Title: Cause and Effect
Author: Josephine
Rating: R
Genre: Romance/General
Pairing: T'Pol/Archer, Hoshi/Trip, Reed/Cutler
Summary: Archer helps T'Pol with a problem; her situation has a domino effect.
Notes: I got my Vulcan phases and words from . Thanks, Chris! The food info came from , The Vulcan Language Institute. All mistakes with syntax are my own.
Disclaimer: Paramount owns the Trek dance hall; I like to call the steps once in awhile.
Chapter Six
That night Archer dreamed of the vaguely familiar arid planet with the huge red moon again. He was in a desert, lying flat on a rock outcropping with a spear in one hand, tracking a large, diamond-scaled animal with big claws. Archer watched the creature, waiting for the right moment to strike when he saw a duck come up beside him.
The duck opened its bill. "Beep, beep, beep -"
He just stared at it.
The duck became more insistent. "BEEP, BEEP, BEEP -"
Archer hit the duck on the head, which shut it up. He went back to observing the animal below him.
The duck shook itself, glared at Archer, then started in again. "BEEP, BEEP, BEEP -"
Archer reached for the duck, but it waddled away, still beeping. He lunged for it, and woke up as he fell off his bunk and hit the deck; the alarm clock going off next to his head.
----------
"Trip, can I talk to you?" Reed came up to Tucker in the mess hall.
"What is it?" Tucker asked cautiously.
"I was -."
"-- you were."
"I know. Are we -?"
"-- yeah."
"Thanks."
Hoshi had watched the exchange from her table. "What was that all about?" she asked Tucker as he sat down.
"Reed apologized for steppin' out of line and actin' like a jerk earlier, and wanted to know if we were still friends."
Picking up an orange, Hoshi looked at him. "He said all that?"
"Yeah, well, that's what he meant." Tucker saw the incredulous look on her face. "It's a guy thing. Trust me, that's what he meant."
"All right, if you say so. After all, you're the guy." She stacked the orange peels carefully on the table.
"So nice of you to notice," grinned Tucker. He looked at Hoshi's breakfast, spread out in front of her. Juice on the upper right, silverware just so, orange peels neatly piled on the upper left. Orange and melon slices fanned out on the plate, not touching each other or the strawberries or the grapes. "You're a neat freak," Tucker said in a disbelieving voice.
Hoshi looked up at him. "And ---?"
"Nothin'. Anyway, what'd you want to do? We have one more day of enforced leisure."
"Oh, I'm sure we can think of something," Hoshi replied, looking at Tucker through her lashes as she slowly licked orange juice off her fingers.
"You better stop that."
"Or what?" She became bolder in ways of getting all the juice.
Tucker looked around at the nearly empty mess hall. He leaned closer to her. "Or a certain naughty little girl will get what's comin' to her." Taking Hoshi's hand, he drew one of her fingers into his mouth, his tongue wrapping around to get the juice as it slipped out.
"I don't know what you're talking about," she primly retorted. "I'm merely eating my breakfast." Looking him in the eye, Hoshi ate a slice of melon; sliding it in her mouth before biting it halfway in. She nibbled her way through breakfast; her tongue catching the fruit juices, her eyes never leaving his.
"You," Tucker said hoarsely, "are in so much trouble. You're gonna find out what happens when you tease me like this."
Hoshi drained her glass, licking her upper lip to get it all. "I'm done, shall we go?" She rose and moved to the door, hips swaying slightly.
Watching her stroll off, Tucker's hand itched as he imagined that cute little bottom bent over his knee, and was glad no-one was around to see how awkwardly he walked out of the mess hall.
----------
"You're sure this won't be too much trouble?" Archer asked Chef.
"Not at all. They're vegetarian dishes, and not complicated ones at that. But you only want enough for two?" She gave him a bland look.
"Just two. I'm having dinner with T'Pol; she hasn't been feeling well, hopefully these will entice her to eat more." :::Not really a lie. She hasn't been eating much.::: Chef's voice brought him back.
"They'll be ready at 1800 hours. I'll have Johnson bring them to her cabin."
"No, I'll pick them up. There are only a few." Archer found he had trouble looking at Chef. :::And who's the Captain of this ship?::: "Thanks, I owe you one," he tossed out as he made his escape.
