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Andrew carried food trays over to where Mariah sat with the boys. The mess hall wasn't quite as crowded this time of day, so it was easier to feed their rambunctious bunch without disrupting others who were trying to dine in peace. This crew had welcomed the families and the children, but Andrew knew his energetic sons, especially the eldest, could be a handful.
Hoodu immediately got busy stuffing chicken fingers into his mouth while still trying to talk. "Teacher today said I'd be in the 2nd grade on earth, since I'm 7," he said as he chewed. "Don't talk while you're eating," Mariah admonished firmly as she held up a piece of chicken for Dion, who grabbed for it with his chubby fingers. "Mama," RJ chimed in next to her, "what grade will I be in?" he spooned applesauce into his mouth, hoping his parents noticed that he waited to eat until after he'd asked his question.
"Buddy," Andrew answered for her as he lightly rumpled his middle son's amber locks, "you're 4, so you get to go to preschool. I think you will really like it. It's a lot like what you did on Enterprise, only there's an outside to play in with grass and trees and sunshine, and more friends, and lots of toys and games." He smiled fondly at his shy middle son. "Hey!" Hoodu interrupted, "There's Fooz! Hey Fooz!" He frantically waved to his friend with one hand and stuffed another chicken finger into his mouth with the other, then gulped down a large swallow of milk, and wiped his mouth with his napkin. "Can I go play with Fooz, then please?" He looked at his little brother. "RJ can come too if he wants!" Mariah smiled at her husband. They were pleased that, although their two older sons were nothing alike, the rowdy older one was always willing to include the quiet younger one in all his adventures.
RJ looked at his parents, and snuggled closer to his father. "Nope, don't wanna," he said simply, and took another bite of his applesauce. "Okay," Andrew looked at Hoodu, "You can go, but stay out of trouble!" Hoodu was off like a flash, joining his best friend Fooz Phlox. The two boys roared out of the mess hall and disappeared.
Andrew grinned at his wife, "Ma'am, your eldest son is a wild man," he laughed. Her green eyes sparkled at him, while she deftly took the fork out of little Dion's hand and traded it for a piece of toast. He waved it in the air, crying, "tose!" then stuffed it into his mouth with both hands. "This one," she fluffed Dion's short red curls, "eats like his father!" RJ regarded both his parents. "Who am I like?" he asked, his little face serious. Andrew slid an arm around the boy's shoulders. "You are a lot like your grandfather," he told him, smiling down at his middle child. He heard the catch in Mariah's throat and looked up at her. "Your parents are fine," he assured her, "they are on the Columbia with Moira and Jack, we'll see them when we get to San Francisco." "Uncle Jack!" RJ cheered, and Dion joined him, "Unka Jack!"
Andrew reported on time for his shift the next morning, only to be beckoned to Lieutenant Reed's office as soon as he walked into the armory. He crossed the threshold and came to attention. He knew Reed was a stickler for military decorum. Reed dropped a stack of padds on his desk, then turned to face the other man. "At ease, Lieutenant," he said stiffly, and Andrew relaxed just a bit, his hands coming together behind his back, his feet separating into a wider stance. "Lieutenant," Reed began, his face a mask of military bearing, "I know this has been difficult for you, after running your own armory, security, and tactical team for over 10 years. But I cannot have you usurping my authority on my ship." He stared into Andrew's eyes, and Andrew noticed again that the two of them were about the same height, a bit shorter than most of the crew. "And that includes the gym during training sessions. If you want to introduce a new defensive move to the crew, you need to bring it to me first."
Andrew stared at a spot just past the other man's head. "So this afternoon," Malcolm continued, "you will report to the gym and demonstrate this new defense against a hip throw to me." Andrew could sense the superior tone in Reed's voice. He knew Reed was the most dangerous man on this Enterprise, perhaps in all of starfleet, and held a black belt in many different forms of unarmed self defense. In fact, Andrew laughed inwardly, he probably knew more about the man than Reed knew about himself. "I will expect you there 20 minutes after you get off duty. Dismissed." Andrew came to attention, then spun and walked away. He couldn't wait.
Reed was there, waiting for him, when Andrew walked in. He watched as Reed warmed up, stretching, throwing a few punches into the air, and Andrew started his own warm up routine. After a few minutes, Reed seemed to take notice of him and walked over, tossing him a pair of gloves. "So let's see that infamous new defense of yours, Lieutenant," Malcolm said calmly, and both men took defensive positions on the mat.
They circled each other warily, until Reed threw the first punch. Andrew slapped it away, and countered with one of his own, but Reed dodged it and thrust a kick towards Andrew's face. Andrew caught the foot as it slid past him, twisted, and shoved Reed to the floor. He immediately leaped back up, fire in his eyes, as Andrew moved back. "You all right, sir?" Andrew asked him, as they came together again. "Quite, thank you," Reed answered icily. He threw a sharp jab towards Andrew's midsection, but changed course suddenly and caught him instead on the jaw, and Andrew staggered back a bit. It stung a bit more than it should have in a friendly session, and Andrew knew it was a warning.
They continued the dance, watching for weaknesses, and Andrew knew that Lieutenant Reed was looking for a way to catch him off guard and throw him. He decided to attack, and he spun into a triple kick, driving Reed back, then he swung with his left fist, hoping Reed would try something, and he did. Reed lunged in, grabbed Andrew's left arm to block the punch, clamped down on his arm, and pivoted, his other hand clutching at Andrew's body. Andrew shoved his feet off the ground as the Lieutenant spun, and twisted his legs just as he'd done with Cole previously. His left hand grasped at the back of Reed's shirt, and as he hit the mat, his feet landed first and he pushed off again, pulling Reed over his body and past it. He could feel Reed tense, and suddenly Reed's right fist exploded into his ribcage. He landed on top of Reed, but with the air knocked out of him, and he rolled off and jumped up, backing away from Reed, who had also regained his footing and stared, grinning sardonically at the other man. "And that," Reed spit out, "Is why I like to see any new moves myself before I teach them to the crew. There's always some weakness to watch out for."
Andrew glared, willing the pain in his ribs to go away. "Sorry, sir, I apologize," he ground out, "I didn't realize we were taking it past a 'friendly' workout, or I would have stopped you from throwing that last strike." Andrew smirked at his superior officer. "Is that right, Lieutenant?" Reed's tone was now a little mocking, "perhaps you'd like to try it again?" He grinned like a dog with a bone, and he threw his hands wide, inviting Andrew to take another shot at him.
The gym door flew open at that moment, and Captains Archer and Lorian walked in, headed for the stationary bikes. "Gentlemen," Archer greeted them, and they both drew up in a respectful stance, "I hope we're not interrupting anything." Andrew knew enough about Archer to know he could sense the undercurrent in any situation, and it was obvious he knew that he was definitely interrupting something. Lorian nodded towards Andrew, "Lieutenant Welles, I'm glad to see you and Lieutenant Reed are working together," his voice was mild, but his meaning was clear; he had known Andrew all his life, had watched him grow up, take on a man's duties at tactical, get married, and become a father. He'd worked with him, trained with him, and commanded him. "Yes, sir," Andrew responded, trying not to avoid Lorian's gaze. He was sure Lorian knew everything; and was wondering if Welles had done anything about it.
"If you'll excuse me, sirs," Lieutenant Reed broke his reverie, "I need to get going." He turned his head towards Andrew. "I'll see you in the morning, Lieutenant" He nodded towards the two captains, and walked stiffly out the door. Andrew headed for the gym showers; he did not want to follow the man through the hallways.