Tucker Me Slowly- Ch 3

Tucker Me Slowly

By Rocky Lane

Rating: R for Language and some minor sexual content.
Disclaimer: I own nothing. If I did... the very last episode of Enterprise, which hopefully will be many years away.... would have T’Pol entering the bridge in one of those short Federation issue skirts that all female officers wore in the original series. Oh yeah. One more thing, I don’t actually know the Enterprises exact complement of Starfleet officers and MACOs…so I just guessed. Undoubtedly, there are other mistakes to. So be it. Worse case scenario, maybe Bucky can correct them.
Spoilers: see previous chapters.
Summary: Corporal Amanda Cole reflects on her relationship with the Ship’s Engineer.... and has an interesting neuro-pressure session with T’Pol. There is also some more reflection by T’Pol.
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Chapter 3

Amanda’s POV: No MAC’s Land

I finally confronted him. I finally took Gap’s advice and instead of continuing to inundate her with new adjectives to describe his ass... I just approached it....him, I mean.

Anyways, I approached him in the cafeteria. Stole his pie. In hindsight, it was a very bold move. Kind of surprised myself. The Commander actually looked pissed off for a second.

But he cooled down in a hurry. He has a wicked sense of humour. And that accent of his. Wow. Something about a southern accent on a guy just makes me wanna cuddle up by a fire and let myself get hypnotized by his talk.

And girl, can he talk. He has this way of using metaphors that make even the most seemingly boring subject sound exciting. I honestly never thought that anyone could explain warp theory to me without using one long word....yet make it make sense. Go figure.

Where was this guy when I was falling asleep in those mandatory Physics classes at West Point?

I’ve got to admit that my motivation for approaching him was more than just because he’s gorgeous. I also genuinely wanted to meet him. Judge him for myself.

You see, on a ship the size of Enterprise, there are not exactly a lot of social circles to run around in. There are only 76 Starfleet crew members and 28 MACOs aboard. It is not a place where secrets stay secrets for very long. There is a lot of rumour and innuendo around here. Especially as it involves personal relationships.

And Commander Charles Tucker III. Well, let’s just say that he is in a category all his own when it comes to rumours and gossip.

When my unit first stationed itself on Enterprise, Lieutenant Hayes told us all "off the record" that there could very likely be some tension between us and the Starfleet officers. Apparently the Lieutenant has had experience dealing with Starfleet in the past. My impression is that he finds them to be presumptuous, overconfident and too inexperienced to handle certain operations.

Especially where the Xindi are concerned.

So at first, I was cautious in approaching any Starfleet officer. I didn’t want to ruffle any feathers. Wanted to get a feel for the people and the ship first. Over the span of the first few months, both MACOs and Starfleet officers began to become more comfortable around each other. Some of us became more comfortable than others. There is more than one sexual relationship going on between our two groups. At least if the rumour mill is to be believed.

But what’s not to believe?

It gets lonely out here in space. It’s not that we’re all undisciplined monkeys jumping around looking for sex, but we don’t necessarily pass it up when the opportunity presents itself. Basically, my fellow MACOs aren’t afraid to do the horizontal ‘tango’ once in a while.

Take my friend ‘Gap’ for instance. Her full name is Gloria Andrea Pritchard. I call her "Gap" for short. She loves to ‘tango’. She does it enough that sometimes I forget I have a roommate. She was the first MACO to cross the invisible line into what we call "No Mac’s Land".

To put it bluntly, she was the first MACO on the Enterprise to have sex with a Starfleet crew member.

Travis, I think his name was. Nice guy. Very shy though. Gap said that he took her to this secret spot on the ship where he likes to go to be alone. They ended up doin’ it in zero gravity! After the experience, Gap assured me that if Travis could pilot the Enterprise half as good as he.....well, you get the picture.

I think Gap got frustrated knowing I was sleeping alone at night and so she kept encouraging me to mingle with more of the ship’s complement. Both MACO and Starfleet.

So I began to do that. And as I did, the most interesting rumours and gossip centered more and more on what the ship’s chief engineer was up to.

