Disclaimer:  I do not own any part of the show Enterprise, they are all owned by the rich people of Paramount.  There is no reason to sue me I get no money from this story, and if you did sue all you would get is a half-eaten pizza and some cokes.

Author's Note:  Hello, and welcome back to my little experiment with the characters from Enterprise.  I hope you all have been enjoying reading this as much as I have enjoyed writing it.  Anyways, saw the most recent episode of Enterprise and I have to say that it turns my stomach the way the producers and directors are destroying the show.  I mean making a good show like Enterprise into a sexed up 90210, jeez what will they think of next?  A monkey runs around infecting the whole crew with a lust virus?  Ahh well them's the breaks I guess, well on with my tale and hopefully it will stem the urges I have of decapitating someone.

Illogical Behavior

            "Captain's Log 34243, supplemental, 3 days ago we happened upon a ship that seemed to be marooned near the Xindi weapon.  On closer inspection the vessel was indeed a Xindi ship and we hastily captured their crew and vessel to begin inspection."

(3 days ago)

            "Jeez I either got to stop drinking or I have to stop exercising at 3 in the morning.  If this keeps on I will die sooner then the Xindi we have come to find, damn I need a bath.  A nice long soak will do wonders; hopefully it will also give me time to think on a few things."  Removing his sweatshirt and sweatpants Jonathan headed for his private bathroom, 'Damn all these scars are starting to pile up, I look like an old war soldier or something.  Jeez if my dad could see me now, beaten and bruised by half the universe's population.'  Turning on the faucets and running himself a nice hot bath Jonathan wondered what he could do to sleep, 'I could become as drunk as a skunk and then fall into a dreamless slumber, but there is the problem of the morning after.  Maybe I'll take a page from T'pol and start meditating, but then there is the problem I don't know how.  Damn I can't think with the amount of sleep I got, and why the hell is the floor wet?'

            During his inner turmoil the bath had filled to its limit and the water had overflowed, "Shit, why does this always happen to me?"  Hurrying to the faucets Jonathan turned off the hot water and started to take a look at his surroundings.  "Great, just great now I have a mess to clean up, this will take me forever.  I'll deal with this later, first I need a good soak."

            Reaching into the tub Archer removed the plug and drained some of the water out, when he drained a sufficient amount Jonathan plugged it up again.  Stepping into the tub Jonathan could not help a sigh that escaped his mouth, 'Damn this feels nice, I could stay here for hours.  Yep, me and this tub need to get better acquainted, a leisure two hour bath is just right what the doctor ordered.'

            As of all good things in life they must end, and end abruptly.  "Bridge to Captain Archer." screamed through the intercom.  The interference awakened Jonathan from his slumbering mood, 'I can't even have one moment to myself, and I guess this is what being a Captain is all about.  Although it would be nice for just once to have a bath and for once not be interrupted by a emergency.'  Hitting the button next to his tub Archer answered "Archer to Bridge, is there a problem Ensign?"

            "No, sir.  It is just a ship, we believe it is of Xindi origin, you should probably come up here sir."

            "Acknowledged, I will be there in 15 minutes Ensign make sure that ship does not leave your sight."

            Taking one last minute to soak in the tub Jonathan then removed himself from the water and toweled dry.  Wrapping the towel around his waist Archer stepped into his bedroom and dug into his closet for his Star Fleet uniform.  When he was done dressing he took one more minute to look at the mess in his bathroom.  'Damn I will need to call someone to clean that up.  Better get to the bridge before Travis loses the ship.'

            Walking toward the lift Archer started going over what he would say to the Xindi when he encountered them.  'If there are any alive on board that ship, maybe they all perished from a leak or something.  I hope not, I want to speak with them about the war and why they are trying to kill us.'

            Reaching the lift Archer hit the button for the bridge and soon arrived at his location, "Status Report!"

            "Captain Archer they seem to be crippled and their weapons are offline.  What are your orders sir?"

            "Full impulse, take us behind them Ensign.  Have they detected us as of yet?"

            An Ensign from the Beta Shift stated the Xindi had not yet picked them up on sensors.  "Good, make sure they don't see us until we are in firing range Ensign Mayweather."

            "Yes, sir."

            Coming behind the enemy ship at full impulse they soon were in firing range, but the enemy had also just seen them.

(On board the Xindi ship)

            "Sir there seems to be a vessel closing in our location, it is not one of ours."

            "What do you mean?  Who else could it be?"

            "It is the vessel that destroyed the weapon earlier sir!  It is the humans!"

            Paling considerably Daegar ordered them to flee immediately, but it was not to be.

