Things That Come in the Night-pt. 11

Things That Come In the Night

by The Watch Stander

Disclaimers in Part 1

An: I just want to thank everyone for their interest and reviews! This was the longest story I’ve ever written. I just hope I didn’t ramble too much. The ending is kinda sappy, but I love sappy. Not sure what I’ll write next, but with the 2nd half of the Enterprise season beginning one never knows, I have this idea……

Ps: You’ll need a hanky!

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Part 11

Malcolm had insisted on accompanying Archer to sickbay for the captain looked shaken and might be suffering from delayed stress. It had been one hell of a trip back from the cargo ship and they still hadn’t come down from the emotional roller coaster ride they had been through.

God I feel drained! Commander Tucker certainly can pull some amazing stunts!

Trip waking up from the dead had surprised them all. Malcolm still didn’t understand what had happened and hoped to find out from Dr. Phlox.

They walked through the doors into sickbay and immediately went over to where Phlox had Trip. The Commander was lying on one of the medical beds and seemed to be sleeping. His color was much better and there wasn’t any sign of pain on his face. Phlox was busy looking at one of his monitors on the wall at what most likely were Commander Tucker’s readings.

Archer stepped up closer to the bed where Trip lay. He hesitated for a moment, but then reached out and touched one of Trip’s hands. It was warm to his touch and no longer had the cold feel of death to it. For the first time since they had left the shuttle, he was able to take a deep breath. He wanted to be sure it was true that Trip was alive and that it hadn’t been some kind of stress induced hallucination. Smiling slightly he looked down at the sleeping man, who until just a short time ago had been considered lost to them. Jon swallowed trying not to let his emotions overwhelm him.

Phlox had seen the two men reflected in his monitor as they entered and now walked over to stand beside the Captain. His broad smile was happy as always. Captain Archer was obviously concerned with the Commander’s condition.

“He should all right, Captain. I’ve treated the wound and given him a sedative for the pain. Other than still having the flu, he should be fine in a few days.”

Archer looked at him unsure, questioning, “There was so much blood,.. I couldn’t get it to stop.” The memory of it flowing through his fingers was still vivid in Jon’s mind.

Phlox smiled again, “Never the less, I was able to restore the blood he lost and he seems fine now. I don’t know what happened over there, but he will be all right.”

Archer turned back to Trip, trying to digest what the doctor had said. He suddenly felt fatigued and his legs felt like rubber bands.

Malcolm grabbed Jon’s arm when he saw him sway.

“Easy, Sir.”

Phlox noticed and took a good look at the man before him. “Are you feeling all right Captain?”

Malcolm answered for Archer, “He said his body felt numb on the shuttle, couldn’t walk.”

Phlox nodded, “This has been a most stressful day for you Captain, I’m giving you a sedative and I want Lt Reed to walk you to your quarters.”

For once Archer agreed and after receiving the shot from Phlox let Malcolm escort him to his quarters, but not before he took one last look at Trip to be sure he hadn’t dreamt this whole thing up.

Phlox smiled as he watched him, “Don’t worry Captain, he’ll still be here in the morning.”

Jon smiled tiredly and left with Reed. Phlox with the help of his assistant moved Trip to a patient bed. Once the Commander was settled, Phlox tucked the covers around the still sleeping man and then pulled the curtains around the bed. He had discovered an enzyme in Commander Tucker’s system, but it wasn’t dangerous and had slowly dissipated after he had scanned the Commander. Tomorrow he would have to ask the Captain and the Commander what had actually happened.

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It was some time later when the entity enter the curtained area from the air vent. She immediately went over to Trip and entered his mind.

Trip was on the beach again, but this time there was no pain. The beautiful creature once more walked over to him, smiling happily. She reached out her hand and gently touched his face. Her thoughts came once more into his head.

“I’m so glad you’re all right, for I wasn’t sure I could save you.”

Trip was puzzled for he remembered nothing except the feeling that he was dying as he tried to convince her to leave him.

