Well Oiled Romance--er...Ship

Emotionally Compromising a Vulcan

I refrained (barely) from screaming out in sheer terror and panic as the banging continued. Kirk ran over to the canister, eyes wide and easily as terror-stricken and panicked as my own.

"Mr. Scott, can you hear me?!" Kirk yelled, ear pressed against the canister. I started a mental clock. Humans can only hold their breath for so long under water...I swallowed. How to get him out? How? There were no moni—FRICK!

The canister suddenly activated, sending its contents into the pipes criss-crossing the area. Frick, frick, frick...no...

"Don't worry, I'll-" Kirk was cut off as Monty was sent hurling down the pipline as the pressure increased. I heard his muffled scream of panic and tried not to think of how much time that might be costing my husband. However, I doubt he'd understand my warning to hold in his breath as much as possible. I turned to Kirk as we raced alongside (more or less) Monty in the pipes.

"Hope yeh've got a plan here, Jim!"

"Working on it!" He replied, eyes darting desperately around the ship. He knew it better than I did, and so reluctantly, I had to trust that Kirk would be able to get my husband out of those fricking pipes before it was too late. Suddenly, the pipe Monty was in took an upward swing. Kirk blanched.

"No, no, no!"

"What's that mean?!" I reply, panicking because Kirk was worried about Monty going into that particular pipe.

"That pipe leads to the filtering fans!" I blanched, racing after Kirk, our eyes matching in panic and sheer abject horror. If we couldn't get Monty out...no, I can't think like that...he'll be fine...Kirk ran over to a monitor, fingers flying across the keys.

"Turbine Release Valve activated." An automated female voice rang out, and sure enough the valve I hadn't noticed til now opened, releasing Monty along with a fair bit of water that splashed up to my knees as I ran over. Monty lay on the ground, pushing himself up shakily. I helped him sit up as Kirk came racing over. He suddenly nearly collapsed again, and I was in no way ready to catch him. Kirk left us on the ground, me on top.

"You alright? You alright?!" He asked worriedly, searching Monty for signs of response. Seconds later, Monty coughed up a lot of water. I sighed in relief, huggin' him tightly as he continued coughing. I had never been more frightened for my husband's life. I kissed him soundly, breaking away regrettably as Monty needed to breath.

"My head's buzzin', and I'm soaked, but other than that, I'm fine!" Monty replied.

I laughed. "Good. Glad you're okay." Monty chuckled. I leaned down a little, chuckling. Monty grinned widely up at me.

"Fine way to get off Delta Vega, right?" I nodded, laughing.

"Yeah. Really breaks the mundane-ness down." I replied as I smiled at Monty with love. Kirk gave Monty a hand, pulling him easily up.

"Come on. That access wasn't authorized. It won't go unnoticed for long." I nodded, getting to my feet.

"Aye, lad. They may already know." Monty added. I took off after them, Monty holding back just slightly to run alongside me as we ran toward...wherever it was Kirk was heading to. I had no idea what to expect when we get to wherever we were going, though.

"Security, seal the Engineering deck. We have intruders in Turbine Section 3. Set phasers to stun."

"Well, tha's jes' great!" Monty and I chorused, pressing ourselves to run faster. This was not the way I wanted to come back to Starfleet. I wanted to do it the right way. I wanted to earn the right to go back to HQ, not just beam onto a starship, which was highly illegal and most certainly against regulations.