The BLTS Archive - Swingin' on a Star Third in the Swingin' on a Star series by Regina Bellatrix (reginabellatrix@creativemachinations.com) --- Spoilers: Silent Enemy, Shadows of P'Jem, and Minefield. Beta: shakespearespot Archive: Yes to: EntSTCommunity, Tim Ruben, BLTS. All others, please ask. --- "Malcolm!" Reed wasn't two feet out of the shuttlebay when Hoshi barrelled into him, sending him reeling backwards, right into Trip. He was caught in his lover's strong arms while Hoshi's smaller ones tried to squeeze the stuffing out of him. "Good to see you, too. Are you trying to break my ribs?" "I think," said Archer, walking up to the sandwich that was three of his officers, "that she's trying to hold you down so that you won't disappear again." He was followed by the other three members of the senior staff. Phlox and Travis both smiled broadly at the Englishman. T'Pol was her usual, imperturbable self. "I expected you home well over an hour ago, Trip," Archer mock-chided his friend. "What took you so long?" Trip pinked slightly, setting Malcolm back on his feet as Hoshi sheepishly detached herself. "Um, I got a bit, er, tied up ... um, convincin' the Morla to let me take our boy home." "Well, we're all very grateful for your efforts, as I'm sure Malcolm is." For some reason, this produced a deeper blush from Trip and a little snort of laughter from Malcolm, which was followed by, "Oh yes, very grateful." Archer shook his head and placed his confusion to the side. He'd ask Trip about it later, in private. At the moment Malcolm was saying something about getting back to work. "Not so fast, Lieutenant," said Phlox. "First, you're coming to Sickbay with me for a check-up." "But I'm *fine*. The Morla treated me very well. I ate well, I slept well, no one attacked me... I even bathed! I want to go back to work." Phlox placed a hand on Malcolm's shoulder and began to steer him toward the turbolift. "I'll decide whether or not you are fine. Come along now." Malcolm sent an entreating glance back over his shoulder at Trip as the doctor herded him away. Trip looked like he was going to protest, or at least follow, but Archer stopped that with a hand to his shoulder. "Come on, Trip. Why don't you give me a report in my ready room." --- "So, Trip, how did you get him back?" Archer had such an expectant expression on his face that Trip didn't want to pawn off a half-answer on him. Still, he didn't particularly feel like telling his captain the whole truth, especially as he hadn't the chance to discuss with Malcolm how secret they intended to keep their relationship. "Well... I did some yellin', then I did some apologisin'. Mal an' I had a little heart-to-heart, an' next thing I know, Jabir's tellin' us Mal's free to go." "Who's Jabir?" Oops. "Um, he was j'st some guy in the Sanctuary. Works there, or whatever." "Really?" Shit. Jon was looking unconvinced and curious. Really, really curious. Time to half fess up. "Jon, please don't ask." "Ask what?" The innocent look was obviously contrived. Trip didn't believe his old friend for a minute. "You know what. It ain't my place to tell you all about him, okay? Malcolm and I are finally on the level. I don't need to be messin' that up by tellin' secrets that aren't mine to tell. And please, Jon, don't ask Malcolm either. He won't tell you unless you order him, and then you'll j'st hate yourself for doin' it." "Okay, okay. I'll keep my nose out of it. I suppose you'd like to get back to Engineering?" "Wouldn't mind." "Off with you, then. I'll see you at dinner. I think I'll invite Malcolm, too, if that's alright with you." "Sounds good. See you then." --- Dinner at the captain's table, with the First Officer and his lover, was not high on his list of preferred things to do the evening after being released from his abduction. Dinner in his quarters, alone with his lover, would have been much nicer. Still, it was thoughtful of the captain to invite him, and it behoved him to be appreciative. "I'm glad you've come through your ordeal so well, Malcolm," said Archer in between bites of his pork tenderloin. "Must've been kinda lonely, getting stuck there by yourself. At least when I got abducted, I had T'Pol to keep me company." "It wasn't that bad, Sir. There were always servants about, and a young man named Jabir kept me company for a while. However misguided they were, the Morla did have my best interests at heart." "You sound like you almost