PART 15:

"Commander Tucker," Phlox said in an irritated voice. "Will you please get back into bed."

"I'm fine doc," Trip said getting off the bed and wincing in pain as his ribs protested the movement.

"Trip, you should listen to the doctor," Liana said as she put her arm around his waist to steady him.

"Liana, I'm not going to lie around while you could still be in danger," Trip replied.

"I have a guard with me at all time," Liana told him. "Nothings going to happen to me."

"Commander," Phlox said. "You've had a serve concussion and some broken ribs, you need to rest."

"I told ya, I'm fine," Trip said trying to hide the pain he was in.

"You don't look fine," Archer said as he walked up to the bed. "What's going on here?"

"Commander Tucker wants to check himself out of here," Phlox said. "And without his doctors permission. I'm about to charge him with insubordination just to make him stay."

"Big mouth," Trip said and looked away from Archer.

"Is this true Trip?" Archer asked.

"I've been cooped up in here for three days now," Trip said. "Can't I finish my recovery in the guest quarters?"

"I would rather have you stay here," Phlox said. "So I can observe you."

"You can observe me in the guest quarters."

"Trip, get back in bed and do what Phlox tells you," Archer said.

The younger man went to protest.

"That's an order Commander," Archer said firmly.

Trip knew he was defeated. "Aye, sir." And with help from Liana he got back into bed.

"I'll get you something for the pain in your ribs," Phlox said and walked away.

"Any news on who did this?" Trip asked as he got into a comfortable position.

Archer frowned. "Nothing yet."

"You see, I should be ot there trying to help," Trip said.

"Don't start Trip," Archer said.

"Can't blame a guy for trying," the engineer replied.

"No," Archer said with a smile. "But I need you to be at your best once you get out of here. And right now Doctor Phlox feels you're not."

"I know," Trip said. "I just hate sitting here doing nothing."

"I know you do," Archer said.

"Do you think we'll ever find out who did this?" Liana asked.

"With the way things are going right now," Archer replied. "No, I don't think so."

End of Part 15