AN: I had a rather interesting review. In answer, as this is the only way I can answer.
1) if your offended by the 'weird mis-representation of human social norms' then please don't read.
2) Fanfiction is not about how many reviews/favourites/follows. It's about an authors creative muse. If no one reads this, I get pleasure out of writing.
3) Quality science fiction about the future of the human race in the universe surely means moving beyond current labels. Gene Rodenbury created Star Trek as a kind of utopia, without reference to sexual, socio-economic or racial distinction.
In other words, if you don't like this story, don't read it.
"Come on Trip," Cadet Anthony Bianchi complained, "you've been morose since that run in with Captain whatever his name was last week. You didn't even try to pick up or get drunk when we went out to celebrate the end of semester. Every time I've seen you since, your heads been in the books."
Trip snorted in response. Little did his classmate know, or care, Cadet Tucker already had enough marks to pass without sitting his exams. All he had to do was show up, not that mediocrity had ever been enough for Charles Tucker III. It was the protocol and procedure lesson's he'd neglected through disinterest, intending to just scrape through so he could get to play with his beloved engines. The conversation with Captain Layton proved he'd made a huge mistake. It seemed Starfleet was all about rules and regulations, thanks to a never-ending Vulcan influence.
"What happened," Edgar Smith asked, "after we left? Did you get chewed out?"
"Yep," Trip stated, taking a long swallow from his beer and looking at the three men gathered around the table. They'd pulled some pranks this past year, even got caught a few times, but never officially chastised. "I've got my first official reprimand."
Snorting, Ed tried to lighten the mood, "like that would worry you! The stunts I've seen you pull in the last ten months."
"This time's different," Trucker snapped out the reply, "Captain Layton's put it on my file. I got a lot riding on graduating."
It had been a week in which Trip hadn't heard from Lt. Commander Archer, Captain Layton or Commodore Forest. With exams starting Monday, there would leave very little time to work on an Advance Warp Core lecture series. He needed to know his audience, their backgrounds and what information he'd be allowed to include, if they wanted to really pull this thing off. Trip hadn't realised how much he coveted this assignment, until it might not materialise.
Attempting to move his thoughts to a less depressing topic, Trip looked out on the crowded dance floor of their usual Saturday night club. Nothing caught his eye among the gyrating bodies. It had been the same for the last eight days. Truth was, Charles Tucker didn't quite know why his libido suddenly evaporated and took any enjoyment of bar hopping with his friends for good measure.
"What happened to treat'm mean, keep'm keen," Anthony teased, watching the complexed play of emotions cross his friends face. "You usually pull just walking through the door. This is the third bar we've hit tonight and not a single lady has harassed you."
"I hope you remember," Trip snorted, "Wednesday night a couple of weeks back. As I recall, you all dragged us out against curfew, to a sleazy bar two blocks from the dorm complex. That girl in the leotard looking thing, hauled me into a back room, had her way with me and then walked back onto the dance floor. I got the feeling I was the one being used."
"For a change," Ed couldn't help teasing.
"I don't remember you complaining," Tony grunted sourly. "I though you said she took it up the…"
"A gentleman doesn't talk about his activities," Trip drawled, slightly angered he let his solitary encounter with anal sex become known, "but hell, I tell you, first time for everything. And if you're going to try something new, best be with someone who has lots of experience."
"Been there, done that," Pieter Wagner allowed one eyebrow to rise as his lips curled into a broad, good natured grin. Usually the quietest of the group, both his German accent and cutting quips increased with the number of drinks the big guy put away. "Oh, look, the one in yellow. She's got a great, how do you American's say, rack?"
"She can lose me in those boobs any time," Edgar Smith responded. His Cockney twang accompanied a whistle. "The one with that short green skirt, now she's more my type."
"You've always been a bum man," Tony shook his head, watching their British classmate drain his bottle, then deliberately place it on the table. Waving a see you later, if I'm lucky enough, Ed made his way onto the dance floor and over to his target.
Three minutes later, Tony and Pieter groaned. Ed could loosely be termed dancing with the girl. Although they were closer to doing a vertical hump. Another five and Ed had his tongue down her throat.
