Title: Where No Man....
Authors: Mina-Clare Moseley (clare@daymen.com) and Fre Mysterious (wandering_mairi@bolt.com)
Genre: Star Trek: Enterprise
Synopsis: Eleven years before Enterprise's maiden flight, Malcolm Reed is a student at Cochrane Technical College.
Rating: PG-13. Swearing, sexual stuff and other things you encounter in college.

Disclaimer: "Enterprise" and all thing "Star Trek" belong to Paramount Pictures. This is nonprofit fan fiction.

Author's Notes: This fiction relies comments made by the writers and actors in interviews as well as the episodes themselves. We're assuming money/paper/etc. are still in use. Many thanks to Susan, our loyal beta-reader and editor, as well as Lenora and Rae, who have put up with many hours of plot analysis and character development.

*****

PART ONE
FIRST DAY

Saturday, August 13, 2140

Malcolm Reed look at his room assignment sheet. Room 102. He slung his bag over his shoulder, looking at the various room numbers. He ran a hand through his dark brown hair, sighing deeply. The campus was huge. He was having trouble finding his way around. Cochrane Technical College was becoming a popular post secondary institution. Starfleet was even talk of making an academy because of the popularity of technical colleges.

The Technical College in London was a hotspot for engineers, pilots and explorers. Young adults from all over the world came to study in hopes of getting into Starfleet. Malcolm was lucky he didn't have far to go.

He had thought of entering the navy as all of the men in his family had. In the end, he couldn't resist the pull of Starfleet. There was little need for the navy now after the world had united in a need to explore space. it wouldn't surprise Malcolm if they got rid of the navy all together.

Starfleet seemed to be the ideal place for the young man. Space was a dangerous place. Malcolm could see the need for heavy security on the starship that were heading out into the vast, unexplored space.

Now he needed to get through four years of training.

Ah! Finally! There was room 102. Malcolm opened the door. A young man bent over a suitcase on the left side of the room. He was tall and lanky, with messy back blond hair. His cheekbones were highly pronounced and his eyes were a deep brown.

Malcolm set his bag down. "Hello. I guess I get the right then."

"Did you want the left?" The guy asked. "I can move. I really don't have a preference."

"Nah. You're fine." Malcolm sat down on the bed on the right. "This... This is very nice."

He stuck out his hand. "I'm William. William Potter."

"Malcolm Reed." Malcolm shook William's hand. "Nice to meet you."

William went back to his unpacking, pulling out what seemed like a million black and dark blue t-shirts. "So what are you studying?"

"Munitions. You?" Malcolm started to dig through his own bag.

"Piloting."

"Nice."

There was a knock on the door. Malcolm rose, opening it. There was a small girl on the other side. She brushed a lock of short reddish-blond hair over her ear. "Hey, do either of you have a screwdriver? We've got a jammed suitcase."

"Yeah," William said, digging through his things. "Just a second."

Malcolm blushed, shuffling his feet. "So.... Ummm..... This dorm is co-ed?"

"Cochrane Tech is progressive," The girl wryly commented. "I'm Fiona Terrance. My friends call me Fi. I'm in 104."

"It's.... Umm.... Nice to meet you, Fiona." Malcolm's cheeks flushed red.

"So formal." She sighed. "Do you mind hurrying it up, Blondie? I'd like to get into my things."

Another girl appeared in the doorway. Her dark brown hair was bound tightly in a braid. She was dressed in baggy jeans and a tank top, showing off her small, but pronounced muscles. Malcolm felt his breath catch in his throat.

"Hey Fi, I was able to break the lock for you."

Fiona rolled her eyes. "Isn't is great having a roommate majoring in ass-kicking?"

"Munitions and security," The girl amended.

"Kit?" Malcolm whispered, moving forward.

The new girl turned. "What?" She finally noticed Malcolm, her face lighting up. "Malcolm Reed. You son of a....."

He smiled softly. "Kitten, it's good to see you."

Kit wrapped her arms tightly around Malcolm. "So this is what you're doing now. I can't believe you didn't tell me! You knew I was coming here! You and your goddamn secrets!"

"I didn't think we'd run into each other a lot." He let go of her. "But it's good. It's very good to see you."

"Must be destiny." Kit replied, not able to wipe the grin from her face. "We'll be living next door to each other our whole lives."

"Need a back story here," William said. He smiled, sidling up to Kit. "What's your name?"

