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Before Janeway...and Picard...before Spock...and Kirk...the Star Trek saga began.
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Invite friend
Between Friends by gammara - Trip and Archer get into a fight (Part V)
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-------------------------------------------------- One week had passed since the declaration of his self-imposed punishment, and Archer spent a lot that time reading. He’d been able to catch up on a few books he’d brought with him – including a couple of classics. He’d also had a lot of time to think – really piece everything together. Everything equaled: the fight, his guilt, his anger and his feelings of emptiness now. The answer had been staring him in the face twenty-four hours a day (despite the distraction of books) since his confinement. And it took him by surprise in its simplicity and pain. He loved T’Pol. It should’ve been plain when he’d threatened Tolaris after the Vulcan forced himself on her or the time he’d supported T’Pol and ambassador V’Lar when there wasn’t any reason. He should’ve been clued in when he’d worried over her (at that time fatal) Pa’nar Syndrome as he practically begged (at least in his mind) to keep the Vulcan on Enterprise. It also should’ve donned on him when he tried to talk her out of resigning her commission and staying aboard Enterprise as they headed into the Expanse. And when he’d neglected to line his ship with trellium, even though he understood the danger to the crew, it should’ve been transparent. But, it wasn’t. Looking back on those events, he realized the twists and turns love lead him down even without him recognizing it. Now that he knew, he could only hope to suppress those feelings. Disregarding these notions was for the best. He’d figured (almost every day since the confinement) that Trip and T’Pol had continued their relationship anyway, and part of him wanted to. They were his two closest friends, and they deserved happiness. He didn’t look forward to seeing their cozy threesome – dinner, discussions and more – transform into a duo, leaving him alone, but …. Just as he turned the page of his book, he heard a chime at the door. On bare feet, he padded over to the door as Porthos, who’d long forgiven his master, barked with excitement. The door slid open and Trip gave a light smile. “If Mohammed won’t come to the mountain ….” Archer produced a warm grin. “Want to come in?” “Sure.” “Off duty?” “Just got off.” “That means I can offer you a drink,” Archer said. The blonde scratched his head and accepted. The captain headed to a small refrigerator with two beers still in it, and held out one to Trip. “So, what’s happening out there?” Archer asked. Trip gave a light frown. “You haven’t talked with T’Pol, since -- ?” Archer straightened and then looked away. “Not much, no.” Trip nodded. “Listen, I feel bad about what happened.” “You shouldn’t feel bad.” Jon crinkled his eyes and knotted his brow. “It wasn’t really your fault. It was mine.” “Hell, I can’t remember whose fault it was.” I wish I couldn’t, Archer thought. “I’m sorry. I don’t know ….” There were a few minutes of uncomfortable silence as they sipped their drinks. As if a nothing ever happened, Trip shrugged. “Hey, they’re playing that movie you like tonight. The one about the androids. Blade Runner.” “Really?” “Yeah. It’s on tonight at 2000 hours. You wanna see it?” Before Archer could reply, Trip smirked. “That is, if the captain will let ya.” “You don’t have plans tonight?” He knew it was dangerous territory, but thought it was worth exploring – even at least briefly. “Nah,” the engineer said. The glance they exchanged revealed everything. Archer sighed. “I’d like to, but … you know the captain. He’s a real hard ass.” Trip smiled. “So I hear.” Archer chuckled. “I bet you do.” The blonde polished off the last of his brew and landed the bottle down on the desk with a thud. “So you gonna stay cooped up in here for another week?” Trip asked. “That’s the plan.” “Think you’re going a little hard on yourself?” “I don’t know. Your stitches out?” Archer asked. The blonde frowned. “No. But apparently they'll dissolve in a few more days.” “Three more days? No, I don’t think I’m being too hard.” Trip sighed. “I could sneak ya a piece of pie tonight.” The captain’s food was delivered every night, and for the most part he could have pretty much whatever he wanted. It wasn’t about bringing desert; it was the gesture. “I’d like that.” “Well, all right then.” Trip gave him a hearty clap on the shoulder and left. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Within a month, the three were eating together again. Each managed to wrestle with whatever demons still remained. For Trip, he’d gaze at T’Pol occasionally, but it never lingered. Before their intimacy, they’d bickered almost constantly. Now, they had a decent working relationship, with disagreements that two coworkers usually have, and a genuine friendship. Everything with the captain was patched up as if neither had hurled obscenities, insults and fists at each other. T’Pol would catch Trip eying her from time-to-time, but never with regret. And she’d never looked back on the relationship with him with any lament either. Instead, her esteem for him deepened. The moment Trip had left, indicating “it” was over, she’d known it was the right thing to do, but was … pleased their friendship would remain. Things with the captain were virtually back to where they were before the trouble had begun. He treated her exactly the same. And, Archer was glad to have his friendship with Trip so easily restored. It was a testament to how disarming the engineer was; the guy was remarkable – no grudges, no guilt and no blame. His relationship with T’Pol felt strange. He’d coached himself to ignore her velvety brown eyes, the dark lashes that hung around them and the rich timbre of her quiet voice. Every once in a while, when he could feel the yearning, he remembered striking his friend and the horror on her face. It was enough to stifle the emotion from emerging … at least manifesting itself. Or at least that’s what he thought.
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