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Reed's Armory -- A Malcolm Reed Fanfiction Archive .. |
Title: Screwdriver
Author: Taryn Eve
Author's e-mail: [email protected]
Fandom: Enterprise
Rating: NC-17
Category: Slash
Pairing: Tucker/Other, Tucker/Reed/Sato
Series: Trip's Toolbox
Sequel to: Monkey Wrench
Warning: BDSM; bisexual love triangle.
Summary: Trip is missing. Hoshi is falling apart, and Malcolm is struggling to pick up all the pieces with the help of a single screwdriver.
Comments: Thanks to Saragirl for the beta reading and to the people at LD who hollered for a sequel to Monkey Wrench. This story is darker and different in tone than the first one.
Archived to Reed's Armory on 04/20/2003.
The sound of metal clinking against stone pulled Hoshi away from the edge of the ocean in her mind. She opened her eyes, but she couldn't see who was lurking in the darkness. "Trip?"
"It's Malcolm." He sounded distracted. "You'll never believe what I found on my latest scouting mission."
Hoshi blew out her breath, using the mental exercises T'Pol had taught her to make the pain go away. "Trip?"
"Not yet," Malcolm said, trying to sound cheerful. "However, I found his toolbox. The rebels stole most of the tools but left us the antique screwdriver."
In the darkness, she remembered how happy Trip was when he finished the repairs to the complex Torman aqueduct, after three days of hard work. Afterwards, Prince Ralar insisted on making them his guests for a special celebration. They had just entered the dining hall when a group of armed rebels and off-world mercenaries stormed the palace. Ralar grabbed Trip and led him away, while Hoshi was captured and taken to the interrogation room, deep in the bowels of the ancient keep. After what seemed like an eternity, Malcolm managed to disable and tie up the rebels holding her hostage, but she was still chained to the wall and her mind was blank in some spots.
"Good," Malcolm muttered. "The bloody Torma use the same kind of screws we used to back on Earth. I'll have you out of here in a few minutes, love. Then we'll see if we can find a way out of here. You'll be fine."
She closed her eyes, wanting to believe him.
"Hoshi, wake up," Malcolm said. "You've got to stay awake."
"Tired," she said. The rebels hadn't let her sleep and she'd been in this room for almost two days. The other two prisoners, ministers in Ralar's cabinet, hadn't survived the rigorous questioning of the first night.
"Trip needs you to stay alert and come with me," Malcolm said. He almost sounded frightened.
"Trip needs me?" she asked. She hated the darkness and her inability to think. She wasn't sure what the rebels had done to her, but she wanted to kill them for making Trip vanish.
Malcolm freed her arms and gently lowered them to her sides. Hot needles of pain stung her and she let Malcolm rub her sore wrists. "Come on, love," he said, giving her a hug. "We've got to keep moving."
"Where's Trip?" she asked, trembling.
"He's right this way," Malcolm said. He sounded calmer, more assured. It would be all right. "Take my hand."
Hoshi held her hand out for him, but he seemed infinitely far away. Both Malcolm and Trip were out of her reach. She felt more lost than when the three of them found each other just a week ago.
* * *
Hoshi slid out of the bed and grabbed her red robe as Trip paused. The silk felt cool against her skin, making her shiver. Folding her arms, she leaned against the bulkhead and waited for her lover to open the door.
Trip hesitated a moment longer, as if debating with himself. Hoshi had to admit that this wasn't the most rational decision he'd ever made. When she had discovered that he was in love with Malcolm, she felt jolted by the realization that she was close to losing Trip forever. Her fear had almost overwhelmed her. After weeks of indecision, she had finally thrown herself at her lover one last time, before trying to wriggle away.
Instead of letting her leave him, though, Trip came up with a solution she hadn't foreseen. He wanted Malcolm to join them. A threesome. Her face flushed, thinking about the idea. Part of her was torn between wanting Trip and Malcolm and the other part was afraid that the two men would shut her out of the relationship. She found Malcolm attractive, but she hadn't explored any deeper feelings for him. Biting her lip, Hoshi held out her hand to stop Trip, to halt the situation before it got out of control.
"Trip-"
He opened the door.
Hoshi let out a long breath and started to fix her tangled hair.
"Hello, Trip," Malcolm's voice said from the hallway. Hoshi couldn't see him, but he sounded tired.
Trip put his hands behind his back and clenched his fists. "Could you come in for a few minutes?"
He backed into the room, retreating toward the bed. Malcolm followed, looking at Trip, the candles, the sheets rumpled on the bed--and into Hoshi's eyes with gentle concern.
The handcuffs, Hoshi thought. He probably suspects Trip did something heinous to me with the handcuffs he'd lent out earlier in the day.
