Disclaimer: I don't own any of the rights to anything Star Trek. They are the property of CBS/Paramount. The storyline and the new characters in it are the only things I claim as mine. I'm not making any money off of this. I'm only playing with the characters and their world for fun. Thanks.

Rated T: For some romance and language.

A/N: Since this is the one story I'm kind of writing as I go –although I do have some of it planned out in my mind – I'm more flexible with it. Some of my readers have been after me to have something happen between Archer and Mai, so I decided to write this little chapter around those requests. It still furthers the story, but it adds a little spice into the mix. Something does happen between Archer and Mai, but you'll just have to read and find out what it is. Also, Andrus is not going to sit on the sidelines either; he's after Mai's heart as well. Oh, and we can't forget about dear Malcolm either. So this chapter is about how complicated things can get between people. I hope readers like it. I know it gave my beta reader, LadyRainbow a good laugh, so maybe it will others too. Please drop me a line and let me know what you think. Reviews are so sweet to get. Thanks and enjoy!!!!

Chapter 9

Complications

When Major Donnelly finally awoke from her deep slumber, she felt trapped. Her movement was restricted, not from restraints, but from the lack of available space. It was then that she realized that she was snuggled up in male flesh. Andrus slept on one side of her, and Lieutenant Reed slept on the other. Both of them had an arm wrapped around her, as if trying to hold her close to each of them; one from in front of her and the other from behind her. What in the hell? How had they gotten in this position? What had happened last night? Mairead's head spun with the possibilities. They were all at least still clothed. She remembered her bath, but not much after that.

She felt stiff, and she ached all over, from head to toe. The men's proximity was making her too warm as well. Mairead needed to remove herself from this sandwich situation as fast as she could. Her head was resting not the pillow as she thought it should be; instead, it was lying on Andrus' broad chest, and Lieutenant Reed's head was lying on her shoulder. Getting away from them was going to be tough. She didn't want to wake either one of them up and have to face them.

Mairead gently nudged Reed off her shoulder and shifted away from him. His head now found itself on her pillow, but she was almost on top of Andrus; that made her heart skip a beat. Despite her better judgment, she was attracted to the alien. She squashed those thoughts, and worked on slowly wiggling herself free of his grasp. Once she was loose, she attempted to slide off the end of the bed. Her sore body made it more difficult and more painful than normal, and she ended up falling onto the floor, taking Andrus with her. He tumbled out of bed as well, landing right on top of her. Mairead cursed as pain shot throughout her body; it didn't need this extra abuse.

Andrus was now wide awake and trying to figure out what was going on. The fall had startled him, but it happened too fast for him to cry out. Now he groaned as his body felt the consequences of gravity, and then he became conscious of someone underneath him. He and Mai were in a tangled heap on the floor. How had that happened? He instantly felt Mai's panic and her pain.

"Are you all right, Mai?" he asked gently. "What happened?"

"I-I-I was tryin' ta git outta bed, and I-I guess I fell," she said lamely. Mairead found herself staring into his deep brown eyes. A shiver of delight slowly made its way down her spine, taking the edge off her bodily discomfort. Her body was liking the feel of Andrus on top of her, and she felt herself blush. Her mind returned to worrying about what had happened last night.

Andrus couldn't help but read her thoughts; she was practically tossing them at him. "Nothing happened last night, Mai," he reassured her. "Lydia came by to check up on us and see how things were going. Before she entered the room, Malcolm and I got into the bed and pretended to get cozy with you. It seemed to satisfy her, and she left. We must have fallen asleep before we could move. I'm sorry if that made you uncomfortable." He was picking up on her attraction to him, but he was cautious in his reaction to it even though he was rather enjoying it. Her warm body underneath his was very welcome.

He noticed a piece of her honey blonde hair had come loose from its braid, so he reached his hand out and moved it away from her face. He ended up tucking it behind her ear. Mai shivered. "Are you cold, Mai?" he inquired softly, knowing full well that was not why she was trembling.

"No," she whispered in return, afraid to say anything else.

