#Koss of Vulcan

[rsclolopezi]

When they realize they like a human in a romantic way! Vulcan edition! Fight me on this!!! Lols

@zierzim -like this is straight up their personalities

@ensignsimp -Definitely Soval

@slutty-slutty-vulcans

[rsclolopezi]

I think about them and their spicy cousinssss! Someone please make a post about all the spicy romulans

WHY

ARE

VULCANOID

CHARACTERS

SO

BLOODY

HANDSOME

AND

FUNNY

AND

INTERESTING

AND

AMAZING

?!?!?!?!?!

I ALREADY THINK WAY TOO MUCH ABOUT THOSE ANTENNAE IDIOTS (both blue and white) AND I REALLY DON'T HAVE TIME FOR YOU GUYS!!!!!!!!

[bumblingbabooshka]

Thinking about marriage/women's rights on Vulcan Some may think that T'Pring not being allowed to divorce Spock was because he was going through the pon farr but if she were allowed to divorce him at all she probably would have done that a long time ago, confirmed by T'Pol when she's speaking with Koss, who isn't suffering from the pon farr. She says that he can choose another mate (without invoking a fight it seems: note the difference between a 'mate' and a 'challenger') and after he makes it clear that nothing she says will change his mind about marrying her, she finally threatens to declare a kal-if-fee. It's clear that Vulcan women cannot divorce/refuse to marry a man they've been betrothed to under any circumstances if A) He himself doesn't consent to ending their marriage or B) She doesn't have someone else waiting in the wings to be given to in his stead. Though, if the challenger she selects fails to win the fight, she'll have to marry her betrothed anyway unless (again) he decides he doesn't want her after the challenge. That seems like an incredibly unfair system, heavily biased towards men. SNW is an alternate universe in many obvious respects but most egregiously in that T'Pring has a lot of non-canonical agency over her relationship with Spock. It's interesting to me that Vulcan society has women in many positions of power and treats women as equal to men from what I've seen despite these laws. We don't really see Vulcans exhibiting a misogynistic attitude towards women in general but in TOS (perhaps because of its general writing style but it's still interesting to note) both Sarek and Spock take on patriarchal attitudes specifically regarding wives. Amanda says that 'of course' Sarek commands her because "he is a Vulcan and I am his wife." It's worthwhile in my eyes to note that she specifies 'wife' instead of attributing this attitude to women as a whole. Again, with TOS' writing style it wouldn't be out of place for her to say "he is a man and I am a woman." Spock, while in a pon farr induced irritation, states that it's "undignified for a woman to play servant to a man that isn't hers" - again implying that there's something specific about being a Wife in Vulcan society which is different from being a woman in general and demands subservience to a husband. This could perhaps stem from the extreme sense of ownership that Vulcan law has permitted men to have over women. A woman legally cannot point blank refuse marriage. There is no option which guarantees she won't have to marry her betrothed other than death. When T'Pau speaks of T'Pring she refers to her as being 'property' and Stonn, before being interrupted, states he's made 'the ancient claim' - we don't know what this is because he gets cut off but it's obvious they're both using the language of Vulcan law. Men are permitted true freedom to choose. If a woman wants to choose someone else to be with there is no option available to her other than the kal-if-fee which might result in the death of the one she wants to be with. And, if her lover fails, her husband can still just decide he wants to marry her and she'll be forced to. T'Pring gives two scenarios: One where Spock 'frees' her and one where he doesn't - it's still ultimately his decision which is clear when he ends the conversation with "Stonn, she is yours." This again isn't just because of the pon farr as T'Pol also goes through this. Koss can choose another mate and when the option is talked about there's no implication that this would result in any sort of fight (both by the casualness of its mention and by the fact that there's no formal word for it unlike the kal-if-fee.) Also, the fact that Koss does eventually grant T'Pol a divorce and it's all fine means that T'Pol isn't lawfully required to have another man waiting if her HUSBAND doesn't want her. It's ONLY required if SHE doesn't want her husband. Tradition must take precedence over individual desire UNLESS!!! You're a man. Then it's fine. Like, your parents might not be happy but legally you're golden.

[talshiargirlfriend]

Day Twenty-Seven of the 30 Day Writing Challenge

I suppose this is a character study. I wanted to write a happier bonus piece for this prompt but this is all I’ve got in me today.

Rain can’t wash it away

Once the marriage contract is executed Koss invites her to join him at his family home. T’Pol is almost successful at keeping the revulsion off her face as she politely demurs.

