~~~~~

Hoshi tiptoed out of the bedroom.  Trip was asleep and she wasn't ready to wake him just yet.  She shook her head as she opened the refrigerator door.  The man was a phenomenal lover and relentless.  She was deliciously sore in places she had nearly forgotten existed.  As she prepared a sandwich, she noted the time.  It seemed they had missed dinner with the Queen.  She wasn't the least bit remorseful though.  All Malia seemed interested in was human sexuality.  Personally Hoshi would rather participate than talk about it, and with Trip willing and able, she had the opportunity.  She had just popped the top on a Boru and fixed another sandwich when Trip walked into the room.  Her breath caught in her throat.  He was gloriously and unashamedly naked.  For a brief instant, she regretted having thrown on his shirt, and then she shrugged.  From the look in his eyes, she would be out of it soon enough.  Silently she handed him the sandwich and watched as he ate.  The Boru was cold and sweet as it slid down her throat, and she wondered what it would taste like against his skin.

Trip finished his sandwich and nearly groaned at the look in Hoshi's eyes.  They were devouring him and he was more than willing to allow it.  He reached out and plucked the drink from her hand, stealing a swallow.  She watched him for a long moment before stepping close.  Stretching to her toes, she leaned forward and nipped the skin just below his Adam's apple.  He choked on the drink at her move, causing it to dribble down his chin and chest.  Hoshi took immediate advantage and lapped at the liquid with her tongue.  Unable to resist, she caught a bit of skin between her teeth and sucked hard, savoring his gasp. 

Trip reacted instantly.  Setting the Boru down, his arms tightened about Hoshi.  He hefted her against the counter,  growling against her lips. "I'll teach you to mark me darlin.'" 

She arched and purred against him, "Try your worst..."

He blazed a path along her neck and jaw, using his teeth as much as his tongue to pleasure her. He ripped open her newly fastened shirt, sending an array of buttons flying through the small kitchenette. She cried out, moaning and whimpering when his lips closed none to gently around her taut nipple. He suckled it between his teeth almost painfully, teasing it with his tongue until she was bucking against him, her nails biting into his bare shoulders.

With a wicked look, he let go of the nipple, and turned his head, latching on to its mate. Again he repeated the torture until she all but fell from the counter's surface.

Hoshi's nails bit and clawed at his shoulders and arms while he played her. When he pulled away she glowered down at him. He only smiled crookedly up at her. The hunger in his eyes nearly startled her, but she was too busy arching as he slid into her heat, filling her completely. She thrust against him as he moved, matching his pace, her knuckles white on the counter top as she gripped the edge. Her cries filled the room as he pounded into her, the tip of his cock bruising her cervix in his over sexed haze.

When she began to clench and tighten around him he groaned and leaned forward, his teeth sinking into her shoulder. A few more hard thrusts later and his release spilled forth, the warmth flooding her insides.

He collapsed against her, panting for several moments, then finally pulled away and once more gave her that crooked devil-may-care grin she loved so much. "You were saying?"

She slapped at his shoulder, "Pig."

They both started as the door to the apartment slammed shut.  Hoshi slid from the counter and quickly pulled Trip's shirt on.  As the command team came into the living room, Trip strategically placed himself between Hoshi and the counter.  The fury emanating off Archer was nearly tangible. 

Archer took one look at the disheveled couple.  His nostrils flared as the scent of sex reached him.  Anger pulsed inside him like a living thing, clawing to get out and he growled in disgust as his body reacted yet again.  With another quick look at the couple, he stalked to the balcony.  "Get dressed and get out here, we need to talk."  The glass door shuddered with the force of his temper as he flung it open.  Stalking to the rail, he clenched it as if it were a lifeline, desperately trying to pull his raging hormones under control.

When the others joined him on the balcony he had calmed considerably.  His position at the rail didn't move, but he knew they were there.  Of T'Pol he was most aware.  The subtle scent of her teased him unmercifully and he almost demanded she leave the area, but she was as much a part of the team as the others, and this situation affected her as well.  He waited until they settled behind him, then he turned and leaned back against the rail, his arms crossing over his chest.  "We have a problem."  His eyes took in the possessive presence of Trip behind Hoshi, and T'Pol standing near the door.  "It seems the Celestia having been running a bit of an experiment in human sexuality.  The Boru has been affecting us, causing an increase in hormonal activity.  Among the men it has caused an increase in aggression and sexual awareness.  We aren't quite certain the affect it has had on Hoshi because she's been eliminated from the study because she's female.  Her only interest from the Celestia is as a partner for Trip."  Trip started to speak, but Archer raised a hand to stall him.  "T'Pol noticed the marked differences in all our behavior and brought it to my attention.  We spoke with Malia a short time ago."  He turned, his fists once more clenching the railing.  "Like trusting children we went to her, certain of her help.  She helped us all right, escorted us to a lab and proceeded to run tests and confess the whole scheme.  They are drugging the food and possibly the water.  There is no way to know how much they are controlling in our environment.  You and Hoshi have made them happy.  They find your mating habits quite interesting."  At Hoshi's gasp, Archer glanced at her and nodded.  "Yes, they are watching us, everything we do."  Shoulders slumping, Archer gazed out at the city.  "They have denied us communications with Enterprise.  It will be at least a day before Malcolm gets antsy."  He turned to face Trip and Hoshi once more.  "I would like to think your actions are based more on a solid foundation rather than the hormonal imbalance.  The Boru is the biggest catalyst and according to Malia, sex counters the drug, though I'm not sure how."

