Darlin’...Both of you.” He raised his two middle fingers toward her folding the other three down. She mirrored his gesture as the transmission crackled to a close

T’Pol took small comfort in the fact that between Trip and Phlox, T’Lissa had 2 powerful champions at her side. But that knowledge did little to stop two tears from sliding down her face as she fell into a fitful, agonized sleep.

***

Kathleen Jefferson slowly made her way to the Jupiter Station Sickbay, unsure of what she was going to say to Captain Tucker. Never being one to avoid responsibility, especially when one of her students was involved, she took a deep breath and walked through the door. She saw the object of her apprehension talking quietly with Dr. Phlox and she saw little T’Lissa Beth behind the clear glass of the isolation bay.

“Captain.” she bravely started. “I was surprised when your daughter didn’t show up for school this morning. Then I heard she had fallen gravely ill.”

Trip blinked in confusion for a moment as he turned to face T’Lissa’s teacher. “Yeah, sorry ‘bout that I should’ve sent word she wouldn’t be in class…”

“No apologies are necessary, Captain…I merely came to see how she was or if there was anything I could do?”

He shook his head. “She’s got a high fever and a wheezing cough…it’s pretty much a waitin’ game at this point.” His arms folded across his chest as he turned away from her.

For several minutes the young teacher quietly watched the girl sleeping in the hyperbaric tent. She took a deep breath and spoke again softly. “I also came because I was waiting for the other shoe to drop…”

Trip looked at her in mild annoyance. He was in no mood to try and decipher the human woman’s cryptic words. He had a certain Vulcan woman’s psyche down pat, but women as a whole were still a mystery to him.

As if reading his mind she continued. “Your wife contacted me a short while ago. You might say she ‘raked me over the coals’.”

“She tends to get a little over-protective where the kids are involved,” he offered. His tongue rolled around his left cheek as he looked down at the floor. “What happened the other day?”

“Well as you know your wife and I finalized the plans for the field trip a week ago,” she started to explain. “There was no mention of a medical alert. When we were requesting final clearance at Mars, the pilot did ask if all the passengers were human. I answered yes, without thinking…They didn’t clarify why they were asking and we didn’t think anything of it…I am sorry, I should have been more careful.” She looked almost on verge of tears.

The father in Trip wasn’t above being over-protective himself when it came to his children. But as he observed the trembling woman in front of him he felt nothing but compassion. The situation, as awful as it turned out, was really nobody’s fault. And anger, negativity, and blind accusations would do nothing to help T’Lissa’s recovery.

He sighed deeply. “Look, Miss Jefferson, I learned a long time ago not to apologize for my wife, but as far as I’m concerned we all made some pretty big assumptions and errors in judgment. If you’ll promise me the procedures for field trips will be thoroughly reviewed, I consider the matter closed. I hope you and your class will keep T’Lissa in your thoughts and prayers.”

“Of course, Captain.” She smiled gratefully. “We’ve already started on the ‘Get Well’ cards; please keep us apprised of her condition.” After a final look at one of her favorite pupils, she left the tired man in peace.

***

T’Lissa Tucker awoke in the medical isolation bay coughing up a storm. Her anxious father was instantly at her side with Dr. Phlox close behind. The two men had been discussing the possibilities of trying a new experimental regiment for the Rigellian flu. Phlox was concerned with how the potent drugs would interact with the little girl’s unique physiology, but it was quickly becoming apparent that they were running out of options.

It had been over 36 hours since Trip Tucker had first brought his daughter to Sickbay and 12 since he and Phlox had agreed to try the experimental treatment. Her condition had stabilized, but there was no real improvement in her labored breathing.

T’Lissa looked at the man keeping patient vigil by her bedside and frowned.

“You look awful, Daddy.”

Trip’s eyebrows raised in mild amusement. “Hey, I’m the parent here. You let me do the worryin’, it’s my job.”

“But I promised Momma I’d look out for you while she was gone,” she protested.

“Ya did, huh?” He handed her a padd and settled down on the couch. “Well, why don’t you read to me for a change and I’ll try and take a nap...”

