the delphic expanse

This one almost didn't happen, because it didn't look like anyone was interested in participating. But, some of you asked for it, so here it is.

The way this works:

Every month, I give you a prompt -- usually a single word but sometimes a short phrase. You write an Enterprise story based on that prompt. You do not have to use the exact word or phrase in your story, just give us whatever the word or phrase inspired. Any genre (slash, het, gen), any style (humor, action, romance, mystery, etc.), any word length, any rating.

Have it beta read, then submit it to the archive! Be sure to note in the author's notes that it's a prompt response!

Your prompt for July...








EXCUSES



Now go write something!

For the record, Aq: I'm in on this one, but it might take me a while to finish it up. Noting this so you know there'll be participation.

Can't wait!

I just hope I'm not the only one! *significant glance around the room* C'mon guys, check in!

I might try and come up with a short story .I need to think about for this awhile.

I'm in too. I've got something brewing... I'm just not sure where it will take me.
And for the record - I love looking at past month's prompts as they do spark other things... I've got a great one for last month's. Now just have to find the time to write it all down.

Since I am one of the ones that asked...Tucker/T'Pol, Archer/Sato, and Reed/Hayes.

Excuses


T’Pol stepped from her shower, removing the towel from around her head. She quickly combed her hair into its familiar style. Drying her body, T’Pol glanced in her bathroom mirror. She took note that her hair wasn’t exactly perfect. T’Pol used her comb to adjust the still damp hair around her left ear.

She kept her towel wrapped around her as she stepped out of her bathroom. Modesty had nothing to do with this. Even though the former desert dweller kept her cabin warmer than the standard quarters on Enterprise, T’Pol still chilled easily.

Perusing her underwear drawer, moving the nicer silk things aside, T’Pol lifted out a set of standard, Vulcan issue, gray underwear. Dropping her towel she donned the underwear.

With practiced ease, she shimmied into her uniform, pulling it up in a smooth motion. T’Pol pulled the zipper as far as possible with her left hand, then grabbing it over her shoulder with the right. One quick tug and it was zipped to her neck. A last glance in her mirror assured the fastidious woman that all was as it should be with her appearance. The light blue uniform suited her well.

T’Pol did not fall prey to vanity, but she had standards for herself that must be upheld. She felt no need to make excuses to the Humans for her appearance. They already made too many assumptions about Vulcans. They did not realize that Vulcans appreciated beauty and saw it as logical to always look as good as the situation permitted.

As she proceeded to the mess hall with a confident stride, the science officer had high hopes for a productive day. Maybe Commander Tucker will join me for breakfast.

***

Jonathan Archer stretched and flexed his stiff muscles. This maneuver caused his best pal to raise his sleepy head. Porthos gave a snort at being disturbed.

“Sorry fella, but it’s time to start the day,” Jon said scratching the sleepy dog’s head.

“Already,” said a voice from the other side of the, now wiggling, dog.

Jon leaned over Porthos to give his companion a kiss.

“Yeah, I know. It seems like we just went to sleep, doesn’t it?”

Most people thought that a captain considered himself married to his ship. While Enterprise was his girl, she could not provide the companionship and affection that most human beings needed to survive. Jon was not about to make excuses for loving the person beside him.

Archer was aware that many of his crew suspected that he and T’Pol would eventually get together. It turned out that they were far too much alike for that to ever work. T’Pol needed an emotional outlet, and no one was better suited for that job than his friend, Trip.

T’Pol was a very attractive woman, but the beauty lying in Jon’s bed right now had proven to be the one for him. Jon smiled as his companion began to stir.

The captain leaned over and whispered, “If you get up now, we have time to share a shower.”

Hoshi gave Jon a lazy smile and quick kiss. He though, How did I get so lucky?

***

Travis sat in the messhall observing the comings and goings. One of his greatest joys was people watching. Travis had discovered early in life that if he kept quiet and watched, people seemed to forget he was there. The young man always knew what was going on aboard the Horizon. As a boy he liked to fancy himself as invisible.

In the years aboard Enterprise, Travis had observed many relationships come and go, and some he knew would last a lifetime. The helmsman chuckled when Captain Archer and Hoshi had entered earlier with contented smiles on their faces. Although they were totally discreet, anyone who knew them well could see the love between these two.

Alpha shift started in just a few minutes so Travis began to gather his breakfast remains. He saw T’Pol doing the same. Most people could see no emotion on that lovely Vulcan face but Travis was a very keen observer. As he had eaten his meal, Travis noticed T’Pol cut her eyes toward the door each time it opened. He knew who she was hoping to see come in, but Commander Tucker never appeared.

Travis headed to the disposal unit to deposit his tray and saw Trip come flying in nearly running into T’Pol. He was close enough to hear Trip’s excuse for being late, something about an emergency in engineering, and a request that they have dinner tonight in her cabin. Although her face remained placid, Travis could see pleasure radiating from the Vulcan. Neither appeared to notice he was even in the room. He saw Trip brush T’Pol’s hand with his. Travis smiled as he thought, People so easily let down their guard when they think they’re alone.

***

Malcolm Reed was thrilled that his shift was over. It had been a long and boring day. While Malcolm loved being an armory officer, unless they were in a crisis, bridge duty could get awfully tedious. He thought about coming up with some excuse to leave shift early, but that was not the Reed way.

Stepping into the lift his spirits began to lift as well. After a quick stop at his quarters to change, Malcolm fairly jogged to the gym. He didn’t want to keep his sparring companion waiting. Malcolm, with his British reserve, was thought by some to be almost as emotionless as a Vulcan. This was far from true.

Malcolm entered the gym to see his partner warming up. Two quick jabs flew to the punching bag. Gloved hands, a right and then a left, made loud thuds against the bag. As sweat trickled down his muscular chest to lightly soak the tee shirt he was wearing, Jacob Hayes executed a perfect flying kick to the much abused bag.

Malcolm licked his lips and swallowed hard. A flood of emotions swelled in him, chief among them, desire. The relationship was new, barely three months old, but Malcolm had never fallen so hard before. He smirked as Hayes looked up smiling and motioning with his glove for Malcolm to come over. That is the most bad-ass man on the ship and he’s all mine.

***

Phlox heaved a sigh of frustration. It was unlike him to lose patience with this crew. Denobulans embraced large families and Phlox had come to think of these people as just that. The time for crew physicals had been assigned for weeks and not one of the senior staff had reported as ordered. Captain Archer not reporting to sickbay had been the last straw. Phlox stomped over to the comm panel and jabbed a button. It’s time for me to exercise my medical authority on these wayward officers. There will be no more excuses!

BWAHAHAHAHAHA!! Oh, Phlox.

Loved this!!

bluetiger wrote:Travis had discovered early in life that if he kept quiet and watched, people seemed to forget he was there.

As a boy he liked to fancy himself as invisible.

Travis smiled as he thought, People so easily let down their guard when they think they’re alone.

Love how you used Travis, Bluetiger. Oh, and any mention of Porthos is good, too.

Awww.... what yummy goodness! So nice! Thanks for posting!!