Chapter 8

Disclaimer: See earlier chapters!

****

Jon watched their backs disappear through the doors. Wherever they were headed, he thought they were in for a long walk if Hoshi planned to keep her face stuck to Trip's arm that way. He smiled to himself, shaking his head as he faced Sickbay again.

His smile turned awkward at the sight of T'Pol. They hadn't spoken privately since they'd left the planet.

"Subcommander," he said in greeting. She stiffened, which made Jon keep his distance.

"Good afternoon, Captain," Phlox said from beside her. Jon hadn't even noticed him.

"Doctor," Jon said, trying to concentrate on T'Pol. He tried to read her expression, but it was even more concealed than customary.

"Something I can help you with?" Phlox asked, smiling widely. Jon glanced over at him and shook his head.

"No, I was looking for my first officer," Jon said.

"Well, it appears you found her," Phlox said cheerily.

"Thank you, Doctor. I can see that." Jon stifled his irritation so as not to offend him.

"I will return to the Bridge immediately, Captain," T'Pol said. Jon reached out a hand, grabbing her by the arm. She briefly met his eyes, then ducked her head. Jon inwardly sighed and dropped her arm.

"That's not why I came. I was hoping…" Jon said. Looking up, he realized Phlox was still standing there, smiling at them both. Jon looked at him in frustration, but Phlox only broadened his smile.

"Let's go out in the corridor," Jon said.

They were stopped by the doctor's voice. "You know, these past few days have been simply fascinating. I've had the opportunity to observe countless human mating rituals. And to be present for the first Vulcan/Human mating…" Phlox paused, pondering. Jon and T'Pol stared at him blankly as he continued.

"I don't believe it is possible for you to breed offspring, but the actual mating should present no problems. Although I would be more than happy to offer assistance should it be necessary," Phlox said, now smiling hopefully.

Jon quickly grabbed T'Pol's elbow, trying to move them away from the doctor as quickly as possible. "Good night, Doctor," he tossed back.

They stopped when they reached the hall outside Sickbay.

"As I was saying, I was hoping we could talk," he said.

T'Pol gave nothing away in her expression.

"I have many duties to attend to, now is not the best time," she said.

"It doesn't have to be now, it can be later. Maybe dinner?" Jon said hopefully.

"Perhaps another time," T'Pol said. "As I said, I have much work to do. May I go back to my tasks?"

Jon dropped his head and nodded.

"Let me know when you have time," he said.

T'Pol moved down the hall and stepped onto the lift without looking back.

Jon turned around to find Phlox standing directly behind him, looking at him sympathetically.

"May I have word, Captain?" the doctor asked.

With a sigh, Jon nodded and followed Phlox into Sickbay.

****

On the lift, Trip and Hoshi held onto the walls and each other. The second the Sickbay doors closed behind them, the laughter had hit them almost as hard as before, and they still hadn't stopped. Bent over with one hand on her knee, Hoshi clung to Trip's arm for support. Trip used his free hand to wipe the fresh tears on his cheeks. When Hoshi looked up at him, he reached down and did the same for her.

Her laughter slowed to a few chuckles and she looked touched by the gesture.

Grinning, Trip leaned down and kissed her. Hoshi sighed softly, letting her body sink against his.

The lift door opened and they looked up to see two startled crewmen.

Hoshi and Trip jumped apart, flushing. Although their experience was probably common knowledge by now, it was still kind of embarrassing to be caught in the act. Particularly when you're the Commander, Trip thought. The two of them stepped out into the corridor. Instead of going onto the lift, the crewmen continued to stand and stare.

"She, uh, had something…you know, in her eye." The crewmen looked doubtful, so Trip turned to Hoshi for support. "Right, Ensign?"

Hoshi nodded emphatically. "Yes. In my eye." She looked very serious for about two seconds, and then giggled. By Trip's way of thinking, that took away a lot of the believability of his excuse. And they were on shaky ground to start with.

The crewmen smirked.

