Disclaimer: I don't not own Star Trek Enterprise or any of it's characters. Do you THINK I would be here If I did?! So I do not in any way shape or form own any of the plot or the characters. They belong to whoever owns 'em. I just took the general idea for a test jaunt. So, don't sue me...not that it would be beneficial, as I am a poor college university, yadda yadda yadda. I only own L'Ras, Ambassador Soval's aide. Otherwise, I unfortunately own no one or nothing. However I would definitely be interested in a time-share of Soval and Reed! HA!
Authors Note: This story revolves around Ambassador Soval and Corporal Amanda Cole (MACCO). I read a story with this pairing on the Internet some time ago, and having finally seen the entire series, I did some pondering and thought this pairing possibility had a lot of potential.
Please read and review. I am excited to see what you all think. I am open to comments, advice, and constructive criticism.
Authors Note #2: For those of you who are interested, I wrote another Soval-centered story before I began this one. It is a short piece called: "Chaotic Harmony" - If you are interested, I'd love your opinion on it!
When Polar Opposites Collide – Plots at 30,000 feet & A Glancing Blow
It wasn't until they left the surface that she began to get a bad feeling. She couldn't quite explain it, but that niggling, sub-conscious feeling she had gotten during combat many times before was simmering in her brain, demanding her attention. It was the kind of feeling that makes you turn around just in time to duck as the snipers bullet fires. The kind you just don't ignore.
However, she stayed true to her training and let none of her discomfort show, outwardly her face was as expressionless as the two Vulcan's sitting on either side of her. Silent and still as the transport skimmed along the skyline. The curt pilot had finally informed them of their destination as they had climbed aboard.
The location she had relayed had been set for a remote area in the Cascade mountains. She recalled from her own training days that the Henderson Alpha site was renown for their unique Deep Forest survival training. She had wondered even after take off why they would have a diplomatic seminar at a remote mountain training area, even one in which required such heavy security measures. Besides...it was the off-season no one would even be stationed there. However when she had questioned this, her concern only evoked a sneer from the pilot and a clipped statement about Star Fleet personnel never questioned orders.
She had noticeably stiffened at her implied insult and had been about to reply when she felt a broad hand press gently into the small of her back. She turned slightly and Soval only blinked back at her, the message however was clear, the argument was not worth it. It was strange thought, it was as though he had instinctively sensed her feelings...maybe she should work on concealing her body language better, she thought idly.
So much for her vacation away from daring secret missions and Vulcan ambassadors. She thought amicably, unable to hold back a small smile as she thought about how much had changed in only a few days. She had gone from trying to get as far away from Soval as she could get, to being caught in barely enough clothing to cover her more noticeable attributes, and even coming within a hairs breadth of taking that calm and collected Vulcan and kissing him senseless!
'Yes, somethings wrong here...' She affirmed as she looked around the small transport. 'But what!?' She questioned herself, her frustration and unease growing. She let her fingers drum faintly over the phase rifle in her arms, listening to sound the pads of her combat gloves caused as they griped the metal, as she thought.
But the arched walls of the small transport weren't talking, and neither were the occupants. In fact...even for a Star Fleet ship and two Vulcan passengers, it seemed much to quiet. Or maybe she was simply used to Away missions on the Enterprise with Captain Archer and Commander Tucker...the conversations on those trips were always abundant.
Without shifting in her seat she let her eyes sneak a peak at her bench mate. He looked as regal and collected as ever, his splendid ambassadorial robes a rich burgundy and silver. It was hard to believe that just a few hours before they had been pressed so close together she had felt the very muscles of his chest. She shiver slightly in her seat as she remembered the warmth of his cheek, and his reaction from her simple, yet meaningful touch.
Shaking herself from her fanciful musings, telling herself firmly that there would be enough time later for them to work out their...issues, she turned back to the newest problem at hand.
Sparing a glance forward she eyed the back of the rude pilot. She was of a medium stature, if not a bit too thin, giving her face a pinched look. Her long brown hair was pulled back into a restrictive pony-tail, the sheer tightness of which rendering her scalp an agitated red hue that was clearly visible even from a distance through her thin hair. Everything about her screamed a hard-nosed, not a hair out of place officer. Even the way she sat in her seat, her very posture personified the dedicated, yet highly obnoxious personality most MACO's identified with Star Fleet.
Moving on she let her eyes consider the thin-lipped security officer opposite her. She found it curious that the thin, blond-haired man, who looked around thirty years of age was nervously sweating. Initially she had put it down to his short, and embarrassing burst of conversation earlier, where upon entering he had deluged her under a barrage of questions, punctuated with half-darted looked at Soval and L'Ras. At first she had thought that perhaps it was his first security mission guarding Vulcan's, but now doubt was stirring in her gut.
