A Day in the Life of Commander Tucker

Trip's alarm began to beep incessantly. Reaching over, he pushed the button to turn it off before rubbing the sleep from his eyes. It seemed like he'd just gone to bed and truth be told it had been a mere five hours ago that he had. Such was the life of the Chief Engineer of the first ever starship. Sliding out of bed, Trip got a pair of underwear out of the drawer and a fresh uniform from the closet before heading for the shower.

Once he showered, shaved, and dressed, it was off to the mess hall for breakfast with the Captain. It would be a short breakfast however, as the port injector coils needed realignment and that was the first of a dozen things on his list to be done. Entering the Captain's dining room, he greeted Archer as he sat down. "Morning Captain."

"Morning Trip, sleep well?" Archer asked as he took a bite of egg.

"Like a baby." Trip smiled as he dished himself a helping of bacon, eggs, hash browns, and toast.

"I'm glad to hear it. How are things going in engineering?" Archer got daily reports, but wanted Trip's opinion.

"Pretty routine, sir. I always have work to do, but nothing critical. The main project this morning is aligning the port injector coils." Trip was enjoying breakfast as he usually did. Chef always tried to make it something different every day.

"I want you off duty by eighteen hundred hours today, Trip. This working until midnight has got to stop or you'll burn out." Archer knew Trip loved his job and that he felt responsible for keeping the ship in perfect working condition, but he was wearing himself out.

"Aye, Captain." Trip sighed. He should have known Archer would find out how late he'd been working lately. There were just some things that he felt he needed to see to personally. He had to be sure that vital systems were taken care of properly and although he knew he had an excellent crew in engineering, he felt he needed to handle them himself. Finishing off his breakfast, Trip rose to leave and start work.

"Trip, don't work too hard today." Archer knew how seriously Trip took his job, but sometimes he thought Trip sacrificed his own health and well-being in the process.

"Yes, Sir. See you for dinner?"

"I think I'm going to eat in my ready room this evening. I've got a lot of reports to go over, but feel free to use my dining room if you'd like." Just as long as he ate dinner, that would make Archer happy.

"Thanks, Captain. I think I'll take you up on that. It'll give me a chance to go over my reports in private." He could go over them in his quarters, but if he did it while he ate he could kill two birds with one stone. Leaving the mess hall, Trip headed for engineering. Despite being a little tired, he had a smile on his face. The job required some long, hard hours sometimes, but he loved it and wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

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Several hours later there was an accident in engineering. Two crewmen were making minor repairs to the catwalk when it collapsed. Trip saw it happening from where he was finishing the realignment of the injector coils. Running over, he push Ensign Simms out of the way of the falling catwalk. Fortunately there were no serious injuries, but Trip strained the muscles in his back when he twisted to avoid the catwalk.

"Sir, are you okay?" Ensign Simms looked worried as she watched the Commander holding his back and struggling to get up.

"Fine, Ensign. I just strained my back a little." In truth he was in quite a bit of pain, but didn't want to show it in front of his crew.

"Maybe you should go to sickbay sir." She was hesitant to tell him what to do, but she'd come to know how the Commander worked over the last year and knew he was hiding how much pain he was really in.

"I needed a break anyway. The Doc can have a look and make sure it's nothing serious." Trip finally got fully upright and the pain flared. He wouldn't argue about going to sickbay now as he couldn't do his job in that much pain. Phlox could give him something for it and he could get back to work. "I'll be back shortly, Ensign."

"Aye, sir. I hope you feel better." She watched him go and felt a determination rise up inside her to get the work done that the Commander needed done. Simms wanted to make him proud and she felt she owed him since he saved her from possibly getting seriously injured. "Lets get as much work done as we can while the Commander is away."

"I'm with you."

"Me too."

"Let's get to it."

Simms smiled as they all began to work hard. They always worked hard because they had a great respect for the Commander. He knew how to get things done, but he never made them feel like subordinates.

Trip made his way to sickbay and tried to smile at Phlox as he entered. "Morning, Doc."

Phlox could see that Tucker was in obvious pain and he was holding his back with his left hand. "Commander, what can I do for you?"

"There was a bit of an accident in engineering and I seem to have strained my back." He moved further into sickbay and sat down on the stool that Phlox indicated.

"Let's have a look, Commander." Phlox began to scan Tucker with the medical tricorder and shook his head. "This isn't too serious, Commander. I'll give you something for the pain and you will need to stay off your feet for the rest of the day." Phlox saw he was about to protest and stopped him. "That's an order Commander. You can go back to engineering, but you must stay off your feet."

