"Home"

Ch. 6

(2154, Enterprise, Mess Hall)

Daniel and Sarah entered the Mess Hall. No one was there, except for a few crewmen scattered around having a late night snack and chatting with one another before they turned in for the night. Daniel got two cups of coffee: one for Sam and one for himself. Travis Mayweather entered seconds after the two friends.

Sarah sat at one of the tables next to a big window. She watched the stars streak by as she waited for Trip. Travis and Daniel waved her a quick farewell. Travis had offered to help Daniel carry the three large cups of coffee. Daniel carried his while Travis held Sam's and one for himself.

As Travis and Daniel left, Trip entered. Sarah waved to Trip to get his attention. She saw him roll his eyes and she couldn't help but grin. He grabbed two plates of dinner that, as it turns out, was left for them by Chef.

"These had our names on 'em," Trip told her.

She sniffed into the air and closed her eyes. Chef had prepared her favorite dinner: Spaghetti and meatballs. This had also been Charlie's favorite dinner as well. Sarah opened her watery eyes.

"It smells wonderful," she commented as Trip sat down beside her. "The Commissary at the SGC had decent food. But it was nothing compared to this."

"So," Trip began, taking a bite. "Anything in particular you wanted to discuss with me?"

"What? I can't just enjoy your company and talk about anything but saving the galaxy, or two," Sarah grinned.

"No," Trip grinned back.

"I just like your company, Trip," Sarah told him.

Trip eyed her suspiciously. He ate a few more bites.

"I have to admit, it is nice to see you again," Trip said.

"I knew it," she drawled triumphantly.

They sat and ate in silence for a moment.

"I do have something to tell you. But, it can wait. This isn't the place to tell you, anyways," Sarah said.

Trip pointed his fork at her, "I knew you had something important to tell me."

"It's not too important now," Sarah mumbled.

She suddenly became very sad. A state in which Trip didn't like any beautiful woman to be in.

"After we eat, we'll go to my quarter's and talk then," Trip said, quickly.

She nodded with watery eyes. Sarah swiftly dried her eyes with her napkin. She then continued to eat.

(Trip's Quarter's)

The door to Trip's quarter's closed behind Sarah with a low hiss. Trip folded his arms and glared at her. Sarah walked passed him to look out of the window, which showed the stars streaking by.

"So, what is it?" Trip asked, watching her.

Sarah reached into her pocket and took out a picture. Amazingly, it had survived the 150 years in stasis. She looked at the picture for a moment and the turned around to face Trip. Sarah gave the picture to Trip. He reached out a hand and took it. He took a glance at it and looked up quickly.

"His name is Charlie," Sarah told him. "And he's your son, Trip."

Trip looked at the picture again, apparently lost for words. Sarah waited for him to say something, anything. When he continued to look at the picture, she continued.

"When I returned to my own time after Anubis attacked earth, I was weak. Too weak to walk to my car, apparently," Sarah began. "I had managed to walk to my car after Dr. Fraiser released me. But, by the time I got to my apartment, I was tired. That's when---,"

Sarah stopped abruptly. Trip looked up and saw that she was fighting back tears.

"What happened?" he asked her gently.

"I was rapped. I wasn't strong enough to fight him off. So, I felt I had no choice but to stay quite. He threatened to kill me, if I shouted for help or fought to break free of him," Sarah continued with some difficulty.

"Did they catch him?"

"No. Not that I know of anyways," she told him. "I got pregnant shortly after. Everyone had thought that the rapist was responsible. When Charlie was born, Dr. Fraiser had a DNA test done."

"Let me guess: it came back Unknown. Right?" Trip asked.

"Exactly," she nodded. "I knew that you were the father, from the moment Charlie had opened his eyes and I looked into them."

Trip merely nodded as he gazed upon the picture. He passed the picture back to Sarah a moment later. Sarah let the tear escape, too tired to hold it back. Trip wiped it away with his thumb, resting the palm on her cheek. She held his palm there when he made to move it and kissed it lightly.

"I just thought that you should know," she told him.

Trip cautiously stepped closer to her and their lips touched gently. He waited, giving her the chance either to slap him or to kiss him back. Lucky for Trip, she chose the later.

To be continued . . .