Short Disclaimer: not my characters. Just for fun.

Title: Comfort food?
Author: Gables
Rating: G
Summary: Archer tries to get T'pol to participate in an on-board Thanksgiving.

Author's Note: I had a very nice dinner with my family. And I wanted fluff to continue my nice mood - I wanted to write a Thanksgiving story. but who knew it'd want to be my first Star Trek fic? Gables (who did get her pecan pie :) selbag@hotmail.com 10:15am 11/24/01



Captain Archer was standing next to T'pol just outside the bridge. He had passed her on his way in, and took the moment to ask her a question. She stood and responded to him like she always did, appearing impatient and annoyed.

"I see no reason in this."

Archer held back his eye roll; "There is no reason for it really. It's just a feast."

"But you said that this is in celebration of an Earthen holiday."

"Well, yes, in a way, I guess." Archer stuttered. He tapped his palm computer in his hand. She stood still and watched his fidgeting.

"Then I see no reason why you are wanting to celebrate a secular holiday that comes from a geo-political system that is no longer in existence."

Archer rolled his head back and forth a little bit. "That's not the point T'pol." He rubbed his eyes and thought of another way to explain to her why he wanted to celebrate Thanksgiving. "The date doesn't matter. We could do this in five months from now and the goal would be the same. The point is to take a moment and reflect on what you have, and be thankful."

"Then you are saying that this holiday is actually a religious affair giving thanks to a god for being blessed, as you see it."

"Yes, in some way, I guess."

"Captain, Your crew is not homogonous in its religious beliefs. I do not think it wise to..."

Captain Archer held up his hand before she could draw anymore conclusions from his garbled explanation of Thanksgiving.

"T'pol this isn't about politics. This isn't about religion; nor is this about race. This is about our crew having low morale and me wanting to cheer them up. It's about all of us having a meal together to reflect on the fact that we are the beginning of a new era in history, and to say thanks to our friends and family who helped us get here."

Archer paused, and tried to see if she understood his request better. She didn't move, but waited patiently for him to continue. He looked down at his palm computer, and pressed a button to bring up the list of food requests.

"Now, I'll ask you again. What would you like on the menu? Anything you want from Vulcan cuisine. Or not, it doesn't matter. I have requests for turkey and mashed potatoes, but also for pavlova and coconut shrimp. I'm just looking for a food that will make you feel good. Comfort food. Do you have anything like that?"

T'pol raised an eyebrow at his impatient sarcasm. She decided that it would be best to at least acknowledge his efforts.

"May I?" She asked, holding out her hand. Archer handed her the list. She scanned it quickly, since she was unfamiliar with most of the foods, but one she did recognize: pecan pie. She looked back up at Archer and handed the list back to him. "This list seems satisfactory, Captain. I do not think that any food I requested would augment the meal."

"Ok then." Archer nodded, about to give up, but then decided to try one more time to get her to participate. "But I was hoping for a food that you will appreciate, not one that will make the table prettier."

"Captain, Vulcans do not consume food on the same level that humans do. So my appreciation of the dish is irrelevant. And I doubt that anybody else on this ship would find 'comfort' in a Vulcan dish."

"Fine." Archer conceded. "Fine." He turned to enter the bridge, but stopped halfway through the doors when she spoke.

"Captain," She started. He turned around in the doorframe to look at her again. "In the interest of ship's morale, I will attend the dinner."

Archer chuckled a bit, laughing at the absurdity of her attending the dinner, but not sharing in the emotion behind it. She looked puzzled at his reaction, but he waved it away with the hand that held the computer. "Then I'll see you there."

"Yes, Captain." she replied, but it was overpowered by the sound of the doors closing as he stepped onto the bridge.

~end