Hey hey!! How ya'll doin'?
Thanks to everyone who has reviewed so far. I appreciate the feedback.
There are still a few more chapters to go. I'm going to include the wedding, and I have this image in my head of Trip and Travis babysitting....
Okeydokey.... Here we go...
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"Tomorrow, we'll bring you home."
Home. That one little word had never sounded so sweet to Hoshi before, and she couldn't help the tears that slipped out from under her eyelids. Malcolm held her close and kissed the top of her head. Archer, unused to and slightly uncomfortable with the sight of the little family scene stood up and said
"Best get back to the Shuttle pod. We need gear for the night." Malcolm looked up, and disentangled himself from Hosh and Celeste.
"There's no need sir. We hade the room to accommodate all of you, if one of you doesn't mind taking the floor. We can move Celeste's crib into our room for tonight" he told the Captain. "There's no sense in you going out into the storm again. Trust me, you'll feel wet for a week if you spend too much time in one of those."
"Alright." Jon agreed. "We'll bunk here."
"Good. Sir, could you give me a hand moving Celeste's crib?"
"No problem."
The two men left the room and passed through two more before they came to the smallest room. There was a bed in one corner, but it was obviously unused. Instead, a beautiful cot stood against one wall. There were assorted toys (mostly wooden and cloth) piled on one corner, and many clothes adorned the unused bed. It was obvious to Jon that his two officers adored their child, and doted on her, spoiling her constantly. He grinned slightly at that as he hefted the wooden crib and staggered with Malcolm into another room.
Once they had set it down, Jon stood back to admire it. It was beautifully made, and had flowers and trees engraved on the sides.
"That's a beautiful crib" he told Malcolm as they rejoined the others.
"Thank you sir." Malcolm replied. "I spent a lot of time on it." He gazed fondly at Celeste. "She's worth every minute though" he said, and Jon's theory that Celeste had her father wrapped around her tiny finger was confirmed. Travis, hearing the end of their conversation, asked Malcolm
"Did you make that plaque for Jack, sir?" Malcolm knew that Travis and Jack had been buddies, and replied kindly.
"I did. It was the least I could do. He saved our lives."
"How?"
"He could have put the shuttle on autopilot, but he didn't. He knew that Hosh and I would have a better chance of survival if he remained at the helm. He told us to go to the back of the pod, which we did. He could have joined us, but he didn't. He saved us."
"And when we get back to the ship" Hoshi added, "We intend to let his parents know just that. We're also naming our second child after him."
Jon laughed. "Getting a bit ahead of yourselves, aren't we?" he teased, good naturedly.
Hoshi half laughed, half grimaced.
"I don't think so sir" she replied, putting her hand protectively on her stomach. Jon's eyes widened in shock for the second time in an hour. "You mean...?"
"Yes sir." Malcolm announced proudly. "Hoshi is pregnant again."
"Ah, excellent!" Phlox beamed. "I've never had the opportunity to study a human while pregnant. Well, Commander Tucker doesn't count, as his case was, shall we say, unique. Congratulations Ensign, Lieutenant."
"Yeah, congrats Hoshi, Sir" Travis agreed. Jon faced Malcolm, suspicion written on his features. He felt personal responsibility for Hoshi as he had all but dragged her out into space, and if anyone hurt her, physically or emotionally, he would pay. Jon would see to that. And if Hoshi was nothing more than a convenience for Malcolm while they were stranded...
But, looking at his armoury officer and friend, he saw nothing but love shining from Malcolm's eyes as he looked at Hoshi. His gut told him that he was nuts about her, and Jon's gut feelings usually held him in good stead.
Satisfied that Malcolm would never willingly hurt her, he stood and held out a hand. "Congratulations Malcolm, Hoshi." he said as Malcolm shook his outstretched hand. He kissed Hoshi on the cheek, making her blush. He intentionally didn't use their ranks, making the announcement more personal.
Celeste stirred again, and mumbled a sleepy "Daddy?" Malcolm bent and scooped up the bundle of warmth and held her close. Hoshi stood also.
"We'll get your rooms ready." She told them. "Who wants the floor?"
"I'll take it" Phlox said. "It'll be good for my back." No one seemed inclined to argue much, putting up only a token protest while Hoshi left the room.
"Are you hungry?" Malcolm asked them.
"A little" Travis replied.
"But then, you're always hungry" Malcolm teased. As Jon and Travis chatted to him about their plans, Malcolm started looking in cupboards for food while balancing a sleeping child on one arm. It looked as if he had done that many times, and Travis couldn't help but compare the Malcolm that had left Enterprise only days before to the Malcolm that was in from of him now. Apparently, the Captain was thinking along the same lines, and Travis could see him trying to hide his grin.