"William, this is Christine Draven," Malcolm put a hand on her shoulder. "We've know each other forever."

Kit shook William's hand. "Everyone calls me Kit." She smiled up at Malcolm. "So..... Munitions?"

"You know it. Never been interested in anything else."

"Maybe we'll have a class or two together." She groaned. "I should probably get back to unpacking."

"So should I," He ran his thumb over her cheek. "It's really is good to see you."

Fiona grabbed Kit's arm. "Come on, I need to fix the lock on my bag since you went all karate kid on it."

"Well, you said you wanted it opened!"

"Opened, not BROKEN." Fiona pulled at her. "Easy way isn't always the best. Now, Come on!"

Kit waved again. "See you later, Malcolm. Nice meeting you, William."

"NOW!"

Kit and Fiona left. William craned his neck, watching the two females retreat. He let out a low whistle. "I think I'm going to like dorm life. I'm going to ask her out."

"Excuse me?" Malcolm went back to his unpacking.

He collapsed on the bed. "I said, I think I'm going to ask her out. Are you bloody deaf?"

Malcolm looked up. His eyes narrowed. "You're going to ask out Kit?"

"I meant-- Oh." William's lip curled in a devilish smile. "The little brunette? She's cute. Not to mention, tough. I like that in a girl." He licked his lips. "Bet she's a real tiger."

"You know, she's really annoying." Malcolm gripping a sweatshirt tightly in his fists. "I only tolerate her because I've known her since we were kids."

"Could care less about that," William said, leaning back, putting his hands behind his head. "Girl that cute......"

"I guess she's cute...." Malcolm sighed, "If you go for that athletic, great body and soulful brown eyes....."

William laughed. "You know, I was actually talking about redhead. But you have told me some interesting things about you."

Malcolm sighed as his roommate left the room. He shook his head. "I don't think I'm going to like this.

*****

Fiona dumped the contents of her bag on her bed. Small gadgets and electronic pieces scattered over the comforter.

Kit shook her head. "Let me guess, Engineer?"

"Yep," Fiona picked up a flashlight she had been working on. She poked a wire back in. Setting it back down, she survey her suitcase. "So why the hell did you feel compelled to BREAK the lock?"

"Because you wanted to get your bag open." Kit shrugged. "I didn't think you would mind."

"You massacred the lock." She sighed. "It's going to take a lot to repair it."

"So I don't think before I act." Kit picked up a handful of clothes, tossing them onto the bed. "At least you're able to dress."

"So....."

"So why engineering?"

"Why munitions?"

"I asked first." Kit smiled smugly, sitting down. "How does a girl like you get into tinkering?"

"My dad. He created all sorts of things. Medical equipment, mostly. I was fascinated with it. How a few wires and transistors could create something that could save a life. Then I started reading about it. I read about stuff that could send us into space, scan a planet......" She smiled. "Am I like the biggest geek in the entire world?"

"As long as your goal isn't to create an android you can use as a sexbot, I think it's cool."

"A sexbot? I never, ever thought of that. However, you came up with it pretty quickly....." Fiona grinned. "Is there something you want to tell me, Miss Draven?"

"Oh, shut up." Kit threw a pillow at her roommate.

Fiona caught it. "So why are you violent girl?"

"The only thing I was good at was roughing people up?" She suggested. "I don't know. It just..... Felt right."

"That's such a pathetic answer. You don't wake up one day and decide 'hey, I want to beat people up for a living'."

"Fine." Kit sighed. "I guess.... It's something that came to me early. I had four brothers, so survival was an issue. We only had one bathroom. Sometimes we drew blood."

Fiona laughed. "I know what you mean. I've got a rather large family myself. 3 brothers, 2 sisters."

"Ouch." Kit cracked her knuckles. "Anyway, my older brother Colin started to take karate when I was five. After he took it for a while, I got interested in classes..... I haven't stopped since."

"That explains the 'security' part. What about the munitions?"

"Honestly? Munitions isn't my strong suit. But I won't be able to get a commission as a security officer if I don't know munitions." She grinned. "Munitions are Malcolm's department."

"You mean pale, dull, but handsome?"

"He's not dull!" Kit leapt to her feet. "You only just met him!"

"Oooh.... A little defensive, aren't we? Protective of our boys."

"He's not my boy." Kit's cheeks went red. "He's just Malcolm. And I don't like people insulting him without knowing him."

