Author's Notes: 1) This chapter contains a few lines of flashbacks. My every attempt to mark them has failed on the site, so if it seems out of order, it's a flashback.  2) This is the final chapter. Thank you so much to all my readers, especially those of you who took the time to review! It's gratifying to know that others enjoy reading this story as much as I've enjoyed writing it.

"How do you like being an aunt?" asked Captain Archer. Home leave over, the crew was back on board and Enterprise was once again headed for deep space.

"I have spent very little time with my nephew, but Paul is an intelligent child."

Trip scowled, but it was a light version expressing frustration rather than anger. "I really wanted the baby ta be born before we left."

"Nevertheless, we had a pleasant visit." They'd spent a day with Trip's older sister and her husband. Having arrived "incognito," they were able to spend almost the entire day without being spotted by the press.

"Look at this, Jon." Trip held out a padd with a photo. "We made the front page!"

In the picture, five people walked along a path in what appeared to be a well-maintained park. A heavily pregnant blonde woman had her head thrown back in laughter (Jon barely recognized Sue, who he'd met only twice), while next to her a man smiled and rolled his eyes. Just in front of them was a child; a boy who had probably seen only a decade of life. In his hands was an indistinct, furry mass. With high eyebrows, T'Pol stood with her characteristic perfect posture, but looked far more relaxed than he'd even seen before. Right beside her, Trip appeared to be telling an animated story. His hands were captured in mid-gesture. The caption read: Susan and Robert O'Connor and their son Paul in GellistPark with Commander Charles Tucker III of the starship Enterprise and his Vulcan wife, T'Pol, also a member of Enterprise's crew. Tucker is Mrs. O'Connor's brother.

"Front page, huh? Not bad."

"Paul will not like this," T'Pol said. Neither did she, but for entirely different reasons, most of which could be found in the accompanying article. "The caption fails to mention Freckles."

"Freckles?"

Trip smiled. "Paul's pet rabbit. That's what he's holdin.'"

"Freckles and I underwent an extensive introduction," T'Pol informed her captain. "The rabbit was told that I am an alien, but not like 'all the other aliens.' He received an extensive lecture on my career and relationship to Charles. Paul then related Freckles' entire life history to me, highlighting the day that he was voted the friendliest rabbit in the town."

"I take it you three are friends?"

The child looked at her curiously. Can I call you 'Aunt T'Pol'?

"Indeed. Paul was particularly impressed when I wrote the phonetic equivalent of his name in Vulcan." Though she had been in no way prepared to interact with her nephew, T'Pol had found him to be intelligent and more mature than she had expected. Even her introduction to Freckles was enlightening, as Paul showed genuine interest in her as a person rather than a Vulcan, and he did not believe the many negative remarks about her that he doubtlessly had heard.

He had petted the rabbit gently. Mum says that anyone who makes Uncle Trip so happy has to be really special, so we've got to remember that, Freckles.

"So you like Earth?" The query was casual on the surface, but she knew that Captain Archer meant it to be applied more broadly.

After a few hours, Paul had decided she was worthy of his uncle. I see why Uncle Trip married you. You're nice.

"With the notable exception of the media, I found our home leave to be satisfying and educational. Charles has a generous family."

"I'm glad."

"Additionally, I have become proficient at the game of Checkers."

Her bondmate groaned. "She's more'n proficient, Jon. I can't beat her! Dad has no idea what he started."

"Charles and I have also acquired a pet."

"A pet?"

"A red specimen of Betta splendens is now inhabiting our quarters."

"A red pet?" Clearly the captain was not familiar with the scientific name.

"Perhaps you have heard of the fish as Betta fish, or Siamese Fighting Fish. Charles designed a bowl that will protect Jack from the hazards of space travel." He had been quite pleased with himself at that. T'Pol had agreed that a fish was the most agreeable pet she could think of. Theirs had no odor, and watching him invoked certain meditative techniques. The creature was aesthetically pleasing, although she would not admit that to anyone except Charles.

"You named your fish Jack?" He seemed to find this an odd name. Fortunately Charles interjected, saving her the problem of attempting to explain his naming process.

"When we picked him out, he was the liveliest fish in the whole store, an' Jack just seems to fit him."

"Male Betta splendens are solitary creatures. It seemed a logical choice for a pet."

"Welcome him to Enterprise for me."

That night in their quarters, T'Pol watched Jack swim while Charles readied himself for sleep. When he came out, he sighed.

"T'Pol, I really wish you coulda gone home. I guess it's just that I'm so close ta my family, an' I like goin' back to where I grew up, an' I wish you could have the same thing."

"I am aware of that." She walked over to the bed and sat on it beside him. "However, I believe that the human colloquialism "home is where the heart is" applies to my situation. He clasped her hand and sparked more understanding through their bond. "We are bonded, Charles. My home is where you are."

Love so strong he couldn't express it in words coursed through him, and Trip was grateful that he didn't have to rely on words to communicate. "Ya know I'd follow ya to the edge of the galaxy."

"I would not be a good bondmate if I required that of you."

He just smiled. "'Night, T'Pol."

"Sleep well, Charles." And they both did, secure in the knowledge that whatever tomorrow brought, they would face it together. There was no other way either would consider.