She doesn’t see Trip again before he leaves Vulcan. He will find someone who can love him. She will simply be his colleague again, someone he used to care for.

The wave of nausea she suppressed in Koss’s presence returns.

She will accept the future that was chosen for her, her familial obligation fulfilled.

It is not possible for silence to cause suffocation.

T’Pol feels… she feels. She needs to control it.

She removes herself to Mount Seleya where she meditates in solitude.

Sitting outside, feeling the sand and stone beneath her, is grounding.

T’Pol still feels, but it’s easier to breathe around it.

She senses the change in the air.

She feels the storm coming, but she doesn’t move from her position on the balcony.

The monks and other guests may think she is simply too deeply turned inward to be concerned with physical sensations as the rain showers the courtyard, washing away dust and sand.

It soaks through her robes.

Sodden and disheveled, any notion that T’Pol is a model Vulcan drips away, seeping into the ground.

She is left alone with her turmoil, caught between resignation and regret. The rain can’t wash that away.

[super-hero-confessions]

Real talk, I'm kinda sick of Vulcan men being cast as the jerk or unwanted suitor in favor of a human male, examples being Koss and Vorik. Especially since many alien species in Star Trek are allegories for foreign powers. Don't get me wrong, Tom/B'Elanna and Trip/T'Pol aren't bad ships. But once in a while, I'd like to see writers flip the script where the alien woman chooses the Vulcan or other alien man over the white human male. I've seen some T'Lyn/Boimler shippers on Reddit come up with fantasies where T'Lyn's fiance is some Vulcan version of Lyle Van de Groot but being with Boimler, the white American human male, will save her from oppression. To me, it sounds too much like some racist Lotus Blossom fantasy of the white man saving the Asian woman from oppression by Asian men by marrying her. I know the original Star Trek was progressive for it's time (Uhura not being a maid, Soviet Chekhov and Japanese Sulu being good guys) but there was still some racist moments like Kirk being the Mighty Whitey trope to Salish' Native Rival in "The Paradise Syndrome." So I hope Lower Decks subverts expectations by not having T'lyn be some poor oppressed Vulcan woman who needs the love of a white human man in order to rebel against her culture/species' expectations.

[weerd1]

ENT Rewatch Starlog, 5 May, 2024- Final Entry: Episode 4.03 “Home”

Archer and his senior staff are welcomed home where the Captain gives a speech reminding everyone of the 27 crewmembers lost in the operations to stop the Xindi.

He prepares for a board of inquiry regarding the mission while reconnecting with Erica Hernandez, former romance who is about to take command of the NX-02 Columbia.

T’Pol asks Trip if he would accompany her to Vulcan and he agrees. They arrive at T’Pol’s childhood home where she is surprised to find her mother, T’Les, at home.

T’Les informs her that she has stepped down from the Vulcan Science Academy, and is herself surprised that T’Pol has brought a colleague home. Later alone, she mentions to T’Pol that Koss, her betrothed, has been reaching out. 

Reed, Mayweather, and Phlox are in a bar in San Francisco when they are accosted by humans who display ignorant prejudice against Phlox (because prejudice, xenophobia, and judging someone by race or species is ignorance and if I have to tell you that I wonder what the hell you’re doing watching Star Trek in the first place) which results in a fistfight. Phlox demonstrates an old Denobulan defensive posture inflating his face, which scares off the human dipshits. Later, when invited to the surface by Hoshi Sato, Phlox chooses to stay on Enterprise.

Ambassador Soval seems to be out to get Archer during his inquiry, specifically about the Vulcan ship that was destroyed during their Zombie-like attack. Archer loses his cool and is ordered by Admiral Forrest to take some time off. He decides to go rock climbing but is joined by Hernandez. In the course of their climb Archer begins to display the inner turmoil he’s been dealing with since his actions in the Expanse, and tells Hernandez that he wants to be away form her for reminding him of what he used to be. She offers to help him find that man again together, and they kiss.

Tucker is beginning to grow on T’Les, particularly after doing some repairs around home. Koss arrives and asks to speak to T’Pol. He reveals he will not break their betrothal, offering even to resort to the Kal-If-Ee  if necessary—the fight to the death for the bride. T’Pol continues to reject him until he tells her that her mother was asked to step down from the academy because of T’Pol making enemies in the Vulcan High Command. He says his influential father could restore her status.

T’Pol takes Trip to the statues near the Vulcan Forge and tells him she will marry Koss.  Later when confronted by T’Les, Tucker admits that at that moment he realized he loves T’Pol.  T’Les says T’Pol should know that. Tucker remains silent however, and tells T’Pol how wonderful she looks. She steals a quick kiss, and then the marriage proceeds.

