Lieutenant Reed got up from his seat in Doctor Phlox's office. "I hope I've been of some help, Doctor."
"Oh, yes," Phlox replied. "More than you could possibly know."
"I just hope Commander Tucker's full recovery is foreseeable." Reed said.
"Actually, Lieutenant," Phlox stood up. "I have already released him from therapy."
Reed's wide-eyed expression soon broke into a grin. "That's wonderful news."
"Well, it was just this morning." Phlox told him. "I won't be releasing him for duty for another few days."
"The last time I saw him was Saturday night at the movie." Reed remembered. "That damned "Wuthering Heights."
"Well, it's amazing what five days can do." Phlox marveled.
That morning after the incident at the movie had been a strenuous session. Captain Archer confessed what he had revealed to Commander Tucker days before. The captain had strong feelings and an attraction towards his best friend that he himself had only just realized. And he was agonizing over the fact that he may have impaired his friend's recovery.
Tucker was confused and afraid to deal with the new chemistry between Archer and himself. True, the commander had admitted it was possible he might have similar attractions, but he was not convinced. He didn't think the shower episodes proved anything except that he enjoyed being washed by another.
Phlox had worked with both men individually and together. He found Archer to be accepting of his feelings. He was not at all concerned with putting a label on his love or himself. Tucker, on the other hand, was quite the opposite.
The younger man's personal doubts, unjustly imposed upon him by his Uncle Chris so long ago, had left him deeply troubled. The doctor had come to the conclusion, after spending so much time with the commander, that his doubts were blinding him to his true desires. Phlox had to carefully chip away that steadfast wall and bring the commander to the realization of his own feelings in regards to Archer. Feelings that had nothing to do with Uncle Chris' inebriated, lustful actions for which Phlox assured Tucker were light-years away from what Archer felt.
Eventually, the good doctor had both men comfortable with each other's feelings. They had agreed to remain open minded and let things happen naturally. Since Phlox had prescribed the two not see each other except for the therapy sessions; it had been easier for them to clear their minds. Each was able to heal their own guilt-ridden souls.
"Well," Reed said, breaking the silence. "I best get back to my duties."
"Thank you for your insight on your exclusive visits with the captain and the commander."
"You're very welcome, Doctor." With that, the lieutenant turned and left sickbay.
Phlox sat back down in his chair, leaning back and folding his hands on his stomach. This evening Archer had invited Tucker to dinner...in his quarters.
Even though the commander had said, "We'll see," Phlox knew it was inevitable. Perhaps, the completion of the healing process would be closer for both men.
Jonathan Archer splashed water on his face to complete his quick wash up after coming off duty. He made his way to the closet and stood before it in thought.
"This is it." Jon mumbled, embarrassed he said it out loud to no one. Not even Porthos. Hoshi had, again, agreed to take Porthos for the night. She was more than happy to have the little dog as she had grown used to the warm, cuddly companion.
Jon wasn't being presumptuous, just being prepared. Trip had agreed to dinner by simply requesting, "Let's take it slow, okay?"
So, Jon had everything set up; a small table for two, soft music and candles at the ready. He wanted tonight to be special. Not like dinner in the captain's dining room where they talked about the crew, missions, Starfleet.
As he dressed, Jon thought how strange life was. How one could focus their attentions on career, duty and miss a deep connection of love right under their nose. He had done just that. The question was, had Trip really done the same?
Trip Tucker stood in front of the door to Archer's quarters. He had been there only a few seconds, but his mind had raced through years of memories. Memories of his relationship with the man inside.
What new memories would they be creating tonight? Would they be fond or regretful ones? He knew, at that moment, that when he left these quarters again; stepped out into this very corridor, that he had walked many times, he would be different. But in what way he was not certain.
Jon smiled as he let Trip in. Both men seemed at ease on the outside, but inside they were both very nervous.
Trip sat down in his favorite spot, the bed. Jon pulled up one of the chairs next to him.
"Dinner will be here as soon as I call for it." Jon told him.
"Got anythin' to drink?" Trip asked, looking at the wine in the decanter on the table.
"You bet," Jon answered, turning around and pouring two glasses. He handed one to Trip, raising his glass. "Here's to new beginnings."
Trip raised his glass and both men took a sip.
"How was your day?" Trip asked.
"Nothing exciting." Jon replied. "We missed that planet T'Pol was telling me about my first day back. I'm thinking of circling back."
"Geez, Jon," Trip whined. "You should. The crew and mission shouldn't suffer cuz of me."
