How should we continue oh Spirits, shall we forsake your wisdom in place of the White Man's teachings? Give us a sign so we might go on. - Paiute prayer. ~ talani
Part 9
Grace Jimenez managed to get out of sick-bay without too much trouble, her leg no longer quite so painful. The doctor advising her to contact him if it should start bothering her again.
"Oh yes, the Captain wants you to report as soon as possible. He seemed quite adamant on that point." Phlox added as she was preparing to leave.
Ignoring the instructions, Grace went straight to her quarters, having a real need to center herself after the unsettling experience. Gaining the sanctuary of her room, she pulled out leather case, as she opened it, an antique electronic device was revealed. Taking what used to be called a 'boom box', into the bathroom, she popped in an old CD recording of a 20th century group called 'The Lords of Acid'. She liked the fast pace and the boom-cha-boom-cha, of the beat, and the raw language of the lyrics gave a sense of wild sexual abandon.
As she stood under the warm flow of the shower, the door chime sounded. She ignored it, not really wanting to discuss the recent happenings on the alien vessel, but when the anxious voice of Commander Tucker came over the comm., she reluctantly sighed and got out of the shower. Wrapping the towel tightly around her torso, she combed back her hair using her fingers and opened the door to the waiting officer.
He paused a second once he realised she was in a state of undress.
"Uh, the Captain wants to see ya right away Tal. Should I let him know you'll be there right away?"
Grace nodded, her voice faltering as she responded, "Sure, although there's not much to tell, to be honest."
He let his eyes rove over her, an appreciative grin on his face as he said, "Ya sure have held up good considering yer age Commander."
She turned him about and gave him a shove as she retorted lightly, "Yeah? Well you're not so bad looking yourself, but unfortunately we don't have time right now to find out what kind of shape you're in."
He gave her a mischievous look over his shoulder as he departed, "That can be arranged ya know!"
Waving him off with a shoo-ing motion, she closed the door and threw on a uniform and made certain Jake had enough food and water laid out.
Feeling a slight qualm as she saw the senior staff assembled as she entered the Captain's ready room, Jimenez took the vacant seat. Archer seemed to be calm enough, only the drumming of his fingers evidenced his impatience. He watched as she sat, and placed an elbow on the table as he leaned forward and addressed her.
"I'll expect you to be a little more prompt in the future Commander. Now, can you tell us how you ended up in the shuttle bay after you fell through the deck plating of that ship?"
Gulping, she threw her shoulders back and stoically answered, "No sir, I can't. All I know is when I woke up, I was in a different room. Since my suit's lamp was broken, I had to grope around till I found a wall. It was on the wall while looking for another way out that my hand ran across a raised panel, I guess there was some sort of independent energy source for it, because as soon as I applied pressure there was a sudden flash of blinding light, and next thing you know, I'm back in the shuttle bay."
The Captain considered that a moment, leaning back into his chair. Turning to T'Pol, he asked, "What was your first indication of unusual activity in the bay, Sub-commander?"
She shifted slightly as she checked her notes before replying, "The detector in the shuttle bay indicated the presence of an unauthorized person, when I activated the monitors, I was surprised to see Commander Jimenez standing there."
Something in the way she said that gave Archer the feeling there was something more she wasn't saying. He pondered the information he had gotten, tentatively he said, "Could it be some sort of transporter device that activated when it detected Grace?"
"Uncertain sir, without further investigation it would be hard to determine that."
Glancing over at Grace, his query was directed to T'Pol, "How soon can you put together the necessary equipment for another away mission?"
"Allowing for any other mishaps, in approximately 2.3 hours."
"Do it."
With that, everyone was dismissed. He placed a hand on the Sub-commander's arm, holding her from leaving with the other, when they were alone he quietly asked, "Was there something else you forgot to mention in that report?"