Archer completes his hearing and stays after to apologize to Soval. Soval states he has listened to T’Pol and reviewed the case. He is grateful to Archer for saving not just Earth but the Alpha Quadrant from the Expanse, and shakes his hand.

This is a very good episode giving us the closing to the Xindi storyline we needed. I know it’s beating a dead horse, but something like this I believe would have served the end of Voyager well. I especially appreciate the post-trauma reaction Archer is going through (something I have also experienced after my own service in war zones) and if I had to complain about anything in this episode it would just be that it could have used one more scene of him finding a little more reconciliation. The implication that he will be better because he doesn’t have to face it alone is great, but I think a little too much of the healing happens off screen.

Let’s however hear it for Ada Maris as Erika Hernandez (though she goes un-named here…and that’s dumb). Dispelling the old TOS line about the realm of being a Starship Captain being for men is great; I know we see her again, but it’s a shame season 5 didn’t let us see some more. I am very aware of the Beta Canon fate of the NX-02, and the evolution of her character, but would love to have some more just plain Captain Hernandez stories.  

The Tri’Pol stuff here is the kind of thing that propels a thousand shippers (me too) and is so well played for the tragedy.  As much as I praise Ada Maris as Hernandez, let’s also applaud Joanna Cassidy (a science fiction legend herself) as T’Les. Not only do I immediately buy her as T’Pol’s mother, but she brings a calm a subtlety to match Jolene Blalock, that was too often replaced with arrogance for Vulcans on this show. But this?

This is a knife to the heart in the best way.

The introduction of a human xenophobia is good here, and wow do I wish it were less relevant to us today. I know this will play out later in the season with Earth First movements, etc, but even when this aired, I think it said a lot about what happened in the US after September 11th with many darker skinned people being assaulted in a blanket reaction to actual terrorists (my then brother-in-law among them). I wish we’d learned more in the last 20 years, but also hope we’ll learn more by 2154. Watching the news though admittedly gives me some of Archer’s pessimism.

But this brings it to an end; I have spent the last few months rewatching and reviewing the Xindi storyline, and for the most part find it holds up pretty well, perhaps even better than I received it then. There are certainly some missteps along the way, but it has definitely reinforced my appreciation for this show as a much stronger member of the Trek family than me as a dumb-ass continuity-obsessed gate-keeper two decades back might have thought. Glad I got better, and I hope we all can, honestly.  There is new Trek I love, and some I think really misses the mark, but in the end Star Trek is ALWAYS relevant, and all Star Trek speaks to someone.  I can’t fault that. Gives me faith of the heart. 

If you’ve read these and enjoyed them, thank you for coming along with me. If you've like to find the rest they are all tagged "enterprise rewatch" and "xindi saga" on my blog.

(Images taken from the main website for @trekcore; I am happy to remove the images if asked.)

[jonfucius]

Great Star Trek Rewatch - Enterprise S4

Originally posted on Twitter 31 January 2020 - 7 July 2020

Enterprise Season 4 is up next in my Great Star Trek Rewatch. As in Seasons 1-3, mini-reviews will document my progress.

Storm Front: Nazis in New York, aliens up to no good, a time-ravaged Daniels, and the unforgettable sight of P-51 Mustangs firing on a shuttlepod = a slam-bang season premiere. Alicia Travers is a strong guest character. 9/10

Storm Front, Part II: The Temporal Cold War comes to an end, and so does Silik. The NX-01 shooting down Stukas over Manhattan is a highlight, as well as the final shootout in the temporal conduit complex. 10/10

Home: Archer and Erika Hernandez reconnect and recover, and Trip’s unrequited feelings for T’Pol are thrown in his face by her marriage to Koss, THE most insufferable Vulcan in a series full of them. But it’s Phlox’s encounter with casual racism that hits home. 10/10

Borderland: The Augments trilogy kicks off in style. Brent Spiner is a perfect foil for Archer. Malik makes for a complex proto-Khan, while Persis is almost too clever for her own good. 8/10

Cold Station 12: Malik and Soong start to drift apart here. Too bad we couldn't see more of Udar. Alas. The torture scene with the Symbalene blood burn is insane body horror, right up there with "Conspiracy". The pieces have moved into place for the trilogy's climax. 8/10

The Augments: Interesting debate on nature vs. nurture. Persis deserved better, both from Malik and the arc. I think the ending would have had more impact if we saw Soong write something about positronic brains, rather than have him explicitly mention cybernetics. 8/10