liked it." "I don't know that I'd go that far, but my captivity did have its attractions. Like the masseuse at my beck and call." Archer and Trip smiled and laughed along with him. Malcolm felt more relaxed around his captain than he ever had before, and he found that it was really rather pleasant. "Of course the attractions of Sanctuary could never compare to those of *Enterprise*." He gave Trip a little half-smile and was pleased to see the man blushing faintly. "Glad to hear it. I'd hate to think that I was in danger of losing my Armoury Officer to an alien spa." --- "Didja hafta look at me like that durin' dinner?" Trip was spooned up behind his lover, enjoying his closeness and warmth in the late hours of the night. "Yes, I did. After thinking you untouchable for so long, I'm feeling quite giddy about finally having you. I need to express it." "Giddy, huh?" "Mmmm, quite." "Well, alright then, but I'm warnin' you: Cap'n's gonna catch on pretty soon if you keep this up." "Let him." Trip gave his lover a surprised look that the man couldn't see and said, "Whatever happened to it bein' inappropriate to fraternise with superior officers?" "Bugger inappropriate," Malcolm pronounced, flipping over to face Trip. "I'm in love." "You weren't kiddin' when you said you were giddy, were you?" "Nope." Malcolm planted a kiss on the tip of Trip's nose. "Now, go to sleep, dear. We still have to go to work in the morning." Trip smiled, tightening his arms around Malcolm as the man closed his eyes and snuggled closer to him. He let his own eyes fall shut and placed a kiss on the top of the dark head tucked under his chin. It was a pleasant feeling, being curled up in bed with this man. He was glad he'd let Malcolm talk him into staying the night, though he didn't know how he'd leave in the morning without arousing suspicion. --- In the end, despite almost running into Hoshi on the way out, leaving Malcolm's quarters that morning was as easy as pie. Trip had brought a clean uniform and a few engineering PADDS with him the night before, as well as his toothbrush and shaver. The two men had showered together to 'save time' and managed to refrain from more than a few fondling touches while they scrubbed one another's backs. He and Malcolm had left for breakfast together, each armed with the PADDs containing their work for the day. Hoshi had apparently come to ask Malcolm to join her for breakfast and when she saw Trip her eyes narrowed in disapproval. "Are you bothering him with work already, Commander? Shame on you." The petite woman had laid into him, chastising him for overworking the lieutenant. Malcolm had looked positively mirthful about the situation, and Trip had to stop himself from gazing appreciatively at his happy lover rather than keeping his attention on Hoshi. Eventually, the three had gone to breakfast together, Trip doing his best to be his usual, pleasant self in spite of the resentment he felt at the ensign's intrusion. It would have been easier if Malcolm hadn't kept making eyes at him over the rim of his mug of tea. Thankfully, Malcolm lingered long enough over his breakfast that Hoshi ran off to the bridge ahead of him, leaving the two men alone. Trip walked his lover to the turbolift once they finished their own breakfasts, sneaking a kiss while no one was in sight. "It's Tuesday," he began, feeling oddly nervous, "you wanna go to the movie with me after dinner?" "What's playing?" "*The Ladykillers*." "Alec Guinness?" "Think so." "Sounds lovely. Meet you there, dear?" "As soon as I escape the cap'n and T'Pol's clutches, darlin'." Trip was grinning like an idiot, but he didn't really care. He actually got worse when Malcolm pecked him on the cheek before darting into the turbolift. "Have a nice day at work, Trip." "You too, honey." Ye gods! Had he just said that? Trip frowned in thought. Yes, he had said it. And Malcolm hadn't hurt him; he'd actually smiled. That perked Trip up again. He felt the grin settle back in place and hit the call button for a lift to take him to engineering. Life was good. --- "Reed to Tucker." The sound of Malcolm's voice on the comm snapped Trip from his contemplation of the warp manifolds, and he reached over to open the channel. "Yeah, Malcolm, what's up?" "The aft phase canon is giving me a bit of trouble, I'm afraid. Would you be able to come down to the Armoury and lend a hand with it?" Trip looked down at the read-out in front of