"I'm sure I'll never know him as well as you." Fiona commented casually. "Very sure."

"You know, you're a pain in the ass."

Fiona grinned. "I pride myself on it."

PART TWO
EXTRA-CURRICULARS

Sunday, August 14, 2140

Malcolm pushed the food around on his plate. He wrinkled his nose at the mashed potatoes. If he ran out of glue, he could always use this as a substitute. Oh well, he'd survive. He looked over his datapad, hesitantly eating the goop.

"Hey sexy."

He froze, fork close to his mouth. He looked up. Sighing in annoyance, he shook his head. "Kit, I thought you were someone....."

"Who actually meant it?" She sat down. "No, no. Wouldn't want to give you a heart attack."

"I've dated people before." He shook his head, going back to his datapad. "You act like I'm a monk."

"You said it, not me." Kit grabbed the datapad. "You're not allowed to use that here."

"Why ever not?" He raised an eyebrow.

"You're supposed to pay total attention to me. Don't you know? The universe centers around me."

"How could I forget? Christine Draven is the sun."

"So what are you looking at?" Kit glanced at the datapad. "This is your schedule?"

He nodded. "Yeah. Regular freshmen courses, engineering of weaponry--"

"Looks like we have Hand-to-Hand Combat together."

"That will be an interesting experience." Malcolm commented.

Kit smiled. "I can't wait for the day you pin me."

Malcolm choked on a stringbean. He coughed violently. "W-What?"

"We've been sparring with each other for what.... Ten years? Have you ever beaten me?"

"I-I don't feel comfortable beating up a girl." Malcolm said.

"Since when am I a girl?" She asked. "Okay, I have breasts-- such as they are-- and I get a period every 28 days, but--"

"KIT!" Malcolm had turned an interested shade of red. "Can we please not talk about your... Parts?"

"Oooh.... Can we talk about yours?"

"Christine Francine Draven...." Malcolm warned. He gripped his fork so tightly his knuckles turned white.

Kit slammed her foot down on Malcolm's. He yelped. "Never, EVER invoke the middle name, Malcolm!" She shook her head. "I can't believe I told you."

"I thought your parents were cool before you told me your full name. I think it borders on child abuse."

Kit nodded. She went quiet. After a drawn out moment, she spoke. "So.... How are your parents?"

"I don't want to talk about it." Malcolm muttered.

"But Mal--"

"I SAID I don't want to talk about it." He tightened his jaw. "Please respect my wishes, Kit."

Kit rose, picking up her tray. "I'm sorry I asked. I'll see you later."

****

"Good GOD it's going to be great."

Malcolm looked up from his textpad. "What was that?"

William was sprawled out on his back, holding a datapad over his face. He was grinning from ear to ear. "The Warp Five engine. I'm just reading the specifications on it."

"Oh?" Malcolm leaned back in his seat. "I didn't know you were interested in engineering."

"Not so much. I'm just imagining how it will fly." He sighed deeply. "Can you imagine going up on one of these things? Flying through the galaxy at Warp Five...."

"It would be an interesting experience to say the least." Malcolm shrugged. "I'm not sure I'm ready to be hurled through space at that speed."

"I hear the simulators for Warp Five are rough." William's smile grew larger. "I can't wait to get into one."

"Well, I hope you have fun once you do." Malcolm buried looked back at his datapad.

"Could you be any more boring?"

"Probably."

William set aside his datapad. "Don't you do anything for fun?"

"Of course I do." Malcolm picked up another pad, looking over it.

Raising an eyebrow, William gave him a disbelieving look. "Like what?"

"Training operations, sparring, assembling weapons...."

"I said for FUN."

"That is fun."

"You're insane, just completely insane."

Malcolm rolled his eyes. "And what, since you're the expert, do you think is fun?"

"Poker, having a pint, going to parties...."

"So by your logic, anything that starts with p is fun?"

"Leave the logic to the Vulcans!" William tugged on Malcolm's collar. "Come on, I'm taking you out to a bar."

Malcolm brushed him off. "Just because we're roommates doesn't mean we have to hang out together. And classes start tomorrow....."

"Come on, I'll invite Red from next door, if you want, you can bring your Kitten."

"Fine. But only for an hour....."

****

Fiona shook her head as the cue ball just grazed one of the five striped balls on the table. "Malcolm, that is just the saddest."

"What? So I've haven't played in a while." He set the cue against the table. "How did you get so good?"

