I had always wondered about my father. I had never met him. He had never met me. Sure, he wasn't the one who gave birth to me, but it was obvious I was different. Usually, my species reproduce by only taking genetic materiel from the mother. That was, in the beginning, in my case as well. But it changed. Right from the moment I was born, I was different. For one thing, I had blue eyes. Xryllians never had blue eyes. From then on I was labeled as a freak. Sure, no one ever called me that to my face, but I could see it in their eyes. "There goes the freak." was what they said behind my back. My mother always said I was beautiful, but that isn't always enough. I personally think it's an unwritten rule for a mother to love her child. I continued to grow. I developed slower than my age-mates. My mother said that Xryllians aged faster than Humans, one of their months to a year of ours. I am also very tall. I tower above everyone else, giving me a demeaning nature. I am only 16 Xryllian years old, but even the Captain is only up to my chest.
Oh, how I wish I knew my father. Then maybe I would be accepted. Among people with blue eyes and of a taller height. Then maybe I would finally to looking *up* into someone's eyes. I doubt I'll ever meet him. I wonder what he would be like. My mother said he was very handsome. She says my eyes are almost identical to his. I can only imagine him in my thoughts and dreams. Maybe those are the only places where we are meant to be, as father and daughter.
~*~
Jon was settling into bed with a good book with Porthos beside him, when the door chime ran.
"Come in!" he called out.
A moment later, his best friend walked in. "What can I do for you Trip?" asked Jon, noticing the uncomfortable look on his friend's face.
Trip shifted uncomfortably on his feet. "Well...I need to talk to you about something."
Jon shot a concerned look at his friend. "What is it Trip? You can talk to me about anything."
"I... well I had a dream. It was about my daughter."
Jon looked puzzled. "Your daughter? You don't have a daughter." Realization dawned on his face. "You mean the Xryllians. But it wasn't your daughter, it was Ah'Len's."
"I know. But this dream, it seemed so real. She was looking at me, with these bright blue eyes and the saddest look on her face. Then she turned away and it ended. I just felt like it was so real. Like maybe she really was my daughter."
"You know that's not possible. Dr. Phlox said that the baby only took genetic materiel from the mother. She isn't really your daughter."
Trip sighed. "I know. It's just that a part of me really believed she was my daughter."
Jon noticed how down his friend was, so he decided to add a bit of hope to his friend's mood. "Tell you what. How 'bout I ask T'Pol to scan for any Xryllian ships nearby. We have the ship's signature on file, so if their near us, we'll know."
Trip offered a small smile. "Thanks Captain. Good night." He turned around and headed for the door.
"Good night Trip." Jon called after his friend, then returned to his book.
*Should I continue? Or should I leave it standing by itself? Please let me know if you like it!*