"Not you." Jon corrected. "Us. I was very into therapy, same as you."
"Yeah, okay." Trip relented, draining his glass.
"Hungry?" Jon asked.
Trip shrugged his shoulders. "Can't we talk some first?"
"Of course," Jon eyed him curiously, then added playfully, "I just thought you'd gotten enough talk these last few weeks."
Trip let a little laugh slip out then got up and moved to stand facing the door.
Jon came up behind him. He wanted to put his hands on Trip's shoulders, but he declined.
"What is it, Trip?" Jon saw the younger man's shoulders sag slightly.
"You don't know how much restraint it's takin' to keep me from chargin' right into your arms." Trip said matter-of-factly.
Jon felt his heart jump into his throat. He froze, unable to move.
"What are you saying?" Jon asked, carefully.
"It's crazy, but I've gone over all the pros and cons of you and me," Trip began. "And the pros outnumbered the cons. Only..."
Here it comes, Jon thought. The big break up before it even started. Trip wrapped his arms around himself now, succumbing to his insecurities.
"No," Jon scolded, finding his legs and moving around in front of Trip. He grabbed Trip by the shoulders now. "Don't do this. Don't crawl inside yourself. Talk to me."
Trip drew in a deep breath and let his arms fall to his sides. He looked up at Jon now, seeing nothing but concern in his eyes. This man deserved better, he thought, not me. Relationships always ended up broken when Trip Tucker was involved.
"It's just that the cons seemed bigger than life, ya know?" Trip searched for understanding. "I mean, my mama always wanted to see a Charles Tucker the fourth. So did I, for that matter. And even though these kinds of relationships are widely acceptable, my family's ole South, Jon."
Jon saw the torment in Trip's eyes. "I see. And you?"
Trip sighed. "No. I never thought about it one way or the other. Till now. I mean, I always thought love is love. But there are labels put on people. Always have been. And I just don't know what I am."
"You're a dedicated Starfleet officer, Trip." Jon said. "The best damned chief engineer of the whole lot. A decent, caring, loving, good man. A man who is loved. Does it really matter by whom? I don't think so."
"You really believe that?" Trip looked at the older man hopefully.
"Yes, I do." Jon answered.
"You've never lied to me, Jon. I know that." Trip looked away. "I gotta ask somethin'."
"Okay." Jon agreed. "But look at me."
Trip sighed and looked up at his friend. "Did ya keep yourself from love because of your career and this mission? Or was it..." He couldn't finish.
"I think I did, pretty much, because of this goal." Jon started. "But since all of that talking to the doc and thinking, I believe now that it was because I was waiting for my soulmate. I just was too dumb to see you were right there all along."
Trip blushed and looked away again. "I asked ya if we could just take it slow, remember?"
"And?"
"Well," Trip bit his lower lip, nervously. "What do we do?"
"You tell me what you want." Jon prompted.
Trip moved closer towards Jon. "To be in your arms when I wake up in the morning."
The two men held each other. Their embrace tightened and they felt they couldn't get close enough to the other. Jon pulled back and stared at Trip, looking into those blue eyes that longingly looked back. He moved his head in, then hesitated and pulled back. Trip closed his eyes, tilting his head slightly in invitation. Jon needed no further prompting and leaned in for a gentle kiss.
Trip gasped, startled by the light brush of Jon's lips upon his. Jon kissed him ever so softly. Then Trip felt the other man's lips brushing across his cheek, up his temple and onto his forehead. The soft, gentle kisses traveled down the bridge of his nose to the tip. They then ended up back on his lips, which parted.
Jon could hardly believe this was happening. Trip was allowing him to explore the inside of his mouth, which Jon did. He then withdrew, kissing and nipping at the younger man's lips. When he returned to explore Trip's mouth the next time, Trip's tongue became more active and he began to do his own exploring. They kissed passionately for what seemed like forever, until Jon felt he would smother if he didn't hold back.
They pulled away at the same time, both men breathing heavily and licking their tingling lips. Trip held on to Jon's waist as the other man reached up and cradled his face in his hands.
"You all right?" Jon whispered.
Trip nodded and Jon reached down and grabbed hold of his shirttail, lifting it up. Trip raised his arms above his head and allowed Jon to begin undressing him. It really wasn't the first time, being that Jon had just taken care of him for that week. But it was the first time in this way. The way Trip realized he needed and wanted so badly.
