Chapter 14

Archer was leaning his forehead against Niki's, panting."I ... I apologize. I don't know what came over me ..." he stammered.
"Wow ..." she said "Whatever it was ..." her eyes were shining "... you're very talented." then she met his mouth once again, hungrily. Their tongues intertwined and they kissed deep and passionately. She caressed the back of his head and ran her fingernails down the center of his back, tickling his spine through his shirt.
Archer felt his excitement increasing and suddenly pulled away from her.
"Sorry ..." he muttered. "I shouldn't have ... it's not appropriate."
"I'm not sorry" she answered.
"It was a mistake ... it won't happen again ..." he said in a low voice, heading for the door.
"What a pity" she countered with a meaningful smile, as she wasn't taking him seriously.
"Good night" he said and left the cargo bay.
She folded her arms and whispered to herself: "Good night, my lovely Captain."

o-o-o-o-o

Malcolm had to buzz the chime more than once, before a sleepy Hoshi opened the door.
"May I speak with you?"
"Do you know what time is it?" she said stifling a yawn.
"Please."
She gestured to let him in and followed shuffling her feet.
"Sorry to wake you up ... but I couldn't wait."
"Forget it. What's happening?"
Malcolm stood at gaze. Even with a drowsy face and ruffled hair, she was so beautiful ...
"Malcolm?"
"Sorry ... I don't know where to start ..." he drew breath "I've been thinking about you lately ... a lot of times. I know this may sound strange because we've worked together for years, but ... I just realized that, when you're not around ... I miss you. And it's not because we're friends ... it's because ... damn, how can I say this ..."
Hoshi wasn't sleepy anymore ... her face was bright: "Yes?" she whispered, coming close to him.
"I ... I ... damn, I'll never be able to tell you if you look at me like that!"
"Oh, ok" she chuckled and closed her eyes "Just talk to me."
"I think I've deep feelings for you." he muttered.
"What!" she opened her eyes wide.
"I said I love you, Hoshi, is that clear?" he was a little on edge.
"Well, lieutenant ..." she said in a mocking tone "What am I supposed to do, now?"
Malcolm felt puzzled.
"You could tell me how you feel about me, for instance!" he countered.
"I thought it was obvious. But you've been avoiding me for months ... keeping me at distance. Now you come here in the middle of the night and expect ..."
He snorted and turned his back, heading for the door: "Ok, it was a mistake, I shouldn't ..."
"Malcolm Reed!" she raised her voice. "Where do you think you're going?"
He stopped and stared at her questioningly.
She got near him and brushed her nose against his.
"What are you doing?"
"Showing how I feel about you." she whispered in his ear and then blew slightly on his earlobe.
"Hoshi, I ..."
"Shut up and kiss me, Malcolm."
He quickly obliged.

o-o-o-o-o

The morning after Archer asked Niki to report to his readyroom.
"Good morning, Sir."
"Good morning, Lieutenant." he cleared his throat "I have news from Starfleet."
"I hope 'good' news ..."
"They accepted my request. After your final report about the shuttle tests, you will be part of Enterprise crew starting from next week." he stood up and gave half a smile "Welcome aboard." he shook her hand.
"Thanks, Captain." she smiled "I'm proud to be under your command."
Archer nodded and began pacing. Nikita sensed he wanted to say something else, but he felt uneasy.
"Sir, please ... don't." she said softly.
"What?"
"Be awkward with me. I'm your friend, you can say me anything."
He sighed: "I'm sorry Niki."
"I'm not ... and you have nothing to apologize for."
"A starship's Captain can't be involved with a subordinate."
"Starfleet regulations, I know." she said "But even a Captain can feel alone, sometimes ... and need some affection."
She gently brushed his arm.
"It's not possible." he said with a husky voice.
"Don't build a wall between us just because ... oh my God, you're making me sea-sick once again!" she protested.
He stopped pacing and stared at her for a moment.
Then they both bursted out laughing.
"It's a bad habit, isn't it?" he asked.
She nodded: "I think I'll get used to it."
He smiled: "We should inform the crew about the news."
"Can we wait until tomorrow? Travis has his "going away" party tonight, I don't want to steal attention."
"Ok. Let's say we could make a "welcome" party in a few days." he winked.
"Thanks Captain."
"Thanks to you ... for understanding."
"I'm your friend ... I'll always understand."

