Title: Chapter 2 Your Home

Disclaimer: Enterprise isn't mine but sure is damn pretty.

Notes: I started writing this a while back but my laptop deleted a nearly finished chapter so I had to start again, then I saw the episode 'Home'. My reaction was 'Wow yes! I can rewrite my story so much better!'… Well except this turned into a chopped up thing.

Loo-cam watched her lover help Phlox with all his luggage, taking on far more than he could really manage. She watched him struggle to open the door as Phlox stood by before hurrying to help.

"Ah Loo-cam I was just telling Lieutenant Reed about my plans when I visit Earth," Phlox smiled happily at her.

Loo-cam nodded, taking some bags off Malcolm and pushing the button to open the door,

"There are so many places I'd like to visit here but we have to go to Starfleet headquarters first. Captain Archer is already there."

"Loo-cam has to be vetted first before Starfleet will let her join the crew of the Enterprise or even just live aboard this ship," Malcolm commented, sounding a little sour.

"Starfleet has good intentions at heart I'm sure," Phlox nodded. "And, of course, after they've met Loo-cam in person I'm sure they will come to the same conclusion as the rest of the crew has done."

"Which is?" Loo-cam asked curiously.

"That you are a kind and generous person."

Blood turned her neck ridges bright red in her version of a blush which Malcolm spotted and smiled at.

"He's right you know."

"Now you understand we've done this because of recent changes to the way our acceptance protocol works," Admiral Maxwell Forrest eyed the woman sitting across from him.

"I know what an attack like this can do to a planet," Loo-cam nodded. "I'll do what I need to stay aboard Enterprise."

"Explain exactly why you want to serve aboard Enterprise and no other ship?" Admiral Forrest leant back in his chair.

Loo-cam blinked,

"Because Mal… Lieutenant Reed is there. I thought that much would have been obvious from all the reports."

"The reports do allude to that but does this mean that Lieutenant Reed is the only reason you have for staying?"

"The crew of Enterprise are brave, clever and loyal. They're my new family. I haven't been anywhere else that accepts me like they do and I would stay simply for that," Loo-cam smiled. "Plus I think she's a beautiful ship."

Maxwell returned the smile, liking the woman. Ambassador Soval noted the expression between the two and decided it was time to ask questions of his own.

"Doctor Phlox's report shows you are physically stronger than humans. Should that worry us?"

Loo-cam shrugged,

"I'm not sure how you want me to answer that. I'd say no because I'd never hurt them but you are the ones deciding my fate so that's your decision."

The Vulcan remained quiet so Loo-cam continued,

"I've learnt how much strength I can use safely now. I'm not going to hurt anyone by accident."

"So you would hurt someone on purpose?" Soval asked.

"So would anyone, given enough incentive."

"I see that you are being honest with us," Soval nodded. "Most would us clever words to say what you have said in the simplest terms."

"Thank you," Loo-cam spotted the compliment hidden in his phrasing.

"I have no objections as to why you cannot serve aboard the Enterprise," Admiral Forrest began. "But what exactly do you think you'll be doing aboard the ship? All the positions are filled by Star Fleet trained personal."

"I'm adaptable. I am willing to do most anything," Loo-cam explained. "I have given up a lot in the hope I was allowed to stay. If I am not then I will have to return to my family and drag them into following the Enterprise around to make sure they stay out of trouble."

"So you can continue courting Lieutenant Reed," Soval stated.

"If it comes to that," Loo-cam wasn't going to let rules get in her way.

"Since you have mentioned your family, now seems the opportune moment to talk about them," Maxwell Forrest glanced down at the information on the table briefly. "They have their own warp capable ship but no home planet to speak of. Where do they intent to settle?"

"Anywhere they can," Loo-cam's expression grew sad. "But not a lot of cultures accept us with our mixed heritage status but if you're worried about them coming to Earth I doubt they will until this planet has recovered from the attack."

"Lieutenant Reed please take a seat," Admiral Forrest gestured to the only seat available.

"Thank you sir," Malcolm sat a little stiffly.

"Now you know why you have been asked to come here," Maxwell looked up at the man opposite him.

"Yes sir," Malcolm nodded. "Loo-cam."

"Now obviously you want her to be given a place aboard Enterprise but we cannot just allow her such a place without strict questioning," Forrest stated.

