Her Strut
By monkee
Disclaimer: Paramount owns Enterprise and all its characters. Bob Seger owns the song, and now anyone who sees the title of this fanfic will be doomed to hear it inside their heads for the rest of the day. Bwa-ha-ha.
~*~
They do respect her, but
They love to watch her strut.
~Bob Seger, Her Strut
~*~
The Captain
'Just be aware of it,' Phlox told me, and he's right – it really does help. Just acknowledging the attraction to myself, and, awkwardly, to her, has made a big difference. After all, I am her superior officer and it's just not possible. But that doesn't mean it isn't still damned distracting at times.
If she were a human woman, I might be able to interpret the mixed signals I get from her. When we spoke, after the Kreetassin incident, I got the distinct impression that the attraction was mutual. And there have been other moments, other looks – I remember the intimacy of kneeling by her bed to thank her for her support with the Vulcan High Command. Sometimes she looks at me, and her eyes are so dark, so unfathomable...
But she's not a human woman. She's a Vulcan. Maybe the looks mean nothing. Maybe she's just perplexed. Hell, maybe she has gas. I don't know. She probably thinks I'm reckless and inferior. She probably thinks I smell bad.
She would tell me that it's irrelevant. And she would be right. So I'll take the Doc's advice. I'll be aware of my feelings, but concentrate instead on forging a friendship and command partnership with her. It's all I can do, and it's more than enough of a challenge.
~*~
The Engineer
It's been over a year, and I still don't know what to make of her. I've worked closely with her, at times, to help the Captain, but I've also fought with her, apologized to her, smeared decon gel all over her, and shared pecan pie with her. Sometimes, in her own way, I know she's teasing me. Yet other times, I offend her when she completely misinterprets my jokes.
Still, I think the struggle to get to know her is worth it. 'Fascinate' is a word I've heard her use frequently, and it's perfect. She fascinates me. I want to get inside her – no, not that way. Get your mind out of the gutter! I mean, I really want to know what makes her tick.
Okay, I'll admit that I'm attracted to her. Why wouldn't I be? She's gorgeous! And that body – it oughta be a crime, on a Vulcan! But those are random thoughts. There's still way too much we don't know about each other to seriously consider romance or sex, as tempted as I might be.
Besides, I have a hunch that she'd break my heart, and I've had enough of that for a while.
~*~
The Armory Officer
I respect her discipline, and her distance. In many ways, she is more my idea of a captain than Captain Archer is. She is cautious and conservative with regards to security, and I appreciate that. We are of a kind.
Yet I am afraid to look her in the eye. I know what she would see there – she would see my hopeless, helpless attraction, and know that I am all too human.
I dreamed once – well, it was more of a delirious hallucination, I suppose – that she kissed me and called me 'Stinky.' Ironic, considering she probably does think I stink. But, the vision felt so real. Every time I see her, it comes back to me. I remember her dark eyes, her slight smile, the soft fullness of her lips. So I look down, excuse myself, and hope to hell I'm not blushing.
I avoid her whenever possible. But when she isn't looking, I still admire her bum. God, she has a gorgeous bum.
~*~
The Helmsman
I'm a boomer, and I've been around. That's not bravado, it's just a fact. I've been with three breasted women and green Orion slave girls. Yet I've never seen anyone as sexy as Subcommander T'Pol. Who would have thought that a Vulcan could be so sultry? There's just something about her – perhaps it's the contrast between her icy 'Ensign Mayweather' and the fire I can sense behind those calculating eyes.
I like to think she's noticed me. We work out together, sometimes, and she's teaching me some Vulcan martial arts. I know that I'm one of the most attractive men on the ship – again, not bravado, just a fact. I keep myself in shape – it's important to me. Still, it's ridiculous to think...I know she would never allow herself to act on any attraction, or even curiosity, she might have. So I'll keep my fantasies to myself, but I'd sure like to find her sweet spot!
Wouldn't she be surprised by my thoughts? She probably doesn't know this about humans – it's the quiet ones you have to look out for.
~*~
The Linguist
She touched me, once. Touched me in comfort – to calm me, to help me. I felt energy and peace radiate from her skin – it was one of the most startling and amazing things I've ever experienced.
I've been yearning for her touch ever since. Sometimes I think I want her, for she is beautiful and I feel drawn to her. But then I realize that what I want is her peace, the serenity that seems to surround her. And, of all the other women on the ship, she is the one I feel the strongest connection to. I want something richer than the physical – I want her friendship, and her understanding. I want to understand her, too. She is far away from all that she is familiar with. Vulcan or no, she must be lonely. I wish she would let me be her friend.
Mostly, though, I want her to touch me again. I want to feel that stillness, and learn how to find it within myself.
~*~
The Denobulan
I'm probably the only member of the crew who isn't physically attracted to her. I find it fascinating, the way they all interact. She walks into the room, and their behavior changes in the most complex and subtle of ways. Human interpersonal relationships are interesting enough – throw an attractive Vulcan female into the mix, and it can be absolutely riveting.
She is my friend. As the only two non-humans onboard – if you don't count the subservient quadruped, and I don't – we have a unique bond. She has offered me advice on my dealings with them, and I have tried to get her to see their potential.
Still, she reminds me a bit of Exoria, my second wife. If my tour of duty on the Enterprise goes on longer than anticipated, and I am unable to return to Denobula in time, I wonder if she would be willing to assist me with my next fire cycle. Of course, I'd be willing to return the favor if she is unable to postpone her pon farr. After all, we non-humans have to stick together. So to speak.
~*~
The Subservient Quadruped
She makes my Dad grumpy and tense, and she turns up her nose whenever she sees me, but I like her anyway. A lot. I always pay special attention to her when she comes to our quarters with one of those reports for Daddy.
She patted my head once, when he wasn't looking, and ever since, I've considered her my pal. She walks with the confidence of someone who has cheese, and her size and shape suggest the softness of someone who is willing to share. She smells like no one I've ever sniffed. I wonder what kind of cheese they have where she comes from?
The End.
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