Day Twenty-Four of the 30 Day Writing Challenge
Shran frowned and jerked his head toward the door. The Vulcan gave him a curious look but followed him through to the stairwell and up onto the roof.
Shran took a deep breath of cool fresh air. “Ah, that’s better.”
“Is there something you wished to discuss in private?” T’Pol asked.
“No, you just looked a little overwhelmed in there.”
“I am fine,” she insisted as if by rote.
His antennae twisted skeptically.
“But a reprieve from the… enthusiasm is pleasant,” she added, making him smirk.
They’d been given an incredibly warm welcome at this ridiculous conference Archer had insisted they attend.
Shran huffed out a breath. “If Tucker could see the way they butchered his design in that last presentation he’d turn over in his grave.”
T’Pol’s eyebrows drew together and her lips turned down slightly. “He is not dead. He does not have a grave,” she said patiently.
Shran leaned toward her like he was sharing a secret. “T’Pol, I know your husband. That man is so dramatic he’d dig a grave just so he could climb in and roll over in it to express his displeasure.”
He watched in delight as the Vulcan pressed her lips together to conceal any emotional reaction to his statement. Her sparkling eyes would’ve given her away even if he couldn’t faintly taste her amusement in the air.
“That is an innovative use of the idiom,” she said with some approval. “Are you also familiar with the expression ‘It takes one to know one’?”
He chuckled lightly, “Careful, Vulcan; I’d hate to have to swear an oath of vengeance on you again.”
T’Pol appeared to consider. “Would that require us to return to Enterprise early?” she asked as she tucked her hands behind her back and started to walk toward the door.
His antennae bobbed and tilted toward her as he followed. “We could fake an injury?” he suggested.
“You could stumble down the stairs,” she replied, completely deadpan.
Shran’s laugh echoed into the stairwell as he opened the door. “I’m beginning to understand what those pinkskins see in you.”