Consequences Part 1 by Sara

Jonathan Archer was a worried man, the events of the last couple of days had pushed his crew to their limits and to say that he was proud of them would be an understatement. They all deserved a break and he had suggested to his Vulcan First officer, T'Pol that they should find a planet for some well-deserved shore leave. That decision was probably what had caused the incident that he now agonised over. He had been stupid and allowed his guard to drop and all their discretion and care had been wiped out in a few minutes of unadulterated lust. They had been caught.

Earlier that evening

He had only intended to have a quick cup of coffee before going back to his quarters. The repairs on the hull plating had been completed and he had finally allowed the crew to stand down, after Malcolm had stressed how vulnerable the ship was and how everyone should be on their guard. Archer had smiled at his Armoury officer's concerns, but had nonetheless heeded his words. It was late and he sat at one of the tables, stretching out and closing his eyes, grateful that the messhall was empty.

"Looks t' me like someone should be in bed."

Archer smiled without opening his eyes, knowing from the accent that it was his Chief Engineer.

"Same could be said of you," he answered as he slowly opened his eyes.

"Well ya know me," Trip Tucker grinned, "Can't sleep 'til I know the engines are runnin' right."

"And are they?"

"Yep, just thought I'd grab some milk and then go t' bed." He slowly walked up to Archer. "Care t' join me?" He stood so that his leg was touching the other man's and then started to stroke Archer's thigh. Looking into his eyes, Archer saw the lust in them and knew he wasn't talking about the milk.

"I'm too tired tonight."

"Some things ain't too tired." Trip ran his hand across Archer's crotch, smiling as he felt the erection, he leaned over the older man so that their faces was inches away from each other, bracing himself with his other hand on Archer's shoulder. "Help ya sleep."

He closed the distance and kissed him. Archer lost himself in the kiss, opening his mouth to allow his lover entrance, wrapping his arms around him and pulling him into his lap and that's when it happened.

"Bloody Hell!"

Trip jumped off Archer's lap and the two men saw Malcolm Reed and T'Pol standing in the doorway.

"Oops!" Trip said as he looked down at Archer, who fully aware of his raging erection was reluctant to stand.

"I think it would be more appropriate to speak to you in the morning Captain." T'Pol said, raising her eyebrows as she turned and walked away, while Malcolm stood stunned.

"Was there anything else, Malcolm." Archer tried to put some authority in his voice but knew his breathlessness was not allowing him to pull it off, that and the fact his face was flame red.

"No nothing, sir." Malcolm quickly left the room as Trip turned to face Archer.

"Well I guess the cat's outta the bag!"

Now it was several hours later and Archer agonised over what his two officers would do. The Vulcans would love this bit of information and Starfleet Command would order the ship back or at the very least arrange a rendezvous with a Vulcan ship and an exchange of Captain and Chief Engineer. He wasn't so angry with himself getting into trouble, although he knew the critics of his father's work would relish the opportunity to use this incident to tarnish the Archer name. He was worried about Trip. Trip was a brilliant Engineer and if his career was ruined because of this indiscretion, he would never forgive himself. All he could do was wait, knowing their careers were in the hands of his First Officer and Armoury Officer.

The chime to his quarters disturbed his thoughts and he steeled himself for who he knew it would be.

"Come" He called and was not surprised when T'Pol walked into his cabin. "I suppose you've been in contact with the High Command already. Can I expect a message from Admiral Forrest ordering the ship to be turned around or is a Vulcan ship meeting us so that Trip and I can be taken home in disgrace."

She looked at him as he continued his pacing, her hands clasped behind her back raising an eyebrow. Receiving no reply he stopped and faced her.

"I have not been in contact with either the High Command or Starfleet, although I do wish to discuss with you the events which occurred in the messhall." she told him in that monotone that at times drove him mad.

