Key.
Sentences/ wordsthat are bold,and are in italics, are direct thoughts .
Random italic words in a sentence are emphasis.
"Italics with speech marks" signify that what is being said within the speech marks is some distance away.
Bold is Onomatopoeia.
A/N- Chapter 1!
When I say Trip and T'Pol, I'm referring to the people, not the bodies. However, when it says 'Trip' and 'T'Pol,' that's because it's from someone else's point of view who thinks that's who they are, but we know they're not. (It's supposed to avoid confusion!)
Disclaimer- Trip has been kidnapped by me- possession is nine tenths!
Chapter 1- News.
"Great news, Trip." The captain told 'Trip' after he summoned his second and third command into his quarters to talk to them.
"Your family have asked permission to come on board for a sort of holiday. They're coming tomorrow."
T'Pol and Trip looked at each other, horror evident in their faces.
"I know," the Captain grinned, mistaking their expressions as ones of astonishment. "I was surprised, too. And so that you don't feel left out, T'Pol, I've agreed to a camera crew to come on board and document the life of one of the only aliens on board a star ship. They'll be here in two hours. Dismissed."
Trip and T'Pol walked out of the room on autopilot. In silence, they walked to Trip's quarters where they could talk privately, and wouldn't have to alter their accents.
"Wha' in the hell is tha' smell!" Trip exclaimed as they walked through the door.
"You." T'Pol replied, with an: 'I told you that you stink' look on her face.
"How can you stand it, being around humans? Especially me?"
"The medication the Doctor gives me helps, and I'm used to it." T'Pol didn't quite meet 'Trip's' eyes.
Trip noticed, and grinned slowly, delighted. "You like the way I smell. How abou' tha'!"
"It is… comforting." T'Pol admitted. "We need to talk about what we're going to do."
"Pretend to be each other, I suppose. Like we have for the past hour and a half." Looking at T'Pol, he thought about it some more, than blanched. She'd have to know everything about me! And I'd have to know about her, how she feels being surrounded by humans! Trip noticeably gulped.
T'Pol watched the expressions cross 'Trip's' face, while images of the problems ahead crowded her mind. Trying to speak, she only came out with a strangled gasp. Swallowing, she tried again. "We're not going to be able to pull this off."
"'Course we are. I tell you everything about me. You tell me everything about you. It'll be easy. Okay- not easy, but it'll work. You'll see. Now let's start. As you know I was born in Florida. I have, had- three siblings. Mary's the oldest. She married a man called Ciaran O'Donnell and they have two children, Tara and Kenyon- both Irish names, and both Irish temperaments, fiery. Little terrors, they are," he said, smiling fondly. "They live in Ireland; it was my nephew's class who drew those pictures a few years ago.
I was born next. Then James. James isn't married, though he's had lots of girlfriends. Last was Elizabeth. She was an architect. That's what my Mama wanted me to be, while my Daddy thought I should be an engineer."
"What do Mary and James do?" T'Pol was fascinated by the way Trip's face lit up when he talked about his family.
"Mary's a teacher, and James is in photography. He likes taking photos of women; he's taken ones of professional models before. You know, he'll probably want to photograph you."
"You mean you. I'm a man now, you're the woman."
Trip winced at T'Pol's correction. "Hopefully not for long. Not only do we have to survive these visits, but we have to figure out a way to turn us back." Trip paused, then reached for a dozen data pads that were on his shelves.
"Okay. Here are pictures of everyone, plus some facts about them, Mom and Dad as well, and stuff that happened when we were younger. It would be good if you memorized them. Oh, there's stuff on my Grandma and Gramps, too. " He stood up and opened the door. "I'll see you to your quarters."
"These are my quarters. You have to go to my room."
"Right. I guess I don't need you to walk me there…"
"I'll come. There are things I need to get. My meditation candles for one."
"Right."
After getting there, and T'Pol taking what she needed, they stood outside the door, just looking at each other.
"You'd better go." Trip told T'Pol, breaking their eye contact by looking at his feet.
"Yeah." T'Pol turned to go, when Captain Archer came around the corner.
"T'Pol, wait!" He called to Trip before he closed the door. T'Pol turned around to see what the Captain wanted.
"More surprises for you. Your mother, and someone named Koss are visiting. They're arriving the day after Trip's family and the film crew." The Captain beamed. "Just wanted you to know before you turned in for the night. Sweet dreams." He turned, clapped 'Trip' on the shoulder and went down the corridor, whistling.
Trip looked at T'Pol, his face slightly green.
"There are letters in my quarters. You just need to run them through the translation matrix. It should familiarise you with my mother and Koss, beyond what you already know of them. Good luck." With that she left.
"Great." Trip grumbled, closing the door and starting to undress. "Just great."
A/N- let me know what you think. I'd rather not have any flames, they always make
me cringe and feel dirty inside for some reason, like I've defiled the characters
or whatever.