A/N: This takes place just after the episode, "The Catwalk" and focuses on the friendship between Trip and Archer, an aspect I sorely miss on the show.

I'd like to give a special thanks to bandybones for sharing the ideas that started this fic.

DISCLAIMER: As always, I don't own any of these characters nor do I earn any money from my stories.



Chapter One



Captain Jonathan Archer pulled up his lightweight sleeping bag to cover his bare shoulders then turned over. He opened his eyes expecting to see Charles Tucker III, Commander and Chief Engineer of Enterprise, sleeping beside him in the tent they shared. Trip's sleeping bag was empty. Jon sat up and rubbed his eyes. He reached down to his feet and grabbed his T- shirt and a pair of shorts then stood and slipped them on.

Bending slightly, he stepped out of the tent into the warm night. The captain inhaled the fresh air then looked around for Trip. The light from the two moons made visibility fairly clear so Jon was able to see that his long-time friend was nowhere to be seen. Then he smiled. Taking care to walk quietly, Jon made his way barefoot past the other tents in which some of his crew was sleeping. He knew where Trip would be.

The moons cast their light over the lake, softly illuminating the figure that slipped through the water. Jon stood at the edge of the trees and watched as Trip effortlessly swam a few meters off shore. He knew the last two weeks had been rough on his young friend. The accidental death of Crewman Marcus Roth had hit him hard and had sent the engineer into an emotional tailspin. Jon had never seen his friend so depressed. The captain himself was still trying to reconcile what had happened; what had gone so terribly wrong but there had simply been no easy answer.

The young crewman had been in the wrong place at the wrong time when the plasma conduit had blown. Trip had very nearly been killed trying to help the younger man, suffering severe burns on his hands and arms. Jon could still see his friend's face clearly in his mind's eye. Trip had been in shock, completely oblivious to his own wounds. Jon and Dr. Phlox had arrived in engineering to find Trip cradling Roth's body, rocking the young engineer and whispering soothing words to him. Phlox had gently coaxed Trip into releasing the body then the commander had stood and had simply walked out of engineering without a word.

Jon shook his head to clear the awful memory. Now as he watched Trip disappear under the water, he was thankful that Phlox was able to regenerate Trip's burned flesh but the captain knew that regenerating the engineer's emotional frame of mind was not going to be as simple. His friend was putting up a good front but Jon saw the pain that was bubbling beneath the carefully placed façade.

The captain stepped out of the trees and walked to the water's edge.

Trip noticed him and swam toward him. "Come on in, Cap'n," he called softly. "The water's great."

Jon didn't need anymore prompting. He quickly took off his shirt and waded into the cool water. He swam out to where Trip was treading water.

"What are you doing out here at this hour, Trip?"

"I couldn't sleep," Trip replied as Jon approached him. "Too warm I guess."

Jon smiled. "I can't remember the last time I went for a swim," he said luxuriating in the cool water.

The two men swam together for several minutes, bantering back and forth, before Trip pointed out a little beach.

"Race ya," Jon said with a grin then he took off.

"Hey!" Trip called laughingly after him.

Jon reached the shore first, Trip only seconds behind him. The younger man trudged out of the water then sat down in the damp sand. He leaned back on his elbows, the water lapping at his feet.

The captain took a moment to watch his friend then he sat down in the sand next to him. "How are the hands?" he asked.

"Fine. Good as new, in fact," Trip replied. "Wouldn't even know I was--- ." His voice trailed off and then he sighed.

"Trip---," Jon began.

"Cap'n, I really don't want to talk about it, okay?"

"I'm just worried about you."

Trip smiled. "I know you are, Cap'n, and I appreciate that. But I'm fine. Really."

Jon nodded then looked out over the lake. He remained silent for several long moments then sighed. "I guess we'd better get back."

The commander stood up then reached down to help Jon to his feet. They both waded into the cool water. Trip paused and turned to face the captain.

"Trip?" Jon prompted.

Trip hesitated then shook his head. He dove and disappeared under the water's surface.

Jon exhaled a long breath then followed his friend.



"Morning, Commander," greeted Ensign Travis Mayweather. "Sure is beautiful out here, isn't it sir?"

Trip took a sip of his coffee and nodded. "Sure is, Travis," he replied. "Makes you wonder why the closest populated area is over fifty kilometers away, doesn't it?" He paused, taking in the scene. "Shame we have to head back to the ship today."

They stood in companionable silence, gazing out over the lush green valley that lay before them. The sun was just rising over the horizon and the cool morning air was already becoming warm.

"Oh I don't know, sir. I'm kind of looking forward to---."

"---having deck plating under your feet again. I know, I know." Trip grinned at him and shook his head. "Boomers," he said. "You mean to tell me that after only two days out here in the fresh air, you're homesick?"

Travis smiled brightly. "Can't help it, sir," he shrugged. The ensign turned back to the line of tents, leaving the commander to his thoughts.

Trip's eyes found the small lake lying just below him and he watched as the sun's rays reflected off the deep blue water. He took another sip of his coffee and allowed his mind to wander back to the accident. He could still smell the burned flesh, the scent permanently singed into his memory.

"Morning."

Trip started and jerked his hand spilling some of his coffee. He turned to see the captain standing next to him.

"Didn't mean to startle you," said Archer apologetically.

