Captain Archer was sitting in his Ready Room. He gazed at Major Matthew Hayes with a look of due respect.

He knew full well that Enterprise never would have made it through the Xindi Crisis without the combat skills and expertise of Hayes and his team of MACOs. One of the better decisions I made throughout the whole damn soul-destroying experience, he thought to himself. Not that for one moment did he doubt the abilities of Malcolm Reed and his Security Team. But as a vessel of exploration, Enterprise was manned with Starfleet personnel experienced in and equipped for just that. Malcolm was the closest thing to a soldier that Archer had on his crew, but he wasn't leading a team of battle-hardened soldiers.

Hayes was standing at ease in front of Archer's Ready Room desk.

Archer gently tapped his fingers on his desk thoughtfully. "How long have you been with us now, Major?"

Hayes keeping his gaze level, still looking straight ahead, responded without hesitation. "16 months and 9 days, Sir."

Archer chuckled. "Counting the days, Major?"

Hayes was happy to be honest with Archer. He respected the Captain immensely and after all Starfleet and the MACOs had been through together, it wasn't such a leap of faith anymore.

"I won't deny that space has been tough on my team, Captain. Not that we would change any part of it with respect to our role in Enterprise's mission."

It was one of the many attributes Archer liked about the Major. When he spoke, he spoke with every member of his team in mind. They were a living, breathing unit. Archer stood and walked around the desk to look the Major in the eye.

Archer got straight to the point. "How would you feel about some time on terra firma? A reassignment?"

Hayes' controlled expression slipped for a split second. "Sir?"

Archer continued. "I've had a request from Starfleet, asking if Enterprise can spare you for a while. I was wondering how you'd feel about that. Being away from your team. Who would you place in charge of the MACOs in your stead?"

If Hayes was thrown by the suddenness of the request, he didn't betray any feelings one way or another on the matter. Something else I like about him, thought Archer, with a hint of amusement. The man is unflappable.

To say Hayes' curiosity was piqued would be an understatement. It would take some serious heavyweight influence in Starfleet to separate a lead MACO Officer from his team, so the upper echelons of his command structure must be in on it too, otherwise Archer wouldn't be standing in front of him now posing the question.

"MacKenzie, Sir," came the response. "She knows the team and how it functions as well as I do."

Archer gave him a smile. "Excellent, Major."

He returned to his seat. "I must say, despite knowing that the MACOs were needed on board, I had given a lot of serious thought to how it would unbalance the ship's security team already in place."

"You and I both, Sir," Hayes replied. "It wasn't easy for Lieutenant Reed and I in the early stages of our professional arrangement. Having as much as we did in common, a clash was inevitable."

"Well, I'm glad to observe that the differences that led to that infamous clash appear to have been laid to rest," said Archer.

"Couldn't agree more, Sir," replied Hayes, expressionless as ever.

Archer handed him the PADD from his desk. "Here is your assignment. We will be rendezvousing with a Vulcan ship that is heading your direction, past the Sol System."

Hayes paused as he took the PADD from Archer's outstretched hand. "I'm going back to Earth, Sir?"

Archer nodded. "You are, Major. It appears you made quite an impression on Ambassador Meara Shaw…"