TITLE: Needs Be - A Sequel to Hidden Truths

SUMMARY: Things are wrapped up

DISCLAIMER: I own nothing trek related.

NOTES: Last chapter! I almost forgot to post cuz I've had a major cold, so if you spot any mistakes - that's probably why. Thanks tons for all of you who reviewed. It makes writing worthwhile. Enjoy!

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CHAPTER SIX

^~*~^Trip found himself surrounded in a white light he had visited only a month ago. His home plains, and the contact point with the Elders. This time he was not alone. Jon stood next to him.

"Trip? What the hell just happened?"

Trip looked at Jon in incredulity. For starters, he was alive, which could always be considered a good thing. Secondly, Trip wasn't even aware humans could exist on the Kamidari plains. Maybe Jon was dead, and his spirit was here....one thing was for sure, Trip wanted the Elders to start talking, and fast.

"These are the Kamidari plains. This is how I talk to the Elders." Trip explained.

"Is this where you went after the three Kett ships came through the rift a month ago? You know you really left me high and dry." Jon joked, recalling the then unfunny incident. Now that he remembered it, the timing couldn't have been more impeccable.

Trip smiled but made no reply, as the Elders began to speak.

"Jonathon Archer, it is certainly an honour to meet you."

"Uh...thank-you." Jon replied. The experience of someone talking directly into his mind was a bizarre one. He glanced over at Trip who seemed perfectly at ease.

"We have chosen to intervene because we cannot allow this tragic event to pass."

"What do you mean? Jon getting killed was my fault, Idam said you wouldn't be able to change things?" Trip questioned.

"I was *killed*?!" Jon said in astonishment.

"Idam was ignorant. He does not truly understand the ways of Kamidari. The Kett were indeed successful in changing the time-line, but it seems that things turn out worse than even they ever imagined possible. It would be in their best interests, and ours, if Jonathon Archer lives."

"Am I really that important?" Jon asked.

"Yes." The unified voice replied simply.

"That's a whole lot of pressure."

"Do not fret Jonathon Archer, you will forget."

"You mean you're gonna wipe my memory like you did to the others before?" Jon inquired. He wasn't too sure about the idea.

"Ah yes, the slight error with your memory. It was an accident that you recalled the events that occurred one month ago. We apologise."

"Don't mention it."

"You will go back to an allotted time. You will understand when you return what you're actions must be. Then, you will forget."

And with that, there was a bright flash.

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Jon found himself in the corridor where Trip was being held. Malcolm and T'Pol didn't appear to notice anything amiss, so Jon tried to remembered what happened next.

"He's in this room." T'Pol stated.

"Wait." Jon said quickly.

"What is it Sir?" Malcolm asked.

"Don't you think the Kett would have detected us by now? This has all been a little too easy for my liking."

"According to my scans Commander Tucker is behind the second door."

"Why aren't there any guards?" Malcolm mentioned.

"It's a trap." Jon suggested. (Though in actual fact, he knew.)

^~*~^

Trip found himself bound once more to the wall. He wondered what Jon would do differently this time. Perhaps he, T'Pol and Malcolm would leave the ship, and get the hell outta there. That was the safest thing to do - but Trip knew Jon better than that.

Something happened then that certainly did not happen before. Something materialised in the centre of the floor.

"What is that?" Idam snarled.

The greyish box began to whir and all the Kett present looked more than a little paranoid. Trip took a wild guess as the noise peaked, and screwed his eyes tight shut.

Sure enough a blinding flash filled the room. The aliens staggered around, trying to recover their vision to no avail. Then Jon burst into the room with T'Pol and Malcolm. They took out the Kett with ease.

"Mind gettin' me down from here?" Trip asked.

^~*~^

Enterprise seemed like a palace compared to the Kett ship. Every member of the rescue team was glad to be back. Even T'Pol seemed highly relieved that she didn't have to inhale the putrid air onboard the enemy vessel. Speaking of which, Travis had reported that another unknown vessel had turned up while the away three officers were beaming back over, and with the Kett ship, they completely disappeared. He mentioned afterwards that he'd seen enough mysterious vessels with hidden agendas to last a lifetime.

Jon and Trip were happy to hear that the Ethera family that were destroyed by the Kett were alive and well - and remembered nothing. Trip wasn't sure how the Elders justified all the changes that occurred, but decided he liked the way things turned out, and that was the important thing.

Everything appeared to be right with the world. Except for one thing.

"Trip, when exactly am I going to 'forget'." Jon asked.

"After you understand why you have to forget." Trip replied.

"I do understand." Jon protested rather weakly.

"You know I hate having to lie to you. And I'm sorry you're gonna forget everything. It was great for a while to have someone to share all this with. But it isn't meant to be this way. In the time-line I'm trying to protect, you can't know about me." Trip explained. "I'm gonna protect you and this ship even if it means I have to do it without you knowing the truth. And your friendship makes that a thousand times harder, but this existence a thousand times better."

Jon thought for a moment, then replied. "I understand."

The slightest change occurred in Jon's expression, but this was enough for Trip to know that it had happened. "So I'll get those reports to you as soon as I can."

"What? Oh, uh....okay." Jon replied. "Trip?"

"Cap'n?"

There was a long pause before Jon answered. "Nothing."

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End of Story - Thanks for reading!

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