Serotonin

            Archer and Phlox bantered a little before their conversation turned serious.

            “I’d rather you came by the IME, Admiral, rather than talking over the com.”

            “You got it. Is fifteen hundred okay?

            Archer arrived to see Phlox on time, but since they’d just had a six month review he wasn’t sure why exactly he had to come in person.

            “Admiral, you’re looking well,” Phlox greeted. They sat in Phlox’s office, not the medical bay, which worried Archer all the more. “Please sit down.”

            “What is it?” Archer sat slowly, not sure if sitting was always a good idea when someone wanted to talk. It usually meant bad news, at least when he said it.

            “I have an order that you are being deployed shortly, so I’ll have to run the customary battery of tests and exams before you can go.”

            “We just did all that a month ago.”

            “I found something interesting on your last cortical scan. I wanted to ask you about it.”

            “Ask me? You're the doc.”

            “For the last year, Admiral, you neuro-chemistry balance has been quite steady and showing marked improvement. Your memory functions, cognitive abilities are overall improved since the 2161 levels.” Archer nodded in agreement, waiting for the other shoe to drop. “Until this last scan.” Phlox tapped a few icons on the large office monitor and Archer’s brain scan appeared; it was a list of words with numbers.

            “Okay, you know I’m not the medical genius in the family.”

            “Serotonin is seriously depleted. I’m going to give you an SSRI that should last you until you’re reunited with your, um, with Riaan. You’ve also had declines in other hormones and neurotransmitters, but I suspect those will come back on their own soon enough. I can’t clear you for space travel until your chemical balance returns to a minimum acceptable level.”

            “So do it,” Archer told him.

            “You’ll have to come back so I can certify the test results. About 5 days should do it.”

            “What about Brannigaan and Ariannaa?”

            “I’m sure all is well with them, just have them come with you next week and I’ll make it official.” Phlox got up, picked up a pre-loaded hypo spray with the SSRI, and quickly administered it to Archer. “There’s, um, one other thing,” he said.

            “I knew I wasn’t getting out of here that easy,” Archer commented. Phlox sat down again, and stumbled over his words.

            “I’ve always thought humans are quite silly when it comes to matters of intimacy. Years ago, Commander Tucker refused an advance from my second wife Theisel because of his fear of offending me, I think, which was almost insulting had it not been Commander Tucker. I realize he—“

            “Doc, what are you driving at?” Archer asked, desperately trying to get to the bottom of his lecture. His patience wasn’t what it used to be. Phlox searched for the right tone.

            “You and Dr. Riaan haven’t formalized your family relationship?”

            “Now you, too? She’s my wife. We just haven’t gotten around to the paperwork.”

            “I suspected as much. I don’t ask this lightly, Admiral, because we’ve known each other a long time. It's just a formality. Please don’t be alarmed.”

            “What is it?!”

            “A woman came by last week looking for Dr. Riaan. Of course, I never divulge the whereabouts of my staff, and if it were anyone but you I’d never break a confidential doctor-patient relationship.”

            “I know that. Phlox, what’s going on?”

            “I didn’t get an opportunity to examine this woman, she only wanted to see Riaan, so she left.”

            “Get to the point, Doc!”Archer pressed his palm to his head hoping the anger would dissipate.

            “She claims to be carrying your child, which I just can’t imagine being true, but – “

            “Lorelei Lee.” Archer slammed his fist on the arm of the chair. “Well, it’s impossible. Significantly more impossible than Ariannaa was impossible.” He looked at Phlox.

            “See, now there’s a symptom of reduced serotonin levels, Admiral. Quick to anger-“

            “You’re damn right,” he said, standing up.

            “You’ve never been with this woman?”

            “Years ago, once, yes, years ago. Before Riaan and I met up again,” he admitted, wishing that it had never come up. “It’s not possible, not after two years, not now…is it?”