The Forge: RIP Adm. Forrest. Deep, deep Vulcan lore is introduced, things only mentioned off-hand or hinted at in the franchise’s previous forty years (including IDIC). Loved seeing T’Pau and Surak again. 8/10

Awakening: Pieces are moved into place as Archer falls further under Surak’s spell (err, katra). V’Las is veering dangerously close to mustache twirling, but Robert Foxworth is too damn charismatic. The Kir’Shara is found, but it may be too late. 9/10

Kir’Shara: The first steps toward the Federation are taken as V’Las’ assault on Andoria is foiled by Enterprise and Shran. The Vulcans begin a re-evolution here. Meanwhile, a certain raptorial species makes a shocking appearance in the tag. 10/10

Daedalus: This one does nothing for me; ergo, I nothing it. What should be a tragic story in the vein of the vastly superior DS9 “The Visitor” is wasted on a paint-by-numbers “ghost story.” Archer’s relationship with the Erickson’s comes out of nowhere. A rare S4 misfire. 4/10

Observer Effect: Non-corporeal aliens possessing our heroes? Check. Lethal infection? Check. Deus ex machina? Check. But the last-minute reveal that the Organians from the sublime TOS “Errand of Mercy” are the culprits is a great twist that wasn’t telegraphed. 7/10

Babel One: The Tellarites attack and destroy Shran’s ship…or did they? The Andorians attack Enterprise…or did they? Some amazing groundwork is being laid here for not only the rest of S4 but the entire Star Trek universe. The reveal at the end of the episode is 👌. 8/10

United: Pour one out for poor Talas. Tucker and Reed disable the drone, while Archer disables Shran. The reveal at the end of the episode tops the Romulan intrigue from “Babel One”. The Andorians get some great development here, and Jeffrey Combs is sublime per usual. 9/10

The Aenar: The Romulans’ plans are foiled by a rag-tag Vulcan-Human-Andorian-Tellarite alliance, and the ethereal Aenar add much depth to the story. Trip’s feelings for T’Pol lead to a shocking ready room scene. I love these little throughlines connecting distinct stories. 10/10

Affliction: We learn why the Klingons from TOS looked different compared to their later brethren. This was a completely unnecessary “reveal” that IMO has influenced some of the unfair criticism DSC and PIC has endured. But it’s still a mostly thrilling espionage thriller. 6/10

Divergence: The opening sequence is incredible, breathless; something Star Trek rarely indulged in. Phlox’s solution at the end is clever and in character. I’m giving this episode a high score just for that chill-inducing setpiece, but my criticism from “Affliction” stands. 8/10

Bound: I can kinda, sorta see what they were going for in giving the Orion “slave girls” agency…but the execution is still not great. We saw this story already with Duras in S2. 4/10

In a Mirror, Darkly: Star Trek’s first episode set entirely in the Mirror Universe is a doozy: clever reframing of First Contact, a new opening title sequence, and our “heroes” really digging into their Terran Empire selves. The ties to TOS “The Tholian Web” are ingenious. 9/10

In a Mirror, Darkly, Part II: Archer’s mental state unravels as he plots and schemes. But it’s Hoshi (Augustus Iaponius) who gets the last laugh. 9/10

Demons: Another all-too-prescient episode tackling racism through the sci-fi lens of xenophobia. Peter Weller is perfectly cast as the hateful Paxton. Nice to see Mayweather get something to do in this third-to-last episode of the series. 8/10

Terra Prime: ENT’s main story ends on the highest of high notes. It was a great choice to end the Terra Prime story in the third act and give Archer’s speech and Trip & T’Pol’s final scene room to breathe. 10/10

These Are the Voyages…: Didn't like this one 15 years ago, still don't like it today. An absolutely sad way for Star Trek to leave television after 18 consecutive years. This episode gets 1 point for the cameos in the final scene. 1/10

And with that, Season 4 of ENT, and the series itself, comes to an end in my Great Star Trek Rewatch. Final score: 7.86/10. Highest score(s): "Storm Front, Part II," "Home," "Kir'Shara," "The Aenar," "Terra Prime." . Lowest score(s): "These Are the Voyages…"

ENT overall score across 4 seasons and 97 episodes: 6.99/10

[rsclolopezi]

This would definitely happen! Will you be my boyfriend goes straight to husband…

@ensignsimp @deepspacedukat

[akamitrani]

FANART: SPOCK | SPOCK TRINITY | KOSS

SOLOK | SPECIAL SOLOK | SOLOK

T'POL | TAURIK & VORIK | VORIK

BOCHRA

EDITS: KOVAL | VREENAK | Q | KOSS

DAVE H THORNTON or ART THE CLOWN

PHOTO EDIT: GETA | GETA & CARACALLA

KOSS | RANDOM VULCANS

‎ ‎ ‎

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎

[marointhemoon]

So this is difficult, if only because my forte is writing lines that interweave with each other -- if I include one paragraph, I have to include the surrounding six to let it have its full weight.

