The Blue Series - Part 1
Title: DECON BLUE (part 1 of ‘The Blue Series’ - Everyone has a soft spot for someone.)
Author: Aura-z
Author’s e-mail: [email protected]
Date: 24.09.03
Archive: EntSTSlash, MEGA
Category: Slash
Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: All characters owned by Paramount. No profit made from fic.
Pairing: Archer/Tucker/Reed/Phlox/Sato
Summary: Everyone has Decon dreams.
Author’s notes: This is my fourth fic overall but my first Slash story. I would very much appreciate feedback even if the story isn’t your thing. Love MoJo.
Malcolm sighed heavily as he gently sat
himself down on the floor of the decontamination chamber. He rested his back
against the wall and tried to concentrate on relaxing, and blocking out the
complaint signals his aching muscles were sending to his brain. He had to admit
he did enjoy going through decon. As well as the soothing atmosphere and the
overall calming mood of the place, there was always the opportunity to observe
his workmates at close hand. A coy smile played across his lips as he studied
them on the sly. The Captain was sat on the bench with his head tilted back
slightly and his eyes closed in peaceful thought, his chest rose and fell
slowly as he allowed himself to relax. Beside him sat Hoshi, her slender body
glistening under the blue lighting, her head was bowed and her hand rubbed
absently at the back of her neck. The only one standing was the Doctor who was
casually leaning on the wall, engrossed in the medical data pad in his hand,
his blue eyes sparkled and his kind features were fixed in concentration. And
Trip, Malcolm turned to his left where Trip sat, only to find the Chief
Engineer smiling at him knowingly. Malcolm smiled back and then averted his
gaze to the floor.
Damn, he thought to himself, he must have
seen the way I was looking at the others, bugger, please don’t say anything
please don’t.
"Are you okay there Malcolm?" Trips
voice broke the hushed silence of the chamber.
"Err, yes Sir, just a little
tired." Good, he thought to himself knowing that his voice gave nothing
away.
"I think we’re all a little tired Mr
Reed" the Captain said as he stretched. "Any luck there yet
Doc?" The Doctor smiled as he looked up from his work.
"Almost done Captain. I must say the
samples we brought back from the planet do look quite fascinating. Even the
microbe that infected us is most intriguing, however it’s nothing a couple of
more hours in Decon won’t sort out."
Hoshi’s head snapped up and she looked
forlornly at the Doctor.
"A couple more hours? Can’t we speed
that along a bit?" she asked. Phlox shrugged as he spoke.
"Well it would help if we applied more
gel" he replied, rather avidly Malcolm noticed.
Trip smirked openly at that and winked at
Malcolm as they stood. Malcolm couldn’t help himself and grinned back at him.
Trip’s voice was good-natured.
"Anything you say Doc" he beamed.
Phlox handed out more of the gel and everyone
started applying it liberally to their bodies. Trip seemed to make a point of
positioning himself behind Malcolm so he was readily on hand when Malcolm
needed help with his back. Another look passed silently between them.
Oh god, thought Malcolm laughing to himself
inwardly as Trip rubbed at his back in a hearty fashion, he’s worse than I am!
I always thought there was more going on between him and the Captain but it
looks like its open season now. Talking of the Captain, hello, nice backside
you’ve got there sir.
Almost on cue the Captain turned and smiled
at him.
"If you could assist me Mr Reed?"
He said, gesturing with the tub of gel.
"Of course Sir" replied Malcolm as
the Captain turned and offered him his back.
Malcolm started spreading the gel on the
tanned muscled shoulders before him, and then felt Trip’s touch become lighter,
more teasing on his own back. The Captain was now applying the gel to Hoshi’s
back with an almost business like approach and she in turn was massaging gel
into the Doctors back. Malcolm couldn’t help but notice the lingering attention
she seemed to be giving to Phlox’s spine, her fingers running gently over the
soft folds.
Bloody Hell ! Thought Malcolm, we’re all at
it!
