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Snapshots - Part VI

Author - Valleygirl
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Snapshots

By: Valleygirl


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
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.
Summary: Key moments or ‘Snapshots’ from Trip & T’Pol’s relationship, starting on the trip to Vulcan
A/N: Given certain things which will not be mentioned here, I couldn’t do part of the ending I had originally planned. However I needed to complete the story and tie it together…I think I have accomplished this goal in a better way than I had previously envisioned, but fair warning…the epilogue made me cry when I wrote it…twice! ;o)


PART VI (Chapter 10 & Epilogue)

Chapter #10 - Growing Pains

Jupiter Station – May, 2172

It had always been outwardly clear that retired Ambassador Soval disapproved on principal of the fact that T’Pol’s chosen bondmate was human. However over the years, Trip could have sworn he caught glimpses of the fact that Soval didn’t entirely disapprove of her actual choice in said humans. There had been an underlying, if begrudging, respect between the two men that went back to the events that lead to the dissolution of the Vulcan High Command. Trip had been in command of Enterprise, while T’Pol and Archer were on the surface helping the Syrranites recover the long missing Kir’Shara. Tucker, with Soval at his side, had gone against orders to help prevent what surely would have been a devastating war between Vulcan and Andoria.

“Your presence honors us, Ambassador” T’Pol greeted their dinner guest.

“T’Pol, it is agreeable to see you again. I trust you and your family are well.”

She nodded, “Quite. Charles and the children will not be home before 18 hundred hours, Ambassador. Please, sit down while I prepare some refreshment.”

A few minutes later T’Pol returned with two steaming cups of tea and a small plate of cut up fruit.

“I have come primarily to speak with you, T’Pol.” She sat down on the chair opposite the nearby sofa as Soval quickly got to the point. “Your talents are being wasted on this station.”

T’Pol bristled slightly, “I do not see how the proper raising of children can be seen as a waste of time, Ambassador.”

He nodded slightly, “It is indeed a noble pursuit, but as your offspring mature they require more formal schooling. The Vulcan Science Ministry is in need of a senior research coordinator for our deep space missions. Your unique experience makes you ideal for the task.”

“It would require moving to Vulcan,” T’Pol said softly, trying to hide her surprise.

Soval eyed her critically. “Yes, your children could attend the best schools, and with the advent of the Federation alliance, I am sure your husband could find gainful employment.”

T’Pol’s shoulders sank. It was a tempting offer, but…”My husband is already ‘gainfully employed’ here, Ambassador. Our place is with him.”

“T’Pol an offer like this does not come around every day. Captain Tucker would not consider leaving his post?”

“No. Now is not the appropriate time to consider such a substantial move.”

“Even if the educational opportunities presented to your children are far superior?”

“The education T’Lissa Beth and Sa’Jon are receiving is more than sufficient. And I have provided them with adequate supplemental material, as has their father and Dr. Phlox. It has always been our plan to encourage them to pursue further schooling off the station…when they are old enough.”

“I ask that you consider this offer carefully, T’Pol.” Soval said in that annoyingly persistent way of his.

“No. And it is illogical for you to keep asking a question to which I have already told you the answer.” T’Pol held her breath faintly hoping that the slightly impertinent statement would get him to back down.

A worn and graying eyebrow rose in her direction. “I have attempted to look out for you and your family since your father died, T’Pol. It has not always been an easy task. I do believe my long-time colleague would have found your answer disappointing.” He dropped the subject, knowing he had made his point as forcefully as he could, and regretting just how stubborn his former protégé could be.

After several silent, tense minutes and a few glares from both Vulcans, the main door finally slid open revealing Captain Tucker and his two children. Sa’Jon immediately went over and greeted the Ambassador, whom he kept in regular contact with over subspace.

Meanwhile, T’Lissa Beth sighed and muttered under her breath. “Aw, man, the BOV is back again!”

Trip, well aware of the superiority of Vulcan hearing, grabbed her arm and drew her back towards him for a moment. “Behave yourself!” he hissed in her ear.

***
The next morning

“Somethin’ I can do for you, Ambassador?” Trip Tucker was tired of waiting for the Vulcan, who had been pacing around the main Jupiter Station repair room for several minutes, to approach him.

Soval raised his head and looked Trip in the eye as if deciding something. “I wish to speak with you privately, Captain.”

After wiping off some engine grease on a nearby towel, Trip nodded. “My office, okay?” He held out a hand to indicate the general direction.

The Ambassador preceded the engineer in and silently waited for the door to close. He regarded for a moment the other man who was still standing and had both arms folded across his chest.

“I am at a loss to determine why you would deny your wife and children new professional and educational opportunities.” Soval began.

Trip stared at the older man for a moment in confusion and shock. “Um, no offense, Ambassador, but what the hell are you talkin’ about?”

An eyebrow rose thoughtfully. “Perhaps I should not have said anything. I do not wish to interfere in what is clearly a family matter.”

Tucker rolled his eyes in frustration. “Oh, no you don’t! You come in here, clearly miffed at me for some reason; I think I deserve to know why that is.”

“I do not get ‘miffed’, Captain!”

“Whatever. Why do I get the feelin’ somethin’ went down between you and T’Pol last night that I should know about?”

Soval paused a moment more before answering him. “The Ministry of Science has created a new senior level position to coordinate deep space science missions with Starfleet. Given her experience, your wife is the obvious candidate for such a post.”

Trip nodded and it didn’t take long for him to put two and two together. “And you think I’m preventing her from accepting the position somehow?”

“It is not my business to assume such a thing.”

Trip shook his head, not sure how to feel at the moment. Anger was clearly winning out, but he was unsure of who best to direct his frustration at.

“Look, Ambassador,” he sighed. “I know that you’ve been somewhat of an honorary uncle to T’Pol since her father died, but believe me when I tell you, this is the first I’m hearin’ about this.”

“I realize a move to Vulcan would be a monumental change, but the schools on my world are excellent.” Soval saw his opening and took full advantage of it.

“I don’t doubt that,” Trip said dryly, his mind contemplating the possibilities. “It would probably mean me leavin’ Starfleet…” he continued, talking more to himself than to Soval.

“I could investigate some potential opportunities for you as well, Captain. Your reputation precedes you, I am sure once my people get to know you better they will be as impressed with your work as I have been over the years.”

Trip’s eyebrows rose, as a glint of amusement crossed his face. “Aw, I think that’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me, Ambassador.”

“Do not expect a repeat performance.”

Trip let our half a laugh, before getting serious again. “Look, I can’t promise you anything, but I’ll talk with T’Pol. We’ll give this offer our full consideration.”

“Thank you, Captain. That’s all I ask. Good day.” Soval bowed slightly and then left the engineer alone with his thoughts.

***
It was well past midnight when T’Pol had finished her evening meditation. Having blown out the candles, the room was completely dark as she quietly slipped into bed. The nightstand light on the other side of the bed clicked on. T’Pol found herself squinting at her very awake husband, who obviously had something on his mind.

“So, why didn’t you tell me about Soval’s offer?” Trip quietly asked.

“Now is not the proper time to consider such a move.” T’Pol replied a bit too evenly.

“So you came to that conclusion yourself, without even talkin’ to me about it?”

She took a deep breath. “Very well. What do you think?”

“I think you’ve spent over 12 years with me on Jupiter Station, advancing my career, while you have put your own on relative hold.”

