A/N: This is based on Twisting the Hellmouths's Fic For All challenge. Unbetaed and shorter than I'd like it to be. Being a big fan of Echo I've tried to model after her minis – in other words, I've tried to make it short, understandable, and to the point. I hope I've succeeded.
Disclaimer: Buffy belongs to Joss Whedon. The rest belongs to Gene Roddenberry, Paramount Pictures, and so on…
Pairing: #645 of the ffa– Buffy/Captain Kirk
Summary: Buffy Summers is an ensign on the USS Enterprise, where she makes an impression on Captain James T. Kirk.
-.-.-
First Contact
by Waterfall
"Welcome aboard, ensign…"
"Summers, sir."
"Right."
Captain Kirk nodded briskly, looking closely at her.
"May I ask… why did you choose Security?"
"Why not?"
The look she sent him couldn't exactly be described as friendly, but he forged on.
"I mean… there aren't many women in that… kind of… profession."
Her look hardened.
"It's something I'm good at." She paused for a moment, considering. "Also, it seemed like the right thing to do. An abundance of men had very little to do with it." Another pause. "That didn't come out right."
Kirk couldn't help grinning.
"I understand."
As he left he could hear her talking to the Security Chief.
"I should probably mention that I have a problem with authority figures…"
-.-.-
Just another mission gone wrong, Buffy thought grumpily as she sidestepped an overeager, but aggressive alien. It tumbled to the ground, losing its firearm in the process.
"Hey Captain!" she called, kicking out at another one.
"Yes?"
The answer was strangled. Looking over she could see him struggling with another alien, wrestling for its weapon.
"Is this your normal way of celebrating Christmas?"
His voice was more than a little annoyed as he answered.
"No, we prefer to avoid these situations!"
"Too bad," she shot back, keeping the two aliens at bay with powerful blows. "Need any help?"
"Is she serious?" Doctor McCoy asked, stunning yet another alien.
"So it seems," Kirk told him, shoving his alien over to the perky ensign who immediately used it to knock out one of the others.
"Now this is more like it!" Buffy exclaimed, remembering battles fought long ago, her friends by her side. "Can we do it again soon? Please?"
Captain Kirk groaned.
-.-.-
On a ship the size of the Enterprise there was more than one Christmas party taking place on Christmas Eve. The celebration had little to do with religion and more with the joy of spending time with one's friends, something that suited Buffy well.
"Vat took you so long?" Pavel Chekov asked her as she sat down beside him.
"Girl stuff."
"Oh?"
She laughed at the eager look in his face. In many ways he reminded her of Xander; kind, dependable and with a slightly weird sense of humour.
"Pervert."
His retort died in his mouth as he stiffened, looking at something across the floor. Or rather someone – the alluring Nurse Fulsom, who was currently walking towards their table.
"That's my sign to leave," Buffy smiled. "I'll go get myself a drink – enjoy!"
"Uh-uh," was the only answer she got.
Still smiling she made her way to the punch bowl.
"What is so funny?"
Her smile grew even bigger as she answered the Captain.
"Chekov and Fulsom. I don't think she likes me much."
"I can't imagine why," he commented, leaning closer. "I find you very… likable."
"You shouldn't say that."
"Oh?"
Chuckling, she raised her glass at him.
"You have to get to know me first."