PART 12:
Archer and Reed walked into Trip's hospital room. They found him sitting up and alone.
"Commander," Reed said. "How are you feeling?"
"I've been better," he answered. "What brings you two here?" He caught the glance between his two friends. "What's wrong?"
"Remember you told me that you swore you saw someone on top of the cave, but weren't too sure," Archer said.
"Yeah."
"Well you weren't seeing things," Archer said. "There was definitely someone up there."
"So this was no freak accident?" the younger man asked.
"Afraid not," Reed chimed in. "Someone loosen those rocks."
"Why would someone do that?"
"That's what we need to find out," Archer answered. "Have you been having problems with anyone around here, Trip?"
"How could I," he said. "I only know Liana and Ezral."
"What if it wasn't Commander Tucker there were after?" Reed said.
"Why would they be after Liana?" Archer asked.
"I don't know," Reed answered. "But whoever this person is, they might try again since they didn't succeed the first time."
"What are you suggesting, Malcolm?" Archer asked.
"I'm suggesting," Reed replied. "For Commander Tucker's safety, that he return to Enterprise."
"No way," Trip said.
"Commander...," Reed said.
"No, Malcolm," the engineer interrupted. "We don't know if this person was after me or Liana. I'm not leaving her with this person still out there."
"I guess if I was to order you back to Enterprise," Archer said. "You'd go."
"With all do respect, sir. No, I wouldn't go."
"You know I can charge you with insubordination."
"Yes sir, but I was hoping as my friend and not my Captain, you would understand why I need to stay."
Archer sighed. "I'm not going to force you to go, Trip," he started. "But I want you to be extra careful while you're down here. That means going no where alone."
"Aye, Captain."
"I'm going to inform Ezral of what we found," Archer said. "Malcolm I want you to let T'Pol know what's going on."
"Aye, Captain."
"Captain," Trip said.
"What is it, Trip?"
"Can we leave T'Pol out of this?" Trip asked. "I don't need her on my back about this too."
Archer smiled. "I wish I could do that," he said. "But we need as much help on this as we can get."
Trip made a face. "Alright."
"Don't worry I'll make sure she doesn't bother you about this," Archer said still smiling.
"Thanks Captain."
"Get some rest, Trip," Archer ordered. "I'll be back later to see you."
"Aye Captain," he said and watched Archer and Reed leave.
Trip continued sitting there. He wasn't tired, not after hearing what Archer told him. All he wanted to do right now is to be with Liana and make sure she was protected.
End of Part 12