“I have never regretted having the time to raise our family, while supporting your career…”

“I know that, and you’ve done a great job, but you’ve also given up a lot. Maybe it’s time to consider new challenges.”

“Charles, the children are hardly grown, you’ve said yourself that human teenagers can be a handful.”

Trip winced for a moment. *Charles? She only calls me that when I’m in trouble or she doesn’t approve of something I’ve done…* He chose to set that issue aside for the moment.

“I’m also sayin’ maybe I’m ready for new challenges, too. I wouldn’t mind considerin’ a reversal of roles, so to speak. I mean think about it. Yes, teenagers do need a lot of guidance, but it’s not like they need the kind of minute by minute supervision they needed as toddlers. They’re both in school all day and have friends and activities of their own to participate in.”

“It would mean, tearing them away from those friends and activities. They may not be pleased.”

”I know that, but I think the experience could be really good for them, too. Especially, T’Lissa Beth. I mean Sa’Jon seems to have made a pretty clear cut decision to follow the path of Surak…and I can respect that. There are schools on Vulcan that are better suited for him to achieve his goals. But T’Lissa Beth, she’s floundering. For all her bravado about rejecting her Vulcan heritage and being completely human, I don’t get the impression from her that she really knows what she wants. Experiencing Vulcan culture firsthand could be just the influence she needs to come up with the proper balance in her life.”

Trip narrowed his eyes at T’Pol slightly and considered her very carefully. Through all the mental shields she seemed to have erected lately, they both had, he was still pretty good at reading her. She had definitely reacted, when he had brought up their daughter. *Aha* he thought. *Finally, we’re gettin’ somewhere…*

T’Pol noticed he had finished speaking and appeared waiting for her to respond. After careful consideration, she said, “I am impressed, Husband. You sound like you have given this some serious thought. But what about you, your career with Starfleet?”

“As I said, I’m ready for a new challenge, a change of scenery. Since the formation of the Federation, this job has become more of a repair supervisor than a new technology specialist. I dunno, maybe I’ve been lookin’ for an excuse to leave.”

“You haven’t mentioned this before.”

“Look whose callin’ the kettle black!” She furrowed her eyebrows at him. “Never mind…I guess it’s been runnin’ around in my head for the last 6 months to a year or so…Just wasn’t a conscious thought, or maybe there just didn’t seem like a proper time to bring it up.”

“Many things have changed on Vulcan since the dissolution of the High Command, but we don’t know how our…unique family would ultimately be received there. I have very few ties left to my home world.”

“All the more reason to consider moving there. Look, Darlin’, I’m not sure what’s been goin’ on with us the past several months, and I’m not sure right now is the proper time to get into all that, but I think a change would be good for us. All of us. Jupiter Station has been wonderful to us, but I think it’s time to move on. Just like Enterprise wasn’t a place to raise small kids, we’ve outgrown our life here. We need to broaden our horizons, and the kids’ horizons.”

T’Pol looked at the man sitting across from her on the bed and raised a surprised eyebrow at him. He had always been exceptionally good at getting his point across and convincing her of his argument, but rarely had he done it with this much logic, forethought and love. Yes, love. He was willing to make sacrifices of his own, because he felt strongly that this decision would benefit his family.

“You hate the desert.” T’Pol finally said, with a just a touch of the amusement she would have used in days past.

It didn’t go unnoticed by Trip. He smiled, “I’ll adapt. Nothing’s permanent if it really doesn’t work out, but I think we should try it for a few years. Besides, on that whole big planet, there’s gotta be somethin’ a brilliant engineer like myself can do.”

“We need to speak with the children first, Charles.”

*What’s with the Charles again??* He thought in frustration. He sighed, “Yeah, I guess you’re right, the sooner the better.”

She nodded and made a move to crawl under the covers to go to sleep. She paused a moment before turning back to look at him. “And you and I should talk at some point, as well.” Her tone was infinitesimally softer, but it was enough so Trip understood that she was reaching out to him.

“I look forward to that, Ashayam,” he gratefully replied as he turned off the light and settled down beside her.

***
The conversation with Sa’Jon and T’Lissa Beth went pretty much as expected. Sa’Jon stoically admitted he would miss certain acquaintances on the station, in particular Doctor Phlox. But, he also agreed that a move to Vulcan opened up infinitely diverse opportunities.

T’Lissa Beth was another story. She was convinced her mother was only doing this to make her life miserable and to be able to push more of her ‘Vulcan crap’ on her. She seethed with anger when she realized her father not only agreed with the decision, but had been mostly responsible for making it happen to begin with.

“You’ve already made up your minds! Why bother talking to us if you don’t care what we think…or how we feel!?” she yelled.

“Now that’s not true, Babygirl. What you think means a lot to us. I just think this could be a good experience for you and open up new possibilities for all of us.” Trip tried to explain. “You need to consider the positive—“

“I hate you! I hate you both!” She stormed out of the living area and locked herself inside her bedroom.

T’Pol was looking with interest at her husband’s shocked expression. *I believe the proper phrase is ‘Welcome to the club.’*

Trip grimaced then glared at her. *Now what the hell is that supposed ta mean?!* He left the room to go try and talk to T’Lissa alone.

***
One month later
After an emotional goodbye to Dr. Phlox and Jupiter Station, the Tucker family was on their way to Earth for a final visit before relocating to Vulcan. After the four spent a couple of days in Mississippi with the elder Tuckers, Admiral Archer picked up T’Lissa Beth and Sa’Jon and returned with them to San Francisco. Trip and T’Pol meanwhile headed in the opposite direction, for a much needed and deserved weekend alone. Unbeknownst to them, T’Lissa Beth was already hard at work on her new target in her mission to stay behind on Earth. Her grandparents had already turned her down, knowing full well their son and daughter-in-law would never consider splitting up their family a viable option.

***
They were alone in the hotel suite at the Aruba resort. A warm sea breeze was gently blowing through the open windows and French doors, which led out to the small balcony. The lightweight beige curtains flowed through the air as husband and wife awkwardly gazed at each other. Ocean waves crashed in the background and a lone seagull could be heard flying overhead. Why was this so difficult? It was clear the impending conversation had been put off long enough.

“All right, do we do this the hard way or the easy way?” Trip asked, noting just how beautiful his wife looked in the waning light of the early evening.

“Easy way?” T’Pol inquired with a sense of wary curiosity. “What is the easy way?”

Trip smiled as he took her hand and led her to the meditation mats she had placed on one side of the room. He lit the candles they had brought and the few that were already in the room. He knelt down on one small pillow and indicated she should do the same.

T’Pol complied, not noticing she was currently biting her lower lip. As she took her position across from him, she drew in a deep breath when he reached out and clasped one of her hands in each of his. Out of habit both sets of eyes closed and they began to synchronize their breathing.

Meditation was not easy to achieve at first, they were definitely out of practice meditating with each other. Trip lightly caressed T’Pol’s hands with his own as he reached out to her with his mind.

*Come on, Ashayam. You don’t need a mental bond to figure out what I am trying to do…Meet me halfway.* He then tried to focus on disassembling his carefully erected mental shields and gratefully sensed her attempting to do the same thing.

