Captain James T. Kirk stood right near the food dispenser in the rec room and examined some drink cards. The dinner was great, but he wanted something to wash it down with. He looked for an appropriate drink, because he was bored with the usual tea and coffee. His eyes noticed a new card in his hands.

Hmmm…this looked interesting. "Love Potion for James Kirk, by Helen Noel". It seemed that in their spare time his subordinates could invent anything. He figured that if it didn't hurt anybody, why not? He smiled. "Let's test this so-called love potion" He muttered to himself. He put the card in the food dispenser, and it began to produce this unknown elixir.

After it had materialized, Kirk took it out of the slot and took a swig. It surely was a great drink, and had the taste the usual "poisons" never had. It was delicious, and it really refreshed! But the contents weren't infinite, and the "potion" went quickly. Kirk put the empty glass back on the tray to the dispenser and went away, smirking about the "magical" drink.

On his way to the bridge he recalled Helen's description. She was a beautiful woman, and a great professional. He recalled her smile, her lovely chestnut brown hair, her dark hazel eyes. Damn, she was so hot! She was not like other women in his life. This girl was full of charm, and Kirk decided her charms shouldn't be wasted. He decided that her smiles were for him. And James Kirk felt that he was in love with Helen Noel. He changed his path to Helen's cabin to reveal his love for her.

At the cabin's door Kirk pushed her door buzzer. He heard: "Enter!" and complied. Helen was seated on her couch and reading, of all things, a comic book. He grinned. It was a rare woman who liked comic books! She raised her head and greeted the captain gamely. He responded, to her surprise, by kissing her. When his lips parted from hers, she moaned: "Wow!"

To avoid any unnecessary words, Kirk began his speech:

— Dear Helen, I love you, I love you deeply. I love you like nobody else can. I think you're a goddess, Helen. Will you marry me, my dear princess?

Helen Noel didn't hesitate with an answer.

— Yes, Jim.

He laughed: "I,… I am so glad! You made me the happiest person to ever walk the Earth! Not the Earth but the entire Federation!"

Helen put her hand over his mouth to stop these strange words.

— Have you drunk something, Captain?

— Yes, Helen, I have. I have drunk your love potion.

When Helen heard this, she laughed, laughed louder and happier than he.

— I didn't expect it to work. But it works! It works!

Kirk raised his brows:

— What do you mean, Helen?

—I hope you won't be angry with me, Jim. I have taken an ordinary guarana card and labeled it as "love potion". But there is no love potion, believe me!

Kirk stopped laughing:

— You mean that it was just the guarana drink? And it had no magical influence? That I have fallen in love with you just by myself?

— Yes, it was just the power of suggestion, Captain. It was a scientific experiment. — Answered Helen humbly, with a blush.

Kirk gazed at her, and she couldn't understand his thought processes. Suddenly he leaned over, put his arms around her slender waist, and kissed her like he never kissed her before. While touching his lips Helen thought with astonishment: was it just the power of suggestion? Or was it yet another food dispenser malfunction?