Authors note: Please see previous notes. Especially about bond conversations. This one is a long one—buckle in!

Let me know what you think!

Xxxxxx

"Have you heard from Leslie?" T'Pol asked Trip as soon as he appeared that night.

"Yes, she's happy to be there and all is good, " Trip said to his wife as he hugged her close to him.

"Good, " T'Pol nodded as she felt his body pull away.

"I need to talk with you about a couple of things before tomorrow, " Trip said.

"Tomorrow?" T'Pol asked confused.

"I told Jon about us, " Trip said as he watched her carefully for a reaction.

"I'm happy you've finally told him. I wanted you to tell Jon years ago."

"I know, but…well, he spoke with Soval afterwards to make sure I wasn't off the deep end, " Trip smirked. "Soval walked him through it, in more detail. "

"There's nothing to hide about…"

"I know that darlin, but it really is weird for humans and I'm not surprised Jon needed confirmation, " Trip said as he guided her to sit with him on a sofa.

"As I recall, you needed Soval's reassurance when this first happened as well, " T'Pol said.

"Yeah, yeah, I did, " Trip chuckled.

"He's supportive?" T'Pol inquired.

"I think it's kinda like the bond," Trip said. "He doesn't completely get it, but he trusts us, and trusts Soval."

T'Pol nodded.

"I'm glad you have permitted another knowledge of what is both special and difficult for you. "

Trip nodded and sat back wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

They sat in quiet for a long time, unmoving, just enjoying the moment and each other. This had happened a lot in their marriage and, if both were ever asked, was one if their favorite parts of their life together; that they could just 'be' together.

"I'm going out on a date tomorrow, " Trip said, breaking the silence that had surrounded them for the last 20 minutes.

"You have been on…" T'Pol started.

"No, those were coffee meetups, or accidental, or with the girls, " Trip clarified.

"I'm taking her out, proper, tomorrow night, " Trip said as he squeezed her one shoulder slightly. He knew he didn't have to explain who he was taking, they'd spoken about Mateja already.

"Okay, " T'Pol nodded, blocking him just enough that he would not feel her hurt but not realize she's blocking.

"I really like her, " Trip added, hoping, somehow, that he wasn't hurting her.

"I can tell, " T'Pol said simply. And she could, she'd known for a while this day would come. Pushed him toward it, in fact. Now, she needed to be supportive of it.

Trip turned and looked at her confused about her comment.

"You half smile wherever you mention her name, " T'Pol said, honestly.

"I do?" Trip asked.

"Try it, " T'Pol offered.

"Well, now you'll skew the results, " Trip chuckled.

"You have said her name to me 23 times and in 19 of the mentions, you have half-smiled,"T'Pol said factually.

"Well, I'll be "Trip smirked.

"I believe I knew you liked Mateja before you did, " T'Pol said honestly.

"Really?" Trip asked, somewhat surprised. Although, he shouldn't be, in all their years together he was always slower on the uptake then she was, relationship-wise.

"What do you like best about her?"

Trip turned and looked at T'Pol and shook his head in the negative.

"I think it's a reasonable question, " T'Pol explained.

"It's weird, " Trip asked.

"I believe we established two decades ago that our relationship was never human-normal," T'Pol explained. "We are also friends, and friends share this information. "

Trip just sighed.

"I would like to know more about her, " T'Pol said. "If she is to be around you, and Leslie."

Trip shifted in his seat and sighed heavily after not responding right away. T'Pol patiently waited.

"You know she's got Petra, and is a graphic artist…" Trip said.

"I would like to know what you like most about her, " T'Pol said.

When she saw Trip squirming slightly she added.

"If it's sexual…"

"God, T'Pol, no, " Trip huffed.

"Then?"

Trip shifted a little more before he answered.

"I really like a couple of things, " Trip said. "She's intriguing. "

"Intriguing?" T'Pol asked.

"She's from Kyrgyz so she's got a different background and upbringing, she's a graphic artist, which is very creative, and adopted a child to save her, and…and she's not interested in space in the slightest. "

"She's does sound intriguing, " T'Pol said, truthfully. She also sounded very different from herself in many ways. T'Pol decided not to dwell on the graft that her husband seemed to be seeking a woman very opposite to her, except for body type and skin tone.

