• 1-Alternate You

Title:  Alternate
You

Author:  Elven

Rating:  NC17

Summary:  Ensign Natalia Leone, new to the Enterprise family, gets stuck
in the Mean!Alternate Universe and learns the meaning of slavery.

Contact:  elvendemagogue@yahoo.com

Codes: Trip/Natalia

Disclaimer:  I don't own any of the Enterprise characters, Paramount does.

**

Ensign
Natalia Leone had been aboard Enterprise for a full month now and had earned
herself a small break froe woe work she did in Sickbay.  She stood
nervously on the transporter pad and smiled as Malcolm Reed took his place to
send her down.  "It's safe, isn't it?" she asked, looking around
the transporter a little uncertainly.

Reed
returned her smile reassuringly.  "It's safe, Ensign.  I'm sure
Commander Tucker here would be perfectly willing to try it out if he were going
planet side."

Tucker
laughed and shook his head.  "Let's not get too hasty,
Malcolm."  Natalia widened her eyes a little at that and he
winked.  "Just kidding, Natalia.  I've actually been transported
before and it's not as bad as you'd think.  Just take a deep breath and
before you know it you'll be on the surface."

Natalia
looked at the face of her newfound friend and nodded, pushing her nervousness
away.  "Thanks, Trip."

Tucker
leaned against the transporter console and said, "Have a good vacation, Natalia. 
We'll be back in two weeks for you."

"Thank
you, Trip.  I look forward to my return," she replied respectfully,
then looked to Reed.  "I'm ready, Commander."

"Sending
you down," Reed said, his fingers sliding over the controls.  Natalia
took a breath and soon disappeared.

And
suddenly reappeared.  Tucker furrowed his brow and looked at Reed.  Natalia,
now dressed in a red lined uniform instead of the green of medicine and
science, stepped off the transporter and crossed her arms.  "What the
hell is going on here?" she fumed.

Reed
and Tucker exchanged glances and then looked at the decidedly volatile Ensign Leone. 
"Look, Ensign," Reed began uncertainly.

Natalia
looked over the console and then into Reed's eyes.  "Ensign?"
she asked, looking at him with a very puzzled and annoyed expression on her
face.  She held out her pips.  "You do realize I'm a lieutenant,
right?"  She rolled her eyes.  "What's wrong with this
stupid thing?"

Reed
and Tucker again looked at one another, both wondering what in worlworld was
going on.  "I'm not sure," Reed answered, looking back at her.

She
backed off and eyed them both.  "What's wrong with you two?"

**

Natalia
looked around as she materialized.  Enterprise?  She was back? 
Her eyes locked with Reed's for a moment before she noticed something. 
"Where's Trip?" she asked, stepping off the transporter. 
"What's going on?"

Reed
frowned.  "Not sure.  Commander Tucker is in Engineering most
likely.  I don't keep tabs on his whereabouts."  He scratched
his head.  "I don't understand it.  The transport should have
been successful."  He sighed.  "I'm sorry, Lieutenant Leone."

Natalia
frowned at him.  "Ensign," she corrected softly as she
approached.

"Hmm?"
he questioned, then looked up.  He looked her over.  "Were you
wearing the green just now, before I transported you?"

Natalia
looked down at herself.  "Yes," she answered, looked at him
oddly.  "I always wear green, Commander."

Reed
gazed at her as if she'd just gone mad.  "You're in security,
Lieutenant.  Security wears the red."  He stepped around the
console.  "Maybe you shouldn't go down just yet.  Perhaps Dr.
Phlox should have a look at you if you aren't feeling well."

Backing
away, Natalia eyed hnbspnbsp; "Of course I'm feeling fine,
Commander.  I've been a medic ever since I started on Enterprise. 
Are you sure you aren't the one that should be looked at?"

This
seemed to trouble Reed.  He looked her over thoughtfully and hit a command
on the console.  "Reed to Archer," he called.

=/=Archer
here.  Something I can do for you, Commander?=/= came the almost annoyed
response.

Reed
leaned across the console and exhaled.  "Captain, I was wondering if
you could assure me of Lieutenant Leone's rank and position on Enterprise,
Sir.  There seems to be a bit of a debate about it."

There
was a pause, then, =/=Reed, have you been drinking again?=/=

Rolling
his eyes, Reed smirked.  "Of course not.  Something happened
during transport and Lieutenant Leone has sort of 'bounced back' to us, if you
will.  She's wearing the green of science and medicine and claims to be a
medic of the rank of Ensign.  Would you care to tell us which one of us
should be visiting Sickbay, Sir?"  He watched her.

Natalia
swallowed, uneasy about all this.  Everything seemed strange to her. 
Things got worse when Captain Archer responded.  =/=Reed, maybe you
should bring the Lieutenant to me in my ready room.  Please inform
Starfleet that her arrival is postponed for at least an hour.  And find
out what happened during transport.  I'll take her to Sickbay if
necessary.  Archer out.=/=

Reed
shrugged.  "Right, well, let's go see Captain Archer, shall we?"

Natalia
moved away, uncertain as to why she felt so apprehensive about him or going to
see Captain Archer even.  "I know the way, Commander Reed.  I'll
go straight to the captain."

N'>Natalia
nodded and turned, anxious to get away from him quickly.  It was Reed and
yet...it wasn't somehow.  The British accent was there, the same face and
yet in those eyes...  There was something about this that made Natalia
nervous but other than the obvious reasons she couldn't quite put her finger on
why.

Even
the bridge seemed oddly different yet confusingly the same.  Sub-Commander
T'Pol was in command, her dark eyes taking Natalia in with the same dispassion
as always and yet if she didn't know any better, she could swear there was an
underlying coldness there.  Taking a deep breath she pulled herself from
T'Pol's gaze and buzzed Archer's door, entering at his beckon.

The
first thing she noticed were the eyes.  They were essentially the same,
but the kindness was missing.  The curiosity that she'd noticed in them -
gone.  This wasn't Captain Archer.  He motioned for her to be seated
across from the place he sat, behind his desk, and she did so silently. 
He took a breath and watched her.  "What's this I hear
about..."  He eyed her more closely.  "I see your uniform
is different as well."  Archer tapped his fingers on the table
thoughtfully, not unlike the man she was used to might have.  "I
don't suppose you'd care to explain any of this, Lieutenant?"

Natalia
swallowed and shrugged.  "I wish I could, Captain.  All I can
tell you is that I trained at Starfleet Medical.  I'm an ensign that came
aboard Enterprise a month ago."  She looked around. 
"Things seem different around here."

Archer
leaned back in his chair and remained quiet, mulling things over. 
"Different how?" he finally asked.

"Well,"
she began, not sure how to put it into words.  "I don't quite know
how to explain.  It's just different, Sir.  The crew.  The
feel.  You."  She wasn't all together sure it was wise to let
him know that the changes seemed cold and possibly even hostile.

His
blue eyes locked with hers, nothing threatening there, nothing
reassuring.  Just attentive and unsure.  "The Natalia Leone I
know is a lieutenant in security.  She's been aboard Enterprise since her
maiden voyage.  She's quick tempered and mouthy.  You seem different
to me as well."  He smirked.  "You're more respectful for
one thing.  I can tell that right off the bat."  Archer leaned
forward, looking her over.  "You seem more quiet.  More
uncertain.  But I don't understand how this has happened.  Could a
transporter change someone's personality and knowledge - their
clothing?"  He frowned and leaned back again.  "I don't know
who you were supposed to meet below, Lieu--Ensign, but I suggest you skip the
shore leave and remain aboard until we can get to the bottom of this."

Natalia
nodded sullenly, not exactly sure where she'd feel most comfortable if her
whole universe had changed.  "I understand, Captain."

He
watched her and frowned.  "You say you're a medic, huh?  Well, I
suppose Dr. Phlox could use the help.  Why don't you just go see him about
shifts.  I'll send someone by later to let you know where you'll be
staying.  Under the circumstances, you understand, it's better if you have
guest quarters."

Natalia
stood up.  "Thank you, Captain."

He
waved her off almost absently.  "Dismissed."

She
sighed and turned around, leaving the strange and aloof captain to his
thoughts.  It was all wrong, definitely, but there was something else that
she detected on some inner level.  Natalia wanted nothing more than to be
back on her own Enterprise and strongly hoped that they worked hard on seeing
she got there.

The
trip to Sickbay wasn't long as usual, and things seemed to be the same as she
entered.  Dr. Phlox was there, reading from a terminal.  He looked
up.  "Captain Archer just sent me a note," he said, sighing and
standing.  "So, you're a medic.  Well, I'm sure you'll come in
handy, Ensign."  His smile wasn't exactly friendly, but bordered on
such.  "Let's talk about this, shall we?"  Phlox offered
her a chair.

**

Natalia
swallowed and concentraon ton the DNA test Phlox had set her up with. 
He'd left her alone here in Sickbay and from the things he'd told her, alone
was  definitely something she didn't want to be.  The people on this
ship seemed more violently inclined and that worried her.  Pushing the
stray imaginings within aside, she licked her lips and put her mind on the task
at hand.

She
didn't notice when the door to Sickbay hissed open.  "Ensign," a
soft southern voice said, startling her.

Natalia
turned and offered a smile.  "Trip.  You frightened
me."  The way he grinned at that made her uneasy.  &;Is ;Is
there anything I can do for you?"

Trip
rubbed his hands together and approached, grinning.  "As a matter of
fact," he answered, looking her up and down, "maybe there is."

She
backed off and watched him warily.  "Trip?"

He
closed in on her slowly.  "The Trip you know...he a nice man?"
Tucker asked with a glint in his blue eyes that made her stomach nervous as he
cupped her cheek in his hand.

Natalia
widened her eyes when he backed her into the wall.  Swallowing, she
answered.  "He's a good man.  Nice and funny."

Trip
nodded, still touching her face.  His expression was strangely soft, yet
there was a desire in those eyes that Natalia wasn't prepared for. 
"Well, Ensign," he breathed, licking his lips and eyeing her. 
"You should know I'm not a nice man."  He pushed his lips
into hers.

Trip's
body pressed into hers, pinning her to the wall and Natalia closed her eyes
while his hand traveled down her arm.  "Trip," she whispered,
not sure what to say to him.  She really wished Phlox would get
back...assuming he'd even care to help her.

"Trip,"
he whispered back, kissing her softly again.  He then backed away. 
"Ensign, you are assigned to E deck.  Room 127."  Trip
winked and waved as he backed off.  "I'll see you real soon,
Sweetheart.  Real soon."  And with that he left.

Natalia
leaned against the wall and didn't move for a few moments, wondering exactly
what the point of all that was.  I'm sure he was only teasing , she
told herself, but that's not the sensation she got when he was here.  She
jumped when the Sickbay entrance whooshed open once more revealing Lt. Cmdr.
Reed.  He smiled.  "Hello, Ensign.  Are you all
right?"  He approached.

Nodding
and exhaling, Natalia looked up.  "Fine.  Just ah...had a
strange .experience"

Reed
cocked his head and held up his arm.  There was a large cut on the top of
his hand.  "What sort of experience?" he asked as she went for a
dermal regenerator.

Running
the regenerator over the gash, Natalia pondered on what to tell him.  She
decided to venture out a little and offered, "Commander Tucker came to
tell me where my quarters would be.  He acted strange."  She
looked up to see his expression.

Reed
rolled his eyes and frowned.  "Yes.  Trip's an ass, that's for
sure."  He looked at her seriously.  "You'd do well to stay
away from him if you can.  Commander Tucker isn't the sort of person you
want to be alone with."

Natalia
pulled the instrument back and looked at her work.  "Yeah. 
Yeah, you're right.  Definitely not alone."  She smiled at
him.  "All done."

Hopping
down, Reed rubbed his hand and eyed her.  "I meant what I said, Natalia. 
You stay away from Trip.  Do dra draw his attention or you'll be sorry for
it.  I promise you that."  He turned and walked away, looking
back at her once to say, "Remember that."  And then he was gone.

**

The
first night in her new quarters was spent dreaming of bad things and tossing in
her bed.  Natalia woke up tiredly and dragged herself out of bed, getting
ready for the day and heading off to the mess hall.  She sat down alone
and was reminded of when she'd first abo aboard.  She'd sat alone her
first day then as well, until Cmdr. Tucker had asked to sit with her, trying to
help her adjust to the ship with his friendly company.  Since then they'd
had lunch on and off for the month she served but now it seemed that was all
gone.  Replaced by cold blue eyes that scared her.  She looked up
when he entered, cursing herself when he smiled at that.  Thankfully he
chose to eat with Captain Archer, but positioned himself where he could look at
her occasionally.  Yes, she definitely had his attention.  
Oh, God, she moaned inwardly, wondering why this happened to her.

Quickly
finishing her breakfast, she took her plate and cup to the front and left,
feeling his eyes on her.  The trip to Sickbay now seemed like an eternity. 
She gasped when she ran into Reed.  "Problem?" he asked, eyeing
her.

Natalia
smiled despite the situation.  "Remember what you said about not
getting the Trip's attention?"

He
nodded.  "Yes."

"Well,
too late," she laughed, rub at at her face nervously.

Malcolm
sighed.  "What happened?  Will you tell me about it?"

She
shivered, looking past Reed and nodded.  "Well, last night
he...pushed me against the wall.  Nothing really happened and then he
left.  This morning while I was in the mess hall he watched me
though."  Natalia looked up at Reed.  "Do you think he'll
do anything?"

Malcolm
frowned and touched her arm.  "I honestly couldn't say, Ensign. 
That's just the simple truth.  I've heard hkes kes his women
vulnerable...he likes to cause fear.  Women like that are very rare - at
least from our perspective - and well, you seem to fit that description."

"Great,"
she muttered, leaning against the wall.

"Look,"
he said, his eyes concerned.  "Just do your best to stay away from
him.  He might let it go if he doesn't see you for a while."

Natalia
nodded.  "Yeah.  I guess.  Isn't there anything anyone can
do?  Isn't it against the law to do stuff like that?"

Reed
smiled and shook his head.  "No.  It's not.  No one could
stop him except the Sub-Commander or Captain and well, you'd be lucky if Archer
didn't join in.  T'Pol wouldn't care."  He patted her
shoulder.  "Just stay away from him.  I'm sure he'll leave you
alone."  Reed smiled reassuringly before departing.

Natalia
solemnly completed her trip to Sickbay.  Phlox smiled when she entered and
handed her a data padd.  "Today's agenda."

She
took it and read it over, hardly seeing the words.  Now would definitely
be a good time to get home...or back to normal...or whatever was wrong. 
Maybe this was a nightmare.  Maybe she was in a coma somewhere, having
this terrible dream.  Maybe the transporter and sent her to the Twilight
Zone...who knew?  She only wished for her own bed, her own ship and her
own friends again.  She spent a good part of the day worrying over it too.

Natalia
heard nothing of him though, didn't see him or hear of him.  Until a
little after noon.  His voice came over the comm, startling her
greatly.  =/=Tucker to Leone.=/=

She
widened her eyes.  "Leone here, Commander."

He
took a breath.  =/=Ensign, Reed and I have been working on this problem
and we've come up with a theory.  That you're not from our universe.=/=

His
tone was normal enough for her to momentarily forget the danger. 
"Sir?" she questioned.

=/=Yes,
Ensign.  Another universe.  Theoretically, for every moment in time
every decision we make, there is an alternate universe where ttherther
decisions are made, other things happen.  It would stand to reason. 
Your knowledge is different than ours.  You are different than us. 
Sub-Commander T'Pol iskingking with us on scanning for something called 'phase
variance' which should tell us if you are in fact from another universe. 
I'll keep you posted on their findings.  In the meantime, proceed as
usual.  Tucker out.=/=

Natalia
thought about that.  It was very logical sounding.  Alternative
universes that explored what could have been.  This one seemed to explore
what could have been had living beings been more aggressive and hostile towards
each other.  This wasn't a place she wanted to stay for very long. 
"I'm sure they'll get you home in no time," Phlox offered with a
smile.

She
nodded and returned it.  "Thanks.  I certainly hope so."

**

"You definitely
worry too much," Reed commented as they ate together. talitalia felt
safe with him.  He was almost just like her own Reed back home.

She
sighed.  "Just wait.  See how he looks at me."  She
sat with her back to the door and Malcolm across from her so he could see the
Engineer's expression.

He
took a drink from his cup, then muttered, "Here he is.  Don't turn
around."

Natalia
watched as Reed discreetly watched Tucker as he entered and went to the
Captain's personal dining room.  "What did he do?" she asked.

Reed
sighed.  "He did gaze over here a moment.  He saw me looking at
him and frowned, then went into his dining room."

"Great." 
She absently looked at the door and groaned.

Reed
took a bite of his food.  "Worrying about this isn't going to solve
anything.  Just stay away from him.  Don't be alone too much."

"Yeah,"
she agreed, also taking a bite.  "I guess you're right.  Maybe
I'll get home before anything happens."

He
nodded.  "So, tell me about your universe, Ensign," he said
conversationally.  "What am I like?"

Natalia
sighed and then smiled at him.  "You're quite the same,
actually.  Kind.  Always seem to have some witty remark."

Malcolm
grinned and took another drink.  "Well, I'm glad, but I've done my
fair share of bad things.  But I like you and I'm going to hate to see you
leave."  He winked.

She
smiled at that and continued telling him about her own universe, comparing with
him the differences and the similarities.  In return he filled her in on
some of the history that was different.  Natalia would sit and talk about
anything that kept her from having to go back to her quarters alone, but soon
the time came.  "Want me to walk you there?&; Re; Reed asked as they
stood.  "It's no trouble."

Natalia
sighed and shook her head.  "No.  I can't have you walk me home
and pick me up all the time and even if you were there and he wanted
something...it's not like you could really stop him - rank wise.  I'm sure
I'll be all right."

He
shrugged.  "All right, Ensign.  Call me if you need
anything."

She
nodded and made her good-bye, conscious that Tucker had already left the mess hall. 
The walk to her quarters was lonely and a little uneasy.  The hallways
were dimmed for the night.  She was uncomfortable.  Her adrenaline
rushed when a voice came from the darkness.  "Ensign," he
called, stepping out from the shadowy hall he'd been waiting in.

Natalia
backed off.  "Commander," she greeted uncertainly.

He
smiled, once again closing in on her.  "Why, you're trembling, Natalia. 
Are you afraid of me?"  He backed her into the wall.

Instinctively
she ducked away from him and bolted down the hall.  Tucker quickly caught
up with her though, and pulled her into his arms, laughing.  "Aaaw,
now I just wanna get to know you better."  He shoved her into the
wall and pinned her there, blocking her on either side with his arms as he made
her face him.  "You wouldn't deny your ol' buddy Trip that pleasure,
would you?"

Shaking
in his arms, she looked into his blue eyes.  "You're not my
'buddy'," she said without thinking about the possible consequences.

He
only laughed and grasped her wrists, pulling her through the halls to his
quarters.  Holding her to him firmly, he unlocked the door.  Once
that was done, Tucker pushed her through the open dand and locked it behind him
as he entered.  When he turned, he folded his arms and watched her. 
"Disobeying a commanding officer?"  He moved to stand in front
of her and gazed sternly before walking slowly around her.  She winced
when he pulled her shirt zipper down.  His warm hand pressed against her
back and massaged softly.  "Tsk tsk, Ensign.  You should be
ashamed."