That said, I was about to scrounge up a few.

From the evil it spread, like a fever ahead:

To be touched by Vulcan hands is to have access to—and be accessed by—an intimacy that exceeds the capabilities of any human and is nearly impossible to earn. If not outright inferior in every meaningful way, humans are incapable of that level of connection and therefore lacking a layer of perception altogether. At least, that's what T'Pol always heard during her time with the High Command. All of it matters—yet, none of it matters. This is not the first time T'Pol has gone against the High Command and Vulcan sensibilities; her continued presence on Enterprise can attest to that, if not her marriage to Koss, or her mother's alignment with the Syrrannites, or her own. All of those decisions were easy, in the grand scheme of things. They were each, put plainly, the right thing to do. In this moment, and in the many moments that follow, taking and holding Trip's hand is no different.

From i know you so well, my friend:

The thought had occurred to Trip multiple times before they left the ship: were they the same as the Xindi, stealing from and killing whoever they needed to so they could get their needs met? At this point, he was too exhausted to seriously resist the notion anymore. Who knew? Maybe they were. 23 people were already dead, and more were probably going to follow—how much more humanity was there to lose?

From through the looking glass:

Given how the door sealed behind him, Joss figured he’d be electrocuted or burned. Maybe even drowned, if they had a way of getting the water in. That's all well and good: on paper, interrogation resistance training covers exactly this kind of situation. He remembers telling Malcolm that MACOs have to be ready for anything.

Lowkey, I've come to hate a lot of my "older" works, either in large part or in full. I'm not going to delete any of them, because I know some people like them, but it's frustrating anyway.

Then again, that's probably why I'm so slow on the uptake.

Day 1!

Not a single line, but an exchange that has amused me deeply ever since I wrote it. From Chapter 6 of For the Duration:

“So why did she marry you?” Karveth asked. “One of these days, I’m gonna tie your antennae in a knot,” Trip said calmly. “Please try.”

😁

Anybody who wants to play along with this challenge, feel free! @deadheaddaisy, @talshiargirlfriend, @pearlypairings, @1lostsoul0fishbowl, no pressure (just?getting your attention lol)

[bumblingbabooshka]

Tuvok should have gotten an episode about him and T'Pel's romance. Spock got one about his wedding-turned-divorce with T'Pring and T'Pol got a whole marriage-turned-divorce with Koss, I think Tuvok should have gotten an episode where we see snippets of his life with T'Pel because 1] A Vulcan bonded pair actually working out is something we haven't seen before and I'm interested in the 'business as usual' of alien relationships. It's not something we see often! 2] Tuvok's family is obviously extremely important to him and he says they take up a great deal of his mental real estate and it's CRIMINAL that that isn't the focus of more of his screentime. It'd make that loneliness/loss even more visceral if we were to SEE Tuvok and his family interacting with one another on screen. 3] It'd be so cute and heartbreaking and I want it very badly. They should have anticipated this. They should have known I'd want this from them.

[deepspacedukat]

Screw, Marry, Kill OC edition 😈

•Jorik, Kollos, Denak

•Soven, Kash, Veren

Bonus

Best Friend, Rival, Gossip Buddy

•Melody, Sandra, Camille

🥷 *smokebomb* *disappears*

OMG MY HEART. I've been looking at these three trios and my heART–

Thank you for this ask, oh mysterious anon! Sorry I'm late, I got caught up doing stuff last night and only got around to my remaining asks this afternoon.

Okay so for the first set (my OCs).

Screw: Jorik - Listen, he may be my OC, but I'm down sooooo bad for him. He's adorable, he's precious, and I would ride that an into the sunset. Also, since he's severely repressed, this man has a lot of frustration to work through, so uh...he can take it out on me...if he wants... 👉👈👀

Marry: Kollos - I didn't even mean to make this man, but I'd so tie the knot with him. Seriously, all I wanted was to give Koss's dad a name for a fic, and instead I ended up with this absolute dreamboat of an OC. I'm not mad about it. *pulls on Vulcan wedding robes* So uh...where's that Vulcan priest? We've got a wedding night to get to...

