Well, my friends.
After what I said to him at the end of the previous chapter, I really think this goddamn Puck, whoever or whatever he is, has understood.
It's so, Puck, is not it?
After what I said to him at the end of the previous chapter, I really think this goddamn Puck, whoever or whatever he is, has understood.
It's so, Puck, is not it?
The master of dreams?
Hey! Perhaps there we are for real!
Come on! Come on!
Hey! Perhaps there we are for real!
Come on! Come on!
Let's see!
Chapter Five
Lawks! But guess what. She's here. We met each other, just... well, just as I wished.
*************************************
My intuition... Ahem, no. My reasoning was right. He is here. We met each other... casually.
*************************************
Damn! She's beautiful! Honestly... my dream didn't do justice to her.
*************************************
How...how he smells! How he smells... attractively.
*************************************
Gosh! Surely the other Trip, the Trip of my dream, wasn't a fool.
*************************************
The... the T'Pol of my dream hadn't... hadn't wrong reasons.
*************************************
There... I don't know... there is something different in her this morning. She seems... she seems softer... sweeter. Ah man. You are still dreaming. Come on, wake up.
*************************************
His scent... his scent smells even more bewitching this morning. It is... intoxicating! It is... T'Pol! Remember! You are not the T'Pol of your dream.
*************************************
Sure, wake up, man. And stop with these stupid thoughts. Didn't you wish to meet her? Okay, now here we are. Now you have to... you have to invite her to share her breakfast with you to see... that she can feel less alone. Don't you remember your intention? Remember... a matter of Human courtesy.
*************************************
Just so, T'Pol. Enough now. Remember who you are and stop behaving like a Human lass; remember why you are here. Didn't you wish to meet the commander... by accident? And that happened maybe a little... forced by you, but that is a... a matter of logical strategy. Now it is necessary to talk with him and to bring him, still casually, to what you want from him. That means that now you should...viz... it would be necessary... you have to...
*************************************
And then, go ahead, man. After all, you already shared your meal with her. You did it.
*************************************
You... have to strike up a conversation with him. Ca... casually. It's not difficult. Humans do it all the time. A greeting, polite, then... then some words. Doesn't matter about what. The.. the weather, for example? Humans talk often of that. Oh sure! On a spaceship!
*************************************
Oh sure, I did it. But never were we alone. I never did cheekily call her to a breakfast which could seem a... tête-à-tête.
*************************************
But T'Pol! Are you becoming like that illogical T'Pol you dreamed? Come on, for the katra of your mother! You have a running brain, after all, haven't you?
*************************************
A little bit of brass, for Pete's sake! You are the brazenness champion, after all, aren't you?
*************************************
A little bit of inventiveness, my dear clever Vulcan! Or do you want him to be right when he says that your Vulcan logic doesn't allow you to have any imaginativeness?
*************************************
Did her beauty reduce your brain to some sort of jellied mush, by chance? After... after that dream?
*************************************
Is his scent capable of nicking your self-possession, by chance? After... after that dream?
*************************************
Come on!
*************************************
Come on!
"Good morning, Sub-Com..."
"Good morning, Com..."
"Oh, sorry, T'Pol. Mh... Oh... Ah...T'Pol..."
"Excuse me, Commander. Ahem... Have you slept well?"
"Eh? Well..."
"No? Bad dreams?"
"W...what? Nnnno! No."
"I am glad. The Chief Engineer has to have a good sleep, so as to be good."
"Oh... oh... Thanks for your concern. You are... talkative, this morning, Sub-Commander. Maybe it was also a good night for you."
"Oh... ehm... yes."
"Good. T'Pol..."
"Good dreams?"
"Eh?"
"I said..."
"I understood what you said. But..."
"I am aware that Humans need dreams in order to sleep well."
"Yeah. Sure. T'Pol..."
"So, if you had good dreams, you had an even better night."
"Ah, of course. T'Pol..."
"Unlike Vulcans."
"Eh? Ah right. Vulcans don't dream. T'Pol..."
"They mustn't dream, if they want to have a good sleep."
"I see. T'Pol..."
"That's a matter of fact."
"T'Pol..."
"Yes. And actually I don't dream."
"O... obviously. T'Pol..."
"It could be very pernicious for me, Commander, and if I..."
"T'Pol!"
"Commander?"
"T'Pol, did you eat a recorder, by chance? Blocked on, switched-on?"
"Commander!"
"Sorry T'Pol, but If you go on interrupting me..."
"I think it was you who interrupted me, and not at all civilly."
"Sorry, but I wanted to..."
"To demonstrate to me one more time your well-known lack of self-control?"
"Darn, T'Pol. I wanted to..."
"To show to me that there is no sleep restful enough to make you kinder?"
"T'POL! I wanted to..."
"...to display to me since the early hours of the day that any attempt to have a polite conversation with you is useless?"
"T'Pol! Please. I wanted..."
"You wanted..."
"T'POL! I wanted to invite you!"
"... to be once again the same... What?"
"Sub-Commander, would you like... would you like to have your breakfast with me?"
"Oh."
"Would... would you like to do that, T'Pol?"
"You... are asking me... to eat together with you?"
"Y...yess..."
"At the same table?"
"Eh? Well! Naturally."
"Alone?"
"A... alone, yes."
"Oh."
"Do I have to take this second Oh as a yes, or..."
"Why?"
"Why... what?"
"Why did you make this invitation to me?"
"Well, T'Pol, it's a... a matter of Human courtesy. I am not the boor you think."
"Oh."
"And this third Oh, what does it mean?"
"Doesn't it sound a little... personal, Commander? I... I know that, on Earth, a woman and a man, alone, at the same table, sharing their meal, might be... and as for Vulcans, this wouldn't be very... decorous."
"Eh? Oh... Oh... maybe... but... you know... two friends..."
"Are we... friends?"
"Are we not?"
"Oh... I... I think..."
"What, T'Pol? See, don't we work well together and isn't it logical, as you would say, that friendship can pop up between two colleagues who help each other in their work?"
"I... think so."
"And do you think, T'Pol, that I am simply an illogical, pestilential fat-head or that I am happy to argue right along with you because I feel that we are friends?
"I... I... I think so."
"What? That I am an illogical, pestilential fat-head or that we are friends?"
"No! I mean... your are not an illogical, pestilential fat-head."
"This means that we are friends?"
"I... I... I think..."
"Can't we be friends, T'Pol? Is that... illogical for a Vulcan? Does being professional rule out friendship?"
"I... don't think so."
"So, in conclusion, are we friends?
"I... think... so."
"In this case, T'Pol, you can understand why I made this invitation to you. I thought you would like to have a little... friendly talk with me, just like Humans do, while sharing their meal. It's a good way to demonstrate their friendship for each other. It is... not necessary that they have to be something more... than friends. Besides, that... Well... That could be very useful to mitigate your lonelin... I mean... your peculiar situation as the only Vulcan on the ship. Oh sure, I know that Vulcans aren't in the habit of being conversational, and that explains my surprise and my reaction to the fact that you were so unusually chatty..."
"I wasn't... chatty."
"...and for that I ask your forgiveness. I know also that Vulcans prefer not to talk when they eat, but you know... we are on a Human vessel... You... maybe... I mean... Oh damn! You are a scientist; you should like to experience what you don't know."
"That... that's correct."
"So, Sub-Commander? Do you accept my invitation?"
"It is... agreeable, Commander."
"Really? You and me? A...alone?"
"Of... of course, Commander. If you... find my company acceptable."
"Absolutely! Namely... I mean... I... Certainly, T'Pol. Your company is always... pleasurable."
"Pleasurable? My company... for you?"
"Don't you think so?"
