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The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea - Chapter 2

Author - Sita Z
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The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

by Sita Z

Disclaimers in Chapter 1

****

Chapter 2

Following Jon and Phlox out of the decompression chamber, Trip took a quick look around. Again, the shapes and colors of the Xyrillian ship struck him as very alien, but this time he found himself having far less trouble adapting to the strangely distorted environment. Maybe it was because he knew what expected him here, or because his eyes and ears had somehow desensitized to the strange echoes and seemingly slowed movements during his first visit – in any case Trip felt nothing but a brief disorientation as he stepped into the corridor leading away from the decompression chamber. He saw Jon shaking his head as if to get rid of a dizzy spell and stepped closer, offering a hand for support.

"The woozy feelin’s gonna wear off in a minute," he said quietly. "I found it helps if you try to breathe slowly an’ evenly."

Phlox, as usual, didn’t seem to have the slightest trouble adapting to the alien environment, smiling as broadly as ever at the four Xyrillians waiting ahead. Trip recognized Tr’Nal and another one of the officers he’d met during his first visit, but the other two he did not know. Ah’Len was not among them.

In the meantime Jon seemed to have recovered from his initial disorientation, and Trip let go of his arm. Tr’Nal came towards them, turning his hands palm upwards in what Trip had learned to be the Xyrillian gesture of welcome.

"Captain Archer," he said, his voice curt. He never stopped to look at Trip and turned directly to Phlox. "Doctor..."

Jon seemed to have noticed Tr’Nal’s deliberate disregard of the engineer’s presence, and frowned.

"Captain," he said, imitating the Xyrillian’s gesture of welcome. "We’re glad you’re willing to help us. As I said, it’s only a few days ago that we found out about Commander Tucker’s... condition, and-"

"This is Dr. K’Ron," Tr’Nal interrupted abruptly, motioning for the elderly Xyrillian standing at his left to step forward. "He’s Chief Surgeon of my ship, and will perform the necessary examinations."

Trip stared at Tr’Nal in confusion. The man seemed so different from the friendly, hospitable person he’d met less than two weeks ago, and the way he spat out the words "necessary examinations" left no doubt about the fact that he hated discussing this in public. Chief Surgeon K’Ron seemed to share his captain's feelings; throwing Trip an uneasy glance he turned around, and walked off in the direction of a nearby bulkhead. Unsure whether he was supposed to follow him, Trip looked at Jon, and noticed that the frown on Archer’s face had deepened. The Captain turned to Tr’Nal.

"Maybe Dr. Phlox can help with these examinations. I’m not doubting your doctor’s expertise, but I’m sure Phlox can provide some facts about human physiology which will prove helpful. After all, " he smiled slightly, "this is the first time in history a male human got pregnant-"

"Captain." There was a cutting edge to Tr’Nal’s voice that startled Trip. All four Xyrillians were staring at Archer as if he’d just made the most inappropriate of remarks. "I don’t think there is need to discuss this any further. Your physician may accompany K’Ron if you think he can be of use, but I’d appreciate it if we could get this over with as quickly and quietly as possible."

Archer hesitated and for a moment looked as if he wanted to say something, but then decided against it. Instead, he simply nodded at Trip and Phlox, indicating they should go with the Xyrillian doctor. Trip hesitated – he didn’t know what to make of the Xyrillians’ sudden hostility, and for a brief second even considered asking the Captain to accompany them. Then, however, he thought better of it. He was a Starfleet officer, dammit, and despite his current condition he didn’t need to embarrass himself further by letting his anxiety get the better of him. Without another word, he turned to Phlox and K’Ron who were waiting for him at the door, and tried to ignore the uneasy feeling at the back of his mind as he followed them to sickbay.


###


Considering the way the rest of their ship was designed, the Xyrillian hospital facilities reminded Trip a lot of sickbay back on Enterprise. The only real difference were the hospital beds, which had the same curved, sloping form as the bunk he’d used for resting during his first visit. Unlike the rest of the ship, the Xyrillian sickbay had no grass growing on the floor, nor was there any of their strange, sweet-flavored food to be seen on the walls. The surfaces were as smooth and gleaming as Phlox kept his equipment, and when K’Ron switched on one of the bio screens Trip could see that even their design was similar to the monitors back on Enterprise. Phlox, taking an interested look at his surroundings, looked like he would have been thrilled to examine the alien equipment more thoroughly, but K’Ron made it clear that he barely tolerated their presence in his sickbay, and wouldn’t react positively to anyone trying to mess with his instruments. Pointing at one of the beds, he wordlessly indicated for Trip to take a seat, and disappeared through a door into an adjoining room.

Exchanging a glance with Phlox, Trip carefully lowered himself onto the sloped surface of the bed and immediately the monitor above his head sprang to life. Phlox stepped closer, a concentrated frown on his face as he studied the strange, angular letters on the screen.