She wanted him to stroke her cheek. Much to her surprise and pleasure, he did; softly, slowly, and oh so tantalizingly. Their eyes met again and fire danced between them. Andrus leaned into her and found himself brushing his lips with hers. Mairead responded eagerly, allowing him to fully kiss her. A pleasant warmth washed through her, as the kiss deepened, and they explored each other's mouths.

"Major Donnelly?" came Lieutenant Reed's query. "Andrus? Where are you two?"

Mairead jumped at the sound of his voice and broke away from the Betazoid. He, too, sprung back a bit, not wanting Reed to catch them in such a compromising position. Andrus was trying to understand what had just occurred between him and the human woman. He had not only felt her desire for him, but also her desire for someone to love her. He realized that he desperately wanted to be that someone.

"We're down on the floor, Malcolm," Andrus was the first to answer Reed's question.

"What in heaven's name are you doing down there?" the lieutenant asked, and his face appeared over the end of the bed. "Are you two all right?"

"We're fine, Lieutenant," Mairead now spoke up. "I was tryin' ta git outta of bed, slipped and fell, and uh, accidentally dragged Andrus with me," she then explained, working at controlling her voice and her blushing.

I wish it would have been me she had accidentally pulled out of bed with her, Malcolm thought wryly. That could have been very enjoyable. Malcolm suddenly realized how unprofessional his thoughts were, and feared Andrus reading them. Thinking of the alien, Malcolm silently wondered how the Betazoid had reacted to falling on top of the lovely Major, for he assumed from their position on the floor, even though they were slightly apart, Andrus would have to have landed on top of her. Now that thought angered Malcolm, and he felt jealousy rear its ugly head. He had no right to be jealous, but he was in spite of himself. He found himself wanting to question them further as to what they had been doing after they fell out of the bed; their coloring was rather pink, as if from embarrassment. Had it really been an 'accident' or had they fallen out of bed because they were doing more than sleeping? Stop it right there, he chastised himself. It's none of your bloody business.

A knock at the door thankfully save the couple on the floor from having to elaborate any further. A voice followed the knock. "Milady Donnelly, Queen Hippolyta wishes your audience."

Crap, the queen was right outside. Andrus was quick on his feet, signaling to Malcolm to straighten up the bed, while Andrus himself, grabbed Mai a robe to put over her silvery nightgown and helped her back into the bed.

"What do I say?" she hissed at Andrus.

"Tell the announcer that you'd be honored to visit with the queen, and tell your door guard to allow them in," Andrus instructed quietly.

Mairead did just that. As Hippolyta waltzed into the room, Andrus, with Reed following his lead, stood at strict attention on either side of the bed. Mairead almost found herself on the floor again as she realized Jonny was trailing behind the queen. He looked worn out, like he hadn't gotten much sleep. That thought sent Mairead's imagination off in the wrong direction. A fiery jealousy flared up inside of her, even though she had just been kissing a strange alien herself. Had Jonny spent all night making Hippolyta a happy woman? Mairead sure hoped not.

"Good morning, Major Donnelly," Hippolyta said way too cheery for Mairead's liking. "I trust that you slept well," she added, glancing at Reed and Tam with a raise of her elegant eyebrows.

"Like the dead, your Highness," Mairead replied, half-respectful, half not. She then crossed her arms over her chest as she sat in the bed. "Your First Commander made it impossible ta do anythin' else."

Hippolyta's face clouded over for a moment. "I apologize for Lydia's overzealousness. I honestly don't know what got into her. She must really think highly of your skills and potential to go after you that way she did so strongly yesterday."

"Am I to expect the same kinda experience today?" Mairead asked testily.

"By the goddess, no," Hippolyta said patiently. "We want you to experience the delights of our society first. Yesterday was merely a preliminary examination. We can do more of that kind of testing later."

Mairead was trying to concentrate on what the queen was saying, but her gaze kept flicking to Jonny standing behind the sovereign. The young major started when she caught him sliding his gaze toward her more often than not. She thought she caught worry in his eyes and something else she couldn't quite identify.

"We have a full day of enjoyment set up for you today, and even a view of how we do business with other species," Hippolyta was saying. "You will be able to go on a hunt, have fine food and drink, watch a gladiatorial match, and observe a meeting between our representatives and those from the Orion Syndicate. I think that you will find all of it most illuminating."

