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

Title: Baby

Author: Nijijin

Author's e-mail: [email protected]

Fandom: Enterprise

Pairing: Archer/Tucker/Reed

Rating: R

Category: Slash

Summary: PWP.

Comments: Just a little something to add to the Cuddle Challenge.

Archived to Reed's Arrmory on 11/19/2003.

Malcolm Reed hadn't behaved like this in a very long time. Jonathan Archer tried to remember the last time the Englishman was so reticent. It was well before he and Trip became the Armory Officer's lovers several months ago. Archer casually glanced over at Tactical, hoping for a clue as to why Malcolm had slipped back into cool reserve mode.

Since the start of their voyage Jon and Trip found Malcolm fascinating and irresistible. Becoming friends with the naturally shy man was a slow and careful process. It was harder for Jon than Trip to break through Mal's defenses. Exercising a great deal of patience and no pressure, they coaxed the Lieutenant to trust enough.to open up to them. Day by day, more and more of the real and very surprising Mr. Reed was revealed to the delight of both Jon and Trip.

He had a wicked, mind-bending sense of humor. Jon and Trip had no idea that Mal was a prankster and had been playing Travis and Phlox since the start of the mission.

Both assumed the Armory Officer ran a tight department with a firm hand. Stopping by the Armory during Gamma shift revealed a boisterous Englishman getting chased down by shrieking and laughing members of his crew. Mal explained it was a "simulated" battle for training purposes. Uh huh.

Even Jon and Trip had blushed at Mal and Hoshi's non-stop ribald banter.

Surprising too, was Mal's ability to get T'Pol to listen to jokes. He saw it as his destiny.his duty.his "Holy Grail" to get the Vulcan to be not so Vulcan. Of course.she never laughed.but willingly listened and seemed subtly amused as others snickered around her.

Later, after starting their relationship, Trip teased that he and Jon would have done better falling in love with Chef. At least then the Captain and Commander would probably have gotten an endless supply of tasty treats. Mal had retorted that they do get tasty treats all the time...cream filled midnight snacks as a matter of fact. Jon remembered barking out a laugh at Mal's smug winking grin and Trip's furious blush.

Jon and Trip knew that each day with this complex and marvelous man was an amazing gift. That's why worry began to niggle when the smaller man started to descend into that quiet and closed off Starfleet Officer once again.

Previous Night--Captain's Private Mess

"Mal?"

"Hmmmmmm?"

"Are ya all right.ya seem a bit quiet?"

"I'm fine, Trip."

"You haven't eaten much Malcolm. Not even interested in dessert?"

"As much as I enjoy Chef's pineapple upside down cake, Jon, I'm not really very hungry. Actually, I'm feeling rather done in. Mind if I turn in for the night?"

"Wan' us ta come with ya?"

"Don't want to spoil your dinner, Luv. No.I'll just get some sleep and be right as rain tomorrow.I promise."

But Malcolm wasn't right as rain in the morning.

When the Armory Officer stepped onto the Bridge he looked tired and flushed. After greeting the Senior staff Malcolm settled in at his station and said little after that. Jon anxiously noticed how the younger man seemed distracted and unfocused. Before he could say anything the trubolift opened and Trip stepped on to the Bridge. Fretfully, the Southerner moved to his usual spot behind Malcolm. The Englishman hardly took notice.

Trip looked over at Jon with a questioning quirk of his eyebrows.

// Find out what's wrong yet? //

Jon shook head slightly and shrugged.

// I don't have a clue. //

Just as Trip was going to step forward to put a hand on Malcolm's shoulder, the Armory Officer cleared his throat and turned glassy eyes to his Captain.

"S.sir, permission to report to Sickbay?"

// Damn! He's ill. //

Alarmed, every pair of eyes turned to look at the stricken man. Malcolm Reed would never willingly go to Sickbay. And the proud man would certainly not mention it in front of others unless something was seriously wrong. Concern for their friend quickly took hold around the Bridge.

"Permission granted, Lieutenant. Malcolm would you like."

Distressed, Jon was about to suggest that Mal be escorted but several enthusiastic voices interrupted.

"Cap'n.Ah'll go with."

"Sir.I'd be happy to help the Lt."

"Captain.maybe I should go along."

Malcolm offered a weak smile at the thought of his friends rallying around him.

"Would it be possible to have Commander Tucker accompany me, Captain?"

Jon stood and took several steps toward the weakened officer. He wanted badly to wrap his arms around Malcolm and Trip. Going together down to the infirmary.

"Of course, no need to ask. Take care of Mr. Reed, Trip. Malcolm, feel better. That's and order gentleman."

Both men nodded before Malcolm turned towards Trip and leaned slightly into the taller man. Trip rested a hand on Malcolm's back as he guided him into the waiting turbolift. Jon could only stand there staring helplessly as the door wooshed shut. After a moment Archer turned to face the remaining Bridge crew, all looking more than a little fearful and a bit stunned. He tried to reassure them as well as himself.

"I'm sure it's nothing serious. Phlox knows how to handle the Lt. Heaven knows the good Doctor has had more than enough practice."

The group smiled a little sadly at the running joke.

"Let's give it a half hour and then we'll check on him.all right?"

Reluctant but agreeable nods were given before Hoshi, Travis and even T'Pol returned to their duties. Jon sank heavily into the Command chair and sighed. They'd only been gone less than a minute.

Shift to one side.gone 5 minutes.

Cross legs.gone 8 minutes.

Uncross legs.gone 10 minutes.

Lean forward, clasp hands.gone 12 minutes.

Lean back, tap fingers on chair arm.gone 14 minutes.

Tap foot nervously.gone 17 minutes.

Check time with T'Pol.gone 20 minutes.

