A Tryst for Two (Chap 1)
By vandiver49
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters associated with Star Trek, I'm just borrowing them for a moment. Please don't sue; people in the Navy don't make that much money.
_________________________________
Dear T'Pol,
Well, I bet you were alittle surprised to find this little letter lurking in a picture frame weren't you? Anyway, I just wanted to tell you a couple of things that I lacked the courage to do face to face. First, I'm so glad you decided to stay with us on Enterprise. I know it was a tough decision to make and I hope you don't regret your choice. I just know the ship wouldn't have been the same without you. You have no idea how you touched all the lives onboard, mine especially. And I suppose that's the real reason I wrote this letter, to let you know how much you meant to me. Three years ago we were practically mortal enemies, but somewhere along the way, we became great friends. And I was content with that, but over time you became something much more than that to me. I love you T'Pol, there I said it. I know that you're thinking; that's illogical. Believe you me, I thought it too. But saying it is illogical didn't make it any less true. Anyway, it was something I had to come to grips with, being as there wasn't anything that I could do about it. I think it was Shakespeare that said all love is unrequited; I must confess that truer words were never spoken. Well, I guess I'm rambling on, truly hope you and Koss are happy together and I wish you nothing but the best. Hey, don't be a stranger OK? Look me up sometime if you're in the neighborhood, we'll share a slice of pecan pie together.
Yours truly, Charles 'Trip' Tucker III
T'Pol refolded the letter back along its worn and tattered creases and carefully replaced the twenty year old letter back behind the picture frame. The picture was a snapshot of a faded memory from her distant past of herself and Commander Tucker standing together on a bluff. Two of finger his fingers rose from behind her head like Andorian antennae, something he referred to as 'bunny ears'.
She placed the frame back down on the table, a table which contained an assortment of Terran knickknacks. It started out simply as a collection of all of the gifts from her going-away party on Enterprise. There were two hardback books, a rarity on Earth and an even greater one on Vulcan. The first was a compellation of human colloquialisms given to her by Hoshi, so she could 'keep up with the conversation'. Malcolm provided her the other book, the complete works of William Shakespeare. He confessed to her that it would provide unparallel insight into the human mind, something she found to be true. Captain Archer gave her a most unique chess set, with three distinctive tiers and pieces of human and Vulcan influence. And from Travis, an anthology of Earth's greatest jazz musicians, ranging from Miles Davis and Louis Armstrong to Boney James. Her small collection had grown over the years into a venerable gallery of human memorabilia. Adorning the facing wall were two prints by Georgia O'Keefe. Bordering them were four reproductions of her favorite M. C. Escher works. Resting on its stand was a weathered trumpet, one of the few Terran objects she encountered that was older than her. When she purchased the instrument, she found its asking price appalling. But as she slowly attempted to master the horn, T'Pol realized its age and appearance gave it soul, as illogical as that may seem. The most coveted item on the table was a small Bonsai tree. It took two months of considerable haggling before Vulcan customs allowed its entrance, but the therapeutic plant was well worth the wait. She had spent over two years pruning and shaping the tree, giving it the broad horizontal limbs to compliment her final piece; the table itself. It was a reproduction of one designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, a late Terran architect. She actually found the piece somewhat ironic in that she appreciated it more than anything her husband had designed. That irony was by design though, as Koss chose not to share the breadth of his work and life with her.
She maintained her promise and fulfilled her obligation, marrying Koss as was expected of any dutiful Vulcan woman. Later that year, T'Pol gaze birth to her first and only child, Miranda. Though Koss was not overly thrilled with her choice of names.
//////////////
*T'Pol, what kind of name is Miranda, it has no meaning in Vulcan.*
*Of course not Koss, it is a human name from the Shakespearean play.*
*A human name T'Pol?* Koss immediately questioned. *Where is the logic in that?*
*I am simply fond of the name. Besides you were unaware of its origin until I told you.*
*It is a stigma I do not wish my daughter to endure.* Koss contested.
*I beg to differ dear husband. It is an ancient Earth name that has long since fallen out of popularity; I doubt anyone will be aware of its origin.*
Koss simply steamed as he realized he wasn't dissuading his wife. *I always assumed your time amongst humans had clouded your judgment, it appears I am correct.*
///////////////
This should have been T'Pol's first inkling of trouble in her new life, but at the time she supposed that it was simply a difference on opinions. Instead of growing together as a family, they grew more distant as the years progressed. Koss' success as an architect carried him further away from home. At times he would stay gone for months as he turned his structural dreams into reality. This also did not give T'Pol cause for concern. She had asked him to wait on her, how could she do any less for him. But when he was invited to go to Earth to study Terran architectural, the flaws of their marriage resurfaced once again.
///////////////
*How long will you be away?* She asked.
