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.
Disclaimer: Paramount owns the Trek dance hall; I like to call the steps once in awhile.
Chapter Seven
The next morning after breakfast, Tucker walked Hoshi to the lift that would take her to the bridge.
"You gonna be alright?"
Hoshi looked at him. "I'll be fine."
He continued as if she hadn't spoken. "Archer's busy with T'Pol, Reed's got Cutler now, and Mayweather is harmless. That only leaves Thompson. Act confident and he should leave you alone. I don't *think he'll bother you, but if he does, tell the Captain or Reed. I'll come get you for lunch and deal with him myself if I have to."
"I'll be fine," Hoshi said again as the doors opened and she stepped in the lift. "Really. You better go or you'll be late. I'll see you at lunch. Good-bye!" She shooed him away as the doors closed on her.
Tucker stood looking at the lift a minute longer, wondering if he could find an excuse to go to the bridge later in the morning.
----------
After Archer left, T'Pol stayed in bed wrapped up in the sheets, breathing in his warmth and scent.
:::This is illogical.:::
She got up and tried to meditate, but memories of last night kept intruding. After thirty minutes she gave up and went back to bed, pulling the sheets and blankets around her like a shroud. T'Pol closed her eyes, trying to make sense out of her relationship with Archer. The bond between them was strong; stronger than she would have thought considering he was human. She had expected a rational and dispassionate joining; almost a stud service if she was to be honest with herself, which she always was.
But then she would have to face the question she had been avoiding.
:::Do I care for Jonathan?.:::
:::You do,::: she answered. :::And he cares for you.:::
:::I did not expect for this to happen. Human males are notorious for their 'one night stands'. There was to be no emotional attachment..:::
:::If you did not want emotional attachment then you would have asked Commander Tucker. He would have made an excellent 'stud'. But instead you chose Captain Archer. Why?:::
::: --- :::
:::Because you care for him.:::
:::But he is human; emotional and volatile. He follows his heart.:::
:::He has strength of character and a quick mind. A brave man; with firm convictions, willing to stand up for his planet and his people. You were drawn to him from the start:::
:::He is stubborn, obstinate, arrogant -- and he despises Vulcans.:::
:::He has put aside his prejudices; overcome yours. It is illogical to deny yourself the companionship of someone you respect when it would bring fulfillment to you both..:::
:::You are correct. He would make me - happy.:::
----------
"Welcome back, Ensign. How are you doing?"
Smiling at Archer as she came off the lift, Hoshi moved over to her station. "Much better, thank you, Sir." She nodded at Reed and Mayweather as she sat down; barely glancing at Thompson's bent head.
"We have a nebula to look at in the next couple of days, then a good will mission to Riga. Plot a course, Mayweather, ahead Warp 3." Archer leaned back in his chair.
"Aye, aye, Captain!" Mayweather happily entered the course heading.
Hoshi hummed as she started working on the linguistics database, keeping an ear out for random sub-space communications. :::I wonder if Trip and I will get shore leave after being off the past few days. I'd like to get some fresh air. Maybe go swimming ---" The morning quickly sped by as Hoshi daydreamed of lying on a beach.
----------
The morning did not pass quickly for Tucker however; he was stuck down in Engineering, putting out the small fires that had come up while he was gone. Eventually the last problem was taken care of and he had a moment to breathe. And think of Hoshi on the bridge with Thompson.
:::That bastard better not be tryin' anythin'.::: Tucker knew that Archer and Reed wouldn't let anything happen, but still he sped through his report, deciding to take it up the bridge himself.
"Mornin' all," he called out, stepping off the bridge lift, but only looking at Hoshi. Her head went up at the sound of his voice, as did Thompson's, although out of the two of them only one gave him a smile.
"Good morning, Trip; to what do owe the honor of your presence?" Archer grinned at him.
"Well, Cap'n, I thought I'd come up to the rarified atmosphere of the bridge and give you the Engineering report. It gets kinda stifling down in the bowels of the ship," Tucker grinned back, handing him a PADD.
"Uh huh, I'm sure it does," Archer struggled to straighten out his smile as Tucker's eyes slid over to Hoshi. He didn't have to struggle when he saw the fierce look Tucker gave Thompson.
"Thanks for the report. Don't let me keep you." Archer gave back the PADD after transferring the information.
