A few minutes later and Malcolm came in. He took Marlaya to some quarters on C deckwhere she could rest more comfortably.

"This should feel a lot better than being in sickbay with the Doctor's animals." Malcolm said as the two of them entered, letting Marlaya go in front of him.

"Thank you Malcolm." She said taking off her jacket and placing it on the bed.

"Now, if you need anything just press this button and call for either Commander Tucker or myself. Ok?" Marlaya nodded her head with a slight smile as she watched her the armoury officer was pointing. she quickly took note of where the control panel was. "Is everything all right?" Malcolm asked slightly cocking his head head to one side.

"Yeah. I was just thinking, I could've been killed yesterday. Trip could've been killed."

"Well, the good thing is that you're both alive." Marlaya nodded. Malcolm began to leave.

"Malcolm!" He turned back round to her. "What should I do if I get hungry or thirsty?"

"Call for me and I'll show you to the Mess Hall."

"Thank you." Malcolm was about to leave, but turned round holding a finger up in the air.

"Oh, I've also been asked by Captain Archer to tell you that at 18:00 hours he'd like you to join him for dinner. So I'll come at get you at 17:50." Marlaya just nodded her head again, Malcolm turned to leave then suddenly though of something else. "Actually. I'll come for you 17:00."

"Why the hour to get me down to the Mess Hall?" Marlaya was confused. she knew she was a slow walker, but she wasn't that slow.

"You'll need something to wear. No offence, but the clothes you have aren't exactly clean or suitable to wear to have dinner with the Captain." Marlaya looked down at her dirty ripped clothes, then back up at Malcolm a small smile covering her face

"I see your point."

"Our quartermaster is a very good man, the best there is in Starfleet, I'll alert him that he'll have a customer later on so that he can get ready. Any particular colour you'd like?"

"Blue."

"Ok. I'll see you later." He said smiling and he finally left. Marlaya sighed. She now realised that she also liked Malcolm quite a lot. But now she was getting worried that it was more than just friendship she was feeling for the two men. Was she really in love with them? 'If mum was here she'd know what was going on.' She thought to herself. She sat down on the ground and as best she could, she began to meditate. She stayed in the same position for a long time. Even when the door chimed she didn't notice until it chimed again. She came out of her meditative trance and became alert to the world around her.

"Come in." She said as she stood up. Malcolm entered, popping his head round the corner then fully entering the room. When she saw it was Malcolm she smiled at him. "Hello Malcolm."

"You ready?"

"Is it really 17:00?"

"Yes. You must've been asleep for a long time to not notice the time."

"Yeah." The two left the quarters, Marlaya picking up her jacket as she left and Malcolm put it over her shoulders. They made their way to the quartermaster's room. He began to make a dress. Once it was finished Malcolm was stunned into silence. She looked so beautiful he could hardly recognise her.

"Well, Lieutenant, what do you think?" Asked Vinnie the quartermaster as Marlaya stood before him.

"She looks beautiful." Malcolm replied, sunned.

"Well, come back tomorrow and I can make you some more new clothes, more casual ones for going round the ship. i'll also patch up these clothes ready for you tomorrow."

"Thank you Vinnie." She gave him a light hug and a kiss on the cheek and instantly he began to blush. Malcolm smiled when he began to notice Vinnie's cheeks going red.

Trip and John were in the Captain's Mess waiting for Malcolm and Marlaya to arrive. Both men were staring out at the stars.

"I wonder what's taking them so long. Malcolm's never usually late."

"He did tell me that he was gonna help Marlaya out with something, but he was very secretive as to what it was." The door chimed and the two men looked at each other with a slight smile.

"Come in." John called. They turned round to see Malcolm and Marlaya standing there. Both men were silent, and stood opened mouthed at the sight in front of them.