----------
Reed was having problems of his own; he couldn't keep his mind off of Cutler. "Bloody hell!" He threw down his PADD in disgust after botching a weapons calibration for the third time. Looking at the chronometer, he saw it was 1600 hours.
:::I'm not getting anything done here.::: Reed shut down his work and left the armory. :::I wonder if the gym is crowded --:::
After a quick stop by his cabin he walked into the nearly deserted gym. Working his way around the stations, Reed finally came to the bench press. He lay down and started lifting the weights. Staring up, the memory of when Cutler came to spot him came flooding back. The way her lycra outfit clung to her body, showing every outline --.
:::This isn't working. Think of something else! Those new torpedoes. The problem with the phase rifles.::: Nothing worked; he kept going back to Cutler, the way she felt under him --. Reed groaned
"This looks awfully familiar." Reed put the weights on the rack with a sigh as Cutler's voice interrupted his train of thought.
She was standing between him and the door, which he was extremely grateful for when he sat up and noticed the condition he was in. Reed swung a leg over the bench to face away from her. "Cutler," he said in way of a greeting.
Frowning, Cutler sat on the opposite side of the bench so she was facing him. "Now we're back to Cutler?" Her frown deepened as she saw the distress on his face. "What's wrong, Malcolm?"
He sighed again. "I had planned on being a gentleman and not try to get you into bed, at least for awhile. I don't know if it's residual from - well --, but I can't stop thinking about you, and me, and that bed. And all the things that can be done by two people to each other in that bed. And out of that bed. I'm lusting after you, Elizabeth, and I didn't want to treat you like that."
"Malcolm." Cutler put a hand on his arm, feeling the muscles tense. "I don't care that right now all you want to do is have sex. And lots of it. Hoshi's a good friend and I lent an ear when she needed to talk. That's why I came to you. I've been waiting eight weeks for you to make the first move. I figured the state you were in, putting us together something was bound to happen; either a one-night stand or more. I lucked out and got more. I seduced you, Malcolm. You want to go do all the things two people can do to each other in a bed? I have no problem with that."
Reed wrapped an arm around her waist and kissed her deep. "I hope you mean that. I don't think I'm going to act the gentleman tonight after all."
----------
Archer stood outside T'Pol's door. He hoped he timed it right, he was feeling the first intensive waves of desire and need. :::They're not as - frantic. Hope we have enough time.:::
The door opened and he stepped into the hot cabin. Archer was always exhausted after being with T'Pol, the heat and extra gravity wasn't favorable to frenzied lovemaking, at least for humans. He was counting on the next few times to be more relaxed.
"Moi tema, T'Pol.1 How are you?"
"Moi tema, Jonathan. I am better."
"I thought we could have a picnic dinner. I brought plomeek soup, and a pla-savas tart, along with a few vegetarian dishes from Earth you might like." Archer spread a tablecloth on the floor and laid out the food, keeping half an eye on T'Pol.
"That was considerate of you. I have found my appetite has returned." She came over and sat on the edge of the cloth, taking the plate Archer had filled with the various foods.
"I also brought ice water and hot theris-masie."
:::Ice water. It is an - indulgence I never pass up.:::
He felt the odd thrill of hearing her in his head. :::Then I'm glad I brought it.::: They ate in silence, Archer enjoying the deeper connection with T'Pol.
:::I've been having strange dreams lately.::: He felt rather than saw her raised eyebrow. :::I'm on a hot planet with a giant red moon. Vulcan, right?:::
:::Yes, it is. I have also been dreaming of Vulcan:::
:::Last night I was hunting a big, scaled animal, with only a spear. It looked homemade.:::
:::The animal was a Le-matya. At puberty, a Vulcan child goes out into the desert to kill one, and comes back an adult. We have been sharing dreams, Jonathan, this one was my journey into the desert.::: T'Pol paused. :::Although I do not remember there being an Earth duck there at the time.:::
Archer laughed. :::That was me. My alarm was going off, and I processed the sound as a duck. I have no idea why, though. Ducks certainly don't make a beeping noise.:::
:::Perhaps an allegory for our relationship. An Earth aquatic animal out of place in a Vulcan desert.:::
:::I hope that when it comes to you, I'm not a duck out of water.::: Archer got up and began to clear the plates and dishes. The feelings of need were strong, but not overwhelming. He was determined to stay on top of them this time.