He
wasted no time in pulling the uniform down her arms and removing the shirt from
her.  "Commander," she pleaded, moving from his grasp and
turning to face him.  She backed away.

Trip
grinned, thoroughly amused by her resistance.  "Going
somewhere?" he asked with spread hands.  He darted for her and she
ran, but not fast enough.  Tucker yanked her into him and picked her up,
carrying her into his bedroom and tossing her onto the bed.  Before she
could sit up, he sat with his back to her and pulled her legs into hims, ms,
taking her shoes off and throwing them.

She
laid there as he removed her shoes and socks, then worked her uniform pants
off.  She couldn't help but tremble when he ran his hand down the smooth
inside of her thigh softly.  Wondering what was next, she looked up at the
ceiling.  Tucker then crawled up onto the bed and laid his weight over
her.  He squeezed her cheeks a little and she closed her eyes, so aware of
his hot breath on her face.  "I suggest you relax now."

Natalia shook a little beneath him and nodded, knowing there was not
no
now that she could do.  "Good girl," he replied, nuzzling into
her neck and kissing her there before pushing his lips into hers, his tongue
exploring her mouth heatedly.  She felt herself flush despite the
circumstances.  He smiled, sitting up and straddling her as he pulled his
shirt off andrtedrted on the blue tank beneath.  When his chest was bare
he started on his pants, pulling the zipper and then getting off the bed to
remove them.  His fingers curled around the rim of her underwear, drawing
them down softly, his fingers brushing into her skin the whole way down.

He
looked at the flesh bared before him and then began removing her bra, the final
piece of clothing in his way.  Flinging it away, he feasted his eyes on
her breasts lustily. She arched uncontrollably when he started touching her
there, his fingers warm against the chill of his bedroom.  Without
thinking about it, Natalia pushed his hands off of her.  Standing up, he
gave her a firm look.  "You stay put, Darlin'.  Don't make me
come after you again."

Natalia
couldn't help but contemplate what he might do if she did try to run again, and
decided against it.  Trip went to his clothing drawer and rifled through
it, producing a belt.  She widened her eyes and started to back away
towards the wall.  Tucker frowned at her.  "Get your ass over
here," he ordered, motioning with his finger.  The seriousness in his
eyes compelled her to listen.  "Lay back," he told her when she
was back where he wanted her and she did so shakily.  Climbing onto the
bed he pulled her wrists above her head and strapped them to the
headboard.  Getting back off, he looked around and ripped a tieback from
the curtains in his room and brought it back with him and after another fervent
kiss, he gagged her.  "As much as I'd like to hear you scream,
Sweetie, that bitch T'Pol is next door and complains if things get too
loud."

"Quite
all right," he answered, looking at the table.  "No harm
done."

"Aaaw,"
Trip said, also looking.  "You really should be more careful,
Ensign.  I'm going to have to report this, you understand."

Natalia
looked up at him questioningly.  Phlox shook his head and rolled his
eyes.  "It's just a tube, Mr. Tucker.  I'm sure wasting the
captain's time on this small matter isn't wise."

Tucker
looked at the alien doctor seriously.  "Jonathan needs to know when
his crew make mistakes.  He needs to know if someone's letting their
emotions get in the way of their work.  I think he'll appreciate me
informing him."  He gazed at Natalia, a touch of a smile on his
lips.  "You have a nice day, now, Sweetie."  With that said
he left.

"Jerk,"
Natalia hissed, watching him leave.

Phlox
frowned distastly.&ly.  "Commander Tucker is always trying to get his
colleagues into trouble, Ensign.  Being the captain's closest friend lends
him all sorts of stupid amusements."

She
frowned and turned back to her terminal with a grunt, wondering what Trip was
up to.

**

=/=Archer
to Leone.=/=

Natalia
sighed and stopped her work, rubbing at her arms.  "Yes,
Captain?" she answered.

=/=Report
to my ready room immediately.  Arcout.out.=/=  His tone was short.

Setting her data padd down, Natalia straightened her uniform and headed
out the door.  Just what had Trip done now?  More importantly, what
was Archer going to do? Swallowing, she made her way to the bridge and to the
captain's ready room.  She buzzed the door and he wasted no time in
calling her in.  Natalia's eyes met Archer sitting at his desk and Trip on
the couch, smiling.  Archer motioned to his chair.  "Take a
seat, Ensign."  Natalia paused and his face grew stern, so she sat
across from him.

Trip
got up and walked behind her, resting his hands on the back of her chair. 
Natalia moved forward a little.  "You wished to see me,
Captain?"

Archer
took a breath and leaned back in his chair, looking at her.  "I hear
there was a bit ofacciaccident in Sickbay.  Care to explain?"

Natalia
rolled her eyes and spread her hands.  "Look, it wasn't really
anything.  Phlox didn't seem to mind and I just don't see what the big
deal is."

Archer
drummed his fingers on the table and glared.  "Did I ask for your
opinion, Ensign?"  He shook his head.  "You must understand
that if there had been something in that vial you broke...a disease perhaps,
then it would have been a big deal.  I can't let my crew wander around
this ship making stupid mistakes."

She
stared at him a moment.  "Diseeease?" she said, angry with Trip
for doing all of this, angry at Archer for what he was doing, angry at everyone
for this whole mess.  "Captain..."

He
cut her off with a sharp glance.  "Look, Ensign, you messed up. 
You've lost the privilege to have quarters.  End of story."

Natalia
gaped at this.  "That's just ridiculous!  That's insane!"
she exclaimed, unable to believe her ears.

Archer
chuckled and grinned to Tucker.  "Isn't it though?  Nice being
captain.  You, Miss, are out on the streets so it seems."

Tucker
leaned down close to her ear.  "Cap'n, I'd be pleased to have Natalia
as my guest," he suggested.  "With your permission."

The
Captain smirked.  "You got it, Trip."  He met Natalia's
eyes.  "I suggest after dinner you get your things.  I'll be
checking to make sure you're out by twenty-two hundred hours.  If you
aren't then I'll confine you to Mr. Trip's quarters.  Is that
understood?"

She
looked down at the desk, unable to believe it all.  "Captain,"
she said softly, hoping by a small thread she could reason with him.  She
could tell by his amusement that she couldn't.

Trip
leaned forward and touched her cheek.  "My pleasure, Sweetie."

Archer
watched them.  He waved them off.  "Dismissed."

Natalia
turned and left as quickly as she could, shocked by what had just
happened.  That Captain Archer would do such a thing, allow such a thing
to happen...it just made her sick.  Giving her to Trip like she were some
gift!  She could feel herself trembling at the thought of being forced to
live with Commander Tucker, at the thoughts of what he was going to do to
her.  She inhaled deeply, hoping to God they found a way to get her home
soon or that her own ship found a way to get her.  That nervous feeling in
her stomach, she had a feeling, wasn't going to go away any time soon.

**

Natalia
hugged into herself, staring out the window in her quarters, wondering what she
was going to do.  That nervous feeling in her stomach not only didn't go
away, but worsened as time passed.  She jumped when the buzzer to her
quarters went off.  "Come in," she said uncertainly, hoping it
wasn't him.

She
sighed in relief when it was only Malcolm.  "Didn't see you at
dinner," he said, stopping to study her.  "I hear Trip got you
into some sort of trouble?"

"Yeah," 
she answered, sighing and looking down.  "He got me into trouble all
right.&quospanspan>

Reed
took a seat on her couch.  "Want to talk about it?"

She
sat down in a chair opposite him and looked at him, unable to contain the
moisture that lined her eyes.  "I broke some damn tube in Sickbay
while Trip was there and I guess he told Captain Archer and being Trip's best
little buddy he ordered me to move in with Trip as some sort of stupid
punishment."

Reed
frowned.  "I'm sorry, Natalia.  That's they way those two
are.  I wish there was something I could do to help you out of this."

"I'll
be all right," she replied, a cynical laughter in her eyes. 
"I'll be just fine.  I have to be there by ten or Captain Archer said
he'll confine me there."  She crossed her arms sullenly.

He
sighed.  "It's almost that now.  You have about fifteen
minutes."

&'>"What?"
she exclaimed, widening her eyes.  She got up and grabbed the white gown -
her only possession besides the uniform she wore - off the coffee table. 
"I've got to go, Malcolm.  If I don't..." an>

He
nodded and stood with her.  "Right.  If you don't something bad
might happen.  I'll be around if you need to talk."

"Thanks,"
she said, heading for the door with him in tow.

He
walked with her until she got to Trip's door.  "It'll be okay,"
he said, touching her hair.  "Just don't push his anger."

Natalia
nodded and replied, "I won't.  Thanks, Malcolm."

"Right. 
You're welcome, Natalia."  She hated seeing him go...her only friend
on this crazy ship.  The only person that made her feel halfway
safe.  Taking a very deep breath, she buzzed the door and tried to
suppress the trembling when he called her in.

He
was standing, arms crossed.  "Never thought you'd show up," he
commented, narrowing his eyes.

"Sorry,"
she mumbled, entering and staying near the door.

He
smirked and moved to her, tearing the gown from her hands and holding it
up.  "Pretty," he told her, smiling.  "Can't wait to
see you wearing it."

Natalia
held her hand out for it and he gave it up.  "Where will I sleep for
now?" she asked, bringing her eyes to his.

"With
me.  Always with me unless I tell you otherwise."  She tried to
walk past and he took hold of her arm.  "Where you goin',
Honey?"

"Nowhere,"
she answered quickly, unable to stop shaking now.  "Just to
sit."

He
watched her for a few moments before taking her arms and pushing her into the
wall.  She lost grip of the nightgown in her hands.  "Listen to
me," he growled.  "You don't do anything without my saying so, Natalia. 
Anything.   Let's quit playing games right now.  We both
know exactly why you're here."  He ran his hand down her cheek and
started massaging her neck possessively.  "Whether you like it or not
every inch of that pretty little body of yours is mine now."  Closing
her eyes, Natalia whimpered something, a thought out loud really and he pressed
against her harder.  "What was that?"

"I
said I just want to go home, Commander," she answered softly.

"Aaaw,"
he mocked, rubbing his hand through her hair while the other hand held her to
the wall.  "Well, you should know something, Ensign.  That
order's been rescinded.  We're no longer looking for a way to send you
home."

Her
eyes flew open and she looked for any trace of lying in his blue eyes. 
"What!?"

Trip
smiled almost gently.  "I told the Cap'n that sending you home was
impossible and he agreed that to continue wasting effort on it was
foolish.  You're going to be here a while it looks like."  He
forced his mouth over hers, pushing his tongue into hers and held her there in
his arms, tasting her lips.  Finally he broke the contact and pulled her
from the wall and backed away from her.  His eyes traveled her body met
hers with a hungry lust that made her shiver.  "Take off your
clothes."

Natalia
moved away and watched him, angry and scared.  Ordering her to take her
clothes off like she were some...slave.  That's exactly what she
was.  Her first instinct was to try and run, but where would she go? 
He started to close in on her, no doubt wondering why she was waiting. 
"I said take your clothes off, Natalia."  His voice was low and
his eyes dark.  Gripping her arm, he pulled at her and she instinctively
pushed him away as hard as she could.  Regaining his footing, he laughed
and started for her again.  "So, we're gonna play this game, are
we?"

She
darted away from him and he grabbed her, pulling her into his arms and shoving
her to the floor.  "Well, Baby, I can push and shove and even hit too." 
Trip gripped her cheeks and smiled.  "Now what do you say we get this
uniform off, huh?"  Holding her wrists together on her stomach, he
reached with his free hand and opened a drawer. Natalia struggled a little when
she saw what he was taking out.  A knife.

Natalia
wrenched one of her hands free and smacked it from his hand, sending it
crashing to the floor.  "You better learn this fast, Whore," he
growled, slapping her hard and winning a whimper.  He grabbed her wrists
again.  "You are mine now and disobeying me will come with
consequences."  Trip grabbed the knife again and held it to her
throat.  "You gonna lay still?"

When
she didn't answer he pushed the knife against her skin a little harder and she
nodded, a few tears falling.  "Good," was his reply as he pushed
the knife under her shirt and drug it down, cutting the fabric from her
body.  He let the cold metal rest against her stomach for a moment as he
looked at her.  "Poor Natalia."  She closed her eyes as he
pushed it under the center of her bra and cut it open.  The chilled air
hit her flesh and she gasped when his hands roughly kneaded her breasts. 
"So pretty, Ensign.  I'd hate to have to bruise your pretty
skin."

"Why
are you doing this?" she asked, wincing against his touching.

Trip
pulled his shirt off and went to unbutton his pants.  "Because you're
pretty, Natalia.  Because I like how shy you act and how nervous I make
you."  He unzipped his pants and pulled them off, moving to take hers
off.  He ripped both her pants and underwear down and tossed them
away.  "Your body is so hot," he hissed, running his hands up
her legs and squeezing her thighs meaningf.&nb.  Lowering himself against
her, he pulled her hair to arch her neck and forced his mouth over hers again,
his tongue searching and seeking heatedly, roughly.

Natalia
whimpered into his lips, pushing her hands against his shoulders and tried to
get him off.  She felzzy zzy at his insistent kissing, the hand that
trailed against her side and to her breast.  "Please," she
whispered as he lifted his face from hers.

Trip
pushed her into the hard floor and stared down sternly.  "Shut the
fuck up," he said, his voice raised a bit.  He pulled his boxers off
and forced her legs apart with his, settling between her thighs.  Still
holding her hair, he ran a hand down her thigh and starting kissing her jaw
line.  "It's gonna happen," he growled, grabbing her hip and
pushing himself into her.  She whimpered as he set a forceful rhythm,
pushing his body into hers hungrily.

Natalia
looked up over his shoulder as he moved over her, greedily seeking his
release.  She made herself to relax as he touched her and forced her arms
over her head. "Good girl," he groaned, closing his eyes in pleasure
and wrapping his free arm around her waist, caging her body to his and blocking
off any hope of escape.  "Just take ike ake a good girl." 
His voice was heavy, shadowed over with passion and pleasure.  Letting her
wrists go, trusting she'd be too scared to move them, he brushed his fingers
down the inside of her arm and to her cheek, fingering her lips and looking
down at her softly.  Taking a breath and groaning with a thrust, he said,
"My little whore.  You're my little whore, aren't you?"  He
exhaled and thrust again.  "Answer me."

Not
meeting his eyes, she tried to move her arms and stopped at his glance. 
He pushed a little harder against her, wanting his answer and she gave it,
knowing what he wanted to hear and knowing it would spur him on, whispering,
"Yes."

Trip
tightened his iron grip around her waist at that, closing his eyes and nuzzling
into her neck.  "You smell so good," he groaned, breathing of
her hair.
>

Time
seemed to pass slowly as she lay there, letting him do whatever he wished to
her.  His hands warmly pressed into her flesh everywhere, rubbing and
touching her, claiming her body for his.  The wetness at her shoulder made
her senses swim as he marked her.  She could feel his movements quicken
and knew his time was closing in. Groaning pleasures and pains into her ear, he
lost himself to the tide of his passion and she moaned, unable to stop herself
from feeling the pleasure of the moment. Unconsciously, she tangled her legs
with his and closed her eyes, praying this would end soon.

And
it did.  Trip climaxed, filling her with his warmth and collapsed on top
of her,chinching his breath.  She lay there, trembling beneath him and
thankful for the rest.  He started rubbing at her belly, looking into her
face and said gravely, "It'll happen again."  With that, he
stood and grabbed his clothes.  "I'll get you a new shirt
tomorrow.  Come to bed."  And then he disappeared into his room.

Natalia
lay there on the floor, staring up at the ceiling in shock at the turn her life
had taken in so short a time.  She didn't know what to do...cry, scream or
sleep.  Wiping the stray tears from her cheeks, she pulled herself up and
grabbed her gown, not sure it was really necessary.  Slipping it over her
tired body, she quietly entered Trip's bedroom, not sure what he would do it
she didn't.  He was laying beside the wall with his back turned to
her.  Sighing, she slipped into bed beside him just wanting to rest. 
Her body ached and she was so tired now.  She took a deep breath, so aware
of the heat coming from his body.

**

He
was right.  It would happen again.  Morning had come too quickly and
with it came his lust.  Natalia woke up in a haze and sat up.  Trip
wasn't beside her.  She was thankful for that, but wondered where he
was.  She could hear movement in the bathroom.  Suddenly the door
hissed open and he emerged, wet with a towel around his hips.  "I see
you're awake.  Good."  He eyed her gown and ordered, "Take
it off."

She
pushed away the despair that came with that order, praying he would at least be
gentle this time.  Pushing the straps of the gown down her arms, she
quietly replied, "All right."

He
was there immediately, helping her pull it off and pushing her back onto the
bed.  "I see you're learning obedience," he commented, pulling
his towel off and setting it aside as he lay on her again.

Natalia
closed her eyes, preparing herself for this again.

**

meanwhile...3 weeks later...

"Got
it!" Reed exclaimed, grinning at Trip.  "I think we're in
business."

Tucker
smiled at this and hit the comm.  "Tucker to Archer."

=/=Archer
here.  What's up, Trip?=/=

Trip
exchanged glances with Reed.  "I think me and Malcolm can re-create
that transporter accident, Sir.  We're ready to try and get Ensign Leone
back."

=/=About
damn time,=/= the very testy security officer said over the comm before Archer
could comment.  Tucker grinned, listening as Archer said, =/=Yes. 
Well, I'm sure your crew will be glad to get you back.  Good work,
guys.=/=

=/=Theoretically?=/=

Tucker
smiled.  "That's a risk I'll take and I'm sure the Lieutenant feels
the same."

=/=All
right, Trip.  Come back in one piece.  Archer out.=/=

Rubbing
his hands together, Tucker grinned as Reed grabbed a phase pistol and said,
"Let's do it."

Lieutenant
Leone was already waiting in the transporter room, her expression decidedly
annoyed.  "Took you two long enough," she snapped when they
entered.  "What the hell have you been doing on the way
here?"  She eyed them speculatively.

Tucker
rolled his eyes.  "Let's go, Lieutenant," he said softly,
sighing.

She
laughed.  "No weapons?  Do you think they are just gonna let us
stroll up?  People in my universe aren't soft like you people seem to
be.  You'll be lucky if they don't shoot you on sight and if someone's
taken little Ensign Natalia as a slave then they likely won't want to give her
up."

Reed
smiled at Trip.  "Have fun."  He tossed the phase pistol
over and grabbed another one from under the transporter console, giving it to Leone. 
"I assume you won't stab Commander Tucker in the back?"

She
rolled her eyes and shoved it into the holster at her hip.  "Fuck
you."

Trip
chuckled and winked at Reed, stepping onto the transporter.  "Ready,
Lieutenant?"

"Hell,
yes," she muttered back, joining him.  "Get me the hell home,
Reed."

"Yes,
Ma'am," he replied, grateful she was leaving.  "Transport
beginning.  Good luck."

"Hey,
Reed," Leone said as transport began.  "Fuck you."

Trip
laughed as they materialized.  "You sure are mean."  He
looked around, grateful the transporter room was empty.  "Right, well
I suppose she's in Sickbay.  Perhaps I should just go and get her and
leave?"