"So what’s in this stuff anyway
Doc?" It was Trips voice, and Malcolm felt the other mans warm breath on
his skin.
"Oh, mainly just glitter" replied
Phlox innocently, "but it seems to do the trick." Trip chuckled
softly behind Malcolm and the Captain shook his head. He glanced back at the
two of them and flashed them a smile.
Hoshi gave Phlox a gentle slap on his shoulder.
"You shouldn’t joke about such things
Doctor" she said, "you know we believe everything you tell us."
"I’ll remember that Ensign’ replied
Phlox softly, bowing his head forward as Hoshi rubbed the back of his neck. The
room fell silent once more.
Lieutenant Reed had never felt like this
before. He felt more comfortable in the presence of these friends than any
other group he’d ever known. And that was it, he thought, they were friends and
not just fellow officers. Each one had qualities he admired and respected, each
one had something about them that drew him to them, each one was dear to him.
And that was the problem. He was finding it harder and harder to fight off the
feelings he had burning inside of him. He’d been throwing himself into his work
at an alarming rate, his friends would often advise him to take it easy and to
try to relax more. But each time he did, he’d find himself focussing on them.
He had favourite daydreams about each of them. He would work extra hours to
keep his mind firmly fixed on work in an attempt to keep the dreams at bay. But
when he would finally drag himself off to bed he found the only way he could
beckon slumber, was to let the fantasies about his friends wash over him and
caress him gently into sleep.
"Ah, there we go" said the Captain
bringing everyone out of their thoughts. "All done."
They all resumed their original places and
Malcolm went back to admiring his friends knowing that the Chief Engineer’s
eyes were upon him as he did so. Closing his eyes he leant back and openly
relaxed, his tired body tingled in the sexual atmosphere that now prevailed in
the room. He breathed deep of the warm air and for the first time in many a
year he felt happy and content with his lot in life.
He thought he heard a hushed whisper next to
him and opened his eyes just in time to see the Captain nodding in his
direction. He caught Trip’s return gesture out of the corner of his eye, but
when he looked at the Commander he was confronted with an expression of total
innocence. Glancing back at the Captain he was treated to a radiant smile.
After that he didn’t know where to look.
"Are you alright Ensign?" It was
the Doctor’s voice. He was looking at Hoshi with concern written on his face.
"I’m fine" she replied still
rubbing the back of her neck, "just a little stiff that’s all. I must have
pinched a nerve or something."
Phlox walked over to where she sat and did a
quick scan.
"It’s nothing serious" he confirmed
looking intently at her. "I’ll be able to sort it out for you later."
Oh, I bet you will. Thought Malcolm to
himself, enjoying the obvious affection between the two of them.
"Thanks" replied Hoshi, her return
look at the Doctor was equally engaging. Phlox held her gaze for the briefest
of moments and then looked away. He seemed embarrassed and coyly crossed his
arms, covering his chest before returning his attention back to his medical
data pad and leaning against the wall once more.
Malcolm had noted that reaction before. He
was aware that Denobulan males did not like to be touched, but he was uncertain
as to whether the Doctors bashfulness regarding his body was a personal trait
or a racial one. It had taken a while for the good Doctor to feel comfortable
enough in their presence to leave his shirt off. Malcolm wondered if that was
connected to the Doctors weight loss or if he would have got accustomed to the
idea anyway. Malcolm was certainly glad to see that the curtain was finally
gone.
He squinted slightly, trying to get a better
look at the markings on the Doctors chest. They initially looked to be black in
colouring, but under closer inspection there were subtle shades overlaid on the
darkness. The markings ran under the Doctors pectoral muscles and down his soft
belly. Malcolm had noted on previous occasions in Decon that the shading of the
colours would often be affected by the Denobulan’s emotional state. When the
Doctor had been concerned or apprehensive about something the markings would
often show a hint of blue and white intertwined with each other. The last time
he’d been through Decon with Phlox, the Doctor had been in a jovial mood, and
the markings were dark with soft tones of purple and mauve. Now, as Phlox stole
warm glances at Hoshi over the top of his data pad, Malcolm could see the
delicate colouring of red and orange merging into one another. He had not seen
that before, but could hazard a guess as to what it meant.
