Plan B, Part 2

Archer paced the length of his cabin at least five times during the explanation of how his first officer became Mrs. Jonathan Archer. Permitting his steps to only falter twice - at hearing Phlox had married them without his consent and determining that Shran had believed the two to be intimate - he kept a steady breath.

After (what he assessed) as her flimsy tale came to a halt, he turned on his boot heel and wheeled around to glare at her.

"So, that's it?"

"Yes. As I mentioned, I thought it was the best alternative."

"Don't you think that was my decision to make?"

"As your first officer, I was doing it for the good of the crew. As your friend, I knew you'd never agree. Therefore … it was … logical for Dr. Phlox and I to do this clandestinely."

"Logical?" Archer's look hardened. "Well, I hate to make you a divorcee again, but this marriage is over."

He noticed her give a slight wince at the words "divorcee" and "again," but ignored it. Feeling morally justified for his comments, he headed for the door until he heard her voice behind him.

"If we divorce right away, Shran will withdraw his support."

Sucking in air through his nostrils, he headed back to her and towered over her. "What?"

"In order to meet the conditions of the challenge, we must be married for at least a week. And if you tell Shran, you would embarrass him and he would no longer provide you the ships you need to find the marauder … or Commander Tucker and Lt. Reed."

His head fell to his chest. "A week?"

"Yes," she replied.

Giving a slight head nod, he was about to head out the door, when he heard her whisper.

"Captain, during that week we're required to cohabitate."

Staring at the door, he took a deep breath and then spoke with a clipped tone. "You're not living here."

"You could reside with me in my quarters, but I don't believe Porthos …."

"We're not living together."

"I don't believe we have an alternative."

"No way.'"

"According to rule 1100.32, section 2, paragraphs 7 - 8, Shran may stop by any time he wishes. We're asked to receive him to pay our respects and during that visit he can inspect our quarters – anywhere … doing anything he likes …."

He could feel the blood begin to rush to his ears, cheeks and neck. The headache that developed only a few moments ago, pounded behind his eyes.

"Great. Anything else I need to know?"

"Perhaps you should read the information at your leisure. There are 20 paragraphs on this. I doubt you need to read the last five, they pertain to the consummation of marriage." As Archer stared at her, he watched her clarify something he'd already understood. "Children."

He guffawed. "Yeah, I think it's a safe assumption I don't need to read that."

After punishing her with his glare for a few more seconds, he looked down at the ground and wiped a weary hand across his face.

She said, "I understood the risk that you would be … unhappy with these circumstances, but I thought it was the best course of action."

"I'm sure you did, but …" he started. Before he could lay into her again, he heard a chime at the door. Giving her the evil eye for a second more, he strolled over to the door.

As it slid open, a 5'7" blue-skinned man wearing a broad smile and happy antennae greeted him.

"Here the lovebirds are now," Shran said.

Archer rolled his eyes. "Listen, I think …."

"I'm glad to see you're both dressed. I figured I was taking a chance coming so early this morning," he said.

Shifting uncomfortably in place, Archer disagreed. "I was already up; I thought the duel was going to take place this morning."

The blue man grinned broadly at T'Pol. "Well, Captain, don't be too hard on her, she's only protecting her … interests. After all, she's your wife."

"What do you want, Shran?"

"I stopped by to give you a hard time, pink skin. You never told me about you and the Vulcan."

"Yeah, well, a lot of people are surprised," he said. His eyes leveled at T'Pol who suddenly found the floor interesting.

Pointing his gloved fingers, Shran said. "You owe me a drink."

"How about at 1800. I need to communicate with Ambassador …."

"Now."

"What? Now? It's 0715."

Frowning Shran insisted. "You owe me."

"Huh?" Archer asked.

"Jonathan," she whispered as if she'd never used his name before, "it states in paragraph 14 …."

"Never mind," Archer said.

"It's all right, Archer. I'm sure she'll be … ready for you later."

