Things That Come in the Night- pt. 7

Things That Come In The Night-PT 7

by The Watch Stander

An:
I’m afraid this is a short chapter. Our other computer crashed and yours truly had to fix it. I’ll be away for a week and will add more when I get back. Thanks for all your kind reviews.

So, enjoy and have a Happy Holiday!

The Watch Stander

****************************************************

Trip was lying on his bed in his quarters, still trying to decide whether to tell Captain Archer about the entity that had visited him. T’Pol had a very valid argument, in that Archer should be told. He hadn’t divulged the information about the entity to her for it was too embarrassing and what she thought of him really mattered to him. Especially now, for he valued the closeness that seemed to be developing between them and didn’t want to endanger that.

In the end, he decided that it would be best to tell the Captain. Maybe somehow he would understand, and if not, there would be another nail in the coffin of what use to be their friendship.

At least I’ll have been honest with him. It really wasn’t my fault.

He had just finished changing into his bedclothes and was getting ready to go to bed when the door chime rang. He went to the door and when he opened it, the face that greeted him surprised him.

“May I come in?” Jon asked.

Trip was almost speechless; he hadn’t expected Jon this late.

“Of Course, Sir,” he said now resigned to allowing him to enter.

Jon tried to smile; he really was getting tired of the “Sir” bit from Trip. It was fine when they were in front of the other crew or other officers, but not between them on unofficial business or after shift like this.

“You can drop the ’sir’, Trip. This isn’t ship’s business. “

Trip nodded, but said nothing, expecting to be chewed out about disappearing that afternoon and not being available by comm unit.

Jon sighed to himself as he took a good look at the man before him, someone who use to be as close to him as a kid brother. Now Trip didn’t seem comfortable around him, never mind being open or showing any of his true feelings. Jon missed that closeness they use to share and the camaraderie.

It looks like I’m going to have to drag it out of Trip, if I want any information on how he’s feeling.

“You look terrible,” Jon had a slight smile on his face, knowing how they always use to say it to one another when one of them looked exhausted or overworked.

Trip sighed in relief, now realizing why Jon was here. He was concerned about Trip’s cold and health, not about minor infractions or events of the day.

“I know, Phlox is looking after me. Gave me some medicine and a sleeping pill to take. “ Trip hoped Jon would accept that as his answer.

Jon continued to look at him; his green eyes intensely staring into Trip’s blue ones. Are you sure, you’re all right? You didn’t seem too well this afternoon.” Archer could tell something wasn’t quite right with the younger man, he just couldn’t figure out what.

Trip knew he should tell Jon about the entity, but he just wasn’t up to it. He was exhausted and had already taken the sleeping pill.

I’ll tell him in the morning, can’t do it now I’m too tired.

“I’m fine, just real tired that’s all. This flu has me really whipped.”

Jon was sure there was something more, but even he could see that Trip’s eyes were beginning to droop from fatigue.

Exhaustion started to claim Trip and it made him light headed. The events of the day’s stress and the sleeping pill all taking their toll at once. He must have staggered, for Jon grabbed him by the arm to steady him.
“Let’s get you to bed, you’re about to drop. “ Jon was concerned now, knowing Trip was exhausted and needed to get some sleep if he was ever going to recover.

Trip was clearly embarrassed, but didn’t argue as Jon pulled back the bed covers and helped him get into bed. Trip found himself slowly fading and unable to keep his eyes open as he crawled into bed.

As Trip settled in Jon even tucked the covers around him. He smiled slightly at how it reminded him of the time he had once done the very same thing when Trip was very drunk. It had been after the party celebrating Earth’s first warp 5 engine and Trip had been one very drunken engineer.
Jon even remembered Trip singing off key as they made their way back to the Trip’s apartment. Jon had escorted him home to be sure he arrived safely.

I even sang a few lines myself come to think of it.

Trip was all but asleep now; his eyelids barely able to stay slightly open.

“Thanks, Capt’n,” he said sleepily using Jon’s familiar nickname then his eyes closed and he drifted off to sleep.

Jon stood there for a moment looking down at the sleeping man and remembering all the good times, they’d shared. It also made him realize that both of them had somehow drifted away from being friends and it hurt.

Somehow, that has to change.

He made a silent promise to talk to Trip at the first opportunity rather than let this division go on.

Quietly he exited the sleeping man’s quarters, turning off the lights as he left.

*****************

Trip had a dreamless night caused by sheer exhaustion and the medication that Phlox had given him. When he finally woke up, he vaguely recalled falling asleep, the night before while Jon was there. Then he remembered Jon putting him to bed and was embarrassed. However, he was also grateful for the kindness and knew he missed that aspect of Archer.