Trip gave up. "Don't you men have somewhere to be?"

"Yes, sir."

"Well, good. Thought maybe you had a little too much time on your hands, needed me to find somethin' for you to do." Trip glared.

"No, sir." The men just stood there.

"Well, GET ON WITH IT," Trip said, and they scattered.

As the crewmen rounded a corner, Hoshi grinned at Trip. "Come on."

Trip smiled, the crewmen forgotten as he followed her to her cabin. At the door, Hoshi paused long enough to twine herself completely around him and give him a thorough kiss. Turning him around, she reached behind him to key in her code without breaking the kiss. He allowed himself to be drug through the door. He had all but one foot inside when he let go of her so suddenly that she almost fell.

"Wait."

"What is it?" Hoshi asked. She blinked at him as if she was having trouble focusing.

He waited patiently until her eyes cleared. "I just…I was thinking maybe we should talk 'bout all of this, before…you know."

Hoshi stared at him so long that he started to squirm. Finally, she said, "Ok."

She sat down on her couch and gestured for him to join her. He sat gingerly on the edge of the seat. Resting his elbows awkwardly on his knees, he faced her. She was watching him expectantly.

"Ok…I'll start," Trip said after a pause. "Look Hosh, I just thought we should get everythin' out in the open, right now. You know, what we're expecting and such."

"Mmm-hmm." Hoshi was staring at his hands. She slowly moved her gaze up his arms, across his chest, and up to his face. When her eyes met his, she flushed and said, "Right, you were saying?"

Trip shifted uncomfortably. Her quarters smelled exactly like her—all cinnamon and shampoo and soap. He reminded himself of his point.

"Yeah. I just thought you should know…it's only fair…I've only had three relationships in my life, an' I managed to screw up every last one of 'em."

"Single-handedly?" Hoshi said. She scooted closer to him.

Trip scooched backwards until he hit the edge of the couch. "Well, no, not completely…but I did my part."

Hoshi sighed. "Trip, I think it's safe to say we've both failed at relationships before. Otherwise we wouldn't be here. That's the system…you just keep trying until you find the right person. And then, you still work really hard at it, but with the right person, it works."

Put that way, it sounded pretty reasonable. Especially when Hoshi was looking at him like that. And her pink little tongue was stealing out to wet her lips.

"That's true," he conceded. "I just want you to know I'm takin' this seriously. This isn't a fling for me."

Hoshi stopped in her advance. "And you think it is for me?"

"I don't know, Hoshi. That's what I'm tryin' to tell you."

Hoshi suddenly got off the couch, dropping to her knees before him. Leaning forward with her hands on his legs, she said, "It isn't. I'm not looking for fun…well, not just fun." She grinned at him lecherously and Trip chuckled. "I can't say that this will last forever, Trip. But I think we've got a shot…and I will be seeing it through, whatever happens."

Trip felt…happy. He smiled down at her. "Ok then. Guess there's only one thing to do."

"What's th…" Hoshi squeaked when he cut off her sentence by launching off the couch, pushing her with him until he was lying on top of her on the floor. She laughed as he showered her with kisses. "Trip!"

"I thought you were going to call me Charlie," Trip said against the corner of her mouth.

"Charlie," Hoshi sighed as the kisses grew languorous, Trip's hands moving over her. "You know," she murmured, "the bed's right over there."

Trip raised his head enough to smile at her. She looked up at him, lips swollen, face flushed, and smiled back. His stomach twinged.

"Oh, we'll get there," he said, and she giggled. "Eventu'lly."

****

Jon walked through the corridors, wearing his usual nightclothes, thinking of the past day. He smiled to himself. His conversation with the Doctor had been enlightening to say the least.

Stopping outside a door, Jon wiped sweaty palms on his pants and rang the chime.

He heard her call, "Come in."

When he opened the door, he saw that she too was dressed for bed. She was sitting on the floor and her meditation candle still burned, illuminating her skin. He glanced up and down the corridor, quickly, and then stepped inside the room.