His eyebrows climbed onto his head as the Andorian smirked.

"I'll attend to the Bridge," she said.

Jon nodded and was about to walk out, when Shran asked a question. "Aren't you going to kiss her goodbye?"

The captain stared at her for a second, happy she had an answer.

"I don't care for public displays of affection," T'Pol said.

"Figures," Shran said with disappointed.

"T'Pol, we'll talk about that issue I wanted to discuss later," Archer said.

The Vulcan's eyebrows climbed on her head and she gave a slight nod as the two men filed out and headed toward the Mess Hall.


As soon as they left the confines of his cabin, Archer was slapped on the back as the Andorian gave a loud chuckle.

"I have to admit, pink skin, marrying a Vulcan is inviting trouble. Sure, their women are beautiful, but … no emotion. I like a woman with fire in the bedroom."

This was going to be a longer day than Archer originally thought.

"I assumed you too would be a man who wanted a passionate woman – someone who could keep up with your desires. Like maybe an Orion," he said.

Archer's grimace fired a warning to end that line of discussion, but the obviously pleased-with-himself man walking next to him dismissed it.

"Orion women," he mused. "Have you seen one?"

"Yes."

"Beautiful. Dangerous. They show desire … a lot of it." A creepy blue smile crawled onto his face and he stared into space for a moment. "Of course, maybe your first officer she shows you desire?"

"Shran," he said threateningly.

Curious antennae piqued with interested. "Yes?"

"Drop it."

As they entered the Mess Hall, Shran immediately went to the stash of Andorian ale. It was obvious he knew where it was kept, almost as if it was his ship. After pouring two drinks and continuing to grin, he stuck out his glass.

"To women."

Archer nodded and threw a small sip down his throat, recoiling at the taste.

"How did you two get together?" Shran asked.

He was afraid this line of questioning would come up. "I suppose … logically."

The antennae fell. "Oh." An then the two bulbs on his head perked up. "I was thinking perhaps she came to you in the throes of Pon Farr."

The captain furrowed his brow, trying not to look as confused as he felt. Suddenly a snippet of an image came to him, almost out of reach. Definitely not.

"No."

"But, she came to you?" Shran asked.

"Yes."

"Hmmm," Shran said. He was undoubtedly trying to picture exactly what transpired and hung on any information.

Archer avoided his gaze and continued to keep his eyes on his drink.

Silence rang out as Shran frowned. "Pink skin, you're as closed-lipped as a Andorian ferlahn. What happened?"

"It's boring," he said.

"Captain, paragraph …."

Rolling his eyes, Jon sunk into his seat a little and threw the rest of the ale down his throat, hoping to come up with a good enough story to fool the Andorian.

"After you told me about Talas, I figured time is so short, that I decided to approach T'Pol about my feelings for her."

Squinting his eyes with suspicion, the Andorian said, "I thought she came to you."

Archer shrugged. "Well, I asked her to join me alone for dinner to let her know. Before I could utter the words, she told me about her divorce to her previous husband."

"Married before?"

"Yes, she said she'd cared about me for sometime and asked to resolve the marriage because of her feelings for me. I told her I felt the same way."

Shran gave a smug grin as his antennae wandered back, slyly. "I suspected something happened between you two when you were on Vulcan. The desert gets lonely and you were there together."

The captain was about to object, when the Andorian said a few more words.

"Besides, you haven't been quite the same since your visit to that planet."

Archer leaned back in his chair. "You're right, I haven't."

The commander leaned over and poured another drink for each. "So, what's she like as a mate?"

Keeping his eyes keenly focused on the table, he responded. "Sensual."

A burst of laughter filled the cabin and the two continued to drink.


T'Pol stepped onto the Bridge and glanced over at Travis and then Hoshi. Preventing a sigh from leaving her lips, she wandered over to the captain's chair.

"How's Captain Archer?" Travis asked. He'd always had discretion and this question could be taken almost any way without the crew becoming any wiser.

