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DECEIT: Part Three

 

***

2154

 

Archer rested one hand on Porthos, absent-mindedly scratching his ears while his other hand nervously flipped the PADD up and down as he looked at the words. He was upset that Tegl continued to pursue his 'research', and the latest report in his hand said so little of any importance.

 

And he hasn't even mentioned Trip or me or what he thinks he knows about us.

 

Porthos turned his head but even then Archer didn't notice that he'd started speaking out loud.

 

***

 

Trip stood under a shower of hot water that had run far longer than regulations allowed, his hands pressed tightly over his eyes. More tears came. He tried pressing harder, concentrating on the warmth of the water and the prickling sensation it made across his head and shoulders.

 

C'mon Trip, you're 35, you're a Starfleet engineer. You haven't cried in a long time and no reason to now.

 

This rarely worked, but he still tried it. At "no reason to now," the tears returned, hot under his hands, trapped there along with the two images that had haunted him all week - Tegl's powerful body and warm hands reaching out for him, Archer's silent empty look as he let go of Trip that morning.

 

At least if he was in the shower, no one would notice the tears.

 

***

 

Tegl wasn't particularly interested in the stars sweeping by his window. He was leaning against the window, but only so he wouldn't have to look at the reports on his desk, most of which were excellent, comprehensive, and certain to win him a position on the Advisory Council when he returned. The other set of reports, which held far more interesting truths, were locked out of sight.

 

Commander Tucker, for five months, or a career on the Council? I want both. No reason I shouldn't have both. Fear of discovery nagged. Archer will wake up faster if I push harder on both of them. Nothing worse than not bonding with the perfect mate. They belong together.

 

The game of having it all was a Tabran specialty, especially with a fairly easy-to-read race like humans.

 

***

 

2155

 

}} When did you first begin deceiving us?

 

> ...

 

}} Answer the question, Researcher.

 

> ...I deceived no one. You received accurate information about their culture.

 

}} Incomplete information. Incomplete information is inaccurate information. Inaccurate information is failure. Since you are too well-trained to fail, we conclude that your actions were purposeful. When did you first begin deceiving us?

 

> My second report lacked a full accounting of my own thoughts.

 

}} Complete those accounts now.

 

> I cannot.

 

}} You have no other options. Your career hangs in the balance.

 

My career is already gone! Don't *you* try deception on me; you aren't capable.

 

}} Complete the account of your second report now.

 

 

***

2154

 

Trip's door comm beeped. Even under the shower, it pushed its way into his tenuous calm. He ignored it as best he could, but then realized he didn't have that luxury. With a towel around his waist he approached the door.

Trip: Who is it? And as he asked, he knew. It was Tegl. He could feel the tall, radiating presence on the other side of the door.

Tegl: Commander Tucker, may I speak to you?

Trip: Just a minute. He spun around nervously looking for anything he could throw on. That open window to space still embarrassed him as he dropped his towel and stumbled into his uniform and unlocked the door at almost the same time.

Tegl strode in and past Trip, who was still making a 'welcome, come in, have a seat' gesture. If he was nervous, it didn't show. Trip only noticed confidence.

(...)

Trip: I don't exactly remember what happened the last time we talked. Did you ask me those questions you wanted to ask?

Tegl: Yes, thank you, and I need to answer your question.

 

***

2142

 

Trip: That's Commander Archer over there.

Belton: Huh? Where?

Trip: Speaking to Forrest.

Belton: So?

Trip: Well, I just thought you'd wanna know. So you could introduce yourself.

Belton: I'm sure we'll have a chance to meet him on one of the tours.

Trip: That's Henry Archer's son! Jonathan Archer? Look, it's his engine we're working on.

Belton: Honestly, Tucker, you sound like you have a crush on the guy.

Trip blushed strongly but Belton wasn't looking at him or at Archer.

(...)

Cortland: You haven't taken your eyes off him all evening.

Trip: Huh? Oh, hi.

Cortland: You've got it bad. Go introduce yourself. He'll think you wanna talk about engines.

Trip: Don't give me ideas, Margie.

Cortland: Me give *you* ideas? Trip, he's gonna notice you sooner or later. You're following him.

Trip: Well what do you suggest? Any bright ideas for asking Jonathan Archer...

Cortland: You might start by calling him Commander.

Trip: ...if he's seeing some...one.

Cortland: Sorry to puncture the balloon, sweetie. You go give it your best shot.

Trip: So who says I can't get the best looking man in Starfleet and a deep space voyage on a Warp Five ship in one lifetime?