She flashed him a warm smile to let him know that she was okay. Some of the tension fell away from Malcolm's face as he turned to look at Trip, who sank onto the bed.
"Hoshi figured out something about me that I hadn't realized before," Trip said, staring at his feet.
Malcolm started and gave her an apologetic smile. "I'm afraid I'm responsible for planting the idea about the cuffs in Trip's head, Hoshi. We were joking about the engineering staff and rebellions, and I put the very subtle suggestion in our mutual friend's mind that a little adult fun might ease the tension between the two of you."
Hoshi shrugged--the handcuffs were put to good use--on Trip. They'd given her the means to catch his attention, but they hadn't been the focal point of their intense encounter.
Trip stood up and crossed the room to face him. "I'm trying to tell you something else, Malcolm," he said in a frustrated tone.
He glared at Malcolm, who gave Hoshi a puzzled look. "Translation, please?"
A smile played across Hoshi's lips. "All right." She walked over to them and stood next to Trip.
She held her hand out to Malcolm, and frowning, he put his hand in hers. Hoshi saw the trust in Malcolm's eyes. They always trusted each other, despite the tension that occurred when they disagreed--rare as it was.
After Trip inadvertently revealed his love for Malcolm, Hoshi started considering the armory officer in a new light. Trip's desire for Malcolm sparked hers and over the last few days, she'd been studying the armory officer. The steady assurance of his movements and the quiet affection he had for his close friends made him more attractive than when they first met. Hoshi made up her mind earlier tonight to give Trip one last chance before she moved on to give Malcolm her own best shot. Instead, Malcolm was here before the two of them, a bewildered look on his face.
Taking a deep breath, Hoshi kissed the tips of each of Malcolm's fingers, making him gasp. This wasn't something she had experienced before, translating the emotions of her lover into a language of lust that Malcolm could comprehend. She finished kissing his fingers and placed his hand in Trip's. Malcolm stared at their hands for a long moment.
"What are you thinking?" Trip asked, his voice cracking with fear.
"What is the difference between being in love and loving someone?" replied Malcolm, looking at Hoshi. "Can you translate that?"
"I can," Trip said, pulling both Malcolm and Hoshi into his arms. "You both mean the world to me. Give this a chance, Malcolm."
Malcolm's eyes narrowed in the candlelight. "I'm a demanding person once you get to know me, Trip."
"We can keep you busy," Trip said, his eyes pleading. "Look, I know I won't always be able to make you happy, but this could be truly special if you'd give it a chance."
Malcolm's shoulders slumped. "Let's compromise. We'll try this for two weeks and then I'll have to think about what I want and what's really best for the three of us."
Trip opened his mouth to protest, but Hoshi jabbed him in the stomach with her elbow.
"Two weeks," she said, holding out her hand. She felt a measure of relief that Malcolm had given them a yes, however provisional. Between Trip and herself, they were sure to win Malcolm over...and she wouldn't be pushed out of the way if she could fall in love with Malcolm in that short amount of time.
Instead of shaking on the deal, Malcolm took her hand and kissed her palm. "Stop this the moment you don't like it, Hoshi."
She smiled and stroked his cheek. "You're always trying to protect me."
Malcolm pulled her into his arms and stared into her eyes. She sensed that he wanted to tell her something, but before he could, Trip pulled him away and kissed him. For a moment, Malcolm's body language spoke of his discomfort and surprise. With a moan, he yielded to the power of Trip's need and wrapped an arm around the other man's neck.
The sizzling current of desire running between Trip and Malcolm disconcerted Hoshi. She felt like a voyeur as she watched Trip eagerly strip the shirt off Malcolm's body. Working with quick efficiency, Trip soon had their new partner stretched naked upon the bed.
"Say something," Trip said to him. "I love the sound of your voice."
Malcolm touched Trip's jawline. "I don't think you two brought me here to talk."
Trip laughed. "No." He gave Malcolm a quick kiss and grinned over at Hoshi. "Don't be shy, darlin'."
Malcolm gave her a knowing look. Hoshi smiled, grateful that he seemed to pick up on her anxiety about being left out. Sometimes she thought that he understood her fears better than Trip did. However, neither she nor Malcolm had foreseen this situation when they'd started talking about her problems with Trip earlier in the week.
Trip hooked a leg around Malcolm and kissed his neck. Malcolm moaned and tangled his fingers in Trip's hair. After a few moments, Trip sucked at Malcolm's nipple. Aroused, Hoshi walked closer to the bed and caressed Trip's back and Malcolm's thigh. Malcolm caught her hand and squeezed it as Trip's mouth enveloped his hard cock. Trip closed his eyes as he ran his lips and tongue up and down the shaft. Hoshi marveled at the depth of Trip's skill. It spoke of past experience with men that he hadn't mentioned...
