Alive and Well (Enterprise alternate ending)

Alive

Jonathan Archer walked down the ramp, breathing a sigh of relief. His speech was finally over. His crew mates/second family were all there waiting for him. Except for one. He sighed internally, looking at the huge gap in his group of people he'd worked with and bled for for so long, it seemed. They hugged him and gave him their congratulations. He smiled at each of them, but the empty spot was still there, glaring at him in its obviousness. After a while, the others went off to the side and chatted amongst each other whilst Doctor Phlox pulled Archer off to the side.
"How's he doing?" Archer whispered, eager to know. Phlox shrugged.
"Doing just fine. Complaining that he was unable to see your speech, but I insisted that he stay and rest. Now, his burns and injuries are quite extensive. It'll take some time to recover from them, but Trip is tough. He'll make it." Phlox smiled at his now former captain. It was a reassuring smile that was full of sincerity and truth. And Archer trusted Phlox to always tell it like it was. Archer relaxed a little.
"When can I see him?" he asked.
"Now, if you want. It should be fine. I'll take you to him. I have to get back anyway. But only you. I don't want to tax his energy by sending all the others. I'll let them see him later." Archer had to stop himself from patting the arm of the doctor. Being Denobulan, he didn't like physical touch. Instead, he smiled at him. He and the Denobulan doctor then bid their goodbyes with the rest of the crew. They all would be staying here in San Francisco until their friend got better. They wanted to make sure.
A hour or so later, Phlox and Archer were entering the infirmary of the Starfleet base. Phlox led the way, heading straight to a particular bed. He pulled back the curtains to reveal a sleeping Commander Charles "Trip" Tucker. His face was all scarred now and burnt from the explosion. In fact, most of his body was. He was wrapped up in clean bandages and resting peacefully, no longer in his Enterprise uniform. Archer stepped forward, worry for his friend overwhelming. He nearly died for Archer. Trip stirred and opened his eyes, looking straight at Archer. A weak smile grew on his face that had all the qualities of a Trip smirk.