Cortland: There's my optimist!

 

***

2154

 

T'Pol: The Tabran researcher has been on the ship for nearly a month and has not asked to interview or observe Lt. Reed or Ensign Sato.

Phlox: Nor me, nor you, I'd guess.

T'Pol: I fail to see what research he is doing on human behavior. He has spoken only with the Captain and Commander Tucker, and a few of Commander Tucker's technicians in Engineering.

Phlox: Surely you're not waiting for him to interview you?

T'Pol: He made it clear that Vulcans were not part of his study.

Phlox: I'm sure if he has time, he'll come by to visit us.

T'Pol: Both Captain Archer and Commander Tucker seem more...reserved.

Phlox: Perhaps that's just in comparison to our Mr. Tegl. He is refreshingly direct, don't you think?

T'Pol: I'm simply suggesting that his research should be more complete and comprehensive. There are 81 humans on board.

 

***

2146

 

You want...me?

 

You heard what I said, Commander.

 

Something about spending some time with me...

 

No. I don't want to 'spend time' with you. I want you. And, well, that Chief Engineer job you practically promised me last year.

 

(I almost believed him.)

Archer retreated. Trip saw his mistake, moved closer.

It isn't about the job, sir. It isn't even about runnin' my fingers up along your jaw and around the back of your neck.

 

Archer trembled as fingers followed words; Trip's rumbling sigh was both joy and amazement at the response his fingers got.

I want you. Every minute. Every breath.

 

Archer didn't have any breath left at that point and was hearing the words from far away as the room dimmed.

 

Call me Jon, he whispered with great effort.

 

No can do, Commander. I love you, but this is Starfleet.

I don't believe you.

 

All right. First and last time. I'll be at your side, Jon, always. I need you.

With every word he had come closer and closer.

 

Archer took a deep breath as a long-carried load fell from his shoulders. He pressed Trip's head to his chest and held him for a long time. Trip's tight embrace never weakened.

 

***

2154

 

Trip: That's quite a declaration. You Tabrans don't beat around the bush.

Tegl: We, uh...

The idiom had done a poor job of conveying Trip's shock. Tegl tried again.

Tegl: Commander Tucker, I enjoy our time together, but a bond would be preferable.

Trip: That's what I thought you said. Well, I'm sorry but we can't "mate".

Tegl burst out laughing.

Tegl: Not 'mate'! Bond! Enjoy!

Trip: (half seriously) You're an alien.

Tegl: And you, Commander Tucker, are more charmingly honest with your prejudices than ten of my people.

Trip: I didn't mean it like that... Look, what you did last time, with your hands, was not, uh, ...we don't do things that way.

Tegl: What I did -- was remind you of what you keep trying to push aside. You want someone. I want you. From now, until my research is concluded.

Trip: And then it just stops? Do you just switch off your emotions? Wait! Never mind! I can't get into this. I have a shift in 20 minutes.

Tegl: Were you crying because I touched you?

Trip: No! How did you...? Stop doing that! (exasperated)

Tegl: I want you, you want him. The next five months could be a lot more fun for both of us.

Trip: I can't have him, so I should have you?

Tegl: An ideal temporary solution.

Trip: I'll be a wreck.

Tegl: Are humans so fragile? I think I would have read that in one of our reports. Perhaps I'm the first to discover it.

Trip: (unamused) Get out.

Tegl reached out a hand and caught Trip's gesturing arm. That heat Trip had felt was there again, through his uniform, strong, steady.

Tegl: I'm sorry, Commander Tucker. I misjudged your attachment.
Trip: We have no attachment. We have our careers. We're good friends.

Tegl: Yes.

His hand slid up under Trip's arm.

Trip: I did love him.

Tegl: You just keep deceiving yourself, Commander. It doesn't fool me.

His other hand slid under Trip's right arm and as he stood up, he lifted Trip with him.

Trip: I can't get him back.

Tegl: Of course we can.

Trip: It won't work. He said...

Tegl pushed his face close to Trip's. Trip's usually clear head was again lost in confusion, his eyes brimming.

Tegl: We can make it work.

He took a long deep breath, savoring every scent from Trip's body. Tears, nervous sweat, a lust that he'd redirected well for a long time. At the sound of Tegl's breathing, Trip's mind cleared.

<He's sniffin' me again. I cannot do this.>

Trip: Time for work. We can talk later if you want.

Tegl fought back everything he'd planned and let Trip down.

Tegl: Sooner, Commander.

 

 



Read DECEIT - Part Four