PART 30:
Archer and T'Pol walked into the compound from the drill site. Archer spotted Trip making his way toward them.
"Trip," Archer said. "I thought you were leaving for the ship."
"I changed my mind, sir."
Captain Archer took a long look at his Chief Engineer. He knew by Trip's tone of voice and body language that there was something missing. "What's going on, Trip?"
"Can I speak with you," Trip replied. "Alone."
T'Pol arched her eyebrow. "If you'll excuse me." She walked away from the two men.
"Okay, we're alone," Archer said. "You want to fill me in on what's going on?"
"I would like to ask Liana to be my wife."
"Marriage, Trip?" Archer asked.
"Yes, sir," he answered.
"I don't know what to say."
Trip grinned. "I was hopin' you'd say yes."
"Are you sure about this?" Archer asked.
"Never been so sure of anything in my life."
Archer frowned.
"What?" Trip said worried. "What is it?"
"Have you really thought this through, Trip?" Archer asked. "Have you thought about how this will effect the crew?"
"I know there's going to be some who won't agree with this," Trip replied. "Especially T'Pol but they'll just have to live with it."
Archer rubbed his face. "I'm not only thinking about the crew Trip," Archer said. "What about Starfleet? Their regulations?"
"Maybe if you talked with them after the wedding...," Trip started.
"I can't do that," Archer interrupted. "And you know that."
"Can't you just talk to Admiral Forrest make him understand why I want this."
"I can talk to him," Archer replied. "But I don't think Starfleet will go for this."
Trip ran his hand through his hair.
"Look, I'll go back to the ship," Archer said. "I'll talk to Forrest."
"Thank you," Trip said with a smile.
"I'm not guaranteeing anything, Trip," Archer told him. "But I'll do my best."
End of Part 30