Children of Enterprise
Estellio
Rating: PG-13 (T)
Summary: Whatever the hell is on I just saw Demons…erm…What can I say but Oh dear lord. The moment she named the child I cringed in my seat. Aw, what a cute episode though, I cried (I'm such a softy). I feel so bad for T'pol, losing Liz and then Trip. Well I'll make no promises about either of them in this fic either but…You'll see. Also, my good friend Kiwi asked how I can have a Trip / T'pol / Archer dynamic all in the one fic. Well, I like both pairings about the same and I like the competition so nyah!
I can't believe Star Trek is over, an end to an era. As long as I've been alive there's been a Star Trek show running. I'm sure in about another ten years they'll revive it. They have to. Anyway, until then we'll always have fanfic and here is this one.
IOIOIO
Trip sat back and stared into the bourbon in front of him. He still couldn't get his head around the fact that he was dead. Well, not dead but…in the future dead. What did his future have in store for him? Would it be natural and inescapable or the result of an accident? Could he go back to Florida and live out a long and happy life away from the dangers of space?
I'd get sick of it. I can't live without mah engines and it's not like Florida is safer than here. It's got the scars and tombstones ta prove it.
He put down the bourbon, knowing that if he had another glass it would only lead to more and he had duty in the morning. How would it look to Lorian if he turned up to help stinking of booze and staggering?
Lorian, my son…then there's the little girl down in sickbay who's John's. John doesn't have any feelings for T'pol, does he? It has to be a new development. Something that happened in their timeline drew them together. My death? Well, if it makes them happy I suppose it's not too bad. After all, John is my friend, I want him to be happy...but with T'pol? Hell, is it any likelier me and she get together? We haven't been together since…since our Lizzy.
He turned back to the table with the bourbon still waiting. Walking back over, slowly and carefully he picked up the glass and looked at the amber liquid.
"Damn Charles, you've gone and fallen in love with a Vulcan." If John wanted her, he was going to have to fight for her. Trip left and went to the gym. He could hammer out his frustration on a Security Officer or two, maybe he'd go see cook in the morning too. He always knew what to say.
IOIOIO
Archer paced restlessly in his quarters. The news of Lizzies parentage and Rialta's background had proved too much of a shock. He had tried to remain calm and composed at the briefing but it was all flooding back now.
T'pol, and I, have a daughter? She's such an angel, looks like me…but she's half Vulcan! I mean, I'm attracted to T'pol but married with kids? Is she the youngest, the eldest, an only child? Am I good father, T'pol a good mother? Where do we live, what does she do for fun, have I thought her how to swim, told her stories before she goes to bed at night? My god, I'm a father!
He sank down onto his couch and held his head. Porthos, who had been watching him from beneath a worried paw in his basket, leapt into action and up onto the couch beside him. The beagle butted his head against his master side and crawled up onto his lap, then jumped up to lick his face. Archer smiled.
"Wonder if you're still around. Does she like dogs? I know T'pol doesn't like the way you smell." The dog whined as if in protest. "If it's any consolation I don't think you smell. Not as bad as Trip anyway." He chuckled to himself and rubbed the dogs head, leaning back onto the couch. He wondered how Trip and T'pol were doing. They were probably used to this by now. He better get used to it to.
"One minute I'm a bachelor the next I'm married with kids. What is the world coming to, eh Porthos? You're lucky, you're neutered. I'm beginning to wonder if that wouldn't be easier for me too." The dog stared at him then barked, coiling up and dropping to sleep in his lap. "Didn't think you'd agree." Archer sighed, scratching the pups head. Looking over at the clock he saw it was ten. Making a decision he knew he might regret he got up off the couch and strode to the door, much to Porthos' dismay. The pup gave a yip and followed his master straight to the turbolift.
"Sickbay." He knew Liz and Rialta hadn't been allocated quarters yet and that Rialta was in sickbay so he surmised that was where Liz was too.
In the few moments it took him to reach sickbay he began to feel nauseous. At least now he had a reason to go see Phlox. He was so nervous, he had never had a daughter before…or any kids for that matter.
"And I told you that it's NORMAL for my species!" The voice belonged to Rialta and was furious.
"I'd still like to keep you in over night. I've never met your species before and I'll have to do several tests to make sure the food is viable and the air, the water, the…"
"DOC ! I live on Earth, in San Francisco. Hell, I've lived all over the place, Vulcan, Andoria, here. I know what I can and cannot eat as well as drink, breath, touch and mate with. Please, do not act as if I were some idiot."
"Your blood pressure and temperature…"
"Are normal for my species! Phlox! I promise I'm not going to keel over and die on you." She placed her hands on Phlox' shoulders and smiled. "Promise." Phlox sighed in defeat.
"I'd still like to do some tests." Rialta just laughed.
"Oh Doc, wait another few months. K?" Phlox smiled back at her, moving away to tend to a rowdy animal in its cage.
"I presume I've no other choice. I'll see if they've allocated you quarters yet." He offered, disappearing behind the curtain to his menagerie.