***
Several hours later, Trip awoke from the rather intense love-making session he had shared with T’Pol. At least they couldn’t attribute their recent lack of closeness to a dwindling passion for each other. As he lay awake entangled in the twisted sheets, he idly noted his right arm was numb. Not that he would have moved it for all the tea in China. He was enjoying the feel of his equally naked and awake wife wrapped tightly around him. Inside their minds they were exploring each other mentally as deeply as they had physically explored each other last night.

“I’ve got it!” he suddenly said. “I know why you didn’t want to tell me about Soval’s offer.”

T’Pol shifted slightly to look up at her husband with wide eyes, not entirely sure resuming their joint meditation exercises had been a good idea.

*You were afraid I’d encourage you to go to Vulcan and try it for awhile. That I would’ve said you should take Sa’Jon with you and T’Lissa Beth could stay with me on the station.* He looked at her for moment, and understood her silence as confirmation.

*Aw, Honey. I know we’ve often done ‘tag-team’ parenting, but don’t you think that’s a bit extreme?*

*I was unaware of your desire to leave the station.*

*Now that has nothin’ to do with it…all right that’s a separate issue…You have to know I would never have suggested our family living that far apart from each other. No matter how temporarily. I told you the day we got married, we were in this together, I meant that.*

*I know, but you have already given up so much for us to be together. I didn’t think it was fair to ask anything more from you.*

*Hey, I’m not the only one; you’ve made sacrifices too, especially in your career. Even if I hadn’t been ready for a change of scenery, I would have given this offer my full consideration…for you.*

*Perhaps faith is still an emotion I struggle with.*

*Well, I’ve got enough for both of us, you’ve just gotta remember that.*

She sighed deeply as he leaned in to capture her lips in another passionate kiss. Oh, there would be plenty of time to continue talking later, she decided.

***
*Why did you not tell me of your wish to leave the station?* T’Pol asked.

*I dunno, it never seemed to be the right time…that and it wasn’t a conscious thought really, just a bunch of little things.* he sighed.

*And you thought I would be disappointed in you?* the thought surprised her.

*Yeah, I guess that was part of it...it wasn’t like there was better offer on the horizon…I felt like I was giving up…I mean it was because of me that we were on the station to begin with. I didn’t think it was fair to uproot everyone.*

*I have not been in a position to judge your service to Starfleet for many years…even then I seldom found fault with it.*

*I know.* he quietly agreed.

*Your happiness means a great deal to me, T’hy’la…we could have come up with a plan together.*

*I’ve missed talkin’ to ya, Darlin’…I guess I didn’t know how to start up again…* He placed a lingering kiss on her forehead, and tugged her closer as they both drifted back to sleep.

***
*You are disappointed Sa’Jon has chosen to follow a purely Vulcan path.* Apparently T’Pol was just as good, if not better, at ferreting information out her mate.

*No!* he tried to defend himself.

Trip sighed as he was greeted by patient silence. *You know when he started quoting Surak at age 5 I thought it was just a phase…one he’d grow out of. At eight, when he came to us and quietly insisted we only call him Sa’Jon and not CJ anymore…it broke my heart, but I got used to it. He seems to know what he wants, who am I to deny him that?*

*But it still disturbs you.*

*I dunno, I guess I had this grand illusion that our kids would find some magical combination that would allow them to be Human and Vulcan at the same time, by taking the best of both sides of their heritage. And as hard as we tried to expose them to both cultures, we still ended up with one of each.* He sighed heavily.

*I don’t know about that. Sa’Jon appears to have inherited your sense of humor.*

Trip chuckled. *Yeah, he can deadpan with the best of ‘em…which brings us to T’Lissa Beth.*

*Who when she heard of Sa’Jon’s name change wanted us to call her Beth, like her friends do.*

*We almost had to ground her before she accepted the compromise…her attitude has bothered you as well.*

*Yes. Perhaps if she didn’t insist on making everything a battle, I could accept her choices with more ease.*

*You feel like it’s a personal attack on you?* He probed deeper. *And you think I’m always ready to jump in and take her side?!* The thought hadn’t never really occurred to him before. *You’re scared that one day I may have to really choose between my daughter and my wife.*

*I love our daughter, T’hy’la, very much.*

*I know that, and I also know she hasn’t been a walk in the park the past few years. Whatever happened to my sweet, happy Babygirl?*

*She grew up…into a teenager.*

*Well I don’t remember tellin’ her she could do that…* He closed his eyes and carefully considered his next words.

*Whatever decisions we make concerning our daughter, even if it means lettin’ her go to make her own mistakes… there is nothing that can break the bond between you and I. You have to believe that...you’re too much a part of me now.*

*I can not imagine my life without you either, Trip.*

He started laughing and noticed her surprised expression. *So we’re back to ‘Trip’ now?*

T’Pol looked at her husband in confusion.

*The name ‘Charles’ has slipped into our conversations more and more, recently,* he explained.

*Interesting,* she contemplated that fact. *I hadn’t noticed.*

*Well I did!* he tightened his arms around her, inhaling her scent as he nuzzled her neck. *You know I’ve missed this. Just lyin’ in bed holdin’ you.*

T’Pol’s agreement was not communicated in words as she snuggled up closer to her bondmate.

“Hey, Woman! I said just holdin’ you…” he groaned.

“We have a lot of time to make up for, Ashayam…”

***
*So basically what we’ve got here is a failure to communicate.* Trip grinned when he realized that his comment sounded a bit too familiar, as if it was a line directly out of one of his old movies.

*You are afraid you’ve failed Sa’Jon in some way, that he doesn’t understand or value human culture.*

*And you are struggling to understand why T’Lissa Beth seems to have rejected anything and everything Vulcan. Tell me again why we allowed them to grow up?*

T’Pol frowned slightly. *They didn’t ask us. They just went ahead and did it.*

*Oh…well, no one said this was gonna be easy* he sighed. *But, Baby, I’m glad you’re on my side!* He continued to hug her to him while caressing her back and arms.

*I am pleased to do battle with you as well.* she dryly replied.

*Aw, Honey, cheer up. It’s bound to get better. As I said, I think this move will be good for all of us.* A noise rumbled up from his stomach. “Oops, ‘scuse me,” he whispered.

“It has been 18 hours, T’hy’la. Perhaps you are hungry.”

“Really?! That long? You must be starvin’!”

“The thought occurred to me, but it seemed illogical to move.”

***
Vulcan – two weeks later
Having arrived on their new home world, it just then occurred to Trip and T’Pol that they really had nowhere to live. Soval had made temporary arrangements for the family to stay at the space port, but the accommodations were cramped and not meant for any kind of long term visit.

Waiting for them when they first entered their room was a plain white envelope, which T’Pol picked up and began to read. Her husband watched with interest as her eyes widened in surprise.

*Whose it from?* he finally asked curiosity getting the better of him.

T’Pol looked up at him for a moment before answering. *Koss.*

Trip wasn’t sure how to react in that moment. The last time T’Pol had received a hand-written note from this man, it had definitely not been good news. But just what kind of power could he still hold over her after so many years? His wife’s startled expression did nothing to ease his anxiety.

*Well, what the hell does he want?*

*To make an offer.*

*Let me see that…* Trip insisted nearly tearing the paper out of T’Pol’s hand.

