by Macx
Author's note: imbrium, lat. = of rain
He gazed out over the wide open courtyard of the administrative building,
watching as strings of rain fell from the sky, saturating the dry earth.
When the first drops had hit the ground, small clouds of dust had exploded
everywhere. People had quickly sought cover inside the low, compact building,
and the courtyard as well as the streets had quickly emptied. Now, small
rivulets flowed across the packed earth, coming together for a much larger
puddle that grew and grew. Water dripped from the arches of the yard in
a continuous stream. The ground was turning slick with a thin layer of
mud.
Malcolm Reed leaned against the sandy stone alcove, feeling the cool
wall through his uniform, enjoying the fresh air that was brought with
the rain. The weather had been hot and sticky the last twelve hours, and
even the locals had complained about an unseasonable heat wave. Now, mother
nature cooled everything down with thundershowers.
Lightning illuminated the twilight afternoon sky, and only a few seconds
later, thunder crashed over them. Rain sprayed over his face as the wind
picked up. Somewhere, a piece of plastic wrapping had torn lose and now
flapped loudly in the wind.
Enko-Je was a beautiful planet. Very 'back to nature', no steel-and-glass
buildings, and a lot of open spaces that showed nothing but grass, trees
and mountains. The Je lived in sand stone or wooden buildings that fitted
perfectly into the landscape. The civilization had conquered space early
on, but then decided that their planet was enough. None of the other planets
or moons in their system held any life, and there had been no interest
in exploring further. So after a thousand years of exploration, they had
returned to their own world. Their technology was beyond Earth's, but they
were neither superior in their behavior, not condescending. Je lived in
what they called Houses, and the United Houses were led by a council. Captain
Archer was currently meeting with the council, discussing possible trade.
Enterprise needed to replenish supplies and was offering information about
Earth and other worlds. While no longer explorers, the Je were still curious.
Malcolm had come along as part of the security detail. Even the most
peaceful world might be dangerous and he wouldn't risk his captain or anyone
else on the team. With Archer, Hoshi and T'Pol had come along, as well
as Trip. Tucker had been fascinated by their natural technology right from
the start and the Je had allowed him to take a look at the machines. Ever
since, Trip had been buried up to his eyebrows in it.
Reed smiled. Typically his lover.
A fascinating display of lightning drew his attention. The ever-darkening
sky was in complete contrast to the purplish and white-blue electrical
discharge. At the horizon, faint yellow stripes could still be seen, but
in the last minutes, the darkness had grown. Some of the windows of the
building around him were lit. The meeting was apparently still progressing,
or it had been adjourned and everyone was enjoying a break, watching the
thunderstorm roll across the land.
He sensed the presence even before a pair of arms slid comfortably
around his waist. Malcolm didn't know why, but he seemed to recognize Trip
by now, his presence, his touch, maybe even his smell, though right now,
the earthy aroma of the rain-slick ground filled his nose.
"Beautiful," Tucker whispered into his ear as he pulled Malcolm against
him.
Part of the smaller man resisted. They were on an official mission
here; right in the middle of trade talks. Another part just wanted to watch
the spectacle around him, wrapped up safely in his lover's arms.
Trip kissed the side of his neck and smiled. "They're all busy," he
murmured. "Watchin' the thunder storm. Accordin' to the Je, this is just
the beginnin' of the thunder season. Most of the really big ones won't
hit till in about a week or two. Looks even more spectacular from up there."
"I suppose." Malcolm's eyes darted across the empty courtyard, tried
to penetrate the darkness. Was someone watching?
"You been here all the while?"
"Yes. I had a look around the compound."
Trip hugged him tighter once more. "Checkin' out the routes of escape?
Hidden dangers?" he teased lightly.
Malcolm smiled. "Of course. It is my job."
"And you do it so well."
The downpour of rain increased and with it the noise, as well as the
darkness. Trip pulled them deeper into the alcove as more rain sprayed
up. The sky was an almost inky black and the only illumination came from
the occasional lightning and the few lamps dotting the yard. It was eerie,
spooky, and strangely fascinating. Trip rested his head against Malcolm's
and the two men stood in the rapidly cooling air, silent, enjoying the
spectacle.
"Love you," Tucker murmured.
Malcolm blinked and twisted his head to look at the face of his lover,
hidden in the darkness. What had brought that on? Right out of the blue...
well, into the dark, actually, he mused with a grin.
