Melanie was just trying to deal with the fact that she was nowhere near her home. Making matters a little worse was the fact she did not know if Commander Tucker really had feelings for her or was he just trying to flirt with her. Oh, great she thought, as she lies awake in bed. The way he was acting reminded her of a few guys that she knew on Earth.
I guess I could talk to Ensign Sato Melanie thought. She suspected that Sub-Commander T'Pol had observed Commander Tucker/s behavior. I just don't know what to do she thought.
Fortunately, the COM saved her. Although she had to admit that she was not sure it would be. She was surprised to hear a familiar voice on the other end.
"Hello?' Melanie asked
"This is Captain Jonathan Archer."
"Sir, what can I do for you?" She asked
"I would like you to join me in my private dining area." Archer said
"I would be delighted." Melanie said
Melanie had no idea why the captain wanted to see her. However, she was shocked to just see the captain at the table.
"Melanie, thank you for joining me." Archer said
"Not a problem, captain." She said
"Oh, and stop with the formalities. My name is Jonathan."
"Thank you, Jonathan. It is a pleasure to be here. I wanted to say thank you for saving my life."
Captain Archer gave her a big smile. Melanie had to admit that it was a very attractive smile and that he was using it to melt her heart. At the same time, he knew that he was falling in love with her big blue eyes. What neither one knew was that the other one had feelings.
Captain Archer was unaware that his best friend had feelings for Melanie. All he knew was that he had to tell her how he felt before it was too late. He knew that it wouldn't be easy but he figured that he had been through much worse.
"Melanie, there is someone I would like you to meet. That is my dog Porthos." Jon said
They walked to his quarters. Melanie stood outside for a moment. Jonathan looked at Melanie and motioned her to follow him inside. She walked in after him. Melanie was speechless that she was alone with Jonathan. Melanie looked over at him because she was not sure if it was appropriate for her to be alone with him. She didn't care what anyone thought. Melanie didn't know what Jonathan had planned but something told her that she could trust him more than the Chief Engineer that was coming onto her. Jonathan told the room to go into privacy mode. When he did this Melanie started not to be able to think straight. She wasn't sure why this was but she figured it had something to do with the wonderful man next to her.
"Melanie, there is something I need to tell you. I love you."
"Oh Jonathan! I love you too."
Melanie threw her arms around his neck and hugged him. He looked at her. His eyes had the look of man who had passion and desire for his woman. Her eyes showed a look of love for her man. He held her close to him. He came closer to her his lips were practically touching hers. Finally, after what seemed like forever Jonathan kissed Melanie on the lips. She though she was dreaming the whole thing but she knew that since she could feel it that it wasn't a dream.
Jonathan got up and put some slow romantic music on. He walked back to Melanie. He had to admit that he had been dreaming of this moment since she came on the Enterprise.
"Would you care to dance?'
"I would love to."
They danced slowly for what seemed like ages. Melanie put her head against his chest since that was the only place she could reach. He planted a kiss on the top of her sandy blond curls. Melanie knew that she would have to go back to her quarters but part of her wanted to stay with Jonathan. She knew that was a hard decision but she also knew it would be in his best interest if she went back to cabin for now. They both knew that would be the right thing because they were only starting out with their relationship.
A little while later…
"I should leave now, Jonathan. I had a great time and we should do this again sometime."
"I am glad."
Melanie left Jonathan's room and went back to her room. She was hoping that she would not see anyone because then she might have to explain herself. She wasn't sure if anyone would buy into the fact that noting happened. They did not sleep together. She knew that it would be hard to keep their relationship secret. She knew that it would only be a matter of time before they would have to tell the others. If anything she wanted to do that when they were together after all, they were his crew.
It had been a few days since she first came aboard the Enterprise. Melanie knew that some of the crew might suspect that the Chief Engineer and the Captain liked her. She had to admit that she didn't care what anyone said. She constantly got strange looks from the crew when she walked by. Melanie hoped that the Captain was having better luck.
Melanie hoped that she would be able to talk to someone about what was going on. She knew that there had to be someone to talk to. She decided to try to talk to Ensign Sato who she befriended earlier. Melanie thought that if there was anyone she could trust it would be that woman. Melanie wasn't worried about her situation after all she kept telling herself that any woman would want to be in her situation.
She had been in this kind of situation before. The last time this happened she was in high school and even back then she wasn't sure that it really had happened. She never knew if that kind of thing happened often. She had to try and get this off her mind. She decided that would be the best way to go about the situation at hand.
Just then she heard a familiar Southern drawl. Oh great she thought I wonder what Commander Tucker wants. It had been a day that passed when he saw her then. She was siting at a table in the mess hall. He decided to approach her.
"Want me to show ya the warp core engines, Darlin?" he asked
She looked at him. She wasn't sure if she should be flattered or appauled. She had heard other come on lines but this was a new one. She hoped someone would save her and get her out of this mess.
Just then, she saw Lt. Reed. As she saw him she mentally breathed a sight of relief. Thank goodness for small miracles she thought.
"Hello, Commander." Lt. Reed said
"Hi, Malcom." Trip said
"Hello, Melanie." Lt. Reed said
"Hello, Malcom." Melanie said with a smile.
Lt. Reed did not notice Melanie's smiling face. She definately doesn't like me that way he thought to himself. She would be better served by the Chief Engineer or the Captain. He shook his head.