"We should have brought Hoshi," he said, smiling down at Trip in that peculiar way of his. Trip knew Phlox was trying to make him feel more at ease, and answered the doctor’s smile, grateful that he didn’t have to face K’Ron’s examination all on his own. It was a rather disconcerting situation, and the fact that the Xyrillians were treating them like unwelcome intruders didn’t help. Phlox was still frowning at the images on the bio screen.

"This could be blood pressure," he said, pointing at a reading in the left upper corner. "I can’t be sure, though. Fascinating, their way of-"

"I must ask you not to touch any of the equipment," a cool voice interrupted him. Phlox stepped back from the monitor and turned to the Xyrillian doctor who had returned carrying some kind of hand scanner.

"I’m sorry." Phlox was still smiling, and Trip could see that the Denobulan doctor’s unwavering good mood made K’Ron even more suspicious. Stepping up next to the biobed, the Xyrillian turned his back to Phlox and began running the hand scanner over Trip. He repeated the procedure several times, stopping from time to time to compare the scanner’s readings to the data displayed on the monitor, and even though Trip was certainly no expert in reading Xyrillian facial expressions, he could tell that K’Ron wasn’t pleased at what he saw. Not at all.

After about five minutes of scanning K’Ron shut off the small instrument, ignored Trip’s questioning look and turned directly to Phlox.

"Your Captain said human males don’t usually conceive," he said, stumbling on the last word. "Is that true?"

Phlox nodded. "Yes. Normally it’s the human female who conceives and carries the child to term. I was actually quite surprised that human physiology would adapt to a reproductive system so different from-"

"I see," K’Ron interrupted quickly, studying his scanner as if he’d never seen it before. "So this condition is a very unnatural one for him."

Trip didn’t like the way they were talking about him as if he weren’t even present, and decided to ask the question that had been burning on his lips ever since they’d come aboard.

"Is there any way to get the fetus outta me without hurtin’ it? Maybe you can transfer it to another host or somethin’."

K’Ron didn’t look at him, but the way his jaw tightened told Trip that the Xyrillian found his question to be offensive, to say the least. Acting as if he hadn’t heard him, K’Ron kept talking directly to Phlox as if Trip had never spoken at all.

"I’m afraid I don’t have the authority to decide what steps to take next, doctor. I’ll have to confer with Captain Tr’Nal about what we’re going to do. Maybe you could inform your captain that-"

"No need," a voice came from the door, and Trip turned his head. Tr’Nal and Archer had entered the room and a few steps behind them followed a small Xyrillian woman Trip instantly recognized.

"Ah’Len!" he said, half-rising from the biobed, but stopped in his tracks when she looked at him. Her expression was no longer the gentle, teasing smile he remembered, but was firmly set and rigid, almost like T’Pol’s. Only her eyes betrayed any emotions, and the look in them spoke of nervous apprehension as they settled on him for one brief moment, then darted away again. When she didn’t answer or acknowledge his greeting in any way, Trip realized that she, too, was going to ignore him like everybody else, and it surprised and hurt him at the same time. K’Ron had left his bedside and was now talking to his captain in a low voice.

"They were right, Captain. The fetus is located between the sixth and seventh costal bone, and seems to be in its normal stage of development, considering the... unusual circumstances." He paused and fixed Ah’Len with a hard stare. "I was also able to identify its genetic origin. It is clearly your child, Ah’Len."

Tr’Nal stared at Ah’Len who lowered her eyes, studying the floor at her feet. A moment of awkward silence followed, and Trip heard Archer take a deep breath.

"Well," he said, "I guess everyone will agree that these are rather unfortunate circumstances, but we’ll have to deal with it now that it has happened. Maybe Dr. K’Ron can tell us if there is a way of removing the fetus-"

"Captain," Tr’Nal interrupted, turning to look at Archer. His voice held embarrassment and barely concealed anger. "I understand humans have a very... casual way of handling these things, but to us a pregnancy is not something to be the subject of loose talk or public discussions. Nor is the unborn child something to be played with, or treated with carelessness. No Xyrillian doctor who has only the slightest respect of medical ethics would even consider, as you put it, "transferring" a fetus. And no self-respecting Xyrillian male," and at these words he looked at Trip for the first time since they’d come aboard, "would ever allow himself to become the host of a child if he isn’t lawfully bonded to the mother."

Trip stared at him, momentarily rendered speechless. It had been obvious from the first moment since he’d entered the ship that the Xyrillians for some reason felt less than friendly towards him, but he’d never thought they’d condemn him for what had happened. Refuse to help him because they considered it unethical.

Jon seemed to be similarly surprised, but he quickly regained his composure.

