Interlude and Fugue

Interlude and Fugue

By vandiver49

Rating: G, general, humor

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters associated with Star Trek, I'm just borrowing them for a moment. Please don't sue; people in the Navy don't make that much money. I hope this is as funny as I think it is.

This story takes place before "A Night in Sickbay"

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Hoshi Sato sighed once again. It was her third sigh in as many minutes, an obvious indication of her growing impatience. "Where could Jackie possibly be?" She asked, her eyes transfixed on the golden foil box that adorned the table.

"She's an engineer Hoshi; you know they're always working way past their shifts." Elizabeth Cutler replied, attempting to placate the Communications Officer's growing frustration.

The two were sitting in the Mess Hall, bathed in the twilight that spilled through the porthole window onto their table in the corner. The two were waiting for Crewman Jacquelyn Kelly so that they could indulge in what had become a monthly tradition. It started off rather innocently enough, three women who sought an escape from their testosterone laden lives. This was their opportunity to gossip about the various rumors that transversed the ship and alleviate the stress generated from their work, a feat accomplished by a large box of chocolates.

"You know what, forget it. Let's just start without her." Hoshi said as she lifted the lid off the box.

It was just then that the doors to the Mess Hall opened flew open to reveal the ship's resident Vulcan. T'Pol’s sudden presence immediately captured the two women's attention as she stood frozen in the threshold. They noted the furrowed brow and narrowed eyes, both of which nicely complimented her overall tense expression. Although Vulcans were supposed to be adept at concealing their true emotions, it was obvious that the Sub-Commander had spent too much time amongst humans. That or either Hoshi or Elizabeth had become especially proficient in discerning T'Pol's demeanor, for they were easily able to ascertain the source of the First Officer's discomfort.

"Commander Tucker." Both women bemoaned in unison.

"So what do you think he did to her this time?" Liz asked.

"Oh who knows, but judging from the look on her face I'd say she was on the losing end." Hoshi replied.

"It must be tough for her, being the only Vulcan on an all human ship." Liz said, watching the Sub-Commander as she finally made her way towards the drink dispenser.

"Hey, why not invite her over?" Hoshi suggested, already waving her hand in an attempt to get the Vulcan's attention.

'Wait," Elizabeth pleaded, "don't do that. She doesn't even like me."

"She doesn't like or dislike anyone Liz. And anytime Commander Tucker manages to piss her off , she just takes her frustration out on the bridge." Hoshi said. "Besides, aren't you the least bit curious?"

"Curious about what?" Cutler asked guardedly.

"Curious to see if what they say is true, that every woman loves chocolate."

T'Pol apparently decided to accept the invitation, walking across the Mess Hall to the secluded table. "Evening Sub-Commander." Both women said in unison as T'Pol moved to sit. "Ensign Sato, Crewman Cutler, how are the two of you this evening?" T'Pol replied as she set her cup down on the table.

"We're doing fine, just sitting around waiting for a friend of ours." Liz chimed.

Realizing that she had just taken the last unoccupied seat at the table, T'Pol began to rise. "I apologize for my."

"No T'Pol, please sit back down." Hoshi pleaded with an extended arm. "There's plenty room for one more." The Vulcan dutifully returned to her seat.

"Would you like a chocolate turtle?" Elizabeth asked, removing the lid from the box to display the wonderful treats within to the Vulcan. But she was obviously far from impressed as she furrowed her brow in disgust.

"Don't worry Sub-Commander; no animals were in the creation of these delectable treats." Hoshi explained, which seemed to abate some the Vulcan's displeasure.

"Then what do they consist of?" T'Pol inquired.

"Well, mostly cream, caramel and praline. But the most important ingredient is the chocolate coating. You should really try one; it'll ease your nerves." Liz explained, unaware of the accusation she had just made.

What gives you the impression that my nerves are under duress crewman?" T'Pol questioned sternly.

Hoshi watched as her friend recoiled under the Vulcan's burning glare, a result of Cutler's inexperience in dealing with T'Pol. "Well, to be honest Sub-Commander," Hoshi perked up, "it's pretty obvious. I guess we're starting to rub off on you?" She teased.

T'Pol wanted to challenge Hoshi's suspicion, but her claim was far too accurate.

"So Sub-Commander, would you like to try one?" Liz ventured again, holding the box up for display once more.

T'Pol rebuffed the crewman once more, as she was most certainly not going to touch the candy with her fingers.

Readily aware of T'Pol's new dilemma, Hoshi reached for one of the unused forks set at the table. "Here, use this."

T'Pol took the proffered silverware in hand and returned her attention back to the box, scanning over the possible thirty selections. She settled on the piece squarely in the middle, for no other reason than its absence would have the least damaging effect on the symmetry of the other pieces.

"How is chocolate supposed to 'ease my nerves'?" She asked, cagily eyeing the confection that rested atop her fork.

Both Hoshi and Liz exchanged curious glances and shrugged shoulders, as neither had an answer to T'Pol's query. They both turned back to the Sub- Commander, completely stumped. "They just do. There's plenty of speculation on why, but even 600 years after its discovery, no one knows for sure." Liz conceded, as she decided to follow T'Pol's lead and partake of the little piece of heaven.