"And she's got this beautiful musical talent but refuses to be signed by this record producer guy."

"I think intriguing is a good descriptor for Mateja," T'Pol nodded. "I think you have a lot to discover. "

"Yeah, " Trip nodded with a chuckle.

"And the second reason?" T'Pol asked.

Trips smile softened.

" She really cares about Leslie, " Trip said. "Helping with her party, when she told me about Leslie's lies, the fact that Les didn't say anything about Petra being deaf and just treats her regularly, helping search for her, offering to help her try the guitar, it's.. it's genuine. "

"I have also noted the amount of times she has inconvenienced herself for our daughter, because she wants to help. "

"Yeah, and she thought we were still married in the beginning, so it wasn't like she was…."

"Agreed, " T'Pol nodded.

"I want you to know, " Trip said as he swallowed hard. "I'd never get involved with anyone who didn't show a genuine interest in our daughter. "

"Thank you, " T'Pol nodded. "I am happy to hear you say that. "

"I'm being honest, " Trip said. "Painfully honest, because you know I'd never even think about another woman if you were still alive. "

T'Pol nodded and braced herself for her next question.

"You're attracted to her? She's very beautiful, " T'Pol said.

Trip said nothing.

"Trip?"

"Humans don't generally go out with someone unless they are attracted to them, darlin. " Trip said. "I definitely found you attractive. "

" We're not speaking about me, " T'Pol rebutted him.

"I'm just saying," Trip smirked at her.

"You're unwillingness to reply…"

"I find her attractive, T'Pol, " Trip interrupted, slightly annoyed by his wife's tenacity.

" Thank you, " T'Pol said primly before she cleared her throat and continued. " Could she become impregnated when you…"

"What?!" Trip asked shocked.

"You will have sexual relations with her and…"

"We're going on a date," Trip clarified. "No sex."

"You can't be sure that…"

"Oh, I can be, " Trip said as he looked at her. "You and I are still involved and, bond or not, dead or not, I don't sleep with two women at once. I'm even uncomfortable with the dating, but I'm willing to…"

"You aren't on the birth control injection and you need updated STD vaccines because there was no risk when we were in a relationship, but now…"

"T'Pol, that bridge is far away and, anyways…" Trip started.

"I would like you to please visit the doctor prior to your date on Friday in case you and Mateja do…"

"Nothing is going to happen, darlin, " Trip said.

"I would feel better if you…"

"I'm not sleeping with her, " Trip said firmly.

"Allow me this indulgence, so I know you are safe, for the next year, " T'Pol said softly.

Trip met her eyes and said nothing.

"Trip?"

"Fine, but I'm not sleeping with her, " Trip said.

"Maybe not this week, but one day you will, and I would rather you were prepared, " T'Pol said softly as she leaned into him slightly. "Would you want to have more children?"

"No, " Trip said surely. "I'm 50 this year and she's in her early 40s…. What am I saying?! It's just a date, T'Pol. Not a commitment or…"

"But you've obviously thought about it based on your quick response, " T'Pol noted.

Trip said nothing in return and she knew she was right. As much as her husband may have been more sexually active when young, with multiple partners, he was not that man anymore. He really liked this woman if he was going out with her. He'd thought about a future with her. He'd considered the impact on his daughter. He didn't step into this for a brief sexual relationship. Her husband knew, before he asked Mateja out, that this relationship could be long term.

"I'm pleased with your choice, " T'Pol said as she patted his chest.

"T'Pol, there is a whole other person who, after spending time with me, could decide I'm an ape and…"

"She won't, " T'Pol said quietly.

Trip smirked at her. "And how do you know that?"

"Because you are, by far, the best human male and mate. I saw that, and she will as well. "

"I note you said human, there a secret stash of Vulcans you think are better than me?" Trip chuckled.

"You said she has no interest in space, so my assumption is she would not wish to involve herself with someone who may need to regularly visit family on another planet, " T'Pol explained.

"Thanks for the clarification, " Trip chuckled. "But it's just a date. As far as I can tell she's very happy on her own with Petra and may like to stay that way."