"Tr’Nal," he began, "I’m sorry if we offended you, but I assure you we didn’t do so intentionally. I understand you have very strict ethical rules concerning... these things, but the circumstances were a little different in this case, I think. Commander Tucker was not aware that his actions could lead to a pregnancy; he didn’t even know about your reproductive system-"

"How could he not know about these things?" Tr’Nal asked disdainfully. "He’s a grown man, after all."

Archer opened his mouth, but Trip interrupted before he could say anything. He felt both humiliated and furious, and his anger towards these people who were treating him like he’d committed a crime grew with every minute he had to listen to this conversation.

"It’s jus’ that humans don’t get pregnant by stickin’ their hands into a box of glowin’ pebbles! Ah’Len told me it was a game you play, to read each others’ minds, nothin’ else! She never said anything about it bein’ some form of sexual intercourse!"

Tr’Nal’s head snapped around at these words, and for the first time he addressed Trip directly. "Are you implying that Ah’Len, Chief Engineer and respected member of my crew, took advantage of you and deliberately neglected to tell you about her intentions? Watch what you’re saying!"

"She never said a word!" Trip turned to Ah’Len, but she still wouldn’t look at him. "Why’re you doin’ this?"

Ah’Len was still staring down at her feet, refusing to meet his eyes or give an answer to his question. Tr’Nal frowned.

"Ah’Len, I don’t think I need to ask you this, but maybe they need to hear it from you –back in the holographic chamber, did you tell him what you were about to do?"

Ah’Len didn’t answer immediately, and Trip saw the muscles in her jaw work. Then, however, she finally raised her eyes, and there was nothing unsteady about her voice as she spoke.

"Yes," she said. "Of course I did. He said it was alright with him, and that there was nothing wrong with having a little fun..."

Trip stared at her. He couldn’t believe that it was the gentle, competent woman he had gotten to know who was telling these lies, looking at him with scarcely hidden contempt in her eyes. The Xyrillians stared at him as if he were a particularly nasty spot of dirt on their gleaming white sickbay floor, and Archer’s face displayed shock and surprise. The thought that Jon might believe them caused a dry feeling in Trip's throat, and the words were out of his mouth before he could stop himself.

"That’s not true! I never said that, Cap’n, you gotta believe me! You know I would never do anythin’ that stupid, and-"

"Trip." Jon held up a hand. "You told me what happened, and I believe you. Tr’Nal..." He hesitated. "Maybe all of this is some sort of misunderstanding. Commander Tucker assured me he did not know what was happening, and I’ve never had reason not to believe what he was saying. I think there‘s no real use in blaming anyone; fact is that Commander Tucker needs your help. I understand that this is a cultural taboo with your people, but this case is different, I think. There is no way he can deliver this baby, so-"

"Captain, I don’t think you quite understand." Tr’Nal’s voice sounded deceptively calm. "If one of our male crewmembers were to act in such a way, he would be dismissed from the service immediately, and his family would most likely disown him. I already told you that we do not share your careless view of things concerning children and family. There’s nothing we can possibly do about Tucker’s condition."

"You can’t do that!" Trip felt a lump forming in his throat. "I – I can’t have that baby, there’s no way I-"

"You should have thought of that before you were intimate with someone you had met only a few days before," Tr’Nal interrupted acidly. Trip felt his cheeks flush with rage and embarrassment.

"She never told me this was how you people have sex! And Phlox told you human males don’t get pregnant! How was I supposed to know?"

"He’s lying!" Ah’Len spoke up all of a sudden, indignant outrage in her voice as she turned to her captain. "I informed him of all possible consequences, but he dismissed my warnings-"

"That’s not true!" Trip realized that he had raised his voice, and forced himself to speak in a level tone as he continued. "That’s not true, and you know it, Ah’Len. You said it was a game-"

"I don’t have to listen to this," Ah’Len interrupted. Trip noticed that her fists were tightly clenched, as if she had a hard time keeping her hands from shaking. In an abrupt movement she turned and walked off towards the sickbay doors. Tr’Nal made as if to follow her, but right then she turned around again, looking at Trip. Her eyes seemed overly bright and for a moment she looked as if she wanted to say something, but she didn’t. The doors closed behind her, and for a brief moment no one spoke.

Trip felt a hand settle on his shoulder, and saw that Archer had stepped up beside him. The Captain cleared his throat.

"Tr’Nal, if you like it or not, we need to reach some kind of arrangement here. I can’t see you laying all the blame on Commander Tucker, and even assuming Ah’Len told the truth about what happened, it changes nothing about the fact that she was also... involved. So-"

"Captain, I already told you there is nothing we can do." Tr’Nal briefly lowered his eyes. "What Ah’Len did was against regulations, no doubt, and she’ll have to face the consequences for her actions. But... it was understandable."

"Why was it understandable?" Trip asked angrily. "She lied to me, sayin’-"

"Ah’Len would never lie about something like that!" Tr’Nal snapped, and his voice grew cold again. "I can see you have no sense of decency whatsoever, but after all what happened you could at least show the courage to take responsibility for your actions!"

