Chapter 17

Niki looked out of the window: Jonathan was in the garden, playing with Porthos.
He seemed so happy while he was rolling in the grass and Porthos was licking his face. She could hear his laughter and, for a moment, she felt fine.
They had spent their vacation hiking the environs and he seemed to enjoy their time together.
He slept with her every night, even if she had offered him the guest room. Being in his arms was wonderful, he was a tender and passionate lover.
But sometimes he was a thousand miles away from her ... and she felt a rip in her heart because she didn't know how to ease his pain. So she kept at a distance, because she didn't want to appear too eager or intrusive.
"I'm stealing these days" she thought "If he knew the truth about T'Pol's feelings, he wouldn't be here."
But she was no hero ... she wanted desperately to stay with him and enjoy his company.
Niki shook herself, hearing Jonathan's communicator buzz. On the little blue screen she read there was a message from Enterprise.
She appeared at the door: "Jon!"
"Yes?"
"You'd better call Enterprise. They're searching for you."
Jonathan knitted his brow and hastened to the computer console to make the call.
T'Pol and Trip visages appeared on the other end:
"Cap'n ... sorry to trouble you."
"I thought you were still on holiday. We all are supposed to come back tomorrow."
Trip answered: "Actually, we came back today ... there's a big problem on the warp engine."
"What?"
"An overheating ... there was an explosion. Somebody hasn't been taking very good care of my engine while I was away." Trip sighed deeply.
"How's that possible?"
"I left Kelby in charge for maintenance and tests ... something went wrong."
"What's our status?"
"With double shifts, it will take from 7 to 9 days for repairs."
"Crap ... this will delay our departure!"
"Sorry Cap'n ... you know ... shit happens." Trip tried to joke.
"Captain" T'Pol added "I suggest you extend your vacation. With your permission, I'll extend shore leave for those crewmen who aren't needed for repairs, including Lt. Reed, Ensign Sato and ... Lt. Parker. Our sensors show her communicator is in your same location, can you inform her?"
"Great! They know we're together ..." he thought, feeling like he was caught red-handed.
"I can ..." he corrected himself "we can be back immediately ... maybe you could use some help." he offered.
"That's not necessary" she answered sharply "Me and Trip are quite able to manage the situation. Your presence is not needed."
"Ah ... let me know if you change your mind. Keep me updated."
"Understood." she said "Enjoy your stay." then she ended the communication.
Archer stared at the console feeling empty. T'Pol's sharp tone reminded him when she first came onboard years ago.
Her words echoed in his mind: "your presence is not needed ... me and Trip are quite able to manage the situation ..." she didn't say "me and Commander Tucker" she said "me and Trip". They seemed quite familiar with each other.
"Jon?" Niki was in the room "Is everything OK?"
"There's been a problem on warp engines ... Trip is arranging for repairs with T'Pol's help. It will take at least another week" he sighed "Our vacation is extended."
"Do they need help?" she asked.
"No. Our presence is not needed." he answered, dryly.
"You seem bothered." she got near him.
"No. I could use some rest." he gave half a smile then headed for the door "I'll take a walk with Porthos."
"Do you want some company?"
"No ... just leave me alone." he said, with a gesture of impatience "See you later."
She remained silent, looking Jonathan walking away.
She shook her head. The laughing man of a few minutes ago had disappeared to leave his place to a brooding Captain.

