No More Apples For You
"How was lunch?" asked Phlox as the pair returned
to the bridge. It had taken them some time to eat and then to get their
fingers unsticky.
"It was satisfactory." said T'Pol.
"And here I was hoping that you'd admit that
it was fun." said Tucker.
"We made a fruit salad." explained the Vulcan,
resuming her place at the helm.
"You didn't have any left over by any chance,
did you?"
"I'm afraid we ate all of it, doc, but there
is plenty of fruit left if you want to make one yourself." Commander Tucker
told him.
"I might do that, commander." said Phlox with
a smile. A soft wheezing sound caught the doctor's attention. He turned
toward T'Pol and noticed that she was rubbing her eyes. "Sub-commander,
do you feel all right?"
"I am not certain, doctor." she answered.
Phlox looked at her eyes, which were beginning
to water, and at the slight irritation where she had rubbed them. Then
he took a deep breath and sighed.
"Why don't we pay a quick visit to sickbay,
sub-commander?"
"What's wrong?" asked Trip.
"I believe T'Pol may be allergic to whatever
she just consumed."
"You have the bridge, commander." she rasped
as Phlox ushered her to the lift.
"I'm not going to be able to live this down.
Not ever. She will never forget this." said Trip after the doors had closed
behind them.
"I can't be allergic. I have never been diagnosed
with allergies. Check my files." insisted T'Pol as Phlox prepared a hypospray
to treat her.
"I have no doubt that you aren't allergic
to anything on Vulcan, but I afraid you are certainly allergic to apples,
sub-commander, and apples are from earth."
"It was a mistake to try human food."
"Now, now. That isn't fair. Even humans can
be allergic to certain foods indigenous to their own planet. It is quite
common."
"Yes, I have heard of Lieutenant Reed's unfortunate
allergy to the pineapple. Perhaps I should have taken warning."
"If you enjoy apples, I am sure than I can
prepare a regular hypospray for you to ..." Phlox began to tell her.
"That will not be necessary. I have learned
my lesson."
"Don't be too sure of that. After all, we
won't remember any of this once we return to our own time."
"That is very unfortunate."
"Because of the apples or because of the understanding
you have reached with Commander Tucker?"
"I don't know what you mean."
Phlox smiled softly and pressed the hypospray
to her neck. She continued to look straight ahead, but one eyebrow was
slightly arched. Was it a sign of defensiveness?
"Of course not." he chuckled. "You should
feel perfectly fine in half an hour or so. If not, just let me know and
I will give you another hypospray."
"Thank you, doctor."
Commander Tucker came to his feet the instant
the lift doors opened. He expected that she would be angry, or at least
annoyed with the situation. Then, as she nodded curtly and took her seated
again, he remembered that she was Vulcan. It would easier for her to go
nova like a star than to express any exasperation or annoyance he might
have inadvertently caused her. Trip looked questioningly at the doctor,
who gave him a small smile and a nod. Everything was okay.
"Commander Tucker, no more apples, not ever.
Remember that for me." she said unemotionally. For a moment he thought
she might have found the entire incident humorous. Then he reminded himself
for a second time that Sub-commander T'Pol was a Vulcan.
"Of course. Absolutely, positively no more
apples."
"Thank you."
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Note: The author realizes that allergies are no joking matter and isn't making fun of anyone.