"Naw, it's quiet for now, I thought I'd work up here and take a gander at that nebula."
Archer just looked at him, remembering the gossip about the altercation in the gym.
"I'll behave, Cap'n," Tucker said in a low voice.
"All right. Take your station, Mr. Tucker."
----------
T'Pol had reached what equilibrium she could regarding her relationship with Archer, and now sat in front of the flame pot, meditating. She found that admitting her attraction to Archer had made it more difficult to suppress her desires for him. Despite an afternoon of ruthless control, the waves of want and need were becoming stronger.
:::And is that such a bad thing?:::
She let the thought roll around her mind for a while, deciding on the answer.
:::No. It is not.:::
T'Pol reached out for Archer, unreasonably pleased at how easy it was to strengthen the link.
:::Jonathan:::
Archer was in the shower when he felt something in his mind. He thought it was his imagination until T'Pol spoke.
:::I'm here.::: he answered.
:::Have you had your evening meal yet?:::
:::No, did you want to eat together?:::
:::Yes. I would like a change of view. The wardroom?:::
:::Are you feeling up to it?::: Archer had noticed the build up of desire over the afternoon.
:::With you there, I will be.:::
He paused at the assurance. :::Ok, just let me get out of the shower and put --::: Archer's knees threatened to give way as a wave of passion flooded through him. :::-- put on some clothes and I'll be right over.::: He caught his breath and leaned against the wall, turning the water to cold until he could think straight.
The flare of craving that burned through her at the image of Archer in the shower caught T'Pol off guard. She allowed herself only a moment to appreciate the sight before getting herself under control. Rising from the flame pot, she slowly exchanged her robes for loose pants and a tunic. She was buckling the belt when the door chimed.
:::Come:::
:::Shall we go?::: Archer asked, looked at her outfit. :::You look nice.:::
:::Thank you:::
They garnered a few looks walking to the wardroom, but nothing like when they entered the mess hall. Voices stilled and heads turned to follow them as they passed through.
:::I think it's the clothes.:::
:::The clothes?:::
They reached the privacy of the wardroom and sat down.
:::You're not in your uniform. And they haven't seen you in a few days.:::
Archer looked up as Johnson entered, pausing at the sight of T'Pol.
"Good evening, Captain, Sub-Commander. What can get you tonight?"
"I'll have the fish, and ice tea." Archer put down the menu and looked at T'Pol.
"Plomeek soup, Sub-Commander?" Johnson asked.
"No, I will have the Phad Thai without the chicken."
"Very good." Taking the menus, Johnson left for the kitchen.
:::Branching out?::: Archer smiled.
:::I enjoyed it last night.:::
:::It was good. The rest of the night wasn't bad either.::: She looked at Archer as he sipped the ice tea Johnson brought in.
T'Pol watched his hands as they picked up the napkin and put it on his lap, his mouth as he smiled at her, his eyes as they looked into hers; and let the control over her desires slip a little.
Archer felt his need for T'Pol grow. He ate sporadically, trying to think of something, anything else. :::Did you see the data from that nebula we passed by?::: He looked over at her. Big mistake.
She was watching him with dark, unblinking eyes, her pulse beating rapidly at the base of the throat.
:::I do not want to wait much longer, Jonathan.:::
:::Tonight? I thought the need to mate got less intense as the fever passed.:::
:::The fever has lessened, and the driving need to mate is not as overwhelming; but that does not mean the desire to is gone. I can wait for you, but I find I am reluctant to do so.:::
Putting down his silverware, Archer took a steadying breath. The way he was feeling, he could take T'Pol right here on the table and consequences be damned. :::Jupiter! Think of Jupiter!:::
Standing up, Archer said, "Shall we go?"
---------- Hoshi and Tucker rode the lift back up to the officer's quarters after dinner.
"How are you feeling? Back to normal?" he asked.
"Pretty much. Phlox wants to see me tomorrow to check my hormone levels."
Tucker was silent as they got off the lift and walked to his cabin. Once inside, Hoshi sat on the couch, but he wandered around the small room.
"Are you all right, Trip?"
"Yeah, I'm fine, jest a little restless --." He sat down at the desk as Hoshi picked up her book. She tried to read but Tucker's fidgeting kept distracting her.