Kill: Denak - I'M SO SORRY, DENAK. I adore him, I really do. And I intend to give this man a happy ending in "Praetor's Pride." But...I've known Kollos and Jorik longer. I know more of their stories, and I'm more attached to them at the moment. Don't get me wrong, Denak is a charmer, a precious mans, and I adore him...but I just can't bring myself to get rid of my OG Vulcan boys.

The second set (azora's OCs).

Screw: Soven - You can't tell me this Pointy Boi wouldn't be good in bed. There's just...there's something about him that sends up a solid Smash flag. Like...10000000/10 would go there.

Marry: Kash - I don't know what it is, but I'd chew through steel for this man. Kash strikes the same chord in my brain that Shran does, so uhm...👉👈 *reads up on Andorian marriages*

Kill: Veren - I adore Veren. I do. But as much as I love him, I don't think I could make myself give up either of the others. (Probably because I'm more familiar with them tbh.)

Oooohh and then the third set (more of azora's OCs).

Best Friend: Melody - She just seems so precious and sweet. I wanna protect her and cuddle her like a teddy bear.

Rival: Sandra - Honestly, this wouldn't be an unpleasant rivalry. This would be chaos and it would be so fun omg. Absolutely I'll be rivals with Sandra.

Gossip Buddy: Camille - Listen, being with Kash, she'd have the good tea, okay? She'd know all the things. She'd be the first person I went to with things like what crew members were dating or fighting or whatever.

[talshiargirlfriend]

Fic title: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Risa

Fic title ask post here. Keep ‘em coming!

In this farcical fix-it for Enterprise episode Home Koss is as reluctant to bond with T’Pol as she is with him.

Striking a deal with Tucker, Koss promises to release T’Pol from their betrothal and use his family’s influence to secure T’Les’s future… provided the latter can help him catch the eye (and preferably the hand) of Kale, a beautiful Romulan defector who works in the city planning department of Shi’Kahr district.

A wild sehlat ride featuring a series of improbable events including an actual wild sehlat ride, bureaucratic machinations, mistaken identity, a musical number about resisting temptation performed by a cadre of Vulcan priestesses clad in diaphanous robes, Vulcans under the influence of chocolate, a priest who is not going home without performing a marriage ceremony, and a visit to a house of neuropressure and therapeutic massage.

Will anyone get a happy ending??

Archer: So you came back from Risa… but you spent two weeks on Vulcan first? What the hell happened, Trip?

Tucker: Uhhh, that’s a long story, Cap’n.

— Thank you for the ask! This was really fun 😁

[ussvulcan]

au where trip and t’pol elope on vulcan so that she doesn’t have to marry koss, and when they go back to the enterprise and tell archer he’s like “what? and you didn’t think to invite me?”

[trip-tuckers-hyperspanner]

The Time During The Away Mission - 3

5 Times Trip Was Dumb + 1 Time He Wasn't

“Commander, I would highly recommend not touching anything brightly colored in a habitat like this one,” T’Pol said, watching Trip rifle through the foliage out of the corner of her eye. She was scanning the area with her tricorder. “There are plenty of species in this environment that could be highly poisonous.”

“Don’t worry your pretty little head, missy,” Trip hummed, crouching down to study the dirt. He poked at some moss like it might crawl away or squirm or something. “I grew up in the American South. During my teenage years, I spent my summers in the Keys; my sister still lives in Florida.”

“I am familiar with Earth geography, Commander. It doesn’t excuse your dangerous behavior.”

“Is it really logical to worry about me?” he smirked. He swiveled his head to look at her. She was totally expressionless, save for the slight raise of her eyebrow. She always did that around him.

“It is logical to tell you that your behavior is illogical. What is not logical, however, is letting this obvious precariousness rule over my mind.” She closed her tricorder and clipped it to her side. She stood beside Trip as he continued to look. “This planet has highly enriched soil. It’s quite impressive; it would be suitable for colonization and farming.”

“Yeah; it would be a great summer home, don’t you think?” He dusted off his thighs and stood up — he had gotten a few leaves stuck in his hair. He waltzed over to T’Pol. “This biome reminds me of Florida, actually.”

“Do you miss your family?” T’Pol inquired. She turned to face Trip more fully. “You have spoken about them frequently since we arrived here.”

“I guess I do. But it’s not only that — I guess I just trust you more. I like what we’ve got goin’ on.” Commander Tucker set his hands on his hips, swaying a tad as he took her in. “You’d say we’re close, wouldn’t you?”