She seemed satisfied with the compromise and began to read Trip the “Wizard of Oz”. Eyes closed, he was dozing and dreaming of munchkins with increasingly slurred speech.

*Wait a minute, that’s not right!* He leapt to his feet, took one look at T’Lissa and hit the emergency call button. Her eyes were rolled up into her skull and the padd slid from her trembling hand, clattering to the floor.

Trip watched in terror as her tiny body started jerking uncontrollably. Instinctively he reached out to stabilize her head as Dr. Phlox rushed into the room.

“She’s having a seizure!” he called to the rest of his staff who quickly sprung into action. One of the medical crewmen practically manhandled Trip out of the way as he took over his spot at T’Lissa’s head. The girl’s undulations grew more and more violent.

“Trip!” Phlox urgently yelled. “Put your hands back on her head...Stand down, Crewman!” The man looked at him in wounded shock, but something in the Denobulan’s tone said ‘act now and ask questions later’.

The contact with her father reestablished, the tremors racking T’Lissa’s body began to slowly subside. Trip was breathing heavily, helplessly trying to will her to calm down, scared to death he was going to lose her. He bent over and gently placed his forehead against hers. “Please, Babygirl...Stay with me.” he desperately whispered.

***

“She’s slipped into a coma.” The doctor gingerly informed the distraught father. “It must have been an allergic reaction to that last series of antibiotics we gave her.”

Trip couldn’t take his eyes off the still figure lying before him; she was too still for his comfort. Her small body seemed so frail; it couldn’t possibly take much more of this. He tried to fight back the morose thoughts seeping into his mind.

“What happened before?” he finally asked. “She almost seemed to react to my touching her.”

“Uh-hmm,” Phlox agreed. “I believe that on some level she sensed your strength pulling for her and that calmed her down...You could have very well saved her life.”

Trip stared at him from across the bed, not bothering to hide his confusion. “I don’t understand.”

“Well, when T’Pol was pregnant she naturally formed a mental connection, a bond if you will, with T’Lissa. It tends to fade after birth and as the child becomes more independent.”

Trip nodded. “I remember, but what does that have to do with me?”

“Since you are human, we didn’t think much of it at the time, but Vulcan fathers are usually an important part of that bond as well...you are bonded to T’Pol, apparently that connection to T’Lissa was far deeper than any of us thought possible.”

“But why have I never noticed it before now?” he asked as Phlox’s words were slowly sinking in to Trip.

The Doctor thought a moment. “The two of you are extremely close; perhaps you’ve been expressing it on subconscious level all along.”

The new knowledge and realizations only made Trip love his daughter even more fiercely. “Ya gotta tell me she’s gonna be okay, Doc...” he pleaded, softly stroking her hair.

Phlox sadly shook his head, carefully considering his next words. “We just won’t know until her fever breaks and she wakes up. Unfortunately some of her mental capacity could have been compromised by the seizure.”

“Well can’t you at least give her something to bring the fever down? She’s been burnin’ up for days!”

“Believe it or not a fever can be a good thing, a body’s natural way of healing itself.”

Trip sighed as if defeated and gently picked up his daughter’s hand holding it between both of his.

“Please, Captain.” Phlox continued. “You have to try to get some rest yourself. You’ll do no good to T’Lissa if you’re so exhausted and run down.”

Trip smiled darkly. “The last conversation we had, she was worried about me...I’ll go get somethin’ to eat in a little bit.”

“I’ll have something brought down, but I’m talking about sleep, Captain. That and a hot shower would do you wonders.” Phlox didn’t know how much longer Trip could keep up his 24-hour a day watch by himself. An idea suddenly occurred to him. He quietly slipped out of the room and discreetly made a call to a certain Academy Commodore.

***

“You know when I left my ship here it was under the assumption that you’d be keeping an eye on her for me.” Commander Reed greeted his friend.

Trip looked dully up at him. “Yeah, well some things are more important than duty...” As his friend glanced back down at his daughter, Malcolm immediately regretted his bad attempt at humor.

Commodore Archer quickly covered for him as he came in and gripped the shoulder of his former Chief Engineer. “How you holding up, Trip?”

