Title: Into the Unknown
Author: Josephine
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Romance/Drama
Pairing: T'Pol/Archer
Summary: Archer and T'Pol's relationship has consequences. A continuation of Cause and Effect.
Disclaimer: Paramount owns the Trek dance hall; I like to call the steps once in awhile.
Chapter One
T'Pol sat in front of the flame pot, meditating. She cared deeply for Jonathan Archer, but sometimes she needed to be by herself. Their relationship was exhilarating and exhausting at the same time. He completed a part of her she didn't realize was lacking; yet his unbridled emotions sometimes overwhelmed her. Hence the occasional extra meditation. Although Archer was getting better about not letting his emotions get the best of him.
*T'Pol.*
[Speak of the devil.] A phrase she had learned from Commander Tucker popped in her head. *Jonathan.*
*Are you ready for breakfast?*
*Not yet, but you can come over.*
T'Pol and Archer had decided to sleep in their respective cabins most of the time, primarily to maintain their professional mien, but also because Archer tossed and turned too much to share a bunk.
Completing her meditations, T'Pol got up and discarded her robes for her uniform, pulling on her boots as the door chimed. "Come."
Archer walked in, smiling at her. *How did you sleep?*
*Fine, as always.*
*As always. I wonder why I bother to ask,* he said, still smiling.
*Because you care.* T'Pol came up to Archer and gave him a kiss.
*Saw right through me.* He kissed her back. *Let's go, I'm hungry.*
----------
"Captain, we've received a message from Admiral Johansson." Hoshi passed a PADD over to Archer.
"Johansson. Wonder what he has to say…." Archer read the message, a slight frown forming on his face. "We've been ordered to Hagatna." T'Pol's head went up at the planet's name as Archer continued. "We're to meet a supply ship with provisions and some new weaponry. Seems like Star Fleet doesn't want us caught with our pants down again." Archer paused. "It also seems Star Fleet would like us to attend few social engagements that the Vulcan community there will be holding for us."
"Social engagements, huh?" Trip looked over at T'Pol. "I thought Vulcans didn't waste their time with stuff like that."
"We do not hold purely social occasions, Commander. However, we are accommodating to those races that do. These engagements will likely be a combination of updating them on our work so far and informal receptions."
"Updating them? Why would they be interested in us?" Trip started to get defensive.
"Hagatna is a scientific community, Commander, mainly doing research on the dilithium ores on the planet. They would be interested in how 'your' engine is performing, and also in anything else we have encountered in our travels."
"They still sound nosey to me."
"Scientific curiosity only, I assure you, Commander."
Trip humphed and went back to his work. Archer suppressed a smile. "Take us to Hagatna, Ensign; warp three."
-----------
"Sub-Commander, would you like to join us?" Hoshi called out to T'Pol as she made her way past the group sitting in the mess hall. "We're practicing our Vulcan."
T'Pol paused, then came over and sat down next to Reed; looking at him and Trip. "I did not know you spoke Vulcan."
"Well, we don't." Trip shot Hoshi a 'look'.
Hoshi rolled her eyes. "I told them it wouldn't hurt to know a few Vulcan phrases. It's polite. English may be the dominant language on Earth, but we're not on Earth anymore."
"Ensign Sato is correct. It would be helpful and … polite to learn a few phrases in Vulcan. What have you learned so far?"
Reed answered. "Good morning, good afternoon, and good evening."
T'Pol raised an eyebrow.
"Moi loma, moi kima, moi tema."
"Your accent is terrible."
Hoshi giggled. Reed just glared at her. "I've been working with them, but …" Hoshi trailed off.
"You don't have any Southern Vulcans that could explain my accent away, do ya?" Trip asked.
"Let me hear it."
Trip cleared his throat before glancing at Hoshi.
"Nemaiyo, Wani ra choto reito ro yorosha. "
"Thank you, I want more passport?"
"Is that what I said?"
"I believe the word you are looking for is reiya; water."
"Yeah, I guess that would make more sense." Trip grinned at Reed and Hoshi, who were fighting back a laugh, and T'Pol who had a ghost of a smile forming.
"You seem like a happy bunch." Archer came and sat down beside T'Pol.
