Dreams of Exsistence

Chapter Eight
“You're very lucky Ensign,” Phlox said cheerily. “It is my understanding that human females often experience morning sickness throughout the day. Yours seems isolated to… well, the morning.” Phlox administered a dosage of nausea medication.

“I remember when my second wife was pregnant with our first child. Mind you, Denobulan women do not experience nausea due to pregnancy, but they do get some rather odd cravings. She craved sweets, especially apolox, which is a rare delicacy on Denobula. It is highly sought after and can only be found in the soil by specially trained wrandlebes.” Phlox made some adjustments to the scanner above the bed.

“How is she?” Hoshi asked, looking up at the screen.

“She is ten weeks along now. She is approximately 27 milimeters in length and weighs 4 grams. Her toes, eyes, ears and lips are developing quite nicely. Do you see them?” Phlox adjusted the scanner to give Hoshi a better view.

Hoshi sat there in awe and put her hand over the little bulge on her abdomen.

“Have you thought about the delivery, Ensign? It will be here sooner than you expect. Are you going to have a natural birth or will you be requiring assistance?” Phlox questioned.

“I guess I really hadn’t had the chance to think about it,” Hoshi said, suddenly feeling a little overwhelmed with the decisions ahead of her.

“Well, when you decide, just let me know. I have delivered several children, some of them my own. Although the anatomy between humans and Denobulans is minimally different, birthing techniques are quite similar.” Phlox helped Hoshi off the bed. “If you have any problems just let me know.”

“Thanks, Doctor.” Hoshi waved as she left sickbay and headed for the bridge.

**

“Hoshi, could I see you in my ready room?” Archer asked as he walked out of the turbolift, across the bridge, and into his ready room.

Hoshi had a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. Earlier that day she had patched a communication from Admiral Forrest through to Captain Archer’s quarters. As she sat at her console, she had thought of what was coming and what she would say. “I guess I don’t have to wait for opening night,” she muttered to herself.

Archer looked like a man who had a lot on his mind. “Please have a seat, Hoshi.” Archer motioned to a chair.

“Captain, I intend to resign my commission and go back to earth to raise the baby,” Hoshi stated as she stood at ease close to the door. She had decided it was easier to jump right in.

Archer looked at her as though she had sprouted horns. Then he regained his composure. “Please, have a seat,” he insisted.

“I’m sure you have guessed by now that I spoke with Admiral Forrest about your pregnancy. Due to the nature of the conception and the pregnancy, Starfleet has taken the position that your baby is to be considered a hostile first contact situation until proven otherwise. They view the conception as an attack on your and Malcolm’s personage.” Archer paused and looked down at Hoshi.

Hoshi was having a difficult time forming any thoughts, thinking she had hallucinated what Captain Archer was saying. “But, what about the mind meld? Didn’t that prove that my baby is…she is just a baby!” Hoshi was close to tears.

“Starfleet does not have an official position on Vulcan mind melds. Admiral Forrest tells me that Ambassador Soval is more concerned that a meld has been performed than about the reasons why it was performed.” Archer kneeled in front of Hoshi and grabbed her hand to hold. “ I know this is difficult to hear Hoshi. I have lodged a formal complaint with Admiral Forest,” he stated, knowing Hoshi would take very little comfort in that fact.

“As of now, you are relieved of duty until further notice. Starfleet is assembling a team to rendezvous with us in four months. Luckily, the Vulcans are taking a laissez-faire attitude regarding this matter, otherwise the rendezvous would have been sooner.” Archer paused, letting Hoshi absorb the information.

Hoshi leaned forward and put her face in her hands. Her posture reflected hopelessness and defeat.

“I am going to ask Trip to do some ‘much needed’ repair work on the warp core. He will have the core ‘offline’ for as long as possible. That will buy us a few more weeks,” Archer offered, feeling as though he owed it to Hoshi.

“Thank you for everything you have done, Captain.” Hoshi stood up and a sense of urgency overcame her. She became dizzy and heard a low buzzing in her . “I. “I-I think I’m going to pass out.”
Luckily, Archer was there to catch her when she fell.

**

When Hoshi woke, she was on a sofa wrapped in her favorite afghan that her grandmother had given her. Confusion clouded her judgment. Before she had the time to take stock of her situation, she heard laughter - one laugh was that of a child and the other that of a man.

“Daddy, stop, stop. Please, Daddy, stop tickling me!” the little girl’s voice squealed with delight.

“Daddy who? I’m not your daddy. I’m the tickles monster intent on tickling you until you beg for mercy,” the masculine voice chided in a teasing manner.

Hoshi walked through the hall and witnessed the exchange between father and daughter. Her daughter’s room was filled with warmth and love. Checkered white and pink valances adorned the windows of the room. Light streamed through the window as though spotlighting the spectacle of father and daughter laughing and loving.

“Mommy,” the little girl with raven hair and her father’s blue eyes screeched in delight. “You’re awake! I’m so glad! I didn’t think we would get a chance to play before I left for school.” She ran to Hoshi and hugged her legs with all the strength she had in her body.

