Cravings

Jonathan can't sleep and finds himself in the Mess hall with Trip and some strange munchies. Added scene to "Unexpected".

By Emiliana Keladry

Disclaimer: Enterprise belongs to Paramount, not me.

Author's note: This is my addition to Messhall Midnight Munchies Month. It takes place during the episode "Unexpected" of season one, two days before they find the Xyrillians.

Captain Jonathan Archer rolled over in his bed, slapping his hand down on his pillow. Porthos barked across the room as a warning to his master. Jonathan groaned, flipping on the lights. His mind was several miles away and completely awake. He couldn't stop thinking of what his mission was right now and how Commander Tucker was feeling. His best friend was pregnant. It wasn't something that he ever expected to deal with since his best friend was male, unattached and completely… not a female. Even his thoughts were beginning to become jumbled. Looking at the clock, Jon read that it was a little after one in the morning and way too early to be awake or to be out of his room. Porthos groaned across the room, wanting to return to sleep. Finally, Jonathan couldn't take it. He slipped on his cotton pajamas pants and his favorite water polo t-shirt. No one was in the corridors as he headed to the Mess Hall, realizing too late that he had forgotten to put on any shoes or sandals and his toes were cold. A crewman passed in the hallway and paused.

"Is there something wrong sir?" she inquired, taking in his strange attire.

"Everything's fine, crewman. Don't let me keep you from your work," Jonathan declared, putting on a quick smile.

Blushing slightly, he continued to his destination. The Mess Hall was empty compared to what it had been hours before, busy with crewman coming and going, some in a hurry and some spending their time. The Mess Hall was a place for some to connect with others over plates of food or overflowing cups of coffee for the engineers that spent all night working. Something was always taken and given here. But when it was the middle of the night shift and most of the crew was sleeping, it was slim pickings for food or conversation. Two pieces of pumpkin pie were in the case beside a bowl of mashed potatoes and a helping of sweet corn. He decided to take his chances with the pumpkin pie and got a glass of warm milk instead of his usual coffee.

"Can't sleep either?" a low voice asked.

Jonathan hadn't realized that he wasn't alone. Turning around, he saw Trip sitting in the far corner with a half empty plate and a glass of something. He was dressed in the same fashion as Jonathan and looked tired.

"No, I'm afraid that Porthos was getting angry with me for keeping him up," he laughed, sitting down next to his friend. "How are you feeling?"

"Well… let's just say that morning sickness isn't always in the morning like I assumed. And… nah, you'll laugh at me."

Jonathan took a sip of his milk, giving him a smile to make him continue. Trip hung his head before speaking again and a red tint crept across his cheeks.

"I'm feeling hormonal and fat," he spat softly.

Jon quickly coughed to hide his laughter and covered his mouth to hide his grin. Trip didn't notice due to his sudden interest in his food. That was when Jon got a good look at the half eaten food and felt a little nauseous himself.

"Is that what I think it is?" he asked in disbelief.

"Spaghetti and ice cream; it's really good. Would you like to try some?" Trip offered.

"I'll pass on that one. I think I'll just stick to my pie and milk."

Trip nodded, taking a bite of the food as Jonathan's stomach flip flopped a little. The two sat in silence for a moment as they ate. Jon didn't really know what to say to his friend or what was okay to ask him. He'd make the mistake of upsetting a pregnant woman once and didn't want to know if it would be the same if he upset Trip. Glancing around the empty room at the stars, he suddenly focused on Trip. The man was rubbing his side absent-mindedly as he sipped whatever was in his mug. Jonathan could make out the shape of the bulge under his friend's t-shirt and felt suddenly curious.

"Does it hurt?" he inquired.

"Nah… but it does feel strange to have something growing under my skin," Trip answered.

He doubted that the man would be willing to show him and let that conversation die. But it was like the elephant in the room; not able to ignore.

"Would you like to see?"

Jon didn't know how to answer the question. Trip was most likely not very comfortable, but if he offered. Pregnancy was something that all males were curious about, but they just didn't want to know. He nodded and Trip lifted up his shirt, revealing a purple and pink bulge in his skin. It almost looked like he had swallowed a watermelon and it got caught by his ribcage. The bump was the size of a softball. Jonathan reached out a hand to touch it, but quickly pulled back. He was sure that Trip wouldn't let him do that.

"It's okay. You can touch her or him… Phlox doesn't know if it's a girl or a boy."

Jonathan hesitated for a moment before placing his fingertips on the skin. It was warm, warmer than the human body should be. He had thought that it would be disgusting in some way, but it wasn't… it was a child growing beneath the skin. It didn't matter that it was an alien child and not there by Trip's choice. He was carrying a little miracle. Removing his hand, Trip dropped his t-shirt and had a few quick bites of his food.

"Are you okay?" the captain asked.

"No," Trip choked out.

For a moment, Jon thought that his friend was going to cry and tried to think of a way to control a hormonal man.

"Well… yes and no."

"Trip, though I think that this is incredibly strange and unnatural for us… You are doing a good job of handling the situation. I can't imagine this happening to someone else more suited."

Insert foot into mouth, Jonathan thought.

"Are you saying that I make a good pregnant guy?" Trip retorted, clenching his fork tight.

"I was just saying that… for someone in this condition…"

"I am not fat and I don't like being pregnant!"

It was quiet enough to hear the warp drive humming and probably Crewman Marcus snoring on the other side of the ship, two decks below with a pillow on his face. Jonathan was speechless. He picked up his fork and took a bit of pie before deciding to apologize. Hell hath no fury like a pregnant man scorned or something like that…

"Trip… I'm sorry; it was rude and inconsiderate of me to infer that—"

Trip began to laugh hysterically, causing Jonathan to seriously contemplate his sanity. The younger man calmed down after a few minutes, wiping the tears from his eyes and taking the last bites of his food.

"Sorry, Cap'n. My emotions are all over and the look on your face…" Trip paused with a sudden gloomy look on his face.

Please don't cry; your emotions are making me motion sick. Jonathan patted him on the shoulder to reassure him and prepared to head back to his quarters. If he only knew what things he would have to do to help his pregnant friend, risking the ship against Klingons and such. If only. Sometimes to help a friend, you have to bite your lip, grin and bear it. Trip smiled at him and took a sip of something in his mug.

"What exactly are you drinking?" Jonathan asked.

"Milk with lemonade and chocolate in it," Trip replied, giving Jonathan a goofy grin.

Jon sighed. There are many reasons that males shouldn't be pregnant. Reason 1: Men just shouldn't be pregnant, ever. Reason 2: Cravings. Dealing with a grumpy Porthos was much easier. He finished his pie and milk, bidding Trip good-night. Jonathan had certainly learned to never stick his hands in a box of magic pebbles and along the way he'd gained more knowledge of friendship. But next time… Trip should keep his hands to himself and hold his own puke bowl during the morning sickness. Pregnancy was really for females. They were strong enough to endure anything while a man might cry over spaghetti and ice cream.

Please review! Thanks for reading!

Emma