Walking the Line

    by Kat and Dee

NC-17

~~~ indicate reflection or time shift.  Please keep in mind this is a pretty raw copy and subject to change.

Chapter 1

Erik Greyson jumped as the captain’s voice came over the comm. He was even more startled by the loud thump and rapid cursing coming from the chief engineer, who ducked out from under a console, rubbing her head. At least he assumed it was cursing. The language was one he didn’t recognize. He couldn’t stop the grin as she stalked past him, heading for the lift. He actually chuckled as she handed him her spanner with a glare. He read the meaning and took her place under the console.

As he worked, he considered his position. He had joined the Nakarrat a week ago as second engineer. He had been surprised at the need and had quickly discovered that the small ship, while kept in great shape, required a lot of work. A wanderer himself, Erik had never been happy anywhere but in space. Usually he joined a crew, taking any position as long as it got him to the next port. Sometimes he stayed longer, especially if the ship was continuing on. He didn’t want to go back, but forward, so there was always something new. He had heard some rumors about the Nakarrat, but he knew better than to put all his faith in rumors. Not that he didn’t listen to them, but rumors only skirted the truth and he preferred facts. Facts kept him alive in this business. He had heard the crew of the Nakarrat was close knit, and the captain a handful. That was true at least, and being a healthy male, he definitely wouldn’t mind getting a handful of the captain. He grinned as he remembered their first meeting.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Nakarrat had signaled the trading post that it was coming in and needed crew, specifically an engineer, a few days before she docked. The practice was common among cargo ships, as it made it easier to find people on limited time. He had notified the ship of his credentials and arranged a meeting with the captain. He had been surprised when she had suggested a local bar. He had been sitting in that bar, stewing because she was nearly two hours late. Finishing his drink, he had been about to leave when two beautiful women had entered the bar. They both in his eyes looked too young to even know of such places, but they moved with a confidence and grace that spoke of experience and command. The taller of the two was more stunning in her coloring. Vibrant blue eyes shined as she spoke. Long black hair tumbled around her shoulders, free, crackling with an energy all its own. The shape of her eyes hinted at an asian ancestry, though she was quite tall, 5’9 at least. He had always been attracted to tall women, and this one suited his tastes perfectly. Long slender legs that went on forever where encased in black leather, so tight it emphasized well rounded hips and a small waist. A bright red blouse draped full breasts and buttoned just above her navel, which sported a flirty gold butterfly. Yup, a delectable smorgesboard of woman. Too bad I don’t have the time, he thought as he licked his lips. Even her voice seemed perfect as she talked, her hands moving to emphasize her words. He couldn’t make out the language she spoke, but he really didn’t care. The smaller woman caught his attention as she reached up to grab the others hands. With her action and a few soft words, she silenced the other woman.

Never one to let an opportunity to study women pass him by, Erik took in the smaller of the two. He was again struck by her mantle of command. Unlike her friend, the smaller woman was dressed in practical brown trousers. A simple white poets blouse was covered by a plain brown vest. The vest itself was worn loosely and fell below her hips, casually disguising feminine curves. He allowed his gaze to travel over her from head to foot. She was petite, about 5’3. From what he could see, she was perfectly proportioned for her size. Following the line of her body, from the worn brown boots to the tattered cap, he found himself intrigued. Everything about her suggested quiet, non-descript, almost mousy, until she turned and his breath caught. Her skin tone was a light tan, odd for a spacer, but perfect for the exotically shaped eyes and perfectly arched brows. Expressive hazel eyes seemed to highlight rather than blend in and wisps of dark brown hair curled around her temples, though that was all that was visible at the moment. Yes, at first glance he had dismissed her, a plain girl in shades of brown, now she fascinated him.

He was startled out of his trance as she arched a brow at him. With a welcoming grin, he gestured to the seat beside him at the bar, suddenly grateful the Nakarrat’s captain was late.

She startled him with her boldness, coming right up to him while her companion held back. He was amused by the inconsistencies. Holding out a hand, she spoke. “Erik Greyson?” At his confused nod, she continued. “T’Lin Archer, Captain of the Nakarrat.” He took her hand and shook it, surprised at the tingle of awareness that shot through him. She studied him speculatively for a moment, a hint of amusement sparkling in her eyes before she released his hand. She gestured to the bartender as her companion sat next to her. “Two Andorian Ales, Trev.” The bartender slid them across the counter with a smile.

She took a sip and sighed with pleasure before turning back to him. “We definitely need to restock this stuff more often.” She flashed him a quick smile. “Sorry we’re late. The unload took longer than expected.”

“I see. Well I would have come to the ship to meet you and helped out as well if I’d have known.”

“I appreciate the thought anyway.” She gave him a speculative look. “Why do you want the Nakarrat Mr. Greyson? With your experience, you could be working top freighters.”

“Didn’t waste any time checking me out did you?”

“I wouldn’t be much of a captain if I didn’t watch out for my crew. We are a family aboard the Nakarrat, and we aren’t inclined to expand, but I don’t see much choice for it. We ran into some trouble a few weeks ago and in the process four of my crew were wounded. They need time to recouporate, and until they do they are out of commission. Two have been transferred to a medical facility here. We will pick them back up on our way back, but its going to be a couple of months and that leaves me shorthanded.”

