This should also be under the R-rated category

^*^*Chapter Five*^*^

It was ten minutes past oh-seven-hundred, and Archer paced his office, waiting. He decided to give Trip some time for he might have had trouble getting up that morning. Stepping out onto the bridge, he looked around, saying nothing. T'Pol looked at him, sensing his impatience. Reed hesitantly took his eyes from his consol and eyed the captain pacing around. Archer soon stood next to his chair, staring down at the Drendarin planet below. Suddenly, they heard the doors slide open behind them. Archer's head snapped back and eyed the engineer who walked reluctantly onto the bridge. Trip cleared his throat and looked at everyone in the room who had their eyes on him.

"Cap'n," he greeted Archer.

"Commander. In my office," he replied, a hint of impatience in his voice. Trip walked into the office, Archer only anxious steps behind him. "Sit down." He nearly ordered as they stood inside. Trip sat in the usual chair he liked as his captain decided to stand. He thought best to let Archer speak first and patiently waited in the awkward silence.

"Alright, Trip," Archer began, shifting his stance. "Let's get right to it. What happened, Trip?" His engineer looked at him intently, taking a deep breath.

"Okay," he said. "First off, Aneorm has a special gift." Archer was caught slight off guard at his sudden bluntness.

"What?" he simply asked.

"Aneorm, as most of the women on Drendara, have a special gift. You probably won't believe me," Trip was quick to clear up what he had said and he attempted to explain in the easiest terms he could. It bothered him to try to explain such a thing that meant so much to him, something that he believed no one could possibly understand in words. "Somehow, they can bring out certain… feelings… emotions… out of a man."

"What do you mean 'bring out'?" Archer interrupted. His captain stared him in the face, frozen in his unsettling mix between confusion and curiosity. Trip leaned forward in his chair, nervously twisting his fingers together, thinking for a moment, worrying of what Aneorm might think of how much he was about to tell Archer.

"They sort of… bring out the hidden emotions of man," he said, face nearly wincing. For a moment, he received nothing but a blank stare and a doubtful nod from the other man. Scratching his head, he thought over what he had just said. There's no way Archer would get what was going on, and decided to spare him, by attempting to change the subject. "What happened to me, for instance… it got out of control because of me… so please don't blame her." Archer's eyes seemed to cross.

"Is that it?" he asked him. Trip's mouth was open but nothing came out. He nervously nodded his head, but knew the captain wouldn't fall for it. Archer rubbed his eyes with his fingers and sat down. Trip swallowed as soon as he landed, knowing his captain wasn't about to let this go. "How do they have this gift?"

"I don't know. They just do," he said; the sooner he would explain as much as he could, or should, the better. "When you touch them, you get this feeling over you, this wave of… I don't know how to describe it," Trip felt himself chuckle out of frustration. He wanted Archer to understand, yet he didn't. It was something that had become important to him, and for some odd yet selfish reason, he wanted to have it for himself and no one else. "Aneorm didn't even describe it to me… I just knew."

"I see," Archer said, but he only saw what was on the surface. "Why did Aneorm come to you? How could she have known this… gift… would work with a different species?"

"She didn't. She didn't even know it would work with me. But when it did… she knows more about me, understands me, and wants to become even closer," he stopped himself, believing he had embellished too much. He shifted uncomfortably in his chair, awaiting more questions from his captain even though there would be even less answers.

"But why? Why did she want to become closer to you… and bring out these emotions… even to the point where it could hurt you…?" Archer asked eagerly. "…and maybe others?"

"She didn't know it would hurt anyone," Trip said, voice wavering a bit. There was a lump in his throat but he shook it off. Archer was still unconvinced and wouldn't let go. 

"Well, she must have known it could have hurt you," Archer spoke incredulously. "Look at the state you were in. Why would she do something like that?"

"I don't know, damn it!"  Trip cracked. He didn't want to explain anymore. "I do know, but I can't explain. She cares for me and has no intention in hurting me…"

"Trip…"

"And I don't intend to hurt her," Trip snapped coldly. Archer looked fixedly into his friend's eyes watered in desperation and anger.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Archer asked, taken aback. Trip didn't say anything and swallowed, averting his eyes from his friend's. He really had said too much.