him. It wasn't anything Hess couldn't handle. "Sure thang. I'll be right there. Tucker out." He scooped up a toolkit and trotted out of engineering after calling to Hess to let her know where he was going. Trip whistled merrily as he went, oblivious to the speculative glances his crew were exchanging. --- "There, that should just about have it. Ah," Malcolm sighed as a light blinked on to show that the phase canon was now ready to take commands from Tactical and the Armoury, "there we go. Beautiful. Thank you for your assistance, Mister Tucker." "You're mighty welcome, Mister Reed. It was a pleasure, as always." Trip smiled at his lover and watched a bead of sweat in envy as it traced a path down the man's lovely neck. He checked his watch. Nineteen-hundred hours. They were off duty. Trip shimmied closer to Malcolm's spot on the floor outside of the phase canon port. He lifted a hand to caress the man's face. "You know, it's awful darn hot in here. Why don't you let me peel back some o' that uniform, and let that beautiful skin of yours ... air out a bit?" His eyes were locked with Malcolm's own sapphire orbs, darkening with desire. He felt the man's pulse spike up under his touch, and revelled in the sound of his quickening breath. "Won't you be late for dinner with the captain, Commander?" "Already am." Trip leaned forward, capturing the sinful pink lips in a kiss. He was gratified when Malcolm gave in immediately. --- Archer strode through the Armoury doors, looking around for Malcolm and finding only Ensign McIntyre. "Can I help you, Captain?" the younger man asked. "Maybe. Have you seen Commander Tucker? Lieutenant Hess tells me he was headed down here." "He and Lieutenant Reed have been working on the aft phase canon. They just fixed the communication lines to it. I suspect that they're still there, running extra diagnostics on the circuitry." "How do I get there?" "Sir?" "To the aft phase canon port. How do I get there?" "Through the Jefferies tubes," the man said, pointing to an open hatch. "Straight on to Junction F-16, then take a right. Take the ladder down at Junction F-42, and you're there." "Thanks," Archer called as he disappeared into the tube. He followed the ensign's directions, silently cursing the tubes that required him to crawl through most of his ship to reach his destination. He was just about to swing around and descend the ladder, when he froze. There was a strange noise echoing in the Jefferies tubes. It sounded like ... a moan. "Oh gods, yes, Trip. Just like that. Oh, that's good." "Ah aim to please." Archer's eyes went wide as he recognised the abnormally hoarse voice of his Armoury Officer and the slightly breathless one of his Chief Engineer. For a short while he'd suspected the two men of being in a relationship, but Trip had denied it. Now, it seemed that his friend had either been lying to him, or that this was a new development. He would have to confront Trip about it, but now seemed not to be the best time. The sound of Malcolm Reed's voice told him so. "Oh, oh, oh Trip... Please, aaahh... Please kiss me. Ooohhh... Quickly, before I scream." There was a short cry of what could only be described as deep pleasure, which was quickly muffled, turning it into a long moan. Images of Trip covering Malcolm's mouth with his own as he, balls-deep in the smaller man, triggered a blinding orgasm sprang, fully-formed, into Archer's mind. Time to retreat back to a quiet dinner with T'Pol. Trip would just have to fend for himself tonight. --- "Cap'n, what's up?" "Have a seat, Trip. I've got something I need to ask you." "Whoa. Last time you said that, you thought I was abusin' Mal in some sadomasochistic relationship. What is it this time?" "Did you lie to me?" "What?! No, never." "I know you're in a relationship now. Are you telling me it just started?" Trip blushed a deep crimson. Malcolm said that he didn't care who knew about them. He guessed he'd find out how sincere the man had been about that. "Yeah," he admitted quietly. "When?" "Down on Morla, in Sanctuary." Trip grinned a little impishly. "That's what took so long getting back, and what got them to give him back, I think. We screamed at each other for a bit, then admitted a few things to each other, and next I knew, I'd agreed to be tied to the bed while he sucked me off." He looked at the embarrassed expression on his friend's face. "Was that too much information?" "A little. Malcolm tied you