Sometimes Jon just surprised him, for the old Archer was still there buried somewhere beneath the responsibility of this mission.

Having to put me to bed must have made him think I’m really a basket case, or just not able to cope anymore.

He thought again of T’Pol’s advice and his own decision to tell Archer about the entity.

This isn’t going to be a fun day.

**********************

Reed saw Trip coming down the hall toward the mess. The Lt had timed it perfectly to meet the engineer before he went on duty.

“Commander, I must say you’re looking better this morning,” he added cheerily.

Trip smiled, “I had a good night’s sleep for a change.”

“Well that must be it then, mind if I join you for breakfast?” Malcolm asked pleasantly.

“Course not, I’m kinda hungry this morning.”

Malcolm nodded secretly glad to hear that Trip was going to eat something for a change; it meant he was feeling better.

The two men each got a plateful of pancakes and bacon and sat down together at a table at the back of the mess.

Reed grimaced as he watched Trip drown his pancakes in syrup and butter.

“Sure you’re not having syrup for breakfast?” he had to ask.

Trip made a face at him and started to cut the cakes and take a bite.

Malcolm shook his head as he sprinkled a little sugar over his own pancakes. A far more civilized way to eat them. None of that sticky syrup for him.

“By the way, did Captain Archer catch up to you yesterday?” He decided to ask.

Trip stopped before putting another forkful of food into his mouth. ” Yes, last night.”

Reed looked at him, “And?”

“And nothing, he was just concerned that I didn’t feel so good at lunch.” Trip replied irritated.

Reed decided to let it drop. Trip could be very closed mouthed when he wanted to be.

Trip finished his pancakes and while Reed was still eating his, went and got another cup of coffee and came back to the table. As He sat there, sipping the beverage he stared out the view port lost in thought.

God, to think she was an entity not a conjured up dream. She was so beautiful, no wonder they call her a siren. I almost wish I could see her when I’m awake and talk to her.

She wouldn’t harm him he knew that and he remembered some of Captain Broetag’s story about the sirens. They helped people when they were troubled, drawn to them by their dreams. It was true, for she had come to him while he was having a nightmare. Yesterday he had been very upset about the whole thing, but now with a good night’s sleep and some of his exhausting taken away, he was able to be more rational.

I’ll tell Jon this morning and he can help me decide what to do. Maybe Broetag will help.

Malcolm looked at Trip between bites of pancake. He could see the Commander’s thoughtful gaze out the window and knew he was troubled.

“A penny for your thoughts, Commander?”

Trip suddenly realized that he was being addressed. “Ah, sorry, Malcolm. Just thinking of today’s agenda.” He smiled at the limey, trying to hide behind it.

“Well, it must be some list, you were really gone there for a moment.” Malcolm smiled back; knowing Trip was covering up, but let it drop.

“Yah, well I’d better go, I need to see the Captain about a problem. I’ll catch ya later.” Trip wanted to go and get it over with rather than prolong the agony any longer.

Malcolm nodded and watched as Trip left. Then sat back in his chair and scratched his chin as a concerned look crossed his face.

Trip could be so secretive at times; I wonder what that problem might be.

**********************

Trip stood outside Archer’s ready room, then finally gathering his courage pushed the door chime.

When he entered, he was surprised by a smile on the Captain’s face. “Well you certainly look better this morning, Trip.”

“Yah, a good night’s sleep will do that. Sorry to fall asleep on ya like that. I was just so beat and all,” he said sheepishly.

Jon smiled again, “No problem, you were about to collapse and I can’t have my Chief Engineer under the weather for too long.”

Trip nodded and took a deep breath trying to decide where to begin. “Captain, I need to talk to you about something,” his face all seriousness now, almost pleading for Archer to listen.

Jon’s surprise at the statement and inflection in Trip’s voice showed on his face, “Of course, have a seat.”

I guess Trip will be the one to instigate our talk and clear the air. All the better.

Trip figured he might as well start at the beginning, “Well, it’s like this Captain, I was having trouble sleeping and…”

The comm suddenly sounded and Jon asked Trip to pause one moment as he leaned forward to push the comm button.

“Archer here.”

It was Hoshi, “It’s Captain Broetag, Sir. He wants to speak with you.”

Jon was upset at the timing, for he knew Trip needed to talk, but Broetag had said he was leaving today and wanted to trade for the charts this morning.

“Trip, we’ll talk about this later when we won’t be rushed.” Jon smiled and said apologetically just before he took the call.

Trip nodded, having been given a last minute reprieve and decided maybe it was for the best.

Maybe I’ll find out more from Broetag’s crew when we go over to their ship.

*****************
TBC

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One person has made comments

This has really got me hooked. Please have a good break and then hurry up and add some more. Thanks VP.