"They're laughin' at my accent tryin' to speak Vulcan."
"It is not the worst I have heard," T'Pol assured him, her glance sliding over to Archer.
"I've improved a lot," he countered.
"You speak Vulcan, Cap'n?" Archer supposed he could forgive the incredulous look on Trip's face.
"Wani ra ek'aribenik Yakana ro futisha."
"Captain," T'Pol chided. "I would not say you speak Vulcan fluently."
"More than last month," he smiled at her.
"Less than next, I believe, is the response to that."
"Touché. Do you want to continue that chess game we have going?" Archer got up from the table.
"Certainly. I am finished with dinner. Enjoy your Vulcan lesson." With a nod, T'Pol followed Archer out of the mess hall.
"Is it me, or is she getting more mellow?" Reed gave the door a puzzled look. Hoshi and Trip just smiled secretly at each other.
"Oh, we're just rubbing off on her," Hoshi said glibly.
----------
*Fluent Vulcan, Jonathan?* T'Pol looked at him as they walked down the corridor.
*A Captain has to keep up appearances, you know,* laughter threading his thoughts.
He followed T'Pol into her cabin. *I keep meaning to ask you what this is.* Archer stood before what looked like a chess board, but it had different layers to it.
She looked over at him. *That is a three dimensional chess board.*
*I bet Travis would like this game. Maybe you should teach him.*
*I have already played five games with him. I am 'up' by one.*
*That'll put me in my place, wanimo aisha.*
*Perhaps we should speak in Vulcan to give you some needed practice, my love.* T'Pol brought out the standard chess set they were playing with.
*We would be reduced to talking about the weather, and where the location of my Uncle's pen is. On my Aunt's desk, or in my cousin's bag?* Archer sighed and stared at the chess set. *You know you're going to win this one too.*
*It is good practice for shielding your thoughts from me. I cannot keep the barriers up all the time.*
*Is it too much for you?* Archer took her hand, rubbing the palm with his thumb.
*No, aisha, it is not. You merely lack the mental discipline to keep you emotions in check. This will help you. Now, I believe it was your turn.*
--------
Chapter Two coming sooner than later, hopefully …
Author: Josephine
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Romance/Drama
Pairing: T'Pol/Archer
Summary: Archer and T'Pol's relationship has consequences. A continuation of Cause and Effect.
Disclaimer: Paramount owns the Trek dance hall; I like to call the steps once in awhile.
Chapter One
T'Pol sat in front of the flame pot, meditating. She cared deeply for Jonathan Archer, but sometimes she needed to be by herself. Their relationship was exhilarating and exhausting at the same time. He completed a part of her she didn't realize was lacking; yet his unbridled emotions sometimes overwhelmed her. Hence the occasional extra meditation. Although Archer was getting better about not letting his emotions get the best of him.
*T'Pol.*
[Speak of the devil.] A phrase she had learned from Commander Tucker popped in her head. *Jonathan.*
*Are you ready for breakfast?*
*Not yet, but you can come over.*
T'Pol and Archer had decided to sleep in their respective cabins most of the time, primarily to maintain their professional mien, but also because Archer tossed and turned too much to share a bunk.
Completing her meditations, T'Pol got up and discarded her robes for her uniform, pulling on her boots as the door chimed. "Come."
Archer walked in, smiling at her. *How did you sleep?*
*Fine, as always.*
*As always. I wonder why I bother to ask,* he said, still smiling.
*Because you care.* T'Pol came up to Archer and gave him a kiss.
*Saw right through me.* He kissed her back. *Let's go, I'm hungry.*
----------
"Captain, we've received a message from Admiral Johansson." Hoshi passed a PADD over to Archer.
"Johansson. Wonder what he has to say…." Archer read the message, a slight frown forming on his face. "We've been ordered to Hagatna." T'Pol's head went up at the planet's name as Archer continued. "We're to meet a supply ship with provisions and some new weaponry. Seems like Star Fleet doesn't want us caught with our pants down again." Archer paused. "It also seems Star Fleet would like us to attend few social engagements that the Vulcan community there will be holding for us."
"Social engagements, huh?" Trip looked over at T'Pol. "I thought Vulcans didn't waste their time with stuff like that."
