The Captain raised his eyebrows, "This isn't Rule # 17, (A contract is a contract is a contract. But only between Ferengi.) is it?"
The Nagus guffawed, "No, I was thinking of Rule #177, (Know your enemies…but do business with them always.)
Jon laughed, "Agreed." The contracts were signed over luncheon and the Nagus stood, "Now I'm going to enjoy the planet." Jon stood. "Profit is it's own reward." He bowed and the Nagus clapped his hands and his entourage left with him at its head.
Now that the trade talks were over Jon whisked Buffy to a house overlooking the ocean. Porthos was already there, Travis having delivered him earlier. Buffy walked around, enjoying the breezes that came through windows. Jon watched silently, she was in a bikini top, shorts, barefoot and looked lovely. Buffy turned to him, "Stare much, my Captain?"
He grinned, "Only at you."
Buffy took a good look at him, he was wearing tan slacks, a tacky tropical shirt and sandals. Her eyes went to his and she said abruptly, "Thank you."
He walked over to her, placing a kiss on her nose. "Why?" He gently brushed a thumb over her healing lip.
"For letting me be me." He looked at her puzzled, "Huh?"
Buffy laughed happily and threw her arms around him in a hug. "You make me happy!" and she was, happy to be her, happy to be with him, just happy.
Jon's heart was pounding in chest, a thousand words on his lips. He wanted to say so many things but settled on, "You make me happy too Buffy. Very." And he held her tight.
They only had 2 days and they filled them with water sports (and lovemaking of course, sheesh.). They swam, sail boarded and did a little water-skiing. On the last day, the sun was setting and they were in the swimming pool at the resort. Jon was earnestly explaining water polo to Buffy and she was looking at him dreamily in the waning sunlight. She loved the way the water clung to his bare chest, and the sunset turning him into a golden statue.
"Buffy? Did you hear a word I said?" He watched as she smiled, "Sure I did Captain, Sir." He moved through the water and pulled her tight. She jumped up and wrapped her legs around his waist, and her arms around his neck, resting her head on his shoulder.
"Missing the Enterprise?" she asked quietly. He smiled, she knew him too well. "Oh yeah." He sighed.
"Then lets go home."
Silik had indeed disappeared but it was treated as a non-event since they knew it was going to happen. There was security sweep but no one was found. The crew settled back into their routines shipboard, relaxed and ready to go.
There were a lot of rumors flying around about Commander Tucker's exploits with the women on Risa. Sometimes loud enough for Buffy to hear, on purpose. One such episode happened in the crew mess and Buffy shook her head in amazement and looked at Hoshi. "Good grief! I've heard Trip being hooked up with every non-blond woman on the planet. He's talented but not that good."
"Thanks for the vote darlin'." Came Trip's voice from behind her.
Buffy glared at Hoshi, "You couldn't have just said he was there?" Hoshi grinned as Trip sat down beside Buffy.
"Stuff gets blown out of proportion." He smiled sweetly at Buffy who rolled her eyes.
"Well, I happen to talk to a pair of Risan twins who said..mmf" Trip clapped a hand over her mouth, "You're not very nice!" He hissed. She bit him and he yelped, "Ouch!"
Buffy looked over at Hoshi, "As I was saying, Delia and Daila were tall, brunette and curvy. They said Trip played very nicely." She smirked as she said this and Hoshi laughed at the look on Trip's face.
Trip leaned over, "Yeah, well what about you? I heard about you bendin' over and givin' the Cap'n a peek." He retorted and poked her with his fork as She sputtered, "How in the.." She finally leaned back, "If you got 'em, flaunt 'em." She defended weakly and he snorted in laughter.
He shook his head at her, "Don't go throwin' stones, you forget that I know you too well." He teased.
She leaned forward, "Right back at ya' pal!" she replied tartly. His face flamed and suddenly he laughed hysterically, making Hoshi and Buffy grin with him. "I wish Jon luck with you, you're a hellcat." They both realized that they had started mending their relationship. It was a good feeling.
Hoshi frowned over at Trip, "What's the matter Commander? You don't like short women?" she asked and he leered playfully at her, "I like 'em short and curvy."
Buffy laughed and clapped a hand over her heart, "Oh, I'm hurt." The three of them laughed and stood, leaving the crew mess.
The Captain was walking Porthos down the hallway when Trip, Buffy and Hoshi exited the crew mess. Porthos started wagging his tail when he saw them and Buffy's face lit up when she saw the Captain.
"Hey Captain, are you slumming?" she asked cheerfully.
Trip and Hoshi exchanged a quick glance at the look on the Captain's face. Captain Jonathon Archer was in love, or as close to it as possible without it hitting him on the head. He smiled at Buffy, "Actually I was looking for Trip."
Buffy nodded, "Like I said, slumming." Trip smacked her gently on the head.
She threw him a cheeky grin and bent down to fuss with Porthos, "Let me take you for a walk big guy." She took the leash from Jon's unresisting fingers, "Come on Hoshi, we'll show Porthos the girl's secret hideout!" she laughed and Hoshi nodded in assent, "I deliver!" she called to Jon and with a wave the woman walked down the hallway, Porthos happy as a pup.
Jon and Trip watched the women walk away, "So what's up Cap'n?"
"The Nagus told me about an agricultural planet called Angel 1 that welcomes space trade. Chef would like something new to cook. I'm thinking of heading over and checking it out. But since the Nagus recommended it…" Jon's voice trailed off.
Trip laughed, "We'll need to be careful. Who're ya takin'?" he asked.
"T'pol and Lt. Reed."
"Good, I'm not into fruits and veggies unless I'm eatin'."
"Just take care of my ship, Commander." Jon clapped Trip on the shoulder and walked back to the bridge.
