Title: Sex Pollen


"I can't believe you're a Star Trek fan." Mary rolled her eyes.

"I am. Star Trek, the original series, is more than just a vehicle for actors, it is the first television series to have an interracial kiss! The original pilot episode went even beyond that, with the second in command being a woman. There's absolutely nothing wrong with being a fan of Star Trek." Marshall leaned back in his chair, lacing his fingers over his stomach. "Is there, Eleanor?"

She stopped in midstep, looking back at them over her shoulder. Turning slowly, she said, "You know, when I was a little girl, I had the biggest crush on - "

"The one who looked like he'd auditioned for the Monkees!" Mary said.

Eleanor fixed her with a withering stare. "Actually, I was going to say Dr. McCoy. I know he wasn't the most attractive crew member, but really," and Marshall was pretty sure he could see the teenage Eleanor right then, or maybe pre-teen Eleanor, with the wistful smile. He thought she probably had braces, and didn't realize how cute she was, "I was a sucker for his laconic attitude."

"Laconic," Marshall said, pointing at her and grinning.

"Whatever," Mary grunted, shoving her chair back and walking toward the door "I've got real work to do."

Marshall followed her out into the Albuquerque sunlight. He squinted, picking out Mary's silhouette, asking it, "So, what sort of problem do you have with Star Trek?"

"You mean, besides the 'the future's so bright, I gotta wear shades' attitude?" Mary snorted.

"There's something wrong with a hopeful future?"

Mary slapped the roof of the Probe. "There's something wrong with sex pollen."

Marshall's eyebrows reached for his hairline. "Sex pollen?"

"I never said I didn't watch an episode or two!"

"You would watch that episode."

"Hell, it's better than the one where Spock's brain got kidnapped by those women." Unlocking the door, Mary climbed into the Probe, leaned over, and unlocked the door for Marshall.

"You know," he said, folding himself into the passenger's seat, "only fans watch 'Spock's Brain'."

"I'm not a fan."

Marshall sneered at her. "What's the 'T' in James T. Kirk stand for?"

"How should I know, Marshall?"

"Say it."

Mary narrowed her eyes and pursed her mouth at him. "I don't know."

He made a buzzer noise. "You know what it is, you just don't want to blow that ice cool exterior. I already know you're a big bundle of nettles inside."

"Nettles? Seriously?" She pumped the gas pedal and tried to turn the engine over. The Probe whined in protest, then sputtered to a start.

"I thought nettles might flow with the sex pollen?" At Mary's glower, Marshall spread his hands. "Too much?"

"Way too much, Tiberius."