Chapter 6
Two months had passed, both Jon and Trip doing very well with their recoveries. Jon took Phlox's advice on a couple of occasions, explaining to anyone who offered a drink that he couldn't have it due to a medical condition.
Enterprise had made contact with a ship in distress. The species, Arcadian, had been stranded in the middle of nowhere for 2 days, after their engines lost power without warning. Hoshi picked up the distress call and Jon ordered Travis to set course so they could investigate.
Vulcans had previously met the Arcadians, and T'Pol assured the Captain that they were a peaceful species, explorers and scientists who simply wanted to learn more about the galaxy, make contact with new species and possible alliances with new worlds.
Jon had invited Captain Tullia and the engineer Matu to Enterprise in order to discuss the issues with their engines and what Enterprise might be able to do to help them.
Even though Trip was now back on duty, no longer in need of a cane, unless he overexerted himself, it was only as part-time, serving no more than 3 hours every other day, but he insisted that he be part of the repairs to help the Arcadians.
Jon and Trip both shot warning glares to more than one of the crew members who stared too long at the odd looking aliens while walking through the corridors, each time silently praying that their guests wouldn't become offended.
Matu noticed a couple of the crew members carrying trays with odd looking objects on them. "My apologies, Captain Archer. What were those people carrying? It has a strange scent."
Jon stopped and looked towards the direction of the crew members that had just passed them and was walking away. He really didn't pay too much attention to what they were holding, as nothing seemed out of the ordinary, and his mind simply dismissed any irrelevant information.
He pictured the crewmen in his mind, replaying the scene of them walking past. "Oh that. They must be taking their meals back to their station with them. We prefer to eat in the mess hall, but it is kind of common to eat while working if someone is very busy. Are you hungry? We can go to the mess and you can try some of our food if you'd like."
Captain Tullia slightly tipped her head. "Our diet consists of plankton and photosynthesis, however, I don't see the harm in exploring a small sample of human nutrients."
Jon nodded as he led them to the mess hall. "Why do you call this area mess hall?" Captain Tullia inquired.
Jon chuckled as he selected a tray for himself and one for Trip. "I'm not really sure where the word mess comes from, but on Earth, mess hall is an old military term meaning the area where the crew gathers for meals. The kitchen, where the food is prepared, is called a galley. Even though Starfleet isn't exactly affiliated with those military branches, we still use some of the terminology."
As the Captains sat and discussed the various terms that both Earth and Arcadian vessels use for areas of the ships, and the engineers babbled on, Malcolm noticed Trip reaching over to Jon's tray, taking his pickle chips. Jon didn't protest or even seem to care that the pickle chips were "stolen" and filed that bit of information away in his mind for future reference.
Trip had gotten a good look at the Arcadian's engines and determined that it would take several days to repair. Jon was somewhat delighted to hear that the guest would stay docked with Enterprise, as it would give more time to allow both Arcadians and humans to get to know one another and form a friendship.
They were 3 days in with the repairs, Jon venting to Malcolm as they walked down the corridor. "I knew this would happen as soon as Phlox released Trip back to duties. I told Phlox that he shouldn't be released until he was fully recovered."
"I don't know, Captain. Getting the Commander back into action slowly might be better for him. He has been off duty almost a year now."
Jon stopped and gave Malcolm a glare. "Have you met Trip Tucker? When does he ever do anything slowly? No, this was a bad idea. If Phlox won't pull him, I'll do it myself."
Malcolm shook his head. "I don't think that would be very wise. You know he'll take it personally."
"He's been going full throttle for the past 3 days! He's been over at the other ship so much that I've barely seen him since they docked with us. We were supposed to have dinner last night and he forgot. I caught up to him this morning just in time to see him grab a piece of toast, pinch my ass and out the door he went!"
Malcolm smirked. "Oh! So this is what it's really about. You're feeling neglected!"
Jon growled. "No I'm not! I'm just worried that he's not taking care of himself. He goes over there early, comes back late… I'm not sure if he's really eating anything in between. I tried to get him to come have lunch with me, but he said he's too busy and will have dinner with me tonight. That is if he doesn't forget again."
Malcolm looked down at the tray of roast beef sandwich and potato chips Jon was holding. "So you're just going to have lunch alone? In your quarters where you can pout?"