"Nothing," Trip said quickly under his breath and lowered his head. Archer stood back up and gazed out the window. The awkward silence was pungent… and familiar.

"I don't think we should bring that up again, Trip," he said stiffly, straightening his back. There was another long pause. Trip didn't want to discuss it, but something told him to push it forward.

"We haven't even talked about it since," he responded regretfully. 

"Damn it, Trip," Archer turned to him, trying to keep his voice steadied. "You understand how things went. I know you do." Trip didn't say a word and looked onto the floor. Was there anything really to talk about? Trip had made a mistake, something he had felt incredibly guilty for, something he felt he had definitely learned from, and he felt he deserved everything Archer had thrown at him. But, it still bothered him. He understood why Archer said what he did, in the way that he did, as his captain. But as his friend, it was another story. You deserved it damn it he was being your captain. His eyes filled up and could see Archer blur behind the tears. Stop it stop it don't do this just stop. He couldn't speak, his voice would tremble and Archer would notice. "Trip…"

"I know, Jon…" Trip answered as solid as he could. He could have been easier on me but he's the captain he might have wanted to be easier on me but he's the…  "…Captain." The word spilled out, disturbingly lucid. Archer stood frozen for a moment. He had never heard something so cold.

"Then why does it upset you? It didn't seem to before… after awhile," Archer tried to acknowledge in a professional voice. Deep inside, he wanted to come out and be his friend. Trip stood up and turned his back towards him, wiping his face. Control yourself damn it. Everything was crashing in at once, waves of cold, flesh burning insecurity.

"I don't know," Trip said. "I've just been really confused lately." He brought himself to turn and face his captain, looking him straight in the face, despite all his humility. "Leave Aneorm out of this… please." Archer looked straight back, hesitant to upset his friend anymore.

"I can't," he said. "I have to know more to see if she's a threat. Or if any of the other women from her planet are a threat to the crew."

"They're not, Captain, trust me!" Trip pleaded with him. He seemed so certain, urging him to just stay out of it. Archer looked into his friend's bloodshot eyes, sighing deeply. He didn't know what to do next. He trusted Trip no matter what he had said before, but now he was just worried about him. Trip wasn't disrupting the Drendarins, they were disrupting him. In Archer's mind Aneorm had some sort of sick hold on Trip that he couldn't understand and that Trip couldn't handle. Trip had changed, his eyes had changed, and he was a different man, a man that was willing to defy his captain if pushed enough. As he looked into Trip's unrelenting eyes again, he realized there was only a limit to what he could do. 

"I told Kemparu and Jivan that we were leaving in two days," Archer stated. Trip's heart leapt beneath his chest, bringing a lump back in his throat. "And that was yesterday." Eyes stilled, brows furrowing, Trip revisited the moment he had attacked Malcolm. The lieutenant heard a scream from outside his quarters and came in to help, only, Trip saw someone else. He saw his captain, his friend, and the man who inflamed all his guilt into one, dark moment.

"Captain…" Trip said, speechless. This was what they usually did, but he never really thought that far ahead: they would say goodbye to their new friends for a long while. He would leave Aneorm, and he wouldn't see her again, wouldn't feel her again. He stared into his friend's face again, and even through his blurred vision, he could see the regret in Archer's eyes. He hoped giving Trip another small chance would ease the tension between them.

"You are not to see Aneorm… alone," Archer ordered, trying to let him down easy. "I can't take any more risks, Trip." He walked closer to him, almost patting him on the arm but his friend backed away. Trip blinked, averting his eyes from Archer and pressing his lips together. They began to tremble and he tucked his chin, turning away from his captain, his best friend. Archer watched in awe as Trip quickly exited the bridge without a word. It was colder than words. Words would have at least brought them together somehow. But as the doors closed, he felt further and further away from his best friend as the moments went by. He grimaced, trying to hold back his need to burst out of that room and go after Trip, tell him that he was still his friend, that he could trust him, and tell him anything. But what held him back were his needs as a captain; he had to protect Trip and the rest of the crew.

Reed was again, guiltily looking at Trip, but with his head held up high. Trip briefly eyed T'Pol and then looked at the armory officer. He walked over to him by his station and Reed situated himself better in his chair.

