"Bug spray?" offered Trip.

"Earth's insect population is not attracted to Vulcan physiology, so I have no need for insect repellant."

"Lucky. Hold on a second, k?" He stepped downwind to put on a liberal coat of it.

"Your insect repellant has a rather offensive smell, Charles."

"Let's hope the bugs think so, too." T'Pol raised an eyebrow. "Ya want me ta wash it off?"

His offer was considerate, but she did not want the insect population to feast on her bondmate. "I have no desire to see you 'eaten alive.'"

"Thanks."

"As you suggested, I am bringing our game of kal-toh." She picked up a metal container as they began to walk. "However, I am quite curious as to our destination."

"It's a surprise, darlin.' But I promise yer gonna like it."

She was not especially fond of surprises, but decided by his enthusiasm that Charles had a pleasant evening planned.

"What were ya talkin' about with Dad, anyhow?"

"Which conversation are you referring to?"

"When I was tryin' to find the bug spray."

"Your father was telling me about the time you tried to rescue a cat stuck in a tree, only to need rescue yourself. Apparently the fire department had to retrieve you?"

"He had ta tell ya that one, didn't he? I was the laughin' stock of the entire fifth grade."

"He also listed numerous occasions where you made him exceedingly proud. He seemed to especially enjoy telling me about your tenth grade solar boat race victory."

"Nobody else thought that little beauty would make it. Dad still has it in the attic."

"You continue to make your parents proud, Charles."

"Chief Engineer does have a nice ring ta it."

"I am not referring to your career, although your parents are pleased with your accomplishments. They are proud that you are willing to risk bonding with and marrying me, when so many think that you should not."

"Dad said that?"

"He did not say those exact words, but that you are "man enough to follow your heart." Did I interpret that statement incorrectly?" She was making progress in her attempts to understand the often vague terms used by humans to express emotion, but found the task to be quite challenging.

His eyes misted over. "No, T'Pol. That's just right." For a moment they walked in contented silence. Trip attempted to think back to what his life was like before he and T'Pol got married and subsequently bonded, and found that he couldn't remember what it was like to not feel the calming presence of her katra wherever he went. Not only could he not remember, he didn't want to.

"I wish yer parents would see ya, T'Pol. They're missing out on knowin' one amazin' woman."

"I would like for them to know the man I chose for my bondmate, as you are quite unique. However, I cannot change my parents." She made her choice, and they made theirs. Charles was bothered by this often, and though T'Pol wished her parents would accept her and her bondmate, she had made peace with the fact that they would not.

"Your insect repellant seems to be somewhat ineffective." Though the swarm of insects had no interest in her, they often found their way to Charles.

"So imagine how bad it'd be if I hadn't used any!" This kind of logic took getting used to. T'Pol found herself often deciding that there were two logical explanations. For instance, perhaps the insect repellant was, as he claimed, reducing the number of insects interested in feeding on Charles. However, it was equally possible that the insect repellant was at least partially ineffective. She had been raised to believe that for any question there was one logical answer, but this was clearly not correct.

"Close yer eyes."

"Why?"

"You'll see it in a minute, but it's better ta see it all at once than a little bit at a time." With that, Trip picked her up and carried her up the hill.

"Charles!" Wow, he'd really surprised her. The thought pleased Trip. She didn't often use such an emotional tone of voice.

"What?"

"That was most unexpected."

"Open yer eyes now," he smiled.

She looked out and saw the sun setting over a lake. They were standing on a rock that jutted out over the lake; a meter below them small waves lapped at the base of the rock. The bottom of the sun appeared to just touch the horizon, although T'Pol knew this to be an illusion. The deep orange of Sol and the rich pink of the sky around it were reflected on the lake.

Without speaking, they sat down together. Trip put his arm around her, and without conscious thought intensified their bond. Though they could not project specific thoughts, as most Vulcan couples could, when they touched all their emotions could flow as much as the two would permit. Words were not required for T'Pol to express her complete contentment, and Trip basked in the love they shared. For although T'Pol did not call it love, love was indeed what radiated from her katra.

"I have never seen a sunset over a lake."

"I figured that, since there aren't many lakes on Vulcan."

"Before I met you, I would not have considered watching the sun set to be a worthy pursuit."

"And now?"

"This experience is enjoyable and pleasing. I understand why you wished to add the element of surprise."

"Wanna stay awhile? Once the moon rises, we can play kal-toh under the stars, instead of up with 'em."

She allowed herself to relax into his embrace. "I would like that, Charles."