Malcolm walked up to them and enveloped the women he loved in a big bear hug. “Hello, darlings. How are my favorite lovelies?” Malcolm put his face next to Hoshi’s and kissed her, earning a giggle from their daughter.

“I’m fine,” Hoshi stated, feeling as though she were emerging from a fog. She could smell the cleanliness of her daughter and reveled in it. She inhaled deeply and started to relax.

“You’ve been working so hard and looked so peaceful, I didn’t have the heart to wake you last night. I hope you aren’t stiff from sleeping on the sofa,” Malcolm whispered into her hair.

“Why don’t we all just stay home today and play hooky,” Hoshi smiled, not wanting the day to end.

“Don’t be silly, Mama. I have to go to school. I’ll be back before you know I’m gone.” Hoshi’s daughter gave her a big grin and squirmed out of her mother’s arms.

Hoshi watched as father and daughter headed out the door. Her daughter stopped and looked back at her. “I’ll be here soon, Mama.”

**


“It’s been three days!” the disembodied voice stated irritably. “When is she going to wake up?”

“Please remain calm, Lieutenant. The fetus is growing exponentially and taking quite a toll on Ensign Sato’s system,” a soothing voice replied.

“But you said she was going to be okay,” Malcolm said, his frustration bubbling to the surface. He hadn’t left Hoshi’s side since she had passed out after finding out Starfleet Command’s position regarding their child.

“She is stable. The fetus is at twenty weeks now and within normal parameters for a human fetus that far along.” Phlox administered a hypospray of nutrients for mother and child.

Hoshi felt as though someone had replaced her eyelids with lead weights. Exhaustion had weaved its way through her body, scattering her thoughts. Once her thoughts were organized, the first one to surface was that of the baby. She moved a protective hand to her stomach. What she felt was amazing. Her abdomen was gloriously stretched with life.

Malcolm noticed the movement and was by her side in an instant. “Hoshi, are you okay? Are you in any pain?” Malcolm’s hand involuntarily brushed stray hairs from her face while his other hand grabbed her hand.

“What happened?” Hoshi croaked as she tried to sit up.

“You’ve been unconscious for three days and the fetus has started growing at a faster rate. You are now twenty weeks along. Since this is anything other than your typical pregnancy, I only surmise that your system needed to rest while your fetus grew ten weeks in three days,” Phlox explained. “How are you feeling?”

“I feel groggy, like I’ve been asleep for three days,” Hoshi quipped and tried to make light of the situation. She noticed Malcolm had a death grip on her hand and a concerned furrow to his brow.

“It looks like Kamaria is in a hurry to get here,” Phlox observed as he adjusted a monitor so that her parents could see and hear her.

Hoshi noticed that Phlox had used their daughter’s name and knew he had been speaking to Malcolm. She felt comfort in knowing that Malcolm had accepted their impending parenthood and her love for him grew. She knew she needed to protect him from himself. They still hadn’t had that talk about where she and Kamaria were going to live. As far as she was concerned she was not going to let him resign his commission here. He belonged here. Now it was a moot point due to Starfleet’s position. She tensed noticeably, feeling the urge to flee and protect her child.

Malcolm could see the play of emotions over Hoshi’s face and put a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Hoshi, Captain Archer told me what Admiral Forrest said. Don’t worry. We’ll fight for her. I’ve asked T’Pol to contact Vulcan on our behalf to seek asylum. Starfleet has no right…”

Hoshi knew this was her chance to strike. Malcolm would be better off if she did this by herself. She shrugged his hands off her shoulders. “We?” Her voice sounded incredulous. “That’s very sweet of you to worry, Malcolm, but Kamaria and I will be fine on our own.”

“Hoshi, I know what you’re doing,” Malcolm stated in a calm voice. “I didn’t get where I am today without being able to read people. I am not going to let you cut me out or push me away. We're in this together.”

Malcolm paused and weighed the consequences of what he was going to say next. Then he realized he was only hurting himself and doing Hoshi a disservice if she didn’t know how he felt. “I love you. I have since the moment I met you.” Malcolm held his breath, unsure as to whether he had actually said his thoughts out loud and wondering how she would react to them.

Hoshi whispered something, unable to sound coherent as she wept. She wept for what seemed like several minutes. Malcolm just sat there and held her and gave her what comfort and strength he could. “I love you too,” Hoshi cried, “but you can’t leave here. You’re needed here. What if…”

Hoshi was unable to continue her thought as Malcolm melded his lips with hers. At first the kiss was gentle, as though he was afraid the dream would end. Then the kiss deepened, passion flowing between them.

“Uh-hmm!”
The lovers tore apart at the interruption.
“I’m sorry to interrupt, but I’m glad to see you’re awake, Hoshi,” Archer said, looking bemused. “I just wanted to see how you and Malcolm were doing.”

Hoshi flushed. “We’re fine sir.”

“Sir, has the Sub-Commander heard anything from Vulcan regarding my request?” Malcolm asked with a touch of desperation in his voice.

