Speaking of the Cap'n...
What?
You and he really need to talk.
Yeah...I know.
No, I'm serious. You've never really patched things up since the cogenitor, and it shows. He needs you. He told me so...
He needs an engineer who knows Enterprise.
No, moron, he needs YOU. Trip. Chief Engineer Charles Tucker the Third, too, but Trip more than that. I should know. He spat it in my face when I was trying to convince him otherwise. You know, that's the closest I ever got to you...wiping his words about you off my face after he was done yelling at me.
I know.
That's the other reason I'm glad I'm sharing my memories with you. You need to fix this NOW.
So much has happened...
And one of these days, if we survive all of this, that needs to be water under the bridge. Hell, it needs to be now. You need to be there for each other. Maybe talking with T'Pol is helping you, but there's nobody who can help him.
She can. He can talk to her.
You know what I mean. It's not the same. Nobody's ever borne his burden before, and unless we get through this nobody ever will again. I don't want to say that he can't do this alone, but you have to be there for him.
I haven't.
No. You've been dealing with Lizzie. That's OK.
I've been too wrapped up in myself to...
And there's that torture thing again. Look, everybody understands that. Nobody blames you. But that isn't enough to keep things from slowly eroding. You don't want to come out of this and find that you've lost more than you realized. Trust me, it isn't a good feeling.
You'd know.
Yes. I would. And you will soon.
I know. It's already started.
Then you have to stop it now.
...How?
Just grab a couple of bottles of beer and sit him down with a game, like the old times. No, it won't be the same. But it will be good. You can make it good. He doesn't know how much he needs that. I do. You do. You've missed it too. He can help you live again.
Yes. But...
But what?
You know beer isn't enough.
Heh. You're right. Something stronger. Got anything?
I'll find something. Maybe he's got another bottle of bourbon in the other shuttlepod?
Maybe. So just do it.
Charles...
Is in the past now. You've learned from that. And so has he.
He was very disappointed in me. That's why he was so angry.
That's part of it. You know, I have this gut feeling that he was even more disappointed in himself for setting a bad example. He blames himself for that.
But it wasn't his fault. He didn't do anything. I was the one who screwed up, not him.
Don't be so sure of that. I think he also wishes he hadn't had to be so hard on you. You know how it hurts to have to discipline somebody under your command that you like.
Yeah. You're right. It's wrenching sometimes...
And you're his best friend. Still.
Am I?
For now, anyway. So go have a beer or whatever with him. You don't have to talk about things. Not yet. Just be.
Soon.
VERY soon. Or I'll kick your brain.
Is that part of that doing-what's-best-for-me thing?
Yep. Gotta have something to do.
Anything else I need to do?
Talk to Malcolm. Poor guy. He was very confused by me, I think. He really seemed to want me to be you. You need to let him know that you're back. He needs you too.
I'll do that.
Thanks. I think I owe him that.
I just remembered...
What?
...Key lime? Key lime? Are you sure you're who you say you are?
Nature vs. nurture. Guess we know which side that lies on.
You're weird. What else?
What, do you think I've got a list in here?
If you're me, that's very possible.
Damn. Busted.
Hah. What else?
Just...remember what you love.
I'm not going there, remember?
No, not that. You know.
How could I ever forget?
She'll set you right. Don't worry. You're going to be fine once you get back down to Engineering and get your hands on those engines again. Just being there helped me through.
What about you? Anything else you're planning on doing?
Nah. I really can't make plans any more. What's the point?
You'll help me with mine?
You won't be able to stop me. I have a vested interest. Don't want to end up on that biobed again anytime soon.
I know. Good.
I'll try not to be too distracting. But I'm here if you need me.
That means a lot. I will, you know.
I know.
So, when I hear you back there...
That'll be me doing my best to keep your sorry butt from doing something stupid.
My own built-in alarm system.
Sheesh. What a comedown. Yeah, I guess so.
OK. I can live with that.
Me too. Are we done, then?
For now.
You know where to find me.
Same here.
Trip opened his eyes, shut down his terminal, got into bed, and slept deeply.