Mairead watched Jonny twitch behind the queen at the mention of the Orion Syndicate. That name sounded very familiar to Mairead. It must have been in one of the mission reports she had read before coming aboard the Enterprise. Jonny had had dealings with the Orions, but they had ended up being unfavorable ones, as she recalled. This was not good.

"And," the queen continued on, "you will be able to enjoy all and any of the male company you wish." Hippolyta suddenly turned coy. "Even the company of this one," she purred, slipping behind Jonny and sliding a hand up his back, over his shoulders, and down his chest.

Mairead's mouth fell open at the queen's words. Why would Hippolyta let her new "toy" out of her sight? Jonny appeared to be just as surprised at this turn of events as Mairead felt. She noticed how Jonny squirmed when Hippolyta ran her hand over his taunt body. Maybe Jonny hadn't gotten too friendly with the Arterminian woman after all. Watching the queen's movements had made something pull low in Mairead's stomach. She'd love to do what Hippolyta had just done. Mairead shook herself mentally to clear her head of those kinds of thoughts; they were dangerous. What was wrong with her? Too many good looking men around with not enough clothes on, she guessed.

"Not to sound ungrateful, yer Majesty," Mairead said when she had found her voice again, "but why would ya allow Jon—Cap'n Archer outta yer custody."

Hippolyta smiled slyly at Archer, and then at Mairead. The queen had caught Mairead's slip. She then explained her reasoning. "This is one male who has a way with words. He entertained me all night long with his storytelling. In the course of his recounting his fascinating tales, you came up more than once in them. Archer explained to me about how human males and females interact with one another as equals. He told me of your long standing 'friendship'. I'm curious to see this kind of relationship play out. It is unheard of among my people.

"I'm only allowing this to go on today and tonight, however," the queen went on. "I can't afford the two of you too much time, but my curiosity to observe your interaction must be satisfied."

When Mairead remained in shocked silence, the queen still had more to say. After she eyed Reed and Tam carefully for a moment, she said, "I think I will borrow the one called Reed from you in exchange. I don't want three of your from you ship together; that would not be very wise on my part. I have also all ready sampled Tam." She gave Andrus a sultry look. "He is most pleasing, but Reed would be something new to experience, something different to explore."

Mairead turned slightly to glance at the lieutenant in question. Although his face was a blank mask, his ramrod straight posture gave away his discomfort; at least to Mairead it did. "It would be lovely ta spend time with Jon—Cap'n Archer," Mai wanted to kick herself for slipping with his name once again, "but I'd like ta make sure Lieutenant Reed is okay with the situation first."

Malcolm gave her a grateful glance. Hippolyta laughed right out loud. "Oh, Major, you are so quaint to think to ask your male's opinion. That is something we will have to weed out of you. A male's opinion does not matter. He will do as he is told regardless of how he feels about it," was the queen's reply.

Mairead felt a huge urge to argue with the queen, but a subtle shake of Jonny's head made her swallow her remarks. "Yes, yer Majesty," she said instead.

Hippolyta flashed Mairead a dazzling smile. "Excellent, my dear," she said with satisfaction. "Get dressed, enjoy your breakfast, and then join me in my gardens. I and Lydia will tell you all about the hunt we have planned for you, and what you will be expected to do." The queen actually bounced a little on the balls of her feet, she was so excited.

"I'll look forward to it," Mairead replied with a fake smile.

The hot pink-skinned woman turned her attention to Malcolm then. "Come here, Reed," she commanded.

Malcolm hesitated a moment, battling within himself to be obedient or defiant. Right now, he decided, it was wiser to obey. He slowly walked over to where the queen was standing. Archer stayed where he was, hoping to speak to his Chief of Security, if even for a second. Malcolm then stood in front of the queen as she looked him over from head to foot, like a piece of livestock. It took everything he had to stand there with no expression on his face and to control his steadily rising anger.

