A/N: It's been an age since i updated chapters so, to keep you happy. Here is the much awaited Chapter 5
(Spootycup)Thanks. So do i...Malcolm is such a cool character
(Volley)Though i have not stated much on the curing of Mal's lil' phobia in this chapter, i have a good chap 6 planned containing it all;)
(Buggles586)Thanks
(The Libran Iniquity) Thanks. I hope you like this chapter TLI.
(Exploded Pen) Thanks for that inspiring review. it made me lose my head in fits of laughter. And Archer's chat with the infamous Reed family will staring in chap 6.
(Emiliana Keladry) Sorry about the waiting. I was editing The Way Home and writing after effects whilst the ideas were fresh in my mind. But i am back with The Ocean Blue now. So hip hip hurray!
The pod landed on the soft ground of the clearing. Birds could be heard to sing shrilly into the blackness of the night as the occupants fell out of the tin can. The wind played with their head, lifting it and smacking it back down on their scalps. All of the occupants were very eager, Charles Tucker in particular. Their strides were long and their pace was quick.
Captain Jonathan Archer was eager to find Malcolm. To give Malcolm's family news that their relation was not dead after all would hopefully make them very happy and Jonathan did feel a little nervous about telling them about this event. But of course this was all based on whether the information sent to the Enterprise was true or not. There was no evidence to go against it being true but there was no evidence in favour of the information. They could as well be going on fool's hope. He shook this from his mind and forced himself to be optimistic, to hope Malcolm was alive after all.
--
Corridors. Endless corridors of his home, his friendly and welcoming abode. He walked into the Armoury and everything was still. No movement among the heaps of equipment neatly placed around the Armoury. This was where he worked, and to a certain extent, lived.
Squawk! Malcolm opened his eyes, revealing frosty, fathomless blue spheres, at the sudden sound. He brought his hands to his face and rubbed diligently. When his eyesight returned to focus he looked around, spying the bird planted on a low hanging limb. Its feathers were violet and the bird's eyes were piercing. Strangely, the bird flew down with ease to the Englishman sitting against the tree trunk. It landed beside Malcolm's thigh, rustling fallen leaves as it landed.
The bird looked at Malcolm and hopped on the man's leg, nodding slightly. Malcolm just looked at the creature in amusement, admiring the bird's beauty. The bird spread it's violet wings and flew to Malcolm's shoulder where Malcolm eyed it. It moved its beak to Malcolm's ear. Its voice was raspy but clear at the same time.
'Not far now,' Archer spoke as they strode for the life sign that was their friend. The others nodded and pushed themselves faster, pushing past all the broken bark and tearing it off the trunk.
'What d'ya think he do when he sees us again?' Trip asked, pondering further on a different question that was simmering in his mind.
'Probably say that we're late' Archer returned trying to lighten the mood a little. He had some success; he could see the smile playing on his friend's face and the slight lifting of the mouth on Hoshi's face. If they did find their missing comrade, it would be a glorious day for all of them, including the Reed family.
'Well, we all know Lieutenant Reed Sir' Hoshi stated silently, struggling to keep up with the two stronger men in front of her. Her hair flying in the gentle wind as her pace increased inch by inch.
--
Malcolm's eyes closed again, his mouth hanging open slightly and the bird left him, flying off south and towards several mountains.
And this was how Captain Archer, Commander Tucker and Ensign Hoshi found their British Armoury officer. Sitting with his legs out in a triangular fashion, his hand supporting some of the man's weight and the other resting on his thigh. His eyes were closed and his face seemed peaceful. For some strange reason, Archer couldn't bring himself to disturb the face that was Malcolm. It seemed so unusual for their Armoury officer. So unreal.
And he figured it was the same for the Commander and Ensign next to him and presumed that was what made the Commander whisper,
'He seems so peaceful…should we wake him?'
'I don't think so, but we should really,' Hoshi murmured in response and Archer only nodded. Slowly, he shook the Brit's shoulder. No response came from the Englishman. His face remained serene and peaceful. It was as if he was one with nature and those around him.
Trip knelt down to his best friend shook him more firmly. He heard a grunt and smiled, the Brit slowly opened his eyes and Trip looked into his friends' eyes.
'Malcolm? You okay?' Trip asked gently but Hoshi noted the worry emerged in his accented voice.
'Trip? You came back?' Reed murmured and Trip had to get closer to hear him. Reed's voice was husky and very low; it could hardly be heard amongst the chattering of the birds above.
'Course we came back Malcolm. We would never leave you behind,' Trip affirmed, and he saw the searching eyes of his friend. The blue spheres darting side to side and it was then those spheres appeared to have noticed the others standing beside him, whose faces were etched in worry.
Malcolm struggled to rise and Trip eagerly helped but Malcolm found his balance and batted Trip's hands away from him. He looked at his Captain and smiled slightly.
'Its good to see you again Malcolm,' Archer said with a warming smile. 'Let's get you home.'
Malcolm nodded and they made their way back to the pod, with Malcolm stumbling only once and Trip had to catch the smaller man before Malcolm hit the ground. It was not long before Malcolm was sitting on a bio bed, swinging his legs in an impatient manner while Phlox was examining him.
'Are you finished yet Doctor?' Malcolm asked dryly as he fixed a glare on the Denobulan, but Phlox just shook his head and rolled his eyes. Something he had quickly learned from his human colleagues and was becoming increasingly natural.
'You are an impeccable patient Mister Reed though your bitterness isn't doing you any favours,' Phlox muttered darkly in response, which caused the Lieutenant to raise an eyebrow so that it was a close imitation of T'Pol. Malcolm had rumours that there was a bet going on amongst the science department on how high it could rise to but he wasn't sure on whether it was true or not.
The Sickbay doors could be heard to have opened and who should enter but the Yankee excuse for a Commander. The Commander had a bounce in his step as he strode towards Malcolm and the Doctor.
'Hey Doc. How's is he?' Phlox was about to answer but as usual, Malcolm got there first.
'Fine. Thanks for asking. I hope you've come to take me away from here,' Malcolm stated bitterly and Tucker laughed, slightly shaking his head.
'Sorry. No can do. When will he be fit to leave?' Tucker chuckled, turning to the Denobulan.
'He can leave whenever he wants to. I'm happy now that he's back perfectly in good shape, for once.' Phlox replied with a grin. Malcolm scowled and slid off the bio bed, heading straight for the exit, With Trip in hot pursuit.
'Malcolm. Stop,' surprisingly, Reed stopped, turning on his heel with his arms folded. Trip frowned. 'Cap'n Archer's invited you ta join us for dinner tonight. Thought ya should know, we're all curious how you lived. You can explain it then. Cap'n Archer's talking to your parents right now,' Reed rolled his eyes and started walking slowly and Trip kept up. 'Hell Malcolm, we thought you were dead. No one could have survived that depth without bein' crushed by water pressure. You've made Archer very uneasy about having to inform your parents and sister that you're dead after all.'
Trip let the information sink in and he could visibly see Reed's barriers breaking, his face becoming more relaxed.
'That true? You thought I was dead?' Malcolm asked quickly, but silently so that Trip had to strain to hear him.
'Yeah. It shocked the crew, your Armoury team being at the brunt of it. You should go an' see 'em.' Trip offered a reassuring smile and won a small but definite smile from the Brit.
A/N: Not as long as it could be but i couldn't think of a better ending. Let me know if there are any big mistakos. Please leave a message