"It's geometry. One of my favourite subjects." She leaned over the table, sinking the eight ball. "Not to mention, back home, my sister Steph was a waitress at the local pool hall."

"Oh really?"

"Yeah, she married the guy who fried the chips." She put her cue away. "I win. Five pounds please."

Malcolm sighed, digging into his pocket. "Sounds like a colourful girl."

Fiona accepted the money happily. "So, what's your family like?"

"Two parents, one sister. That's about it." He strode over to the bar, ordering a beer.

"Come on, no embarrassing stories?" Fiona leaned against the bar casually.

"The Reeds refuse to embarrass." He slid onto the stool. William was sitting at a booth, eyes intensely focused on Fiona. "I think William's eyes are going to bulge out of his sockets if he stares any harder."

"He's very obvious, isn't he?" Fiona glanced over. "Attractive, but a little eager. Why do you think I'm hanging around with you?"

"Excuse me?"

The corner of Fiona's mouth turned in a small smile. "Oh please. If I was sitting with William I'm sure all I'd get was a bunch of cheap moves. I'm going to need expensive ones if he really wants to stand a chance of getting rejected by me."

"It's good to know your standards are high."

Fiona laughed. "You know Malcolm, you're great. You're a very good woman friend."

"A woman friend. Ah." Malcolm nodded. "So I shouldn't even bother with my own cheap moves."

"That was a very amusing attempt at a joke. You're not the type to have cheap moves. I have a feeling you make a girl work for it." Fiona looked around. "Speaking of girls.... Where did Miss Draven go?"

Sighing, Malcolm rose from his seat. "I should go find her. Kit is not a person who should be left alone in a bar." His eyes widened. "I hope she hasn't gotten into a fight somewhere."

"I'm sure she would be okay."

"It's not Kit I'm worried about."

****

Kit wiped the vomit from her mouth. She took in deep, gasping breaths, sitting back against the park bench.

"So there you are." Malcolm put his hand on Kit's shoulder.

Kit looked up at him. "Tip: Don't do shots with the Ensigns who are visiting from America."

Grasping Kit by the waist, Malcolm lifted her up. "My tip for you is to not do shots at all."

"But that horrible engineer was saying I was too 'delicate' to be drinking." She groaned. "He said I couldn't do more shots than him."

"I'm sure you showed him by throwing up. Come on, Kitten." He held her up. "Let me take you home."

"Aw, L'il Lady, Ah could drink ya under th' table," she drawled in impersonation. She stumbled, caught in Malcolm's waiting arms. "What kind of name is 'Trip' anyway?"

"Let's just get you home. We have classes tomorrow."

Kit groaned, leaning heavily on Malcolm. "Oh... Dammit."

"You'll be fine. I'll take care of you." He ruffled her hair.

"Oh.... You're so sweet." She sway slightly, grabbing on to Malcolm's waist tightly. "Ugh.... I think I can turn my head all the way around...."

"I'd advise you not to try it." He smiled softly. "Kit, you know, I really am glad you're here." He found as they walked towards the campus, he was doing less leading and more dragging. "It's nice to have a friend here. Someone who actually believes in what I'm doing."

"I've always believed in you, Mal," She stopped walking completely, her weak fingers barely clutching to his jacket. "If anyone could defend Starfleet.... it's you....."

Malcolm shook Kit. "Come on, Kitten, we've got to get you in without anyone seeing you."

Her head rolled. "I thought I was walking."

He sighed, lifting her into his arms. "Okay, you're not allowed at the pub anymore. At least while the Ensigns are visiting."

Sneaking into the dorm, Malcolm fished Kit's keycard from her pocket. He opened the door to her room. She was almost completely unconscious. He laid her down on the bed. "Okay, just so you know, I don't mean anything by this...." He slid her jeans down her legs and pulled off her t-shirt. Ignoring the moral part of his brain, he gave her the once over. "You've been working out."

"Uh huh....." she groaned. "I got some weights....."

Malcolm looked awkwardly at her. "Well, you can't really sleep in that bra thing...... Can you remove it while I find a clean t-shirt?"

She sat up, fingers limply working. Face flush with embarrassment, Malcolm search through her drawers. He found a shirt and turned back to her, noticing Kit hadn't had any luck. He sighed, sitting behind her. "I think you're doing this just to make me uncomfortable." With awkward fingers, he undid her bra. "Hold your arms up."

