Three Days Too Die

Disclaimer: I do not own Star Trek: Enterprise ... but I really wish I did.. that would be totally awesome!

A/N: I am so very sorry that I haven't posted in a while. But, as an early Christmas treat, here are two more chapters!

Now, please enjoy!

"Yes!" Archer called out suddenly. It had only been a few minutes since Malcolm had told him they would find it and Archer had decided that T'Pol had known what she was doing.

Breathing a sigh of relief, Archer believed they finally seemed to be catching the break they needed so badly.

"Sir?" Malcolm stopped searching through the plant life and rushed over to Archer's side.

"It's here! This is the plant. Help me dig it up, it's probably best to bring Phlox the whole thing." Archer said, getting to his knees as he removed the dirt from around the plant's roots.

"Careful not to cut yourself, I don't need more than one sick crewmember," Archer grunted out to Malcolm as they both worked to uncover the plant.

Once it was uncovered, they removed it from the ground and set it in the container Phlox had provided.

"Archer to Mitchel" Archer spoke into his comm as he and Malcolm stood up.

"Mitchel here, Captain," Mitchel replied as he stood up, his back protesting since he and the rest of the away team had been hunched over searching through the wildlife for over an hour.

"I've found the plant. Get the rest of the away team and head to the shuttle pod."

"Yes, Sir," Mitchel responded before he silently moved about to gather up the rest of the team.

They quickly recovered the ground they had previously covered and spotted Archer and Malcolm before the shuttle pod came into sight.

"Captain" Mitchel acknowledged as they began jogging beside each other.

"Mitchel" Archer said, his eyes forward, scanning the dark terrain for the shuttle pod.

Following his Captain's lead, Mitchel focused on preserving his energy until they reached the shuttle pod.

They hadn't been running for long when suddenly someone behind Mitchel called out in pain. Everyone stopped in their tracks and silently ducked for cover.

The sounds of a body being dragged was the only thing that could be heard by all the members of the away team.

Archer was straining his eyes as he looked through the night vision lenses. Finally, he was able to make out a figure moving behind a tree.

"Mitchel," He whispered, as he quietly made his way over to Mitchel's side, "it's the locals. Where there is one there are typically many more. They travel in packs. Here, take the plant and keep your eyes peeled, I'm gonna go see who we're missing."

"Yes Sir, I'll keep the rest moving toward the shuttle pod." With a nod, they moved in opposite directions. As Archer passed Malcolm, he tapped his arm and motioned for him to follow.

Carefully, they followed the native who had taken one of their away team members. It wasn't long before they came upon a small camp.

"Great." Whispered Archer as he and Malcolm watched the one they had followed drag someone and drop them beside the fire.

The native started speaking and the others surrounded the captive.

Archer quickly recognized the captive as Ensign Jacoby. He was a good man and Archer wasn't willing to lose anyone else.

Silently communicating his plan to Malcolm, they moved about to recover their captured man.

Fifteen minutes later Mitchel exhaled in relief when he and the rest of the team made it back to the shuttle pod.

They had pushed harder than before, knowing they needed to stash the plant, regroup, and use the sensors to get a reading on the natives.

Securing the plant in a cubby hole, Mitchel pulled up the sensors. "Crap, this does not look good." He told Ensign Taylor.

Stepping out of the shuttle pod, he motioned to the rest of the away team.

"Well, let's set about backing the Captain up and getting back to Enterprise." Mitchel passed the hand-held scanner around so everyone could see. The rest of the away team was a weary as he was, but they were tough and they knew the stakes of this mission. Commander Tucker was well liked and respected.

It pained everyone to see him suffering.

"Let's head out."

Groaning, Archer slowly lifted his head. Looking to his left he saw that Jacoby was still unconscious. Looking to his right, he saw Malcolm glaring openly at a rather large native.

"Don't tick him off, Malcolm," Archer said faintly, "I'd really not like to have to explain to your parents why you were torn in half on an away mission."

"Personally, Sir, I don't think he has the brains to know what my glare means, much less formulate any action on his part without being first ordered to do so." The Brit spit out just as quietly.

"Even so, Malcolm." Archer shook his head. Unfortunately, their plan had not worked as well as they had hoped. Now they were captured, and Trip was still no closer to an antidote.

Archer could have kicked himself for the time that they were wasting. He just hoped that Mitchel had left them behind and was making his way back to Enterprise.

Looking through the bushes, Mitchel saw the Captain, Malcolm, and Jacoby tied up and resting against trees near the fire.

He counted to ten and moved in, phase pistols charged and ready, as the planned explosion occurred just to the south, in the opposite direction of the shuttle pod.

Being distracted by the explosion, the natives didn't see Mitchel coming, but they did put up a fight.

"Boy, Phlox is not going to be happy when we get back." Mitchel thought ruefully.

"Captain." Mitchel said as he untied the Captain, who had watched the attack with a shocked expression on his face.

"Mitchel." Archer replied with a nod, grateful for the rescue, but worried that this would cost him Trip's life.

"What's our time looking like?" Archer asked, not wanting to burden Mitchel with his fears.

"It's midnight, Sir," Mitchel said, his face clearly showing his regret, frustration, and an eagerness to get back to Enterprise.

"Let's get going."

With one last look at the now unconscious natives, and a sad shake of his head at the result of a simple misunderstanding, Archer untied Malcolm and helped him to his feet.

Mitchel assisted Jacoby, who had regained consciousness moments before the attack, a large and bleeding bump evident on the back of the ensign's head.

Regrouping, they made sure everyone was accounted for and then were once more on their way back to the shuttle pod.

This time they stayed in a much tighter group and didn't let their guard down, despite the difficult terrain and darkness.

Making it back to the shuttle pod, they were all weary and breathless. They had been out all night and their altercation with the natives had left its mark.

Malcolm and Archer had fresh bruises forming on their faces, and Jacoby was still dazed from the head wound. Others had grazes and bruises of their own forming. But despite their exhaustion and injuries, no one complained. They all just piled into the shuttle pod, ready to be back on Enterprise and done with this planet.

After confirming that the plant was on board the shuttle pod, Archer started up the engine, praying that Phlox would have enough time to make the cure and that Trip's body would be able to respond to it.

As he made his way off of the planet and into the atmosphere, Archer's thoughts were consumed by his best friend. He never wanted to be in a position like this again.

Trip is his best friend. Trip is the one person that really understands him and isn't afraid to challenge him. They challenged each other. They made each other better. Trip has been by his side no matter what and he intended to return the favor.

He would be by Trip's side no matter what. They had their differences and different responsibilities, but their friendship was unshakable.

Archer hoped that Trip pulled through. He knew in his heart that Trip was strong enough to beat this thing, he just wished his brain was as confident.

As things were, he would give anything to switch places with Trip and save him from his suffering.