Chapter 8: You're n

"Is someone there?", Klarie thought out loud as no one answered her.

"I'm sorry, but I'm not telepathically gifted. Is there something you need?", Flox asked as she fully opened her eyes, and almost screamed from what she saw. A man with two snakes bracketing his face.

"I don't mean to startle you. This is what we look like. I'm Denovulan.", He said as her eyes returned to their normal shape, and she laughed.

"I'm Christaklarie Glorio.", She tapped out as he answered to show he understood.

"And I'm Dr. Flox. Nice to meet you."

"You understand me.", She tapped again syllable by syllable

41

instead of talking or thinking out loud.

"Yes, I do understand you, because I've been to Syllabus Three. I assume you've been there too.", He said handing her a glass of water to drink.

"Yes, I have been there. Thank you for the water.", She said now as he smiled himself.

"You're welcome. I thought you'd be thirsty since they deprived you of water for so long."

"I was very thirsty. You are a kind doctor. Thank you."

"Not at all. I like to make people feel at ease when I can."

"Do you know where my husband is?"

"Right here.", Canterico said emerging from the hallway as she smiled.

"You knew I wanted you, didn't you?"

"Me? Now how would I know that?", He asked advancing towards her open arms.

"Maybe because I love you so much.", She said kissing him once he was in her embrace.

"I'll be in my office if you need me.", Flox said feeling embarrassed with his presence there when they kissed.

"I'll holler if we need you."

"I'm sure one of you will.", He said disappearing into the other room to give them their privacy.

42

"He's very nice you know?"

"I know. I also know his appearance startled you. I should have told you before."

"That's all right. I'm over it now."

"Have a nice rest?", He asked holding her tight in his arms now.

"Yes. I went to that place we love in my mind, and I remembered--was

"Remembered what?"

"I remembered you."

"The day we met?"

"Yes. I don't know what I'd do without you. Canterico, where did you go?", She asked finding him gone.

"What just happened?", Dr. Flox asked upon coming out of his office, because of the sudden silence.

"I don't know! There was this flash of light!"

"He was beamed away."

"By who?"

"I'm not sure. Flox to Captain Archer."

"Archer here.", Klarie heard over the con as she fought not to cry.

"Canterico Glorio has just been beamed away from our ship."

"I'm well aware of that, Doctor. Thank you. How's Klarie?"

"I'm fine, John. Get Rafe back.", She said as Flox closed

43

the signal after Jonathan signed off.

"I'll do my best. Archer out."

"Klarie.", Klarie heard Canterico call in her mind.

"What is it? Where are you?"

"Don't you know? Come meet me in our place.", He called as she saw him in her mind, and followed him to where he knew she'd be safe.

"What's going on?"

"Stay here, and rest until I come for you. Understand?"

"Rafe, what's happening? I'm afraid.", She said with a puckered expression as he kissed her forehead.

"Everything's fine. Just stay here until I come for you. Ok?"

"Ok. I love you."

"I love you more.", He said embracing her. Then he was gone as she was again peacefully asleep and unaware.

"Come back, Glorio!", Graff snapped seeing that the man was in some kind of trance before he slapped him out of it.

"There's no need for violence. I'll give you what you need.", He said showing no sign of pain from before.

"Will you now?"

"If I can."

"Can you give me Archer or Christaklarie?", Graff asked close to Rafe's face.

44

"NO."

"NO?"

"I will not give you Christaklarie or Jonathan Archer. I will answer any questions you have.", He said as he was punched hard in the nose.

"I want Archer the most! Do you know why?"

"I'm sure you're going to tell me.", Rafe said holding his nose to try and stop the blood from flowing from it.

"He helped some Sulabon prisoners escape! I want them back,

and I want him to pay for it!"

?was "If you're ever heard from again.", Graff said just before

he began to whip Rafe across the back with a lash. Smiling as he

did so.

"We've tracked Graff's ship.", Trip Tucker called on the con from Engineering some hours later.

"Where?"

45

"Fifty meters north of us."

"Travis pursue."

"Aye, Sir. We are in pursuit."

"What do you know about the Sulabon?"

"Nothing.", Rafe said gritting his teeth while he was being stretched on a rack,

"Give me Archer!"

"No."

"Give me Christaklarie!"

"No."

"Step away from him, Graff.", Archer said pointing a phaser rifle right at Colonel Graff's head.

up so they could transport out just like they'd come in. Even though that was the last thing Captain Archer had wanted to do. But there was simply no other choice.

"I'm placing you under arrest.", Malcolm said placing handcuffs on Graff before they beamed out. Just as Graff was taken to the brig, and Rafe was given to the doctor's care in sickbay. As they all now knew the rescue was some success.

46