When she woke up, Trip was gone.

She had gone back to sleep some time after Big had made them change, and when she woke, Trip wasn't in the cell. She searched every corner of the cell even though she knew she'd be able to see him if he were in there.

"What good am I?" She said finally, plopping down in the corner, "No wonder I'm never chosen to go on away missions."

She sat there for what seemed like hours when a small Tinarian walked in carrying a plate in one hand and a small jug in the other. Nicole got up.

"Where is he?" She asked angrily. The small Tinarian looked up at her as he set the plate and jug down, then he looked around and walked to her. Slipping a poor excuse for paper into her hand.

He looked at her for a second, turned and left.

Nicole waited until he was completely gone before she opened the note.

Nicole,

The Tinarian who gave you this is a friend. He and his group believe what "Big" and others are doing here is wrong. At the moment I am discussing things with the group. They tell me I'll be back before nightfall.

-Trip

P.S. get rid of an evididence that this exists.

Nicole read the note again before ripping it up. She held the pieces in her hands for a few moments before sticking them in her food and stirring it around. She wasn't too hungry any way.

Nick had given up on sleep, every time he started to doze, something happened. He made his way to the Mess Hall. Where a cup of coffee and some pie had his name all over it.

Nick sat down in an empty seat and started on the apple pie he'd gotten when he heard some one clearing their throat. He looked up and saw Lieutenant Reed.

"Can I sit here?" The Armory officer asked "Certainly," Nick replied

Malcolm sat down; he intended to tell Lieutenant O'Malley a few... personal things. "I wanted to say that Ensign O'Malley is a good officer." Reed said

Nick nodded, "All she wanted to do was be in security when we were kids. She was so excited when she was able to come aboard Enterprise. She'd write letters to mom and dad including every detail of what she did all the time...she still does every once and a while."

Malcolm was about to ask what the last part of the sentence had met when he remembered, they're parents had been killed in the Xindi attack while on their 2nd Honeymoon. He remained quiet.

"She talks about you a lot." Nick said after a few minutes of silence "About that," Malcolm started, but Nick shook his head

"I already know. She was so nervous I got her to use me as practice."

Reed felt a load lift off his chest, "She didn't seem nervous when she asked me." He commented

Nick laughed quietly.The two spent a few hours talking in the Mess Hall before returning to their quarters.