T'Pol took a step forward to catch his attention.  "If I may Captain?"  At his nod she continued.  "Without tests of my own I can't be positive, but based on my own studies of human sexuality and my familiarity with my own species, the act of sex is in itself a hormonal imbalance of sorts.  With the appropriate stimuli, hormonal production increases in both genders to assist in the mating.  In essence preparing the body.  During such activities, there is an increase in physical exercise culminating in the release of those hormones."  She raised a brow in question.

Jonathan had to fight hard to tamp down the impulses running through him.  Her explanation certainly clarified why the physical act of mating was more successful than a hand job, but it certainly didn't make it any easier to bear.  "Sounds reasonable to me."

Trip's hand tightened on Hoshi's shoulder. "What do you suggest Cap'm?"

"Malia has increased the guard, and I imagine there is little we can use in way of communications.  I'm not content to play lab rat until Malcolm's red flag goes up but I don't see any other options right now.  If you two are comfortable with your relationship, I suggest continuing as you have been, perhaps it will clear your minds enough for you to come up with something."  The look he sent them was nearly desperate.  "And I recommend you help me come up with some options soon.  Unlike with you, Malia is less than thrilled at my own performance.  In fact my control intrigues her and she has taken it upon herself to try to break it.  Her doctor injected me with something before they released us here."  He turned back to the rail and sighed.  "I suggest that you all stay away from me.  My temper is frayed from all of this and for once I am not all that sure of my control.  This goes for you especially, T'Pol.  I don't want to take the risk of hurting you.  I think perhaps you should lock yourself in my room until its safe." 

T'Pol started to argue but the tension in his body stopped her.  "We have our communicators.  Perhaps there is some way we can use the parts from them to boost our signal to the ship?"

Trip nodded.  "Hoshi and I will get on it right away."

Jonathan stayed on the balcony.  The night air was cool and the stars calming.  Every time he thought of helping Trip and Hoshi, he had to convince himself to stay put.  The emotions that raged through him made him unstable at best.  He had nearly snapped Trip's head off when the engineer had checked in with him nearly an hour before.  Lack of tools and parts, not to mention the affects of drug were wearing at them but they were trying and he couldn't fault them for it.  When Trip had finished reporting their progress, Archer had told him to get some rest and to make sure Hoshi did as well.  A quick glance at his watch told him it had been nearly three hours since Malia had had him injected.  He wondered how long it would take for his system to return to normal. 

The scent of T'Pol reached him long before any other indication of her presence.  He was about to turn when the screen opened and her soft steps whispered across the tile.  "I thought I told you to stay in the other room."  The anger that rose in him was illogical and he knew it, but he couldn't stop it.

"You should get some rest."

He spun toward her.  "I told you to stay away from me.  I didn't do it because I dislike your company and I didn't do it to encourage you to mother me.  I'm hanging on by a thread T'Pol and unless you want to be naked and under me in the next few minutes, I suggest you leave."

She froze, even her breath stilled as she struggled with the images his words provoked.  The strength of his emotions was almost tangible.  Slowly, she moved closer to him.  Reaching out a hand, she gently touched his sleeve, surprised as he jerked away from her. 

"What the hell are you doing?  Didn't you hear a word I said?"

"I heard you."  She took a deep breath and moved closer still, her hand wrapping around his.  "Let me help you."

Jonathan tried to recoil from her touch but she held on with amazing strength.  "Have you lost your mind?  You were the one who said we wouldn't participate in their game."

"Yes, but we have no way of knowing what they will do next.  I have thought about this even if you have not.  There is nothing stopping them from injecting you again, and Malia has made it plain that if we do not mate, she will force you to accept another.  I would not see you harmed any more than you have been."

His heart began to beat faster as her words registered.  The scent of her stole over his senses and the need to possess nearly smothered him.  He made one last ditch effort to send her away.  "This won't be a one time thing, at least Malia hinted as much.  Once I release my control there is no telling what will happen.  I don't want to hurt you."

She took a step back and then another, drawing him into the apartment.  She released him only long enough to close the door behind him, before taking his hand once more and leading him into the bedroom.  "We will deal with it as it comes.  For now, trust in me.  Come, let me help you."

The sincerity on her face was his undoing.  As he drew her to him and his mouth closed over hers, he felt his control snap.  He was drowning and he was taking her with him.  He whispered a mental apology as he lowered her to the bed, all thought lost in the need and her.

******