"I..."
"And... mine for you, T'Pol... is it acceptable?"
"Absolutely! Namely... I mean... I... Certainly, Commander. Your company is always... pleasant."
"Pleasant? My company... for you?"
"Don't you think so?"
"I..."
"Please... lead me, Commander. Isn't it a Human custom for the male to choose the table? I am a scientist; I... like to experience what I don't know."
"Good morning, Com..."
"Oh, sorry, T'Pol. Mh... Oh... Ah...T'Pol..."
"Excuse me, Commander. Ahem... Have you slept well?"
"Eh? Well..."
"No? Bad dreams?"
"W...what? Nnnno! No."
"I am glad. The Chief Engineer has to have a good sleep, so as to be good."
"Oh... oh... Thanks for your concern. You are... talkative, this morning, Sub-Commander. Maybe it was also a good night for you."
"Oh... ehm... yes."
"Good. T'Pol..."
"Good dreams?"
"Eh?"
"I said..."
"I understood what you said. But..."
"I am aware that Humans need dreams in order to sleep well."
"Yeah. Sure. T'Pol..."
"So, if you had good dreams, you had an even better night."
"Ah, of course. T'Pol..."
"Unlike Vulcans."
"Eh? Ah right. Vulcans don't dream. T'Pol..."
"They mustn't dream, if they want to have a good sleep."
"I see. T'Pol..."
"That's a matter of fact."
"T'Pol..."
"Yes. And actually I don't dream."
"O... obviously. T'Pol..."
"It could be very pernicious for me, Commander, and if I..."
"T'Pol!"
"Commander?"
"T'Pol, did you eat a recorder, by chance? Blocked on, switched-on?"
"Commander!"
"Sorry T'Pol, but If you go on interrupting me..."
"I think it was you who interrupted me, and not at all civilly."
"Sorry, but I wanted to..."
"To demonstrate to me one more time your well-known lack of self-control?"
"Darn, T'Pol. I wanted to..."
"To show to me that there is no sleep restful enough to make you kinder?"
"T'POL! I wanted to..."
"...to display to me since the early hours of the day that any attempt to have a polite conversation with you is useless?"
"T'Pol! Please. I wanted..."
"You wanted..."
"T'POL! I wanted to invite you!"
"... to be once again the same... What?"
"Sub-Commander, would you like... would you like to have your breakfast with me?"
"Oh."
"Would... would you like to do that, T'Pol?"
"You... are asking me... to eat together with you?"
"Y...yess..."
"At the same table?"
"Eh? Well! Naturally."
"Alone?"
"A... alone, yes."
"Oh."
"Do I have to take this second Oh as a yes, or..."
"Why?"
"Why... what?"
"Why did you make this invitation to me?"
"Well, T'Pol, it's a... a matter of Human courtesy. I am not the boor you think."
"Oh."
"And this third Oh, what does it mean?"
"Doesn't it sound a little... personal, Commander? I... I know that, on Earth, a woman and a man, alone, at the same table, sharing their meal, might be... and as for Vulcans, this wouldn't be very... decorous."
"Eh? Oh... Oh... maybe... but... you know... two friends..."
"Are we... friends?"
"Are we not?"
"Oh... I... I think..."
"What, T'Pol? See, don't we work well together and isn't it logical, as you would say, that friendship can pop up between two colleagues who help each other in their work?"
"I... think so."
"And do you think, T'Pol, that I am simply an illogical, pestilential fat-head or that I am happy to argue right along with you because I feel that we are friends?
"I... I... I think so."
"What? That I am an illogical, pestilential fat-head or that we are friends?"
"No! I mean... your are not an illogical, pestilential fat-head."
"This means that we are friends?"
"I... I... I think..."
"Can't we be friends, T'Pol? Is that... illogical for a Vulcan? Does being professional rule out friendship?"
"I... don't think so."
"So, in conclusion, are we friends?
"I... think... so."
"In this case, T'Pol, you can understand why I made this invitation to you. I thought you would like to have a little... friendly talk with me, just like Humans do, while sharing their meal. It's a good way to demonstrate their friendship for each other. It is... not necessary that they have to be something more... than friends. Besides, that... Well... That could be very useful to mitigate your lonelin... I mean... your peculiar situation as the only Vulcan on the ship. Oh sure, I know that Vulcans aren't in the habit of being conversational, and that explains my surprise and my reaction to the fact that you were so unusually chatty..."
"I wasn't... chatty."
"...and for that I ask your forgiveness. I know also that Vulcans prefer not to talk when they eat, but you know... we are on a Human vessel... You... maybe... I mean... Oh damn! You are a scientist; you should like to experience what you don't know."
"That... that's correct."
"So, Sub-Commander? Do you accept my invitation?"
"It is... agreeable, Commander."
"Really? You and me? A...alone?"
"Of... of course, Commander. If you... find my company acceptable."
"Absolutely! Namely... I mean... I... Certainly, T'Pol. Your company is always... pleasurable."
"Pleasurable? My company... for you?"
"Don't you think so?"
"I..."
"And... mine for you, T'Pol... is it acceptable?"
"Absolutely! Namely... I mean... I... Certainly, Commander. Your company is always... pleasant."
"Pleasant? My company... for you?"
"Don't you think so?"
"I..."
"Please... lead me, Commander. Isn't it a Human custom for the male to choose the table? I am a scientist; I... like to experience what I don't know."
Okay, now here we are. We... are sitting at the same table, and we are alone. T'Pol the Vulcan is sharing her breakfast with me. And we are alone. As... as two friends, yes. As... two... friends. And I am sure that, later, the whole ship will know the news.
*************************************
Okay, now here we are. We... are sitting at the same table, and we are alone. I, T'Pol the Vulcan, am sharing my breakfast with.. with my friend. And we are alone. As... as two friends, yes. As... two... friends. What... what will they think of my behaviour, these gossipy Humans?
*************************************
Well! Man, did you ever realize how mild the curve of her cheek is? Maybe her visage appears stern, but if you look at it closely, it is... is soft. Maybe... Damn! Is it possible that that T'Pol, the T'Pol of my dream, can exist, somehow? She... she is strange this morning, seems... sweeter. Or is it me who sees her like this? Or simply... simply have I never noticed this side of her?
*************************************
You are a foolish woman, T'Pol. You knew the strength of his scent, even if you always tried to ignore it. Now... now this scent is surrounding all things. You are alone, immersed in it. And it is... it seems... it appears... different... It is warmer, yes warmer, today. Like... like blandishing.
Like the blandishing scent of the Trip of my dream.
Is it possible... possible that I never noticed the warm sweetness of his scent? That it... isn't a dream? Like the warm mildness of his voice. And the warmth which shines through his usual teasing mood.
*************************************
Trip! Do you want to wake up, or don't you? You're not in your dream; you're in the reality of your life. MERELY - you have managed to have her with you, at your table, to... to show her how Humans can be friendly with her, so as to make her less lonely, if what you think is true. Now, man, you must proceed. Talk with her, damn it! Say something... neighbourly to her!
*************************************
T'Pol! Do you want to wake up, or don't you? You are in the Mess Hall, at this moment, in the REAL mess Hall. You are not in that... impossible dream. And a series of unexpected and favourable circumstances put you in the condition to talk with the Commander about that strange thing you detected near the planet. That is the reason why you are sitting here, at this table, a... alone with him.
NOTHING MORE THAN THAT.
Now the problem is how to get to the issue's core... casually.
My attempt, before, perhaps was dangerous. Dreams... better not to talk about this matter.
The Commander was talking about our ability to work well together. Maybe this could be the right approach.
