The BLTS Archive - Love Unbroken
by Bether (Bether6074@aol.com)

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Published: 01-03-07

Updated: 01-03-07

Disclaimer: Paramount owns /Enterprise/.

This little scene takes place right at the very end of
Terra Prime.

A/N: If you don't like angst and sentiment, you might want to skip
this teeny fic. I wrote it with the idea in mind that TATV doesn't
exist. I also wrote this with no dialogue, which was an idea I got
from someone on the boards. Thanks to 2Distracted for her beta-ing
help.

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Trip felt T'Pol gently squeeze his leg. Instinctively, he reached out
and pressed his hand to hers. The chain of the IDIC necklace slid
through his fingers and fell silently down on to his thigh. Being so
light-weight, it was barely perceptible as it lay across his leg.
Small, yet still quite significant. . .

Beneath the tips of his fingers, Trip felt the circular metal object
as it lay up against the Vulcan's palm. He clutched her hand tightly
and they both gripped the necklace with their handhold. It rested
firmly but evenly between their palms.

From the moment T'Pol had first hung the IDIC necklace on the side of
their baby daughter's crib, Trip had understood. Perhaps he'd sensed
it through the bond or maybe he'd just /known/ that for T'Pol, it was
a gesture of acceptance.

Acceptance of him . . .  and perhaps a hope for what /might/ be.

Trip closed his eyes, his human tears still flowing freely down his
already dampened cheeks. He loosened his grip on T'Pol's hand enough
to feel the shape of the jewelry. It was designed with two entirely
different geometric shapes --  circle and a triangle. Soft, rounded
curves. Sharp pointed lines. One gold and one silver. The two shapes
came together near the bottom and joined as one at the very top of the
triangle. There in the center where circle and triangle met, was a
small, round jewel. Its garnet color was striking compared to the
subtlety of the shades surrounding it. The best of both worlds. . .

At that moment, and in the sharing of that thought with T'Pol, Trip
eased his clutch from her hand and fell into her arms. He felt her
body shift with uncertainty at first, but then all tension seemed to
ease. She apparently knew this was what he, as a human, needed and now
she seemed willing to give it to him.

Moments later, Trip wasn't entirely sure how it had happened, but he
and T'Pol lay on the bed together, their fully-clothed bodies wrapped
in a tight embrace. Neither Vulcan nor Human uttered a word. There was
no need.

Their means of expression may have differed, but they shared the pain
of this loss together. They shared a love for this innocent child that
belonged to them and always would. Trip drew strength from T'Pol and
sensed that somehow she was gaining her own from him.

The hours slipped away and day turned to night. Vulcan and Human
remained together, almost unmoving on the bed. Trip felt at peace in
T'Pol's arms, both comforted and awed by her presence. He knew such
contact was not typical Vulcan behavior. But this wasn't a typical
moment. . .  and it wasn't a typical relationship. Both he and she
would have to make adjustments to find a balance between their
cultures.

Trip closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

Several hours passed. T'Pol lay asleep beside Trip, her body wrapped
neatly beneath the covers and her head pressing down into her half of
the pillow. She still hadn't let go of the IDIC necklace.

IDIC: Infinite diversity in infinite combinations. Understanding the
differences and celebrating them. Gaining from the challenge of
knowing, of believing and of accepting.

Even while asleep, the Vulcan still clutched this hope in her hands.
It was a hope that neither of them was willing to relinquish, even in
the face of the tragedy that had befallen them.

Trip awakened, opening his eyes mere inches from T'Pol's face, and
watched with awe as she slept. He felt the warmth of her body as she
lay serenely against him in their embrace. Though both of her arms
were around him, Trip was only able to hug back with one. His injured
arm remained motionless, resting against his abdomen.

Trip placed a finger to the back of the Vulcan's neck and gently
caressed her skin. Smooth. Soft. Delicate. He moved his hand downward
along her back and squeezed gently, gathering her in.

He put his face up against the side of T'Pol's cheek and nuzzled her
contentedly. An errant strand of hair fell down onto her head, its
blonde hue a stark contrast to the russet of hers. Light, coarse and
wavy. Dark, fine and straight. Their faces touched. Ivory to pale
green.

Trip lifted a hand to T'Pol's ear and gently traced its pointed curve
with a deft touch. The Vulcan stirred and opened her eyes. She looked
back at him silently, making no attempt to free herself from his
embrace. She raised her hand to his, with a faint glow in her eyes
only he would recognize, and carefully turned his hand over. Trip was
momentarily confused until he felt the warm metal chain fall on his
skin. He gazed down at the symbol of their union as it rested in his
palm.

Trip looked back up at T'Pol.

He knew.

Pale blue to dark hazel.

He believed.

He clenched his fingers around the necklace and held it firmly in his
hand, smiling softly back at the Vulcan.

He accepted.

No one could steal their hope. Not now. Not ever.

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The End