Author's Note: Please see previous notes. Trip and T'Pol have come together on Vulcan but the death of her mother and the discovery of the Kir'shara have caused a rift in their relationship. His shore leave after United is a reflection of that.
XXX
Trip walked the streets of Babel thinking about the recent turn of events in his life. She was "going through something that was complicated" and refused to really discuss this shift in her priorities with him. She still wanted to be a couple (he thought) but not in the way they had been. She had been not sharing with him when they had shared so much before. Koss had released her from their marriage agreement, which he thought would make things better, but it hadn't really changed her desire to focus on the Kir'shara above all else.
He had been sent on a recon mission to meet with the ambassadors that were going to finalize a trade dispute that they had started to negotiate on Enterprise. After the recent cold front from T'Pol, he was happy for a few days reprieve.
He ducked into a café and sat at a table near the window, ordering a coffee and scone for himself. He was supposed to meet Hoshi here after she did some shopping.
"Can I take this chair?" A tall woman asked him as she placed a hand on the back of the empty chair across from him.
There was one other seat at the table so Trip nodded.
"It's yours," Trip smiled up at her.
Instead of taking the seat as he had thought she would, she sat down in the chair and smiled at him.
"Well, hello," Trip said, surprised by her action.
"I'm Brianna," the woman said. "I'm covering the negotiations for JEL News."
"I'm sorry, I don't talk to…"
"I know the standard Starfleet protocol," she said as she called over the waitress.
"So, if you know it, then why are you sittin' here?" Trip asked.
"I'm sitting here, with you, because I find you incredibly attractive," Brianna said with a smile.
Trip smiled, chuckled, and sat back in his chair.
"Well, I'm flattered, but…"
"But, you're here for another night, right?" Brianna asked.
Trip looked at her surprised.
"I'm proposing that two single attractive people at some boring conference where, let's face it, basically the deal has already been brokered, have some fun," Brianna said.
"As I said before," Trip said as he called over the waitress for his bill. "I'm flattered but…"
"I hear you are quite the ladies man," Brianna said as she leaned forward. "We could have some fun."
"I'm sure we could," Trip smirked at her as the waitress approached.
"I'm not in the habit of convincing men to be with me," Brianna said with a sly smile.
"I'm sure you're not," Trip said as he rubbed his chin with his hand.
"Can I get you something?" The waitress asked.
"I'll have a latte," Brianna said. "Trip?"
"Uh, I'm good thanks," Trip said as he sat back and crossed his arms over his chest.
"You work for JEL?" Trip asked.
"For 15 years," Brianna said.
"And you aren't seeking an interview or some sensational piece for..?"
"Nope," Brianna said. "So, how about it sailor?"
"I'm flattered, but I'm not interested," said Trip. "Your beautiful and, obviously, smart but I'm not…"
"Free?" Brianna asked.
"Excuse me?" Trip asked.
"It's no secret you stayed with T'Pol on Vulcan and accompanied her on a mission to the syrannites," Brianna said.
"Feels like an interview all of a sudden," Trip said as he watched the waitress place her latte down. "I'll take our bill please."
"How gentlemanly," Brianna said as she leaned forward.
"I'm a gentleman, if nothing else," Trip sighed.
"Are you Commander T'Pol's partner?" Brianna asked. "Are you and she the first Human-Vulcan Starfleet relationship?"
"Well, there's no fraternization on Starfleet…"
"Trip, we've got documentation of at least 14 relationships on board Starfleet vessels over the last…"
"Well, then I guess you are great at digging into people's…"
"We have a witness from the syranites that says that you and Commander T'Pol spent two nights…"
"A syrannite, really?" Trip asked, annoyed. "They're co-operating with human reporters suddenly?"
The bill arrived on the table and Trip quickly took out his card and handed it back to the waitress who was tapping it.
"I think we're done here," Trip said as he started to stand.
"I'm publishing," Brianna said as she also stood. "I know of 2 other news agencies working on the story as well and I'd like to give you the opportunity to…"
"I have told you," Trip said. "Several times, that I'm not interested in any of your offers Ms."
"I am just giving you the chance to tell your side of…"
"There is no side," Trip said. "She is my friend and commanding officer. That's all."
"You'll go on record with…?"
"Yes, you can put the fact that she's my friend and commanding officer on the record," Trip said as he took his card back from the waitress.
He noted Hoshi walking towards him.
"Good day, Ms." Trip said before he walked toward Hoshi.
"Who's that?" Hoshi asked as she noted Trip leaving a woman.
"A reporter looking for gossip," Trip said.
"Gossip on who?" Hoshi asked as they walked out the door.
"Me," Trip said. "Look, let's…"
"Wait," Hoshi said as she stopped his forward motion.
"What about you?"
"Nothin'" Trip said, not meeting her eyes.
"Trip," Hoshi pleaded.
Trip shifted his feet and placed his hands on his hips.
"Trip," Hoshi asked again.
"They're apparently publishing a story about me and T'Pol," Trip said.
"What about you?" Hoshi chuckled.
"They are insinuating that we are involved," Trip said.
Hoshi laughed and smacked his arm.
"The things they come up wi…"
It was when she looked at his face that she stopped talking.
"Wait, Trip?"
Trip shifted his feet and briefly met her eyes before he looked over her shoulder.
"Trip?" Hoshi asked.
"I don't know what we are now," Trip said as he placed his hands on his hips.
"You mean you are?!" Hoshi gasped.
Trip took her by the arm and escorted her away from the café.
"Are you…you're not pulling my leg are you?" Hoshi gasped again.
"You can't say a thing," Trip cautioned her.
"Holy shit," Hoshi said with wide eyes. "Is this recent or…?"
Trip shook his head in the negative.
"How long?" Hoshi asked.
"Almost two years," Trip whispered.
"Holy fuck," Hoshi whispered.
"Well, I don't know if we're together anymore so…"
"What do you mean?" Hoshi asked.
"Ever since she got her hands on that damn Kir'Shara she's not really…we haven't talked or spent much time together," Trip said. "I think she wants to end it."
"Have you asked her?"
"She says she still wants to be a couple but that she needs time and space and…and whenever a woman says that…"
Hoshi nodded.
"It's…things were good until recently and now…now I think she's just letting me down easy," Trip said. "And, if they publish that story she's going to back away for sure."
"Do you love her?" Hoshi asked.
Trip just looked at her meaningfully.
"So, you love her," Hoshi surmised. "And had she told you…?"
"She's Vulcan," Trip interrupted.
"So, Vulcans don't…?"
"I know she cares for me a lot, but her damn logic and commitment to her culture will override any feelings she may…"
"I don't think you give her enough credit," Hoshi said.
"I hope you're right," Trip sighed. "Come on, we better get back to…"
"This is HUGE Trip," Hoshi said.
"And you'll keep this between us?" Trip asked as they started to walk away.
"I promise," Hoshi said as she placed a hand over her heart.
"Thanks, I think I just needed to talk with someone about…about all this fucked up shit."
"For what it's worth," Hoshi said. "I hope it works out."
Trip nodded. "Thank Hosh."
XXX
TBC
