Disclaimer: Paramount owns Enterprise and its characters.
Author: d.e.Miller
Summary: Enterprise must pass through a mysterious nebula (as if there was any
other kind) to complete its mission, and absolutely nothing happens.
Notes: Ok, some stuff happens, because... well... it's a special nebula.
Rated PG-13 for innuendo and the sake of the demographic.
Viva Le Démographique!
N E B U L O U S V E X Chapter 1 Distraction
Captain.
He'd always liked the sound of that.
But those from whom he had sought counsel neglected to mention many things,
the least of which being the palpable loneliness which came with the job. As he waited
alone in his mess room, Jonathan Archer considered his fate.
The strain, he thought. The strain of...this ship, of always having to be 'up',
of always having to make decisions... Sure as hell doesn't compare to the strain
of always having to hide my feelings... My feelings for-
His inner turmoil was lightly interrupted by the whisking of the pneumatic door.
The ship's chief engineer entered quickly and joined him at the table.
"Howdy, Cap'ain."
"Trip."
As the commander poured himself some water, Jonathan continued his quiet
contemplation of the plain white linen before him. Trip noticed that the captain seemed
distant, but he quickly dismissed it.
We're all a little tired these days, I guess. I'm sure that's all it is...
After a bit, he spoke.
"That table cloth sure must be interestin'..."
"What? Oh... Sorry," Jonathan said. He straightened himself somewhat and fumbled
with his napkin.
"Got a lot done today," Trip continued. "Finally managed to get the anti-matter injectors
back up to speed. That engine's down there purrin' like a kitten!"
The captain glanced up and forced a smile.
"Good," he said. "That's good to hear."
The steward entered directly and served both men. By force of habit and his "raisin'",
Tucker thanked him kindly, after which, the steward exited, leaving behind a cloying silence
which seemed as thick as the nebula through which they were currently passing.
"Uhhh... T'Pol not comin' tonight?" Trip asked. (Silence and he had been estranged
for quite some time, and these days, he refused its company at every turn.)
"I don't know," Archer said. "Seems like you'd be better able to answer that."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing," Archer lied, then he quickly changed the subject. "So how's Ramirez?
I heard he took a tumble down there today."
Trip eyed the captain suspiciously for a moment, then he allowed the doubt to pass.
"Yeah, Doc say he's gonna be fine. He fell over the rail, but he caught himself. Just
ended up with a nasty scratch."
"Well, that's good."
"We really gotta raise that thing," Trip continued. "Don't ya think?"
Jonathan didn't seem to hear him.
"Cap'ain?"
"Hmm?"
"The rail. I said that we oughta raise it up. I mean, seems like somebody's fallin' over
that thing at least once a week, and-"
As the captain still appeared to be elsewhere, Trip stopped short.
"Are you feelin' ok?" he asked.
Archer fiddled with his food and sighed.
"I don't know," he said. "I guess it's just stress."
"Well, I hate to say anything, Cap'ain, but the crew's startin' to notice. You've been
mopin' around for over a week now! You sure there's not somethin' you wanna talk about?
Somethin' I can help you with maybe?"
Jonathan's expression told him that he'd just touched on a sensitive subject, and Trip
wondered if it was anything that he'd done. Then he dismissed the notion. The man's
my best friend. Surely, he would'a said somethin'...
Finally, the captain looked up and cleared his throat.
"I don't know," he said. "It's hard to put a finger on it..."
"Think ya might at least go see Phlox?" Trip suggested. "Maybe he could give ya somethin'."
Jonathan looked farther away than ever.
"Phlox," he mumbled. "Phlox... I... I don't think I'll be going to see him."
"Well, ya know you can talk to me," Trip said, "if ya need to... And T'Pol."
"T'Pol..." he mumbled softly. "I guess... I mean, thanks, Trip."
Archer managed another weak smile, then he stood.
"Look," he said. "You'll have to excuse me. I'm not really hungry, and there's a lot of
work I need to catch up on. If...anyone needs me...I'll be in my ready room."
Trip gave the captain his best worried look and slowly nodded his head. He managed
to sneak in a last word, though, just before the door closed.
"I'll, uh, maybe come by and see ya later," he said. "If that's ok?"
Jonathan didn't respond.
