Disclaimer: This is a work of fanfiction and no profit is being made here. Enterprise and all it's character's belong to Paramount. There is some spoilers for the episode "Oasis" in this story. Feedback always welcome.

An Endless Love

PART 1:

Captain Jonathan Archer sat at the small workstation in his ready room, his eyes riveted on the computer screen before him. His mind going over several possibilities that had presented themselves within the last few hours.

"Captain's log, supplemental. It's been over a year since we last saw Ezral and his daughter Liana. In our travels, we've happened upon their home plant Kantare. We've been invited down to visit. My hope is that we are allowed to trade for materials we need to repair Enterprise."

Archer sighed as the chimes on his door went off.

"Computer pause," he ordered. "Come in."

The door slid open and Sub-Commander T'Pol walked in.

"T'Pol," Archer said.

She inclined her head slightly. "Doctor Phlox wanted me to inform you that we have all the medical supplies that Ezral has requested."

"Great," Archer said. "It's going to feel good to get off this ship for a few days."

T'Pol continued to stand there.

"I can see your just as excited as I am."

"Captain," T'Pol began. "Do you think it's such a wise idea to have Commander Tucker come down with us?"

"He is the Chief Engineer," Archer said. "He needs to be there to help collect the materials."

"The operative words are 'be there'."

Archer realized what she was getting at. "I see," he said. "You feel Trip will spending all his time with Liana."

"Exactly."

Archer bristled at T'Pol's obvious slight at his engineer's character. "Sub-Commander," he made sure to keep his voice steady and level. "It's been well over a year since we encountered Liana and her father. Whatever feelings Commander Tucker had or has for this woman are none of our business, as long as they do not interfere with the running of this vessel. Trip knows his job and he does it."

T'Pol looked skeptically at her commanding officer, but refrained from comment. Quietly she turned and left the room.

Archer shook his head and laughed. He figured T'Pol would be on Trip's case the whole time they'd be on the planet about his friendship with Liana. He just didn't think she'd start now.

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

Launch bay. Trip watched his Captain walk towards him as he finished loading a case of equipment onto the shuttle.

"You sure did a great job getting those drilling rights."

The Captain shrugged. "Wasn't to much to it, they needed medical supplies."

"Turning into a regular diplomat, are we?" Trip grinned.

Archer regarded him with 'the look' and turned his attend to the rest of the gear. "I want to leave by o nine hundred. Your team going to be ready?"

Trip nodded. "We'll be ready."

Archer nodded, but didn't move.

"Somethin' else Captain?"

The older man took a deep breath. "Trip, listen. I need to ask you a question."

Trip stopped what he was doing and looked at his friend.

"Just how much time do you plan on spending with Liana?"

"As much time as I possibly can," Trip answered. "Why'd ya wanna know?"

"Just wondering."

"Look Captain, I plan on getting the work that has to be done, done," Trip explained. "I just figured whenever I'm not drillin', I want to spend with Liana."

"You don't have to explain to anything to me. I know you'll get the job done," Archer said looking past Trip and at T'Pol who just walked in.

Trip looked behind him. "Don't tell me she's already starting about Liana," he whispered.

"Just giving you the heads up," Archer whispered with a smile and got into the shuttle.

"Great!" Trip said to himself.

End of Part 1