Malcolm had first noticed a spark between
these two a few months ago in the Mess Hall, when Phlox had been teaching Hoshi
the Denobulan language. He had been sat at his table sipping his coffee and
quietly observing the two of them interacting with each other. The gentle looks
the Doctor would give Hoshi when he spoke to her, the little excuses she seemed
to make in order to touch him or just lean closer to him. Malcolm had seen it
all, he secretly suspected that he had been aware of it before they had. Though
he was still dubious as to whether either of them had even admitted the
attraction to themselves yet.
He had often overheard their conversations
becoming quite flirtatious, he always felt guilty about it but he would always
get a real kick out of eavesdropping on them. But he would end up being
disappointed when they would both cautiously pull back from their teasing and
draw the subject back to work related issues. There was definitely a line
there, thought Malcolm, and they were both just too damned timid to cross it.
But having said that he realised that he kind
of liked them that way, up to a point. In his fantasies they would both be
slightly shy in nature, unlike certain other people he would devote his
thoughts to.
When he would let his mind wander and he
would picture himself with Trip or Jon; things would always get pretty heated
and steamy quite quickly. He always imagined and hoped that the sex would be
energetic and vigorous, the kind that knocked over lamps and broke furniture.
He had seen enough of both men’s characters to know that they were both
passionate souls. Yep, he thought to himself, there would definitely be a
broken lamp involved when those two got together.
But whenever he thought of Phlox in that way,
it had always been more gentle and tender. It was most probably because he was
a Doctor that Malcolm invariably pictured him in the role of protector and
guardian. He liked the idea of being vulnerable under Phlox’s touch, of letting
the amiable Denobulan take control and lead him through his desires. He
hungered to have those healing hands run lovingly over his skin, soothing away
his pains and coaxing his body to their will.
He smiled to himself when he imagined his two
friends together; picturing Hoshi in Phlox’s arms. He could see her reaching
tentatively to touch Phlox, her hands exploring him, her fingers gliding gently
down his face and neck. Her kisses when they came would be hesitant upon his
lips, their tongues seeking one another out as they slowly melded their mouths
together. Such warmth and compassion, Malcolm wanted to be a part of something
like that, to share it with them and to embrace them both. He also had to admit
he was just damned curious about the idea of sex with an alien, the fact that
the good Doctor had a seven inch tongue only spurred on his excitement at the
thought. He let the notion carry him away as the time passed by.
"Whatcha thinking about?" Trip’s playful
tones shook him from his reverie. He shuddered, his arousal must have been
written all over his face, plain for the Chief Engineer to see.
"Oh nothing much Sir, just trying to
relax, you know how it is. I’ve got a busy schedule ahead of me so I try to
make the most of times like these."
"Ah" said the Commander nodding and
then looking in the direction of Hoshi and Phlox. He made no attempt to hide
the smile on his face. "Call me Trip" He said.
"Sir?"
"Malcolm, there are times when its ok to
call me by my name you know, now is kinda one of those times."
"Yes Sir, Damn, I mean Trip.
Sorry."
"No worries Malc, you take your
time." Trips voice was teasing and his eyes shone with mischief.
Malcolm managed to get his composure back,
his voice was serious.
"Are you sure it’s appropriate though, I
mean whilst we’re on duty? It just doesn’t strike me as being very professional
Sir."
"Malcolm" said the Captain loudly
as he got up from the bench and casually sat himself down next to Trip.
"We are all currently sat around in our underwear. I would say it’s ok to
be just a little informal under such circumstances, wouldn’t you?" Trip
chuckled softly in the background and Malcolm finally gave in.
"Yes, I suppose you’re right, under the
circumstances and all that."
"Good" beamed the Captain,
"I’m glad we’ve got that sorted. How much longer Phlox?" He called
out. Seconds passed by "Doc? You still with us?"