"Fine. He's with Commander Shran. Ensign Sato, may I see you in the Ready Room?"

Travis ducked his head back toward his station as Hoshi climbed out from behind the console and followed the Vulcan. As the door slid shut, T'Pol leaned against the desk – imitating something the captain might've done.

"Ensign, I'd like you to change the personnel information. Update Captain Archer and my personnel records with our marriage. And can you corrupt the data as it pertains to the date?"

"Tamper with your personnel records?" Hoshi asked, clarifying.

"That's correct." The Vulcan knew this was a serious offense; a communications office changing personnel records could be court-martialed, even if it was at the request of a superior officer. Although, she doubted Starfleet, given the extreme circumstances, would hold her to that.

Hoshi shifted from foot to foot.

"I understand the nature of the order I ask. I can't require you do so."

"I can garble the date." Hoshi gave a hesitant nod. "Yes, ma'am."

"Thank you. You'll be able to restore it at a later point in time. But for now, we need Commander Shran, the rest of the Andorians and the Tellarites to believe I'm married to the captain."

"Permission to speak freely?" Hoshi asked.

"Of course," T'Pol said. The two ladies sat down – the Vulcan behind the desk and Hoshi in the seat in front.

"The Andorians are going to be looking for hints that you two aren't married; they're distrustful by nature."

T'Pol gave a light nod. "Agreed."

"I'd suggest you call him by his first name, even on duty and think about showing small … signs of affection."

An eyebrow was the only response she could give.

"You know, maybe touching his arm, holding hands … a kiss now and then?" Hoshi said.

"Perhaps I should study various human social customs."

The ensign nodded. "I know Vulcans aren't as expressive, but it might be wise to show the Andorians you're meeting the captain half-way. It makes your marriage more believable."

"Vulcans aren't prone to displays of public affection, but … you have a point. I'll consider my actions and make them more of a … spouse. I just hope the captain …."

Hoshi's eyes narrowed, giving a slight cough.

"Jonathan," T'Pol corrected, "won't be too embarrassed."

"How did he take the news you'll be moving in with him?" Hoshi asked.

The Vulcan met her eyes. "Not well."


Returning to the Bridge only a little less sober than he should've been, Archer glanced around the deck. Strangely enough, or not strange at all, Hoshi and Travis seemed to have their heads buried in their work. It was all the same to him; he needed to speak with T'Pol as soon as possible to get their stories straight as well as, and more importantly, discuss how to get the entire allied Earth, Vulcan, Andorian and Tellarite forces to work succinctly together.

"T'Pol, would you come with me to my Ready Room?" he asked.

"Yes, Jonathan," she said, trailing behind.

With mild surprise, he heaved an imperceptible sigh and crossed the Bridge. As the door slid shut to his office behind them, the two stared at each other. Archer decided to go first.

"Jonathan?" he asked.

"Ensign Sato believes it may help with the ruse if I call you by your first name."

The captain's face fell. "Look, I'm sorry for yelling at you this morning, but … I hope you can understand my concern."

She tilted her head in response. "I can … understand your discomfort with the situation."

He leaned against his desk and offered a hand out; it always meant he wanted her to sit down. This time, he noted with pride, she decided to take him up on the offer.

"Shran asked how we met," he said.

"I thought that might come up. Did you avoid the answer?"

"No, I said … well …. I said that I invited you to dinner the other night to tell you how I felt about you, but that you beat me to the punch."

At her confusion, he decided to explain. "You said you had feelings for me first."

"I did?"

"Well, that's what I told Shran."

"It would've been easier to indicate I was in the throes of Pon Farr. He would've believed that."

Archer didn't really want to go down this path, but he hesitantly disagreed. "If you were in the throes, wouldn't you still be?"

The two stared at each other, and Archer noticed the recognition in T'Pol's eyes that he knew a little more that she thought he did. Her eyes fell to the floor.

"A Vulcan would be unlikely to admit to these feelings first. I would think a human might."