Glancing into his eyes, she looked away, a slight note of distress colored her response, "It may have only been a reflection on the screen sir, but when I activated the visuals in the shuttle bay, it at first appeared that there was another entity with Commander Jimenez. I've run the recording over and over since, and only the Commander is in it."
Archer could understand her disquiet now, if she truly thought she had seen what she had. He gently replied, "It could have been static creating a double image, or maybe a carry over signal superimposing itself. I wouldn't worry too much about it if I were you."
She nodded as she considered those plausibilities, slowly walking out without really paying much attention to where she was going. Archer decided he'd review the recording before returning to the alien craft.
Part 10
Laying sprawled across her bead on her back, Grace petted Jake who was curled contentedly on her belly, his rumbling purr a soothing balm to her jangled nerves. At the sound of the door chime, she sighed, reluctantly calling out, "Enter." She was a bit surprised to see Commander Tucker stroll in. He motioned that she need not get up, a slow smile lighting his face.
"I just thought I'd check to see if you're ready to go back over there, ya looked kinda shaken at the meeting."
"No, not shaken, completely terrified in all honesty."
Sitting on the edge of the bed, he pointed at the tabby, "Does the Capt'n know about that?"
She giggled as she answered, "Yup! As long as he doesn't claw anything to shreds, Captain Archer said he's welcome to stay." Trip reached over and gave the feline a gentle drubbing on the head, his grin widening as the cat purred louder in response.
"What'dya do, feed him a grinder and some gravel?"
As she angled her head to get a better view of him, their hands brushed each other's, making Grace pause, her eyes searching his to see what his reaction was. He slowly pulled back, sucking his breath in as he studied her. She knew what she wanted, having always been the type that didn't hesitate to take the initiative, so sitting up and earning a disgruntled look from Jake as he was forced to move, she leaned forward and placed her arms around his neck, kissing him.
He finally broke away reluctantly, gazing deeply into her eyes, his voice shaky, "Girl, iffin I didn't know better, I'd say you're trying to seduce me."
Snuggling closer to him, she murmured, "What makes you think I'm not?"
He lowered his voice, as he replied, "I like ya and all, but we hardly know each other..."
She silenced his half-hearted protest with another kiss, this one more passionate. A soft groan escape from him as he relented to her ardent attention, and allowed his own desire release.
The buzz of the intercom made them both jerk to full wakefulness, "Commander Jimenez here."
"Could you report to my ready room, I'd like to go over a couple of items before we venture back over to that ship."
"I'll be there right away sir." A sigh followed as she responded to Captain Archer's request. She rolled back over and gave Trip a sad smile, "Too bad, guess we'll have to continue some other time."
He placed both hands behind his head as he drawled, "I gotta admit, yer one awesome lover lady. It's been awhile since I've experienced anything that intense!"
She ruffled his playfully as she retorted, "I am sorry, but it's been so damn long I just couldn't help myself. Can you ever forgive me?"
Tucker gave a derisive snort as he propped himself up on one elbow, lifting his free hand and running it along the contours of her warm skin.
"Just outta curiosity, where is all this leading?", he asked. She shrugged as she captured his wandering hand and brought it to her lips, nibbling on his fingers.
"Mmm, no where really, it's just that I haven't been with a guy in some time and I was beginning to think I'd never get laid. You aren't upset that I used you for my own nefarious purpose,do you?"
His rich laugh eased the guilt she was feeling, his own response rife with humour, "Gawd lady! Warn a guy next time, will ya? I was wracking my brain tryin' ta figure out a way to let ya down nicely!"
She gave him a friendly clout on the arm as she got up and pulled her uniform back on. Leering at him as she made her way to the door, "Glad we're on the same wave-length Commander, it's not easy finding, mmm, casual companionship. It makes it simpler when a sudden reassignment comes up." She left, a definite bounce in her step.
Tucker fell back into the pillow, whistling through his teeth. He gathered his conflicting thoughts before finally getting up and donning his own uniform, deciding that they had both been reacting to a mutual need. Stamping as he placed his boots on each foot, he paused at the door and turned off the lights before making his way to the Captain's ready room.