"Er, sorry Captain" replied Phlox,
his voice faltering for a moment "I was, how do you Humans put it? Miles
away?"
"We know exactly where you were"
whispered Trip gesturing in Hoshi’s direction. Jon pursed his lips and looked
at the floor.
"Not much longer now I can assure
you" replied Phlox oblivious to the comment. "Rest assured I will
notify you when it is time to leave, please try and be patient, hmm." He
had wandered over to the bench as he’d been speaking and seated himself on the
opposite end to Hoshi. As he turned his full attention back to the Data pad her
sleepy gaze fell upon him, her eyes roaming over his face and body.
Probably doesn’t even realise she’s doing it,
thought Malcolm before turning and noticing that the Captain was giving Trip a
similar inspection. He coughed awkwardly and both sets of eyes turned abruptly
in his direction.
"Um, so Malc would you like to join us
later? You know if You’re not too busy?" Trips question hung in the air
and Malcolm felt sure his face was burning, Jon’s bemused expression did not
help the situation.
"I’m Sorry?" replied Malcolm, not
quite understanding Trips meaning.
The Captain draped his arm in a friendly
manor across Trips shoulder, His tone was soft as he spoke.
"It’s Water Polo night Malcolm, a boys
night in, so to speak, do you feel up for it?"
"When he says Water Polo"
interrupted Trip before Malcolm could reply, "he means that we watch the
game whilst having a few beers and having a pretzel eating contest. But if you
prefer we could get chef to knock up some pineapple chunks on sticks for
you."
"That’ll be quite alright" replied
Malcolm, "pretzels will do just fine. But I must warn you, I’m British, so
if we end up having a drinking contest you won’t stand a chance. No one can
beat us Brits when it comes to ridding the Universe of alcohol."
"Well, we’ll just have to see what else
you Brits are good at won’t we?" said Trip. His voice was hushed but his
meaning was clearer this time as he placed his hand on Malcolm’s shoulder and
gave it a gentle squeeze. The Captain looked intrigued, but said nothing.
"What time?" asked Malcolm his
voice wavering.
"As soon as your shift finishes, we’ll
be in the Captains quarters waiting for you."
"I’ll be there," he paused,
"Sir."
That made Trip’s grin even broader and he
leaned in closer to Malcolm's face, his lips almost touching the shorter mans
ear.
"If you like we could ask the Doc to tag
along as well?" he whispered. "I couldn’t help but notice."
"Mr Tucker" The Captains voice was
stern but quiet "I think the Water Polo will quite suffice for the
evening."
Trip gave Jon a mocking smile and a wink.
"Anything you say Cap’n". Malcolm
could see who wore the trousers in this relationship, but it seemed the Captain
had his work cut out for him.
When they departed the Decontamination room a
short while later, Malcolm hung back with Jon and Trip. They watched as Dr
Phlox escorted Ensign Sato to sickbay, the two of them were laughing together.
Trip whistled quietly when Hoshi fondly linked her arm with the Doctor’s as
they rounded the corner out of sight.
"’Bout time" he breathed, "go
get him girl."
"It’ll never happen" Said Jon solemnly.
"You reckon?" replied Trip sounding
genuinely disappointed.
"Oh they will" said Malcolm.
"They’ll just take their sweet time over it that’s all. I do think they
could do with a friendly nudge in the right direction though." He raised
his eyebrow at the Captain.
"What do you want me to do? Order them
to sleep together?" Said Jon, shock written all over his face.
"That would be something! Can you do
that?" Smirked Trip "Cos you know I wouldn’t mind you nudging the Doc
in my direction as well"
Jon chuckled and touched his Chief Engineer’s
arm gently.
"Come on Mr Tucker, there’s work to be
done." He looked intently at Malcolm before departing.
"See you later Mr Reed"
"Yes Sir." Malcolm watched them go.
As they disappeared out of sight Malcolm just caught Trip’s voice one last
time.
"So Cap’n, you got that lamp fixed
yet?"
~ The End ~