Emma knewthat if she was to have any problems, it would probably be from thisgroup. But aside from some pointing and a few snide comments, verylittle...occurred. That is, until Billy Compton approached her. Next toWayne Jackson, the boy who had beaten her so viciously and started herjourney to girlhood, Billy was the LAST person in school she wanted tosee!"Jeff, just what the hell are you doing? I know you're a boy-we used toplay together at Hood. My dad was even your dad's exec in the. "So you honestly believe that Captain Archer would allow a lieutenant to date an ensign?" He could hardly have sounded more disbelieving if Trip had claimed that Earth was flat."Hell, he'd allow you to date Porthos as long as you do your job on the bridge." Both men shared a laugh about that, even as Reed thanked him wryly for the mental image the words had conjured up."You're welcome," Trip quipped and they clinked the bottles together before a taking swig of their beer.He'd expected the Brit. No worries. Round two would commence shortly. After that, who knew? The night stretched out before them like an empty highway.Afterward they lay next to each other, young blood thrumming in their veins, drops of hot sweat forming on the surface of their skin in large round beads. The ancient air conditioner groaned arhythmically, laboring under the scorching high desert heat.“I can’t take that racket anymore,” said Ashe. “Turn it off.”“Too fucking hot,” said Clay. “We’re gonna turn off the air. ..well that takes effort and some will not even consider the reasons andare blind to possibility. This is one of those dark and un-redeeming type things conceived while Iwas in a mood. You know, one of those where for a few days everything isgrey and a bit bleak and nothing you say is right and nothing fits andnobody likes you and you don't eat right and maybe drink a little morethan you should, which of course... but you still sort of function andcarry on and most don't notice.It deals with.