Malcolm stared up at Hoshi until she leaned over and kissed him. He opened his mouth and she flicked her tongue against his. After she pulled away, he licked his fingers and motioned Hoshi closer. She knelt on the edge of the bed as he eased the red robe open and rubbed his slick fingers against her clit. Gasping, she clutched the headboard for support as Malcolm's hungry look and strong fingers made her writhe. It surprised her to find out that Malcolm wanted her. She never would have guessed, after all the long months of their friendship.
Malcolm squeezed her breast gently. The affectionate gesture and his relentless fingers working her clit drove her over the edge, making her come hard, moaning incoherently. After a few more moments, Malcolm choked out their names and moaned as his hips bucked and he came. Trip looked up, wiping the come from his lips, his eyes locking with Hoshi. As he did so, his eyes silently thanked her for letting him take the risk of bringing Malcolm to their bed.
Trip took Malcolm's place on the bed and stretched out, smiling in anticipation. Malcolm helped Hoshi out of her robe, kneeling to kiss her breasts and caress her clit some more. They kissed deeply. As she climbed on top of Trip, Malcolm took hold of the other man's thick shaft and guided it inside her. She gasped, startled by the hardness and the renewed blaze of desire for her in Trip's eyes. Malcolm knelt behind her and held her hips as she rode Trip, who clutched the blankets.
Malcolm's hands roamed over her body, cupping her ass, squeezing her breasts and holding her flying hair out of her eyes as she squeezed the muscles of her pussy around Trip's huge cock.
Trip squeezed her thighs. "I love you. I love you both."
Malcolm rubbed Hoshi's clit and her sudden orgasm made her cry out. Seconds later, a look of ecstasy crossed Trip's face and he shouted incoherently.
"Very nice," Malcolm murmured in her ear.
He helped Hoshi to her feet and kissed her gently.
"Come here, you two," Trip said, sounding exhausted.
He rolled onto his side. Hoshi climbed into the bed and cuddled against his back.
Malcolm gave them a wistful look. "You two need your rest before we leave for Torma in the afternoon and there isn't really room for three."
Trip snorted. "Get your ass into bed. I hate it when you're demure."
Hoshi laughed. Malcolm rolled his eyes and started blowing out the candles Hoshi lit earlier in the evening. When he was done, he lifted the blankets, joined them and gave them a fierce hug.
Hoshi reached across Trip to pat Malcolm's hand. "It's going to work out." She closed her eyes, sleepy and content. It had to work out.
* * *
"We can work our way out of here through the kitchen, I think."
Some of the disorientation had passed and Hoshi could see again. She still couldn't remember everything that had happened to her in the interrogation chambers, which was just as well.
Malcolm had stashed her in an empty drawing room so he could scout ahead. Now he was back, staring at her with worried eyes. A crescent-shaped Torman clock chimed, the bells sounding innocently out of place amid the heavy smell of blood drenching the palace.
"Did you find Trip or any more equipment?" she asked, trying to keep her voice quiet.
Malcolm sighed. "I'm afraid our screwdriver can't do a damn thing for the Torman scanner I found. I still have my communicator, but we're going to have to leave the palace and try to get out of range of the jamming signal the rebels set up."
"I won't leave Trip behind."
Malcolm took hold of her shoulders. "Trust me to do my job. I think he's still alive, but it's essential to get you to help before those internal injuries of yours kill you. Do you understand?"
She pushed him away. "I'm trying understand, but I don't fucking care. Trip is all that matters to me," she said, her fear making her voice sharp and hateful to her own ears. "Let's go."
They scrambled through the winding corridors of the alien palace. Hoshi labored to breathe as she walked. She did her best to keep up as she clutched the toolbox, despising Malcolm for making her sneak away when all she wanted to do was find Trip.
Malcolm looked back at her, his face impassive. "You have every right to be angry with me, but save your strength."
"You shouldn't have lost him," she hissed. "He's the important one."
Malcolm jerked his head away. "I agree. Move."
Suddenly, he shoved her against the wall as particle weapon fire raked the air where she'd been. Kneeling, he returned fire while her heart thudded in her chest. Malcolm grabbed her hand and dragged her down the corridor.
"The servants' gate is across the courtyard!"
Bursting into the kitchen, she caught a glimpse of bruised and bloody yellow-skinned Tormans staring at them as she chased after Malcolm. To her surprise, no one followed or tried to stop them as they made their way across the corpse-strewn courtyard to the open iron gate.
The lone guard stood up and aimed his gun at them. Hoshi hurled the toolbox at him, and it struck the short man square in the chest, knocking the Torman to the ground.