She
nodded.  "Yeah, that's probably best.  I'll wait here while you
go get her.  When you get back I'll send you to your own Enterprise." 
She folded her arms and leaned against the wall.  "Go on, Lazy
Ass."

Trip
shook his head and headed out, sighing.  Sickbay...not a long trip. 
He could get her out and be done with it very quickly.  He inconspicuously
made his way to Sickbay and entered.  Phlox turned and eyed him. 
"Can I help you, Commander?"

Trip
swallowed, looking around.  "Yeah.  I'm looking for Ensign Leone. 
Seen her?"

Phlox
looked at him speculatively.  "Sir, she's been in your quarters ever
since you had her confined.  Am I to understand she's escaped?"

Confined
her to his quarters?  Tucker didn't like the sound of that.  Waving
his hand, he turned away.  "Thanks, Phlox."  Trip picked up
his pace, wondering what she'd be doing in his quarters.  His heart panged
at the possibilities.   Oh, Natalia, he sighed
mentally.   God, I hope you're all right.

She
met his eyes finally, pain there.  "Please don't make me play this
game again."

Trip's
anger flared at that.  His blue eyes were sad.  "It's no game, Natalia. 
It's really me."  He rubbed his thumb over her cheek and looked
around.  "We've got to get out of here.  Come on." 
Taking her wrist without waiting for her to comment, Trip turned and pulled her
with him towards the door.  Before they made it it opened, revealing
someone that caused Trip to stop and stare.  Himself.  It was
him...but his eyes...  Trip glared at his "evil twin". 
"What the hell have you done to this poor girl?"

The
evil Tucker started for Trip.  "Natalia's been my little whore all
week.  Nothing you wouldn't have done I'm certain, if you had the
chance."

Trip
narrowed his eyes, backing Natalia behind him and pointing his phase
pistol.  "I would never do something so cruel," he said in dark
tones.  Tucker lunged at Trip, knocking him to the floor.  The phaser
went flying.  "Get the phaser!" Trip yelled, struggling with
himself.  "Natalia!"

Tucker
grinned, punching at Trip.  "Yeah, you do it," he growled,
looking at her.  "Get that pistol and give it to me or I'll fuck you
so hard bones'll break."

Natalia
looked for the phaser and spotted it nearby.  Picking it up, she pointed
it and fired.  Tucker collapsed onto Trip and Trip shoved him off,
muttering, "Jackass."  He stood up and offered his hand, hoping
she'd take it.  "Wanna go home now?"  He tried to reassure
her with his smile.

Taking
his hand, she nodded.  "Ready."

Trip
and Natalia dashed through the ship, winning many curious glances from stray
crew members.  They stopped short, Trip rounding a corner and nearly
knocking Captain Archer over.  "Whoa," he said, backing off and
smiling.  "Take it easy, Trip."  He frowned at Natalia's
attire.  "And don't do anything public.  You're not the one
that's going to have T'Pol bitching at you about 'controlling an unruly human
crew and their perverted pleasures'."  He grunted and stepped aside
for them.  "Not that she doesn't have any of her own, damn Vulcan
slut."

Trip
blinked at that, finding the adjustment to this strange universe hard. 
"Y-yes, Sir, Cap'n.  Nothing public."  He winked.

Archer
sighed and passed them.  "Is everybody like that?" Trip asked,
once again pulling her along.

Natalia
nodded distastefully.  "Unfortunately."

When
they arrived in the transporter room, Reed was there and Trip pulled his
pistol.  "I'm takin' her home, Malcolm.  Don't try and stop
me."

Reed
shook his head.  "Don't be an ass, Tucker.  Get on that
transporter."

Lieutenant
Leone eyed Natalia and frowned.  "I hope you don't have some loser
expecting me to fuck him now."

Natalia
eyed the transported as Trip urged her to it.  She paused. 
"What is it?" Trip asked softly.

She
shook her head.  "I just can't believe I'm going home."

He
smiled and led her up.  "Believe it, Natalia.  We've missed you." 
He nodded to Reed.  "Send us home."

Reed
nodded and smiled at Natalia.  "Good-bye, Natalia."

She
waved back lightly.  "Bye."

Looking
at the console, Reed began working the controls.  The last thing Trip and Natalia
heard was, "Energizing."

**

Reed
grinned as the materialized.  "Reed to Captain Archer," he said,
hitting a comm button.

=/=Archer
here.  I hope you've got good news, Malcolm.=/=

Trip
smiled as he stepped off the pad.  "We're back, Cap'n."

=/=Good
to hear your voice, Trip.  Welcome home, Ensign.  We're glad to have
you back.=/=

"Thank
you, Captain," Natalia said a little quietly.  "I'm glad to be
back."

Trip
grinned at her.  "Yeah, after a trip to Sickbay I'm sure
everything'll be just right."

=/=Sickbay?=/=
Archer asked.  =/=You okay, Ensign?=/=

She
sighed.  "I'm okay, Captain," she replied, not really wanting
Archer to question what was wrong with her.  "Thank you for getting
me back, Sir."

=/'>=/=You're
one of ours now, Ensign.  Expect it.  Archer out.=/=

Trip
bit his cheek and looked her over.  "You want me to escort you to
Sickbay, Natalia?"  He smiled at her pause, then, "You wouldn't
deny your ol' buddy Trip that pleasure, would you?"

Natalia
widened her eyes at his echoing Tucker, backing off at that. 
"I'll...I'll be fine, Commander.  Sorry."  She turned and
left before he could comment.  Natalia shivered, walking down the halls
and ignoring the stares and whispers.  She didn't care what they thought
about her.  All she'd hoped was that what Commander Tucker had done to her,
all the things he'd forced her to do wouldn't interfere with her relationship
with Trip, but she couldn't help but be worried.  Maybe it was just
adjusting to home.  She was switching between two very different
places.  Adjustment should be hard.

Eing ing
Sickbay, she climbed into a biobed and laid back, not caring how long Phlox
took.  As it was he rushed from his office.  "Can I....Ensign Leone?" 
His face brightened.  "Welcome home, Ensign!"  His eyes
looked at her clothing and dimmed a bit.  "Are you injured?"

How
could she begin to tell him the injuries she suffered?  A sudden rush of
emotion swept over her and she wiped frantically at her eyes.  "I'm
fine, Doctor."

He
came closer and let her cry a few moments.  "Ensign," he began,
not really sure how to handle this sort of thing in a human.  "I
don't know what to say."

She
laid back.  "You don't have to," she told him, sniffing. 
She looked at the ceiling.  "Sorry.  I guess it's just hard for
me to believe I'm finally home."

"Yes,"
he said, grabbing a scanner and starting the exam.  "I imagine it
must be difficult.  Captain Archer and Commander Tucker are arranging a
party for you sometime this week, I hear.  Do you think you'd be up for
that sort of thing?"

Natalia
laughed, wiping her cheeks.  "A party.  I guess.  It would
be better than sitting alone in my quarters."  She sighed when her
voice cracked.

Phlox
paused, touching her arm.  "Ensign," he said gently. 
"It would help if I had an idea of what you went through while over
there."

She
nodded, knowing that had been coming.  What could she say?  Still, as
her doctor he had to know.  Licking her lips, she closed her eyes and took
a deep breath.  "I...I was his slave for the past three
weeks."  She found it hard to say Tucker's name.  "He uh,
wasn't too abusive.  Hit me once in a while.  Didn't break
anything."  Her voice wavered with each word.  "As far as
the...other stuff...well, pretty much if he could think of it, he did
it."  She swallowed, not sure how much more she could bring herself
to say.  "A few days ago the Doctor discovered I was...pregnant and
Tucker made him...take care of it."

Phlox
sighed, looking over the scanner.  "I can see that."  He
sighed and looked her over.  His voice was quiet and sad. 
"Ensign, this examination is going to get a little personal.  Are you
comfortable with this?"

Archer
smiled at him.  "Why don't you go over there, Trip?"

Rolling
his eyes, Trip looked at the captain and shook his head.  "No. 
The last thing she needs right now is me over there.  I don't know what
she went through over there, but she can't be feelin' too comfortable with me
right now."

Nodding,
Archer shrugged and took a drink.  Setting his glass down, he looked over
at the subject of conversation.  "That could be true, Trip, but I
think she also needs to know that she hasn't lost a friend because of
this.  She needs to know that things haven't changed over here."

Tucker
swallowed a bite of his breakfast and shrugged.  "I don't know,
Jonathan.  Things might not have changed over here, but what about inside
her?  Hell, I don't want the friendship to end, but I just don't know if
she wants me forcing my presence on her."

Archer
took a breath and forked a bite of his pancakes.  "I can't make your
decision for you, but I think you might be making a big mistake if you don't at
least find out what's going on with her.  She might just need you to make
things normal again."

"Yeah,"
Trip breathed, looking at her again.  "Maybe."

Jonathan
watched for a moment.  "You like her, don't you?"

Trip
eyed his captain.  "She's a little young, Jonathan."

His
friend smiled knowingly.  "Not that young.  Trip, for your sake
and for hers, don't let what happened ruin what you two had.  You never
know what you might be missing out on later on in life."

Tucker
snorted and cut his pancakes up.  "Like she'd ever want me hanging
all over her after..."  He shook his head.

Archer
sighed at his friend's problem.  "Maybe I should talk to her."

Trip
shook his head.  "No, Jonathan.  I think she just wants to
forget this.  I think we should just leave it alone."

"Well,"
Jonathan said, pushing his chair back and grabbing his plate.  "I
suppose you're right, Trip, but if I don't see her mood improve I' I'm going
to have to sometime.  I can't let her go on suffering, no matter how much
she'd like to forget it."

"Right,"
Trip sighed as his friend left.  It was frustrating to him.  He just
didn't know what to do to make this better for her.  One thing was sure,
if he could find a way he'd do anything at all to do it.  "I'm so
sorry, Natalia," he whispered, looking at her one last time.  And
then she met his eyes, catching him looking at her.  She looked uncomfortable
for a moment, then smiled.  He could tell she was forcing it for his sake.

And
then she just looked away, leaving him to wonder what exactly was going on
inside her.

**

His hands were all over her body, caressing her, forcing their rough touch
everywhere.  "Please," she begged, but he wouldn't listen. 
Instead he shoved her against the table and forced himself inside of her sore
body, thrusting angrily.

His hands curled over her shoulders, pushing her into hips each time he
crashed into her.  "That's the last time you'll ever disobey me,
Bitch," he breathed, slapping her.  "You understand me, Natalia? 
My mercy only goes so far."

"I understand," she cried out, whimpering at the pain he was
causing, whimpering at the fact that it was causing him pleasure.  He
groaned, his body finding satisfaction in hers.

Natalia
woke up, gasping for air and looked around.  She was safe in her own
quarters, alone.  It was just a dream.  Oddly enough she could feel
it still and it made her shiver.  She was finding it so hard to sleep
since she got home.  Even there in the horror of his quarters she could
find sleep and yet here in the safety of her own Enterprise she couldn't. 
Perhaps facing the memories was worse than the actual pain she'd suffered at
his hands.  The bruises would go away, but the memories would last
forever.

Natalia
climbed out of bed and went to the window, pulling back her curtains and
looking outside at the stars.  She could remember doing that just a few
nights ago after another rough session with Trip.  He enjoyed hurting her,
enjoyed making her tremble in fear.  Toying with her mind.  That
night had been one of the worst nights she'd spent with him.  He'd
punished her for being pregnant.  As if she could have stopped it or
something.  Her mind traveled back...

She
shook her head, closed her eyes and tried not to picture the events.  She
could still clearly hear him yelling, feel the slaps and feel his body. 
It jarred her.  What jarred her more was the fact that she almost felt
lonely for him.  Natalia tightened her fist, wondering what in the hell
would make her feel even remotely bothered by not having that freak hovering
over her, lusting and rough.  "I'm never gonna get any sleep,"
she muttered, gazing at the stars.  She wiped the few tears from her eyes,
wondering what the Trip of this Enterprise was doing, what he was feeling.

Suddenly
an idea came to her.  Go and find out.   He's likely asleep,
she thought to herself, still moving to get her robe.&nbsolliolling her eyes,
she left her quarters and went to his, knowing full well the way there.

He
failed to respond to her buzzing his door, and for reasons she couldn't fathom,
she began overriding his codes like she'd read to do in Lieutenant Leone's
logs. Entering his dark room felt natural almost.  She swallowed, moving
into his bedroom.  Trip was asleep on his belly, face smooshed cutely
against his pillow and Natalia giggled.  Still, seeing him made her uneasy
inside, reminded her of everything that had happened.  She couldn't
imagine why she was here.  "I should go," she whispered to
herself, walking still closer.

She
sat down on the edge of his bed and he stirred, causing her to jump.  He
opened sleepy eyes and then jumped.  "Natalia, you scared me,"
he groaned sleepily as he sat up.  "How'd you get in here
anyhow?"

Natalia
gave him a guilty look.  "Sorry.  I shouldn't have come. 
I'll go."  She tried to sit up, stalled by his hand.  That made
her stomach hurt.

"Sorry,"
he said, noticing her unease.  "Natalia, you needin' to talk about
somethin'?"  His eyes were soft.

He
sighed.  "I know and I do feel bad that it happened to you.  Natalia,
I hate that it was done to you and I hate that it was, well, someone who looked
like mo dio did it."  Natalia sniffed.  "Why don't you go
get some sleep?" he suggested at her silence.

She
shrugged.  "I don't know.  It's hard."

Trip
looked away, then back, saddened by this whole thing.  "Natalia,"
he ventured.  "You wanna sleep here tonight?"

The
idea made her nervous and yet she found herself nodding.  Trip moved over,
pulling back the covers and she laid down, flashbacks of the other Tucker entering
her mind.  She closed her eyes against the images, breathing,
"Thanks."

"Yeah,"
Trip replied, laying down beside her.  He sounded just as confused as she
felt.  "No problem.  You're welcome here any time."

She
didn't answer, merely searched for sleep and tried desperately to get the
images and fngs ngs out of her mind.  Strangely enough, she found rest
easier here.

**

Phlox
didn't look up.  "You know talking about it will make things better,
don't you?" he asked.

Natalia
snorted.  "Talking.  What's there to talk about?  My life
is messed up."

The
Doctor looked at her softly, then came to her, taking the data padd from
her.  "You're life will get back to normal soon enough, Ensign. 
It's not messed up."

She
laughed then frowned.  "Right.  Phlox," she said, shaking
her head.  "Ever since I got back I can't sleep or think straight
half the time.  Even when I was there on that other ship with him...I
could sleep beside him after he did those things to me.  And now that I'm
alone I can't sleep at all."  Natalia looked at him.  "Do
you know what I did last night?  I went to Commander Tucker's quarters and
watched him sleep a few minutes.  I know he didn't do those things but
every time I look at him I see the other Tucker and it makes my stomach
hurt.  He woke up and offered to let me sleep there after I told him I'd
been having trouble and I did.  I slept, Phlox.  I could find peace
enough to fall asleep.  How messed up is that?"

Phlox
looked at her calmly.  "Perhaps you needed to be sure he wouldn't hurt
you."

"What?"
she asked, puzzled.  "Of course he wouldn't."

Nodding,
he shrugged.  "I know you know in your mind that he wouldn't harm
you, but perhaps you needed a little assurance.  It's not that radical an
idea.  You put yourself in what your unconscious mind categorized as a
dangerous situation so that you could test him.  It doesn't mean you blame
him."

Natalia
swallowed, biting her lip and looking at him.  "Maybe.  I
suppose.  Well, he passed anyhow.  We're going to have lunch
today."  She went back to her work.

"That
sounds lovely," he commented, watching her.  "Did you ever
consider talking to him about what happened?"

Her
eyes widened.  "Him?  Talking to him about it?"  She
shook her head firmly.  "I donhinkhink I could do that.  Don't
you think it would bother him to hear that stuff?"

Phlox
shrugged.  "Maybe, but it would be worth a shot.  I've seen him
look at you during lunch, Ensign.  I think he misses your
friendship."

Natalia
sighed at that and eyed her commanding officer.  "I miss him too, to
be honest.  I miss everything the way it used to be before all this bad
stuff happened.  I just wish I knew what to think about all this."

"Well,
just go with your heart and I'm sure everything will turn out fine." 
He cleared his throat.  "And it's lunch time, Ensign."

Phlox
smiled as she grinned.  "Thank, Phlox.  I'll be back soon."

**

Tucker
sat there within the filling galley, absently forking through his food. 
"So, you've been kinda quiet today.  Anything happen?" Archer
asked, watching his friend.

He
frowned.  "I'm just confused, Jonathan.  Confused and
helpless."  He frowned and looked at the door.  "I just
wish I could say all the right things sometimes."

Jonathan
nodded knowingly.  "Make it all better?"

Trip
answered quietly.  "Yeah."

Archer
took a drink of his water.  "I take it this is about Ensign Leone. 
Something going on?"

Meeting
Jonathan's eyes, Trip shrugged.  "I don't know what you'd call
it.  She broke into my quarters last night."

Archer
widened his eyes in amusement.  "That's kinda creepy."

Tucker
shook his head.  "No, it wasn't anything like that.  She just
had trouble sleeping and for whatever reason wanted me to...be there I
guess."

Jonathan's
eyes softened.  "I told you she needs you.  Did you two
talk?"

Trip
shook his head.  "Not much, no.  She just said she was sorry,
that she didn't want me to feel bad.  She seemed like she didn't want to
leave so I offered that she could sleep with me and she did.  I watched
her for a long while.  It didn't take her long at all to get to sleep, but
when she did..."  He shook his head.  "She had nightmares,
Jonathan.  She laid beside me, muttering in her sleep and pleadin' with me
to stop hurtin' her."

"Wow,"
Archer muttered.  "You think you...he was her only...attacker?"

He
shrugged.  "I don't know.  She hasn't talked with me about
it.  Mine was the only name she called though."  Trip's eyes got
distant.  "She kept raisin' her arms almost, as if she were going to
block someone from...layin' over her."

"What
did you do, Trip?"  Jonathan took a bite of his food.  "Did
you just fall asleep or what?"

Tucker
sighed.  "I touched her face.  Rubbed her cheeks, whispered
gently to her.  She calmed down and then I went to sleep.  She's
supposed to meet me here soon."

"Are
you going talk to her about what happened?"

The
engineer exhaled deeply.  "If she'll open up.  I don't want her
to feel like she's got to though."

Archer
nodded, eyeing his friend.  "What about you?  Is hearing what
she might have to say gonna bother you at all?"

Looking
at his friend, Tucker shook his head.  "I mean it bothers me in
general, knowing what happened to her.  But if it's going to help her then
I want to hear it."  He looked up.  "Here she comes."

"Began
without me?" Natalia asked, sitting down and smiling.

Trip
looked at her apologetically.  "Sorry, me and the Cap'n just got to
talking."

&'>"Yep,"
Archer said, standing up and smiling at the ensign.  "And now that
we're done, I've got some business to attend to.  See you later, Ensign,
Commander."

Natalia
watched as Archer left, then turned to Tucker.  "How has your day
been?" she asked, sounding uncertain.

He
watched her for a moment, then smiled.  "It's been good.  I'm
glad you wanted to have lunch today.  I've missed you.  How was your
day?"