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Now there were a lot of interesting things that I was told about the Commander when I first got on board. Gap and I got chatty with Hoshi Sato, the Communications officer. I won’t say that Hoshi is necessarily a big gossip, but she has this habit of saying just enough about some of the bridge crew adventures that make you crave more details. She tells us just tidbits about “Trip” as his friends call him, but seems reluctant to provide more juicy details. If I didn’t know better I’d say that she has a thing for him.

Wouldn’t surprise me. From what I have been able to put together, a lot of females have either had, or currently have, a ‘thing’ for the Commander.

After having met Mr. Tucker personally, I must place myself on the list.

Before I approached “Trip” in the cafeteria, all that I really knew about him was that he slept with an alien Princess, apparently tried wooing other alien ladies as well, had an unpleasant experience on Risa and….oh yeah…..he is the only guy ever to get pregnant!

But I knew something else too. Something that interested me even more than his supposedly colourful past.

He lost his sister when the Xindi probe attacked Florida. Hoshi said her name was Elizabeth.

I can relate. I lost my Uncle Nate and Uncle Bradley along with two nieces and three nephews. I hate the Xindi. I want to be in the first unit to land on whatever rock there hiding on…..and show them what payback feels like.

I hide it well. Gap tells me that if she didn’t know better, she would never guess that I had lost any family in Florida. I suppose I keep a lot of stuff hidden. Just my nature I guess. If I want someone to know something about me I tell them. If I don’t, I don’t. Real simple.

And if I want something, I go after it. Full throttle.

Uncle Nate always said, “Life is too short to sit on your ass”. He always was a great motivator. I miss him the most.

He encouraged me to apply to West Point and pursue a career in the military.

“Explorin’ space is the ‘science’ of exploration girl, but protectin’ the explorers is the art.”

Or more specifically, ‘martial art.’

I’m pretty good at it. Top of my class. I agree with Lieutenant Hayes that Starfleet is far too trusting regarding new species. Military units like ours should have been on board Enterprise from the beginning. Not that it necessarily would have prevented what happened to Florida, or saved my family, but…

Fact is, approaching every new situation and new species with an ‘open mind’ is all well and good, but respecting every thing they do no matter how negative it may be to earth is just plain stupid.

Our experience with the Vulcans taught us that. The Vulcans held us back for over a hundred years and we just sat there and accepted it, diplomatically wagging our tails with our tongues hanging out of our mouths expressing gratitude every time they threw us a bone. Technologically speaking, we are where we are in spite of the Vulcans’ so-called guidance, NOT because of it.

The price we paid for being so patient with the Vulcans is reflected in the souls of 7 million people. Killed. Because earth was defenceless against the Xindi probe. Maybe if we weren’t held back for so long things could have been different. Maybe not. All I know is if the Vulcan’s really cared so damn much about us, where are they now in the face of the Xindi menace? Here we are facing our greatest threat and where are our pointed eared ‘friends’?
They’re not our friends. The assholes aren’t even trying to help us.
Well, actually one of them is. But without the official support of the Vulcan High Command.

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Sub-Commander T’Pol.

For a Vulcan, she’s okay I guess. One of the first things we MACOs discovered after coming on board was that she has the respect of almost the entire Starfleet crew. Hoshi told me that when the Enterprise first set out on its voyage two-and-a-half years ago, the entire crew, including the Captain, resented T’Pol. But somehow, bit by bit, she earned their respect. Even saved their lives a couple times. Apparently her scientific background has proven to be invaluable on a number of occasions.

What impresses me though is the Sub-Commander’s background in security. I have studied the Enterprises’ logs. My clearance does not allow me to review all the records, but what I have studied about T’Pol impresses me.
On the outside she looks so small and reserved. Almost fragile at times. Yet here is a woman who, from what I can gather from ship logs has displayed cunning tactical and creative use of ship resources to get out of all kinds of dangerous situations. And she is apparently quite the martial artist. I would love to spar with her. Find out why her fellow Vulcans are such cowards while she clearly is not.

