Doctor Phlox went about sickbay feeding his creatures their breakfast. He wasn't particularly involved in any pressing experiment. He was just waiting for Captain Archer and Commander Tucker to show up so he could scan the commander's hands. Also, he had some information on treating the emotional injuries plaguing Mr. Tucker that he needed to fill the captain in on.
He was not a psychologist, but Phlox knew he had a rapport with these humans, and even a certain Vulcan, that worked favorably when they needed counseling.
He was confident that he could help the captain to help the commander through
this difficult time.
As he completed the rounds of feeding time, he paused and wondered what was keeping the two senior officers. Maybe they were having difficulties adjusting to their new relationship.
The water beat down on their bodies, splashing water periodically in their eyes. But still they held their gazes locked on each other's eyes.
Jon stepped forward, hesitantly, and stopped when Trip backed up, shivering slightly.
"Are you scared?" Jon asked quietly.
"I...I don't know." Trip shrugged his shoulders. "I think so."
"Of me?"
"No," Trip shook his head. "I...I'm not sure."
"You know I'd never hurt you."
"I know, I know." Trip hung his head down. "Maybe it's me. I don't understand what's happening."
"Neither do I." Liar, Jon cursed himself as he turned and grabbed the shampoo bottle. He faced Trip again with hands full of shampoo and Trip bent his head forward.
As Jon washed Trip's hair, he massaged his scalp. Trip trusted this man with his life, so why was he suddenly afraid? Because they both had been aroused by being naked together in a close confining shower? Emotionally they had both been through the ringer and being drained like that could account for their reactions, couldn't it?
Jon finished with Trip's hair and wet his own while Trip moved under the stream of water to rinse off. Jon washed his own hair quickly and rinsed. He shut the water off and opened the shower door to let Trip out first.
As he began to dry Trip off, he noticed that Trip's erection was starting to subside. His own had, somewhat, earlier. He dried himself off and the two moved out in to the living area.
Jon retrieved two clean pair of briefs from a drawer and slipped one on. He moved to Trip, who stood looking at the mess on the floor as well as the desk. Trip lifted one foot, then the other as Jon pulled the briefs up.
"I'm sorry about the mess." Trip said, looking pitifully miserable.
"It's okay," Jon smiled at him. "I'll have it cleaned up before we get back from..."
"No," Trip interrupted. "This whole mess. What I did on Montelosa, for what's happening here..." Tears started to well up in his eyes and he wiped them away with his forearm.
"None of this is your fault, Trip." Jon's voice was strained. "Your uncle started it a long time ago. And now, when I thought I was doing this to help you..." Jon turned and leaned on the desk, trying to keep his composure.
"What're ya talkin' about?" Trip stared, confusion all over his face.
Jon straightened up and turned to face Trip. God, he was beautiful. His body, his face, the whole man. Inside he was sensitive, loyal, hurting...and about to be hurt even more.
"Trip, you've been wounded by betrayal from a man you trust and, I think, love."
"He's dead now." Trip turned his head away. "That's history."
"I wasn't talking about your uncle." Jon said quietly.
Trip's head came up slowly and he looked at Jon's face. "Wh...what'd ya say?"
"I guess I never really realized it until now." Jon confessed his voice edgy. "I've always cared about you, Trip. You're the best friend I've ever had. The times we've had together, goofing off and just being ourselves, have been the best. I never thought...never let myself think that what I felt for you was anything but friendship. Love? I've been thinking of nothing else these past few days.”
“Love?” Trip repeated.
“Yes, without a doubt.” Jon opened his mouth ready to profess his feelings further.
Trip started to back up, shaking his head. "No, don't. Please don't say anymore."
"I'm sorry," Jon continued. "You know I don't want to hurt you, but I have to get this out. The love of friendship is nothing to be ashamed of. I've never denied myself that. And I don't think you have either."
Trip had backed up enough to sit on the bed. "No," he said quietly. "I love you, Jon. I do."
"Then hear me out." Jon was pleading now. When there was no insistence to stop, he went on. "I've never felt...Geez, Trip, I've never felt this way towards anyone else, ever. Certainly not another man. I want to be your protector, your friend...your..."
Trip swallowed hard, waiting for what he knew was coming. Say it, Jon. Damn it, just say it and get it over with.