"Sir…" Reed began, not sure if he was just greeting him or if he was about to apologize. He didn't know what the captain had decided to do with him, but was sure it wasn't good. Trip just stood there groggily, mouth open without words. "Are you alright, Sir?"

"Lieutenant…" Trip said quietly, taking a deep breath. "I'm gonna try to fix the hull platin' on that Drendarin cargo ship… but I could use a hand."

"Yes, Sir," Reed replied, still staring at him, stormy blue eyes pierced with concern.

"How 'bout… in three hours?"

"Yes, Sir… I'll be there."

Trip forced an ironic, lax smile, nodding his head. His eyes hung out staring at his feet, so tired, they looked like they could fall right out onto the floor. He patted Malcolm on the shoulder and slowly walked out the door, nodding to the Sub-Commander on the way.

^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^

As he thoroughly examined his fork, his chin rested in his hand, spinning the noodles around the prongs, watching the now cold red sauce slime around with it. He only ate half his meal and had too much on his mind to finish it. Aneorm hadn't come to lunch earlier that day and it disillusioned him. Archer had told him he couldn't see Aneorm by himself again, but hoped they could at least speak in the mess hall. He even hoped she would show up in engineering but he was too busy fixing the Drendarin cargo ship. With people there, it would make everything less interesting as it was before. He wouldn't be close to her, wouldn't feel anything special between them like it was. Looking up at the mess hall entrance once more, he sighed. She still wasn't there and probably wouldn't come. He dropped his fork on his plate and stood up. The clang echoed painfully in his ears and he winced. He was still recuperating after their last incident even though Phlox did everything he could. Walking towards the door, he nodded to fellow crewmen and Drendarins. He needed just a quick nap badly and seemed to drag his feet as he walked down the corridors towards his quarters.

"Trip," someone called to him and he jerked his head back, startled. Aneorm had walked up to him, nearly out of breath. She was dressed more casual now, but still elegant. He didn't pay any attention to the colors she wore besides her beautiful face.

"Aneorm," he said in relief and smiled. "I was wonderin' where you were." She didn't say anything, merely gazing into his sparkling blue eyes. But something was wrong. He could sense it as she roughly grabbed his hand. Her eyes were a bright green again, this time nearly yellow.

"Come with me," she said eagerly and squeezed his hand tighter. He frowned and looked at her, ashamed.

"I got orders not to be alone with you," he said cautiously. He really wanted to be alone with her again even if just to talk and relax. And he looked at her searchingly, thinking she had an answer. But she was hiding something.

"You have nothing to be afraid of, Trip," she assured him. Pushing the subject away, her hand clenched again and his did the same as he felt another sensation.

"Alright," he said relaxed. The corridors were empty, no one was following him. "I still have so many questions, Aneorm."

"And they'll be answered," she said as she hurried him down the corridors.

They came to his quarters, and without saying a word, he knew to simply open the door and enter. As they swiftly came inside, Aneorm had grabbed his other hand and stood, staring into his eyes. It pained him at the thought of never touching her again, and knew someone would try to take that away from him again. He swallowed nervously and began to sweat at the expression on her face. Her mood had changed, she was still eager, but this time it felt for a different reason. She wanted to be close to him, and he could feel she wanted more than what they already had.

"Aneorm, what's wrong?"

"You're leaving sooner than I thought…" she said, speaking in a hurry. "…tomorrow." He couldn't think of what to say at the sound of that wretched word. That word used to be a good thing to him. It usually meant he would see new worlds, new species, and he would be living his life doing what he absolutely loved. But at that moment, the only thing on his mind was Aneorm, and he couldn't let go. Archer would break that from him, of course, the feelings inside of him that he never felt before. Just at thought of it, staring into her glowing eyes, she sensed the anger build up inside him.

"No," Aneorm urged, pushing her body against his. "Not again. Not now."

"We're leaving too soon," he choked.

"No it isn't, not just yet," she stressed. Trip could feel his hands burn, the familiar sensations were powerful. But they were neither of anger nor simple joy.

"Questions?" he heard himself ask. He couldn't feel himself say it, but he heard it.

"Will be answered," she nearly whispered. She looked straight into his eyes and held her breath. "No words." Her lips hadn't moved and he gasped from the sight. What was happening? It was strangely different, yet familiarly latent, and it scared him.        