(Back on the Enterprise)

            "Sir they are starting to engage their engines."

            "Take out their engines now!"

            Firing pinpoint blasts at the enemy ship, it was soon just idling through space with little forward motion.  "Good job Ensign, now hurry and come along side it for closer inspection."

            While on the Xindi ship they were panicking, "Sir they have locked on and have breached floors 3-7 and will soon be on the bridge."

            "Start deleting all knowledge of this ship and anything about the weapon, hurry before they get here."

            Racing through the entryways of the Xindi ship Lt. Reeds lead his team toward the bridge.  "Sir, we are coming to the bridge, we have faced little to no resistance from the crew.  Most are either dead or dying, it seems that the blast from the weapon exploding did a lot more damage than we thought."

            "Understood, Lt. but your first priority is to locate the bridge and commandeer this vessel.  Do you understand Lieutenant?"

            "Loud and clear, sir."  Motioning for his team to blast the doors open Reed entered the bridge to laser fire.  Indicating a rush strategy Reed and another of his team dove through the door taking out both Xindi sniping from behind their seats.  The rest of the team came in and apprehended Daegar and remaining crew who were still conscious.  "The bridge is secure sir, returning with the prisoners now."

            "Acknowledged, good work Lieutenant.  Don't rough them up that much, I want to speak with all of them."

            "Understood Captain."  The task force slowly marched the remaining prisoners toward the hatch leading from their ship to the Enterprise.

            Minutes after the successful operation Hoshi came onto the bridge, surprised by all the commotion her eyes darted to her Captain.  "Ensign Sato, I require your assistance in my ready room."  Entering behind the stoic Captain Hoshi could not be sure if she were in trouble or if Jonathan needed her for something.

            "Please take a seat Ensign, as you have no doubt heard we have captured a Xindi vessel.  I wish your assistance in translating all there is to know in their database."

            "Of course sir, are they reptilian or mammals like before?"

            "We do not yet know, but I assume that their languages are not too different."

            "Will that be all sir?"  Sitting so close to him was causing Hoshi many levels of discomfort and warmth.  "No, I would like to apologize about last evening.  It is not appropriate for a Captain to get madly drunk in front of a member of his crew."

            Surprised by his sincerity Hoshi stared at him for a moment.  "There is nothing to apologize for sir.  I am just glad that you do not have a raging hangover from all the alcohol you had inhaled."

            "Oh I had a hangover but a nice long shower took care of that, and I must thank you again for your company last evening."  Blushing at the compliment and gratitude Hoshi averted her eyes from the man that commanded her in more ways than one.  "If that is all sir, I will get started on the translation."

            "Of course, you are dismissed Ensign."  Nodding her head in assent Hoshi exited the Captain's ready room, 'Damn, did he just come out of the shower?  His hair was still slightly wet, and it was dripping onto his shoulders, his big, broad, delicious shoulders.  Translation, translation can't forget what he ordered me to do.'

            'I had better go check on our "guests", I wonder how they are finding their accommodations?'  Exiting his ready room Archer headed toward the lift, "Ensign Mayweather, you have the bridge."

            "Yes sir."

            Entering the lift Archer was surprised find that it was still awfully early, 'Damn, it's only 0800, I wonder what my dad would be doing right now?'  Exiting the lift he collided with the resident science officer, "Oh excuse me, I wasn't watching where I was going."

            "That is alright Captain."

            "Oh Sub-Commander, you are up early.  Are you alright?"  Extending a hand to help his first officer up Jonathan could not help but think to himself how soft her hands feel.  'Must be from all that oil she wears, it makes her hands silky smooth and she smells like strawberries.'

            "Thank you for your assistance Captain, but I believe I am upright."

            "Oh, of course forgive me.  While you're here would you accompany me?  I wish to greet our new guests."

            "Guests sir?  What do you mean?  And what caused the commotion minutes ago?"

            "Follow me and I will explain everything."  Reluctantly following her superior officer through corridors D-8 through D-15 T'pol was given the gist of the encounter with the enemy vessel.  "This is the ship the weapon was launched from?"

            "Yes, we believe that it was damaged when the weapon self-destructed."

            "Intriguing but how do you know they will talk Captain?"

            "They will talk, whether they talk to me directly or indirectly makes no difference to me."  Sensing a godly amount of hatred flowing through her superior officer T'pol could not help but replay events that had happened in the past.  'He has been more and more silent throughout this mission.  He is growing more and more angry as we encounter more Xindi species, if this is not checked and soon he will no doubt suffer from ulcers or worse.  I will have to speak with him about certain techniques to calm his temper.'

