The BLTS  Archive- By the Rocket’s Red Glare
by Gigi Sinclair (gigitrek@gmail.com

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Archive: Yes, Kylie at EntStSlash and Anne at BLTS.

Notes:  Just a little something for all our American listsibs.  And
because I’ve loved the Fourth of July since I was in Pacific City,
Oregon for it one year.  I’m a proud Canadian, but even I admit, no
one throws a party like patriotic Americans.

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From the moans coming from his bedroom, Commander Jonathan Archer
guessed his lover was still alive.

Barely.

Since he was a compassionate man by nature, Jon turned on only the
small bedside lamp as he came into the room.  Trip looked decidedly
off-colour.

"Feeling any better?"  A grunt was his only reply.  Jon took it to
mean 'no.'  "You missed a great fireworks display.  Carter and
Richards made sparklers out of stripped-back fibre optic cables.
Didn't seem very safe, but it looked good."

Another moan.  Jon sat on the bed.  "It's your own fault, Trip."

Trip opened an eye.  "I did it for us."

Jon snorted, but it was a sympathetic snort.  "Oh, yes.  It helped our
relationship enormously.  I don't think you've ever looked sexier than
when you were shoving a dozen hot dogs down your throat.  And watching
you bring them back up again, that was intensely erotic."

"Commodore Forrest bet me three days' vacation that I couldn't win the
hot dog eating contest."

"Really?"  Jon raised an eyebrow.  He'd thought the commodore had
taken it remarkably calmly when Jon had told his star pilot and chief
recruiting device was dating a lower-ranking officer and planned to
keep on doing so, regulations be damned.

"I figured we could use three days to ourselves.  Course, I didn't
figure on you bringing that kid along.  Where did you find her?"

"Hoshi's a high school intern over in Communications."  Jon had met
her in the mess hall one day.  She'd seemed lonely, so he'd invited
her to the NX program's Fourth of July party.

"Well, she's an expert at swallowing wieners.  She won't be an intern
for long."  Pleased to notice that Trip was not too ill to be lewd,
Jon began to undress.

Trip whimpered again, and Jon climbed into bed beside him, arranging
their bodies so that Jon was holding Trip, Trip's head on his
shoulder.

"I'm sorry, Jon."  Trip sighed. "I always do stupid things."

"That's why I love you," Jon reassured him with a kiss.  It was one of
the reasons, anyway.  "Besides, I'm glad you aren't a champion hot dog
eater."

"Why?"

"Because," Jon smiled, bringing Trip closer.  "The only buns I want
you anywhere near are mine."

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The End