Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to review this story.

You have no idea how good it makes me feel to read that you're enjoying Reflections-Refractions. My real life this past couple of weeks has been very hectic and at times just about out of control. It's nice to read a review because it makes me smile and helps me get through my day.

Chapter 8

Malcolm ate his meal and tried to avoid working; instead he attempted to finish reading Ulysses where he had left off when he had been stranded on Shuttlepod One with Trip over a year ago. After reading the same few paragraphs several times, he threw the book aside. He changed into his shorts and tank top, grabbed a towel, and headed to the ship's gym.

Once he arrived he found the place rather crowded, but seeing Trip Tucker on one of the exercise bikes, he made his way over to his friend and to the idle exercise bike beside him.

He wove his way around some of the other crewmembers who were exercising when he heard a voice behind him. It made him cringe.

"Michael! Yooo-hHooo, Mickey!"

Oh great, he thought. He couldn't even go to the gym and get away from his brother. He now wished he had stayed in his cabin.

"MICHAEL!"

The annoying screeching voice was getting louder. Then he felt a hand grab hold of his shoulder and pull him around.

"Michael, didn't you hear..."

Ensign Jessica Ridgeway, a titian haired goddess with a figure to rival T'Pol and from his own armory department, stood before him, mouth agape, eyes wide.

"Ensign," Malcolm replied, his voice was cold, his eyes narrowed.

"Oh...Oh, I'm so, sorry, L-Lieutenant!" Jessica said pushing a lock of red hair back over her ear. "I-I thought you...I expected...I didn't..."

"I believe you have alpha shift tomorrow?" Reed asked evenly.

"Ah...Yes... Yes, sir."

"See that you arrive on time. We have a lot of things to accomplish."

"Y-yes, sir."

"Dismissed, Ensign."

Jessica backed away from the irritated lieutenant and immediately exited the gym.

"You didn't have to be so hard on Jessica, Malcolm," Trip remarked when Malcolm sat on the exercise bike to the left of the engineer.

Malcolm grumbled and started to pedal with force.

"Ya know, maybe you need a break. You should join Travis and me tonight. We're going to have a nice game of poker in Cargo Bay Two."

"Poker?" Malcolm asked, continuing to increase his pace.

"Yep, poker, some foot-long sandwiches Chef's going to make, beer, and of course Michael's bringing cigars." Trip said saying the last part very quickly hoping Malcolm wouldn't notice.

"What was that, Commander?"

"Chef's making sandwiches," Trip said cheerfully, trying to match Malcolm's speed. "You know the real long ones."

"Foot-longs you said?"

"Yeah, that's right, with ham, cheese, turkey, hot peppers--all the fixin's!"

"And the beer?" Malcolm asked. He again increased his exertion.

"Ah huh, gotta have the beer--cold beer, not that warm crap you English drink."

"And what was the last part?"

"Excuse me?"

"Trip, what was the last part you said? Something about Michael and cigars?"

"Oh, you caught that huh?" Trip's slowed his pace.

"Obviously."

"It's just that Michael's going to show up and he's promised to bring some genuine Democratic Cuban cigars with him. Suppose to be reeeeallll smoooth," Trip explained, drawing out the last couple of words.

"I'm afraid I'll have to pass, Commander. I am highly allergic to tobacco."

Malcolm stopped pedaling the bike and dismounted from the apparatus. Wrapping his towel around his neck, he headed for the door.

"I'm sure the doctor could give you something to help," Trip remarked. He followed the Armory Officer out of the gym, barely having time to grab his own towel and avoiding crashing into one of his engineers coming into the gym. "You know, just 'cause Michael's going to be there, you shouldn't let that stop you, Malcolm. We're going to have a lot of fun. If would be a shame if you were to miss it."

"Believe me, Trip, I won't feel like I'm missing a thing. I still have a lot to do, and--."

"You know, if you gave him a chance, you just might find you like your brother," Trip interrupted. Placing one hand on the lieutenant's shoulder, he pulled Malcolm around to face him. "He's not that bad of a guy. He's funny. Tells the greatest stories."

"I'm sure he has many tales to tell," Malcolm replied, wrenching himself free of Trip's grip and continuing his march toward his quarters. Trip followed . "Tell you what, Commander? Next time you're together, ask him to tell you about how he received his discharge from the Royal Navy. Or about the spring dance our first year of high school. Or better yet..."

"You're jealous? Aren't you?" Trip said, again interrupting Malcolm. When Malcolm didn't reply, but instead started to walk faster, Trip started in again. "You're jealous of your brother. You know, Malcolm, you might be more liked on Enterprise if you were to take some lessons from Michael."

Stopping, Malcolm tilted his chin up and, placing one hand against the taller man's chest, pushed him against the wall of the corridor. "Listen to me, Mr. Tucker, and listen carefully. I may wish I was more outgoing, like Michael. I may wish I could go through my life without a care or responsibility in the world, like Michael. But get this straight, Commander Tucker, I am not, nor have I ever been jealous of my twin." The voice was low but forceful, a very deadly combination that didn't go unnoticed by Trip.

"Coulda fooled me, Malcolm," Trip said, looking at his friend in the eye.

Suddenly realizing he had pushed a senior officer up against the wall, just as suddenly Malcolm dropped his hands and stepped away. "I'm sorry, Commander," he apologized stiffly. "I don't know what came over me."

"Hey, don't worry about it, Malcolm," Trip said, stepping away from the wall and slapping his friend on the back. "Happens to all of us from time to time. I just didn't mean to provoke you."

"Still I--."

"Like I said, it's forgotten. Hey, I know I can offer more advice than is necessary at times. Let's just chalk it up to my bull-headedness and leave it like that. If you want to spend the rest of your brother's time on the ship secluded in the Armory or in your cabin, hell, I promise I won't say a thing."

End Chapter 8