Tribble Round Up [G]

Title: Tribble Round Up
Author: Artemis (ArtemisOK@aol.com)
Series: TOS
Codes: Sc/Ch, M
Rating: [G]
Parts: 1/1
Summary: Scotty and Christine find many hands make light work
Disclaimer: CBS-Paramount owns Star Trek. No infringement intended, no money being made.
Feedback: Will write for feedback
Beta: Thank you to Iddy for the beta. All mistakes are my own.
Author’s Note: In honor of Majel Barrett-Rodenberry and James Doohan. I missed their birthdays, so I thought I’d let them out to play.
Archive: Artemys Aquiver, ASC, ASCEML, THFFF, and the like. All others please ask.

Tribble Round Up

Lt. Commander Montgomery Scott walked into Sickbay carrying an empty specimen collector: bio, alive, extra large. He was under orders to get every last tribble off the Enterprise. He was pleasantly surprised to be met by Lt. Christine Chapel. She was standing by an identical collection case, holding a long pole with a small net at the top.

“And what do ye call that?” He asked.

“It’s a Lacrosse stick.” She explained. “I used to play in school and I had it in my quarters. It comes in handy for fishing the little furries out of tight spots.” She brandished it about.

Scotty smiled; “How engineering of ye!” He looked about the room. “Ye seem to have scooped up most of the wee beasties. How can I help?”

Christine stepped close to him and said, “Listen.” There was a purring coo coming from the air vent.

“Oh, aye, they do love the warm vents. Did ye want me to get them fer ye?” He reached for the ladder that stood inside the door.

“I was hoping that you could steady the ladder while I got them out.” Christine put a slim hand on Commander Scott’s strong right arm. She smiled up at him.

“Aye, lass, I can do that for ye.” He smiled back at her.

Chris pulled the top off the specimen collector while Scotty set up the ladder. There was no worry about the tribbles escaping, because the cases were made like lobster traps. It was easy enough for a creature to get in through the top, but they couldn’t crawl out. To access their specimens, biologist had to open a hatch on the side.

She heard the tap as the ladder touched the wall and turned. “All set?” She asked.

“Up ye go!” He laughed and made a slight bow. She giggled and gave him her hand. He made a great show of helping his lady fair to mount the steep ascension.

All chivalry aside, Scotty had a marvelous view of Chris’ mini-skirted backside as she climbed that ladder. She stopped with her bum just above his eye level. He turned his head away; the temptation to brush away loose tribble fur was very strong.

She rose on tip-toe to press the catch and swing back the grate covering the air vent. As it swung away, she ducked and nearly lost her balance. He put his hand on the small of her back and steadied her. She whispered thanks and a quick salute with her stick.

The first few were to easy reach; Chris handed them down to Scotty who popped them in the specimen collector. After that she used her improvised net to pull them out.

Nurse Chapel counted as she passed them down. “Thirty, thirty-one thirty-two, that’s the last one. Ready or not here I come.” She closed the vent with a flourish and lost her balance. “Eeek!” She fell into Commander Scott’s arms.

‘Oomph, I’ve got ye, lass.” He held her tightly.

Blushing furiously, she replied; “Thank you, I don’t usually throw myself at men, you know.”

“Glad to be of assistance. You are the bonniest thing I’ve caught all day.” He gave her a squeeze and got one in return. Then he sighed.

“What’s wrong?” Chris asked.

Scotty answered; “I wanted to ask ye up for a wee dram, but I’m out of Scotch.”

“I have a bottle of rum.” She offered with a shy smile.

He chuckled. “I reckoned we earned our ration for today. I’ll pick you up after shift change.”

“You’ll have to put her down first.” A gruff voice came from the Medical Lab door. Commander Scott and Lt. Chapel snapped to attention. Doctor McCoy strode forth pointing at the collection bins. “Get those things out of my Sick Bay, you two!”

“Yes, sir!” They replied. They each picked up a container and scurried out the door.

After it swooshed shut, Bones laughed to himself. “Grown men and women carrying on like school kids, I never.” He picked up the Lacrosse stick from where it lay forgotten on the deck. “I wonder what they used this for.” He shook his head. “Never mind, I don’t want to know.”

FIN