“Jon?” Trip snapped into the present. “What...what are you all doin’ here?” He stood to graciously accept a much needed hug from Hoshi Sato.

“You might say I called in the cavalry.” Phlox smiled as he entered the room. “It’s good to see you all.”

Archer nodded. “I rounded up a shuttle and these two as soon as Phlox called. You should have told us, Trip. You know we would have been here as soon as we heard.”

“Guess I haven’t thought much beyond the next few minutes, lately...thanks for comin’.”

“There’s nowhere we’d rather be.” Malcolm finally piped up attempting a smile which was gratefully returned.

Hoshi continued. “Yeah, Phlox thought we could take turns sitting with her. Give you a much needed break.”

“Oh, I’m doin’ fine,” Trip tried to lie.

“Oh, you look fine!” Hoshi said sarcastically. “You could at least use a shower!”

Trip grimaced at his friend. He knew they were right, of course. He also knew he wouldn’t get any peace until he complied with his comrades’ silent orders.

After eating his first full meal since T’Lissa had gotten sick, Trip was feeling much better. He headed to his quarters for a shower, a fresh change of clothes and a quick shave. As he stepped into his quarters though, he almost tripped on T’Lissa’s overnight bag still sitting on the floor where she had unceremoniously dropped it. He slowly picked it up and went to put it into her room; it was enough to unravel him. He sank to the floor clutching his daughter’s stuffed toy sehlat as he gave into the unshed tears threatening to overwhelm him.

After the emotional release, he was able to shower and shave and made another attempt to contact T’Pol. Having to settle for a text message that still might not reach her for several days, he made his way back to sickbay. Not wanting to leave T’Lissa for too long a time period, he made the nearby couch his temporary bed. He did rest in peace though, knowing that his friends were standing guard, and that they loved the little girl almost as much as he did.

***

It had been nearly 10 hours since T’Lissa Tucker’s fever had broken but she still hadn’t woken up. Her exhausted father could be found in his usual place next to her bed, not having left her side for more than a few hours during the last 5 days. At the moment, his arms were folded on the side of the bed, his head resting on top of them. It was close to midnight when he felt a gentle pat in his hair. Groggily realizing his daughter’s hand was no longer in his, he looked up. To his joyful surprise two baby blues blinked back at him, the most beautiful blue eyes he had ever seen.

“Daddy?” a small voice weakly asked.

“Hey there, Darlin’.” Trip murmured, instantaneously awake. “Welcome back.” He anxiously smoothed back a wayward blonde curl as he got up from his chair and sat on the bed.

“Well now, how’s my favorite patient doing?” Phlox said, entering the room. He whipped out a hand scanner while simultaneously checking the vitals board above her head.

The little girl demonstrated she still had a severe cough. “I feel yucky, Doctor ‘Lox” was her miserable response.

“Aha. Hardly scientific, but I think I get the general idea.” He grinned at her before taking another minute to study his readings. “I’d say we should have you feeling much better in the next few days. Now if I can steal your father for a moment?”

“Bring him back soon!” she ordered. “Oh, and come back with ice cream. Strawberry.” Trip smiled.

Phlox looked down at her. “I promise…Captain?” he nodded toward the door. Trip followed him after a gentle squeeze to his daughter’s hand.

“Well, Doc?” he immediately said when the door had closed behind him.

“She’s coherent and alert…I’d say she’s over the worst of it.”

“So she’s really gonna be okay?” Trip still held his breath.

“I am cautiously optimistic she’ll make a full recovery. That cough indicates a touch of pneumonia, but I don’t think it’s anything we can’t handle.”

The breath finally escaped him as Trip leaned his head back against the wall. Suddenly all the stress of the last 5 days caught up to him as he slowly slid down the wall to a seated position on the floor and closed his eyes.

Phlox looked at him worriedly. “Captain!” he ran his hand scanner over Trip. “Are you all right?”

Trip forced his eyes open, “Yeah, I’m fine…guess I didn’t realize just how tired I was…” He took a deep breath and gratefully accepted an arm as he made a move to stand up again.

