Spying

"So, what do you make of it?" Malcolm asked as he peered over to Trip and T'Pol's private table.

"Looks like romance to me." Hoshi smiled.

"It could be anything." The Captain murmured, his back turned to Trip and T'Pol's table. He refused to believe anything his officers were talking about. "They could be talking about improving some section of the ship."

Everyone looked to Captain Archer, who now seemed a little embarrassed by his outburst.

"With all due respect, sir," Malcolm said in his British accent. "Wouldn't they talk to you about that?"

"Yeah," Travis agreed. "Besides, I don't think they'd be holding hands if they were talking about work."

"What!" The Captain swerved around on his chair to see Trip, his best friend, looking extremely comfortable and coupley with T'Pol, his Science Officer. Not wanting to see anymore of it, Captain Archer removed his napkin and got up as subtly as he could manage.

"If you'll excuse me." The Captain didn't wait for an answer; he just walked, rather stiffly, to the door. All of the others looked at each other, completely dumbfounded.

"What was that about?" Hoshi exclaimed.

"It seemed the Captain was uncomfortable, which might denote jealousy." Doctor Phlox answered.

"Jealous? Of Trip?" Malcolm scoffed. "The Captain's above that."

"Although Captain Archer conveys a sense of superiority, we mustn't forget, he's still human. And humans are always very emotional. Actually, there's this funny story…" Doctor Phlox looked up to see 3 pairs of human eyes looking slightly offended. "Wrong crowd." The Denobulan muttered.

"Look how comfortable they seem around each other." Hoshi directed everyone's attention back to Trip and T'Pol. "Even T'Pol looks a little emotional."

"Yep." Travis agreed.

They all stared in Trip and T'Pol's direction, each secretly envious that they hadn't the same relationship with anyone else.