Jon had finally convinced Starfleet and Ambassador Soval that following the Xindi was worth the risks. Privately he thought that the Ambassador wanted him to disappear into the expanse. The refit for weapons and armor were going along well, and over his objections a MACO (Military Assault Command Operations) squad was assigned to the ship.
After one of the last meetings, (at least he hoped it was) he cornered the Admiral before he left the conference room. "Admiral, can I speak to you?"
Admiral Forrest looked into his protégé's eyes and noticed suppressed excitement, "Sure Jon, how about you come to my office."
Jon nodded, "Thank you Sir."
The Admiral watched in amusement as Jon paced back and forth, occasionally looking at the Golden Gate Bridge in the distance. "Was there something on your mind?"
Jon stopped, took a deep breath and nodded, "I'm engaged."
His eyes met the calm eyes of his mentor, "Buffy?" and Jon nodded.
"Congratulations. She's a spitfire."
Jon held up his hand, "That's not all Sir. I want to marry her here. Tomorrow in the Academy rose garden if possible."
The Admiral looked at him sharply, "Does Buffy know?"
"She loves me." He said simply. " Does she know it will be tomorrow?" a shrug, "She will when I tell her." he grinned and the Admiral laughed delightedly. "You sneaky bastard. You'll be lucky if she doesn't kick your ass from here to Vulcan."
Jon chuckled, "Will you perform the ceremony Sir?"
The Admiral settled down and nodded, "1600 alright with you?"
Jon nodded, "Aye Sir. Bring Amanda, I want her to meet Buffy."
The Admiral snorted, "Like she'd miss her Jonny's wedding, please." Laughing as Jon winced at the nickname.
Jon went back to the hotel and began planning, calling his Steward for help and started rounding up the crew. He didn't call Hoshi-leaving that to Buffy, but he called Trip and asked him to be his best man and made sure a message was left for T'pol at the Vulcan High Command.
Buffy arrived back in 'Frisco, walking to their hotel and puzzling over how she could add the weapons she got from Angel into her training. She entered their room, was grabbed from behind and whirled around for a passionate kiss. Jon pulled back, pleased with the dazed look on her face and smiled, "Hello Beautiful."
Wondering what had put him in such a good mood she laughed, "Hi yourself. What's up?"
Suddenly he was assaulted by uncertainty and stepped back. "Buffy, do you love me?"
Her eyebrows rose, "Duh!" was her reply.
His heart easing a bit, he grinned at her reply. "Will you marry me tomorrow?" He watched her eyes widen in disbelief.
"Tomorrow?" she squeaked.
His head nodded, "This will be the last time we're on Earth for years. I want to marry you here in front of our crew, in the Academy rose garden. We're leaving soon and I want you to be my wife when we do." He said huskily, moving closer to rub his hands up and down her arms.
A thousand thoughts were whirling through her head, her love for Jon, her panic at one day to prepare, her absolute faith in him. Buffy smiled softly, "I would be honored to marry you tomorrow." They kissed and she pulled back, "I've got to call Hoshi, and get a dress and everything!" she panicked but he gripped her hands.
"Greg is handling everything except your dress and the colors."
She cocked her head, "What if I'd said no?"
"Never. You love me too much." He whispered and pulled her into his arms.
The next afternoon was bright and filled with sunshine. The rose garden had a spectacular view of San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge and the Academy buildings. Jon, dress uniform pressed to perfection, was in front of the rose arbor, covered wildly with red and cream roses, nervously shifting from foot to foot. The Admiral was behind him, Trip was beside him and the crew was in their seats to watch this important day.
Trip leaned over, "Relax Jon, Buffy's not a runner." He teased and Jon rolled his eyes.
"I never thought I be married. I thought…."his voice stopped dead as the vehicle glided up and Malcolm got out, dress uniform on and let the women out. First Hoshi, then Buffy.
Hoshi was lovely in a deep green triaxian silk gown. Her black hair was pulled up with ringlets surrounding her face. She had creamy stephanotis (Greek wedding flower) and cream roses in her hands as she walked forward.
When Buffy stepped forward on Malcolm's arm, Jon lost all thought. She was beautiful in a fitted cream colored gown, also in triaxian silk, halter top style that left her tanned shoulders bare. It had crystals on the bodice that caught and reflected the light. She was carrying red hibiscus, cream roses and stephanotis and her hair was pulled back, curled riotously with a crown of stephanotis on her head.
"Captain, you can breathe now." The Admiral said and Trip chuckled at the look of stunned love on his best friends face. Hoshi moved to her place across from Trip who winked at her.
Buffy's face glowed as she walked down the aisle on her best friends arm, in front of the crew that was like family to the man she loved. Malcolm kissed her on the cheek and handed her off to his Captain. As they faced each other they realized that their dreams were about to come true, ones that neither of them had believed would.
They half listened to the Admiral perform the service until he asked for their vows.
Jon pulled her closer and smiled, "Buffy, I have never known anyone like you. You fill my heart, you are the air I breathe." She smiled at this reference to when they had first declared their love. "You are my first line of defense. I promise to forever love, cherish and let you protect me." He grinned and the crew broke up into laughter. Jon slid a simple platinum band on her finger.
Buffy shook her head, "Jon, my Captain. You are my heart. You accept me as I am and love me anyway. I promise to love, cherish and to protect you always." There were more chuckles and Buffy slid the ring on Jon's finger. He cupped her face, his amber eyes bright as they met her happy hazel ones.
The Admiral cleared his throat, "By the power vested in me by Starfleet, and the State of California, I pronounce you man and wife." He nudged Jon gently, "You may kiss your bride." Jon nodded and bent down and kissed her. Buffy's hand curved around his neck, pulling him closer and deepening the kiss.
The sounds of whistles and clapping brought them back to reality and they pulled back slowly. Jon took her hand, twining their fingers together and they faced their friends.
"Ladies and Gentleman, I give you Captain and Mrs. Jonathon Archer!"
