^*^*Chapter 4*^*^

The bright surface was smooth and cold. His eyes glazed over, mesmerized by the blue flash of light traveling chaotically above him. He could feel the warm air surrounding him and the cold surface below. Flaring past his gaze, he began to start counting the seconds… the minutes. The cold metal still stung at his bare skin, arms, legs, neck, ever since he lied down. He had no idea how long he had been inside the giant cylinder, sliding under, his view being taken from the white ceiling high above. The last thing he had seen was the glowing, concerned, purple eyes of Doctor Phlox. And he didn't know who else he might have seen. He might have heard the captain and Malcolm, for they'd be the obvious ones to check up on him, but he wasn't sure. It was all a blur before, there were distant voices, and there was something warm. He had felt a soft pair of lips on his forehead, and he knew it was Aneorm's without seeing her. There was a tingling sensation when he felt her, and nearly every time Aneorm touched him.

^*^

"Captain Archer, you have nothing to be afraid of. The women on our planet mean so much to us. They're everything to us. We can't blame you for being concerned for the commander but Aneorm is a gentle, loving, creature. She meant no harm, only good, in what she did," Jivan tried to reason with the captain. But Archer wasn't ready to back down.

"I'm not convinced," he said coldly. "I don't mean to insult any of you, but I believe that what Aneorm did, could become a potential threat to my engineer… and maybe to others on my ship."

^*^

His tired eyes fluttered. Aneorm's face was before him, her changeable green eyes staring into him. She was the only one he thought about, not even the cogenitor had crossed his mind since the incident. His arm slowly reached up above his head and his fingers brushed against the smooth surface of the giant cylinder surrounding him. The lights were hypnotic, her eyes were hypnotic. He wanted to feel her again, hold her, have that sensation between them without it ever breaking. His eyes closed.

^*^

"Captain…" Jivan began in a slight patronizing tone. "Aneorm knows what she's doing. The best thing to do is stay out of it. Your commander will be fine; I am sure she is doing a wonderful thing for—"

"Don't tell me what I can and can't do…" Archer growled. "You may not think what Aneorm is doing is harmful, but I can't risk the condition Trip could be in." He felt himself frustratingly pace the room. "What she's doing to him… has done something to his mind… I can see it in his eyes." And those were the same eyes that reminded him of the day before in the mess hall. "He's not himself. It's all too suspicious for me to just allow her to do these… things to him."

^*^

She could be seen more clear now. Her hair was let free, nothing held it up, and nothing held it back. He smiled. He sensed himself brush his hand through it. As his hand slid across the cold surface, his hand touched her cheek.

^*^

"I'm sorry you feel this way, Captain," Kemparu slightly lowered his head. "I wish there was something we could do to make you trust us more." Archer took a deep breath to calm down and gazed out the window at the bright planet below. He had always said to be open to other cultures but this was too much to grasp.

"Maybe there is a way…" Jivan suggested, enthusiastically. "Aneorm can maybe show you what happens. What almost all the women on our planet can show us… can bring out of us… this new life… this bliss."  

"But that is up to her, Jivan," Kemparu seemed to say in a hushed tone. "And we cannot speak for another man… especially an outsider… only he must ask." Archer turned to them, frustrated, confused, yet curious. Deep down inside he wanted to know what Trip was feeling, and what Aneorm could do to a man. But it would be too risky, and he wasn't ready to deal with the circumstances in such a way.

"No…" he finally said. "No thanks… I wish I could be more open but… it's too much." Both the men nodded their heads in disappointment. "Aneorm is not permitted to see Commander Tucker… until further notice. Understood?"

"Yes, Captain Archer, we understand," Kemparu said. "But Aneorm might not. We cannot keep her away from anyone or anything against her will. You must talk with her yourself."

^*^

They were seated on the soft, yet cold, grey sheets of his quarters atop of the firm mattress. He swallowed and sensed himself lean in, feeling her soft hand slide up his bare, powerful arm. Her eyes closed and they drew each other forward, him taking a last look at her beauty, before closing his own.

^*^

"Fine," Archer said after a pause, trying to contain his anger. "I will talk with her immediately." He didn't like anything about the situation. Trip was in pain, and someone was responsible for it. He wasn't sure who to blame. At first, he tried to blame Trip again but felt guilty as he stared down at his weak, helpless body and distant expression. Aneorm would still be in sickbay and he held his hand out towards the door for Kemparu and Jivan to exit. As Kemparu led the way out, he turned around on the bridge and looked concernedly at Archer.

"Will any of this harm our relationships among our peoples in the future?" he asked.

"No," Archer said, unsure. "I hope not. I only hope we all can learn from what has happened here."

"When do you plan on leaving?" Jivan asked. Archer exhaled deeply and rubbed his eyes. He straightened his back and looked them directly in the face.

"I've decided… two days," he answered regretfully. Right then, it seemed like the only thing he could do to try to somehow protect Trip, while also keeping good relations with the Drendarins. Within a few silent moments, Kemparu and Jivan exited the bridge.