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I sparred with Trip today. Lieutenant Hayes ordered mandatory training exercises for all crew personnel, MACO and Starfleet alike.

Fortunately Trip is better with engines than he is in sparring. I kicked his ass. Not that I think he was trying very hard. All I could do was try to think of moves that would put my lips in proximity to his again.

He’s a great kisser. Great with his hands too. He showed me some neuro-pressure stuff that T’Pol taught him. Wow. It gave me a little bit of a headache, but it’s no big deal. It was worth it. I was a little forceful when I ended our sessions with a kiss, but he didn’t seem to mind. Course he didn’t try to take advantage of me either. Which I respect, but I’m also a little disappointed. Oh well. All in good time.

I noticed something else while I was sparring with him.

I noticed her. Sub-Commander T’Pol. Glaring at me. Or maybe it was Trip. Or maybe it was just my imagination. If it wasn’t for the fact that she’s Vulcan, I’d almost think the Sub-commander was jealous. I mentioned it to Trip and he seemed really taken aback at first, but then dismissed it.

“If it’s one thing I know for sure,” he said, “it’s never try to figure out a Vulcan. Especially T’Pol”

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At the direction of Doctor Phlox, I had a neuro-pressure session with Sub-Commander T’Pol. I figured it would be a good opportunity to find out what she knew about Trip. See if she could tell me anything that might help me understand him better. Suffice to say, by the end of our session, my opinion of the Sub-Commander changed dramatically.

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“So Sub-Commander, if you don’t mind me asking, what can you tell me about Commander Tucker?”
“Why are you asking me Corporal?” T’Pol replied, “The most logical person to ask would be the Commander himself?”
“True enough,” Amanda said, “but I like him. And guys don’t tell girls everything. Every guy is different. They keep different things hidden. You work quite a bit with him. You must know some things.”

T’Pol began to work her fingers down the Corporal’s spinal column toward the fifth vertebrae, but found herself growing increasingly agitated by the direction that the conversation was going. T’Pol had hoped to find out the nature of the Corporal’s relationship with the Commander. It was clear that the Corporal found him attractive, but T’Pol would not allow herself to be put into a position of aiding the Corporal’s understanding of him. Perhaps it was illogical but T’Pol resented the idea of providing this obviously overly promiscuous young woman with information on a man that had taken years for T’Pol to just barely comprehend herself.

T’Pol let out a noticeable sigh. “Again Corporal, I do not believe that I am the appropriate source from which to provide you with the information you seek.”

Amanda would not give up so easily.
“Come one Sub-Commander. You must know something. Has he ever talked to you about women? I know that he has been with at least two women since he has been on board Enterprise…even gotten pregnant. Is he always so flirtatious?”

The Corporal’s last statement upset T’Pol. T’Pol would not allow herself to converse with the Corporal regarding the Commander’s history of flirtatious conduct. Such a topic only led to images of Ah’len and Kaitaama, both of which only inflamed T’Pol’s already rapidly dissolving emotional control. Consequently, T’Pol thought it best to focus on her ministrations of the Corporals’ vertebrae and try to deflect the subject of conversation. After all, T’Pol had already learned enough about Corporal Amanda Cole and confirmed her suspicions. Further investigation was not necessary. T’Pol attempted once again to try to answer the Corporal’s question while at the same time providing nothing of substance regarding the Commander.

“When the Commander has been in my presence he has been nothing short of a consummate professional. You should be careful not to allow the ship’s gossip to influence your perception of Mr. Tucker. The most logical and efficient way to understand anyone is through direct experience.”

“That makes sense,” Amanda replied. “You work quite a lot with the Commander don’t you?”

“Yes, I do. Our respective duties necessitate a high degree of coordination and cooperation.”

“Uh-huh. So I guess you have a lot of "direct experience" with the Commander then?”

“Yes.”

“You know, it’s interesting that you mention the importance of not believing everything you hear from the ship’s gossip, because you and the Commander are part of it. Rumour has it that you to have a little thing going on. I know it’s not true of course. At least, that’s what the Commander tells me. Was he being truthful with me? I mean I know how some guys are. The Commander does have a reputation with women. I’m not naive. For all I know he could be bending the truth a bit. Is there somethin going on between you and the Commander that I should know about?

