Title: Shadows & Spirits
Chapter 1/? Author: Brutal Howell E-Mail: brutal_howell@hotmail.com Rating: R Category: Drama/Romance/Angst/General Pairing: Archer/Katie (they're baaaaack) Summary: Starfleet makes things tougher for Jon and Katie - with a little help from the Vulcans. Trip "rallies the troops," with a little help from some unexpected sources. Spoiler: Shadows & Spirits is the sequel for my first fic "Discovery of the Spirit." So if you want the COMPLETE story, go read that first. Archive: Most likely anywhere, just ask me first. Feedback: To those that reviewed - and liked - Discovery of the Spirit, I hope you like this one even better. And feel free to tell me, even if you don't. Good, bad or indifferent, I want to hear what you have to say. Disclaimer: Jonathan Archer and his ship and crew are the property of Paramount pictures. Katie and her brothers are strictly mine. I make no money (sadly) on the use of ANY of them.
Shadows & Spirits
Chapter 1
By
Brutal Howell
The verdict was in - and for the next four weeks, Jonathan Archer would again be living under a microscope. A Committee.they were sending a damned committee. Four members - two humans, two Vulcans - would determine their future. Archer could already feel the knot forming between his shoulder blades.
"Damnit!" he threw the data padd across the room, smashing into the door. Kathleen was just finishing her shower. He shuddered when he thought how close he'd come to losing her. It had taken him the entire three weeks of her convalescence in sickbay to get up the nerve to ask her to move into his quarters. He smiled when he noticed Porthos curled up on the floor in front of the bathroom door.
"You like having her here too, don't you, boy?" he chuckled when the little dog picked his head up and began wagging his tail. "I know what you mean." When he heard her begin to sing, he closed his eyes and leaned back in his chair. She had a magnificent voice, and a love of Irish ballads that rivaled any of her ancestors.
"Jon?" she called out.
"Yeah?"
"I forgot my towel. Can you pass me one?" Jon opened the door - towel in hand - and the sight before him was breathtaking. Kathleen was washing the shampoo out of her hair, and his eyes couldn't help but track the water's journey over her body. His mind wandered back to the first time they shared a shower. Archer had to shift his weight as he felt the blood begin to pool in his groin. "Jon?" He snapped out of his trance to find her looking at him from the other side of the shower door. He silently cursed the strategically placed stripe across his shower door. 'Must get Trip to remove that, later,' he thought. She held her hand out over the door. "Can I have a towel, please?" He hesitated - still entranced by what he considered the most beautiful woman in the universe. "Jon?!" She felt self- conscious under his gaze. "Why are you looking at me like that?" She wrapped her arms around herself automatically. It had become a reflex with her.
"Don't." Archer began, stepping forward. "Please, don't feel like you have to cover yourself up for me." She didn't have a clue as to how beautiful she truly was. He opened the shower door. "Kat, please." He gently steered her out of the shower. When he gathered her into his arms, she tried to pull away.
"Jon, I'll get you wet."
"I don't care. I'm going to hold you until you stop being so hard on yourself. You are the absolute vision of Venus herself." He hugged her tighter to his chest.
"Have you been playing in my pain medication?" She asked. Only a man on large amounts of drugs could see 'visions of Venus.' "I am a vision of a 'patchwork quilt.' And the new one just adds to the picture." He shook his head. Archer wished there was some way to get her to see what he saw.
"You own me, heart and soul," he tilted her chin up so she was looking in his eyes. "And when we're old and grey, sitting in our wheelchairs," he leaned in until his lips hovered barely an inch above hers, "I'll still be telling you how beautiful you are." He whispered.right before he kissed her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pushed deeper into the kiss. Things probably would have progressed to another shower - but Archer's door chimed. "I'll get it," he groaned.thinking unless the ship was about to explode, somebody was in trouble. He waited until she disappeared into the bathroom before he opened the door to reveal a very angry Daniel Kane. The larger man pushed a data padd into his hand and stormed into the quarters. Jon recognized the Gaelic swear words he was spouting - he was becoming fluent given his fiancé's level of frustration during her convalescence. "Danny, come in.by all means."
"Vulcans.bloody Vulcans." Daniel griped. "And me and Joey have to protect them!" He clenched his fists and forced himself to take deep calming breaths. Archer held up the data padd.
"Is that what this is? Orders?" he asked. Daniel nodded.
"Yes.orders for four of us - me, and Joey get to baby-sit the Vulcans and Max and Mattie get the humans. The names of your committee are all there, Jon." He explained. The Vulcan names were irrelevant - was going to be like pulling teeth, anyways. The two humans, Admiral Jake Prentis . ok, not bad. Jake had been a friend of his dad's. And Captain Amelia Browne.shit. Archer's mind started racing. Shit, shit, shit.he didn't need this now. Daniel had noticed all of the color drained out of the Captain's face. "Jon, what is it?"
"Amelia Browne.the Captain on this committee," he began, "We went to Starfleet Academy together. We dated," he flinched waiting for the protective big brother to appear again. He closed his eyes, expecting a punch on the jaw like Mattie gave him. When it didn't come, he opened one eye to see Daniel smiling at him.
"Do you want me to assign Max to keep an eye on her? Make sure she doesn't cause you any trouble?" The big man asked. He chuckled when Archer let out the breath he was holding.
"You're not going to hit me?"
"That depends, do you love this Captain Browne?" Archer shook his head adamantly. He had ended the relationship with her about a month after it began. She had some hard feelings about it back then.but that was 22 years ago. Surely she had forgotten about it by now. "Then no, I'm not going to hit you. I told you, Jon, as long as you don't lie to me, I'll help you two deal with anything thrown in your way." When Kathleen came out of the bathroom, he smiled at his future brother in law. "I do, however, recommend that you tell her about it before they get here. She hates those kind of surprises."
"Thanks, Danny." Archer liked that he had come to an understanding with Kathleen's brothers. And in return, they had made him feel like part of their family. It was a new feeling for him - he kind of liked it. "And please, ask Max - if he wouldn't mind. I'd appreciate it." Daniel smiled when he saw two arms hug the other man around his waist. His sister was happy, and he would do everything in his power to keep her so.
"Hi, Danny. Are the miscreants staying out of trouble?" her brother nodded at her. "Good, Malcolm has been chomping at the bit to get even with Mattie. Security Officers tend to do that when you attack their Captains." When she stepped in front of him, Jon wrapped his arms around her. This is where she loved to be. In Jonathan Archer's arms, she felt safe. No matter what, his embrace - even his mere presence - was soothing for her.
"Mattie is behaving. I think he's more afraid of you, than Lieutenant Reed." She felt Jon's soft laughter in her hair.
"Smart man." He knew it was time to tell her about the committee AND Captain Browne. He glanced over her shoulder and caught the bigger man's eyes. Daniel nodded, 'go ahead, it's time.' "Kat?"
"Hmmmmmm?" She wanted to stay just like this forever.
"We got the decision back from the President." She got a bit nervous when he tightened his embrace. Effectively pinning her arms under his.
"And?"
"Given both our histories with the Vulcans, the President felt it was necessary to involve them." When she started to pull away, he held on tighter. Daniel was watching them carefully. This man his sister loved was turning out to be a surprise. After their confrontation in sickbay, Archer had made it clear that he wasn't going to back down from them. That, in itself, made him a better man than most. But watching them, here, now.Daniel could see the man loved and worshipped Kathleen. And that made him the best. When the orders came through, he had talked to the rest of his brothers. If the Vulcans overstepped their boundaries, they would put a stop to it. "He didn't sell us out, completely." Archer explained. "Before we get married, a committee will be joining us here on Enterprise. Two Vulcans, and two humans will follow both of us around. They will observe, ask us all kinds of questions, and talk to the crew. They'll want to know if a marriage will effect our duties to the ship."
"How long will they be here?" she was trying hard to calm down. They had agreed to jump through the necessary hoops to be able to get married. She wouldn't let Jon down now.
"Four weeks." She sighed and nodded. He kissed her hair when she slumped back into his chest. "There's something else, Kat." He felt her tense up in his arms, but she didn't try and pull away. "Danny just brought me the names of the four committee members. One of the humans, is Captain Amelia Browne. We dated for about a month when we were at Starfleet Academy." Daniel Kane was watching his sister carefully. She wasn't foolish enough to think that Jonathan Archer didn't have relationships before her.
"Why are you telling me this, Jon?" she asked.
"Because I wanted you to hear it from me. It was 22 years ago.it ended badly, so I can't be sure how Amelia is going to treat you." His heart sank when she gave him a sad smile. Daniel said a silent prayer that his sister would cut Archer some slack. This was going to be just as difficult for him.
"Just trying to warn me ahead of time? When do they arrive?" she was being stupid.she knew that. Jonathan Archer was attractive and a kind and decent man. Of course he had girlfriends before her. There wasn't a doubt in her mind that Jon loved her. So why did she feel jealous of Amelia Browne?
"Three days." Archer had noticed the sudden change in her mood, as well.
"Mas e do thoil e. Ta se tabhachtach nosanna na tire a choinneail I gcuimhne agus aird a thabhairt orthu! Ma ta deacrachtai agat I dtosach, na bi imnioch. De reir mar a dheanann tu botuin foghlaimeoidh tu!" Daniel's stern voice rang from the other side of the Captain's quarters. If his little sister couldn't see sense, than he would just have to help her. Jon, for his part, didn't have a clue at what the man just said. He guessed it was their native tongue.and from the way she had tensed up in his arms - it probably wasn't nice. Kathleen sighed, she knew what her brother was trying to do.
"Is ea. Ta deifer orm. Cen t-achar a dtogfaidh se' e a bhaint amach. An feidir aicearra a ghabhail. Deanfaidh me mo dhicheall. Ta go maith." She replied, shaking her head. Daniel smiled suddenly.
"Seo m'fhear ceile. An bhfuil tu saor. Chomh tapaidh agus is feidir leat, le do thoil," his tone was gentle. He stepped close and tenderly touched his sister's cheek while she was still in Archer's embrace. "You know I'm right." Issue solved, he reverted back to English.
