Chapter 4: Decisions, Decisions

Earth

T'Pol was sitting patiently on the edge of the bio-bed in Starfleet Medical waiting for Doctor Phlox to arrive with the information he contacted her about. To those who observed her she seemed like a calm, emotionless Vulcan but on the inside she felt nervous. Trip had been blocking the bond and had pushed it until it became nothing more than a dull feeling at the base of her skull. The fact that he was hiding something from her made her nervous. The information Doctor Phlox had contacted her about could be nothing else but information about conceiving a child. That made her even more nervous. This was becoming too real for her too quickly. A decision would need to be made soon. The rustling of the curtain behind her told her that Phlox had arrived. Her posture became more rigid as she forced control over her emotions.

"Ah T'Pol, I am glad you could come in today, I hope I didn't interrupt your schedule." He smiled a big Denobulan smile as he awaited her response.

"Not at all Doctor, I have been spending these weeks traveling earth and taking in the sights. I have been collecting images for Trip. He will want pictures of earth to decorate our home on Vulcan. I assume that the reason you have called me here today is because you have discovered a way to safely combine my DNA and Trip's."

"You are correct. I am pleased to tell you that you can conceive a child at anytime you wish. We can employ multiple processes to secure a pregnancy for you and Mr. Tucker. You will ask be able to carry more than one pregnancy to term." T'pol had not thought that more than one pregnancy would be possible, the idea of having more than one child had never occurred to her. This was not a displeasing idea. Even if Trip missed this pregnancy he could be present for any future pregnancies they may want.

"Thank you Doctor. How soon can we begin the process?"

"We can begin tomorrow if you wish. I will simply need to get all of the materials prepared and collect the necessary staff."

"Thank you, I would like to begin the process tomorrow. When should I arrive here?" Her nerves were becoming more and more difficult to mask but under them all she felt something much more pleasant. This feeling of joy, love, excitement, and happiness permeated her body and shot through the bond.

"Be here tomorrow morning at 10:00. I must ask you not to eat or drink anything for 12 hours before the procedure."

T'Pol slid off of the bio-bed and nodded her head at Phlox. "Thank you doctor. I have several messages to send and some arrangements to make. I will see you in the morning."

Vulcan

Trip walked through the Human Sector and nodded at the few humans he recognized there. When T'Pau had requested his presence at the High Council's office he wasn't sure what she wanted. T'Pau was aware of who he really was and may even want to use him as an agent. The doors opened and admitted him into T'Pau's office. The marble-like floors and the stone desk brought a sense of antiquity to the office. The wall monitors and the faint hum of technology stood in contrast to the stoic Vulcan feeling of the entire building.

"Minister, you wished to see me?" Trip controlled his inflections and marveled at his ability to suppress his emotions and his accent. If only T'Pol could hear him now, she would probably laugh in her own special way.

"Yes Mister Voras I have an important matter to talk to you about." She nodded to the attendants and they left them alone in the room. Trip had picked the name Voras because it sounded similar to foras which meant "I am play-acting" he thought it was appropriate and also kind of funny. He very name told people he was a fraud but no one seemed to notice.

"Mister Voras, I am aware that you are actually a Section 31 operative hoping to prevent the selling of Coalition technology to the Romulan's. I am also aware that you are not actually Vulcan but a human. I have been informed that you are thought to be the recently deceased Commander Charles Tucker III. Is all of this information correct?" She raised her right eyebrow in question.

"Yes ma'am your information is all correct. However, I am a Vulcan citizen and therefore I have a particular interest in keeping Earth and Vulcan technology out of Romulan hands."

"I have been informed of your recent marriage to Lady T'Pol. Congratulations on your marriage and welcome to Vulcan. The reason I have called you here today is because I would like to aid you in tour investigation and I would also request your assistance. In front of you is a PADD that contains the information of the assignment I have for you. You may keep that PADD, it has been programmed to only allow you and myself access. You need only put your thumb on the bottom to unlock it. You are dismissed." She didn't even wait for him to accept the assignment. She knew he wouldn't say no, she knew he couldn't say no.

He stood up and raised his hand in the ta'al. "Live long and prosper Minister."

She raised her hand and returned the ta'al. "Peace and long life Voras."

2 months later

T'Pol walked through the front door of her family home on Vulcan. She placed her bags in the entry way and observed the living room. There were several pads on the table by the couch and the smell of plomeek soup permeated the air. As she moved further into the house she picked up his scent. Trip is here. She could hardly contain her excitement. She grabbed her bags and deposited them in the bedroom noticing his belongings stored away and put in place. She traveled from room to room looking for him but couldn't find him. She finally sat down on the couch, pulled out a PADD to read and decided to wait. He had been blocking her through the bond so she was unable to tell him that she was home. It will simply be a surprise then. She placed her right hand over her lower abdomen and smiled in her own way.

The sound of the front gate opening sent a jolt of anticipation through her and she stood up and moved to the center of the room. The front door swung in and revealed a Vulcan man who only slightly resembled Trip. T'Pol was confused, this was not what she was expecting. He put down the cloth bag he was carrying and rushed towards her. Before she could prepare herself she was in his arms and he was kissing her. She could feel the bond surging at his touch and could smell that distinctly Trip smell. She wrapped her arms around his neck and returned the kiss. When he finally pulled away he was smiling a very human smile. She rested her head against his chest as he rubbed his hand up and down her back.

"T'Pol I wasn't expecting to see you. I can't believe you're here. I so glad you're here, I've missed you more than anything." He looked down at her and kissed the top of her head. He then slid his hand down and grabbed hers. "Come on, dinner is done and I made your favorite broth." He smiled as he led her into the kitchen.

As they ate they talked about everything that had happened since he had "died" and how many people knew he was still alive. He told her what T'Pau had asked him to do and she told him about Phlox staying on earth and the job Starfleet had offered her. They slowly let down their barriers and let the bond flow freely between them. Trip had a big spoonful of soup in his mouth when he swallowed it quickly and looked at T'Pol, a giant smile spread across his face. She couldn't resist the urge to smile back to him.

"You're pregnant." It wasn't a question, he knew. He could feel it somehow through the bond.

T'Pol nodded, "Yes, I am 7 weeks 3 days pregnant. We are going to be parents." She was so happy she could tell him and that he would be there for the pregnancy. She would never admit it but she was scared to be alone through this process. No child like theirs had ever been born so no one knew what to expect. He quickly rushed from his side of the table and held her tightly in his arms.

"Oh darlin' I'm so excited." He smiled down at her safely in his arms and kissed her firmly on the mouth. It was the first time they'd kissed once their barriers had been dropped and the shared sensation of love, excitement, and desire were nearly overwhelming. Their dinner was totally forgotten as they moved towards their bedroom.