T’Pol recognized this as an opportunity. She could inform the Corporal that there was something between her and the Commander. But what exactly could she say? That she desired the Commander but that she was unaware of how the Commander regarded her?

Indeed, T’Pol was aware that there was a lot of gossip about Commander Tucker spreading around the ship but T’Pol usually dismissed it. A considerable amount of her private time had, until recently, been spent in his company. Accordingly, T’Pol could conclude quite confidently that on-going rumours regarding the Commander’s intimacy with her or any other female member of the crew were unfounded. But lately, with the presence of Corporal Cole occupying an increasing amount of the Commander’s time, T’Pol could no longer be so certain.

T’Pol scolded herself. She should not doubt the Commander. But he did not make any mention of his neuro-pressure session with the Corporal. He simply went ahead and did it without so much as a mention to her. T’Pol only found out from Doctor Phlox. If not for the Commander’s improper technique, T’Pol may never have been aware of his sessions with her. Very likely, T’Pol reasoned, she would have heard gossip of the Commander’s sessions with the Corporal and at some point would have had to confront him directly on the subject. What disturbed T’Pol was that if Charles could engage in such conduct without her knowing, how many other ‘sessions’ had he had, or contemplated having with others that she was unaware of?

No. T’Pol had a hard time believing that the Commander was engaging in deliberately promiscuous behaviour. Rather, he was simply doing his best to cope with his own personal stresses and was being his usual flirtatious self.

The Commander’s normally flirtatious behaviour all but disappeared after the Xindi incident. However, as the months past and the sessions continued, the Commander must have slowly returned to his old self. This was a good sign insofar as it indicated that the neuro-pressure was helping him both physically in allowing him to sleep, but also psychologically in that it was normalizing his outward stress levels. While T’Pol was pleased that Commander Tucker’s behaviour was normalizing, she had to admit to herself that his flirtatious nature stirred conflicting emotions in her. Most of the time T’Pol simply dismissed his flirtatious behaviour because it seemed more superfluous than deliberate in nature. However now, with his attentions seemingly more focused on the young Corporal, T’Pol could not allow herself to be so confident regarding the Commander’s intentions.

T’Pol’s became so occupied in her thoughts that she did not realize that some time had passed and she had not answered the Corporal’s question.

“Uhhhh....Sub-Commander? You haven’t answered my question. Am I to assume by your silence that there is something going on between you and the Commander?”

T’Pol did not know exactly what to say and so she fell back on a strictly ‘logical’ response that reflected a more detached approach to the Corporal’s query.

"If the Commander and I were romantically involved, it would be no one’s business but our own."

Amanda was taken aback. What was that supposed to mean? Was the Sub-Commander trying to hide something? Maybe there really is more between Trip and her than either of them had let on. It might also explain why Trip did not attempt to take greater advantage of her at the conclusion of their neuro-pressure session.

Despite the rather cold and protective nature of T’Pol’s response, Amanda felt it important to inquire further. She did not want to venture into a new relationship, no matter how short she expected it to be, unless she was aware of all the players.

Hidden from T’Pol’s view, who was methodically working her fingertips into specific places along the Corporal’s back bone, a sly grin slowly formed on Amanda’s face. “If Sub-Commander T’Pol is not willing to reveal anything about her relationship with Trip,” thought Amanda, “let’s see how she reacts to a revelation regarding my relationship with him.”

"You're right of course,” replied Amanda, “But it’s just that he’s such a great guy.... and a great kisser."

There was a sudden stop in T’Pol’s fingered ministrations of Amanda’s lower vertebrae. While she was uncertain, Amanda could have sworn that the Sub-Commander stopped breathing.

"Sub-Commander? Everything okay? Is something wrong?

T’Pol felt flustered. She forced herself to breath. It took her at least tens seconds before she realized that her entire body had stopped moving. Her mind was filled with only one image. That of Commander Tucker and Corporal Cole entangled in a passionate embrace, Charles’ mouth covering the Corporals’.