Phlox eyed him critically. “You can go back and spend a few minutes with your daughter, but then its 6 hours of uninterrupted sleep in your own bed. Don’t make me have to order you!”

“Aye, aye, Doc.” He offered a mock salute, knowing from experience the Doctor was serious. “Thanks... for everything.”

“I’m only doing my job.” Phlox quickly brushed the comment aside.

Trip smiled appreciatively at him. “Somehow, I don’t quite believe that.”

It was a happy father that spent the next hour feeding his daughter strawberry ice cream and showing her the get well cards her classmates had made for her. Together, they watched the messages from her mother that included a short video of CJ, and in between minor coughing fits, he promised her some special visitors first thing in the morning. All too soon she started yawning tiredly.

Trip smiled at his daughter one last time and placed a lingering kiss on her forehead. “Get some sleep, Babygirl,” he whispered softly.

“Not a baby!” was the mumbled reply. And for the first time in what felt like forever, Trip felt a chuckle rippling through his chest. Yes, everything was gonna be okay.

***

Ten days later one of the Jupiter Station airlock doors rolled open to reveal a rather tired looking Vulcan woman. She absently handed her son over to his father and dropped the bag she was carrying on her other shoulder, as she gazed at the blonde, blue-eyed girl waiting anxiously for her.

“Hey, Buddy!” Trip grinned at the little boy who was slapping his small hands on either side of his father’s face.

“Dad-dee!” CJ giggled in surprise as he was being swung up into the air and then pulled back down into a bear hug.

T’Pol knelt down in front of her daughter and placed a gentle hand on her cheek.

“I am pleased to see you, Daughter…and relieved that you appear so well.”

T’Lissa nodded and threw herself into her mother’s arms. “I missed you, Momma.” She started to cry.

After a few moments, T’Pol leaned back so she could look into her child’s eyes. “I hope you understand how much I wanted to be here with you.”

T’Lissa sniffled and nodded again. “Daddy explained to me why you couldn’t come home. I’m glad I didn’t make you and CJ sick, too.”

“Nothing would have kept me away otherwise, Daughter.” She drew the girl back into her arms and both let out a sigh of contentment.

Trip smiled as he watched the rare public display of affection out of the corner of his eye. “Why don’t we take this reunion back to our quarters?” he said, shifting CJ’s weight in his arms.

He reached over and offered a two fingered Vulcan kiss to his wife as she stood in agreement. T’Pol gratefully accepted and returned the gesture, locking eyes with her husband for a long moment.

He leaned down to pick up the discarded bag, as T’Lissa grabbed T’Pol’s hand and led her towards home. Trip smiled in satisfaction, as he followed them through the halls of the station.

Back inside their quarters, T’Lissa took her little brother’s hand and proceeded with him to the play area in the corner of the main room.

Their children sufficiently distracted for the moment, husband and wife shared a long look at each other. Trip opened up his now empty arms and T’Pol quickly crossed the short space separating them. Both stood nearly motionless as they just held each other, each understanding perfectly, the other’s thoughts and feelings.

*Oh, I’ve missed ya, Darlin’…not sure I knew how much ‘til right now.* He sighed happily, simply enjoying the feel of her in his arms again.

*I am never leaving again!* she declared, resting her head on his chest. Trip smiled and softly rubbed her back, knowing that that probably wasn’t true, but let her have the moment.

T’Pol pulled back slightly and looked deeply into Trip’s eyes. *Thank you, for taking such good care of her, T’hy’la. I don’t know what I would have done if…*

*Hey, now,* he interrupted, tugging her a little closer to him. *Everything’s okay. We had a bit of a scare there for a while, but we got through it…as for takin’ good care of her…well, I couldn’t have done anything less.*

After several minutes, T’Pol reluctantly broke the embrace as a small fight seemed to be brewing on the other side of the room.

A somewhat erotic image of him and T’Pol flashed through Trip’s mind, to be saved for later that evening, once the kids were sound asleep. His eyebrows shot up in surprise when he gleefully realized the thought didn’t originate from him. He met his wife’s eyes from across the room as she looked innocently back at him, and then turned her attention back to their children.

“Come over here, Daddy! Play with us.” Trip heard T’Lissa implore as she tugged on his hand. “We can play boys versus girls!”

