You have got to be kidding. Trip tried to hide the expression of anger, confusion, and embarrassment he knew was coming to his face. I'm gonna kill you, he thought to Archer.
"Trip. You're late."
"I am?"
"Only a minute and thirty-four seconds." T'Pol said in typical T'Pol fashion. Hoshi rolled her eyes subtly and Trip glared at Archer, who gave the same sort of smile a child does when he's caught doing something he shouldn't. At least it's a round table, Trip thought as he sat down across from Hoshi. At least this way everyone was the same distance from one another.
"So…" Archer tried, and failed, to initiate conversation. Nobody seemed interested in talking. T'Pol was Vulcan, Hoshi was tired, and Trip was angry. Oops. Should have been more subtle.
"So, I assume the lizard heads gave up?" Trip finally broke the ice.
"If you mean the Caladarians, yes." T'Pol gave a typical answer.
"What other 'lizard heads' would I be talkin' about?"
Hoshi smirked and shook her head slightly. "That was close, wasn't it?"
Archer nodded his assent. "They could have slaughtered us."
"They seem to be a somewhat logical species."
"Somewhat." Trip said. More than one close call today, and not all had to do with other species.
"This is delicious." Hoshi again.
So are y…stop it! Trip caught himself and smiled at her innocently, at least he hoped it seemed innocent.
"It is pretty good, ain't it?" He looked at Archer and glared again, subtly this time.
"I hope you don't mind Hoshi joining us, Trip."
"Course not." He said simply.
"Thanks again for the invitation, Captain." Hoshi sensed the strain between the two men and wondered what the cause was. I guess they had a serious argument in the corridor. I wonder what it was about?
"Glad to have you, Hoshi." Trip smiled at her and the tenseness seemed to dissipate. The conversation eventually picked up, and even T'Pol seemed to relax slightly. Trip told a story about being a kid in Florida that made Hoshi grin and Archer laugh out loud. T'Pol was less affected, telling Trip,
"I fail to see why you made such a decision, Commander."
"I was a kid, T'Pol. That's all."
"He's not the only human child to sneak out at night, Subcommander." Hoshi added. Archer gave her a look of mock disbelief.
"You, Hoshi? Sneaking out? That's hard to imagine."
"Yes, well, it wasn't hard for me to imagine, Sir." She smiled and stood up. "I think I'll call it a night."
Ever the gentlemen, Trip and Archer stood as well.
"Thank you, Captain. Commander, Subcommander." She stepped past them and walked out the door.
Trip sat down and sighed, as T'Pol stood up as well. Trip rolled his eyes and stood up again.
"You too, T'Pol?" Trip asked.
"I have scientific data to analyse. Thank you." She left, and Trip sighed even more as he collapsed into his chair.
"Cap'n…"
"You have something to say, Commander?" Archer practically grinned as he emphasized rank.
"I…nope. G'night, Cap'n." He stood up and left without another word. Archer had always enjoyed watching Trip squirm, and this was no different. It's good to be in charge, he thought as he too left for his quarters.
