Part 2 – True Feelin's
As usual I don't own anything and I don't make any money from this. Everything belongs to the creators of Star Trek Enterprise, Paramount etc.
Future or Fate
T'Pol just stood there, not believing her eyes or her eyes. The man she loved was going to fight the man she was to marry. Fight to the death! This couldn't be happening, she could not be responsible for the death of her, what did Trip call it, 'soul mate'. She didn't know who to go to. She doubted she could sway either one. Koss wanted her because, as far as he was concerned, she belonged to him, Trip wanted her because he loved her. She was so confused. Vulcan's aren't supposed to experience confusion, or anything for that matter. Her time in the expanse, her addiction to and exposure to Trellium had taken its toll on her body and this was the overwhelming result. She had allowed herself to become intimate with a human, she had allowed herself to develop feelings for a human, and she had allowed herself to fall in love with a human. As the realisation hit her, she strode purposefully to the room in which Trip was now trying to gather himself for a fight to the death, for her.
As she turned the corner, she heard voices. Trip and her mother were discussing the tradition of the Koon-ut-Kalifee" and the direction with which it would take. She was standing in the doorway, un-noticed by either when her mother told him it was an absolute fight to the death, that once the challenge was accepted, there was no going back. As she saw Trip's face noticeably pale at the prospect of kill or be killed, her mother did something else unexpected, she took Trip into her arms and hugged him as he tried to compose himself
"I doubt that you will be successful, but thank you for caring so much for my daughter, thank you for loving her so much, that you would be willing to give you life for her"
"No, thank you T'Les for making me admit how I felt, before it was too late. If I die today, at least I've told T'Pol how I feel, at least she knows. I wouldn't be able to continue working with her, or seeing her if she was with Koss, I wouldn't be able to talk to her like I used to it would be just too hard. I'd have to leave Enterprise. In short, I couldn't go on. My life would be meaningless without Enterprise or T'Pol"
"Mother, may I speak to Commander Tucker alone?" T'Pol said from the doorway.
"Certainly, I will see to the preparations. Good luck Commander Tucker" T'Les said as she left.
Even before her mother was out of earshot, T'Pol began to plead with Trip "Trip, please leave. I can't let you do this, I cannot be responsible for your death, I couldn't bare it".
"Darlin, I don't plan on dyin' today or anytime soon. I've got too much to live for. If I win, I plan on taking you home to meet my folks".
Suddenly solemn, Trip reached for T'Pol and took her face between his hands, "I do love you T'Pol and what we've shared over the last months, makes me feel, I don't know different, I can't live without you and I couldn't live if you were married to Koss. If I win, would you consider taking these vows with me?"
"Charles, please, you have little chance of success, Koss is far stronger than you"
"You didn't answer my question T'Pol. If I win, will you marry me?"
T'Pol couldn't imagine a life with or without Trip after today, she was certain that he would be defeated by Koss. Before answering, T'Pol took his hands in hers and proclaimed "Yes Charles, I will be your bond-mate".
Nothing else was said, they didn't have time for the chime was being sounded to commence the challenge. Trip quickly held her to him and kissed her roughly on the lips as he strode out of the room to meet his future or fate.