“What did you do?” he slowly pulled her into his arms.

She looked shyly into his eyes, eyes that she found so beautiful and so full of passion. His depth of feelings and thoughts had surprised her and she found herself caring about him.

“I was able to share my life essence with you. It’s the reason these people hunt me. They hope to extend their lives by using me. It’s a gift of my race and something we can share if we want. I’m so happy I was able to help you.” Her whole being was in that statement for she truly would have done anything to save him.

Trip didn’t know what to say, then he remembered Malcolm’s words in the shuttle ‘You’re not dead!’

“You saved my life, I remember now, they thought I was dead!”

He clearly remembered Jon’s face above him staring in the distance and how devastated he had looked, but that look had changed when he realized Trip was alive.

Trip was speechless once more.

“Your friend’s heart was broken for I could read his feelings through his touch as he held you on the shuttle. Your kind is capable of great emotions and passions. I only wish I could stay with you.” Her face was regretful now, knowing that she would have to leave him.

Trip suddenly realized that he didn’t want her to go, she had filled that well of loneliness that was inside of him. “You can’t leave, I don’t want you to!”

Sadly, she smiled at him, “I must, for others will follow and try to catch me. If I’m with you they will harm you.”

Seeing the distressed look in his eyes she added, “I have found feelings in your heart for another, she will take my place.”

Trip was speechless, how did she know about T’Pol.

She just smiled at him then kissed his lips once more, “Goodbye.” she whispered to him, and his eyelids grew heavy and he drifted off to sleep once more.

She left him there sleeping, wishing she could stay, but knowing she couldn’t.

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Trip awoke the next morning in sickbay, his eyes started to water when he remembered the entity saying goodbye. Once more, he felt the loneliness start to envelop him as he wiped away the tear on his cheek. Suddenly he felt someone’s presence and turned his head, surprised to see the person who sat there. The smile on this person’s face reached their eyes, something Trip hadn’t seen happen in a long time.

Capt’n, what are you doing here so early?

“Checking on you. Someone has to keep you out of trouble.” Jon looked tired, but that hardened look he had been developing seemed softened somehow and there was a twinkle in his eye.

The friend Trip remembered from before the Expanse was sitting here with him now. Trip felt himself smiling back and realized that he really wasn’t alone anymore. He had friends that cared about him and it pushed away a lot of the sorrow he felt inside.

Jon looked at Trip and realized how much he wanted that smile on his friend’s face to never disappear. “It’s time we finished that conversation you started when we were interrupted.”

Trip agreed. “She was just so beautiful, Capt’n. I don’t know how to describe her….” Trip’s voice went on and the two men were unaware that Phlox was across the room watching them happily.

Phlox couldn’t hear what they were saying, but he knew by the expressions on their faces that they were once more friends. He sighed relieved and then walked over to the view port to look out at the area of space they were in known as the Expanse.

Something small and white passed by the view port; the small entity left Enterprise and headed off into space once more in search of a host, but knowing that all her feelings would always be with the human she left behind.

END

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A handful of people have made comments

This was lovely. Plenty of angst in the middle which is great but a sappy ending is good too. Many thanks. VP

What a really sweet ending. Thanks for a wonderful story, luved every bit of it!!.

Thanks I loved reading this story. I can't wait for another.

Heh, heh, heh, so T'Pol is in Trip's mind, huh? And he knows it?!

Great character interactions. Malcolm is such a wonderful mother hen/armory officer - quite the intriguing combo.

Those aliens do love Trip - from Ah'Len onward the man does draw them to him and yet remains curiously unaware of his own attractiveness.

It is always good to see the Archer/Trip friendship thoughtfully explored. If only TPTB would do it on the screen as well!

:'( u got me all teary all thru that, u broke my controll !! i know i sound vulcan, i act it too, lovely no one could ever let him die he's too special, exploring this friendship really adds a new light to archer thank you,

ps: no ones ever made me cry b4