Amanda turned around. "Hey, what’s wrong?”

T’Pol quickly composed herself. "There is nothing wrong Corporal. I am simply determining what the best manner is in which to proceed. If I am not careful, I could potentially add to your headaches rather than alleviate them."

T’Pol was forced to chastise herself because the thought of paralyzing the young Corporal with a couple of carefully placed manipulations filled her thoughts. She dismissed them, but not before replacing the violent image with an unfiltered verbal response speckled with as much annoyance as it was devoid of forethought.

"Mr. Tucker should really learn to be far more careful and disciplined should he choose to continue to provide ‘sessions’ to you. It would be advisable to discontinue your sessions with him. He should not have performed any neuro-pressure techniques on you in the first place.”

Amanda could clearly sense that T’Pol was irritated but could not resist adding a little ‘fuel to the developing fire’.

"I’ve no regrets Sub-Commander. Otherwise I would have missed out on the kiss.”

Precisely, thought T’Pol.

“Our session is at an end, Corporal. If your headaches return, we can arrange a subsequent session, but I believe you should be fine. Now if you will excuse me, I need to meditate.”

“Uh sure. No problem Sub-Commander. Thanks for your help.”

Amanda now knew that Sub-Commander T’Pol felt more for Trip than simply professional respect. But why wouldn’t T’Pol just admit it? Be honest about it? Amanda felt that she could guess the answer.

“She’s Vulcan,” thought Amanda, “their emotions repressed and clouded and their motives never clear. Perhaps the Sub-Commander is as deceptive and manipulative in her personal relationships as the Vulcan High Command is in their cultural ones.”

“To hell with it. I like Trip and I’m pretty sure he likes me. I’m not going to worry about what the Sub-Commander might think. I gave her an opportunity to come clean and she didn’t take it. Instead she was …somewhat rude about it. I like Trip and I’m not going to just give him up because Miss Pointed-ears has a thing for him This ship is too small to worry about uptight repressed superior officers, no matter how much I might respect their service record.”

The Corporal turned around and faced T’Pol. The silence between the two women continued to build as Amanda methodically buttoned up her top, all the while gazing intently into the Sub-Commander’s eyes. Nothing further was stated between them but it was clear to both of them that they were evaluating each other.

Amanda was the first to blink. She casually turned and left T’Pol’s quarters. She proceeded half way down the corridor when one last thought occurred to her. She turned around and walked promptly back to T’Pol’s quarters and pushed the com link.

The door swooshed open and the Corporal was met with a raised eyebrow and inquisitory glare.

“Did you forget something, Corporal?”
“Yes,” said Amanda, “I just thought I would let you know that I will stop by Commander Tucker’s quarters this evening to let him know how our session went. You know, save you the time. It’s the least I can do given how you’ve helped me with my headaches, and, in particular how you have clarified all the gossip surrounding him…..and you.”

Amanda then deliberately and very slowly allowed a smile to spread across her face taking the time to gauge the Sub-Commander’s response.

It took every remaining ounce of emotional fortitude that T’Pol had left, but she did not allow a single physical sign of emotion to show on her face. Even her eyebrows did not rise. She would not give the audacious young Corporal the satisfaction. “It is late, Corporal. I need to meditate.” replied T’Pol coldly.

“Of course, “Amanda said with an even wider grin, “Sleep well Sub-Commander. I know I plan to.”

T’Pol watched the Corporal turn and walk down the hallway toward what she knew to be the direction of Commander Tucker’s quarters. As if the thought of the Corporal attempting to seduce the Commander was not disconcerting enough, T’Pol’s superior hearing picked up one last comment from the Corporal. A comment T’Pol was sure that the Corporal intended her to hear as she rounded the corridor.

“I’m sure I can find someone to ‘Tucker’ me in”.

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T’Pol stood at the entrance to her room for many minutes frozen in place. She felt wounded, angry and resentful. And the feelings were all centered on Corporal Cole. T’Pol was not an expert in human culture or human courtship rituals but she was quite certain that what had just transpired between her and the Corporal was more than just a neuro-pressure session.

