Hiya!! Thank you all so much for the reviews.

It's nice to know that I'm liked!! :- )

------------------------

Trip walked silently into the quietened sickbay. Jon had his back turned to him, and was surveying the scene before him. Phlox was in the back poring over readings on a data PADD. One of the bio-beds was taken up by Hathaway, the other by Alex. Every now and then James would emit a groan of pain from his broken ribs or his shattered nose.

Alex wasn't moving. She was completely silent.

Malcolm sat in a chair next to her bed. Looking at him, Trip finally understood the word 'haggard'. Malcolm looked worse than Trip had ever seen him, and that includes the time he was pinned to the hull by the Romulan mine. His face was pale and drawn. His normally clean shaven face had a dark shadow and his hair was a mess. But, worst of all, were his eyes. They were tortured, haunted, filled with pain. Trip's heart went out to him. His friend was suffering.

"How's Malcolm?" he asked Jon.

"Not good Trip. Not good at all. He is in complete shock. He hasn't spoken or left her side since they brought her in."

Trip joined Jon in silent watchfulness. Finally, the question he had come here to ask could no longer be contained, and he asked Jon in an undertone

"What did Malcolm mean by Alex not killing their son?"

Jon contemplated what to tell Trip. Lisa Holt had told him the entire story, but only after he told her what he already knew. Jon liked Lisa. She was very loyal and fiercely protective of Alex. He decided to tell Trip. Maybe he could help Malcolm in the weeks to come. Trip knew what it was like to loose someone he loved, and loosing a child was just about the hardest thing imaginable.

"The reason Alex was taken was because she was pregnant. They wanted to experiment on her. When she was woken up, the baby was ... damaged. She miscarried at almost six months. It was a boy. She called him Malcolm. She blames herself."

Malcolm could hear everything that was being said by the two men. He heard Trip asking the Captain if he had to do anything along the lines of a reprimand for Malcolm shooting Alex, and he heard the Captains answer, he just didn't care.

Nothing mattered except Alex. And look what he had done to her. He loved her so much, and what had he done? He had shot the one thing that mattered more to him that anything in the universe. He deserved to be keel-hauled – if that was possible in space.

Malcolm reached for Alex's pale hand. Her skin was cold to the touch. So cold! In a burst of activity, he stood and went to get a blanket. Startled by the sudden movement, Trip and the Captain both blinked.

"What are you doing Malcolm?" asked Jon.

"Alex is cold. She hates being cold. She..." Malcolm started shaking as he out the blanket over his motionless wife. Trip took the blanket from him and pushed Malcolm down into the chair.

"You sit here" he told him. "Ah've got it." Trip smoothed the blanket over his friend's wife, and Malcolm took up position beside her again. He held her hand, willing his warmth into her body.

They doors to sickbay swooshed open to admit four of Malcolm's security team, all armed. The lead man hesitated when he saw Archer, but Jon motioned him to go in. They stopped at the bio-bed beside Malcolm. He looked up at them. He knew why they were here.

"Go ahead" he told them. "Do what you have to." They nodded, and two of the team leaned down and grabbed James under the arms. They didn't exactly man- handle him out the door, but they were none too gentle with the injured man as they escorted him to the Brig.

Phlox only gave a token protest at their treatment. For once, he allowed his personal feelings affect his actions. He liked Ensign Reed. On the few occasions that he had a chance to speak to her, she was friendly and funny and kind. Any man who hurt her deserved what he got. His glance shifted to Malcolm, and he sighed. Lieutenant Reed was suffering enough for his actions. Phlox was sure of that.

Alex's eyes fluttered and opened. Her chest felt tight but she didn't know why. Where was she? Someone was holding her hand. Malcolm. She looked at him, and suddenly, she remembered. He had shot her.

One of the worst things that Malcolm ever experienced was seeing the momentary flash fear in Alex's eyes when she looked at him. It was gone in an instant, but it tore at his soul to think that he had hurt her so. Before he could say a word, Phlox bustled over.

"Ah, Ensign. I see you're awake. You were out for a long time."

"How long?" Alex asked ignoring her dry throat.

"About seventeen hours" Phlox told her. "The stun beam that knocked you out was powerful."

"My chest..."

"Yes. I'd imagine it feels a little tight when you breathe. But that will pass soon I assure you. You'll be fine"

"When can I get out of here?" she asked.

Phlox barely controlled his smile. "When I say so" he told her. He walked away, and Malcolm could swear he heard him mutter something about one Reed being as bad as the other.

Alex began to laugh, but started coughing instead. Malcolm quickly held a cup of water to her parched lips and she drank gratefully. She looked at her husband. He looked terrible.