^*^

Their lips met, and the lights continued to haphazardly flash through his eyelids. After a long, warm, moment, he slowly lowered her on the bed. She broke the kiss and they opened their eyes. His heart pumped as she gazed at him, the green rings becoming brighter and brighter, and the black dots between them becoming wider and wider. Her skin felt hot against his frozen body and he sighed as she rubbed her warm hand up his hard chest, reaching around his neck and bringing him in again.

^*^

"T'Pol," Archer began after a few long moments. Malcolm sat as his station, an evident shiner and gash on his eye and cheek from across the room. "I will be in sickbay if you need me." He needed answers. T'Pol nodded as he exited the bridge, hands into fists. As the doors closed in front of him, Malcolm lowered his head and swallowed in worry.

^*^

It was incredible; everything had slipped his mind except her. He had forgotten where he really was. His mind and body felt so alive when he was with her, or even just imagined with her. The kiss was exquisite, and Aneorm wouldn't let go. Everything was at peace; he felt no hurt or guilt. She had taken that away from him, and he began to adore her for it. He could sense something was amiss as couldn't feel her anymore as the lights around him dissipated. It no longer felt as transparent as the surface beneath him jolted. The machine hummed as he laid his hand atop his warm tank top, and opened his eyes. He squinted at the brighter lights of the sickbay and looked at Doctor Phlox examining him, standing over him. His body and mind were still weak and tired, barely having the strength to move his head.

"Aneorm?" he asked in a raspy voice and tried to lift his head. "Are you there?"

"Easy, Commander," Doctor Phlox said dryly. He didn't listen to him and quickly got up and leaned on his elbows. A sudden surge of pain pierced his head and he lay back down with a grumble. Phlox shook his head, slightly chuckling as the entry doors swished open.

"I'm here, Trip," she finally answered, walking up to him. Trip sighed relieved and smiled. She placed her hand on his forehead, looking over him. He could finally see her, and all he could do was stare into her eyes.

"I would appreciate if you not… touch him, until I have done further tests, please," Phlox said, trying to be pleasant, but Trip could sense the frustration between the words.

"Very well, Doctor," she complied. Trip didn't want their contact to be broken, but she brushed his cheek for a brief moment, and then drew her hands to her sides.

"Are you alright?" he asked her. She smiled and sheepishly glanced at the floor.

"Does that really matter? Look at you," she said.

"Oh, I'll be fine," he said. "The Doc's real good at exaggeratin' the condition." Aneorm just sighed insecurely as he tried to lighten the mood. He could tell she wasn't going to take this lightly and changed his expression. "Did I hurt you?" He remembered her hands.

"No," she said, lying. Her fingers were slightly red and swollen, but he couldn't see them. "You didn't hurt me." As he sat for a moment, listening to the beeps emitting from the silent Phlox's instruments, he remembered something else.

"Oh God," he gasped horridly. "Malcolm!"

"No, no," she said in a hushed toned to his terrified expression. "He's fine, Trip…"

"I patched him right up a few hours ago, Commander," Phlox interrupted. "… but for you, I'm afraid, patching something up like a few scrapes and bruises won't be the case."  

"What d'ya mean?" Trip asked. Phlox glanced skeptically at Aneorm.

"I've found some unusual brain wave patterns, Commander. I am not sure how to stop them. There seems to be no infection… but I believe Aneorm may have a clue what to do about it," Phlox wasn't bitter, only concerned. "It would've caused some permanent damage if your little… experiment… continued." There were more questions to ask, about what drove Trip to hurt Malcolm, what caused such strange to happen to his mind and body. Before he could ask any of those questions, the entry doors slid open.

"Captain…" Phlox greeted halfheartedly.

"Doctor," Archer began quietly. "How is he?"

"The commander is… strangely not himself," the doctor tried to explain the best he could. Archer's brows furrowed as he walked over to Aneorm.

"How are you?" Archer asked plainly. She turned around and looked him in the eyes with a forced smile.

"I'm fine, Captain," she said. "I'm sure you want to know what happened. Just please… don't blame the commander, it's not his fault." Archer glared at her skeptically. He didn't know what to believe. He knew his friend wasn't capable of hurting someone without any good reason, but somehow couldn't help but think that Trip was at fault. Archer didn't reply to her as he walked over to the man. Trip had heard every word and surprisingly, suddenly sat up. He wouldn't look Archer in the eyes and kept his head hung low.

"Trip…" Archer said. "Are you alright?" Trip lifted his head and stared into the wall. Somewhat stunned, he finally looked into his captain's eyes. He was afraid he'd be furious with him yet worried for him. And he probably was. Trip's eyes were dark, misty and confused, but he managed to speak.

"I'll be alright," he said. "I just don't know how to explain… it was my fault, I just can't…"

"Trip…" Archer said calmly as his friend tried to think of the right words. "What got into you? How…" he saw the look on Trip's face. He was full of guilt, pain, and his eyes began to water over. Archer didn't want him to be in any more pain, but he needed answers. 

"When will he be okay enough for me to talk to him?" he asked, turning to the doctor. Phlox sighed and shrugged his shoulders.

