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- another instalment.
Disclaimer- Trip is my slave!
Chapter 2- Playing at Being Trip.
"Honey bunch!"
T'Pol woke up startled at the voice, which was quickly followed by hugs and kisses, from about ten people. When she managed to pull away from them, she quickly identified Trip's parents, his paternal grandparents, his sister and her family, his brother James, and a woman she didn't recognise who had been slobbering on her cheek.
Seeing the blank look, James introduced the woman. "My girlfriend Maddie."
"Oh. Nice to meet you. I should get up, duty's in half an hour." T'Pol struggled from under the blanket and pushed her way through the small crowd of people.
"Come on, boy," said Trip's mother, Betsy. Her first name was Carol, but she hated it, so she used her middle name, which was the name of her grandmother, and the name she had also given to her youngest daughter- Elizabeth.
Betsy took T'Pol by the hand and manoeuvred her to the bathroom, where she proceeded to remove the T-shirt T'Pol had slept in. With that done, she removed Trip's joggers T'Pol was also wearing, while T'Pol just stood there, stunned that the woman would do such a thing.
"Look, B- Ma. I can undress myself, and also take a shower without your help."
"I know, baby. I just wanted to get you sorted quickly so that we can join you for a nice big breakfast before you go to work."
"Great. Now could I please shower?"
T'Pol closed the door and sunk against it, whimpering silently. Sighing, she started the shower, as hot as Trip's body could stand it, which was half the temperature she normally had it.
As she came out, freshly dressed in the uniform she had grabbed before entering the room, she noticed everyone was assembled in the living area, faces turned towards her, all with megawatt smiles on their faces. She found it unnerving that anyone could be this cheery.
"Come on, then. Lead the way to the mess hall," Charlie, Trip's dad, smiled as he opened the door.
"You haven't had a tour yet?"
"No. We came straight here from the launch bay. That nice Ensign Hoshi brought us here. Is she single? She'd make you a good wife."
T'Pol stared, aghast.
"Son?" Charlie frowned.
"Um. I think there's someone she's interested in. Besides she's… my friend. And my subordinate."
Betsy took T'Pol's hand and patted it. "I'm sure Trip has a girlfriend here on the ship. I mean a healthy young man can't go without a woman for four years."
"We're here." T'Pol said coolly. As she entered, she noticed Trip sat at a table, picking at what looked like Plomeek Broth. While the Tuckers and O'Donnells were occupied in choosing what they wanted for breakfast, she hastily made her way to Trip.
"Trip. You've got to help me," she begged, quietly.
"What's wrong?"
"I woke up this morning, with your family, plus James's new girlfriend Maddie whom I-you- had not even met, hugging and kissing me. Then your mother dragged me to the bathroom and fully expected me to let her bathe me."
Trip suppressed a grin, as he knew it would have been out of place on T'Pol's face. "How far did she get?"
"Up 'til the pants." T'Pol admitted. "Why did she do that?"
"About ten years ago I broke my arm, couldn't use it for weeks, Mama took care of me, like she always did when I got into scrapes or was ill. I guess she just fell back into that roll. So, do you like them?"
"I…"
"There you are, sugar lump. We were wondering where you'd gone to."
Oh boy. Trip thought, wanting to laugh as his mother enveloped T'Pol in a bear hug.
"Mama." T'Pol managed to get out while the air was crushed from her lungs. "This is Commander T'Pol."
"T'Pol!" Charles, the grandpa picked 'her' up and spun 'her' around, oblivious of the astonished expression from the other crewmen in the mess hall.
"Mr and Mrs Tucker!" Captain Archer's voice came from the doors.
"Jon!" The family abandoned Trip and T'Pol to shower their affections on Trip's best friend whom they had met on several occasions. Once that was over with, Archer made his way to 'T'Pol'.
"Commander. That camera crew has arrived. They're on the bridge ready to film you as you report to duty."
"How exciting."
A/N- I know they're not very long, but I hope you like them. Please Review.