:::Yasha, aisha.:::2 Archer held out his hand.
:::The time is not upon us yet.::: T'Pol looked at him, confused.
:::Not yet, but it will be soon. I don't intend to be rushed this time.::: He pulled her up, and stood close to her, trailing kisses along her jaw. :::Shall I go first, or you?:::
:::You. I want to see you.:::
Archer unbuttoned his shirt, watching T'Pol watch his hands. She took the shirt from him and folded it, putting it on the desk. He had removed his shoes by the time she turned back to him, and her hands joined his unbuckling his belt and slipping off his jeans and boxers. She took those and folded them too.
T'Pol came to Archer, running her hands over his torso. :::It is rare for Vulcan males to have chest hair::: threading her fingers through his. :::It feels - nice.::: She moved around him, fingertips tracing the muscles on his back. Her touch sent shivers through Archer; he had to work to control his breathing.
:::Your turn::: he told her. T'Pol moved in front of him, her hand trailing behind her, over his hip and down the flat plane of his stomach -- . Archer lifted her hand and placed a kiss on the palm, then slid her robes off, letting them pool at her feet. He explored her curves with his hands, circling around her, placing kisses along her shoulders.
Facing her again, Archer let his hands span T'Pol's waist. He pulled her against him, his arms wrapping around her.
:::You feel like the sun.::: He buried his face in her neck. :::So warm and alive:::
T'Pol retuned the embrace, her hands moving up to his head. :::And you feel like a cool mountain lake.::: She let herself slip deeper into Archer's consciousness.
Archer moved up her neck, along her jaw, finally reaching her mouth. The kiss was enough to cause a strong surge of need and desire, leaving them both breathless.
:::Now, Jonathan, I need you now.::: T'Pol pulled him toward the bunk.
:::You'll have me in time::: he replied, laying her down and pinning her legs under his.
She cried out as his hands and mouth roamed over her body. ::: I'm not going to be rushed.::: Archer promised. :::I refuse to give you up any sooner than I have to.:::
1 Good Evening. 2 Come, love.
Author: Josephine
Rating: R
Genre: Romance/General
Pairing: T'Pol/Archer, Hoshi/Trip, Reed/Cutler
Summary: Archer helps T'Pol with a problem; her situation has a domino effect.
Notes: I got my Vulcan phases and words from . Thanks, Chris! The food info came from , The Vulcan Language Institute. All mistakes with syntax are my own.
Disclaimer: Paramount owns the Trek dance hall; I like to call the steps once in awhile.
Chapter Six
That night Archer dreamed of the vaguely familiar arid planet with the huge red moon again. He was in a desert, lying flat on a rock outcropping with a spear in one hand, tracking a large, diamond-scaled animal with big claws. Archer watched the creature, waiting for the right moment to strike when he saw a duck come up beside him.
The duck opened its bill. "Beep, beep, beep -"
He just stared at it.
The duck became more insistent. "BEEP, BEEP, BEEP -"
Archer hit the duck on the head, which shut it up. He went back to observing the animal below him.
The duck shook itself, glared at Archer, then started in again. "BEEP, BEEP, BEEP -"
Archer reached for the duck, but it waddled away, still beeping. He lunged for it, and woke up as he fell off his bunk and hit the deck; the alarm clock going off next to his head.
----------
"Trip, can I talk to you?" Reed came up to Tucker in the mess hall.
"What is it?" Tucker asked cautiously.
"I was -."
"-- you were."
"I know. Are we -?"
"-- yeah."
"Thanks."
Hoshi had watched the exchange from her table. "What was that all about?" she asked Tucker as he sat down.
"Reed apologized for steppin' out of line and actin' like a jerk earlier, and wanted to know if we were still friends."
Picking up an orange, Hoshi looked at him. "He said all that?"
"Yeah, well, that's what he meant." Tucker saw the incredulous look on her face. "It's a guy thing. Trust me, that's what he meant."
"All right, if you say so. After all, you're the guy." She stacked the orange peels carefully on the table.
