A/N My first story revolving around Enterprise, or any other Star Trek series. It was inspired by my mom's question at the end of the episode Shuttlepod One: "Can't they find a way to entertain themselves without alcohol, near-death experiences, or arguments?" This is Trip's attempt.

Each chapter will include the story it was inspired by, found at the end. There will be one for each main character, possibly additions if I really get into this. Let's see how it goes.

Disclaimer: According to a recent study, 75 percent of people surveyed think that the owners of any given television show spent most of their time impersonated various fanfiction authors. I am not one of them.

0700

Corridor

"Happy birthday, Captain!"

Captain Archer barely glanced up from his PADD and continued on his way to the turbolift as he replied to his friend's announcement. "It's not my birthday, Trip."

"Not your birthday, Captain, but somebody else's."

Jon lowered his PADD, recognizing that he'd never get anything done until he finished the conversation. "Who's birthday is it?" he asked, not bothering to wonder why Trip would wish him a happy birthday on someone else's birthday.

"Guess." The chief engineer of the starship Enterprise grinned mischievously and stared at his captain. Archer sighed. He knew it couldn't be any of the crew's birthdays... he'd have to guess randomly, then.

"Your grandmother's."

"Nope."

"Someone famous."

"Not someone, per say."

"Something?"

"Yup."

"Is it... a place?"

"Not exactly..."

"Trip, I can't guess if you can't answer my questions properly."

Undeterred, Trip grinned again. "Well, cap'n, I'm surprised you didn't know this."

"Trip..."

"Enterprise!"

"Enterprise?"

"Enterprise. It's the anniversary of our launch day."

"Technically, Trip, that's not Enterprise's birthday. She was finished before she left spacedock."

"But she wasn't complete until she'd sailed the stars." Trip waved his hand dramatically, ruining the effect by nearly smacking the captain in the face. "Sorry."

Archer waved his apology way, nearly smacking the chief engineer in the face. "Sorry."

Trip avoided waving as he nodded his acknowledgment. "Right."

"So I suppose you've already planned a celebration?" Archer asked.

"Mess Hall, 1700," Trip replied promptly. The captain promised to be there and left, leaving Trip standing in the corridor with a grin on his face. This was going to be fun...

1730

Mess Hall

"A game?" Sub-Commander T'Pol asked doubtfully.

"A game," Trip replied, the grin reappearing on his face. Everyone had noticed the grin as he had invited them to the party. Everyone was wary of it.

"What sort of game?" questioned Malcolm.

"A storytelling game," Trip clarified.

Archer chuckled nervously. "I think I'm going to have to sit this one out, Trip," he told his friend. "I'm not very good at storytelling."

"Aw, c'mon, Captain!" protested the engineer. "Ya can't quit now."

"Trip, I haven't even started."

"Ya don't have to make anythin' up, Captain, they're true stories."

"All the more reason not to participate," T'Pol commented.

"I think it sounds like a good idea," Hoshi put in at the dejected look on Trip's face. "Right, Travis?"

"Sure, sounds like fun. How do you play?"

Trip held up a large top hat. "You pull a slip out of this hat," he explained. "It has an event, story, whatever on it. You tell the story as it applies to you."

"Where did you get the hat?" asked Malcolm.

"Are you gonna play?" evaded Trip.

Malcolm nodded reluctantly, and Trip handed him the hat. "Take one," he ordered.

With a sigh, the officer did so. He glanced up at Trip. "Am I allowed to read it... aloud?"

Travis hid a grin at the pun, as Trip confirmed that, yes, you did read it aloud.

"Retell the story of an event from your childhood that led you to the career path you have today." Malcolm looked up at the others, who were all watching him eagerly. He put down the slip.

"Well?" asked Trip.

"Well, what?" retorted Malcolm.

Trip sighed exaggeratedly. "Ya got to tell the story, Malcolm," he pointed out.

Malcolm glared at him. "I was going to," he snapped. "I was just pausing for... effect."

Archer glanced around. "Well, I'm sure we're all very eager to hear your... story, Malcolm," he said in an amused tone. "Why don't you start?"

And so he did.

-Well, this was a game played at a New Year's Eve party one year. Next chapter: Malcolm tells the story. Reviews welcome.