"It is possible, " T'Pol nodded as she snuggled into him.

They sat in silence for a long time without speaking again.

"I love you, " Trip said as he kissed the top of her head.

"I know, " T'Pol said.

In the morning he woke in the same sitting position he'd fallen asleep in, with T'Pol nestled into his side and resting her head on his shoulder, except, as usual, he was alone.

Xxxxx

Trip Tucker walked up the small pathway to Mateja and Petra's house. He'd only walked this path once before when he dropped off Petra, and then, it was at night and he had a car full of teens he needed to also drop off.

Her house looked different in the light, brighter, more welcoming. It was yellow, something he'd failed to notice before, and had wind chimes hanging from an awning near the door. The windows had shutters painted teal and the front garden was filled with flowers.

He rang the bell and waited, fidgeting with his hands. He shouldn't be nervous, they had done something like this before. But this was the first time after he'd kissed her.

"Hey!" Mateja said as she whipped open the door. She was wearing a flowy flowery teal dress to her knee with bare feet.

"You look beautiful, but you may need shoes, " Trip said as he looked down at her feet "I'm not sure how relaxed this place is. "

Mateja laughed and looked down at her bare feet as well. "I'm still waiting for my toes to dry. I just need another couple minutes."

"Oh, okay, " Trip smiled at her.

"Come in, " Mateja said as she gestured into her house.

Trip walked inside and looked around. The main room was comfy and looked lived in. He saw images scrolling through on a screen, some of Petra, some of people he didn't know.

"Just give me a second," Mateja said as she ran down a hallway toward what he assumed, was her bedroom.

"Take your time!" Trip called after her.

He walked around and looked at her home. Big comfy sofa, large comfy chairs, painted furniture in various colors, wide open windows, and a small kitchen. Her home was neat, tidy, and almost looked like a cottage in the middle of the city. He walked to her back window and looked outside. Her yard even looked like a cottage in the middle of the city, with wild beautiful flowers, metal chairs, stone walkways, and bird feeders.

His home was so different from hers, more modern, because T'Pol liked that style. More sparse because neither of them collected anything, and more open because his house was bigger with a concrete patio and pool. It's not like his was better, or hers was, they were just drastically different.

"I just need to grab my purse," Mateja said as she rushed into the room.

"No rush, " Trip said with a smile. "Your house is just like a cottage. "

"If that's a nice way for saying tiny then…"

"No, I don't mean it that way…"

"It's okay, it is small, just two bedrooms and this living area, " Mateja smiled at him. "But I loved the style and it had the separate building for my business."

"That out there?" Trip asked as he pointed to a building out back.

"Yes, that's my studio and where I meet clients, " Mateja said as she stood next to him.

"I think walking through your garden would cause any client to want to hire you, it's beautiful. " Trip said. "Mine is so plain compared to yours. "

"It was all there when I moved in, "Mateja smiled. "I just maintain it. But I really love it."

"All the same, it's gorgeous. I bet coffee out there in the morning would make you never want to go to work. "

"Sometimes it does," Mateja smiled at him. "Ready?" Trip looked down at her feet and, spotting shoes, looked at her and nodded.

"Your toes look nice," Trip smiled.

"Thanks, " Mateja smiled.

They walked out of her home and to Trip's land car. He reached for her door handle at the same time as she did, and his hand covered hers. He felt his heart start to race at contact.

"Oh. Uh. Sorry, " Trip said as he pulled back his hand.

"It's okay," Mateja smiled up at him.

Trip started to lean into her again and, instead of pulling away, she leaned in as well and their lips made contact.

The kiss wasn't soft and sweet this time, it was passionate and intense.

He pulled her closer and their bodies made contact. His hands went up to her cheeks and cupped her face as he kissed her. Her hands grabbed onto his waist and started to rub up his lower back.

Trip deepened the kiss and then suddenly felt his lower body respond. He pulled back and took a deep breath as he looked down at her.

"We have a reservation we need to make, " Trip apologized out of breath.

"Right, dinner, " Mateja nodded out of breath as she stepped back and got her bearings. She felt dizzy from that kiss.

