Author Notes: Contains spoilers

The morning on Enterprise was quiet. Few people conversed and the stars slid silently by in their wake. Many of the crew were still peacefully asleep.

Phlox was studying a Denobulan medical journal in the Mess Hall when someone sat across from him. He smiled and glanced up, expecting Crewman Cutler. His features lit up with delight when he saw that it was T'Pol. Though aloof, the Vulcan was already developing an excellent rapport with him. Being the only aliens on the ship did a great deal to cement friendships.

"Ah, Subcommander. I trust that your day is going well?" Though he kept his overzealous inflection, the volume of his voice dropped slightly.

"The day has barely begun, Doctor." She ate a spoonful of her Plomeek broth.

Everyone in the mess hall was a little bleary eyed and disheveled in appearance so early in the morning. T'Pol was the immaculate exception. The maroon turtleneck she wore bore her usual pips and the throat of the garment was a light cream color. Phlox thought it looked pleasant on her. She did have excellent taste when it came to color.

"There is something I have wanted to bring to your attention, Doctor."

"Oh?" The Denobulan's eyebrows rose and he silently urged her to continue.

T'Pol's eyes darted around for a moment before she spoke. "I have come to suspect that one of the senior staff is not practicing proper hygiene."

Phlox remained impassive. "I see."

Undeterred, T'Pol continued. "I have chosen to divulge this information to you because you are in the most preferable position to provide guidance for this crewman and you would be able to keep the matter discreet."

Phlox seemed nonplussed as he stirred his tea and removed the teabag. "And the identity of this crewman is?..."

T'Pol lowered her voice. "Mr. Reed."

"Ah."

"You do not appear to be surprised by this information."

Phlox smiled softly. "Tell me, T'Pol, what has brought this situation to your attention?"

T'Pol swallowed before divulging. "Mr. Reed is a very attentive and diligent officer, but his presence has become...difficult. My nasal numbing agent is effective for blocking the scent of the other crewmen but his is much stronger than the scent of the others."

"I see."

"I have suggested that he utilize the showering facilities in the gymnasium whenever he felt it necessary and he assured me that he uses them frequently. However, I have reason to doubt him. His aroma is quite...pungent."

"I wish that you hadn't done that."

T'Pol raised her eyebrows.

"Has it occurred to you that his...aroma might have an unavoidable cause?"

T'Pol's brow furrowed. "Is there a medical condition that would have such an effect?"

Phlox smiled. "Ah, I have perhaps said too much. But the fact remains that Mr. Reed is a very sensitive individual and I'm sure that he is doing everything in his power to correct the situation. In the meantime might I suggest that you merely try to tolerate his scent?"

T'Pol appeared somewhat appeased. "I will continue to make an effort. As long as you are aware of his situation I am confident that the matter will be competently handled. As a superior officer it was my duty to express interest for a fellow officer's wellbeing."

Phlox's smile did not quite reach his eyes. "I assure you that I am very aware of Mr. Reed's situation. I appreciate your discretion by informing only me. I would prefer it if you would regard this conversation as a confidential consultation."

T'Pol nodded dutifully. "I will not divulge this information to anyone else. Though I doubt that if I informed the Captain that he would have taken the topic with the gravity it requires. He seems to derive amusement from the opinion my species holds about the scent of humans."

Phlox chuckled more light-heartedly. "Ah, yes. Humans do smell strongly, but I find the scent quite...Earthy if you will pardon the pun. They smell as different as exotic species of fungi or roots in a foreign soil. Denobulans find such scents intriguing."

Now it was T'Pol's turn to look impassive. Though allies, the Vulcans thought of Denobulans as a curious species that took great enthusiasm in the exploration of everything. Denobulans enjoyed learning about the places and people they knew and also the unknown, and regarded such ventures as equal of interest.

"Ah, I remember my first interaction with a human. I met with a visitor on Denobula when I was a Junior Medic..."

T'Pol continued to eat her Plomeek broth as she listened to the doctor tell his story. He fashioned the tale with his usual visual embellishments. It achieved its desired effect. It diverted her attention away from any further discussion about the tactical officer.

Malcolm and Trip had taken a breather from each other after the incident with Shuttlepod One. The distance did not last long. Trip had the most success getting Malcolm into an amiable enough mood to socialize. Malcolm's pessimism dulled around the commander in a way he never thought possible. He found himself wanting to converse regularly with the engineer and Trip was pleased to share a drink him and watch a film after their shifts. It was one such evening that Malcolm gave something away.

The Lieutenant's medications were wearing off. Medicine had evolved enough to develop a drug that minimized his symptoms and since then he made certain to always medicate himself before coming onto the bridge. However, in this relaxed atmosphere in Trip's quarters he had quite forgotten.

Trip was in the middle of telling him about a prank he had played on the captain early in their friendship when it happened. Trip had already been laughing between swigs of beer and Malcolm gave an appreciative chuckle. A loud noise interrupted them. Trip looked over at Malcolm.

"What the hell was that?" He started laughing, his expression incredulous. Surely the prim and proper Lieutenant did not just loudly slip wind.

"It was-" The color in Malcolm's cheeks rose as the sound repeated and trailed off.

Trip doubled over laughing and he nearly fell out of his desk chair. Malcolm chuckled nervously, going along with the situation. He had never anticipated revealing this in the current scenario. He had been somewhat anxious about making noise on the bridge. He would have been mortified there, but here in front of Trip things were different. He would happily pass it off as flatulence if it amused Trip so greatly.

"It was simply some air." He coughed, playing up his embarrassment.

"Oh, is that what they call it?" Trip was still chuckling and grinning like a loon.

Malcolm smiled too.

"Gawd. You're terrible, Malcolm. Who would've guessed? It seems you Brits aren't so fussy after all."

"Fussy?" Malcolm frowned.

"You know, all well-mannered and such."

Malcolm proceeded to get into a mock fight with him about American stereotypes and the like. The slip up was no longer important. Malcolm mentally sighed, shoulders slumping slightly. He knew that he would have managed to keep this from his friend. Right now he was just grateful that he did not have to outright lie to him.

Somehow, he still felt like he was holding something back that he should have told Trip. He had managed to hide it in the shuttlepod. It was his own private business, he reminded himself. He was under no obligation to tell his superiors. Still, there was so much vital information tied up in this one thread of knowledge about himself. Features firming, he resolved to keep it confidential for as long as he could.

tbc