*************************************
So, what could you say? Well, you said to her that you and she work well together because you could be... you are friends, which she - evidently - hasn't been insensitive to. Actually these last days were very fruitful in regard to this matter. Your concerted work with her was indeed profitable to push the captain to act more wisely. This could be the right point of departure. And... Trip. You have to make her feel... at home. You... must show her that you are considerate. Remember? Human courtesy... blab, blab, blab.
NOTHING MORE THAN THAT.
*************************************
Okay, now here we are. We... are sitting at the same table, and we are alone. I, T'Pol the Vulcan, am sharing my breakfast with.. with my friend. And we are alone. As... as two friends, yes. As... two... friends. What... what will they think of my behaviour, these gossipy Humans?
*************************************
Well! Man, did you ever realize how mild the curve of her cheek is? Maybe her visage appears stern, but if you look at it closely, it is... is soft. Maybe... Damn! Is it possible that that T'Pol, the T'Pol of my dream, can exist, somehow? She... she is strange this morning, seems... sweeter. Or is it me who sees her like this? Or simply... simply have I never noticed this side of her?
*************************************
You are a foolish woman, T'Pol. You knew the strength of his scent, even if you always tried to ignore it. Now... now this scent is surrounding all things. You are alone, immersed in it. And it is... it seems... it appears... different... It is warmer, yes warmer, today. Like... like blandishing.
Like the blandishing scent of the Trip of my dream.
Is it possible... possible that I never noticed the warm sweetness of his scent? That it... isn't a dream? Like the warm mildness of his voice. And the warmth which shines through his usual teasing mood.
*************************************
Trip! Do you want to wake up, or don't you? You're not in your dream; you're in the reality of your life. MERELY - you have managed to have her with you, at your table, to... to show her how Humans can be friendly with her, so as to make her less lonely, if what you think is true. Now, man, you must proceed. Talk with her, damn it! Say something... neighbourly to her!
*************************************
T'Pol! Do you want to wake up, or don't you? You are in the Mess Hall, at this moment, in the REAL mess Hall. You are not in that... impossible dream. And a series of unexpected and favourable circumstances put you in the condition to talk with the Commander about that strange thing you detected near the planet. That is the reason why you are sitting here, at this table, a... alone with him.
NOTHING MORE THAN THAT.
Now the problem is how to get to the issue's core... casually.
My attempt, before, perhaps was dangerous. Dreams... better not to talk about this matter.
The Commander was talking about our ability to work well together. Maybe this could be the right approach.
*************************************
So, what could you say? Well, you said to her that you and she work well together because you could be... you are friends, which she - evidently - hasn't been insensitive to. Actually these last days were very fruitful in regard to this matter. Your concerted work with her was indeed profitable to push the captain to act more wisely. This could be the right point of departure. And... Trip. You have to make her feel... at home. You... must show her that you are considerate. Remember? Human courtesy... blab, blab, blab.
NOTHING MORE THAN THAT.
"Okay, T'Pol. This is your tea and this is my coffee, and these are your and my biscuits. Rigorously vegetable. Not exactly a pecan pie, but surely lighter, more fit to this hour."
"Biscuits?
"Yeah. Don't you like to experience what you don't know? Scientist... Remember?"
"You seem to be particularly eager to make me taste new experiences this morning, Commander."
"Yup. You're right, please forgive me. What do I have to say? The matter... the fact is that I am very glad to be sitting here with you. That's really true, T'Pol. After these days... difficult... I must say, just when I finally can savour my breakfast without thinking about how I have to act and about how it's possible to solve problems which seem unsolvable, it's nice to be able to savour a bit of stillness, sharing the breakfast and a little talk with someone who is a friend. And, do not take this wrong, T'Pol, but I am twice as glad at the thought that this someone is you."
"What do you mean, Commander?"
"Oh come on, T'Pol. It is not a secret that you and I produce fireworks together. A lot of times I thought seriously about pitching you through an airlock, and I am persuaded that only your Vulcaness prevented you from thinking the same in regard to me."
"Actually, Commander, you are capable of sorely trying everyone, even... a Vulcan."
"Eh eh... I'm really on the ball, aren't I?"
"On the ball?"
"Smart, clever, able to make even angry a Vulcan."
"Do you find this amusing, Commander?"
"Yes... hum... no. No. In reality, the thought that we learned to work well together is much more satisfying. Here we are, chatting with each other... amicably. And without any need to solve any problem, only for the sake of doing it. Isn't this true, T'Pol?"
"Actually, I must admit."
"Yes, T'Pol. It is fulfilling that the outcome of our tiffs is a budding friendship. It makes people feel less... lonely, doesn't it?"
"Actually, I... must admit."
"Ha ha! And then you wonder why I am eager to push you to taste new experiences. I have learned that you... well, yes... that you have an open mind, and I am very... very content that you and I are capable of being a good team. A team... a team..."
"A very close-knit team."
"Biscuits?
"Yeah. Don't you like to experience what you don't know? Scientist... Remember?"
"You seem to be particularly eager to make me taste new experiences this morning, Commander."
"Yup. You're right, please forgive me. What do I have to say? The matter... the fact is that I am very glad to be sitting here with you. That's really true, T'Pol. After these days... difficult... I must say, just when I finally can savour my breakfast without thinking about how I have to act and about how it's possible to solve problems which seem unsolvable, it's nice to be able to savour a bit of stillness, sharing the breakfast and a little talk with someone who is a friend. And, do not take this wrong, T'Pol, but I am twice as glad at the thought that this someone is you."
"What do you mean, Commander?"
"Oh come on, T'Pol. It is not a secret that you and I produce fireworks together. A lot of times I thought seriously about pitching you through an airlock, and I am persuaded that only your Vulcaness prevented you from thinking the same in regard to me."
"Actually, Commander, you are capable of sorely trying everyone, even... a Vulcan."
"Eh eh... I'm really on the ball, aren't I?"
"On the ball?"
"Smart, clever, able to make even angry a Vulcan."
"Do you find this amusing, Commander?"
"Yes... hum... no. No. In reality, the thought that we learned to work well together is much more satisfying. Here we are, chatting with each other... amicably. And without any need to solve any problem, only for the sake of doing it. Isn't this true, T'Pol?"
"Actually, I must admit."
"Yes, T'Pol. It is fulfilling that the outcome of our tiffs is a budding friendship. It makes people feel less... lonely, doesn't it?"
"Actually, I... must admit."
"Ha ha! And then you wonder why I am eager to push you to taste new experiences. I have learned that you... well, yes... that you have an open mind, and I am very... very content that you and I are capable of being a good team. A team... a team..."
"A very close-knit team."
What!?!
*************************************
Oh! Oh... but... but what did I say? How... how did I let these words get out of my mouth? I spoke with the voice... with the voice of that other T'Pol!
*************************************
These words! They are... they are those... those...
*************************************
Stop it, stupid woman! Talk with YOUR own voice!
*************************************
Okay. And that... what does it mean? T'Pol... isn't T'Pol able to utter these words? Can't she do it also... also in reality? What's strange about that?
*************************************
Oh! Oh... but... but what did I say? How... how did I let these words get out of my mouth? I spoke with the voice... with the voice of that other T'Pol!
*************************************
These words! They are... they are those... those...
*************************************
Stop it, stupid woman! Talk with YOUR own voice!
*************************************
Okay. And that... what does it mean? T'Pol... isn't T'Pol able to utter these words? Can't she do it also... also in reality? What's strange about that?
"Oh... Oh sure! Well, T'Pol.... I must say that you know the English language... very well."
"Oh... Ahem... Commander, you know that Vulcans are... you would say... fussy."
