Thank you for this story. When I first watched that episode and heard the phrase 'minor injuries' after seeing Malcolm's face I thought 'yeah right'. I remember watching the TOS episode The Empath. McCoy was at death's door in that one and he looked a heck of a lot better off that Malcolm. Granted, that's down to the special effects preferences of the age but when you can accept one look as being an inch from death and another as 'minor injuries' it does become a bit difficult. This really gave the episode some resolution for me, thank you.

Another great story! Your writing contains such subtle observations - it's a pleasure to read!

Yep...that's our Malcolm. Willing to go up against it to reach their goal.

Thanks for the read.

Thank you! Oh, he deserved some recognition for what he did there and they just glanced over it on the show. I'm glad, in your story, that at least Trip got to see and appreciate what he did to get the captain back. Thanks!

I always liked "Shockwave" but it would have been a better episode if they had included your coda. Trip's and Malcolm's friendship was just at the beginning at this time and this scene would have helped to improve it. Very well written, volley.

This is an area rarely mentioned in most stories. You captured both men so perfectly. Trip would have gone to check on Malcolm especially since he sent him to be beaten, His inate sense of responsibility and compassion would demand it of him and this comes through loud and clear. Well written.

I love Trip's thoughts about how hard of a time Malcolm could have been the chief of security for Enterprise. Wonderful piece! Though... I wonder if Malcolm ever told Trip about that other moment in that episode with Hoshi and the shirt... hmm... Thanks for writing this!

Emma

Wonderful! I always thought this particular episode needed a FIN coda. (Especially when T'pol simply said that Malcolm had sustained "minor" injuries. Poor Malcolm.) I'm glad you wrote one. I especially loved Trip's first reaction to Malcolm's appearance and then later Malcolm's comments about making a good team. Fits the timeline nicely.

BTW, I _think_ I've read all of your FIN stories now, but all "out of order" so to speak. I was wondering - could you create a list of them all, in order of how they would have occurred? It might be a nice way to read through them and discover the development of the friendship.

Yes, this scene definitely warranted a FIN story! A very good job on the budding friendship of Trip and Malcolm. Malcolm's thoughts on giving in too soon sounds like the man, especially how he would be in the beginning of their mission. I also liked the part where Trip notices Malcolm didn't say 'the captain'. Thank you for sharing this with us. I envy your writing skills and speed!

Very insightful scene. I always thought Malcolm's job in the episode was so difficult because of the psychology involved. Glad that you were able to address it.

Only suggestion: You have Trip say "I'm proud of what you did, Lieutenant." Trip is always trying to break down the barrier of rank between them, and in this case I feel like he would use "Malcolm" to keep things on a very personal level.

Very nice story showing one step in the development of Trip's understanding of Malcolm. And it covered a good topic - what exactly happened to Malcolm after he got beat up? I always wondered how bad his injuries were, but no mention was ever made of it again, was it?

You handled Trip's reaction to seeing Malcolm well. It makes perfect sense that, if he hadn't seen Malcolm after the beating, he might assume it wasn't as bad as it turned out to be. I like it that, while their conversation isn't as stilted as some of their first interaction had been, you can still see there's some uncertainty between the two of them, but that fits with the time period when this is set.

I do love the comment by Malcolm about being sorry there was blood on the captain's chair - and Trip's reaction that he was glad he'd been too busy to notice. The implication is that he would have been really worried by the time he'd arrived in sickbay.

Nice addition to your Friend in Need series, volley.

Kathy Rose