Everybody Loves Trip - Chapter 7

Everybody loves Trip

by Hoshissis

Rated: PG-13
Genre: Friendship/humor, some implications of slash in later chapters

Disclaimer: Characters belong to Paramount, and the author is making no profit at all from this story.

Chapter Seven

Trip felt like he was floating on a cloud, he was feeling calm, relaxed and at peace. He didn’t know where he was, but he could hear soft music playing and the sound of voices. Somehow they sounded very familiar, but he couldn’t quite place where he had heard them before. At first Trip gave in to this serenity as the beckoning of the peaceful bliss was strong and very tempting, but the desperation in those quiet voices pulled at his heart strings, somehow he knew that if he ignored their plea he would regret it forever. He couldn’t let this happen so he put all his energy into focusing his mind and thoughts on the voices and the music until they got loaded and loader. He recognised the music; it was his favourite blues recording that he liked to play his harmonica along to. Soon the voice began to sound more familiar, it sounded like Doctor Phlox urging him to come back. // Come back, he hadn’t gone anywhere, how could he come back from somewhere he hadn’t gone. // Focusing on these familiar sounds Trip let himself be pulled closer until he became more aware of reality. Carefully opening his eyes, blinking from the glare of the harsh overhead light, the blurriness slowly cleared until he became aware of his surroundings. Standing next to the bed was Doctor Phlox;

“Hey!” said Trip in a quiet and croaky voice.

“Hey there yourself!” replied Doctor Phlox “You gave everyone quite a fright Commander.”

“What do ya mean?” said a very confused Trip trying to remember the last thing that happened before he woke up.

“It took me a while to resuscitate you after your accident. At one point I thought we had lost you, but I’m pleased to say your stubborn streak came through in the end and you began to cooperate. That happened about a week ago, since then you’ve been in a coma Commander.”

Suddenly realization dawned on him with regards to his fall, causing Trip to throw an anxious look at Phlox.

“Don’t worry Commander, everything is fine,” replied Phlox bringing over a beaker of water for Trip to sip.

“During that time I was able to get in touch with the Sargosians and they gave me the composition for the chemical compound that was building up in your blood. Apparently it’s a synthetic compound which they place in their food to make them relax. In the past their society used to be very work orientated and highly stressed, placing its value above anything else – even procreating. This resulted in their population dwindling down to dangerous levels due to various medical ailments. Before it was too late scientists discovered a chemical compound, which when ingested, caused the Sargosians to be more open with their emotions and feelings, helping them to see that work isn’t the be all and end all in life.”

“A drug!”

“In a sense, although it is not addictive and causes no side effects. They didn’t think it would affect humans, so they were very surprised and shocked to find out what had happened. They are extremely sorry for all the trouble they’ve caused.”

“So nobody is acting weird anymore,” asked Trip.

“No I managed to synthesis a counter agent to neutralize the compounds effects on your pheromones and the crew, which I administered a few days ago. Needless to say, until then I’ve had quite a time keeping Captain Archer, Lieutenant Reed and Sub Commander out of sickbay.”

“Oh! So how are they doing?”

“They are all deeply worried and concerned for your welfare. In fact for the first few days I had to have them all forcibly confined to quarters under armed guard, mainly to prevent Captain Archer and Lieutenant Reed from killing each other. Since the neutralizing agent took effect, they’ve calmed down and have been taking it in turn sitting with you, talking and playing your favourite music. They haven’t left your side for 3 days.”

“I thought I sensed voices and music, but I wasn’t sure.”

“The Captain should be here soon, since it’s his turn to………… Ahhh here he is now,” said Phlox turning to look at Captain Archer as he walked through the door.

“Cap’n”

“Trip, thank god you’re awake,” said Captain Archer, racing to his friend’s side.

“Geez, Cap’n, you look like hell!”

“I thought I’d killed you!” said a tearful Captain Archer sitting down next to the bio bed clasping hold of Trip’s hand. “Then when Phlox locked us in our quarters without any information I practically went mad, climbing the walls with worry. I’m surprised Phlox didn’t sedate me, with the amount of times I comm.-d him and the fuss that I kicked up.”

“It crossed my mind Captain!” muttered Phlox as walked over to his desk.

“You weren’t to blame. I’m sorry Cap’n, it was my fault – I let you down again.”

