Title: Homecoming
Author: Ragua
Date: May 29, 2004
Rating: PG-13 (Language)
Disclaimer: Characters belong to Paramount. I get no
money—just havin' a little fun.
Summary: Tucker family reunion causes less trouble for T'Pol than one would expect. It does stress Trip out, though. No nookie for that boy.
Author's notes: Semi-sequel to
Archive: Sure, why not. Just let me know
Home that our feet may leave,
But not our hearts.
—Oliver Wendell Holmes
Chapter 3: Like Father, Like Son
T'Pol found spending time with Mr. Tucker quite pleasant. Like his son, he had boundless curiosity and enthusiasm for discovery. He was fascinated with her Science Department, asking questions, wanting to know all the details, even offering intelligent and productive comments. He was so uncomplicated that T'Pol had forgotten that he, too, was a well-educated man, a scientist. Commander Tucker's engineering skills had certainly not materialized out of thin air.
His interest in her profession also made conversing with him less stressful. As long as they had scientific subjects to discuss, she was less likely to commit the faux pas of inadvertently bringing up an inappropriate topic, such as the one that had nearly caused Charles to choke to death in sickbay yesterday.
She found herself watching Mr. Tucker closely as he fiddled with what he referred to as her Charles would no doubt be very much like this man in the years to come. She eyed the lanky height, the silver hair, and the ski slope nose thoughtfully. Would she be sharing her future with a man like this one?
He startled her out of her reverie by stepping away from one of the monitoring stations with a guilty look. I'm sorry. You must be bored to tears, Miss T'Pol, he apologized.
Not at all, she assured him. It is always fascinating to exchange information with a fellow scientist. His face glowed with delight at the simple compliment. In fact, I had intended to propose a visit to engineering, as well.
She should have known that this invitation would produce a smile as heartbreakingly endearing as his son's. It was all she could do to maintain her stoic expression and gesture for him to precede her out of Sciences.
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Son, I think that little Vulcan gal is sweet on you.
Trip nearly choked on his nutrient drink again, looking up at his father in astonishment. What was it with people saying the most outrageous things when he was trying to swallow this crap? It was even worse coming up than going down!
In an effort to avoid a projectile coughing fit like the one that had left T'Pol damp and brought an angry Phlox out of his lair to cut their visit short, Trip managed to get this sip down the correct pipe. His father seemed put out by his reaction.
Ya think I'm wrong? Mr. Tucker asked, disappointed. T'Pol had obviously won his father over.
No, but— Trip couldn't continue. He was trying too hard to wrap his brain around his father's choice of words. He couldn't decide which seemed more absurd: referring to T'Pol as a little Vulcan gal or the phrase sweet on you, which he was sure had not been uttered in his presence since junior high. An image of T'Pol in pigtails, gazing at him moony-eyed, caused a guffaw that made his lungs and throat burn in protest.
Seeing the concerned look on his dad's face and worried that he might call Phlox over, Trip made a patting motion with his good hand while he caught his breath. What makes you say that? he eventually managed.
She's just been real great with your mom and me, his father was happy to expound. Showing us all over the ship. Making sure we have everything we need. Now he eyed his son dubiously. She doesn't seem anything like what you told us about Vulcans. She's...well, she's almost...friendly.
Well, she's definitely lightened up some, since I first met her, Trip admitted defensively. But what makes you think—
Hell, son, his father interrupted, She's been going out of her way for us. She's certainly not doing the same for Admiral Forrest or anyone else who came out here with us on the Intrepid, Mr. Tucker argued. I figure it's cause we're your mom and dad. And that means she likes you. He nodded his head once, forcefully, as if to punctuate this assertion.
Trip smiled. Certainly sounds as if you like her.
His father returned the smile, and for a moment the two men were near-perfect mirror images of each other. I sure do. She's smart and interesting. A real straight-shooter. And generous. Seems real strong-willed, too. Reminds me of your mama.
Trip was extremely glad he hadn't been trying to drink anything when he heard that statement. Of all the Freudian things to say! To his horror, his father continued.
And damn, son, the curves on that girl—!
Trip flushed red clear out to his ears. Oh gawd, where was Phlox? Wasn't it time for this visit to be over?!?