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Chapter 3Captain Jon Archer stepped onto his bridge from the lift. As usual, his crew was hard at work, bent over their stations. He moved toward his chair, when a head popping up beside Hoshi stopped him. Trip smiled up at Hoshi, oblivious to the rest of the crew. As he spoke to her softly, Hoshi smiled back at him, leaning in close to hear what he had to say. Jon squared his shoulders.
"Commander Tucker!"
At his voice, Trip and Hoshi jumped. All eyes on the bridge swung to the Captain, with the exception of Malcolm. His gaze was locked on his station.
"Yes, Cap'n?" Trip said. He seemed to remember where he was and scrambled to his feet.
"I just stopped by Engineering. I had a matter I wanted to discuss with you; I assumed you would be at your station now that Dr. Phlox has cleared you for duty."
"Yes, Cap'n. Ensign Sato reported a problem with the translator; I just ran up to do a little maintenance."
"I see. Well, if you can spare a moment,"—Trip winced at the sarcasm—"I would like to discuss that matter now."
"Of course, sir." Trip hurried around Hoshi's station and followed Jon into the Captain's ready room. Jon sat and gestured to a chair across from his; Trip sank into it, a wary look on his face. The Captain's next words relieved some of his tension.
"First," Jon said gently. "I just wanted to ask, as your friend, how you're doing."
Trip grinned. "Just dandy, Jon. Happy to be back at work—all that layin' around was about to do me in for real."
Jon flinched at the reminder of his friend's brush with death, then smiled. "I thought you might say that. It actually brings me to my point." Trip looked at him with interest. "I read over your report. That was quite an ordeal you and Hoshi went through." Jon stood, suddenly feeling the need to move. The thought of his crew in danger, that he himself had placed them in that danger, riled him. Knowing that it was all in the line of duty only fueled his determination to protect his people.
"Trip, I sent you into a situation that you were unprepared for." Eyes on the floor as he paced, Jon held up a hand. Trip closed his mouth, cutting off his protest before it started. "When we began this mission, we anticipated dangerous situations. But I don't think anyone was prepared for the nature of those situations. Many of our crew lack the training that will be necessary to handle themselves in face to face confrontation."
"Jon, everyone in Starfleet completes self-defense training."
"I know. But most Starfleet cadets choose their specialties fairly early. And depending on their area, self-defense often isn't emphasized. Including engineering," he added.
"I simply want my people to be as prepared as possible. So I've asked Malcolm to put together a training program—weapons use, hand-to-hand combat, that sort of thing. For now, he'll work individually with the crew who are most likely to go on away missions, including you, Hoshi, Travis, and myself. T'Pol can handle herself, of course." He and Trip exchanged a wry look at that. "Meanwhile, he and his people will develop a larger program for the rest of the crew."
Trip looked at his friend. He knew when Jon's mind was set. 'Besides, spendin' time playin' with Malcolm's latest toys could be fun.'
"Ok. When's all this start?"
"I've already discussed it with Malcolm; see him to set your schedule."
"Will do." Trip stood. "That all?"
"Yes. No." Jon said, causing Trip to turn back to him. "What exactly is wrong with Ensign Sato's console?"
As he expected, his friend looked affronted. "Just a short. Why?"
"Is it really necessary for you, specifically, to leave Engineering to work on it?"
"Last time I checked, I am an engineer. And I didn't realize I was under confinement." Trip was really starting to get huffy now.
"Chief Engineer, Commander," Jon reminded him. "Any of your people could have handled that work." Abruptly, Jon changed tactics. "Trip, I don't have a problem with your…relationship with Hoshi. However," he continued as Trip relaxed, "I do think you need to practice some discretion. You are third in command, and becoming involved with an Ensign could be sticky. Maybe not for you, but almost certainly for her." Trip's face was stormy, but Jon met his eye. After a moment of silence, Trip sighed.
"Understood, sir. I'll be the very embodiment of discretion from this point on," he drawled, hand over his heart.
Jon smiled and clapped him on the shoulder. "That's all I ask." Jon sat, focusing his attention on the paperwork he still had to dig through. He hated paperwork. With a sigh, he said, "That's all, Trip. Send in Travis on your way back to Engineering—I want to speak to him next."
"Want me to send in Hoshi, too?"
"Nope, not necessary. Apparently she's one step ahead of me. Malcolm says she's already approached him about private lessons."
Jon was scanning the form in front of him as he spoke. The sudden, dead silence in the room caused him to glance up. Trip was staring at him as if he had started speaking in Vulcan out of the blue. "Trip?"
"Private lessons?"
"Yes, Trip," Jon said slowly, drawing out each word for emphasis. "The lessons that you and I just discussed." He watched the Commander curiously.
Trip snapped back from wherever he had been. "I'll send in Travis."
"Thank you," Jon said to his back, as he disappeared through the doors.
**
"Shit!" Hoshi swore when Malcolm swept her legs out from under her again.
"Ensign, you have to pay attention. You're leaving yourself open again and again, letting in distractions." Malcolm reached down his hand to help her up.
She stood and walked off the mat. Picking up her towel, she wiped the sweat off of her forehead and leaned back against the wall.
Malcolm watched Hoshi pant and glare at the mat.
"We can stop for today. We'll pick up from here next time." He walked over, grabbing his own towel.
"Sir, I'd like to continue. My time isn't completely up yet and I need the practice."
"I'll decide what you need in self defense, Ensign. And for today we're done." He bent down to pick up his water and was stopped by Hoshi blocking his path.
"Malcolm, please. I can do this." She looked at him hopefully.
He stared down at her, momentarily fascinated by the little beads of sweat gathered on her chest. Heat emanated from her body, enhancing her scent—sweat, but also something else—sandalwood? Her breath was calming now and he had an absurd wish to reach out and touch her. Squelching it, he cleared his throat and nodded toward the mat.
"Alright, one more time."
They walked to the mat, watching each other out of the corners of their eyes. They began circling each other, waiting to see who would make the first move. Stepping forward Malcolm reached for Hoshi, only to have her quickly turn the tables. In the same sweeping move he had used on her only moments before, she swung her leg under his knocking him off his feet.
Falling to the ground, he used his upper arms to bring her down with him. They hit the floor, each trying to gain the upper hand. Sweat poured into Hoshi's eyes. She called on everything Malcolm and Starfleet had ever taught her. After struggling for several minutes, Malcolm finally pinned her.
Panting heavily, Malcolm leaned over Hoshi watching her. She stared back defiantly, obviously angry at losing. He watched her eyes glare back at him.
Hoshi was fuming that she had lost again. She looked back at Malcolm, never breaking his gaze. She licked her dry lips and watched his gaze shift to them. She felt her pulse pick up, realizing how close they were and how they were positioned. Suddenly nervous, she broke the gaze and sat up, pushing him away. Standing, she walked back to her towel and turned to Malcolm.
"That was much better, Ensign." Malcolm said rising up and joining her. "Far from perfect but much improved." He watched her, noticing the dark circles under her eyes and the paleness of her skin.
"Did you end up getting much sleep last night?" he asked.
Ignoring his question, Hoshi said, "If we're finished, Lieutenant, I have still have some work to do tonight." She waited impatiently for his approval.
"Alright then. I'll see you tomorrow on the bridge."
The only response was the whisper of the door behind her.