"One down," Trip stated, eyeing the other guys at the table. He was usually the first to pick up a companion, only tonight he had no intention of doing so. Whether it was their impending exams, which he needed to pass, or the thought of not getting to do that lecture series, he didn't know. He didn't even consider the offer of a drink with Archer as the root cause. "Wouldn't want to cramp your style," Tucker stated, not bothering to finish his beer. He just wasn't in the mood for partying, "so, I'm going to go back to the dorm."
"You're kidding," Tony shook his head with disappointment. "Man, if I didn't know better, I'd say you'd finally met someone."
That caused Trip to smirk. Sharing a glance with Pieter, gave Tucker time to think before he could formulate a sardonic wisecrack. Openly bisexual, the German grunted, as if he'd seen the answer in his friend's soul. He understood the turmoil of being attracted to someone of the same gender and not able to recognise the symptoms.
"I think he has," Pieter chuckled, ensuring he trapped Trip's gaze. "I'm just not sure Trip's ready to admit it to himself, yet. First steps disinterest, especially in casual and meaningless sex."
"Tick," Tony supplied with a leer, as Trip shook his head.
The four of them had been a team since Tucker's first week of officer training. Anthony, Edgar and Pieter were in for the full four-year course. They'd already obtained their undergraduate degrees at Stanford, in accordance with Starfleet's latest regulations. Forced to wear uniforms while on campus and live in Starfleet dorms ostracised the cadets from the general student population. When Trip joined the final year of the program, he'd become the linchpin of the tight knit the group.
"Next, he won't want to come out with us," Pieter stated. "Drop us like a hot Tomato."
"It's potato, and with that," Tucker stood, taking his jacket from the back of his chair, "I'm going home to my lonely bed. Have a good night."
"Or leave just when the parties getting started," Pieter shot a wicked grin at Trip's retreating backside. "Hell, I'd do him, if he'd let me."
"Right," Tony laughed, "and get a right hook for your trouble. He's had more women than I've had hot breakfasts. Never seen a guy who can work every female from fifteen to fifty just by walking in the door."
"Ever heard of sexual overcompensation," Pieter asked in a soft tone, suddenly finding himself sober. When Tony shook his head, Cadet Wagner sighed. "Trip's got all the signs. Never had a long-term relationship, uses sex to prove his masculinity, has to be the best athlete, no matter the game and he hides that soft, caring side behind his intelligence and gentlemanly behaviour. Besides, he'd never hit any guy if propositioned. I can here that drawl now, 'sorry, darlin, your just not my type. Wrong equipment, if ya'll know what I mean'."
"You're saying he's really interested in men?" Tony responded. "No way. I've never seen Trip even look at a male before, not in that way."
"Me either," Pieter smirked, "until last Friday. He and that Lt. Commander stood at the entrance to the Academy's training rooms for half an hour, talking, if you know what I mean. Don't look at me like that, Tony. If anyone knows the signs, it's the German with the gayometer. The Lt. Commander's interested in Trip, no doubt in my mind. It was in the way he lent in to catch every word. Not to mention all those very subtle touches on Tucker's shoulder. I just don't know if Trip recognises his own feelings. Honestly, I don't think I've ever seen our genius smile that brightly before."
Floored, Tony looked out into the sea of women. "Hell, I need to get laid after that revelation," he stated, draining his bottle. "Have to say, I didn't see that coming. Still, if that's what floats Trip's boat, I'm not going to stand in his way. Let's find some real estate to take home, Pete."
"Already taken care of that," Pieter said, picking up his jacket and waving Tony towards the dance floor. "He's waiting for me at his place."
"You kept that quiet," Tony eyed his friend meaningfully.
"Yep," the German agreed. "They say it's the quiet ones you need to watch. We've been together three months now. Before you ask, it's serious. I'll be moving in after graduation and hope to get a posting at the Complex or Command."
Shaking his head, Anthony Bianchi collected his jacket and Ed's. There were acquainted well enough with the bar staff to stash their coats overnight, so long as the cadets didn't mind a grilling the next morning. This time, Pieter took pity on his friend. Holding out his arm, the German offered, "you can collect them tomorrow, as long as you tell me exactly what happens for the rest of the night. I want to know it Ed takes the green skirt home."
"Deal," Tony smirked. "Send me your new address. I want to see your new guy and place. I'll make sure Trip comes along, after letting Ed into your theory."