T'Pol returned her attention once again to the chocolate treat, the crewman's answer doing little to satiate her curiosity. Realizing that there was only one thing that would, she leaned slightly forward and ventured a small bite.

Inside her mouth, the chocolate that covered the treat instantly began to melt, yielding a creamy caramel center. She found the taste of chocolate rather perplexing. It wasn't nearly as sweet as pecan pie, but definitely as delicious. Inexorably, T'Pol could feel the tension in her neck, face and back slowly begin to melt away like the rivulets of cocoa that coated her palette. Pleased with the results of the first bite, the Vulcan decided to continue her indulgence.

"So Sub-Commander, what did he do this time?" Hoshi asked, easily discerning T'Pol's more agreeable mood. She reached for the box and pulled out her first tantalizing treat.

T'Pol responded to the Communications Officer's query with a raised eyebrow, her mouth too enthralled by the wonderful feelings her taste buds were eliciting to offer a verbal response.

Hoshi was about to redress her question when the doors to the Mess Hall parted once more, barely missing a boisterous Crewman Kelly. She made her way across the room in seconds, talking all the while. "Hey guys, sorry I'm late. You wouldn't believe the argument that broke out between Commander Tucker and Sub-Comm." the engineering crewman suddenly stopped her running diatribe upon seeing their unexpected dinner guest. "Uhhh.excuse me Sub-Commander." Jackie stammered.

T'Pol sought to immediately diffuse the awkward situation. "Good evening Crewman Kelly, please join us."

"Yea Jackie, what were you rambling about?" Hoshi inquired as the new crewman pulled up another chair.

"I believe Crewman Kelly was about to answer your question Ensign Sato." T'Pol answered.

All eyes turned to Jacquelyn, who was understandably embarrassed as the subject of her little piece of gossip was apart of the present company. "Well, I was just going to elaborate on the latest disagreement between you and the Chief Engineer. It appeared as though he won another round." She relayed with some trepidation and as little embellishment as possible.

T'Pol, whose fork was posed to extract another piece of chocolate, took issue with her verbal confrontations with Commander Tucker being likened to a contest. "I believe it would be more accurate to describe today's earlier events as a difference of opinion, nothing more."

Three of the women at the table exchanged telling glances at each other degenerating into a fit of laughter and stymied giggles, a rather odd response in T'Pol's estimation. And the look in her face conveyed her confusion.

"Sub-Commander, who else on this ship do you argue with as much a Commander Tucker?" Hoshi asked, attempting to validate her and her friends' amusement.

The question posed caught T'Pol somewhat off guard. It was a subject she hadn't given any requisite thought to. More disturbing though was the absolute validity of Hoshi's assessment. Commander Tucker was the only person she seemingly disagreed with on a consistent basis.

The unusual silence from the Vulcan was itself an answer to the Communication Officer's question. "You see Sub-Commander; he's the only person you argue with because he does it on purpose." Hoshi continued, with Liz and Jackie nodding in agreement.

"Why would the Chief Engineer purposefully choose to antagonize me?" T'Pol asked, absently spearing another piece of chocolate.

"Because it irritates you." Jackie nonchalantly replied. "It's the only way he knows how to get a response out of you."

The conversation had come full circle, much to T'Pol's chagrin. While being amongst the company of these women was quite enjoyable, the revelation that her emotions were so easily discernable along with the knowledge that they were being manipulated by design were quite distressing in her estimation.

"You know Sub-Commander; you really should get him back." Hoshi said, tired of watching T'Pol sit in quiet self-loathing.

"And why should I want to do that?"

"Because," Liz interjected, "turnabout is fair play. Think about it, Commander Tucker is probably gloating to someone about how he bested you today."

"Yea, he and the Captain are probably having a good laugh over it right now." Jackie added.

For some reason, T'Pol took major exception to the idea of Trip having fun at her expense. "So how do you propose I 'get' him back?"

Stumped by the Vulcan's question, all four women reached for another piece of chocolate, quietly pondering how best to exact revenge against Commander Tucker. That piece of chocolate would be a source of inspiration for Hoshi, or more accurately the erotic way she licked the chocolate off her finger and the curious stare it garnered from a passing crewmen.

"That's it!" Hoshi snapped in exclamation.

"What is 'it'?" T'Pol drawled in return.

"'It', is how you're going to get Commander Tucker back." Hoshi replied, with a nefarious grin on her face. "So tell me Sub-Commander, are you having breakfast with the Captain and Chief Engineer tomorrow?"

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Chapter 2

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Seven people have made comments

hehehe, this is going to be good! ;-))

lol

i can't wait to see what happens

Hurry! Please! I have to know what happens next!

I love this! Yes, please continue.

I enjoyed the fact that you made T'Pol as a woman the point of departure from Trip. I think of these two as being human vs. Vulcan as the main difference, not woman vs. man (in human terms). How different are the battles between the sexes in Vulcan society as opposed to human? Will T'Pol learn a whole new way the sexes communicate, or will she bring a Vulcan twist to the whole equation? Whatever happens, Trip needs to watch out! Thanks for an entertaining story.

MORE SOON PLEASE BEFORE I GO INSANE

Heh heh heh... I foresee some uncomfortable moments for Trip at breakfast tomorrow....

*drdel whines pathetically to vandiver49*

'I'm going into chocolate withdrawl already!!'

;-))