"You will do nicely," the queen finally concluded. She undid the chain and collar from around Archer's neck and placed it around Malcolm's. He had to grit his teeth to stay calm. "Let's go get something to eat," Hippolyta then instructed.

The whole time Mairead was talking with the Arterminian queen, Andrus was quietly taking stock of the situation. Mairead's thoughts were so easy to read, especially when she was distracted. She was a boon of new information for him. Her emotions were also all over the place, helping him to read them at his leisure. He sensed her nervousness, her surprise, her relief, her worry, her momentary joy, and finally, her disgust at the queen's attitude. She was such a complicated being.

So, this Captain Archer, the commander of the starship, was the Jonny that Andrus had picked up on in Mai's thoughts once before; the one she had fond feelings for. It became painfully clear to Andrus that this man was the one she yearned to give her heart to. Mai was very much in love with Archer, but she had never said anything about how she felt to the human captain. The Betazoid also found a deep and strong friendship between the two humans. He knew from her surfaces thoughts that they were not mates, nor in a romantic relationship, which he found odd because he sensed a profound affection in each of them for each other. Why were they not together?

Andrus was relieved that they weren't, however. He had his own sights set on the beautiful human woman, and he didn't want any competition. He wanted to probe deeper and find out more about her relationship with Archer, but he couldn't without her permission. Well, he could, but that would be breaking his species' ethical code, and he was not about to that, yet. Andrus decided to switch to trying to pick up on Archer's surface thoughts.

Archer's mind was much more guarded than Mai's. His thoughts were under tighter control. Was it gender or position that made that so? Andrus didn't know. A light scan of Archer's stray thoughts was enlightening, however. Jonathan Archer was just as in love with Mai as she was with him. The Captain was deeply worried about her, but hopeful she would help him plan his people's escape. Andrus sensed Archer's struggle to remain professional and clear headed around Mai. He was her superior in the chain-of-command, and it was against regulations for them to be anything more than friends, yet that was not the true reason Archer had never expressed his feelings toward Mai.

The Betazoid was intrigued by all this. He could also sense a thread of jealousy running through Archer's thoughts. Most of it was directed at Mai's late husband, but it was also directed at the idea of Mai being around so many males. Andrus felt the human should be jealous. Mai was a light in the darkness, and if Archer had not seized her, shame on him. Andrus would not let this woman slip through his fingers so easily. He would win her over and beat Archer to the finish line. Mai's kiss had set his mind and body on fire, and he would have her for himself.

The queen had paused by the door to the bedroom waiting expectantly. Andrus gave Reed a look, telling him without words to open the door for the monarch. Malcolm quickly understood what he needed to do and complied. Hippolyta only got a few feet out into the hallway before she stopped again to converse with some of the guards. Archer was quick to take advantage of the situation. He made his way over to Malcolm who was now stuck waiting, holding the door.

"Sorry about this, Malcolm," he whispered to his tactical officer.

"I'll be fine, Captain," was the lieutenant's hushed reply. "Talk to Andrus. He and I have started to devise a plan to get us out of here. He'll be able to fill you and Major Donnelly in. She was asleep when we discussed it. She really took a beating yesterday."

"I saw," Archer said as quietly as possible. "Is she okay?"

"A little sore, but I think she'll be all right," Malcolm told his captain. "The three of you can work on our plan further. I'll see if I can pass the ideas on to any other members of the crew I come into contact with."

Archer was glad somebody was thinking about a way out of this mess. "You trust that...that man?" he then asked, indicating Andrus with a slight turn of his head.

"So far," Reed informed the Captain. "I'd still be cautious, but he might be our best bet out of here. He is an alien, Captain, though he looks human. He is what he called a Betazoid. He is telepathic and empathetic, so be careful of your thoughts around him."

Reed's last statement took Archer aback. He would have to be careful, for some of his thoughts and feelings were not meant to be shared. "You know that Trip and Travis are down in the kitchens right?" Archer decided to concentrate on the more important matter at hand.

"Yes," Malcolm answered. "I'll pass along what I can to them if I have to go make breakfast for the queen."

"Good. I'll do what I can from my end," the Captain said hurriedly, as Hippolyta had ceased talking to the guards and compelled Malcolm to follow her.