Two clumsy arms shot up in the air. Malcolm slid her arms into the sleeves of the shirt.

"You're such a great guy, Malcolm..." Kit murmured, she threw her arms around Malcolm. "the be--" she heaved, throwing up on the floor. Her body finally gave, and she passed out on top of Malcolm.

He wrinkled his nose. "I'm never taking you to the pub again." He shook his head, then kissed her forehead, rolling her off of him. He went to clean up her mess. "You know, Kitten.... It's amazing some guy hasn't scooped you up yet."

PART THREE
CLASSES

Monday, August 15, 2140

Professor Charlotte Green leaned against her desk. She surveyed the freshmen crop she had been given this year. "Diplomacy is an art form mastered by a very few, requiring an understanding of not only human nature, but nature of all beings. Even your body stance can say something."

William leaned over his desk to the pretty redhead beside him. "Your body is telling me something, Luv."

"For example," Professor Green looked down at her seating chart. "Mr. Potter."

William looked up. "Yeah?"

"Do you wish to be here?"

"Oh yeah. Of course."

"Well, judging by your posture, it's the last place you'd like to be. Sit up and look attentive, Mr. Potter. Learning occurs in the upright position."

He pushed himself up, grumbling.

"And don't grumble."

He shut his mouth, grumbling in his head.

Green went on with her lecture, pausing every once in a while to snap at William. She'd ask him a question and then tell him to speak more clearly, or to be more confident. Then she'd turn around and tell him to speak with less force.

"Can I do anything that's not 'wrong'?" William blurted out. "Will my breathing cause an interplanetary incident?"

"No, but your rudeness will. You fail for the day, Mr. Potter." She addressed the class. "First rule of diplomacy. Never lose your cool."

WIlliam slumped down in his seat.

The class ended shortly after.

He got up, picking up his bag. He shook his head. "Bloody stupid...." Professor Green stopped him on the way out.

"Mr. Potter."

"Yes?"

"I'll see you tomorrow."

"Yeah. Whatever." He strode out of the class.

Green smiled coldly after him. "Relax, Mr. Potter. We have a whole four months together."

****

Professor Tyler Randall stalked back and forth. "This is piloting 101. This class will determine if you are fit to pilot everything from a freighter ship to the upcoming NX-Class ships. There is no room for mistake. For a pilot to make a mistake is to kill the entire crew."

"Good thing I just want to take them apart and fix them," Fiona muttered to herself, yawning.

"In order to know how things work, you must know how to operate them," Professor Randall said sharply, overhearing Fiona.

"Yes Professor." She looked down at her datapad, cheeks flushing pink.

The Professor gestured to a contraption in the middle of the room. "Does anyone know what this is?"

A hand in the back row shot up in the air. "It's a flight similar, designed to simulate Warp Five."

"That's correct." He pet the machine lovingly. "Now, does anyone feel prepared to fly it?"

Fiona arched an eyebrow. Was he NUTS? A simulation on the first day? There was a dead silence over the class.

"Come on, it's just a simulation." He said calmly. "You." He pointed to Fiona. "My tinkerer. Why don't you give it a try?"

Fiona laughed nervously, dropping her datapad. "You're kidding right?" She got up slowly.

"Ms...." He looked at the seating chart. "Terrance, it's just a simulator."

She walked slowly to the simulator. I'm going to virtually crash and burn and my grades are going to do it literally, she thought.

She got into the simulator. It lurched violently. "Oh god."

"You'd think I'd be able to convince myself this wasn't real, as it isn't, but no..." She muttered. She gave a shriek. "Ah! Is that bird?"

"You're in space, Ms. Terrance." Professor Randall said with a sigh. "Not so quick with the quips now, are you?"

"Okay, okay...." She shut her eyes tightly. "Please just let me stop."

The simulator stopped and Fiona fell out. She was shaking violently. Professor Randall leaned over her. "My class is as important as any. Moreso, since you know nothing about flying. Now, go to the restroom, throw up and return to your seat."

****

"Hey, are you feeling okay?" Kit asked Fiona, looking over her roommate. "You look queasy."

"Last class was hell on my stomach." She shivered. "Piloting is definitely not something I want to do." She leaned back. "Ahh.... Engineering. This is where I get to shine."

"I wish I was sitting behind you," Kit said, "I could look over your shoulder. I am horrible at engineering."

