Chapter 8

Some days later, Niki and Malcolm were having dinner in the mess-hall.
Niki was talking about something, but Malcolm wasn't really listening.
His attention was captured by Hoshi and a MACO drinking coffee and laughing together in the near table.
"Malcolm!" Niki called him for the third time.
"Uh!"
"It's like talking to a brick wall." she teased him.
"Sorry." he mumbled, pretending to be interested in his meal. "I was lost in thought."
"I see ... a thought with almond-eyes."
"I beg your pardon?"
"Don't play dumb with me, Mal ... I've known you for years. You've got your eye on her since she entered the mess-hall."
Malcolm looked at Niki like he was catched red-handed. "I was just ... curious."
"Curious."
He nodded. Then he stared at Hoshi leaving with the MACO. His hand touched lightly Hoshi's shoulder.
Malcolm's face became sulky.
"Something wrong?"
"No ... no, I was just ... wondering ..."
"What?"
Malcolm finally bursted: "She ignores me ... she spends all her free time with you and T'Pol ... and now she's familiar with that ... MACO!"
"You sound insulting when you say MACO like that." Niki objected.
"What the hell can she have in common with that man ..."
"God, Mal! They were only talking." Niki sighed.
"I wouldn't call that talking ... they were looking at each other as if they wanted to ... you know ..."
Niki interrupted him: "You're jealous."
"No, I'm not!"
"Admit it."
"You're wrong, I'm only concerned about a friend."
Captain Archer entered the mess-hall just to take a cup of coffee.
He made a big smile at Niki and she returned it.
Malcolm asked maliciously: "Is there anything between the two of you?"
"Not yet." she answered, still gazing at Archer.
"You're on a dangerous road, Niki. He's the Captain."
"Why don't you mind your own business, Mal'? Me and Hoshi are grown-up, we don't need a guardian angel."
Malcolm remained silent.
Niki got up: "Have you made a programme for this evening?"
"Not really."
"What about some physical exercise ... just to ease ... tension, you know."
Malcolm asked: "What do you have in mind?"
"We haven't challenged each other for such a long time ... meet me in gym in 30 minutes." she winked at him and went towards Archer.
"Good evening, Sir."
"Good evening, Niki. Coffee?"
"No, thanks. I'm going to gym with Malcolm. A kick-boxing challenge ... would you mind to join us?"
"Unfortunately I've got some reports to complete. Maybe later."
"I'll wait for you." she smiled and left the mess-hall.

Niki was in Hoshi's quarters. They were laughing heartily at Malcolm's behaviour.
"You were right, Niki. Since I started ignoring him, he's becoming mad at me."
"He's nearly done, Hoshi. Now I'm going to soften him a little."
"Don't be too hard, Niki."
"Don't worry ... I'll return him all in one piece."

Malcolm was on the floor, panting.
Niki said: "Had enough?"
He got up: "You haven't won, yet."
"You need to concentrate."
"I'm ok, Niki."
"On guard!" she gave him a punch.
"Ouch!"
Niki moved fast and knocked him down once again.
"Ok, Mal' ... I think now it's enough."
She sat on the floor near him.
"It was no fun ... you're absent-minded tonight."
He sighed: "Ok, Niki ... I know you won't leave me alone."
"Not until you admit you have feelings for her."
"She's a charming woman, she's smart, she's sweet ... she's all I dreamed about ... but I can't!"
"Why? What is stopping you from ..."
"Starfleet regulations!"
Niki bursted out laughing. She mimicked him: "Starfleet regulations! Go to the hell, Malcolm!"
"It's no laughing matter, Niki."
"Yes, it is. Some rules are meant to be broken."
"You're telling me you would be ready to break rules with the Captain?"
"Sure! If he gives me a chance, I'll take it. Life is worth living."
"You're forgetting who we are and why we are on starship."
"I'm not forgetting anything. You're a damned good tactical officer and I'm a good pilot. Loving someone won't change the way we serve Starfleet."
"Let us assume that you're right and I forget regulations ... this is a dangerous mission, we could be ordered to death at any time. Being romantically involved with someone would make it harder ... and painful."
"I'm ready to die if this is necessary!" Niki stated "But as long as I live, I wanna get everything life can offer me ... and love is the most important thing."
Malcolm looked at Niki thoughtfully. She hadn't changed over the years: the same strong and passionate girl he had met at Starfleet Academy. And a sincere friend, always there if needed.
"What if Hoshi doesn't return my feelings?"
"If you don't talk to her, you'll never know." she looked at him with a meaningful smile.
"I'll think about it ..."
She helped him to get up.
"Do you want me to put in a good word for you?"
He smiled and put his arm around her shoulders:
"Have I ever told you that I'm fond of you, Niki?"
"Not recently" she chuckled.