Trip opened her door to allow her into the car and they started toward the restaurant.

"Have you heard from Les?" Mateja asked as they drove.

"Brief message about winning a spot on the robotics challenge, " Trip said. "Petra?"

"Just a quick message about a health care field trip to…I can't remember…but she was really excited. "

"It's good they have so many options, " Trip said trying to will his erection away. "So, what'll you do if she decides to go to space?"

"I guess I'll travel there?" Mateja laughed. "I would have to visit Petra."

"Can I ask a practical question, and you are under no obligation to answer it?" Trip asked.

"Of course, " Mateja agreed.

"You didn't want children before Petra?"

"No," Mateja replied, honestly.

"How old were you when you adopted her?"

"29," Mateja smiled. "God, at 29 I was sure I was grown up. "

"Why? I mean, she's amazing and you two are awesome, but as a free, single 20 something, why did you decide to do that?"

"I can't explain it exactly, " Mateja said. "I just felt like I needed to. That it was the right thing to do. It is completely illogical, I know. "

"I think it's wonderfully illogical, " Trip smiled at her. "Did you ever doubt…?"

"Oh my god, every freaking day for months!" Mateja said. "She was not an easy baby. "

Trip laughed.

"Her birth mother…?"

"She's okay, not great, but okay, " Mateja said, sadly.

"Does Petra…?"

"No, no, " Mateja said. "I have asked Petra several times but she's not shown any interest and Mira had never asked to see Petra. I would never tell Petra that, of course, but…"

"I can't imagine not seeing Les all the time, " Trip admitted. "As angry as she makes me somedays. "

"Those hormones are horrible!" Mateja admitted.

"Really?!" Trip asked, surprised. "Petra seems so calm and…"

"She is, compared to other teens, I know I'm lucky, but there are moments when she turns into a monster. Then a half hour later, she's my Petra again."

"Interesting, " Trip nodded as they pulled into the parking lot.

They parked the car and he escorted her onto the restaurant courtyard. He'd chosen this one because the courtyard dining was impressive, it was in a nice neighborhood that they could walk around later, and the food and service were will rated.

"This place is beautiful, " Mateja said as they walked inside.

"Agreed, " Trip said as they both looked around at the quaint private tables, the trees and twinkle lights. There was a man playing acoustic guitar in the corner if the room and the food smelled delicious.

They were seated and ordered drinks before they're conversation returned.

"To your earlier question about Petra," Mateja started. "I know what I did was unconventional, but when I think about it, no more than a woman with a surprise pregnancy. I know you and your wife probably went through a lot to have Les, but many people just find themselves pregnant and, although I didn't birth Petra, I like to think of her as a pleasant surprise. "

"I really like that, " Trip smiled at her.

"And Leslie? A lot of scientists, you said?"

"A team, " Tripp chuckled. "I hated the whole process, felt like a lab rat."

"Really?"

"Don't get me wrong, I was thrilled when we got a healthy child, but the process was very clinical and invasive. "

"I can imagine, " Msteja said.

"For two years my wife worked with a team of geneticists and doctors to get Leslie, " Trip explained. "We'd tried the regular IVF route before and T'Pol had miscarried twice. That's when she stepped it up and went all scientist on the process. "

"And she was successful, " Mateja said.

"She very rarely wasn't, once she put her mind to something, " Trip smiled. "But I was very happy when it carried through because that meant an end to weekly doctor's appointments, daily temperature taking, giving her the hormone injections, hearing doctors talk about the quality of my sperm and her eggs…just the invasion into our private lives was enough to make me want to call it off."

"But you didn't," Mateja said.

"No, she was determined to have a child, we'd lost one year's before and I think…"

"I'm going to admit at this point that I did do some research yesterday, and found out some things about you. You and your wife are quite famous, " Mateja admitted.

Trip just smiled at her.

"So, I do know about…Elizabeth?"

"Yes, Elizabeth, " Trip said softly.

"I'm sorry, I don't mean to…"

"No, it's…"

Just then their waiter arrived at the table.

"Are you both ready to order?" He asked.

"Uh, I'm not…" Trip said, truthfully, they'd not really looked at the menu.

