Star Trek Imagines (Reader-Inserts) Part Two

Ent. Trip Tucker - "You can't protect me forever."

"Just let me come with you," Trip all but begged as you loaded another cargo container into the shuttle pod. "The cap'n said I can go if you both agree to it."

You sighed heavily and looked at your boyfriend with a tired expression. "Trip, I'm sorry, but the mission doesn't require an engineer. It's just a survey mission of a planet. You'd get really bored, and you know it. T'Pol and I will be fine."

Trip frowned. "What if somethin' goes wrong? What if the shuttle hits an ion storm or the equipment malfunctions on the surface?"

You smiled softly. "T'Pol and I are well-adept at basic engineering, but I appreciate your concern."

"Still," he said, looking behind you at the shuttle, "I'd feel a heck of a lot better if I was there with you."

"You can't protect me forever, Trip," you said quietly, reaching up to touch his cheek gently.

Trip scoffed lightly. "What? I'm not tryin' to protect you, I just want to make sure the shuttle comes back in one piece."

You smiled and raised an eyebrow. "Trip, come on, I know you better than that."

He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Fine, I'm worried about you. I worry about you every damn time you leave the ship. With so many hostile aliens and unpredictable features of the planets around here, who knows what could happen to you out there?"

"I feel the same way when you leave the ship," you admitted.

"I just... I wish I could be there to ensure your safety," Trip said. He reached out and took your hand in his, giving it a small squeeze. "I don't know what I'd do if something happened to you."

You frowned. You hated knowing that he worried so much over you. You hated that you caused him so much stress. But what you hated more was that you knew exactly how he felt.

"It's a routine mission," you said, trying not to dwell on the thought of something bad happening to either one of you. "We'll be gone for less than a day, and we'll rendezvous with you before you know it."

"You sure I can't convince you let me tag along?" he asked. But he knew the answer.

You shook your head. "While I may enjoy your company, I think T'Pol would just find you distracting and in the way."

He sighed, though a faint smile played on his lips. "You're right. I know you're right." He laughed lightly. "Can't believe this. I'm practically throwing a fit because my girlfriend is going on an away mission without me. I know you can take care of yourself. I just can't help but worry. I'm sorry."

You smiled. "You don't have to apologize, Trip. I think it's kind of sweet. It shows that you really care about me. Besides, I'm pretty sure I've pulled this same stunt on numerous occasions."

Trip smiled back at you. "Well at least we're consistent."

You laughed softly and shook your head. "God, no offense, but being in a relationship with you is difficult sometimes."

Trip nodded, chuckling. "I know. The joys of Starfleet."

Being in a relationship with another Starfleet officer was definitely stressful to say the least. It was hard to get alone time, it was hard to not think of the other's safety 24/7, and it was difficult to be professional when all you wanted to do was show your affection and feelings for the other person. You both knew that your relationship wouldn't be easy, but you cared too much about each other to not give it a chance.

You looked over your shoulder into the shuttle. "I should get going. T'Pol's probably already regretting asking me to accompany her."

"She won't regret it once you get to the planet and you show her what a hard worker and intelligent officer you are," Trip said softly.

You smiled. "Thanks."

He kissed your cheek, lips lingering on the skin for a few moments. Then, he sighed, breath fanning your face. "Go before I change my mind and force my way onto the shuttle."

You laughed and kissed the corner of his lips. "I'll be back soon."

Trip nodded. "I'll be waiting."