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Chapter 10Trip woke up in Sickbay to Phlox's voice. The doctor was speaking quietly to Captain Archer.
"Mr. Tucker had multiple injuries, including several recent, shallow lacerations on his upper body and arms. The weapon discharge that you saw was not a direct hit; it was no doubt painful but not life threatening. It was the earlier stab wound that had me concerned. The Obeexans used a crude tool to close the wound and temporarily strengthen him. Unfortunately, the long-term effects of that particular treatment are quite grave. The infection alone would have killed him within a few days."
"And Hoshi?" Archer asked.
"Other than multiple cuts and bruises and being slightly dehydrated, she will be fine. She was also exhausted, so I gave her a light sedative to allow her to rest."
At this Tucker spoke up. "Doc?"
"Ahh, you are awake, Commander." He moved over to the bed and began scanning him.
"Trip, you had us a little worried." Archer smiled at his friend.
"No need, Cap'n. I had a little help along the way." He glanced over at Hoshi's sleeping form.
Archer smiled and said, "I can't wait for your report."
"Commander Tucker will need to rest awhile longer, Captain."
Trip yawned. He could feel his eyes closing again and said, "Yeah, Jon. Give a guy a break…" Mid-sentence, he drifted off to sleep.
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Malcolm was sitting on his bunk, deep in thought, when his door chime rang.
"Yes?"
"Sir, it's Travis. You said you wanted to see me?"
Malcolm stood, opening the door. "Yes, come in."
He gestured to a chair in the room and sat back down on his bunk. He still felt like death warmed over.
"No offense Lieutenant, but you don't look too good." Travis said, concern in his voice.
Malcolm ignored the comment and said, "Travis, I wanted you to know that I am grateful for what you did on the planet. Very few men could have shown as much courage as you did in that situation. I will make sure the Captain sees you get a commendation."
Travis stammered and blushed. "Thank you, sir. I just…. Well I…just thanks, sir. I learned from the best."
Malcolm smiled and said, "Alright Ensign, enough boasting. That's all I wanted."
Travis stood to leave but stopped at the door. He turned back to Malcolm and said, "Get some sleep, sir. You deserve it." At that he left.
Malcolm's com beeped. "Lt. Reed, I expected you back in Sickbay after the mission. Were you planning on coming?" Dr. Phlox's voice was kind but serious.
"Acknowledged, Doctor. On my way." Malcolm sighed and left his room.
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When Malcolm entered Sickbay, seeing Hoshi asleep on one of the beds stopped him.
"Dr. Phlox, I thought Ensign Sato was uninjured," he said, looking at the doctor worriedly.
"Hoshi needed rest, Lieutenant. As do you." Phlox gestured toward another bed next to Hoshi's.
Malcolm sat down on the side facing Hoshi. "If she's alright, why is she so pale?" Malcolm asked.
The doctor began scanning Malcolm. "She has had quite an eventful few days, Mr. Reed. There really is no reason to worry."
Malcolm's lowered his eyes and said, "Of course. I just do not like to see any of our people hurt." He looked over at Commander Tucker. "Will Trip be alright?"
"Yes. He will be fine."
The doctor finished his scans and walked over to get a hypospray. After he injected it, he said, "You are off duty for two days, Mr. Reed. I want to see you tomorrow as well. You need to rest. No work at all, only sleep." The doctor replaced the hypospray, then moved to the door and looked back at Malcolm, who was still watching Hoshi. "I am retiring for the evening, Lieutenant. May I ask you to turn out the lights when you are ready to leave?" Malcolm nodded. "Good night then." Phlox studied the three humans for a moment, and took his leave.
After the doctor was gone, Malcolm stood to follow but hesitated at Hoshi's bedside. He reached out his hand toward her cheek but stopped short. He let his arm fall back to his side and left, dimming the lights as he went.
Trip watched his friend go. He was too tired to worry about what he'd just seen. Looking over at Hoshi, he stood and limped to her bed. He crawled in next to her, pulling the sheet over both of them. Hoshi sighed and snuggled closer. Trip draped an arm over her and closed his eyes. He'd spent so much time in Sickbay over the past months that he'd come to hate the antiseptic smell; he never truly relaxed until he was back in his own quarters.
Tonight, curled against Hoshi, he breathed the unique scent of her skin and hair. And slept, content.
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