PART 39:

"So what is it like becoming man and wife on Earth?" Liana asked ash she walked through the hall with Trip.

"Well, we have a ceremony," Trip explained. "But we call it a wedding."

"A wedding," she said. "What else happens?"

"After the wedding there's usually a reception," Trip answered.

"What is a reception?"

"It's a get together after the wedding, so everyone can celebrate the fact that you got married."

"I still can't believe that we'll be man and wife tomorrow," Liana said.

Trip stopped and pulled Liana into an embrace. "By this time tomorrow you'll be Mrs. Charles Tucker the Third."

Liana looked at him confused.

Trip smiled. "That's another thing that happens, the wife takes the husbands last name," he said. "Well sometimes they do. You don't have to you know."

"No," Liana said smiling. "I like the way it sounds."

"Did I tell ya I love ya today?" Trip asked.

"Yes, but you can tell me again."

"I love you."

"I love you too."

Drak watched them kiss from the back of the room. He had to stop this now and he placed his hand on the weapon that was under his shirt.

"If I were you, I'd keep that weapon right were it is," he heard someone say.

He looked over to find Reed standing right next to him and T'Pol, Archer and Ezral with two guards standing behind him.

"Give the Lieutenant your weapon," Ezral ordered.

Trip and Liana heard the commotion and looked to see one of the guards putting shackles on Drak. They walked over to the group.

"What's going on here?" Trip asked.

"Seems Drak wanted to give you and Liana an early wedding present," Archer replied.

"Liana, you shouldn't be staying with this human," Drak shouted angrily. "I love you and have always loved you."

"Get him out of here," Ezral said.

"I can't believe you're letting this happen. You should hold up the old ways," Drak spat. "This is all your own fault," he yelled as the guards dragged him away. "I'll stop this ceremony, you'll see, I'll...." The guards dragged him out the door.

"He just won't quit," Trip said. "Will he?"

"Don't worry Commander. You and Liana are safe now," Ezral said. "Drak will be taken and put into confinement. He'll go in front of the council and we'll make sure he's punished for what he did."

End of Part 39