"What the hell was that about?" Jon's mind was still spinning. "Was that Gaelic?" Kathleen owed her fiancé' an apology. She turned to face him.
"It was Gaelic. I'm sorry.Danny was just reminding me that I should count my blessings," She paused to search her mind for the proper words. "I'm so used to relegating myself to the shadows where you're concerned. I've done it for so long, I don't know how to handle this.any of it." She was watching his reaction carefully. While she could tell he seemed a little annoyed, he stayed quiet and let her continue. "The only thing I'm sure of, is that I love you, Jonathan Archer. I always have, and I always will."
"If Trip hadn't broken his arm, and I hadn't figured out who you were - Kat, would you have ever told me, on your own?" It was a rhetorical question. "I suppose not. No more hiding," he held her face in his hands, "No more hiding.you hear me?" When she smiled, he took her hand and led her to the desk. He maneuvered her into the chair he had been sitting in. He was hoping to save this surprise, but his instincts told him to do it now. Archer took a knee in front of her. "When I was a boy, my parents used to take me camping. There was one tradition I loved in particular; every night, we would lay under the stars and just talk. It didn't matter what about.we were together - as a family. Those were some of the happiest moments of my life." He said, almost wistfully. "There was one conversation in particular, that I never forgot. I was about ten years old, and my father had brought up the subject of girls. He began to try to push me into the role of some kind of Casanova. He was playing everything a bit too over the top to be serious. Plus I knew the only woman he ever loved, was sitting right there with us. My mom got the strangest look on her face; and she looked me right in the eye and said, 'All of them will be meaningless until you become a man. She'll be there, when you're ready. You'll know her from the way her soul will sing to yours.' I was ten. I didn't understand what she meant by that.until I met you." Archer reached into his pocket and withdrew the ring. He kept it closed in his fist for a moment longer. "She knew.I don't know how, but she knew I'd find you." He slid the ring on her finger. "Wear this for me?" he continued when she made no motion to remove it. Kathleen knew it had belonged to Jon's mother. She had seen it enough times in its place of honor in Henry Archer's office. He used to talk to it, just as if Mary Archer's hand was still in it. "It belonged to six generations of Archer women." He stopped for a moment - thinking about how sexist that sounded, 'Archer women.' Kathleen leaned forward and kissed him.
"I love it." She could feel the tears welling up in her eyes. It was a magnificent ring. The main setting contained a one-carat diamond. But there was a new addition to the ring since she had seen it in Henry Archer's office all those years ago. Secured around the band, were fifteen tiny emeralds. When she realized what they signified, there was no stopping the floodgates. "This is new," she smiled at him through the tears.
"I wanted to add something to it, something that would be strictly ours. The emeralds match your eyes, perfectly." He opened her left hand and kissed the palm. "I love you, Kathleen. Nothing.and I mean absolutely nothing is as important to me as you and this child. That's what's important. Everything else - we'll face that together. No more hiding in the shadows.OK?" Daniel smiled as his sister slid forward and hugged the man she loved. They would be all right.he would see to it. Jon gathered her in his arms and stood up. He took her seat and held her while she cried. Daniel made a motion to him that he would see himself out. Archer smiled down at his fiancé, and looked toward the door. 'Go on,' he was telling his future brother-in-law, 'we're ok.' Kathleen didn't even stir as her brother left their quarters.
ENGINEERING
Trip was furious. He couldn't believe that the President was including the damned Vulcans in this decision. Why the hell should it matter if they objected or not? This wasn't a Vulcan ship! Max and Joe sat quietly and listened to the stream of curses that flowed from Trip's mouth. Both men chucked when he finally seemed to run out of steam.
"I'll be damned if they'll find anything wrong here." He went to the comm panel. "I want all engineers to report to the engine room in ten minutes." He ordered ship wide.
"What are you up to, Charlie?" Max asked.
"Knowin' the Vulcans, they would try and blame a food resequencer malfunction on Jon and Katie. I'm rallyin' the troops to make sure not one damned thing goes wrong while they're here." He explained. "They deserve to be happy. And there ain't a politician alive that is gonna stop me from helping 'em." He pledged. Joe got up and clapped his friend on the back - nearly knocking him right off his feet.
"You're a good man, Trip." He laughed while Tucker rubbed his sore shoulder.
"Yeah, well we want 'em both here. This is their home, and no dang Vulcan is gonna change that." He stood in front of the Warp Engine as engineers began to file in. He ordered everyone to gather around, and briefed them on his plan. Questions were asked and assignments were given. Max and Joe smiled to each other. This crew would check every nut and bolt on this ship to see that their sister got to be with the man she loved. They would do their part too, in making sure the perspective committee members behaved themselves. The meeting took less than ten minutes. "All right, y'all. I don't want anything going wrong while our pointy-eared friends are here. We're not gonna give 'em any reasons to keep Lt. Kane and the Cap'n apart." The Engineers concurred and set off to complete their various tasks.
SHUTTLE BAY - TWO DAYS LATER
Archer hadn't failed to notice that the crew had pulled everything together for the committee's stay. Quarters were assigned and prepared, Trip had seen to it that everything on board was running smoothly and Malcolm and T'Pol had taken care of most of the details of the committee's arrival. Neither Archer or Kathleen had to do much at all. Now that the day was here, his senior staff had joined them at the shuttle bay, all were dressed in full dress uniforms. Mostly for the Vulcan's benefit - they would consider anything less, rude. Kathleen's four brothers stood at attention as the shuttle was brought into the bay. Jon felt his fiancé tense up and grabbed her hand.
"We can do this," he whispered to her. She squeezed his hand in response and released it when the shuttle door opened. Trip smiled as he noticed the Vulcans practically run from the shuttle. 'That Vulcan sense of smell,' he mused. They at least had the good graces to wait for their human counterparts. Admiral Prentis and Captain Browne were the next to emerge. Daniel Kane noticed his sister paying special attention to Captain Browne. The tall woman had a beautiful olive complexion and intense blue eyes. And she was looking at Kathleen like she wanted to dissect her. Prentis was the fist to approach.
"Jon, it's been awhile." He said. Archer smiled. The use of his first name was the go ahead. They were on friendly terms here, and formality be damned.
"That it has, Jake. Welcome to Enterprise, I'm glad you could join us." He reached out and shook the Admiral's hand. He was curious when Prentis' gaze fell to Kathleen.
"Kat, I knew you'd do great things when you left my class. But I never thought you'd get this kid to settle down." He jerked a thumb at Archer. He reached out and pulled the women into a hug. Jon was stunned. He wasn't even aware that Kat knew the Admiral. "What did you have to do? Club him over the head?"
"Not quite, Jake," she chuckled. "Welcome aboard." She gave him a strong, rib creaking, hug. Prentis held on to her when she went to take a step back.
"You did well, I'm proud of you." They both knew he wasn't just talking about the engagement. She smiled up at her old friend.
"Hey, hey, hey.get your own," Jon added teasingly, drawing Kathleen back into his arms. Max Kane had been standing by the back wall with his brothers. He hadn't taken his eye off his assignment since she stepped off the shuttle. Danny had warned him about Archer's history with Amelia Browne. He could tell from the way she was studying Kat and Jon, the woman was going to be trouble. 'And so it begins,' he thought to himself. Captain Browne's dirty look had not escaped Kathleen either. She knew she would have to play things by strict Starfleet regulations, and not give this woman an in to get between her and her love. Prentis stepped back to allow the sour woman to step forward.
"Kat, may I introduce Captain Amelia Browne." In response, she stepped away from Jon to snap a salute to the higher-ranking woman.
"Captain." Kat adjusted her stance to an at ease position, waiting for Capt. Browne to give her the order to relax. Jon narrowed his eyes at Amelia. So this was how she was going to play it. He's be damned if he allowed her to walk all over Kat on his ship.
"Relax, Lieutenant. We're all friends here. Right, Amelia?" Purposely putting the woman on the spot was the best way to let her know this was not going to be tolerated. Amelia returned his glare.
"Right, Jon." She put on her best airs. She extended her hand to the woman who had claimed what she always wanted. "Nice to meet you, Lieutenant." This wasn't over, not by a long shot. If Jon thought she was going to give this sham of an engagement her blessing, he was sadly mistaken. The two Vulcans stepped forward and Admiral Prentis made the introductions.
"Jon, Kat, this is Ambassador Kuval. And this is T'Rel. They are the other half of the committee." The Ambassador barely looked at the two humans he was there to judge. His gaze was firmly planted on Enterprise's first officer.
"Do you condone their relationship?" he asked T'Pol in their language. Kathleen caught the Vulcan's eye; she didn't want their visitors to know she spoke their language, yet. She also knew T'Pol wouldn't lie, not even for Jon.
"No, I don't agree with their relationship." She responded in Vulcan. "But as long as it does not interfere with their duties to Enterprise, there is little I can do about it." The other Vulcan stepped forward to add his two cents in to the conversation.
"You would allow this human - who murdered four of our people - this much power? Being the wife of the Captain of Starfleet's Flagship would give her the power she needs to kill us." T'Pol arched an eyebrow in the younger Vulcan's direction. She knew of Kathleen's part in the death of the 4 of her people. If she didn't know any better, she'd swear the younger man sounded angry. Jon knew something was wrong when he felt Kat's grip tighten on his hand. Both he, Trip and Admiral Prentis noticed the tension in her jaw.
"Kat?" He whispered. She just shook her head. 'Not now' she mouthed, tightly.
"First, T'Rel, The Vulcan Council declared the four Vulcans that were killed traitors. The Lieutenant was a mere teenager at the time, and was defending a downed comrade." She continued in Vulcan. She didn't want the Admiral to know the topic of their conversation. She was aware that Lt. Kane would tell the Captain later. "She was severely injured, and nearly lost her life."
