Disclaimer: Enterprise belongs to Paramount and Ensign Mueller belongs to volley.

Chapter 5

Another breathless moment; something was pushing on Trip’s chest and all he could do was gasp and thrash about as the life drained from his body. Snapping open his eyes, Trip bit down hard on his lip to keep from screaming. He must remain silent or they would come for him. Placing a hand on his heart, he attempted to roll over and escape from Doctor Phlox’s assistance. The angry voice from his nightmare wouldn’t disappear and he could see that he was making Malcolm uneasy. Mr. Reed put a hand gently on his shoulder. Trip jerked away from his touch, realizing too late that it would upset his friend. He’d remembered something in this dream. He could feel the harness digging into his hips and the pressure pushing on his lungs. It was excruciating and caused him to cough just thinking of the inability to draw breath fully.

Trip had been home on Enterprise for three days, ill and silent in sickbay. Nothing was really improving. Phlox had discovered that the last unknown toxin in his system wasn’t breaking down and it was causing his wounds to take longer to heal. Malcolm was doing most of his work from sickbay, sneaking off the armory at night to finish his tasks. Jonathan was busy with Starfleet, who was curious about receiving a report from Commander Tucker. It just wasn’t possible at this time. Malcolm sighed, sitting down again.

“He’s not getting any better,” the lieutenant muttered to Phlox.

Doctor Phlox motioned for him to come to the other side of the room as Trip pulled his blanket tighter. Malcolm gave his friend’s shoulder a gentle squeeze and followed the doctor. He steadied himself on the lone chair, looking down at the deck plating.

“Would a change of scenery help?” Malcolm asked, glancing over at his trembling friend. “I could take him to my quarters for a night to see if it helps him.”

“Lieutenant, Commander Tucker still needs monitored closely. It would be a lot of work. I’m not sure if I would be comfortable—”

“Doctor, he’s my friend. I can take care of him.”

The Denobulan seemed to contemplate this thoroughly before making any decisions. He gave a small smile at Malcolm. “We could have to discuss this with Captain Archer, but you probably have a good idea. I would like to have him eat some food before we move him to see if he can stomach it.”

Malcolm nodded and returned to Trip’s side, slowly guiding him onto his back and hoping that he would relax. “How would you like to spend a night with me, free from sickbay? I can’t promise any women or alcohol but we could maybe watch a good move. I’ll let you pick one.”

Trip gave a small smile and nodded his head.

“But first the doctor would like to see if you can eat something. Think you can do that?”

His friend didn’t reply, but gave Malcolm a skeptical look. Doctor Phlox went to the mess hall to find something simple for him while the lieutenant paged Captain Archer. Jonathan came quickly, even though he knew it wasn’t an emergency. Trip smiled pleasantly at his close friend, even lifting up the IV hand to take Jon’s. They both listened as Malcolm explained his idea for Trip to see someplace other than sickbay and seemed pleased with the thoughts. Phlox returned with some chicken noodle soup and a glass of cold water. It took two tries to get Trip sitting up in the bed, since he fell the first time groaning. His hands weren’t strong enough to hold the spoon and he kept dropping it. Trip blushed when Jonathan offered to help him.

“It’s okay to need help Trip,” Jonathan murmured, helping him take a bit of the liquid.

Trip looked pale for a moment as his stomach decided if it could keep the food down. After a few minutes, he motioned for another bite and took a sip of the water. Phlox stated that Trip should remain in sickbay until at least seven to make sure that he kept it down and got the nutrients.

“Malcolm, you don’t have to do this,” Jonathan said, pulling him to the side as Phlox checked some of Trip’s wounds in preparation for the overnight.

“Sir… I would really like to do this. Trip needs to be free, to regain some sense of his old life,” he responded. “He can’t find that in sickbay, no matter how much he enjoys Phlox. It’s not enough.”

“I understand. Mind if I stop by for a bit then?”

“That would be great, Captain.”

Jonathan patted his arm and walked back over to Trip. Malcolm excused himself, heading to the armory to get some work done before seven. Ensign Mueller was working on the alignment when Mr. Reed entered and gave him a strange look. Malcolm pulled a pad off his desk from the mess and went to stand beside him.

“Is everything alright Sir?” Mueller asked, not taking his eyes off the screen.

“Yes. Commander Tucker hasn’t changed much today, though he did manage to eat some food a little while ago.”