"'S'alright Doc. I've got a pallet in the back of my ship." She said, her accent shifting slightly. It sounded familiar but Archer couldn't quite place it.
"Rialta, that ship is tiny. There are nice, big, beds waiting for you on Enterprise. I heard the beds in the guest room are fluffy and everything." Archer said, stepping forward and making his presence known, Elizabeth was no where to be seen.
"But I've always managed on my ship and…and…" She began, looking flustered between Phlox and Archer. It seems her defiance didn't stretch to John's word.
"I wouldn't hear of it." John said, smiling warmly. "So, where's Elizabeth?" Phlox shrugged.
"She left several hours ago and has not returned."
"Probably off poking around somewhere." Rialta mumbled, sinking back onto one of the biobeds.
"Takes after me then." Archer said proudly.
"Ye're like bloody clones. She's an Archer to the core. Thank god the boys have more sense in them and take after their mother." At this Archer froze.
"There's more." He said, not meaning it to sound so full of dread and panic but he was gaining kids like a march hare. Rialta looked up and sighed, shrugging her shoulders.
"Two, boys, nice, respectable, heartbreakers, take after their mother. I probably shouldn't be telling you this but since the timelines already up the creek without a paddle, I don't think it could hurt." Archer sat on the bed next to her, staring off into space, stunned.
"What are their names, what ages are they?" He asked, dumbfounded.
"Well, Nemat is ten and Charles is seventeen."
"Seven years difference." He mumbled. "Between them all." Then the relevance of their seven year age gaps hit him. T'pol's pon farr. "Are we happy?" He asked, suddenly concerned. All manner of terrible thoughts filling his head. Did her Pon farr come upon her forcing her to mate? Was he the only one available? Did he get her pregnant then have to marry her?
"Very, the boys are following the Vulcan path so they hide it but you spoil them and they love you for it. T'pol and you had a hard time at first but people embraced the idea of interspecies marriage a lot easier than you'd think. A lot of guys and gals were suckers for the pointy ears and blue skin. Then there was the…never mind."
"The what?" Archer asked, curious.
"A future event which will come to pass regardless of the circumstances of your life. I cannot tell you." She fell back onto the biobed and started when Porthos nosed her hand and licked it, deciding he like this new person and looking for attention. His master was too busy staring into space, speechless.
"One, now one is hard to get my head around but three? What are they like, what do they like?" She halted the flood of questions she knew was to come with a raised hand.
"Well…Charles loves water polo and isn't half bad. He is in his final year at Markham. It's a school set up near Starfleet for the children of stationed officers and offworlders and stuff. He's very good at the languages but cares little for business and math. Nemat is an avid reader, he's most of the Markham library read already. He doesn't have Charles's skill with languages but is a whiz at math and loves science. He's only in 5th class. Uh…the system is a little different to American schools. I don't know what you'd call it but he's been attending school for seven years and has one year left before he moves up to secondary education. Lizzy hasn't started school yet but already she's a good reader and avid talker. She can swim but she doesn't like the water. The boys love to swim." Rialta smiled as if recalling good memories. Archer was shocked, this was his family he was hearing about. It was surreal.
"How do you fit into all of this?" Archer asked and her face fell.
"Ye found me adrift in space and took me in. I was adopted by two of your officers and raised for several years. When the war broke out and dad was called away to Captain the Seraphim, I was left alone, 'cause mom was over on Mars colony. The two of ye took me in and looked after me while they were gone. I look after Lizzy and Nemat for ye when you're called away. That's how I fit in." She sighed, petting Porthos idly. Archer was quiet and still a long moment.
He wondered who the two officers she spoke of were and was eager to know more about the war. Who went to war? Why?
"So…Trip…what's he doing?" He asked finally, trying to find a neutral topic. Rialta sighed again, closing her eyes.
"Has a little plot of land he stays in all the time, not much else to say." Archer chuckled.
"He always told me he'd get a plot of land, maybe some cows. I thought it was crazy talk, didn't think he could tear himself away from his engines."
"Indeed." She muttered. "But lets not talk of the future. Lets talk of now." She patted the bed beside her and Porthos gave it a running leap. Archer had no idea how a dog of his size cleared the distance required to get onto the bed but bless the little mutt, he did it. "Good boy." She cooed, petting Porthos' head as he climbed onto her stomach and lay down, facing her head.
"I take it I still have Porthos." He said, reaching across to affectionately scratch the dogs ear.
"Even Porthos the super dog can't live seventeen years but you had him a long time, yes. You've got two other dogs now." She smiled suddenly as if something incredibly funny struck her.
"What?" He asked, shifting on the bed to face her.
"Nothing." She giggled, trying to smother her laughter.
"What are they called?" He asked, regarding her sceptically. She let out a bark of laughter.
"Nope. I ain't telling."
"Rialta?" He asked sternly.
"Well…one's an Alsatian for protection you got off dad when you're house was broke into…the other is another beagle. The great grandson of one of Porthos' sisters." She snorted with laughter. "Really, you don't want to know what they're called."
"Try me."
