Author's Note: Please see previous notes. Our little procrastination story continues….

Let me know what you think!

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T'Pol spent far too much time on shift thinking about what Trip had said. The fact that the sensor array was now working perfectly, and they were merely en route to a star system with no major issues, contributed to that availability of time.

He had said he loved her, loved her more now than before, and she knew his love for her before was fierce and strong. If he loved her more now, why did he not readily accept her offer to become a couple again?

"Commander, you look like you are in la la land," Hoshi smiled down at T'Pol as she stood next to her at her console.

"I am merely tired," T'Pol said dismissively.

"No, you had that far off look of a woman trying to get to the bottom of some problem," Hoshi smiled at her.

T'Pol looked at her for a moment, and made a decision she hoped she wouldn't regret.

"Hoshi, can you come with me into the Captain's ready room?" T'Pol asked.

"Of course," Hoshi nodded before she followed T'Pol.

Hoshi stood near the door and waited for T'Pol to begin.

"Can we speak candidly?" T'Pol asked.

"Sure," Hoshi said, slightly taken aback. In the almost five years they had worked together, the incidents where they spoke just as women or even friends were few and far between.

"I value privacy, and I hope I can attain your agreement that what we discuss will remain confidential," T'Pol said as she met Hoshi's eyes.

"Of course," Hoshi said.

T'Pol gestured for her to sit and then sat down herself.

"I have a situation that requires some human insight," T'Pol said.

Hoshi nodded.

"I am not sure if you are aware of my history with Commander Tucker," T'Pol said, shifting slightly as she revealed personal information a Vulcan should and would never disclose.

"I know you were close, and, of course you have Elizabeth," Hoshi said as she walked a fine line. She had heard the rumors, but Malcolm swore backwards and forwards that there was nothing to them.

"Trip and I have had a romantic relationship that has been active and inactive for a period of just over two years," T'Pol said.

Hoshi's eyes went wide. Malcolm, that rat fink bastard had lied to her! Either that or, he didn't know either!

"Since Elizabeth, we have decided that we cannot add a romantic layer to our already complicated relationship," T'Pol said.

Hoshi immediately felt deflated. It wasn't a happy ending after all.

"But recently, I have felt the need to re-kindle that romantic part of our relationship," T'Pol explained.

She had decided, before they even sat down, that she wasn't telling Hoshi everything. It was already a great leap opening up her private world to share one aspect of her relationship with Trip, and that was only done out of necessity. Sharing data about their bond or other…more private, parts of their life was unnecessary.

She looked at Hoshi's shocked expression.

"But, because of our history," T'Pol explained. "He is hesitant."

"Is he worried about Elizabeth?" Hoshi asked.

"No, we co-parent incredibly well, and would continue to do so," T'Pol said as she swallowed hard and looked anywhere but at Hoshi. "I think he is scared about his own heart."

"Does he still have feelings for you?" Hoshi asked as she leaned forward on her knees.

"He has said so," T'Pol nodded.

"And you…?"

"Yes," T'Pol nodded.

"But he's scared of getting burned?" Hoshi asked.

"He knows to stay away from sources of fire, but occasionally, he still touches a wire that…"

"No, I mean, he's scared if he opens himself up to a relationship with you again, he'll get hurt. You may leave, change your mind or not love him as much as he loves you?"

"Yes, I believe those are his, unfounded, fears," T'Pol nodded.

Hoshi nodded. Trip was a very brave man, but if he'd been hurt badly, which it looked like he had, he would be extra wary of anything T'Pol wanted. In spite of his love for her and his daughter. Once burned, twice shy still held true.

"So, you would like to convince him that he should give your relationship another chance?" Hoshi asked.

"I would," T'Pol nodded. "When I introduced the topic, he was…dismissive."

"What did he say?" Hoshi asked.

"If you want me in this again, you're going to have to do better than that," T'Pol quoted her mate.

"Oh," Hoshi said as she sat back.

T'Pol looked at her concerned.

"He needs a romantic overture," Hoshi said. "Something, I am sure, Vulcans are, generally, not comfortable with."

"A romantic overture?" T'Pol asked, confused.

"A grand gesture to demonstrate intimacy or commitment," Hoshi explained.

"Sexual intimacy?" T'Pol asked.

"Men generally appreciate that," Hoshi smiled at her. "But I think Trip is looking for something more. A plan, a promise."

"He requires that I develop an elaborate plan to show him I am not going to cause him harm, that my commitment to him is real and has longevity?" T'Pol asked.

"Essentially, yes," Hoshi nodded.

"Can this be private?" T'Pol inquired.

"Usually not," Hoshi winced for her.

"He requires that embarrass myself to…?"

"Not embarrass, think of it like placing yourself in a compromised position in front of others so you cannot re-neg or take back what you are saying," Hoshi said. "He wants you to be truthful and vulnerable, so you have risked as much as he has."

"Oh," T'Pol sighed.

"It's easy to agree or to say anything under the covers, or in private," Hoshi explained. "It's much harder to say it in front of others, to make that commitment, to make those feelings public."

"Oh," T'Pol nodded.

"I know this is not, exactly, what you hoped to hear," Hoshi said softly. "But it seems like that is what he needs from you, to ensure he's not placing his heart in your hands only to have it damaged again."

T'Pol nodded.

They sat in silence for a moment.

"You know, you can work up to it," Hoshi offered.

"Excuse me?"

"Start with small romantic gestures," Hoshi said. "Warm him up to the idea."

"I can accomplish this," T'Pol nodded.

"Think about things he likes, things that would make him happy," Hoshi said. Then when she saw a thoughtful expression wash over T'Pol's face she added. "Non-sexual things."

"Oh," T'Pol sighed. It was easy to please Trip sexually, that was something she would have to put little thought into.

"Think of ways you can show him you care, that you value him, that things would work out," Hoshi said. "Then, as you get more comfortable with this, you will be more prepared for the large romantic overture."

"And if I…" T'Pol started to ask when the door to the Captain's Ready Room slid open and a surprised Jon Archer stood in the doorway.

"Am I interrupting?" Jon asked before he walked inside with a perplexed expression on his face.

"No, Hoshi and I were just discussing a personnel matter," T'Pol said, standing and looking at Hoshi to do the same.

"Thank you, Commander," Hoshi said before she exited the Ready Room.

"Commander," Jon said with a nod toward T'Pol. "Anything I need to know about?"

"Not at this time, Captain," T'Pol supplied.

"Well, you're off," Jon smiled at her. "Your shift has finished."

"Thank you, I require rest," T'Pol nodded before she exited his Ready Room. She needed to develop a list.

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