A/N: Thank you for all your lovely reviews! I really appreciate it.

For those of you who were wondering what the tribute was in chapter 4, the key is: Malcolm – Hoshi – boots.

Chapter 5: Healing


The soft beeping of the biofunction monitor alerted Doctor Phlox that Lieutenant Reed was waking up. He pulled away from his microscope and came to stand next to the bed.

Blinking slowly, the armoury officer became aware of his surroundings.

"Welcome back to the land of the living, lieutenant. How are you feeling?" Phlox asked cheerfully.

"Like I spent too much time at the 602 Club." Malcolm Reed answered, his voice hoarse. "How long have I been asleep?"

"About three hours. Commander Tucker was here some time ago, but I told him you were still heavily sedated." The doctor helped the armoury officer into a sitting position and poured him a glass of water, which Reed accepted gratefully.

After quenching his thirst, the lieutenant wearily rubbed his eyes. "Is there any word from the captain?"

Phlox detected a hint of anxiety creeping through the words. "No. But I'm sure he is still unaware that you are awake." The doctor tried to lighten his mood. "The commander told me that the captain and T'Pol were still negotiating with the Vasgot."

His patient shook his head ruefully. "This mess is all my fault. If I hadn't pulled that phase pistol…"

Phlox was curious, but dared not ask more. The lieutenant was despondent as it was. There was no need to add to his suffering by letting him relive the experience.

"I'm sure you acted rationally and to the best of your abilities, considering the circumstances," Phlox said, adding to himself, whatever those circumstances might be.

"I'm not sure I did, Doctor. T'Pol had already warned us…" The lieutenant's voice died away as the sickbay doors opened, and Captain Archer walked in. Ensign Sato followed on his heels. They stopped at the foot of the bed.

"Doctor, Lieutenant."

The frown that Phlox had noted earlier on the captain's face was gone now. Jonathan Archer was instead wearing an easy smile. Hoshi, who was standing next to the captain, looked content. All is well that ends well.

"Captain," Phlox greeted.

"Sir," the lieutenant acknowledged.

The doctor looked back at Lieutenant Reed, who was staring straight ahead, and had not seen the smile of his commanding officer.

"At ease, Malcolm," the captain said.

The lieutenant relaxed slightly but still did not turn his head toward Archer.

He expects a reprimand, and is ready to face the consequences of his actions.

Archer let out a sigh, showing Phlox that he also knew it was going to be difficult to change Reed's mind. "How are you feeling, Malcolm?"

"Better, sir," the Brit said stiffly.

"I was going to release Lieutenant Reed tonight, so that he can sleep in his own quarters," Phlox offered.

"Good to hear that." The captain looked a bit uncomfortable at the lack of response he got from his armoury officer. He said, "While the away team was returning to Enterprise, T'Pol received a hail from the Vasgot. They were not happy with the outcome of this first contact, to put it mildly, and were holding an emergency council. They would keep us informed, they said, and closed the channel."

Looking at the lieutenant's stoic face, he hastily continued. "An hour ago, the Chieftain contacted us again. He apologized, and told us that they had misread the situation. He stated that their ceremonies were held to celebrate life, and should not be put above life itself." He paused. "They wanted to thank you personally, Malcolm, for pointing this out to them."

"Sir?" A crack had appeared in the Lieutenant's outer façade. He looked confused.

"The Chieftain was not aware of your duty to protect the lives of this crew, Lieutenant. That is an honour that is bestowed on very few Vasgot." Archer's eyes twinkled. Subcommander T'Pol thought it 'expedient' not to point out to the Chieftain that you are also our 'destruction' specialist.

"So, the people of Vasga have formally extended us a new invitation to visit their planet, and would be delighted if Lieutenant Malcolm Reed celebrated life with them," he finished.

He laughed at Reed's bewildered expression. "Shuttlepod One leaves at 0900 hours, Lieutenant. I expect you to be ready." And with that, Captain Archer turned and left sickbay.

Hoshi took a step closer to the biobed and smiled. "How are you feeling now, Malcolm?"

The armoury officer took a moment for introspection, and then looked at her beaming face. "Quite well. Thank you," he said with a sincere smile.

"Ready to get some dinner in the mess hall?" she asked.

He turned to Phlox and asked, "Doctor?"

"You may leave sickbay whenever you're ready, Lieutenant."

Malcolm, seemingly in a much better mood, pushed the blanket away and slid of the bio-bed.

"Although," the doctor added thoughtfully, "you might want to put on a clean uniform first?"

Hoshi giggled, while Malcolm blushed lightly and took the proffered blue bundle of clothes from Phlox. When Hoshi didn't move, the lieutenant rolled his eyes.

"Hoshi, some privacy, please."

She smiled sweetly and purred, "Take your time, lieutenant," before she closed the curtain with a flourish.

Hoshi walked towards Phlox, who was looking through his microscope. "Found anything interesting, Doctor?"

"Mmh? Yes, I was actually looking at some samples I took from Mister Reed's stained uniform. Can you tell me why there were traces of animal excrement on your clothing?"

Hoshi blinked. Then she got an evil glint in her eye. "You mean, why Malcolm and I had manure on us? That is quite an amazing story to tell, Doctor."

"Which I'm sure the doctor is not interested to hear right now," a voice muttered behind the screen.

Phlox looked at Ensign Sato, then said loudly, "I'm all ears."

Final Chapter Tomorrow!