"Are you ok?" she asked him.

Malcolm laughed a humourless laugh.

"Am I ok? That's supposed to be what I say to you. Baby, I'm so sorry. But I couldn't think of another way to..."

Alex pressed her fingers to his lips to silence him.

"There's nothing to be sorry for."

"But I shot you and..."

"Do you remember what I asked before I went to him?"

"Yes. You said that you had to do the swap. You couldn't let him kill Mikey. But that you were afraid. You made me promise to stop him from taking you, no matter what the method."

"And since I'm here with you, I'm guessing you did. I'm sorry you had to do this."

"I don't deserve you. I love you Lexie."

"I love you too honey." She looked around for a minute, and her voice hardened. "Where is James?"

"Up until a little while ago, he was here, recovering. Now he's in the Brig."

"Recovering?"

"He and I... had words."

"And fisticuffs?" she teased.

"It wasn't fisticuffs. It was pure kicking the shit out of each other. Well, me kicking the shit out of him, and him trying to do the same to me."

"Obviously he didn't succeed."

"Obviously."

"Silly man. He should know better than to fight with an angry Reed."

Malcolm laughed and kissed her.

"You know" he said "I think Phlox is thinking of charging us rent for the amount of time we spend here. We always seem to sort out our problems in Sickbay."

"Smart ass. I'm going to go nuts in here."

"Well, if you are very good, I might be persuaded to spend a few minutes here during the day."

"Wow, lucky me." Alex muttered sarcastically.

"And if you're very, very good, I might be persuaded to smuggle in some of chef's chocolate cake. I know you'll love it."

"My hero."

-----------------------------

The party was going in full swing. The tables in the mess hall had been cleared away to make room for people to dance to the music that was playing. Chef had outdone himself with food for the party, and everything was a huge success.

The Hope had been docked with Enterprise for almost a month now, and the two crews had become close friends. Tonight was the last night that they were going to be together, as tomorrow a Vulcan transport ship would be coming to bring the Hope's crew home. This was a goodbye party for them.

Travis had his arm slung around Hoshi's shoulder, and they stood next to T'Pol and Trip, who were trying not to flirt, chatting and watching the dancers. Trip couldn't help but smile at Jon, who was acting very un- dignified and un-captain like. His friend had claimed that he was not going to dance at all tonight. That was until Lisa had dragged him up onto the dance floor. Now he was leaping around energetically with Lisa to the fast music, the two of them having a great time amidst the crowd.

Hoshi moved over to admit a laughing and red-faced Malcolm and Alex to their circle. Alex had dragged Malcolm up to the dance floor early on, saying something about showing them how it was done, and they hadn't been back since. She marvelled at the change in Malcolm since Alex came back into his life. He smiled a lot and laughed a whole lot more. She understood now that Malcolm had been unhappy without his wife. But now, he was a changed man.

Hoshi liked Alex. She was funny and irreverent when it came to her husband, but Hoshi could tell that she loved him to death. It hadn't been easy for the couple at the start, but now, Malcolm and Alex were getting back on track.

Malcolm looked over at Alex who was chatting to Hoshi. She looked really good in blue. The captain had given her a choice from Starfleet. She could stay in service, or she could be given an honourable discharge. Alex had immediately chosen to stay, and now, she was in uniform. Malcolm had reminded her that she didn't have to wear it to the party, but she insisted because she was proud of it.

Lisa joined the group then, red faced from her exertions, but smiling broadly.

"Where's the Captain?" Alex asked her.

"Oh, Jon got called away. A message from Starfleet I think. He'll be back though. God, I'm hot. I needed a break from all that dancing."

Alex tried really hard and failed not to grin when she asked "Jon is it?"

If it was possible, Lisa went even an even deeper shade of red, but was spared form answering when the music suddenly turned off, and Jon called for everyone's attention.

"Ok. This will only take a few minutes" he called amidst the calls for more music "and then we can get dancing again. I have here in my hand" he held up a data PADD "the assignments for the Starfleet crew of the Hope. If they could step forward please."

The nine crewmembers formed a line in front of Jon, standing at ease. Jon was amused to see that every single one of them had elected to stay in Starfleet, and every single one of them was wearing their uniform tonight. Good. It will make it easier.

"In space-dock, there is an almost completed warp five ship called the Galaxia. They are in need of a good crew. Could Commander Nick Jenson step forward please?"

Nick did so, a little bemused. Jon stepped forward to face him, and attached something to his uniform. Nick looked down, and saw an extra pip attached to his uniform.

