The Art of Seduction

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=200 BGCOLOR="#003333" TEXT="#F7F7FF" background="041d4c00dduajq.png"> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="95" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 46 WIDTH="91"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="46" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="91" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div>             Crossing the</div> <div> Nebula </div> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="1" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="159" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 33 WIDTH="71"><div> Chapter </div> <div> Two</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="71"><div> -- Coming Soon --</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 40 WIDTH="71"><div> Chapter</div> <div> Three</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="71"><div> -- Coming Soon --</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 40 WIDTH="71"><div> Chapter </div> <div> Four</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="71"><div> -- Coming Soon --</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#BF0000" FACE="Jokerman" ><B>Crossing the Nebula</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#333399" FACE="Arial" >     |    </FONT> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Crossing the Nebula"><U>home</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id21.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter One"><U>Chapter One</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id22.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter Two "><U>Chapter Two </U></A>   |   <A HREF="id23.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter Three"><U>Chapter Three</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id24.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter Four"><U>Chapter Four</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id45.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter Five"><U>Chapter Five</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id52.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter Six"><U>Chapter Six</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id53.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter Seven"><U>Chapter Seven</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id54.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter Eight"><U>Chapter Eight</U></A>   |   <B>The Art of Seduction</B></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> The Art of Seduction</div> <div> Academy Days</div> <div> By Trekscribe</div> <div> Chapter One</div> <div> 6 Months later</div> <bR> <div> Lt. Alison Housmen, Rene's cadet counselor was beaming. She could hardly wait to tell her. Rene' however, seemed restless, and less than interested. She was sitting across from Alison in the counselor's office.</div> <bR> <div>  <I>Sure Alison,</I> <I>life's great. Everything is just wonderful. Give me a break.</I> </div> <bR> <div> Alison ignored her behavior. It was normal for some of the cadets as they inched closer to graduation, to feel apprehensive. Rene' had been moody the last couple of counseling sessions and her moods shifted without warning. She could be charming one minute and surly the next. But Alison <I>did </I>like Rene' in spite of it and was excited that Captain Janeway decided to mentor the young hellion. Great things were in store for this girl, if she didn't mess it up.</div> <bR> <div>  “Rene', I have some good news!”</div> <bR> <div> “Did the Romulans  figure out a way to vaporize this place and put us out of our misery?” Rene' smiled.</div> <bR> <div> “I'm afraid not. I have an update on your ship assignment. We tentatively discussed you going to the <I>Gettysburg,</I> but-”</div> <bR> <div> “Yeah, I heard Captain Jameson is a first class bastard. I wonder if he can take what he dishes out.  I have some very interesting things planned for him.” Rene' smirked.</div> <bR> <div> “Rene' please keep the disparaging comments about captains to yourself. It won't win you friends in high places; You know that captains become Admirals. When you come back here after your tour, you better start playing more attention to Starfleet politics. You're a smart girl, use your head.”</div> <bR> <div> “Oh, I wouldn't say they suck to anyone but you. I trust you.” Alison had demonstrated she could be trusted. She was Rene's champion, always ready to explain and defend the girl's behavior to the instructors. </div> <bR> <div> “Well, it's nice to know that you trust me, I hope that means you'll take my advice. I'm glad you'll have to put your so called  `plans' on hold concerning Jameson. You aren't going to spend your cadet cruise on the <I>Gettysburg.</I> I'm very pleased to tell you that you've been assigned to Al-Batani! Isn't that fantastic! Captain Janeway runs that ship.” Alison decided to add in case this dense girl didn't get the obvious. “She is an excellent captain, you're very lucky.”