Archer closed the door after they were gone. He leaned against it and let out a long, labored breath. He was free from the queen's attentions for a little while at least. He had never talked so much in his life, but in the end it had paid off. He had pleased Hippolyta without having to compromise his moral principles, and he now found himself right where he wanted to be, with Mai.

Speaking of which, she was suddenly out of the bed and running toward him. He felt her arms slip around him in a tight embrace before his eyes actually registered her standing in front of him. The robe and nightgown she was wearing was silky sooth, and she was soft and warm. Her attentions were very welcome. He found himself hugging her back for all he was worth. She smelled so sweet, like lilacs; he breathed her essence in as much as he could.

"Oh, Jonny," was all she could say as she gripped him firmly to her. "This is a nightmare," she was able to add. She winced as all her actions made her sore body ache.

"Tell me about it, Mai," he replied tenderly. He smiled as she rested her head on his shoulder; well more like on his chest because he was so much taller than she was. It felt so damn good to hold her. He felt her flinch as if in pain, and he tried to sooth her, massaging her back and neck gently.

The clearing of someone's throat broke the moment. "I'm sorry to interrupt your reunion, but I don't have much time to bring you both up to speed on what Malcolm and I discussed earlier."

"And you are?" Archer asked bluntly.

"Cap'n, this is Andrus Tam of the planet Betazed," Mai answered for Andrus, pulling back from Archer a little bit, but not totally away from him.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Tam," Archer tried to say politely. "I'm Captain Jonathan Archer of the Earth starship Enterprise." As he spoke, Archer really focused his attention on the alien for the first time. His human-like appearance was still amazing to the Captain.

Tam offered him a small smile. "Likewise, Captain Archer. Both Malcolm and Mai have spoken highly of you. I want you to know up front that my species has telepathic and empathetic abilities. We don't read people's minds against their will, as a general rule, but I can sense stray surface thoughts and emotions that are not well controlled. And I am as surprised as you are that our species' appearances are so similar."

Archer appreciated the alien being up front and confirming the information Malcolm had passed on to his captain. Reed had said to be cautious around this man, but that he was their best chance to escape. The Captain guessed his wonderment at Tam's appearance must be one of those surface thoughts that the Betazoid could sense. "Lieutenant Reed mentioned you and he had begun planning a way to get out of these less-than-ideal circumstances," he said, getting down to business now.

"I miss my homeworld probably as much as you do, Captain," Tam told Archer honestly. "I miss my family, those I work with, and my friends. I long to be my own person again and not some female's plaything. I want out of here as much as you do; believe me."

Mairead was shocked. "You and Lieutenant Reed already started plannin' an escape? Where was I?"

"You were so tired last night from your bout with Lydia that you just passed out after your bath," Andrus explained to her. "You even missed out on the delicious meal Malcolm prepared for you."

At the mention of food, Mairead's stomach rumbled. She hadn't had anything to eat for a very long time. Eating something right now was a very appealing idea. She felt bad for wasting all of Reed's hard work. Archer, however, was still back at Tam's mention of Mairead having a bath. What went on in here last night? The thought of any man touching Mairead that intimately angered Archer.

Andrus picked up on both thoughts with their accompanying emotions. "I can show Captain Archer how to reheat the food from last night. It was put in stasis for when you could enjoy it. It isn't wasted, Mai." Andrus chose to not to respond to Archer's thought.

"You did it again, didn't ya?" Mairead asked, shaking her head in amusement.

"Did what?" Archer inquired. "What did he do?"

"He took the words right outta me mouth," she said, finally leaving Archer's arms and walking over to the table with the stasis-held food still on it. "I guess alla me thoughts are just hung out there fer him to grab on ta."

Andrus gave the Captain an apologetic look. "I'm really trying not to intrude on either of your thoughts, but you humans have no apparent training in blocking them."

An awkward silence fell over them, and Mairead felt the need to break it. "I'll go find something more appropriate ta wear, while you two do as Andrus suggested and warm up the food. I, fer one, am stravin'. Is there enough fer all of us ta eat?" she then asked of the Betazoid.

