Notes: I'm going to throw in co-author credits to Joe. He's helping me out tremendously with this story. It's only fair not to take all the credit or blame for this. And for a story with no plot, it's sure going on a long time, huh??

Chapter 7

Trip threw his bag under a palm-like tree and sank down against the trunk. He watched in irritated silence as T'Pol strolled towards him, squinting in the bright sunlight. She chose a tree several meters away from him and placed her pack under it. She stood in the shade of the wide fronds, surveying the small grove they would settle in.

"These next two days'll go by a lot quicker if we clear the air now, T'Pol," Trip said to her back.

She turned to face him. "I am inclined to agree with you, Commander," T'Pol said, taking a few steps towards him. He rose and closed the gap between them.

"Since I don't want you 'avoiding' me for two more days, I'll start," Trip said with a sigh. "I didn't mean to kiss you. It just…kinda…happened. I guess cuz we were so close. Too close." He dared not look at her. He was afraid at what he might see in her eyes.

"Our physical proximity seems to be the cause of this situation," T'Pol agreed, nodding slightly. She found the waves crashing on the beach far more enticing than looking at him.

"I don't really know what else to say, T'Pol," Trip admitted. "It's weird."

"It is," she said, nodding. "I have tried meditating on this and can't seem to dispel what happened. I keep…dwelling on it."

"Me too," he replied. After a short pause he said, "I thought about apologizin' to you, but I don't think I can do that."

T'Pol looked at him then, not bothering to hide her confusion. He was looking at the sand anyway.

"I won't say I'm sorry cuz I'm not. I'm *not* sorry I kissed you," Trip continued, stealing a glance at her. "It was nice, T'Pol. It floored me and I've been walkin' around in a daze ever since."

"You certainly have a way of scaring off logic, Commander," T'Pol said quietly. "I cannot seem to let it rest either."

"Was it…ok? For you, I mean?" Trip asked hesitantly.

"It was…" T'Pol stopped herself and took a deep breath. The only way this was going to go away was to talk it through. She'd learned that much in the last year on board the human vessel. "It was not unpleasant."

If Commander Tucker was at all surprised by T'Pol's admission, he did not let on. He merely nodded.

The two stood next to each other in uncomfortable silence for several minutes, looking out over the water.

"You told the Captain." It was a statement void of any accusation.

"Yeah," Trip nodded. "I went to Jon, my best friend. Like I said, I was a bit rattled, to say the least."

"Indeed. You *did* kiss a Vulcan."

"And she kissed me back."

"It would probably be wise to not allow it to happen again."

"Agreed! I don't think I can go through this ordeal again," Trip said. "It's too much…even for an emotionally driven clown like me."

They turned to each other then, and Trip extended his hand. T'Pol looked at it and back up at Trip's face. She cocked her head slightly and shook his hand, sealing their deal.

"So we're good then?" he asked.

"I believe we'll be fine," T'Pol agreed.

Trip sighed dramatically his relief. He looked at her and smiled. "Great! Then I'm goin' swimmin'," he announced and unzipped his jumpsuit.

"Commander?" she queried as he peeled off his uniform.

"Lookit the water! It's gorgeous out here and I ain't lettin' this go to waste," he replied, yanking off the one-piece to reveal bright orange shorts underneath. Trip stood proudly in his swim trunks, a broad grin plastered across his face. T'Pol narrowed her eyes at him.

"We're supposed to be doing research," she said, turning to retrieve her scanner from her pack.

"Aw, Cap'n didn't send us down here to work an' you know it," Trip argued. "Why don'tcha take a load off for once? Come swimmin' with me."

"Vulcans don't swim."

"Of course they don't," he said with a slight roll of his eyes. "Just walk in a ways then. It's called 'wading.' I won't letcha drown. I promise."

T'Pol looked up then, studying him to verify the truth in his statement. It was tempting. Again she found logic and control slipping from her in his presence.

"I did not bring any swimming attire," she tried one last tactic.

"So we'll go naked," Trip teased, not missing a beat. He tried not to smile as he watched a slightly mortified look pass across her features.

"I presume my undergarments will suffice?"

"That'll work," Trip laughed. "See ya down there!" And with that he took off jogging towards the water, leaving the Vulcan to disrobe in privacy.



Trip had busied himself with getting accustomed to the water and waves, riding them like he used to as a kid. They were different here, faster and fuller. He didn't notice T'Pol meander up the shoreline, taking scans while inching her way into the water. He didn't get to watch as she squatted in the surf, looking for shells and other marine life. And he didn't see the wave that caught the desert native off guard, crashing into her and knocking her over, sweeping her out a few meters.

He did, however, glance up in time to see her standing up, waist deep, looking like a mad wet hen. The bubble of laughter that threatened to burst from his throat melted away when he saw how the sun glinted off her, reflecting in the water drops that rolled down her olive skin. Humor dried up completely as he noted her soaked tank top clinging to her body, riding up to reveal her midriff. He remembered that day in the decon chamber, oh so long ago now. He'd touched that flesh once, and now thought of running his hands over it again.

Trip felt the blood rush south and quickly did an about-face before T'Pol noticed him watching her. He stood there with his back to her, waves breaking against him. He concentrated on keeping his balance. He thought about impulse engines and warp nacelles, football and water polo, puppies and kittens. Anything but how her nipples stood out under the wet clothing, how the sun accentuated her coloring, how tantalizing she was right this moment.

"Ohpleaseohpleaseohpleasedon'tgetaboner," Trip whispered to himself, forcing his thoughts away from T'Pol. He was already breaking their deal with impure thoughts of the science officer and was thankful the water was cold enough to keep things in check for a bit. This could turn out to be a very long two days.