"Captain, might I suggest that you proceed to Sickbay?"

Archer looked at T'Pol with pleading eyes, silently asking her to make up a logical excuse for why he should leave his post to be with his lovers.

"Logic dictates that the only way to obtain information on Mr. Reed's condition discreetly is to meet with Dr. Phlox directly and in private (never mind that Jon could comm Phlox from the Captain's Ready Room).

Archer's expression morphed to grateful thanks as he already began striding to the lift.

"You're absolutely right, T'Pol! I'll head down there this instant. You're in charge for the remainder of the shift, Sub-Commander. "

Jon turned to address the remaining crew, "I'll let you know as soon as I can," and was gone.

---

Jon burst into Sickbay quickly scanning for the two most important people in his life. Phlox glanced up from his PADD unsurprised.

Is he all right? Is it serious? Trip holding up? Can I see him? Where are they?"

Phlox was amazed the Captain could say all that without taking a breath. He offered Jon a wide grin and turned his attention back to the PADD.

"I am just adding more details to Mr. Reed's rather extensive medical history."

Jon stepped forward and put his hand over the PADD silently begging to know what was going on. Phlox patted his other hand reassuringly over the Captain's then looked away in deep thought.

"I wonder if, as Mr. Tucker put it, 'acting like a baby just cause of the flu' would be considered health information?"

A great but confused weight was lifted off Jon's shoulders.

"That's it? Malcolm has the flu? Nothing life threatening,no great pain,just,what,achy and feverish? And did you just say he's acting like a baby?"

The last was intoned with a tinge of disbelief.

"I have gone over Mr. Reed's record and apparently I have never treated the Lt. for this type of illness before. This is our first experience in dealing with him under these conditions. I have to agree with the Commander. Whiney, clingy and needy are some of the child-like symptoms that are being manifested. I had no idea that our Head of Security could pout in such a manner."

Jon blinked in continued disbelief.

"Are you sure this is the same man who didn't flinch when impaled by a spike.said he was fine when shot.promptly reported to duty after taking a beating?"

"One and the same, Captain."

Phlox gave his best disturbing grin. After a moment Jon grinned right back shaking his head.

"There is always something new to learn about Malcolm, is there not, Captain?"

"That there is Phlox, that there is. Where are they now?"

"The Commander was to put the Lieutenant to bed, but I had the distinct impression that Mr. Tucker will be playing 'old maid' as well."

"That's 'nursemaid' Doctor."

"Ah.thank you, Captain. It will be several days until Mr. Reed will feel up to moving about. Do not let his lack of appetite or tantrums keep him from eating at least some broth. He may be amenable to cool sponge baths. If so, indulge him, as the fever even with a reducer will make sleeping uncomfortable. Be sure to check in with me tomorrow."

"Will do and thank you, Phlox."

Jon stepped out into the corridor heading towards his quarters. So, the not-so-big, bad Head of Security wasn't so tough when it came to microscopic bugs. Trip must be having a field day or he's pulling his hair out just about now. Keying in his code Jon stepped into his cabin and was greeted by the most stunning vision.

They were both naked in his bunk. Trip sat propped against the wall legs spread wide, eyes closed, head leaning back contentedly. Turned away from the door and snuggled in Trip's lap lay Malcolm. Jon followed the sinewy line of the younger man's body down to where sheets and blankets were bunched around his well-defined calves. Mal definitely had a rosier than usual tint to his silky skin. Jon just stood there savoring the idyllic tableau.

He watched Trip's strong arm ripple as nimble fingers fondly carded through dark locks of hair. As if to reassure himself that Trip was really there, Malcolm absently raised a hand to trace through golden chest hair. Apparently satisfied he sighed and tucked his hand back into the comforting lap.

Not wanting to miss anymore Jon moved quietly towards the bed while purposefully stripping his uniform. The rustling movement roused Trip enough for sky blue eyes to open and look in Jon's direction. Happy at the sight of his best friend getting 'nekkid' Trip grinned.

"Hey Jon, who'd a thought Mr. Stiff Upper Lip here would become a puddle of goo at the first sign of viral attack?" Trip whispered teasingly. He knew full well Malcolm was awake and could hear everything.

"Why are you naked, Trip?"

"His highness said my uniform itched him. Don't understand why Porthos' fur doesn't bother him."

Malcolm hadn't actually tucked his hand back into Trip's lap. Rather it was securely wrapped around Porthos who was being held close to the patient's chest. The beagle thumped his tail twice at the sound of his name but saw no reason to look up.

Jon bobbed his chin questioningly at the naked Armory Officer and the blankets.

"Guess he was kinda feelin' too hot and he's pretty easy on the eyes this way," Trip shrugged sheepishly.

"Jon?" the voice was weak and sickly, "is that you?"

Trip rolled his eyes unsympathetically but still laid his cool hand on the Brit's warm forehead.

Completely naked as well Jon sat sideways on the bed. Malcolm lolled his head back opened a bleary but roaming eye to him.

"How you feeling, sweetheart?"

"Hot!"

// So that's the infamous pout. //

"Put that lower lip out any further Lootenent and it might be mistaken for a landing pad."

"Trip makes a horrid nurse, Jon," Malcolm protested even as he burrowed closer to the Engineer and surreptitiously moved to make room for Jon.

Both blondes looked away trying not to giggle. They knew that just a glance at each other or the sorry soul lying between them meant an unstoppable fit of hysterical laughter.

After getting himself under control, Jon lay down spooned behind Malcolm. Trip dangled his leg off the bed giving them both more room. Using both his hands the Engineer began to run fingers through both dark and golden locks of silken hair. It wasn't long before Malcolm and Jon slipped into comforting sleep and Trip finally drifted off to join them.

~the end~