</div> <bR> <div> “One captain is as good as another.” Rene' shrugged. “Wait, she was the one who came to lecture that horrible Space Strategy course, I usually ditched that class; it was <I>that</I> bad. She was kinda mean to Hicks and me at first but before she finished that dumb lecture she got over it. She asked to see a Borg stimulation I wrote and gave me some useful input. There were a couple of parameters I hadn't considered, surprisingly. She also passed the program on to Captain Picard, he actually wrote me and said it was `promising' I couldn't believe he tried it out! ”</div> <bR> <div> “I guess some captains are worth getting excited about.” Lt. Housmen winked. Housmen picked up that Rene' had a crush on Captain Picard. When his name was mentioned she usually said something positive regarding him. She wouldn't admit openly that she thought he was “brilliant” because that made her sound like a dork. </div> <bR> <div> <I>Counselors! They sure like to get inside your head. It's creepy. </I>Rene' was glad she opted out of the Counseling major. </div> <bR> <div> “How do you feel about going to the Al-Batani?”</div> <bR> <div> “I haven't heard anything about Janeway being  a hardass, so I suppose it's OK.”</div> <bR> <div> “What have you heard about her?”</div> <bR> <div> “She's smart, which in case you haven't noticed, some of these captain's aren't, and she's fair.” </div> <bR> <div> “Yes, she's smart and fair. Something for you to remember. So, you would agree that some captains <I>are </I>better than others, for instance Picard and Janeway?” Alison thought Rene' needed to be reminded when she contradicted herself. </div> <bR> <div> Instead of answering the question Rene' chose to make a statement. “Janeway and Picard are the best, so was Kirk in his day, unfortunately the rest suck.”</div> <bR> <div> “Remember not to express that openly. I wanted to bring up something we've touch on before.  You've made some improvements on how you interact with people, especially over the last year, but you're still coming across as a bit arrogant. You're going to have to try to modify that behavior some more.”</div> <bR> <div> “Why? Most of the time I'm right. Why shouldn't people `modify' their behavior for me since <I>they</I> are usually wrong.”</div> <bR> <div> “That's not the point. You're going on that ship as a peon. No one likes a peon telling them how to do their job or how fucked up their existing systems are. You better keep your mouth shut the first few months and learn. Even if what you think you're hearing or seeing is wrong or inefficient. Then you're coming back here and take your Command training. After that if you're lucky and haven't screwed-up  this opportunity you'll be ready for a permanent assignment, perhaps with Captain Janeway, if she'll have you. She asked to put up with you for at least a year, heaven knows why. Keep a low profile and stay out of trouble while you're there. That's it!” </div> <bR> <div>  “Are you suppose to be talking to me like this Ma'am? Your tone is borderline acceptable and the language is not according to protocol. My virgin ears can't take this.” Rene' was grinning.</div> <bR> <div> “Nope, but you need a swift kick in the ass, this is the verbal equivalent. And, since <I>you </I>brought up `Virgin'..”</div> <bR> <div> <I>Oh, Oh, that was a misstep.</I></div> <bR> <div> “I understand that it's your last year before you do your cruise and you may feel justified in sowing some wild oats as they say. I've been hearing some things…. don't you think perhaps you should start to tone down your sexual…. enthusiasm? It's not going to carry well on the ship.”</div> <bR> <div> “I don't know what you've been `hearing'.  It's just gossip, Lieutenant.” Rene's face was expressionless, her voice controlled, but her eyes told Alison to tread lightly.  “What you just said is insulting, you shouldn't believe everything you `hear'. Yeah, I like to party a little, make love occasionally with people who like me and that I like. Do you find that offensive? I'm definitely not screwing everything that moves.”</div> <div>  </div> <div> “I see this is a sensitive subject for you, but I have a legitimate reason why I'm bringing this up now. I'm sorry if I insulted or hurt to you. I'm not passing judgments but-”</div> <bR> <div> “Oh, I think you are.” <I>Where do these counselors get off?</I> </div> <div> <I>They think they can say anything they want to you! This is really ridiculous.</I></div> <bR> <div> “Let me finish. I'm saying that if you could find one person you `liked' on the ship and you tried to maintain a relationship with only them for a year, it would be a lot better than sleeping with several crewmembers. Sexual relationships with several people on the ship could potentially cause some disruptions. Doesn't that make sense?”  She didn't want to sound condescending.  It seemed so logical to Alison, surly Rene' could see it too.</div> <bR> <div> “Right.” </div> <bR> <div> “ I'm aware you don't believe in monogamous relationships. But you're very young and will have plenty of time to decide what's best for you. You could use the cruise to explore different emotional and sexual interactions besides your current approaches. Before you said anything, I'll admit that I'm projecting my values on you.”</div> <bR> <div> Rene' was no longer looking at her. She was intently typing something into her padd. Did Alison lose her? “This is what I feel will work best for you while you're on that ship. Think about it. You may find that there <I>is</I> one special person for you.”</div> <bR> <div> “How sentimental and romantic.” Rene' wanted to gag.  </div> <div> <I>Why did the monogamous ones feel compelled to force their values on others?