Author's Note: Please see previous notes. I want to thank Lesa L for this idea—she suggested I write something about Trip & T'Pol coming out with their relationship. Lesa L, I hope you like this one!

If anyone else has a suggestion, send it my way. I can't promise I'll write about it, but if something sparks my interest you may just see it here!

Let me know what you think! Lola

XXX

T'Pol sat with Trip in their land car and took a few deep breaths.

"It's going to be fine," Trip said as he placed a hand on her knee.

"My stomach is unwell," T'Pol said softly as she closed her eyes.

"That's just your nerves," Trip said kindly.

"You are nervous as well," T'Pol told Trip.

"I am," Trip smiled at her. "Humans are just better actors."

"Perhaps we could just…"

"No," Trip said. "We discussed this and decided that pulling the band aid off in one swift motion was best."

T'Pol took another deep breath.

Trip watched her control her breathing for another few moments.

"Darlin, I don't mean to rush you, but we're going to be late," Trip said as he squeezed her knee. The silky material of her formal dress under his hand. "It's going to be fine. Better than fine. I promise."

T'Pol looked at him and took another deep breath.

"Our friends are there, and they already know," Trip said. "It'll just be…well, everyone else that will find out."

She looked at him alarmed. Vulcans preferred to keep their private lives private. She shouldn't have chosen the burgundy dress.

"Come on," Trip said as he rose out of their car and walked around to her side, opening her door and helping his gorgeous mate get out of their car.

She was wearing a long flowing burgundy dress. It was fitted through the body, had a V neck, and long sleeves. Her skin glowed and her longer hair grazed the tops of her shoulders with a slight swoop out in a few spots.

"You're beautiful," Trip said into her ear as he took her arm and walked with her toward the ballroom. It was the annual Starfleet ball and he had never been invited to attend, neither of them had. But he was getting a special honour along with his team of 4 other engineers. They had created the first Warp 8 engine in record time. The ball was to celebrate Starfleet and they were the main show this year. Last year it was a team of scientists who invented a new lighter type of grav plating that would save millions in fuel costs in the first month of it's use.

He handed their tickets to the attendant and escorted her inside.

"Trip Tucker!" Admiral Higgins said as soon as he saw the engineer. "We thought we would have to start without you!"

"Sorry sir, we were running a little late," Trip smiled at the man. "You know Former Sub-Commander T'Pol? She now teaches at the Vulcan science academy?"

"Yes, you two served together on Enterprise up until…"

"Sixteen months ago," Trip supplied. "Five years service on Enterprise."

"You received quite a few honours, did you not, T'Pol?"

"I have 3 medals," T'Pol said honestly.

"How'd the science academy steal you away?" Admiral Higgins inquired.

"They have allowed me to conduct some personal research on the use of the Ameodora plant for medical purposes," T'Pol said. "It's a new and fascinating area of study."

"Sounds like fun," the Admiral lied and smiled at her. He wasn't a science man. Armories were his field.

"They're doing speeches before dinner so you better get to your seats," the Admiral said as he pointed to the stage.

"We're sitting up there?" Trip asked, realizing they were going to be on a dais facing everyone the entire time.

"Can I get a picture of the man of the night?" A reporter asked as he held a camera up.

T'Pol tried to break free of his arm but Trip refused to let her go.

"Of course," Trip smiled as he held on to T'Pol and forced her to take a picture with him.

"Any comments on this honour?" The reporter asked.

"Just that it truly was a team effort," Trip smiled. "I may have lead that team, but each of those engineers had an integral role in this design and breakthrough."

"When can we expect Warp 8 on ships?"

"We're still running the Beta tests now, out in space in real conditions," Trip said. "Probably another 6 months before you start to see them on ships. That is, if all goes as planned."

"Commander T'Pol…"

"I am no longer with Starfleet," T'Pol corrected him.

"T'Pol, how do the Vulcans feel about the Warp 8 engine?"

"I can't speak on behalf of the Vulcan government, but I am sure any engineering development by an ally is something Vulcan is also pleased with," T'Pol said.

"Any other comments Captain Tucker?"

"I'm real honoured to be here tonight," Trip smiled at the reporter.

The reporter left and Trip started to walk away with T'Pol.

"See darlin?" Trip said nervously. "Piece of cake."

"Is that why your heart rate has increased by 12%?" T'Pol asked as they approached the dais.

"It just became quite clear that we are the show tonight," Trip said softly.

"Your team and their partners are also 'the show'" T'Pol noted as they approached his team, people who had become close friends over the last year and a half.