"So nice of you to notice," grinned Tucker. He looked at Hoshi's breakfast, spread out in front of her. Juice on the upper right, silverware just so, orange peels neatly piled on the upper left. Orange and melon slices fanned out on the plate, not touching each other or the strawberries or the grapes. "You're a neat freak," Tucker said in a disbelieving voice.
Hoshi looked up at him. "And ---?"
"Nothin'. Anyway, what'd you want to do? We have one more day of enforced leisure."
"Oh, I'm sure we can think of something," Hoshi replied, looking at Tucker through her lashes as she slowly licked orange juice off her fingers.
"You better stop that."
"Or what?" She became bolder in ways of getting all the juice.
Tucker looked around at the nearly empty mess hall. He leaned closer to her. "Or a certain naughty little girl will get what's comin' to her." Taking Hoshi's hand, he drew one of her fingers into his mouth, his tongue wrapping around to get the juice as it slipped out.
"I don't know what you're talking about," she primly retorted. "I'm merely eating my breakfast." Looking him in the eye, Hoshi ate a slice of melon; sliding it in her mouth before biting it halfway in. She nibbled her way through breakfast; her tongue catching the fruit juices, her eyes never leaving his.
"You," Tucker said hoarsely, "are in so much trouble. You're gonna find out what happens when you tease me like this."
Hoshi drained her glass, licking her upper lip to get it all. "I'm done, shall we go?" She rose and moved to the door, hips swaying slightly.
Watching her stroll off, Tucker's hand itched as he imagined that cute little bottom bent over his knee, and was glad no-one was around to see how awkwardly he walked out of the mess hall.
----------
"You're sure this won't be too much trouble?" Archer asked Chef.
"Not at all. They're vegetarian dishes, and not complicated ones at that. But you only want enough for two?" She gave him a bland look.
"Just two. I'm having dinner with T'Pol; she hasn't been feeling well, hopefully these will entice her to eat more." :::Not really a lie. She hasn't been eating much.::: Chef's voice brought him back.
"They'll be ready at 1800 hours. I'll have Johnson bring them to her cabin."
"No, I'll pick them up. There are only a few." Archer found he had trouble looking at Chef. :::And who's the Captain of this ship?::: "Thanks, I owe you one," he tossed out as he made his escape.
----------
Reed was having problems of his own; he couldn't keep his mind off of Cutler. "Bloody hell!" He threw down his PADD in disgust after botching a weapons calibration for the third time. Looking at the chronometer, he saw it was 1600 hours.
:::I'm not getting anything done here.::: Reed shut down his work and left the armory. :::I wonder if the gym is crowded --:::
After a quick stop by his cabin he walked into the nearly deserted gym. Working his way around the stations, Reed finally came to the bench press. He lay down and started lifting the weights. Staring up, the memory of when Cutler came to spot him came flooding back. The way her lycra outfit clung to her body, showing every outline --.
:::This isn't working. Think of something else! Those new torpedoes. The problem with the phase rifles.::: Nothing worked; he kept going back to Cutler, the way she felt under him --. Reed groaned
"This looks awfully familiar." Reed put the weights on the rack with a sigh as Cutler's voice interrupted his train of thought.
She was standing between him and the door, which he was extremely grateful for when he sat up and noticed the condition he was in. Reed swung a leg over the bench to face away from her. "Cutler," he said in way of a greeting.
Frowning, Cutler sat on the opposite side of the bench so she was facing him. "Now we're back to Cutler?" Her frown deepened as she saw the distress on his face. "What's wrong, Malcolm?"
He sighed again. "I had planned on being a gentleman and not try to get you into bed, at least for awhile. I don't know if it's residual from - well --, but I can't stop thinking about you, and me, and that bed. And all the things that can be done by two people to each other in that bed. And out of that bed. I'm lusting after you, Elizabeth, and I didn't want to treat you like that."
"Malcolm." Cutler put a hand on his arm, feeling the muscles tense. "I don't care that right now all you want to do is have sex. And lots of it. Hoshi's a good friend and I lent an ear when she needed to talk. That's why I came to you. I've been waiting eight weeks for you to make the first move. I figured the state you were in, putting us together something was bound to happen; either a one-night stand or more. I lucked out and got more. I seduced you, Malcolm. You want to go do all the things two people can do to each other in a bed? I have no problem with that."
Reed wrapped an arm around her waist and kissed her deep. "I hope you mean that. I don't think I'm going to act the gentleman tonight after all."