“Benefits me though.”

“Maybe, depends on whether or not you make a good impression.”

He flashed her a grin. “Well Ma’am, I like to think myself a pretty good judge of character. And what I’ve judged about you so far is you aren’t one to waste your time. I’m thinking you’re a good judge of character too, and you’ve made up your mind, or you wouldn’t be talking to me.”

She laughed, just threw back her head and laughed, a full-throated sound. It fit her character, but not her appearance. He liked the contrast. “You’re right. You’ve got a reputation Mr. Greyson, and for all that you like to move around a lot, it’s a good one. Your primary job will be as engineer. You will report directly to the chief here.” She motioned to the woman beside her. “But the Nakarrat is a small ship, with a small crew, and versatility is a must.”

He flashed her another grin, this one full of mischief. “Whatever you need Captain, just let me know.”

He could tell she took the comment exactly as he meant it, full of innuendo, but with no offense. Her response was cut off as a loud, drunk voice echoed through the bar. “Vulcan whores have no business in this place.”

His new captain glanced at the bartender with a sad smile. “Sorry Trev.” The next thing he knew, she was sliding off her stool and moving toward the door. She had only made it about five steps when the drunk charged her. He connected with a solid thunk and carried the captain to the ground. A soft grunt echoed back at him as she hit the ground. He stared, stunned as her hat flew off her head and skidded across the floor. The drunk had been stunned by the fall and it was nothing for the smaller woman to shimmy out from under him. As she stood, a silky braid of light brown tumbled down her back. In that moment Erik understood where the insult had been directed. Soft brown curls framed delicately pointed ears. But there was no Vulcan in his recollection that had ever smiled or acted human, and he could have sworn… His gaze shifted to the woman on the other stool. She sipped her drink as though she didn’t have a care in the world, but her eyes were focused on the mirror above the bar and she was watching everything around her. Clever girl, he thought.

The drunk stood with a bellow and faced off with the captain. He started to intervene, but stopped as the brunette caught his sleeve. Her eyes never left the mirror as she spoke. “The captain prefers to fight her own battles,” she made a motion to the left where some men were watching the fight with a little too much interest, “unless the odds get out of hand.”

Never one to stand by when a woman was being threatened, Erik nonetheless respected the woman’s words. After all she knew the captain better than he did, but he continued to watch the fight with interest.

Archer was standing now, her position deceptively relaxed. Only the slight narrowing of her eyes betrayed her anger as the drunk bated her.

“Half-breed bitch! Your father turned down a good human woman for his Vulcan whore. Gave her two half-breed bastards before he finally agreed to marry her in a God sanctioned ceremony, and he only did that because the government insisted on it.”

“Old man, don’t piss me off. You know nothing about me or my family.”

“Your momma was the only Vulcan on a starship. Didn’t take her long to spread her legs for a human. Liked it too, cause she stayed with ‘em. How many others on board did she fuck, d’ya think?”

T’Lin’s eyes narrowed even further, and a flush stained her cheeks, but she didn’t move. “You got a beef with me old man, fine. But you leave my mother out of it. She’s a helluva lot more woman than you are a man.”

“Little slut. I hear you’re just like her. Live on a ship full of men. Heard about your academy exploits too. Encouraged fine young men to take you in a shower and then filed trumped up assault charges on them. Nothing but a lying, troublemaking Vulcan bitch.”

“Ok, lets trade insults all day. We’ll get through so much more. What does it matter to you what I did in the academy? It was a long time ago, and my business to boot.”

“My son was included in your little game. He was expelled because of you. If it weren’t for you my boy would be an officer, not dead.”

“Your boy, if he was involved, was expelled for actions unbecoming a Starfleet officer.”

“There was no trial you little bitch, just as there was no assault. You set those boys up and got them expelled to eliminate the competition. Then you didn’t have the guts to stay in Starfleet.”

“Well we all have our take on that time, and since you weren’t there, you don’t know do you? Personally if your son was stupid enough to get involved in that deal, then he’s the only one to blame for both his actions and his death.”

The drunk bellowed again, and this time he charged, whipping a knife from behind his back. T’Lin’s move was like a graceful dance. She stepped deftly to the side, grabbing his hand and dragging it up and behind him, pinching the nerve in his hand until he dropped the knife. She released him, pushing him away, and kicked the knife under the bar. Her smile frightened him.

The drunk didn’t seem to realize he was out of his league as he turned and charged her again. Once more the captain sidestepped at the last minute, spinning on her toes, she brought her clasped hands down on the back of his neck. The drunk dropped like a stone.

Stepping calmly over the drunk, T’Lin reached for her drink and tossed it down. As the glass came in contact with the counter, she motioned toward the door. She gave Erik a half grin. “This kind of thing is more common than you think. Humans and Vulcans still haven’t found a way past their prejudices, though to give them credit, they are trying.”

“Seems to me your parents perfected the art.”

Once more her words were stolen as all hell broke loose. With a quick yell of “Incoming!” she pushed him to the side and jumped into the fray. This time, the brunette joined her. Erik took a moment to marvel at their fighting skill. With a sigh, he cracked his knuckles. In for a penny, in for a pound.