Chapter 3

They had caught up to the Xrillians, explained the situation and waited until Ah'len and a Xrillian doctor acclimated to Enterprise's atmosphere before coming on board.

"Do you think they'll be able to help the Commander?" Reed asked the Captain.

"I hope so. Let's all keep our fingers crossed for him."

"Lieutenant Holtz said that when he called you to inform you that they found the Xrillians, the Commander was in your quarters. Was he ok? Not sick or anything?"

Jon could hear the concern in Reed's voice. "No. Trip has just been having bad dreams and scared. I let him stay in my quarters so he wouldn't be alone." I let him stay because I care about him. I let him stay because I love him. I let him stay because I want to fuck his brains out. I let him stay because I want to make his legs so much Jello he won't walk straight for a week! He doesn't think about me that way. But now he might not think about me as a friend. Damnit! I fucked up!

Trip laid on his bed, lost in his thoughts while waiting for the call to come to sickbay. He really thinks I did this on purpose? Doesn't he understand I didn't know what she was doing? How could he think that way of me? Doesn't he realize I love him? Doesn't he know how much I want him to fuck the hell out of me? No...of course he doesn't know because you're too much a coward to tell him. He doesn't think about me that way, and if all I can have is his friendship, I'd rather have that than nothing at all. Damnit! I fucked up!

XXX

He got the call he had been waiting for and was sitting on a bio bed while the Xrillian doctor preformed his exam. The entire time, Trip sat glaring at Ah'len when Archer came into sickbay, Trip's glare softened slightly.

"This is incredible! I didn't think that this could happen with your species." Ah'len committed as she looked at Trip's bulge.

Trip's glare hardened again and he couldn't control his outrage. "Incredible? You think this is a good thing? On my planet, we have a word for what you did and people go to prison for it!"

"Trip." Jon called softly. "I'm sure she didn't know what was happening. Just as you didn't know. Now isn't the time for this." Please Trip, know that I'm not taking sides or blaming you. I'm just trying to stay diplomatic and keep the situation calm.

He's taking her side? Seriously? "She needs to take responsibility for what she did to me!" Trip's hard voice raised a little and his blood was becoming hot.

Ah'len dropped her gaze downward. "There will be consequences, I can assure you of that. I didn't convey properly the meaning of our actions and I'm sorry for that. On my world, it's understood that when two people who are attracted to each other, they will want to share their thoughts to complete the intimacy. I should have explained that to you better."

"You said it was a game! You didn't say anything about intimacy or attraction."

"You felt my attraction as I felt yours?"

Jon's brows shot up so hard and fast he thought they might fly off of his head. He is attracted to her? He wanted to be closer to her? He wanted something with her? No Trip! I...I, Jonathan Archer...want that with you! Why can't you see that? "You think my chief engineer was attracted to you? He was only there to help you fix your engines then leaving. That's all, nothing more. Right Trip? Please say I'm right.

Trip shifted uncomfortably. "Ok...maybe there was a slight attraction. I mean...you took care of me when I was sick and we worked closely together...but that doesn't mean I was gonna sleep with you." I wanted to hurry up and finish those repairs to get back here. Why do you think I called Jon so much? I missed him. I wanted to be near him. Even though he doesn't think the same of me.

Shit! He WAS attracted to her. He called me so much...I thought it was because he missed me. I guess it was just because he wasn't feeling well and needed a familiar voice. He doesn't think the same of me. He turned his attention to the doctor. "Are you able to remove the baby?"

"Not at this point. It is too far into development for it to be removed and transplanted into another host. I'm sorry Commander, but you will have to carry it to term. After that, we will be able to take it back with us."

Trip's concerns started to rise again and new concerns crept into his mind. "Will it be safe for the baby to live in your environment? I mean it is half human after all."

"No Commander, It's not half human. Among our species the male is simply the host to carry the embryo and doesn't contribute any of his DNA to the child. It is only the female DNA that is contributed. As long as we get the baby into our environment within the hour after birth, it will be safe."

"Yeah...after birth. And that's another thing...how the hell does that happen exactly? Human males aren't made for that."

"Yes. I already see a problem with that. By this stage, in an Xrillian male, a pouch would form for the baby to exit from when the time comes. You haven't developed that pouch. Not to worry though, there have been cases where a pouch didn't develop and we just simply make a small incision for the baby to exit."

"And when will that be? Please don't say nine months."

"Nine months? Why would you think such a long time?" The doctor looked slightly horrified.

Jon shook his head. "For our species, well first, it's the female that carries the baby and gives birth. The gestation period is nine months."

"The female is host to your offspring? No wonder this is such an uncomfortable situation for you, Commander. No, our gestation period is much shorter, only three months. I estimate that the baby will be delivered in the next few weeks. If it is acceptable to you, Captain, I should remain here to monitor your Commander and be ready to assist in the birthing process and ready to take the baby back to our ship. It won't need to go through the acclamation process if it's done quickly enough."

"Will you be ok in our atmosphere for that long?" Jon was concerned for the doctor's health and safety

"Yes. I brought a supply of medication to help me remain stabilized in your environment."

"In that case, I guess it will be a good idea for you to stay. I'll look into having quarters set up for you and you can talk to our chef about any dietary needs you have. We may not be able to replicate your foods exactly, but I'm sure chef can figure something out."

"That is very generous of you, Captain. Thank you."

"And what about Ah'len? Does she have to stay here too?" Trip was still reeling at her for being less than forthcoming about this "game". His voice came out harsh, even to his own ears but at this point he really didn't care about hurting her feelings. Do you know what you've done? You fucked up my friendship with the man I secretly love. He thinks I wanted this. He thinks I wanted you. He doesn't understand that you, for all intense purposes, forced yourself on me.

I hope she can go back to her ship. You forced yourself on the man I secretly love. You screwed up our friendship. You screwed up any chance that maybe someday I might get the balls to tell him how I feel. I want to wring your neck for that! Shit! Time to be the diplomat. "Trip...that's enough, it was all a misunderstanding. Ah'len, maybe it's best you go back to your ship. You will have your baby as soon as it's born. Get the fuck off my ship you molesting bitch!

Misunderstanding? Are you serious? Look at me Jon! I'm fucking pregnant and have to give birth to this thing! Misunderstanding is what you call this? She wrecked what we had. Ok, maybe you don't feel the same way about me, but maybe someday I might have grown a set to tell you how I feel. Now that will never happen. Shit! Time to put on that Starfleet diplomacy. "Sorry, sir. Ah'len, I'm sorry for speaking to you like that, it was uncalled for. I realize you didn't intend for this to happen and I guess it was kinda my fault too. I should have asked more questions before sticking my hands in those rocks."

"No Commander. It is I that needs to apologize. I should have explained better that this was an intimate act and that I was interested in you on a sexual level. I truly do feel ashamed for my actions in this matter. As your Captain said, it's best that I go back to my ship."