up?" "That surprise you?" "Frankly, yes. He's always seemed so ... vulnerable, so submissive to me. I have a hard time imagining him quite that aggressive." "The man's your Armoury Officer, Mister 'I-prefer-shooting- back' himself, and you can't imagine him aggressive?" "That's different... I meant interpersonally." "You ever watch him with the rest of the crew? Me, Hoshi, Travis, Phlox? Or are you basing this on how he acts around you and T'Pol? There's a difference, you know." "Yes, I was, and no, I didn't. I guess I'm not as in tune with my crew as I thought." "'S okay, Jon. Malcolm's a tough one at the best of times." Trip paused, weighing his next question. "You okay with this ... with us?" "What? Oh, yeah, you guys are fine." Archer waved his hand dismissively. "My only concern was that he might feel pressured, but obviously that's not the case here. Just try not to make having sex in the Jefferies tubes a habit, okay." Archer grinned as Trip's face began to resemble a beet. "Um, how d'ya know about that?" "You never showed up for dinner last night. When you were fifteen minutes late, I went looking for you. My search lead me to the Jefferies tubes around the aft phase canon port. I may have, overheard a few things." "Overheard? How much?" "Does 'oh Trip, please kiss me. Quickly, before I scream,' ring any bells?" If it was possible, Trip's face got redder. "A few." Archer chuckled. It felt good to be on the level with Trip again, to be able to tease him about his love life like he used to, rather than worrying that it had got out of hand. "Go on now, Trip. Get back to Engineering and try showing up for dinner tonight. Would ... would Malcolm like to start eating with us on a regular basis?" Trip considered the offer and finally shook his head. "No, I don't think so. I can ask 'im, but I suspect he'd consider it receiving special treatment because of our relationship. You know how he gets 'bout that kind of thing. 'Sides, I think he kinda enjoys eatin' with Travis an' Hoshi. The three of them are pretty good friends." "Okay, no pressure. I was hoping to get to know my best friend's new boyfriend a bit better, but then again, the last time I tried that, I heard more about how he disapproved of my command style than about him." "That's my Mal," said Trip with a grin. "Catch ya later, Cap'n." --- "What's gotten into you lately?" Malcolm looked up from his dinner with a startled expression. Hoshi was watching him expectantly, waiting for an answer. "Gotten into me? What are you talking about, Hoshi?" "You've been abnormally ... cheerful lately. Travis, back me up on this." "It's true," said the boomer around a mouthful of salad. "You've been smiling a lot, and I've heard you humming." The Englishman just grinned, shrugged, and turned his attention back to his food. Hoshi and Travis looked at each other, Hoshi's mouth settling into a stubbornly determined line. With eyes and head motions, she encouraged Travis to try another tack. They'd discussed this eventuality earlier, so he knew what to do. "So, Lieutenant, what's your opinion on shipboard romances? A bunch of us were discussing it earlier, and I'd like to hear what you think. Given my background, I don't really see the problem, but some of the others seem to think it's a bad idea." Surprised blue eyes looked up at Travis, then unfocused thoughtfully. "I can't say that I see a problem, so long as the parties concerned can maintain professionalism while on duty. Obviously, relationships in the direct line of command are out, which rather leaves the captain and sub-commander out in the cold, but there's no reason those of equal rank in the same department or of disparate rank in separate departments couldn't make it work." "I thought you said that relationships among co-workers could be awkward, Lieutenant," said Hoshi, closing the trap on him. "Or were you just trying to find a polite way of saying no to me?" "No, no... I did feel that way about it, but that was over a year ago. My opinions have changed since then." "Any reason why?" inquired Travis. "I suppose that it's just sunk in how long we may be out here. Why deprive one's self of a bit of happiness? After all, the boomers seem to make it work alright." Malcolm smiled at his young friend in recognition, and once again turned back to his food, thinking the discussion over. "So, it wouldn't have to do with a change in your specific circumstances, then?" asked