"Nice aim," Malcolm quipped as he leaned over to pick up the fallen man's weapon.
Hoshi retrieved the toolbox and followed him Malcolm into the night air. They ran for the line of trees almost a kilometer away. Hoshi tried to ignore the pain gnawing on her insides. Only her fury at Malcolm for making them abandon Trip kept her going.
Finally, they collapsed underneath the canopy of tall trees. Malcolm took out his communicator and flipped it open. Hoshi scanned the area for signs of pursuit, but there were none. Why had the rebels let them escape?
"Reed to Enterprise, please respond."
"Enterprise," said Captain Archer's voice, sounding worried. "Report."
"Rebels attacked the palace almost three days ago," Malcolm said, glancing at Hoshi. "Ensign Sato and I have escaped. Sir, Commander Tucker-" Overcome, he fell silent.
"Hang in there, Malcolm. We've got your position and I'm sending down Shuttlepod One. The rebels have some sort of shielding over the area, so we can't use the transporter. We're going to make the pickup as quick as possible because we've been fired upon, too. Archer out."
Malcolm closed the communicator and looked at Hoshi.
She threw the toolbox at him. He caught it and hugged it close. "I'll find him, Hoshi." He rose to his feet, walked over to her and held out his hand. "Come on. Let's send you home."
"I don't want to go back to Enterprise, I want to find Trip."
Malcolm took a deep breath. "Hoshi, right now I'm more worried about you than Trip. I'm ordering you to return to Enterprise. Take his toolbox back to the ship and let me do my bloody fucking job."
He shoved the toolbox into her arms and stalked away to stare at the palace in the distance.
Her mouth opened slightly. The heat in his voice had caught her by surprise. "Malcolm?"
His back stiffened. "I've made up my mind."
She blinked. "About what?"
He tilted his head. "About the three of us. Once I bring Trip back to the ship, I'll explain to him that it's over."
"Why?" Her frustration about Trip's current situation gave way to concern about their mutual future.
"You don't love me and you never will, no matter how incredible the sex is between the three of us," Malcolm said, turning around and giving her a bitter look. "I listened to you scream for hours, begging for Trip down in that damned dungeon. You're in love with him and not with me. It would be unfair to make him choose between us." The fire in his eyes drifted away. "Forgive me," he continued gently, "but I have too much pride to stay when you don't want me."
She bowed her head, remembering how she'd screamed for Trip in the interrogation chamber, but never for Malcolm.
"He loves you, Malcolm," she said, opening the toolbox and shutting down her heart. "I think you two have a better chance together than he and I would."
"Don't be so goddamned noble," Malcolm said gruffly. "You had him first."
Instead of answering, she slid the screwdriver into his hands, the only thing they had left of Trip. His mouth trembled a moment before he smiled. "With my screwdriver or on it?"
Hoshi threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. Maybe she wasn't in love with Malcolm just yet, but they both needed Trip.
Like a bright star, the shuttlepod appeared at the edge of the sky.
"I'll make them stay until you two come back," Hoshi said, touching her lover's cheek.
Malcolm kissed her forehead. "Maybe when I come back we can try to work on that falling in love idea."
Clutching the screwdriver and his phase pistol, he darted across the green plain toward the palace.
Hoshi sighed, hating to be alone out here. Someone had to save Trip, though, and she couldn't think of anyone better for the job.
Suddenly, a haze of blue light enveloped her. Blinking, she stretched out her hand to try to stop it.
"There you are, darlin'. Oh, you've got my toolbox."
She blinked again. Trip, dressed in an unfamiliar black uniform, gave her a slow smile.
"Are you all right?" she asked, gasping at the sight of him.
A dark-haired Torman man in the same kind of uniform glared at her as he shoved Trip's arm. Trip sighed, raised some sort of pistol and shot her. A sizzling yellow bolt slammed into Hoshi and she fell backwards, hearing the toolbox strike metal as it flew from her grasp. She hit the ground and shook convulsively.
"You've done well in proving your loyalty to me, my lover."
The Torman pulled Trip into his embrace and the two men kissed passionately.
"Trip," Hoshi said under her breath, bewildered by her pain. Her thoughts went to Malcolm and how afraid they'd been to lose Trip. Now he had betrayed both of them. She closed her eyes to block out the loving look on Trip's face as he patted his new lover's cheek.
"Take her to the concubines' quarters and leave her," the Torman ordered in a harsh tone.
"Whatever you want."
The last thing Hoshi heard was the clink of chains. As she dropped into dreams, she knew that she was more than a screwdriver away from help this time...
To be continued in Knowing the Drill
~the end~
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