It turned out that Malcolm had once again over-thought all the potential difficulties and embarrassments that could arise out of working together with one's lover.
In reality, Trip had only been on the bridge with him for a few minutes that first day back on duty, and in that time, Malcolm had managed to keep his eyes glued to his instruments.
Reassured by that first experience, Malcolm let go of some of his doubts and inhibitions about their relationship and was generally more comfortable with the situation. He had discussed the matter with Trip on a number of occasions, and they had agreed that it would not be wise to talk openly about their affair just yet. However, they also established that neither of them would deny it if they happened to be confronted about it.
Malcolm had felt a bit uneasy about that decision at first, but he reasoned that it was probably for the best not to lie to any of their shipmates.
Some time had passed since their away mission in the asteroid field, and they had quickly gotten back into the routine of things back on Enterprise. The most recent development had been the rendezvous with an outdated Vulcan vessel and subsequent visits from its crew.
While these Vulcans appeared to be quite different from the ones they'd had the pleasure of meeting, chats with them still mostly ended up being rather awkward. Malcolm distinctly recalled walking into the mess hall to eat earlier that day, and finding Trip there, engaged in conversation with one of the Vulcan engineers. He had joined them at their table, only to be included in Kov's disquieting accounts of Vulcan sexuality. When he had mentioned that males of his species were only inclined to mate every seven years, Malcolm had cleared his throat and exchanged a look with Trip who was sitting next to him. It had been obvious from the commander's sheepish expression that he, too, was thinking about that morning's off-duty "workout".
Now Kov had returned to the Vahklas and, having a few hours to kill, Malcolm and Trip had decided to head up to the gym. They had barely entered the turbolift, though, when Trip seized the front of Malcolm's shirt, pulling the shorter man around and against himself, cupping his burgeoning hardness through the fabric of his shorts while his lips found their target with natural ease. Gasping in surprise and delight, Malcolm panted for the turbolift to stop, before he threw himself into the kiss, knocking Trip into the lift's wall in the process. The younger man laughed, unsealing their lips while his hand worked its way into his lover's track shorts. Malcolm groaned at the contact, pulling him closer, their foreheads resting together.
"Can you imagine going seven years without sex?", Trip asked incredulously, as he watched Malcolm from under his eyelashes.
The lieutenant shook his head vehemently, bottom lip caught between his teeth.
"I think I'd probably die if I had to do that." His own hand slipped around Trip's member, setting a swift pace immediately.
They had learned from past experience that it was best not to obstruct turbolift traffic for more than one or two minutes, since the system was being monitored from the bridge, and there might be a security team waiting for them again if they didn't continue their ride soon.
Malcolm was slightly unsettled by how much that excited him.
Heads still together, eyes locked, they managed to synchronise their rhythms while the staccato of their ragged breathing filled the small space around them.
It didn't take either of them long to finish, and they just stood there for a few precious moments, supporting each other as the waves of pleasure weakened their legs.
Trip was the first to recover, breaking into a grin as he retrieved his hand and wiped it clean on the towel he'd brought. "Just one more thing to make me glad I wasn't born a Vulcan."
Malcolm copied him and made sure that their gym outfits were in order, before he ordered the turbolift to resume its ascent. Then he leaned in for another kiss.
Malcolm's arm had just snaked its way around Trip's waist, with Trip's hands cupping the shorter man's neck tenderly, when the turbolift doors slid open.
Upon hearing the familiar hiss of the doors, they disengaged from each other and were about to exit, when they became aware of someone who had apparently been waiting behind the lift doors.
"Well, gentlemen, don't let me interrupt." Malcolm's euphoria turned to anxiety in an instant upon hearing the captain's voice. His insides froze and he felt himself stand at attention almost without really planning to. Acting this unprofessionally in front of the captain of a starship was something that he had been trained to avoid at all costs. Of course they couldn't have known that he would be there in front of the turbolift, but that was no excuse. Captain Archer's jovial smile was firmly in place, however, when Malcolm finally forced himself to look at him.
Standing there in his sports kit, even Trip didn't seem to have a witty comeback handy, and Malcolm was silently thankful for that. As much as he usually enjoyed the other man's sense of humour, it would have been extraordinarily inappropriate in their current situation.
