Jonathan Archer found himself anxiously waiting for T'Pol in the same
corridor in which he had contacted her. There were couples milling about
in the hallway, for it was slightly less noisy here than in the mess hall.
He was pacing, in fact, and as a result, almost missed her coming in.
Apparently she did not see him in the shadows for she walked right passed
him. Jonathan reached out and gently grabbed her arm to turn her around to
face him. She looked absolutely fabulous. His eyes roamed over her black
pants that hung on every curve and fell gently in a flare leg around her
boots. The top she had on was form-fitting, but not scandalous, and red,
his favorite color on her. Jonathan couldn't believe how good she looked.
\
"Captain, your mouth is open."
He shook his head and apologized. As he let go of her arm, he told her, "You look very nice."
"Yes, I believe your reaction conveyed that to me quite clearly..thank you."
He would have blushed if it were anyone else, but this was T'Pol, and he knew that she would not judge him or intentionally play with his emotions. Her response was innocent, yet he knew her to be teasing at times.
"I um.. I think we should go in." He gestured to the mess hall. "You know, say something."
T'Pol nodded her acquiescence and added, "I believe it is time." The pair walked together through the open doors and stepped into the transformed ballroom. They headed for the table at the end of the room that Travis and Hoshi were manning, for they were in charge of the music. Jonathan nodded to Travis, who handed him a microphone, and turned the music down low so the Captain could be heard.
"Ladies and gentlemen..honored guests..I would like to have your attention for just a moment. I would like to thank the Krappians for all of their help in updating our star charts.and our music library." That elicited chuckles throughout the room. "I would also like to thank them for being an ally in this Expanse, where kind souls are hard to find. So, I would like to propose a toast to our guests. To the Krappians!" The entire room exploded in "To the Krappians!" Jonathan resumed, "And now, I believe my First Officer would like to say a few words." With a beaming smile, he handed the microphone over to T'Pol, who raised her eyebrows.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I do not believe I need to remind you all how important crew social interaction is on the ship. That being said, I still have not changed my orders regarding alcoholic drinks. You will not be required to use your ration cards for food and non-alcoholic drinks. However, a limit of two alcoholic beverages is still in place, and I expect that to be followed this evening."
Someone shouted out, "Yes, mother!" The whole room laughed at that, even the Captain.
"Crewman Milosevic, I can assure you, if I was your mother, I would never have to remind you of my policy regarding alcohol."
Again, everyone laughed, and the music started again. Jonathan was still beaming at her, and he led her over to one of the tables on the perimeter of the room.
"That was wonderful. Everyone loves you around here." He waved his hand vaguely toward the group of people swarming the middle of the room.
"I was merely doing my job. As First Officer, I must look out for the well being of the entire crew, which includes you. If anyone were to attack us tonight, everyone should have a clear head. We cannot afford to fail on our mission."
He smiled, teasing her, "Does that mean I have restricted drinking privileges, too?"
"Absolutely." He laughed. "Captain, I believe your mood has improved greatly in the small span of time the Krappians have been on board."
"T'Pol, look at where we are. Call me Jonathan, please." She bent her head forward. "Yes, I think finally finding an ally is a worthy thing to be happy for. Besides, I've been drinking (only a little), and I'm at a party with the most beautiful woman I've ever laid eyes on..why wouldn't I be in a great mood?"
His last comment made her stomach flutter, and she frowned, confused by her body's reaction.
"I'm sorry, T'Pol, that was out of line." He started to rise out of his seat to leave, but her hand on his wrist stopped him.
"There is no need to apologize. I am..simply confused. I have never.."
He pulled his chair closer to her. "Never what?"
"I have never..felt this way before. When we are working, I sometimes find myself.. distracted. During idle moments in my work I catch myself staring at you. And when we are apart, I find myself wanting to be near you. It is illogical, and I am the one out of line."
"You get distracted? I can't stop thinking about you. When I am alone, the only thing I want is to be with you. Sometimes I walk Porthos by your quarters at night, hoping somehow you will come out. That's how I found out about you and Trip." He looked down, embarrassed. "I know about you two, I see him going into your room at night."
"Jonathan. Jonathan, look at me. I have been performing Vulcan neuro-pressure on Commander Tucker as of late. It was the Doctor's idea; he believes it will help Mr. Tucker sleep. We are not..romantically involved, in any way."
"You're not? I mean, that really isn't any of my business anyway. I am sorry.. I just assumed.."
