This is a scene I always wanted to see in Star Trek, especially after they did Enterprise, with all the implications of its opening sequence. If this has been done before, I apologize.

Causality

After meeting and becoming friends with the crew of the starship Enterprise D, Friendly Alien #356 decides to engage is some small-talk with his new buddy, Captain Picard, as they stroll through the ship's corridors. "So, Captain, tell me. 'Enterprise' almost sounds like the name of a Ferengi vessel, but this wondrous Federation of yours does not seem to care for monetary things. How is it that 'Enterprise' came to be the name of the Federation's flagship?"

Picard gives a little chuckle, then turns to his friend. "Well, Alien #356, you see, this ship was named after the famous vessel commanded by Captain James T. Kirk, who is considered one of the greatest explorers of all time. That ship, in turn, was named after the pre-Federation Earth vessel whose crew is credited with laying many of the diplomatic foundations for what became the Federation."

At this, Alien #356 nods. "Ahhh, I see. So 'Enterprise' is a very proud name for you. I suppose that name must have been more fitting for your pre-Federation Earth culture."

Picard grins his broad, diplomatic smile. "Well, actually, that Enterprise was named for the very first 'Space Shuttle' or reusable space ship ever built by humanity. It was only capable of short stays in Earth's orbit, but it was considered one of the beginning steps for space exploration. Enterprise was a prototype in a line that included five fully-flyable ships: Columbia, Discovery, Challenger, Atlantis, and Endeavour."

"Okay, Captain, are you going to make me ask how that Enterprise acquired its name?"

Picard's smile becomes somewhat sheepish, but still charming. "Actually, Alien #356, I do not know. But here, we can look it up on this computer console." They pause at a hallway panel, and Picard's hands flow smoothly across the surface, causing a series of beeps and clicks.

"Ah ha!" Picard raises an eyebrow and smiles again his broadest. "It says here that NASA, the organization that built that early Enterprise, asked the people of Earth to submit appropriate names for the ship. Many agreed that "Enterprise" was the best choice because the name had become a symbol of peace and a hopeful future in which humanity would explore the stars. Interesting. It was the name of ……a ship……. in a TV show that was……and………………." Alien #356 sees Picard twitch.

BOOOOOOOOOOOM! (Space-time collapses)

-finis-

Okay, okay, I know that in some book, Kirk's father suggests the name of Kirk's Enterprise and it has nothing to do with Archer's Enterprise, but given the event of the show "Enterprise," it seems impossible that Kirk's Enterprise could be named such and not be in recognition of Archer's. So, I consider the book overridden.

I actually had this idea before the latest Star Trek series, but back then it was a stretch to hope Kirk's Enterprise originated from the Shuttle.

It's a good thing more people in the future don't read all the history books:)