o-o-o-o-o

A few minutes after Niki had left the ready room, Archer heard the door chime buzz.
"Come in."
It was T'Pol. She handed him a PADD.
"The schedule for shore leave. As you requested, all senior officers are in the list, including Lt. Reed."
"Very well ... we all deserve some vacation, even if for a few days." he paused "Any plans for your stay on Earth?"
"I will stay at Vulcan compound." she answered calmly. "Ambassador V'Lar is there at present, I asked for an audience."
"May I ask you why?"
"Personal matters."
He nodded. "Have a nice stay. Dismissed."
He noticed that she was lingering. "Is there anything else?" he asked.
"Have you decided who will replace Ensign Mayweather?"
"Yes."
"Has Lt. Parker something to do with your decision?"
"Why do you ask?"
"I've noticed she reported to you several times in these last days."
"Mmmmm ... we didn't escape your attention." he said sarcastically.
"You're hard to miss." she answered dryly.
Archer leaned his back to the chair, pensively.
"I'll make it official tomorrow. Lt. Parker will become a permanent member of Enterprise starting from next week."
"It was only to be expected." she said, folding her arms.
"Does this bothers you?"
"Not at all ... she's a fine pilot."
"So, it was only logical for me to choose her." he grinned.
"I don't think your choice has something to do with logic." she countered, a little edgy.
"Are you implying I based it on personal feelings?"
"If I'm allowed to use a human expression ... let's just say it's more than a gut feeling." she looked at him defiantly.
"You're wrong, T'Pol. I've made a decision and it's the right one." he said roughly.
"Very well." she nodded and left the ready room.
Archer sighed and shook his head: Don't go there he thought she's not jealous.

o-o-o-o-o

That evening the mess-hall had been modified for the party in Travis' honour.
All tables had been put together to create a dinner party and everybody was tasting the Chef's specialties.
The crew was wearing civilian clothes, except those who were in charge for the next shift.
A small dance area had been created in a corner and a few couples were there enjoying the music.

Malcolm and Hoshi were sitting near, lost in each other's eyes, trying to hide their little secret. They had spent all night talking about their feelings and their plans for the future.
"I'm happy we have some days to spend together on Earth." he whispered in her ear.
"I look forward to this." she said softly.
"I've reserved a very nice place for us. I promise that our first night together will be memorable."
"Oh! Are you making sexual advances, Lt. Reed?" she teased him.
"Definitely yes!" he winked. "I don't want our first time to happen on a cold starship."
"I didn't know you're such a romantic guy, Malcolm." she smiled.

"Hey you two, still with us?" asked Trip from the other side of the table.
"Why don't you mind you own business, Trip?" Niki blew him with the elbow.
She was sitting between Trip and Archer, enjoying the meal and the conversation.
She was stunning in her black dress and her face was slightly made-up.
When Travis invited her to dance and she followed him slightly swinging her hips and addressing a meaningful smile to Archer, he and Trip both swallowed looking at her.
"It will be hard for you holding out, Cap'n ..." was Trip's comment.
"Just drop it, Trip." he hissed.
"Ok ... did you make peace with T'Pol?"
"What made you think that we argued?" he answered, a little annoyed.
"Rumours ..."
"Ah! Is there anybody here minding his own business?"
"May I ask what happened?"
"It's ... personal."
"Mmmm ... that's what T'Pol said too."
"Are we under investigation, Trip?"
"Noooo!" Trip tried to look innocent "I was just ... curious."
Archer was grateful Niki came back to interrupt the conversation.

T'Pol was trying to keep her impassibility, but it was hard.
It wasn't only the Captain ignoring her to hurt ... she felt neglected by the crew.
They all seemed so close friends ... so human. They were Humans ... and she was Vulcan.
The sound of someone singing drew T'Pol back to reality. It was Archer and Niki.

I took my love, I took it down
Climbed a mountain and I turned around
I saw my reflection in the snow covered hills
'Till the landslide brought me down
Oh, mirror in the sky
What is love
Can the child within my heart rise above
Can I sail through the changing ocean tides
Can I handle the seasons of my life
Well, I've been afraid of changing
'Cause I've built my life around you
But time makes you get bolder
Even children get older
And I'm getting older too
Oh, take my love, take it down
Climb a mountain and turn around
If you see my reflection in the snow covered hills
Well the landslide will bring it down

Their voices were so melodious ... T'Pol felt envy and admiration at the same time. Niki was so ... emotional and human, in a way that T'Pol couldn't even understand. She felt that Jonathan needed a woman like that, not a cold Vulcan.
Do you really believe that a Human and a Vulcan can have a future together? she heard T'Les voice in her mind.
Maybe she was right.
When Archer put an arm around Niki's shoulder while they were still singing, T'Pol felt her heart aching.
She felt sorry for herself ... she needed to be alone. So she left the mess-hall without being noticed.

But someone had kept an eye on her ... after a few steps, she heard Trip's voice.
"T'Pol! You going away so soon?"
Without looking at him she answered: "I have a slight headache ..."
"You're lying." he grabbed her arm.
"Let go of me." she twisted.
Trip gazed at her.
"Now I understand ... it's the Captain, isn'it?"
She looked away from him, and that confirmed Trip's suspicion.
"I've been a fool ... I should have known since the beginning! I pretended not to see your despair when he went to Azati Prime ... but the truth has been out there all the time!" he said in anger.
She remained silent.
"You made my same mistake ... I realized I loved you only when I was going to lose you because of Koss. Now it's the same for you because of Niki."
A tear rolled over T'Pol's cheek. Trip felt his anger die down and embraced her. She hugged him too.
"I'm sorry Trip, I didn't mean to hurt you." she muttered.
"You should have taken him to Vulcan instead of me ..." he whispered.
He cupped his hand under her chin.
"You're breaking my heart, T'Pol ... but still I can't hate you."
He met her lips tenderly.
But Archer's voice broke their kiss: "What the hell is going on here?"
A deafening silence filled the corridor.