"Indeed. Anyway, your definition fits perfectly. I think we are really a close-knit team. To tell the truth, we have been capable of being a close-knit team in lots of different circumstances."
"Oh... Ahem... Commander, you know that Vulcans are... you would say... fussy."
"Indeed. Anyway, your definition fits perfectly. I think we are really a close-knit team. To tell the truth, we have been capable of being a close-knit team in lots of different circumstances."
In... lots... of different... circumstances?
*************************************
And now? What am I doing? Do I repeat what my dream's T'Pol said?
*************************************
And now? What am I doing? Do I repeat what my dream's T'Pol said?
This... this is a mere coincidence. A... a coincidence. Sure, a coincidence.
I lean forward, looking straight at the Commander. "That's true, Commander. And not rarely in... a combination of unlucky circumstances."
I lean forward, looking straight at the Commander. "That's true, Commander. And not rarely in... a combination of unlucky circumstances."
These were MY words! The words I replied to her. IN MY DREAM!
I slant toward her. She is staring fixedly at me. I return her gaze. "Maybe -- how low my voice is! -- there could also be... pleasant circumstances."
There is a quick beat of her eyelids, and, I can't be sure, but it seems to me that there is a slight trembling in her voice when she replies to me.
I slant toward her. She is staring fixedly at me. I return her gaze. "Maybe -- how low my voice is! -- there could also be... pleasant circumstances."
There is a quick beat of her eyelids, and, I can't be sure, but it seems to me that there is a slight trembling in her voice when she replies to me.
"Commander - is there an airy quake, in my voice, by chance? - are you... persuaded... of that?"
I can't help, but let my hand dart forth to grasp hers. Why... why doesn't she withdraw? And why is my voice even lower, if that's possible, in my answer to her? "Yes, T'Pol. I am...persuaded. There will be... many... pleasant circumstances."
Then my thoughts' absurdity affects me. But what the hell am I thinking? My dreams are MY dreams, for Pete's sake! Not surely those of another person, and even less of T'Pol! And besides... Vulcans... don't dream, do they?
Suddenly I realize that I am holding her hand. Damn! That's not good. Vulcans hate to be touched. Too intimate. Just as things seem to have begun to work, I am running the risk of mucking everything up.
And... and I have only to thank her... her kindness, that she wanted to not retract her hand from my grip. Evidently these months with us Humans made her more indulgent about our behaviour. Or... or maybe she wanted to demonstrate to me that she, too, is glad of this little shared breakfast, and, because of this, she is willing to make an exception to the etiquette.
Just so. And what else, if not this? Could you really believe that her conduct, her look... her words... can mean...?
What? But what, Trip? This is... this is the normal conduct even a Vulcan woman would use if she was willing to consolidate her relationships. Obviously she is trying to comply with the context, my context, exactly like I am trying to do with her own context.
And stop thinking those words meant anything else beyond their face value. They were the normal words of a normal woman who talks normally.
I withdraw swiftly my hand and lean against my chair's backrest. "Sorry, T'Pol. Forgive me if I made you feel ill at ease."
Then my thoughts' absurdity affects me. But what the hell am I thinking? My dreams are MY dreams, for Pete's sake! Not surely those of another person, and even less of T'Pol! And besides... Vulcans... don't dream, do they?
Suddenly I realize that I am holding her hand. Damn! That's not good. Vulcans hate to be touched. Too intimate. Just as things seem to have begun to work, I am running the risk of mucking everything up.
And... and I have only to thank her... her kindness, that she wanted to not retract her hand from my grip. Evidently these months with us Humans made her more indulgent about our behaviour. Or... or maybe she wanted to demonstrate to me that she, too, is glad of this little shared breakfast, and, because of this, she is willing to make an exception to the etiquette.
Just so. And what else, if not this? Could you really believe that her conduct, her look... her words... can mean...?
What? But what, Trip? This is... this is the normal conduct even a Vulcan woman would use if she was willing to consolidate her relationships. Obviously she is trying to comply with the context, my context, exactly like I am trying to do with her own context.
And stop thinking those words meant anything else beyond their face value. They were the normal words of a normal woman who talks normally.
I withdraw swiftly my hand and lean against my chair's backrest. "Sorry, T'Pol. Forgive me if I made you feel ill at ease."
I look down at my hand, still lying on the table. I feel ... cold. It... it wasn't unpleasant with the Commander's grasp around it.
What? But... but T'Pol! What's up with you? That dream did indeed muddle you up -- and to such an extent that you are finding things which don't exist, which CANNOT exist.
My words... the Commander's words... They were simple words, of a simple conversation. There's no need to believe... to believe...
To believe what? That we were repeating, meaningfully and purposely, the words of my dream? And... and of HIS own dream? A... a common dream?
T'Pol! Did you become mad, by chance?
If Humans were telepaths, this might make sense, but they are not. Not even Vulcans are, at least in this way, as far as I know.
That anomaly. That anomaly. It has to be that! It's absolutely necessary that I investigate it thoroughly, and, equally, now that the Commander's implication for help has absolute priority. I must involve him. Casually or not casually.
I realize that he has spoken to me. He apologized because he held my hand with his. "Commander..." It is ... it is as if like my mouth opens by own free will. "...it wasn't unpleasant."
The words came from my lips by their own volition.
I try to not betray my disconcertment.
Yes. It's absolutely necessary that I proceed.
What? But... but T'Pol! What's up with you? That dream did indeed muddle you up -- and to such an extent that you are finding things which don't exist, which CANNOT exist.
My words... the Commander's words... They were simple words, of a simple conversation. There's no need to believe... to believe...
To believe what? That we were repeating, meaningfully and purposely, the words of my dream? And... and of HIS own dream? A... a common dream?
T'Pol! Did you become mad, by chance?
If Humans were telepaths, this might make sense, but they are not. Not even Vulcans are, at least in this way, as far as I know.
That anomaly. That anomaly. It has to be that! It's absolutely necessary that I investigate it thoroughly, and, equally, now that the Commander's implication for help has absolute priority. I must involve him. Casually or not casually.
I realize that he has spoken to me. He apologized because he held my hand with his. "Commander..." It is ... it is as if like my mouth opens by own free will. "...it wasn't unpleasant."
The words came from my lips by their own volition.
I try to not betray my disconcertment.
Yes. It's absolutely necessary that I proceed.
I hardly manage to hide my astonishment.
But what the hell is happening? I can't say that her reply was unwelcome; it was surely not at all ugly to me, but... but what is happening to T'Pol? What does this... this softness of hers mean? This decidedly unusual sweetness? This speaking... heart-to-heart? This speaking heart-to-heart, and affectionately... TO ME?
What the hell is happening to her?
And to me, on the other hand.
Not to mention the captain. And the doctor.
And that dream. That dream was so lifelike that it seems... it seems to want to go on, even now, in a sort of elusive way.
WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING, FOR MEPHISTOPHELES'S GOATEE?
I take my cup of coffee, almost with rage, and take some sips of the dark and strong liquid, searching for normality in the drink which accompanies me every morning.
I look at my Vulcan companion from above the edge of my cup, and I see her do the same, watching me askance, while drinking her tea. And her eyes have a puzzled expression, the same, I'm sure, that there is in mine.
God. Would it be possible that there really was on the planet ... or something undetected operating near it ... that was capable of causing all that?
I wonder... And if I were asking T'Pol if what I suspect could have a nuance of truth? After all, it is true that the captain's behaviour was strange and unexpected. There's no need to talk of the equally strange conduct of the doctor that the captain revealed to me, and surely not even to talk of my dream. No need to make her - and me - embarrassed. And absolutely even less of the crazy suspicion I had that she could have dreamed and... and dreamed my own dream.