“What do you mean, it was your fault?” said a confused Captain Archer.

“If I hadn’t slept with one of the Sargosians, none of this would have happened. I’m sorry; I let Starfleet down by not behaving as a gentleman and I showed us in a bad light. I’m willing to take whatever punishment you deem appropriate.”

“Trip, I’m not going to do a damn thing. You’re not to blame – Phlox explained everything. That chemical they put in their food is to blame, it made you act like them. Granted the effect took longer but the end result was just the same. If anything I should be apologising to you – I sexually harassed you and tried to kill you.”

“I wouldn’t quite go that far, Cap’n, your actions were based on extremely exaggerated emotions and feelings. That’s different from sexually harassing someone,” said Trip carefully pulling himself up into a sitting position. “Anyway you wouldn’t have gotten very far.”

“What do you mean? Here do you want some help?” asked Captain Archer, reaching over to adjust the bio bed so Trip could sit up easier.

“Thanks, Cap’n. As I was saying, if you want some Tucker loving, watching a football match ain’t the way to do it. If ya want some tips, ask Malcolm, now he’s got some good moves but damn does he need some better pick up lines,” laughed Trip.

Captain Archer just shook his head and chuckled. “Seriously though, I tried to kill you.”

“Extenuating circumstances, you weren’t thinking straight,” said Trip trying to reassure his friend. “In a way it’s kinda flattering, I’ve never had anyone fight over me before. I’m just glad that we all met up in Engineering.”

“Why?”

“If it had been the armoury, Malcolm would’ve had you doing phase pistols at dawn,” laughed Trip again.

“God, Trip, it would be a dull place without you!” laughed Captain Archer standing up. “It’s great to see you looking well, my friend. Get some rest.”

“Only if we finish watching that football match later, I wanna see Florida trounce San Francisco’s sorry butts.”

“Any time, my friend, any time!” said Captain Archer as he turned to leave.

“Wait, Capn?”

“Yeah, Trip?”

“Are you really bothered by the amount of time I spend with Malcolm,” asked Trip, looking very serious and concerned.

“No, Trip, I’m not bothered. I think we are both lucky that we’ve got you because you’re such a damn good friend. Now get some rest, that’s an order!”

“Yes sir!” saluted Trip, before lying down and getting comfy once again.

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Later that night T’Pol crept into sickbay. She had heard from the Captain that Commander Tucker was awake, but she just wanted to check on him one more time to put to rest her own concerns. Pulling aside the curtains she quietly walked up to the bio bed and sat down, looking at Commander Tucker sleeping. T’Pol was greatly relieved that he was going to be alright; the sight of his falling body and the sickening thud as he hit the ground had disturbed her greatly. She had come to care greatly for these humans over the past two years, Captain Archer and Commander Tucker even more so, they were good friends who she had come to respect and admire.

“T’Pol”

“Commander, I’m sorry if I awoke you,” said T’Pol slightly startled; she had been so deep in thought that she hadn’t realised that Commander Tucker was awake and watching her.

“Ya didn’t!”

“I wanted to apologise for my actions, I assaulted you and then participated in causing your accident. If you so wish to initiate dismissal proceedings against me with Starfleet and the Vulcan High Command, I will not offer a challenge.”

“T’Pol, you weren’t in your right mind at the time.”

“I appreciate that Commander, but nevertheless my actions caused you serious injury, which nearly resulted in your demise. I deeply regret this and I hope you will come to forgive me.”

“T’Pol, friends forgive each other. You forgave me when I almost killed you on that first Minshara class planet we visited, remember, when I wasn’t in my right mind from the pollen? This is no different as far as I am concerned.”

“That is very commendable, Commander, thank you.”

“You’ve gotta laugh though, ‘You need me to come and fix your plumbing!’ Geez, T’Pol, I would never have associated you doing the bored housewife, accost the handyman routine,” laughed Trip.

“Get some rest Commander, I will see you tomorrow,” replied T’Pol raising her usual eyebrow. “Goodnight!”

Trip just waved goodbye and carried on laughing.