The Vulcan Professor strode in. "I am Professor Vorain. This is Basics of Engineering. As far as I am concerned, the bulk of this course should have been covered in elementary school. I have no tolerance for students who cannot keep up with my program. However, most humans find it very vigorous."

Kit was biting her fingernails, looking horribly worried. Fiona leaned over and passed her a characature of the professor with a huge nose and long ears. Kit gave a little giggle, throwing her hand over her mouth to muffle it.

The Professor became alert to it. "Do you find something amusing, Miss?"

"No, no." Kit looked panicked. "Not at all."

Professor Vorain took the paper from her hand. "An interesting rendition. I suppose, since you are so busy drawing me, you know everything about engineering?" She gestured towards a machine on her desk. "I suppose you would be able to assemble this cooling system?"

Kit shook her head. "I wouldn't want to--"

"Attempt it," she hissed.

Kit got up slowly, her trembling hands went to the cooling system. She was nearly hyperventilating. She wasn't at all good at tinkering. She began to make a move. Fi coughed violently.

Vorain shot a look to Fiona. "Do you wish assist Miss....." she looked at the seating chart. "Draven?"

Kit tried to attach two wired, a shock going through her. She yelped, "FUCK!" She pulled back. "Professor, I'm very sorry."

"Go to your seat, Miss Draven." She raised an eyebrow as Kit slunk back to her seat. "I am quite sure you will learn to appreciate my teaching over the next few months."

****

Malcolm was in a good mood. His classes had been going wonderfully so far. He was already a favourite of Professor Scott's, the Engineering of Weaponry Professor. He had sat with Kit in hand-to-hand combat, whose record had reached the Professor before class. Engineering and Piloting could have been better, but he would survive.

The Vulcan professor strode into the classroom. "My name is Professor Storar. This is Biology 101. I don't expect most of you *human* engineers and pilots to understand the ecological systems of other planets or the complexities of the inner workings of other races." The teacher crossed his arms, surveying the class. "I will tell you this. I spent fifty years teaching this class to Vulcan children. I only expect half of you to pass this course."

Malcolm swallowed-- hard. Professor Vorain in Engineering had been tough, but this was a whole different vibe. This did not seem good.

"I was assigned here by the Vulcan High Council to attempt to teach you about biology. Those of you who pass will have acquired the knowledge a second grader should possess. Those of you who fail should seriously consider another career choice."

Oh god. Not all Vulcans found humans to be stupid, but when they did.... It was dangerous. He just needed to stay out of the way.

Storar sat down primly in his seat. "I suspect all of you have the datapad for this class?"

Malcolm went into his bag. He pulled out his datapad. He turned it on. The main screen read "Basics of Engineering" Shit.

Storar looked around the room. He noticed Malcolm frantically searching through his bag. "Is there a problem, Mr.--" He looked at Malcolm in question.

"What?"

"Your NAME. What is your NAME?"

"Oh. Malcolm Reed."

"Mr. Reed, where is your datapad?"

"I grabbed the wrong one, Sir."

"Stand up."

Malcolm stood.

"This, class," Storar gestured to Malcolm. "Is how NONE of you will act in my class. Mr. Reed here cannot tell the difference between two datapads. Even Terran Chimpanzees can tell the difference between two different objects." Storar picked up Malcolm's bag, handing it to him. "You will not return to this class until you have acquired this basic skills."

"But..."

"I have no time to deal with this. Leave!"

Malcolm stumbled out of class. His cheeks turned bright red. This was such a great way to end the day.

****

Malcolm laid back on his bed. He sighed deeply. He had left the datapad on his desk. Well, at least he knew where it was now.

"Hey, it wasn't THAT bad," he heard from the hallway. It Fiona.

"I got shocked in front of the entire class and chewed out by that bitch!" Kit shouted.

"Why don't you ask Malcolm if you to can fight. Doesn't that cheer you up?"

"Not really. Well, it does, but I don't feel like it right now."

Malcolm rose from his bed, opening the door. He stuck his head out. "Hey, is everything okay?"

"Class SUCKS." Kit growled, pouting. "I got electrocuted."

"You want to come in?" He asked, wrapping an arm around Kit's shoulders. She nodded.

Fiona strode into the room, collapsing on William's bed. "My stomach is still queasy from the flight simulator."

"Well, I had trouble in biology." Malcolm said. He sunk back down on his bed.