Hoshi. "I beg your pardon?" Malcolm looked slightly flustered, and Hoshi grinned victoriously. "You wouldn't happen to be seeing anybody, would you?" Malcolm was startled momentarily, then suddenly smiled. "Maybe." "Alright, who is she?" "She?" he asked innocently. "This woman you're seeing." Hoshi was getting intense now. Hot on the trail of a juicy bit of gossip, she was leaning into the table toward Malcolm. He smiled coyly and evaded. "Who said that I was seeing a woman?" "I do." "Oh, you do, do you?" He was practically smirking now. "Yes, I do. Now, 'fess up, Malcolm." After a moment of silence, Hoshi tried again. "Well, if you won't tell us we'll just have to find someone who will." "And whom would that be?" "You and Commander Tucker are pretty good friends. I bet you tell him all sorts of things. Maybe I'll pump him for information." Malcolm's smirk grew more pronounced. "Be my guest." Hoshi's eyes lit up. "I think I will." She raised her hand, waving frantically at someone across the mess hall. "Commander!" Trip wandered over, curiosity evident on his face. "Hoshi, what's up?" "Who is his girlfriend?" She jabbed a finger at Malcolm, fixing Trip with an intense stare. "Girlfriend?" Trip laughed. "Malcolm doesn't have a girlfriend." "He has to." "Why d'ya say that?" "He's too happy not to." A snort. "Sure, Hoshi." Trip settled himself in the seat next to Malcolm. "What if I told you that I am one-hundred percent certain that Mal here does not have a girlfriend?" "One-hundred percent?" She frowned. "Uh-huh." "I don't believe you." Her eyes narrowed. "I think you're covering for him." He leaned back in his chair laughing, and rested his hand on the back of Malcolm's chair. He caught Malcolm's mirthful blue eyes and said to him, "You sure got her convinced you're hidin' some girl from her." "I'm not sure why. It's not like I'd actually care if she knew, if I did have a girlfriend. Though it is entertaining watching her squirm." "Hey, I'm still here, you know." Hoshi was looking peeved. Next to her, Travis was sitting, watching his three friends and trying not to laugh. "Sorry, Hoshi." Travis did giggle a bit at that, because Malcolm looked decidedly less than sorry. "What's everybody doin' this evenin'?" Trip changed the subject abruptly, hoping to forestall any untimely deaths caused by irritating the linguist. "I've got a new book to read. I'm going to curl up with it and some hot chocolate," offered Hoshi. "Travis?" "I've got letters to catch up on." "Mal?" "Oh, I was going to hit the gym in an hour. Care to join me?" "Not a bad idea. Haven't done much structured exercise lately," he grinned at Malcolm, "I could use the work-out. Pick you up in an hour, then?" "I'll be waiting." "'Kay. I better git goin', then. Got a report I need to dump on the cap'n's desk an' I need t' change." Trip leaned over and planted a kiss on Malcolm's mouth. "See ya in a bit." Feeling giddy, he shot Hoshi and Travis a smile as he stood, noticing that Travis seemed much less surprised than Hoshi. There was a tug at his sleeve, and he looked back at Malcolm. He was pleasantly surprised when his lover reached up and grabbed his collar, pulling him back down for another kiss. By the time Trip left, the entire mess hall was staring. --- "You should have *seen* Hoshi after you left the mess." Malcolm chortled, resting his head on Trip's bare shoulder. "I thought she'd stopped breathing, and then, she just exploded. The first words out of her mouth were, 'You rat!' Travis nearly died laughing. "Everyone in the mess was staring, Hoshi was railing at me for not telling her about you, and Travis was laughing his head off through it all. I would have been embarrassed, if it hadn't been so funny." "Lord Almighty, good thang the cap'n already knew 'bout us. I'd hate for 'im to find out through the grapevine like that." Trip shifted down, pulling down the pillow to replace his shoulder under Malcolm's head, and looked his lover in the eye. "And you're okay with it? Maybe I shouldn't have kissed you like that." "I did kiss you back, Trip." He stroked the blonde's cheek and slipped his hand behind the man's head. "Please don't regret that. I don't ever want you to regret kissing me." "I don't." Trip pressed a gentle kiss to Malcolm's lips. "I won't." He kissed him again. "How 'bout gettin' in a little more exercise, lover man? If you wanna *pump* weights, I'll spot ya." "Sounds delightful." --- The End