"You sound as if you admire the woman." The Ambassador noted. He was curious about the Kane woman. He didn't like that she killed four of his people. But the Sub-Commander was correct, they were traitors, and the girl had been outnumbered.
"She is a first rate Engineer. She does more than sufficient work. I admire her bravery for one so young. ONE of our kind is significantly stronger than any human. She willingly confronted four, to protect someone she cared about. Not many humans would embrace those odds." Kat's head was spinning. She had to fight herself to not show her shock. What T'Pol had just said about her was high praise from a Vulcan. The Ambassador seemed intrigued himself.
"Agreed," the Ambassador concurred. This human female was indeed intriguing. He turned back to the Captain and his fiancé. "Captain" was all he extended to Jon as a greeting. But his gaze firmly held on Kathleen. "Lieutenant, I look forward to our first conversation." He smiled at her surprise. "I am versed in your file, and your adequate performance of late. The Sub-Commander believes your work on Enterprise to be sufficient." T'Rel was furious, but being Vulcan, he gave no outward appearance of his anger.
"Yes, well we'll just have to see about that." He added. Daniel Kane sighed. T'Rel was his assignment. And he had just witnessed the spite coming from the younger Vulcan. He and Max had their work cut out for them. The Ambassador turned back to the Sub-Commander.
"Sub-Commander, show us to our quarters?" he asked. "Captain, Lieutenant, I cannot speak for the others. But I shall be prepared to begin our interviews tomorrow." Kathleen was beginning to respect Ambassador Kuval. Despite her history with his race, he was willing to be open-minded. T'Rel was going to be the problem. His open hostility - as hostile as one can be as a Vulcan - was going to be a problem. The thought crossed her mind that he had an alternative agenda in all this. When her eyes met Danny's, she could see he suspected the same. Jon called over to Kat's brothers.
"Ambassador, this is Joseph. He'll be responsible for your safety while you are on board Enterprise. T'Rel, Daniel will accompany you. Amelia, Max is assigned to you." Max shivered slightly when he noticed Captain Browne looking him over with obvious lust in her eyes. The woman reminded him of a Black-Widow Spider from Earth. A user that eliminates things when she's done with them. "Jake, you get Mattie." The senior staff chuckled when Jake's eyes followed Mattie up until he got to his face.
"He certainly is a big fellow." He added in good nature. "How tall are you, Marine?"
"Six Feet, Eight Inches, Admiral." Jon didn't mention what kind of power he could put behind a punch.
"These gentlemen can show you to your quarters. T'Pol, why don't you go with Joe and the Ambassador?" he suggested. The Vulcans and Captain Browne allowed themselves to be led off. Trip accompanied Jon and Kat as they walked Admiral Prentis to his quarters. The Admiral glanced over at him as they walked through the hall.
"So, Commander, what do you make of this impending marriage?" he asked the engineer, in all honesty. Tucker looked carefully at Archer, and then to Kat, before answering.
"I think they are two of the finest people I've ever known. And as long as them luvin' each other don't interfere with Enterprise's mission, I think everyone should just but out and let 'em be. Not that they weren't good people before - but the Cap'n bein with Katie, makes him a better man. I would think the better a Cap'n we got, the better it looks for Starfleet." Prentis held his hands out in front of himself.
"Easy, Commander. I just wanted to know where you stood, son. I happen to agree with you." He explained. Matt immediately liked the Admiral. "Besides, I've never seen Jon look so happy - and I've known him since he was a baby." Kathleen slowed her steps so that she was standing directly in front of her brother. She delivered an elbow to his abdomen - with just enough force to get his attention.
"And you, you big gorilla. You listen to the Admiral. You follow any order he says as if it came from me or Danny." She told him. Matt knew he was already skating on thin ice with her for punching the Captain.
"All right, Kat!" He protested, defensively. He was embarrassed about being chastised in front of the man he was supposed to be protecting. Jon and Trip just laughed. Kat took pity on the confused look on the Admiral's face.
"Jake Prentis, meet my brother, Matthew Kane." She introduced them.
"Brother?"
"Brother," she repeated.
"All four of the Marines on security are Kat's brothers," Jon explained. "I believe there are two more back on Earth. And before you ask, they're not all as big as Mattie. But they will make you think twice about taking them on." The big Irishman grimaced as Archer rubbed his jaw. Prentis glanced at Matt, then thought to the other three sizable Marines that were in the shuttle bay.
"This doesn't worry you, Jon?" Archer shook his head as he smiled at his future brother-in-law.
"No, the boys and I have come to an understanding," he explained. Everyone turned to Trip when they heard him chuckle.
"Not to mention that they fear her," he jerked a thumb at Kat, "more than they do you."
"They should," she glared at her brother. "I mean it Mattie, the Admiral gives me one bad report, you'll be spending the rest of this trip in the infirmary. I still owe you a butt kicking." She practically growled. The big man nodded, that he understood. "Good, now that that's settled. Jon, I believe we're going to have a problem with T'Rel."
"How so?" The Admiral asked. He had learned, years ago, that Kathleen Kane's instincts were not to be ignored.
"He's angry. He suggested to the Sub-Commander that I was a murderer. And my being married to the Captain of Starfleet's flagship gives me the power to kill more Vulcans." She explained. Archer visibly blanched.
"Oh boy."
"Neither the Ambassador, or T'Rel are aware that I speak their language. And I'd like to keep it that way. It might give me the edge I need to anticipate their concerns." Kathleen told them. "I don't think Captain Browne was exactly thrilled by my presence, either." She teased her fiancé'. Jon had the good graces to be embarrassed.
"I am sorry about that. I'll talk to her." He offered. She just shook her head
"Don't bother. She doesn't like me, and nothing you say is going to change that. You'd just be wasting your breath." Trip knew them both well enough to recognize when Katie was protecting him. He had a suspicion that if Jon talked to Captain Browne, the woman would just take it out on Katie later. "There were a few things that surprised me, though."
"Oh?" Jake Prentis asked.
"First, Sub-Commander T'Pol's defense of me. She made it clear that while she didn't approve of our relationship, as long as it didn't interfere with our duties to Enterprise, she had no right to object. She specifically mentioned San Francisco, and complemented me in front of The Ambassador and T'Rel. Twice." She shook her head, as if to clear the cobwebs. The men all looked at her in shock.
"An actual compliment?" Trip was beside himself. Kathleen nodded.
"Not only that, but clearly, she has no intention of revealing my knowledge of her culture. That's the other thing. The Ambassador is being far more open minded than Vulcan Society usually permits. I think I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop with him." Trip and Prentis exchanged a look. Their friends were in for a hell of a month. Kathleen shook her head. "Ah, I'm probably just being paranoid. I'll feel better after I get my workout in." She hugged the Admiral again. "Jake, I'm glad you're here. At least we know we can count on one friend on the Committee." None of them could help the nagging feeling. She just wasn't the type to be paranoid, not without cause.
"I think I'll join you for that workout," Archer suggested. He didn't want to leave her alone. He couldn't take the chance that Amelia, or T'Rel would catch her alone. "Besides, Malcolm has been after me to brush up on my hand to hand." He smiled sheepishly. Archer had been hoping to have a chance to spar with her. He wasn't a fool; he knew he couldn't beat her. But he had been training on the side with Malcolm during her convalescence. He couldn't wait to surprise her. "Jake, we still on for dinner, tomorrow?" The Admiral nodded. "Good. Trip, see you in the morning."
"See y'all later. Don't do nothin' I wouldn't do," he teased.
"That doesn't leave much," Kathleen replied before she and Jon disappeared onto the lift. He and Admiral Prentis laughed when they caught her wink before the doors closed.
"She knows you well, Trip." Mattie told him.
"That she does."
GYM
Malcolm cut his workout short when he saw the Captain and Lt. Kane enter. He was a bit anxious to see how his student would fare against the Lieutenant. Kathleen Kane was probably the best Instructor Malcolm had in the last twenty years. He wanted to know how she would build on the progress he had made in the Captain's fighting style. They immediately headed for the open mats that were used for sparring.
"Face each other. Bow," she then gave the order to begin. Malcolm watched them circle each other a few times. He knew from experience that Kathleen was going to hold back and allow the Captain to control the match for at least the first five minutes. She would evaluate his style, develop a defense and then rip him apart. The match would be over within eight minutes. As he watched the Captain get knocked on his ass, he looked over at the chronometer - scratch that, seven minutes. She held out a hand and helped him to his feet. "Malcolm Reed, I would sincerely appreciate it if you'd stop teaching my fiancé your bad sparring habits." She teased the armory officer. The lovers couldn't help their laugh when Reed flushed and looked away.
"Hey! I've improved." Jon gave a half-hearted protest. She stepped forward and kissed him, gently.
"That you have, my love. But we have to find a style that suits you. Physically, you are more muscular than he is," She winked at him comically to let him know just how much she appreciated him physically. "But Malcolm is faster. You should be concentrating on Aikido. It's a defensive style, predominately. But its basis is using your opponent's momentum against them. Oh Malcolm, come stand in for my punching bag - I mean help me demonstrate." She smirked at the sudden concern that crossed his features.
"Ha bloody ha," he grumbled as he stepped forward with the gait of a condemned man. "Face each other. Bow." He gave the order to begin and suddenly charged Lt. Kane in an attempt to throw her off balance. She easily countered his move and turned him into a hip toss. The air was knocked from his lungs when his back hit the mat. As they went through several attacks and counters, Kathleen was explaining the technical aspects of the moves to Jon. After being beaten and tossed about for thirty minutes, she gave Malcolm a break.
"Now I want you to spar off against Jon," she told the armory officer. "I need to see what he's picked up.and where you need the most work." Reed liked his odds against the Captain, a lot better than he did against Lt. Kane. Both men went to the center of the mat. "Face each other. Bow." When she gave the order to being, Reed held off. He had learned his lesson about sudden attacks - at least with Kathleen even in the room. She was, however, depending on him to start this off. If they were going to help the Captain with his defensive styles, he had to be given something to defend against. As they began, Malcolm realized that Kathleen had been correct. Aikido suited Jonathan Archer well. And he had obviously picked up on her direction well. He tried to roll out of the Captain's grip, but Archer pivoted his foot and turned it into a hip toss - just as his fiancé had instructed.