"I'm not pouting, and I was taking it to my ready room. I have some reports to fill out, thank you very much."
Just then, Trip rounded the corner. "There you are! I've been looking everywhere for you. I need you to sign off on 2 barrels of plasma to get the Arcadian's engines going again."
Jon looked at Trip a moment, noticing the grease smudges on his face and uniform. "You've been crawling around in tubes, haven't you. How's that leg of yours? You know Phlox will get pretty upset if you over do it and end up with a strained muscle. You need to take a break, get something to eat."
Trip rolled his eyes. "My leg is fine, I'm fine, everything's fine. Can I get those 2 barrels or not?" He presented a PADD for Jon to sign off on as he snatched half of Jon's sandwich.
Jon shifted his food tray to one hand and took the PADD with the other. "Two barrels. Isn't that a bit much?"
Trip spoke around his mouthful of food. "Cold start. Gonna need the extra plasma to not only replace what was lost in the repairs, but to prime the systems before cranking the engine. Don't want to risk blowing any seals."
Jon nodded. "Ok, you sure we have enough to spare?"
"Positive. Besides, we're due back at Jupiter in 2 months for inspection and supplies."
Jon sighed. "Ok, as long as we can spare it." He pressed his thumb to the PADD to mark his approval.
Malcolm noticed Jon's shoulders slightly slump and the disappointing look on his face as Trip started to walk away. Trip snapped his fingers and spun, walking back towards Jon. "I almost forgot."
Jon brightened when Trip turned back towards him, but slumped again when he grabbed the pickle spear and started to walk off again. "Trip! Are you sure you didn't forget something else?"
Trip turned, his mouth gaping. He looked sheepish for a moment as it dawned on him and he went back towards Jon. "I'm sorry honey. I'm just so caught up in trying to help these folks. Thanks for the sandwich." He gave Jon a quick peck on the lips. "I promise I won't miss dinner tonight."
Jon shook his head as he watched Trip walk away. "See what I mean now?" He muttered to Malcolm.
"Well, everyone knows he has a habit of getting caught up in his work. I'm sure Phlox wouldn't have let him go back on duty if he didn't think the Commander was ready."
Jon nodded. "I guess you're right. Maybe I am being selfish. I just got so used to being able to see Trip and talk to him whenever I wanted over the past 8 months, I kind of hoped it would stay like that." Jon shrugged as he absently popped a chip in his mouth.
Malcolm got that look he always gets when he's trying to piece clues together, but still can't make sense of it.
"What?" Jon asked.
Malcolm shook his head. "Nothing really. I've just noticed several times that you either give the Commander the pickle from your lunch tray, or he just simply takes it from you. What's up with that?"
Jon chuckled. "I don't like pickles, Trip does."
"Oh. Wait. I've seen you eat pickles before."
Jon nodded. "The sweet variety. Gerkin, Bread and Butter, but I don't like dill. Too sour for my taste. Now, let Trip try to take a sweet pickle from me… he might end up pulling back a broken hand, and he knows it." Jon laughed.
§§§
Jon couldn't help the constant smile as he listened to Trip at the dinner table. "I really can't believe that one blown seal caused that much trouble for them. I pointed out to Matu ways that he could modify the sensors so it would give them more warning that the core integrity is being disrupted. Hopefully it will prevent them from being stranded again."
Jon gave Trip's hand a squeeze. "Well, I'm glad that you were able to help get them going again. Are you sure your repairs will hold? We'll be in this area for a few more days, and I have Hoshi keeping an eye on their vessel, just in case."
Trip nodded. "Yeah, it'll hold. They were heading back to their home planet anyways when the seal blew. They'll get a full repair once they get there. Before I left the ship, Captain Tullia told me that she received a message from her command post that they were sending someone to meet them halfway, so they'll have someone with them."
Jon nodded. "Good. That's good."
Trip gave Jon a look. "Why do you keep grinning like that?"
Unconsciously Jon's grin grew wider. "I am? I don't know. I guess I'm just so happy to see you tonight. I haven't seen much of you the past 3 days, I was starting to think I would need to make an appointment."
Trip looked down. "Yeah, sorry about that. I guess I just wanted to get these people going again and getting to work on an engine after so long… I got some pent up energy."
Jon looked at Trip with a wicked glint in his eye. "I know one way to get some of that energy out of your system."