Archer’s shoulders slumped visibly as he told the couple the bad news. “Vulcan has denied the request, stating the child would pose a security risk. I know it’s small consolation, but I have told Starfleet that we are experiencing difficulties with the power conduits along the nacelles. I’ve bought you all a few more weeks.”

“Thank you, sir,” Hoshi said. “I know you’ve done everything you can.”

“Phlox tells me that you’re now twenty weeks along,” Archer noted, looking at the baby on the screen doing gymnastics in the warmth of her mother’s womb. “Are you able to feel her yet?”

“She feels like butterflies.” Hoshi smiled and placed her hand on top of her womb.

Malcolm stared in awe at his daughter and reached out to touch her. Hoshi’s hand covered Malcolm’s. “She feels like butterflies inside of me.”

Phlox returned with some additional hyposprays to be administered to mother andld. ld. He shooed away all visitors, stating that the mother-to-be needed her rest.

**

The next day Hoshi was released from sickbay with strict orders to go to her quarters and rest comfortably. Malcolm was there to escort her to her quarters, assuring Dr. Phlox that Hoshi would follow orders. Overnight the baby had gestated three more weeks.

Malcolm had stopped by the quartermaster’s office to pick up some maternity clothes for Hoshi. After she was dressed, he helped her off the bed. The Captain had given him the day off so he could settle Hoshi back into her quarters.

“Could we stop by the mess hall and get something to eat? I’m starving,” Hoshi pleaded with Malcolm as they walked toward her quarters. She was desperate to go somewhere other than back to bed.

“Phlox said you are to go directly to bed,” Malcohasthastised. “If you’re hungry, I’ll go and get you something. What would you like?”

Hoshi pouted the rest of the way to her quarters. She entered her code and was followed in by Malcolm. Unable to resist baiting him, she turned around and pressed her body against his. “I want you.” She kissed his lips, trailing her tongue along the entrance to his mouth.

Malcolm pulled away reluctantly and gave her a reprimanding look. “I’ll pick you up a little bit of everything,” he laughed as he made a tactical retreat.

**

Malcolm could hear Hoshi in the shower as he entered her quarters, a tray of breakfast selections in his hands. He sat on her bunk and images of the last time he had been there played in his mind. He loved Hoshi and felt as randy as a teenager right now, especially since Hoshi had propositioned him before he went for breakfast. His conscience surfaced and reminded him that Hoshi was supposed to be resting. His libido conquered his conscience and reminded him that she had done nothing but rest for the last three days.

Malcolm disrobed and opened the door to the bathroom. The steam assailed his sight and caressed his skin with its warm moisture. As he got closer to the shower stall, he watched Hoshi. She was lathering her shoulders and arms. Tendrils of her hair escaped the haphazard bun. Her hands stroked her shoulder blades next, then her breasts, lingering there over the enlarged areoles and pebble-hard nipples. Hoshi rolled her nipples between her fingers as her other hand rubbed her pregnant belly. “Do you like what you see?” Hoshi asked, not missing a beat.

“I love what I see,” Malcolm growled as he entered the stall. He reached for some soap, lathered his hands and traced over Hoshi’s hands as they explored her body. He marveled at the feel of her stretched abdomen where their child grew, and hesitated in his actions.

Hoshi could sense what he was thinking and pressed her backside against him. She had been enjoying the water cascading down her body, thinking of it as a lover’s caress. Malcolm was already fully aroused. He nuzzled her neck and elicited a low moan from her. He bit down on the juncture of her shoulder and neck, tasting her and the water as it sprayed over them. He felt her reach around and grab his thick member and start stroking him.

“I love you, Hoshi,” Malcolm whispered into her ear as his tongue licked the shell and his teeth nipped her lobe. His hand massaged her tender breast, continuing to arouse her further.

“I love you too,” Hoshi replied. She could feel the water mingling with the wetness coming from her nether regions. She gasped as Malcolm rolled and pinched her nipples. She reached up with her other hand and grasped his hair, encouraging his ministrations along her collarbone.

“Please, Malcolm. Hurry! I want to feel you inside me,” Hoshi pleaded, continuing to gyrate her backside against his arousal.

Malcolm obliged and nudged Hoshi forward, inserting his knees between her legs, effectively widening her stance. He ran his hands along her arms and guided them to the bench in the shower, bending her over. She willingly let him lead, feeling the excitement.

Malcolm’s hands massaged Hoshi’s back as he continued to press his erect manhood against her ass. Then he reached around and thrust his fingers into her sultry core. She gasped and arched her back. “Malcolm, please!”

Hoshi felt the tip of his head probing her entrance. Unable to wait, she thrust back, sheathing his manhood with her essence. Malcolm could sense her urgency and clutched her ass and pounded into her. He could feel her orgasm overtake her, yet he kept thrusting, reaching for his own orgasm. Her moaning and writhing sent him over his own personal brink and he spilled into her, unable to form a coherent thought.

**

Malcolm held Hoshi as she slept in the aftermath of their lovemaking. She was restless, murmuring in her sleep. Her brow was creased as though she were having a nightmare. He tried to soothe her, but the dream was too powerful.

Hoshi shot straight up, a wild look in her eyes. “They’re going to take my baby!”

*****