Daniel Kane did not like the man he was assigned to. It was clear that this Vulcan blamed his sister for anything that happened to his race. And now he wanted to come and antagonize her. The big Irishman followed his assignment into the gym and they stood quietly and watched Jon sparring with Malcolm Reed. His sister's influence on the Captain's fighting style was evident to Danny.
"All right," Kathleen told her students, "Get a drink of water." She scooped up her bottle of water and towel and passed them to Jon. "So how do you like your new style?" she asked him.
"I like it. You were right, it suits me a lot more." Jon replied. He toweled off his sweaty head, so he didn't notice the mischievous glint in Kathleen's eyes. Before he could remove the towel, she grabbed both ends and twisted it so that he had no other choice but to follow her pull to the floor. She leaned over and gave him a quick kiss before he could protest her 'man-handling.' Not that he was complaining. They both looked up when they heard someone clearing their throat. Jon scrambled to his feet when he saw T'Rel standing there with Daniel. His presence immediately put Kat and Archer on their guards.
"Captain, Lieutenant," he greeted them. "Very impressive, Captain" He didn't really believe that, but he had the feeling that the best way to the Lieutenant was through him. "Would you care for another opponent?" T'Rel held his hand out to his side, waiting for Archer's decision. Kathleen cast a glance at her brother. She didn't like this, it reeked of a set-up. She was just trying to figure out who the trap was for. Jon looked to her, knowing her reservations about the Vulcan. "Just to make things fair, I'll fight both you and Lt. Reed." He was purposely leaving Kathleen off of his challenge. Jon steered her over to a corner away from the Vulcan.
"Excuse us, for just a moment." He told their guest. As soon as he was far enough away, he addressed his fiancé. "I would rather you not fight him. If your suspicions about T'Rel are true, he's just looking for a reason to get even with you. Don't offer him the opportunity. No matter how this sparring match goes." Kathleen wasn't buying it. But if Jon was determined to do this, she was setting the ground rules of the match. She walked over to T'Rel without even acknowledging what Jon said.
"I want some conditions set. Vulcans are stronger than humans. If the Captain taps the mat, I want an immediate release. If he walks away, the match is over. That is the only way Lt. Reed and myself will allow this match to proceed." She glared at the Vulcan. He arched his eyebrow in surprise.
"You dictate what the Captain can and cannot do, Lieutenant?"
"The Captain is the most important person on board. His safety is my main concern. You will not find a single member of this crew - Sub Commander T'Pol included - that would condone a sparring match with someone trying to break his neck," she was letting the Vulcan know that she was on to his game. And it would not be tolerated. "So accept the conditions, or find yourself another partner."
"Very well, I accept your conditions." He stepped off the mat to prepare. Kathleen corralled Malcolm and Jon on the other side.
"I don't like this, Jon." She turned her glare on Reed. "You watch his back. I trust that Vulcan about as far as I can throw Enterprise." She looked over to see what Danny thought about all this. He was just as suspicious of T'Rel as she was.
"Try to keep that beautiful Irish temper of yours in check, all right?" Jon wrapped her in an embrace, and she immediately felt herself calming.
"Oh, yes. A Vulcan beating the man I love into submission is going to do wonders for my temper." She snorted.
"Just try, for me?" he hugged her a bit tighter.
"For you, yes. I will try. But I can't promise anything if he goes too far." She wanted to leave herself an out to intervene if it became necessary. He agreed and followed Malcolm out to the center of the mat. Kathleen followed T'Rel to the center, her presence as referee letting him know that while she might not be aware of his plan, she would intervene at a moments notice if she didn't like it. She cast a last glance at Jon, shaking her head. Her instincts were screaming at her that this was a really bad idea. "Face your opponent. Bow," she ordered the three men. She dropped her hand in mid air, signifying the beginning of the match. Watching Jon and Malcolm circle the calm Vulcan, she just couldn't let herself relax. She felt mildly better that the Chief of Security seemed more focused that she had ever known him to be. She watched in horror as Jon tried to go low, and the vulcan snapped his head back with a kick to his head. She growled and took two steps forward, fists clenched.
"No! Stay there! That's an order Lieutenant!" Jon told her. She growled in frustration but stood her ground. Archer got up off the mat and focused his attention back on T'Rel. "Nice one," he said, trying to be diplomatic about the man nearly taking his head off.
"Thank you, Captain," he said with a ring of false modesty. Kat turned when she heard her brother's soft voice in Gaelic. He was telling her to calm down. She took three deep breaths as she watched Malcolm and Jon circle the Vulcan again. Failing to elicit the desired response from Kathleen, T'Rel set his sights on Archer again. Danny said something into his wrist, but knew his sister was too focused on her fiance' to notice. Jon's eyes widened in surprise when the vulcan took the offensive. Malcolm moved from the side to intercept him. The Brit managed to fend off T'Rel's blows for several minutes, knowing the man was just toying with him. Getting tired of the game, he delivered a crushing blow to Malcolm's sternum.
"Malcolm," Jon called to him, hearing his friend gasping for air. He took a defensive stance when T'Rel stepped between them, trying to block Archer from helping his friend. He was glad Kat was such an excellent teacher, because he knew he was about to get a crash course in how fast he picked up Aikido. The Vulcan delivered blows to his face and body faster than he could block them. Before he realized it, he found himself face down on the mat. T'Rel jumped on the captain's back, applying pressure to his neck. Jon cried out when he felt the tendons in his neck nearly snap under the vulcan's strength. He felt things getting darker as he began to lose consciousness.
"No!" Kat could take no more. She allowed the anger at this arrogant bastard consume her, not noticing when the gym door opened, admitting the Vulcan Ambassador and her brother Joe. Swinging her leg around, she delivered a spinning heel kick to T'Rel's nose, not satisfied when she heard the crunch and he went flying off of her love. She jumped on him, fury giving her punches more fuel. She delivered a barrage of strikes to the vulcan's body, driving him further back. She growled when a particularly devastating right connected to the side of his face, and she felt the bones give way under the force of her punch. Joe went to intervene, but both the Vulcan ambassador and Danny put a hand on his arm to restrain him. T'Rel crumpled to the floor and she jumped on top of him and continued to pummel him. It didn't escape Danny's attention that the arrogant vulcan seemed to be blocking less and less. If they didn't stop her, she was going to ground the idiot into hamburger with her bare hands. Everyone was so caught up in the beating, they didn't notice Jon sit up on the mat, trying to draw air in through his bruised trachea.
"Kat," he rasped, and as if someone flicked a switch, she stopped, turning her terrified glance toward Jon. Without hesitating, she got off of T'Rel, and ran to him. Falling to her knees, she enveloped him in a tight hug. "I'm okay," he tried to say, but his throat scratched and his last word was cut off by a fit of coughs. The Ambassador, disappointed by his associate's behaviour, stood over the man's groaning form.
"Ambassador, did you see what she did?" He groaned, thinking he had the human woman dead to rights.
"Yes, I saw my associate try and choke the life out of our host. And I saw a scared, angry woman beat the culprit into submission. If you expect me to fault the human for protecting her mate, I will not." He said plainly, inwardly cursing the young man's actions. "This will not happen again, or I will see you replaced. Or perhaps I will feed you to her fury." He added as an afterthought. This woman truly intrigued him. She would have torn T'Rel limb from limb if the Captain had not called her off. She protects her mate with a fierceness not typically lent to human beings. This is the second time he saw her take on a much stronger foe, and come out victorious. He was beginning to think Sub-Commander T'Pol was correct. There was something special about this human. "Now, get up and apologize to the Captain, as well as Lt. Kane." Grudgingly, T'rel did as he was told. He tried to stand, and felt the pain shoot up his leg. The woman had clearly broken the bone. He felt similar breaks all over and nearly cursed. Schooling his blood covered face into the normal Vulcan façade, he limped over to where Captain Archer and the woman were sitting.
"I apologize for my actions, Captain. It will not happen again." He mumbled, feeling two of his teeth missing. Jon looked up but still didn't trust his voice to work without sending him into another coughing fit. He had to stifle a smile at the damage his love had done to the man. He gave the Vulcan a gracious nod.
"Danny, can you take our guest to sickbay?" Kathleen asked, hoping her brother would just shove him out an airlock. She turned her attention back to Jon, rubbing his neck and throat softly. The Ambassador just watched them, as the human man led T'Rel out of the gym. Joe had joined the Ambassador's side and helped Malcolm off the floor.
"Captain? Are you all right, sir?" he asked, kneeling next to his fallen officer.
"Of course he's not all right, that bastard tried to kill him!" Kat knew she shouldn't snap at Malcolm, but she was scared. The Ambassador picked up on her emotions and this intrigued him farther. He had seen her so focused on dispatching T'Rel as a threat, and now she was allowing herself to get emotional.
"Lieutenant, if you are concerned that your dealing with my associate will be held against you, it will not. I cannot, nor will I ever fault you for protecting your mate." He assured her.
"If you will forgive me, Ambassador, but right now I don't give a damn about your committee. I just want to take my fiance back to our quarters, so he can rest." She said, getting to her feet. She extended her hand and her and Malcolm got Jon to his feet. He wobbled a bit, and she draped his arm over her shoulder, taking some of his weight on herself. She caught her brother's eye, and smiled. "Thank you for getting down here when you did Joe," she told her brother.
"Anytime, little siestra. Nice moves, by the way," he told her with a loving smile. The pride in his eyes was clear as day. The Ambassador watched the exchange curiously. The room stayed silent, as Kathleen helped Jon back to their quarters.
"You know her," the Ambassador noted, looking toward Joe. The large man nodded.
"She's my sister, family. And I beg your pardon sir, but I'm proud of what she just did in here," Joe replied, puffing out his chest.
"So you should be." The Ambassador replied. "So you should be."
