A/N: Reference to two films in this fic. Master and Commander and Four Weddings and a Funeral.

Monday came all too soon and here I was. Standing in front of Darren's coffin. I noticed every MACO including Hayes who was by my side was there along with the senior staff. I remained quiet. It was peaceful, something that was unheard of when Darren was near. This I liked. This is what I wanted for him.

Not to be dead, of course. No one wants that. But he had finally found peace again. Everyone was silent unsure of what was going to happen or who was going to shatter the silence. Captain Archer took one step forward and cleared his throat.

"Personally I never knew Darren but on the planet he died on, he proved to be a brave man and will be remembered by all. I think Major Hayes can give a deeper insight to who Darren was and his character. Major."

Hayes nodded grimly and stepped forward as Captain Archer stepped back. He looked at me and I nodded slowly, unsure why he was turning to look at me. Sub Commander T'Pol was on my other side and she also looked at me. She gave what could be classified as an encouraging look. I nodded again in thanks.

"Darren, or Daz to some including myself was a good friend and loyal companion. If he hadn't noticed the Xindi coming behind the senior staff and the MACO's who went with most likely would not have lived. He enjoyed having a good time and laughing round other people. He had a great sense of humour and he also knew when he talked too much."

A ripple of small smiles went through the crowd, myself included.

"He was my best friend and loyal companion. He was a good man and he will be greatly missed."

Hayes finished and slowly stepped back, his lip quavering. I knew he was deeply upset about the death of Darren. Darren was his friend. Captain Archer spoke once more and when I heard my name I knew it was my turn to give my farewell speech about Darren. I slowly stepped forward and looked at the slip of paper that I had brought along. I was never good with memory games.

"Darren…was my life and my soul. I would like to recite a poem he once loved when he was a young child.' The crowd nodded slightly and I started reciting it. I knew this poem from the back of my hand. I knew it well.

"Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum,
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come,
Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead,
Scribbling the message 'He is dead',
Put crêpe bows around the white necks of the public doves,
Let the traffic warden wear black cotton gloves,
He was my north, my south, my east and west,
My working week and my Sunday rest,
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song,
I thought love would last forever, I was wrong,
The stars are not wanted now, put out every one,
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun,
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood
For nothing now can ever come to any good"

I paused, taking in a breath before my voice could break. I looked around at the men and women standing in respect round the coffin in which Darren lay. I continued.

"I hope he will live on forever in our hearts, more so in mine. He loved music and poetry, the song of the birds in the early morning. The fresh smells in the afternoon and morn. Meeting new people and making new friends. Serving under his commanding officer was a favourite past time of his and he considered everyone in the universe to be his friends before the Xindi attack happened. It damaged him and he went on his own path, despite the forewarnings and pleas given by people in the course of it all.' Again I paused, taking a moment to take a deep breath. I started once more. 'They say a man dies twice. Once physically and once when people have forgotten him. I can say now, I won't forget and I hope others won't either"

There was a quiet murmur of agreement before I slowly stepped back next to Hayes and T'Pol. Hayes laid a hand on my shoulder and squeezed gently. Again Captain Archer stood forward.

"Is there anything else that people would like to say before we commit Darren's body to space?"

The crowd remained silent feeling what had to be said, was already said and done. Archer had also felt this and continued with a prayer to which everyone joined in.

"Our father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name,
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven,
Give us this day our daily bread,
And forgive us our trespasses, as we,
Forgive those who trespass against us,
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power and The glory, for ever and ever".

"Amen" echoed throughout the room.

A stony silence followed and Archer nodded at Lieutenant Reed who, along with Commander Tucker lifted the lid and placed it on the end of the coffin. Sealing Darren safely inside. They stepped back at the same time and Lieutenant Reed pressed a button. The coffin went into the wall and was gone. Darren was gone.

We remained in silence until one by one people, quietly filed out of the room until only Captain Archer, Sub Commander T'Pol, Commander Tucker, Lieutenant Reed, Ensign Sato, Major Hayes and myself were left behind. Captain Archer came up to me.

"We need to move on now"

I nodded.

"Yes Sir. I understand"

Captain Archer walked out slowly followed by Ensign Sato who looked back and gave an encouraging look. Commander Tucker was the next to leave but he stopped in front of me, compassion displayed on his features. He knew what it was like, to lose someone dear to your heart, he had lost his sister.

"I'm Sorry, Ensign. He saved our lives but lost his" He gently told me, offering a small smile.

"How many Xindi did he kill Sir?" I had to ask him this, it would plague me forever

"12" Came the quiet reply.

"He would have been pleased." I smiled weakly.

"I'm not sure if I follow" Confusion was on the man's face, so I explained.

"The Xindi attack killed some of his relatives who were very dear to him. His aunt Cheryl was the main of his life. He was an orphan and she brought him up. She was living in Florida at the time of the attack Sir. All Darren could think about was the want of revenge for their deaths, not just the other 6 million souls lost Sir"

The Commander didn't say anything but only gave an understanding nod. I knew what he was going through. He sighed and looked at me.

"He was a good kid. Along with you, I won't forget him for what he did"

And with a nod from me, he nodded and left quietly. T'Pol nodded and I nodded in return, she then left.

I wasn't sure why the Major and the Lieutenant stayed behind but the Lieutenant spoke.

"If there's anything you would to talk about don't forget I'm there for you. As I'm sure we all are on board."

"Thank you Sir. I'll keep that in mind"

He nodded and left. I looked at the place where the coffin last stood. The last good bye, I though to myself. Major Hayes glanced at where I was staring as well.

"Would you like me to walk you back to your quarters?" He kindly offered, showing me his arm.

"Thank you Major, I'd like that" I smiled slightly.

With a last look behind us, we exited the room, my arm in his.

"You were very good friends with Darren weren't you?" I asked, looking at Hayes' face. There was a distant look in them.

"Yeah. I miss him just as much as you do Jess. That poem was very sadening. I nearly cried." Hayes replied, blinking to hold back his tears. I squeezed his arm slightly, in comfort.

"Yeah. Every time he asked me to read to him he would cry in earnest. I never understood why though" I wondered out loud.

"He never told anyone about his past life. Before he became an orphan. His parents were shot and he had no family left. His father left in his will that he wanted that poem read at his funeral. Darren very nearly didn't let the guy read it. But of course, he didn't have anything to say in the matter. It was in the Will and therefore had to be done by Law. He was adopted by Cheryl Applegate. He always called her Aunt Cheryl. I suppose that was his way of confronting the death of his parents. Any family the Cheryl had, he would have referred them as uncles and aunties."

Hayes ran his free hand over his face and we realised we had missed my quarters entirely because we were talking so much. We doubled back and entered my quarters. My bunkmate bunked elsewhere because she wanted me to have room for myself. She would be moving back in a week's time.

We sat on the bed and didn't talk for a long time. We just looked at the window. Its black abyss lit up with millions of lanterns shining the way through.

This is how my story ends. My loss of Darren Fin was deep. Major Hayes and I eventually pulled through our loss and moved on. We eventually fell in love. At first I was afraid but knew it was meant. This time, only Archer, Tucker, T'Pol, Hoshi and Reed knew of our love. And again were happy for us.

Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come

A/N: Finito! God, this was the easiest to write of all my fan fictions and i hope you all enjoyed it.