"Well…did I mention you've a twisted sense of humour and…" He gave her his patented 'no nonsense' look and she sighed. "Soval and Maxwell."
"WHAT!" The comm. On the wall chiming drew him away and he moved to it.
"Archer here."
"Sir, we've re-entered Andorian space, you said to contact you the moment we did." Archer nodded.
"Thank you Ensign, Archer out." He turned back to Rialta who was laughing on the bed.
"Which is which?" She began to laugh even harder. Phlox passed by and pressed something against her arm and there was a few seconds before she fells still.
"What…creative names you chose." Phlox said, smiling over at the Captain. "That was the fifth sedative I gave her. What an interesting species. Her body seems to be able to filter most foreign substances out of the body." He turned away and resumed working on his padd. "A little rest should do her good after her long journey, and you. You never did some to see me about those marks on your wrist. Do you want me to remove them for you?" Phlox brandished the dermal regenerator like a sword and Archer stretched out his bruised wrists.
"What I need now is a bath and a good night sleep." He looked over at Rialta again and smiled. She seemed pretty happy, he must have a good life…and with T'pol of all people.
"Night Doctor."
"Good night Captain." Archer left deciding that he could see Lizzy in the morning. Charles, Nemat and Elizabeth. His kids outnumbered Trip's. That had to count for something right? He was going to have to talk to T'pol in the morning…or at least cook.
Phlox however sat down at a console.
"Well, it seems that's two dimensions I've found a way to combine Vulcan and Human DNA to create offspring and I haven't even started my work in this dimension. I better get on it right away so that when T'pol finally makes up her mind I'll have it ready." He smiled to the screen. "It'll be interesting to see who she chooses or even if she chooses them at all. I have no doubt they'll soon try to woo her. It'll be an interesting case study of Human Vulcan interrelations. Don't you agree?" He turned to smile at Rialta's prone body. "I'm sure if you were conscious you would."
IOIOIO
When Lorian woke he discovered Elizabeth curled up against him on the couch, fast asleep and twitching in her sleep. They had read for an hour until she fell asleep and Lorian, not wanting to wake her, decided that the couch was as good a place as any to sleep. He immediately regretted that fact when a vicious crick in his neck made itself known. Liz turned in her sleep as he began to shift and he had to catch the back of her powder blue tunic to stop her sliding off the side of the couch. When she remained asleep he scooped her up and transferred over into his bed. He checked the time as he tucked her in and saw it was only five in the morning. He had been asleep eight hours! If he didn't stop he'd be eating three meals a day too, like a human.
Elizabeth murmured in her sleep and cuddled into the pillow before slipping back into a deep sleep. Lorian had always wanted a brother or a sister but an accident in an abandoned repair station had rid him of any hope of that when he was just a boy. It was strange. By his calculations he should already have been born on Enterprise. It had been five years since he encountered Enterprise and he was born on the fourth year of their journey. He wondered if the knowledge of his parentage had affected their relationship in a bad way, they didn't seem as close as he remembered them being…granted, they weren't married with a child in this timeline…well, they weren't married anyway…yet.
He knew his father would want to help and he also knew that he wouldn't be anyway conscious until at least seven. When Trip did sleep, he slept like the dead. Lorian didn't want to expose him to any more technology from the future than strictly necessary. Their contamination of the time line had been abominable but it didn't matter. The IDTSP had the ability to wipe the memories of everyone on board or even erase what they did on the timeline, but only if they were successful. He wondered if his parents would be allowed remember he was there, or even if he would. With an organisation like them then you never knew. He still didn't understand why he and Rialta were sent and not proper IDTSP Agents. He knew they existed and were brutally efficient. They were only founded in the 28th century and were not allowed mess with the timeline like people like Daniels and the blue aliens but they repaired the holes left by them. Lorian had actually witnessed a Vulcan / Human First Contact where Sevak was shot by Cochrane! He was told that that timeline would be obliterated by a man name Riker and Geordi soon so it wouldn't matter but that was just one of the abominations of the cast off timelines he saw.
He was determined not to let this timeline fall into chaos and anarchy like all the others. There were very few stable timelines, his not one of them, and he was determined to see this one survive.
"Sleep tight." He mumbled pulling the blanket up to the girls chin and tucking it back in after she rolled and kicked most of the duvet off. With that done he changed his shirt and marched out into the corridor. He made his way straight to the docking bay where Rialta had arrived with Archer.
The ship was tiny but faster than anything Lorian could even imagine. It had warp nine as standard and the ability to go faster. He'd gone warp seven and thought he was the fastest thing in the galaxy. When you stood on her ship it was like you weren't even moving at all but the configuration was bizarre and the controls futuristic. He had no idea how to work it and he was pretty sure she didn't either but somehow she got it to move and all that really mattered was that Lorian know that the supplies he needed were in a locker in the floor.
Upon stepping into the ship he heard the beeping of the console and ran to it. It was lit up like a Christmas tree. They were being surrounded by cloaked ships out of temporal sync. "Scaron." He breathed, followed by the very unvulcan statement "Oh shit."