"Trip, please stop." He did for about a minute, then started again.
"Trip." That worked for about two minutes.
"Commander Tucker!" The stylus that he was fiddling with clattered to the deck. "This Ensign respectfully requests that you cease and desist your screwing around! Sir!"
Tucker stood up and grinned. "I haven't even started to screw around." He pulled Hoshi up and kissed her. "It's come to my attention, *Ensign, that you are overdressed."
"Pulling rank now, are we?" Hoshi gave him a look.
"Disobeying a superior officer can get you court-martialed, *Ensign." Tucker threw himself down on the couch and leered at her. "Strip. Now. Nice and slow, *Ensign."
"Of course, *Commander, anything you say." Hoshi looked coquettishly at him before turning around to hide her giggles.
"Is something amusing, Ensign?" Tucker could barely keep the laughter from his voice.
"Not at all, Commander." Hoshi had kicked off her boots, and was un- zipping her uniform, letting it fall down her back. She pushed it over her hips as she slowly turned to face Tucker. Stepping out of the jumpsuit, she pulled the pins from her hair and let it tumble over her shoulders.
Sitting up, Tucker could only stare at Hoshi as she languidly walked toward him. The deep green wisps of lace she still wore brought out her golden skin tones. The laughter was gone from her face; she had a hunger in her eyes like he was a previously unknown alien language. Tucker now knew how all the armadillos back home felt like before becoming one with the highway. He couldn't look away if his life depended on it.
"What's the matter, Commander?" Hoshi straddled him and sat on his lap. She put her arms around his head and nipped his ear. "Cat got your tongue?" Her mouth moved to his and kissed him. "Nope, it's still there. Let's see if we can get it to work." Hoshi kissed him again, teasing his mouth open.
"Darlin', what're you mmph -"
"The Commander *can speak!" Hoshi went back to nibbling his ear. Interspersed between kisses she whispered: "The past few days have given me more - confidence in myself. So I decided to take the advantage in a situation that was not under my control."
"Way t' hustle, Ensign." Tucker wrapped his arms around her, kissing her neck. "Keep up the good work."
"Yes, sir." Hoshi arched into him as she pushed his head lower.
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.
Disclaimer: Paramount owns the Trek dance hall; I like to call the steps once in awhile.
Chapter Seven
The next morning after breakfast, Tucker walked Hoshi to the lift that would take her to the bridge.
"You gonna be alright?"
Hoshi looked at him. "I'll be fine."
He continued as if she hadn't spoken. "Archer's busy with T'Pol, Reed's got Cutler now, and Mayweather is harmless. That only leaves Thompson. Act confident and he should leave you alone. I don't *think he'll bother you, but if he does, tell the Captain or Reed. I'll come get you for lunch and deal with him myself if I have to."
"I'll be fine," Hoshi said again as the doors opened and she stepped in the lift. "Really. You better go or you'll be late. I'll see you at lunch. Good-bye!" She shooed him away as the doors closed on her.
Tucker stood looking at the lift a minute longer, wondering if he could find an excuse to go to the bridge later in the morning.
----------
After Archer left, T'Pol stayed in bed wrapped up in the sheets, breathing in his warmth and scent.
:::This is illogical.:::
She got up and tried to meditate, but memories of last night kept intruding. After thirty minutes she gave up and went back to bed, pulling the sheets and blankets around her like a shroud. T'Pol closed her eyes, trying to make sense out of her relationship with Archer. The bond between them was strong; stronger than she would have thought considering he was human. She had expected a rational and dispassionate joining; almost a stud service if she was to be honest with herself, which she always was.
But then she would have to face the question she had been avoiding.
:::Do I care for Jonathan?.:::
:::You do,::: she answered. :::And he cares for you.:::
:::I did not expect for this to happen. Human males are notorious for their 'one night stands'. There was to be no emotional attachment..:::
:::If you did not want emotional attachment then you would have asked Commander Tucker. He would have made an excellent 'stud'. But instead you chose Captain Archer. Why?:::
::: --- :::
:::Because you care for him.:::
:::But he is human; emotional and volatile. He follows his heart.:::
:::He has strength of character and a quick mind. A brave man; with firm convictions, willing to stand up for his planet and his people. You were drawn to him from the start:::
:::He is stubborn, obstinate, arrogant -- and he despises Vulcans.:::
:::He has put aside his prejudices; overcome yours. It is illogical to deny yourself the companionship of someone you respect when it would bring fulfillment to you both..:::
:::You are correct. He would make me - happy.:::
----------
"Welcome back, Ensign. How are you doing?"
