PART SIX
Malcolm shook his head. "When Travis told me Phlox had us at warp two I thought he was joking."
"Nope," Trip replied around a yawn. "He even re-routed power to the hull plating."
"And I thought the good doctor wasn't paying attention."
"He was. Like I told T'Pol and the cap'n, Phlox did one helluva job." He smiled slightly. "Left me with quite a mess but he did it and all by himself, too."
Malcolm sipped his tea and eyed the engineer sitting across the messhall table from him. "If you don't mind my asking, when was the last time you got any rest?"
Trip cradled his coffee mug, rotating it slowly between his hands. "No one has gotten much sleep these last few days, Malcolm, yourself included. Hell, this is the first time I've seen you since Phlox put us in those comas."
"Just making sure the ship's ready for Azati Prime." Malcolm took another sip then cleared his throat. "So I hear you remember---everything."
Trip pursed his lips. "Yep, sure do."
"Is that why you've buried yourself in engineering?"
The commander gazed fixedly at his cup. "I had to realign the warp coils after Phlox's little excursion, Malcolm. It's just taken more time than I expected." He lifted his eyes and met the lieutenant's. "But yeah, that's one of the reasons I've been holed up in engineering." He paused. "I'm a mess, Malcolm. I'm afraid to sleep 'cause every time I try---." He shivered then shook his head
"Your sessions with the sub-commander aren't helping?"
"Nope. I swear I can feel things---like I'm being burned alive."
"You've got to find some way to deal with this, Commander. I'm sure Captain Archer would---."
"He's got way too much on his mind already."
"Well maybe T'Pol then. I'm sure she would---."
Trip sat back in his chair and waved his hand. "Look, I'm fine. I'll deal with everything later. Right now there's just no time to worry about anything else but this mission."
"You can't just let it fester, you know. You were tortured for God's sake."
"Don't you think I know that?" Trip spat suddenly. He sighed then ran his fingers through his disheveled hair. "Look, I appreciate your concern, Malcolm, but we're close. Azati Prime is it---I can feel it. There's nothing more important right now then destroying that weapon."
"But Commander---."
"Lieutenant---drop it."
Malcolm grimaced. "Aye, sir."
"Good. Now I need to get back to work." Trip pushed away from the table and stood. He turned to go then hesitated. "You want to meet for breakfast?"
Malcolm looked up at his friend. "0700 too early for you?" he asked with a teasing smile.
Trip smiled in return. "0700's fine. Night, Malcolm."
"See you in the morning, Trip."
Jon slipped quietly into engineering then looked around for his friend. He'd seen Trip only a few times since the commander's memory had returned, knowing from experience not to push too hard, that the engineer liked to lose himself in his work. But on this particular night, Jon wanted to be in the presence of the person to whom he was closest. For a brief time at least, he wanted it to be like old times.
"Hey, Cap'n," greeted Trip. "What brings you down here at this hour?"
Jon turned to see Trip walking toward him. The engineer looked strained, his smile almost forced, his uniform wrinkled and dirty. He was wiping his hands on a cloth.
"Did you need something?" the commander continued.
Jon looked around. "Just checking in," he replied.
"Right, just checking in," repeated Trip. He leaned against his workstation table. "Well, engines are running at peak efficiency, if that's what you're wondering."
"Good to hear," remarked Jon as he sat in Trip's chair. He looked up at his friend. "And my Chief Engineer?"
"Running at peak efficiency, too, Cap'n."
Jon leaned forward and rested his forearms on the table.
"Now, you want to tell me the real reason you're down here at this ungodly hour?"
Jon snorted softly. "There's no fooling you, is there?"
Trip tossed aside the cloth then lifted himself to sit on the table. "Nope." He nudged Jon's arm with his knee. "You worried about reaching Azati Prime tomorrow?"
"Aren't you?"
"Never been more scared in my life."
Jon squinted up at Trip. "This is it, isn't it?"
The engineer nodded, his expression sober.
Jon sat back and expelled a long breath. "I'm going to do whatever it takes to get this crew home, Trip."
"I know that, Cap'n, and the crew knows that, but we also know failure isn't an option. We're all ready to do what we have to do to destroy that weapon. You gotta know that."
The captain nodded. "I do," he replied then he paused for a long moment. "Things are going to happen fast tomorrow, Trip, so fast that we may not get the chance to say good-bye."
Trip dropped his chin to his chest but remained silent.
"I'm not too good at these things, but---," Jon began.
"Cap'n, please," Trip said quietly. "Don't."
"I need to, Trip. You need to know what you mean to me."
"If it's anything like what you mean to me, Cap'n, then I'd say I'm one lucky sonofabitch."
Jon smiled and patted his friend's knee. Their eyes met for a long moment then both men laughed self-consciously.
Trip hopped off the table and extended his hand. "It's been a real honor, Cap'n."
Jon stood and took Trip's hand in both of his. "The feeling's mutual, Commander," he replied softly.
The engineer looked away and cleared his throat. "I should get back to work."
Jon pulled his friend into his side and locked an arm around his neck. "You need to get some rest, Trip. You look like death warmed over." He released the commander but left his hand resting on Trip's back.
"You looked in the mirror lately, sir?"
Jon smiled. "You got me there," he replied. "But I don't think I can sleep---not tonight."
Trip gave him a sideways grin. "You still have some of that Andorian Ale left?"
Jon guided Trip toward the door. "I think I can find a bottle somewhere," he replied as he slung his arm around his friend's shoulders. "I may even be able to find a new water polo match, too."
Trip rolled his eyes dramatically. "Water polo, sir?"
Jon laughed. Just like old times, he thought with affection. At least for a little while longer, it was just like old times.
THE END