N.B.: “Oasis” scene revamp. T’Pol’s little jealous fit in this episode always rather bugged me, and after reading a couple of other T/R slashfics that commented on Malcolm’s feelings about Trip’s flirtation my muse leaned over and whispered in my ear, “What if...” ~RB
“It is simply that the last time you found someone this ‘competent’ you ended up carrying her child.”
“You’re never gonna let me forget that, are you?” Trip glared at T’Pol over the alien console.
“I am attempting to see to it that you learn from your past mistakes.”
“You know, if I didn’t know better, I’d say you were jealous.”
“But you do ‘know better,’ Commander, and it is not my jealousy you need to guard against, in any event.”
Trip looked at her sceptically. She couldn’t possibly mean... No, we’ve been discreet. She must mean something else. “Say what?”
T’Pol returned his gaze coolly and replied, “I am aware, Commander, of your relationship with Lieutenant Reed.”
“Wh-what? How?” Trip spluttered. “How did you find out?”
“The change in behaviour has been most notable in Mister Reed, but you have both been more relaxed and more efficient lately. The lieutenant, in particular, has seemed ... happier.”
“And that lead you to the conclusion that we were seeing each other?” said Trip, incredulous.
“No. I overheard the two of you ... making a date a week ago in Engineering.”
“Oh. I guess we weren’t quite as discreet as I thought, huh?”
“You have been remarkably discreet, Commander. It was only the one isolated incident that ... gave you away. Mister Reed’s protests that you were mussing his uniform caught my attention, but I doubt that anyone other than Ensign Sato or myself has keen enough hearing to have overheard.”
“Oh. Good. Um, T’Pol, I’d appreciate it if you’d keep this to yourself. We’d rather no one know, includin’ the captain.”
“Of course, Commander.”
Trip and Lianna watched the Vulcan woman leave. When she was out of sight, Lianna turned to Trip and asked, “What did she mean by that?”
“Oh, uh, T’Pol was j’st remindin’ me to watch where I stick my fingers.”
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Before more could be said, the girl, Lianna, appeared with an offering of lunch. T’Pol chose to decline and absented herself with an excuse of other work she needed to do. On her way out, she paused and said, “Commander, please consider what I said earlier. It would be unfortunate should someone get hurt.”
