Star Trek, Enterprise, Archer, T'Pol, Freeuse
Note from the author: Be kind, I do not pretend to be an expert at the ST Enterprise fanfic base, or the franchise in general. I was watching the show on NF and the dynamic I lay out below between these two was just so clear to me I felt almost compelled to write this. So don't rage over anything I get wrong with the ST universe, the story and relationship is my focus.
Enterprise NX-01, somewhere deep in the Expanse..
Archer threw the datapad down on his desk, sending it clattering across the plasticine surface, only to slide off the far side falling to the floor with a loud 'smack'. Porthos sleepily looked up from his bed in the corner, decided no Xindi were around at that exact moment, and promptly went back to sleep.
"I am so tired of this, this.. this!" he motioned with one hand to the datapad while his other moved to massage his temple. "We've been out here in the Expanse for weeks, no months now, and all we have to show for it is that " he motioned to the pad yet again ".. nothing."
Standing Archer turned and, ran a hand through his short cropped hair looking out the bulkhead viewport of his quarters. He'd not even taken the time to change out of his workout clothes when he had admitted T'Pol into his quarters for an update on their search.
"Nothing." He huffed, not taking his eyes away from the viewport, and the strangeness of the Expanse beyond.
T'Pol, seated somehow looking both relaxed and formal simultaneously, leaned over with the grace of a Vulcan and picked the datapad up, placing it gently on Archer's desk once more.
"The Expanse is extremely large, Captain, the chances of our mission succeeding even at best estimates is low. I find it highly doubtful that anyone would have expected you to locate the Xindi this quickly."
"Yeah, well, tell that to the billions of terrified people back on Earth, all waiting for word that another.. 'probe' isn't going to wink into existence in orbit and obliterate another couple of million people."
With a frustrated sigh Archer slumped into the chair by his bed, opposite T'Pol's who still sat by his quarter's single entrance observing him with a quirked eyebrow.
"I just, I feel this intense need to do something. But every lead we follow up leads us nowhere or worse" he waved a hand towards the datapad "..in circles. So much wasted time, meanwhile I can feel the Xindi's plan moving forward like some doomsday clock ticking in the back of my head."
T'Pol waited for Archer to spin down, observing him quietly. Once she decided his mini self-recriminating, and very Human outburst was done she broke the short silence.
"Captain may I ask you a question?"
"What? Yes, of course T'Pol."
T'Pol chose to ignore the obvious tinge of annoyance the Captain had shaded his words with.
"How have you been sleeping?"
"What?"
"How have you been sleeping."
"Fine. I mean not great, but all things considered... why?"
"You seem very, stressed. Humans require a significant amount of sleep, as well as proper nutritional.."
"I'm eating fine, T'Pol, thank you for your concern." He paused for a few heart beats "I could use better sleep you are probably right about that though." He exhaled a long breath, finally seeming to calm down a bit.
Archer slapped the arms of his chair, then stood, his body langue singling that the meeting was over. T'Pol stood as well, the skin tight unform she preferred to wear so often molding to her body as she moved. T'Pol noted Archer's eyes flick to her body as she stood.
"Well, thank you for report Commander, I'll.."
"I'm sorry Sir, but I do have one more question."
".. yes?" he sighed.
"When was the last time you had a sexual encounter?"
The clutch in Archer's brain visibly slipped for a few heartbeats.
"What?"
"I am curious when the last time you experienced a sexual release. With another person."
"I... That's really, really none of your business Commander. Now if.." he started to motion towards the hatch... and T'Pol was not moving.
"In my discussions with Dr. Phlox about human sexuality.."
"Your what?" Archer was thrown completely off balance at this point.
T'Pol continued "..my discussions with Dr. Phlox about human sexuality since Trip and I have become sexually active.."
"You and Trip?"
".. yes Sir." A slight tone of annoyance finally showing in T'Pol's voice at being interrupted "If I may continue."
Archer laughed ruefully "Sure, by all means."
T'Pol waited until she was certain she wouldn't be interrupted again, then continued.
"As I was saying, in my discussions with Dr. Phlox " she paused almost imperceptibly, when no outburst halted her she carried on "the stress relieving benefits of sexual activity for humans is far more substantial than many other species."
".. okay."
"In fact, Dr. Phlox was able to reference multiple sources that documented not only the physical benefits of sexual activity for humans, but some very illuminating research that has been done on the benefits on humans when it comes to mental health. Since Commander Tucker and I have been active I've noticed a significant increase in his productivity, as well as a corresponding decrease in his stress levels."