"We do not hold purely social occasions, Commander. However, we are accommodating to those races that do. These engagements will likely be a combination of updating them on our work so far and informal receptions."
"Updating them? Why would they be interested in us?" Trip started to get defensive.
"Hagatna is a scientific community, Commander, mainly doing research on the dilithium ores on the planet. They would be interested in how 'your' engine is performing, and also in anything else we have encountered in our travels."
"They still sound nosey to me."
"Scientific curiosity only, I assure you, Commander."
Trip humphed and went back to his work. Archer suppressed a smile. "Take us to Hagatna, Ensign; warp three."
-----------
"Sub-Commander, would you like to join us?" Hoshi called out to T'Pol as she made her way past the group sitting in the mess hall. "We're practicing our Vulcan."
T'Pol paused, then came over and sat down next to Reed; looking at him and Trip. "I did not know you spoke Vulcan."
"Well, we don't." Trip shot Hoshi a 'look'.
Hoshi rolled her eyes. "I told them it wouldn't hurt to know a few Vulcan phrases. It's polite. English may be the dominant language on Earth, but we're not on Earth anymore."
"Ensign Sato is correct. It would be helpful and … polite to learn a few phrases in Vulcan. What have you learned so far?"
Reed answered. "Good morning, good afternoon, and good evening."
T'Pol raised an eyebrow.
"Moi loma, moi kima, moi tema."
"Your accent is terrible."
Hoshi giggled. Reed just glared at her. "I've been working with them, but …" Hoshi trailed off.
"You don't have any Southern Vulcans that could explain my accent away, do ya?" Trip asked.
"Let me hear it."
Trip cleared his throat before glancing at Hoshi.
"Nemaiyo, Wani ra choto reito ro yorosha. "
"Thank you, I want more passport?"
"Is that what I said?"
"I believe the word you are looking for is reiya; water."
"Yeah, I guess that would make more sense." Trip grinned at Reed and Hoshi, who were fighting back a laugh, and T'Pol who had a ghost of a smile forming.
"You seem like a happy bunch." Archer came and sat down beside T'Pol.
"They're laughin' at my accent tryin' to speak Vulcan."
"It is not the worst I have heard," T'Pol assured him, her glance sliding over to Archer.
"I've improved a lot," he countered.
"You speak Vulcan, Cap'n?" Archer supposed he could forgive the incredulous look on Trip's face.
"Wani ra ek'aribenik Yakana ro futisha."
"Captain," T'Pol chided. "I would not say you speak Vulcan fluently."
"More than last month," he smiled at her.
"Less than next, I believe, is the response to that."
"Touché. Do you want to continue that chess game we have going?" Archer got up from the table.
"Certainly. I am finished with dinner. Enjoy your Vulcan lesson." With a nod, T'Pol followed Archer out of the mess hall.
"Is it me, or is she getting more mellow?" Reed gave the door a puzzled look. Hoshi and Trip just smiled secretly at each other.
"Oh, we're just rubbing off on her," Hoshi said glibly.
----------
*Fluent Vulcan, Jonathan?* T'Pol looked at him as they walked down the corridor.
*A Captain has to keep up appearances, you know,* laughter threading his thoughts.
He followed T'Pol into her cabin. *I keep meaning to ask you what this is.* Archer stood before what looked like a chess board, but it had different layers to it.
She looked over at him. *That is a three dimensional chess board.*
*I bet Travis would like this game. Maybe you should teach him.*
*I have already played five games with him. I am 'up' by one.*
*That'll put me in my place, wanimo aisha.*
*Perhaps we should speak in Vulcan to give you some needed practice, my love.* T'Pol brought out the standard chess set they were playing with.
*We would be reduced to talking about the weather, and where the location of my Uncle's pen is. On my Aunt's desk, or in my cousin's bag?* Archer sighed and stared at the chess set. *You know you're going to win this one too.*
*It is good practice for shielding your thoughts from me. I cannot keep the barriers up all the time.*
*Is it too much for you?* Archer took her hand, rubbing the palm with his thumb.
*No, aisha, it is not. You merely lack the mental discipline to keep you emotions in check. This will help you. Now, I believe it was your turn.*
--------
Chapter Two coming sooner than later, hopefully …