The last chapter seemed to end a bit abruptly and this last bit wouldn't leave me alone. Thank you to all who reviewed, it was very helpful and nice of you.

"Trip', Tucker started slightly at the sound of his name, 'please tell me you're serious. Tell me that this is not a huge joke. Tell me you love me, cos I love you and I am willing to risk it all for you. Everything. And if you're not prepared to do the same.."

But here Malcolm was abruptly cut off as Trip, risking everything, leaned down and kissed him.

The kiss lasted only seconds before Tucker pulled back

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to do that it just sorta happened" but he got no further as Malcolm brushed a tentative hand at the back of Tucker's neck, guiding him in to another soft kiss. Neither of the men wanted to push the other too far, but Trip took the initiative and deepened the kiss slowly, waiting for Malcolm to respond each time.

As they broke apart the absurdness of their position suddenly occurred to Malcolm, who stepped back and allowed Trip to move away from the door. He looked slightly uncomfortable as he lead the way further in to his quarters, indicating that Tucker should take a seat while he himself perched on the edge of his desk. Trip sat on the side of the bed, hands in his lap, also at a bit of a loss what to do next. Malcolm shifted his weight a little, clearly trying to find the best way to begin the conversation.

"Is this…real? Are we actually going to do this? The whole relationship…thing?" As he spoke Reed used a finger to loosen his collar, betraying his nerves.

Tucker looked up from his hands, eyes meeting Malcolm's without hesitation

"Yeah, actually" he said with the slightest trace of a smirk.

"Even if Starfleet forbids it? What about Captain Archer? What about.."

"The Cap'n's already said that he won't forbid shipboard relationships, we could be out here for 5 years, or more. Starfleet will listen to him; he's the only one with experience. An' even if they try to stop us, I don't care"

"Away missions, inter – departmental arguments, there are so many things that could go wrong."

"Mal, stop overanalysing this. You said you'd risk everything."

"I know…"

"Well, I can't wait for you to decide I'm worth the risk. I've never been that kind of guy, so I'm j'st gonna lay it out for you. I said I was in love with you, n' those are words I don't use often. This is as real as it gets for me and I will fight anyone from crewman to admiral to be with you. But the one person I'm not gonna battle with is you. I want to be with you, do the whole 'relationship thang', cos I think that we could be strong enough. But if you're going to kill this with 'what if's' before we've even got started…"

Tucker trailed off; there was nothing left to say. He waited for a moment, hoping to see some encouragement from Reed, but the lieutenant was looking at his feet and giving nothing away.

Tucker felt like his heart had been through the plasma injectors, but he was proud enough to leave the room before things got really embarrassing. He got up from the bed as quietly as possible, planning to leave without further awkwardness. As he passed by Malcolm, an arm blocked his path and Trip looked across to Reed, a purposefully non committal expression on his face.

Reed lowered his arm slowly, then raised his eyes to look in to Tuckers.

"I prepared myself so well for rejection that I didn't know how to react when you said yes. I can't help being a bit cynical; it's just a part of who I am. Why don't we start this slowly? I love you and…and you love me' here Reed waited for Trip's nod of confirmation, then took a deep breath, 'so, I suppose what I'm asking is.."

"Yes...to whatever question you wanna ask me"

Malcolm smiled at this and allowed himself to be drawn in to a light hug. A slight pressure on the side of Reed's face caused him to turn and his lips were just in the right place to meet Trip's.

Once the kiss ended Malcolm, a little breathless opened his mouth again

"I was only going to ask you to go for coffee with me" but his eyes sparkled as he said it. Trip stepped back and made a mock bow, ushering Malcolm towards the door.

"No time like the present"

A/N does this last bit seem ok, or does it wreck it? I'm always nervous about this kind of thing

WfmS