Author's Note: Okay, here you go Volley, the next chapter. And no, I'm pretty sure that the red alert lights are red, but you never know, I could be wrong! Thanks for being the first to review. Here, have a cookie. Hands Volley a virtual cookie Anyway, here's more. They all think he's dead, but he really isn't – more on that next chapter…Read and review please!
-RadcliffePotter
If Trip thought that crying might somehow bring Archer back, well, he would've cried forever. Despite Phlox's warnings, Trip had felt it necessary to see his friend, one last time. Maybe Phlox wouldn't understand – he knew T'Pol wouldn't – he just needed to say good bye in private. Trip lifted the white sheet from Archer's face and gasped at how pale it was. He knew that it shouldn't surprise him – after all, he is…dead, Trip thought with resignation. He pulled the sheet down to Archer's shoulders – he didn't think that he could bear to see the small hole in Archer's chest – the one which had taken the life of his best friend in the universe. Trip pulled up a chair and sat with Jon for a while in silent contemplation. "Y'know, Jon," he began quietly so that Phlox wouldn't hear him, his voice little more than a whisper, "We've been through so much together and it doesn't seem right, now that I'm still here and you're not. But I know that things could be real rough for you sometimes. The weight of the world can be pretty heavy, huh," he said with a sad smile. He shifted nervously in his seat. It didn't matter if Jon was dead or not – he had always known that when they eventually had to say goodbye that it would be one of the saddest things he'd ever have to do. But maybe, Trip thought somewhat guiltily, it's easier this way. Since Jon was dead he wouldn't have to worry about seeing the look of sadness on Jon's face when they parted – no attempts to hide tears. "You sleep well Jon," he murmured as he stood up. He knew that if he didn't leave now, he might break down in sickbay.
As Trip turned to leave, he noticed the other white sheet whose brightness contrasted so starkly with the muted greys and blues of sickbay. Trip felt a twinge of guilt. He really should be more upset about Olivia's death. She was so young and full of potential, like his own sister. But, his heart ached only for Jon. Trip felt a flush of compassion as he walked toward her body. "You tried to save him," he murmured quietly. "Yes. She did," said T'Pol. She seemed to come out of nowhere and Trip jumped at the sound of her voice. "Geez T'Pol," he said, clutching his hands to his chest where he could feel his heart thundering, "Give a guy a little warning next time,"
T'Pol walked over to the body and pulled the sheet down to her shoulders. Trip came over and stared into her face, trying to memorize every detail of Jon's rescuer. "She could be alive right now," he said bitterly, "They both could," he said more loudly as he pounded the biobed to make his point. T'Pol said, "Olivia acted in a logical manner. She sacrificed herself for her captain,"
Trip wheeled around to look at T'Pol. "Shut up, okay!" he yelled, "Just shut up! You and your damn logic! Why does logic have to involve sacrifice? Is her life worth less than Jon's just because she was only a lieutenant and he was a captain?"
"Commander," T'Pol said coldly, "I understand that you are feeling the loss of Captain Archer, but there is no need to yell. I was simply pointing out that given the situation at hand, Olivia chose the course of action that a Vulcan also would have chosen. She was, in all respects of what she did, logical. I am not trying to belittle her, I am only stating facts," Trip, however, was in no mood for lectures. By this point, hearing the commotion, Phlox had arrived and was standing behind T'Pol and Trip, quietly observing. Trip turned to Phlox. "And you, Phlox, can stop studying everyone! Did you ever think that maybe it's annoying to be watched ALL THE TIME!" And with that, Trip stormed from sickbay pushing past Phlox.
Trip pounded angrily straight to his room. He locked his door and threw himself on the bed. Trip stared blankly up at the ceiling, replaying what had just happened. He cringed at his own behavior. He sighed aloud and looked at the clock. He was already done his shift for the day, though it felt like it had just lasted an hour, what with everything that had happened, the time had just slipped by. He heard the ship wide comm crackle to life and he braced himself for what was coming next.
T'Pol's familiarly unflappable monotone began speaking and Trip closed his eyes. "Attention all crew. This is Subcommander T'Pol. I regret to inform you that during the recent fire fight that ensued, Captain Archer was killed. To honor Captain Archer's memory, it seems appropriate that a moment of silence be observed," There was silence for about thirty seconds, and Trip would've sworn that even the engines grew quiet at T'Pol's request. "You will all be notified when the funeral service will be held, should you wish to attend," she said brusquely and the comm crackled off. Trip felt tears sliding down his face. It was real. It had happened. T'Pol had just said so, and he had seen the body himself, yet he still could not believe it had happened. Trip lay on his bed for several minutes, his mind awhirl with thought. A stab of indignation interrupted his thoughts, T'Pol didn't even mention Olivia. It seems only fair since she died trying to protect him.
The next two days passed in a blur of depression. T'Pol now sat in the Captain's chair and everyone seemed to be in a funk. The mess hall was quiet and the bridge was like a tomb. The crew missed Archer's light hearted banter, something which T'Pol could never even begin to replicate, even if she tried. Archer was a man of action, always pacing the bridge, tapping his fingers on his chair, or jiggling his feet absent mindedly. He was always moving and the bridge – hell, the whole ship, seemed strangely quiet without it.
The senior staff had decided that today was as good a day as any to have the funeral. It would be a double funeral. Both Olivia and Archer would be paid their respects. T'Pol would be giving the eulogy for both of them and Trip couldn't bear the thought. Though she might have a good speech that she thought through many times, it just wouldn't be right. As usual she would sound so unbearably in human and in this case, it would almost seem like a violation of the wave of emotions that was supposed to accompany the eulogy of a friend or a loved one.
The crew was assembled in the cargo bay; those who wouldn't fit were lined up outside in the hallway to see the bodies after the service. T'Pol stood in front of both open coffins and a hush descended upon the hall. "We have gathered here today to remember the lives of two of Starfleet's finest. As you are by now well aware, Lieutenant Olivia Edwards gave her life in an attempt to save Captain Archer. And we are all grateful for her actions. In doing so, she not only attempted to save Captain Archer's life, but also saved Mr. Reed from further harm," At this, Malcolm hung his head in shame. Despite being unconscious at the time, Reed still felt he should have done more to save the Captain and the others. "Captain Archer," T'Pol continued, "was without a doubt the finest Captain a ship such as this has ever had and I am sure he will be missed," T'Pol paused before finishing, but was interrupted by a blinding flash of light. For the next few seconds, no one said anything, because the flash had temporary left everyone blinded and no one could see anything. Once everyone's vision seemed to be clearing, a cry was heard from Malcolm, "The Captain! He's gone!" And sure enough, everyone could see that both bodies were no longer in their caskets.
To Be Continued!
Hey everyone, I hope you liked it. Review and tell me if you think I should continue! Don't worry, Archer's coming back, this isn't really a death fic…Let me know if you want more! Thanks!
-RadcliffePotter