“That’s good, sir. Do you think he will be up for visitors anytime soon? Crewman Kelly has been inquiring about his health. The whole engineering crew wouldn’t mind getting a chance to see him.”

Malcolm glanced over at his SIC and tried to put on a happy face, but it fell after a moment. “Doctor Phlox hasn’t decided when Mr. Tucker will be up to other visitors.”

“Understandable sir.”

Lieutenant Reed went back to work, climbing down and into one of the conduits that housed the phase canons to do routine maintenance to distract himself from his other tasks. He worked there until six. Malcolm returned to his quarters, cleaning up the pile of clothing from that morning and taking a quick shower. He didn’t want to do it later and have to leave Trip alone. A crewman had brought a cot to his room on Captain Archer’s orders. Malcolm pulled the extra blankets from underneath his bed and laid them on the cot. He would sleep there so Trip could be comfortable.

“Phlox to Mr. Reed,” the voice called over the intercom.

“Reed here.”

“Your guest is ready for you. If you would like to accompany him to your quarters, we will be leaving in a few minutes.”

“Understood. I’ll be right there.”

Malcolm rushed to sickbay, smiling when he saw Trip was standing up beside Phlox. The stubborn man refused to be moved on a stretcher or a wheelchair. Malcolm took his other arm and together they walked to his quarters. Most of the crew was busy and they luckily didn’t see anyone in the corridors. Phlox let Trip get settled on Malcolm’s bed before returning to sickbay to get some supplies for Malcolm in case he needed them. Trip didn’t say a word, sitting propped up against the bulkhead. Malcolm wasn’t sure if he should sit beside him or help him lie down.

“Malcolm…” Trip choked out hoarsely.

“Yes, Trip. Do you need something?”

There was a pause before the man spoke again with an odd expression on his face.

“Can… I shower?”

Malcolm almost smacked himself in the head. Of course Trip would want to get clean. He should have had a bar installed in the shower or something to help him out. He didn’t exactly want to take his friend into the shower, but he would if necessary. The doctor came back with a small medical kit and explained the things to Malcolm, but told him to contact him if anything happened that he couldn’t handle. After assuring the doctor that he would, Phlox bid them good-night. Trip sighed and gave a weak smile when the door swished closed.

“So, do you need me to help you? First, are you hungry at all?” Malcolm asked, sitting down on his desk chair, feeling slightly awkward.

“No…” Trip responded.

Malcolm gave him a knowing look and a smile. “You are starting to sound like me Trip. Let me help you. There’s no shame in receiving assistance.”

Trip nodded. Malcolm helped him remove the sickbay shirt, ignoring the bruises and cuts. He helped remove the heart monitor, taking note of where it went so he could place it there afterwards. The man remembered later that he should have told Dr. Phlox, but he didn’t want to bother the doctor or Trip. He walked Trip into the bathroom in his pants and stared at the shower. It looked a bit daunting for someone that could barely keep their balance. But his friend was stubborn. Trip stepped into the shower and tossed his clothing over after a minute. Malcolm listened as the shower turned on, keeping his back turned to give his friend privacy. He was anxious, waiting for Trip to collapse. Yet, his worry was wasted for Trip remained upright and once the water turned off, he asked for his clothing. Phlox had sent fresh clothing with Trip and Malcolm wondered if he suspected that Trip would want clean.

“Thank you,” Trip murmured as Malcolm replaced the heart monitor and guided him onto the bed.

This was the most that Malcolm had heard Trip speak since he returned and it warmed his heart. He nodded, pulling on Trip’s sickbay shirt and digging out a pad with movies on it. He’d complied Trip’s favorite movies and a few of his own personal favorites. The door chimed and Malcolm pressed the button before opening it.

“It’s me,” Jonathan answered. “I come bearing a gift.”

Jon stepped into Malcolm’s quarters dressed in his civilian clothing with a bottle of something in a brown paper bag.

“Sorry, it’s not alcohol,” Jonathan laughed, sitting down next to Trip. “I doubt that Phlox would let me mix that with your medication.”

Trip smiled and watched as his friend pulled out a wine bottle with milk in it. He’d not been allowed to have milk and it was one of his favorite drinks. It was a perfect gift. Malcolm stepped into the bathroom and returned in his sweats. He quickly noticed that Trip was frowning and tears had pooled in his eyes. Jon was keeping a hand on his shoulder.

“It was horrible…” Trip gasped.

I hope that you can forgive me for the ending. Thanks for the kind responses! Please review!

Emma