Author's Note: Please see previous notes.

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T'Pol's patience had worn thin. She was using her Vulcan breathing techniques, but even that was not helping her in this circumstance.

"You are being pig headed," Trip said as he reached for the coupling.

"I think that saying applies here, but rather to you," T'Pol said, annoyed.

"We have a chance for some needed R & R," Trip sighed. "Together."

"I am merely following protocol," T'Pol supplied. "The first and second officer cannot be off the ship for an extended leave at the same…"

"The Captain said it's okay," Trip huffed.

"And he's not following proper Starfleet protocol," T'Pol said.

"And you are the only one who seems to give a damn, seriously? Why are you being difficult?"

T'Pol shifted uncomfortably and said nothing.

"T'Pol?" Trip asked. "It's a chance to go to a private hut on the water, sleep in, eat nice food, read, relax, enjoy some time together, just the two of us, no prying eyes…"

He dropped his tool and looked at her, assessing the discomfort he could see even though she was doing an excellent job of blocking him.

"Just tell me," Trip sighed.

T'Pol's eyes shifted to the side and then back to him.

"After Elizabeth, it was all about grieving, the service, interviews, all that," Trip said. "This can be just about us. It's been a couple of months and…"

"That is the issue," T'Pol said softly.

"I'm sorry?" Trip asked as he turned to face her more fully.

"It will be just us," T'Pol said as she shifted before him.

Trip looked at her confused. "I don't…"

"You will expect sexual relations and I…"

"Wait, hold on a second!" Trip interrupted her as he stepped closer. "Why would you think…?"

"It's been two months," T'Pol said as she met his eyes.

"Yeah," Trip nodded.

Elizabeth had died two months ago. They had buried their daughter, and still grieved her loss. They spent a lot of their free time together meditating as a couple. They often slept over in each other's quarters but sleep was the only thing that happened. There was something holding them back, and it was something neither of them had really articulated to the other.

Perhaps it was the new possibility that they could actually create another child, naturally. That, before they thought there wasn't a possibility and now there was. They weren't ready to have another child, possibly lose another child, deal with all that another child who wasn't their sweet Elizabeth would entail. Maybe it was the fact that they didn't think they deserved to experience that level of joy as their daughter lay in a coffin on earth.

"We would be alone, in a hut, in a romantic setting, away from prying eyes…"

"T'Pol, darlin, I have no designs on anything except some quality time spent with you," Trip said as he took her hands. "You don't have to worry that I'm expecting, well, anything."

"You aren't?" T'Pol asked, suspicious.

"I'm really not," Trip said. "I know it's hard."

She swallowed hard. "I would feel guilty. She's gone and we're here, and…I don't think I can, just yet."

"I know," Trip nodded. "I just want to be with you. No expectations. Just you and me and some time. Please come planet side with me?"

T'Pol nodded.

Trip looked around and leaned in to kiss her on the forehead. They were not the PDA couple and, truthfully, their relationship was under the radar. It was only because they were alone that he knew she was even comfortable talking about this, holding his hands, or standing this close to him. And, on record, they were staying in separate rooms on Delgi. He was supposed to be rooming with Malcolm, but Malcolm was getting a room to himself and Trip was getting a private hut on the beach with T'Pol.

He had been looking forward to this break with her since Jon mentioned the opportunity nine days ago. He had assumed T'Pol would be equally excited but had not been met with the level of happiness as he'd expected. He'd left her alone to digest the possibility for a few days before he brought it up again and they had been semi-arguing for four days now. It eased his mind that they had resolved this issue between them.

"Bring your swimsuit and I'll teach you to snorkel," Trip said. "I read that they have some interesting coral type organisms in the area where we are staying."

T'Pol nodded and stepped back from him. He looked at her confused when she handed him a tool.

"Someone is coming," T'Pol offered. Her excellent Vulcan hearing was telling her they wouldn't be alone for long.

"Thanks," Trip smiled at her before he turned and started to work on the circuit board again.

The door opened and Lieutenant Hess walked inside.

"We can get chef to make him a cheesecake, he likes those," Trip said over his shoulder. "Anna, do you think chef could make a huge cake for the crew that's a cheesecake?"

"I think chef can do pretty much anything, why?" Anna asked.

"It's the Captain's birthday in three weeks and we thought we'd throw him a get together, he likes cheesecake and I thought…"

"But I thought it was a request that couldn't be met," T'Pol said. "I need to return to the bridge."

Trip nodded and looked back at his work.

Anna started to work on a coupling about ten feet away.

"So, you're taking a leave Chief?" Anna asked.

"Yep, this bucket of bolts is yours for seven days," Trip smirked. "Make sure it's in one piece when I get back."

Anna chuckled as she watched Trip pack up his things and walk toward the door.

"When do you leave?" Anna asked.

"First thing tomorrow," Trip said with a huge smile.

"I hope you two have a nice time," Anna said as she looked at him with a smile.

Apparently, their under-the-radar relationship wasn't so under the radar.

"Thanks," Trip smiled at her. "We need some time."

Anna gave him a knowing nod and Trip exited the room.

Tomorrow he was on a beach, relaxing with the woman he loved. He had no misconceptions that there wouldn't be moments of sadness about Elizabeth, he didn't doubt that they had things they needed to talk about, decisions that they needed to make, but he knew they would do this together.

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