PART 4:
"I'm surprised that your were able to get away," Liana said as she walked through the compound with Trip.
"Well since we decided that it was too late to start setting up the drills," Trip replied. "I asked the Captain if it was alright for you to give me a tour of the compound. He saw no problem with it."
"But someone did?"
"Why do you ask that?"
"When you came out of your quarters," Liana said. "You seemed a little tense."
"Well T'Pol," Trip started, but changed his mind. "She'd rather have us setting up the drills.
"Oh."
"So this is where you've been livin' since ya got back?" Trip asked.
"Pretty much," Liana replied. "Our quarters are on the other side."
"How was it for you when you returned?"
"It was hard. Took a while to get use living here and not seeing everyone from the ship."
"I'm sure it did."
"What about you?" What have you been doing since we last saw each other."
"Same ole thing," Trip answered. "Travelin' through space and seeking out new worlds."
"Come across any interesting planets?"
"A few, I think one of them had a colony on it," Trip said. "But they weren't very friendly, so we didn't stay around too long."
"So you haven't met anyone else?"
Trip smiled. "Nope, and even if I did they couldn't hold a candle to you."
Liana blushed.
"What about you?" Trip asked. "Now that you've been back among your own kind."
"I've met no one I like," Liana answered. "As mush as I like you."
Now it was Trips turn to blush.
"How long do you plan on staying?"
"Long enough to what is needed to repair the ship," Trip responded. "At least five days."
Liana smiled and stopped in front of the door to the guest quarters. "Well this is where we started."
"What are you doing for lunch tomorrow?"
"Nothing."
"Good," Trip smiled. "I'm taking you on a picnic."
"A picnic?"
"Yeah, you know," Trip explained. "You pack up some food, like sandwiches or maybe some chicken in a basket. Grab a blanket and eat outside." He saw the confused look on her face. "You've never been on a picnic, have you?"
"No."
"Well then that's what we're going to do."
"Okay," she said still smiling.
"I'll meet you here around one."
"I'll be here."
She stepped close to him and Trip bent his head and captured her mouth with his. He felt her arms wound around his neck and her body leaned in closer. Somewhere however in the back of his almost nonfunctioning brain, a thought emerged. This was not the time or the place. Gently he broke away and took a deep breath.
"I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"
Liana dropped her hands to her sides and nodded. "Tomorrow then," and she turned and disappeared down the hallway.
End of Part 4