"Okay Doc, but I have a lot of work to do."

"Let your staff do it for you." Phlox was not taking no for an answer and he'd make sure Archer received a report on Tucker's injury right away. He knew the Captain would make sure Tucker followed the Doctor's orders. Deciding against giving him a muscle relaxant, Phlox injected him with a hypo for the pain. "I want you back here later so I can see how the muscles are doing."

"Sure, Doc. Can I go now?" The hypo began to work and he felt much better. He'd do as Phlox ordered and stay off his feet, but it wouldn't be easy.

"Certainly." Phlox watched Tucker leave and hoped he would do as he ordered. Sometimes he thought the man worked far too much.

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As soon as Trip was back in engineering he headed straight for his desk and sat down. Despite the hypo Phlox had given him, he was still in some pain. Picking up the data PADD sitting in front of him, Trip was pleased to see that his staff had gotten most of the things he had to do, done. "Would everyone gather around."

Everyone that was currently in engineering moved towards Commander Tucker. They were all glad to see him back, but he still looked like he was in a bit of pain. "What can we do for you, sir?" Simms asked.

"You've all done more than enough. I want to thank everyone for pitching in and getting my work done." He was very proud of his staff, but he also felt guilty that they'd had to do all that extra work.

"It was the least we could do sir. You saved me from harm." Simms for one would do anything she could to help the Commander. She didn't even want to think about what might have happened to her if he hadn't pushed her out of the way.

"I still appreciate it and wanted you all to know that your efforts were not missed by me. Dismissed." He watched his staff go back to work and smiled. The pain in his back didn't seem to be so bad any more.

"Archer to engineering."

"Tucker here." He knew Phlox had told him about his injury, but it wasn't serious and didn't really understand why everyone was making such a big deal out of it.

"I hope you're sitting down, Commander." He knew Trip's injury wasn't serious, but he already thought the man worked too hard and now this.

"Yes, sir. Working hard at my desk."

"Good, Phlox sent his report to me about your visit to sickbay. I await your accident report so I can get a better idea of what happened." Archer was trying not to make Trip feel like he was babying him.

"I'm working on it now, sir." He'd started the day out feeling good and now he just wanted the day to end.

Trip sounded tired and Archer came to a decision. "Commander, I want you going off duty as soon as that report is finished. That's an order."

"Aye, Captain." There was disappointment in his voice, but in a way he was glad.

"I'll see you in the morning Trip."

"Understood, sir." Checking the time as he finished the accident report, it was already sixteen hundred hours. Trip thought perhaps a hot shower might loosen up his muscles and help him relax. Then he could go to sickbay to make Phlox happy and then to the Captain's dining room to enjoy a quiet dinner.

It was a long shower as Trip let the hot water beat against his aching back. The desire to stay in there all night was strong, but he had to get out and go see the Doc. For one thing he needed another hypo for the pain. His stomach was also growling and he needed to get some dinner.

No sooner was he dressed in a comfortable pair of civilian clothes when his comm. beeped. "Tucker here."

"Sir, I hate to bother you, but we are getting some strange readings in the impulse manifold." Crewman Davis had been told by Simms what had happened and to try not to bother the Commander, but he couldn't find the cause of the anomalous readings.

"I'll be right there crewman." So much for his quiet dinner. Leaving his quarters he made his way to engineering. Archer was going to kill him for being at work, but this was important. He didn't even bother to change into a uniform and with any luck it would be something simple to fix.

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Two hours later Trip's back was aching and he was starving, but the problem with the impulse manifold was fixed. He was headed straight for sickbay to get something for the pain and then it would be to the mess hall for something to eat. By the time he reached sickbay his back was hurting quite a bit and it must have been obvious from Phlox's reaction.

"Commander, you didn't obey my order did you?" Phlox could see how much pain he was in.

"Sorry, Doc. There was a problem with the impulse manifolds that needed my attention." Trip sat down and let Phlox examine him.

"Well, you don't seem to have made things worse, but you are obviously in a lot of pain. I'll give you another hypo and then I want you to go to bed. Come back in the morning and let me check you again." Phlox put the tricorder down and picked up the necessary hypo-spray.

"Okay, but I've gotta get some dinner first."

"Indeed. Did you have lunch today?" Phlox knew he hadn't and it bothered him that Tucker would neglect his physical needs for the job.

"No, but you already knew that." Trip sighed. He tried to eat all his meals and get enough rest, but sometimes there was just too much work to be done. In his eyes he could be the difference between life and death for the entire crew and that pressure was sometimes too demanding.