"Why do you say that?" His mind wandered to Trip, wondering if she had first-hand experience.

Instead of answering right away, she sat a little straighter and then took a small breath.

When she spoke, it was deliberate. "Humans are more emotional. A Vulcan's feelings are highly private, personal things."

"But, you'd share that information if an emotional human admitted his feelings first?"

The Vulcan gave a slight nod and looked him in the eye. "If I felt the same way."

Archer sighed. "Well, it's already out there. It's too late to take it back." Pausing he glanced at her with a playful smile. "So, you were in love with me and admitted it first."

The left side of her lower lip took the slightest downward fall. "Very well."

"What was it, T'Pol- my charm or good looks that eventually made you give in?"

"Do I have other options?"

He chuckled and leaned over. "You know, Shran commented that we must've been lonely in the desert and said somehow I'd changed."

Seriously, she contemplated that. "We both have."

Snorting lightly, he agreed. "How about this: maybe you fell in love with me when we were captured by the Syrannites."

"Most likely before then."

"Oh?"

'Yes, it would take a Vulcan much longer to … admit to an attraction or deeper feelings."

"Okay …."

"Perhaps when you assisted me with Menos?"

"All right." He smiled. "But, then why did you marry Koss?"

"I never thought anything would become of us, and I wanted to protect my mother."

He nodded. Sshe'd explained the circumstances of why she'd married Koss before. Sounds good.

T'Pol hastened to add, "And you? When did you realize you had feelings for me?"

He thought about it for a second. So, she prompted him. "When I was diagnosed with Pan'nar syndrome?"

"Nah, too long ago."

An eyebrow poked up against her bangs. "Actually, I was going to suggest you became interested in me when we were kidnapped … the time Shran helped to rescue us."

He shook his head.

"You did comment that you didn't want the Vulcans to take something that was meaningful to you … like they had your father?"

"I don't remember saying that." Archer frowned. "Okay, I realized my feelings for you when you were diagnosed with Pan'nar. But, I've just kept them hidden?"

"Seems appropriate. After all, I'm certain you would be concerned about the command structure and the impropriety of having feelings for your first officer."

"Sounds … reasonable," he said. "If you felt something since I helped you with Menos, why haven't you said anything?"

"As I indicated, I am Vulcan. I would be wary of sharing my feelings." She folded her hands neatly in her lap.

Suddenly, Archer's face perked up, as if alighted with an idea – thanks to his remnant memories from Surak. "What if, just hear me out, what if you touched my hand and was able to tell how I felt. By that touch, you decided to let me know you felt the same way?"

T'Pol considered the suggestion. "Sounds acceptable."

"But, why did we marry so quickly?" he asked.

"Vulcans have monogamous relationships. By admitting my feelings, I would want something deeper with you."

He smiled. "I'm impatient so …."

"Yes, you are."

His face fell. "Well, I was going to say, I doubt it would be a stretch we married quickly."

"Especially since we've known each other for four years, which to humans seems like a long time."

His smile broadened and bloomed into a grin. "We've been through a lot in those four years. I could see why I'd want a speedy wedding."

Something in her eyes smiled back at him.

"So, I think everything is settled?"

The Vulcan tightened her lips and blinked a few times. It meant she was nervous.

He prompted her. "Something else?"

"Our cohabitation."

Whatever mirth fell away. "Maybe we can figure out another solution."

"Captain, believe me, I am just as … if not more … eager to have my privacy. However, it would be unwise to live separately. Although our rooms are close, they are down the hall. If Shran dropped by late at night, he would wonder where I was."

"I could say you were on the Bridge?" he asked.

"He has access to the some of the ship's logs, as do most visitors."

"We could lock out that information."

"I assume he would become suspicious."

Archer's gaze fell to the floor. She's right. "So, when do you move in?"

"I can later today, if that's acceptable?"

"Fine." Blowing out a short breath, he leaned over. "Now, let's talk about how we're going to find that marauder."

TBC