Disclaimer: This is a fan written work. The copyrights and trademarks of Star Trek are owned by Paramount Pictures, CBS Corporation and their licensee, Pocket Books. The story, all names, characters, and incidents portrayed are fictitious. No identification with actual persons (living or deceased), places, buildings, and products is intended or should be inferred.

Chapter 6

Sickbay July 5, 2161 0815

Gouveia felt better being in her clean, though torn, uniform. Taking a deep breath, Gouveia walked out of the bathroom and saw the slippers Phlox promised by the door. Not seeing the doctor anywhere called out, "Doctor Phlox?" Gouveia put on the slippers and walked toward a rustling sound, finding a cage full of vegetation. Bending down to get a closer look, Gouveia was startled by Doctor Phlox.

"She's a pyrithian bat. Would you like to feed her?"

"Ah. No. That's okay. I was only wondering what could live in a place with so much vegetation."

"Yes. They like to hide in the very thick of the trees from the moon hawk."

Ballard walked through the Sickbay doors, "Hello Doctor. I heard Ms. Gouveia would like a tour of the ship."

"Ah. Ms. Ballard. Let me properly introduce you to Lieutenant JG Gouveia."

Before the doctor could say anything more, Gouveia stepped in front of Ballard, "Please call me Alaine." Gouveia said as she held out her right hand.

Ballard shook the hand, "Then you, uh, can call me Joanna."

"Ms. Ballard," Phlox stepped forward, "This is to be a short tour." A stern gaze at both of the women.

"Yes, Doctor Phlox. I won't overdo it. I promise." Gouveia answered, taking Ballard's arm and pulled them out of Sickbay doors, "Where to first Joanna?" When the doors shut Gouveia dropped Ballard's arm, "Thank you for getting me out of Sickbay. I like the doctor, though he is a little overwhelming."

Ballard nodded as she followed Gouveia down the corridor, "So, um, Alaine. Where would you like to go first?"

"I think I would like some food. Have you eaten yet?"

Ballard shook her head.

Gouveia smiled, "Good. Let's get down to the Mess Hall for some breakfast and you can tell me all about yourself."

"I'm not the best narrator." Ballard walked a step behind Gouveia.

"Nonsense. I have never meet a person who doesn't like talking about themselves." Gouveia led the way not really paying attention of where she was walking.

"Well, I'm the first of my family to work on a starship. Though they wanted me to stay on earth and assist with the hospital." Gouveia led them through the corridors, "Hm, Alaine, how do you know where you are going?"

Gouveia stopped and turned toward Ballard, "I don't know. I'm going on instinct. We are one more turn from the Mess Hall, correct?" Ballard nodded and Gouveia continued walking, "I don't know what is going on. Things seem familiar one second and the next it doesn't." Gouveia stopped in front of a door, "Like this. I know this is the door to the Mess Hall. Yet I don't know how to open it." Gouveia stepped to the side, "Would you do the honors Joanna?"

Ballard pushed the door control panel. Gouveia walked through the entryway as if the door would cut her in half. Ballard chuckled, "The door has a safety feature."

"Well that's comforting." Gouveia said under her breath and gasped as her eye caught the sight of the moon. Unknowing going toward the window, trying to comprehend what her eyes were seeing.

Ballard followed at a slight distance, observing the reaction of Gouveia, "How are you feeling Ms. Gouveia?"

The formal address brought Gouveia out of her stupor, "I'm, I, I need to sit down."

Ballard took a chair from nearby, gripping Gouveia by the shoulder, pressed the struck woman into the seat, "I am going to call Doctor Phlox. Breathe deeply."

"Right." Gouveia responded to Ballard and internally cried out to Reed, 'I didn't believe you. How could I?' Disbelief turned to anger as Ballard came back from her call to Phlox.

"Doctor Phlox insists we go back to Sickbay." Ballard said.

"No. I am here for a meal and then I will speak to the Captain or someone who will give me some answers." Gouveia stood looking around for food, "I am not going back to Sickbay until I get a few questions figured out."

"Follow me." Ballard sighed out. She liked Gouveia though there was something a little off about the behavior Ballard had observed.

Reed shook his head at his station on the bridge, 'Bloody woman. Giving me a headache before the day even begins.'