----------------------------------------------------

Two days later, Phlox released Trip from sickbay on the condition that he return to his quarters and get some rest. His shoulder was still a little sore from being dislocated and he had a slight limp from breaking his left ankle, but on the whole he felt a lot better. Captain Archer, T’Pol, Hoshi and Travis had all popped in to see him during the past two days keeping him up to date on what was happening. Unfortunately, though, Malcolm seemed to be avoiding him. He hadn’t seen or heard from him since the accident in Engineering, so Trip was on his way to Malcolm’s quarters to find out what was the matter and clear the air. He knew for a fact that Malcolm’s shift had ended and that he wasn’t in the Messhall or the Gym, so if Malcolm was brooding or avoiding him he would be in his quarters.

Zzzzzzzzz……… zzzzzzzzzz……………

“Who is it?”

“It’s me Trip. Can I come in?”

“I’m a bit busy at the moment, Commander”

“Yeah, a bit busy avoiding me. Open the damn door, Malcolm, and how many times have I told ya to call me Trip when were off duty?”

Zzzzzzzzz………. “Come in!” replied Malcolm looking dejected on his bed. He had been dreading this confrontation for the past two days, ever since he had found out that Trip had woken up. It’s not that he didn’t care that Trip was okay - he did, he was very relieved, he was just very embarrassed and afraid that he had ruined their friendship forever.

“Damn it, Malcolm, how could ya?” shouted Trip walking into Malcolm’s quarters, pretending to look angry.

“I’m really sorry Trip for everything, if you want to reprimand me for my actions go right ahead, I deserve it,” said Malcolm standing strictly to attention.

“Sit down Malcolm, your gonna split in two if ya stand like that much longer. So, as I was saying, how could ya Mal?”

“Sir, I don’t know what ……”

“How on earth could ya have got all those girls in San Francisco with pick up lines like that,” chuckled Trip interrupting. “Geez, Malcolm, ‘Why don’t you use your magic fingers to help me get that big gun firing again’, I can’t believe that you could say something as cheesy as that and expect to be successful.”

Seeing that his friend was teasing him, Malcolm relaxed and sat back down on his bed. “Hey it worked like a charm in the past; you need a certain style and panache to pull it off. Obviously, Mr. Tucker, you fall short in those areas.”

“Hey I didn’t see any charm or panache when you had your hand on my ass,” laughed Trip, sitting down on the desk chair. “Anyway, I’ll have you know that I’ve got plenty of charm, just ask the Cap’n and T’Pol.” He was glad to see that Malcolm was starting to relax once more, it had taken him ages to break down his stiff exterior and he wasn’t prepared to throw away all of his hard work over this little incident. “Anyway Malcolm,” said Trip becoming more serious, “I don’t blame you for what happened, you weren’t in control. I just hope we can put it behind us and carry on as before. Mates?” he asked holding out his hand.

“Mates!” said Malcolm clasping his friends hand and smiling.

“So that movie that ya promised me before, are you still up for it?”

“Sure, make yourself at home.”

“It betta not be one of those boring war ones,” said Trip getting comfy on the bed.

“Well if you think I’m sitting down to watch one of those daft mushy love ones, you’ve got another thing coming,” said Malcolm adjusting the monitor’s controls and sitting down next to Trip.

“Hey, where’s ma beer?”

“What did your last slave die of?” asked Malcolm standing up again and walking to the fridge.

“Shock, I got it ma self!” laughed Trip as Malcolm handed him a beer and sat down. Then with twinkling eyes he said, “Hey, leave the lights on, I don’t think I can trust that roving hand of yours.”

“Spoil sport!” laughed Malcolm, before reaching down in preparation to pinch Trip’s bum.

“Wooow, promises promises!” laughed back Trip, who lifted up his butt cheek, so there was plenty for Malcolm to grab.

That was it, this teasing carried on all night along with peals of laughter, leaving people walking past outside wondering what on earth was going on.

THE END!

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Four of you have made comments

Absolutely delightful, Hoshissis! I really enjoyed this story, and especially the ending. Trip would definitely understand Malcolm's mortification and make it all better. And Malcolm would realize he could trust Trip to be understanding. Hey, there is that underlying attraction for Trip by all parties involved in this story! Thanks!

I enjoyed this story so very much!

Thanks for ending it with Trip and Malcolm enjoying each other's company. I love reading about their friendship; your writing makes it seem so real and natural. Good job, Hoshissis!

god u scared me trying to kill trip, glad it turned out all right. loved it whole range of emotions gd work.

Wow, this was a wonderfull story, weird at times, but very very cool.