Malcolm was in the mess area, which he had to admit looked pretty much like a bar with a few dining tables shoved in for good measure. Trip had cornered off an area so it was more private. Kate and Jennifer were sitting on the far side of the table to him. On his left was Trip's cousin Emma, then Trip himself. This left three spaces at the table. Just as Malcolm was about to ask three people entered the make-shift mess building answering his question.

Captain Archer was closely followed by a very curious looking Hoshi and to Malcolm's immense surprise, T'Pol. As they approached he stood. "Captain."

"Malcolm."

"Ensign, Sub-Commander." Hoshi gave him an engaging smile and T'Pol gave him a small nod.

"Now that everyone's here," Trip began as the newcomers took their seats. (Archer next to Kate and T'Pol beside him, Hoshi next to Trip.) "lets get to eatin' I'm starving!"

"I'll second that." Kate said.

Malcolm smiled and then muttered "Of course you would." She shot him an angry glance, which quickly disappeared when a steward brought the food to the table. He watched with a smile as she began piling food on her plate, roast potatoes, broccoli, chicken, parsnips, carrots, everything she could reach. Turning to his left he saw Trip doing the same thing and laughed. Trip looked up.

"What?" he asked.

"Nothing." Malcolm said innocently. He heard Jennifer laugh as Trip frowned, but his attention was quickly drawn back to his plate.

After a few minutes of over-polite small talk Christopher Tate made a, in Malcolm's opinion thankful, interruption.

"Sorry to interrupt." He said, sounding anything but.

"Go ahead Chris." Trip said.

"We think we've figured out what's preventing us from starting up the engines, we were hoping you might come and take a look sir."

"Sure thing." He nodded to Emma, Kate and Jennifer. "Sorry bout this Cap'n but this could be the breakthrough we've been hoping for." Archer nodded.

"Commander may I join you?" Trip looked at T'Pol for a moment, a little surprised.

"I don't see why not. Hoshi?" He smiled.

"No thanks, engines aren't really my thing. But I could use a station to work on the scans I took of that machine we found earlier."

"Come on I find you somewhere." He said

"Erm, Trip, do you mind if I stay here? You guys don't need me if you're there." Jennifer asked. Trip looked as if he was about to argue, but she gave him a pleading look and he gave in.

"Whatever." He waved a hand in her direction and lead the way out, Hoshi, T'Pol, Kate and Emma followed.

Once they were out of earshot, Jennifer shifted closer to the captain, Malcolm also moved closer.

"Captain, I've been meaning to talk to you." She began. He gave her a wary look.

"Really?" he said shooting a glance Malcolm's way.

"Yes it's concerning, well the impending court-martials to be blunt."

"Yes?"

"Well I was thinking about how we should build up Trip's defence?"

"You've lost me." Archer told her. Malcolm smirked as she continued as if he hadn't spoken.

"Well obviously the fact that I used our daughter to black-mail him into taking a position aboard this ship is the pivotal point of his entire case." She said with a raised eye-brow, the corners of her mouth twitched slightly.

"You did what?" he asked disbelievingly.

"That's right." Malcolm said barely containing a grin. "I was a witness." Jennifer nodded enthusiastically. Archer looked from one to the other frowning, then he seemed to comprehend what was going on.

"So what you're saying is, he didn't really have a choice he was forced into it?" he asked.

"Exactly." Jennifer and Malcolm said simultaneously. Archer smiled.

"Then . . ." he trailed off.

"Exactly." Jennifer said.

Ok people! thanks for the reviews! (Oh and Tobie thanks for the support on the exam front, that's what I keep telling myself, it doesn't seem to stop me worrying though!)

Sorry this chapter isn't that long, I just wanted to get it posted, I don't think I'll be posting anymore for a day or two after tommorrow, so I thought I should get this bit done. Hope you liked it, a few people said they wanted to know what Jen's plan was, now you know!

Review, pretty please.