But why not speak to her of my impression? After all... after all, friends ought to support you, when you need support. And she is damnedly smart. And logical, yes, logical. Maybe she can be slightly lacking in imaginativeness - after all she is a Vulcan - but in this case that would really be of great help, because her well settled mind would be capable of making me down-to-earth and of bridling my too free fantasy, if needed.
I lay my cup on the table. "T'Pol."
She does the same, without watching me directly, and remains silent, as in expectancy.
Okay. Go, man. "T'Pol, the way we have worked together in these last days is clear proof that we can really be a... very close-knit team, as you said. But... well... don't you find it strange that we had to do this to contrast the captain's behaviour? I mean... I've known him a long time and he can be stubborn and proud, but he never acted so. I wonder... I wonder... could there be something external, unknown, able to explain his weird conduct?
And a lot of other things.
But what the hell is happening? I can't say that her reply was unwelcome; it was surely not at all ugly to me, but... but what is happening to T'Pol? What does this... this softness of hers mean? This decidedly unusual sweetness? This speaking... heart-to-heart? This speaking heart-to-heart, and affectionately... TO ME?
What the hell is happening to her?
And to me, on the other hand.
Not to mention the captain. And the doctor.
And that dream. That dream was so lifelike that it seems... it seems to want to go on, even now, in a sort of elusive way.
WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING, FOR MEPHISTOPHELES'S GOATEE?
I take my cup of coffee, almost with rage, and take some sips of the dark and strong liquid, searching for normality in the drink which accompanies me every morning.
I look at my Vulcan companion from above the edge of my cup, and I see her do the same, watching me askance, while drinking her tea. And her eyes have a puzzled expression, the same, I'm sure, that there is in mine.
God. Would it be possible that there really was on the planet ... or something undetected operating near it ... that was capable of causing all that?
I wonder... And if I were asking T'Pol if what I suspect could have a nuance of truth? After all, it is true that the captain's behaviour was strange and unexpected. There's no need to talk of the equally strange conduct of the doctor that the captain revealed to me, and surely not even to talk of my dream. No need to make her - and me - embarrassed. And absolutely even less of the crazy suspicion I had that she could have dreamed and... and dreamed my own dream.
But why not speak to her of my impression? After all... after all, friends ought to support you, when you need support. And she is damnedly smart. And logical, yes, logical. Maybe she can be slightly lacking in imaginativeness - after all she is a Vulcan - but in this case that would really be of great help, because her well settled mind would be capable of making me down-to-earth and of bridling my too free fantasy, if needed.
I lay my cup on the table. "T'Pol."
She does the same, without watching me directly, and remains silent, as in expectancy.
Okay. Go, man. "T'Pol, the way we have worked together in these last days is clear proof that we can really be a... very close-knit team, as you said. But... well... don't you find it strange that we had to do this to contrast the captain's behaviour? I mean... I've known him a long time and he can be stubborn and proud, but he never acted so. I wonder... I wonder... could there be something external, unknown, able to explain his weird conduct?
And a lot of other things.
Grand! No need for me to attempt to go casually in the matter! And no fear that I have to explain why I did my researches. And... and to reveal that I dreamed and even less WHAT I dreamed. And no need for thinking about the mad possibility, the illogical idea that I dreamed what the Commander did. This... this is... this is simply, like my present and NONSENSICAL behaviour, the weird and still operating reflex of my dream, the living demonstration that probably I am not mistaken about the not unreal hypothesis that we - all of us - were sucked into some sort of unknown and illusory anomaly.
And if the Commander had the same suspicion, most likely I am right because rarely is his intuition mistaken. In... in reality, it's rare that he makes any mistake, and...
And I don't understand why I feel proud of that!
Enough. I must regain my real being; this persistent concern about the atmosphere of my dream has to end. I must face the situation together... with my friend.
I level my look at him and watch him directly. I find myself fluctuating in... in the deep blue of his eyes.
T'POL! S-T-O-P IT! You are awake. A-W-A-K-E! Did you understand? AWAKE!!! It doesn't exist. Neither that Trip... Oh DAMN! THE... THE COMMANDER!!.. THE C-O-M-M-A-N-D-E-R of your dream nor that T'Pol! That UNREAL T'Pol!
Mentally thanking my Vulcan training in self-control, I manage to speak normally, with my usual calm tone.
"Commander, actually I had your same suspicion. Definitely the Kreetassans' behaviour seemed to be a little strange: quite self-centred, one could say; unwilling to compromise; and substantially not too far from the captain's conduct. As far as I can't say that the Captain is always capable of behaving maturely, and as far as I'm aware that Humans are not prone to act in this way..."
I ignore the little snort of impatience from the Commander, even though I feel an illogical satisfaction for having provoked this reaction from him. This is something in our mutual interaction that I am always searching for, and that I am not able to explain. It's as if a bit of his... of his own mood has stuck to me. Why? For... for the same reasons... of my dream?
T'Poool! Do you want to cut it out?
I go on, quietly.
"...I wondered if there could be something in the Kreetassans' space which is capable of pushing people to act in a weird manner and to have weird thoughts. Maybe...there could have been other persons affected by this sort of behavioural deviation; maybe there could be persons still affected even now, without being aware of that."
I raise my eyebrow innocently. And with keen attention.
"Did... you have any clue in this sense, Commander?"
And if the Commander had the same suspicion, most likely I am right because rarely is his intuition mistaken. In... in reality, it's rare that he makes any mistake, and...
And I don't understand why I feel proud of that!
Enough. I must regain my real being; this persistent concern about the atmosphere of my dream has to end. I must face the situation together... with my friend.
I level my look at him and watch him directly. I find myself fluctuating in... in the deep blue of his eyes.
T'POL! S-T-O-P IT! You are awake. A-W-A-K-E! Did you understand? AWAKE!!! It doesn't exist. Neither that Trip... Oh DAMN! THE... THE COMMANDER!!.. THE C-O-M-M-A-N-D-E-R of your dream nor that T'Pol! That UNREAL T'Pol!
Mentally thanking my Vulcan training in self-control, I manage to speak normally, with my usual calm tone.
"Commander, actually I had your same suspicion. Definitely the Kreetassans' behaviour seemed to be a little strange: quite self-centred, one could say; unwilling to compromise; and substantially not too far from the captain's conduct. As far as I can't say that the Captain is always capable of behaving maturely, and as far as I'm aware that Humans are not prone to act in this way..."
I ignore the little snort of impatience from the Commander, even though I feel an illogical satisfaction for having provoked this reaction from him. This is something in our mutual interaction that I am always searching for, and that I am not able to explain. It's as if a bit of his... of his own mood has stuck to me. Why? For... for the same reasons... of my dream?
T'Poool! Do you want to cut it out?
I go on, quietly.
"...I wondered if there could be something in the Kreetassans' space which is capable of pushing people to act in a weird manner and to have weird thoughts. Maybe...there could have been other persons affected by this sort of behavioural deviation; maybe there could be persons still affected even now, without being aware of that."
I raise my eyebrow innocently. And with keen attention.
"Did... you have any clue in this sense, Commander?"
Damn woman! Too smart, damn it! And suspicious. I hate when she seems to know that you know something that you don't want her to know.
I reply precipitously. "Absolutely not, Sub-Commander. No clue, not at all."
Then, the bitchy imp of my mistrustful mind makes me aware of the tense and not exactly Vulcan-like attention in her visage, when she asked her question. Might it be that, dreams or no dreams, it couldn't be that I'm the one who wants to hide something?
I raise my eyebrow in turn. "And you, Sub-Commander? Did you have any clue?"
