'Suffering has been stronger than all other teaching, and has taught me to understand what your heart truly is. I have been bent and broken, I hope, into a better shape.'
- Charles Dickens (Great Expectations)


Epilogue

SEVERAL HOURS LATER, Trip Tucker was leaning against a table in the mess hall. Doctor Phlox was at the food dispenser, searching through the leftovers for something easily digestible. Trip wasn't sure if it was pure exhaustion or the smell of food, but something was making his stomach feel queasy again. He tried to fight it off and prayed the doctor returned with something small, and preferably liquid. Solid foods were the last thing Trip thought his stomach could handle.

He was pleasantly relieved when Phlox returned with a glass of water and a small plate of scrambled eggs. Trip sat down with the food and braced his stomach. He picked up a fork, then lifted his eyes as the doors to the mess hall opened and Hoshi Sato walked in.

"Hey, doc. Hello, Commander," she greeted. Phlox smiled and said hello, Trip nodded and returned his eyes to the plate. He hadn't anticipated her want to sit with him. "Sorry to disturb you," replied Hoshi, her voice slightly irritated.

"No, no, it's all right. I'm just tired," apologized Trip. He took a deep breath then reached instead for the glass of water. He took a small sip, and realizing how easily it slid down, he look a larger sip and savoured the cool liquid as it glided down his throat.

Hoshi sat down at the table and crossed her hands in her lap. "I just figured after all I had done for you, you would at least appreciate it enough to say thank-you," she said.

Trip put his glass down, stared at the young communications officer. "I'm sorry, but what are you talking about?" he asked, sharing a look with the doctor. "Am I missin' something?"

Hoshi's mouth dropped open. She stared back, causing Trip to swallow hard. "Missing something?" she enunciated. "I sat with you. I held your head when you were sick, sir. I tucked you back into bed when you couldn't walk. What do you mean, am I missing something?"

"Hoshi, Hoshi," soothed Trip, noticing the excitement and anger growing in her voice. He touched her shoulder and gave it a slight squeeze. "I'm sorry. I don't remember much of anything these past few days," he said softly. He noticed she was frowning and not quite understanding. "I mean, I remember," he continued. "But it's all like a dream. I thought it was a dream. I just remember feeling lonely, and scared, angry, and not to mention sick to my stomach. I can't imagine anyone wanting to be around me much lately."

"Oh, it was real all right," replied Hoshi.

"So it was really you?" asked Trip, slowly letting the dream turn tangible in his mind. "I'm sorry. I just figured it had to be a dream. I mean, you did imply earlier that I'm not the best company to keep." He let his voice trail off, remembering their conversation in the shuttle pod.

"And you implied I was a language obsessed isolationist," she retorted, with a gentle smile.

"I guess we're even then," replied Trip. He stared at her face, his eyes studying the strong human emotions she was conveying. How could he have missed this before? She looked so genuine, so apathetic. She was probably the most compassionate person he knew, and all he had ever seen in her was her obsession for languages. Now he saw beyond that; to the person behind the face. He bit his lower lip and returned the smile. "Thank you, Hoshi. For everything you've done."

"You're welcome, Commander."


'The past was blotted from my memory, the present was tranquil, and the future gilded by bright rays of hope and anticipations of joy.'
- Mary Shelley (Frankenstein)




~ The End ~