Chapter 2

=Memory=

Jon was lagging behind as he struggled carrying the scuba gear down the dock while Trip searched the line of rental boats, trying to find theirs. "Trip! Slow down, the water isn't going anywhere! Why did you drag me here again?"

Trip stopped with a slight huff waiting for the other man to catch up. "You said you wanted to see some underwater landscape other than what's in Florida or California, and you're ready for a more advanced dive. Besides, Belize has the most beautiful reefs in the world."

A tall, muscular, dark-haired man with sunkissed bronzed skin walked by. Trip's gaze followed, turning to keep his leer on the man's taught backside firmly in place while trying not to drool. "And the people are just as beautiful. Damn."

Jon, who had caught up to Trip, looked between the man and the hound dog, horny Trip, half smirking when he noticed the large bulge forming in the younger blonde's tight Speedo. "Uh, Trip, you know that's a man...right?"

Trip looked up at Jon, suddenly aware of his lustful demeanor. "Um, duh. Of course I know he's a man! Jon, I thought you knew. I'm gay, just like you." He turned back to the line of boats. "Ah! Slip 38, that's us. Come on, slow poke." He called as he hurried to the boat.

Jon stood a moment in complete shock before going towards the luxurious, yet moderately sized yacht that Trip had rented for their vacation from the complex. Where they intended to rest, bask in the sun, dive and simply let the outside world fade away on the water for the next 2 weeks.

As he handed the gear over the railing to Trip, he found his voice again. "Wh-what do you mean? I'm not gay. What ever gave you that idea?"

Trip gave him a look. "Come on Jon, no need to be in the closet with me, I know you're gay. What's the big deal? Not like the old days when people were so judgemental, you know. Being gay isn't something to be ashamed of or need to hide."

"No, I know it's nothing to be ashamed of, but I'm not gay." Jon continued his protest.

"Uh-huh." Trip muttered to himself as he went to stow the gear. "Alright, let's get this show on the road...or water that is." Deciding it might be best to let the subject of sexuality drop.

Jon eyed the boat and Trip a moment as he got to the deck. "Trip? Are you sure you know how to operate this thing? I mean...it's not a little rowboat you know."

Trip snorted. "My parent's boat is bigger than this, and I've been driving it since I was 12, besides...if it has an engine, I can operate it."

Jon cocked his head to the side. "Your parent's boat? Shit Trip, I know we haven't known each other for very long, but I didn't peg you for coming from a family who had too much."

"Yeah, well...we were raised not to flaunt what we got. I'll let you in on a secret, you heard of Tucker Industries?"

Jon nodded his head. "Who hasn't? Are you saying that's your family? I just assumed it was a coincidence that your name is Tucker."

Trip grinned. "Well, you're looking at the next CEO of the company, that is if I want it when my daddy retires, but I'm thinking of other plans for my future. No, I'm not the suit and tie type, thinking I'm going to step to the side and let my sister have it, she has a better head for business than I do. Come on up to the helm and I'll teach you a thing or two."

The pair spent the next couple of days enjoying the relaxation, and anytime Trip tried to bring up research, warp theories, Starfleet or anything to do with work, Jon would mildly scold him, saying "We're on vacation, Trip. No shop talk allowed."

The third day was a bit exciting as Jon caught a huge marlin on his line. The pair spent most of the day working together, fighting with the sea creature to bring it in without snapping the line or pole.

Once they got their prey out of the water, they quickly took turns to snap photos with their trophy before releasing it back to it's watery home for some future angler to have the fun of catching.

The fourth day was more relaxing as they spent the day diving, looking at and taking photos of the reefs and underwater life around them. Jon was amazed by the colors of the reef and the beauty of the marine life around him the deeper they went.

Jon had gotten so caught up with his exploring and excited to see what might lay deeper below, he hadn't noticed that he exceeded the depths of what he had been trained for so far.

He suddenly felt the pressure of the water surrounding his body, the weight crushing on his ribs and chest. He knew he was in trouble and the panic that Trip, his instructor and dive master, had allowed him to venture so far down didn't help. Was Trip off doing his own thing, not paying attention to his student?

Before Jon had a chance to activate the mic and call for help, he felt something strong and reassuring take him by the waist, slowly and gently pulling his body towards the surface.

He turned to look and saw Trip right at his side, smiling at him from under the face shield. His earpiece crackled and he heard Trip's calm voice. "You're ok, I got you. We're going to go up slow to give your body time to adjust to the changing pressure."

Jon smiled back. "Thanks. I thought you left me. What happened?"

He could hear Trip's soft chuckle. "I was here the whole time watching you. I'm going to have to put a fail in your dive record for not checking your depth gauge, you know."

Jon's eyes grew wide. "You mean you were testing me? Letting me go too deep?"

"Of course it was a test." Trip replied sternly. "Everytime you go under, it's a test."

Jon wasn't sure if it was the current or if he did it himself, but the feel of Trip's hands wrapped around his waist was comforting and felt natural as he found himself pressing harder into the young man. "I guess I just got so caught up...it's so beautiful down here. I wanted to see what else is down there."

Again, Trip lightly chuckled. "You will someday, once your body becomes accustomed to the pressure. There are a lot of things in this world that are amazing to experience once you adjust to it, but right now, it's too soon."

Jon wondered if Trip was talking about scuba diving, or sending an encrypted message. He shuddered at the thought that it might have been the latter.

=/\= /\= /\=

Jon had taken a welcoming warm shower and was ready to dine on the wonderful meal that Trip was in the galley preparing as he sipped the white wine, looking out at the night sky while waiting.

He heard the door of the lower deck creak open. As he turned to look, he smirked at Trip trying to keep all of the dishes balanced. He got up, rushing over to help. "Why didn't you just make two trips or holler for me to help?"

"Trying to let you relax." Trip smiled as he set the large covered dish in the center of the table. "You're in for a real treat tonight." He said as he pulled the cover from the dish, revealing the steaming heap of clam linguine.

The scent wafted into Jon's nose, as his stomach gave a rumble of approval. "That smells great. Everything you've cooked this week has been terrific! Where did you learn to cook so well?"

Trip smiled as he served Jon his dish. "My mom taught me how to cook. When I was younger, she used to say that if I wanted to impress a girl, the best way was to cook great meals. Of course when I got older and figured out that I was gay, she revised 'girl' to 'boy'."