Dear Captain and Mrs. Tucker,

I have been informed of your recent transfer back to Vulcan. I wish to welcome you and to offer my assistance in anyway possible. T’Pol, you will find that your mother’s home has been well cared for in your absence. Instead of selling it, I chose to use it as a guest house for my architectural clients. However, I believe your mother would have wanted you to have it and to live there with your family. I return it to you as a gesture of good will, and as a peace offering for mistakes made in the past. My best wishes that you and your family settle in without incident. Please inform me if I can be of further service.

Koss

Trip looked at T’Pol a bit confused. *Koss agreed to settle my mother’s affairs after her death, since I was needed back on Enterprise. In return I granted him the rights to her home and modest property. It was of little consequence since I did not anticipate returning here to live.*

*And so he’s just doin’ this out of the goodness of his heart?!* Trip was still suspicious.

*Apparently he wishes to put the past behind us. I would not worry, Husband. Koss is quite busy with his architectural practice and nine children to have any ulterior motives.*

*Nine children?!* He was sure he heard her wrong, until he saw the glint of amusement in her eye confirming that fact. Trip scoffed, *So much for the 7 year rule...*

***
The following day
With Mount Seleya near where they were staying, the Tucker family took advantage of an opportunity to spend the day together outside. While there were transport shuttles capable of taking them to the sanctuary and ancient burial grounds, Trip suggested they hike to the top of the mountain, given the cool morning temperatures. T’Pol was unsure, but her husband and both children insisted.

The fresh air and change of scenery seemed to provide a visible, if most likely temporary, antidote to T’Lissa Beth’s teenage angst as she and her mother wandered up ahead a short distance with very little effort. Having struck up a deal with her parents to “give it a try” she was seemingly holding up her end of the bargain as she asked her mother questions about the history of the sanctuary and certain Vulcan customs and protocols. In exchange, Trip and T’Pol had agreed to let her explore options on Earth, when she had completed her secondary education.

Trip, unlike his wife and daughter, was breathing hard and seriously rethinking the wisdom of hiking versus the transport shuttles. While it had been quite cool at dawn, the sun was blazing by mid-morning. He paused to wipe off another layer of sweat and take a drink of water. From behind him, he thought he caught the sound of wheezing and he glanced back at his son, who looked more fatigued than usual. Sa’Jon, noticing his father’s gaze, immediately began examining a layer of moss on the rocks, something he had been doing a lot of that morning.

“You okay, Son?” Trip called.

“Of course, Father. I am merely cataloging the local flora. It is an assignment Dr. Phlox gave me before we left Jupiter Station.”
.
“Right.” Trip nodded, now quite experienced at interpreting a Vulcan version of the truth

*Hey, T’Pol!* She turned around and patiently waited for him to catch up to her. *Are you well, Husband?* she asked, taking note of his red face and slightly labored breathing.

He grimaced at her. *All right, you were right. This place is too damn hot! But I think somebody else isn’t doin’ too good, either.* He nodded in the direction of their son. *He’s been examining the same type of moss every few minutes for the past hour.*

*He’s been using that as an excuse for taking frequent breaks.* T’Pol concluded as her husband nodded at her.

*Good luck gettin’ him to admit it, though…*

*We should return to the space port.*

*Naw, you should continue on with T’Lissa Beth. I’ll take him…make up some excuse why I need to go back. We can meet up later this afternoon to go to the new house.*

*If you are sure, T’hy’la. It does appear I have been presented with a small window of opportunity.*

Trip grinned. *Yep, take advantage of it, we’ll see you later…Love ya, Darlin’.* He started back down the slope.

T’Pol regarded her bondmate a moment before rejoining their daughter. *And I you.* He turned around and nodded at her with a smile.

***
“Whew!” Trip plopped himself down on a rock nearby his son. “Told your mother and sister that I needed a break and to just continue on without us. Guess I’m not as young as I used ta be!” He let out an exaggerated sigh. “Thought maybe I could help you with your assignment.”

“I am nearly complete.” Sa’Jon sneezed and fought back a sniffle. “Are you just going to sit there, Father? Perhaps you should get out of the sun.”

Trip nodded. “Only problem is, not much cover out here at mid-day. And I’ve almost run out of water.” He shook his canteen to prove that that much was actually true.

Sa’Jon almost let an eye roll slip out of his normally very Vulcan expression. “Then the logical course of action would be for us to return to the space port.”

His father smiled in satisfaction and nodded. “Wouldn’t want to argue with logic,” he quipped.

***
After a brief rest, the two began retracing their steps to the bottom of the steep hill. While coming back down the mountain was significantly easier than going up, Trip still stopped several times trying to monitor his son’s breathing. By the time they had reached the space port, Sa’Jon, with watering, bloodshot eyes and wheezing breath, did little to argue when his father steered them straight towards the medical facility.

The Vulcan doctors we’re not quite sure what to make of the worried human man and his half Vulcan son. But after a sub-space call to Dr. Phlox and a review of the boy’s medical history, a diagnosis was finally reached. Another round of allergy tests were in order they decided.

Trip wasn’t thrilled. Sa’Jon had been through the procedure twice before and it was quite an ordeal, not to mention somewhat painful. “Is that really necessary?” he asked again, getting a slight feeling he was being dismissed because he was human.

“Perhaps if we could speak with the boy’s mother…”

Trip sighed. “She’s unavailable at the moment. You’ll have to deal with me…I am his father after all!”

“Of course, Captain. It is likely your son’s current regiment for controlling his asthma is insufficient given the new environment and will need to be adjusted. Undoubtedly there are different triggers on Vulcan than on Earth or on your space station…It is the most logical course of action.

Trip frowned but reluctantly agreed to the procedure which required his son to remain overnight. “I want to stay with him,” he stated flatly.

“He will be good hands, I can assure you...”

“Look, if I don’t stay, than in a few hours you’ll have to deal with my wife…and I don’t think you want to see a Vulcan that mad.” Trip stared down the raised eyebrows and noted with a degree of pleasure that he got no further argument.

Sa’Jon, with Trip by his side, weathered the procedure like the little Vulcan trooper he was. But at the end of the day, his father could see it had still taken a lot out of him. Chances were once his medications had been adjusted to the Vulcan climate, he would be fine. But until then, the best thing he could do was to get some sleep.

Sa’Jon sighed weakly as he drifted off. “Thanks for staying, Dad.”

Trip smiled as he caught the title that hadn’t crossed his son’s lips in several years. Sadly he realized that this was probably the last ‘little boy’ moment he would have with his son. Trip looked thoughtfully at him and savored the feeling. “Love you, little man,” he whispered planting a lingering kiss on his child’s forehead and cradling his head in one hand for a brief moment or two.

T’Pol had been and gone. She had wanted to exchange places with Trip for the night shift, but he had insisted they were both fine and would see them in the morning. She reluctantly boarded a ground transport with T’Lissa Beth and both started to get settled into their new home. As strange as it was not seeing her mother, T’Pol truly felt like she belonged there from the moment they walked inside the small courtyard.

***
Vulcan – 2 years later
.T’Pol’s career on Vulcan was flourishing. Not only was she uniquely qualified to coordinate the joint Starfleet-Vulcan deep space research teams, but it seemed to be something she was born to do. Sa’Jon, who had undoubtedly been influenced in his younger days by Dr. Phlox, spent his time at the Vulcan Science Academy in a biological sciences study program. Even Trip was embracing new challenges, and seemed happy to expose a new generation of Vulcans to the wondrous diversities of Earth’s music, movies, holidays, and food. The humanities class he taught during the day at T’Lissa Beth’s school not only allowed him the freedom to keep a close eye on the kids as promised, but the time to work on free-lance engineering projects. He was no longer a member of Starfleet, but kept in close contact with the research teams in San Francisco and was often asked for his opinion on technical problems they encountered. Ambassador Soval, who felt a sense of Vulcan pride at how well the Tuckers as a whole were doing, was a frequent visitor at their home having found retirement a bit mundane.

