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T’pol was the first to finish her food. She got up and left. Trip would have said she was in a hurry if he didn’t know better. After that last statement from her, he wanted to get up and run out. He leans back in his chair and watches her walk out.
As soon as the coast is clear he snaps back around, “D’ya think she knows?”
Archer was struggling to hold back his laughter. “Somehow,” he pauses to catch his breath, “I doubt that if T’pol knew she’d be asking questions about our sex lives. That’s too roundabout for her.”
“Yeah,” Trip scoots his chair out. “suppose you’re right.”
“I know I am.” Archer gets up and takes Trip’s plates. He shrugs as he sets the plates in the sink.
Trip folds his arms over the table, making sure to keep his elbows hanging off the sides. He lays his head on top his arms. “Cap’n d’ya think it’d be a problem if she did find out?”
He hears the dishes clink as Archer drops them. Then feels eyes burning into the back of his head. “You want to tell her?” From the captain’s voice alone, Trip is able to perfectly imagine his face. That incredulous, almost amused look.
“I don’t know ‘bout that,” he presses his ear against his arm, looking over at Archer. Yep, there was that smile. “But she might figure it out on her own.”
Archer leans his head back. Arms crossed over his chest he looks down at Trip, and the engineer doesn’t miss all the shades in that smile. “You want to tell her.”
Everyone knows he’s got history with the vulcans. A grudge as long as space is vast. With good reason! After everything they did with the captain’s father’s engine. All the ways they tore him down, and criticized every little thing all humans workings towards warp five point two did.
Trip raises his arms, flexing out his hands. He places his elbow on the back of the chair, turned Archer’s way. “It might be best that she hears it from us. Maybe she’ll keep it to herself?”
“Do you really believe that?”
“Yes.” Trip tilts his head. “Maybe.” She hasn’t been extremely good about keeping ongoings on the ship to herself, but this is a private matter. It’s not the vulcans’ business. Which may be exactly why they’d want to know. So far they believed everything to be their business.
Trip hands his head in defeat. “Alright, maybe not.”
Archer uncross his arms and steps closer. “I understand why you want to let her know.” He looks at the spot where T’Pol had been sitting. “We’ve been working closely together for a while now, and the conversation we just had probably didn’t help your nerves.”
“If she finds out-”
“She’s not going to find out.” Archer pats Trip’s back. He leans in close, and as if daring luck itself, plants a kiss on the top of his head. “We’ve been careful.”
Trip scoffs. “If you call that just now careful.”
Archer pulls back but remains bent down to stay at eye level. “She’s gone, Trip. Lighten up.” He straightens up and returns to the dishes. “It’s going to be a long journey otherwise.”
Trip lets his head sink back onto his still-folded arms. With everything that’s already happened, it’s hard to imagine what else lies ahead. At keast they’re getting a break soon. “Beaches sound nice. You going for a swim on Risa, captain?”
Laughter fills the small space. “You wish.”
Yeah. Yeah he does.