Archer saw the pain Reed tried to hide, "Malcolm, is everything alright?"

"Yes Sir. Though I believe our guest is about ready to meet you." Reed gritted out between his teeth.

"Is that so?" Archer gave a slight smile and exchanged a glace with Housi, "Well I guess she can come to the bridge and be introduced to the most important people on the ship."

"It would be an honor to meet someone who can survive in such an inhospitable environment for so long. I would like to see how much she has recovered." Mayweather said.

Sato looked at her panel, "Sir, we're being hailed. It's the Andorian ship."

Archer stood, "On screen."

"Captain Archer, you have picked up your person, it is time to move."

"Not quite yet General Thyv. We are still investigating the pilot's circumstances of how they got here."

"There is no need for an investigation. We have been circling this moon for the past three days. In exchange for the data we have, you will continue to be escorted from Andorian space."

"I will get back to you. There is someone who needs to be told before we leave."

"Who needs to be told of this?"

"The pilot. Lieutenant JG Gouveia. I have not spoken to her as of yet."

"How unlike the federation to let someone on board without having spoken to the captain first."

"To be fair, our guest was unconscious at the time of transport and has been in Sickbay since her arrival."

"Did you not go down and visit your guest?"

"Captain." Sato interrupted.

"Yes Lieutenant? What is it?" Archer and Thyv both looked at Sato.

"Sir. Lieutenant JG Gouveia is on her way here." Slight disbelief in Sato's voice.

"Very well." Archer turned his attention back to the Andorian General, "I will contact you in a few minutes. Archer out." Archer gave Sato a small gesture and the screen went dark. "Where is she?"

The turbolift doors opened and out stepped Gouveia, "I heard you were looking forward to meeting me, Captain." Gouveia shot a glance toward Reed.

"Yes." Archer noted Ballard walk out of the turbolift, standing by. Archer moved in front of Ballard, "Crewman, did you escort our guest up here without permission."

Reed stood as Gouveia placed herself in between Archer and Ballard, "I am the one who brought me here. You can thank Lieutenant Commander Reed for that." Gouveia nodded toward Reed who was coming toward them.

Archer shifted his weight away from both women and directed his comment over Gouveia's head, "Crewman Ballard you are dismissed. Please inform Doctor Phlox I would like to see him in my ready room." Archer's eyes were flint as his attention went to Gouveia and Reed as Ballard made a quiet retreat, "If you would both follow me. I think there is something you would like to tell me. Travis you have the bridge."

Mayweather's response was lost on the three as Archer marched off to his ready room with Reed and Gouveia in tow. Archer did not slow down until his was standing behind his desk, "Now what is going on?"

"Captain Archer?" Gouveia stood in front of the chair across from the seething man, "I'm correct, right, you are Captain Archer."

Archer gave a glance at Reed and sat down with Reed standing guard at the door, "Yes I am Captain Archer. And you, young lady, are Lieutenant JG Gouveia. The question is how did you know I'm the Captain?"

"I'm not sure." Gouveia's eyes went toward Reed and back to her hands, "There are things I know which I shouldn't know. Like how I know where the Mess Hall is from Sickbay and how I know which corridors to take to get to the turbolift. I didn't even know what a turbolift was until I got on the thing."

Reed did not let his eyes waver from the spot on the wall he was intently staring at, trying to figure out the best possible explanation of how his knowledge could become hers and the security risk entailed with that knowledge.

Archer interrupted Reed's thoughts, "Lieutenant Commander Reed. Would you care to enlighten me before the Doctor does?"

"Sir. I wouldn't know where to start. Perhaps Doctor Phlox would be the better choice." Reed replied.

Archer nodded and saw how tired his chief security officer looked, "Ms. Gouveia, why don't you and Lieutenant Commander Reed take a seat while I ask you some questions."

Before Reed could reply, Gouveia spoke, "Captain, my name is Alaine Elyse Gouveia. Lieutenant Junior Grade of the United States Navy. I was in a training exercise with Lieutenant Dill in a F-18. Halfway through the flight there was a malfunction and the wings came off and we ejected from the aircraft. I landed in the water in day and made it to land in the night. I think it was two days before I ran into Lieutenant Commander Reed. Did you find any evidence of Lieutenant Dill on the surface?"