"What can I do for you, Captain?"

If anyone else had heard her, they would have said her tone was emotionless. Jon, however, knew her well enough to pick up the tension in her voice.

"I came to make sure you were feeling better. You seemed a little stressed to me," he said, walking over to pick up a book from her shelf. He glanced at it, and then set it back down, focusing on her.

"I am…well. Thank you for your concern," she said, rising.

He walked toward her slowly, causing her to step back.

"I was thinking we could have that talk now," he said, continuing to advance.

"Yes, Captain," T'Pol said, dodging around him to the center of the room. She stood by her meditation candle, reminding Jon of a deer in headlights. He smiled at her. She arched an eyebrow.

He saw her swallow, and followed the motion with his eyes. Her breathing increased, just slightly. He moved toward her again.

"I talked to Phlox. He said you brought Trip and Hoshi in because you thought they might be experiencing residual effects?"

"I was apparently mistaken," she said. Jon could have sworn her skin flushed with green.

"What happened?" Jon said, sitting down on the floor patting the ground next to him. T'Pol lowered herself with her customary grace.

"They were in the corridor in a compromising position. I assumed there must be a lingering problem. I thought it best to contact the doctor."

Jon scooted toward her. He watched her fight the urge to stand up and move away from him. Her Vulcan pride, which she would deny existed, won and she stayed seated. Jon smiled at how proud he was of her.

"What made you assume that? You aren't having any…residual effects, are you?"

"No. I am fine," she said. Jon scooted even closer until his knees pressed against hers.

"That's too bad," he said.

T'Pol arched an eyebrow.

Jon reached out a hand, snagging hers. He entwined their fingers, then looked back into her eyes.

"Because I sure am," he said.

He leaned in and brushed her lips with his. T'Pol stiffened, but gave in to the kiss. He marveled at her heat, and taste, thinking he could never tire of it. They lowered until they lay on the floor, thrilled at the feel of one another. Her scent was intoxicating and he briefly forgot where they were.

When T'Pol rolled on top, he felt the hardness of the floor beneath his back. He broke the kiss off, and looked into her eyes. He rolled them over again and pulled away from her. He held out his hand and she took it. Pulling her to her feet, he wrapped his arms around her middle.

"I told you we'd do this when it was right."

He chuckled when he felt her arms around him as well. He picked her up in his arms and walked toward the bed. Kissing her, he lowered her down onto the soft sheets.

T'Pol looked up at him. "Captain…" He frowned at her. "Jonathon," she corrected, "Vulcans do not mate…casually."

"Neither do I, T'Pol." He watched her face, serious now. Reading the look in his eyes, she nodded and pulled him back to her.

****

Jon lightly brushed T'Pol's damp hair away from her forehead, placing a light kiss there. She was shaking, so he pulled her against him tightly. Reaching to the bottom of the bed, he pulled the blankets up, tucking them both in.

His eyes were closed and he caressed T'Pol's back from top to bottom reassuringly. She continued to shiver and Jon opened his eyes. Her head rested on his arm, and she watched him through hooded eyes.

"Are you cold?" he asked.

She shook her head negatively.

"Thank you for waiting…until I was myself," she said, looking into his eyes.

"You once told me you trusted me. I couldn't betray that confidence," he said sleepily. He kissed the top of her head once again.

T'Pol buried her face in the crook of his neck. She placed a light kiss there.

"That is why I chose you," she said. "I knew you would honor that trust."

"You mean more to me than you'll ever know, T'Pol. But I'm going to do my best to show you," Jon said. Giving her a drowsy smile and kiss, he drifted off to sleep.

T'Pol listened to his breathing steady. In the next few days their bond would be completely forged, and she would know exactly how much she meant to him, just as he would be able to read her feelings. She lifted her head to watch his sleeping face. The psychic bond would only confirm what she already knew. Lowering her head and closing her eyes, T'Pol fell asleep, warmed by the man she loved.

****