Reed's Armory -- A Malcolm Reed Fanfiction Archive ..

Title: Counterfeit

Author: Nehal

Author's e-mail: [email protected]

Author's Web site: http://www.crepusculum.net/ne

Fandom: Enterprise

Pairing: Reed/Sato

Rating: PG-13

Category: Het

Summary: Just a little ditty about Reed and a fake body. Nothing Necrophillic, unfortunately.

Comments: I don't know if this was the title I posted this fic under on LD but I think it was, so, um, yes.

Archived to Reed's Armory on 10/16/2003.

I found her in the gym. There were scorch marks on her hands, just under the fingernails as though she had tried to pull out the open plasma conduit with her bare hands. Her skin was mottled and burned almost beyond recognition, and her body had shrunken-

To be honest, sir, she looked like a dried prune...

Computer stop recording-

Malcolm sighed as his door chime rang yet again. It was the third time in as many minutes, and not being able to ignore it any longer, he snatched a pair of boxers from his wardrobe and after pulling them on, opened the door-

"What do you want?" He asked immediately when he saw who it was. "Don't you think you've done enough damage?"

"I-" Hoshi hesitated for a moment, shuffling nervously. She was out of uniform, and clearly dressed for bed in a slinky lavender slip that barely brushed her thighs, as well as a matching terrycloth robe that did woefully little to conceal her figure. Her hair was left open, and hung in neat waves across each petite shoulder-

She looked breathtaking, but Malcolm was not going to give her the satisfaction by saying so. Instead, he crossed his arms and straightening himself to all of his meagre five feet and six inches, tried to look as imposing as he could. It worked, within moments Hoshi was biting her fingernails, a habit she had obviously picked up from Ensign Cutler.

"Well, what is it Ensign, I don't have all day," His voice sounded harsher than he had meant it to, and he almost felt guilty for the hurt expression in Hoshi's beautiful eyes. Almost.

"I'm sorry for last night. You have no idea how much I-" She paused for a brief moment, using it to full advantage by reaching out to touch his elbow. It was a fleeting caress, not much more than a pat, but it burned into his skin like wildfire. Instinctively, he leaned in closer and was promptly rewarded by a smile. "I should never have let Travis talk me into it. It was a cruel joke, Malcolm."

"Yes, it was," He agreed, taking a soft delicate hand into his. "I'm responsible for the crew, Hoshi. If any of them ever had an accident, I-" He gulped. "It wasn't funny."

"I know," She whispered, inching an arm around his neck. "I'm so incredibly sorry, if there is any way I can make it up..."

He raised an eyebrow, meeting her stare for a long time, before encircling her waist in his embrace, and pulling her inside his quarters.

However, a joke's a joke, I suppose. I have spoken to both Ensigns concerned, and have issued appropriate punishments. Needless to say, they will think twice before planting fake corpses aboard the ship, again.

Computer, end recording.

~the end~