Archer blinked, "While I know of your situation, there was no sign of another person on the moon."

Gouveia slumped into the chair, "Then she is gone." Reed took a seat behind Gouveia.

Archer took a breath, hands relaxed on the desk, "I know how hard it is to lose someone, however, I need to ask some questions." Gouveia did not acknowledge Archer, "Lieutenant JG Gouveia." Gouveia looked up. "What day was this training exercise?"

Gouveia cleared her throat, "It was July 12."

"What year?" Archer insisted.

"2016 of course." Gouveia glared at the crazy captain.

Archer and Reed shared a glance. Not another timeline mess. The doorbell chimed giving both men a chance to compose themselves. Archer's voice cracked as he stood, "Come in."

Phlox came through the entryway speaking, "Ms. Ballard said my presence was required due to some odd observations and I asked T'Pol to come to assist me in explaining what we have found." Phlox looked around the small, crowded ready room, "If I may suggest Captain, T'Pol and I will meet you in the conference room at your convenience."

"Yes. We will be there shortly." Archer concurred.

Phlox nodded and gave a slight smile to the sad woman, "Are you well, Ms. Gouveia?"

Gouveia tried to smile back, succeeding somewhat, "Yes Doctor. See you soon?"

"Yes. I will see you soon." With that the Doctor left the ready room.

"Ms. Gouveia there are some things I need you to hear." Gouveia looked up, not really seeing, Archer's concerned face coming back to Gouveia's level, "The date is July 5, 2161. You are on the Earth Starship Enterprise. We are currently orbiting the moon Lieutenant Commander Reed and his team retrieved you from."

"But that can't be right. How can I be in the year 2161? How can I have been on a moon without a space craft?" Gouveia asked, "Is there still a United States Navy? Is there a record of me? How can this happen?"

Reed stood, this time to see how Gouveia would handle the truth. She was out here away from Earth, no family, no friends, and no way to get back. Reed could feel the despair Gouveia felt from their connection. 'You are not alone. I am here.' Reed pressed to Gouveia, 'There is hope.'

'You haven't had hope in a long time. Why should I? Everyone I know is gone.' Gouveia's voice was loud in Reed's head, 'Leave me alone!' Gouveia stood.

Archer reacted and stood. As he saw Gouveia was not going to do anything besides stand, Archer came from around his desk and stopped in front of Gouveia, "I do know there is still a United States Navy. I do not know if there is a record or how this happened. We'll go down to the conference room to see what Doctor Phlox and T'Pol have found out." Gouveia nodded. Archer gave an unspoken order to Reed with a look to follow behind Gouveia. Addressing Gouveia, Archer spoke, "Please follow me." Archer stepped through the door the entourage stepped onto the turbolift.

Gouveia whispered, "Take the turbolift down to 'E' deck, turn right, first left, at the 'T' left, first right, the door will be a little to the left." Gouveia turned to Reed in the turbolift, 'Why can't I block you out?'

Reed looked down to Gouveia, 'I have the same bloody question. Follow the Captain. And I would disagree that Captain Archer does not look like James, your brother.'

Gouveia's month opened slightly, 'I never told you their names.'

Reed's month tighten, 'You didn't have to.' Reed tapped a finger to his head, 'Remember. Somehow my knowledge is your knowledge and your knowledge is mine.'

Gouveia turned back to the door. Archer had watched the exchange go on and stepped through the door, "I hope you two weren't talking about me. Tell me, Malcolm. How long have you been telepathic?"

Gouveia smirked, 'Busted.'

Reed grimaced, "I would have to say since the away mission."

"And you were going to inform me when?" Archer grilled Reed.

"Well, Sir, I was hoping you wouldn't find out."

Archer's face went black, "At least you are honest, however, you and I are going to have a conversation."

Gouveia looked at Reed, 'You're right he's more like my dad.'

Reed let out a breath of relief as the turbolift door opened and they continued to the conference room. Inside, Phlox and T'Pol stood next to the display screen showing a few small boxes on legs in purple outlines. Phlox took a step toward the group. Gouveia moved to the far side of the room while Archer spoke, "Doctor Phlox, Lieutenant Commander Reed has something he needs to tell you."

Reed stood to attention, "Doctor Phlox, I apologize for not telling you before. I wanted to figure it out for myself first."

