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Shore Leave	By : merimom Category: Star Trek > Enterprise Views: 4053 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Star Trek: Enterprise, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 1
- 2
- 3
See Chapter 1 for disclaimers, etc.

Title: Shore Leave

Author: Ginny Powell

Chapter 2

The first third of the presentation was a blur for Trip. He was glad for the darkness of the theater, that he didn�t have to feel like an idiot in front of a bunch of other people in broad daylight. He went back over their conversation, looking for clues. Had she been teasing him, then, realizing he didn�t recognize her? And he�d so hoped that twinkle in her eye had meant something else. Well, at least we didn�t exchange names, so she doesn�t know who that clueless guy was at the buffet. Thus slightly mollified, Trip had just begun to actually pay attention to what Dr. Gamble was saying, when she mentioned the Enterprise. Before he knew what was happening, she was looking right at him.
�In fact, Commander Charles Tucker, the Chief Engineer on Enterprise, is here today,� she was saying, gesturing to where he sat. Several audience members turned in their seats to stare at him, and Trip barely managed a smile and a weak wave. Apparently it wasn�t as dark as he�d thought. �I�d like to personally thank you, Commander,� Dr. Gamble went on. �Your reports, and the data you sent back on the performance of the Enterprise warp reactor have been invaluable in my research.� She smiled at him, and Trip had to fight the urge to sink down in his chair. Instead, he nodded in acknowledgement, and was relieved when her gaze swept the whole audience again. �In fact, on this slide you can see some of the data��
She went on, but Trip wasn�t paying attention, again. So she did know who that clueless guy was. Must have recognized me from all the hoopla about Enterprise, Trip surmised. Damn. Now sneaking out of the meeting before it ended wasn�t an option. He�d have to stick around, and even smile and shake hands with a bunch of geeks. Great. As soon at that was over, he planned to head straight back to Enterprise and bury his head in his work again, and the Captain�s ideas about him having fun be damned.
The talk went on and on. Eventually, Trip�s heart rate slowed and he managed to forget enough of his worries to pay attention. To his surprise, Dr. Gamble�s ideas were very interesting, even revolutionary. She and her colleagues had made some great advances since Enterprise�s maiden voyage. He began to plan how he could incorporate some of the new ideas into the engineering of the ship, and was still engaged in thought when the lights went up. Startled, he joined in the applause, then jumped up to try and make a quick exit. But the aisle was full of people and, as he�d feared, many of them wanted to shake his hand. He�d made little progress towards the exit when he felt a warm hand on his arm, and looked down to see Dr. Gamble smiling up at him.
�What do you say we get out of here, get some coffee or something?� she whispered very near his ear. Trip, who had been able to look at her without being affected when she was up on stage, now found all the feelings he�d first had for her rushing back when she was so close, her breath warm on his neck, her chest pressed up against his arm, her� Well, let�s just say it never occurred to him to say no.
�Sure, wherever you want.� Her hand slid down his arm until he felt her fingers intertwine with his. Then she was pulling him through the press of bodies, and before he knew it, they were stepping into the sunlight.
To his disappointment, she promptly released his hand.
�I know a little caf� around the corner,� she pointed.
�Lead on.�
They walked the short distance in silence. Trip found himself unable to think of anything stunningly original to say, so bided his time. When they arrived, they took a small table on the sidewalk. Trip held out the chair for his companion.
�Why thank you, Commander,� Dr. Gamble said, looking truly surprised and grateful.
�You�re welcome, Dr. Gamble,� Trip answered as he took his own seat, feeling a bit more at ease with her smile turned on him. �But please, call me Trip.�
�All right�Trip. If you will call me Charlie.�
�Ooh, that�s a tough one. Charlie�s my Grandpa�s name.�
Dr. Gamble looked confused. �I thought perhaps it was your name.�
�Naw, see, Grandpa was the original Charles Tucker, and he went by Charlie. Then Daddy was Charles, Jr., so he went by Skipper. And I�m the third, so I go by Trip.�
Dr. Gamble arched a brow. �Why would someone name their child after themselves, only to have the child not use that name?�
Trip had a moment of d�j� vu in which he thought he was speaking to T�Pol, but he shook it off.
�Beats me,� he shrugged. �Though you can bet there won�t ever be a Charles Tucker the fourth. I mean, if I ever have kids, or get married, or��
Luckily, the waiter chose that moment to appear.
�What can I get for you folks?� he asked. Trip glanced chivalrously at Charlie.
�A strawberry-banana smoothie, please,� she said.
The waiter dutifully scribbled on his pad. �And you, sir?�
�Got any pie?� Trip asked hopefully. His five minute lunch had really not been enough.
�We are known for our pies, sir. Today�s specials include pecan, ap-�
�Sold!� Trip interrupted. �Pecan pie. An� a glass o� milk, please.�
As the waiter wandered off, Trip turned back to Charlie. She leaned forward expectantly and, Trip thought, quite fetchingly.
�Uh, Doc- I mean Charlie, I want to apologize,� Trip began. �I�m sorry I didn�t recognize you. I thought you were a guy. I mean, once I saw you I never- I just thought since-� Aw, shoot, he was getting flustered again.
�Happens all the time,� Charlie said dismissively. �And how could you have recognized me, when I hardly ever let my picture be taken, much less appear in public? I hate the lecture circuit. I�d much rather be back in my lab, with my work. I wouldn�t be here, except this seminar was part of my contract with Starfleet.�
�But you�re so good at it,� Trip protested. At least, the part he�d paid attention to, she�d seemed a very good speaker.
�Thank you,� she said sincerely, rewarding him with another smile. �I suppose the actual speaking part isn�t so bad. But the whole meet-and-greet afterwards, the shaking of hands, the fake smiles � that I could definitely do without.�
�I�m with ya there.�
�And what about you? How have you handled your sudden rise to fame?�
Trip looked a bit taken aback. �I wasn�t aware I had risen to fame. Far as I know, you�re the only person to recognize me.�
�Oh.� Charlie looked down, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. �Well, I suppose I have rather a personal interest.� Trip felt his heart speed up again, until she added, �I mean, having followed your reports, integrated them with my research.�
�Oh. Of course.�
�One smoothie!� the waiter suddenly cut in, ing ing said drink in front of Charlie, before announcing Trip�s snack and placing it on the table as well. Then he trundled off, leaving a somewhat uncomfortable couple to sip at their drinks.
�So,� Charlie finally broke the silence. �How long are you here on shore leave?�
�Well, Enterprise�ll be docked upstairs for four more days, assumin� we can finish everything by then.� He was getting the urge to be back to work on it himself.
�And will you be staying planetside the entire time?�
�Ah, no, I�m plannin� on headin� back up this afternoon.�
�Really?� There was a new note of excitement in Charlie�s voice that made Trip look up from his pie. �I hope you don�t think it rude of me, but could I impose on you for a tour? I�ve been trying to go through official channels, but I haven�t heard back, and I�d hate to miss such an opportunity. I didn�t have clearance before you left the first time, but now-�
�O� course,� Trip responded immediately. �I�d be happy to show you around. And I�m sure getting� a look at the real thing could only help your research.�
�Oh, yes, my research. Quite.�
Charlie�s smile was almost giddy, and Trip couldn�t help but respond to it. Looking down, he noticed she had emptied her drink. With one last bite of his pie, he pushed his chair back. �Shall we?�
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