SETTING: Minor spoilers: "Stigma"; "First Flight" and "The Expanse". Set after the events of "Savior".
FEEDBACK: Always! [email protected] DISCLAIMER: Paramount owns the characters. I’m just borrowing them, and promise to return them safe and sound. The only thing I gain from this is some writing practice. SUMMARY: Everything has a price.
Chapter 14
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“Well, what’s the verdict, Doc?” Phlox looked up at Archer. “A little tired, but otherwise, nothing to worry about.” “Good. Glad to hear it.” Phlox stood up from the bedside chair. “That’s enough excitement for one day, though.” He looked down at Trip, then at Archer. “I want him in bed very soon.” “I’ll put him to sleep myself. That’s a promise.” “How nice that you both agree,” Trip said loudly. “I’m still here, you know,” he added pointedly. Archer laughed. “Sorry. You’re right.” Phlox stood up from the bedside chair. “What I said still stands. I want you in bed, and soon.” “I am in bed,” Trip said irritably. “You know what he means,” Archer said. “We don’t want you overdoing it.” “And I have no wish to return here tonight,” Phlox added. “You won’t have to. Don’t you get it? I’m fine,” Trip said with exasperation. “More than fine. For the first time in forever, I was actually able to do something useful around here!” “I understand,” Phlox replied. “But as psychologically beneficial as you may have found that, the point is that it was still a strain on your system. In your current condition, any kind of prolonged effort will do that. And need I remind you that right now, your body needs all the strength you have in order to repair its injuries?” Trip scowled, but was silent. Phlox nodded, satisfied. “I see you understand.” “He’ll behave himself,” Archer promised. “Won’t you, Trip?” Trip’s scowl deepened at this, but he sighed and admitted defeat. “All right. I’ll go to sleep. Soon,” he added at the look Phlox gave him. “Happy now?” “Delirious,” the doctor replied calmly. And with that parting shot, he left. Archer smiled and sat beside Trip. “You did good today, brat.” “Thanks, boss.” He chuckled. “What’s so funny?” “Well, it’s kind of weird, isn’t it? Two days ago we were shooting at those guys, and now all of a sudden, they’re our new best buddies.” Archer smiled again. It was certainly true. When Enterprise had arrived at this system, they hadn’t known that it was claimed as someone else’s space. As Malcolm Reed had acidly observed, it would be nice if people posted signs. One of these alien ships, going on the time-honoured principle of shooting first and asking questions later, had come upon the Earth ship and opened fire. Enterprise had taken a few hits (most notably to the starboard stabilizer), and responded with a few well-aimed shots of her own. The alien vessel’s engines had been damaged, and the resultant lull gave Hoshi a chance to calibrate the UT, and Archer a chance to explain what Enterprise was actually doing. The Vesorams (which was what these people called themselves) were somewhat taken aback to be told that Earth had no interest in annexing this system, and all they wanted was some readings of the system’s primary. But when Hoshi spoke to them in their own language, and Archer offered to help repair their damaged engines, the Vesorams finally decided to believe them. Now Enterprise and the Vesoram ship were making their way back to the Vesoram’s homeworld. Fleet and EarthGov were ecstatic at the idea of having some potential allies in this region of space, and as a result, Archer had been ordered to play host, and also to attempt to open up a dialogue with a view to establishing formal relations. “Try not to screw it up,” Forrest had warned. Evidently Ambassador Soval had been talking to the good admiral again. Archer thought that at this point in time, he could achieve galactic peace and Soval would still find something to complain about. But mindful of his orders, he had pulled out all the stops; Chef had prepared some especially tasty dishes, Hoshi had downloaded the cream of Enterprise’s entertainment channels, Reed had looked over Vesoram weapons, Engineering was refining some of Enterprise’s surplus dilithium (which was a much higher quality than the Vesoram’s) as a gift to their new friends, and just now, Trip had supervised the repair and systems upgrades to the Vesoram engines. But it was still strange to be sitting down to one of Chef’s sumptuous dinners with someone who had done her level best to blow him out of the sky 48 hours ago. He smiled down on Trip. “Nothing is certain except change,” he said lightly. “Who said that?” “Weren’t you listening? I just did.” “Smart ass,” Trip muttered. Archer grinned. “You bet. He reached out, stroked Trip’s hair. “Better do as the good doctor says.” “I’m really not tired,” Trip said hopefully. “Couldn’t I just – ?“ “Do you really want Phlox coming back here?” Trip sighed. “No, I guess not.” “I’ll give you a backrub.” “And some Vulcan noogies?” “Sure. That’ll put you to sleep sure enough.” “Okay.” And he allowed Archer to flip him onto his stomach. Trip sighed, as Jon’s strong hands sought out and discovered his tense neck and back muscles. “Feels good,” he murmured. He felt Jon kiss him on the back of the neck, but his lover was otherwise silent. He sighed again as Jon dug his thumbs under the right shoulder blade, then the left in rapid succession. More pressure on his neck, then on his temples, and he found he was rapidly becoming drowsy. Jon’s hands slipped down his back, and then pushed lightly on the small of his back, just above the curve of his buttocks. Trip sighed again, then moaned slightly; warm pleasure was rising up through him. “Feels good?” Jon asked softly. “Does it ever.” Jon continued the light pressure, and then stopped. But before Trip had a chance to protest, he dug his fingers into a spot mid-way down Trip’s back, slightly on either side of his spine. Trip gasped, as an immense, intense bolt of pure ecstasy jolted through him. Jon kept up the pressure, and a moment later, Trip climaxed. He let loose a long, shuddering sigh. “Wow.” “You’ll sleep now.” “No kidding.” He felt Jon kiss the spot, and the touch of his lovers lips sent a pleasurable thrill through him. “Wow,” he repeated. He looked over his shoulder. “Bet T’Pol didn’t teach you that.” Jon grinned. “No. But reading between the lines of the Vulcan information, and doing a little cross-referencing with some of the more esoteric stuff in our database …” He grinned again. “Hit the spot, did it?” “Did it ever.” “Guess what?” “What?” “According to my research, there are something like 350 of those spots on the human body.” “350? Are you kidding me?” Jon helped him roll over. “Nope.” He bent and kissed Trip, deeply and thoroughly. “And I plan to find each and every one.”
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