Her reply is perfectly collected, very Vulcan in the tone and just as deadpan as her words should be. And nevertheless, for the second time during our breakfast, it seems to me that I can perceive a slight turmoil in her voice.
Or perhaps, is it only my imagination?
I reply precipitously. "Absolutely not, Sub-Commander. No clue, not at all."
Then, the bitchy imp of my mistrustful mind makes me aware of the tense and not exactly Vulcan-like attention in her visage, when she asked her question. Might it be that, dreams or no dreams, it couldn't be that I'm the one who wants to hide something?
I raise my eyebrow in turn. "And you, Sub-Commander? Did you have any clue?"
Her reply is perfectly collected, very Vulcan in the tone and just as deadpan as her words should be. And nevertheless, for the second time during our breakfast, it seems to me that I can perceive a slight turmoil in her voice.
Or perhaps, is it only my imagination?
This man! He is a... a damn... Viz... He is too smart, and too perceptive. And suspicious. If I were Human I... I would hate it when he seems to know that you know something that you don't want him to know.
And I would hate to not be capable of controlling the slight staggering of my voice, even in all my collectedness. I speak as impassively as I can. "Not at all, Commander." Then I can't restrain myself. "At least, none that I am aware of."
He clenches his eyes at my words, and I can't help but quickly avert mine from his.
Better... better I go toward to quieter waters, to use the idiom I heard from him once. It would be best to get to the core of the reason I wanted to meet with him. Now that the Commander has given me the opportunity to speak with him of my discovery and of my suspicions, I mustn't waste time in illogical and irrational verbal skirmishes. And for what, then? For a handful of foolish thoughts based on nil?
I go hurriedly in the issue. "I made a quick search, Commander, and I found something."
I feel his immediate interest. It's... cheering the way he is always capable of seizing something important and paying forthwith attention to it.
I look straight in his eyes. "It is a strange thing, definitely an anomaly, but I have never seen anything like it, and, as far as I know, there is no mention of anything similar in the Vulcan database."
The Commander doesn't talk. His expression makes it clear that I have managed to gain his full and deep absorption. Very well. He won't deny his help. Rather, if I act shrewdly, he will probably offer his observations spontaneously, without me having to go deeply into... many details.
I go on, trying to describe what I observed. "It was like a kind of cavorting pulsation, full of energy, which darted here and there without any apparent rule, almost as if it was a living thing. Puissant and still difficult to detect. I don't know, it seemed a..."
"A puck."
I frown. "A... what, Commander?"
He chuckles, with that sound which warms... T'Pol!
"A puck. A goblin. A pixie. Elusive and still throbbing with pep."
My scowl deepens. "I don't understand".
And I would hate to not be capable of controlling the slight staggering of my voice, even in all my collectedness. I speak as impassively as I can. "Not at all, Commander." Then I can't restrain myself. "At least, none that I am aware of."
He clenches his eyes at my words, and I can't help but quickly avert mine from his.
Better... better I go toward to quieter waters, to use the idiom I heard from him once. It would be best to get to the core of the reason I wanted to meet with him. Now that the Commander has given me the opportunity to speak with him of my discovery and of my suspicions, I mustn't waste time in illogical and irrational verbal skirmishes. And for what, then? For a handful of foolish thoughts based on nil?
I go hurriedly in the issue. "I made a quick search, Commander, and I found something."
I feel his immediate interest. It's... cheering the way he is always capable of seizing something important and paying forthwith attention to it.
I look straight in his eyes. "It is a strange thing, definitely an anomaly, but I have never seen anything like it, and, as far as I know, there is no mention of anything similar in the Vulcan database."
The Commander doesn't talk. His expression makes it clear that I have managed to gain his full and deep absorption. Very well. He won't deny his help. Rather, if I act shrewdly, he will probably offer his observations spontaneously, without me having to go deeply into... many details.
I go on, trying to describe what I observed. "It was like a kind of cavorting pulsation, full of energy, which darted here and there without any apparent rule, almost as if it was a living thing. Puissant and still difficult to detect. I don't know, it seemed a..."
"A puck."
I frown. "A... what, Commander?"
He chuckles, with that sound which warms... T'Pol!
"A puck. A goblin. A pixie. Elusive and still throbbing with pep."
My scowl deepens. "I don't understand".
I was unable to restrain myself. I must admit, the Sub-Commander is... delicious when she scowls. No, that other Trip wasn't a fool.
I laugh softly. "T'Pol, I am speaking of an illogical Human myth: pixies, elves, elfins, bogies, genies, leprechauns, goblins and lots of other names for the same magical creatures. They are hidden beings of rivers and lakes, of mountains and clouds, and of the forests, above all. They are elusive and spiteful, sometimes benevolent and sometimes malevolent, and their champion is Puck. Your thumbnail sketch of what you detected fits him like a glove. He is the most uncanny of these creatures; he belongs to dreamlands, actually he is the master of the dreams."
My hushed laugh dies on my mouth, the meaning of what I said whirling in my mind. The... master... of... the dreams. The master... Oh man, that's... that's absurd. I look fixedly at the sub-commander's eyes. She is staring at me with a strange expression. I cough slightly. I begin to babble, unconvincingly. "W... well, Sub-Commander, you... you know. Humans... Humans are.... fan... fanciful. And... and then..." I can't help but talk like this. "... why am I speaking of that to you? Vulcans don't dream."
This time I am sure. Her voice trembles, in her response.
I laugh softly. "T'Pol, I am speaking of an illogical Human myth: pixies, elves, elfins, bogies, genies, leprechauns, goblins and lots of other names for the same magical creatures. They are hidden beings of rivers and lakes, of mountains and clouds, and of the forests, above all. They are elusive and spiteful, sometimes benevolent and sometimes malevolent, and their champion is Puck. Your thumbnail sketch of what you detected fits him like a glove. He is the most uncanny of these creatures; he belongs to dreamlands, actually he is the master of the dreams."
My hushed laugh dies on my mouth, the meaning of what I said whirling in my mind. The... master... of... the dreams. The master... Oh man, that's... that's absurd. I look fixedly at the sub-commander's eyes. She is staring at me with a strange expression. I cough slightly. I begin to babble, unconvincingly. "W... well, Sub-Commander, you... you know. Humans... Humans are.... fan... fanciful. And... and then..." I can't help but talk like this. "... why am I speaking of that to you? Vulcans don't dream."
This time I am sure. Her voice trembles, in her response.
This time I am sure. My voice can't repress its tremble in my response. "No, Commander, they don't."
And my eyes and his eyes look for each other.
And my eyes and his eyes look for each other.
I clear my throat. "Oh... hem... 'cough, cough'... T'Pol, do not mind me, I think you know how I am. Rather, speak to me of what you discovered. No. Better. T'Pol, listen to me. Would... would you like me to help you? I mean... Maybe I could help you examine that strange anomaly. After all we are... we are a close-knit team, and we are... friends, in addition."
I shake myself. Stop with all these absurdities. I nod deadpan at the Commander's request. Excellent. Things are going exactly like I wished. "That would be very useful, Commander."
His smile lights up his visage. I... I must admit, that other T'Pol REALLY had a lot of good ideas. And I can't help but add. "And... pleasant, Mister Tucker."
And my look and his look get lost in each other.
His smile lights up his visage. I... I must admit, that other T'Pol REALLY had a lot of good ideas. And I can't help but add. "And... pleasant, Mister Tucker."
And my look and his look get lost in each other.
My God! A man could drown in the depth of those eyes!
*************************************
Surak! A woman could fly in the blue of those eyes!
*************************************
What... what might happen if now I called her... Hon? As I... as the Trip of my dream did?
*************************************
What... what might happen if now he called me... Hon? As the Trip of my dream did?