"Wow." Trip said quietly to himself. Malcolm was smiling at the two superior officer's reaction. Marlaya stood there smiling shyly. Her dress was a very pale blue and just like her jacket that Vinnie was currently repairing it was floaty, all the way down to her ankles, small pink flowers lined the bottom of the dress. It was a kind of dress that Marlaya had often seen Tarnisians in. It was the style that was worn by women at weddings and one she had always loved. Vinnie had also had the time to be able to tie her hair back into a bun, with the center hanging down. The steward was standing by the door with the trays of food and they were getting cold. Malcolm noticed him.

"Captain. I believe we should sit down before our meal gets too cold."

"Of course. Please." John indicated a seat for Marlaya to sit down in "I had no idea that Vinnie could make anything like that."

"How's the arm?" Trip asked, not having seen her since the morning when she was explaining about her ability.

"It's getting there. It doesn't hurt as much now. One reason why I'm not wearing the sling cause it wouldn't look right with the dress." She smiled as she looked at her arm, remembering how it had gotten like that. she remembered the evil glint in Trianns eye just before every punch.

"It's stunning. Is it a Tarnisian design?" John said as he studied it very carefully.

"Yes it's a traditional wedding dress design, one I've always liked, but when I was taken to the prison camp I thought I would never have the chance to wear one."

"Well I'm pretty sure it's safe to say you will get that chance in the future." The steward placed the trays of food in front of each of the four people. "Looks delicious. Tell chef I said thanks." Trip said as he picked up his cutlery.

"Of course sir." The steward replied and scurried out. They began to eat their meal. Marlaya carefully placed the napkin over her dress as she didn't want it to get dirty after Vinnie had only just made it. each of the four members had the same dish - Chicken Kiev with Chips and salad. Marlaya had never eaten chicken before so she was eager to try it.

"I want to tell you the real reason I wanted you here. Firstly it's the first evening that you've been awake on this ship and it felt right to have you as a guest here. Secondly. Commander Tucker and I have been thinking carefully about the question you asked me earlier." Marlaya stopped eating her food at the mention of her earlier question. She didn't know quite what to expect. Was he going to say that she had to leave Enterprise, or was he going to say that she could stay? "I've also had to speak to Admiral Forrest about you. He's the commander of Starfleet. The one that makes all the decisions. And he said that there is a place open for you at the Academy if you wanted it." Marlaya looked at him. It was what she had feared. She was being asked to leave Enterprise.

"And what if I said no?"

"Well, we're doing our very best to see if there are any Tarnisians alive anywhere, if there are, we'd take you to them. I know you said you couldn't sense any of them, but that doesn't mean to say there aren't doesn't it."

"Yes sir." She slowly nodded her head whilst looking at the plate of food in front of her. So whatever Marlaya decided she would have to leave Enterprise. "And what if you can't find anyone?" sheenquired as she toyed with a chip at the end of her fork.

"We'd take you back to Earth where I'm sure we can find a foster family for you." Marlaya didn't really like the way this conversation was going. "Being on Enterprise is a very dangerous place Marlaya, you've already been taken off the ship once, what's there to stop that from happening again. And from what Trip told me in your fight with Triaan you don't know how to defend yourself."

"A princess is always told never to get involved in fights and is never taught the art of fighting. It is forbidden for me." Malcolm could tell that tears were beginning to form in her eyes.

"Maybe we should talk about this tomorrow."

"What difference will a night make in deciding my future? Being on Enterprise has been the happiest thing that has happened to me in four years, and you just want me to throw that happiness away by asking me to leave?"

"I'm not asking you to leave."

"But whether I don't want to join Starfleet or I do I will have to leave Enterprise and I may never return. Malcolm I wish to go back to my quarters." Malcolm stood up.

"Marlaya please just listen to me." Marlaya got out of her chair and stood round the back of it.

"You can't keep in here against my will." Archer just watched as Malcolm led Marlaya out of the Captain's Mess. Trip massaged his forehead.

"I knew this is how she'd react. I've let her get too attached to me." It was true, Trip had become evry attached to the young girl. He even thought be had begun to treat her like she was his own kid.

"It's not just you Trip. It's Malcolm as well." John took a deep breath and sighed heavily. "What are we going to do Trip?"

"I dunno sir. I don't know." The two of them just looked at each other.