After a few minutes, Malcolm put on the table a large plate full of fruit and crunchy vegetables. Their guests dug in, and Malcolm gave a piece of fruit to Celeste who had woken up again. Jon bit into a piece of lilac fruit, and looked up in surprise.
"This tastes like pineapple" he exclaimed. Malcolm grinned.
"I know. We try to make sure we always have some. I'm not allergic to it" Jon returned his grin, and continued eating. It was obvious that Malcolm and Hoshi had adapted quite well to living on the planet. Food wasn't in short supply, and they lived in comfort. It would undoubtedly have been harder on them without the supplies left by the Tosscaj.
As if reading his mind, Malcolm said
"Sir? We found this place when we crashed." He gestured around him at the house. "It was filled with most of the things we needed to survive, but we have used a lot of the supplies. Before we go, could we possible replenish them? I mean, leave more cloth and things like that. If anyone else crashed here, I want them to have the same advantage."
Jon smiled. "I think that can be arranged. In fact, it was Jolan's people, the Tosscaj, who built these shelters. They wanted to give people a chance too."
Malcolm stood and formally held out his hand.
"Mr. Jolan, I am forever in your people's debt" he told him. "If there is every anything Hoshi or I can do for you, we will gladly do it. It would be an honour to aid your people".
Jolan stood and grasped Malcolm's wrist in a universal sign of brotherhood. "You are very honourable people" he said. "I only wish that out species had met under better circumstances."
Hoshi came in at that point. "There are two rooms ready," she told them. "Celeste's and the spare. I'll make up the couch for someone." They bade each other goodnight, and all went to their separate rooms. Jon took the couch, and Phlox took the floor in Celeste's room. Travis slept in the bed, and Jolan got a room to himself.
Malcolm put Celeste back in her crib. She was asleep almost instantly. He then climbed into bed beside Hoshi and held her close.
"I can't believe it" Hoshi whispered sleepily as Malcolm stroked her hair. "Tomorrow, we're going home."
"I know" Malcolm replied. "I'm probably crazy, but..."
"You'll miss Terra."
"Yeah. Do you think I'm nuts?"
"Not really. I'll miss it too. I mean, this was our home for two years, even if it was only a few hours in space. So much has happened here. I mean, you were attacked, we got together, Celeste was conceived and born here, and she spent the first year of her life here... Wait! What if she can't adapt to space?"
"What do you mean?"
"Her little lungs! She's only ever been here. What if she can't adapt?"
"I'm sure Phlox has thought of that." Malcolm assured her, but she could hear the worry in his voice. "We'll talk to him in the morning anyway." He stated.
"We're going to have to pack up some of our stuff; some clothes for Celeste, her favorite toys" Hoshi murmured, thinking about the logistics of the matter. "We are not going to have enough room on the shuttle pod."
"Don't worry about it. The Captain said he'd be sending down a repair crew to fix the shuttle pod. Anything we can't fit, they can bring up. Now get some rest. Worrying isn't good for the baby."
Hoshi rolled her eyes, and settled into his arms. Soon, they were both asleep.
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Jon made a noise and swatted the fly that had landed on his face. He heard a giggle. Wait. Since when did fly's giggle? Reluctantly, he opened his eyes, and found himself staring into the smiling face of Celeste Reed. She was balancing on the edge of the couch he was sleeping on, poking his face with her tiny fingers, and giggling. Hoshi and Malcolm were in another part of the room, sorting through piles of clothes.
He sat up, and Celeste toddled back, a little surprised. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes, and smiled at her. Her crystal blue eyes held a hint of suspicion for a moment, then she capitulated, and came forward again. She reached up and poked his face, and giggled again.
Jon could well understand her fascination. Her entire life, she had only seen two people; Hoshi and Malcolm. Now, there were four more people for her to play with. He couldn't wait until they got back to the ship. Trip was going to love her. He picked her up, and she giggled again. Malcolm turned around at the noise.
"Oh, sorry sir" he told Jon. "We should have kept her away from you when you were asleep."
"No problem Malcolm" Jon assured him. "It was an interesting way to wake up. What are you doing?" he asked them.
"Just sorting through some clothes for Celeste" Hoshi replied. "We have nothing on board for her, and we don't want to run out."
"Smart thinking." Jon sat down at the table, placing Celeste in front of him. She seemed entranced by his eyebrows, and decided to pull them to see if they come off. He carefully disentangled himself from her powerful grip, but he couldn't help smiling at the adorable child.
She was a beautiful little girl. A perfect blend of her parents, Jon was sure she'd grow up to be a heartbreaker. She swung her legs happily, and sucked on her fingers.