Archer entered the gym whistling.
"Too late?" he asked.
"No, Captain ... at least you didn't see her making me cut a poor figure ..." Malcolm answered.
"It's only a matter of training" was Niki's comment.
"I feel well-trained tonight, Niki. Can we try?"
"Why not?" she answered mischievously.
"Be careful Captain ... she's a devil!" Malcolem joked "As to me, I need a good night sleep." he winked "Enjoy yourselves!"

After a few minutes, Archer regretted his decision.
Niki was a strong and agile opponent, she moved so fast he couldn't foresee her movements.
He found himself on the floor once again, this time Niki was over his back.
"Ok ... I give up." he muttered.
She let him go and he got up. He was panting and sweating: "You're really a devil, Niki. I wouldn't like to be in your enemy's shoes. You're exceptionally strong." he wiped his brow with a towel.
"Strenght has nothing to do with this, Jonathan." she stared at him, attracted by his athletic build.
He was distracted by her look and his towel fell on the floor. They both kneeled to pick it up and their faces were so near they could nearly touch.
"Am I interrupting?"
T'Pol was there, looking at them. She seemed slightly irritated.
"No, T'Pol ..." Archer answered trying to hide his embarrassment. "She has just beaten me in kick-boxing."
"I see."
"I need a shower ... see you later." Niki went towards the dressing room.
T'Pol remained silent, with folded arms.
Archer felt like her eyes pierced him. He couldn't stand up to her gaze, so he began to pace.
"Why do you make me feel like I did something wrong?" he asked.
"I think you shouldn't have a relationship with a subordinate."
"I have NO relationship with Lt. Parker! We were just going in for sport!"
"If you like to call that sport ..."
He turned towards her ... he could read in her eyes she was disappointed.
He put his hands on her shoulders.
"T'Pol ... this seems almost a scene of jealousy. I could be flattered by that."
She raised an eyebrow.
"You're wrong. I'm only worried about your behaviour."
"Worried?" he grinned. "How much do you worry about me?"
She lowered her eyes, but he cupped his hand under her chin and their eyes met again.
"When I saw you crying for me in sickbay, I just couldn't believe it ..." he whispered tenderly "Does it mean that you care for me as much as I care for you?"
T'Pol felt her legs trembling ... his scent was so intoxicating.
Archer said with hoarse voice: "T'Pol ... please ... talk to me ..."
She raised her hand to caress his face, but when she touched him, she felt something she didn't expect. A flood of overwhelming emotions poured on her. She felt lost ... and frightened. It was too much, too soon ...
He interpreted her gesture as a sign of affection and gently met her lips.
T'Pol's reaction was totally unexpected. She hit his face violently, throwing him on the floor.
Archer was stunned. He looked at her as he didn't recognize her anymore.
She was standing there, her eyes wide-open, disbelieving what she had done.
Archer touched his nose and looked at his fingers covered with blood.
"A simple no was more than enough, T'Pol." he mumbled.
She shaked herself from her dismay and went towards Archer to help him, but he said roughly: "Get away from me!"
She opened her mouth to say something, but no sound was given out.
So she could do nothing but run away from him.