The
Cultural Addition
a Star
Trek: Enterprise - based fan fiction
by: Joycelyn
Solo
Author's note: This story takes place Season Three, so expect general episodic references, but with definite AU qualities.
Disclaimer: Star Trek: Enterprise and associated characters are property of Paramount Pictures. I mean no copyright infringement, this story is for entertainment purposes only.
Special Thanks: To SuperBeta Stub!
To all you wonderful readers out there. Thank you!!
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Trip/T'Pol Romance; Mystery
Chapter Twenty-One - You may now kiss the Vulcan
Not counting the sale of slaves to their new masters, Rajiin had never been witness to the type of ceremony that bound one being to another. From what little information Rajiin was able to derive from Dr. Phlox -- whose own knowledge of Human mating rituals was limited -- there would be the ceremony performed in the Mess Hall and a party afterward.
Though he did not say anything, Rajiin could tell Jonathon was not entirely pleased with this turn of events. She could have easily pried into his mind to determine his thoughts on the matter, but after lengthy discussions with Phlox she had learned that Humans -- as well as most other species -- did not appreciate having their private thoughts read without their permission.
The Denobulan physician was a fount of knowledge for the socially-challenged Rajiin. As a slave, she had learned through experience to anticipate her master's immediate needs and satisfy them in as efficient a manner as possible. Interacting with beings who did not view her as being beneath them was more challenging than she would have ever thought.
Attending the wedding of Commander Tucker and Sub-Commander T'Pol was an opportunity to socialize with the crew; to "be herself" as Phlox and Jonathon encouraged.
Despite a rocky start, Hoshi had to admit that the wedding preparations had turned out surprisingly well. When this was all over, she was going to treat herself to the largest ice cream sundae Chef would let her get away with.
Of course, she still had one final task to complete: dressing the bridge.
"Are you sure all of these are necessary, Ensign?" the Vulcan bride asked, survey the items Hoshi had spent the morning collecting.
Hoshi, finally satisfied with the placement of the floral wreath she had fashioned for T'Pol to wear in her hair, took a step back and admired her handiwork. "You don't want to start your married life out on the wrong foot, T'Pol."
"Vulcans do not believe in superstitions. They are illogical." T'Pol stepped to the mirror and eyed her appearance, her attention drawn to the strain of floral material over her abdomen.
"But you believe in tradition, and this is more of a tradition than a superstition," Hoshi explained. "I don't think anyone really believes in this stuff anymore, but it can't hurt."
"You are not the one who will be wearing a Denobulan coin in your shoe."
"Well, if Malcolm had been a proper Englishman I would have been able to borrow a sixpence from him. Phlox's coin was the best I could do -- even if it is kind of big. You only have to wear it during the ceremony." Though the science officer didn't necessarily like it, Hoshi had a feeling T'Pol knew her effort would be appreciated by Commander Tucker and pleasing the Human seemed high on the Vulcan's priority list.
"It is only for a short time," T'Pol agreed, turning from the mirror and focusing on the remaining items. "Please explain the significance of the rest of the poem."
From his seat in the front row, Phlox marveled at the tropical paradise that had taken over the Mess Hall in a matter of hours. It was hard to believe only that morning he'd enjoyed breakfast with Crewman Isley at a now-absent table by the window.
The doctor had known from his conversation with the young botanist that her lab was pulling overtime to get as many large, flowering plants as they had available ready for the matrimonial festivities, but he hadn't expected anything like this. He made a note to congratulate Isley and her team on a job well done. If the Denobulan hadn't known better, he could have believed that he had stepped onto another world.
In addition to the flowers that adorned the alter -- a cargo crate Ensign Sato had covered with colorful wrapping -- and lined the center aisle, Phlox noted that several crewmen were sporting colorful lais around their necks. He, too, was wearing an authentic lai he'd received and preserved from his trip to the isles of Hawaii.
To further the tropical theme, the geology department provided sand to form the center aisle and created the marked the boundaries of the altar.
Rajiin, seated next to him with flowers braided through her long hair, leaned toward Phlox. "What is this music, Doctor? It is unlike anything I have ever heard."
The doctor, who had not noticed the music until she asked, paused in uncertainty.
"It's Elvis," Ensign Mayweather provided, leaning forward from his position in the second row. "Commander Tucker's favorite."
"Oh, I remember!" Phlox proclaimed. "This is the man Humans called 'The King of Rock and Roll.'"
"The king of rocks and rolls?" Rajiin asked, clearly puzzled.
Before Phlox or Mayweather could explain, the music in question was replaced with the more subdued tones of flutes and bird calls -- a mix provided by Ensign Sato to retain the tropical mood.
At the subtle cue, every head in the Mess Hall turned as the doors behind them opened.
Captain Archer and Lieutenant Reed, both dressed in colorful shirts obviously borrowed from Commander Tucker's extensive collection, stood in the entranceway. If either man was uncomfortable in the outrageous patterns they wore, they hid it well -- even when a low whistle sounded as the lieutenant marched up the flower-strewn aisle behind his commanding officer.
Sparing the security officer further scrutiny as his face flushed red, Phlox turned his attention once again to the back in time to watch Commander Tucker's entrance. Though the engineer had gradually shown more signs of life with each passing month since his sister's death, Phlox scarce believe the pure joy that radiated from the expectant groom. It was difficult, but the doctor refrained from congratulating himself too heartily for insisting that T'Pol instruct the engineer in the art of neuropressure to deal with his grief.
As the commander continued up the aisle, Phlox wondered if perhaps Rajiin should share his matchmaking kudos -- she had done more than provide an antidote with her request of the Ceidé. With the introduction of his children -- and Phlox was pleased that the Human so readily accepted the hybrids as such -- the doctor had no doubt Commander Tucker had been given a new reason to hope for a future of happiness beyond the Xindi mission.
In his reverie, Phlox missed the entrance of Ensign Sato, dressed in a floral dress several decibels lower than the shirts her male counterparts wore. Catching her attention, the doctor shared a wide smile with the linguist before craning his neck toward the back so not to miss the arrival of the bride.
His gaze locked on the doorway just in time as T'Pol came into view. His mild surprise at her lack of dress in one of the more formal robes of her people was quickly replaced by delight. If there had ever been a doubt that the Vulcan sub-commander and Human commander were right for each other, it was erased by her choice of clothing. Where the engineer had embraced T'Pol's culture by accepting the mind meld and telepathic connection to the children, the science officer was returning the favor by taking part in the commander's less-than-logical sense of tradition.
Wearing a floor-length wrap in a similar pattern to the floral design of Ensign Sato's, T'Pol strode up the aisle. Despite the generous folds of the garment, the Denobulan could not help but notice that the dress draped over the increasing swell of the expectant mother's abdomen.
Taking the engineer's offered hand, T'Pol and Commander Tucker both turned to face Captain Archer as he began the ceremony.
"By the power vested in me as captain of the Entprises, I now pronounce you husband and wife."
Beaming with happiness, Hoshi watched as Commander Tucker didn't even wait for the captain to say "You may now kiss the bride" before the engineer dipped T'Pol dramatically in his arms and pressed his lips to hers. The Vulcan, for her part, didn't resist at her husband's very Human display of affection.