Presently, the captain stood back from the doors, taking in their attire and their flushed appearance.
Then he furrowed his brow slightly. "Really, Trip," he scolded. "In the turbolift?"
Trip's expression changed from mortified to cheeky in a flash. Apparently, he had judged the captain's mood and deemed it harmless.
"In our defence, Sir, this is the ship's recreation area."
Malcolm held his breath. After Trip's cocky reply, he and the captain were now staring at each other, faces inscrutable. Just as Malcolm began to mentally prepare to have his ass busted back to crewman, though, the two old friends burst out laughing.
Archer beckoned his subordinates out of the lift, clapped Trip on the shoulder and got onto the elevator without another word.
For a few seconds, the two officers just looked at each other, taken aback and relieved at how well the captain had taken that breach of protocol.
"I'd say that went pretty well," Trip chuckled, as he slung his towel around his neck and set off in the direction of the exercise bikes.
Malcolm huffed indignantly, falling into step beside him. "This isn't exactly how I wanted anyone to find out ... least of all the captain!"
They climbed onto the bikes and activated their favourite settings with the touch of a few keys. Trip kicked his bike into life, then sat back on the saddle, studying Malcolm. "What would you have preferred? Setting up a memo saying 'This is to inform you that Commander Tucker and I have entered into a physical relationship'?"
"Don't be daft!" laughed Malcolm, chucking his towel at the other man. He was beginning to get the hang of understanding Trip's banter. "I still think we should apologise for that display. I'm heading up to the bridge right away. You're welcome to join me."
"Wouldn't miss it for the world ..."
Barely an hour later, they reconvened at the turbolift on B Deck - following a shower and a change into uniform - to go talk to the captain. This time, they managed to keep their hands to themselves, and all too soon they emerged on the bridge. Malcolm noticed a few pairs of eyes on the two of them, including T'Pol's. He cleared his throat, watching Archer's head turn their way, too.
"Captain, I'm afraid there is a matter that needs your attention."
Archer's lips tilted up at the corners. "Spit it out, Malcolm. What is it?"
Slightly irritated, Malcolm cleared his throat again. The captain was enjoying watching him squirm. "Sir, I would appreciate it if we could discuss this in your ready room."
Malcolm could have sworn he saw the captain smother a huge grin at that, but his voice was all business. "Of course. Why don't you and Mr Tucker join me there?"
Trip gave his shoulder a reassuring pat, before he led the way.
When the door had slid shut behind the three men, Archer positioned himself by the large window that showed a breathtaking vista of thousands of stars and planets.
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but I assume this has something to do with the ... public display of ... affection I witnessed earlier."
"We didn't want you to find out like that," Trip told him.
"We came here to apologise. We are well aware that we behaved inappropriately," Malcolm added, trying to imagine the most likely punishments.
Archer nodded. "That you did. And I have to tell you, I don't take that kind of behaviour lightly. It's childish and dangerous, and I won't condone it."
Malcolm was finding it hard to believe what he was hearing. He wouldn't have expected Archer to be so narrow-minded. "Sir? I'm not sure I know what you mean."
"The lifts, Malcolm. We are dependent on them. Just imagine a surprise Suliban attack. Everyone to battle stations, but what's that? The lifts aren't running, cause two senior officers are getting it on in there." He let his gaze rest on each of them in turn, looking very serious. "Can I count on you to behave more responsibly from now on?"
Malcolm hurried to nod his assurance, but noticed that Trip was making an odd face, looking at the captain in confusion. Thinking that it was a thoroughly bad time for daydreams, Malcolm elbowed his lover in the ribs, garnering a low grunt from Trip and an amused chuckle from Archer. Then the blond man seemed to pull himself together. "Captain, how come you're not at all shocked to find me making out with a guy? Don't get me wrong, I'm glad you're not, but given my track record ..." He left the rest of the sentence unspoken and waited with bated breath for the captain's reply. Malcolm had to admit that he was curious as well.
Archer smiled another one of his indulgent smiles and sat down at his desk.