"Yes, your bio readings clearly show a lack of nutrition for the day." Phlox shook his head. He knew that being Chief Engineer could sometimes be a more difficult job than even being Captain, but he wished Tucker would take better care of himself. "Go get some dinner Commander. I want you in bed for the rest of the night after that."

"Yes, Doctor." Trip smiled and got off the stool. "Thanks, Doc."

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As Trip entered the mess hall he was a little surprised to see Hoshi sitting off in the corner picking at her food. It was pretty late for her to be just eating dinner. Then again he did remember hearing something about Enterprise receiving an alien transmission and that Hoshi was having a very difficult time translating it. He'd been so involved with work and the accident that he hadn't gotten much information about it. Looking at her now he could see how discouraged she looked. Moving towards her, he smiled. "Hoshi."

"Hi, Commander." She tried to smile, but she was just too tired and discouraged. She'd had very little luck in translating the message and it was bothering her.

"Would you care to join me in the Captain's dining room? It'd give you a little privacy." To be honest he wouldn't mind her company either. She'd come a long way since the mission started and he admired her determination.

"Sure, thanks." Hoshi grabbed her plate and followed Trip into the dining room. The fact that he seemed to be in some pain did not escape her attention. "Are you okay, sir?"

"I'm fine, just strained my back a little earlier." Trip pulled out the chair for Hoshi and once she was seated he took the chair next to her. The two talked as they ate and Trip glanced through his reports. He did his best to make her laugh and by the end of dinner she was smiling and feeling better. Trip on the other hand was feeling the stiffness grow in his back as he sat there for so long.

Hoshi felt much better and she had Trip to thank for that. She could see he was in pain and decided to make an offer she might not have made under other circumstances. "Commander, let me give you a massage. The Asian culture has used massages and oils to help soothe and heal the body for centuries and I've learned how to give many different kinds. I can guarantee it will make your back feel better."

"That's sweet Hoshi, but not necessary." Trip was a little unsure about it. He knew there was nothing sexual in her offer, but he was still hesitant.

"I want to do it. You cheered me up, so it's the least I can do."

"Okay then. How do you want to do it?"

"I'll meet you in your quarters in ten minutes. I need to go to my quarters and get the necessary supplies." Hoshi stood to leave the dining room, but turned back. "You won't be sorry, sir. You should remove all your clothes except your underwear." She didn't need him to be completely naked and knew that would make for an awkward situation.

"I'll see you in ten minutes then." Trip watched Hoshi go and still felt the hesitation, but if it would help his back then he was willing to try it. Slowly he rose from the chair and moved towards the doors. The stiffness in his back only added to the pain he felt. He managed to get to his quarters and removed everything except his under shorts, before putting on a robe to wait for Hoshi to arrive.

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Hoshi retrieved the necessary oil that would assist her in relaxing the Commander's muscles. She hadn't missed the hesitation in Trip's eyes and knew he was worried about it being an awkward situation. Everyone knew that massage could be a very sensual activity, but that was not her intention. Deep down she was attracted to Trip, but she didn't think the feeling was mutual. There was no doubt in her mind that he cared about her and believed in her, but that was part of his job, wasn't it?

Before she knew it she was outside Trip's quarters. Shutting out the thoughts she'd just been having, she rang the door. When she heard Trip tell her to come in, she opened the door with a smile on her face and stepped inside. "Are you ready, sir?" If she maintained a professional attitude it would make things easier.

"I suppose so. What do you want me to do?"

"Take your robe off and lay on the bed on your stomach." She set the small bottle of oil on the shelf above his bed and helped him get comfortable. "Comfortable?"

"Yeah." He really hoped this worked, because he was feeling a little uncomfortable. Not only from the pain and stiffness in his back, but also with having her giving him a massage. Closing his eyes, he decided to keep them shut while she worked. Trip felt her move onto the bed and straddle his legs.

Hoshi took the bottle of oil and poured a small amount into her hand before setting it back down on the shelf. Rubbing her hands together she began to gently massage Trip's back. She needed the oil to start doing it's work before she made the massage deeper and really worked his muscles. Hearing him sigh made her smile. The oil was beginning to do it's thing. "How are you feeling?"

"Fine, that stuff's getting hot." His voice was slightly muffled by the pillow.

"Yes, that's the idea. The heat in the oil loosens the muscles and makes it less painful to do a deep tissue massage. Which is what you need." Hoshi slowly began making the massage deeper and heard him groan. "Sir?"

