PART 3:

"I was just about to have a search party sent out after you," Trip heard Archer say as he walked into the room.

"Sorry," Trip replied. "Liana and I got to talking on the way over here."

T'Pol turned to face Trip. "Commander," she began. "Must I remind you as to why we are here."

Trip rolled his eyes. "No you don't. But I'm sure that won't stop you from tellin' me anyway."

"We are here to collect materials to fix Enterprise," she said.

"Thanks," Trip said sarcastically, he moved to go sit down on a chair.

"Please also remember," T'Pol continued. "Enterprise doesn't have enough room to keep all the children you seem determined to father."

Trip whirled around to face her. "Ya know, T'Pol," he said angrily. "Why is it you have to always bring that up? It's gettin' old real fast."

T'Pol raised an eyebrow. "Commander, I was just endeavoring to point out to you that your current path seems to be heading in the same direction."

"We're friends, that's all."

"Friends or not," she began. "You must remember to act diplomatic and follow protocol."

"Protocol?"

"Don't get romantically involved with a species outside of your own."

"Who's protocol is that," Trip asked. "Yours?"

"It's part of the Vulcan protocols," T'Pol informed him. "A protocol you should accept as one of your own."

"You know what you can do with your protocols," Trip said stepping closer to her.

Archer stepped between the two. "Okay," he interrupted. "This has gone far enough."

"As his commanding officer, Captain, you should order him to stop this at once," T'Pol suggested.

"You're kiddin', right?" Trip said with a laugh.

"Trip," Archer said. "Nobody's giving anybody orders. We're here to collect dilithium and visit." He turned to T'Pol. "Now if Trip wants to visit with Liana because their friends, that's his business."

Trip smiled.

"As long," Archer continued. "As it doesn't interfere with the work that has to be done."

"It won't sir," Trip replied.

"That remains to be seen," T'Pol said.

Trip opened his mouth, but Archer cut him off.

"Trip."

Trip just shook his head and walked away from the others and into another room.

"If you'll excuse me. I have some data to go over before turning in," she said and walked into a different room from Trip.

Oh, this is going to be a long five days. Archer thought.

End of Part 3