"I have to get the cobwebs ou of my head. Why am I thinking of her?" he said to no one in particular.
"Oh, bloody hell!" Malcom screamed
He walked to his cabin. I need a cold shower and then sleep. He hoped that he would not run into anyone that he knew. He kept telling himself that the reason he wasn't his meticulous self was because of the lack of sleep even though he knew that was a lie. He kept denying the fact he too liked Melanie. Good grief...he thought. This was not turning out to be a good day the armory officer thought. He thought to himself that Melanie was just being nice.
Melanie couldn't sleep so she decided to go to the mess hall to get something to eat. She was not sure why. Melanie decided to see if they had cheesecake. She sat down at a table once she found it. I don't know when I will be able to sleep again. She wondered if there was anything that was wrong with her. She had to admit that being on Enterprise made her miss her home. She realized that she was lucky because at least most of the crew on the ship were from Earth. It ocurred to her that there might be someone else that missed home too and would be willing to talk to her.
She kept replaying the events of the day in her mind. She had to admit that now Malcom was acting strange too. She had to admit though what was normal for the armory officer. She even noticed that Commander Tucker was avoiding her on purpose. She wondered if he knew what was going on between her and the captain. She thought to herself it was bad enough being between the Chief Engineer and the Captain but now the Armory Officer was involved too. I might need a cold shower she told her self. Yeah, you know that you want to share the shower with Jon. While she liked that thought she told herself to stop it. She mentally kicked herself-What do you think he would say if he knew that? He might like it she thought to herself. She tried not to think of it. All she knew was that it sounded good. She didn't understand why she was having these kind of sexual thoughts about these men. She thought that maybe Dr. Plox might be able to help her with some good sound advice. She only wanted to go to him as a last resort.
A day later Melanie saw Ensign Sato when she got off from work. She was siting at a table in the mess hall. She walked over to the younger woman.
"Hello, is this seat taken?" Melanie asked
"No, you can sit there." Hoshi said
"Thanks." Melanie said
"Listen, I was hoping that I could talk to you for a minute privately. Do you have any time?" Melanie asked
Ensign Sato looked at the other woman siting across from her. She saw the serious look on Melanie's face. She lowered her voice when she spoke again.
"Melanie, don't look now but I think your problem is coming over here."
Oh great did she say what I think she said? That could only mean the guys are behind me. I am not going to turn around and look them in the eye and hopefully they will just walk past me. Oh, that is just great Jon, Trip and Malcom. What am I going to do now? I could hande one of them-and maybe two but all three, this is something totally different.
I have to get to the bottom of this. I can't have members of my crew attacking our guests. That is just not acceptable. Captain Archer was trying to restrain himself from doing something he might regret. He approached T'Pol quarters and rang her buzzer.
"Who is it?"
"The Captain."
She walked over and let him in. She could tell by the look on his face that he was hiding his anger. She had no idea why he was there.
"What is your problem, sir?"
"Did you attack Melanie?"
"Yes."
Captain Archer turned and left her quarter. He realized that he might have to get the rest of what happened from Melanie. He had no idea why T'Pol would do something like this.
A Short Time Later…
Captain Archer decided to speak with Melanie. I don't think I will ever understand Vulcans…He thought of how non-threatening Melanie is. Why did T'Pol do it anyway? I better ask Melanie before I jump to any conclusions. He thought she might be able to shed some light on the subject. It did not take him long to find her.
"Hi, Melanie."
"HI."
"Can I ask you why T'Pol attacked you?"
"Yes. I think it has something to do with how we feel about each other. Also, I think you should tell Reed and Tucker about us."
"Why? Is there something wrong?"
"Both men are interested in me."
A look of shock crossed the captain's face. He realized that se was right and that he was going to have to tell each of them about his relationship with her.
The Next Day…"Trip, can I see you for a second?"
"Sure thing, Captain."
"There is something I need to tell you. I am in a relationship with Melanie."
"What?"
"You heard me right, Commander."
Just then, something in the younger man snapped. He lunged forward and tried to attack the Captain. Melanie burst into the room with Lt. Reed behind her. She saw the Captain on the floor and made a beeline for him. Reed got to Tucker and tried to restrain him.
"Lt. Reed, there is something you should know."
"Save it! I know about you and Captain Archer. He wasn't as discrete as he should have been."
Melanie was shocked by what she was hearing. Could this be true? She had been so careful. How could Reed say such untrue statements about the man she loved. She decided to go see Jon in sickbay.
"Hi, doctor. How is he?"
"Hello, Melanie. The Captain should be fine."
"Should be?'
"Yes, he received quite a beating."
"I saw pretty much the whole thing."
"Are you okay?"
"Mentally or physically/"
"Both."
"A little shocked but fine. Why do you ask?"
"Word has it there is a rumor about you and Captain Archer."
"That would be a valid assessment, as well as the truth. However, I don't see where that is any of your business."
"Anything that effects the health of anyone on Enterprise is my concern."
"I am sorry."
"Not a problem."
"Thank you for your help."
Melanie slouched outside the sickbay doors. Why did this have to happen to him. I mean I know the doctor says that he is going to be fine but I can't help to think that someone or more than one someone doesn't want us together. I am going to stick by him through this whole thing. I can't believe what I saw with my own eyes. I can't believe that Commander Tucker attacked the captain. And I am the cause of all of this. It had never occured to her that Reed and Tucker might also have feelings for her and might battle it out as well.