*I am unsure. The study will be intensive.*
*Perhaps I could join you?*
*T'Pol, did you ever venture outside of the area surrounding the Vulcan Compound?*
*Of course not, it was considered a safety risk.*
*Unlike Vulcan, which is dominated by the singular utilitarian style, Earth is filled with a bevy of different design ethics. It will take my colleagues and me several years to study and catalogue them all. I do not wish to subject my family to that level of instability.*
While his argument was valid, T'Pol wanted to be with her mate, and him to be with his daughter. *Perhaps we could live in a location with a large Vulcan population, say San Francisco?*
*T'Pol you have been to Earth, do you really want to raise Miranda in that environment?*
*If it means she will be able to see her father. Koss, you are away more than you are home. I believe that you are practically a stranger to her.*
Koss placed his hands on T'Pol's waist. *I understand your concern my wife. I promise that this will be my final excursion.*
//////////////
Miranda was five when he left. She had no reason to doubt his words, because he had no reason to deceive her. But as time past, and Koss failed to return for daughters' seventh birthday, T'Pol grew increasingly distressed, as there were only two possible explanations for husband's absence. His return a year later signaled that their relationship was irrevocably broken.
The next eleven years the two spent together was a spectacle, nothing more than display for the satisfaction of others. T'Pol raised Miranda by herself for all intents and purposes, as Koss chose to keep his distance, rather than be the subject of her scorn. She remembered being informed that her stay on Enterprise would be a negative and damning experience. Who would have guessed that life on Vulcan would rival those predictions?
T'Pol turned away from that memorable corner and cringed. Her life wasn't in any way negative; she had a wonderful and brilliant daughter, who was the reason for her current reflection into what was.
*Mother, are you ready yet?* Miranda asked upon entering her mother's bedroom.
*Yes my daughter, in a moment.* T'Pol returned her attention back towards the travel case resting on her bed.
Miranda peered over to notice the case was only half filled. *Saving room for some souvenirs Mother?*
*There is always the possibility that something may catch my eye. I have been looking for another piece to accentuate the house.*
*I figured as much. Whatever your reason Mother, we must hurry or we will miss the transport.*
*Very well daughter, let us depart.* As T'Pol grabbed her case and exited her home, she remembered how she believed that her life would be confined to Vulcan. She was so relieved this was not to be. T'Pol was escorting her daughter not only to the transport but also on an adventure, one which she herself had embarked upon nearly twenty-five years ago. There destination; that pale blue dot Vulcans refer to as Terra, but common known amongst its inhabitants as Earth.
By vandiver49
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters associated with Star Trek, I'm just borrowing them for a moment. Please don't sue; people in the Navy don't make that much money.
_________________________________
Dear T'Pol,
Well, I bet you were alittle surprised to find this little letter lurking in a picture frame weren't you? Anyway, I just wanted to tell you a couple of things that I lacked the courage to do face to face. First, I'm so glad you decided to stay with us on Enterprise. I know it was a tough decision to make and I hope you don't regret your choice. I just know the ship wouldn't have been the same without you. You have no idea how you touched all the lives onboard, mine especially. And I suppose that's the real reason I wrote this letter, to let you know how much you meant to me. Three years ago we were practically mortal enemies, but somewhere along the way, we became great friends. And I was content with that, but over time you became something much more than that to me. I love you T'Pol, there I said it. I know that you're thinking; that's illogical. Believe you me, I thought it too. But saying it is illogical didn't make it any less true. Anyway, it was something I had to come to grips with, being as there wasn't anything that I could do about it. I think it was Shakespeare that said all love is unrequited; I must confess that truer words were never spoken. Well, I guess I'm rambling on, truly hope you and Koss are happy together and I wish you nothing but the best. Hey, don't be a stranger OK? Look me up sometime if you're in the neighborhood, we'll share a slice of pecan pie together.
Yours truly, Charles 'Trip' Tucker III
T'Pol refolded the letter back along its worn and tattered creases and carefully replaced the twenty year old letter back behind the picture frame. The picture was a snapshot of a faded memory from her distant past of herself and Commander Tucker standing together on a bluff. Two of finger his fingers rose from behind her head like Andorian antennae, something he referred to as 'bunny ears'.