Suddenly, not letting go of his hands, she landed her lips onto his. She was roughly biting, yet was soft. He closed his eyes, becoming weak at the touch. His lips slid open and she hungrily tugged at them with her tongue. Her fingers slid between his and rubbed his soft knuckles. Their heads jerked against each other as it became more powerful, more passionate. But as the passion grew, it as well became more relaxed. He felt no more anger, no more guilt, and no more pain. He could feel the electricity of it all as their fingers entwined. It was something even more than joy. It was almost unbearable to him but she somehow made it that much easier for him.

After what felt like an eternity, her fingers crawled over his muscular hands, up his powerful arms hidden under the thick uniform, and grabbed the back of his neck pulling him closer. His hands wrapped around her waist and he pressed against her tighter and tighter. Her fingers reached up and roughly brushed through his sweaty hair. He thought of nothing but their closeness, and her sensitive touch. There was something even more as her fingers massaged in strenuous swirls over his soft scalp. His eyes lolled to the back of his head and their lips departed. She apparently didn't mind as she continued clawing and clawing. What was she doing to him? Still no guilt, no pain, but something more. His spine tingled as she landed her lips back onto his, tongues aimlessly wandering each other's mouths. She had pushed him onto the edge of the bed and after a moment, he opened his eyes, caught off guard. He looked down. She had tugged at his collar, and fully unzipped the thick jacket of his uniform before he realized it.

"Wait," Trip said suddenly, mystified. He gently pushed her only inches away and their eyes locked. "Is this right?" She paused, reaching her soft hands up the blue tank-top. Dazzling blue and glowing yellow created a fire between them, overwhelming him.

"Trust me," she told him. His stomach churned nervously as she rubbed his strong abdomen and chest. He stared for a long moment into her eyes, preoccupied with what was going on through their minds. His hair was nearly plastered to his forehead from the sweat yet she was perfectly dry. His heart raced but she was still and in control. He couldn't exactly read her mind, but he felt some kind of force she was holding him onto with. She was desperate for his touch, for what he was feeling, and he needed the same. He had felt so lonely, for such a long time, and he needed something to cling to even if it were for only a few moments. They were all lonely in some way on that ship, and he had gotten used to it and learned to accept it. But Aneorm was there, and he could sense the isolation in her as well.

Slowly, he took a deep breath, and closed his eyes. This whole thing scared him, the intimacy, and the constant sensations flowing throughout his mind and body. She probably was never with an alien man before, but was embracing every moment their emotions were locked together. He nervously swallowed and drew her back for another kiss. Her hands reached out of his tank and quickly pulled down the too-warm jacket. Without hesitating, he pulled his arms out of the thick sleeves and wrapped them around her to remove her top. The air was cool, but she was hot against his skin. She roughly pulled his tank over his head and smiled brightly at his messed hair. He eagerly pulled it off his arms and threw it across the room, sloppily knocking something over with a clatter. He brought his arms around her waist and she pushed him down, lying atop of him. As he tried to remove her strange, sophisticated top, their skin became hotter. His chest heaved in and out with impatience. He could barely breathe but it was all worth it. She massaged her fingers all around his large, sweaty chest and strong shoulders, caressing his muscular curvatures. 

Finally removing the top, he slightly chuckled at his clumsiness and could feel her smile beneath his lips. Her tongue traveled up his cheek and caressed his ear as he kissed her shoulder. Their chests pressed against each other and soft fingers were brought back through his sweaty hair. They eventually met lips again and he almost couldn't handle it. Certainly he had been in this type of 'situation' before, but Aneorm made it continuously difficult for him to embrace… or control. This feeling that she was giving him, this ecstasy was like nothing he had felt before and he sensed she felt the same way through their touch. It made him feel closer to her because this was strange to her as well. He embraced her nonetheless whether he was ready for this alien's power or not.

His hands clumsily yet comfortingly traveled all over her body, rubbing her soft skin. She gasped at his energy and strength. She was surprised and highly relieved, and he knew it. He could finally handle what she was doing to him and she looked desperately into his eyes. Holding on tighter, she tugged at his soft scalp and closed her eyes. Suddenly, his head swum with confusion as what felt like bolts of electricity pounded over and over.

