More to Tell, Ch. 9

Sequel to: Confessions

By: Angel

Summary: A Vulcan diplomat onboard Enterprise. What could possibly go wrong?

Archive: Let me know where.

Rating: I guess PG, for now.

Disclaimers: Star Trek and its many incarnations are the property of others and therefore I do not financially benefit from this in any way.

Notes: I wanted to say thanks for all the great responses after the last chapter. Yes, I had a wonderful time on vacation. 10 days with a husband and three small kids can be a bit trying, but I think we all had fun! Chicago and Cincinnati were great, and my 5 year old rode the Racer at Kings Island for the first time! How proud am I? She loved it! Okay, here's the next chapter, and the next one is almost done. Enjoy!

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"What did you say?" Trip questioned, almost afraid to believe what he'd heard.

She let a small smile grace her features before retreating behind her usual façade. "I am certain that you heard me. I said that I love you."

He stood flabbergasted for a moment. Then, he grinned the most beautiful grin she had ever seen. Trip sat back down on her bunk. Their eyes met and held as he took her hands in his. Finally he found his voice; it was almost a whisper. "Thank you. That is the most precious gift I've ever been given."

He leaned down and kissed her softly. Her mouth opened to him and he probed it gently with his tongue. His hand stroked up her cheek to caress the delicate tip of her ear. He felt himself emotionally and physically swelling with love for her.

T'Pol raised her hands up to grasp the back of his head. She pulled his mouth deeper into the kiss and his body down onto the bunk. He lay over her as she continued her ministrations; she scratched her nails through his hair, down to his broad shoulders, and back up again.

Trip knew he was losing himself in her. He no longer knew where he ended and she began. Briefly, his mind processed this information and he reveled in the complete bliss of the moment. Suddenly, he pulled back from her. He saw the blur of passion on her face as she opened her eyes. He smiled down at the love of his life and stroked his hand through her hair. "You're good, I'll give ya' that," he said in a husky voice.

"What do you mean?" she quirked her head.

"I love you, but I have to go now, or I won't be leaving here tonight." He stood and attempted to regain his composure. Their relationship may not be much of a secret anymore, but it still wouldn't be a good idea for a junior officer or crewman to see him exit the Commander's quarters in a state of disarray.

She sighed. "I did not tell you that simply as a means of manipulation." She paused as she surveyed him. "However, I will have to remember its effectiveness for future needs."

His smile beamed his understanding. "I know, darlin'. I love you, too." He walked to the door. "Now get some rest."

"Dammit!" Jon Archer's voice boomed through the small guest room. "This isn't working." He pushed himself up from the floor where he'd been sitting cross-legged across from Lady T'Shar. "My feet are asleep and I'm no closer to relaxing!"

Calmly, she leaned forward and blew out the candle that had sat flickering between them. She rose gracefully and watched in silence as the Captain paced the room, shaking out his lower extremities.

"I don't get it," he continued to gripe. "Why isn't this working? I thought this meditation thing was supposed to help me sleep."

"Perhaps it is not working because you are not really trying." Her tone was not accusatory, merely factual.

He turned on her abruptly, his features contorting in anger. "What the hell is that supposed to mean? What else do you want from me?"

"I want nothing from you, Captain. Except, of course, for your full participation in your own treatment."

Now his face changed to reveal his loss. He lowered his eyes. "I don't know what to do. I've tried everything you suggested." Archer looked up into her face again. "I even tried to meditate on my own last night," he admitted sheepishly.

She tilted her head and raised one eyebrow in appreciation. "Indeed? Well, perhaps it is merely your focus that needs assistance." She paused as she seemed to consider him. "Do you trust me, Captain?"

The question surprised him. Why wouldn't he trust her? Why did she want to know if he did? What exactly did she have in mind? He thought about it for a moment. "Sure; why?" he finally answered with a bit of trepidation.

"I have another option I'd like to suggest, but it will require a great deal of effort on both our parts and even more trust." She held his gaze steadily, but he thought he detected a slight waver in her voice.

He was intrigued. What could she possibly be suggesting? "Okay...What do I do?"

She closed her eyes briefly and took a deep, cleansing breath. "Very well. First, you must make a vow of privacy. The method we are about to use is extremely private to Vulcans and very personal. I will expect your total confidentiality."

That caught his attention. "If you're talking about the neuro-pressure method, I'm familiar with it." He felt safe that this was her idea; after all, what could be more personal than that? Of course, he didn't really know the specifics of those sessions, but he had a general idea.

If Lady T'Shar was surprised by his statement, she hid it well. "No, Captain, I am not referring to neuro-pressure; although your familiarity with that procedure is interesting. The therapy I am recommending is known as a mind-meld."

"What! You can't be serious!"

"I assure you, Captain, I am quite serious. Mind-melds are an age-old practice and have proven quite effective in dealing with various mental disorders on Vulcan." She paused and looked thoughtful. "Again, I am surprised by your knowledge of private Vulcan matters. I must speak with T'Pol regarding her lack of discretion."

Archer shook his head. "No, don't bother. It wasn't her fault I learned about either one." He contemplated his options before saying, "You really think a mind-meld could help me with these nightmares?" His voice was soft, hesitant. He had barely dared to hope that she could help him with the meditation, now it seemed that this was his last chance.

"I am not certain, but I do believe that it may be the best choice at this point."

T'Pol opened her closet and pondered the contents. 'This is extremely illogical,' she thought. 'When did what I wear become a difficult decision?' She knew the answer to that question. "The same time I began to want to impress Trip," she acknowledged aloud.

Finally, she settled on a casual robe in the traditional Vulcan style. As she finished fastening the inner closure, the door chime sounded. "Enter," she called.

The door opened to reveal Commander Tucker in slacks and a shirt; in his hand he held a small package. "Hey, beautiful," he greeted. He walked to her and dropped a tender kiss on her mouth. "I brought ya' somethin'." He offered her the gift shyly.

As she reached out to accept it she asked, "What is the purpose of this gift?"

"Well, it's traditional for a gentleman to bring flowers to a lady when they date. But we don't have any flowers on board, so I had to improvise."

She raised an eyebrow as she carefully opened the box. Inside was a delicate appearing piece of jewelry. She picked up the rose-shaped gold pin and turned it over in her hand. "I do not understand."

Tenderly, he took the pin from her and silently asked permission to pin it to her robe. She nodded as he pushed the sharp point through and fastened the clasp. As he brushed it gently against her upper chest, he explained. "This was Elizabeth's. I gave it to her when she graduated from college. When I was home on leave after the Expanse mission, my Mom gave it back to me. I don't know why I brought it on board with me; I guess because I couldn't bear to leave it abandoned on Earth with the rest of my stuff. It woulda felt like I was leaving Lizzie alone. Now I'm glad I kept it."

He smiled despite the glistening in his eyes. T'Pol reached a hand up and brushed his cheek. "I can not accept this. You should keep it."

"There's no point in it sittin' in a box forever. I'd rather give it to ya' so that when I see ya wearin' it, I'll be in the presence of the two women I love most." Abruptly, he changed the subject. "Come on, I'm starvin'!" He led her from the room.

End Chapter 9