Sorry it's been so long. Life has a way of catching up on you!

As always, I don't own them. If they were mine they would be so much happier!

Chapter 4

After hours of scans and tests Dr. Phlox was finally ready to report his findings to Captain Archer. He was still no closer to finding a cause to the aberrant readings he was finding but he was optimistic, as always, that he could figure out the cause with time. The trick was to keep Hoshi stable until such time. Knowing that the Captain would be in the middle of his breakfast Phlox decided to go to him rather then have him come to the infirmary. Checking to make sure that Ensign Cutler was on hand he took his padd and left.

XXXXX

Phlox was more then a little taken aback at the Captain's response and his appearance. He was pasty looking, bags under his eyes, and restless. While he showed every evidence of having a hearty appetite, humans never ate when ill it seemed, he never the less looked like he too needed to be seen. While the Captain listened politely to what Phlox had to say it didn't seem as if his words had actually been listened to. The Captain mumbled on about calling him if there were any new developments and dismissed him. Now Phlox had two members of the recent away team to Binare that were acting strangely. Walking back to the Infirmary Phlox decided to call Commander Tucker and Sub Commander T'Pol to give them a quick scan to see if they, also, had something wrong. Perhaps there was something he had missed in his initial study of the planet Binare. However, his scans had been thorough. Binare was harmless. But if not Binare, then what was causing Hoshi's strange brain activity and now the Captain's strange appearance and behavior?

XXXXX

"Thank you for coming in Commanders." Said Phlox with relief as both Trip and T'Pol entered the Infirmary a short time later. "I realize that I am taking you away from the installation going on in Engineering so I'll be brief." He pulled out a scanner and waved them towards an empty bio bed.

"Sure thing Doc. But what's the problem?" replied Trip

Continuing with his scans he replied, "It seems that both Ensign Sato and the Captain are unwell. Seeing that they were both down on Binare for several days I want to rule out the planet as the cause. That's why I'd like to run some scans on the both of you. Although you both appear perfectly healthy to me." Finishing with his scans Phlox studied the readings for a moment before frowning. "Actually, you both seem to be in perfect health and your neurological scans are practically 'glowing'. You both must have had a great night's rest considering how well your brains seem to be functioning." Trip replied, "Actually Doc, neither of us went to bed last night. I'm a bit beat, and I think I can speak for T'Pol, but I feel like I could go through the rest of my shift without a problem." Glancing over at T'Pol Phlox saw her nod in agreement. "Yes, I feel quite energized. But if you do not require our assistance any longer then we should return to Engineering. The Binare are careful beings but Commander Tucker's engines are…"

Trip picked up her sentence, "… gerry rigged in spots and I never made notes of the changes on the schematics they are using. So we'd like to get back before they run amok." Nodding to Phlox they left, in step, together. Once more Phlox frowned, something was off, but he couldn't quite place what. Turning to his desk he was determined to go over the three scans to see what he could find. "Perhaps I should call the Captain and take a reading from him." He mused.

XXXX

On his way to the Captain's Ready Room Phlox pondered all he had learned so far. Hoshi was not sleeping unless sedated. Her brain scan showed that while she was asleep she wasn't dreaming so she wasn't actually resting. Her body was just dormant. Now on the other hand, Commander Tucker and Sub Commander T'Pol were the picture of health. However, they're scans showed some interesting anomalies. The biggest was that they're scans were practically identical. That never happened in Denobulans, even twins, and he was pretty sure Humans and Vulcans were the same way. He had checked all the padds in the Infirmary after that and they were all fine and working correctly. Plus they were acting… well, just odd. They rarely got along as well as they had been since being back on board and they had finished each other's sentences while he had been scanning them. Sighing, he drew his thoughts towards the Captain. Hopefully Captain Archer could spare him some time to perform the scan. When he had called and asked the Captain to come down the Captain had been even more irritable and distracted then before. Coming up to the Ready Room doors he buzzed to be let in.

"Enter" Well at least he still sounds well, thought Phlox as he fixed on his smile and entered through the door.

After finding the Captain slumped back in his chair when he entered the Ready Room Phlox wasted no time in ordering the Captain to Sick Bay. As they were preparing to leave Commander Tucker and Sub Commander T'Pol came in.

"Trip" the Captain croaked, "I'm not feeling well and Phlox wants me to go down to Sick Bay for…" "A WHILE" Phlox cut in, and then continued on "Something is not right with him and Hoshi isn't well either. I'd like to get to the bottom of this before whatever is affecting them becomes a problem for the whole ship. Although I can't see how as you all went through Decon when you returned from Binare." Ushering the Captain out Phlox left them to the running of the ship.

Walking into the Infirmary with the Captain Phlox was unprepared for the wild beeping that started just moments after they came in. Handing the Captain off to Ensign Cutter Phlox hurried over to Hoshi's bed and checked the various readings. Her brain waves were doing things that they shouldn't be doing when she was this heavily sedated. It was almost as if her brain was awake suddenly but her body was definitely still out.

Finding the Captain behind him suddenly Phlox turned to see the Captain leaning over the biobed looking into Hoshi's face. "Is she any better?" he demanded.

"Honestly, I'm not sure at this time, but I am going to get to the bottom of this. Now let's get you settled over here so I can get started. I don't want to disturb Ensign Sato any more then I have to." Phlox turned and indicated the farthest bed across the room.

Captain Archer refused to move, his face still turned towards Hoshi. "No, this one is fine. I… I need… I mean, I'd like to stay here and keep an eye on Hoshi."

Sighing, but acquiescing, Phlox got him settled and started his scans. After several minutes he came back to look at the readings. This is odd he mused. The Captain's scans showed him drifting off to sleep and going directly into a REM state. That's not normal he thought. Letting the scan continue to run he left the Captain and turned to Hoshi's scanner, which had been running continuously since she had arrived last night. "Now this is VERY odd indeed!" He exclaimed quietly to himself. After more then 10 hours in a dormant state with no REM readings, then showing all the appearances of coming awake without the body awakening, now Hoshi's brain was finally in a REM state. Glancing back at the Captain's bed he noticed that the Captain's face was returning to normal. No bags under the eyes and his skin looked more flushed then pale. Hoshi, too, looked better then when she came in. Phlox was confused but there was the inkling of an idea forming. Checking on them one last time he turned and left to make some notes and do some covert research. If what he was thinking was even close to being true then Star Fleet needed to be notified before any more dealings with the Binares could take place.