"Why?" Archer was surprised that she hadn't already advised her superiors. They would jump at the chance to discredit him and his mission. Then again as he thought over the last two years T'Pol had begun to accept that Humans do have a place in space.

"I do not believe that a change in the command structure aboard this vessel will be beneficial to the crew's morale" She paused as Archer stared at her, "They all have a great deal of respect for you as a captain, as they do for Commander Tucker. If one or both of you were to be removed I believe it would be harmful for this mission."

Archer slowly sat on his bed, not quite sure whether he had heard correctly, as she stood almost at attention.

"What about you?" he asked cautiously.

"I believe Commander Tucker is an excellent engineer whose abilities would be missed if he should be recalled to Earth. Likewise as the Captain your leadership has inspired many aboard this ship as well as impress several alien species we have had contact with. If this incident should be reported, I believe Starfleet would be forced to discharge two vital elements of the crew."

He looked warily at T'Pol, not fully convinced, especially since she has praised Trip so highly. Their verbal duels although less frequent now were a constant reminder of how different Humans and Vulcans could be.

"So what are you going to do T'Pol?"

She again arched an eyebrow and looked at him as if the answer was obvious, "I intend to return to my quarters although..." she paused and he knew the other shoe would drop, "I am curious as to how long you have kept this relationship with Commander Tucker a secret."

Archer smiled and indicated for T'Pol to sit down. "We've been together off and on for a number of years. First met when Trip was assigned to assist with the new warp engine. We became good friends."

"And lovers?" T'Pol asked as she sat down.

"No, that came later." He paused not quite sure how much to tell her about his personal life and the relationship that he had with Trip. "We worked quite closely together for a couple of years and then one night we got drunk and ended up in bed." He smiled at the memory. "That was basically the start, although we've broken up twice since then."

"Broken up?" T'Pol looked puzzled.

"Yeah. First time it was me, Trip wanted to get serious, announce to the world that we loved each other but I knew it would harm our careers, he took it badly and I thought it would be best to end it." Archer stood and began to pace the small room again, "We got back together, Trip realised that we had to keep quiet if we wanted to work on the project and everything was great."

"So what happened?"

"Natalie happened." Archer sat back on his bed, "That bitch got her claws in Trip when he went home to visit with his family. He told me that he'd slept with her and I got angry, called him a cheating bastard and told him to chose, me or her." He sighed, "He chose her but I couldn't let him go, I loved him too much to ever let him go. I knew he was making a mistake and believed that he was just trying to hurt me." He paused, waiting for T'Pol to make some comment about Trip's reputation but she stayed silent. "I thought that if I stayed his friend, then one day he would realise that he didn't love Natalie and come back to me. Then as the Enterprise was getting ready to launch, he told me that Natalie didn't want him to go that she wanted him to marry her and raise a family. I knew then that it was the end of them. Trip never made a secret of wanting to be out here, it's one of the things we both wanted. When she finally finished it, I think he was relieved, he didn't have to pretend anymore."

"So you resumed your relationship?"

"No we stayed friends, then I almost lost him and I realised that I could never just be his friend. I wanted him like I've never wanted anyone else in my life." He smiled, "Once Trip had recovered from the heat-stroke and his injured ribs I told him and I'll never forget the look on his face. We've been together ever since."

Silence fell between them for a moment and then Archer remembering the grave situation looked at T'Pol. "So you still think that you don't need to report this."

T'Pol slowly stood, "I can see no beneficial reason why anyone needs to know. From what I have observed, your relationship has not affected any command decision you have made." She walked to the door, "Goodnight captain."

As the door closed behind her, Archer thought about what she had said. They'd had a lucky escape with T'Pol and he wondered what Malcolm would do. The Armoury officer had looked shocked at what he had seen and knowing how he took rules and regulations so seriously, Archer wasn't sure what course of action he would take. His relief that T'Pol would stay silent was suddenly replaced by the knowledge that their fate lay in the hands of Malcolm Reed.

TBC

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