She
nodded, looking down at her food.  "It's been good," she
echoed.  "Nice to have gotten some sleep."

They
ate in silence for a few moments, both not sure exactly what to say. 
Finally, Tucker broke it.  "You know, you're welcome to sleep in my
room any time you want." He laughed lightly, looking dot hit his
plate.  "I know that sounds stupid, but if it makes you feel better
somehow then you are more than welcome."  He finally met her eyes.
"I just want you to be happy."   And he truly meant
that.  He just wished he could make it all go away for her.

It'>It
was Natalia's turn to look down at her plate.  "Thank you,
Trip," she said quietly.  "I don't know why, but somehow it
seems to help.  Maybe I just can't stand being alone now.  I don't
understand it."  Echoing his own movements, she looked up at
him.  "Would it bother you..." she trailed off, suddenly shy.

"Yeah,"
she answered, watching as he stood to leave.  "Tonight."

**

Trip
looked at her softly as she sat on the couch with him.  He wasn't sure
what to say, except, "You wanna tell me about it?"

Natalia
sighed.  "I don't know.  I mean, why should you hav hea hear
about it?"

Trip
shrugged and reached for his water.  "If it'll make you feel better
to get it out then I don't mind.  What happened when you first got
there?"

Natalia
swallowed, not sure she could go through with telling him everything. 
Still, she went on.  "Reed was a little worried that I had changed
clothes and thought I was an ensign.  He contacted Captain Archer and the
Captain had me come to his ready room."  Natalia tucked her hair
behind her ears.  "I noticed right off that there was something wrong
with...them.  Everything.  Like the atmosphere was different. 
Captain Archer told me I could work in Sickbay until we figured out what to do
next.  Later on...well, later Tucker came to tell me where my quarters
were."

Trip
bit his cheek and ran his hands through his hair.  "Is that
when...?"

Natalia
shher her head.  "No."

"I
hope you don't mind me asking, but," he said softly, gazing at her,
"were you livin' in his quarters?"

She
nodded and leaned back.  "Yeah."  She clenched her fists,
looking away.  "I broke some stupid little glass thing in Sickbay and
I guess he used that as an excuse to talk to the Captain and get me in
trouble.  The Captain told me I'd lost the right to have quarters and
naturally Tucker offered to let me stay with him."

Trip
frowned at that, taking a gulp of his water.  "That's a nasty little
trick they pulled."

"Hey,"
Trip soothed instinctively, moving a little closer to her.  "Natalia,
I wish there was something I could do that would erase what happened.  I'm
so sorry."  He watched her as she sat there, shaking.

She
folded her arms and sighed in exasperation at herself.  "It's not a
big deal, Trip.  It happens."

He
touched her hair and she looked up at him, hazel eyes glistening with unshed
tears.  It suddenly clicked inside him, why he cared so much about this
girl.  "Hon, it should never have happened to you.  You have a
right to be angry and hurt for this, and you have a right to not wanna be
alone."  His fingers slid to her cheek and he rubbed gently. 
"I care for you, Natalia, and I hate seein' you in so much pain.  I'm
just so sorry."  He whispered the last, absently closing in and
kissing her full lips softly.

Natalia
pulled away from him, covering her lips and standing.  "I'm
sorry," she said as a few tears slid down her cheeks.

"Oh,
God," Trip groaned, berating himself.  "No, Natalia, I'm the one
that's sorry.  I shouldn't have done that."

She
backed away when he stood.  "Look, maybe it would be better if I just
stayed in my room tonight.  I'm sorry, Trip."  And with that she
turned and left as quickly as she could.

Trip
gazed after her, wondering what was going on inside her.  Groaning, he
flopped back on the couch, muttering, "I'm such an idiot!  How could
I do something so foolish?  Damn it."  Tucker grabbed a nearby
throw pillow and punched it, then hugged it to him, staring at the wall in
anger.  It figures it would have had to been me who attacked her ,
he thought angrily, still tantalized by the feel of her soft lips on his. 
He berated himself for that too, feeling guilty for liking it so much, feeling
like he was now the violator.  Growling in frustration, Trip smacked the
comm.  "Tucker to Archer!"

=/=Archer
here.  Whoa, Trip.  What's wrong with you?=/=

Trip
threw the pillow onto the floor.  &quou gou got any of that wine from
dinner a few nights ago left over?"

=/=I
think so.  Why?=/=

Standing,
Tucker answered, "Get it out, Jonathan.  You're gonna have to talk to
me for a while about the stupid things I let myself do."

Archer
sighed over the comm.  =/=All right, Trip.  Seeya in a few. 
Archer out.=/=

**

Natalia
sat down on her bed shakily, touching the place that Trip had kissed her. 
It made her stomach turn that such a small gesture could make her react the way
she had. Tucking her hair behind her ears, she looked out the window,
remembering a game that the other Tucker had made her play in which he would
enter his quarters and pretend to be the Trip from her universe, demanding she
pay him back for the rescue.  A few phrases would be tossed at her, saying
how grateful she ld bld be and that she owed him and then they would spend the
next hour in his bed while he whispered dirty little things to her and made her
touch him.  She shivered, remembering the way he kissed.

And
now the other Trip had kissed her.  He hadn't even asked, just done it and
it had totally freaked her out.  Natalia whimpered, looking out at the
stars.  He hadn't meant anything most likely, but...he must be attracted
to her.  The bad Trip had tried to tell her that her good friend would do
these same things to her given the chance and she hadn't believed him. 
Now this scared her.  Not that she believed this Trip would rape her or
anything close to the things that had gone on while she was stuck in the other
universe, but she had to wonder now just how far things would go if he were
ever allowed.  She had a perfect image in her mind of exactly what an
abusive and lustful Trip Tucker looked like and as much as it pained her, that's
the image that had come to her when this Trip had kissed her.

She
sighed and laid back, sick from the conflicting emotions swirling around inside
her.  She hated it and worried that her image of this Trip seemed forever
ruined at the abusive hands of another.  What if she hadn't been on that
terrible Enterprise?  What if she'd never experienced the pain and heat of
sex with the other Trip?  She sniffed, knowing that she would have been
interested in that kiss.  But now...now she was afraid of it.  And
Trip would suffer for that as well.  Natalia closed her eyes, wondering
just why, not for the first time this week, her life had taken this terrible
turn.

 

**

Trip
sighed, sitting there in the Captain's ready room.  He rubbed his forehead
and groaned, half tempted to pillow himself onto Archer's desk.  "I
don't fso hso hot," he felt it necessary to say.

Jonathan
grinned at his friend's state.  "Shouldn't have hit the bottle so
hard last night, Trip."  His eyes got serious.  "Look, I'm
sure she'll be okay.  After all, it's not like you did anything besides
kiss her, right?"

Tucker
half glared.  "Of course I didn't do anything else, Jonathan. 
I'm not that stupid.  I think."

Standing,
Archer went to a little table and took a hold of a pitcher, pouring steaming
brown liquid into a cup and offering it to Trip.  "Of course.  I
didn't mean that.  I'm sure she'll get over it.  Give her time to
adjust."

Trip
pulled the cup into his hands and sipped gratefully.  "Yeah, I
guess.  I dunno, Jonathan.  I just hate this.  Why'd it have to
be me?"

"Trip,"
Archer said, sitting down and drinking his coffee.  "You asked me
that three times last night.  These things just happen and no one is to
blame.  Besides, from the sound of it my counterpart wasn't exactly a nice
guy either."

"Yeah,"
Tucker frowned.  "But you ain't gonna be the one in her
nightmares.  That job falls to lucky me."  His tone was
sarcastic.

Jonathan
sighed and opened his mouth to offer some comfort, but was cut short by
T'Pol.  =/=T'Pol to Archer.=/=

Hitting
the comm, Archer blinked.  "Yeah, T'Pol?"

=/=Captain,
there is a ship dropping out of warp.  It appears to be the other
Entise ise from the alternate timeline.  I suggest you come to the
bridge.  T'Pol out.=/=

"Short
and sweet," Tucker said with a grin and both men stood.

Entering
the bridge, Archer took his place in the center of the room. 
"Report."

T'Pol
moved aside.  "They are approaching."

"Captain,
they're hailing," Sato reported urgently.

Folding
his arms, Jonathan waved her on.  "On screen."  His eyes
looked over himself, an odd sensation to say the least.  "I assume
introductions would be pointless.  Is there something I can help you with? 
I trust Lieutenant Leone made it back safely?"

The
mirror Archer nodded, his stance not unlike Jonathan's.  "She's
here.  As for what you can do for us, well, I'd like my officer
returned."

Jonathan
furrowed his brow.  "I wasn't aware that we still had any of your
officers on board."

"A
few days ago on a stealth mission one of your crew came aboard Enterprise and
with the aid of two of my officers, who are now deeply sorry for their actions,
took an Ensign from this ship and escaped."  Archer licked his
lips.  "I've come to get her back."

Jonathan
narrowed his brows.  "Ensign Leone is part of my crew, Captain, and I
suggest that you learn to deal with that.  She doesn't want to be part of
your crew and I'm going to protect her from that."

At
that point Tucker from the other Enterprise nudged his captain. 
"They aren't gonna listen.  Just disable their ship and be done with
it."

Trip
stepped forward, unable to control his anger.  "If anyone's gonna get
their ship disabled it's gonna be you!"

Tucker
grinned, his eyes shadowed and dark.  "Looks like I got someone mad
with my actions.  What's the matter?  You angry you didn't get her
innocence before I took it from her?"

Trip's
eyes widened.  He hadn't known that she...  He balled his fist. 
"Why don't you beam over here and say that again?"

Tucker
laughed.  "Any time."

Archer
pushed Tucker back and muttered something unintelligible, then eyed Jonathan
and his crew.  "By trespassing onto my ship you commited what in my
universe is considered an act of war.  That's not a thing taken very
lightly.  We are prepared to take your Enterprise by force if
neccessary."

Jonathan
eyed Archer in surprise.  "You would go to all this trouble, risking
the lives of your crew, for what?  Revenge?"

Archer
laughed coldly, a strange sound to Jonathan's crew.  "Trust me, it's
no trouble.  Anything for the thrill of the hunt.  I never thought
I'd be hunting myself though.  This should prove to be an interesting
diversion."  He sniffed and smiled.  "If you scan us, you'll
find that we outgun your vessel by a substantial ratio.  Prepare to be
boarded."  With a signal the channel was closed.

Jonathan
turned to his crew.  "Shields up at max.  Travis, evasive
manuevers.  If they do outgun us, let's try and overcome that with
speed.  Malcolm, let's give them our best."

**

Natalia
gripped the side of a biobed as the ship lurched violently.  "I
wonder what's going on," she breathed, catching her footing.

Phlox
shook his head and went for a terminal.  "We've got company," he
said, reading the report.  He looked up at Natalia.  "Looks like
our doubles have come to visit."

Her
stomach dropped at that and her sides hurt.  The other Enterprise? 
They had taken the time to get their whole ship into this universe and for
what?  A slave? Swallowing, she nodded as Phlox told her to be ready for
injuries.  "My God," she whispered to herself, nearly losing
balance as another hit rocked the ship.

She
looked up as the Sickbay doors hissed open and a few injured crewmen made their
way in.  Phlox motioned for her.  "I could use some help,
Ensign."

Nodding
absently, she grabbed a scanner and headed towards them.  Taking a shaky
breath, she scanned the burn on Lt. Foster's arm.  "I need you to
hold still, Katie," she told the wincing engineer.

=/=Archer
to Leone,=/= sounded over the comm, almost making Natalia jump.

"Leone
here," she responded, still trying to heal Foster.  "Yes,
Captain?"

=/=I
need you to come to my ready room once you're finished there.  Anything
you can tell me about that other crew would be appreciated.=/=

Natalia
hypoed Foster and moved on to another patient.  "I'll be there as
soon as I can, Captain," she replied, fighting the urge to ask him why the
other ship had come.

=/=Take
your time, Ensign.  Archer out.=/=

**

Natalia
rubbed her hands together nervously, standing outside Archer's ready room when
the trouble had stopped.  Reaching a shaky hand up, she pressed the buzzer
and sighed when he called her in.  Archer sat at his desk, Trip on the
couch nearby and her mind flashed back.  Shaking her head at herself, she
forced herself to snap back to the here and now.  "Captain, you
wished to see me?" she said.

Archer
nodded and motioned towards the chair across from him.  The same chair the
other Archer had made her sit in.  "Have a seat, Ensign."

Natalia
walked forward, trying to forget the feelings that had washed over her that one
evening.  Sitting down, she took a breath.  "Sir?"

Jonathan
took a deep breath and sighed.  "I take it you know our current
situation?" he asked softly.  When she nodded, he continued. 
"We managed to get away, but not without a good amount of damage and not
very far.  They may return...we simply don't know.  We can't get any
sensor readings.  I was wondering if you could tell me anything that might
be useful in the fight to come.  We're a little too far from Starfleet for
any help to come any time soon and we may just have to handle this on our own
for a while until Trip gets communications back online."

Fidgeting,
Natalia avoided Trip's eyes, afraid of the anger or hurt she might see
there.  "Well, I'm not sure how much I could really tell you to be
honest.  They are ruthless though.  They'll stop at nothing just to
satisfy their pride or amusement.  They usually look down on peaceful resolutions,
but have been known to make a compromise now and then.  Most of them are
violently inclined, Sir."

Archer
exchanged glances with Trip.  "So I take it that they aren't likely
to give up, then?"

Natalia
shrugged.  "It's hard to say, Sir.  There's a chance Archer will
get sick of this little game and go back to his own universe."

The
Captain frowned.  "But there's a better chance he'll find more
amusement by tormenting us?"

Hating
to admit it, she had to agree.  "What..." she began, not sure
she should continue.  "What did they come for?"

Again
her Captain exchanged glances with Tucker, their expressions telling her that
she didn't want to know.  Sighing, Archer turned his eyes on her. 
"Well, they want to take the Enterprise over, Ensign.  Archer is mad
that we snuck on his ship and took you."

Natalia
folded her arms.  "So, our ship is in danger because of me?"

Trip
shook his head and wandered over.  "Natalia, Enterprise is in trouble
because those jackasses are tryin' to play like bullies."

"Yeah,"
she said softly looking down at Archer's desk.  She was very afraid now
and yet there was a sense of duty in her that was pulling her towards making a
certain decision.  A glance at Trip made that choice for her. 
"Captain, if they would be willing to take me in trade for leaving
Enterprise alone, then by all means offer it."

"Hell
no!" Trip exclaimed, standing beside her and shaking his head
firmly.  "We aren't gonna turn over a member of this crew to some low
life son of a bitch who wants to use you for this slave!"

Archer
shook his head also.  "No, Ensign, that's out of the question."

Natalia
folded her arms and looked at Archer gravely.  "Sir, if it'll save
the lives of this crew then I'll do it.  I'll...be fine," she lied.

His
eyes told her that he was sticking by his choice to not allow her to make this
sacrifice and Tucker seemed thoroughly relieved.  But they didn't have
time for debate. Suddenly the room was filled with light and disappeared and Natalia
felt a chill go through her as the sound of a transporter powering down
accompanied the vision of a transporter room.  "What the hell,"
Jonathan muttered, from the floor.  They looked up.

"Welcome,"
the alternate Archer said, smiling in amusement.

Tucker
smiled at Natalia.  "Welcome home, Ensign."

**

Natalia
tried not to let it show that she was very aware of Tucker's hand on her
shoulder as they walked the three officers to the brig.  He leaned close
to her as they walked and Trip kept glaring at his evil counterpart, winning an
occasional punch or kick and a pleading glance from Jonathan.  Entering
the brig, Archer stood near the door with Trip as the security detail pushed
the three of them into the back of the room.  "I wonder how good your
ship will wit without you three," Archer wondered aloud.  "I
image right now they're wondering exactly how their shields were ripped down
and penetrated by my transporter."

Tucker
smirked, folding his arms and shaking my head.  "Jonathan," he
muttered, grinning at his friend.

Jonathan
frowned.  "Very clever.  Now would you mind telling me exactly
what you want?"

Archer
shook his head.  "Not now, Trip.  Of course after I kill you,
Captain, I'll be destroying your ship."  Jonathan stared at his
mirror image in disbelief.  "What's the matter?  Things like
this don't happen in your worthless little universe?"

Jonathan
shook his head.  "Apparently some universes don't evolve past such
barbaric things as violence," he spat.

Archer
rolled his eyes and waved his counterpart off.  "Yeah, well, fuck you
too."

Tucker,
meanwhile, eyed Natalia lustily.  "Come here, Natalia."

"Trip,"
Archer barked.  "Not now."  Rolling his eyes, Tucker
stuffed the knife back into his pocket, muttering to himself.  Archer
looked his prisoners over.  "Put them in separate cells." 
He turned away.  "Come on, Trip.  You can have your fun
later.  Right now we have a ship to disable."

Tucker
smiled back at Natalia as they pushed her into a cell.  "I'll return
for you later, Darlin'."

Natalia
shuddered at the implications in that.

**

"I
wonder what they're doin' to him," Trip said low, sitting on his bunk in
his cell and looking over at Natalia who was in the cell on the other side of
the corner.  They could see each other if they moved to the further most
opposite sides of their cells.

"I
don't know," Natalia replied, looking at the door.  Captain Archer
had been taken from his cell quite some time ago for questioning and it was now
closing in on two hours since he was gone.  She couldn't imagine what
terrible things were being done to him.  She sighed, looking at
Trip.  "I'm sorry about last night.  It wasn't anything about
you."

Trip
shook his head.  "No, it was about me.  I shouldn't have been so
stupid and careless, letting myself react that way.  I shouldn't have
kissed you and I'm sorry."  He sighed.

"Yeah,
but if this thing had never happened to me I wouldn't have reacted like I
did.  I just hate that I hurt you."  She drew her legs up onto
her bunk and hugged them to herself.

He
frowned at the wall across from him.  "This is just one stupid
mess," he muttered.  "Stupid jackasses.  God, I hope
Jonathan makes it all right."

"Me
too," Natalia breathed, eyes darting to the doors that opened.

&quismiismissed,"
Tucker told the Lieutenant on duty, stepping behind the console as the young
man left.  "Well, well," he gushed, eyeing Natalia. 
"You're lookin' very pretty."  Tucker pressed a few buttons and
her field went down.

Trip
stood instantly.  "What the hell are you doin'?"

Tucker
smirked at his good double, approaching them.  He stopped between the
cells.  "I just got a good idea."  He looked at Natalia,
who scooted to the back of her bunk. He began closing in on her and loomed
above.  "Why don't we have a little fun?"

Natalia
shrank back in fear as the realization of what he meant hit.  She started
shaking at the thought of being raped right here in front of her own
Trip.  "Please," she whispered, when he gripped her hair and
urged her to stand.  "Oh God."  His hand rested on her
shoulder as his eyes intently gazed into her own.

"It
won't take long," he whispered, forcing his lips onto hers, his tongue
making it's way between her lips and rubbing the inside of her mouth. 
"You look awful pretty with your panties down.  Let's show your
friend."  He glanced slyly at Trip.

"Get
the hell away from her," Trip growled low.  "If you do it I
swear I'll come after you first chance I get."