</I></div> <bR> <div> Alison sat back in her chair and studied her. <I>I guess that comment will have to be good enough, for now.</I></div> <bR> <div> “By the way, I haven't decided if I want to go to Command school.”</div> <bR> <div> “If you do, you'll be a captain one day.”</div> <bR> <div> “That's no big deal.”</div> <bR> <div> “You'll think it's a big deal if it happens. I hope you take my advice. You'll get along better with everyone on that ship and cause the least amount of trouble. And…please try to be pleasant in your dealing with the Captain.”</div> <bR> <div> “What-ever.”  Do you mind if I walk around a little.”</div> <bR> <div> “If you need to.”</div> <bR> <div> Rene' wandered around the office and started to examined Alison's pictures and other trappings on the walls, nothing new. This would be the last time she'd be in this office for a long awhile. She was finally getting out of the Academy so she could apply what she learned in the real world and not a moment too soon.  These instructors treat her like a kid; There was no need for them to baby her, after all she <I>was</I> 20.  Alison had her Starfleet degrees displayed, a picture of her running in some marathon last year, various wildlife photos, some of the creatures had been extinct for at least 400 years. That's kinda depressing.  What lame decorations.</div> <bR> <div>  She walked over to Alison's desk. There was a miniature of U.S.S. Endeavor on the desk, the ship Alison served on for 6 years under Captain Amisov. He's not an innovator but at least he didn't get everyone on his ship killed like some captains did. There was also a picture of Alison's family, a couple of kids with her partner in tow, a boy and a girl hugging their dad's neck, blond and blue-eyed. They appeared to be in the seven to five range and were very cute. Dad, however wasn't attractive in Rene's opinion; He was the type of guy that after talking to him for an hour, if you were asked what he looked like you'd be hard pressed to remember. Maybe he has a good personality and/or he's good in bed, Rene' hoped for Alison's sake. She put the picture back in its place and looked directly at Alison but didn't speak. She sat down facing Alison, smiling again, like she knew something Alison didn't. </div> <bR> <div> Alison studied her.<I> Is she going to let me know what's so Goddamn amusing? Even after 4 years she was still a mystery in many ways. </I></div> <bR> <div> “You seem to have something on your mind. Are you worried about being away from home for a year, any concerns... about anything? </div> <bR> <div> “Are you attracted to me, Lieutenant?” </div> <bR> <div> Alison was stunned. Where did <I>that</I> come from? Alison thought that she had maintained a strictly professional relationship with Rene' and all the other students who she counseled. Had she done something unacceptable? </div> <bR> <div> “Rene', I find your question very odd and troubling. We've had many conversations over the last 4 years in which, I hope you feel I counseled you without any undercurrents of inappropriate behavior. Yes, I have spoken frankly with you at times, maybe too frankly, only because other approaches didn't seem to work and I want you to succeed. Did I do or say anything to make you feel that I'm attracted to you? If I did, I apology for the misunderstanding.” She hoped she didn't sound too flustered. </div> <bR> <div> “You haven't done anything wrong at all. You've always treated me professionally, even when I was being a brat.” Rene' grinned. “I'm graduating next week.” Rene' said slowly. “I waited until now to ask you how you feel about me because the student, counselor stuff is over. You needn't worry about what's appropriate or not appropriate anymore and,” She paused and smiled, “I would <I>prefer</I> that you had some inappropriate things on your mind.”</div> <bR> <div> This development was very upsetting to Alison. She frowned as she thought about the right thing to say to keep some control over the situation. Rene' never mention this infatuation during their counseling sessions. They had regular counseling sessions once a month since the beginning of school, plenty of opportunities for Rene' to bring this up. How long has this been going on? Didn't Rene' just said that she trusted her? That's a joke. Is she serious or is she trying to be provocative for the hell of it? Instinctively, she knew it wasn't the latter. Damn it! Alison was kicking herself for not picking up on this. Well, there wasn't much that she could personally do at this point.</div> <bR> <div> “I'm disappointed that you didn't feel compelled to discuss this…crush, or whatever it is, sooner. It's not unusual for some people to become fixated on their therapists or counselors. It's called transference. We'll just have to deal with this the best we can.”</div> <bR> <div> “I've taken the <I>psycho</I> classes, remember? I know what transference means.” There was a slight irritation in her voice. </div> <bR> <div>  “I would have helped you work though this or recommended that you talk to someone else who could help you, <I>if</I> you'd only trusted me enough to tell me. You're particularly vulnerable to this type of…thing. You're mistaking my interest in seeing you succeed as something more than it is because of your feelings of abandonment by your mother and father.”