A Problematic Relationship

Chapter 8: Home Sweet Home

 You only pulled away from each other when you heard the comm chime.

"Archer to Shuttlepod One."

You were relieved to hear the Captains voice.

"Lieutenant Y/N and Lieutenant Reed here, sir. " You replied, while still smiling brightly at Malcolm.

You heard a huge sigh when Captain Archer and the bridge crew heard both of your names.

"Prepare to return to the Shuttlebay. We have some things to talk about."

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"You're very lucky, Y/N." The Captain stated. "Not even did you survive, you brought Malcolm back alive and I managed to pleed Admiral Gardner not to give you a reprimand. As for you, Mr. Reed, you're stuck with us for a while until we can randevouz with a ship that needs an Armoury Officer."
"Actually, Captain," He quickly glanced at you, then he turned his attention back to Archer. "I would like to request a transfer back to Enterprise."

"Granted." The Captain didn't even hesitate, it's like he knew Malcolm was going to ask him that.

"On a more personal note, I'm glad you two are back and you worked things out between each other. Dismissed."

You walked down the hallway together, holding hands.

"Do you still remember where our quarters are?" You teased him.

"Very funny." He replied as you took a turn to get exactly in front of your room's door. Malcom tapped the button to open it and let you go in first, like a gentleman.

You were glad to be home. And with Malcolm back, it finally truly felt like home again. The pictures of you smiling made sense, the happy songs affected you again. It no longer felt empty, unknown, he brought back the life that the room lacked.

Your bed didn't feel like an ocean anymore, where you couldn't find your place. You no longer felt broken; your other half was back.

The confortable silence was broken by the doorchime.

"Come in." You both said at the same time.

Trip ran in, panting, because he ran from Engineering all the way to your quarters.

"Ah thank heavens you're back!" He sighed.

He shook Malcolm's hand and gave you a friendly hug.

"So I take it you've managed to work things out?" He asked. You nodded. "See, Y/N, I told ya that you're gonna get him back one way or another."

"To be honest, I would've preferred a more peacful and less violent way, but this works too!" You said with a smile.

 All three of you laughed together; just like in the old days, when there were no Xindi, no Romulans, no Section 31, just a couple of Starfleet officers who became best friends during their mission of exploration.