The Corporal was sexually interested in the Commander and was very clearly establishing her interest in such regard. T’Pol mentally replayed her own conduct during the neuro-pressure session and realized that she had implied her own interest in the Commander, however subtly, by deflecting the Corporal’s questions regarding her relationship with Charles.

The Corporal indicated that she was stopping by the Commander’s quarters this evening. Undoubtedly she planned on seducing him.

T’Pol needed to meditate to control and stabilize her emotions. But now was not the appropriate time to do so. If she were to spend the next few hours meditating while the Corporal and Commander were……

No. She would not sit idly back and let that happen.

Charles was still recovering from his accident. He required further neuro-pressure sessions before it could be said with confidence that he was at optimum mental integrity. It was not appropriate, nor in the Commander’s best interests that he have to deal with the Corporal’s potentially disruptive sexual manipulations.

An immediate neuro-pressure session is in order before any further contact between the Commander and the Corporal takes place. If Charles desires to be with the Corporal then it is only fitting that he make such a decision with a clear mind, in his optimal mental state, unclouded by frivolous, spontaneous and undoubtedly undisciplined sexual seduction at the hands of an overly promiscuous MACO.

T’Pol had to act quickly. She proceeded to her desk and typed in the Commander’s room code.

“Commander, I know it is late, but I believe it is in your best interests to attend my quarters this evening for a further session. The workout today under Lieutenant Hayes was particularly gruelling on the entire crew. I recommend you attend my quarters before turning in”.

It was an admittedly bold move on her part, but as the Commander himself had been known to say on more than one occasion “desperate times call for desperate measures”.

“All right, T’Pol,” came the Commander’s reply. “Be there in a minute, someone’s at my door.”

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Next up: The event we have all been waiting for (some of you anyway). The Neuro-pressure session between Trip and T’Pol! Also, for all you DVD special addition buffs, I will also be including 4 alternate endings of the neuro-pressure scene, including the one that took place in the mirror universe. If you’ve ever wondered how a mirror-universe T’Pol would deal with Amanda…check it out. In the meantime, let me thank you guys again for your kind reviews so far. You’ve been very encouraging.

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A whole mess of folks have made comments

Bring on a catfight. Please. I would love to see T'Pol and Amanda duke it out...getting all sweaty and aggressive....with Trip in the middle.

I like your Amanda...wonder what the B&B version will be like?

Maco Skank

Oh man, Rocky Lane... you are funny! I was laughing the entire time almost at T'Pol's reaction to Amanda, and Amanda's sly remarks just to get the Vulcan upset! I can't wait for the rest! This is a great story... hey maybe B&B should have had you write the story for them! You do good with T'Pol and Trip's personality. Anyways, good story, can't wait for the next part!

Oh my did I hear claws retracting???!!!

*snicker* Love T'Pol's inner conversation.

I think you've twisted that knife pretty well now let's have the SMUT!

God I just want to pound Amanda into a bloody pulp. Good job with her, and with this chapter in general. Can't wait for the next part!

I LOVE IT!!! But pleeeeaaaassseee, write the next part quickly. Im dying here. Great story!

Oh, this is *so* good but I have to admit to wanting T'Pol to put Amanda Cole in her place. I did chuckle at T'Pol contacting Trip for a late neuropressure session just seconds before Amanda rang his doorbell. Oooh, can't wait for the next part! Ali D :~)

This DVD BUff requests the alter universe be that T'Pol punches Maco Whore's head off in one punch without even breaking her Vulcan nails.

Holy cat fight Batman! Can't wait! Hee hee hee!

So, does Trip need to blow off Amanda to get to T'Pol's quarters? Is that who's at the door? Quick, isn't she? Can't wait.

Fantastic chapter, I'm giddy with anticipation for the next one. Bravo!

Another chapter soon? Please?

Wooooo! This is a great, great fic. Please continue. I'm on pins and needles. :)

Thanks for the kind reviews again. The ending is taking a little longer than I anticipated. I hope to have it posted soon.