She could sense his uneasiness. "What was it that Commander Tucker said? I believe it was, 'assuming makes an ass out of you and me'? Frankly, I don't understand, but it seems to have some affect." She was referring to his smile, which had come back. "Captain...Jonathan, do you believe our...attraction towards each other is...problematic?"
He thought for a moment. "Well, you don't work for the High Command or Starfleet, not technically, anyway. So there is no rule-breaking on that level. Let's face it, talking about has already helped. By acknowledging our feelings, it will probably not be as difficult to concentrate at work. And personally, I am not looking for a fling, so they say. T'Pol, I think we should see what happens, see where our feelings take us."
She nodded. "I told you once before that few Vulcans pursue relationships with another species. However, my status within the Vulcan world has been greatly diminished. At least, to the majority of Vulcans it has been. I do not hold any prejudices against Humans, and I, too, am willing to see where our feelings take us. However, I ask that we keep this private. I think that would be in our best interest, at least for now."
He smiled again. "I agree. And just for the record, you mean the world to me." Under the table, he reached for her hand and held it in his large one. His thumb explored her palm, and their eyes locked.
"Ahem."
The pair looked up at Doctor Phlox, who had interrupted their moment. "Am I interrupting?"
"Not at all, Doc, have a seat. T'Pol and I were just discussing the benefits of good social interaction among the crew." It wasn't entirely a lie.
"Ah! It can be very valuable, indeed. This party, for example, is a wonderful opportunity for the crew to socialize amongst each other, while interacting with another species altogether. It was a very good idea, Captain."
"Oh, don't thank me, it was T'Pol's idea. That's why I insisted she be here tonight. That, and someone has to keep track of how much the crew has to drink." The two men chuckled, and T'Pol simply raised a classic eyebrow.
"Ah, if you will excuse me Captain, Sub-Commander, I believe Hoshi told me she would teach me how to..dance. It sounds very interesting." With that, he was gone again, and Jonathan leaned in closer to T'Pol.
"You know, you and I should dance, too. It's very easy, and you're a fast learner." He was grinning at her with a devilish glint in his eyes.
"I do not dance, Jonathan. But, perhaps if you are lucky, you can teach me some time.... in private. Now, if you will excuse me, I must be getting back to my quarters. I have spent too much time here as it is, and the loud music is hurting my ears. Goodnight..Jonathan." And with that, she was gone, leaving Jonathan gaping behind her.
A few seconds later, Trip called over, "Cap'n, your mouth is hangin' open!"
He shook his head, and realized that was the second time tonight she had done that to him.
***Well, what do you think? Again, I'm sorry for the crappy formatting.
"Captain, your mouth is open."
He shook his head and apologized. As he let go of her arm, he told her, "You look very nice."
"Yes, I believe your reaction conveyed that to me quite clearly..thank you."
He would have blushed if it were anyone else, but this was T'Pol, and he knew that she would not judge him or intentionally play with his emotions. Her response was innocent, yet he knew her to be teasing at times.
"I um.. I think we should go in." He gestured to the mess hall. "You know, say something."
T'Pol nodded her acquiescence and added, "I believe it is time." The pair walked together through the open doors and stepped into the transformed ballroom. They headed for the table at the end of the room that Travis and Hoshi were manning, for they were in charge of the music. Jonathan nodded to Travis, who handed him a microphone, and turned the music down low so the Captain could be heard.
"Ladies and gentlemen..honored guests..I would like to have your attention for just a moment. I would like to thank the Krappians for all of their help in updating our star charts.and our music library." That elicited chuckles throughout the room. "I would also like to thank them for being an ally in this Expanse, where kind souls are hard to find. So, I would like to propose a toast to our guests. To the Krappians!" The entire room exploded in "To the Krappians!" Jonathan resumed, "And now, I believe my First Officer would like to say a few words." With a beaming smile, he handed the microphone over to T'Pol, who raised her eyebrows.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I do not believe I need to remind you all how important crew social interaction is on the ship. That being said, I still have not changed my orders regarding alcoholic drinks. You will not be required to use your ration cards for food and non-alcoholic drinks. However, a limit of two alcoholic beverages is still in place, and I expect that to be followed this evening."
Someone shouted out, "Yes, mother!" The whole room laughed at that, even the Captain.
"Crewman Milosevic, I can assure you, if I was your mother, I would never have to remind you of my policy regarding alcohol."
Again, everyone laughed, and the music started again. Jonathan was still beaming at her, and he led her over to one of the tables on the perimeter of the room.