But all was not roses with one member of the family. T’Lissa Beth was silently struggling in some of her classes, and although she did try to participate in school activities, she didn’t have many close friends. Some of the strange Vulcan customs still seemed foreign to her, and while she had heard the Vulcan language being spoken since she was a baby, she was nowhere near fluent. Of course it didn’t’ help that her younger brother was excelling in his class work or that the Vulcan tradition of arranged marriages left few options for a social life.

***
T’Pol knocked on the door to her daughter’s room. Getting nothing more than a muffled response, she took that as permission to enter and opened the door. She found T’Lissa Beth quickly wiping her eyes in a futile attempt to hide that she had been crying. Nearby her on the floor was an old and worn stuffed sehlat that she had received when she was just 2 years old.

“What?!” she half yelled, half sobbed.

Her mother’s slim eyebrow rose, as she considered the scene before her for a moment as well as the data padd she held in her hand. T’Pol quietly sat on the floor, taking a cross-legged position across from her daughter.

T’Pol handed the data padd to her. “I found this on the dining table, I believe it belongs to you?”

T’Lissa Beth grimaced and took the proffered padd. “I suppose you looked at the grade.” It was more of a statement than a question.

“Yes…would you care to tell me what happened?”

T’Lissa Beth was quiet for a moment. “Professor Vorek thinks I cheated!” It came out in a big rush.

Another eyebrow rose. “And did you?”

“No,” was the sullen reply.

“Would you mind if I read your assignment?” T’Pol asked gently.

Having received only a shrug in reply, T’Pol picked up the data padd again and quietly left the room. She found the text written in perfect Vulcan…a little too perfect for it to have been composed by her daughter. On a hunch (Trip would be proud), she scanned the padd for similar files and found two. The first was written in atrocious Vulcan and the other in Federation Standard English. Seeing the English file had the earliest time stamp, she read the similar assignment and found it to be well written, thought out and organized. She continued to scan the data padd and discovered a rudimentary translation matrix. Upon further examination, she discovered the matrix did little to account for grammar, syntax or words with multiple meanings. Things were beginning to make sense, but she needed another opinion first.

***
Later that evening, after meditation had been completed, Trip yawned tiredly as he climbed into bed. He noticed the odd look his wife was giving him and got the sinking feeling he wasn’t going to get to sleep anytime soon. “What?”

T’Pol handed him a data padd. “I want you to read something and tell me what you think.”

“Okay...” Trip took the padd and immediately frowned when he discovered the text was in Vulcan. “Um, Honey, it’s late, and you know my Vulcan still isn’t all that great, can’t this wait 'til mornin’?”

T’Pol sighed and took the padd from him switching the text to Federation Standard English, before handing it back to him.

“Oh, thanks.” He began to read. “Huh…well that was kinda interesting…but I’m not sure why you had me read it…” Trip glanced at his wife.

“It was written by our daughter, for one of her classes.”

“T’Lissa Beth?!” T’Pol merely raised an eyebrow at him as if waiting for him to come to the same conclusion that she had come to that afternoon. “Wow…that must have taken a lot of time to research and compare both human and Vulcan literature like that...especially since her Vulcan isn’t that much better than mine.”

“She received a failing grade.”

“What?! I’m no expert and admittedly I’m biased, but it’s organized, well written, well thought-out…how could she possibly fail?”

“I didn’t say she failed, I said she received a failing grade.”

Trip stared at her for a moment trying to comprehend her words through the anger welling up inside of him. His next thought did nothing to discourage those feelings. “So you’re saying her teacher failed her on purpose rather than on the merit of the assignment? Sonofa…”

“I do not have any direct evidence of that,” T’Pol interrupted him. “However, it does appear our daughter may have gotten what you would call a ‘raw deal’.”

“Well, why didn’t she say anything?” Trip asked

“I’m not sure. Apparently she’s been writing her papers in English and using a computer matrix to translate them.”

“And it didn’t do a very good job.” Trip completed the thought.

T’Pol nodded. “Her paper was returned to her to fix the grammar and syntax. Then when she turned in a practically perfect copy, she was accused of cheating.”

Trip shook his head in amazement and sighed, “Well this just keeps gettin’ better and better…”

“I do not believe she cheated in the traditional sense, but I do think she received some help rewriting her paper…”

“Sa’Jon.” Trip didn’t even have to ask. “So that’s what those two have been up to…I was wonderin’ why she was doin’ all of his chores.”

“Regardless of that fact, I do not believe T’Lissa Beth’s instructor even read her assignment.”

“So, what do we do? I can try and talk to Professor Vorek tomorrow after his classes, but…”

T’Pol spoke up quickly, “I believe I should be a part of that conversation as well…in case there is more going on than a simple misunderstanding.”

Trip nodded at his wife, knowing that the possibility that their daughter was somehow being discriminated against on her home world grieved her deeply. It didn’t sit too well with him, either. “I still don’t get why she didn’t come to us sooner…”

“T’Lissa Beth is the only one who can answer that question, we should speak with her after hearing her instructor’s side of the story. However, we need to keep an open mind.” T’Pol looked pointedly at her husband.

Trip gave her his version of the Vulcan eyebrow and sighed. “No promises, Darlin’,” he muttered.

***
The next afternoon, T’Pol and Trip went to meet with Professor Vorek.

“I can assure you, I use the same standards to judge all of my students.” T’Lissa Beth’s teacher began.

“My husband and I have both read her assignment and agree there is little fault with either her research or thought process,” T’Pol countered.

“This is a language course, Lady T’Pol, grammar and structure are judged as well.”

“Perhaps allowances should be made considering she did not grow up on Vulcan, nor is it her primary language.” Trip nodded in silent support of his wife.

“I do no believe in offering preferential treatment. I did return her assignment to her to fix, however when it came back perfect, it was obvious the work was not her own.”

That got Trip talking. “I hope your not suggesting my daughter cheated, Professor!”

Professor Vorek did not react. “Perhaps if she can not handle the work load, she should be placed in a remedial class.”

Trip stared at him, then shot a glance to T’Pol. He just couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Sensing that her husband was about to go off on the man, T’Pol gently placed a hand on his arm.

“If you had bothered to assess her properly, you would know that your assumptions are illogical, Professor.” T’Pol’s tone was even, but she was clearly expressing displeasure with his attitude. “My daughter is not a cheater. For you to merely dismiss T’Lissa Beth instead of getting her the help she needs to succeed is a misrepresentation of your position at this school.”

An eyebrow rose from across the desk and after a moment of consideration, Professor Vorek began to speak again. “She clearly needs outside help with her Vulcan language skills, if you can provide that for her, I will assess the merit of her assignments in both languages.”

“Agreed.” T’Pol stated calmly. “In fact, I have the perfect tutor in mind…” Trip was wondering what exactly his wife was up to, but inherently trusted her judgment.

“If we’re through here?” Professor Vorek did not seem entirely satisfied with the compromise.

