Author's Note: Please see previous notes. You may not like this one…

Sorry, I just got some crummy news today and I needed to go a little sad and dark.

Let me know what you think!

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Trip Tucker walked through the greenhouse and towards the woman that he needed to speak with.

"T'Pol!" Trip called to her as he approached. She had some slides she was looking at, but he could tell her anywhere.

She turned to the scientist that was with her and must have excused him because he quickly scattered to the left as far away from them as possible.

"How can I help you?" T'Pol asked, calmly.

"Did you call Vanessa?" Trip asked her, angry. He had stopped a few feet in front of her.

"I did," T'Pol nodded as she placed her hands clasped behind her back.

Trip huffed and placed his hands on his hips. "I can't believe…"

"She needs to be made aware of…"

"That was for me to tell her!" Trip snapped.

"Were you not shopping for engagement rings just this past week?" T'Pol asked him.

"I told you to stop snooping, we agreed to…"

"Your nervousness was palpable," T'Pol explained. "I engaged in extra meditation to block as much as possible, as I have with your sexual activities, but sometimes it's not enough."

"God damn bond," Trip mumbled as he wiped at his brow.

"Agreed," T'Pol said annoyed.

"It still wasn't your place to tell her," Trip said as he met her eyes.

"She works for me," T'Pol explained. "She's leading my science team on an expedition to…"

"I know," Trip said, cutting her off annoyed.

"Look, she's really upset," Trip said. "You are her boss, and we met through you, and it's been almost a year and…"

"And you wish to marry her, have children, and move on," T'Pol said softly.

"I do," Trip said, meeting her eyes.

T'Pol nodded.

"You and I…we tried to make this work," Trip said, trying to explain. "And after a few years of it not working, you were the one to propose this."

"I know," T'Pol said softly.

"And you introduced me to Vanessa," Trip added.

T'Pol met his eyes. She didn't need to be reminded of any of this.

"I would have stayed and tried," Trip said honestly. "But you…"

"Yes, it is very clear that I have created this scenario," T'Pol snapped at him. "And I felt, as she and I are friends, and you and I have the bond, if you were to propose, she needed all of the information."

"Well, now she feels completely betrayed by both of us," Trip said. "She's resigning from your department and she's not speaking with me."

"She was shocked, but the conversation ended…" T'Pol started.

"How did you think she'd take it?" Trip asked her.

"Vanessa is an incredibly logical…"

"You just told her that you, her boss and her friend, have an unbreakable connection with her boyfriend that allows you to see into my head in the most personal of ways and have a connection with me that she will never, ever, have. That you will always be there, with me, and her."

T'Pol swallowed hard. When he put it that way, it was not ideal.

Trip's eyes welled up.

"I'm sorry," T'Pol said softly.

"I'm so done with all this," Trip said as he met her eyes.

She could feel the overwhelming sadness across their bond, and she did the only thing that she could do, she embraced him and allowed him to cry on her shoulder. She felt his arms wrap around her and hold on. He was lost and their bond was the cause.

"I am sorry," T'Pol said. "I hadn't thought of how you may say it better."

"I don't know that I would have," Trip said as he wiped at his nose and pulled back. "I think this may have been the end result whether it was me or you, but it was still not your place, T'Pol."

"I know," T'Pol nodded.

She wiped at his stray tears and looked at him trying to project as much love and faith in him she could across their bond.

"Thank you," Trip nodded, acknowledging her attempt to help over the bond.

"What are you going to do?" T'Pol asked.

"Try," Trip snickered at the ridiculousness of it all. "That's all I can do."

"And if she doesn't…"

"Move on?" Trip asked. "What else can I do?"

T'Pol nodded. They loved each other, but not romantically anymore. It was more like a strong and powerful friendship now. She was fine being alone, but Trip needed someone and that someone, apparently, was not Vanessa.

"Talk to her," T'Pol offered.

Trip nodded.

"I'll try, but she's not interested in seeing or speaking with me," Trip said.

"Give her time," T'Pol said quietly.

They stood in each others presence for several minutes and she felt Trip calming down and relaxing. She was always good at helping him that way.

"Will I still see you Sunday?" T'Pol asked. They had a standing brunch every weekend that they hadn't missed in years.

"Depends how angry I still am," Trip quipped.

T'Pol's face fell. She needed him more than he needed her.

Trip took her hand in his and she looked up.

"Of course I'll see you Sunday," he said with a weak smile.

T'Pol nodded and clasped his hand a little tighter.

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