"Oh,"
Tucker taunted, smiling at his double.  "You frighten me,
Commander.  Fuck off."  He turned his attention back to Natalia
and gripped her pants, unzipping them.

Natalia
shivered when his hands forced her pants and underwear below her knees. 
She heard Trip growl something as Tucker opened his pants and pushed her to the
bunk.  Not knowing what to do, knowing there was nothing really she could
do, Natalia closed her eyes and prepared herself for what was to come. 
Trip ran his hands up her shirt, brushing cold fingers up into her bra and
touching and fondling, molesting her right in front of Trip's eyes.  She
was very grateful that Captain Archer wasn't here.

Trip
smiled, drawing his hand out of her shirt and down her belly, pushing it within
her flesh and making her shift at the contact.  She tried to keep silent
as he rubbed the walls of her flesh pleasingly.  He always took great
pleasure in making her body respond against her will, and was going to parade
that skill before Trip.  She drew labored breaths, trying to put her mind
elsewhere as the sensations became too good, threatening to make her whimper in
unwanted desire.  "Shhh," Tucker stoothed, touching her lips and
fingering her faster, then slowing.

"You're
such a bastard," Trip said matter-of-factly.  "I can't believe
you'd do this.  I can't believe that you're somehow me."

Tucker
laughed at that.  "I'm nothin' like you, Commander.  I get what
I want."  Tucker touched her cheek and laid over her, pushing her
thighs apart.  She heard Trip hiss in a breath as Tucker did so, holding
her arms back and forcing his way into her body.  Natalia closed her eyes
against the beginning of his thrusts, not wanting to see Trip look at what was
happening to her.  This was something she thought she'd never had to feel
again and yet here he was, forcing his body into hers again.  "Mmmhow
I missed this," Tucker groaned into her ear as he flicked his tongue
underneath, then settled his lips to suck the soft skin there.

Trip
tried to take his eyes off them, tried not to watch her laying there beneath
Tucker, but found it hard.  He also found it hard to breathe.  The
pure rage that went through him shocked him, and yet it was calming.  If
he ever got free Tucker better run far and fast.  So Trip sat there,
watching as Tucker caused her to whimper and moan and beg, swallowing his anger
for the moment and disassociating himself from what was going on.  He had
to or it would drive him nuts.  He flinched when Tucker slapped her for
crying out.  Just another reason Trip had to go after him.

And
yet something else stirred within him, something he buried even deeper than his
anger...something that fueled his anger.  Still, little whispers of desire
caressed into his mind, just enough to make him finally tear his eyes off what
was happening.  That made the anger even hotter, that this monster could
make him become what he hated. Trip grunted.  Maybe Tucker was
right.  Maybe he would do these things if given the chance. 
Foolishness , he thought bitterly .  I'm no rapist. 
But he felt like one for the awful feelings that he entertained in the darkness
of his mind.  He'd never ever allow these feelings to go beyond what they
were, fragmented little thoughts that would never grow into reality.

Tucker
gripped Natalia's hip, forcing himself deeper within her as he groaned, nearing
his climax.  "So beautiful," he panted, his hot breath
travelling down her neck.

Natalia
tightened her jaw as Tucker buried his face into her shoulder and met his
release head on, his warmth spreading quickly into her.  She shook as he
laid on top of her, lingering his hand on her hip, rubbing back and
forth.  Kissing her one last time, Tucker got to his feet and she winced
at the sharp sound of his zipper going up.  "Maybe next time,"
he said breathlessly as he dressed her lower body, "Commander and I both
could fuck you.  Wouldn't that be fun, Commander?"  And then he
left her there, closing the field around her and sending another officer in to
watch them.

Natalia
couldn't get up.  She just couldn't face Trip right now, not with tears
running down her cheeks.  She felt comforted by the silence until it was
broken.  "Are you okay?" Trip asked softly.  She could tell
he was trying to change his voice to sound different from that of Tucker.

That
might have made her laugh at another time, but right now she was just too tired
- mentally and physically.  She was thankful that Tucker had dressed
her.  Despite being the jerk that he was, he somehow always knew what she
needed afterwards and this time he didn't with hold.   I'd better
answer before he gets upset, she thought. Swallowing and gathering her
strength, she answered, "I'm okay, Trip.  Don't worry about it. 
I'm gonna get some sleep now, okay?"  Natalia closed her eyes against
the tears and rubbed her belly absently, thankful she could get that out.

"Yeah,"
Trip sighed.  "Get as much rest as you can."

Rest,
however, wasn't going to come very easily.  She kept replaying it over and
over in her mind, kept feeling his body, kept wondering what Trip was thinking
the whole time.  It was as if he'd raped her for the first time all over
again.  She felt herself tense every time someone in the room moved, had
to close her eyes when the doors hissed open again.  She prayed it wasn't
him and was very happy when Trip breathed, "Jonathan?"  There
was a sound of a field going down and presumably Archer being thrown into his
cell right across from Tucker.  "Jonathan, you look like complete
hell."

Natalia
listened as her captain drew in a labored breath and laughed. 
"Thanks, Trip.  You don't look so good yourself."

Her
stomach tightened, wondering if Trip would tell Archer, thinking her
asleep.  She prayed not.  Natalia fervently wished that no one knew
about it.  Opening her eyes, she listened and to her relief, Tucker only
answered, "Rough, bein' here.  Not knowing what's gonna happen
next.  We were wonderin' about you.  What happened?"

Archer
sighed and she could hear him moving around slowly.  "Well,
Trip," he said, the paused.  "My counterpart is a real
jackass.  Intelligent ruthless jackass."

Trip
snorted at that.  "Jackass, huh?  I get the feelin' everyone
here needs their ass blown off."

Captain
Archer chuckled lightly and Natalia closed her eyes, trying to shut out the
sounds of Archer and Tucker conversing.  It brought her some comfort,
oddly enough, hearing them talk.  It took her mind off everything that was
happening to her.  Suddenly, as she was about to drift off, her stomach
tightened in knots when Archer asked, "How is Ensign Leone?  How is
she holding up?"

She
listened for Trip's response.  "She's okay, Jonathan.  A little
scared, but otherwise okay.  She needed some rest."  A few more
tears fell down her cheeks at that and she became firmly convinced that she may
do little else besides cry while here.

She
only hoped that next time Tucker returned - and he certainly would at his
earliest convenience she was sure - he would take her away and do his horrible
things in private, rather than showing it off before her captain and
friend.  Tucker was a bit of an exhibitionist though.  Last time he hadn't
done anything public, but he always would threaten it, always would talk about
it while he had his pleasure.  He enjoyed the fear it caused her, the embarrassed
blush she would display at this dirty talk.

He
always talked too, she noticed.  He liked using his voice, liked saying
things that made her nervous or scared.  Liked saying demeaning things, embarrassing
little words and phrases.  And he loved calling her his.  There had
been a few times he'd forced her to call him 'Master' and the first time she
didn't respond quick enough...well, she learned to always do what he said as
quickly as he delivered the order or the consequences would be far worse than
the embarrassing act being forced.

As
she drifted off again she could see images in her mind of him.  She could
hear his voice talking dirty, feel his hands.  It didn't take long for the
shadowy dream to brighten into a full colored nightmare.  Natalia was
naked on her knees and he sat before her, tangling his hands into her
hair.  "Let's try something else," he mocked, pulling her face
towards him.  She whimpered as her cheek hit his thigh.   She
whimpered as her cheek hit his thigh.  He drew his legs around her waist,
pulling her closer.  "Come on, Baby, fuck me."

Natalia
awoke with a start, sitting up immediately.  She moaned in weariness and
looked out at Tucker's cell.  He was asleep, thankfully.  Standing,
she went to the front of her cell and looked to see if Captain Archer was also
asleep.  She jumped when his kind voice said, "Hello, Ensign. 
How are you feeling?  Bad dreams?"

Sighing,
she looked him over, noting the bruises and cuts as he sat there on his
bunk.  "Yeah," she admitted, watching him examine a wound on his
arm.  "I'm okay."

He
looked at her gently and nodded.  "We'll get you out of here.  I
promise you that Trip and I'll do everything we can to get you home."

Natalia
smiled at his kind words and folded her arms.  "How are you? 
Are you okay, Captain?"

Archer
leaned against the wall and exhaled deeply.  "I'm all right. 
I'm alive."  He grinned at her, then eyed Trip.  "Trip
feels pretty bad about all of this.  He wishes there was something he
could do to stop it.  You know, Ensign, I think he cares a great deal
about you."

Leaning
against the wall and looking down at the floor outside their cells, she chewed
her bottom.  "I know.  I care about him too, Sir.  I
just...I just don't know what to do."

"Yeah,"
he sighed, looking down as well.  "It's a tough situation all
around.  I'm sorry that Enterprise didn't get you out sooner.  I'm
sorry that you've had to endure these things."

Natalia
looked up at him.  "It's not your fault," she said in low
tones.  "It's not Trip's fault either.  I hope I haven't made
him feel that I blame him for anything.  He kissed me and I
panicked.  Some kinda friend."

He
met her eyes sympathetically.  "Look, Trip was really upset that he
allowed himself to do it.  I don't think he blames you.  He and I
talked a lot that night about you." Natalia eyed her captain oddly and he
smiled.&; &q; "He was upset that he caused you to hurt."

Exhaling
softly, Natalia looked back down.  "I wish this had never
happened.  Any of it."

"Me
too, Ensign," he breathed.  "Me too.  We'll make it
out."

She
nodded, pushing herself off the wall.  "Well, I'm tired and you need
to rest."

Jonathan
grinned.  "Ordering the captain around, huh?" he teased, laying
down.

Natalia
laughed.  "Goodnight, Sir."

"Night."

**

Natalia
sat there on her bunk, eating her dinner.  Eating was becoming her
favorite past time, aside from playing 20 questions with Trip and Archer. 
Brig cells were very boring, she decided.  It had been two days and still
no sign of Tucker, which was good but almost scary in itself.  By the time
he did come he'd likely be so ready that she'd end up in Sickbay, knowing
him.  The imaginings that brought on weren't exactly hopeful.  Tucker
winced, chewing his food.  Natalia frowned at the bruise on his cheek and
ringing his eye.  These little torture/questioning sessions were taking a
lot out of her captain and friend.

Sighing,
she leaned against the wall, thinking it likely that they would soon be dead,
leaving her alone here on this mad ship.  Captain Archer wasn't doing too
well and was refused any healing by his counterpart and Trip looked like he was
heading in the same direction.  She just didn't know what they could do to
get out of this.  They were never allowed out unless being interrogated
and fighting wasn't an option when you had three security guards pointing a
phaser at your head.

"How's
your dinner, Jonathan?" Trip asked, looking across the way.

"Never
better," Archer replied sarcastically.  "Yours?"

Trip
snickered.  "Tastes like shit, Cap'n."

Natalia
smirked when Archer replied, "I'm glad you know what shit tastes like,
Trip, cause I sure don't."

Trip
grinned at his friend.  "Ah, shut up, Jonathan.  You impress
only yourself."

Archer
laughed.  "Did you find it humorous, Natalia?" he asked
innocently.

Natalia
smiled at Trip's rolling eyes.  "Anything that makes fun of Trip
amuses me, Captain."

"Little
wench," Trip winked.  "How does yours taste?"

"Could
be better," she answered, stirring the contents around.  The goo bubbled. 
"Lovely."

Trip
smiled at her.  "Well, this is a fun meal.  I believe last
night, before you fell asleep, Natalia, you were trying to tell us about your
academy days.  You've heard about my adventures and Jonathan's boring
life, so why don't you tell us about you."

Natalia
brushed her hair behind her ears and shrugged.  "Not much to tell
really.  Usually academy hijinks.  There was this one time me and my
room mates went into the men's locker room and..." she stopped short as
the door hissed open.

"Hello,
Natalia," Tucker said, hands clasped behind his back.  "Been
awhile since I saw you last.  Miss me?"

"Fuck
you," Trip said from his bunk.

Tucker
smirked.  "Lieutenant Garren, please open that jackass' cell." >

"Damn
it, Trip," Jonathan said, clearly concerned.

Tucker
cracked his knuckles as the field went down, approaching Trip menacingly. 
"I'm gonna enjoy this," he growled, punching hism.

Tucker
advanced.  "You should listen to her.  It would extend your life
- not that you're gonna have a long one anyhow."  He groaned as Trip
lunged into him and both men fell to the floor.  "Tough guy."

Trip
punched Tucker hard then wrestled for his phaser.  "You're gonna see
how tough in a minute."

Tucker
smirked and smacked at Trip, throwing his phaser to the lieutenant not
far.  "You're itchin' to get your ass beat."

Trip
leveled a smack.  "It's not like your people haven't done that
already."  He punched Tucker's stomach.  "That's for what's
happened to me."  He did it again.  "That's for
Jonathan."  Trip made for Tucker's groin with his knee, breathing,
"That's for Natalia."

The
blow was defected and Tucker knocked Trip off him.  Getting to his knees
he pounced on Trip.  Natalia watched in horror as the two men wrestled
around the floor.  She felt almost dizzy with fear that Tucker would kill
him in anger.  They were a blur and if Trip hadn't taken his uniform
jacket off she wouldn't know who was who.  "My God," she gasped
as Tucker shoved Trip into the wall and then back into his cell.  In
seconds the field was up again and Trip stared out angrily.

Tucker
straightened his uniform and frowned at the food on it.  "You're
gonna get it," he growled to Natalia, motioning for the field to be taken
down.  He gripped her wrists and yanked her out of her cell, turning to
Trip before dragging her to the door.  "Everything you do, Commander,
Natalia's gonna get punished for it.  Keep that in mind."

Trip
bit back an insult as Tucker pulled her from the room.  Balling his fist,
he paced around his cell, muttering darkly to himself.  "Hey
Trip," Jonathan said after a few moments, and he whirled to look at
him.  "You punched him for me.  My hero."  Archer
smiled and winked, knowing what his friend needed to hear to be pulled back to
reality.

Trip
half-smiled and replied, "Funny, Jonathan."  His eyes got
concerned.  "God, he's gonna hurt her.  I feel so damned helpless."

Archer
sighed.  "I know.  I do too.  There has to be something we
can do to get out of this."

He
rubbed his hands together, walking beside her and fully expecting that she
would obey and follow.  His hand grasped her shoulder and he prodded her
along.  "You know the fucking that's awaiting you when we get to my
quarters?"  When she didn't reply, he pushed her ahead roughly. 
"Do you?"

"I
can guess," she murmured, getting her footing.

Tucker
laughed at that and smiled at her.  "Good.  I'md.&nd.  At
least you're prepared.  Maybe I should invite your Commander friend. 
Think he'd like to watch?  Maybe he wants to join?"

Natalia
swallowed hard at that, with everything in her not wanting anyone to watch what
he was going to do.  "Please," she whispered vainly.

Tucker
only continued his mirth.  "I know he won't likely fuck you against
your will, but maybe, just maybe if I threatened to kill your
captain..."  Tuckers sinister little smirking made Natalia
nervous.  He leaned close and whispered gravely, "I'll bet if I
threatened the life of your captain that would make the Commander fuck
you.  Wanna try it?"

Natalia
couldn't answer that.  Tears formed in her eyes at the prospects of
this.  It would tear Trip apart to have to decide such a thing.  With
any hope Tucker was only trying to scare her.  She sniffled and stumbled
when he shoved her into his quarters.

They
were exactly how she remembered.  Dark atmosphere, dim lighting.  A
rush of feelings washed over her as she remembered the many things that had occurred
in here. Almost every spot in these quarters held a memory of him causing her
pain.  "Come on," he said, pushing her towards the couch. 
"Sit."

She
obeyed, hoping to please him, hoping he would forget his earlier threat of
making Trip have sex with her.  Tucker took a breath and watched her a
moment, then went to his desk and opened a drawer.  He fished through and
each sharp movement made Natalia flinch.  Suddenly he looat hat her and
grinned.  Drawing his hand out, he held up a pair of handcuffs.  He
twirled them around his finger and closed in on her.

Sitting
beside her, he grabbed her arm and pushed her away, turning her back to
him.  "Hold still," he ordered, grabbing her other arm and
enclosing each wrist into a cuff. When she was cuffed hood ood and paced in
front of her.  "What do I want to do to you?" he asked almost
conversationally.  Natalia kept her lips closed, not even meeting his
eyes.

"I
haven't fucked your ass yet," he said, rubbing his cheek.  He looked
her over, his eyes shadowed with lust.  "But I'll bet that little
pussy's begging for my attention." Tucker smirked at her sigh. 
"And then there is inviting little Trip into our fun.  Where should I
insist he try you first?  Any thoughts, Ensign?"  He sat down on
the coffee table before the couch and reached up, touching her hair.

Natalia
wanted to pull away, but knew the consequences of such an act.  She felt
weak with fear at his words, knowing that any one of his suggestions had a
chance of coming true.  There were rare times when Tucker was merciful,
but more likely than not, this wouldn't be one of those times. 
"Well, what the fuck do you have to say?" he pressed, raising his
voice and moving closer.

Shaking
uncontrollably now, she looked down.  She couldn't stand looking into his
eyes, looking at that face, knowing it was Trip's.  "I d-don't
know.  Do whatever you want," she breathed, hoping that her obedience
would please him enough to be merciful.

He
snickered at that and rested his hand on her knee.  "Anything I want?" 
Nodding slowly, he grabbed her and pulled her up, dragging her towards his
quarters.  He pushed her onto the bed and she was relieved at that
almost.  He uncuffed her and yanked at her uniform jacket, pulling it off
in a rush and throwing it.  "Get that other stuff off," he
ordered.

Natalia
swallowed and started working her undershirt off, tossing it and working on her
bra.  Trip brushed his fingers against her breasts wantingly, before
pushing her back and cuffing her again.  She closed her eyes when he
unzipped her pants and pulled them off, throwing them.  Then fingers
wrapped around the band of her panties, pulling them from her body. 
"First you need to be ready," he said, running his hand up the inside
of her leg and pushing his fingers within her.

Natalia
couldn't fight a moan as he rubbed her soothingly, drawing her wetness out so
that she would be ready for whatever he was planning.  As his touch began
more teasing she couldn't help but move her hips a little, but tried to keep
herself from reacting too much.  He watched her face, his eyes growing
more pleased each time she gave up and groaned in pleasure.  Finally he
pulled his fingers out slowly and stood.  "Seeya soon, Darlin',"
he grinned, turning and leaving.

She
listened as he exited his quarters.

**

Archer
grinned.  "Oh, I don't know.  I've been told I look cute when
I'm down."

Trip
smirked and looked up as the doors hissed open.  His eyes narrowed and he
was tempted to say something, but stopped himself for Natalia's sake. 
Tucker ignored him and went to Archer.  "Get this field down,"
he ordered.  Trip watched in concern as Tucker pulled Archer out at phaser
point and stood him before Trip.  Tucker smiled.  "You want me
to kill him?"

Trip's
eyes got icy.  "Of course I don't want you to kill him!"

Tucker
nodded softly.  "Good.  Cause if you don't do everything I say,
I will.  You understand?"

Leaning
on his hands, Trip looked his counterpart over.  "Riiight.  What
you want me to do?"