"...lover."
Trip wrapped his arms around his stomach and began to rock slightly. He wasn't so much afraid now, as he was lonely. He'd just lost his best friend, his buddy, and his pal. It would never be the same. He felt the touch, warm and gentle. The hand on his shoulder stayed there, not intruding any further. Trip couldn't believe it. Here he had thought that he was the only one who had unexplained feelings about the other. Feelings that had remained unexplained until Jon had spoken the words out loud. He'd never felt anything like them towards another man before, either.
Jon looked down at his friend. What was he thinking? Was he repulsed, disgusted? Did he hate him for what he was feeling? Maybe not, since he hadn't pulled away from his touch. He would do anything not to hurt this man that he now knew he loved more than anything. And if that meant becoming distant, then so be it.
"Hold me," Trip whispered.
Jon was startled. Unsure, he sat down on the bed next to Trip and put his arm around him, awkwardly.
"No," Trip strained with emotion. "Hold me, please?" He turned, placing his head on Jon's shoulder.
Jon wrapped his other arm around Trip now and held him tightly, as the younger man began sobbing uncontrollably.
"I...I don't want to...lose you," Trip cried.
"You're not going to lose me," Jon hugged him tighter. "What do you mean?"
"I think...I feel the same way..." Trip coughed. "I don't know...I just know it's all gonna change now..."
"We don't have to lose anything, Trip." Jon reassured.
"Yes!" Trip was becoming hysterical. "We will! I know it!"
Jon placed his lips on top of Trip's head and planted a tender kiss there. Trip's tense body seemed to melt into Jon's arms. He leaned slightly forward and kissed Trip, again, on the forehead this time. Trip started to calm down some.
"It'll be okay," Jon began to rock Trip. "Don't worry. We'll take it slow. You're still dealing with the past. I didn't want to add to your pain, Trip. When this is all over we can talk about us. I better get Phlox to assign a medic to you now."
Trip shifted out of Jon's arms and lifted his feet up on the bed while sliding his head down onto Jon's lap. Trip curled his arms close to his chest.
"Don't leave me," Trip pleaded. "I don't want anyone else takin' care of me."
Jon rubbed Trip's cheek with the back of his hand. "If you're sure."
"The only thing I'm sure of is that I need you; now more than ever." Trip sniffed.
"Sickbay to Captain Archer." Phlox's voice came across the com.
Jon gently placed Trip's head on the bed and moved to the com panel. "Archer here."
"I was wondering if you'd overslept. I need to examine Mr. Tucker's hands and, perhaps, change the bandages." Phlox said.
"Give us another thirty minutes," Jon strained to say.
"Thirty minutes it is, Captain," Phlox replied, then added, "Is everything all right?"
Jon glanced over at Trip, who had stopped crying and was looking up at him.
Was everything all right? No. He couldn't really hold Trip to anything he was saying or feeling at the moment. Admiral Forrest had said Trip needed comfort and security now. It could be that what he was feeling wasn't what Jon was feeling. There was a lot to work through, for both of them. But after all they'd been through they could do it. They would do it. Jon had to believe that.
"We're working on it, Doc. We're working on it. Archer out."
I really loved this story. I loved the bathroom and shower parts of the story the most! This is my favourite pairing from Enterprise and I really think you did them justice. Good job!
On 18 December 2006 at 08:11 PM GG Rue said:
Hello. I just wanted to let you know how much I truly enjoyed your story! I have recently begun to watch Enterprise on DVD and realized just how much I enjoy the characters of Archer & Tucker. The characters just seem so real!(credit Scott Bakula & Connor Trinneer). The cast worked so well together....it's just sad that the show was cancelled. Anyway, I do hope you don't forget Enterprise and continue to write stories when you can. I'll be one of the first to read them!
On 01 June 2009 at 06:05 PM MrsTripTucker said:
I really enjoyed your story! It was believable, unlike alot of FF and such that I had read concerning the paring. For example, there are no wierd pet names (like, for example, pookie)like I saw in other stories. I have trouble seeing them say things like that. Your story, on the other hand, seemed like a more realistic spproach. As a constructive criticism, however, you frequently used "The younger man" or "the older man". Try to switch it up.