"I'm fine. It's a little painful, but I can feel the muscles relaxing." Trip's hands grasped the pillow as she worked. All thoughts of this being sensual flew out of his mind at that time. Somehow he'd known it would be painful, but not quite as painful as it was. It was a strange sensation to him because although it was painful, he was also feeling better.

As Hoshi continued the massage, she could feel his muscles under her fingers relaxing. She'd always known he was a strong man, but feeling his muscles under her fingers made her realized just how strong. Slowly she took the massage back to a gentle kneading. Her touch was almost just a caress and she could tell that Trip was now asleep. Moving off the bed, Hoshi took a blanket from the closet and draped it over Trip. He looked so peaceful as he slept and not for the first time, she couldn't help thinking how handsome he was. "Goodnight, Commander." With that she left his quarters and turned in for the night.

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The next morning arrived with the sound of his alarm clock again. Unsure of how his back would be feeling, Trip slowly rolled over and removed the blanket. To his amazement his back felt better and there was only a slight twinge if he moved a certain way. "I'll have to be sure and thank Hoshi." He whispered to himself and smiled. It had been so nice of her to do that for him and now he could get to work and not have to worry about his back.

Once he showered, shaved, and dressed, Trip headed for sickbay to let Phlox check his back. He almost couldn't wait to see the look on the Doc's face when he saw how much better his back was. Smiling, Trip walked into sickbay. "Morning, Doc."

"Commander, I see you seem to be feeling better. Let's have a look." Phlox picked up his tricorder and began scanning Tucker's back. "Well, I don't know what you did Commander, but your back is almost completely better."

"We all have our little secrets Doc." Trip smiled and winked before moving towards the doors. He wanted to get up to the bridge and thank Hoshi.

"Just take it easy for a couple more days." Phlox just shook his head. He didn't think he'd ever really figure Tucker out.

"Sure thing, Doc." Trip waved to Phlox and left sickbay. Making his way to the turbo-lift, he headed for the bridge. Before he did anything else, he needed to thank Hoshi for putting an end to his pain. Stepping out onto the bridge, he moved towards Hoshi's station.

Archer glanced up at Trip as he came onto the bridge. He was heading for Hoshi's station with a determined look on his face. It was obvious he had something to talk to her about, so he'd wait until he was done to talk to him. Phlox had just reported in that Trip's back was far better than it should be and he wanted to know why.

As Trip reached Hoshi's station, he bent down beside her and smiled. "Hoshi."

"Hi, Commander. How are you feeling this morning?" She could see he felt better and it made her smile to see him smiling.

"I'm feeling very good this morning thanks to you."

"You don't have to thank me, sir. It was the least I could do since you cheered me up last night." There was no way she was going to let him think he owed her anything for what she did. She'd enjoyed it as much as he had and it had been a long time since she was able to put her skills to work.

"Thanks just the same." Trip put his hand over hers for a moment and smiled. As he stood up to go he saw Archer motioning for him to join him in his ready room. "See ya later, Hoshi."

"Have a good day sir." Hoshi watched him go and knew she'd done the right thing last night. Enterprise's Chief Engineer couldn't get much work done in the shape his back had been in.

"You wanted to see me, sir?" Trip walked into the ready room and sat down in the chair.

"Yes, I did. Phlox tells me your back is almost completely better. Want to tell me how?" Archer hoped Trip hadn't used anything illegal to get better so fast. He'd never known Trip to do that, but lately he was worried about Trip's overworking.

"You promise this doesn't leave this room?"

"Certainly." Archer's brow creased with worry.

"Hoshi gave me a massage last night. She's very good at it and I didn't want to say anything because you know how people can jump to conclusions." Trip sighed. "I didn't want people thinking we did more, or that Hoshi was doing anything immoral." Trip saw the concern lift from Archer's face and he breathed a sigh of relief.

"Understood. I'm glad that it helped and I admire your desire to protect Hoshi." Archer was relieved that Trip hadn't done anything he shouldn't. "You can go now. Take it easy today Trip, that's an order."

"Yes, sir. I'll see you for lunch?"

"Sounds good." Archer watched Trip go and smiled. Even though a relationship between Trip and Hoshi would be against regulations, he almost hoped they'd develop something. They made a cute couple and they needed some kind of companionship. Archer at least had Porthos, but even that was starting to not be enough for him.

Trip smiled at Hoshi on his way to the turbo-lift. He wanted to make sure she knew nothing was wrong. As he went down in the turbo-lift he began thinking about the jobs that needed to be done. It was yet another day in the life of the Chief Engineer.

THE END!