           Reaching the launching bay Archer and T'pol greeted the away team with curt nods and asked how the mission went.  "Lieutenant Reed, how are the prisoners?  Are they in need of medical attention?"

            "Yes sir.  The captain and crew were exposed to many dangerous gases during their occupancy in the alien vessel.  I recommend they be taken to sickbay immediately."

            "First I want to talk with their captain, and I would also like to get a look at their ship."

            "Captain I believe it is more prudent to let them receive medical attention before they are put under investigation."

            "And I believe Sub-Commander that they are fit enough to answer a few of my questions.  Move aside Lieutenant."

            Letting the captain pass Reed was surprised by the anger in his Captain's voice, Archer arrived in front of the foreign crew and asked them who was in charge.

            Raising his head Daegar bit back a sharp retort and acknowledged the captain, "What were you going to do with that weapon?  And where in the hell are you building the real one?"

            "That is of no concern to you human!  When we are done your meddlesome race will cease to exist."  Receiving a punch in return for his scathing remark Daegar reeled but held the smirk on his face, "You hit like a reptilian, Humans must not teach their children combat."  Taking a step back as if slapped Archer started to fire off another punch when T'pol intervened and held him still.

            "Captain, they are in need of medical assistance, Lieutenant Reed escort these Xindi to Sickbay."

            Removing himself from T'pol viselike grip Archer turned on his first officer, "What the hell do you think you are doing Sub-Commander?  I was interrogating the prisoner."

            "You were assaulting the prisoner, there is a difference Sir!"  Putting extra air behind the word "Sir", Archer calmed down enough to think clearly.  "I know the difference T'pol, I don't need a lecture from my first officer.  Although my actions may have seemed unnecessary it was essential that I find out how much hatred they held against humans.  I will adjourn to my quarters, notify me when they have received their medical attention."

            "Yes sir.  I wish to speak with you sir, may I escort you back to your quarters?"

            "Of course Sub-Commander, what is it you wish to discuss?"

            Walking back to the lift T'pol formulated her thoughts into a concise, logical explanation.  "Do you always assault prisoners when they come aboard your vessel?"

            "No, of course not Sub-Commander.  It was just a ploy to further understand the Xindi."

            "Do you become angered often Captain?"

            "I know where this is going Sub-Commander and there is no reason I need to see Doctor Phlox for any treatment."

            "That is not what I was going to recommend Captain.  I merely wish to teach you some techniques to control the emotions that seem to rule your actions."

            "There is no need for these exercises you wish to teach me, I am feeling no anger at this moment."

            "That is not what I am concerned about Captain.  You show too much emotion and your outbursts are hazardous to the crew and yourself."

            "Sub-Commander, as I have already stated I do not need a lecture on my behavior from my first officer.  If that is all?"

            "I do not think you are aware of the danger you cause Captain.  I insist that you learn these meditative techniques to better acquaint yourself with your emotions."

            "Fine, if it will end this discussion then I will learn these so-called techniques.  Although I will never have any use for them Sub-Commander."

            Arriving at the lift both officers entered and headed to A deck where the Captain's quarters were.  Leaving the elevator they headed in the direction of Archer's room, "Is that all we have to discuss Sub-Commander?"

            "I wish to also discuss your training schedule, as far as I have known you do not workout every other day.  You train daily, whether it be weight-lifting or using the treadmill."

            "That is true, where is this conversation headed Sub-Commander?"

            "I am recounting the conversation we established earlier, you stated you only trained every other day.  This would mean that you would need my assistance with the weights every morning."

            "I did not ask for your assistance T'pol, but since you would not drop the subject I had made a schedule for us to follow."

            "So you will need assistance every morning is this correct?"

            "Yes, T'pol.  I am grateful to you for saving my life and I wish you to spot me when I perform weigh lifting exercises.  Now is that all?"

            "Yes, Captain.  I believe this is your quarters sir, I will leave you to your duties Captain."

            "Ya, thank you Sub-Commander."  Entering his quarters the Captain was relieved to find that there was no one there to question his actions.  'Jeez, have I been so clouded by my emotions that I am putting the rest of the crew in danger?  That is a even greater danger then what I am feeling for T'pol and Hoshi, I had better get some rest or I will really be cranky.'

AN:  Well there is Chapter 4, how did you like it?  Sorry about the amount of dialogue but I needed a good argument to ease my frustrations.  Anyway thanks for everyone that has reviewed, and hopefully you review again.  Thanks for the compliments to my cookies I use a special recipe, hehe.  Enough of my ramblings, I have to go so Peace, I'm out.