Chapter 1/? Author: Brutal Howell E-Mail: brutal_howell@hotmail.com Rating: R Category: Drama/Romance/Angst/General Pairing: Archer/Katie (they're baaaaack) Summary: Starfleet makes things tougher for Jon and Katie - with a little help from the Vulcans. Trip "rallies the troops," with a little help from some unexpected sources. Spoiler: Shadows & Spirits is the sequel for my first fic "Discovery of the Spirit." So if you want the COMPLETE story, go read that first. Archive: Most likely anywhere, just ask me first. Feedback: To those that reviewed - and liked - Discovery of the Spirit, I hope you like this one even better. And feel free to tell me, even if you don't. Good, bad or indifferent, I want to hear what you have to say. Disclaimer: Jonathan Archer and his ship and crew are the property of Paramount pictures. Katie and her brothers are strictly mine. I make no money (sadly) on the use of ANY of them.
Shadows & Spirits
Chapter 1
By
Brutal Howell
The verdict was in - and for the next four weeks, Jonathan Archer would again be living under a microscope. A Committee.they were sending a damned committee. Four members - two humans, two Vulcans - would determine their future. Archer could already feel the knot forming between his shoulder blades.
"Damnit!" he threw the data padd across the room, smashing into the door. Kathleen was just finishing her shower. He shuddered when he thought how close he'd come to losing her. It had taken him the entire three weeks of her convalescence in sickbay to get up the nerve to ask her to move into his quarters. He smiled when he noticed Porthos curled up on the floor in front of the bathroom door.
"You like having her here too, don't you, boy?" he chuckled when the little dog picked his head up and began wagging his tail. "I know what you mean." When he heard her begin to sing, he closed his eyes and leaned back in his chair. She had a magnificent voice, and a love of Irish ballads that rivaled any of her ancestors.
"Jon?" she called out.
"Yeah?"
"I forgot my towel. Can you pass me one?" Jon opened the door - towel in hand - and the sight before him was breathtaking. Kathleen was washing the shampoo out of her hair, and his eyes couldn't help but track the water's journey over her body. His mind wandered back to the first time they shared a shower. Archer had to shift his weight as he felt the blood begin to pool in his groin. "Jon?" He snapped out of his trance to find her looking at him from the other side of the shower door. He silently cursed the strategically placed stripe across his shower door. 'Must get Trip to remove that, later,' he thought. She held her hand out over the door. "Can I have a towel, please?" He hesitated - still entranced by what he considered the most beautiful woman in the universe. "Jon?!" She felt self- conscious under his gaze. "Why are you looking at me like that?" She wrapped her arms around herself automatically. It had become a reflex with her.
"Don't." Archer began, stepping forward. "Please, don't feel like you have to cover yourself up for me." She didn't have a clue as to how beautiful she truly was. He opened the shower door. "Kat, please." He gently steered her out of the shower. When he gathered her into his arms, she tried to pull away.
"Jon, I'll get you wet."
"I don't care. I'm going to hold you until you stop being so hard on yourself. You are the absolute vision of Venus herself." He hugged her tighter to his chest.
"Have you been playing in my pain medication?" She asked. Only a man on large amounts of drugs could see 'visions of Venus.' "I am a vision of a 'patchwork quilt.' And the new one just adds to the picture." He shook his head. Archer wished there was some way to get her to see what he saw.
"You own me, heart and soul," he tilted her chin up so she was looking in his eyes. "And when we're old and grey, sitting in our wheelchairs," he leaned in until his lips hovered barely an inch above hers, "I'll still be telling you how beautiful you are." He whispered.right before he kissed her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pushed deeper into the kiss. Things probably would have progressed to another shower - but Archer's door chimed. "I'll get it," he groaned.thinking unless the ship was about to explode, somebody was in trouble. He waited until she disappeared into the bathroom before he opened the door to reveal a very angry Daniel Kane. The larger man pushed a data padd into his hand and stormed into the quarters. Jon recognized the Gaelic swear words he was spouting - he was becoming fluent given his fiancé's level of frustration during her convalescence. "Danny, come in.by all means."
"Vulcans.bloody Vulcans." Daniel griped. "And me and Joey have to protect them!" He clenched his fists and forced himself to take deep calming breaths. Archer held up the data padd.
"Is that what this is? Orders?" he asked. Daniel nodded.
"Yes.orders for four of us - me, and Joey get to baby-sit the Vulcans and Max and Mattie get the humans. The names of your committee are all there, Jon." He explained. The Vulcan names were irrelevant - was going to be like pulling teeth, anyways. The two humans, Admiral Jake Prentis . ok, not bad. Jake had been a friend of his dad's. And Captain Amelia Browne.shit. Archer's mind started racing. Shit, shit, shit.he didn't need this now. Daniel had noticed all of the color drained out of the Captain's face. "Jon, what is it?"
"Amelia Browne.the Captain on this committee," he began, "We went to Starfleet Academy together. We dated," he flinched waiting for the protective big brother to appear again. He closed his eyes, expecting a punch on the jaw like Mattie gave him. When it didn't come, he opened one eye to see Daniel smiling at him.
"Do you want me to assign Max to keep an eye on her? Make sure she doesn't cause you any trouble?" The big man asked. He chuckled when Archer let out the breath he was holding.
"You're not going to hit me?"
"That depends, do you love this Captain Browne?" Archer shook his head adamantly. He had ended the relationship with her about a month after it began. She had some hard feelings about it back then.but that was 22 years ago. Surely she had forgotten about it by now. "Then no, I'm not going to hit you. I told you, Jon, as long as you don't lie to me, I'll help you two deal with anything thrown in your way." When Kathleen came out of the bathroom, he smiled at his future brother in law. "I do, however, recommend that you tell her about it before they get here. She hates those kind of surprises."
"Thanks, Danny." Archer liked that he had come to an understanding with Kathleen's brothers. And in return, they had made him feel like part of their family. It was a new feeling for him - he kind of liked it. "And please, ask Max - if he wouldn't mind. I'd appreciate it." Daniel smiled when he saw two arms hug the other man around his waist. His sister was happy, and he would do everything in his power to keep her so.
"Hi, Danny. Are the miscreants staying out of trouble?" her brother nodded at her. "Good, Malcolm has been chomping at the bit to get even with Mattie. Security Officers tend to do that when you attack their Captains." When she stepped in front of him, Jon wrapped his arms around her. This is where she loved to be. In Jonathan Archer's arms, she felt safe. No matter what, his embrace - even his mere presence - was soothing for her.
"Mattie is behaving. I think he's more afraid of you, than Lieutenant Reed." She felt Jon's soft laughter in her hair.
"Smart man." He knew it was time to tell her about the committee AND Captain Browne. He glanced over her shoulder and caught the bigger man's eyes. Daniel nodded, 'go ahead, it's time.' "Kat?"
"Hmmmmmm?" She wanted to stay just like this forever.
"We got the decision back from the President." She got a bit nervous when he tightened his embrace. Effectively pinning her arms under his.
"And?"
"Given both our histories with the Vulcans, the President felt it was necessary to involve them." When she started to pull away, he held on tighter. Daniel was watching them carefully. This man his sister loved was turning out to be a surprise. After their confrontation in sickbay, Archer had made it clear that he wasn't going to back down from them. That, in itself, made him a better man than most. But watching them, here, now.Daniel could see the man loved and worshipped Kathleen. And that made him the best. When the orders came through, he had talked to the rest of his brothers. If the Vulcans overstepped their boundaries, they would put a stop to it. "He didn't sell us out, completely." Archer explained. "Before we get married, a committee will be joining us here on Enterprise. Two Vulcans, and two humans will follow both of us around. They will observe, ask us all kinds of questions, and talk to the crew. They'll want to know if a marriage will effect our duties to the ship."
"How long will they be here?" she was trying hard to calm down. They had agreed to jump through the necessary hoops to be able to get married. She wouldn't let Jon down now.
"Four weeks." She sighed and nodded. He kissed her hair when she slumped back into his chest. "There's something else, Kat." He felt her tense up in his arms, but she didn't try and pull away. "Danny just brought me the names of the four committee members. One of the humans, is Captain Amelia Browne. We dated for about a month when we were at Starfleet Academy." Daniel Kane was watching his sister carefully. She wasn't foolish enough to think that Jonathan Archer didn't have relationships before her.
"Why are you telling me this, Jon?" she asked.
"Because I wanted you to hear it from me. It was 22 years ago.it ended badly, so I can't be sure how Amelia is going to treat you." His heart sank when she gave him a sad smile. Daniel said a silent prayer that his sister would cut Archer some slack. This was going to be just as difficult for him.
"Just trying to warn me ahead of time? When do they arrive?" she was being stupid.she knew that. Jonathan Archer was attractive and a kind and decent man. Of course he had girlfriends before her. There wasn't a doubt in her mind that Jon loved her. So why did she feel jealous of Amelia Browne?
"Three days." Archer had noticed the sudden change in her mood, as well.
"Mas e do thoil e. Ta se tabhachtach nosanna na tire a choinneail I gcuimhne agus aird a thabhairt orthu! Ma ta deacrachtai agat I dtosach, na bi imnioch. De reir mar a dheanann tu botuin foghlaimeoidh tu!" Daniel's stern voice rang from the other side of the Captain's quarters. If his little sister couldn't see sense, than he would just have to help her. Jon, for his part, didn't have a clue at what the man just said. He guessed it was their native tongue.and from the way she had tensed up in his arms - it probably wasn't nice. Kathleen sighed, she knew what her brother was trying to do.
"Is ea. Ta deifer orm. Cen t-achar a dtogfaidh se' e a bhaint amach. An feidir aicearra a ghabhail. Deanfaidh me mo dhicheall. Ta go maith." She replied, shaking her head. Daniel smiled suddenly.
"Seo m'fhear ceile. An bhfuil tu saor. Chomh tapaidh agus is feidir leat, le do thoil," his tone was gentle. He stepped close and tenderly touched his sister's cheek while she was still in Archer's embrace. "You know I'm right." Issue solved, he reverted back to English.