“Aw, come on!” he complained. “You know you two always beat the socks off us!”

His daughter just giggled as his wife continued to set up the well-used Vulcan logic game. Trip sighed as he scooped up CJ to sit on his lap.

“All right, Son, it’s Tucker male honor we’re playin’ for here…” His son looked uncomprehendingly up at him, as T’Pol flicked him an eyebrow.

Trip chuckled and shook his head as he proceeded to gratefully lose to his two favorite girls.

***

2 hours later

“And…Done!! That’s another game, Daddy. The score is five to one!” T’Lissa clapped her hands in joy.

“Well, I think I should get extra points because my partner here fell asleep.” Trip alleged, indicating the little boy who was lightly snoring in his arms.

“And I think that a certain little girl is up past her bedtime.” T’Pol diplomatically said.

“Aw, Momma! I spent two whole weeks in bed!” the little girl tried to protest.

“All the more reason for you to get your rest, Daughter,” her mother calmly stated. She turned to Trip, “Which one would you like?”

He grinned, “I don’t see any reason to break up the boy-girl teams now.”

She raised an eyebrow at him and gave what Trip would’ve sworn was a slightly annoyed glare.

“Welcome Home, Hon!” he called on his way out of the room.

***

1 hour later

“I would have thought putting an already asleep boy to bed would have required less time than an exuberant little girl.” T’Pol said quietly when she entered her son’s small bedroom.

“Oh, hey, Darlin’…I was just watchin’ him.” Trip whispered. “T’Lissa asleep?”

“Finally. It took three stories and a Vulcan lullaby.”

“That’s my girl.” He smiled as he stroked his son’s hair lightly. “We’re really lucky you know. I mean, T’Lissa’s tough, but if you and CJ had been here…I don’t even wanna think about what would’ve happened.”

“I am…’tough’.” T’Pol tried to argue.

Trip chuckled, and then got completely serious. “Yeah, ya are…but that virus would’ve hit you twice as hard, and CJ here…well…”

T’Pol moved next to her husband and placed a hand on his shoulder. “We cannot be concerned about what might have been, we can only be grateful for what is.”

He considered her words for a moment and nodded. “Surak?”

“T’Pol Tucker.”

Trip laughed softly. He leaned over and gently kissed his son’s forehead as he stood to leave. “Sweet dreams, little man” he whispered.

He held an arm out to his wife, as she kissed their son good-night and then joined him to retire to their bedroom. The rest of the evening was spent being grateful for what was, and relishing the simple joy of being together.

Part VI (Chapter 10 & Epilogue)

Return to Part IV (Chapter 7)

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

Wonderful chapters! Great childbirth - it's a shame we can't share the process in this day and age - haha! I liked how quickly Trip picked up on his daughter's odd behavior - and how T'Pol conveyed her concern yet remained believably Vulcan.

Awww, that's such a great story!!!!
So cute.....I LOVE IT !!!!!!!!!!

This is the kind of future I would have much preferred for Trip and T'Pol. I know... Snapshots can be the new finale! :)

Such a wonderful story, wow, I love it.

I agree with Trisuns5........this is the kind of ending I can accept for TNT. I've really liked this storyline, and would be happy to see lots more.

Yet more good stuff! I can't wait for the next chapter, this is such an awesome story! :)

Beautiful life TnT will have aint it. Nice to know this is where things head after the Real Finale,,, That thing writin by B&B dont count.
I love learnin bout the day to day lives of these two. Cant wait for your next update.

I particularly loved Trip sharing T'Pol's pregnancy pains and the way they reached out to each other through their bond. Was really worried for poor T'Lissa when she got that flu and so relieved she pulled through. Nice also to see that brief reunion with Jon, Malcolm and Hoshi. Lovely story, thanks. Ali D :~)

This is a beautiful story. It brought tears to my eyes at moments but I'm glad that it continues to be a happy story.

Thanks for that. To bad you aren't in charge of the finale instead of the Beebs. :p

Wow! That was such a great story! I can't wait for the rest!

Loving this story and looking forward to reading more! :-)