She placed the frame back down on the table, a table which contained an assortment of Terran knickknacks. It started out simply as a collection of all of the gifts from her going-away party on Enterprise. There were two hardback books, a rarity on Earth and an even greater one on Vulcan. The first was a compellation of human colloquialisms given to her by Hoshi, so she could 'keep up with the conversation'. Malcolm provided her the other book, the complete works of William Shakespeare. He confessed to her that it would provide unparallel insight into the human mind, something she found to be true. Captain Archer gave her a most unique chess set, with three distinctive tiers and pieces of human and Vulcan influence. And from Travis, an anthology of Earth's greatest jazz musicians, ranging from Miles Davis and Louis Armstrong to Boney James. Her small collection had grown over the years into a venerable gallery of human memorabilia. Adorning the facing wall were two prints by Georgia O'Keefe. Bordering them were four reproductions of her favorite M. C. Escher works. Resting on its stand was a weathered trumpet, one of the few Terran objects she encountered that was older than her. When she purchased the instrument, she found its asking price appalling. But as she slowly attempted to master the horn, T'Pol realized its age and appearance gave it soul, as illogical as that may seem. The most coveted item on the table was a small Bonsai tree. It took two months of considerable haggling before Vulcan customs allowed its entrance, but the therapeutic plant was well worth the wait. She had spent over two years pruning and shaping the tree, giving it the broad horizontal limbs to compliment her final piece; the table itself. It was a reproduction of one designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, a late Terran architect. She actually found the piece somewhat ironic in that she appreciated it more than anything her husband had designed. That irony was by design though, as Koss chose not to share the breadth of his work and life with her.
She maintained her promise and fulfilled her obligation, marrying Koss as was expected of any dutiful Vulcan woman. Later that year, T'Pol gaze birth to her first and only child, Miranda. Though Koss was not overly thrilled with her choice of names.
//////////////
*T'Pol, what kind of name is Miranda, it has no meaning in Vulcan.*
*Of course not Koss, it is a human name from the Shakespearean play.*
*A human name T'Pol?* Koss immediately questioned. *Where is the logic in that?*
*I am simply fond of the name. Besides you were unaware of its origin until I told you.*
*It is a stigma I do not wish my daughter to endure.* Koss contested.
*I beg to differ dear husband. It is an ancient Earth name that has long since fallen out of popularity; I doubt anyone will be aware of its origin.*
Koss simply steamed as he realized he wasn't dissuading his wife. *I always assumed your time amongst humans had clouded your judgment, it appears I am correct.*
///////////////
This should have been T'Pol's first inkling of trouble in her new life, but at the time she supposed that it was simply a difference on opinions. Instead of growing together as a family, they grew more distant as the years progressed. Koss' success as an architect carried him further away from home. At times he would stay gone for months as he turned his structural dreams into reality. This also did not give T'Pol cause for concern. She had asked him to wait on her, how could she do any less for him. But when he was invited to go to Earth to study Terran architectural, the flaws of their marriage resurfaced once again.
///////////////
*How long will you be away?* She asked.
*I am unsure. The study will be intensive.*
*Perhaps I could join you?*
*T'Pol, did you ever venture outside of the area surrounding the Vulcan Compound?*
*Of course not, it was considered a safety risk.*
*Unlike Vulcan, which is dominated by the singular utilitarian style, Earth is filled with a bevy of different design ethics. It will take my colleagues and me several years to study and catalogue them all. I do not wish to subject my family to that level of instability.*
While his argument was valid, T'Pol wanted to be with her mate, and him to be with his daughter. *Perhaps we could live in a location with a large Vulcan population, say San Francisco?*
*T'Pol you have been to Earth, do you really want to raise Miranda in that environment?*
*If it means she will be able to see her father. Koss, you are away more than you are home. I believe that you are practically a stranger to her.*
Koss placed his hands on T'Pol's waist. *I understand your concern my wife. I promise that this will be my final excursion.*
//////////////
Miranda was five when he left. She had no reason to doubt his words, because he had no reason to deceive her. But as time past, and Koss failed to return for daughters' seventh birthday, T'Pol grew increasingly distressed, as there were only two possible explanations for husband's absence. His return a year later signaled that their relationship was irrevocably broken.
The next eleven years the two spent together was a spectacle, nothing more than display for the satisfaction of others. T'Pol raised Miranda by herself for all intents and purposes, as Koss chose to keep his distance, rather than be the subject of her scorn. She remembered being informed that her stay on Enterprise would be a negative and damning experience. Who would have guessed that life on Vulcan would rival those predictions?
T'Pol turned away from that memorable corner and cringed. Her life wasn't in any way negative; she had a wonderful and brilliant daughter, who was the reason for her current reflection into what was.
*Mother, are you ready yet?* Miranda asked upon entering her mother's bedroom.
*Yes my daughter, in a moment.* T'Pol returned her attention back towards the travel case resting on her bed.
Miranda peered over to notice the case was only half filled. *Saving room for some souvenirs Mother?*
*There is always the possibility that something may catch my eye. I have been looking for another piece to accentuate the house.*
*I figured as much. Whatever your reason Mother, we must hurry or we will miss the transport.*
*Very well daughter, let us depart.* As T'Pol grabbed her case and exited her home, she remembered how she believed that her life would be confined to Vulcan. She was so relieved this was not to be. T'Pol was escorting her daughter not only to the transport but also on an adventure, one which she herself had embarked upon nearly twenty-five years ago. There destination; that pale blue dot Vulcans refer to as Terra, but common known amongst its inhabitants as Earth.