"You bastard!" Trip jumped up, shaking with fury. He wanted to smash his fist into Tr’Nal’s smug face, wipe the insulting sneer off those scaly features, but before he could even take a step in the alien captain’s direction Jon grabbed him by the arm.

"Calm down, Commander!" Archer said sharply. "That’s an order."

Trip obeyed, if reluctantly, stopping a few feet in front of Tr’Nal who had hastily retreated a few steps. Hand still firmly on Trip’s upper arm, Archer drew in a deep breath.

"Captain, even if you blame Commander Tucker for what happened - what about the child?"

Tr’Nal frowned. "What do you mean?"

Phlox stepped forward. His usual Denobulan smile had vanished to be replaced by an expression Trip had seen only a few times before. People who didn’t know the doctor very well might not be aware of it, but Trip knew that behind his serene features Phlox could get very angry. And at the moment he was positively furious.

"Captain, I already informed your Chief Surgeon here that with humans it is the female and not the male who carries the child to term."

"The female?" Tr’Nal repeated, shock and disbelief warring in his eyes. Phlox continued as if he hadn’t been interrupted at all.

"Commander Tucker’s body was never meant to be the host of a child, and there could be serious damage both to the fetus and the Commander if his condition remains unchanged."

"You can’t know that," Tr’Nal said, but his remark only served to fuel Phlox’ anger.

"And I have no intentions of finding out, either," the doctor snapped. Trip had never heard the Denobulan use that tone of voice before. "Whatever objections you might have, you cannot endanger two lives because of them!"

"Besides," Archer continued before Tr’Nal could say something, "even if the baby survived, it would always be an alien, an outsider. Human society is very different from the Xyrillian-"

"Indeed it is," Tr’Nal said, and the cold fury in his voice was an easy match for Phlox'. "How dare you tell me what to do on my own ship! I have been very liberal about this, I was willing to talk to you, even offered to have my doctor examine him." He jerked his chin in Trip’s direction. "You, on the other hand, continue to insult us, question the honor of my best officer and now you’re even trying to give me a lesson in ethics! Listen to me very closely, Captain..." He stepped forward and continued in a very quiet tone, "I’m grateful for what you did to help us with our engines, but if you and your crewmates don’t leave on the spot I’m going to call security and have you removed by force."

Archer stared down at the smaller alien. "You would risk a fight about this, Tr’Nal?"

Tr’Nal gave no response, simply staring back at him, and after a moment Archer nodded slowly. "I see." He turned to Trip and Phlox. "We’re leaving."

"Cap’n!" Trip had been listening to their conversation with growing despair. "We can’t-"

"We’re leaving, Trip," Archer repeated, and his tone left no room for interpretation. "That’s an order."

"No!" Trip had never thought it would ever come to this, that he would disobey a direct order by his captain, but at the moment he couldn’t care less about rank and orders. Right now he felt nothing but a blind panic at the thought of letting his only chance vanish into thin air. "There’s no way I’m leavin’ here before they haven’t got that thing outta me-"

"Commander!" Archer took him by the arm. "I gave you a direct order! Now do what I say or I’ll have to officially reprimand you because of insubordination!"

Archer’s sharp, angry tone somehow penetrated the shock that was clouding Trip’s mind, and he allowed himself to be pulled towards the door without offering any further resistance. Phlox followed, his face grimly set, and Trip heard the door slide shut behind him. None of the Xyrillians followed them as they made their way back to the decompression chamber, but Trip didn’t really notice. He was hardly aware of his surroundings, walking like someone in a nightmare. Neither Phlox nor Archer spoke a word as they entered the chamber, and Jon closed the hatch behind them without looking back. Still unable to think straight, Trip watched as the white mist began to envelope his feet and creep up his legs. After a while he absentmindedly lowered himself to the floor, and never moved or spoke a word for a very long time.

TBC


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A handful of people have made comments

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

NO NO NO NO NO NO!!!!

TBC?????I H8 TBC!! specially considering how flipping amazing this is.

Please write more soon. please! U got me hooked, upset and now TBC'd.

Love the story and the writing please update quickly :D :D :D :D

dont think i wrote that right
"U got me hooked, upset and now TBC'd"

should read
U got me hooked, sympathising, upset with the xyrillians and now TBC'd

What an interesting beginning. I always loved "Unexpected" and I'm already thrilled by your story. I'm looking forward to the next chapters. Please update soon. Thanks

Hi Sita,
What a wonderful idea to post this beautiful story here at the House of Tucker. I'm looking forward to read it again for it's one of the best stories I've ever read. By the way, thanks for the compliment. It's a pleasure to beta-read the stories of such a talented author like you.

No No NO. I love this story! Please write some more! Please no more TBC!!!