"What seafood dish do you recommend?" Mateja asked.

"The salmon with the…"

"I'll have that with a salad, " Mateja interrupted before she closed her menu and handed it to the waiter.

Trip looked at her surprised. He was used to T'Pol reading the menu thoroughly, questioning the waiter about some if her options, and then deciding some time later. She also liked to tell him what his healthiest option was as well.

"I'll have the same, " Trip said as he shut his menu and handed it to the waiter. "And do you recommend a good appetizer?

"We have a lovely cheese board that…"

"We'll take that too," Trip said, embracing the freedom of not thinking about his choices.

Their waiter left and Mateja looked at Trip.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to mention the baby that…"

"No, it's public knowledge, it was horrible, but having and then losing Elizabeth made us both realize how much we're wanted a child, " Trip said as he noted two young Starfleet recruits walking toward them. "Allow me to apologize for what's about to happen…"

"I'm sorry?" Mateja asked, confused.

"We're so sorry to interrupt…" The two recruits said as they stood next to their table.

"Not a problem, " Trip smiled at them.

"We saw it was you and we just couldn't not…"

"That's okay," Trip said. "What division are you both in?"

Mateja watched Trip exchange pleasantries with them, introduce her by first name, shake hands, and take a picture before they left.

"Does that happen a lot?" Mateja asked after they left.

"When I'm dressed nice, or in uniform " Trip said as he looked down at his suit. "When I'm dressed normally, I'm just another dad that no one pays attention to. "

"I wouldn't say that, " Mateja said with a smirk.

"Okay, very few people pay attention to, " Trip said as his face reddened.

"You were very kind to them, many people would be angry to be bothered, I'm sure, " Mateja said thoughtfully.

"I know what it's like to see these people you've read about and just want a moment with them, " Trip said. "It happened more with T'Pol and she had a hard time with total strangers approaching her. "

"Vulcans are natural introverts, so I imagine that would have been a challenge, " Msteja noted.

"And was it okay that I introduced you?" Trip asked. "I wasn't…"

"It was totally fine, they won't remember me anyways, " Mateja said as she reached for her wine. "You are incredibly heroic, so I can see why…"

"Was heroic, " Trip said. "I hung up my space boots a long time ago, and except for testing, I'm not up there often. "

"Why'd you give it up?"

"It was time, " Trip said. "We wanted to get married and start a family. You can't do that on a star ship And after all that adventure, we were looking for a change. "

"Do you feel exposed with all this information out there about you? I could have read for days, there was so much…"

"Don't believe about half of it, " Trip smiled at her.

"Well, I only read a few articles," Mateja said. "Is rather learn about you the old fashioned way—in person. "

Trip laughed at her comment as he reached for his water. He wasn't surprised she read up on him, but was pleased she seemed more interested in getting to know the real him, not Starfleet Trip Tucker.

"So, seeing as I can't read about you, " Trip started. "Or can I?"

Mateja's eyes widened. "You found the article?"

Just then, their cheese plate arrived.

"Thank you. It wasn't hard to find," Trip chucked.

"He was just a child and…" Mateja started as she reached for the honey and drizzled it on a cracker and cut some cheese.

"You fought off his two attackers?" Trip asked as he too reached for some food.

"Kyrgyz is normally very peaceful, but those men were intoxicated and beating a child," Mateja said.

"That was pretty brave, " Trip said.

"I was 20 and stupidly brave, " Mateja said "My father wanted to kill me for risking my life that way. "

"I can see why, " Trip said. "The one guy was just out of prison for sexual assault. "

"You read both articles then?" Mateja asked with a smirk.

"Yes, I did, " Trip nodded with a smirk.

"So you researched me as well?" Mateja asked, intrigued

"I thought it only fair, seeing as there's so much out there about me, " Trip said. "And yes, the pregnancy happened but I was just a surrogate, not tied genetically to the child. And no, I wasn't given a royal title on... "

Mateja bit into some warm bread and her face lit up

"What?" Trip asked surprised

"There's someone in the kitchen who is Kyrgyz!" She said excitedly.