'Get to the point.' Gouveia interjected in to Reed's brain.

"Lieutenant JG Gouveia and I can communicate telepathically and it is becoming less painful and readily available." Reed said.

"Yes. T'Pol and I did know about the telepathy. Though it would have been nice if it had come from one of you and I did not have to find out for myself." Phlox admonished, "T'Pol and I have determined a few things. Have a seat and T'Pol will explain."

Archer escorted Gouveia to the left of the head of the table, Reed sat on the right, and Archer at the head. From her seat, Gouveia could see the stars and the Andorian ship. T'Pol began, "The image is a microscopic life form in the brain of both Lieutenant JG Gouveia and Lieutenant Commander Reed. The life form found its way through the blood stream. Lieutenant JG Gouveia contracted the life form from various lacerations and Lieutenant Commander Reed reported a cut on his neck from a knife. The life form is symbolic after it has completed growing a group of cells in the brain similar to the betazoid paracortex. The process was three days farther along in Lieutenant JG Gouveia brain and there was not as much pain as the Lieutenant Commander experienced. The life form feeds from the energy field the new cell group radiates. I need to conduct further tests to determine how to remove the life form. From the data, this life form is not an immediate threat and I can train you both on proper meditation techniques to block the others' thoughts."

Gouveia raised her hand, when T'Pol made eye contact, Gouveia asked, "What about dreams? Can we stop each other from going into our dreams?"

T'Pol gave a slight nod, "With mastering proper meditation, it is possible." Gouveia raised her hand again, T'Pol glanced to Archer.

Archer took over, "You can take the floor Ms. Gouveia."

Gouveia's cheeks burned, "Thank you, Captain." Putting her hand back on the table, "Is there any danger in transferring the 'life form' to anyone else?"

T'Pol sat on far end of the table on same side as Reed while Phlox answered, "There is a very slight chance of anyone contracting the life form. The life forms are in the brain with the new group of cells. The only way to get to them is by surgically removing a piece of the skull and removing a slight layer of brain matter to get to the layer of new cells."

"Then how did you get the sample?"

"From the clothes you and Mr. Reed were wearing." Phlox became stoic, "Ms. Gouveia, I have found you are missing quite a few inoculations which all Earth children have been receiving for the past 50 years. I looked through the ship's database for any record of you and I found one article from 2016." Phlox gave Gouveia a pad, "Is this you?"

Gouveia's voice was small, "Yes. The picture was when I graduated from OCS. My parents were so proud of me." Two tears streamed down Gouveia's cheeks, "I'm really not in my time. Did you find out what happened to my family Doctor?"

"I did not look for them. I will have someone find out for you." Phlox looked at this young broken woman, "I am so sorry for your loss. If you need to talk, I will be in Sickbay."

Gouveia handed back the pad, "Thank you Doctor." Doctor Phlox left the room with the formal female following behind. Gouveia shakily got to her feet and an even shaker voice asked, "Captain is there a place where I can be alone?"

Archer and Reed stood, "Lieutenant Commander, why don't you take Lieutenant JG Gouveia to the guest quarters."

Gouveia gave a snort, "Please, I would have been retired for about 125 years or so. Ms. Gouveia or Alaine is fine, Captain." Reed motioned for Gouveia to follow him, Gouveia hesitated and looked back at Archer, "Thank you for finding me and the medical attention. I am grateful for the hospitality Captain."

"The honor is mine, Ms. Gouveia." Archer smiled, "Try to get some rest. Reed."

Reed took the cue, "Captain. This way Ms. Gouveia." Reed motioned Gouveia to walk before him from the conference room. The door swished closed as Reed stepped through.

Gouveia gave a questioning look at Reed as he came even with her, "Are the doors safe?"

"There has never been an accident involving a door and a crewman, at least not on this ship." Reed coughed, covering up his guffaw, "Ahem, do you know where the guest quarters are located?"

Gouveia nodded, crossing her arms across her chest, "Though you will be escorting me to the door, right?"

"Correct." The feeling of the ship closing in from all sides became strong and overpowered the constant vigilance Reed aspired to for a few moments. Reed looked to Gouveia, "What is bothering you?" Gouveia's face went from blank to stone. "Your feelings are pushing me to the brink. I can't function this way. And neither can you." Reed pressed.