“You are indeed one of the few individuals I prefer to spend my time with,” she answered. She very gently plucked a leaf from his head and removed it. 

“Yeah, me and that guy you’re sweet on,” he teased, bending down so their faces were closer. She removed another leaf. “Are you gettin’ anywhere with him? Or do I need to talk with him and convince him he’s missing out?”

“I would say there is sufficient progress concerning our future courtship.”

“What about your fiancé Koss, huh? Are you still gonna marry him? Or does this attachment of yours just count as a little dalliance?” 

As T’Pol removed the last pieces of foliage from Trip’s hair, she took a brief moment to think up a response. She had neglected to consider how much he knew about her personal life. “It would be more logical for me to mate with a human when my objective is to study human culture. That is the purpose of my placement on Enterprise, is it not? I would be able to report on every aspect of human life from a personal angle.”

Trip frowned. “So you’re sayin’ you’re only interested in this poor guy because he’d make your job easier? Does he know about this?”

“It is not the only reason. It is simply an added bonus,” she told him. It was an attempt to calm him down before his temper continued to build; she wouldn’t want his feelings hurt before she reached her proposition. “My reasons for picking my mate are entirely personal; however, I must consider every aspect of it before I make my final decision.”

“And Koss just isn’t a good fit anymore?”

“Koss and I desire different things in life. I briefly considered staying his betrothed when he threatened my mother’s position at the Vulcan Science Academy, but thankfully, logical reasoning won at the end of the day. Her reasons were valid to the High Counsel. Not to mention the charges were clearly falsified.” She squared her shoulders. This was the only indication she was pleased to be telling him such things. “Koss and I no longer have a marriage agreement.”

Trip’s jaw dropped. “T’Pol! You didn’t tell me any of that,” he scolded lightly. He grinned widely. “So you’re not engaged anymore? Oh! Wow! Just wait until your guy hears that.”

“I anticipate his reaction will be somewhat similar to yours.”

“Can I be there to see it?” he asked, excited.

“Perhaps. I must tell you that you know him quite well,” she informed him. She started walking deeper into the forest they had been surveying. Trip followed.

“I do? It can’t be Malcolm, can it? You know he and Hoshi just started going out or something, right?” he asked, having trouble keeping her pace. She was more graceful than he was; he was tripping over everything (pun intended). Every rock, tree, and root caught each limb he possessed. 

“I was aware of their courtship before they were,” she said. She turned back to Trip, letting him catch up with her. He stood as close as he could to T’Pol without touching her. “Are you alright, Commander?”

“Of course, I am. Don’t get a bee in your bonnet, missy. And also, I knew you did since I was tellin’ you everything I thought was goin’ on, wasn’t I?” He brushed his shirt off. Suddenly, he made a very harsh expression. “It’s not Archer, is it?”

“Would it bother you if I were considering Captain Archer for courtship?” she asked. As soon as she said it, he knew Jon wasn’t even in the running. Still, it rubbed him the wrong way when he thought about it.

“It would, actually, considering he’s the highest-ranking officer on the ship,” he said. He stuffed his hands into his pockets. “And also, also, I don’t think you two are well-suited.”

“We work quite well together.”

“It doesn’t mean you should go off and get married. I mean, think about it. He likes water polo. No one likes water polo.” Trip pushed a branch out of T���Pol’s way. “Okay, aside from that terrible suggestion” — He bobbed his head to add even more emphasis than his voice did — “who could you possibly be interested in that I know very well?”

“He’s only a candidate for courtship,” she reminded him. She waited for him to pass under the branch. “He would still have to accept my proposition.”

“I don’t understand why anyone wouldn’t,” Tucker said sincerely.

“Would you?”

“Yeah, sure, if that was the kind of relationship you and I had,” he said nonchalantly. T’Pol suspected he had never considered a serious relationship with anyone in many years. She doubted he even realized he was on the list.

“I appreciate your high opinion of me,” she said instead. Clearly, he was not ready for courtship. “It is comforting to know you will be supportive of my choice.”

“Oh, no, T’Pol, that’s not what I said.” He crossed his arms. They still hadn’t resumed walking. It appeared Commander Tucker couldn’t walk and talk at the same time. “I said you’re the kind of gal who no one would refuse. That doesn’t mean I think any nobody deserves you.”

“Do you have an opinion of who does?” she questioned.

“Someone that fits all your qualifications. Handsome, smart, interesting, and caring. Archer might if he was more interesting in the world of romance. Trust me, I love the guy to pieces, but he’s not compatible with you.” He tilted his head as he thought. “Malcolm’s taken. Travis is handsome, smart, and caring, and he’s got interesting aspects. I don’t see you two together, though. Phlox…” He winced. “He’s got three wives, but not your type, I’d say.”