"The bread told you that?" Trip asked, intrigued

"Here, " Mateja said as she ripped off a chunk and placed it in Trip's mouth.

Trip, surprised by her action, chewed and enjoyed the unique flavor. It was a sour dough bread, but it had an Indian flavor to it, with a saltiness.

"This is a traditional bread from my country, " Mateja said. "There's a Kyrgyz in that kitchen."

"Couldn't someone just use the recipe to…"Trip started as he watched Mateja turning to look at the kitchen.

"No, people who follow a recipe don't know about the crushed …"

Just then Mateja rose from her chair.

"I need to visit the kitchen, do you wish to join me?" She asked.

In that moment, Trip didn't know what to do. T'Pol had never broken bread off a loaf and fed him. She'd never ordered based in a recommendation, or wanted to visit the kitchen of a restaurant to meet one of the…

"Uh, sure, " Trip shrugged before he rose with her and they walked toward the kitchen.

"Excuse me, " Mateja said to a man near the door who seemed like the manger. "Who makes this bread?"

It was then that Trip noted she was carrying what was left of the small un eaten loaf.

The manger looked at her confused.

"It's delicious and I'd like to compliment them" Mateja said by way of explanation.

"Oh, I'll find out," the manager said with a nod before he walked into the kitchen.

"I can't believe there's another kyrgyz in San Diego," Mateja said excitedly.

Trip wanted to say that he couldn't believe they were doing this, but refrained.

"Do you bake this bread?" Trip asked her as he watched her pull off another chunk and offer it to him.

He nodded and she put it in his mouth.

"I have, " Mateja admitted. "Much to my mother's dismay, I'm not much of a baker, or a cook."

Two minutes later, a woman in a chef's outfit came outside.

She had the same look about her at Mateja but shorter and rounder. Her face lit up when she saw Mateja.

"Krghze, " she simply said.

Then the two of them were speaking animatedly in a language Trip didn't understand. Mateja paused and introduced Trip then explained to him that she didn't know the sous chef but her family lived one region over from hers. They exchanged numbers and hugged before Trip and Mateja returned to their table. He was struck in that moment by three things. How caring and genuinely sweet Mateja was. How free spirited she was. And how he was truly and completely falling for her.

"Can I ask another question, you are free not to answer?" Trip asked.

"If course," Mateja smiled at him.

"Why not record your beautiful music?" Trip asked.

"That is more complicated," Mateja said.

"If you don't want to…"

"No, uh, in simple terms, " Mateja stammered. "They are traditional Krghze folk songs. I left my homeland and it's not right to profit from something that is not mine when so many at home still struggle."

Trip nodded. He felt that same way after the tragedy in Florida when writers offered to pay him for his story.

"I get that, " Trip said. "It's a shame though, it's so beautiful."

Just then, their food arrived. They spent the rest of the evening sharing stories, eating and drinking. They then walked around the quaint downtown neighborhood afterwards, continuing to talk about their lives.

When Trip brought her home he felt as if she was one of the most amazing women he'd ever encountered. She was a successful business woman, thoughtful mother, world traveler, devoted to her family and culture back home, and funny. And when they kissed passionately in front of her open door, he knew if he took a step inside she would have taken him to her bed. That she didn't think he was an ape; she liked him as well. But the idea of sex, with T'Pol still with him, scared the crap out of Trip. After a long time spent kissing, and fighting an erection and failing miserably, Trip pulled back.

"I had an amazing time tonight, " Trip said out of breath. "Thank you. "

"It was perfect," Mateja smiled up at him as she held onto his upper arms.

"Can I see you again this weekend?" Trip asked her as he placed his hands on her waist and smiled down at her. He liked how their make out session had made her hair more wild looking than normal, and her lips plump.

"I have work and meetings tomorrow, Sunday?" Mateja asked.

"Brunch?" Trip asked.

"Where do you want me to meet y…"

"Proper date," Trip smiled. "I'll pick you up at 10 am?"

Mateja nodded. Kissed him quickly on his mouth and then went into her house, shutting the door while smiling at him.

Trip felt amazing in that moment. His face was beaming, his heart was pounding and his body felt incredibly turned on. He practically floated to his land car.

xxxxx

TBC