Kit leaned against him. "Well, if you didn't get electricity shot through your body or your lunch shaken up by a flight simulator, don't bitch."

"Class SUCKS." William announced, entering his room.

The trio already in the room looked up at him, dispassionate looks on their faces. "Oh, apparently you already know that."

"This is a horrid, horrid evil place," Fiona groaned, rubbing her stomach.

"I got kicked out." Malcolm said, rubbing Kit's back. "The biology teacher hates me already."

"Fucking jerk....." She leaned against him. "What about you, Will?"

"Diplomacy professor. Decided I'm her whipping boy."

"Well, I think we all had crappy days," Kit said, sighing. "I don't think I can do this."

"Of course you can." Fi sighed leaning forward. "Damn the man."

William threw himself into the desk chair. "Well, are we going to sit here all night feeling sorry for ourselves?"

"Sounds like a plan to me," Malcolm muttered.

"No. We can't do that. Come on, freshmen get half off at the pub tonight."

Kit groaned, turning a little green.

"Pub. Bad." Malcolm shook his head.

William groaned. "Malcolm, you're a pussy. Come on.... Fiona?"

She rose, raking her fingers through her hair. "I guess I could go for a pint."

He held his hand out to her. "Come on, Red. Let's leave these two sorry sacks alone."

"Yes, let's go be sorry elsewhere."

He draped his arm over her shoulders. "You sure, Malcolm? Kitty?"

"Very." Malcolm confirmed, resting his head on Kit's shoulder.

"Your loss." William shrugging, sauntering out with Fiona on his arm.

Kit shut her eyes, sighing deeply again. "So why'd your teacher kick you out?"

Malcolm pulled away from her, leaning against the headboard. "I brought the wrong datapad to class."

"Well, kicking you out is rather harsh."

"I thought so." He rubbed his eyes. "My day had been going so well up until then."

"You were telling me about Professor Scott before combat...."

Malcolm grinned. "Kitten, you have to meet him. He's great. One of the smartest men I've ever met. He's been working on these new weapons for Starfleet....."

She giggled, listening to him rave about his teacher, the weapons, the datapad. "I get it, you enjoyed it."

"MORE than enjoyed it? I can't wait till we get to the stuff I *don't* know."

"I think you'll need to be in college longer than four years to reach that point."

"I hope not." He said, smiling.

Kit laughed. "Oh, come on? Military Mal?" She poked him in the chest. "Who spent every Winter, Spring, and Summer Holiday on training ops?"

He batted her hand away. "Ah, shut it, Karate Kit."

"Wow," she sat on her haunches on the bed. "We had the worse nicknames in high school. Let's make sure no one finds out about them."

"Definitely."

Kit looked down. She bit her lip. "I called my parents at lunch."

"Oh yeah?" Malcolm looked interested. "How's it going on the home front?"

"Fine, of course, Colin's just at the base here in London. Keith and Peter are still on vacation. Ryan is thinking about proposing to Deirdre...." She played with her braid "Mum told me, when dad was driving me here.... That you and your dad were arguing."

"I didn't think we were that loud," Malcolm commented, getting up.

Kit took Malcolm's hand "Come on. Talk to me."

He shrugged. "It was just my dad being my dad."

"What did he say to you?"

"Royal Navy... blah blah blah... Family tradition... blah blah blah." He shrugged again. "Everything I've heard since I was 14."

"Malcolm, come on, you can be straight with me."

He fell back onto the bed. "He wasn't even in my life for ten years. He went around with his precious Navy and ignored Mum, Maddy and me. Then when he retires he thinks he can run my life."

"That's not it. What did he say?" She whispered. "What did he said that hurt you so much?"

"What makes you think he hurt me?"

Kit hugged him tightly. "You've got that 'I'm wounded, but I'm too manly to talk about it' look."

"He told me if I was really going to join Starfleet, I shouldn't bother coming home." He pushed Kit away from him. "Now don't go and feel sorry for me, I really don't want your pity."

"My PITY?" She laughed. "Malcolm, I'm fucking PROUD of you. I've been telling you to stand up to your dad for years now. He's been a prick about this whole Navy thing." She hugged Malcolm again. "I'm really happy that you decided to do what made you happy instead of what he wanted."

Malcolm smiled softly, pulling her closer. "You're just saying that because my dad doesn't like you."

"No, I mean it." She smiled. "But being called an 'insane trollop with violent tendencies' helps keep me on your side."