"Anytime soon I suppose. But I need to run a few more tests, maybe hold him overnight. He just needs time to… adjust," Phlox looked at the commander, then at Aneorm. "But I think you should talk with her first." Archer nodded his head in agreement to the doctor and stared at Aneorm.

"Do I need to bring Kemparu and Jivan into this?" he asked. Aneorm immediately shook her head in the utmost confidence.

"No," she said. "It is none of their business and they would understand why." Archer furrowed his brow.

"I had a feeling you'd say that… I just spoke with them. They feel the same way," his voice was frustrated and upset.

"It is not their business to judge what we do. We arbitrate the things they do wrong, and what we, ourselves, do wrong. They have no say," she was definitely assertive.

"I think I'm missing something. Who do people like Kemparu and Jivan answer to?" Archer asked more calmly.

"The women, Captain," she blatantly stated. "The commander understands." She added and brushed her hand along his chin. Trip simply closed his eyes, deep in thought.

"Just to the women?" Archer said, dumbfounded. "You're right. I don't understand. How does Trip?"

"I will explain to you when I feel the time is right, Captain," she said. "I really am truly sorry for what happened. I didn't mean for it to get out of control." She gazed into Trip's eyes and he looked back. They captain stepped closer to her, furious.

"Do you have any idea what might have happened to the lieutenant? What Trip was capable of, supposedly because of you?"

"You, least of all, Captain, have no word in this," she said boldly, yet expressionless.

"This is my ship, and my crew. What happens to them is my responsibility. And I will say when the time is right. I am not a man on your planet. Now, tell me what the hell happened!" he urged. Phlox sat quieter than ever, watching this whole charade. Trip gently grabbed Aneorm's wrist and stared into her eyes. He forced an ironic smile and looked up at his captain with his bloodshot eyes. There was a shaking sensation beneath his fingers, and he knew without looking at her that she was trembling.

"You don't understand, Captain. I know how you must be concerned for your commander and your friend… but demanding answers and howling orders or pointing the blame won't solve anything," her voice wavered slightly. Trip tried to calm her without any words. The touch of his hand on her shoulder did calm her but she stood straight, holding her chin slightly up, to somehow show she didn't need anyone's help to do so. He could tell that's how she felt, he wasn't sure how, but he could. And there was something else. Trip could tell why Aneorm had gotten so furious with Archer all the sudden. He lowered his head in guilt, then looked over to his captain.

"Cap'n," he said quietly.

"Trip…" Archer replied coolly, his hands balling into fists.

"I will explain to you… the whole thing," he said. He felt he owed it to his friend to let him know. He wanted him to understand everything even though he knew he couldn't, so he just wanted him to hear him out. "Just don't make Aneorm do it when she's not ready."

Archer sighed deeply and shook his head. He didn't know what to say or how to feel. No matter what any of them said, he was still furious. As a captain, and as a friend, he didn't want anything bad to happen to Trip or to another alien of a first contact again.

"You will stay here all day and overnight for Phlox to examine you. But I want you in my office tomorrow morning. Oh-seven-hundred," he said stiffly. "You will explain to me the best you can about the whole thing. And I mean the whole thing."

Trip thought for a moment and looked into his captain's keen expression.

"Yes, Sir," he said.

"Aneorm, you are not permitted to see Trip again…" he paused, then added: "Until I say so…" He wanted to end it right there. Aneorm could go back to the planet below, and Trip would be ordered never to see her again, but that would only make things worse. "… I will give you a moment… in the meantime, I will escort you to wherever else you'd like." He exited quickly and hesitantly, nodding to the doctor on his way, and stood waiting outside the door. Trip lowered his head.

"You don't have to tell him everything, Trip," Aneorm said soothingly, yet defensively. Trip lifted his head and smiled.

"I know," he said. "I'll only tell him the parts that matter. This isn't you fault, Aneorm."

"No, it isn't, Trip," she said. "But it's not your fault either. And it was worth it."

Trip stared at her, not sure of what to say. She was right. Aneorm had brought something out of him that no one else ever could. He understood himself better now more than ever somehow, and was grateful for it, but it scared him. And there were still unanswered questions. Why had he seen Archer, his best friend, in there? And why did he have the urge to beat the hell out of him? It wasn't the captain's fault at all what happened to the cogenitor. He could sense that Aneorm was probably feeling the hidden anger towards his captain right then. The whole thing continued to confuse him and it literally hurt his head to try to sort it out. He eyed a chronometer in the room.

"Alright you two," Phlox said. "I would appreciate if you'll do what the Captain says. I'm sorry if anything the captain is doing offends you or your culture… but he means well." Aneorm smiled slightly at the doctor.

"Its okay, I do understand," she said and added with a grin: "…And I'm not easily offended." Phlox chuckled. Trip sighed and Aneorm simply peered up at him.

"Now… off you go," Phlox said pleasantly.

"Will you be alright, Trip?" she asked quietly. Trip took her hands lightly in his, careful not to get too close. He felt another sensation, but it made him content.

"Yeah, I think so. Will you?"

"Yes."

She let go of his hand and exited the room, and he watched as the captain led her away.

To Be Continued…