"The attack on Earth has made such questioning a necessity," Malcolm agreed.

"I'm glad you understand," the Admiral nodded.

"Does that not bother you?" Soval suddenly asked.

"Ambassador?" Malcolm frowned.

"That you are currently engaged in courting an alien, unsure of her background and whether she could have had any connection to the attack on your planet," Soval expanded.

"She did not have anything to do with the attack," Malcolm bristled. "With all due respect Ambassador, surely you have proof of that?"

"Circumstantial at best," Soval regarded the human male steadily. "She is not Xindi and not from their region of space but her tumultuous past makes her connections very… dubious."

Malcolm straightened in his seat,

"I'm sure you have read the reports sir and have come to an understanding that the crew like and, to some extent, trust Loo-cam. I trust their judgement as well as my own instincts and I believe Loo-cam, all of her family, could not be connected to such a vicious attack."

"It is clear that you have an attachment to this woman and will not be swayed from your position on the matter," Soval met Forrest's eyes.

"Lieutenant Reed please understand that next to Captain Archer, Sub-commander T'Pol and Commander Tucker you are the highest ranking member of the Enterprise crew and in charge of security. The fact that Loo-cam has attached herself to you is something to be considered," Admiral Forrest pointed out.

"Loo-cam and I have made a point of not talking about my work in great detail," Malcolm explained.

"How did it go?" Malcolm asked as he wrapped an arm around Loo-cam's waist.

"As well as expected I suppose," Loo-cam chewed her lip. "They seem willing to let me stay but they said they'd get back to me, which just seems like they want to say no. What about you?"

"They tried to implicate you in the attack but I wasn't exactly going to agree on that point."

"Doesn't appear they like me much does it?" Loo-cam sighed.

"They're fools if they let you go," Malcolm commented before kissing her.

Loo-cam returned the show of public affection happily. She hadn't been sure whether Malcolm would initiate any intimate contact or shy away from it because of what had happened here. Trip was a good friend and both of them knew how much he was hurting from the loss of his sister and hometown. Loo-cam was prepared to forego anything Malcolm didn't want to do in front of others, despite the pain it would cause her since it would be like he was ashamed of her.

Malcolm broke the kiss, smiling,

"Fools."

Loo-cam laughed,

"I don't think I'll be kissing my way onto Enterprise somehow."

"You better not," Malcolm glared at her suggestion.

"Never," Loo-cam whispered, still pleased.

"You two are making everyone jealous," Travis Mayweather's voice said from one side.

The couple turned to face Travis and his companion, Phlox, dropping their arms and just holding hands instead. Travis grinned at Malcolm whilst Phlox greeted Loo-cam.

"So where are you two taking us then?" Loo-cam glanced at Travis and Malcolm.

"There's a little bar just the other side of the bridge from the Vulcan consulate that suppose to be quite good," Travis explained.

Malcolm looked up when the two young women approached him, a piece of paper and pen between them. One smiled shyly and poked the other forward. The blonde woman stammered out her request and Malcolm agreed happily, basking in the attention.

Loo-cam met Travis' gaze across the table and smiled at his expression while Malcolm took the piece of paper the women offered him.

"We're really… um… impressed by what you did for us… Well not us us but you know the planet…" One of the women said whilst he signed it.

"Thank you, that's very kind of you to say…" Malcolm answered.

Travis softly said,

"Aren't you jealous?"

Loo-cam shot a look at the man on her right then back again,

"Of course but I trust Mal. He wouldn't…"

"Unfortunately, we're not allowed to give tours of the ship… but if that policy changes the two of you will be the first to know," Malcolm handed the piece of paper back and the girls left, clutching the piece of paper.

Loo-cam glared at their backs.

"You had to wear that jacket," Travis commented, smiling.

"You think I wore this jacket to attract attention?" Malcolm tried to look innocent.

Travis gave him a look that said 'That's exactly what you did it for and you know it'. Loo-cam laughed and agreed with Travis. As her eyes travelled between the two shipmates she spotted three men at the bar watching their table.

"We're the only people here sitting at a table with a Denobulan," Malcolm tried to defend himself.

"No one seems to be asking for the Doc's autograph," Travis pointed out and Malcolm silently conceded by having a swallow of his drink.