"I believe so," was Andrus' reply. "Let us know if you need any help changing," he said automatically, as he had been trained to do.

Archer gave him a very hard look, and Andrus could sense the human male's disapproval of the suggestion. Mai rushed in to quell the rising storm. "I think I can manage on me own, but thanks." Then she rushed off in the direction of the enormous walk-in closet the bedroom had in it. Hopefully, it contained something she could wear and feel comfortable in. She longed for her plain and drab MACO uniform.

The closet was filled with clothes, but they were mostly dresses. Ever since Mairead had resigned herself to being a MACO soldier, she had boycotted dresses. They didn't feel right on her anymore, and they were not practical in her line of work. She was very disappointed in her selection too; even though it was extensive, and they seemed to be tailored to her size. The dresses were all more revealing than she would have liked. Her frustration was giving way to anger, and her aching body was not helping the situation either. Mairead started to go through each dress, one by one, trying to find something suitable. Each one she passed in disgust. Finally, she let out a string of Gaelic curses that would have even made Matthew Hayes blush.

"You okay in here, Mai?" Jonny's worried voice came from behind her, startling her.

When she had recovered, she all but growled her answer, "I can't find a single bloody thing ta wear that isn't designed fer a prostitute in here."

Archer tried not to laugh at her predicament; it could have been much worse. "Can I be of any assistance?" he then inquired, struggling not to smile. He knew that would fire her Irish temper up even more, and he didn't want to do that. An angry Mai was really scary.

"I doubt it, Jonny," she signed wearily, "but you can give it the old college try."

"Sure," he said, and began his own perusal of the closet's contents. He really knew nothing of women's clothing or fashion, but he knew what he liked. After a few minutes, he started to see what Mai had meant by her earlier comment. All of the dresses seemed to have a common theme; they weren't made to be worn for very long, for any male would want to strip them right off to get at what was underneath. That was a bad thought for him to have; especially with Mai standing right next to him.

Then he found something that he thought might work. It was a beautiful light blue color and longer in length. It would really bring out Mai's stunning eyes. The front seemed modest enough, and the straps were about three fingers wide. This one should do the trick. "How about this one?" he asked of his friend.

Mairead came closer to him, and taking it in her hands, she examined it closely. "Not bad," she conceded. She turned it over in her hands and gasped. It had a very low back; a plunging one even. "On second thought, I don't think so," she informed him with a grimace.

"It's not that bad, Mai," Archer said, defending his choice. True, the back was a little low, but it would cover Mai better than anything else the Captain had seen in the closet.

"I can't wear somethin' like that, Jonny," she half-whined.

"Why not?" he asked seriously. "You'd look gorgeous in it, Mai." Did he just say that out loud? That was not good. What was wrong with him? It must be his lack of sleep. Or maybe it was that fact that Mai was right here in front of him in a nightgown.

Mairead gave him a surprised look, and she blushed deeply. "I appreciate the compliment, Cap'n, but that's not the point. I've got ta fine somethin' more coverin' than that." She used his title to dispel the rush of feelings his comment has stirred in her. It was nice to know he could look at her as woman and not just a friend; it kind of surprised her too.

"Okay, okay," Archer relented, hiding his disappointment.

They began searching through the dresses again, but after several more minutes they'd come up dry. "Bollocks," Mai hissed. "What I wouldn'ta give for a pair of pants."

Archer then noticed the front of one dress. It was a shade darker blue than the one he'd chosen for Mai. It looked like the strips across the chest area unhooked from both sides. He suddenly had an idea. He could take the strips off the front of the one dress and hook them on the back of the other. They would provide Mai with the coverage she wanted. His Boy Scout training was kicking in again; take from one thing to use for another, when your choices were limited.

"Give me that light blue dress I showed you earlier. I have an idea," he said mysteriously.

Mairead eyed him skeptically, like she had done a millions times before. It made a wave of nostalgia wash over Archer. "Go for it," she finally said, handing the dress over to him.