----------
Archer stood outside T'Pol's door. He hoped he timed it right, he was feeling the first intensive waves of desire and need. :::They're not as - frantic. Hope we have enough time.:::
The door opened and he stepped into the hot cabin. Archer was always exhausted after being with T'Pol, the heat and extra gravity wasn't favorable to frenzied lovemaking, at least for humans. He was counting on the next few times to be more relaxed.
"Moi tema, T'Pol.1 How are you?"
"Moi tema, Jonathan. I am better."
"I thought we could have a picnic dinner. I brought plomeek soup, and a pla-savas tart, along with a few vegetarian dishes from Earth you might like." Archer spread a tablecloth on the floor and laid out the food, keeping half an eye on T'Pol.
"That was considerate of you. I have found my appetite has returned." She came over and sat on the edge of the cloth, taking the plate Archer had filled with the various foods.
"I also brought ice water and hot theris-masie."
:::Ice water. It is an - indulgence I never pass up.:::
He felt the odd thrill of hearing her in his head. :::Then I'm glad I brought it.::: They ate in silence, Archer enjoying the deeper connection with T'Pol.
:::I've been having strange dreams lately.::: He felt rather than saw her raised eyebrow. :::I'm on a hot planet with a giant red moon. Vulcan, right?:::
:::Yes, it is. I have also been dreaming of Vulcan:::
:::Last night I was hunting a big, scaled animal, with only a spear. It looked homemade.:::
:::The animal was a Le-matya. At puberty, a Vulcan child goes out into the desert to kill one, and comes back an adult. We have been sharing dreams, Jonathan, this one was my journey into the desert.::: T'Pol paused. :::Although I do not remember there being an Earth duck there at the time.:::
Archer laughed. :::That was me. My alarm was going off, and I processed the sound as a duck. I have no idea why, though. Ducks certainly don't make a beeping noise.:::
:::Perhaps an allegory for our relationship. An Earth aquatic animal out of place in a Vulcan desert.:::
:::I hope that when it comes to you, I'm not a duck out of water.::: Archer got up and began to clear the plates and dishes. The feelings of need were strong, but not overwhelming. He was determined to stay on top of them this time.
:::Yasha, aisha.:::2 Archer held out his hand.
:::The time is not upon us yet.::: T'Pol looked at him, confused.
:::Not yet, but it will be soon. I don't intend to be rushed this time.::: He pulled her up, and stood close to her, trailing kisses along her jaw. :::Shall I go first, or you?:::
:::You. I want to see you.:::
Archer unbuttoned his shirt, watching T'Pol watch his hands. She took the shirt from him and folded it, putting it on the desk. He had removed his shoes by the time she turned back to him, and her hands joined his unbuckling his belt and slipping off his jeans and boxers. She took those and folded them too.
T'Pol came to Archer, running her hands over his torso. :::It is rare for Vulcan males to have chest hair::: threading her fingers through his. :::It feels - nice.::: She moved around him, fingertips tracing the muscles on his back. Her touch sent shivers through Archer; he had to work to control his breathing.
:::Your turn::: he told her. T'Pol moved in front of him, her hand trailing behind her, over his hip and down the flat plane of his stomach -- . Archer lifted her hand and placed a kiss on the palm, then slid her robes off, letting them pool at her feet. He explored her curves with his hands, circling around her, placing kisses along her shoulders.
Facing her again, Archer let his hands span T'Pol's waist. He pulled her against him, his arms wrapping around her.
:::You feel like the sun.::: He buried his face in her neck. :::So warm and alive:::
T'Pol retuned the embrace, her hands moving up to his head. :::And you feel like a cool mountain lake.::: She let herself slip deeper into Archer's consciousness.
Archer moved up her neck, along her jaw, finally reaching her mouth. The kiss was enough to cause a strong surge of need and desire, leaving them both breathless.
:::Now, Jonathan, I need you now.::: T'Pol pulled him toward the bunk.
:::You'll have me in time::: he replied, laying her down and pinning her legs under his.
She cried out as his hands and mouth roamed over her body. ::: I'm not going to be rushed.::: Archer promised. :::I refuse to give you up any sooner than I have to.:::
1 Good Evening. 2 Come, love.
