Things That Come in the Night- pt 4

Things That Come in the Night

By The Watch Stander

Rating: PG13, Drama/friendship etc
Disclaimer: Paramount Owns Enterprise and all of its crew. The wonderful interpretation of these characters is owned by the cast of Enterprise. The fun of writing this story about these characters is owned by me and is no way intended to infringe on any of these rights and is done without payment or profit on my part.

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Part Four

Trip awoke the following morning feeling drugged and tired as one always felt when burdened by a cold or the flu. Other symptoms were starting to appear for his whole body ached as well. Dragging himself out of bed, he took the medication Phlox had given him and layback down on the bed for a few moments, waiting for it to clear his head and mask the symptoms of the flu.

The memory of his dream haunted him again. It always seemed so real, like it actually happened. He could visualize the woman’s every feature in his mind and relive some of the pleasurable sensations she had caused in him. It was really becoming too much to think about. However, though totally exhausted he still felt relaxed and content.

Finally, he arose from the bed and went to take his shower. A look in the mirror afterwards reflected his baggy eyes with dark circles under them. Reminding him that he was still sick.

Just have to make it through the day.

After dressing and putting both hanky and medicine in his pocket, he set out for the mess.

I’m really going to need a few cups of coffee this morning, just to function!

He was half way to the mess when Malcolm joined him.

Reed looked at the exhausted man before him, “You look like the very devil this morning!” he noticed there were darker circles below Trip’s eyes this morning.

Trip shook his head, “Good morning to you too!”

Leave it to Malcolm to ruin his morning!

Reed tried to soothe Trip’s ruffled feathers, “It’s just that you don’t look like you’re getting any better.” Reed was becoming concerned, for Trip was very pale.

“Doc says I have the flu and I’m taking medication, so stop worrying! I really don’t need a mother hen!” Trip suddenly realized how angry that sounded when he saw the hurt look on Reed’s face.

“Ah, hell, Malcolm. I’m sorry. It’s just the flu making me cranky. Let’s get some coffee,” he sighed and tried to smile hoping that he had placated the limey.

Reed smiled back, “ Right. We can talk there.”

Trip wasn’t sure what they were going to talk about, but he followed Reed into the mess. After he got himself a cup of coffee, he found a table near a view port to sit at and was shortly joined by the lieutenant carrying a tray with his own breakfast.

Reed immediately noticed there wasn’t any food in front of Trip.

“Not eating?”

Trip sighed, preparing himself for yet another health lecture, “Not really hungry, just makes my stomach queasy looking at food. I think it’s the medication doc gave me.”

Reed listened, “ Maybe you’ll be hungry at lunch time. I’ll come and fetch you.”

Trip didn’t think so, but he agreed to meet for lunch.

Wonder if Jon put Malcolm up to all this. No, that’s not Jon’s style; he’d just follow me himself rather than ask someone else.

Thinking about Jon made him smile to himself as he remembered the Captain acting like his big brother and walking him to sickbay the night before.

Maybe things would turn out ok after all and we can be friends again.

Trip would like nothing better. He was tired of using ‘Sir’ every time he addressed Archer when they were officially discussing the mission or anything pertaining to the ship, instead of his more familiar Capt’n.

His attention was drawn back to Malcolm as the Brit chatted on about something.

“Commander?”

“Ah, Sorry, Malcolm. My mind drifted there for a moment. You were saying?” Trip managed, now clearly embarrassed that he missed what the Lt had said.

Reed tried be patient, Trip wasn’t himself after all. “I was asking you about the ship we were following and if you knew anymore about it? We’re supposed to overtake it sometime soon for they seemed to have cut their speed.”

“Ship! What ship? No one told me!” now Trip was clearly upset. Left out of the loop again, and as third officer he should have been told.

Reed was surprised that neither Archer nor T’Pol had mentioned it to Trip.

He went on to explain, “We picked up the trail of a cargo or trader ship a day or so ago. The captain wants to talk to them about the Xindi. I haven’t been told all the details; maybe the captain hasn’t decided whether to risk talking to them. That could be why you weren’t informed.”

Trip thought about calling Archer and asking about the ship, but decided not too. Why risk the fragile ties they had reestablished over nothing of importance.

“You’re probably right, he’ll tell me when he’s ready.” Trip suddenly became uncomfortable and decided it was a good time to leave.

“Gotta go! Shift’s about to begin.” He quickly stood up taking his coffee with him and started for the door. “Catch ya later.”

“I’ll see you at lunch!” Malcolm managed to call out before Trip went out the door.

Trip just waved in reply and headed for engineering and what he hoped was going to be a very quiet and uneventful day.

Malcolm shook his head. There was something not quite right about the commander, but he couldn’t put his finger on it. Trip seemed lost in thought through most of the conversation they’d just had.

Could be his medication. Have to try and find out what is bothering him later. I don’t like the way he looks, flu or no flu!


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Continue to Part Five

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One person has made comments

I love this mysterious alien entity you've created! Watching for your next post!