Chapter Eight

"You haven't had a nightmare in a coupla days now, have you?" Looking over at Hoshi, Trip neatly sidestepped a gaggle of giggling alien children. They were taking the tour of the capital of the planet they just landed on, as apparently were quite a number of school kids.

"None to speak of. Although last night a Klingon showed up in a dream; I cursed him out and he was so impressed he swept me off my feet and we made mad passionate love." Hoshi peeked over at Trip from the corner of her eye.

An expression of disbelief and revulsion crossed his face, although he tried to control it. "That's good … I think …"

A peal of laughter filled the domed pavilion they were in, causing a few heads to turn and look at them. "I'm kidding! Well, about the mad passionate love part. I did cuss at him, and then he went away." A mischievous smile hovered on Hoshi's face.

Trip rolled his eyes and nudged her, smiling back. "Looks like I can finally move back t' my place." He grimaced dramatically, putting a hand to the small of his back. "Your couch is crampin' my style."

"You've helped a lot Trip." Hoshi looked up at him seriously, placing a hand on his arm. "Starfleet didn't prepare me for what could happen out here, and I didn't know how to deal with it. Thanks. I hope I still do as well without you there."

"Happy t' oblige, ma'am," he replied, tucking her hand into his arm as they continued through the pavilion. "You'll do fine. The past few days I've only stayed until you fell asleep anyway. And I'll always be there for you, Hosh, no matter what." They paused for a moment with the rest of the bridge crew, looking at a mural depicting some moment from this culture's history, although they couldn't for the life of them figure out what it was.

"You still owe me your first-born, you know."

Hoshi turned to stare at him. "What about the shore leaves? And the $372.00?"

"Don't need 'em," Trip told her, peering at the mural. "First-borns though … think I'll keep that marker."

"Hmph." Hoshi tugged on his arm as the group moved to the next display. "My husband might have something to say about that."

"I don't think there'll be any problem there …" Trip said under his breath, merely smiling at Hoshi as she thew him a puzzled glace, and moved with her out into the sunshine.


"It's a boy." The midwife handed the squirming bundle to Hoshi, who gazed down at his scrunched up face. She cooed at him, and the wail that was building was abruptly cut off as he blinked up at her, recognizing his mother's voice.

Trip watched them, dumbfounded, and Hoshi gazed at him with a tender smile.

"Here," she said, handing her son over to his father with a laugh. "The first-born I promised you."