Jennifer settled down with her journal, recording the day's events.  It had been a good day, fairly non-eventful.  The most exciting thing had been her conversation with Commander Tucker.  Trip.  Why did I freeze up?  Why couldn't I think of the right thing to say? She'd had the perfect conversation many times in her head, but lost it all when it finally happened.  Why, why, why…

            "Jennifer, you're the most beautiful woman I've ever know."  Trip whispered in her ear, pulling her closer to him.  His strong arms held her tightly, never wanting to let go.  "I knew from the first time I saw you that we were meant t' be t'gether.  I wish I'dve said something sooner."

            "Me too."  Jennifer snuggled closer to him, feeling safer in his arms than she had ever felt before.

            Trip kissed her, scooping her up in his arms as he did.  He carried her to the bed, gently falling on her.  The kiss intensified, her soft moaning a melodious sound in his ears.  Her skin was softer than any he'd felt before.  He started unbuttoning her shirt, his kisses following the contour of her face.

            "Are ya sure you want t' do this?"

            Her answer was in her kiss, pulling his mouth back to hers.  As their bodies melted into each other, she couldn't imagine anything more perfect…

            The sound of the door chimes woke Jennifer up with a start.  Her heart was pounding from the dream she'd just had.  The chimes rang again.  She pulled herself together and went to answer the door.

            "Commander Tucker?"  She couldn't believe her eyes.  To have that dream, then find him at her door.  I must still be dreaming.

            "Lieutenant?  Oh gosh, sorry.  Were you sleeping?  I should've waited 'till t'morrow t' tell ya."  Trip tried very hard to keep his composure.  If he had problems getting her out of his mind before, it'd be impossible now.  There she stood, in pale violet silk pajamas, her dark brown hair spilling over her shoulders.  Don't say anything stupid.  Ya don't wanna make a fool out of yourself.  "I'll get goin' now.  G'night."

            "It's ok.  I haven't gone to bed yet, just got ready early.  Come in."  This is really happening!  I can't believe it!  "Have a seat."

            Jennifer sat on the edge of her bed, Trip sitting across from her at her desk.  "You wanted to tell me something?"

            You're beautiful.  Have we met before tonight?  "The Cap'n told me we're headed t' Andoria.  Seems the Andorians invited us, wanna get t' know us a little better."  Damn, what's wrong with me?  I'm babblin' like a two year old!

            "Andorians.  They're the blue ones, right?"  Blue?  I'm such an idiot!

            "That's them.  I heard they've got some interesting animals there.  Guess it'll give ya somethin' t' study."  Trip's heart skipped a beat when he saw her smile.  This visit was definitely worth it.

            "New animals!  It's why I joined Starfleet!  I know I could've stayed back on Earth, learning more about familiar animals, but to see new ones with my own eyes, things people could only imagine.  That's the exciting part of my job!"  Zoology was her passion.  No matter how flustered she may get trying to keep small talk going, her thoughts became perfectly clear when talking about animals.  She closed her eyes, imagining new kinds of animals, her whole body glowing with excitement.

            Trip forced himself to look away.  Glancing around her quarters, he noticed a picture on her desk.  Picking it up for a closer look, he realized where he knew her from.

            "You're a singer too, aren'tcha?"

            He remembers.  "I used to be…"  She opened her eyes to find him holding a picture from her past.  "…a long time ago."

            "You sang a couple times at a jazz club.  'Bout ten years ago, right?"  It was all coming back now.

            "Yes."  Jennifer felt her eyes stinging at the memories, hoping the tears wouldn't fall until after he left.

            "I gotta admit I'm not really into jazz.  Only went because some friends dragged me there.  Then I heard ya sing.  You were so beautiful."  Still are.  "That's why I kept goin' back.  Then you stopped comin'.  I heard your voice in dreams for years after that.  Why'd you quit?"

            "I was going through a rough time at school.  Singing helped me through it.  My boyfriend was the one that encouraged me to sing.  The last night I sang was our anniversary.  He was supposed to meet me at the club so we could go out after, but he never showed up.  I found a letter from him when I got home.  An old girlfriend had called him up, wanting to get back together, and he decided he loved her more than me."  She felt a single tear fall down her cheek.  "It hurt so much that I couldn't sing because it reminded me of him.  That's why I didn't come back."  Why did I tell him all of this?  Why am I setting myself up to be hurt again by someone I hardly know?

            Trip saw the hurt in her eyes, and as a tear slid down her cheek he wished he hadn't asked.  I'm such an idiot!  Do somethin'!  You've gotta do somethin' after makin' her cry!  He got up and went to her side, carefully wiping away the tear.

            "I'm sorry.  I shouldn'tve asked.  Sometimes I say things without thinkin' first."

            "It's ok.  It was a perfectly innocent question.  I'm the one that should be sorry, getting all emotional like that.  Maybe you should leave, before I do anything else to embarrass myself."  Don't leave.  Please.  Not yet.

            "Yeah, maybe I should."  I don't want to go.  Not yet.

Jennifer stood up, Trip following her lead.  They walked to the door in silence, both deep in thought.  As they reached the door, she looked up at him, a sad smile on her face.

"Thanks for telling me about our upcoming mission.  I'm flattered you thought to come and inform me."  She wished she knew what he was thinking, not sure what she saw in his eyes.

"You're welcome, Lieutenant."  Jennifer.

"It's Jennifer."  Trip.

"G'night Jennifer."  He stepped out the door, hearing it close behind him.  He had fought the urge to take her in his arms and kiss her.  Every part of him wanted to kiss her, but a small voice told him no.  A perfect gentlemen wouldn't kiss a girl when they had  just met a few hours ago.  Besides, ya just dragged up bad memories for her, you insensitive jerk.  He didn't get very far down the corridor before he turned back, his emotions winning out over rational thought.  Ta hell with bein' a perfect gentlemen.  Look where it's gotten me before!   He rang the door chime, confident about what he was going to do.

"Trip?  I thought you were–"  Jennifer didn't get any farther than that before he grabbed her and kissed her.  She fell into his arms, kissing him back with such intensity it made her head spin.  When they finally pulled apart, he looked down at her with a goofy grin on his face.

"Jennifer, would'ya join me for dinner tomorrow?"  His heartbeat was so loud he was surprised she didn't hear it.

"I'd love to."  She was lost in his eyes, just barely getting the three words out.

"Great!  Ok, I'm really goin' now.  G'night!"  Wow!

"Sweet dreams!"  Wow!