Jon tossed Trip's shirt on the floor, never taking his eyes off of the body he had just uncovered. The rippled stomach, the heaving chest that encased the heart he so wanted to love him back. He bent forward and began to run his lips across Trip's neck. The younger man closed his eyes and began to waver. Jon grabbed hold of Trip's shoulders and guided him back toward the bed.
Trip felt the backs of his legs touch the bed and his eyes opened quickly. But Jon's crooked smile reassured him that it was going to be all right. Trip laid back, his head propped up by pillows, watching as Jon began to run the palms of his hands across his chest. The hands moved down to his belly and then just the fingers made their way back up to his chest. Jon's thumbs and forefingers began to play with Trip's hardening nipples, which made the younger man moan and close his eyes.
Jon’s fingertips gently tickled and tweaked Trip's nipples as he watched the handsome blonde toss his head from side to side. Jon knew it was time as he took off his own shirt. He stood up and began to undress completely.
Trip opened his eyes when the wonderful sensation ceased. He saw Jon undressing and watched, mesmerized by his friend's lack of shyness. There he stood naked; looking down at him with so much desire it made Trip's heart race faster. As Jon bent over and began to take Trip's shoes off, he wondered if he shouldn't help. But Trip couldn't move. He just lay there and let this man, the one who professed his love for him, undress him.
God, he was so gorgeous. Jon looked down at the naked body of his long-time friend. The young man that trusted him with his very soul looked up with eyes of wonder. Not fear or uncertainty. Jon lowered himself on top of Trip, straddling him. It was when both men’s groins brushed against each other Trip's waist rose slightly and he began to shift his hips on the bed. The passion was greater than either had imagined and they kissed and rolled around on the bed frantically. So much for going slow. Their naked bodies covered with sweat as rubbing each other created friction against their erect cocks. Tongue against tongue. Lips against lips. Tongues against nipples, hands roaming over flesh. And then a hand cupped sensitive balls.
Trip let out a gasp and stopped moving. Jon released his light grip and looked down at Trip. Both men were out of breath, but staring wide-eyed at the other.
"Jon," Trip managed.
"I'll stop," Jon promised. "It's okay."
"No," Trip swallowed. "Just...do ya know what you're doin'?"
Jon couldn't help but laugh now. "Not at all. Just doin' what feels good."
"Oh," Trip whispered.
"Let's just enjoy it." Jon said, letting his hand gently cup Trip's balls again. "Getting off, okay? Nothing else."
Trip moaned and looked up at the other. "Okay," He sighed, relieved. He felt Jon's hot breath against his ear as he nibbled the lobe.
"I love you." Jon whispered.
Trip's only answer was to copy Jon's nibbling and continue to grind his hips upward against the other's.
Jon fondled Trip's balls as they kissed. Trip's hands took hold of Jon's butt, holding a mound in each hand. They made out, frantic and frenzied with both men ending up lying side by side, each with a hand on the other's cock. They turned their heads and stole kisses as they worked the other's cock in their hand. Rubbing, jerking the other's rigid member from the base to the tip. And when they came, almost simultaneously, they felt as if all of their penned up emotions over the last few weeks were being released.
Trip nuzzled up to Jon, his head on the other's shoulder. Jon draped his arm over Trip's stomach, his other hand wiping the sweat from his lover's forehead. Trip laid his hand on Jon's chest, his fingers playing with the hair there.
"Jon?" Trip's voice broke the silence.
"Hm?" Jon replied, lazily.
"We forgot somethin'." Trip said.
Jon's eyes opened. "What?"
"Dinner."
Jon began to smile. Trip lifted his head and looked at the other with a frown.
"Hell, Jon." Trip added, trying to keep from laughing. "I don't want ya to think
I'm easy or anythin'. Next time I want dinner first." Trip couldn't hold out any longer and started to laugh. Jon pulled him down against his chest and kissed the top of his head.
"Next time," Jon replied. "You'll need dinner first."
wow. simply amazing. that was by far the most magnificent story ever. you MUST continue to write.
On 18 January 2006 at 06:07 AM Xara Eleni said:
Wow! I just discovered this genre of writing and story is awesome! Romantic and sensual and compassionate and very good writing! Good on you!
On 08 August 2008 at 04:56 AM lost wax casting said:
The lost wax casting,learn about lost wax casting and how it's used in professional jewelry making,The investment casting from Wisconsin Precision Casting Corporation reduce the high cost of your machined investment casting parts,Find sand casting,aluminum sand casting, resin sand casting and more.
On 27 August 2008 at 05:00 AM filter housing said:
These water filter housing can use any of our Standard Size cartridges, click here to go to countertop drinking filter housing. ...