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Chapter Five

T'Pol was sitting right in front of the lake, her feet already in the water. She had managed to take off her boots by herself. The cool water felt very refreshing. Archer came out of the hut, with some towels, soap and clothes in his hands. He couldn't keep his eyes off her when he approached T'Pol. How he wished he could just wrap his arms around her and hold her like this forever. She is still your science officer. And a Vulcan! he tried to remind himself again. It was no use. He couldn't deny it to himself anymore. He desired her. Her body, her mind, and even her heart. He knew that she had one, that she just kept feelings to herself. Vulcans don't talk about their emotions, and most of them never show them. What a pity. What had happened to Archer? Just a couple months ago he would have sent every Vulcan to hell, how dare they to keep back information! But now his point of view had changed. This woman sitting at the lake, a Vulcan, has changed everything. At first he started to respect her, and he was pleased that a friendship between was developing. Slowly, but steady, they were growing together. Archer wouldn't let her slip away.

"Care for a swim?" he asked as he finally stood next to her.

"I don't think swimming will be an option. I cannot use my legs."

"Don't worry, I won't let you drown."

Archer had to look down at her to talk to her, which he didn't like at all, T'Pol was more a person he would want to look up to. He didn't like that she was sitting on the ground all the time. Maybe I should built her a chair for outside. Next thing after the lavatory is done. He gave her the soap, picked her up and walked into the water with her. She stared at him with her brown eyes, letting her arms flow on the water as Archer supported her back.

"To get clean I will need to be undressed, Jonathan."

He couldn't help looking at her perfect face.

"Yes, of course."

His left arm remained under T'Pol's back, to keep her floating. His right hand touched her shoulder, resting there, afraid to go further. Come on, you have just done this. No need to be scared. T'Pol sensed his fear.

"It is alright, Jonathan, I do not… mind you touching me." Did I just say that? This time T'Pol gave herself a mental box on the ear. Archer smiled. He felt a lot better now. He undressed her again, slowly and carefully. The sight of her body was not clear through the water, and he was glad for that. How fragile she was. With some difficulty he had removed her dirty and torn uniform. It floated away in the lake. He stared at T'Pol's face again, her beautiful eyes, and she stared back. They didn't move for quite some time. A cry of a bird in the forest brought Archer back to reality. T'Pol was still wearing her underwear, and he would have to get rid off that too. There was no need to talk. The world was silent around them again. Behind the mountains, the sun started to set. Such a beautiful evening, such a perfect woman, Archer thought. With his right hand he slipped off her t-shirt, revealing her bra. He tried not to get distracted by it. He opened the bra and it went on floating to join the other parts of her clothes. Now just one more thing. He gently put his hand on her hips. T'Pol felt very relaxed, knowing that she was perfectly safe. She sensed that he was somewhat scared of stripping her completely naked, so she put her right hand on his. Archer smiled, and together with T'Pol, he slowly pulled down her panties, respecting every inch of her beautifully shaped body. There she was, floating in the water, completely naked, looking at him with her innocent face. I could just kiss her right now, Archer thought. He couldn't. He admired this woman, valued their friendship too much to risk it all for a brief touch of their lips. He was sure that T'Pol would not return the kiss. But he couldn't take his eyes off her. T'Pol handed him the soap. He was a little embarrassed, cause he had been staring at her, again, and too long.

"Now this will get you all clean."

"Thank you, Jonathan. I really appreciate this." She wanted to say more, wanted to let him know that she enjoyed him touching her, that he moved something deep inside her that she didn't even know it existed before she met him. Her Vulcan education dictated her not to feel that way, and even if she did, not to show it. Her heart told her different.

He moved the soap over her body, starting at the neck, slowly getting down to her breasts. Archer couldn't believe that he was touching her that way. She shivered.

"You want to do this by yourself?" he asked helplessly. T'Pol was glad, she wouldn't have been able to control herself any longer if he continued to touch her. She nodded and took the soap, cleaning every part of her body she could reach. Archer held her up, making sure her head would not get underwater. He wanted this moment to last forever, but eventually she finished soaping the upper part of her body. She gave him the soap again.

"Could you help me with the legs, please?"

Archer had to swallow. Ah, come on, you are not a teenager anymore. You are a Starfleet captain. Be professional!!! he convinced himself. He started soaping her legs, trying to think of something else. He managed to control himself. When he got done, he looked in her eyes again.

"Okay, all done now."

"Thanks again, Jonathan. The water is getting cold, would you please take me out?"

He nodded.

"Certainly."

Archer walked out of the water, carrying her in front of him, still naked. Water was running off her skin. Archers uniform was wet itself, but he didn't mind. He would take a swim after T'Pol was dry and dressed again. He fetched the towel, put it around her and seated her on the ground again. He got down next to her, got another towel and started with drying her back. It was so soft. He then got to her legs, rubbing them until they were dry. Archer stood up, got the t-shirt and the Starfleet panties for T'Pol while she was drying the rest of her body. He helped her inside her panties, keeping his eyes at non-dangerous level, he was staring at her face again. T'Pol managed to put the t-shirt on by herself. Both were really glad that she was dressed again. Now, that was something, Archer thought. Don't know if I can stand bathing her everyday without doing whatever again…

"Well, T'Pol, I will go for a swim now, this old uniform doesn't quite match my definition of clean. Shall I bring you to the hut first?"

Her glance wandered over the lake.

"I would prefer to remain here a little longer, if you don't mind."

How could I… Archer stood up and got to the lake. His back facing T'Pol he undressed, somewhat in a haste. He hurried into the water, enjoying the privacy and coolness it brought to him. Ah, this is just what I need.

He swam in the lake for about half an hour. As he started to feel tired and cold, he decided to get out again. He couldn't walk backwards out of the lake, but he decided to face T'Pol with pride and a lot of confidence. He had seen her naked, and it would be only fair if he gave her the chance to see him naked. But T'Pol was lying on her back. She didn't see Archer come out of the lake. He got dry and dressed as quickly as he could and laid down next to her. They were both staring into the sky. It was already getting dark. Archer could make out a few stars. He pointed up at one of them.

"You think this is the Enterprise?"

T'Pol wanted to reply something like, no, it is very unlikely that the Enterprise is in the part of the sky we see right now, but instead she said: "It might be."

Archer was surprised, but decided not to mention that this answer was un-Vulcan. He just smiled. Archer truly enjoyed this moment. They had only been here for a little over 24 hours, still so much had happened. He just remembered that he hadn't eaten since they had breakfast.

"What do you think of dinner, T'Pol?"

"A good suggestion, I was about to mention it myself, too."

Archer carried her back to the hut, wondering what he could fix for dinner.