He went into the bathroom, for there was a passage way through the closet to the bathroom besides door into it from out in the bedroom. "Find me something like scissors, or like a knife," he requested of her. He'd use the sink as a work bench. While she started searching through drawers and cupboards for the needed item, Archer began removing the crossways strips from the dark blue dress; they came off easily. Then he turned the light blue dress over and counted to see how many strips and hooks he'd need to make his idea work.

Having found what looked like some type of cutting instrument; Mairead joined Archer at the sink and watched him work his magic. He cut tiny slits on each side of the back of the light blue dress, measuring for the width, and shortening the crossways strips where needed. The hooks on each side of the strips fit perfectly into the slits Archer had cut, effectively covering up the back of the dress with four horizontal strips. The adaption he'd made actually blended in well with the light blue dress' coloring and design, making it modest and stylish at the same time.

Mairead couldn't believe her eyes. It reminded her of the time he'd made a makeshift compass to find their way through a blizzard to a mutual friend's cabin. Premade, mechanical compasses hadn't been allowed, as it was part of a test, but Jonny had gotten around that by bringing supplies to make a compass out of simple, everyday household items. It was a very fond memory; one she cherished. Now her good friend had come through for her again. Mairead's heart swelled with gratefulness, and she loved him all the more.

"Thanks, Jonny," she found herself gushing. "You really know how ta help a damsel in distress. I don't know how I've gotten along without ya all these years. Yer wonderful."

Now Archer felt himself blushing, but he had genuinely wanted to please Mai; make her happy. It seemed as if he had. "Oh, I don't know," he replied modestly. "I think you know how to handle yourself pretty well. I'm just glad I could be useful."

"Yer always useful, Jonny," Mairead told him affectionately. "Always."

She couldn't stop herself from hugging him again; despite the hurt it could cause her abused body. Whatever fragranced soap the Arterminians had let him bath with smelled divine, almost like a sweet cologne. His skin was warm and inviting. His body was lean and strong. Mairead could stay in his arms all day and be content. She felt Jonny hugged her back, holding her tight, and rubbing her back soothingly again. She didn't want this moment to end; it was a calm in the storm; peace in the chaos of war.

Archer couldn't make himself let go of her. Here in his arms was everything he wanted and had been denied. His body was starting to react to hers, and he had a flash of his dream from just a few nights ago. He had to fight against this, for this was Mai, his friend and his subordinate. Temptation was walling him in on every side, however, and he realized he was sick and tried of fighting how he really felt.

He found himself drawing them closer together, his hands putting pressure on her back to push her into him more. He could feel the curves of her body, and it made his heart speed up. He also felt a little lightheaded. Archer looked down at her, wondering if she would be confused and upset at his actions. He was surprised to find a hungry look in her eyes. It emboldened him, and after studying her full and pouty lips, he covered her mouth with his. Mai didn't resist; in fact, she met him movement for movement. The kiss took on a life of its own, growing more and more passionate with each motion. Their hands caressed each others backs, stroking tenderly.

Mairead felt herself backed into one of the bathroom's mirrored walls. She was in heaven. Jonny tasted so good, so masculine; sweet and sour at the same time. She lost herself in each sensation, savoring each one. Was this really happening? It had to be; none of her fantasies had ever felt this good. Her mind and spirit were on fire; burning with a desire she hadn't felt in a long time. Tommy had never made her feel like this, and neither had Andrus, in the brief kiss they'd shared. Jonny was perfect; better than her wildest dreams. He was what she really wanted. This was too good to be true.

"The food is ready," Andrus' voice sounded in the distance.

The impassioned couple didn't hear him. One of Mairead's hands had slipped up Archer's back and neck. She caressed his neck and ran her fingers through his short brown hair. Archer's hands wandered up and down Mai's back sending chills throughout her body. He was kissing her with everything he had, not holding back any longer. Mairead kissed him back just as ardently. It was like a dam had broken and all the water was rushing out to flood the valley below. Both of them were finally giving into what they had felt for a very long time. Neither one of them cared about the consequences of later; all that matter was the here and now.

"Breakfast is read--, oh," Andrus stopped short of what he was saying as he walked into the bathroom, catching Archer and Mai in their fiery embrace. The sight threw accelerant on Andrus' jealous feelings. He wasn't a mean person by nature, but he wanted to squelch this budding romance in anyway possible. He chose to embarrass them, especially Mai. He loudly said, "Is it a human custom to greet every man a female sees with such intimacy?"

