Now that most of the seasonal excitement has died down, I can get back to the serious business of writing! I decided to take a suggestion made by a reader to heart and expand on my story 'POP'. It's always been fun speculating on "What-ifs", and this is definitely speculative...LoL!
Usual disclaimer, Star Trek and its affiliated aren't mine (shucky-darn!), they belong to Paramount and the Roddenberry Estate, their use here is purely for entertainment purposes only. I promise not to get any smudges on them while I borrow them, honest!




Title - Unforeseen
Author - Talani Silverwolf
Codes - Pairing A/T'P, Rating PG
Genre - Angst/Romance



The day had started out fairly normal for the crew of Enterprise, with everyone attending their assigned duties. Captain Jonathan Archer didn't even notice that one station was still unoccupied.
When he did, a puzzled frown darkened his features. He turned to look over at the neighboring station and enquired of Ensign Sato, "Did T'Pol call in saying she'd be late?"
The young Asian woman returned his gaze steadily, "No sir. Would you like me to make a call to her room?"
"Do that."
After a couple of minutes it was clear that the communication's officer was having little luck in contacting the absent science officer. Just as he was getting ready to go look for her himself, a call came through from sick-bay.
"Captain, could you come down here right away?"
"Is it about the Sub-commander?"
"Why yes. Please, I'll explain in more detail once you arrive. Phlox out."
Archer exchanged a concerned look with Hoshi before making for the lift. He wasn't concerned that T'Pol hadn't shown up, it bothered him that she had failed to contact the bridge with proper notification. He marched into the reception area and was intercepted by the Doctor.
"What the hell's going on Doc, is T'Pol sick?"
The usually calm physician fidgeted before offering any reply, "Well Captain, it really is a mystery as to
how this could possibly have occurred. Although, given the circumstances..."
"Doc, what's wrong with her?"
"Err, perhaps it would be best if the Sub-commander explained it to you."
He turned and led the Captain over to the curtained off section, behind which the woman in question sat calmly, acknowledging his arrival by averting her gaze.
Taking her hand as he stood next to her, Archer gave it a gentle squeeze. When she didn't look at him he felt a chill run down his spine. With an effort, he managed to quietly ask, "What's wrong?"
Her continued silence unnerved him, there was something troubling her deeply and he needed to know what it was so he could help her any way he could.
It was only in the last four months that they had become more than commanding officer and subordinate, crossing the boundaries of established protocol and regulations to join in a more intimate relationship.
He had known it wouldn't be easy, trying to strengthen that bond and keep their private life secret. So far, the only person that had any knowledge of it was the Doctor, and that only because Jonathan wanted to be certain the two of them were completely compatible physically.
There were times when he felt sure Commander Tucker also had some idea, but he could never bring himself to question the man on it.
Archer's attention snapped back to the present as he felt T'Pol finally return the light grip with her own hand. She slowly lifted her eyes and studied him a moment, if he didn't know better he would have sworn she was frightened by what his possible reaction might be.
Placing her other hand over their laced fingers, she glanced at the doctor who was busy across in the lab, before leaning forward to rest her head against his chest, her voice a bare whisper, "Jonathan, I..."
He placed a finger under her chin and applied gentle pressure, making her look at him so she could see the concern on his face, "Is it that bad love?"
"I'm going to have a child Jonathan."
For a brief moment it seemed the entire universe held its breath, then everything went away for a split second before returning with the sound of his blood rushing in his ears. He pulled her to him, his eyes searching her's as he softly said, "Are you saying you're pregnant?"
T'Pol gave a weak nod as she closed her eyes to keep the room from starting to spin once more. It had been a shock to learn that her recent inconsistent illness was due to a condition the doctor had styled 'morning sickness'.
The past few mornings she had awakened with a pounding headache and a bad case of nausea, she hadn't said anything to him because it hadn't lasted for long, usually subsiding before mid-morning.
Then this morning though, when she had gotten up, it was all she could do to keep from heaving up the contents of her stomach before she made it over the toilet. That had decided her on seeing the doctor, never suspecting the true nature of her condition.
She felt herself pulled into an embrace as Jonathan held her tight. He gently stroked her cheek as he spoke, "Are you all right?"
"I have been better, this terrible nausea is beginning to wear at my nerves."
His chest echoed with a deep chuckle as he replied, "That explains why you haven't been eating breakfast lately."
She pulled back some so she could see his face, the lop-sided grin faded as he returned her gaze. His eyes darkened as he quietly asked, "Tell me truthfully T'Pol, do you want to have this child?"