Smiling at Archer as she came off the lift, Hoshi moved over to her station. "Much better, thank you, Sir." She nodded at Reed and Mayweather as she sat down; barely glancing at Thompson's bent head.
"We have a nebula to look at in the next couple of days, then a good will mission to Riga. Plot a course, Mayweather, ahead Warp 3." Archer leaned back in his chair.
"Aye, aye, Captain!" Mayweather happily entered the course heading.
Hoshi hummed as she started working on the linguistics database, keeping an ear out for random sub-space communications. :::I wonder if Trip and I will get shore leave after being off the past few days. I'd like to get some fresh air. Maybe go swimming ---" The morning quickly sped by as Hoshi daydreamed of lying on a beach.
----------
The morning did not pass quickly for Tucker however; he was stuck down in Engineering, putting out the small fires that had come up while he was gone. Eventually the last problem was taken care of and he had a moment to breathe. And think of Hoshi on the bridge with Thompson.
:::That bastard better not be tryin' anythin'.::: Tucker knew that Archer and Reed wouldn't let anything happen, but still he sped through his report, deciding to take it up the bridge himself.
"Mornin' all," he called out, stepping off the bridge lift, but only looking at Hoshi. Her head went up at the sound of his voice, as did Thompson's, although out of the two of them only one gave him a smile.
"Good morning, Trip; to what do owe the honor of your presence?" Archer grinned at him.
"Well, Cap'n, I thought I'd come up to the rarified atmosphere of the bridge and give you the Engineering report. It gets kinda stifling down in the bowels of the ship," Tucker grinned back, handing him a PADD.
"Uh huh, I'm sure it does," Archer struggled to straighten out his smile as Tucker's eyes slid over to Hoshi. He didn't have to struggle when he saw the fierce look Tucker gave Thompson.
"Thanks for the report. Don't let me keep you." Archer gave back the PADD after transferring the information.
"Naw, it's quiet for now, I thought I'd work up here and take a gander at that nebula."
Archer just looked at him, remembering the gossip about the altercation in the gym.
"I'll behave, Cap'n," Tucker said in a low voice.
"All right. Take your station, Mr. Tucker."
----------
T'Pol had reached what equilibrium she could regarding her relationship with Archer, and now sat in front of the flame pot, meditating. She found that admitting her attraction to Archer had made it more difficult to suppress her desires for him. Despite an afternoon of ruthless control, the waves of want and need were becoming stronger.
:::And is that such a bad thing?:::
She let the thought roll around her mind for a while, deciding on the answer.
:::No. It is not.:::
T'Pol reached out for Archer, unreasonably pleased at how easy it was to strengthen the link.
:::Jonathan:::
Archer was in the shower when he felt something in his mind. He thought it was his imagination until T'Pol spoke.
:::I'm here.::: he answered.
:::Have you had your evening meal yet?:::
:::No, did you want to eat together?:::
:::Yes. I would like a change of view. The wardroom?:::
:::Are you feeling up to it?::: Archer had noticed the build up of desire over the afternoon.
:::With you there, I will be.:::
He paused at the assurance. :::Ok, just let me get out of the shower and put --::: Archer's knees threatened to give way as a wave of passion flooded through him. :::-- put on some clothes and I'll be right over.::: He caught his breath and leaned against the wall, turning the water to cold until he could think straight.
The flare of craving that burned through her at the image of Archer in the shower caught T'Pol off guard. She allowed herself only a moment to appreciate the sight before getting herself under control. Rising from the flame pot, she slowly exchanged her robes for loose pants and a tunic. She was buckling the belt when the door chimed.
:::Come:::
:::Shall we go?::: Archer asked, looked at her outfit. :::You look nice.:::
:::Thank you:::
They garnered a few looks walking to the wardroom, but nothing like when they entered the mess hall. Voices stilled and heads turned to follow them as they passed through.
:::I think it's the clothes.:::
:::The clothes?:::
They reached the privacy of the wardroom and sat down.