"What the hell was that about?" Jon's mind was still spinning. "Was that Gaelic?" Kathleen owed her fiancé' an apology. She turned to face him.
"It was Gaelic. I'm sorry.Danny was just reminding me that I should count my blessings," She paused to search her mind for the proper words. "I'm so used to relegating myself to the shadows where you're concerned. I've done it for so long, I don't know how to handle this.any of it." She was watching his reaction carefully. While she could tell he seemed a little annoyed, he stayed quiet and let her continue. "The only thing I'm sure of, is that I love you, Jonathan Archer. I always have, and I always will."
"If Trip hadn't broken his arm, and I hadn't figured out who you were - Kat, would you have ever told me, on your own?" It was a rhetorical question. "I suppose not. No more hiding," he held her face in his hands, "No more hiding.you hear me?" When she smiled, he took her hand and led her to the desk. He maneuvered her into the chair he had been sitting in. He was hoping to save this surprise, but his instincts told him to do it now. Archer took a knee in front of her. "When I was a boy, my parents used to take me camping. There was one tradition I loved in particular; every night, we would lay under the stars and just talk. It didn't matter what about.we were together - as a family. Those were some of the happiest moments of my life." He said, almost wistfully. "There was one conversation in particular, that I never forgot. I was about ten years old, and my father had brought up the subject of girls. He began to try to push me into the role of some kind of Casanova. He was playing everything a bit too over the top to be serious. Plus I knew the only woman he ever loved, was sitting right there with us. My mom got the strangest look on her face; and she looked me right in the eye and said, 'All of them will be meaningless until you become a man. She'll be there, when you're ready. You'll know her from the way her soul will sing to yours.' I was ten. I didn't understand what she meant by that.until I met you." Archer reached into his pocket and withdrew the ring. He kept it closed in his fist for a moment longer. "She knew.I don't know how, but she knew I'd find you." He slid the ring on her finger. "Wear this for me?" he continued when she made no motion to remove it. Kathleen knew it had belonged to Jon's mother. She had seen it enough times in its place of honor in Henry Archer's office. He used to talk to it, just as if Mary Archer's hand was still in it. "It belonged to six generations of Archer women." He stopped for a moment - thinking about how sexist that sounded, 'Archer women.' Kathleen leaned forward and kissed him.
"I love it." She could feel the tears welling up in her eyes. It was a magnificent ring. The main setting contained a one-carat diamond. But there was a new addition to the ring since she had seen it in Henry Archer's office all those years ago. Secured around the band, were fifteen tiny emeralds. When she realized what they signified, there was no stopping the floodgates. "This is new," she smiled at him through the tears.
"I wanted to add something to it, something that would be strictly ours. The emeralds match your eyes, perfectly." He opened her left hand and kissed the palm. "I love you, Kathleen. Nothing.and I mean absolutely nothing is as important to me as you and this child. That's what's important. Everything else - we'll face that together. No more hiding in the shadows.OK?" Daniel smiled as his sister slid forward and hugged the man she loved. They would be all right.he would see to it. Jon gathered her in his arms and stood up. He took her seat and held her while she cried. Daniel made a motion to him that he would see himself out. Archer smiled down at his fiancé, and looked toward the door. 'Go on,' he was telling his future brother-in-law, 'we're ok.' Kathleen didn't even stir as her brother left their quarters.
ENGINEERING
Trip was furious. He couldn't believe that the President was including the damned Vulcans in this decision. Why the hell should it matter if they objected or not? This wasn't a Vulcan ship! Max and Joe sat quietly and listened to the stream of curses that flowed from Trip's mouth. Both men chucked when he finally seemed to run out of steam.
"I'll be damned if they'll find anything wrong here." He went to the comm panel. "I want all engineers to report to the engine room in ten minutes." He ordered ship wide.
"What are you up to, Charlie?" Max asked.
"Knowin' the Vulcans, they would try and blame a food resequencer malfunction on Jon and Katie. I'm rallyin' the troops to make sure not one damned thing goes wrong while they're here." He explained. "They deserve to be happy. And there ain't a politician alive that is gonna stop me from helping 'em." He pledged. Joe got up and clapped his friend on the back - nearly knocking him right off his feet.
"You're a good man, Trip." He laughed while Tucker rubbed his sore shoulder.
"Yeah, well we want 'em both here. This is their home, and no dang Vulcan is gonna change that." He stood in front of the Warp Engine as engineers began to file in. He ordered everyone to gather around, and briefed them on his plan. Questions were asked and assignments were given. Max and Joe smiled to each other. This crew would check every nut and bolt on this ship to see that their sister got to be with the man she loved. They would do their part too, in making sure the perspective committee members behaved themselves. The meeting took less than ten minutes. "All right, y'all. I don't want anything going wrong while our pointy-eared friends are here. We're not gonna give 'em any reasons to keep Lt. Kane and the Cap'n apart." The Engineers concurred and set off to complete their various tasks.
SHUTTLE BAY - TWO DAYS LATER
Archer hadn't failed to notice that the crew had pulled everything together for the committee's stay. Quarters were assigned and prepared, Trip had seen to it that everything on board was running smoothly and Malcolm and T'Pol had taken care of most of the details of the committee's arrival. Neither Archer or Kathleen had to do much at all. Now that the day was here, his senior staff had joined them at the shuttle bay, all were dressed in full dress uniforms. Mostly for the Vulcan's benefit - they would consider anything less, rude. Kathleen's four brothers stood at attention as the shuttle was brought into the bay. Jon felt his fiancé tense up and grabbed her hand.
"We can do this," he whispered to her. She squeezed his hand in response and released it when the shuttle door opened. Trip smiled as he noticed the Vulcans practically run from the shuttle. 'That Vulcan sense of smell,' he mused. They at least had the good graces to wait for their human counterparts. Admiral Prentis and Captain Browne were the next to emerge. Daniel Kane noticed his sister paying special attention to Captain Browne. The tall woman had a beautiful olive complexion and intense blue eyes. And she was looking at Kathleen like she wanted to dissect her. Prentis was the fist to approach.
"Jon, it's been awhile." He said. Archer smiled. The use of his first name was the go ahead. They were on friendly terms here, and formality be damned.
"That it has, Jake. Welcome to Enterprise, I'm glad you could join us." He reached out and shook the Admiral's hand. He was curious when Prentis' gaze fell to Kathleen.
"Kat, I knew you'd do great things when you left my class. But I never thought you'd get this kid to settle down." He jerked a thumb at Archer. He reached out and pulled the women into a hug. Jon was stunned. He wasn't even aware that Kat knew the Admiral. "What did you have to do? Club him over the head?"
"Not quite, Jake," she chuckled. "Welcome aboard." She gave him a strong, rib creaking, hug. Prentis held on to her when she went to take a step back.
"You did well, I'm proud of you." They both knew he wasn't just talking about the engagement. She smiled up at her old friend.
"Hey, hey, hey.get your own," Jon added teasingly, drawing Kathleen back into his arms. Max Kane had been standing by the back wall with his brothers. He hadn't taken his eye off his assignment since she stepped off the shuttle. Danny had warned him about Archer's history with Amelia Browne. He could tell from the way she was studying Kat and Jon, the woman was going to be trouble. 'And so it begins,' he thought to himself. Captain Browne's dirty look had not escaped Kathleen either. She knew she would have to play things by strict Starfleet regulations, and not give this woman an in to get between her and her love. Prentis stepped back to allow the sour woman to step forward.
"Kat, may I introduce Captain Amelia Browne." In response, she stepped away from Jon to snap a salute to the higher-ranking woman.
"Captain." Kat adjusted her stance to an at ease position, waiting for Capt. Browne to give her the order to relax. Jon narrowed his eyes at Amelia. So this was how she was going to play it. He's be damned if he allowed her to walk all over Kat on his ship.
"Relax, Lieutenant. We're all friends here. Right, Amelia?" Purposely putting the woman on the spot was the best way to let her know this was not going to be tolerated. Amelia returned his glare.
"Right, Jon." She put on her best airs. She extended her hand to the woman who had claimed what she always wanted. "Nice to meet you, Lieutenant." This wasn't over, not by a long shot. If Jon thought she was going to give this sham of an engagement her blessing, he was sadly mistaken. The two Vulcans stepped forward and Admiral Prentis made the introductions.
"Jon, Kat, this is Ambassador Kuval. And this is T'Rel. They are the other half of the committee." The Ambassador barely looked at the two humans he was there to judge. His gaze was firmly planted on Enterprise's first officer.
"Do you condone their relationship?" he asked T'Pol in their language. Kathleen caught the Vulcan's eye; she didn't want their visitors to know she spoke their language, yet. She also knew T'Pol wouldn't lie, not even for Jon.
"No, I don't agree with their relationship." She responded in Vulcan. "But as long as it does not interfere with their duties to Enterprise, there is little I can do about it." The other Vulcan stepped forward to add his two cents in to the conversation.
"You would allow this human - who murdered four of our people - this much power? Being the wife of the Captain of Starfleet's Flagship would give her the power she needs to kill us." T'Pol arched an eyebrow in the younger Vulcan's direction. She knew of Kathleen's part in the death of the 4 of her people. If she didn't know any better, she'd swear the younger man sounded angry. Jon knew something was wrong when he felt Kat's grip tighten on his hand. Both he, Trip and Admiral Prentis noticed the tension in her jaw.
"Kat?" He whispered. She just shook her head. 'Not now' she mouthed, tightly.
"First, T'Rel, The Vulcan Council declared the four Vulcans that were killed traitors. The Lieutenant was a mere teenager at the time, and was defending a downed comrade." She continued in Vulcan. She didn't want the Admiral to know the topic of their conversation. She was aware that Lt. Kane would tell the Captain later. "She was severely injured, and nearly lost her life."