T’Pol answered, “For now. My husband will be keeping a close eye on her progress. You are to report any dissatisfaction you find with her work to him immediately.”

T’Lissa Beth’s teacher nodded in agreement. “A pleasant day, Lady T’Pol…Captain.”

*Huh…I’m impressed, Honey.* Trip sent to her through their bond.

*It is merely further evidence that calm and rational discussion is often the best way to accomplish a goal,* she returned to him.

*That and holdin’ a high ranking position at the Vulcan Academy…* Trip grinned at her.

*Indeed.*

***
T’Pol and Trip waited until the next morning after breakfast before sitting down with their daughter. The previous evening, they had had a rather intense discussion about T’Pol’s choice of a language tutor. It wasn’t that Trip disapproved exactly, but he was sure T’Lissa Beth would not like it. T’Pol finally convinced him that the tutor logically had to be a Vulcan; therefore, it might as well be someone whom she was familiar with.

“You wanna tell us why you didn’t come to us with the problems you’ve been having in school, Babygirl?” Trip began.

They got the typical teenage shrug. “We spoke with your teacher, Daughter. He seems to think you need help with your Vulcan language skills.” T’Pol tried to continue.

T’Lissa Beth huffed at that. “You both think I cheated, too!” she wailed.

“Hold on, we never said that.” Trip quickly stated. “In fact, your mother and I both read your English paper and thought it was very well written.”

“Really?” she asked cautiously.

“Yep,” Trip nodded. “In fact, Professor Vorek agreed to reassess your assignment in both languages.”

“You got him to change his mind, Daddy?”

“Actually, your Momma did most of the talkin’...”

Their daughter looked startled for a moment, shifting her glance from her father to her mother. “You did that for me?”

T’Pol got up and took the rare opportunity to sit next to her child. “Of course. You are not a cheater,” she simply said.

T’Lissa Beth looked down into her lap as her voice grew quiet. “I didn’t think you would believe me.”

Taken somewhat aback by her daughter’s honest comment, T’Pol suddenly knew that T’Lissa Beth’s issues went deeper than mixing verb tenses and shoddy Vulcan grammar. A noise was heard from the far side of the house, announcing the presence of Sa’Jon. Trip quietly got up and steered his son out towards the courtyard.

“Let’s take a walk.”

“I was under the impression you did not like to take walks, Father,” the slightly confused boy answered him.

“Well, I’m tryin’ to give the girls room to talk…’sides you’re the only member of the family I can still keep up with out here.”

Trip got a slightly annoyed eyebrow raise, so reminiscent of T’Pol that he had to chuckle.

“That and you wish to be far away from the potential fireworks,” his son deadpanned.

“Exactly,” Trip nodded.

“I understand…thank you for taking me with you.”

Trip slapped him on the back. “Anytime, Son, anytime.”

***
“You and Daddy made me promise to make it work when we moved here…I thought I was disappointing you.” T’Lissa Beth was nearly in tears. “I tried…I really did!” The waterworks started.

T’Pol was unsure she wouldn’t start crying herself. “Your father and I have been very pleased with the way you’ve handled yourself, both in your school work and at home.”

“You never say so! I only hear about what I’ve done wrong.”

“I was unaware you needed reassurance of that fact, Daughter. Your father has always been better at expressing endearments than I have…perhaps it was a mistake to leave it all to him.”

***
Trip and Sa’Jon had walked far enough away from the house, so that Trip could only get general impressions from T’Pol’s conversation with T’Lissa Beth. His thoughts soon turned to other matters. The two stopped their walk when they reached the common area of the neighborhood, which was interspersed with a few more trees and vegetation than the rest of the xeric landscape. Trip chose a set of small boulders and sat down on one as his son followed suit.

“So, the way I figure it, you and your sister struck up a little deal…chores for homework help?” Trip began, finally breaking the relative silence between the two.

“It would be illogical to deny something of which you are already aware.”

Trip shot him an incredulous look and sighed. Sometimes he just really didn’t understand his own son he thought with a frown.

“She was having problems…I wanted to help.” Sa’Jon admitted.

Trip nodded, “I can understand that…but you know by her not coming to us the problem only got worse.”

Sa’Jon’s head dropped contritely. “I can see that now. I am sorry, Father.”

“Don’t be sorry for trying to help your sister, just realize that nobody expects you to have all the answers…at least not yet…” Trip let out a small grin as his son seemed to appreciate the comment.

“She has to do her own work…and you have to do your own chores!” Trip continued matter-of-factly.

***
Impressed with her mother’s openness so far, T’Lissa Beth bravely decided to push the envelope. “Why do you expect me to be a perfect Vulcan?”

“I don’t,” T’Pol looked at her confused. “We have sought to encourage you to come up with a balance between both Human and Vulcan cultures.”

“But you always seem so pleased with Sa’Jon, and it’s like I just can’t measure up.”

T’Pol reached out and lifted T’Lissa Beth’s chin so she could look her directly in the eyes. “You, my child, are a unique individual, one whom I would not change for the universe. Your enthusiasm and love for life reminds me of why I fell in love with your father.”

“So why the endless Vulcan traditions and cultural lessons?”

T’Pol raised an eyebrow in consideration for a moment. “It is who I am and all I know. I wanted to expose you to a taste of what these traditions and practices mean to me. When I lived on Earth and on Enterprise away from my home world, they were of great comfort to me. I hoped to share that with you, but you seemed to fight me every step of the way.”

“I’m sorry, Momma…I guess I didn’t give it much of a chance…”

“I will cherish you no matter which path you choose. My intention has always been to raise my children with an appreciation of both Human and Vulcan cultures so that you could pass it along to your families as you saw fit.”

“But Sa’Jon…”

T’Pol nodded. “And that is a matter your father struggles with as well…” She raised a hand to brush away the residual tears from her daughter’s face and gazed upon her fondly. T’Lissa Beth offered her mother the first real smile she had in a very long time.

***
“Can I ask you somethin’, Son?”

“Of course, Father.”

Not really sure how to put it Trip hesitated, while his son looked quizzically at him. “Do you…do you ever feel you missed out on something…by not having a Vulcan father, I mean?”

Sa’Jon seemed surprised by the question. “Vulcan’s do not feel, Father,” he tried to argue.

“Now that’s not true and you know it!” Trip caught the amusement in his son’s eyes before he grew quiet for a moment.

“From you I have learned the importance of family. You gave up everything so we could move here to Vulcan. You were there for every school event, every time we were sick. T’Lissa Beth and I always knew we were safe and loved as long as you and Mother were there.”

Trip felt his eyes begin to water and quickly blinked the tears away. “Wow…I guess you kids really are turnin’ out okay…”

“I also appreciate the engineering tricks and shortcuts you’ve shown me.”

“Really? I never thought you were that interested.”

Sa’Jon let out a small shrug. “Out-of-box thinking impresses the Vulcan girls.”

Trip laughed, “Now there are those Tucker genes talkin’!”

A boyish eyebrow rose, “I have never heard of a pair of auditory pants, Father…Where would one acquire such an item?”

Trip closed his eyes, dropped his head and shook it while smiling. “I think we need to go home before your jokes start killin’ me.”

“Are you sure that is wise?”

An arm went momentarily around Sa’Jon’s shoulder. “Son, if I have ta go back…so do you.”