*************************************
Might she reply, calling me Trip? As the T'Pol of my dream did?
*************************************
Might I reply, calling him Trip? As I... as the T'Pol of my dream did?
*************************************
And so... could it happen that we... that we... as in my dream...?
*************************************
And so... could it happen that we... that we... as in my dream...?
*************************************
Trip! But... but are you crazy? But are you aware of what you are thinking?
*************************************
T'Pol! But... but did you lose all logic? But are you aware of the irrationality of your thoughts?
*************************************
That one was a dream, for Pete's sake! And the woman you are sitting in front of is NOT the T'Pol of your dream!
*************************************
That one was a dream, for Surak's sake! And the man you are sitting in front of is NOT the Tr... the man of your dream!
*************************************
She is a Vulcan female, damnit! And the most galling of Vulcan females, I am persuaded. Regardless of how smart, regardless of how beautiful, and... and regardless of how strangely sweet she appears to be today.
*************************************
He is a Human man, for Surak's katra! And the most illogical of Human men, I am persuaded. Regardless of how smart, regardless of his enthralling scent, regardless of how strangely understanding he appears to be today.
*************************************
Trip, let alone the impossibility of such a thing, is it possible that you might really be turning your life into... into a NIGHTMARE?
*************************************
T'Pol, let alone the impossibility of such a thing, is it possible that you might really be turning your life into... into what Humans call a NIGHTMARE?
*************************************
Regardless of how deep her eyes can be?
*************************************
Regardless of how blue his eyes can be?
*************************************
Regardless of how silky her hair can be?
*************************************
Regardless of how sunny his hair can be?
*************************************
Regardless of how enchanting her fragrance can be?
*************************************
Regardless of how ravishing his smell can be?
*************************************
Regardless...
*************************************
Regardless...
*************************************
Surak! A woman could fly in the blue of those eyes!
*************************************
What... what might happen if now I called her... Hon? As I... as the Trip of my dream did?
*************************************
What... what might happen if now he called me... Hon? As the Trip of my dream did?
*************************************
Might she reply, calling me Trip? As the T'Pol of my dream did?
*************************************
Might I reply, calling him Trip? As I... as the T'Pol of my dream did?
*************************************
And so... could it happen that we... that we... as in my dream...?
*************************************
And so... could it happen that we... that we... as in my dream...?
*************************************
Trip! But... but are you crazy? But are you aware of what you are thinking?
*************************************
T'Pol! But... but did you lose all logic? But are you aware of the irrationality of your thoughts?
*************************************
That one was a dream, for Pete's sake! And the woman you are sitting in front of is NOT the T'Pol of your dream!
*************************************
That one was a dream, for Surak's sake! And the man you are sitting in front of is NOT the Tr... the man of your dream!
*************************************
She is a Vulcan female, damnit! And the most galling of Vulcan females, I am persuaded. Regardless of how smart, regardless of how beautiful, and... and regardless of how strangely sweet she appears to be today.
*************************************
He is a Human man, for Surak's katra! And the most illogical of Human men, I am persuaded. Regardless of how smart, regardless of his enthralling scent, regardless of how strangely understanding he appears to be today.
*************************************
Trip, let alone the impossibility of such a thing, is it possible that you might really be turning your life into... into a NIGHTMARE?
*************************************
T'Pol, let alone the impossibility of such a thing, is it possible that you might really be turning your life into... into what Humans call a NIGHTMARE?
*************************************
Regardless of how deep her eyes can be?
*************************************
Regardless of how blue his eyes can be?
*************************************
Regardless of how silky her hair can be?
*************************************
Regardless of how sunny his hair can be?
*************************************
Regardless of how enchanting her fragrance can be?
*************************************
Regardless of how ravishing his smell can be?
*************************************
Regardless...
*************************************
Regardless...
By the skin of my teeth, I don't jump. Stop it, man. All this has to end. This bated and abashed rolling between reality and dreams has to end. If what the sub-commander has detected has something to do with that, it's mandatory that this be clarified. And if I can be of some help, it's crucial that I offer it. Now it isn't a simple sign of friendship, or...or of whatever else. Oh but...TRIP!
I straighten and talk sternly. There mustn't be any doubt in regard to my intentions.
"Sub-Commander, if what you detected has something to do with the Captain's unusual and potentially dangerous behaviour, it's imperative that we assess it. We must prevent such unsafe things from occurring again, and I am not only speaking of the Captain. So, I am glad you accepted the offer of my help. I am sure that with your scientific knowledge and my engineering skills, we will be able to solve the problem."
But... but what the hell...? Since when do I talk like... like T'Pol?
I straighten and talk sternly. There mustn't be any doubt in regard to my intentions.
"Sub-Commander, if what you detected has something to do with the Captain's unusual and potentially dangerous behaviour, it's imperative that we assess it. We must prevent such unsafe things from occurring again, and I am not only speaking of the Captain. So, I am glad you accepted the offer of my help. I am sure that with your scientific knowledge and my engineering skills, we will be able to solve the problem."
But... but what the hell...? Since when do I talk like... like T'Pol?
The illogical thoughts of my mind halt abruptly. I can't believe my ears. The commander's words are perfect and...logical. It seems.... It seems that he speaks with my brain. That... that's absurd. ABSURD. But, after all, what isn't absurd in this story? Is it not absurd that the perfect logic of his words is.... is not pleasant for me? Why do I feel unsatisfied that he wanted to make clear the reasons why he offered his help to me? What... what other reasons could there be if not these? Friendship? Or... or...
Oh stop! Really it's mandatory that we clarify all this.
"You speak very logically, Commander. I am pleasantly surprised."
That's my logical reply. Logical, yes. Like his statement.
Why do I feel... disgruntled?
Oh stop! Really it's mandatory that we clarify all this.
"You speak very logically, Commander. I am pleasantly surprised."
That's my logical reply. Logical, yes. Like his statement.
Why do I feel... disgruntled?
Pleasantly surprised? Damn woman! But what does she believe? That I am a bonehead unable to have any rational thoughts? Now I... I...
But... Wait... What is this slight note in her voice? I am not sure. Could it be... could it be that she feels letdown?
Oh well. Maybe I am a stupid, Human man, but, after all, it wasn't because I wanted to offer to her my ability to be logical that I invited her. I wanted to offer to her something else. Something more.
Friendship. Comprehension. In my Human way. And she accepted my offering. Even if all the rest is absurd, I can't let matters end in this way. She... she is a woman, damnit! And I bet that she has her feelings, her Vulcan feelings; maybe... maybe her own emotions, who knows? And I can't give her an opening and, shortly afterwards, close it. That would be... illogical. And unfair.
And if... if I...?
I speak almost without thinking of what I am saying.
But... Wait... What is this slight note in her voice? I am not sure. Could it be... could it be that she feels letdown?
Oh well. Maybe I am a stupid, Human man, but, after all, it wasn't because I wanted to offer to her my ability to be logical that I invited her. I wanted to offer to her something else. Something more.
Friendship. Comprehension. In my Human way. And she accepted my offering. Even if all the rest is absurd, I can't let matters end in this way. She... she is a woman, damnit! And I bet that she has her feelings, her Vulcan feelings; maybe... maybe her own emotions, who knows? And I can't give her an opening and, shortly afterwards, close it. That would be... illogical. And unfair.
And if... if I...?
I speak almost without thinking of what I am saying.
"T'Pol, listen to me. Duty calls both you and me now. We don't have time to examine what you detected. But it is important, isn't it?"
"I think..."
"Of course it is important. We must know if the Captain's conduct was due to it, so we can prevent other people from incurring such dangerous behaviour."
