“Be well,” Dena instructed as she gave them both a quick hug. T’Pol froze in surprise and discomfort at the blatant physical invasion of her personal space but just managed to not flinch or recoil. She backed away from further contact and, without hesitation, Trip stepped forward to run interference. He smiled and shook hands and accepted back-slapping hugs, all the while slowly backing toward the T’Muna-Doth. At the open hatch, he paused and offered a wave to the assembled Zeons gathered around the Launchpad. Their applause was deafening.
“Finally,” he murmured as he stepped onto the ship and pressed the button that sealed the hatch. T’Pol was already halfway for the ladder leading to the command deck, so Trip made a beeline to the reactor room where he spent several long moments re-che
