Author's Note: This story is a compliment to my other stories, which portray Archer/T'Pol/Tucker in a loving menage a trois situation. It was written in response to a September 2010 Challenge at www dot thedelphicexpanse dot com, which solicited writers to write a fic around a drawing of TnT in a hammock. Thank you Bluetiger, for the inspiration.
Jon awoke not knowing how long he had been asleep or exactly where he was. The unfamiliar bed was comfortable, and the un-recycled air was clean and salty. Memory slowly returned. Enterprise had come upon a Minshara class planet with several space docks in orbit and plentiful vacation-ready spots below, so ship inhabitants would be comfortable while their vessels were serviced.
Trip had first been to determined to stay and supervise the repairs and maintenance, but Jon had insisted that Trip take some time off and let Kelby handle the first phase of the work. Trip, tempted by the prospect of three days in a beach house with his lovers, didn't take that much convincing.
For himself, Jon hadn't realized how exhausted he was until he slipped into a deep, blissful sleep with Trip on one side of him and T'Pol on the other. Now, he awoke in the bed alone. He sat up and stretched, grabbing his watch from the bedside table. It was nearly noon. Jon had slept the entire morning away. No wonder Trip, who was used to living without sleep and T'Pol, who didn't need as much, were gone. Jon gradually stumbled out of bed and retrieved his robe from a hook on the back door.
Jon used the kitchen's beverage dispenser, which had been programmed with Earth and Vulcan selections, to make himself some coffee. He then went in search of Trip and T'Pol. He headed out the back door, enjoying the breeze and sounds of birds squawking. His eyes scanned the water before his eyes found the hammock that hung from two of the house's deck pillars. His breath caught in his throat, as he took in the sight of a sleeping Trip and T'Pol, naked in each others arms. They were both so beautiful, he thought, still amazed that they had allowed him to become part of the intimacy between them. Trip held her lovingly, and Jon wondered how in the world they had managed to balance so well.
T'Pol's eye's fluttered open, but she didn't move. Jon knew she didn't wish to disturb Trip, and any movement could upset their balance. But she locked eyes with Jon, clearly happy to see him.
Jon softly moved closer, suddenly feeling very overdressed in his robe. He undid the sash and wiggled out of it, careful not to spill his coffee.
"Good morning," she whispered.
"It's afternoon," replied Jon.
"We thought you needed to rest," she replied, "Was your sleep beneficial?"
Jon smiled. "Yes," he said, "I'm feeling invigorated."
Trip moved slightly and his eyes opened. He grinned, and suddenly he had to thrust out one leg to keep the hammock from tossing the two of them on the deck.
"Mornin'," said Trip.
T'Pol got to her feet and threw her arms around Jon, kissing him deeply. "It took some discipline for the two of us to find the right position in the hammock. I believe three occupants would be an even more gratifying challenge."
Her eyes looked down at the clear evidence that Jon was up for the challenge. He put his coffee down and she led him toward the hammock. Jon always had relished a challenge.