"Morning, Cap'n," Trip replied shaking his hand of the hot liquid.

"You seemed pretty deep in your thoughts. Kind of early for that, isn't it?"

Trip smirked at the teasing tone then looked back out over the valley.

"Anything you want to talk about?" pushed the captain.

Trip shook his head. "You just don't give up, do you?" He finished his coffee then turned to go. "I better help break camp."

Archer grabbed his arm. "What would you say to staying a few more days?"

"I thought the Triat government was adamant about us leaving today by noon."

"They were," Archer replied. "But I just spoke to them. They've given permission for us to stay a while longer."

Trip looked beyond his captain to the camp. "Then why is everyone breaking down the tents?"

"I've told T'Pol to take the team back so they can start transferring the data we've gathered to Enterprise's database. I told her that you and I were going to stick around a few more days."

"Just you and I?" Trip asked suspiciously.

Archer put up his hands in defense. "No pressure, Trip. I promise. I just think you need a break."

Trip couldn't help but chuckle. "What did you have in mind?"

"Well, how about some river rafting? We didn't get the chance after our stay in the catwalk. The gear's still stowed in the shuttle pod and Travis can take us up and drop us off. We can spend four days traveling back down to the lake." The captain's voice was hopeful. "Sound okay?"

Trip turned and looked back out at the valley. "Yeah, okay," he replied.



Jon squinted and looked up at the sky. Their first day had been spectacular, battling roaring rapids, working together to keep the raft moving through the raging water. Now as the sun was moving toward the horizon, they hit still waters.

The captain looked over at Trip. The young man was staring straight ahead seemingly lost in his thoughts. Moving quickly, Jon reached out and grabbed Trip's foot then lifted, knocking the commander into the water.

Trip surfaced coughing and sputtering. "Thanks a lot!" he gasped, spitting out a mouthful of water. "Its cold in here!"

Jon laughed. "You were entirely too serious, Trip. We're out here to have some fun." He moved to the side of the raft and reached down, hooking his hands under Trip's arms. After several attempts that left both men laughing, he hauled the engineer out of the water and dropped him unceremoniously on the floor of the raft.

Trip pushed himself up and gave Jon a dirty look through dripping water. He slid a leg over the side of the raft and settled on the edge. The captain chuckled then turned to settle himself on his side of the raft. Instead he found himself plunging head first into the cold water. He broke the surface to look up into the grinning face of his chief engineer.

"Oh, sorry 'bout that, Cap'n," the commander said with mock sincerity. "I must've slipped."

The next day on the water went by quickly. By the time Jon helped Trip pull the raft up on the shore in the evening, he was ready to settle down for the night. They trudged up the bank and looked around.

"How about over there," Trip said as he pointed to a small, level clearing several meters away.

"Looks good," agreed Jon. He hoisted his backpack higher on his shoulders and led the way up a gentle slope to the clearing. The view was breathtaking.

"Wow!" exclaimed Trip. He dropped his pack and pulled off his sweat soaked shirt, dropping it to the ground beside him. "Sunset's gonna be something tonight."

Jon looked at the sky. "I'd say we have about an hour to set up camp. Shouldn't be a problem unless you have trouble with the tent again."

Trip turned to him with furrowed brows then knelt beside his pack.

Jon just chuckled to himself and shook his head in amusement. He watched as Trip started pulling out the pack's contents. The commander had been fairly quiet throughout both days, only responding when Jon asked him questions. He hadn't seemed unhappy or bothered, just preoccupied with his own thoughts. Jon sighed. He'd hoped that Trip would have opened up to him about Roth's death but the younger man hadn't even broached the subject.

The sun was just setting when the two men sat down to their dinner. Trip had slipped on a dry shirt then had made up turkey sandwiches, which they both wolfed down far too quickly. After finishing their meal, they sat side by side, watching the sun slowly disappear over the horizon.

"Starfleet is adding a commendation for bravery to your file," Jon said quietly, breaking the silence that had fallen over the two men.

Trip looked at him sharply. "For what?" he asked. "For Roth?"

Jon nodded. "They feel you went beyond the call of duty in your attempt to save him."

"But I didn't save him," Trip replied bitterly. "They're commending me for letting one of my people die."

"Trip---," Jon began.

The engineer shook his head then stood. "Starfleet can keep their commendation, Cap'n," he said then walked away.

Jon watched his friend walk down the slope to the river's edge. The captain knew better than to push the younger man but he also knew Trip needed to let it go. He watched as Trip bent and picked up a handful of rocks. The engineer tossed them into the water one at a time, each toss becoming more forceful. Finally, Trip threw all the remaining stones in the river then crouched down at the water's edge.

The captain rose and wandered slowly down to stand beside his friend sensing that the commander needed his presence. He stood silently and gazed out over the water.

"My mind tells me that Marcus died in an accident, Cap'n," Trip started quietly. "That there was nothing I could do, but my heart---," he paused. "Telling his mama was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life."

"I know."

The engineer picked up a rock and rolled it in his fingers for several long moments. Then he tossed it in the river and expelled a long breath.

Jon bent down and gently squeezed his friend's shoulder. "Come on. Lets get some rest."

Trip stood. "Thanks, Cap'n."

The captain placed a companionable hand on the commander's back then side by side, the two men walked back up to their camp.



To Be Continued