Tucker
pushed the phaser against Archer's head.  "Somethin' you likely want
to do.  You're gonna return with me to my quarters and sample pretty
little Natalia yourself."

Trip
looked to the side, muttering, "Shit."  He met Tuckers cold
gaze, nodding at the irony.  "Right and if I don't you're going to
kill my friend."

Tucker
smiled darkly.  "Yeah.  That pretty much sums it up." 
He watched Trip.

"Trip,"
Jonathan said softly, hating what his friend was having to choose.

Trip
held his hand up.  "Don't start with me, Jonathan.  You know
damn well what I have to do."

Tucker
laughed, escorting Archer to his cell and stopping at the brig ops to get a
pair of cuffs.  He looked at the guard.  "If anything happens to
me the first thing I want you to do is kill Archer.  Lower it." 
As the force field lowered, Trip exited with his arms extended.  Tucker
grinned, cuffing him and pointing the phaser at his head.  "I'd
almost say you're excited about this."

"I'll
reserve that shit for jackasses like you, Tucker.  There ain't no
excitement in this," Trip answered solemnly as Tucker forced him out of
the brig and down the hall.

"We'll
see just how easy you get turned on then," Tucker retorted sarcastically.

The
trip to his quarters wasn't long and Trip found his stomach tied in knots at
the things he was going to have to do.  The things his body would betray
him and allow him to do to someone he cared about.  He cursed himself
that, afraid he wouldn't be able to stop himself from being aroused.  And
what would that do to Natalia?  He swallowafraafraid to know the answer to
that question.

Tucker
opened his quarters and pushed Trip through the opening.  Trip looked
around, noting how much it looked like his own.  "Let's go,"
Tucker hissed darkly, motioning towards his quarters.  Trip complied and
felt himself tense at the sight before him.  There she lay on the ned,
naked and tied down.  A part of him screamed in rage and yet still another
moaned in arousal.  He hardened his eyes, trying to keep any hint of that
secret and tried to think of things that would turn him off.  Picturing
Phlox in spotted underwear did the trick enough, but threatened to put a grin
on his face.  Nice, Trip.  You can think of stupid shit in the
direst of circumses

Trip
swallowed and looked at his counterpart.  "Gonna be a little hard
with these cuffs," he said in low tones.

Tucker
laughed and pointed the phaser.  "Right.  Here I come to set you
free."

Trip
rolled his eyes and looked back at Natalia again.  He so didn't want to
move forward, yet the threat on Jonathan's life and the feelings that stirred
within his body urged him on.  Kneeling on the bed, he tried to apologize
with his eyes as he fumbled slowly with his zipper.  His body ached with
pain and desire, torn between hurting her and the prospect of knowing her
body.  Finally getting his pants open, a task he'd worked hard on not completing
quickly, he stood again and wriggled until they dropped.

Natalia
winced at that, but kept her eyes locked on Trip's.  He stood and fooled
with his shorts, trying to work the elastic down with his cuffed wrists. 
That at least took some doing.  He could feel himself ready for her, knew
it would show soon, and winced when he finally worked them down.

She
didn't bother looking, simply watched his eyes, trying to tell him that it was
okay amidst her tears.  She swallowed, wanting to tell him with her mouth,
but knew Tucker would only get angry.  So instead she concentrated on
forgetting he was there.  She felt herself tense as Trip clumsily laid
over her, entering her body softly.  Try as she might, she couldn't fight
images of Tucker hurting her and had to close her eyes.  She was very
aware that tears streamed from her eyes as Trip started to thrust.

He
kept himself as aloof as he could, kissing her occasionally, but trying not to
intrude as he pushed his hips into hers.  Trip groaned softly against her
shoulder as his pace quickened.  She swallowed, trying to convince the
alarms going off in her mind that it was her Trip, not the monster that had
raped her again and again.  He was very gentle about it, yet the words
Tucker had said kept ringing through her mind - reminding her that Tucker had
warned her Trip would want these things if given the chance.

She
moaned, a sound filled with as much anguish as pleasure.  Laying limp
beneath him, she tried to focus on other things as she waited for Trip to end his
pleasure.  He soon quickened his pace again and found that end, groaning
deeply and collasping on her heatedly.  Tucker clapped his hands, a sound
that made every nerve in her body stand on end.  "I'm so pleased yfounfound it so easy to do it," he said, standing up.  "Now if you
wouldn't mind..."  He motioned Trip off.

Trip
frowned, pulling himself off her and rolling off the bed as best he
could.  "Yeah," he said, his voice trapped in his throat as
guilt washed completely over him.  "Whatever you..."

Tucker
shook his head.  "You don't wanna insult me," he warned, pulling
Trip to the chair.  "Take a seat."

Trip
complied silently, still absorbed in what he'd just done.  He didn't even
feel up to fighting Tucker as he locked the cuffs around a leg of the
table.  Trip laid his head against the chair and looked down at the floor,
listening.

Tucker
moved away, pulling his uniform off and laying above her.  "That was
beautiful, Sweetie," he said softly, running his fingers through her
hair.  "It wasn't so bad, was it? You pleased me."

Natalia
blinked and a few tears fell down her cheeks.  She didn't know what to
say, didn't know if she could put voice to words if she found any.  So she
merely nodded, looking at the ceiling as Tucker climbed over her, now ready to
take his pleasure.

Her
body still tingled from her encounter with Trip and she moaned as Tucker
entered her slowly.  He meant to reward her with gentleness and she wasn't
sure what was worse, the pleasure that came from that or being raped
violently.  Tucker slid a hand down her side and she felt pleasure warming
her body as it slid to her hip and gripped. She couldn't meet Trip's eyes,
didn't want to see if he were watching them.

"You're
so beautiful," Tucker moaned, pushing his arm beneath her waist and
pulling her closer as he thrust.  His hot breath traveled down her neck
and over her breast and she was greeted with the heat of his mouth.  Natalia
let herself give over to the pleasure.  She was too tired to fight it now
and so she arched into his lips.  Tucker obliged, swirling his tongue
across her flesh searingly as he gripped the pillow beneath her head and thrust
a little faster.  Odd, when Tucker was gentle his sex style was reminiscent
of Trip's.

Of
course that was an association she could do without.  It was already hard
enough to not think of the sessions she'd shared with this monster when simply
looking at Trip. On second thought Tucker was probably punishing her more by
making sure she knew how alike he and Trip could be.  She felt his hand slid
down beneath her to grasp her behind and groaned at that, remembering his
previous threats.

And
finally Tucker too found release, his grip on her behind tightening as he
thrust twice and emptied into her.  He kissed her lingeringly as he lay
above her, then moved off to lay beside her.  "I'm so tired," he
whispered, yawning and pillowing his head on her shoulder.  "You
don't mind if I take a nap, do you, Commander?"

"Why
not," Trip responded, his voice sounding equally as tired.  Hopeless.

Natalia
took a deep breath and tried to make herself relax as Tucker laid against her,
holding her against the heat of his body.  She had to admit it felt good,
even if her insides were swirling with pain and fear.  Closing her eyes,
she exhaled deeply and searched for rest.

**

Natalia
was slow to awaken.  The warmth of Tucker's body was gone.  Opening
her eyes, she slowly turned her head and saw Trip...or Tucker...sitting in the
chair.  She furrowed hrow row and looked him over.  "You don't
know which one I amot; ot; he said, his tone very neutral, yet downcast.

Natalia
didn't know what to answer or even if she should.  Looked away from him,
she nodded, hoping that it wasn't Trip she was hurting.  "I'm so ry,&ry," she whispered.

"It's
all right," he replied, watching her, not offering her who he was.

"How,"
she started, then swallowed.  "How long have I been asleep."

He
got up and wandered to the bed, sitting down on the edge and touching her
cheek.  "It's morning.  I took the Commander back to his
cequotquot;  He ran the back of his hand down her cheek and neck. 
"You enjoyed him last night, didn't you?"

Natalia
blinked back the moistening of her eyes.  "I don't enjoy my friends
being forced into sex any more than I enjoy being raped myself," she
replied in low tones as he caressed her shoulder blade.

Tucker
nodded softly.  "I think you enjoyed it.  I think you enjoy it
when I do these things.  Don't deny the pleasure you feel.  It's
okay."

"What
do you want?" she moaned, hoping by his tone she could speak freely for
once.  "Do you want me to sit here and tell you that it's okay if you
rape me?"

Tucker's
touching made her shiver and he smiled.  "Of course it's okay that I
rape you, Honey.  You're my whore.  It'll never matter how pleasured
you get by this or how many tears you cry because it'll always happen
regardless."

Shifting
on the bed, Natalia looked up, not knowing what to say to those words. 
His uncaring cut into her as did his intent to use her continually as his
pleasure toy.  She felt so ashamed then, at the pleasure her body took
sometimes at his sometimes brutal sex.  She could feel herself get hot as
she blushed and she hoped he wouldn't take that and run with it. 
Naturally, he did.  He liked making her feel shame.  Fondling incessantly
at her breast, he looked her body over hotly.  "I love when you try
and fight yourself, Natalia.  It turns me on."

Natalia
whimpered at that and let the tears fall, knowing that there would never be any
escape from this.  She envied Trip and Archer that they were men and would
never have to bear such shame as being someone else's property and being
pleasured unwantingly by it.  "It amazes me," he said in low
tones as he continued touching her, "how easily you became my
obsession."  He gripped her breast roughly then, meeting her eyes
with coldness like never before.  "Do you know what it's like to need
something this much?  I should beat you until you can't move and then fuck
you unyou you can't breathe, Natalia, you little fucking whore."  He
was very angry, a quiet anger that really frightened her more than ever
before.  She feared for her life, feared he would beat her until she just
couldn't live anymore.

To
her horror he uncuffed her and tossed the cuffs down and drew her up, holding
her by the arm.  "Bitch!" he growled, slapping her hard and
holding her.  "How fucking dare you make me do this!"  He
slapped her again and shoved her into the wall.  She slammedinstinst it
then collapsed to the floor.  Panicked, she tried to crawl away and
screamed when he gripped her ankle, pulling her against the carpet and burning
her skin.

"Please,"
she whimpered as he forced her to stand and gripped her by her hair.

"Shut
up," he groaned, hitting her again and then shoving her by her head
away.  She groaned at the pain in her necbsp;bsp; He sent his fist into
her lip and she fell back to the floor, dizzy and unable to get up.  She
was vaguely aware of blood trickling down her lip as he drug her up and pushed
her onto the bed, stomach first.  Moaning in fear, she tried to move as
his hand ru aga against her backside roughly.  "Whore," he
muttered, removing his clothes quickly and crawling up the bed.

His
fingers pushed between her legs, forcing themselves into her flesh and thrusting
and she found her body weaken as the pleasure began.  "This won't
last long," he breathed, his fingers moving quickly through her.  She
unconsciously started to pull her thighs together at the thrusting being done
and held back a moan as he pulled his fingers out, carrying some of her wetness
with them.

He
didn't say anything as he touched her backside and she shivered in horror as he
started exploring places he'd never violated her before.  He started to
use her own wetness to coat the skin he was seeking to use and she tried
desperately to pull her body away from him.  "Please," she
cried, her vision blurred with tears.

He
only continued, holding her down.  When he was satisfied, he crawled over
her body and laid down over her, entering her body slowly.  Natalia sobbed
into the pillow and gripped the sheets as his chest found her back, his hands
wrapping over her fists and his lips finding her shoulder.  He groaned
heavily, a sound filled with utter pleasure as he started thrusting.  He
rubbed his cheek against hers.  "Don't you ever forget who you belong
to.  Tell me, Natalia."  He drew in a shuddering breath and
thrust again and she moaned low and painfully.  "Tell me who you
belong to," he pressed as he violated her in a way she'd never thought
would ever happen.  It completed the shame she felt.

"You,"
she cried out, shutting her eyes tightly, telling herself it would be over very
soon.  It seemed to take an eternity, however.  His thrusts at least
were slow, but nevertheless sent waves of pain and to her complete terror and
amazement, even pleasure.  She hated her body for finding pleasure in even
this!  She barely even registered as he pulled out of her and laid
down.  She felt completely weak now, like a rag doll and thought she'd pass
out when he demanded that she get on him.

"Natalia,
do you want your captain and your friend to die?" he asked in a tone that
didn't leave much hope.

She
didn't think she could vocalize an answer, so drawing any strength she could,
she defeatedly crawled upon him, wincing at the pain still in her body. 
She climbed onto him, straddling over him and he gripped the sheets as she
lowered herself completely, burying him within her body.  "Come on,
Love," he groaned huskily, touching her thigh and pushing at it. 
"I know you want it.  I know it feels good."

Feeling
sick as his words, Natalia started rocking on top of him, trying to push away
the unwanted sensations that traveled through her body.  He looked at her
through heavy-lidded eyes and reached up, stroking her swollen breasts and
writhing in pleasure beneath her.  Licking her dry lips, she fluttered her
eyes closed and drug herself against his body, not sure how much more she could
do.  It was all too tempting to let herself succumb to the feelings within
her.  Compared to what just happened, it felt good to be pleased instead
of that pain.

She
could feel him tense and knew his time was coming, and wanting it over quickly,
she picked up the pace of her thrusts, incapable of fighting the pleasure itive ive into her.  Tucker groaned low, moving his hips towards her and let
himself fall under the sweetness of passion.  She stopped as he climaxed,
and he pushed her off and down to the bed, his voice heavy as he said,
"I'm gonna please you."  She moaned involuntarily as he pushed
his fingers into her again, the already sensitive skin tingling at the thrusts
he started with his fingers.  "Welcome it," he breathed, pushing
his lips over hers and forcing his tongue into her mouth, swirling it around
the inside of her mouth.

Groaning
into his forceful mouth, Natalia cried, knowing she couldn't fight the feelings
off for long.  Soon she was moving her hips with his hand and whimpered
when he laughed in light, pleased tones.  "It'll be so good," he
whispered hotly, kissing her again and driving her over the edge.  When
she climaxed under his skilled hand, she lay there in complete shock, almost
wishing he would have just killed her.  "Such a pretty little
whore," he commented, rubbing her thigh warmly as she shivered. 
"You look only more beautiful when you give in."

Natalia
swallowed as he got up and left her there, grabbing his clothes, dressing and
leaving.  Wiping her cheeks, she pulled herself up and stumbled into the
shower, turning it on and gratefully getting beneath the cleansing waters. 
But no amount of soap would make her feel clean now.  The shower water
washed her tears down the drain, but failed to take with them the aching
inside.

**

Trip
stared at the wall blankly, annoyed with Jonathan for that damned concerned
look on his face.  Not even looking at him he could tell Jonathan darted
him glances.  It made his fist clench and he fantasized at length about
entering his cell and slapping him around.  With a resigned sigh, Trip
mentally apologized, knowing it wasn't his best friend he was angry at. 
He rubbed his cheek and looked at Jonathan, the first time he'd been able to
since Tucker returned him.  Jonathan opened his mouth, then decided
against it and simply blinked.  Trip laughed suddenly and that made the concern
on his captain's face increase.  "Damn it, Jonathan, you really look
like hell," he said, chuckling.

Jonathan
rolled his eyes once, then stared, brow furrowed.  Shaking his head, he
licked his bottom lip uncertainly.  "Trip...are you...okay?"

Trip
looked down at the r sar sadly.  "Maybe, but I just don't know if I
can forgive myself."

"She'll
forgive you," Jonathan said slowly.  "I don't doubt that, Trip,
and if she can forgive you, so should you.  If you're going to hate
yourself, hate that monster of a version of yourself."

Trip
licked his lips and nodded.  "No need to tell me that.  God,
Jonathan, I wanna do terrible things to him.  So many violent things are
running through my head right now I don't know half the time if I can think
straight.  I'm so damn tired."a'>

Archer
sighed at his friend's pain.  "Lay down, Trip.  Get some
rest.  You'll think straighter when you wake up."

"I
don't think I can sleep," Trip replied, wondering if that weren't a
lie.  He was so tired.

"Lay
down," Jonathan breathed.  "Close your eyes."

Complying,
Trip slowly stretched out on his bunk, not even really realizing it as he did
so.  "Fine," he mumbled deeply, closing his eyes and
yawning.  "But if you start singin' me some damn lullaby I'll kill
you myself."  He vaguely heard Archer chuckle.  He could still feel
her body on his, still hear her labored breathing and see her tears. Her eyes
were burned into his memory along with all the sadness they held.  Trip
groaned softly, furrowing his brow unconsciously as he closed his eyes and
snuggled into himself.  All he could register as he drifted off was the
dull ache and guilt within that filled everything else, quenching even the
secret desires he'd locked away.  He sure hoped Jonathan was right about
thinking straight when he got up.

**

Natalia
sat on the bed, leaning against the wall and brushing her wet hair as she
stared at the wall across from her.  She knew it would be useless to go
into the main room and try to escape.  Tucker always locked the doors and
disabled the comm system.  Now she'd likely spend the rest of the day
alone, waiting in feor hor her master to return and rape her again.

It
was about dinner time when the doors finally hissed open.  Natalia was
laying on the bed, curled up in a ball when she heard Tucker saunter in. 
Then to her horror she heard him talk as if someone where in the room with him
and Trip answered back.  Natalia suddenly felt sick, drawing Tucker's robe
around her tighter.  She sat up as they entered.  Trip looked so
tired as Tucker pushed him in.

Moving
to her, Tucker smirked at her wearing of his robe.  He grabbed the hem and
ripped it open.  "Get this off," he ordered, looking back at
Trip who stood mutely, looking at the floor.

Natalia
quietly did as she was told, afraid for she and Trip's lives.  There was
no telling what he could do, but his actions of earlier where enough to really
frighten her.  Licking her lips, she let the robe slide to the
floor.  Tucker's hand immediately started touching at her sides, sliding
to her breasts.  Trip crossed his arms and firmly avoided any eye contact.

Tucker
removed his hand from her body and started taking his uniform off, ordering
Trip to do the same.  Trip's eyes hardened, but he listened. 
"We're gonna have a little fun, Natalia," Tucker said, tossing his
shirt to the floor.  "Lieutenant Garren will be waiting for me to
contact him in two hours with a secret code and if I fail to give it your
Archer'll die, so I suggest both of you behave and enjoy yourselves."

"Whatever,"
Trip mumbled, hesitating to draw the zipper to his pants down.

Tucker
nodded to him.  "Help him, Natalia."

Natalia
bit back the wave of weakness that passed through her at having to help Trip
and started towards him, taking the cloth in her hands.  Trip pushed her
hands away quickly and said in low tones, "I'll do it, Natalia." 
He didn't meet her eyes as he undid his pants and let them fall.

Tucker
grunted and got into the bed, motioning Natalia to follow.  Laying on his
side, he forced her on her back and started rubbing her breasts hungrily,
sliding his tongue over her flesh.  He motioning Trip onto the bed and he
sat down on the other side of Natalia, his eyes downcast.  Pulling himself
from her breast, Tucker rubbed her thigh and pulled it apart from the
other.  "Taste her, Commandquotquot; he said in low tones.

