Title: Enthrallment
Chapter 2
*****
"Honestly."
Trip glances up from his tray as I slam mine unceremoniously onto the table.
After a moment, he says, "Problem, Malcolm?"
"That man is to menace to this ship!" I say.
Trip smiles crookedly. "Major Hayes, huh? What did he do this time?"
I let out a long, tortured breath. "He has decided that my suggested security measures for the Ambassador's visit aren't adequate. He suggested to the Captain that we use his men—apparently they're 'far more skilled in this area'—and, if that weren't more than enough, he suggested that we use a decoy when bring the Ambassador to the ship."
We've managed to find a potential ally against the Xindi here in the Expanse. Considering what we're up against at the moment, we need every ally we can get. Consequently, we're hosting a meeting between their Ambassador and Captain Archer tomorrow.
Grinning at me, Trip says, "The nerve."
"Well, really, Trip. I've been handling the ship's security for how long?"
Trip stares at me open-mouthed. "You handle ship's security?"
"Very amusing, Commander Tucker."
He laughs. "Well, come on. You've been griping about Major Hayes since he came on board. To tell you the truth, you'd prob'ly have made the very same suggestions about the Ambassador if you'd thought of 'em first."
I glare. He's probably right. Still, it irks me that Major Hayes just had to question me in front of the Captain.
"He could have come to me with his proposal," I say.
Smirking, Trip says, "You are pretty approachable."
Before I have a chance to argue, Hoshi walks up, and slips into a chair.
"What are you two up to?" She asks cheerfully.
"We're discussing Malcolm's tragic life," Trip pipes up.
Hoshi laughs. "Trouble with Major Hayes, hmm?"
"Oh, honestly," I say.
"Didn't I see you sitting with him the other day?" Hoshi asks.
I lean back in my chair. "Yes, that's another thing," I say. "The Captain told me that I have to 'start making more of an effort with Major Hayes.' So, I tried to have lunch with the man. I tried to reach out. And yet, he still approaches the Captain before he approaches me."
"So," Trip says. "Since you ate a sandwich at the same table as Major Hayes, you reckon that the two of you have bonded or something?"
"Of course not," I say harshly. "I'm just saying that he could make more of an effort."
"You know," Hoshi says. "You two should be the closest of friends. You're so much alike."
"I'm nothing like Major Hayes," I sputter.
Hoshi shrugs. "I don't know. You both like guns and military history."
I shake my head. "We may share similar interests, but he's arrogant, inflexible, and standoffish. He eats, sleeps, and breaths 'the mission.'"
Both Trip and Hoshi start to laugh uncontrollably.
"What?" I snap.
"You just described yourself," Hoshi chokes.
I stand up and send my chair hurtling backward. "You two just go right ahead and . . ." I frown, searching for an appropriate insult.
"Malcolm, we're teasing," Hoshi says.
I turn on my heel and stalk toward the door. "Well, do it without me," I babble.
Hurrying toward the exit, I glance behind me. Both Trip and Hoshi are still giggling like
schoolgirls.
Suddenly, I slam into right into something solid, and a pair of muscular arms
reach out to steady me.
Major Hayes.
"Pardon me, sir," he says. "Are you all right?"
"Of course I am, Major," I retort. "What kind of question is that?"
I feel my cheeks begin to blaze. As if being mocked by my alleged friends wasn't enough. Now I've run into that self-assured soldier.
He narrows his eyes. "My apologies, sir," he says curtly.
"Very well," I say, smoothing my uniform. "Carry on, then."
"Thank you, sir," he says, turning to walk away.
I watch him as he strides confidently toward a table full of smirking MACOs—no doubt they're highly amused that I made an idiot of myself. Just before he sits down, the Major sneaks a glance at me. He holds my gaze for a moment, and then he takes his place at the table.
I sigh. Well, I've just lost my temper yet again. Honestly, I don't know why he addles me so much. I should probably apologize for snapping at him, but my pride won't allow me to be contrite him in front his men. Perhaps I'll speak to him later.
Walking into the hall, I take one last look at the Major. He's leaning back in his chair, laughing and joking with his men. For all his rattling on about chain-of-command and regulations, Major Hayes seems to have formed a tight-knit group of people. I can't remember the last time I had lunch with one of my men.
Maybe Trip, Hoshi, and the Captain are right. I'm not the most socially-adept individual on the ship. Perhaps I should make a concerted effort to connect with Major Hayes. I nod to myself. That's precisely what I should do.
Resolved, I stride down the hall toward the elevator.