"You sound as if you admire the woman." The Ambassador noted. He was curious about the Kane woman. He didn't like that she killed four of his people. But the Sub-Commander was correct, they were traitors, and the girl had been outnumbered.
"She is a first rate Engineer. She does more than sufficient work. I admire her bravery for one so young. ONE of our kind is significantly stronger than any human. She willingly confronted four, to protect someone she cared about. Not many humans would embrace those odds." Kat's head was spinning. She had to fight herself to not show her shock. What T'Pol had just said about her was high praise from a Vulcan. The Ambassador seemed intrigued himself.
"Agreed," the Ambassador concurred. This human female was indeed intriguing. He turned back to the Captain and his fiancé. "Captain" was all he extended to Jon as a greeting. But his gaze firmly held on Kathleen. "Lieutenant, I look forward to our first conversation." He smiled at her surprise. "I am versed in your file, and your adequate performance of late. The Sub-Commander believes your work on Enterprise to be sufficient." T'Rel was furious, but being Vulcan, he gave no outward appearance of his anger.
"Yes, well we'll just have to see about that." He added. Daniel Kane sighed. T'Rel was his assignment. And he had just witnessed the spite coming from the younger Vulcan. He and Max had their work cut out for them. The Ambassador turned back to the Sub-Commander.
"Sub-Commander, show us to our quarters?" he asked. "Captain, Lieutenant, I cannot speak for the others. But I shall be prepared to begin our interviews tomorrow." Kathleen was beginning to respect Ambassador Kuval. Despite her history with his race, he was willing to be open-minded. T'Rel was going to be the problem. His open hostility - as hostile as one can be as a Vulcan - was going to be a problem. The thought crossed her mind that he had an alternative agenda in all this. When her eyes met Danny's, she could see he suspected the same. Jon called over to Kat's brothers.
"Ambassador, this is Joseph. He'll be responsible for your safety while you are on board Enterprise. T'Rel, Daniel will accompany you. Amelia, Max is assigned to you." Max shivered slightly when he noticed Captain Browne looking him over with obvious lust in her eyes. The woman reminded him of a Black-Widow Spider from Earth. A user that eliminates things when she's done with them. "Jake, you get Mattie." The senior staff chuckled when Jake's eyes followed Mattie up until he got to his face.
"He certainly is a big fellow." He added in good nature. "How tall are you, Marine?"
"Six Feet, Eight Inches, Admiral." Jon didn't mention what kind of power he could put behind a punch.
"These gentlemen can show you to your quarters. T'Pol, why don't you go with Joe and the Ambassador?" he suggested. The Vulcans and Captain Browne allowed themselves to be led off. Trip accompanied Jon and Kat as they walked Admiral Prentis to his quarters. The Admiral glanced over at him as they walked through the hall.
"So, Commander, what do you make of this impending marriage?" he asked the engineer, in all honesty. Tucker looked carefully at Archer, and then to Kat, before answering.
"I think they are two of the finest people I've ever known. And as long as them luvin' each other don't interfere with Enterprise's mission, I think everyone should just but out and let 'em be. Not that they weren't good people before - but the Cap'n bein with Katie, makes him a better man. I would think the better a Cap'n we got, the better it looks for Starfleet." Prentis held his hands out in front of himself.
"Easy, Commander. I just wanted to know where you stood, son. I happen to agree with you." He explained. Matt immediately liked the Admiral. "Besides, I've never seen Jon look so happy - and I've known him since he was a baby." Kathleen slowed her steps so that she was standing directly in front of her brother. She delivered an elbow to his abdomen - with just enough force to get his attention.
"And you, you big gorilla. You listen to the Admiral. You follow any order he says as if it came from me or Danny." She told him. Matt knew he was already skating on thin ice with her for punching the Captain.
"All right, Kat!" He protested, defensively. He was embarrassed about being chastised in front of the man he was supposed to be protecting. Jon and Trip just laughed. Kat took pity on the confused look on the Admiral's face.
"Jake Prentis, meet my brother, Matthew Kane." She introduced them.
"Brother?"
"Brother," she repeated.
"All four of the Marines on security are Kat's brothers," Jon explained. "I believe there are two more back on Earth. And before you ask, they're not all as big as Mattie. But they will make you think twice about taking them on." The big Irishman grimaced as Archer rubbed his jaw. Prentis glanced at Matt, then thought to the other three sizable Marines that were in the shuttle bay.
"This doesn't worry you, Jon?" Archer shook his head as he smiled at his future brother-in-law.
"No, the boys and I have come to an understanding," he explained. Everyone turned to Trip when they heard him chuckle.
"Not to mention that they fear her," he jerked a thumb at Kat, "more than they do you."
"They should," she glared at her brother. "I mean it Mattie, the Admiral gives me one bad report, you'll be spending the rest of this trip in the infirmary. I still owe you a butt kicking." She practically growled. The big man nodded, that he understood. "Good, now that that's settled. Jon, I believe we're going to have a problem with T'Rel."
"How so?" The Admiral asked. He had learned, years ago, that Kathleen Kane's instincts were not to be ignored.
"He's angry. He suggested to the Sub-Commander that I was a murderer. And my being married to the Captain of Starfleet's flagship gives me the power to kill more Vulcans." She explained. Archer visibly blanched.
"Oh boy."
"Neither the Ambassador, or T'Rel are aware that I speak their language. And I'd like to keep it that way. It might give me the edge I need to anticipate their concerns." Kathleen told them. "I don't think Captain Browne was exactly thrilled by my presence, either." She teased her fiancé'. Jon had the good graces to be embarrassed.
"I am sorry about that. I'll talk to her." He offered. She just shook her head
"Don't bother. She doesn't like me, and nothing you say is going to change that. You'd just be wasting your breath." Trip knew them both well enough to recognize when Katie was protecting him. He had a suspicion that if Jon talked to Captain Browne, the woman would just take it out on Katie later. "There were a few things that surprised me, though."
"Oh?" Jake Prentis asked.
"First, Sub-Commander T'Pol's defense of me. She made it clear that while she didn't approve of our relationship, as long as it didn't interfere with our duties to Enterprise, she had no right to object. She specifically mentioned San Francisco, and complemented me in front of The Ambassador and T'Rel. Twice." She shook her head, as if to clear the cobwebs. The men all looked at her in shock.
"An actual compliment?" Trip was beside himself. Kathleen nodded.
"Not only that, but clearly, she has no intention of revealing my knowledge of her culture. That's the other thing. The Ambassador is being far more open minded than Vulcan Society usually permits. I think I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop with him." Trip and Prentis exchanged a look. Their friends were in for a hell of a month. Kathleen shook her head. "Ah, I'm probably just being paranoid. I'll feel better after I get my workout in." She hugged the Admiral again. "Jake, I'm glad you're here. At least we know we can count on one friend on the Committee." None of them could help the nagging feeling. She just wasn't the type to be paranoid, not without cause.
"I think I'll join you for that workout," Archer suggested. He didn't want to leave her alone. He couldn't take the chance that Amelia, or T'Rel would catch her alone. "Besides, Malcolm has been after me to brush up on my hand to hand." He smiled sheepishly. Archer had been hoping to have a chance to spar with her. He wasn't a fool; he knew he couldn't beat her. But he had been training on the side with Malcolm during her convalescence. He couldn't wait to surprise her. "Jake, we still on for dinner, tomorrow?" The Admiral nodded. "Good. Trip, see you in the morning."
"See y'all later. Don't do nothin' I wouldn't do," he teased.
"That doesn't leave much," Kathleen replied before she and Jon disappeared onto the lift. He and Admiral Prentis laughed when they caught her wink before the doors closed.
"She knows you well, Trip." Mattie told him.
"That she does."
GYM
Malcolm cut his workout short when he saw the Captain and Lt. Kane enter. He was a bit anxious to see how his student would fare against the Lieutenant. Kathleen Kane was probably the best Instructor Malcolm had in the last twenty years. He wanted to know how she would build on the progress he had made in the Captain's fighting style. They immediately headed for the open mats that were used for sparring.
"Face each other. Bow," she then gave the order to begin. Malcolm watched them circle each other a few times. He knew from experience that Kathleen was going to hold back and allow the Captain to control the match for at least the first five minutes. She would evaluate his style, develop a defense and then rip him apart. The match would be over within eight minutes. As he watched the Captain get knocked on his ass, he looked over at the chronometer - scratch that, seven minutes. She held out a hand and helped him to his feet. "Malcolm Reed, I would sincerely appreciate it if you'd stop teaching my fiancé your bad sparring habits." She teased the armory officer. The lovers couldn't help their laugh when Reed flushed and looked away.
"Hey! I've improved." Jon gave a half-hearted protest. She stepped forward and kissed him, gently.
"That you have, my love. But we have to find a style that suits you. Physically, you are more muscular than he is," She winked at him comically to let him know just how much she appreciated him physically. "But Malcolm is faster. You should be concentrating on Aikido. It's a defensive style, predominately. But its basis is using your opponent's momentum against them. Oh Malcolm, come stand in for my punching bag - I mean help me demonstrate." She smirked at the sudden concern that crossed his features.
"Ha bloody ha," he grumbled as he stepped forward with the gait of a condemned man. "Face each other. Bow." He gave the order to begin and suddenly charged Lt. Kane in an attempt to throw her off balance. She easily countered his move and turned him into a hip toss. The air was knocked from his lungs when his back hit the mat. As they went through several attacks and counters, Kathleen was explaining the technical aspects of the moves to Jon. After being beaten and tossed about for thirty minutes, she gave Malcolm a break.
"Now I want you to spar off against Jon," she told the armory officer. "I need to see what he's picked up.and where you need the most work." Reed liked his odds against the Captain, a lot better than he did against Lt. Kane. Both men went to the center of the mat. "Face each other. Bow." When she gave the order to being, Reed held off. He had learned his lesson about sudden attacks - at least with Kathleen even in the room. She was, however, depending on him to start this off. If they were going to help the Captain with his defensive styles, he had to be given something to defend against. As they began, Malcolm realized that Kathleen had been correct. Aikido suited Jonathan Archer well. And he had obviously picked up on her direction well. He tried to roll out of the Captain's grip, but Archer pivoted his foot and turned it into a hip toss - just as his fiancé had instructed.
