Title: First Love

Author: Joules Mer

Author's e-mail: julia_ocean_child@yahoo.co.uk

Author's URL: http://jmenterprise.popullus.net

Date: Posted to EntSTSlash 1/13/2004

Archive: Permission to archive granted to EntSTCommunity and BLTS.  All others ask me.

Fandom: Star Trek Enterprise

Category: Slash

Rating: G

Pairing: Archer/Reed, Tucker/Reed

Summary:  Friends, lovers, and drawing a line.

Beta: None

Spoilers: None

Disclaimer: Enterprise is the property of Paramount.  No profit was made, no copyright infringement is intended.

First Love

    
    The faint lines around his eyes crinkle when he smiles.  There is one lock of hair out of place on his normally immaculately groomed head.  The dark chocolate brown wisp hangs roguishly over his forehead.  I long to reach out and run my fingers through his hair, I'll bet it's as soft as corn silk.  I remember how I once had to rouse him from his bed for an early mission.  His hair had been a mass of spiky disorder and his eyes hooded by sleep as he smiled at me.  He had never looked so beautiful.

    I smile back and say hello, just as I do every time I take my place on the bridge.  I wait a decent amount of time and then carefully peer up at him.  He's already absorbed by his work, a small frown of concentration has affixed itself to his features.  I watch the play of light from the tactical screen on his face and can't help but smile.  He's turned it up to full power again.  When Malcolm is presented with a particularly confusing scan he calls it up on the display and increases the screen's power until it glows brightly.  He must have a spectral analysis of the gas cloud we've encountered, I remember him suggesting that we might be able to collect some compound that can be used to remove a certain debris from inside the cannon manifolds.

    That little frown increases as he continues to stare at the data.  It's almost like he's going to force the cloud to reveal its secrets through the power of his gaze alone.  Having been on the receiving end of that stare before I wouldn't put it past him.  His impossibly long eyelashes hide his expressive eyes from me.  At times their colour reminds me of the ocean.  I don't know if he'd be happy to hear that.  I watch fondly as his tongue peeks out and wets his lips.  I wonder if he realizes he does that.

    I finally force my gaze onto another member of my crew and realize I've been caught.  Trip edges a bit closer to Malcolm and the look he gives me is clear.  Back off, Jon.  It isn't worth it.

    And it's not.  There are some things you don't destroy a friendship over.  I turn back to the viewscreen and watch the flickers of light in the nebula.  He loves me.  He loves me not.  He loves me.  He loves me not.  I'll never know, because he loved Trip first.