"I think..."
"But obviously we can't speak to him about what you found, because sure as hell he'll want to know the whys and wherefores, and this is not good, is it?"
"Oh... I think..."
"Damn. You are full of Oh this morning, Sub-Commander."
"Oh..."
"Precisely. Because of the way things stand, you and I must work secretly, mustn't we?"
"Oh..."
"Oh? Again? Ah yes. Oh. That means Oh yes, doesn't it?"
"Oh..."
"Exactly. But, we haven't the time now. We need the right equipment, don't we?"
"Oh..."
"Oh what? Oh sure, you are right. The Mess Hall isn't suitable, is it?"
"Oh.."
"Sure, sure. I agree with you. The Mess Hall is not made for people who must work secretly, is it?"
"Oh..."
"Right, right. You are right again. We need a well-equipped place where we can work quietly without the world observing us, don't we?"
"Oh..."
"Right yet again, Sub-Commander. Where the hell can we find such a place, on Enterprise? That is what you are wondering, aren't you?"
"I..."
"I? That's new. Anyway I concur totally, but I can assure you that this place exists."
"Oh?"
"Damn it, T'Pol. You stun me this morning. Not only are you very talkative, but your vocabulary is incredibly vast."
"Oh... I..."
"See? An Oh and an I at the same time. Vast, very vast. Anyway, to answer to your question, I am talking of my den."
"Your den?"
"Den, yes. Haunt, lair, hideout, my quiet cubby, where I am in the habit of working until the small hours without being distracted by anyone. It is well-equipped and only for me. My office in Engineering."
"Oh... Oh..."
"Double Oh, this time. Yes, you are right again. My office can comfortably contain two persons."
"Two..."
"Two friends, T'Pol, while they work placidly together, away from prying eyes. Maybe... sharing a big slice of Pecan Pie."
"Two... friends."
"You and I, T'Pol. I thought we had already established this."
"Yes, but..."
"T'Pol, what would you think if we worked on your discovery this evening after dinner, in the tranquillity of my den?"
"Commander, could I say something, please?"
"Eh? Oh... oh sure, T'Pol, sure. Excuse me."
"Very well. Commander..."
"Yes, Sub-Commander?"
"That's another invitation, Commander, isn't it?"
"Oh...well..."
"Maybe, even a little more personal, almost intimate, isn't it?"
"Oh... well..."
"But given that we are friends, this invitation shouldn't be considered inadvisable by Human standard, should it?"
"Oh...well..."
"On the other hand, although it might be indecorous by Vulcan standards, it is true, though, that it could be very useful to mitigate my peculiar situation as the only Vulcan on the ship, couldn't it?"
"Oh... well..."
"I notice that you also are talkative this morning, Commander, aren't you?"
"Oh... well..."
"Even if your vocabulary doesn't appear as vast as mine, does it?"
"Oh... well..."
"Just so. But you are right. After all, we are on a Human vessel, aren't we?"
"Oh... well
"Right, Commander. That's why I am chatty, isn't it?"
"Oh... oh.. well.."
"Double Oh this time, Commander, and you are doubly right. I am chatty and a little unusual in my tone, this morning, aren't I?"
"Oh... oh... oh... well..."
"Three oh, Commander? You are more and more talkative, aren't you? But, on the other hand, you are right again, three times. One, I am the only Vulcan on this Human vessel; two, I am a scientist, and three..."
"And three?"
"Three... I like to experience what I don't know."
"Oh... oh...oh...oh well!"
"Commander, please."
"Sub... Sub-Commander?"
"When you will finish with all those oh, could I ask you one thing?"
"Oh... Ahem, No! Namely...Of course, T'Pol."
"Very well. Commander..."
"Sub-Commander?"
"Who must bring the pecan pie?"
"I think..."
"Of course it is important. We must know if the Captain's conduct was due to it, so we can prevent other people from incurring such dangerous behaviour."
"I think..."
"But obviously we can't speak to him about what you found, because sure as hell he'll want to know the whys and wherefores, and this is not good, is it?"
"Oh... I think..."
"Damn. You are full of Oh this morning, Sub-Commander."
"Oh..."
"Precisely. Because of the way things stand, you and I must work secretly, mustn't we?"
"Oh..."
"Oh? Again? Ah yes. Oh. That means Oh yes, doesn't it?"
"Oh..."
"Exactly. But, we haven't the time now. We need the right equipment, don't we?"
"Oh..."
"Oh what? Oh sure, you are right. The Mess Hall isn't suitable, is it?"
"Oh.."
"Sure, sure. I agree with you. The Mess Hall is not made for people who must work secretly, is it?"
"Oh..."
"Right, right. You are right again. We need a well-equipped place where we can work quietly without the world observing us, don't we?"
"Oh..."
"Right yet again, Sub-Commander. Where the hell can we find such a place, on Enterprise? That is what you are wondering, aren't you?"
"I..."
"I? That's new. Anyway I concur totally, but I can assure you that this place exists."
"Oh?"
"Damn it, T'Pol. You stun me this morning. Not only are you very talkative, but your vocabulary is incredibly vast."
"Oh... I..."
"See? An Oh and an I at the same time. Vast, very vast. Anyway, to answer to your question, I am talking of my den."
"Your den?"
"Den, yes. Haunt, lair, hideout, my quiet cubby, where I am in the habit of working until the small hours without being distracted by anyone. It is well-equipped and only for me. My office in Engineering."
"Oh... Oh..."
"Double Oh, this time. Yes, you are right again. My office can comfortably contain two persons."
"Two..."
"Two friends, T'Pol, while they work placidly together, away from prying eyes. Maybe... sharing a big slice of Pecan Pie."
"Two... friends."
"You and I, T'Pol. I thought we had already established this."
"Yes, but..."
"T'Pol, what would you think if we worked on your discovery this evening after dinner, in the tranquillity of my den?"
"Commander, could I say something, please?"
"Eh? Oh... oh sure, T'Pol, sure. Excuse me."
"Very well. Commander..."
"Yes, Sub-Commander?"
"That's another invitation, Commander, isn't it?"
"Oh...well..."
"Maybe, even a little more personal, almost intimate, isn't it?"
"Oh... well..."
"But given that we are friends, this invitation shouldn't be considered inadvisable by Human standard, should it?"
"Oh...well..."
"On the other hand, although it might be indecorous by Vulcan standards, it is true, though, that it could be very useful to mitigate my peculiar situation as the only Vulcan on the ship, couldn't it?"
"Oh... well..."
"I notice that you also are talkative this morning, Commander, aren't you?"
"Oh... well..."
"Even if your vocabulary doesn't appear as vast as mine, does it?"
"Oh... well..."
"Just so. But you are right. After all, we are on a Human vessel, aren't we?"
"Oh... well
"Right, Commander. That's why I am chatty, isn't it?"
"Oh... oh.. well.."
"Double Oh this time, Commander, and you are doubly right. I am chatty and a little unusual in my tone, this morning, aren't I?"
"Oh... oh... oh... well..."
"Three oh, Commander? You are more and more talkative, aren't you? But, on the other hand, you are right again, three times. One, I am the only Vulcan on this Human vessel; two, I am a scientist, and three..."
"And three?"
"Three... I like to experience what I don't know."
"Oh... oh...oh...oh well!"
"Commander, please."
"Sub... Sub-Commander?"
"When you will finish with all those oh, could I ask you one thing?"
"Oh... Ahem, No! Namely...Of course, T'Pol."
"Very well. Commander..."
"Sub-Commander?"
"Who must bring the pecan pie?"
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COPYRIGHT 2013 © Asso - [email protected]
COPYRIGHT 2013 © Asso - [email protected]