InsaneJournal

Archer was in his quarters reading when the door chimed. He tried to remember if he was expecting anyone but he was pretty sure that he wasn’t. Putting down the book, he sat up from where he’d been lying on the couch and called out “Come in.” When the door slid open, he was happy to see that it was Trip. He hadn’t talked to his best friend much and he was glad to see him.

“Hey there. Good to see you. I suppose T’Pol is keeping you busy?” he couldn’t resist teasing Trip a little bit. Jonathan had never quite understood their relationship but it made Trip happy and who could tell if it made T’Pol happy or not, he couldn’t read Vulcans. Or maybe it was just that particular Vulcan.

Trip’s ears pinked a little at his Captain’s teasing. “You could say that,” he said with a laugh, reaching a hand up to awkwardly rub at the back of his head. “I don’t think you really wanna hear the details, Captain,” he added as he stepped through the door into Archer’s quarters. It was easier to find the time to socialize here, where he wasn’t the chief engineer, but there was a part of him that still missed his ship. He suspected Jon felt the same.

“You’re right. I don’t want to know the details. Just as long as you’re happy, that’s all that matters.” Have a seat. What brings you by?”

Trip shrugged. “Nothing special. Just thought I’d stop by and see you,” he said. “Seems like this ship is just big enough that we don’t see enough of each other.” He paused just a second. “How’ve you been? You settlin’ in okay?”

Jonathan nodded. “For the most part. They’ve made me an advisor to the captain but to be honest they haven’t really asked me a whole lot. He seems to talk more to Admiral Pike which I guess makes sense being as they’re from the same time.” He settled back on the couch and was quite for a moment. “I really wish I had something to do. I go to staff meetings but I don’t feel like I’m doing much of anything. I guess I should enjoy not having any real responsibilities but you know me. I don’t take sitting around very well.”

Trip nodded. He did get it. His job in Engineering was pretty hands on, but even down there, it felt weird just being another engineer. He could imagine the feeling was even weirder for his captain. “I’ve gotta admit, it’s weird not having you in that chair,” he said. “I guess this is an adjustment for all of us. I keep having to remind myself it’s not my engine.”

“I’ve had a hard time not sitting in that chair when I’m on the bridge,” Jonathan laughed. “It’s also a hell of a lot nicer than my chair too. Apparently Starfleet decided to upgrade things a bit in the future. Then again, these ships are built for long term travel.”

Trip chuckled softly like that. “I’ll bet,” he said. “Wonder how mad Kirk would be if you did it. Maybe you should try it so we can find out.”

“Well I could always remind him that in his time I’m a legend so he can’t do anything to me.” he shot Trip a grin. “Even if I can’t imagine myself being a legend, both he and Pike tell me I go on to be pretty famous. I’m sure I hated it since you know all I ever wanted to do was fly and see what was out there. I didn’t give a hoot about being famous.”

“Sounds like we were all pretty famous, from what I hear,” Trip said. He knew that wasn’t what any of them had wanted, to be famous or legends or what have you. “Still, might as well use it to our advantage while we can.”

“You’ve got an excellent point. We should sell autographs, pictures, something. We could work out quite a little scam if we wanted.” he shook his head. “Although I don’t know what we’d do with the money but still, we should milk it for all its worth.”

“Should at least be worth a get out of jail free card,” he said with a grin, only half serious.

“Never hurts to have one, does it?” They might be in different circumstances than they had ever expected but Jonathan was glad that so many of his crew were here. It made it all seem just a little bit more like home.