Part 9
Grace Jimenez managed to get out of sick-bay without too much trouble, her leg no longer quite so painful. The doctor advising her to contact him if it should start bothering her again.
"Oh yes, the Captain wants you to report as soon as possible. He seemed quite adamant on that point." Phlox added as she was preparing to leave.
Ignoring the instructions, Grace went straight to her quarters, having a real need to center herself after the unsettling experience. Gaining the sanctuary of her room, she pulled out leather case, as she opened it, an antique electronic device was revealed. Taking what used to be called a 'boom box', into the bathroom, she popped in an old CD recording of a 20th century group called 'The Lords of Acid'. She liked the fast pace and the boom-cha-boom-cha, of the beat, and the raw language of the lyrics gave a sense of wild sexual abandon.
As she stood under the warm flow of the shower, the door chime sounded. She ignored it, not really wanting to discuss the recent happenings on the alien vessel, but when the anxious voice of Commander Tucker came over the comm., she reluctantly sighed and got out of the shower. Wrapping the towel tightly around her torso, she combed back her hair using her fingers and opened the door to the waiting officer.
He paused a second once he realised she was in a state of undress.
"Uh, the Captain wants to see ya right away Tal. Should I let him know you'll be there right away?"
Grace nodded, her voice faltering as she responded, "Sure, although there's not much to tell, to be honest."
He let his eyes rove over her, an appreciative grin on his face as he said, "Ya sure have held up good considering yer age Commander."
She turned him about and gave him a shove as she retorted lightly, "Yeah? Well you're not so bad looking yourself, but unfortunately we don't have time right now to find out what kind of shape you're in."
He gave her a mischievous look over his shoulder as he departed, "That can be arranged ya know!"
Waving him off with a shoo-ing motion, she closed the door and threw on a uniform and made certain Jake had enough food and water laid out.
Feeling a slight qualm as she saw the senior staff assembled as she entered the Captain's ready room, Jimenez took the vacant seat. Archer seemed to be calm enough, only the drumming of his fingers evidenced his impatience. He watched as she sat, and placed an elbow on the table as he leaned forward and addressed her.
"I'll expect you to be a little more prompt in the future Commander. Now, can you tell us how you ended up in the shuttle bay after you fell through the deck plating of that ship?"
Gulping, she threw her shoulders back and stoically answered, "No sir, I can't. All I know is when I woke up, I was in a different room. Since my suit's lamp was broken, I had to grope around till I found a wall. It was on the wall while looking for another way out that my hand ran across a raised panel, I guess there was some sort of independent energy source for it, because as soon as I applied pressure there was a sudden flash of blinding light, and next thing you know, I'm back in the shuttle bay."
The Captain considered that a moment, leaning back into his chair. Turning to T'Pol, he asked, "What was your first indication of unusual activity in the bay, Sub-commander?"
She shifted slightly as she checked her notes before replying, "The detector in the shuttle bay indicated the presence of an unauthorized person, when I activated the monitors, I was surprised to see Commander Jimenez standing there."
Something in the way she said that gave Archer the feeling there was something more she wasn't saying. He pondered the information he had gotten, tentatively he said, "Could it be some sort of transporter device that activated when it detected Grace?"
"Uncertain sir, without further investigation it would be hard to determine that."
Glancing over at Grace, his query was directed to T'Pol, "How soon can you put together the necessary equipment for another away mission?"
"Allowing for any other mishaps, in approximately 2.3 hours."
"Do it."
With that, everyone was dismissed. He placed a hand on the Sub-commander's arm, holding her from leaving with the other, when they were alone he quietly asked, "Was there something else you forgot to mention in that report?"
Glancing into his eyes, she looked away, a slight note of distress colored her response, "It may have only been a reflection on the screen sir, but when I activated the visuals in the shuttle bay, it at first appeared that there was another entity with Commander Jimenez. I've run the recording over and over since, and only the Commander is in it."
