The entire senior staff all gathered to decide what they were going to do if and when they found the ship. "Sir our weapons and hull plating is no match for the Xindi. We would have to try something else." Malcolm was very proud of his weapon, but they couldn't protect Enterprise from the Xindi. "T'Pol what are scans of this region of space showing us?" "Captain this region of space seems to be void of any spatial anomalies. It is my belief that we are closing in to Xindi space. Perhaps closing in on their home world." They all perked up at the fact. "Sir what going to happen to Hugh?" 'Again leave it to Hoshi to break the ice.' Jon was now forced to explain that he didn't know what was going to happen.
"Hoshi I don't know. I don't know what they're planning to do with Hugh or why they even chose Hugh. We can only hope that it's not to hurt him." They all fell silent and looked at the empty chair that once sat an upbeat person who was making the mission all that more tolerable. "Well we can't abandon him! We can't!" Everyone looked at Hoshi who was now starting to cry. "He did so much for us! He was there for Trip and Malcolm. He gave us that awesome dinner and dance for Christmas. I won't let him go not for a minute!" Hoshi lowered her head and continued to cry.
"Captain. On Vulcan we would probably not try to retrieve him. We believe in the sacrifice of the few for the benefits of the many. Captain without Hugh this mission might not be as successful. We must locate him." The rest of the staff all nodded in agreement. "Well I don't see any reason not to go find him. Travis keep following the trail. As for the rest of you. Get your stations prepared for possible attack or invasion by the Xindi. When we find them. I want to be ready."
As they returned to their stations the bridge was a very silent place. Dr. Phlox even came up and noticed the subdued staff. "Captain. A short while ago Hugh came to me in confidence and revealed some very personal information that he wished only to be known to the rest of you in case that something should happen to him." "What is it doc?" They were all clinging to his every word now. "Hugh wasn't only placed in space to protect the extinction of the human species, but also because he was genetically enhanced. His empathy used to be only done by touch. Scientist took him and modified him for it to be done not only with touch. He was to be used as a spy to gather information based upon the emotional state of the enemy." "He was the—""He was the beginning to genetically enhanced humans." More silence was all the doctor got. "He was scared that all of you would begin to mistrust him. If you will excuse me I must return to Sickbay."
The staff was silent to discover this. "He didn't seem ruthless and bent on world domination, like they told us." Travis then spun around. "He only ever seemed happy if everyone here was happy. He was placing us before him." They all nodded in agreement. "You know what? Cancel the drills until tomorrow, after we all get a decent sleep." Once the order was issued they all waited for the next shift to relieve them. The next shift arrived and everyone went to their quarters for a good sleep. Malcolm was laying on his bed and couldn't stop thinking of all the thing Hugh had done for him and Trip. Not being able to take the torture anymore, he got into some casual clothes and made his way to the Mess Hall to be alone.
When Malcolm came into the Mess Hall, he saw that he wouldn't be alone. Sitting at a table was Trip playing with a cup. Malcolm then got his tea and made his way over to Trip. "You couldn't sleep either?" Trip looked up with a half smile before returning to looking out the windows. "Nope. I couldn't sleep without knowin' if Hugh was ok. He was there fer us when we wanted to start letting people know 'bout us. He made it feel like it was the most natural thing in the world." Malcolm sat down and took Trip's hand into his. "I agree with you 100%. God only knows where we'd be if he didn't come along. You remember when he first got here? He stood over there by the doors all alone all that time? That was until you and I first tried talking to him. That was all it to get him into doing what he was doing oh so well."
"Yeah then he became Morale Officer. That one surprised me! He only just got here and he took it upon himself to help us. He still didn't know most of the senior staff, but he was still planning a Christmas party. That was fantastic! We went as a couple. I remember the talk we had with him. He was 100% fer supportin' us. If he dies 'cause of the Xindi. I'm gonna go crazy. He too important to the crew... he's to important to us." They both just sat there as the ship raced into the unknown. "Ya know he did the same fer Travis and Hoshi? He helped them too. I even heard him sayin' to hell with non-frat rules. He was so open and willing to listen. He was the perfect friend. He wouldn't hurt us, not for a million bucks." "Too true! He would die for us and I think we owe too much to let him die."
The two just sat there and looked out into space with nothing but dread for what could possibly happen to Hugh. "To Hugh the best Morale Officer there ever was and will be." Malcolm raised his glass. "To Hugh." They both drank to him. "Come on Mal we gotta be ready fer tomorra and those drills. He stopped when he saw the silent tear run down Malcolm's face. "Mal he'll be fine. If they wanted us dead then we'd be dead right now. We can't give up on him. Come on Mal let's go." "Ya can stay with me tonight if ya want." Malcolm looked up and smiled. Once in Trip's room they both fell asleep within minutes in each other arms.

A/N: What can I do to make his even more interesting...? 2 more chapters to find out.