"I understand that a publisher's offered the Captain ten million credits for his life story," Phlox enlightened the group.

Malcolm pulled a thoughtful expression,

"Ten million."

"If the Captain's story's worth that much, his senior officers could probably get two or three," Travis thought out loud.

Loo-cam half listened to their conversation as she watched one of the men at the bar put his drink down and move towards the table.

"Warp Speed Ahead by Travis Mayweather," Malcolm joked.

"Starfleet'll probably take out the chapter about the Nazis," Travis said wryly.

The bar patron interrupted,

"How's your drink?"

Phlox met his gaze,

"Delicious, thank you."

"I heard somewhere that your people didn't like alcohol," the man commented.

"You may be thinking of Vulcans," Phlox explained.

The man nodded,

"You know, you're right… I get your species mixed up all the time."

"Is there something we can help you with?" Security training in Malcolm flared up.

"I just wanted to make sure that your friend here was comfortable…" the bar patron said dryly. "…sitting in a bar full of so many strange-looking "aliens" like us…"

Phlox looked slightly confused,

"I'm quite comfortable."

The man ignored him, tone getting more sarcastic the longer he spoke,

"Because if you weren't comfortable… If humans make you nervous for some reason… The Vulcan Consulate's on the other side of the bridge and I'll bet there are lots of places there where someone like yourself could get a nice, refreshing beverage."

Phlox tried to defuse situation,

"Perhaps we should be on our way…"

Phlox started to rise but Malcolm put his hand on the doctor's arm. Other people in the bar were starting to notice commotion.

"We're not going anywhere, Doctor."

"If your friend wants to go, you should let him," the bar patron put a mild threat into his voice but Travis wasn't put off.

"You're not chasing anyone out of here."

"You Starfleet people are the real problem… You fly all over the galaxy, telling every species you meet where to find Earth. Did it ever occur to you that might not be the smartest thing to do?" the man was shouting now and Loo-cam shifted uneasily.

Malcolm glanced at her. Doctor Phlox had much more obvious signs of being an alien but the man was bound to notice Loo-cam's mottled hands and ridged neck soon. He stood,

"Why don't you go back to the bar?"

The man looked down at Malcolm's insignia,

"Excuse me, Admiral…"

He pushed Malcolm slightly and Loo-cam shot to her feet, anger contorting her features.

"… but I don't take orders from you."

Travis caught a glimpse of the look on Loo-cam's face and stood as well, backing his friends up,

"You heard him… Step away from the table."

The bar patron's two friends moved from the bar to his side and there was a tense moment where everyone stared at each other. Suddenly the first man threw a punch at Malcolm who dodged, grabbing his arm as it swung by, before he retaliated. His series of expert blows sent the other man reeling away.

Travis intercepted one of the bar patron's friends as he headed for Phlox but the other man leapt at him. Travis and the man grappled with each other before crashing into a nearby table.

"Please… Gentlemen!" Phlox tried to stop the fighting but his words drew the attention of the second bar patron.

Loo-cam stepped in front of Phlox, fists up. The second man stopped and sized her up before pointing to her blotchy hands,

"You're an alien like him!"

Loo-cam lifted her head, neck ridges standing out,

"Leave him alone."

The second man grabbed at her and Phlox, worried for Loo-cam, pulled her backwards, making a guttural sound. As the bar patron turned his gaze to the doctor Phlox puffed up his face, cheeks and neck distending making the man hurriedly release Loo-cam, frightened.

He was not alone as everyone in the bar reacted by backing away. Their three attackers scramble away and exited the bar as fast as they were able. Phlox's face deflated, air rushing from his cheeks before he slumped into his seat, Loo-cam guiding him down. Malcolm and Travis moved closer, concerned for their friend.

"Doctor…" Malcolm sounded surprised and unsure of what to say.

Phlox nodded, out of breath,

"I'll be all right."

Loo-cam looked round the bar to find everyone standing against the far walls, staring at them and giving them plenty of space. Her gaze met Malcolm's last and he looked her up and down before moving to her side.

"Are you alright? You're not hurt are you?"

"I'm fine. The doctor was a splendid gentlemen, stopped me getting into a fist fight with someone I would have beaten easily," Loo-cam smiled.

Mal stared at her for a moment prior to a smile breaking across his face,

"I forget you're stronger than nor… humans."

