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Chapter Four
When Archer got done he marveled at his accomplishment. He had built the hut just before the forest started, about a hundred meters away from the lake. Their new shelter was small, but functional, maybe ten squared meters in size. His crew has sent them down an air-bed, big enough for the two of them. They also had two chairs, a table and a cooking-area with a gas cooker, a little climatized cabinet that could work as a refrigerator and a sink, to wash the dishes in. The walls, floor and the ceiling were out of a light aluminum material which kept the room just at a perfect temperature. Archer has put two containers into the hut, one where he stored the clothes in, and one for the dishes and the cleaning utilities.
"Now, something is missing yet…" he mumbled. He hurried outside, back to the flowers, and picked some, so he had a pretty little bunch of flowers. On his way back to the hut, he hoped that T'Pol would enjoy those flowers as much as he did. He got a glass out of the dishes container, poured some water in it and placed the flowers in there. The hut immediately looked a lot more friendly to him. Now he decided to show it to T'Pol. She had asked to wait at the lake, wanted to watch the water which helped her meditate. He slowly approached her, making sure not to disturb her. She was sitting on the shore, her eyes closed. Archer wondered how she could keep the balance so easily, but then again, she was a Vulcan. They had the ability of self-control in their genes. He stood there, watching her, for quite some time, until she realized that she was not alone anymore.
"You can come closer, Jonathan." He complied.
"I built us a home sweet home, and I would like you to see it."
She gave him this look again. His earth-phrases always disturbed her. He would have to teach her more of them.
"It is just a saying, to express ones approval of the home."
"I understand. I would like to see the… sweet home."
Archer loved how she could always make him smile. He carried her to the hut, and over the doorstep.
"Honey, we're home!" he shouted. The look on T'Pol's face was priceless. For a short second she allowed herself the hint of a smile, but gained control right away.
"Let me guess, another of your sayings."
Jonathan put her down on the mattress.
"It is still kinda spartan," he noted.
"It will suit the needs," came the dry remark. T'Pol seemed to lighten up though as she saw the flowers Jonathan put on the table. He didn't overlook the slight change in her face.
"I am glad you like the flowers, I put them up just for you."
"Thank you, they are quite aesthetic."
Archer sat down on the mattress.
"I wasn't able to build in a toilet or a shower, we will have to take care of that outside."
T'Pol seemed as if she wanted to reply, but didn't say anything.
"Something wrong?" Archer asked.
"Well, Jonathan, I might need your assistance with… my bathroom matters. I would appreciate if you could help me."
Archer knew that it had cost her a great effort to ask him this favor, and he didn't want to deny it to her.
"Of course, I will bring you outside right away."
He had picked out a small opening in the forest before where they could go to relieve themselves. He would try to build a lavatory there later on, but now T'Pol would have to deal with the open nature. When they got there, Archer didn't really know how to react at first. T'Pol surely wasn't able to undress herself, so he had to help her with that.
"Would you feel more comfortable if I closed my eyes?" he asked softly.
"That won't
be necessary. If you could just help me with the clothes, I see two branches
over there…" she pointed in their direction "… where I could support against
myself."
Archer nodded.
"Yes certainly."
He mustered
T'Pol again. She was still wearing her one-piece uniform, it was dirty and she
probably would like a change of clothes anyway. He decided to suggest her a
bath in the lake afterwards. But first he had to concentrate on undressing her.
He had to take a grip on himself to act professionally. After all, this was his
science officer. He helped T'Pol to lean against a tree, her strong arms kept
her from slipping down. She is so strong, I don't know if I would have the
strength to go through this if I were the injured one. He took a deep
breath and started undressing her. T'Pol had to basically shut off all emotions
to not be affected by this humiliating incident. It was no use though, she had
to urinate sometime anyway, why not get it over now. Archer had stripped her
uniform off, now she was there, wearing Starfleet underwear. He couldn't help
it but to muster her for a quick moment.
"Jonathan, I would like to get this over with quick."
"Yes, of course, T'Pol, I am sorry." He gave himself a mental box on the ears.
Archer was really glad that her underwear was a two-piece, so he would just have to pull off her panties. As if that would be easy… He was very tender, but he couldn't help touching her skin as he undressed her. It was so soft, so warm… He had to be careful not to touch her too long. He did not want her to know that he was craving to feel her this way.
He didn't look at her half-naked body when he got done taking her clothes off, without a word he carried her to the branches and let T'Pol got comfortable.
"I will go get some toilet paper for you, just call me when you are ready."
She looked him right in the eye, knowing that it hadn't been easy for him either.
"I will. And… thank you, Jonathan."
He walked away, back to the hut to fetch some paper. Could they both stand this circumstance for a long period of time? He hurried back to her when he heard her calling. He gave her the paper and waited a little way away from her, to give her at least a tiny bit of privacy.
"Now, could you help me to get dressed again?"
"Sure." He moved her legs so that she stood in her panties, and he pulled them up. Getting them off was way easier, Archer thought. After what seemed like a never-ending struggle with her uniform, she was dressed.
"You know," Archer suggested, "the ship also sent down clothes, and ours, well, are kinda dirty. What do you think of a bath and then change into some clean ones?"
The sight of a bathing Jonathan popped into T'Pol's mind.
"Yes, getting clean is a good idea."
As Jonathan was walking them to the lake, he couldn't forget the sensation of her skin. I hope I can control myself when we are bathing…
