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Chapter Nine

Archer had stopped counting the minutes and hours they have been in this balloon. It has gotten very cold. The two of them sat next to each other, cuddled together under the blankets, warming each other up. They already wore their respiratory masks for it was hard to breath without them. Archer didn't know how much longer they would make it, T'Pol was trembling in his arms. Vulcans weren't used to this cold. He tried to warm her up by drawing her a little more closer to him. She thanked him with a weak smile. They couldn't talk wearing their masks, but there was no need to talk anyway. At first they had enjoyed the view of the land they left, they had pointed out interesting things to see to each other, each hoping to explore something new first. But after a little while they had gotten too far away from the surface to make out details, and since it has gotten colder they had decided to both get under the blanket and wait for Enterprise to pick them up. It was very strenuous, to sit there, not being able to do anything about the situation. It just occurred to Archer that they may not make it. What if the fabric of the balloon ripped? Or what if the gas ran out before they reached the height they needed? What if the crew couldn't find them? Something could have happened to them, maybe they were attacked and wouldn't be there to beam him and T'Pol out of there. Not being able to communicate didn't help the situation. Archer took off his mask. T'Pol looked at him shocked. He leaned his closer to hears, speaking directly into her ear.

"In case we don't make it, I want you to know…" he paused. He stared into her soft and loving eyes. "I want you to know that I love you, T'Pol. I couldn't stand the thought of dying without telling you."

T'Pol took off her mask as well, revealing a smile. She stared deeply into his eyes and kissed him. "I love you too, and I know that we will make it. Everything will be alright," she whispered just before she passed out. Jonathan quickly put her mask back on to make sure she could breath. He tried to wake her up again, but failed. He realized that she was breathing. He wrapped his arms around her tightly and hoped that Enterprise would find them soon. The sight of her was fading. Archer saw the whole basket fade, the balloon and the sky. He wondered if he was passing out as well, when a couple seconds later he found himself in the transporter room of his ship.

"We got them, now get us out of here!"

Trips voice was the last thing he heard before his body lost its strength and he smashed on the floor, welcomed by a warm feeling of unconsciousness.

"I think he's finally waking up."

Archer heard a distant voice, but it was too far off for him to make sense, and he was unable to figure out the owner of it. He felt a cold sensation on his neck.

"There, this should do the rest."

A couple seconds later he felt an energy-rush throughout his body, causing him to abruptly open his eyes. He saw Phlox's face hanging there above him, showing his huge grin. Archer gazed through the room and saw Trip standing right next to the doctor. Archer took a deep breath.

"Permission to come aboard?" he asked with a weak voice.

Trip smiled at his captain. "Permission granted, Sir."

He gave him a hand to help Archer sit up. The Captain continued his gaze around sickbay, spotting his science officer lying in the bed next to him. She was still asleep. He turned to face Phlox.

"Is she…?" he didn't dare to complete the question. Phlox understood anyway.

"I was able to undo the damage to her neural-system, Captain. She will be able to use every muscle in her body again. She needs some more time to rest. As do you."

Archer took a deep breath. He would have liked to jump up and hug Phlox to thank him for saving her. Instead he got up from the bed, walking over to hers and overhearing the doctors protest. "You need to stay in bed for at least 24 more hours, Captain. Doctor's orders."

Archer nodded. "Don't worry, will be right back. Just have to do something."

He stood right next to T'Pol, watching her peaceful sleep. He took her hand, knowing for sure that both Trip and Phlox wouldn't believe what they were seeing. He decided to really give them something to think about and kissed T'Pol on her forehead. "You were right, everything will be alright, darling."

With those words he turned around and went to lie down in his own bed again. He saw the confused and shocked expression in the faces of the two men standing next to his bed.

"Do you mind, I want to sleep a bit. Doctor's orders."

He fell back asleep with a smile on his face.

Everything will be alright.