A/N OK, so for all of you who know nothing about American college football, or have never been to Texas, this note is for you. Texas A&M (Aggies) and the University of Texas (Longhorns) are rival Texas teams whose fans tend to be extremely loyal. As a Longhorn, let me give you an example of the level of fanatacism. My cousin: "There's this guy at church I like, he's so awesome...(rambles about the merits of her latest crush)" My aunt: "Lizzy, that boy is an Aggie." My cousin: "Oh." And that was that. One more thing, best not to enquire about my domino fixation. I've always loved dominoes and I thought it would be cute to see Spock play. If you don't get it, that's OK. Oh, and forgive my mangling of Scotty's accent. And if everyone sounds a little Southern, well, I didn't mean to.
Margaret was also unfailingly supportive. When Spock decided at the age of nineteen to join Starfleet, Margaret offered to write him a letter of recommendation. She told him, "When you're a Starfleet hotshot and I'm a middle-aged, second-rate engineer, I expect you to return the favor." Although Spock did not think that Margie could ever be second-rate, he knew that should she ever require it, he would not hesitate to give her any aid within his power to give.
"Captain, we are in earnest need of more engineering personnel," Scotty told Kirk.
"I know Scotty. I just, I can't believe they're gone." Another mission gone terribly awry…. They'd lost two engineering personnel, including Scott's second in command.
"Well, I surely need a new second, sir, although I can wait on replacing Ensign Dunnero. And I don't think anyone in my department is ready for anythin' more than a temporary promotion."
"I know you're too busy to be looking for a second. I'll have Spock on it."
"Thank you, sir. I appreciate it."
"Spock, I need you to be looking for a new second in engineering. Scotty's preoccupied with engine trouble."
"Understood, Sir. Did Mr. Scott have any specifications as to the choice?"
"Not to my knowledge. If you need to, you can ask him about it."
Margie immediately came into Spock's mind. She'd recently sent him a letter.
Dear Spock, I'm thinking about a transfer. Or better yet, retirement. Now before I totally confuse you, I need to let you know that there are some things that I haven't kept you apprised of. One of the engineering staff has been harassing me. I reported him, and he's toned it down quite a bit, but it's still there. I no longer enjoy my job; I'm just trying to avoid him. I know I'm pretty, but I'm thirty-nine years old, fer crying out loud. I thought women were too old to worry about being sexually harassed by thirty-five. It's the hair, isn't it? Who can resist red hair? Or maybe it's my legs. I really need to replace my mini-skirt uniform to shirt and pants. I shouldn't have to deal with this. I miss just breathing in, feeling the rumble of the engines beneath my feet… Well, that's how I'm doin'. How about you? Is that McCoy guy still givin' you flack? I'm sure he doesn't say the things he says out of genuine ill-will. It's probably a mixture of intimidation, frustration, and camaraderie. I mean, who could actually dislike you? Anyways, I'm sending a transfer request to Starfleet Command. In fact, I think I'll do that right now. Your sister, Margie
"Captain, I have a candidate for the position in engineering."
"Good. Let me see his file before you send Mr. Scott the information." Spock handed him a PADD. "Let's see… Margaret Elise Reinhold. Thirty-nine years old…. Thirty-nine years old! She doesn't look a day over thirty!"
"Captain, I hardly consider that a pertinent observation."
"You're right, Spock." the captain grinned wickedly, "That was definitely an impertinent comment on my part." Spock was beginning to wonder if Margie would be better off where she was. "Fifteen years' experience, all the certs anyone could ask for, several commendations, and a pretty face to boot! Far as I'm concerned, the position's hers. See what Mr. Scott thinks."
And so it was that a month later, Margie was standing on the transporter pad of the USS Enterprise.
"Hello, Miss Reinhold, I'm Captain Kirk. Let me introduce you to your commanding officer, Mr. Scott."
"Thank you, Captain, I'm much obliged. Mr. Scott," she acknowledged, extending her hand, "it's a pleasure to meet you. I've heard great things about you and your crew."
"The pleasure is all mine." Scotty replied, shaking her outstretched hand thoroughly. "And about the crew, lass, everythin ye've heard is absolutely true. And now ye're to be a part of it."