There were a dozen different reasons she could think of to end the pregnancy, but no matter how she tried to sort through them, not one was more important than the simple fact that this child was part of him.
Looking squarely into his eyes she answered unblinking, "Yes."
Relief flooded through him as he hugged her, though he still had trepidations on how this was going to complicate their lives even more. It didn't matter, the universe be damned! Through some miracle, they were going to be parents and he decided it wasn't anyone else's business but their own.
The Captain reluctantly stepped back and held her at arms length as he spoke, "I want you to know that I am thrilled about this, and yes I know it's not going to be easy. But we're strong T'Pol, together we'll make it through this."
She regarded him a moment before cocking her head sideways, a slightly exasperated note colored her voice as she said, "We will not be able to keep my condition secret for very long Jonathan, when it does become obvious, what then?"
"We'll cross that bridge when we get to it. For now, I want you to take it easy and not push yourself quite so hard as you normally do."
One brow rose elegantly as she replied, "I am not ill."
"No, you're not. You are however, harboring a new life and if I recall, that tends to affect women in different ways."
Phlox came around the curtain at that moment, wearing a thoughtful expression. He smiled at them as he began, "The Captain is quite right, although I've more on Human physiology than Vulcan on that subject. Even for my own people it does create all sorts of rather odd adjustments for a woman's body to go through. Why I remember at one point, my second wife developed a craving for mulhan'alak, had to have it!"
He might have continued, but paused when he saw they were both looking at him with the same puzzled expression.
"Ah, yes, well. There is little for me to go by in this instance, I'll want you to make regular visits in order to keep track of the fetus' development Sub-commander. We'll start with one every 30 days and progress to two-week intervals towards the last tri-mester. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me."
Archer helped her off the table, and as they walked to the exit he suddenly turned and looked from the doctor to T'Pol.
"What's the normal gestation period here?"
There was a faint twitch in the corner of her mouth as she answered, "Ten months."
"Ten?"
Phlox chuckled as he waved at them, "Don't worry Captain, it's not that critical a difference as far as I can tell by the scans I took. It should be no problem at all."
He disappeared into the back, Jon shook his head as he made a mental note to himself; it's ten not nine. There was really no way to compare since as far as anyone knew, this was the first time a cross-breed had occurred.
That thought alone was enough to give him doubts. He fervently hoped all went well without any problems.
Smiling, he offered her his arm which she graciously accepted as they left. In the lift she was quiet, her eyes staring at nothing. Archer leaned over, speaking softly, "Penny for your thoughts."
T'Pol shook her head as she focused on him, "Sorry. I am still a bit, distracted."
His eyes danced with merriment as he replied, "Hunny, distracted doesn't begin to describe how I'm feeling!"
She bit back her retort as the lift doors opened, instead giving him one of her arched looks. They walked through the corridor on the officer's level careful to maintain an appropriate distance between them.
Archer realized that until their relationship was known, they'd have to continue acting as Captain and sub-commander in public areas. Which was why he headed for his own quarters, where he'd made minor changes in order to suite some of her requirements.
Once the door closed, he hit the privacy lock and leaned heavily against the door as he made an
exaggerated motion of whipping an arm across his forehead, a low whistle emphasizing his relief.
"I hope you like lentils and rice, it's all I could get Chef to fix on such short notice."
She nodded absently while she sat down on the couch, drawing her feet up and tucking them neatly to the side. He glanced at her and felt the warm rush of affection that came over him whenever they were alone.
To know that the woman he loved was carrying his child, filled him with an almost overwhelming sense of joy, while at the same time, humbling him.
Taking the empty end of the couch, he reached over and took her hand, lacing his fingers with hers.
"If you're not ready to talk about it yet, I'll understand."
Her eyes closed as she brought his hand up to her face and laid her cheek against it. "We must discuss it at some point Jonathan, it is senseless to put it off."
He could feel their bond strengthen with the contact and realized she was trying to bolster herself from his inner confidence.
"Love, tomorrow's soon enough for life altering decisions. Tonight we'll just enjoy the quiet of each other's company."
She gave her body a little shake as she straightened up, having centered herself somewhat and casually enquired, "Chef did remember no onions I hope?"
Archer chortled, glad she was almost her normal self. They ate in relative silence, then snuggled under the blankets and watched a classic movie he'd managed to smuggle into his room. It was one of those old musicals, with dazzling color and witty dialog between the songs. It was titled "My Fair Lady", and to his surprise he recognized many of the tunes.
They were both fast asleep by the time the young Cockney lass was being introduced at the Duchess' ball to the delight of Professor Higgins, as a lady of noble blood by his former student.