Buffy was back to full strength. She worked out in the gym, graciously accepting help from different crew members who volunteered as spotters when she lifted weights. Being blond and short didn't hurt, she looked fragile and played it up.
It was 2 months into her voyage with the Enterprise when they were jumped by two battered Klingon Bird of Prey war ships.
Hoshi was at the com, "Captain? We're being hailed."
"Put it through Hoshi."
"Greetings Captain Archer, my name is Kalak. I'm in command of this area of space. You cannot pass without presenting a champion." There was laughter and the muffled sounds of talking in the background.
"A champion for what?" Captain Archer asked in puzzlement.
There was more laughter and Kalak barked a command over his shoulder then faced the screen, "A champion for your ship to win your freedom. Or else we sell you as slaves and keep your ship."
There was a moment of stunned silence, the Enterprise knew they were outgunned. Malcolm stood at his station, "I'll go Captain." He said but T'pol was shaking her head, "I should go. I am more familiar with their techniques for battle."
"No! No Vulcan's!" The Klingon barked and there were more yells from behind him.
Everyone had been concentrating on the threat in front of them when Buffy had entered the bridge and had stood listening to the conversation.
"I'll do it." Buffy said. The Klingon's eyes bugged out at the small human with the yellow hair. Other Klingon's shoved in behind him to view her. She stood, blue jeans, green blouse, standing straight as a lance, face blank but eyes alert.
Everyone on the bridge turned to her in shock. The Klingon threw his head back and roared his laughter.
"Agreed! What shall we call you little human girl? That is before you die!" He chuckled as if he found himself amusing.
"Call me Buffy the Vampire Slayer." Buffy said flatly. She moved to stand beside the speechless Captain and smiled, all teeth and attitude.
"Vampire? Is this a sort of demon?" He asked idly. At Buffy's nod he grinned, "Very well. You have 6 hours to prepare to die!" There was more laughter and the screen went dark. The Captain turned to her, his amber eyes dangerous, "What in the hell do you think you are doing?" he gritted out.
"Doing what I do best. I need to find out how the Klingon's fight, so I'm outta here." She turned to leave but the Captain gripped her arm.
He was suddenly aware of the steel behind this tiny blond woman. He couldn't move her from where she stood. "Buffy, this is a mistake. Let me contact them and fix it."
"Sorry, no." She gently shook off his hand and walked off the bridge. He looked over a T'pol and she nodded and followed Buffy out.
Malcolm
found his voice, "Captain, you cannot be serious!"
The Captain shook his head,
"Lt. Reed you have the bridge." And he followed the two women off of the
bridge.
Buffy had already changed in preparation and was stretching when T'pol came into the gym. "Hey T'pol."
"Buffy. Would you like to learn Klingon fighting techniques?" T'pol asked her in her stately way. "Please, that would be great." Nodding, T'pol changed into exercise clothes while Buffy finished stretching.
They began to spar when the Captain stormed in. He wasn't in the best of moods, undercut by his newest passenger and now it seemed his second in command.
"They'll kill you, you do know that!" He said and Buffy smiled as she rolled gracefully to her feet. She looked at the handsome man, his eyes annoyed and his hair mussed from him running a frustrated hand through it.
"You're all cute when you're mad." She said and watched T'pol turn in surprise to look the Captain over as if to see for herself. Captain Archer turned red in embarrassment. Then he watched dumbstruck as Buffy did an aerial and landed on her feet in a defensive crouch, sweeping her leg out to catch T'pol's legs. T'pol jumped back, barely missing being knocked down.
He sighed and rubbed a frustrated hand through his hair, "Do I even get an explanation?" he asked.
Buffy sighed and T'pol backed off for a moment, "I'm stronger than I look ok? I have taken down bigger and badder things than the ugly Klingon. It will be alright, I promise." She nodded to T'pol and they began sparring again. The door opened again and this time Trip came in his mouth open to protest, Buffy held up one hand, "So don't wanna hear it. I have a lot of experience doing this. Let me do it with your support or without but I'm still doing it." She gulped some water and watched emotions storm across Trip's face.
"Fine, but I don't have ta like it." He said crossing his arms in disapproval and Buffy smiled, "As long as we understand each other. Now both of you scat so I can concentrate."
After a couple of hours both T'pol and Buffy were satisfied with her progress. "Whew, I'm starving." Buffy blew out a breath. T'pol nodded, "It is advisable to replenish the calories that you have expended." Buffy grinned at T'pol. "Not to worry, I'm going steal some of Trip's pecan pie."
"Don't get caught." Was T'pol's advice.
The rumor mill was in full gear as Buffy wandered into the crew mess and filled a couple of plates with food. She looked around for a seat when Travis stood and she nodded. She sat her plates down and sat with a sigh. "I hate when Hoshi has duty. I'll probably won't see her before I leave." Buffy said. She looked around and grimaced, "I feel like a bug under glass."
Travis laughed, "What do you expect? People gossip. We've met up with the Klingon's before and know how ruthless they are. You offering to fight them took everyone by surprise." He replied reasonably. "Any other secrets you want to share?" His dark handsome face watched hers and she shook her head. "Nope."
Pretty soon Ensign Cutler came over and sat down and the three of them chatted.
"Hey, I heard a new joke from someone in engineering." He said and both women looked at him, "So spill." Buffy demanded.
"How many Engineers does it take to change a light source?" Both women shrugged, "How many?" Ensign Cutler asked.
"Only one, Commander Tucker's head is too big for anyone else to be under the light source." They all started laughing and Buffy had to wipe tears off of her face.
"Oh Travis." She giggled. Ensign Cutler looked at the time and hopped up, "I need to get on duty. I'm going to tell Dr. Phlox the joke. He may or may not get it." She left and Travis and Buffy laughed. Both knew the Doctor understood more than he let on.
As they ate they were unaware of the argument in the Captain's mess.
"Cap'n, I want to go!" Trip protested. Both T'pol and the Captain shook their heads, "Trip, I need you to stay on the ship and make sure we're ready to break out of here, no matter which way the fight goes." The Captain turned to T'pol, "I need you to stay for the same reasons." She nodded in understanding.
Malcolm looked at his Captain, "So it will be you, Buffy and I?" He stated and the Captain nodded. "I want to prevent her death if at all possible." He didn't see Trip go white but T'pol did and helped him sit before he fell.
"I believe that Buffy is adequate to the task set before her Captain." She said calmly and Trip met her eyes in gratitude.
" I certainly hope so." Malcolm replied, doubts loud in the tone of his voice.
Buffy carried a small duffle back loaded down with what Dr. Phlox thought she needed and met Captain Archer and Malcolm in launch bay one. She was surprised to see Trip there as well.
Trip watched her walk in, placid as the proverbial lake. He guessed he was nervous enough for the both of them. He crossed to her and laid hesitant hands on her shoulders. "Be OK Buffy." His eyes met hers and she felt butterflies.
"I'll
even come back in one piece Trip." She quipped. He nodded and stepped back, "See that ya do." He nodded to his
Captain and Malcolm and strode from the shuttle bay. Buffy shook her head and
looked at her companions, "Let's get this circus on the road."