"Aneorm," he tried to call to her.

"Sshh… no words," she immediately hushed. Stay with me, Trip. He didn't understand her. He knew what she meant but once again, she was forcing something on him he might not be able to handle. His body could barely move, but was getting more and more stiff.

"It hurts," he moaned. "My head… everythin'…"

It's alright… I'm here she didn't speak but he could hear her, and the soft fingers began to rub his temples. She wanted to continue but his head pounded and his skin felt as though it was on fire. It was too much, and he tried to maneuver his leg so he could sit up. He needed to rest, and to get a hold of himself again, no matter how much he needed her touch.

Sshh he heard her again and she quickly wrapped her leg around his thigh. Her soft hands wrapped around his waist and traveled up his back to claw at his shoulder blades.

No he thought and she heard him. It had to stop. Just for a moment to control himself, but she resisted.

Its okay she tried to calm him stay with me. His chest rose up and down, out of breath, as he felt her hands move lower and lower. His head swelled again and his body ached. Her hands caressed his firm rear for a moment then reached to remove his trousers.

No he urged again. She didn't reply and unzipped them. His blazing eyes gawked at her frantically. He tried to push her away, his hands loosened around her waist and up her bare back. No. They wouldn't move; he no longer had any power over himself, lying there helpless and motionless. His hands just laid there, his head pounded against his heartbeat.

Please stop he begged, wincing from sharp twinges behind his eyes.

Its too dangerous she replied. He could still read every emotion in her mind and almost feel everything she was capable of as her species. Stay with me it'll be over soon. Despite what she told him, he tried to fight it. There was now only pain. The peace and the joy and the serenity was now gone. He wanted to go through this with her but also tried to stop it. Trip look at me.

His bloodshot eyes looked out his red, terrified face into hers, begging for her to stop. It was intolerable for she wouldn't listen to him. Her yellow eyes stared into him intently, not willing to let go. It was no longer only physical pain, but he felt betrayal. He closed his eyes, his heart raced and his chest ached. His lungs felt like they were collapsing inside of him as he gasped for air. She was saddled against him, feeling around below his waist, and then unzipped his trousers. A cold tear ran down his face as he moaned at her pressure. He was being hurt deliberately by someone who had brought him so much joy, but was now betraying his trust. They both still had strong feelings towards each other, and he knew she didn't want to harm him, but couldn't help it. He had to stop her from doing something she would highly regret, forgetting to think of himself.

Stop it Aneorm. In his mind he could finally move his arms. He could see them reach down and grab her wrists, and could feel them clenching hard.

No Trip she pleaded I don't want to hurt you. His jaw clenched, his face turned purple, and he groaned from the pressure under his arms trying to remove her. He could see his hands push her away, and felt them squeeze her wrists as tight as he could. She may have been smaller and more delicate but she weighed a ton to him. Within moments as she continued to refuse to let go of him, his eyes lolled back and he began to tremble. Beads of sweat crawled off his skin while she was still completely dry and hot. His pulse thundered in his head and his back arched. At the sight, she finally let go of the grasp on him and he yelped in anguish.

Aneorm screamed as Trip rolled off the bed and fell onto the floor, convulsing uncontrollably with his eyelids clenched shut. She quickly covered herself up and watched in agony as he reached his hands up and held his head from the pain. He yelled in terror and curled up, then squirmed with his legs outstretched, then cowered back into a fetal position over and over again.

His skin cooled off and he began to get chills. He wouldn't look at her for he felt betrayed… yet also ashamed of himself. His face, red with tears, simply buried itself into the floor. And he could only focus on trying to rid the pain. She grabbed a blanket and crawled over to him. Wrapping it around him, she hesitantly wrapped her own arms around it, careful not to touch his skin. He trembled beneath her, and it only got worse as the moments went by. Tears filled in her eyelids and she detested herself for her carelessness. After awhile, unsuccessfully trying to relax him, she finally pressed a button on the comm.

"Lieutenant Reed, this is Aneorm," she said, trying to keep her voice steady.

"Yes, Aneorm?" he answered after a moment, concerned. He knew there was something wrong.

"Come to Commander Tucker's quarters immediately."

To Be Continued…