“You have very informed opinions,” she complimented. “But that does not answer my question about who you believe… ‘deserves’ me.”

Trip stuck his tongue out as he continued to think. “I don’t know,” he answered honestly. “I don’t like the idea of you with anybody here, actually.”

“Perhaps you’re experiencing jealousy?” she suggested.

“Naw.”

T’Pol gave him a pointed look. “Are you certain this is not denial, Commander?”

“Believe me, T’Pol, I am happy as long as you’re happy,” he said, giving her a soft smirk. “Is it my fault that there’s a terrible range of options on the Enterprise?”

“Perhaps your perspective is skewed.”

“I seriously doubt it.”

“Despite my species’ limited telepathic abilities, I cannot read your mind, Commander.” She looked him over. Trip rolled his eyes as he felt her judgement.

“Then I s’pose you’ll just have to believe me,” he said. “What about me, huh? What if I asked you to make me a ‘candidate for courtship’?”

It seemed he was catching on. T’Pol gently nodded once. “You would be considered if you were sincere in your question.”

“And who do you think I would be a good fit with?” he ventured. He bounced on the balls of his feet. “Since you’re so logical.”

She had a glint of humor in her eyes. “Perhaps a woman with a niche taste in old-fashioned human entertainment systems.”

“Someone we know, T’Pol.” He laughed. “Who’s good for me?”

T’Pol took a sharp breath in. “Ensign Sato is already courting someone else; Lieutenant Briggs is not compatible with you in any way except physically; even with the other officers below you who could satisfy you both emotionally and sexually, it would be highly inappropriate for you to pursue a relationship.”

“So nobody, then?”

“I’m sure there is a perfectly sound candidate for you, Commander,” she said.  She considered the chances of this being an example of poor human flirtation tactics. “Would you like me to look?”

“Are you offerin’?”

“Only if you would desire it.”

“I’m happy the way I am, T’Pol, but thank you for askin’.” He chuckled at her and then continued walking. He was overtly pleased with himself. “Let’s see what else we can find in this forest, huh?”

T’Pol let Tucker lead this time. As they wandered over logs and little creeks, she asked, “Are we searching for more plant life or are you suggesting we look for animals?”

“Oh, why not both? This is a survey, isn’t it?” Trip scratched his head. “D’you think there’s a pond nearby?”

“Your constant search for pleasure distracts you from the task at hand.”

“It’s making the best of my situation, actually,” he smirked, wagging his eyebrows at her. “Besides, you know you love goofing off with me.”

“We do not ‘goof off.’”

“So asking me about which candidate is best for matehood is just… part of the job?” he asked smugly. T’Pol merely whipped out her tricorder and scanned the area once more. 

Commander Tucker set his bag down on the ground, turning to a tree. “Do you think the captain would allow for romantic relationships on board?”

“Of course,” she answered. “As long as crew members aren’t directly working with each other or in the same chain of command, there would be no reason to forbid it entirely.”

“Even if it’s unprofessional?”

“A lieutenant from the armory courting an ensign linguist would not directly impact team performance,” she continued. She took in her findings and saved them. M-Class to the very core. The only unusual part of the planet was its bright pigmentation. “You have no reason to worry for Lieutenant Reed and Ensign Sato. Their relationship, if handled properly, will only impact their ability to serve on some away missions.”

“How would that work for you, then? With your guy?” Trip asked, setting up the equipment for a widespread inspection. He pulled out a tripod and set up a specially-designed device T’Pol had not yet had time to make inquiries about. It was fascinating to watch him work under these circumstances. 

“It will be no different than how it is now, Commander.” 

He hummed as he tapped several buttons on the device. “That’s all calibrated… Did I convince you not to pursue him or something?”

“You did not,” she told him honestly. “Our relationship would simply not be affected by the chain of command.”

“Even though you’re Archer’s first officer?”

“I’ve thought it all out, Commander. Do you doubt me and my abilities?”

Tucker shook his head. “’Course not, but I still think it’s…” He trailed off and made a face. “Besides, the only person who could be pretty unaffected is me.”

T’Pol didn’t say anything. 

“Or is this guy just so low on the chain of command that he barely exists?”

The Vulcan turned to the human. “I would suggest we stay on topic for the remainder of our survey mission.”

“Yes, ma’am!”

[deepspacedukat]

OH.

📸🖤