:::You're not in your uniform. And they haven't seen you in a few days.:::
Archer looked up as Johnson entered, pausing at the sight of T'Pol.
"Good evening, Captain, Sub-Commander. What can get you tonight?"
"I'll have the fish, and ice tea." Archer put down the menu and looked at T'Pol.
"Plomeek soup, Sub-Commander?" Johnson asked.
"No, I will have the Phad Thai without the chicken."
"Very good." Taking the menus, Johnson left for the kitchen.
:::Branching out?::: Archer smiled.
:::I enjoyed it last night.:::
:::It was good. The rest of the night wasn't bad either.::: She looked at Archer as he sipped the ice tea Johnson brought in.
T'Pol watched his hands as they picked up the napkin and put it on his lap, his mouth as he smiled at her, his eyes as they looked into hers; and let the control over her desires slip a little.
Archer felt his need for T'Pol grow. He ate sporadically, trying to think of something, anything else. :::Did you see the data from that nebula we passed by?::: He looked over at her. Big mistake.
She was watching him with dark, unblinking eyes, her pulse beating rapidly at the base of the throat.
:::I do not want to wait much longer, Jonathan.:::
:::Tonight? I thought the need to mate got less intense as the fever passed.:::
:::The fever has lessened, and the driving need to mate is not as overwhelming; but that does not mean the desire to is gone. I can wait for you, but I find I am reluctant to do so.:::
Putting down his silverware, Archer took a steadying breath. The way he was feeling, he could take T'Pol right here on the table and consequences be damned. :::Jupiter! Think of Jupiter!:::
Standing up, Archer said, "Shall we go?"
---------- Hoshi and Tucker rode the lift back up to the officer's quarters after dinner.
"How are you feeling? Back to normal?" he asked.
"Pretty much. Phlox wants to see me tomorrow to check my hormone levels."
Tucker was silent as they got off the lift and walked to his cabin. Once inside, Hoshi sat on the couch, but he wandered around the small room.
"Are you all right, Trip?"
"Yeah, I'm fine, jest a little restless --." He sat down at the desk as Hoshi picked up her book. She tried to read but Tucker's fidgeting kept distracting her.
"Trip, please stop." He did for about a minute, then started again.
"Trip." That worked for about two minutes.
"Commander Tucker!" The stylus that he was fiddling with clattered to the deck. "This Ensign respectfully requests that you cease and desist your screwing around! Sir!"
Tucker stood up and grinned. "I haven't even started to screw around." He pulled Hoshi up and kissed her. "It's come to my attention, *Ensign, that you are overdressed."
"Pulling rank now, are we?" Hoshi gave him a look.
"Disobeying a superior officer can get you court-martialed, *Ensign." Tucker threw himself down on the couch and leered at her. "Strip. Now. Nice and slow, *Ensign."
"Of course, *Commander, anything you say." Hoshi looked coquettishly at him before turning around to hide her giggles.
"Is something amusing, Ensign?" Tucker could barely keep the laughter from his voice.
"Not at all, Commander." Hoshi had kicked off her boots, and was un- zipping her uniform, letting it fall down her back. She pushed it over her hips as she slowly turned to face Tucker. Stepping out of the jumpsuit, she pulled the pins from her hair and let it tumble over her shoulders.
Sitting up, Tucker could only stare at Hoshi as she languidly walked toward him. The deep green wisps of lace she still wore brought out her golden skin tones. The laughter was gone from her face; she had a hunger in her eyes like he was a previously unknown alien language. Tucker now knew how all the armadillos back home felt like before becoming one with the highway. He couldn't look away if his life depended on it.
"What's the matter, Commander?" Hoshi straddled him and sat on his lap. She put her arms around his head and nipped his ear. "Cat got your tongue?" Her mouth moved to his and kissed him. "Nope, it's still there. Let's see if we can get it to work." Hoshi kissed him again, teasing his mouth open.
"Darlin', what're you mmph -"
"The Commander *can speak!" Hoshi went back to nibbling his ear. Interspersed between kisses she whispered: "The past few days have given me more - confidence in myself. So I decided to take the advantage in a situation that was not under my control."
"Way t' hustle, Ensign." Tucker wrapped his arms around her, kissing her neck. "Keep up the good work."
"Yes, sir." Hoshi arched into him as she pushed his head lower.
