*A/N: I dont really know that much trek lingo, even though I've been watching Trek since I was eight. I'm sorry if I got the coordinates wrong, someone please tell me how to correct it!!! :S*

"So, what's the news that I gave myself a concussion for?" asked Trip, still rubbing his head.

"I have detected a Xryllian ship, two parsecs from here, bearing 03015 mark 6. There is a problem, though."

Trip couldn't believe his ears. They had found Ah'Len's ship! "Well, what is it?" he asked, impatient.

"There are no lifesigns aboard."

Trip slumped down, using the console as a support. "None at all?"

"No. It seems that they were attacked. The residual trace from the weapons show as Vorilian. I am sorry, Commander."

Trip stood there, stunned. //Dead?!// he thought to himself. It was too much to handle.

"Uh.... Thanks T'Pol. I'll...I'll be in my quarters if anyone needs me." He walked dazedly to the turbo lift, and headed for his quarters.

~*~

"Thanks T'Pol. I'll talk to him. Archer out."

Jon turned off the comlink. This was bad news. The Xryllians were dead, and so was the possibility of ever finding Kah'Li. No wonder Trip took it bad.

Jon headed out the door, throwing Porthos a piece of cheese as he walked out the door. The dog caught it in midair and whimpered for more.

"Sorry Porthos. You know that cheese isn't good for you."

Jon walked down the hallway, heading for Trip's quarters. He had always suspected that someday, their buisness with the Xryllians would come back and hit them in the face. He just didn't expect anything like this to happen.

He reached Trip's quarters. He hit the chime, and he could hear the bong of it echo in Trip's quarters.

"Come in." a muffled voice called out.

Jon walked in and was hit by darkness. All the lights were turned off in Trip's room. It was a brutal assualt on his eyes. He was blinded as his eyes slowly grew used to the dark.

"Trip?"

"Over here." called a voice. Jon could see the slumped form of his best friend on the nearby bed.

"Is it alright if I turn some lights on?" asked Jon quietly.

"Yeah, I guess."

Jon turned on the lights and looked at his friend. Trip's red-rimmed eyes betrayed everything.

"Oh Trip. Are you ok?"

"Yeah, best as can be, I guess. My daughter just died. It's funny though, I feel sad and all, but I never knew her. Damn, I feel so guilty!"

"Guilty for what Trip?"

"That I left her. That I never met her. Take your pick."

Jon sighed. Trip was always like this when we was down. "Trip, it's not your fault."

Trip lay silent on the bed. Jon respected it, and just looked out the window, watching the stars pass by.

"Can I go see her?"

Jon could barely hear Trip, he was whispering so softly. "What did you say?"

"Can I go see her? If she's dead, can I at least see her in person once?"

"Come on Trip. You know that I can't do that. It would be like disturbing someone's grave."

"Yeah, I guess you're right. I'm sorry that I asked."

Jon smiled at his friend. "It's alright. I've got to go back to the bridge, we'll be leaving

soon. Try to get some sleep, alright?"

Trip only nodded. He watched as his friend exited his room. Then he plopped his head down onto the pillow and slept. And with sleep, came dreams....