Loo-cam noticed the falter,

"It's reasonable to say normal. It is normal here."

"Not right though is it?" Malcolm laid a hand on her arm. "Tonight really showed that."

"So much for the wonders of Earth," Loo-cam wrinkled up her nose. "You got into a bar fight."

"That is a wonder of Earth," Travis told her from the other side of Phlox.

"Well if that's the case I think I'll stay away from the wonders of Earth for the time being," Phlox stood.

"They're gone," Malcolm pointed out.

"Even so the mood is ruined," Travis jerked his head at their watchers.

"I'm sorry about tonight," Malcolm ran his hand up Loo-cam's arm, fingers tracing the mottled patterns.

Loo-cam turned onto her side to study his face,

"Don't be. You weren't to know that… What's the term?... You weren't to know those… jerks would be there."

Malcolm gave a her a one sided smile,

"Your colloquial English is getting better everyday."

"It's amazing what people say without thinking about it," Loo-cam shrugged.

The man next to her traced her marks up her arm to where they met her neck ridge. He stroked the raised, hardened skin and Loo-cam's eyes shut in pleasure as she whispered,

"Cheat."

"I thought that was when I did this," Malcolm laid his lips on her neck.

"Mal…" Loo-cam arched her neck.

Malcolm lifted his head and stared at the beautiful woman in his bed. She smiled lazily back before running her hand through his hair and tugging him closer.

"No more apologising," she told him. "No more talking, not tonight."

"If you insist," he agreed.

"I do. Now I think we've got one more thing to do before we sleep."

"Do we?" Malcolm grinned, his hand moving across her shoulder. "What might that be?"

Loo-cam opened her mouth, shut it before she narrowed her eyes at Malcolm,

"Something we don't do very often and we should do more often."

"We don't do it often enough for you?" Malcolm leant in a bit closer.

"Never," Loo-cam whispered before shaking her head. "Stop it! No distracting me!"

"Was I?"

"You…"

"Hmmm?"

"Mal…"

"Yes?"

"I… Never mind."

Doctor Phlox looked up from his feeding round when the infirmary doors opened, thinking it was perhaps Hoshi again, coming back with some of that delicious food she had promised. Instead Loo-cam walked through the doors and hopped up onto one of the beds.

"What can I do for you?" Phlox asked, continuing with the feed.

Loo-cam rubbed her neck ridge,

"I'm not quite sure how to phrase this… I was wondering whether you could help me."

"In what way?" Phlox closed the cage door and walked over to her side.

"Malcolm and I have been… active for a while now and I was wondering if there was any chance that we were… compatible," Loo-cam finished shyly.

"You were thinking of starting a family?" Phlox smiled.

"No," Loo-cam shook her head. "It's just that… Maybe we should be more careful… If anything's possible between us."

"I understand," Phlox nodded.

"So you can help me?" Loo-cam met his gaze.

"First I would have to run a test your DNA and Lieutenant Reed's but there are other factors to consider," Phlox went over to the screen next to the bed.

"Such as?"

"Well, for example, how long to female's of your species carry offspring for?" Phlox looked over at her.

"Eight months," Loo-cam frowned.

"The human gestation period is nine months," Phlox explained.

"Oh," Loo-cam glanced down at her hands. "So it wouldn't be safe for me to carry a child anyway, even if I could conceive?"

"Not necessarily because human babies survive quite well even if they are born prematurely."

Loo-cam looked up and watched Phlox input data into the computer, unsure of what she wanted the tests to show. She had always thought of having children in her lifetime but she didn't know when or what she would do if she couldn't have children. Children with Malcolm that was. Loo-cam didn't even think about going elsewhere if that wasn't possible.

What would she tell Malcolm if they could have children? That would mean confessing she had been to see Phlox and that they needed to consider some form of contraception. If they couldn't have children then she didn't have to say anything until he wanted to start a family, if he ever did and what happened if he didn't want a family?

Loo-cam made a small noise of confusion and hid her face in her hands, unaware that Phlox looked over at her with a look of concern on his face. The doctor glanced down at his work then back at the woman sitting on the bed and made a decision. He would help her, as a doctor he would anyway, but there was something showing in her voice, face, that made Phlox want to ease her fears and grant all her wishes.