Chapter 3
Here's the next chappie. Sorry it took so long. My muse left me. huddles in uncreative corner
But it came back! Yay!
Anyway…Disclaimer thingy: Enterprise doesn't belong to me. (how sad)
The captain stood first and said, "I'll go tell Malcolm and the crew that anyone off duty can come down for shore leave."
He walked out of the building to the shuttle pod to send the transmission.
"Feels like forever since we had shore leave," Travis commented, getting up. Hoshi stood too, and they left to explore the city.
"I guess that leaves us," said Trip. "Why don't you come with me and we can look around."
"I have some work to do," T'pol replied.
"You can do that later, we should go now and breathe the fresh air while we can." Trip begged, bending over her and grinning hopefully.
"I will go to make sure that you don't embarrass yourself," T'pol answered, rising and heading out the door. Trip followed her.
They walked through the bright streets in the late afternoon sun. The buildings were light tan, and many had colorful cloths draped over the windows and doors. Trip breathed in the warm, clean air, gratefully.
"I'd almost forgotten what fresh air felt like," he sighed.
"That seems unlikely," T'pol said.
"You can't say you don't love this place." Trip grinned at her, tilting his head back.
"It is enjoyable," T'pol admitted.
They walked and soon the air was filled with fragrance.
"Do ya' smell that, T'pol? It reminds me of home," Trip sighed, looking around.
They turned the corner and were immediately surrounded by flowers.
Stalls lined both sides of the street and were all selling flowers of many shapes, sizes, and colors. Gaily dressed boys and girls stood in and around the stalls, talking and laughing.
The pair walked slowly down the lane, until Trip stopped in front of a stall.
"You want to buy flowers for your friend?" the girl in the stall asked, giggling lightly.
"Yeah," Trip replied, glancing at T'pol who was standing a few meters away.
"They're on the house, take your pick." The girl grinned, a knowing looking in her eye.
Trip blinked, then went about selecting a few flowers. The girl raised her eyebrows.
"You don't know much about this, let me help," she said, taking the flowers from his hand and selected a few more until there was very beautiful bouquet.
"Thanks, that's cool," Trip commented as the girl handed him the flowers.
"You're very welcome. Have fun Aratoamin," she replied, bowing slightly.
Trip turned and walked to T'pol.
"Here," he said, holding out the flowers to her. " You said you didn't like the smell of humans, so this can help with it."
T'pol looked rather surprised at this sudden gift as she took the bouquet from Trip.
"Thank you," she murmured. The two of them strolled down the road surrounded by flowers. Trip couldn't help but notice that the young men and women would whisper and giggle to each as they passed.
They turned the corner at the end of the street of flowers and found themselves in another lane of flowers, but this time there was jewelry, clothes, food, music, and about a hundred and one other things. Most of the stalls were shaded with large colored cloths. The road was filled with people, young and old, buying and selling their wares. Trip saw a few people from Enterprise, too.
"Hey!" he called spotting Hoshi and Travis, who were looking at a stall filled with books. They walked up to him.
"What have you two been up to?" he asked.
"Shopping and looking at stuff. You?" Travis replied.
"Walking, mostly. What did you buy?"
"That would be telling," Hoshi answered, slyly.
"Huh?" Trip said, bemused.
"There's a cultural festival here starting tomorrow, where friends exchange gifts, and we decided to participate," Travis explained.
"Sounds like fun, what do you think, T'pol?" Trip grinned at her.
"I suppose my opinion would have little effect on your decision," she replied.
"Hey, Sub-commander, I just found some books that you might like," Hoshi said. "Why don't we leave the boys to attempt to do some shopping."
T'pol nodded in agreement and followed Hoshi into the bookstore.
"Well, I guess we should do as the girls say and do some shopping," Trip commented. "What do they accept for payment?"
"You don't know? Then, how did you get the flowers for Sub-Commander T'pol?" Travis asked.
"One of the flower sellers said that they were on the house. She also helped to make the bouquet," Trip replied.
"I guess there are some perks to looking exactly like a local god," Travis said.
They walked amoung the stalls, selecting gifts for the girls and other people. When they paused at a stall that had glass figures, Travis bought one that looked like a beautifully detailed flower blossom.
"It's for Hoshi, to remind her of home, whenever she gets lonely or homesick," he explained.
"Oh," Trip replied. "You really like her, don't you?"
"Yeah, she's amazing and is always nice to me," Travis answered. "What about you and T'pol?"
"Huh!" Trip jumped, nearly dropping all his purchases. "Wha- What do you mean?"
"Do you like her?"
"Well-uh-um-I-uh," Trip said, flustered.
"I see." Travis grinned at him.
THERE! HA! I finished this chapter! And only about 3 chapters left! the last one's kinda long. But, don't worry! It's my summer holiday now, so I'll have more time to write!
PLEASE REVIEW! The reviews make me happy!