The Rose

Summary: A bit of earthy TnT fun. By any other name a rose is a rose, or is it?

Disclaimer: Star Trek: Enterprise and its characters are copyright CBS/Paramount. No copyright infringement is intended by the author of this story, which is solely for the purpose of entertainment and is not for profit.

___________________________________________________________

Trip and T'Pol were leaving Washington State heading toward Oregon. "It appears to rain incessantly," said T'Pol.

"Yup," replied Trip. "The climate on the Olympic Peninsula still supports a rain forest. It's been there for thousands of years."

"Where are we going?" asked T'Pol.

"Portland, the City of Roses," answered Trip.

"City of Roses?" said T'Pol.

"Been famous for its rose gardens for centuries," replied Trip. "I was asked to look up someone there."

"Who?" asked T'Pol.

"A botanist who develops roses," answered Trip.

T'Pol looked at Trip but said nothing.

They entered Portland. With a little map searching and asking passersby for directions they found what Trip was looking for. They entered what seemed to be a garden. Greenhouses were everywhere. Empty pots were stacked against walls. A disheveled man approached the couple. Trip stepped forward and said, "I am Commander Charles Tucker Chief Engineer of the Starship Enterprise." He turned indicating T'Pol, "and this is my wife, T'Pol Tucker."

"I'm Ernie."

"Ernie?" said Trip.

"Yep, just Ernie. What can I do for you?"

"I was told that you had many different varieties of roses and that we should stop in to see them," said Trip.

"That's true," replied Ernie. "I have blue, green," he hesitated, "almost any color you can imagine."

"Any color?" asked Trip.

"Yes, an associate even developed a brown rose." He smiled, "It was so God-awful the plants and the seeds were completely destroyed. Lousy color. We never have been able to develop a true black rose. They are like a mule. You know... sterile. The plant doesn't produce seeds and cuttings from it won't take on another plant. First person who does figure it out will be rich."

"What about blue?" interjected T'Pol. "Perhaps the color of his eyes?" She looked at Trip.

Ernie held up some sort of light meter to Trip's eyes. "Interesting color, I don't believe I have anything like it."

"Tucker blue," grinned Trip.

"I suppose I could come up with one," said Ernie.

"Do you use genetic equipment to speed through generations of roses in a few days?" asked Trip.

"Nope," replied Ernie.

"No? Why not?" asked Trip, curious.

"Takes all of the fun out of it," replied Ernie "We like to cross-breed them individually. Take the time to nurture each try. We learn with each attempt. It's far more satisfying."

"Understandable," said T'Pol.

Ernie was gazing keenly at T'Pol, "Are you a Vulcan?"

"Yes," replied T'Pol, blushing a delicate green.

"You're the first Vulcan I've ever met in real life. Only seen photos before," said Ernie.

"What color is a true rose?" asked T'Pol. "You have so many different shades represented here."

"Rose," replied Ernie.

"Yes," said T'Pol, "but what color?"

"Rose," said Ernie again.

"Rose is a color," explained Trip.

"Oh, excuse me... What color is that?" said T'Pol.

"Ernie and Trip both laughed, "Rose," they said in unison.

"It's hard to describe," said Ernie.

Trip changed the subject because T'Pol was starting to look very confused. "Where did the rose originate?"

"Turkey," replied Ernie "There are some species of wild roses, but they aren't true roses. They're just called roses."

"Could you show us some interesting species?" asked Trip.

"Certainly, we have many. One of my favorites features a petal that is bright white except for its very rim, which is red. Beautiful rose." Ernie's face took on a relaxed, thoughtful smile. "Tell you what. Why don't you wander around and look at our roses? Go through to the greenhouses. If you will excuse me, I have some things in development that need my attention." said Ernie.

"Thank you," said Trip.

Trip and T'Pol wandered through the various outbuildings amazed. The diverse assortment of roses was breathtaking, each more beautiful than the last. They said their good byes and departed.

Several weeks later they heard a knock on the door of their home back in Arizona. Trip answered it automatically, guessing he had become the proper Vulcan husband after all. "Special delivery for you," said a man standing holding two covered pots and a card. Trip took them, thanked the man and closed the door.

"Who was that?" asked T'Pol.

"Special delivery," answered Trip.

"Who is it from?" asked T'Pol.

Trip opened the card. It read Ernie's Garden, Portland, Oregon with a hand written note, To the Tuckers, from Ernie. "Let's take a look," said Trip, carefully pulling off the pot's covers. The peeled back foil revealed two rose bushes with one bloom each. The first flower was a solid blue rose, the second a light bronze one.

T'Pol took the pot with the blue blossom from Trip's hand. "Tucker Blue," she read on the attached card. She held the rose up to Trip's eyes. "The color of the rose matches your eyes," she said. "It is Tucker Blue."

Trip examined the flower still in his hands. It was light bronze. When Trip turned the pot, a light green sheen could be seen. The tops of the petals had been fluted so that they resembled Vulcan ears. Trip read the card on the pot, Vulcan T'Pol. "Yup, that is an apt name for it," remarked Trip smiling.

There was a small package attached to the bottom of the planter containing Tucker Blue. T'Pol opened it. It contained a small, thin book and a note from Ernie.

This manual will show you how to keep these roses healthy for years to come. Try to collect the seeds and perhaps a cutting from them. I hope you like the names I gave them. If you are ever in Portland, please come by to see me. As ever, Ernie.

T'Pol thought to herself how the little things these humans did brought her such joy, and decided that a thank you note was certainly in order.

Finis