Dracona heard a faint noise. She tried to open her eyes but found it difficult. She tried once more and this time she was successful. Light poured in and she had to blink before she could see anything. As her eyes focussed she saw Raya, leaning over her and smiled as best as she could. It was nice to see a familiar face once again. Then the pain from her wounds hit her, as face winced in pain. She could barely hear Malcolm calling for phlox
"Don't try to move all right?" Raya said. She turned her head to see where Phlox and Malcolm were. Phlox, as soon as he heard his name being called, came out from his office. Upon seeing Phlox moving over she turned her head back to face Dracona. "Everything's gonna be all right." She said with a small smile. Dracona could only nod. The pain was too much. She saw Phlox do something, she wasn't quite sure what but felt something press against her neck and she heard a soft hiss. That was better, the pain relieved and she could hear better. She turned her head towards Raya.
"Raya?" her voice hoarse 'Thanks"
"That was a very brave thing you did." Malcolm said as he leaned over the bed so Dracona could see. Dracona took a deep breath.
"I couldn't let my father destroy the future of a child of two friends i know." She said as she closed her eyes. She had just killed her father, and even though she hadn't gotten on well with him since he had become a traitor she couldn't help but be sad. Both Raya and Malcolm smiled at Dracona's comment. Dracona smiled. The future was bright. She flexed her fingers and with her right hand she went to touch her left side. Phlox stopped her.
"Uh. Uh." Phlox tutted. Dracona nodded, understanding the Denobulan. She looked at Malcolm and Raya. They were holding hands.
"So. When are you two, ya know, i don't know what Humans call it"
"Marry?" Malcolm offered. Dracona nodded
"If that's what you call it" Dracona replied, smiling. She was learning quite a lot from these humans.
"During the 6 days it takes to get to Zanar" Raya supplied, looking up at Malcolm, smiling.
"Captain permitting of course" Malcolm said, looking deep into Raya's eyes
"Course he'll let you. You suit each other" Dracona complimented. It was then that Malcolm noticed a pendent around Dracona's neck.
"Nice necklace" Malcolm pointed out, looking at the pendant round her neck.
"It helps me with my telepathy" Dracona smiled. Fingering the green and purple stones set in the pewter they were in. Before now, Malcolm, Raya and the doctor hadn't noticed that the green stones, there being two of them, were slightly glowing. "The green stones represent short length telepathy and the purple is for harder tasks and long range. It's a bit hard to understand."
At that moment Archer entered after Phlox had contacted him to say that Dracona was awake. He was glad that she was all right and that he didn't have to worry about her life.
"Captain." Raya said as she noticed him come up behind her. Dracona tried to lift her head, but the bandage was preventing from doing so. The Captain came up beside her bio bed. Raya gently put her hand on Dracona's shoulder to keep her lying down. "I had told you to lie still." she said smiling, she understood why Dracona might not have heard her the first time... the pain... and so didn't really take it at all in annoyance that she had just tried to sit up. Dracona smiled and nodded. She considered Raya a good friend. Raya and Malcolm turned to Archer.
"Captain. Raya and i were wondering if it was possible to have the wedding before we get to Zanar?" Malcolm asked. Archer raised his eyebrows and smiled, wrinkles forming around the eyes.
"Of course" He said, smiling. Malcolm and Raya looked at each smiling.
"Thank you Sir." Malcolm replied, smiling broadly. Something quite unusual for the Englishman. Archer wished he had a camera at that precise moment.
"Congratulations" Dracona said, quite happy for the two lovebirds. She wasn't sure if humans used the term but she smiled anyway.
2 days later there was a small gathering in the Mess Hall. Archer was standing facing everyone. Malcolm was standing next to Raya and senior officers, Dracona and a coupel of Raya's closest friends were standing behind them.
"Malcolm Reed... do you take Raya Tagia to be your lawfully wedded wife?" Archer said looking at him Armoury officer.
"I do." Malcolm replied smiling at Raya and then at Archer.
"And do you Raya Tagia take Malcolm Reed to be your awful wedded husband."
"Captain!" Raya called out with a laugh. The other people in the mess hall laughed, as did Archer as he looked at Malcolm's face.
Dracona smiled, wincing a little as her wound on her neck was still trying to heal. Phlox had given her some painkillers to stem the pain and it was helping. She made a note to herself to let Phlox do a complete medical check up on her, knowing he did not know much about her anatomy. Her chest wounds, had almost healed seeming as they were not deeply cut as her neck was.
"Sorry. Do you Raya Tagia, take Malcolm Reed to be your LAWFULLY wedded husband?" Archer said putting emphasis on the word 'Lawfully' knowing Malcolm would be annoyed if he repeated 'awful' again.
"I do." She said slightly nodding. Both Malcolm and Raya looked at each other smiling.
"Then by the power invested in me as Captain of the Starship Enterprise i now pronounce you Man and wife. You may now kiss the bride."
Everyone cheered and clapped as Raya and Malcolm moved closer to each other and kissed. all around the ship everyone clapped as the most important words were said. The whole ceremony had been on speakers so everyone could hear, as not all people could attend. as they parted they were cascaded in confetti, mainly thrown by Travis, Hoshi and Dracona. Malcolm made a futile attempt at getting it out of his hair. Dracona laughed at his antics only having to take a breather at the pain. Raya laughed at Malcolm's attempts and then decided to get it out for him. Everyone then came up to them saying "Congratulations." and "You two are made for each other" shaking Raya and Malcolm's hands. The sound of a glass being gently tapped with a piece of cutlery brought all the hustle and bustle to a stand still.
"I know believe its time for the groom to make a speech." Archer called. He looked at Malcolm who was not at all pleased that he had to give a speech... it was the only thing he hated about weddings.
Malcolm didn't speak for a little a bit, he was trying to form what he wanted to say. He looked around him and saw all the friendly faces in the room, which included a particular grinning southerner.
"Um. Well, i can hardly thank you all enough for coming and supporting us both." He looked at Raya who smiled. He cleared his throat and continued "Secondly, I'd like to thank Captain Archer for marrying us both." Archer smiles and only nods. "And if it wasn't for Dracona, we wouldn't be standing here right now and so, I'm sure all of us here on this ship would like to thank her" he finished, he couldn't think of what to say next and decided it summed up a little part.
Dracona, at hearing her name being said by Malcolm, looked at him. When he thanked her for what she had done. She waved a hand and shook her head. She only did what she thought could only be done. At the mention of Dracona's name Raya put her arm around her shoulders and gave her a little hug. Dracona slowly nodded, slightly put out by what Malcolm had said. Everyone gave a clap as he finished his speech. The partying went on for a few more hours after that... Speeches given at different times. After a while everyone had to go back to their duties, relaying to their staff how the ceremony had been, however most of the talk was about what their captain had said about Malcolm being an awful husband.