Work Text:
Trip scowled at Jon and T’Pol. “I thought you two would have been happy for me. Happy for me and Malcolm, given you’re both in relationships yourselves.”
Sharing a glance with T’Pol, Jon said, “and under normal circumstances I would be, Trip. But you’re Malcolm’s superior officer.”
“Only on a technicality,” Trip muttered. “Only because I’m your Second Officer. He wouldn’t be in my direct chain of command otherwise.”
“But you are my Second Officer, Trip. You know the regs,” Jon said, sounding frustrated.
Shaking his head, Trip said, “well maybe I don’t want to be anymore. Maybe it’s not worth it.”
Doing her best to hide her surprise, T’Pol said, “it is my understanding that if I had not been assigned to this crew, you would have been First Officer.”
“Can always rely on you to kick me while I’m down,” Trip said, sounding hurt. “Why is it that you two get to be happy - or content or whatever adjective you want to use that doesn’t convey the emotions we all know you have - and I don’t?”
“My marriage does not contravene Starfleet regulations,” T’Pol said, frowning slightly. “Nor does Captain Archer’s relationship with Captain Hernandez.”
Looking at Trip seriously, Jon said, “Erika and I were broken up for years because I outranked her. I never expected we’d get back together once she was promoted, I thought we were over for good.”
Shaking his head, Trip said, “demote me then. If you won’t promote Malcolm to commander, demote me to lieutenant. There’s no rule saying the chief engineer has to hold a certain rank.”
“You can’t be serious,” Jon said quietly.
“Serious as a heart attack,” Trip bit back. “I love him, and I’m not giving him up for the sake of some stupid regulation that’s so antiquated just about everyone ignores it.”
Brows rising, T’Pol asked, “to whom are you referring?”
Chuckling mirthlessly, Trip shook his head. “I’m not ratting anyone out if this is the treatment they’ll get.”
“No other member of the crew is the ship’s Second Officer,” T’Pol said archly.
“Well aren’t they the lucky ones,” Trip sneered. “Maybe you’d actually be happy for them if you knew who it was, but I’m not taking that risk on their behalf.”
Brows knitted together, Jon said, “don’t you think you’re taking this a little hard, Trip?”
Scoffing as he stood, Trip said, “no, as a matter of fact I don’t. I’m gonna go enjoy dessert with my boyfriend. See you both at the morning briefing.”
“I’m going to have to contact Admiral Forrest,” Jon sighed as Trip departed.
“Do you have some idea of how the admiral might react to such news?” T’Pol enquired.
Sighing again, Jon shook his head. “Not really. I can see Trip’s point, it is an antiquated regulation, and missions as long as ours were never on the cards when it was written. But until the regs are changed…”
Brow arched, T’Pol said, “perhaps it’s time for the regulations to be updated.”