She shifted her weapon in her grasp, moving it to a more comfortable position. But the reaction of the security guard was deeply surprising and troubling. He tensed up, his whole body looking like it was about to spring up, wound as tightly as a spring coil, his hand twitching to his hip holster. The move did not go unnoticed by Soval and L'Ras either, she could feel the subtle change in tension from their bodies, the slight stiffening of their posture. 'Oh yes..something was seriously wrong here.'
But while the people seemed off, it wasn't simply their strange behavior that put her hackles on edge. The whole situation was strange...off somehow. Maybe it was just that this was her first semi-secret mission..or maybe it was something much much more. Either way, it was grinding her nerves!
The trip continued much in this way, the tension slowly mounting, but leaving her at a loss as to why. She half wondered if she just being paranoid, and that it was just her nerves reacting to a slightly jumpy security lieutenant. But, on the opposing side, those nerves had always served her well.
Sometime later, the pilot curtly announced the assent sequence, calling for the nervous officer as she did, speaking to him quietly from the cockpit. She on the other hand was looking forward to the opportunity to get out of the stuffy transport and stretch her legs. The faster this whole diplomatic meeting was finished and over with was fine with her. This whole saga had been ripe with confusion, irritation, and unexpected surprises. She was simply looking forward to the rest of her vacation, and a long...talk with Soval...At any rate, they certainly had some issues to discuss.
She turned in her seat as the landing thrusters fired, echoing across the hull with a muted roar. "I hope you like the brisk mountain air Ambassador. The Cascade mountains are quite chilly this time of year." She remarked avidly, remembering her own youthful camping trips in the mountains near her hometown, which had been much similar to these. While the Hawaiian air was warm and magical, there really wasn't anything as earthy, brisk, and invigorating as the fresh cold mountain air.
"So Admiral Gardener has informed me." He responded somewhat dissipatedly, folding his hands in his lap as he adjusted his flowing robes. She smiled lightly as she stood, watching the tree line start to thin, and the complex coming into view. But only a few seconds later, her eyes were drawn back down to him, watching him behind her full lashes, enjoying one of the few rare moments she had had over the course of their friendship to inspect him without him noticing her stare. He seemed less tired and tense then she had ever seen him, she could have even wagered his natural green-tinged tan had darkened slightly under the Hawaiian sun. However, his eyes seemed to be caught in a perpetually shifting storm of thought and emotion, all cleverly hid of course...but somehow, she could almost sense it there, brewing and building...aching for resolution. And she couldn't help but wondering if she was the cause if it. In short order however she was caught in her stare, the look in his eyes as he swept his gaze down her form, resting heatedly at her face made a flush steal across her cheeks.
But contrary to her desire to look away and hide her embarrassment, she made herself stare straight back, her gaze just as heated and hungry. For a moment, they simply stared at each other. It wasn't something as mundane as a good-natured battle of wills, it was something she couldn't quite define..but knew it was important to show her resolve and strong will.
Finally, he shifted in his seat, his movement somehow causing her to move from one foot to the other, watching as an expression, too quick for her to define flitted across his face. Then, as if it had not been there at all, he cocked his head slightly at her, his eyebrow arched speculatively. Oh yes...he was good. God help me, I am playing mind games with a Vulcan!
They landed smoothly, not a jar or jostle from the landing could be felt. If she hadn't known any better she would have thought Ensign Mayweather was at the helm. She bent down to shoulder her hard-shell pack, eying the two officers with surprise as they rudely ignored protocol and exited the craft before the ambassador. The pilot exited without a word, not even sparing a glance back at them, while the jumpy Lieutenant was close at her heels, almost tripping out of the door after her.
She flashed an annoyed look at Soval, half rolling her eyes at the retreating backside of the security officer before removing the safety on her rifle, and motioning L'Ras back and leading the way out herself. "Alright." She muttered to herself. "Lets get this show on the road." She thought firmly, already feeling the cool mountain air caressing her face, like the chilly hands of a lovers touch on bed-warmed skin.
-To the few reviewers who are anonymous! My thanks!
Binawalburn: Thanks for your review! I update regularly. At least once a week. I work 10 hour shifts five days a week, and use my days off to type up or write the bits of the latest chapter! - As for the other part of your question, no. Unfortunately they never even met on screen. I think they would have provided a dynamic relationship to the show if the directors saw what I saw in them. However, I am playing on their personalities, and screen time appearances to create their personae. It is fun to connect them into actual on screen events! I hope you continue reading and reviewing.
Gris gray: Thanks also for your review and advice! Unfortunately my Beta's never last long. They all seem to become too busy or are too slow in proof-reading. Actually, my last one has seemed to have fallen off the face of the earth!
Viva: Holy cow..you definitely know how to make a writer blush! You rock! I hope I can continue writing to the same caliber.
K: Hahaha! Your latest review made me burst out laughing! While I like L'Ras, he is getting in the way isn't he?
Kimberly: I am glad you think so! Thanks for the review! I hope to see your comments on the following chapters!