Trip
frowned and hesitated.  "You don't want your captain to die,"
Tucker reminded him and he slowly got up and crawled over her legs, not able to
meet her eyes as he gripped her thighs and pushed them further apart. 
"This'll please you," Tucker whispered, cupping her cheek and pushing
his tongue into her mouth.  Natalia couldn't help but pay attention to the
sensations of Trip's hot breath on her legs, then his hot lips as he tasted
her.  Trip sent his tongue into her body and Natalia couldn't help but
moan at that, ashamed at herself for feeling anything but violation.

Tucker
rubbed her hair back and nodded.  "That's right, Natalia.  Give
yourself to this."  He sent hot lips over hers as his fingers toyed
with her chest.  Trip kissed her deeply inside, flicking his tongue and
she could feel her legs quivering.  Tucker bit at her lips and pulled
himself up to look at Tucker.  "Why don't you return the favor, Natalia?"
he asked, winking when Trip looked up in horror.

"That's
quite all right," Trip said, swallowing.

Tucker
sat up.  "I'm in no mood for whining," he retorted impatiently. 
"Lie back, Commander."  Trip glared at his counterpart, but knew
that there was no other choice if his captain were to remain alive. 
Feeling sick, he laid on his back and looked up at the ceiling, closing his
eyes when Tucker spoke again.  "Get on your knees, Natalia."

Natalia
sat up and maneuvered herself to her knees.  "Give him your sweet
kiss, Natalia.  Make it real pleasuring."  Swallowing, she
tucked her hair behind her ears and steeled herself.  Crouching over Trip,
she leaned down and whimpered at what she was about to do.  Memories of
the first time Tucker had 'mouth fucked' her came rushing to her mind as she
placed her lips over him.

Out
of the corner of her eye she saw movement and looked to see Trip grasping the
sheet in pleasure and it make her body wash over with pleasure and
sadness.  It's not his fault, she told herself, moving her tongue
against him and making him groan.  She could feel him arching softly and
that made her ache.  Tucker, behind her, moved around and started rubbing
at her hips as she kneeled over Trip.  She moaned when he spread her legs
open and pushed himself inside her slowly, teasingly.  She writhed in
pleasure at the intrusion.  "Mmm, that's right," he groaned, gripping
her hips as he thrust.  "You love it when I fuck you, don't
you?"

She
felt nauseated that his harsh words made her tingle.  She felt dizzy as he
thrust into her, pushing her mouth further over Trip and making him groan in
response.  Each time Tucker thrust it made her lips thrust over Trip and
he responded in movements of his own.  Tucker moved faster as his climax
approached and she could feel Trip tensing beneath her.  "Fuck,"
one of them hissed, she was so dizzied by sensation she couldn't register
which.  They both writhed against her.  Tucker was the first to let
his passion overtake him, followed closely by Trip.  Tucker fell back from
her, catching his breath and Trip simply lay there, eyes closed.

Natalia
laid down, pillowing her head on her arms.  She couldn't fight the tears
that started falling at the pleasure she'd felt, at the used feeling that made
her ache.  She knew it wasn't Trip's fault, but right now she didn't want
to see either of them or think of anything.  All she wanted to do was rest
and cry and sleep for days.

"All
right, Commander," Tucker breathed, rubbing at the back of Natalia's
thigh.  "We've had our fun.  Let's go back and tell Garren not
to shoot Archer dead, shall we?  He's got an excitable trigger finger and
might do it a little early if we don't head on over there soon."

"Great,"
Trip replied in a dead tone as he slid off the bed and started picking up his
clothing.

Tucker
snorted as he did the same.  "Don't be so damn depressed, Trip. 
You know you want her.  Now you have her."  He laughed lightly.

Trip's
reply was just as dead, laced with a sarcastic edge when he answered,
"Right."  He exhaled frustratedly and dressed.

Natalia
simply lay there, face hidden, as she tried not to let her shoulders
shake.  She listened as they pulled their clothes on and left her alone in
Tucker's quarters.  When they were finally gone she let herself vocalize
her pain and cried out, reliving every touch, every sensation and taste.

She
would never get the feeling of hands on her body to go away, she knew.  It
would always be there, the sensation, reminding her of the fact that she was
Tucker's whore. Moaning at that thought, she shakily sat up and wrapped herself
in his sheets, laying down and closing her eyes to cry.  She hoped fervently
that he'd go somewhere else instead of returning to her right away.  She
couldn't see either of them right now.

Horror
and anguish washed over her when the door opened again and she moaned, not
wanting to see him.  "Did you like that, bitch?" he growled,
unzipping his uniform jacket.

Natalia
pulled herself up and shook her head, knowing she couldn't take him right
now.  Her body tingled all over when he started for her and in panic she
rushed forward, darting around him and locking herself in his bathroom. 
She leaned against the door and slid down, sobbing, knowing he'd really punish
her now.  She screamed when he slammed his hand against the door, yelling,
"Natalia!  You know you can't stay herehere forever!"  He
then laughed and she quivered.  "Oh, the things I'm gonna do to you
for this," he said.  "If you thought last night was bad, Natalia,
you haven't seen anything."  There was a long pause and then he
pounded the door again, scaring her.  "Open this door.  The
longer you wait, the worse off you'll be.  Come out and take your
punishment like a good little whore."

Getting
to her feet as Tucker pounded, she searched frantically for anything she could
use as a weapon, her adrenaline rushing when she spotted an old fashioned
razor. Her stomach tied in knots as she remembered Trip telling her of how his
dad had given it to himyingying it was a family heirloom, passed down to the
Tucker men.  Licking her lips, she grabbed it and held it up, not sure if
she could do this.

"Natalia,
if you come out right now, I promise it won't be too bad," he said in
coaxing tones that made her feel weak.

"Please,"
she whimpered, backing away from the door.

"What
was that?" he asked, his tone still neutral.  "Natalia, please
come out here.  I just wanna have a little fun."  There was
another long pause and then he slammed against the door again, shouting,
"Open this fucking door you stupid bitch!"

His
tone sent waves of panic through her and she tried to collect her thoughts,
preparing to use the razor on him.  There was no escaping this now. 
He was enraged and could likely beat her to death unintentionally out of anger
or something.  She didn't know, but was certain he was capable of a lot
more that she'd seen.  Swallowing, she steeled herself and thought of all
he had done, every harsh word, every shameful act he forced on her, everything
that made her angry.

Reaching
a shaky hand forward, she hovered it over the switch that would open the
door.  It was now or never.  Trying to make it less obvious that she
held the blade, she stared at the door and tried to make herself push the
button.  Sickness washed over her, her boelt elt numb and tingly, but she
did it.  The door hissed open and Tucker stood there, fury in his
eyes.  "You fucking bitch," he growled, walking towards her, not
blinking, not making breaking eye contact.  exprexpression on his face
scared her badly.  "You won't be able to move after I'm done with
you."

Natalia
jumped when he rushed at her, shocked as she pushed the razor into his
side.  She barely registered what she was doing and gaped when he stumbled
back, laughing.  "You whore," he choked, narrowing his eyes at
her and falling against the wall.  She had to think quickly.  Looking
around as Tucker struggled to pull the razor from his body, she grabbed a heavy
book from a shelf and hit him over the head, sending him to the floor.

Seeing
him there like that sent a chill through her body.  Licking her lips and
fighting off teashe she kicked his leg.  "I'm not your whore
anymore."  Forcing herself to take her eyes off him, she ed aed and
looked for her uniform.  It felt good, slipping it on.  Like a
protective covering.  She went to Tucker's desk and tried contacting
Enterprise on an encoded channel, hiding her work from the rest of
sh
ship.  Sub-Commander T'Pol was the person who greeted her. 
"Ensign Leone," she said, raising an eyebrow.  "We have
been trying to locate the other Enterprise for days.  Are the Captain and
Commander with you?"

Natalia
shook her head.  "No, they're being held in the brig.  I managed
to escape," she said, hoping to deter any wonderings as to why she wasn't
there with them.

T'Pol
looked over at Reed.  "Stay on the channel, Ensign.  We're
tracing your location now."

"Got
it," Natalia heard Reed say.

The
Sub-Commander looked again at Natalia.  "You are not too far from
lo
location.  Do you believe it feasible to rescue the Captain and
Commander?  As long as they are behind brig shielding we may not be able
to transport them out.  There is also a matter of lowering their
shields.  We read them as raised."

Natalia
swallowed nervously.  "I can try and get them out,
Sub-Commander.  I don't think we can hold the other crew out for
long.  As for their shields, I hope Commander Tucker can think of
something because I'm not sure if I can."

T'Pol
nodded softly.  "Do your best, Ensign.  T'Pol out."

Shivering
as the screen went blank, Natalia exhaled.  At least she didn't feel so
alone anymore.  Standing straight, she began to look for a phaser,
anything that could be used as a weapon.  Of course he'd have taken
everything like that from his room, but she could think of one place. 
Turning back, she looked at the bedroom and forced herself to walk towards
it.  Entering it always sent waves of emotion through her.  She
looked at Tucker, unconscious and bleeding on the floor.

Crouching,
she reached for him and went to his pocket.  Sure enough there was a
phaser there.  Reaching in she eased the phaser out,pingping when he
stirred and mumbled.  She shivered and set the phaser on 'stun' and
pointed it at Tucker, firing a shot that knocked him back out again.  Her
body felt weak and tense as she turned away from him and headed towards the
door.  Whimpering in despair, she let a few tears fall finally as she
realized he'd locked her in.  She was locked in here with him and even if
he were injured, something told her that when he woke up he'd find a way to
make her suffer greatly.  The phaser power would run out eventually. 
She had to find a way out.

Taking
a big chance at setting off an alarm, she started firing at the locking
mechanism.  Relief washed over her when it clicked open and no alarms went
off.  At least none she could hear.  She was still afraid that
someone on the bridge might be alerted.  Gathering her strength about her,
she gripped the phaser and exited, nervous about being in the halls alone.

Her
heart raced when a young crewman passed, smiling at her and saying, "Hey, Natalia. 
I hope that asshole Archer didn't punish you too severly for assisting that
other ship."

l'>"Hi. 
He didn't." she choked out and he laughed, continuing along his way. 
Natalia breathed a sigh of relief and continued on.  By the time she got
to the brig her pulse was racing in anticipation of what she was going to have
to do.  She had the advantage of their arrogance in putting only one man
on guard.  Still, she was ever aware of possible alarms that could go off.

Gathering
up her nerves, she clenched the phaser and stepped forward, looking in as the
door hissed.  She immediately aimed at the guard and took him down, then
stopped short at seeing Captain Archer, the 'bad' Captain, standing before his
counterpart's cell.  "What the hell..." he managed before she
shot him down too.

The
'good' Archer was on his feet in an instant.  "Ensign," he
breathed.  "How...?"

Natalia
ran to the console and freed her companions.  "I grabbed a
razor," she explained simply, turning to Trip.  "T'Pol needs you
to find a way to lower the shields."

Rubbing
his hands together and hardly meeting her eyes, he nodded. 
"Right.  Shields."  Walking to the console, he opened a
compartment and took a phaser out and threw it to Archer.  "We're
gonna have to fight our way to either a console in Engineering or the
Bridge.  I might be able to do it from Sickbay, but I'm not
sure."  He shrugged and awaited orders. pan>

She
nodded slowly, rubbing her arm.  "Yeah.  I grabbed a razor and
stabbed him in the side when he rushed me.  Then I took his phaser and
stunned him."

Tucker
took a step towards the door and Archer grabbed his arm.  Turning, Trip
pushed his fingers away.  "Jonathan, don't you give me any
trouble," he warned.

n stn style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial'>Archgrabgrabbed him again.  "Do you want to die, Trip?  We're sorely
outnumbered on this ship."

"athaathan,"
Trip pressed, jaw clenched.

Archer
shook his head.  "Not now.  That's an order, Commander."

Pulling
his arm back, Tucker looked away, eyes hardened.  "Yes, Sir. 
Sickbay, Sir?"

Archer
rolled his eyes.  "Yeah.  We better hurry before someone catches
on to what we're doing."

Natalia
avoided saying a word to Trip as they entered the hall and made their way to
Sickbay.  The whole trip was quiet.  Natalia sighed and fought down
the images that kept creeping into her mind, images of Tucker's angry eyes, his
lusty expressions.  She had sensations of hands on her body still. 
Could still hear him screaming at her through the bathroom door.  It
jarred her and she smacked into Archer as they arrived at Sickbay. 
"Careful," he said, smiling.

"Sorry,"
she replied, turing her focus to the door as Tucker entered, phase pistol
drawn.  "Is there something I can do for you?" Phlox asked as
they entered.  He eyed them oddly, then noticed Natalia's uniform. 
"What do you want here?"

"Not
much," Tucker retorted, heading to a console with Natalia and Archer
trained their phasers at the alien doctor.  "Just sit tight, Doc, and
we'll be outta your hair in no time."

Phlox
raised his hands at the Captain and Ensign watching him.  "There is
no need for violence.  Do as you will."

Archer
cocked his head to look at Trip.  "Can you do it?"

"Ensign,"
Archer offered and she accepted, being first into the tubes.  He followed,
then Tucker.  "Where exactly are we headed, Captain?" Natalia
asked when they came to a four way section.

Archer
stopped behind her and sat down a moment.  "Trip, where do these
lead?"

Trip
smirked at that.  He pointed down a tunnel.  "That leads to the
carbo bay.  The other leads to Engineering.  That one," he
pointed down the last possible route.  "That one leads to a ladder,
which leads to an access hatch on E deck."

Archer
looked down in thought.  "Cargo bay.  That's nice and out of the
way...at least enough for us to do what we have to do.  Hopefully T'Pol
will have us out of here soon."

Tucker
nodded and they continued down the tube that would lead them to the cargo
bay.  Natalia frowned as she crawled through, bothered by the tension
between she and Trip.  She felt guilty at the nervous feeling in her
stomach at the thought of him behind her.  She was very thankful when they
came to the hatch and Archer opened it. Getting out into the open, Natalia
ducked down behind a large crate.  "Should we shoot them?" she
whispered, referring to the three crewmen that were talking.

Archer
leaned over and looked as Tucker slipped out and closed the hatch. 
"Let's wait until they're actually looking for us."

Natalia
nodded and took that opportunity to rest.  Her eyes slid over to Trip, who
looked away as quickly as she met his eyes.  She sighed at that, wondering
if they'd lost a good friendship because of Tucker's evil obsession.  She
couldn't help but shiver when Trip breathed out, reminded of Tucker's exhales
of extacy.  It made her want to sit there and cry, but she knew there
wasn't time for that.  There would be plenty of time to bawl her eyes out
in her own quarters.

"Listen,"
Archer breathed, straining to hear.

Natalia
listened in horror as the men were alerted to the fact that the three of them
were out in the open and in the area.  It would only be moments before
someone knew they were in this very room.  "Getting a lock on their
position," a young man said.  There was a long pause. 
"Paris," he whispered just loud enough for Natalia to hear. 
"Go look over there."

"Yes,
Sir," the young woman answered in an equally quiet tone.

"Cover
is blown," Trip said, powering his phaser and standing, shooting before
Archer and Leone could even stand.

Archer
rose, followed by Natalia and they opened fire, stunning all three crewmen in a
matter of seconds.  "See what you can do about sealing that
door," the Captain ordered.

Tucker
rushed to the door.  Not certain what to do with herself, Natalia stood
out of the way and leaned against the wall, rubbing her phaser with her thumb
and trying not to look at Trip.  At his frustrated sigh, she winced and
looked up, finding Archer watching her in concern.  She offered a wan
smile and looked back at the floor, wishing she was alone. 
"Sealed," Trip announced, turning.  He headed towards them and Natalia
looked up, noticing how hard he was trying to ignore the fact that she was
there.  Part of her was grateful for the lack of attentand and yet another
part was hurt.  "It won't hold 'em for long.  I suggest we use
those crates to form some sort of wall that we can use when they finally do get
in.

"Right,"
Archer agreed, stuffing his phaser in a pocket.  "Ensign, can you
guard the door while Trip and I move the crates?"

Natalia
nodded quickly, turning away from both me.  "Sure thing,
Sir."  She held her phaser ready and gazed blankly at the door. 
Both men paused before heading towards the crates and she sighed.  Things
would never be the same.  Her eyes watered at that.  Nothing would
ever again be as they were.  Tucker really had the power over her life it
seemed.  He'd always be in her mind.  She let out a small moan at
that and darted her eyes up, hoping neither of them had heard.  To her
relief they were still moving the crates to face the doors.

Suddenly
there was a beeping sound and some clicking.  They were trying to bust
through the doors, she realized in fear.  Natalia backed away and fired as
soon as the door opened.  "Natalia!" Trip called, drawing his
phaser and firing.

"Take
cover!" Archer yelled, ducking behind a crate and drawing his phase pistol
as well.

Natalia
leaned forward against her crate and darted around it to fire on the guards
that were gathering at the door.  Ducking back into hiding, she caught her
breath and glanced over at Trip and Archer, gasping as Archer went down with a
thud.  "Jonathan!" Trip yelled, then eyed her uncertainly. 
"See if he's alive."  Trip stood and fired some more shots and Natalia
heard more officer’s fall.

Swallowing,
she peeked around her crate and leapt for Archer's, checking his pulse. 
"He's alive," she shouted urgently, standing and firing, knocking one
out.  "My god, there are too many of them!"

Trip
paid no attention, too busy with shooting.  "Damn it, T'Pol," he
hissed, taking another officer down.  "Hurry."

Natalia
stood to fire when suddenly everything became a shiny blur.  They
rematerialized in the transporter room and Trip raced off the platform. 
"Took you long enough," he commented to Reed, who looked heavenward.

"There
was a lot of interference," he retorted.  "Couldn't you have
avoided phaser fire?"

Trip
smiled.  "Great to be home.  Cap'n Archer is injured, but
alive.  Help me get him to Sickbay."

Reed
stepped around the console.  "Right."  Both men headed for
the padd and took a hold of Archer.  "Welcome home, Ensign,"
Reed said, smiling at her.

"Thanks." 
Natalia hugged into herself, watching as they picked the unconscious captain
up.

Trip
didn't meet her eyes as he mumbled, "You should get checked out too, Natalia."

The
sound of his voice sent chills down her spine.  "Sure," she
whispered, noting the strange fear that washed over her when she considered
going against his suggestion.

**

Natalia
sat there on the biobed, watching Phlox care for Archer.  Naturally his
condition was more serious than hers, so she waited.  Trip watched his
captain anxiously, trying to avoid Natalia.  His mind kept traveling back
to Tucker's bed and the sensations and emotions he'd felt.  His whole body
felt heavy as he slid his eyes across his captain and dared to glance at Natalia. 
As it turned out she was looking at him and turned her eyes away when he met
her eyes.  His sides hurt as he thought about the pain she must be feeling
all because of Tucker...and him.  His body had betrayed them both.

Trip
crossed his arms, looking back at Jonathan.  "He'll be all
right?" he asked low.

Phlox
nodded.  "He should be fine in a couple of hours."

Nodding,
Trip pushed himself from the biobed he was leaning against.  "Well,
since I'm not needed," he muttered, leaving.

Natalia
looked down at the floor.  He was hurting inside and all she could do was
sit here and be afraid and for what?  She felt sick, still able to taste
him...still able to feel him and his counterpart.  As much as she wanted
to forgive him and forget everything...one question still rang through her
mind.  Why was it so easy for him to go along with Tucker?