***
“T’Pol, I fail to see the logic in this request.” Soval stated emphatically.

“T’Lissa Beth needs a Vulcan language tutor, you have been looking for ways to occupy your time.” T’Pol said calmly, confident in her decision and reasoning.

“Are you sure she wishes to spend her time with a ‘BOV’?” the dry comment was made.

T’Pol raised an eyebrow to her daughter, who looked wide-eyed for a moment, before jumping up. “Um, Ambassador, of course you realize BOV stands for…Brilliant, Outstanding…Veteran.”

*Wow, that was some fast talkin’!* Trip sent to his wife, having walked in on T’Lissa Beth’s last comment. He walked over to his daughter and surreptitiously patted her on the back while trying to fight back a smile.

*Indeed.*

“I suppose there would be no harm tutoring her on a trial basis.” Soval finally decided. He and T’Lissa Beth retreated to her room to have a chat.

“I see you still have the stuffed sehlat,” the Ambassador noted with interest.

“You probably think having toys is silly.” T’Lissa Beth wilted under the steady gaze.

“On the contrary. The sehlat is a very noble creature. It is tenacious; it will stalk its prey for days. It is also strong; having to adapt itself to the extremes of the desert, from that strength comes confidence. I can see why you would identify with it.”

T’Lissa Beth looked up in surprise, suddenly the ‘bitter old Vulcan’, became a trusted friend.

***
T’Pol stood in the doorway for a moment and watched Trip contemplating the flickering flames from the small fire he had built in the open air courtyard. After 2 years, the former residence of T’Les had very much been transformed into the Tucker home. They were settled and making a life for themselves on Vulcan, with all the joys and challenges such a life entailed.

As if he sensed her presence he looked up at her and smiled. He cocked his head slightly in silent invitation to join him. T’Pol considered the offer and decided her bondmate’s lap appeared far more comfortable than the cold, empty lounge chair beside him.

He grunted in surprise for a moment, but quickly shifted slightly and opened up his arms to accommodate her. As she leaned against him, every muscle in her body began to relax and she began to sense a rare feeling of serenity wash over her. Overhead thousands of far-off stars twinkled keeping watch over the cooling desert world.

*You appear content, T’hy’la. More so than usual,* she began.

Trip smiled. *I had a good talk with Sa’Jon today. I think I caught a glimpse of CJ Tucker in there for the first time in years. Not that he wasn’t there, I just never saw him.*

*I am pleased to say T’Lissa Beth and I made some significant progress as well. Perhaps a breakthrough in understanding each other better.*

T’Pol shivered slightly, so Trip cuddled her a little closer to him and slowly rubbed her arms. His head leaned against hers and his eyes drifted closed.

*Hey, Listen.* he said after a few moments.

*I do not hear anything,* she replied, slightly confused.

*What you do not hear, my dear, is the sound of peace and quiet. No homework to get done, no fights to referee, no ‘end of the world’ crisis to solve. Just pure unadulterated calm.* He sighed contentedly before adding, *...How long do you think it’ll last?*

*I’d say at least until breakfast.*

*Yup, better enjoy it while we can.* The two sat quietly, enjoying each others company and the warmth of the fire. As they reflected upon the events of the day, T’Pol noted with interest that she felt almost as serene and centered as she did after more formal mediation time. Yes, in fact, it had been a good day.

Epilogue – Fast Forward

Earth – January, 2185
“Isn’t she just the sweetest thing you’ve ever seen?” T’Lissa Beth sighed happily as she cradled her newborn daughter.

“I believe I am learning to appreciate being a Grandmother.” T’Pol answered her. The minuscule change in her facial expression went unnoticed by her daughter, but not her bondmate.

*What?* he questioned her.

*I can not wait until this child becomes a teenager.* she cheekily explained.

T’Lissa Beth stared at her father who was shaking in silent mirth. “Oh, um, sorry, Babygirl.” Trip cleared his throat. “Uh…Just enjoying the happy moment.”

Vulcan – December, 2191
“Congratulations, Son!” Trip Tucker shook the new graduate’s hand heartily while grinning from ear to ear. “Or should I say Doctor Sa’Jon?”

“Actually, it’s Doctor Sa’Jon Tucker. I thought that if I was going to specialize in interspecies mating and hybrid physiology then I would begin by being proud of who I am…Uh, please, Father, not here...”

“Can’t help it” Trip attempted to sniffle the tears away as he leaned in to capture his son in an old-fashioned bear hug. “I’m just so damn proud of you.”

Sa’Jon looked helplessly at his mother. “Emotional isn’t he?”

T’Pol, who was feeling the same pride in her son as her husband, but was merely better at hiding it for decorum’s sake, nodded once. “He has always been so.”

“Indeed. Why then would you marry him?”

“At the time, it seemed the logical thing to do” she replied.

Vulcan – April, 2213
“Whew…Darlin’… I don’t know how much longer I can make that climb up here.” Trip sighed as he plopped down on a nearby rock and took a huge gulp of water, spilling a small quantity of it over his head and red face. “Wow, these lava fields never cease to amaze me.”

“They appear much the same as the first time we were here,” T’Pol answered.

“Can you believe that was almost 60 years ago?” He suddenly grew quiet as he recalled the memory. “You broke my heart that day.”

T’Pol drew herself out of her own introspection and looked at him. “I believe the proper expression is ‘All is well that ends well’?”

He smiled in agreement. “I guess it is. Any regrets?”

“I have never regretted anything about our life together.” She gently replied, narrowing her eyes at him. He had been unusually quiet all morning, but had insisted they take their annual trek up to the ancient ruins and fire plains. Now he seemed to be dwelling in the past, something he rarely did.

*T’hy’la, tell me what is wrong.* She went to kneel down beside him, folding her legs under herself, and reached out for his hand.

Trip sighed heavily and chuckled. “Never could get anythin’ past you for very long.” *I checked my messages this mornin’ before we left…Jon died yesterday.* T’Pol rose up on her knees and wrapped her arms around her husband.

She paused for a moment, before she spoke again. *It was to be expected soon.*

Trip grasped her a little tighter. *I know, it’s just…the finality of it…he’s gone…I’ll never see him again…never talk to him...I hate to say it, but he was more of a brother to me than Danny ever was…*

*I will miss him as well. He was one of our biggest supporters and best friends. We should consider going back to Earth for the memorial…I will look into the arrangements when we get home.*

Trip nodded gratefully and tried to smile. He continued to hold her as the tears spilled down his face.

T’Pol looked up at him and placed her hands on either side of his jaw line. *That is not all that is bothering you, Ashayam.*

Trip looked deeply into his wife’s eyes for a moment. He had never regretted a moment of his life with her either, but there was still one issue they rarely discussed. *I guess this makes me realize how close to the end I could be…*

*Jonathan was sick for several months, there is no reason to believe you don’t have many healthy years left.*

*But what then, T’Pol. I mean the plain and simple fact is you will most likely live several decades without me. It hurts me to think of leavin’ you alone.*

*Our family will make sure I am never truly alone…We have always chosen to try and cherish the time we have together and not worry about what may or may not happen in the future. I see no reason to alter a plan that has brought us so much…happiness.*

Trip had to smile at her choice of the human word. She was right of course. With the current advances in the field of medicine, he could easily expect to live 20 or more years.

