A/N: Sorry for making you wait, RL got in the way
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Two big round wounds were emblazoned on Trip's chest, a third on his stomach. The skin showed an aggressive red and told of mutilation. When Jon held his hand over one of the wounds he felt the heat emanating from it. The wounds were already inflamed. Silently cursing this mission, Gregorus and everything in general, Archer looked around for anything to apply to the wounds. When he remembered where they were, he sighed and looked at Trip again. The other man hadn't moved since they brought him back in. Only the slow raising and falling of his chest indicated, he was still alive.
Archer gave the wounds a closer look. In the middle of each red circle was an even redder spot covered with dried blood. A sudden thought shot through Archer and he hauled his friend to a sitting position again. When his gaze fell on Trip's back, his nightmares came true. The same three circles were emblazoned on the back. Either they had driven something straight through Trip's body or he had been pinned between. Archer felt the anger well up again.
Not able to do much, he used Trip's undershirt to soak up some of the water that dribbled down the walls and put the wet shirt on his friend's forehead in an attempt to cool the Commander down a little. Archer feared to strip him further, knowing perfectly well that Trip's condition could change rapidly from burning up to freezing. And he didn't intend to make Trip even more vulnerable in front of their captors as he already was.
Deprived of anything else to do, Jon sat down next to Trip's head so he could monitor the Commander's condition and re-wet the shirt on his forehead every once in a while.
The minutes went by slowly and stretched to hours. No one came to check in on them. It gave Archer plenty of time to think. He didn't worry for himself, but for Trip. Fact was, he would never help Gregorus to get Enterprise, even if it meant losing his life. He knew Trip would do the same, but it was another thing if Gregorus tortured Trip to get Archer to do what he wanted. To be honest, it terrified him, to be the cause of pain inflicted on Trip. Trip had been his friend for the last few years. He had liked the younger man from the first time they've met. He appreciated how Trip always spoke his mind, although it would often get him into trouble. Jon smiled by the thought of their many arguments. In the end, they mostly came to an agreement, it was only on rare occasions that Jon had to pull his rank and order Trip to step back. He also admired Trip's curiosity and the almost childlike look on the world sometimes. It was because of that, Jon always felt protective over his friend. There was another reason, Jon needed to admit but had buried that deep inside of him. It wasn't appropriate and would destroy their friendship as well as cloud his judgement and influence his behaviour around Trip.
Lost in his thoughts he suddenly felt Trip stir. His body started to tremble and shake. When Archer felt for Trip's temperature he realized with a start that the body of his friend was cold. Much too cold. He acted quickly and pulled Trip up again to slip his arms back in the jumpsuit and pulled the zipper up. He knew that it wouldn't be enough so he laid down besides Trip and pulled him in his arms, hoping his own body heat was enough to warm his friend. Trip was shaking badly.
"Come on buddy, you can make it through this. I'm here for you." Archer tightened the embrace and spoke soft words of assurance into his Commander's ear. Slowly the shaking subsided and Archer felt Trip relaxing. "Trip, can you wake up for me?"