"For his dedication and abilities as a leader, I am authorised by Starfleet command to bestow the rank of Captain to Nicholas Andrew Jenson, and offer him the captaincy of the starship Galaxia."

Silence filled the room. Stunned silence. Nick couldn't believe it. He was a captain.

"Do you accept" Jon asked, breaking then silence.

"Do I accept? Hell yeah!! I mean sir..."

"No sirs Nick. It's Jon. You're a captain now."

And so Jon went down the line, promoting each crew member and giving them high ranking positions aboard the Galaxia. Finally, he came to Alex.

"Alexandria Katherine Stephens Reed. I hereby promote you to the rank of Lieutenant for courage under duress and creativity in the field. And I am authorised to offer you the position of second to the Chief Engineer on board the Galaxia."

Before anyone could say a word, Malcolm stepped forward.

"Sir?"

"Yes Malcolm?"

"Sir, respectfully requesting re-assignment to the Starship Galaxia."

"What! You want to leave? Why?"

Malcolm stepped forward and caught Alex's hand in his.

"I've spent eight years without my wife sir. I'm not about to loose any more time."

Jon smiled. "I had a feeling you'd say that" he told them, "and since I need you as my armoury officer, I had Starfleet authorise another possibility." He turned to Alex.

"I can offer you that position on the Galaxia, or a slightly lesser position on Enterprise."

Without missing a beat, Alex immediately answered "Enterprise, Sir. I choose Enterprise."

"Are you sure?"

Alex looked into Malcolm's eyes. "Positive sir."

"Alright then. Welcome aboard Lieutenant Reed."

The music was turned back on, but both Alex and Malcolm ignored it. He wrapped his arms around her waist and held her close.

"I can't believe you were going to do that for me" Alex whispered.

"I'd do anything for you" Malcolm promised, and kissed her.

They were brought out of it by Trip's clap on Malcolm's back.

"Congratulations Lieutenant" he said to Alex as they walked to the sidelines again.

"Thanks sir."

"Forget the sirs Alex. It's Trip like before. Ah tell you though, it's going to be confusing with two Lieutenant Reeds."

"Oh yeah. I never thought of that."

They joined the group again and were soon chatting and laughing.

Malcolm felt Alex's arm around his waist, and turned to see her looking at him with innocent eyes.

He was instantly on his guard.

"Malcolm, I love you."

"Love you too."

"I'm glad we're both here, together."

"Me too."

"It was hard at first."

"That's right."

"So, no more secrets?"

"Okay."

"Promise?"

"I promise."

"Right so, what happened to you and Trip on Risa?"

The small group stopped talking and looked on with interest. Both Trip and Malcolm had gone bright red, and Alex was watching this with a huge grin on her face.

Malcolm glared at Hoshi, who smothered a laugh. Someone had been telling tales.

"I... I..."

"Malcolm, don't you dare!" warned Trip.

"Alex, I can't."

"But you promised." The group watched as Alex's eyes became huge and sad, and she began to pout. They watched Malcolm with even more interest.

The man was a genius tactician. He had endured a beating at the hands of the Suliban without saying a word. He had been nearly hanged on a primitive planet for not rvealing information during interrogation. He was rock solid.

But, his face was crumpling when he saw her pout.

"Don't do the lip thing" he begged her. "You know I can't resist that!"

Alex sighed dejectedly. Malcolm's face fell even more. Trip guessed correctly that Malcolm was going to crumple, and interceded.

"Malcolm, snap out of it. Remember, we never will tell."

That seemed to do the trick. Malcolm straightened his shoulders.

"I'm sorry Alex, I can't." then he mumbled something about 'using her powers for evil'

Alex sighed. "Okay." and put her arm around his waist.

Conversation started up again only to be interrupted by Malcolm's yelp of laughter. Alex was again looking all innocent.

"What?" she asked when they all stared at her. Malcolm let out another yelp and jumped away.

"Stop it!" he told her.

"Stop what?"

"Stop tickling me! You know I can't stand it."

Alex grinned. "Oh yes. I remember now. You'd do anything to stop me tickling you. You have before."

She advanced on Malcolm, who quickly retreated.

"Don't." he warned, but she didn't heed him. To everyones amazement, he turned and ran out of the mess hall.

Alex grinned at the astonished faces of their friends.

"Don't worry" she told Hoshi. "I'll get it out of him... eventually."

She turned and left the mess hall. Hoshi could have sworn she heard her call out "Oh, Malcolm..." before the doors closed.

----------------------------------

Then next chapter is the last chapter. I think I'm going to cry.

Please read and review.