Margie was shown around the Enterprise, before leaving for her quarters. The captain invited her to a staff meeting/dinner thing that night, to become acquainted with the bridge crew. Margie unpacked her things and changed from her uniform shirt and slacks into something presentable for the dinner, which was supposed to be somewhat fancy. For a staff meeting. She then checked her comm unit to discover a message. From Spock. (!) "Margie, it is an honor to have you here. I wanted to greet you at the transporter pad, but other duties prevented me. I look forward to seeing you at the staff meeting. I must warn you about Captain Kirk. Although he is quite harmless, I believe he is what you would call a "cad." I realize that you are likely particularly sensitive to this sort of behavior. I have an unusual suggestion for you. The captain is a Texas A&M fanatic. Although he will always give you all the respect you deserve professionally, revealing that you are a fan of the University of Texas would deter him from forming a personal attachment to you. I suggest wearing the Longhorns necklace that I sent you for your thirty-second birthday. And should the subject of football come up, be sure to exaggerate the merits of the Longhorns players. I believe that this simple tactic will go a long way in insuring that the captain's and your relationship will remain nothing but professional." The man was brilliant! Margie had already noticed that the captain was flirtatious by nature, and she really didn't want to put up with that, however harmless it might be. She donned her white and orange Longhorns necklace, and changed into a white blouse and dark-wash jean skirt to match, and pulled her wavy red hair into a high pony tail. She thought she looked supremely Southern. The look was completed when she pulled on her red and brown embroidered boots. She was ready for dinner.
Leonard McCoy walked down the hall, all dressed up for the darn staff meeting that Jim had forced him to attend. He entered the dining room, and walked toward his chair…. His chair which was already occupied. By a woman. With wavy red hair. Leonard scowled and sat in the chair next to her. If her attendance at these meetings was going to be a regular thing, he'd have to set her straight. Everybody's seating at these things was so habitual, that there may as well have been assigned seating. Oh well. He was sitting in the hobgoblin's chair, which would be sure to tick him off and Leonard would earn one of those non-frowns Spock was famous for.
Spock sat across form Margaret, in Lieutenant Uhura's place. He smiled at Margie, something Doctor McCoy wouldn't fail to notice, but it was worth it.
Kirk took it upon himself to introduce Margie to everyone in the room. "And this is my first officer-"
"Miss Reinhold and I are acquainted, Captain."
"I see." Kirk wondered how many times he had been interrupted, today alone.
"It's a pleasure to see you, Spock," Margaret said.
"And you as well, Margie," they said in a tone meant only for each other. If anyone noticed Spock's slip in addressing her so familiarly on duty, they did not point it out.
"You didn't tell me you knew Miss Reinhold. How are the two of you acquainted?"
"Spock is a family friend. I even wrote him a recommendation when he signed on with Starfleet."
"Oh? Is that so, Mr. Spock?"
"Yes sir."
She knew the hobgoblin! She seemed to like him! How could a lady of her class have such poor taste? I mean, she was a proper Southern woman, well-bred, kind, with a proper interest in college football and a slight lilt in her voice, but not quite a drawl….In short, she portrayed most everything Leonard had learned to value in women. A steel magnolia, that one. So how….? She and Spock? Friends? Good ones, too, by the look of it. Either she saw something in Spock that he didn't, or else there was a quality about her that he wasn't aware of. Whatever the case, Leonard McCoy didn't like being in the dark. He was going to figure this out.
Thirty-nine. The universe was playing a cruel joke on him. He was attracted to a thirty-nine year old woman! He himself was only thirty-two. That wasn't even the worst of it. She was a Longhorns fan. A Longhorns fan! I mean, if a girl of his had never even heard of football, no sweat. If she hated the Aggies, no sweat. If she liked every other college team but the Aggies, no sweat. But a Longhorns fan! His uncle Charles had warned him about Longhorns fans. He'd married one, and after six years of marriage she'd left him and taken their infant daughter with her. Kirk may have grown up in Iowa, but his loyalty to Texas A&M was built on generations of family tradition. Yep, there was no doubt about it. That woman was trouble. And unfortunately for the captain, trouble had never looked so good.
Margie was startled out of her reverie by a beep from the doorway. "Y-yes, come in," she stammered, pulling a bathrobe about her to cover her short nightie. It was just Spock.
"We did not get the best opportunity to "catch up" earlier. I wonder, would you care to play a game of straight dominoes with me before retiring? Or are you exhausted from your long day?"
"No Spock, I'm not tired. You know the kind of hours I keep! I would love to play dominoes with you."
"I am pleased." Spock produced a set from behind his back, incidentally the set she had sent him for his ninth birthday, and they played until early in the morning.
Since her teen years, Margaret had had strange sleep disorders. She had difficulty sleeping, given the fact that she was often not tired until one or two in the morning. She would then fall into a light sleep, or heavy, depending on the day. However, she never suffered from exhaustion during the day, primarily because she used the hours from about ten at night to one in the morning doing sedentary activities. She would think, read, catch up on paperwork, watch a holovid, or try to fall asleep. This was her routine. And of course, Vulcans require less sleep than humans. So a couple times a week, either she would go to Spock's quarters or he would come to hers, and they would talk, play games, or watch movies, whatever they felt like really, until one o'clock in the morning. Then they'd return to their quarters and sleep. It was all perfectly innocent. But to curious eyes, the situation could definitely be taken the wrong way. Especially to one prone to making assumptions. Even more so to one prone to jealousy. And if the person was also actively studying their relationship, well, Dr. McCoy was bound to confront them about their behavior sooner or later.
