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Retrieval- Ch. 5

Author - zealousgirl
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Retrieval

By zealousgirl

Rating: PG-13, general
Disclaimers in Chapter One

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CHAPTER 5

Unlikely Positions

The room was bathed with the morning sunlight. Both lay very still in bed, fearing to move in case the other was still asleep. The position in which they had woken up was unusual, to say the least.

Trip had not slept in the same bed as another woman since he had left Earth. At that time, he had been involved in a lengthy relationship with Nathalie. They had spent nearly every night together for the months that preceded Enterprise's departure. That must have been why he had instinctively snuggled up to her during the night. He had woken up 5 minutes earlier to find himself spooned with T'pol, his arms around her, and his head on her pillow. Initially, it had felt so natural for him. He had even given her a little squeeze, so that she would be even closer.

It was the squeeze that had awoken T'pol.

Last night, after she had meditated, she had come out of the bathroom to find Trip sound asleep. She had paused before getting into bed. She had never slept in the same bed as a man. But, she was able to dismiss her apprehensions. They were both adults, colleagues, and, even, friends. As she was exhausted, her sleep came easily.

She now lay awake, staring at the opposing wall. His muscular arms were around her. She could feel his breath on his neck. Surprisingly, it felt good. She mentally tried to shake off that last thought.

Recognizing that they now were both awake, Trip was the first to act. He rolled onto his back, stretched out his arms and yawned. "Good morning Pela. I hope you slept well."

Acting like the situation was normal for them, T'pol sat up and turned to face him. "Thank you. I am well rested, Tuck."

"Well, I'm going to hop in the shower now. Then you can tell me what our plans are for today." As he entered the bathroom, he breathed a sigh of relief.

T'pol watched him enter the bathroom. She had seen him in his underclothes before, but had never noted how fit he was. She felt a slight burn in the pit of her stomach. Did he find her attractive as well? She brushed off that fleeting thought, and began to prepare for the day ahead.

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They had spent the late morning and entire afternoon scouring the market district. T'pol met with a variety of people, speaking quietly to each of them. These conversations somehow were directing them to the subsequent encounters.

Trip felt almost like a puppy dog on her heels. He had nothing to contribute since he was not privy to what she was searching for. He just stood a few feet behind her, shuffling his feet and looking around him. Many times, he caught himself reliving having T'pol in his arms. 'It sure made me feel all warm and fuzzy to hold a woman again. . . Too bad it was T'pol.' He added that last opinion reluctantly.

It was early evening and they had just had dinner in one of the cafés lining the streets of the shopping district. As they walked towards their hotel, Trip caught a glimpse of a familiar face peeking over a shrub across the street. He paused, trying to recall where he had seen her before - on the transport, the girl in the seat in front of him. He called out to her as he crossed the street. But when he arrived she was no longer there.

He crossed back to the opposing sidewalk where T'pol was waiting for him. "Strange. . . but come to think of it, I've seen her 4 or 5 other times today."

"Who have you seen multiple times today?" T'pol looked perplexed.

"Ah, nobody really. . . just the young girl who was sitting in front of us on the transport. I caught her watching us. Well, I think that she's been following us, although I haven't got a clue as to why."

"She may be infatuated with you. As you are well aware, you have a propensity to attract females of all species. You are still quite handsome, even as a Scaniran."

Trip was stunned. "You think I'm handsome?' He gave a small chuckle and looked at her, expecting a retort.

As she deemed that last question to be rhetorical, she did not answer. They entered the hotel and returned to their room for the night.


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Continued in Chapter 6

Back to Chapter 4



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