What Was Lost Must Again Be Found
"To two of the best officers in Star Fleet.
We are grateful for their safe return." said Captain Archer, toasting T'Pol
and Trip. Phlox had elected not to join them for dinner. It was something
about soaking a couple of mildly burnt fingers in some sort of unholy gross
bile. The captain had wanted no details.
"Here, here." said Lieutenant Reed, clinking
glasses with the rest. The captain was giving him credit for somehow managing
the return of the three missing officers, and Malcolm was glad to accept
it.
"I just wish I knew where I've been." laughed
Tucker, feeling a perplexing flutter in his stomach as he looked at Sub-commander
T'Pol.
"As do I." she agreed, reaching for a bowl
of apple cobbler.
"No apples, sub-commander." said Tucker suddenly.
She arched an eyebrow and asked him, "Why
not? You have eaten some of this dish."
"I just have a bad feeling about you and apples."
said Trip, blushing and clearing his throat.
T'Pol hesitated and then drew her hand back.
"I will heed your advice." she decided.
"You know, we should really do something nice
for the doc." said Captain Archer. "You know his birthday passed while
the three of you were missing, right?" he questioned.
"And for all we know, we might have celebrated
it." joked Trip.
"I am not certain that birthdays are celebrated
on Denobula." said T'Pol.
"Well, they're celebrated here." said Archer
firmly.
"We could always have Ensign Cutler jump out
of a cake." Commander Tucker offered.
Archer and Reed turned and looked at him somewhat
disapprovingly. But he didn't notice. What caught Trip's eye was T'Pol's
hand suddenly clapping over her mouth. She had smiled.
"If that don't beat all!" murmured Commander
Tucker.
"Commander?" questioned T'Pol, removing her
hand. Her facial expression was placid and unemotional again.
"Those three days must have been something,
even if you can't remember. I have never seen the two of you so civil.
It's a nice change." chuckled Captain Archer.
"It is indeed." agreed Trip with a smile.
"And it's good to be home."
The End
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