"Home"

Ch. 4

(2154, Enterprise, Engineering)

One of the side affects of being in the Ancient stasis pod was that the persons hair kept growing. One of the first thing Daniel did was cut his back to an acceptable length. Sam and Sarah on the other hand, kept their hair long and flowing.

Sarah's black hair was partially tied back, leaving her bangs to dangle around her face and just past her cheek bones. Sam tied her hair back in a pony tail on most days. The two women loved the fact that Starfleet allowed them to have long hair. It was a nice change.

On the third day after the three's arrival Sarah had decided to go down to Engineering. Since Trip hadn't gone to see her since she arrived on the ship. She leaned against the railing that led to the wrap engine. Trip was busy with something.

"Are you avoiding me on purpose, or have you really been busy like Archer has been telling me," Sarah asked.

Trip perked his head up in surprise. He looked at her for a moment. Her hair was longer than the last time Sarah was on Enterprise. Her gray eyes were sadder than her had remembered.

(2004, Earth Orbit, Enterprise, Transporter Room)

Before Sarah stepped on the Transporter base, she kissed Trip deeply on the lips passionately.

"Thanks for last night, Trip," Sarah whispered in his ear.

"My pleasure," Trip responded with a whisper.

She then stepped on the platform and nodded to Trip to let him know that she was ready. Trip energized the device, grinning. With in seconds Sarah vanished.

(2154, Enterprise Engineering)

"Trip? Hello!" Sarah broke Trip out of his trance.

Trip shook his head quickly and rubbed his eyes with his forefinger and thumb.

"You okay?"

"Yeah, fine," Trip fiddled with the buttons in the panel in front of him.

"Good," Sarah stepped up on the stairs and took a few steps forward to get closer to him. "So you can't use being sick as an excuse."

"Don't know what you're takin' about, Sarah,"

"Well, at least you remembered my name. There's something," Sarah put her hands on her hips.

Trip finally stopped 'working' and glared at her. "What are you on about?"

"I've been on Enterprise for three days and you haven't come to see me?" Sarah asked, glaring at him.

"The Cap'n' wanted me to get some extra juice out of the engines. So we can get to your Lost City," He said, a little irritably. "Also, I've been showing off the Warp engine to one of your friends."

"Sam,"

"Yeah, her," Trip put the pad he had in his hands down. Sarah was in his way on the way down the stairs. "Excuse me."

Sarah reluctantly let him pass. She gracefully turned around and headed down the stairs and followed him around Engineering. "You can't tell me your not at least a little bit curious to see Atlantis?"

He stopped.

"Just a bit," he admitted. Trip turned around to face her. He gave a small, apologetic smile, "Meet me in the Mess Hall in an hour."

"Don't be late," Sarah grinned.

Trip and Sarah left Engineering. Trip headed to his quarters to shower. While Sarah went to Sick Bay to meet up with Phlox.

To be continued . . .