Daniel Kane did not like the man he was assigned to. It was clear that this Vulcan blamed his sister for anything that happened to his race. And now he wanted to come and antagonize her. The big Irishman followed his assignment into the gym and they stood quietly and watched Jon sparring with Malcolm Reed. His sister's influence on the Captain's fighting style was evident to Danny.
"All right," Kathleen told her students, "Get a drink of water." She scooped up her bottle of water and towel and passed them to Jon. "So how do you like your new style?" she asked him.
"I like it. You were right, it suits me a lot more." Jon replied. He toweled off his sweaty head, so he didn't notice the mischievous glint in Kathleen's eyes. Before he could remove the towel, she grabbed both ends and twisted it so that he had no other choice but to follow her pull to the floor. She leaned over and gave him a quick kiss before he could protest her 'man-handling.' Not that he was complaining. They both looked up when they heard someone clearing their throat. Jon scrambled to his feet when he saw T'Rel standing there with Daniel. His presence immediately put Kat and Archer on their guards.
"Captain, Lieutenant," he greeted them. "Very impressive, Captain" He didn't really believe that, but he had the feeling that the best way to the Lieutenant was through him. "Would you care for another opponent?" T'Rel held his hand out to his side, waiting for Archer's decision. Kathleen cast a glance at her brother. She didn't like this, it reeked of a set-up. She was just trying to figure out who the trap was for. Jon looked to her, knowing her reservations about the Vulcan. "Just to make things fair, I'll fight both you and Lt. Reed." He was purposely leaving Kathleen off of his challenge. Jon steered her over to a corner away from the Vulcan.
"Excuse us, for just a moment." He told their guest. As soon as he was far enough away, he addressed his fiancé. "I would rather you not fight him. If your suspicions about T'Rel are true, he's just looking for a reason to get even with you. Don't offer him the opportunity. No matter how this sparring match goes." Kathleen wasn't buying it. But if Jon was determined to do this, she was setting the ground rules of the match. She walked over to T'Rel without even acknowledging what Jon said.
"I want some conditions set. Vulcans are stronger than humans. If the Captain taps the mat, I want an immediate release. If he walks away, the match is over. That is the only way Lt. Reed and myself will allow this match to proceed." She glared at the Vulcan. He arched his eyebrow in surprise.
"You dictate what the Captain can and cannot do, Lieutenant?"
"The Captain is the most important person on board. His safety is my main concern. You will not find a single member of this crew - Sub Commander T'Pol included - that would condone a sparring match with someone trying to break his neck," she was letting the Vulcan know that she was on to his game. And it would not be tolerated. "So accept the conditions, or find yourself another partner."
"Very well, I accept your conditions." He stepped off the mat to prepare. Kathleen corralled Malcolm and Jon on the other side.
"I don't like this, Jon." She turned her glare on Reed. "You watch his back. I trust that Vulcan about as far as I can throw Enterprise." She looked over to see what Danny thought about all this. He was just as suspicious of T'Rel as she was.
"Try to keep that beautiful Irish temper of yours in check, all right?" Jon wrapped her in an embrace, and she immediately felt herself calming.
"Oh, yes. A Vulcan beating the man I love into submission is going to do wonders for my temper." She snorted.
"Just try, for me?" he hugged her a bit tighter.
"For you, yes. I will try. But I can't promise anything if he goes too far." She wanted to leave herself an out to intervene if it became necessary. He agreed and followed Malcolm out to the center of the mat. Kathleen followed T'Rel to the center, her presence as referee letting him know that while she might not be aware of his plan, she would intervene at a moments notice if she didn't like it. She cast a last glance at Jon, shaking her head. Her instincts were screaming at her that this was a really bad idea. "Face your opponent. Bow," she ordered the three men. She dropped her hand in mid air, signifying the beginning of the match. Watching Jon and Malcolm circle the calm Vulcan, she just couldn't let herself relax. She felt mildly better that the Chief of Security seemed more focused that she had ever known him to be. She watched in horror as Jon tried to go low, and the vulcan snapped his head back with a kick to his head. She growled and took two steps forward, fists clenched.
"No! Stay there! That's an order Lieutenant!" Jon told her. She growled in frustration but stood her ground. Archer got up off the mat and focused his attention back on T'Rel. "Nice one," he said, trying to be diplomatic about the man nearly taking his head off.
"Thank you, Captain," he said with a ring of false modesty. Kat turned when she heard her brother's soft voice in Gaelic. He was telling her to calm down. She took three deep breaths as she watched Malcolm and Jon circle the Vulcan again. Failing to elicit the desired response from Kathleen, T'Rel set his sights on Archer again. Danny said something into his wrist, but knew his sister was too focused on her fiance' to notice. Jon's eyes widened in surprise when the vulcan took the offensive. Malcolm moved from the side to intercept him. The Brit managed to fend off T'Rel's blows for several minutes, knowing the man was just toying with him. Getting tired of the game, he delivered a crushing blow to Malcolm's sternum.
"Malcolm," Jon called to him, hearing his friend gasping for air. He took a defensive stance when T'Rel stepped between them, trying to block Archer from helping his friend. He was glad Kat was such an excellent teacher, because he knew he was about to get a crash course in how fast he picked up Aikido. The Vulcan delivered blows to his face and body faster than he could block them. Before he realized it, he found himself face down on the mat. T'Rel jumped on the captain's back, applying pressure to his neck. Jon cried out when he felt the tendons in his neck nearly snap under the vulcan's strength. He felt things getting darker as he began to lose consciousness.
"No!" Kat could take no more. She allowed the anger at this arrogant bastard consume her, not noticing when the gym door opened, admitting the Vulcan Ambassador and her brother Joe. Swinging her leg around, she delivered a spinning heel kick to T'Rel's nose, not satisfied when she heard the crunch and he went flying off of her love. She jumped on him, fury giving her punches more fuel. She delivered a barrage of strikes to the vulcan's body, driving him further back. She growled when a particularly devastating right connected to the side of his face, and she felt the bones give way under the force of her punch. Joe went to intervene, but both the Vulcan ambassador and Danny put a hand on his arm to restrain him. T'Rel crumpled to the floor and she jumped on top of him and continued to pummel him. It didn't escape Danny's attention that the arrogant vulcan seemed to be blocking less and less. If they didn't stop her, she was going to ground the idiot into hamburger with her bare hands. Everyone was so caught up in the beating, they didn't notice Jon sit up on the mat, trying to draw air in through his bruised trachea.
"Kat," he rasped, and as if someone flicked a switch, she stopped, turning her terrified glance toward Jon. Without hesitating, she got off of T'Rel, and ran to him. Falling to her knees, she enveloped him in a tight hug. "I'm okay," he tried to say, but his throat scratched and his last word was cut off by a fit of coughs. The Ambassador, disappointed by his associate's behaviour, stood over the man's groaning form.
"Ambassador, did you see what she did?" He groaned, thinking he had the human woman dead to rights.
"Yes, I saw my associate try and choke the life out of our host. And I saw a scared, angry woman beat the culprit into submission. If you expect me to fault the human for protecting her mate, I will not." He said plainly, inwardly cursing the young man's actions. "This will not happen again, or I will see you replaced. Or perhaps I will feed you to her fury." He added as an afterthought. This woman truly intrigued him. She would have torn T'Rel limb from limb if the Captain had not called her off. She protects her mate with a fierceness not typically lent to human beings. This is the second time he saw her take on a much stronger foe, and come out victorious. He was beginning to think Sub-Commander T'Pol was correct. There was something special about this human. "Now, get up and apologize to the Captain, as well as Lt. Kane." Grudgingly, T'rel did as he was told. He tried to stand, and felt the pain shoot up his leg. The woman had clearly broken the bone. He felt similar breaks all over and nearly cursed. Schooling his blood covered face into the normal Vulcan façade, he limped over to where Captain Archer and the woman were sitting.
"I apologize for my actions, Captain. It will not happen again." He mumbled, feeling two of his teeth missing. Jon looked up but still didn't trust his voice to work without sending him into another coughing fit. He had to stifle a smile at the damage his love had done to the man. He gave the Vulcan a gracious nod.
"Danny, can you take our guest to sickbay?" Kathleen asked, hoping her brother would just shove him out an airlock. She turned her attention back to Jon, rubbing his neck and throat softly. The Ambassador just watched them, as the human man led T'Rel out of the gym. Joe had joined the Ambassador's side and helped Malcolm off the floor.
"Captain? Are you all right, sir?" he asked, kneeling next to his fallen officer.
"Of course he's not all right, that bastard tried to kill him!" Kat knew she shouldn't snap at Malcolm, but she was scared. The Ambassador picked up on her emotions and this intrigued him farther. He had seen her so focused on dispatching T'Rel as a threat, and now she was allowing herself to get emotional.
"Lieutenant, if you are concerned that your dealing with my associate will be held against you, it will not. I cannot, nor will I ever fault you for protecting your mate." He assured her.
"If you will forgive me, Ambassador, but right now I don't give a damn about your committee. I just want to take my fiance back to our quarters, so he can rest." She said, getting to her feet. She extended her hand and her and Malcolm got Jon to his feet. He wobbled a bit, and she draped his arm over her shoulder, taking some of his weight on herself. She caught her brother's eye, and smiled. "Thank you for getting down here when you did Joe," she told her brother.
"Anytime, little siestra. Nice moves, by the way," he told her with a loving smile. The pride in his eyes was clear as day. The Ambassador watched the exchange curiously. The room stayed silent, as Kathleen helped Jon back to their quarters.
"You know her," the Ambassador noted, looking toward Joe. The large man nodded.
"She's my sister, family. And I beg your pardon sir, but I'm proud of what she just did in here," Joe replied, puffing out his chest.
"So you should be." The Ambassador replied. "So you should be."