Swallowing,
she thought back to the pleasure she'd allowed herself to feel and felt
betrayed by that too.  The universe was just fucked up.  That's all
she could think.  Phlox inhaled deeply and approached. 
"Ready," he said, looking at her sad face.

Natalia
lay back on the bed and stared up at the ceiling, knowing Phlox would press her
to talk.  She waited for it...and was surprised when it never came. 
He simply scanned quietly.  That made her angry for some obscure
reason.  "How long is this gonna take?" she breathed.

Phlox
blinked and looked at her through concerned eyes.  "Well, that
depends on if you want to talk about it."

Natalia
snorted.  "I don't wanna talk about it," she hissed back,
rolling her eyes.  "I just wanna go to my quarters."

"Very
well," Phlox said, scanning more.  "Try to relax."

**

Trip
stormed into his room, looking around for something...anything.  Truth be
told, he didn't know what to do with himself.  "Shit," he
groaned, pacing.  He clenched his fists in aggravation and unclenched them
again.  "How could I have been such a damned jackass?"

Guilt
washed over him and fear.  He was afraid that he'd lost her.  Not
that he ever had her...but it frustrated him to no end.  She was afraid of
him.  He could plainly tell that every time she looked at him - when she
even did that.  The door buzzed and he barked, "Come in!" as he
rummaged through his little fridge for anything alcoholic.  He turned,
uncapping the bottle, and saw T'Pol.  "Welcome to my humble
home," he said sarcastically.

Her
eyes remained calm and passive.  "I was on my way to Sickbay and thought
I should stop by.  You are uninjured?"

"Yeah,"
Tucker groaned.  "Pretty much.  Sure."

She
cocked her head.  "I detect by your tone that that is an untruthful
answer."

He
nodded and drank again.  "You could say that."

T'Pol
eyed his bottle and it irritated him.  "And you wish to solve your
problems with that beverage."

Tucker
laughed, sitting down.  "Come to brow beat me, have you?  Are
you going to deliver some speech about how alcohol isn't going to solve
anything and how it foo foolish way of escaping responsibility and
reality?"

She
pursed her lips, not moving from her place.  "It appears that such a
speech wouldn't add anything new to your knowledge."

"Right,"
he replied, leaning back and taking another drink.  "Glad you don't have
to bother."

She
narrowed her eyes.  "I find it interesting that humans are very eager
to do things that require more out of them, then react in ways such as this
when things get a little rough."

Trip
laughed, already loosened by the drink.  "Yeah, fuck you."

Her
eyes hardened as she looked him over distastefully.  "Typical
emotional reaction."

Sng
ng
up, Trip slammed the bottle down and yelled, "Damn it, would you spare me
the emotion-purging pep talk!"  He rubbed at his face, hiding his
pain.  He just couldn't hold it in.  "Damn it, I wish I could be
like you, T'Pol.  I wish I didn't have to feel anything.  You don't
know...what I did over there."

She
stepped towards him, watching him.  "I'm certain that whatever you
did, you had to."

He
looked up, eyes moist.  "Yeah I had to.  I had to hurt someone I
care about because if I didn't Jonathan would be dead right now.  She'll
never forgive me for what I did...and even for what Tucker did."

T'Pol
didn't pry into what Trip actually did and he was grateful for that. 
"Ensign Leone is an intelligent person, Commander.  I'rtairtain she
knows that you had no other choice."

She
raised an eyebrow.  "Indeed.  However, I am not disturbed by
your comment.  No offence was taken."

He
smirked and gazed at his bottle.  "Naturally.  Look, maybe you
should let me rest, huh?  I don't feel very well."

"Very
well, Commander."  She turned, then paused.  "Talking to
her may elevate the situation."  And then she was gone.

"Elevate,"
he repeated, feeling fuzzy.  "Talking might just ram it into the
ground too."  Yawning, he stretched out on the couch, deciding to
abandon the bottle left on his coffe table.  She was right, of
course.  Getting himself drunk would only make him sorry tomorrow. 
He frowned, wondering what tomorrow held.  The weight on his shoulders
felt like it would break him at a moment's notice.  Closing his eyes, he drifted
off into a dream filled sleep.

**

Archer
groaned and sat up, looking around.  Phlox was at a terminal, working, and
Ensign Leone lay on the biobed beside him.  He watched her for a moment as
she held her arms up and shook her head.  "Stop," she moaned,
tightening her fists at her sides.  Gripping bed sheets.  That's what
it made him think of.

Phlox
got to his feet and approached, scanning now now awakened captain. 
"She fell asleep while I examined her."

Nodding,
Archer continued his steady gaze.  "I don't blame her."  He
sighed when her expression became pained.

The
Doctor put the scanner down.  "Free to go," he said, turning his
eyes to the patient that really held his worry.  "She's got a lot of
healing to do, Captain.  A lot."

Archer
frowned, but before he could comment Natalia startled them both by crying out
and sitting up.  She sat for a moment, disoriented, then turned and
blushed.  "Sorry," she almost whispered.

Hopping
off the biobed, Archer approached.  "How do you feel?"

"I
don't know," she replied truthfully.  She had so many emotions
swirling around inside she didn't know what was what anymore.

Phlox
stepped around the Captain's bed and stood beside Archer.  "You are
free, Ensign.  I recommend you take a few days off to rest and
relax.  I'm here if you need anything."

"Thanks,"
she said softly, sliding down.

Archer
motioned towards the door.  "I'll walk you there," he offered.

Natalia
nodded, not really up to denying anyone anything at the moment. 
"Sure.  Thanks."

Touching
her elbow, Archer led her out.  He was silent for a moment, then decided
to break the precious silence.  "Ensign..." he started
uncertainly.  "I know the last thing you want is for your captain to
go off on some speech.  I don't know what I could say that could make you
feel any better and doubt there is anything anyone could say.  I guess I'm
just trying to ask if there is anything I can do."

Biting
her cheek and rubbing her arms, she shook her head and looked at him. 
"I'll be fine, Sir.  If I think of anything I'll let you know."

He
sighed as they stepped off the turbolift and onto her deck.  "Please
talk to someone, Natalia.  I know it's not anyone's business, but I just
don't want you to continue on in pain.  Phlox is here, and I'm here for
you.  And Trip..." he winced at her expression. 
"Sorry.  Me and Phlox are here and I'm more than certain anyone on
this ship would be willing to let you vent.  A friend...anyone."

She
turned to him as they stopped before her door.  "Thank you,
Captain.  I'm sure everything will begin to feel better in the
morning."  She sighed at his unconvinced expression. 
"Really.  Goodnight."

"Night,"
he repeated, sighing and disappearing as the door closed.

Natalia
went straight into the bedroom and peeled her clothes off, throwing them in the
back of her closet.  She could never wear that uniform again, she
knew.  Going to her drawers, she opened the top one and lovingly pulled a
nightgown out and put it on, thankful to have her own bed and clothes back
again.  Staring at her bed nervously, she licked her lips and hesitated to
approach.  She was afraid of the visions that would visit her sleep - if
she got any.

**

For a few days all went
okay for Natalia.  She spent most of her time in her room, only having to
see Tucker momentarily in the mess hall when he discreetly made his way to the
Captain's personal dining room.  He rarely looked her way and when he did
it was only for a few fleeting seconds.  Those seconds were like an etern to to her on the bad days.  On the good days it made her feel a little
anxious.

Her stomach felt nervous
today.  It was her first day back to work and she just didn't know if she
felt up to it.  She couldn't hide forever though.  It was strange,
the turn her life had taken.  She used to love being with friends, talking
and laughing...having fun.  But now it seemed like she just couldn't put
her heart into it anymore.  The weight on her shoulders never seemed to
completely leave.  Sitting at breakfast, she watched the room and lowered
her eyes when Tucker entered.  "Hey," Travis Mayweather said
loudly.  "Trip, come sit over here."  Natalia swallowed,
realizing that Travis was right beside her.

Trip paused a moment and Natalia
forced her eyes up, immediately flushing at the site of his stare. 
"Nah," he answered softly, his eyes hurt and troubled. 
"I'm gonna head on into the Captain's dining room.

Travis shook his head and
chuckled.  "I swear I see you in there more than the Captain
himself.  You two aren't an item are you?"  He laughed merrily.

Natalia grit her teeth in
annoyance, wishing everyone would just be quiet.  Trip frowned at
Mayweather.  "Shut up, you dirty minded offworlder."  His
face grew humorous.  "It's you I'm after."  He winked at
the helmsman sarcastically and Natalia lookway.way.

Travis wrinkled his nose
and smiled.  "Dream on.  I've got a thing with Miss Leone
here."  He grinned at her.

Natalia panicked slightly
at having Trip's attention drawn to her.  Travis eyed her strangely and
she forced herself to smile.  "Yeah right," she breathed,
avoiding Trip's eyes.

Shaking his head, Tucker
hesitated for a moment and Natalia could swear she felt his eyes on her. 
It made her swallow, remembering those heated stares of lust that the other
Tucker had graced her body with.  "Right, well, I'll see you
later."

She looked back up and
watched as he rushed off into the private dining room.  She felt bad for
how she was making him feel, but she just couldn't help it.  It made her
cheeks get hot and her eyes water.  Everything was so complicated
now.  She found even the chatter going on around her sether on edge. 
Being trapped in Tucker's room, she dealt with her pain alone in the
quiet.  Now she felt almost like she was showing her pain to the whole
ship when she was out and about.  Spooning her food, she started watching
the room again.

The main doors hissed
open and Captain Archer entered, looking around.  Rolling his eyes, he
looked at Travis.  "Seen Trip?"  Natalia felt her sides
hurt at the mention of him again.

Travis grinned. 
"He stole your dining room again.  I think he's secretly building
some sort of weapon in there and wants to steal your captaincy."

Archer snorted. 
"Right.  Too bad.  Excuse me."

Natalia watched as he too
slipped away into privacy and wondered what they would talk about in
there.  She didn't have long to think about it as Travis slipped in the
chair across from her.  "Hey, you wanna help me after shift?"

Hugging slightly into
herself, she shrugged.  "With what?"

"Well, the Captain's
birthday party is tonight, right?  I'm gonna break into his quarters and
smuggle Porthos out."  His eyes sparkled.

Natalia found herself
smg deg despite the heaviness within.  She leaned forward. 
"What?  Why?"

Travis looked aroundnspinspiringly.  "Well, me and Malcolm had a little outfit tailored for
him and we're gonna dress him up and bring him out during the party. 
We've got this whole little skit worked out.  It should be funny."

Fighting the desperate
urge to roll her eyes, Natalia smirked.  "That's a sick thing to do,
Travis.  Sick!"

He giggled. 
"Tell me about it.  If anyone asks it was Reed's idea, okay?"

She snorted, stirring her
food.  "Yeah.  I believe that."

Travis winked. 
"Are you in?"

"I don't know,"e ree replied, sighing.  Trip would be there for certain.  "I
don't even think I'm going to go to the party."

His eyes got
serious.  "What?  You're joking!  Come on, Natalia, it's
the Captain's party .  It's gonna be fun!  How often to you
get to see your captain teased and tormented in front of the entire ship? 
He'll just die if you aren't there to laugh at him."

"Die?" she
asked sarcastically, taking a drink.

Travis sighed and shook
his head.  "I'll die."

"Now I know I'm not
going," she retorted, grinning at his reaction.

Squeezing her hand, he
rolled his eyes.  "You are impossible!  I guess I'll have to
come and drag you there, huh?"

With a frustrated sigh, Natalia
nodded her head.  "Fine, fine.  I'll come.  Geez." p>

Travis' eyes immediately
got brighter.  "Great!  Tonight at 8.  Don't you dare
forget, young lady."

Natalia waved him off as
she got up.  "Right.  Whatever.  Bite me." 
Exhaling, she returned her dishes and started for Sickbay, already not looking
forward to tonight.  But a voice inside her told her that if she didn't
start somewhere, she'd never come out of her quarters.  Besides, she
didn't want to hurt Captain Archer's feelings by not showing up.  And
there was this whole Porthos thing that might prove amusing.

Shaking her head, she entered
Sickbay and sighed, wishing she could just go back to her room and go to
bed.  Phlox turned and smiled.  "Welcome back, Ensign."

She nodded half heartedly
and took a list of today's agenda from him, mumbling, "Thanks."

**

Walking slowly down the
hall, Natalia held the carefully wrapped present to her and firmly hated having
to attend.  She could feel the galley getting closer and closer and she
dreaded it.  Finally, she was there.  Swallowing, she entered and
kept a low profile.  Wandering to the gifts, she started laying hers down
when Travis walked up.  "You came!"

Natalia mocked his happy
smile and tone, saying, "Whoopie!"

Pursing his lips, Travis
strapped a party hat to her head and sauntered off.  Groaning, Natalia
gripped the hat and yanked it off.  "Excitable," Archer
commented from nearby, drinking some punch.

"No kidding,"
she agreed, wandering to the punch herself.

Archer shrugged. 
"He's more excited about my old age than I am - that's for sure.  I'm
glad you could make it, Ensign.  How have you been?"

Natalia frowned out of
his vision.  That was the one question she did not want to answer
tonight or ever even.  "I'm fine, Captain," she breathed,
meeting his eyes.  "I'm glad to have come."

Crossing his arms, he
looked out over the crowd.  "Yeah, it should be fun."  He
narrowed his eyes at Mayweather, considering and shaking his finger. 
"That man stole my dog.  I just know it."

Snickering into her
punch, Natalia grinned, deciding not to tell him she knew.  Looking out
over the happy crew, Natalia spotted Trip amongst them, talking to T'Pol. 
Instantly she felt the neo hio hide herself.  She couldn't deal with this
problem right now.  "Excuse me, Captain," she said, not
bothering to look at him.  Ducking behind crew members, she headed for a
dark discreet corner.

Thankfully she didn't
have time to worry about whether or not he'd see her.  Mayweather stood at
the front of the room and said, "Everyone, please take a seat.  We're
about to have some entertainment."

Everyone sat down and
watched as Travis lead the captain to a chair and blindfolded him.  Archer
laughed, shaking his head and saying, "Why does this scare me so
much?"

"Shush," Travis
commanded, then grinned.  "Malcolm, start the music!"  Natalia
curbed the urgent need to groan and winced as the racy, sexual-toned music
began.  "Now, Captain, we've found you an exotic creature from a
world far beyond.  Prepare to feast your eyes."  Travis put his
figner to his lips at the crowd and motioned.  At once Natalia saw what
they had done.  Travis and Malcolm had stuck that poor dog in a little bra
and skirt with a wig.  She covered her lips in shock.

Archer - unable to see
the horror of it - crossed his arms, an embarrassed smile on his face. 
"I can't believe this," he groaned.

Reed put the doggie on a
table and dangled some cheese above him and Porthos stood on his hind legs,
imitating a dance.  Giggling, Travis managed to get out,
"Behold!" before ripping the blindfold from his captain.

Archer stared in shock at
the spectacle taking place.  Everyone giggled.  "Travis! 
What the hell have you done to my poor dog?"  An annoyed smirk spread
across his face.  "Do you have any idea how changed my opinion of you
is?" he laughed.  "This is frightening."

Laughing, Mayweather clapped
Reed on the back.  "Blame him, Sir."

Reed's eyes widened and
he frowned at the jolly Mayweather.  "Shut up.  I never once
thought of anything remotely as horrifying as this."

Archer laughed. 
"Thanks, Travis.  I needed a good laugh."  He stepped away,
toting his dog with him.

Natalia shook her head
and smirked at this whole scene playing out.  It wasn't long before
everyone started standing again to mingle.  Getting up and heading for the
punch again, she bumped into someone.  "Sorry," he said softly
and she froze, staring into Trip's eyes.  Immediately his clouded over
with hurt and he backed up uncomfortably.  "I didn't...I didn't mean
anything, Je...Ensign."

Hugging her arms
together, Natalia backed away quickly, unable to control the dread in her. 
Images flashed through her mind, images of sex, embarassment and pain. 
"I'm sorry.  I..."  She shook her head and turned away,
hurrying away from the merriment.

Archer sighed, standing
beside his friend.  "Get your ass out there and talk to her."

"No, Jonathan,"
Trip refused.

Jonathan pushed Trip
lightly.  "Get out there.  Consider it a birthday gift."

Tucker smirked. 
"I already got you one."

Archer shrugged. 
"Consider it an order then."  He pointed at the door, looking at
Trip meaningfully.  "Now."

Sulking, Trip brushed
past his friend and stomped into the hall.  "Consider it an order, he
tells me.  I outta get Phlox to order him..." he sighed, spotting her
as she walked away.  "Natalia," he called, fully expecting her
to at least stop.  She didn't.  "At least she didn't pick her
pace up," he breathed, moving to catch up.  "Natalia, Jonathan
ordered me to talk to you."

She didn't meet his eyes,
only moved as far away as she could without seeming rude. 
"You...don't have to if you don't want to, Trip.  I'm okay."

"Damn it," he
hissed, making her stop and stare, wide-eyed.  Looking down at the floor
sadly, he shrugged.  "Sorry.  I guess no matter what I do I'll
never be able to make this right again.  Maybe it's better if we just
avoid each other completely."  With that, he turned and started down
the hall in the opposite direction and Natalia could only gaze after him, her
eyes glistening with sudden tears.

Hoshi looked her over and
smiled slightly.  "Could have fooled me."

Quickly becoming
irritated with this girl's presense, Natalia frowned and crossed her
arms.  "What do you want from me?"

"The same thing your
friends and Trip's friends want.  For both of you to make up and be at
least okay with each other."  Hoshi waited.

"Okay?" Natalia
replied, tired.  "I would like things to be okay again..." 
She looked away as her voice started breaking from the sarcastic edge into a
voice on the verge of tears and she knew she'd give in to talking. 
"I just don't know how."

Hoshi moved over the to
couch.  "Hey," she soothed, touching Natalia's shoulder. 
"I think talking is a good starting point.  The Captain and Trip are
pretty tight lipped about what happened over there, so I'm not entirely certain
what all went on, but I take it that the other Trip did some things to you that
is causing you pain?"

"Does everyone think
that?" Natalia asked bitterly.  "Does everyone assume I was
Tucker's whore?"

Hoshi's eyes
softened.  "No.  I know about it because...well, Tucker said
something over the comm about it.  Captain Archer ordered everyone on the
bridge into silence about what was said for your sake."

Natalia snorted. 
"Like it didn't get out anyhow.  Why?  Why has my life been
turned so upside down?"  She leaned back against the couch.

Hoshi shook her
head.  "I don't know, Natalia.  Can I call you that?" 
At her Hos Hoshi continued.  "Things happen in this universe that
we're not really prepared for.  I know that doesn't make anything better,
but you've got to face this sometime."  She sighed at Natalia's
glare.  "I'm not trying to be your mother.  I just wanna
help.  What happened on that ship?"

Looking at Hoshi with
anger in her teary eyes, Natalia bit back everything, not wanting to tell
anyone about the abuse, about being hit and slapped and fucked in every way
imaginable.  Forcing her eyes away, she knew she was going to have to talk
to someone or she'd go crazy.  "Tucker...was very...abusive,"
she managed as the tefellfell freely.  She looked at Hoshi.  "He
did...everything he could think of.  He...oh god."