Even in Mai's pleasure-hazed state, she heard Andrus' remark. She instantly broke her kiss with Archer and pulled away from him. She was turning beet red. What in the bloody hell was wrong with her? First she'd lost herself a bit with Andrus, and now she was making out with her captain. She wasn't usually like this around men. Was the Arterminian way of life rubbing off on her? Was it because she hadn't been intimate with a man for a long time? Tommy had been gone for months now, and before that they had been assigned to different locations. It had been a while before Tommy died that they had been able to be together as husband and wife. Was this the way her mind was trying to cope with her situation? That didn't bode well either; she'd been trained better than this. So what was wrong with her?

Archer didn't miss Tam's comment either. As he looked at Mai, his fear was confirmed; something had happened between the alien and Mai. She wouldn't look him in the eye, and her face was scarlet. That realization totally dashed the hope the Captain had begun to feel toward he and Mai's relationship. He had started to convince himself that Mai actually felt the same way he did; that she was in love with him like he was in love with her. She wouldn't have kissed him like that if she didn't feel something more than friendship. But now he'd learned she had also kissed, or God forbid, done something more with Tam. Maybe her reaction to his impulsive actions was really not her own. Maybe the Arterminians were influencing her in some way. Archer felt like someone had reached into his chest and ripped his heart out.

Mairead had no idea how to explain her actions, to either man. She felt so cheap. "I'm…I'm...I don't…Somethin's…," she stammered and couldn't form a complete thought. "Oh, shit," she finally managed and fled the bathroom. She didn't know where she could go, but she had to get away from both of these men.

"Mai, wait!" Archer called after her, suddenly worried about her. She must feel awful right now, and he wasn't do anything to help her.

"Did I say something wrong?" Andrus asked innocently.

"I don't know; you tell me, you're the empath. How's Mai feeling right now? How am I feeling right now?" Archer asked bitterly.

Andrus experienced a flash of guilt, but then pushed it aside. Mai would be his, not Archer's. What he had said had been for her own good, no matter how bad it made her feel. "I can sense that I've obviously said something that has upset you both. I'm terribly sorry. It just surprised me to see her being affectionate with you, when she had also been affectionate with me. She doesn't seem like the kind of female to give her affection easily. She is not like the Arterminian women I've had to deal with," Andrus explained, trying to give Archer some type of rationalization. Most of what he said was true, but his reasons for saying weren't.

"Maybe we should talk about how to get out of here, rather than dwell on all this right now," Archer replied, knowing all this drama was a distraction. He wanted to deal with it, for Mai's sake, but it could not be their top priority right now. Escaping these dominating aliens was. He had his entire crew to think about, not just himself and his personal feelings.

"Agreed, Captain," Andrus said. Then he added, "It might be the best thing for Major Donnelly too." He used Mairead's more formal name to try and appear detached for Archer's sake. Andrus didn't want the human male to be too consciously aware of his intentions toward the exquisite Mai.

They walked out of the bathroom together and found Mai sitting on a couch, staring at the floor. Her eyes were shut tightly, like she was trying to compose herself. Andrus was the first to speak to her. "You have your pick of meats, fruits, vegetables, carbohydrates, and types of drink. All of it tastes pretty good and is meant to give you good nutrition. The Arterminians are fanatics about keeping fit and healthy." Then he started dishing Mai and Archer up plates of food.

Archer sat next to Mai on the couch; close, but not too close. He was attempting to show her that everything was all right, and that he wasn't displeased with her. "Andrus wants to discuss with us his and Malcolm's plan to free ourselves from captivity. And Malcolm mentioned that we needed to find a way to complete it. You up for some problem-solving, Major?" he said to her.

"Yes, sir," Mai replied, her voice a little shaky. "I think that tis the best idea I've 'eard yet."

TBC

Was that any good? Did it fulfill the requests at least a little bit? Come on and tell me all about it. That would be just fantastic and would inspire me to continue. :)