"I don't think you are the one to serve me this kind of advice. Do you not know how much you push on to me? The guilt, the grief, the ever-present shame. How am I to function with my own grief and your grief? Not to mention I am being told I am 125 years in the future, on a spaceship, millions of miles from home, and alone." They had both stopped walking. Gouveia could almost hear the echo of her little speech. Taking a breath, trying to control the anger and grief shaking though her body, Gouveia spoke softly, "Please, just show me to my quarters? Please?"

Reed motioned again for Gouveia to start walking before him, "As you wish." Gouveia's lip twitched up a little, a flash of a man in black rolling down a hill, then it was gone. They stepped on to the turbolift before Reed's curiosity got the better of him, "Who was the man in black?"

Gouveia sighed, "Couldn't give me five minutes." Gouveia stood up straight, "I'll make a deal with you Lieutenant Commander. I answer and I get to ask, you answer then you can ask, and so on. Deal?"

"Deal." Reed answered quickly, waiting for his answer about the man. Gouveia was less than forthcoming. Reed asked again, "Well, who was the man rolling down the hill in black?"

"I thought you might want a different question." Reed only looked at Gouveia, "He is a main character in the movie The Princess Bride by William Goldman."

"Why did-" Reed quired.

Gouveia interrupted, "My turn. How long has it been since you have been to Earth?"

"About five years."

"Five years? How can-"

Reed interrupted, "My turn. Why did this character pop into your head?"

"Because you said 'as you wish.' The character says this to the other main character." Gouveia could see Reed did not like this answer, "This is all I am willing to say about the matter. Now. How can you stay out in space for five years without going back to Earth? No breeze, sounds of nature, and only a few sheets of metal separating us from a vacuum. How do you manage to stay sane?"

Reed quirked his lips upward, "That's two questions."

Gouveia gave a slight smile toward the man, "Alright. You get two the next round."

"Thank you, ma'am. You are too generous."

"Answer my questions you infuriating officer."

Reed became serious, "We have our duties here on the ship, there is a workout area, we have ship events, and there is a library of sorts. I haven't been on the ship the whole five years. When we come around to a new minshara class planet or moon, we have away teams who will go and explore the area. I am usually one of the people on the away mission."

"Dangerous, don't you think?" Gouveia saw Reed looking at her with a slight glare. "I know. Ask away, sir."

"What is the extent of how much of my knowledge do you have?"

Gouveia paused, "I am not sure."

"Can you fire any weaponry? Do you know what the weapons array is? Where it is located? Do you have this part of my knowledge?"

They paused in front of the guest quarters. Gouveia turned to look Reed in the eyes, "I don't know. When I come across something which is unfamiliar yet I still know how to operate it, that is when I know it is your thoughts, not mine. Now, will you allow me to get some rest?"

Reed noted the bags under Gouveia's eyes and the tears in them. Reed opened the door allowing Gouveia to enter, "I'll give you a small tour."

Gouveia shook her head, "No. Just show me how to call someone on the ship and I can manage the rest."

Reed pointed to the panel next to the door, "Push this button. Only call myself or the doctor. Announce yourself then say who you are calling for."

Gouveia nodded, 'You already know when I need assistance.'

Reed spoke aloud, "Even though that may be true. We need to not speak telepathically. It unsettles people."

"You mean it unsettles you." Gouveia looked at Reed and saw how bloodshot his eyes were, "I suggest you get some rest, Lieutenant Commander. Good night." Gouveia turned from the door.

"I'll have someone bring you a change of clothes in the morning." Reed stepped from the room. "Good night Ms. Gouveia."

'It's Alaine.' Gouveia said silently. This room was bigger than Gouveia had expected. The captain's ready room was smaller than her quarters. The only sound to be heard was a hum of electric output. Gray walls on all sides without pictures or knickknacks. Gouveia shuffled to the other side of the separator wall. One side there was a desk with a computer and the other a bed. The computer might give some insight on what happened to her parents yet the bed looked inviting. Giving the computer one last glace, not up for the task of trying to figure out how the thing worked, Gouveia sat on the bed, took off the barrowed slippers and laid down. There were unfamiliar noises and smells. Focusing on the electric hum from before, Gouveia counted 1 to 100. Around 75, she fell asleep.