Shipwreck with You
red rooster dawn
Pairing: Tucker and T'Pol
Disclaimer : All the characters are the property of Gene Roddenberry and Star Trek. They are use purely for entertainment value only.
Summary: Tucker and T'Pol crash on an alien planet on the way back to the Enterprise, many light years away.
Day 2
Since they crashed landed on the planet at night they decided to stay put in the shuttle pod until the next morning. However the next day was different. Trip wanted to stay with the shuttle pod. He had been taught to stay with the ship. It would make being rescued easier.
T'Pol on the other hand wanted to leave and find some sign of civilization. She believed they would have a better chance of contacting the Enterprise if they were to find a radio of some sort.
She was sure that no matter how primitive the radio was, she would be able to make capable of contacting the Enterprise..
"We should stay here T'Pol. It's been the tradition on earth to always stay at the crash site. We will be easier to find by the search and rescue teams." argued Trip.
"If you can answer affirmative to any of the following questions, I will consider staying here with you." replied T'Pol.
"Okay T'Pol, I agree." responded Trip. He was sure he could convince her that he was right.
"Can you fix the shuttle to fly again?" asked T'Pol.
"No." replied Trip.
"Can you fix the transmitter and receiver to contact the Enterprise?" asked T'Pol.
"No." replied Trip.
"According to my scans the nearest source of water is twenty miles away. We have four one liter pouches for water. Do you want to make two forty mile hikes a day to replace our drinking water?" informed T'Pol.
"No, not really." replied Trip.
"According to my scans there aren't any readily available food sources. We only have a ten day supply of food in the shuttle. How do you suppose we are going to survive after ten days without food?" asked T'Pol.
"I don't know, I haven't thought that far ahead." replied Trip realizing that he was losing the argument very quickly.
"Do I need to point out any other reasons to leave or are you ready to concede that I'm right?" asked T'Pol.
Trip took a good look at her. She had her smug look on her face. She always deny that she showed no emotions, but he knew she did. He had been studying her facial expressions every day for the last year for all the signs of an emotional response.
He had noticed the slight variation in her expression, a raised or crooked eyebrow, a twitch in her lips up or down, how the her eyes darken or lighten, how the her pupils dilated, and how her body responded, such as relaxing or stiffening, spreading her feet in a wider stance, thrusting her chest out.
She was getting pretty easy to read. And right now he could see the smug look on her face letting him know she was right. Well he might as well get it over with and admit it to her that she was right.
"Of course you're right. What was I thinking. You're never wrong." admitted a humbled Trip.
"That's not entirely true Charles, I just make sure I'm not with you when I am." replied T'Pol. Trip knew she was smiling in her own unique way and was having fun at his expense.
"Why don't we gather up everything we're going to need and get going." offered Trip.
"Already done. I packed the food, water, two blankets and a couple phase pistols. Here! You can carry it because you are a Man." smirked T'Pol.
"Thanks, I think." replied Trip thinking about the faint praise she had given him.
T'Pol located a trail with her scanner and they hiked along it until they came upon a small body of water. T'Pol took a scan. The water was potable. They decided to set up camp for the night.
While Trip found some wood to build a fire T'Pol located some edible nuts, berries, and fruit to last a few days. It would help extend their food rations.
That night it got much colder. T'Pol laid down by the fire. She was struggling to stay warm. Trip decided to laid down with her. He pulled the blanket back and spooned himself behind her. He then covered them both with the extra blanket. He pulled her close to him until he totally enveloped her.
"What are you doing Charles?" she asked irritably.
"We need to conserve body heat. I'm trying to make sure you stay warm. With your normal higher body temperature, it's going to be harder for you to keep warm." smiled Trip.
"It's nice of you Charles to be concern, but you don't need to worry about me." she replied sullenly.
"I always worry about you when we are away from the Enterprise. You're too important. What! Are you afraid you might like snuggling with me?" grinned Trip. He's got her now he thought.
"What if I do like snuggling with you Charles?" she answered back. She knew he was teasing her, playing a mind game with her, but she wanted to maintain control of the situation. She wondered jus how far he wanted to go with this little game.
She didn't want Trip to think he was getting the better of her. Besides what he had said about saving body heat was logical. What they were doing was therefore logical. And if she did happen to enjoy his arms around her and his warm body next to her. Wasn't it logical as a woman to enjoy the comfort of a man's arms.
Now it was Trip's turn to be self conscious. Why was it every time he try matching wits with her, he somehow felt like he came out on the losing end? But this time it was okay. He was getting her to admit that she liked having him close to her like a man and a woman. He would thaw out the ice princess yet.
"Go to sleep Polly. Morning will come soon enough." replied Trip not wanting to answer her replied.
"Good night Charles." she replied sleepily.
She like Charles' nick name for her. He had told her during their last away mission that Polly was the earth equivalent for T'Pol. She thought he was making it up, but it was okay. She thought it was his way of showing endearment like when her called him Charles.