Archer could understand her disquiet now, if she truly thought she had seen what she had. He gently replied, "It could have been static creating a double image, or maybe a carry over signal superimposing itself. I wouldn't worry too much about it if I were you."
She nodded as she considered those plausibilities, slowly walking out without really paying much attention to where she was going. Archer decided he'd review the recording before returning to the alien craft.
Part 10
Laying sprawled across her bead on her back, Grace petted Jake who was curled contentedly on her belly, his rumbling purr a soothing balm to her jangled nerves. At the sound of the door chime, she sighed, reluctantly calling out, "Enter." She was a bit surprised to see Commander Tucker stroll in. He motioned that she need not get up, a slow smile lighting his face.
"I just thought I'd check to see if you're ready to go back over there, ya looked kinda shaken at the meeting."
"No, not shaken, completely terrified in all honesty."
Sitting on the edge of the bed, he pointed at the tabby, "Does the Capt'n know about that?"
She giggled as she answered, "Yup! As long as he doesn't claw anything to shreds, Captain Archer said he's welcome to stay." Trip reached over and gave the feline a gentle drubbing on the head, his grin widening as the cat purred louder in response.
"What'dya do, feed him a grinder and some gravel?"
As she angled her head to get a better view of him, their hands brushed each other's, making Grace pause, her eyes searching his to see what his reaction was. He slowly pulled back, sucking his breath in as he studied her. She knew what she wanted, having always been the type that didn't hesitate to take the initiative, so sitting up and earning a disgruntled look from Jake as he was forced to move, she leaned forward and placed her arms around his neck, kissing him.
He finally broke away reluctantly, gazing deeply into her eyes, his voice shaky, "Girl, iffin I didn't know better, I'd say you're trying to seduce me."
Snuggling closer to him, she murmured, "What makes you think I'm not?"
He lowered his voice, as he replied, "I like ya and all, but we hardly know each other..."
She silenced his half-hearted protest with another kiss, this one more passionate. A soft groan escape from him as he relented to her ardent attention, and allowed his own desire release.
The buzz of the intercom made them both jerk to full wakefulness, "Commander Jimenez here."
"Could you report to my ready room, I'd like to go over a couple of items before we venture back over to that ship."
"I'll be there right away sir." A sigh followed as she responded to Captain Archer's request. She rolled back over and gave Trip a sad smile, "Too bad, guess we'll have to continue some other time."
He placed both hands behind his head as he drawled, "I gotta admit, yer one awesome lover lady. It's been awhile since I've experienced anything that intense!"
She ruffled his playfully as she retorted, "I am sorry, but it's been so damn long I just couldn't help myself. Can you ever forgive me?"
Tucker gave a derisive snort as he propped himself up on one elbow, lifting his free hand and running it along the contours of her warm skin.
"Just outta curiosity, where is all this leading?", he asked. She shrugged as she captured his wandering hand and brought it to her lips, nibbling on his fingers.
"Mmm, no where really, it's just that I haven't been with a guy in some time and I was beginning to think I'd never get laid. You aren't upset that I used you for my own nefarious purpose,do you?"
His rich laugh eased the guilt she was feeling, his own response rife with humour, "Gawd lady! Warn a guy next time, will ya? I was wracking my brain tryin' ta figure out a way to let ya down nicely!"
She gave him a friendly clout on the arm as she got up and pulled her uniform back on. Leering at him as she made her way to the door, "Glad we're on the same wave-length Commander, it's not easy finding, mmm, casual companionship. It makes it simpler when a sudden reassignment comes up." She left, a definite bounce in her step.
Tucker fell back into the pillow, whistling through his teeth. He gathered his conflicting thoughts before finally getting up and donning his own uniform, deciding that they had both been reacting to a mutual need. Stamping as he placed his boots on each foot, he paused at the door and turned off the lights before making his way to the Captain's ready room.