</div> <bR> <div> “I <I>knew</I> you'd psychoanalyze everything and try to make it into something complicated. It's not. Then, you'd get uncomfortable and send me to someone else, something I didn't want to happen. That's why I didn't say anything until now. It could be that I simply like you and I think you like me.”</div> <bR> <div> Alison was gentle but resolved. “I'm very flattered that you feel this way, but your feelings are misplaced. Once you talk about this objectively with another counselor you'll see I'm right. I've had a lot of experience in this area.”</div> <bR> <div> “I'm sure you have.” </div> <bR> <div> <I>What's that suppose to mean, Alison wondered?</I></div> <bR> <div> “You're a very pretty girl, but I'm not same gender identified. I'm happily married and you <I>are</I> a student. Due to your great timing in talking to me about this, I might not be able to help you. I'll have to check the Al-Batani's crew roster and see if there is a counselor who can help you.”</div> <bR> <div> “I noticed that you didn't mention you were happily married first. That's encouraging.” Her irritation instantly evaporated. “I'm not same gender identified either. I don't choose my lovers based on what type of genitals they have and I don't need any help to `work out' anything…except, when you want to meet me tonight.”</div> <bR> <div> Rene' was looking at her with those dark intense eyes, violet and deep enough to fall into if you weren't careful. </div> <bR> <div> <I>Does she think I'm stupid?</I> “I know what you're trying to do. Just because someone is attracted to someone other than their spouse doesn't prove that fidelity doesn't work. Acting on the attraction is what can cause problems.”</div> <bR> <div> Rene' gave her an incredulous look. “Women can be so hard.” She sighed out loud to herself. “I'm just trying to find out if you're interested. I think you are, but maybe it's my 'arrogance' showing once again.” She smiled slightly.  “You could just say no and send me on my way, which you haven't done so far.  You know I'm leaving for the Al-Batani early next week, where you've told me I'll have to live like a nun for a year, married to god… dating only one person what's the difference? Both sound really whacked to me.  Unfortunately that doesn't leave me a lot of time to pursue you, which would be fun if I had the time. You want me to try the traditional dating thing while I'm away, well for the record,  I'll probably do it, because it makes sense under the circumstances. I'm not afraid to try something different.  How about you? Would you like to walk on the wild side with me tonight? He'll never find out unless you decide to tell him. I'm <I>very</I> discrete.”</div> <bR> <div> “<I>If, </I>I did decide to meet you it would be for nothing more than to continue this discussion, anything else would be immoral and unethical. Maybe John wouldn't find out, but <I>I</I> would know.”</div> <bR> <div> <I>John?…Even his name is boring. </I></div> <bR> <div> “ Being with me tonight won't be either of those things, unless <I>you</I> want it to be. I promise not to touch you unless you ask me to. What <I>you</I> decide to do with me tonight, I won't vouch for.”</div> <bR> <div>  <I>Where does she get that confidence?! Just tell her you aren't going to meet her and be done with this sordid drama. You're too old for this and she's a student for christsakes! Soon to be ex-student.</I></div> <bR> <div> <I> </I>“I just sent you an email where I'll be tonight. I guess you want to keep me in suspense. That's OK, I have some surprises as well.” </div> <bR> <div> “And if I don't come, you'll just call someone else, anyone will do.”</div> <bR> <div> Rene' seemed surprised by her remark, “No, I'll go home and beat up on one of my brothers. Smacking them around is a good way to work off tension.” She laughed. “Just kidding, I only hit them when they need it.” She got out of the chair and sat on the edge of Alison's desk to be closer to her. She was close enough for Alison to smell the slight fragrance of her perfume. Alison felt her heart start to pound a little quicker. It's not because of this girl, she reasoned. Anyone's nerves would be on end if they were in her predicament. </div> <bR> <div> Rene' leaned a bit closer to her still. “I wouldn't just call someone else. I think you've heard some rumors that are being spread by a couple of freaks, who shall remain nameless. I wouldn't give them the time of day so they like to speculate to anyone who'll listen about my sex life. They don't have a clue about me, that's what burns them. All I'll say about those losers is; what goes around comes around.” A cryptic smile danced across her face<I>. </I></div> <bR> <div> <I> I think we'll all find out what that smile means soon enough. I'm not even going to ask her. </I></div> <bR> <div> “I only care what my friends think about me and they know the truth.” The look she gave Alison was filled with longing and desire.  “I just want to be with you.” </div> <bR> <div> Alison admitted to herself why she hadn't told Rene' to leave. It's a turn-on having someone this young flirting with you.  Rene' is an extremely attractive girl and how long had it been anyway, since anyone, even John looked at her the way Rene' was looking at her now. </div> <bR> <div> Rene' stood and started for the door.  “I have to go--- my final Medical Ops exam awaits.”</div> <bR> <div> “McGuire gives a hard test. I hope you studied.”</div> <div>  </div> <div> “You know I don't study. See you tonight, I hope.”</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>