"Anthony," Pieter shook his head sombrely. "Trip's going to have a hard-enough time coming out, if I'm right. He doesn't need you and Edgar teasing him. I'll drop your jackets with Trip. I want to check up on him, before going to my boyfriend's place. Besides, I'm not sure Lee's ready to meet you yet."
Walking six blocks gave Pieter time to think. He needed to approach Trip carefully. The Southerner might smile a whole lot, but he didn't let much out. He called himself a gentleman, and he was, but Tucker used it to his advantage. Tony's slip about Trip's last encounter with a girl had alarm bells going off in Pieter's mind. He knew it might be the catalyst, making Tucker understand his own sexual orientation better.
Hearing the chime, Trip almost ignored it. Hightailing it back to his room after entering the dorm, Tucker knew most of the class would be out celebrating before exams. He didn't want to be saddled with one of the girls hoping for a last private get together for old times sake. When the buzzer insisted the intruder wasn't going to leave well enough alone, he finally got up to answer the door.
"Who is it?" Trip asked. When Pieter answered, the door slid open immediately. "Has something happened? Please tell me you guys didn't get into a fight?"
"No," Pieter pushed his way into Trips room, before handing the coats over, "looks like you're babysitting. Ed closed his deal and Tony was on the prowl. You can give them back in the morning, when they finally get in."
Trip wondered why Pieter left the club without company. Even so, he'd never bring the guys jackets back to the dorm when he could leave them at the bar for safe keeping. A confused expression covered Tuckers face. Cadet Wagner smirked and explained he was on the way to his boyfriends for the rest of the weekend.
"You sure kept that quiet," Tucker grinned, giving his friend a wallop on the shoulder. Expecting Pieter to leave, the German stood his ground, examining Trip, as if he wanted to say more but didn't quite know how. "Why'd you really come, Wagner?"
"You going to tell me about your guy?" Pieter asked, deciding on the direct route. Trip looked like a deer caught in headlights, before slumping into his bunk. "Don't tell me you're not interested in men. I saw the way you interacted with that Lt. Commander last week. If I wasn't already involved, I'd like a piece of that arse, even if he's what, five years older than me."
"I don't know what you're talking about," Trip spluttered, unable to look at Pieter as a maelstrom of emotions cluttered his mind.
"Keep telling yourself that," Pieter shot, pressing the button to let himself out of the small room. "Do yourself a favour, Trip. Look up overcompensation and then watch some gay porn. Even with universal acceptance, it can be hard to recognise your sexuality."
"What the hell," Tucker muttered as the door silently slid shut. More confused than ever, Trip closed his eyes and rubbed them. "I need this like a hole in the head. As if it ain't bad enough that I can't get laid, Pieter as to go and put that image in my head. Like I ever looked at a man in my life."
Then, Trip's alter ego inquired, why did the green monster rear its ugly head the moment Wagner mentioned Jonathan Archer's arse? As if you hadn't noticed it and the body that it's attached too.
Pieter's more gay than bi, countered Tucker's normal persona, not that Tony, Ed or I care. Thankfully the worlds moved past those labels. We all teased Pieter about his gayometer. He can spot an attractive, homosexual guy at a hundred paces.
A guy like Lt. Commander Archer, the alter ego returned, who asked you out for a drink. Do I have to remind you how much you wanted to accept? How it made you feel when you knew you couldn't. Now you can't even look at a girl and get it up. I think that's telling you something.
Groaning, Trip knew he'd never sleep with these thoughts running rampant in his head. Rubbing his eyes one last time, he turned off his computer terminal and decided on taking a cold shower. It didn't help in the slightest. Admitting defeat and taking Pieter's advice, Cadet Tucker put his intelligence to work. Finding his research beguiling, Trip sat back and closed his eyes. Immediately an image of Jonathan Archer appeared. He could see the delight in his hazel eyes and the smile gracing his lips. Feeling that hand on his shoulder, recalling the deep timber of his voice, Tucker's blood rushed south. Not even Trip's alter ego dared to mention the evolving erecting.
How the hell, Trip thumped his pillow several hours later, am I going to look Lt. Commander Archer in the face if I do get this lecture gig without acting like a school girl with her first crush. Maybe it's best if I don't. Then I can go straight to the orbital station, qualify for EV and complete my PhD in peace