A/N: I feel kind of bad not telling you who the father is, but I haven't actually decided. I have two different ideas, one decidedly more angsty than the other. Soon the plots will diverge and then everyone will know. I promise!
Malcolm Reed was trying his utmost to stop himself from bemoaning fate. He'd just about been ready to ask Hoshi on a date. Well, now there were two options: either she was carrying his child, which was really his preferred option, or she was carrying his best friend's child. Now if he asked her out, it would seem like he was only doing it out of duty.
And what if the baby was Trip's? That was a question he really didn't want to know the answer to. Personally he thought that his friend was slowly developing affection for T'Pol, but that hardly mattered. Trip would put a child before anything else in his life, just as Malcolm himself would.
Of course this would be easier if Hoshi would agree to find out which of them was the father. Really, the uncertain limbo that they were living in was terrible. He didn't know why Hoshi would prefer it.
A few doors down, Trip was thinking about the situation as well. Unlike Malcolm, however, he couldn't decide whether or not he wanted to be the father. He'd never really thought of Hoshi romantically (and he had a sneaking suspicion Malcolm did), but he'd be lying to himself if he didn't, in some way, want to be the father. He'd always wanted kids. The situation was far from cut and dry, but he'd certainly like to know if he was the father.
At least Jon had believed them.
"The first six weeks of an unplanned pregnancy are the most difficult, Ensign. Your child is a perfectly healthy seven-week-old fetus. In fact, I can tell you the sex as soon as you wish."
"Not without Malcolm and Trip."
He sighed. The topic had the be brought up, and it fell to him to do it. "Yes, well, that reminds me of another issue I need to discuss with you."
"What is it, Doctor?"
"Your continued refusal to learn who fathered your child is not healthy. Both Commander Tucker and Lieutenant Reed have been placed under more emotional duress than the situation warrants. Your child will also need a more certain paternal environment. Finally, this is not healthy for you. I believe that you are trying to avoid the consequences of the truth, Ensign. These have a rather nasty habit of coming out one way or another. It will be much easier if you control the method by which the truth is revealed."
"Is that all, Doctor?" The icy reception he got was not promising.
"Indeed. I will need to see you in two weeks, though I hope to see you sooner."
She didn't say anything before walking out the door.
"That didn't go very well," he told his bat. "In fact, I hardly think it could've gone worse."
"Well, Lieutenant, it's a pleasant change to see you come to Sickbay voluntarily."
Malcolm looked distinctly uncomfortable. "Yes, well, are you busy?"
"Not at all. What can I do for you?"
Now that he was actually there, the question seemed to stall on his lips. "It's about the baby, and Hoshi."
"There is no need for concern. Both mother and child are healthy."
"Isn't there some way you can tell me if I'm the father or not? Don't I have a right to know?"
"I believe that the phrase is, "my hands are tied." I believe it would be in the best interest for all involved to know which of you is the father. In fact, I tried to explain my position to Ensign Sato two days ago. She was quite unreceptive."
Malcolm looked crestfallen. Curious. "May I ask a personal question, Lieutenant?"
"If I can reserve the right not to answer."
"Fair enough. Do you want the child to be yours?"
The man before him looked at the floor, but didn't hesitate in his answer. "Yes. I've loved her for a long time, and the thought that she might have another man's baby- even if he is my best friend, it hurts." The admission was clearly difficult for him to make. The rest remained unspoken. What if she doesn't want me to be the father?
"I believe that you and Commander Tucker should discuss with Ensign Sato the benefits to full disclosure, though stressing that you will both support her regardless. She needs friends, not coddling."
He nodded. "You won't tell them?"
"You can be sure of your privacy, Lieutenant."
"Thank you, Doctor."
"You're welcome." Once he was alone with his bat, he struck up a one-sided conversation with his upside-down confidant. "He really does love her. This is an interesting turn of events indeed."