The Price Of Fear
(Epilogue)
2 Weeks Later
Malcolm seemed oblivious to Trip's less than stealthy approach as he sat hunched over his mug in the sparsely populated mess hall. Trip walked up to the table in the corner where the Lieutenant sat and stood for a moment before speaking up to get his attention.
"Mind if I join ya?" he asked.
Malcolm jerked back a little as his head snapped up. There was a unfocused look to his eyes, as if he were waking up from a dream. He stared for a second, then relaxed visibly and sank against the back of his chair.
"Commander," he said, then hastily waved a hand at an empty chair. "Of course."
They sat there for a few seconds before Trip finally spoke.
"Nothin' like a cup of warm milk to help ya sleep," Trip said nodding toward the mug.
Malcolm's hand moved over the top of the mug, but not before Trip realized what was in it.
"But if that's coffee yer drinkin," he said, "I don't think it's havin' the desired effect."
Malcolm looked sheepishly down at the mug. "No, I don't think it is."
"I still think ya should talk ta T'Pol," Trip said, his face taking on a serious expression. Then to Malcolm's blank look, "'Bout the dreams. The neuropressure sessions really helped me to…"
"I'm sure the Sub-commander has other concerns besides my sleeping problems," Malcolm interrupted, his tone sharp. Then he looked up and smiled apologetically. "I'm fine," he nodded, "really."
Malcolm wasn't 'fine' and Trip knew it. He knew because he felt it too. The shock, the death, the aftermath leaving faith behind in shambles. But it was over.
"It'll get better," Trip said quietly. "I'm sure of it."
"You really think so?" Malcolm looked back down, but Trip heard a hopeful edge to the question.
"Yeah," Trip answered, "I really do." Then after a slight pause, "but for now, maybe we could both use a diversion." He looked thoughtful for a few seconds, then smiled as a light seemed to go on in his head. "I seem to recall a trip to Jupiter Station we were gonna make."
Malcolm sighed, then a smirk crept onto his lips. "I seem to recall some phase cannons that need realignment," he said.
"Come on now," Trip said cheerfully. "We're only gonna be here a couple more days."
Malcolm looked down into his mug, then back up as Trip spoke again.
"It's for your own good," Trip said. "And it'll be fun…." His eyebrows waggled drawing a little smile from the Lieutenant. "Ok then, tomorrow it is." Trip left little opportunity for the Lieutenant to object. Then he grinned and stood to leave, but Malcolm's voice stopped him.
"Thank you," he said, then paused and looked at Trip meaningfully, "for everything."
Trip smiled at him. He knew what Malcolm meant. His mind flashed back to the forest, then to the barn, and the terrible moments when Malcolm was dying. He suppressed a shudder. Trip had dreams too. After working through his sister's death though, they were something he understood, something he could deal with. Malcolm would learn to deal with them too.
"Anytime," Trip said with a quick smile. Then he tipped his head slightly and left the room. A ghost of a smile clung unconsciously to his lips with the realization that tomorrow was another day closer to making things right again.
Finis