Trip smirked. "Oh really? And how's that?"
Jon leaned in, giving Trip a passionate kiss. Before either one knew it, they were making their way towards the bed, shedding their clothes as they went.
A couple hours later, they laid glistening with sweat and breathing heavy, both completely spent and satisfied as Jon spoke between breaths. "Oh my god, Trip. That was so great. I always knew you were a tiger in bed, but damn! God that was great."
Trip chuckled. "Well… this is what happens when I don't get any for 2 years and horney as hell."
Jon's brows crinkled as he thought about what Trip just said. "Two years? Last serious relationship I knew you were in was with Nathan, and he broke it off with you when we set out on our maiden voyage. You mean to tell me you were seeing someone on the ship and I didn't pick up on it?"
Trip shook his head. "No, I haven't been dating anyone on the ship. Just some random I picked up in a bar on one of our shore leaves."
Jon clicked his tongue. "I know we were broken up for several years, and you were free to do your own thing, but I never did like it when you picked up a random one nighter."
Trip rolled to his side, propping himself on one elbow. "Oh really? And what about you and Erik? Those were just a string of one night stands."
Jon rolled his eyes. "That's different. First off, I've known Erik since the academy, he's not a random. Plus, we have an understanding… no commitment, no strings, just scratching each other's itches. Besides, when we got back together, I told him about it and he wishes us well."
Trip chuckled. "Well in that case, I guess you can invite him to our wedding if you want."
Jon looked up at Trip. "Is that a proposal?"
Trip was stunned for a moment. "Um… it wasn't intended to be, but um…"
Jon fully sat up, leaning his back against the headboard and pulled Trip close to him. "Why not? We're supposed to be back at Jupiter in a couple months. Starfleet is giving us a week break period while the routine maintenance is being done and supplies restocked. I mean it's inevitable that we'll get married, we could do it then. Nothing fancy, just immediate family, a few friends, the senior staff."
"Won't Starfleet split us up if we're married?"
Jon shook his head. "I already pulled my strings when they found out that we're intimately involved. We're a package deal. Where I go, you go and vice versa."
Trip tongued his cheek. "And you say I work fast. Got this all figured out huh? And what if I say no?"
Jon smiled. "Then I'll wait until you say yes."
Trip wrapped his arms around Jon, giving him a kiss as he whispered out. "Yes."
A few weeks later the crew threw a big party for the engaged couple. Trip was very pleased that even though champagne was being served, Jon never wavered and stuck to the sparkling apple juice.
A couple people questioned why Trip was using his cane, but before he had a chance to answer, Jon was right there to loudly explain to the entire room. "It seems that our indestructible engineer thought it would be faster to slide down the railing of the stairs. As soon as his feet hit the floor, he awkwardly twisted his hip in the wrong direction. How long were you flat on your back before the medical team arrived?"
Trip rolled his eyes as he sighed. "5 minutes. You're not going to let this go anytime soon, are you?"
Jon gave him a grin. "Not on your life." He leaned in to give Trip a quick kiss, that was followed by playful whistles and "ooos" from the crew.
"So what are the two of you going to do about living arrangements?" Hoshi asked.
Jon shrugged. "My quarters are bigger, so I guess Trip will move in there. Besides, he's already practically living there now."
The current selection of the background piano music ended and a song, that made Jon smile, began to play.
He turned to see Trip holding his hand out to him. "I believe this is our song." Trip said as he smiled at Jon.
The couple took the center of the room as the crowd circled, watching the pair slowly dance to the voice of George Michael singing Father Figure.
As they slowly swayed, Jon held Trip tight. "You have something to do with picking this song?"
Trip nodded. "It was the first song we ever danced to. Remember?"
"How could I ever forget. We got caught in the rain after leaving the complex and ducked into that old diner. After a couple hours of waiting for the rain to let up, it was obvious that we were either going to be stuck there all night or get drenched making our way back to the dorms. You went over to the jukebox and selected this song. While we danced, it was the first time you told me that you love me."
Trip nodded. "I knew then, just like I know now… you're the one."
Jon laid his head on Trip's shoulder, closing his eyes. "I'm sorry it took so long for us to get here, but I'm glad we finally made it."
Trip gave Jon a tight squeeze. "Me too darlin', me too."
