Unrequited (Trip x OC)

Twenty

The birthday gifts from the crew came gradually over the next week. A new dress from Hoshi. A new book from T'Pol. My own equipment from Phlox.

I waited impatiently for the big present, eager to set foot on solid ground. I missed grass and dirt, no matter how fascinating space was. Phlox had some plants, herbs and things that may be useful, but that could never substitute for the feeling of grass beneath your feet and the knowledge that you're standing on solid ground.

Finally, after what seemed like a lifetime of waiting, the day came for us to visit the planet Trip had picked out.

According to what Trip told me, there had been several candidates for the planet we would visit. My father felt that the entire crew could use a break, which was how he justified making the stop.

I was just packing my things to head down to the surface when there was a knock on my door.

"Come in!" I called, tossing a few books into my bag. I wanted to be able to just sit in the sun, on a nice blanket, and read. I had two new books in my pile, but I also had Pride and Prejudice, which I would most likely end up re-reading for the billionth time.

The door opened and I turned to see Trip standing there. "Hey! Shouldn't you be getting ready? We're supposed to meet at the transporter in..."

I trailed off when I saw the look on his face. "What? What is it, Trip?"

Trip had a concerned look on his face, "We detected some life signs on the planet."

"Oh," I grinned. "Why the long face? That's exciting, we go down to the surface, meet some new friends--"

"Your father wants you to stay here," Trip grimaced as he told me.

"What?!" I dropped the sundress and bathing suit I had been holding. "He can't do that!"

I headed for the door and he moved to stand in my way.

"Now, hold on, just listen to me for a second," he insisted with his palms held out towards me.

"Charles Tucker, move. I want to talk to him," I tried to push past him, but he grabbed my arm.

"Emily, just listen to me. We detected two different species down there."

"So? What does that have to do with anything?" I stared up at him, undeterred.

"Well, we found multiple alien lifeforms, but there were also... humans."

I looked at him in disbelief. "Humans? All the way out here?"

"Yeah, from what we can tell, their technology is pretty much exactly like our Old West technology. Gunpowder, revolvers, all that jazz."

"But if they don't have warp technology, how did they get here?" I furrowed my brow.

"Don't know, that's why we're going down there to check it out," he leaned against the doorway.

"Good, let's go," I walked past him, escaping into the hallway.

"Hey, wait!" he followed after me, grabbing at my wrist, but I swung it forward before he could grab me.

"What are you so afraid of, Charles?"

"I thought we agreed you'd stop calling me that," he looked away from me. "Look, Emily, just get back to your room. We can handle this."

I smirked at him. "That's no fun. What's the deal? I'm just gonna talk to my dad. You afraid I'll yell at him, make a scene, and he won't let me go?"