Disclaimer: The characters used in this story do not belong to me - only the story is my own.

Warning: This story portrays a male / male relationship. If this will offend you, please don't read any further.

The Lesson

"Reckon we're spendin' way too much time together."

Malcolm laughed. The words seemed to have become a familiar refrain between the two of them, and their habit of saying the same thing at the same time, a standing joke.

"It's a sorry state when we both choose to spend our free time in the Launch Bay," he replied, only half joking.

"Dedication to duty," said Tucker, with his customary drawl. "Very commendable, Lieutenant!"

"Why thank you, Commander."

The engineer peered in concentration into the open panel inside the shuttlecraft, and gave a puzzled click of his tongue. "Hand me that connector."

Malcolm did so, and moved closer, to look for himself over Tucker's shoulder. "Have you found the problem?"

"Not yet." He traced the line of connections on the panel with his finger. "I thought you had a date, tonight, anyhow?"

"Cancelled. These things just don't seem to work out for me, lately."

"Ah know the feelin'." Trip made an adjustment in the circuitry. "Try it now."

Reaching to the controls, the Tactical Officer pressed several buttons, causing a panel on the instrument readout to flicker, then die. Both sighed.

"Maybe it's for the best," Malcolm muttered, his thoughts back on the not-to-be date. "I'm not sure I could stand another disaster like the date with Ensign Newman."

"Why, what happen'd?"

Malcolm cringed at the memory. "Well … we had dinner and went back to my quarters to listen to some music," he explained. "I thought I was in with a chance."

"And?"

"She wanted to dance."

Trip turned his head in surprise. "Little cramped for that, isn' it?"

Reed sighed. "Worse than that - I can't dance."

"So what happen'd?"

"It was terrible. First I trod on her feet, then I accidentally steered her into the corner of the desk. Needless to say, the rest did not go well."

Trip grinned. "No kiddin'."

"I think I should just give up on dating."

"Dancin's not so hard. You jus' need some pointers." Seeing Malcolm's despondent face, he grinned. "We need a break from this, anyhow."

Without waiting for an answer, Tucker turned and climbed out of the shuttlecraft, and was standing expectantly outside. Reluctantly, Malcolm followed.

"You're not suggesting …. I can't dance with you, Commander."

"'Course you can," the other replied with a grin. "Y'afraid someone'll see ya?" With exaggerated impatience, he crossed to the launch bay door and typed in the code to lock it. "There, ya see? Now come on."

Hesitantly, Reed stepped towards him, but left Tucker to make the final move and take his hand in the position for dancing. With the engineer assuming the woman's position, Malcolm felt his hand guided to the other's waist, and a hand on his shoulder.

"I'm no good at this, you know," he said, embarrassed.

"Will you jus' shut up and follow my feet?"

It was easier than Malcolm had expected, despite his discomfort at dancing with Trip. Even that, however, grew easier as the strangeness of it faded. Firmly keeping a picture of Ensign Newman in his mind, he allowed himself to relax a little, and found himself to be following his teacher's instructions quite well. As the imaginary music progressed, his arm slipped further about the waist he held, and the distance between them narrowed until their bodies pressed lightly together.

With a sudden realization of who he was holding, Malcolm's eyes, which had begun to close, snapped wide open. The dancing stopped, but they did not release each other, standing and staring in a few moments of silence.

"Ya see?" said Tucker, finally. "Who could resist a man who can dance?"

Not quite sure why he was doing it, or how he found the courage, Malcolm leaned forward to invite a kiss. This could be a mistake he would regret for the rest of his life, but somehow, it was a risk he had to take.

In an infinitely gentle touch, Tucker's lips met his own, and Malcolm knew, for the first time in his life, that he had found where he belonged.

Author's Notes: Last updated 2003-02-23

Sorry - I know I should be working on The Ways of the Worlds on my msn site, but I couldn't resist this. They're just so cute together!