*Oh, I do so love, ya, Darlin’, infinitely more than the day we bonded. Promise me we’ll make a special effort to make the most of whatever time we’ve got left.*

T’Pol leaned in to kiss him soundly. It was the only answer he would ever need.

Vulcan – August, 2218
“You’ve lived with me for well over half a century and you don’t know me at all!” Trip Tucker grumbled at his wife.

“I apologize, Ashayam…I thought it would be better this way.”

“It’s not that I don’t appreciate the thought, but it’s supposed to be a surprise…that’s half the fun!”

“You are turning 100, Husband; I did not wish to give you a heart attack.” T’Pol returned, slightly exasperated.

“I can handle a little excitement!” Trip spat back. “Old will always be 30 years older than I am,” He smirked as he received an icy glare from his 130-year-old wife.

***
“Babygirl!” Trip smiled in delight rising from his chair, a bit more slowly than in years past.

“Daddy! I’m 60 years old. When are you gonna stop calling me that?”

“Oh I dunno, probably the same time you decide you’re too old to call me ‘Daddy’!” he grinned.

His daughter frowned at the thought of having to come up with a new name to call her beloved father.

“Uh-huh, that’s what I thought! Come ‘ere and give your old man a hug!”

“It is pleasant to see you as always, Daughter.”

“Hi, Momma.” T’Lissa Beth reached over and embraced her mother warmly.

“You promised me holo-pictures of my great-grandchildren,” T’Pol reminded her.

“I did better than that.” She smiled as her human husband walked through the door carting a baby carrier, and was quickly followed by 3 more youngsters all under the age of ten.

“Surprise!” they all yelled. Suddenly, the usually serene Tucker home was a whirlwind of chaos and laughter.

***
T’Pol was contentedly rocking the small baby, her newest great-granddaughter, not bothering to hide the small smile on her face.

T’Lissa Beth looked at her mother in surprise. “Wow, I never thought I’d see that in my lifetime.”

Her mother looked at her. “Lately I have been seeing the illogic of worrying about what others think.” She moved her gaze over towards her bondmate of nearly 65 years, who smiled back at her. “It is important for us to live in the moment.”

“I think it’s just that I’m finally startin’ to rub off on her. Better be careful, Honey, I’ve gotten stubborn and cranky in my old age.” Trip grinned.

“You were always stubborn and cranky, Ashayam.”

“Hey, I resent that remark! I was only cranky in the mornin’ before I had my coffee!”

Sa’Jon’s blue eyes twinkled. “So, Father, you freely admit to being stubborn?”

“Had ta be, ta put up with your Momma all these years.” He got the familiar and expected eyebrow raise and reached out two fingers to offer her a Vulcan kiss, which she readily returned. They understood each other well after so many years together; no insult had been taken or given.

***
Vulcan – May, 2288
T’Pol slowly closed the old, worn memory book and regarded the two young children who had been listening enraptured to stories from their Matriarch’s younger days.

“Pid’kom, do you miss him, Fa’sa’mekh Trip?” the little girl asked.

“Yes, very much. But he is never far from me. The essence of who he was still resides inside of me…in that way, our bond was never truly broken.”

“But you can’t see him or talk to him.” T’Pol regarded the dark blonde, blue-eyed boy for a moment.

“Not in the traditional sense, no, but when two hearts meet the way ours did and bond, they become one. It is a longstanding Vulcan belief that this kind of soul mating runs very deep. Hence the words, ‘Parted from me and never parted. Never and always touching and touched’. I still hear him, in my heart and in my mind. His wisdom guides me, even after so many years.

“How long were you together?”

“We were bonded for nearly 85 years. Trip lived until he was 120, a not unheard of human lifespan in those days. We had lost nearly everyone from Enterprise by then, but Hoshi Sato-Reed gave a fitting tribute at his memorial. When he passed on I felt a sudden rush of love and affection, before his presence faded and became a steady whisper in the back of my mind.”

“That was 50 years ago!”

“Yes, in some ways it seems like yesterday, in others a lifetime ago. Go play, my dears, I need to rest now.”

200-year-old T’Pol settled herself for her traditional afternoon nap. A slight smile graced her face as she ran through her mind once again the stories she had just told her great-great-great-grandchildren, her left thumb idly spinning the platinum wedding band on her fourth finger. Later that evening when Sa’Jon Tucker went to check on his mother, he discovered she had joined her bondmate in eternal rest.

The End

A/N: Whew! There it be…I hope you have enjoyed reading this half as much as I enjoyed writing it. Thank you all for the comments through out the story (and even some constructive criticism!).
Special Thanks to the Vulcan Language Institute where I got the Vulcan translations, grammar and phrases (by the way in my story T’hy’la (soul-mate/life partner), Ashayam (Beloved), Pid’kom

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A whole mess of folks have made comments

Just finished wiping away the tears. I really enjoyed your story. I look forward to more.

i loved it and the ending made me cry great story thanks

Well, you got me bawlin' like a baby. Wonderful series, Valleygirl.

>>>“At the time, it seemed the logical thing to do” she replied.

^That cracked me up.

This whole piece was absolutely wonderful!

Thank you! A very nice piece. Well done.

HTH2k4

Beautiful! This is how it should have ended.

*This* was a fitting end for our favorite couple. Thanks for writing it!

Jack - while most of the humor is mine, I can't take credit for that line...I shamelessly stole it from a TOS exchange between Spock (Sa'Jon), Amanda (Trip), and Sarek (T'Pol)...glad you appreciated it though :o)

Beautiful! A fitting finale if I ever saw one. And you haven't replaced B&B why? :)

I have read the whole story and I must say I am very please with the ending. This is by far one of the best fan frics on the site. Now all I can say is AWWW!

all I can say is AWWW!

I loved the way Trip and T'Pol interacted with their children and managed to find a way to reach them with love and understanding. The ending was sad but warmed by the fact that they are now both together again. As it should be! Ali D :~)

The TOS reference was great...as was the whole series...sniff sniff

WAAAA weepy, I hate thinking of them dying, I get all bleary eyed......

awesome but should have a multi-box kleenex warning!

That was so wonderful. It made my cry. I really loved it! :)

I loved thisd whole story. An T'pol spendin 50 years without Trip kinda make me start lookin for a box of tissue's,, then I remember that's more then what BnB gave them together. Ya did a wonderfull job on this story,, I wish it wasnt over though.

This was a lovely story from beginning to end! I like the way you wrote T'Beth and S'Jon, strugling to balance their Vulcan\Human selves. And the BOV comback by T'Beth was too funny.

dude... i knew this story would be good but, dude... this was simply fantastic! i loved to read about trip and t`pol and their children, and i believe this is the first story i read which indeed dous go on untill "the end". i dont cry often but, snifff.... ( caught a cold, yes, thats it... ) good story.

klingonradier - I wanted to read a 'family' story that took them through to the "end" also...a large part of why I wrote it, but never thought it would be this long!

I'm so glad you all enjoyed it!!! :o)

Great story. My eyes were full of tears when I read the end of story. Its briliant. Funny and sad in the same time. A true family story in Star Trek way.

Great story. My eyes were full of tears when I read the end of story. Its briliant. Funny and sad in the same time. A true family story in Star Trek way.

Loved this wonderful ending. True this is the way it should have ended for trip and tpol. Thanks for writing this.

Oh that was beautiful, the story made me laugh, smile and cry, thank you for writing it.