"That was wonderful. Everyone loves you around here." He waved his hand vaguely toward the group of people swarming the middle of the room.
"I was merely doing my job. As First Officer, I must look out for the well being of the entire crew, which includes you. If anyone were to attack us tonight, everyone should have a clear head. We cannot afford to fail on our mission."
He smiled, teasing her, "Does that mean I have restricted drinking privileges, too?"
"Absolutely." He laughed. "Captain, I believe your mood has improved greatly in the small span of time the Krappians have been on board."
"T'Pol, look at where we are. Call me Jonathan, please." She bent her head forward. "Yes, I think finally finding an ally is a worthy thing to be happy for. Besides, I've been drinking (only a little), and I'm at a party with the most beautiful woman I've ever laid eyes on..why wouldn't I be in a great mood?"
His last comment made her stomach flutter, and she frowned, confused by her body's reaction.
"I'm sorry, T'Pol, that was out of line." He started to rise out of his seat to leave, but her hand on his wrist stopped him.
"There is no need to apologize. I am..simply confused. I have never.."
He pulled his chair closer to her. "Never what?"
"I have never..felt this way before. When we are working, I sometimes find myself.. distracted. During idle moments in my work I catch myself staring at you. And when we are apart, I find myself wanting to be near you. It is illogical, and I am the one out of line."
"You get distracted? I can't stop thinking about you. When I am alone, the only thing I want is to be with you. Sometimes I walk Porthos by your quarters at night, hoping somehow you will come out. That's how I found out about you and Trip." He looked down, embarrassed. "I know about you two, I see him going into your room at night."
"Jonathan. Jonathan, look at me. I have been performing Vulcan neuro-pressure on Commander Tucker as of late. It was the Doctor's idea; he believes it will help Mr. Tucker sleep. We are not..romantically involved, in any way."
"You're not? I mean, that really isn't any of my business anyway. I am sorry.. I just assumed.."
She could sense his uneasiness. "What was it that Commander Tucker said? I believe it was, 'assuming makes an ass out of you and me'? Frankly, I don't understand, but it seems to have some affect." She was referring to his smile, which had come back. "Captain...Jonathan, do you believe our...attraction towards each other is...problematic?"
He thought for a moment. "Well, you don't work for the High Command or Starfleet, not technically, anyway. So there is no rule-breaking on that level. Let's face it, talking about has already helped. By acknowledging our feelings, it will probably not be as difficult to concentrate at work. And personally, I am not looking for a fling, so they say. T'Pol, I think we should see what happens, see where our feelings take us."
She nodded. "I told you once before that few Vulcans pursue relationships with another species. However, my status within the Vulcan world has been greatly diminished. At least, to the majority of Vulcans it has been. I do not hold any prejudices against Humans, and I, too, am willing to see where our feelings take us. However, I ask that we keep this private. I think that would be in our best interest, at least for now."
He smiled again. "I agree. And just for the record, you mean the world to me." Under the table, he reached for her hand and held it in his large one. His thumb explored her palm, and their eyes locked.
"Ahem."
The pair looked up at Doctor Phlox, who had interrupted their moment. "Am I interrupting?"
"Not at all, Doc, have a seat. T'Pol and I were just discussing the benefits of good social interaction among the crew." It wasn't entirely a lie.
"Ah! It can be very valuable, indeed. This party, for example, is a wonderful opportunity for the crew to socialize amongst each other, while interacting with another species altogether. It was a very good idea, Captain."
"Oh, don't thank me, it was T'Pol's idea. That's why I insisted she be here tonight. That, and someone has to keep track of how much the crew has to drink." The two men chuckled, and T'Pol simply raised a classic eyebrow.
"Ah, if you will excuse me Captain, Sub-Commander, I believe Hoshi told me she would teach me how to..dance. It sounds very interesting." With that, he was gone again, and Jonathan leaned in closer to T'Pol.
"You know, you and I should dance, too. It's very easy, and you're a fast learner." He was grinning at her with a devilish glint in his eyes.
"I do not dance, Jonathan. But, perhaps if you are lucky, you can teach me some time.... in private. Now, if you will excuse me, I must be getting back to my quarters. I have spent too much time here as it is, and the loud music is hurting my ears. Goodnight..Jonathan." And with that, she was gone, leaving Jonathan gaping behind her.
A few seconds later, Trip called over, "Cap'n, your mouth is hangin' open!"
He shook his head, and realized that was the second time tonight she had done that to him.
***Well, what do you think? Again, I'm sorry for the crappy formatting.