the delphic expanse

Giving this another shot...

Those of you who've played before know how this works. For the benefit of those who've just joined us, here's what you do:

Every month I give you a prompt--usually a single word, but sometimes a short phrase. You write an Enterprise story based on whatever that prompt inspires--but you do not have to include the specific word or phrase in your piece, just write whatever comes to mind. There are no word length requirements--make it as short or long as you need to in order to get the job done. Any characters, any pairing, any time in Enterprise past, present, or future. Gen, het, or slash. Any genre--humor, mystery, drama, action, romance, it doesn't matter. Just write!

When you're done, get it beta read, polish it up, and submit it to the archive! Be sure to label it as a February 2011 prompt response so we can make sure to announce it properly!

Since my birthday is in February, I always get a little self-indulgent with the prompt...because I can. So your prompt, should you choose to accept it, is....




PREGNANT



All you TnTers out there know what a soft spot I have for T'Pol in this condition,

The rest of you--go forth and get a character knocked up!!!

Last night I really got inspired by your prompt and wrote a short story. It's TnT and very sweet. It isn't beta-ed, but I hope it's an enjoyable read.

The tank

Trip was swimming. Swimming in a blue ocean. His daughter swam next to him. She was floating through the water, without any fear. The waters held her, cherished her. They swam back to the beach. He pulled her out of the water. The sun shined on their face. The waves were at their feet.
He held her in his arms, hugged her slightly. She had his eyes. And her mother ears.

Then he woke up. It was dark. Only the light of the nearby moon spread some light. Another soft light was near T'Pols side of the bed. He heard the soft breathing of T'Pol sleeping and the gentle buzz of the tank.

He walked toward the tank, next to the bed. It had the shape of a big womb. It was a womb. An artificial place for a special person. She was connected with a flood tube, floating in special water. It was his daughter, growing, until she was ready to be born.

Trip had always liked children, but never thought he could have a child of his own. When he and T'Pol had finally decided to try to have children, he had calculated that it would be a long and difficult road. The chances of disappointment were high.

His thought had been so painfully true. Phlox, the most qualified doctor to help them, had stand by them every step of the road. At one point he never thought he would be a father and T'Pol a mother, until a little miracle happened.

He was overwhelmed with joy, until Phlox told him there were complications. He had tasted that word on his tongue. Complications. It could only mean danger for his wife and child.

Phlox explained T'Pols body was reacting against his alien DNA. Only an artificial womb would save his little child. So they build the tank, so she could grow.

First Trip had been disappointed. Somehow he had pictured T'Pol with a lovely big belly, carrying his child.

T'Pol had concerns, she feared she wouldn't bond with the child. She wanted to feel the child. So she stayed always close to the child, floating in the tank.

One of the first days when T'Pol was asleep, he started to whisper to the child. He told her about his life. His love for her mother. His love for her.
It became a habit and never a day would pass when he wouldn't stand at the tank, looking how she grew or whispering stories and sweet talk or singing to her.

At night he sometimes woke up, noticing T'Pol was gone. She was meditating next to the tank. He sometimes heard her talk. Or singing a song about sa-mekh and ko-mekh.

Now this night he also walked to her daughter. She was almost ready to be born. And she was beautiful. Perfect pointed ears. Perfectly shaped eyes, mouth and nose.

He stared through the glass. She was sleeping. “I can't wait,” he whispered, “to you to be ready. I will pull you out the water, take you in my arms and feel the sunshine on our faces.”

Awwwwww. That's just beautiful, panyasan. You should definitely consider polishing and archiving!

I love your story, panyasan. How strange it would be to watch a baby grow in this fashion. I imagine Trip and T'Pol would do most anything to have a child. I have been in a Tucker baby mood, and that hit the spot!

I haven't written in a while and I've never done a drabble before so go easy on me. It's not beta'd (but if someone would like to that's cool)

The Good News

"Well, Doctor?" Hoshi Sato asked nervously.

"A few minute's more Ensign," the Doctor replied, "then we'll know if there's a...what's that human expression, ‘a little bundle of joy', on the way." He smiled one of those big Denobulan smiles that took over his whole face, and to be honest, had always creeped Hoshi out a little. Beside her Liz Cutler gripped her hand in solidarity.

"Is it wrong to feel this nervous?" She whispered softly. Hoshi didn't know how to answer that so she just squeezed harder.

"Results are in," Phlox announced, “and it's confirmed. My Baradian vole is pregnant."

Terrific job there, Lady C. You certainly had me fooled until the end. I was waiting for the paternity reveal! LOL

Bravo, Lady C! That was a hell of a punch line!

And panyasan, what a lovely vision you painted with Trip and his little girl.

... I've been known to do mpreg....

Awwwwww, that was sweet, panyasan! I agree with Honeybee--get that one polished and archived!

LadyC--awesome! And--you can archive a drabble, you know.

Fabulous work guys! Panyasan, I loved that and they're not my favorite ship. Lady C, I laughed out loud and almost woke my kids up!