A/N: Ok, here we go :) No cliffhanger at the end, at least not really. But maybe a warning for a very disturbing image...
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The door burst open and Malcolm entered with two of his men. The rescue party immediately opened fire and hit the two guards at Trip's side. However, Gregorus managed to shoot one of Malcolm's men and hid behind his console. Archer used the chaos to overthrow one of his guards and twist out of the grip of the other, but not without sending a well directed punch to his face."Captain!" Malcolm still stood at the door, not able to fire at the guards at Archer's side out of fear to hit his Captain.
Archer didn't hear his tactical officer his mind was focused on Trip. He ran to his friend and managed to get one of his hands free of the shackles when his legs were kicked out underneath him. The guard, he had thrown to the ground was still very much able to hold his own and threw a punch at Archer. They both rolled over the ground. Malcolm took out the second guard with a shot of his phaser and was about to run to his Captain when a phaser shot almost hit him, but struck down his second man. A quick glance to the console the Chancellor was hiding behind he laid himself some cover fire and closed the last meters to his fighting Captain. Malcolm took a deep breath and aimed carefully. When he had a clear shot, he pulled the trigger and stunned the guard.
Rolling the unconscious body from his chest with some effort Archer got to his feet.
"Captain, I don't think we have finished our conversation!"
Archer's head snapped around and his gut twisted at the sight before him. Gregorus had Trip in his grip, a weapon trained on his head again.
"Let him go." Archer's voice was cold as ice.
"I don't think so. The commander is my insurance to get out of this room alive." Gregorus tightened his grip and caused Trip to groan in pain. The blue eyes were focused on Archer, pleading, begging for help.
"Malcolm give me your gun." Without taking his gaze off Trip, Archer held his hand out. Malcolm hesitated only a second before he placed his phaser in Archer's hand.
"Don't do anything foolish, Captain." Gregorus warned, but his voice wasn't that superior anymore.
"I'm not the one, who is doing something foolish. Release my Chief Engineer. Now!" Archer slowly lifted the hand with the gun and aimed it at the Chancellor. His feelings were in uproar and he had a hard time to concentrate, but he owed it to Trip to be in charge of this situation now. He needed to be the rational Captain.
"You won't shoot and risk hurting Mr. Tucker." Laughing nervously Gregorus tightened his grip around the Commander. Archer hated it, how the Chancellor touched Trip's bare skin with his hand, he hated it how it affected his friend. He had never seen Trip so frightened, the younger man trembled in panic, his eyes wide open. The fear was clear to see, but there was also trust. Archer could see the trust, Trip had in him. It only fuelled his desire to punish the Chancellor.
"I'm not aiming at him." Archer's voice was steady and clear. No emotion. He didn't even blink when Gregorus yanked Trip's head back again. No reaction when Trip screamed in pain.
Malcolm made a step forward he couldn't believe what was happening before his very eyes.
"Release him." Almost whispering, Archer hissed his command.
"Why? The boy is only a toy. But maybe you want a toy?" The Chancellor grinned madly and licked across Trip's cheek. The terrified man gasped in disgust and panic, trying to get away from his tormentor, but his still shackled hand prohibited further movement.
Archer felt the hatred burning inside him, but at the same time he felt a cold calmness. He tightened his grip around the weapon, having made sure before the phaser was set to kill. In the second Gregorus was looking at him again, Archer pulled the trigger. The particle beam shot through the room and hit the Chancellor straight in his forehead, burning its way inside.
The man collapsed instantly and hit the floor like a stone. A puddle of blood immediately formed around his head.
Trip gave a strangled scream and was shaking even more, his legs buckled beneath him and with a last glance at Archer he gave in to the strain on his body and soul and welcomed the darkness of unconsciousness.
Seeing his friend collapse, Archer let go of the weapon in his hand and closed the few steps to Trip. Carefully he slid one arm around the Commander's waist to support his weight and loosened the still attached shackle. Trip's limp form slumped down and would have hit the floor, hadn't it been for Archer tightening his grip around his friend. Due to the body contact, Archer felt the heat emanating from Trip again. His friend was burning up. They needed to get him out of here. A glance at Malcolm showed him, his tactical officer had already taken care of the situation.
"I've tried to hail Enterprise. No response. We are too deep we need to get up a few floors." Malcolm knelt next to one of his men, the one that was struck down first. The man slowly regained consciousness and Malcolm mercilessly shook him awake. They needed to go.
Archer nodded in understanding in Malcolm's direction and lifted Trip in his arms. He didn't care about the weight, carrying his friend like a child in front of his chest, Trip's head resting against his shoulder. There was only one thing, Archer could think of now: Bringing Trip to safety. He passed by Malcolm who just in that moment helped his crewman to the feet and barely registered them grabbing the second crewman. It was like running on autopilot, all Archer felt was the limp form in his arms and the heat coming from the body. When he glanced down, he could see Trip's flushed face. Dark circles under the sunken eyes. At least he was breathing regularly.
Miraculously, no one crossed their way. Archer thanked who ever was responsible for that. The way upstairs was exhausting, the steps were high and Trip got heavier every minute. The muscles in Archer's arm were burning, but he refused any help Malcolm offered. Trip was his responsibility, he had brought his friend into this situation, he would get him out of here.
Finally Malcolm's communicator beeped. When he answered, he ordered an immediate transport and requested Phlox' presence at the transporter.
Archer felt a weight lifted from his shoulders. They would get out of here, Trip would be safe. On the outside, Jon still wore his straight captain's face, but on the inside he could barely hold his feelings in check. He clutched Trip even closer to his body. Just when he felt the transporter working its magic, he saw two guards running towards them. Closing his eyes, Archer exhaled and knew his next breath would be on Enterprise.