"Trip," Warren smiled at him. "We were just drawing straws for who would have to speak if you didn't show. Thank god you're here!"

His partner Kevin laughed and placed an arm around Warren's shoulder in solidarity. "Don't worry, we would have got a few drinks in you before you had to face the crowd."

"You two are late," Maggie said as she eyed them; Trip could tell no one was impressed that he had left them to fend for themselves with the crowd of dignitaries and admirals.

"We couldn't get Vortex in," Trip explained. It was partially true, their cat had run outside unexpectedly and it had taken more time and effort then they wanted to get him back inside the house. "But I promise, I'm here for the rest of the night. Have you met anyone?"

"Joel has barely said two words he's so intimidated," Maggie said as he looked at her fellow engineer and boyfriend. He was pale and trying to not look at the crowd in front of them.

"Okay, after the speeches and dinner I'll make the rounds and introduce you to some people I know, okay?" Trip smiled at them. His team was the nicest group of people you'd ever meet, but 'geek' and 'naïve' was being kind most days.

"Where's Billy?" Trip asked as he looked around.

"He was vomiting in the washroom," Kevin said before he reached for his water. "I'm sure he'll…"

"Warren, go get him the hell out of the washroom, they're about to start," Trip said as he held out a chair for T'Pol to take her seat near the podium.

"T'Pol!" Jon called to her from a table near the stage. "How's he doing?"

T'Pol turned to look at Trip talking to Joel and nodded that he would be fine. Jon gave her the thumbs up and a smile.

Trip came and sat in the empty seat next to her, closest to the podium.

"Admiral Rosic told me he's about to start," Trip said as he fixed his dress uniform and looked at T'Pol for encouragement.

"Your speech will be excellent," T'Pol said as she met his eyes.

She had noted since they had entered that several people had whispered about them and some had even taken a couple of covert pictures. Even before his speech, Trip Tucker walking in with a Vulcan woman on his arm, the woman he had served with and had a child with many years ago, had made news.

"Good luck," T'Pol said quietly.

Admiral Rosic started to speak, and everyone quickly took their seats. He spoke about the team's accomplishments, what it will mean for Starfleet and the future of space travel. Then he introduced Trip, the leader of the team whose original plan was the starting point for this 16 month project. The crowd clapped and Trip rose, his face a slight blush before he even reached the podium.

He spoke about his team, the development of the engine, the problems along the way, and the success. He was an excellent speaker, captivating his audience with his stories and the tale of how this idea took form and how they, as a team accomplished this.

"But none of this would have been possible without great sacrifice," Trip said as he looked around at his team. "Warren and Kevin missed several family events including a wedding in Tasmania. We all sent his cousin a gift basket, but it wasn't quite the same as being there."

"Billy was so vitamin D deficient from working in the lab for days on end that the doctors needed to put him on supplements." The crowd burst out laughing, and Trip chuckled along with them.

"Maggie and Joel, I don't know how you two have managed to work together day in and day out in such stressful circumstances and still go home together happy each night. But you did." Trip smiled at them.

"And, on a personal note, I'd like to thank my wife T'Pol, for…" Trip looked toward T'Pol.

Gasps broke out across the room. There had been the odd story over the years intimating that they may be involved. Pictures here and there of them out together, but nothing that would indicate anything beyond friendship. They lived in a small house out of the city and no one had bothered to investigate that her mailing address was an apartment that she never frequented. Tonight, they'd decided, it was time to come clean and just be.

"…for putting up with my obsession with this project, missed vacations, promises to be home earlier, and just being the best, most supportive, partner a man could ask for. Thank you."

Trip left the podium and walked back to his seat, taking a moment to quickly kiss her temple before he sat down next to him and clasped her hand in his on his thigh.

Whispers broke out all over the hall and cameras started to go off.

Billy gave Trip a thumbs up; the entire team knew about the couple, had since the start, but everyone was happy they had let the cat out of the bag.

"Well, it's done," Trip said as flashes went off around them.

"It is," T'Pol said as she looked at him. He could feel her worry mixed with happiness.

"This will all calm down, right?" Trip asked as Admiral Rosic again took the podium.

"I'm sure it will," T'Pol nodded as the reporters and patrons who had been taking their pictures took their seats again.

"Nice job Trip," Maggie said as she reached across T'Pol and patted him on the shoulder.

"Thanks," Trip smiled at her. "I hope I didn't forget anything."

"No, you painted a great picture of our team and this past year," Maggie smiled at him. "Warren wouldn't have been nearly as good."

Trip laughed at her joke and wrapped an arm around the back of T'Pol's chair. She leaned into him slightly and they turned to look at each other. All would be well.