"I've been thinking about what I'm going to tell Admiral Forrest" he told Hoshi and Malcolm. "I'm going to need a full report about what happened." Hoshi was blushing furiously at that. "Well, not a full report then" he amended. "Just the relevant highlights. How old is Celeste?" he asked them.
"She's just over a year old sir" Hoshi replied. She's walking already, and has a few words."
"Yes, like Daddy" Malcolm added proudly. He stopped talking when Hoshi smacked her forehead.
"Oh God!" she exclaimed. "What am I going to tell my parents!!?"
Jon could do nothing but laugh at the look of absolute horror on Malcolm's face.
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Trip stood at his station on the bridge, watching on the view screen as the tiny shuttle pod disappeared from sensors. He winced as the tiny ship bucked as it entered the atmosphere. Rough flying.
The bridge was silent for a few tense moments. They all knew about the time difference, and knew that if they weren't back on sensors within a few minutes, something was seriously wrong.
"Sir" Crewman graves interrupted the silence. "We have the shuttle back on sensors." The entire bridge breathed a sigh of relief, and Trip was moving towards the turbo life before he realized it.
"Direct them to Shuttle Bay Two Crewman" T'Pol ordered, before joining Trip in the lift. The doors swished closed in front of them, and they began their descent. Trip glanced at T'Pol, and noticed her fidgeting with the cuff of her uniform. 'Odd', he thought. 'I never knew a Vulcan to fidget.'
"You ok T'Pol?" he asked, concerned. They had parted on friendly terms, and were still close. Trip felt no animosity towards either Jon or T'Pol for their relationship. Though they had been involved, Trip always felt as if there was some part of herself that T'Pol kept from him.
When their relationship had ended, and Jon and T'Pol became involved, Trip had to admit, T'Pol seemed happier than she had been with him. And Jon? Well, Trip had known him for over ten years, and he had never seen him this happy.
Besides, they made more sense together than he and T'Pol ever did.
"I am fine Trip" she told him, but he didn't believe her.
"No you're not" he countered. "You're fidgeting. You never fidget."
T'Pol wouldn't meet his eyes.
"He'll be ok T'Pol" Trip assured her. "Jon can take care of himself. Besides, they are back real soon. It looks like they found what they are looking for. Whether it is our people alive and well or..." he couldn't finish the sentence.
T'Pol put a comforting hand on his arm.
"Have faith Trip. Like you said, our people can take care of themselves. If anyone can survive, they can."
The lift opened and they rapidly made their way to the shuttle bay. When they opened the door, the shuttle was just setting down. Jon was the first out of the shuttle pod. T'Pol moved swiftly to his side as if to confirm that he really was there. Jon hugged her close even as he moved away to let the others out.
Phlox was next, followed by Jolan and Travis. Trip held his breath until a dark head poked out the door.
"Could you take this please Doctor" Hoshi asked Phlox, handing him a box. She saw their small welcoming committee, and a huge smile lit her features.
"Commander! Sub-Commander!" She leapt out of the pod, and Trip moved forward. She gave him a huge hug, nearly squeezing him to death. She greeted T'Pol with the traditional Vulcan hand gesture, and spoke to her in Vulcan. T'Pol replied in kind.
"Um, Hosh? Could you her for a minute while I get out?" Malcolm's voice floated out from the shuttle pod. Trip was too relieved at first to hear his friend's voice that the words didn't register for a moment.
Take her? Take who?
His questions were soon answered. Hoshi reached into the pod, and took out a small child. Trip stared in amazement. A baby! His first reaction was 'Finally!' It might have taken a crash to do something that he had been trying to do for two years; namely, make Malcolm admit to Hoshi how he felt, but he was glad that he had. Those two were made for each other, only they both refused to see it. Well, it looked as if that wasn't the case any more.
Malcolm got out of the pod awkwardly. His leg was giving him a lot of trouble since he had exerted himself the day before, and his knee was a bit stiff. He turned around, and saw Trip standing there.
"Trip!" he exclaimed, and the two men hugged. Privately, Trip was shocked at how Malcolm looked. He was no longer the impeccably clean shaven man that he once was, and he had two scars running down one cheek.
"How are you" Trip asked him.
"I'm fine" was the reply. Well, at least he hadn't changed too much!
"Care to fill me in?" Trip asked him, grinning and gesturing toward Celeste, whom T'Pol was currently being introduced to by Hoshi.
Malcolm laughed.
"It'll take a while my friend"
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Ok, I know this chapter isn't great, but it was the best I could do at the moment. I'm sick! I have an excuse!
The next chapter will deal with Hoshi and Malcolm adjusting to their life back on Enterprise. Hopefully, it'll be up soon.
R & R please.