"Trip?" he queried.
A soft laugh. "Can't I just express my feelin's for my lover?"
"Any time. You know that. I was just wondering..."
"Felt like it. Haven't told you in a while..."
A kiss was placed against one ear, then his earlobe was caressed by
a questing tongue and nipping teeth. Malcolm sighed softly, sinking more
against the taller body.
"We're in public, Trip," he whispered, wishing it wasn't so.
"Not at the moment. It's dark. Real bad weather. And we're in an alcove."
"It still is very public." Malcolm pulled away, forcing himself to
ignore the sudden loss of comfort and warmth. "What if we are caught? We
can't risk an incident."
Tucker sighed, nodded. It was a barely perceptible move in the darkness.
"'Course not." He reached out and briefly caressed Malcolm's cheek, the
lieutenant leaning into it. "Later?"
"Later," Reed promised.
Trip stole a last kiss, then kept his distance.
The thunderstorm lasted another two hours, in which the trade talks
ended and Archer was invited for an official dinner, as well as to spend
the night as the guest of honor. Looking at the still bad weather, Malcolm
had to agree it would be the safest course of action. Especially since
the forecast didn't show much change for the better. He walked to his room
and opened the door with the simple plastic card he had been given. As
it closed after him, he was surprised when someone pushed the door open
once more. His battle-ready stance made way for startlement. Trip slipped
inside, smiling as he shut it firmly.
"Trip...?"
Tucker pulled him close and kissed him gently, coaxing his lips apart,
licking over his tongue. Malcolm sighed into the intimate contact, arms
sliding around his lover's waist.
"You're staying?" he breathed when they separated.
"Yeah."
"But..."
"Don't'cha worry about bein' all proper and diplomatic, Mal." Trip
kissed his way along the exposed neck. "Got the room next to you. Damn
if I know why I confused those numbers on the doors."
Malcolm chuckled and kissed him back. "You've always had a bad sense
of direction and were night blind."
"'xactly. Starfleet's brightest an' finest at your service."
Outside, the thunder rumbled again and lightning painted the sky with
electricity as the second thunderstorm passed across them.
"Wanna watch?" Trip murmured against the ear he was giving a loving
treatment.
"You want to watch the weather?" Malcolm shot him a surprised look.
Tucker shrugged, almost embarrassed. "Kinda reminds me of home. The
thunderstorms, y'know. Mom and I used to watch them whenever one hit the
area. She loves thunderstorms."
Malcolm smiled. Home. He understood that feeling.
The room had a balcony that was partially covered, making it possible
to stay dry while sitting against the building wall. The two men wrapped
themselves up in a blanket. Trip settled between his lover's legs on the
comfortable, long seat that could have been a couch. Malcolm wrapped his
arms around him and their fingers interlaced over Tucker's stomach. Sinking
back, Malcolm enjoyed the warmth, the natural forces waging their own war
around them, and the very presence of the man he loved.
"This is real nice," Trip murmured, snuggling deeper.
"Hm. Very."
Lightning split the sky and made Reed flinch, then a roll of thunder
washed over them. Trip rubbed one forearm, drawing a smile from the other
man.
It was how they spent the time, neither one inclined to move, until
Trip almost fell asleep. Malcolm pulled him up and toward the bed, where
the two men just cuddled together. The weather didn't really abate. If
at all, it got even worse. Laying together in their own, private cocoon,
neither Trip nor Malcolm cared.
The rain was drumming against the windows, but neither man was bothered
by it.
"Y'know what's still missin'?" Trip mumbled softly.
"Hm?"
"An open fire place and hot chocolate with marshmellows."
Malcolm blinked and shot his lover a strange look. "Hot chocolate with
what?"
"Marshmellows. You know… the fluffy white stuff."
"I know marshmellows!"
"Okay, then why are you asking?" Trip asked.
"Hmpf. Well, I'd like to have mine with cinnamon."
The blond chuckled. "All that served while we're in front of that open
fire… on a bear skin rug."
Malcolm laughed and cuddled closer. "In absence of that… I prefer the
bare engineer."
Tucker raised an eyebrow. "In case you haven't noticed, I'm already
in the nude."
"Oh. Now that you mention it…"
"C'mere you!"
And Malcolm was pulled in a soft kiss.
