000 Disclaimer, I own nothing, none of these characters belong to me 000 Ok, here it is, the last chapter (apart from the epilogue-if I decide to do one :P), this story's been a long time in the WIP folder and I'd just like to thank all those who took the time to read and review the last chapter : HAD1, Roaring Mice (Yep, Malcolm's in sickbay), wofling, GoddessAnjanee, Jazzy, soultoast, Buggles586, Tata and Scifi-Warper (I feel honoured!) 000

Trip wandered into sickbay, Phlox greeted him at the door with a nod.

"He's asleep," Phlox told him anticipating what Trip would ask. "But you can sit with him if you'd like."

Trip nodded and pulled up a chair to the side of the biobed Malcolm was laid on. Malcolm was twitching slightly and his right hand worried the blanket. Even in sleep he seemed tense, nervous…afraid?

Malcolm suddenly cried out, but didn't open his eyes. Phlox hurried over as Malcolm began mumbling under his breath and thrashing about. On impulse Trip grabbed Malcolm's shoulders and shook him. "Malcolm! Wake up…it's me Trip, you're ok, you're ok…"

Malcolm didn't respond to them, he didn't wake, Trip looked at Phlox. "It's back."

Malcolm shuddered. He could feel Matthews's breath on his cheek as his brother hugged him tightly.

'It's just me and you, Mally, just us Reed boys, back together like we used to be…best friends – do you remember?'

Malcolm felt a lump rise in throat, he did remember, he did remember a time when Matthew had been his protector – his best friend. Matthew pulled away from him and Malcolm stared straight into his eyes.

Fear rippled through him as Matthew smiled that twisted smile of his. He wanted to run, he wanted to run far away, but his legs refused to move and his hands involuntarily curled into fists.

A split second later, Malcolm watched as his fist crashed into the side of Matthew's face sending his brother flying. Malcolm's fist didn't pass through Matthew this time, it had collided with something solid.

Malcolm felt hope surge within him, he could fight him here!

'You hit me,' said Matthew amused, rising his feet. His face hardened. 'But don't try that again.'

Malcolm shrank back as his brother loomed over him, casting a menacing shadow into the nothingness surrounding them.

'There's a good boy,' Matthew whispered. ''No need to fight me, you'll never win.'

Malcolm closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He opened them and struck out causing Matthew to stumble again. "I might not win, but I'll give it a damn good go!"

With a roar he dived forward and rugby tackled Matthew to the ground. Matthew kicked out violently catching Malcolm's ribcage. Malcolm gasped and they both hit the ground.

Matthew moved first throwing himself at Malcolm, pinning him the ground with his knees and punching him repeatedly. 'This, would be, so much easier, if you'd just give in,' Matthew grunted.

Malcolm struggled against Matthew's tight hold, he couldn't give in, not again, not when he could finally strike back, he couldn't give in. He twisted over, managing to roll onto his stomach and in the process unseating Matthew.

Malcolm kicked out as he rolled, feeling his foot impact against Matthew's head. Flipping himself back to his feet, Malcolm struck out again knocking Matthew to the ground.

Malcolm put his foot on Matthew's neck, fully intending to stamp down, Matthew gasped and stared up at him wildly.

Malcolm hesitated.

'Don't,' Matthew whispered pleading. "Please don't…'

"Why shouldn't I?" Malcolm snarled. "It's less than what you deserve!"

'I'm not really Matthew,' Matthew whimpered.

Matthew suddenly shifted into Madeline, her wide, frightened eyes gazed up at him.

'Malcolm, don't hurt me,' she whispered fearfully.

"You aren't my sister," Malcolm hissed. "You aren't even human!"

'I only wanted to learn about emotion,' Madeline cried. 'I couldn't help it! You were all so close, your emotions just so enticing!'

"Then why me!"

Malcolm increased the pressure on Madeline's neck, avoiding looking directly at her face. "Why me!"

'You were just a random choice,' she gasped trying to prise his foot off her neck. 'I swear it!'

Malcolm weakened and removed his foot. Madeline leapt to her feet gasping and coughing.

"I want you to leave me alone," said Malcolm quietly, feeling his heart pound in his chest.

Madeline snorted and shifted back into Matthew. ''You think you hurt me?' he asked amused. 'You said it yourself, I'm not human – I don't breathe – moron.'

Malcolm's chest constricted violently, outwardly he appeared calm but inwardly he felt like he was spiralling into darkness.

Matthew smiled. 'But I'll go, I'll disappear and you'll never physically see me again.' He tapped his head. 'But I'll always be in here, watching, it's what good brothers do.' He smiled. 'You beat me, for now - there I admit defeat! Not gone forever, just for a little while.'

Matthew walked up to Malcolm, who tensed. Matthew leaned over and whispered in a friendly manner, "That's my favourite thing about you humans, you'll always survive."

Matthew took a step back. 'Don't you see? My actions took you to the edge of the proverbial ledge and you were waiting to jump. But when I tried to push you off you turned and made a grab for life.' He grinned. 'All in all a highly enjoyable look at human behaviour.'

Malcolm couldn't speak, words failed him, he couldn't even begin to sort through the swirling emotions, to have tried to so hard, to have given up and then gotten back up and carried on, only to be told it was an experiment.

"How could you?" he whispered finally.

Matthew shrugged. 'No emotion, no guilt, not even empathy, as soon as I leave your mind I'll forget emotion again, you won't matter, your feelings wont matter. But I guess, there will be plenty more screams in the night for you.'

Matthew frowned and scratched at his arm. 'I guess right now I feel guilty, and sorry for what I did, but I'm not sorry for experiencing emotion, I'll never be sorry for that.'

Malcolm balled up his fists and Matthew smiled again. 'Well, it was fun learning from you; I kinda liked being your brother for a while, till next time, Mally-boy.'

Malcolm opened his eyes and sucked in a deep breath. Matthew was gone but not without leaving his mark on Malcolm. Malcolm felt caught somewhere between elation at his victory, anger and disbelief. In the end, he expressed it the only way he could, he burst into tears and laughed at the insanity of it all.

000 Please review, and be warned that as ever this chapter is subject to change (because new chapters of this story always make me feel indecisive) 000