o-o-o-o-o

Trip and T'Pol were walking through the corridor, heading for Engineering.
"Thanks for cutting short your holiday, T'Pol ... your help is valuable."
"Vulcans don't take vacations. I was in deep meditation at Vulcan compound, I can meditate on Enterprise as well."
"You acted coldly towards the Captain."
"I don't think so."
"Come on, T'Pol ... you're upset because he's with Niki."
"I'm not upset."
"But you took the trouble of using our sensors to spy on him."
She stopped and looked at Trip, raising an eyebrow.
"He wasn't responding to my calls, I had to locate him."
"And, purely by chance, you found that Niki's communicator was in the same place."
"Precisely." she folded her arms.
"I don't buy it. You have feelings for him and you're worried that he might start a relationship with another woman."
"If I'm worried or not ... that wouldn't be your concern, Commander."
"You called me Trip a few minutes ago."
"It's pointless to complain about how I call you."
"You don't even realize how all this makes me feel bad, do you?" he said, in a hoarse voice.
She remained silent.
"Well, if the Captain and Niki are romantically involved ... maybe you'll understand how it feels loving someone who doesn't want you!"
He walked away in anger.
She sighed and followed him.
They had a lot of work to do, she didn't have time for other matters.

o-o-o-o-o

Jonathan walked aimlessly for a couple of hours, just following Porthos ... the dog was nosing everywhere, sometimes he barked to draw his attention.
He found himself near a graveyard without realizing. Porthos ran away and didn't answer to his call. Looking for his pet, he saw Niki from a distance. She was knelt down by a tomb, her face buried in her hands.
He hid behind a tree, feeling like an intruder. Then she raised her face and said something he couldn't hear.
He wanted to leave her alone, but Porthos revealed his presence, barking loudly.
Niki rubbed her face, trying to hide her tears.
Jonathan felt awkward and approached her: "I apologize ... I didn't mean to spy on you ... Porthos ran away and ..."
"It doesn't matter."
He looked at the plaque - there was an inscription: "Jeremy Parker 2101-2153 - Beloved father"
"You miss him, don't you?" he asked.
"A lot." she sighed.
"How did he die?"
"When the Xindi probe attacked Earth, I was on Jupiter Station making flight tests ... but he didn't know. He had never approved of me joining Starfleet. He tried to contact me because he was worried, but there was an awful mess. Someone from Starfleet told him I was missing ... he was home alone and had a heart attack ... when they found him, it was too late ..." she swallowed.
He was dismayed: "Niki ... why didn't you tell me before?"
"It's in the past ... I didn't mean to make you sad. I know you miss your father, too."
She gently put a hand on his heart. She wished her hand was magic, so that she could remove his heavy feelings.
He stared into her watery blue eyes. She was sad and yet she wanted to cheer him up.
"Hey ... you're always there for me ... I wanna do the same." he said and, by instinct, he put a hand on her heart, too.
He gasped for breath, because he realized just how selfish he had been.
In the last year he had been so wrapped up inside his own head that he had never noticed that people around him needed him to pay attention.
He hadn't been there for Trip, helping him to cope with his sister's death.
He hadn't been there for T'Pol, when she seemed out of control in the Expanse.
It was like looking into a mirror ... he barely recognized himself.
Niki was showing him how he had changed ... and not for the best.
"I ... I apologize for being abrupt before ... I know I've been sullen ... but I'll make it up to you." he said.
She looked at him sweetly.
"Let's go back home, Jon."

You're the bravest of hearts, you're the strongest of souls
You're my light in the dark, you're the place I call home
You can say it's all right, but I know that you're breaking up inside
I see it in your eyes
Even you face the night afraid and alone
That's why I'll be there
When the storm rises up, when the shadows descend
Ev'ry beat of my heart, ev'ry day without end
Ev'ry second I live, that's the promise I make
Baby, that's what I'll give, if that's what it takes
If that's what it takes
You can sleep in my arms, you don't have to explain
When your heart's crying out, baby, whisper my name
'Cause I've reached out for you when the thunder is crashing up above
You've given me your love
When your smile like the sun that shines through the pain
That's why I'll be there
When the storm rises up, when the shadows descend
Ev'ry beat of my heart, ev'ry day without end
I will stand like a rock, I will bend till I break
Till there's no more to give, if that's what it takes
I will risk everything, I will fight, I will bleed
I will lay down my life, if that's what you need
Ev'ry second I live, that's the promise I make
Baby, that's what I'll give, if that's what it takes
Through the wind and the rain, through the smoke and the fire
When the fear rises up, when the wave's ever higher
I will lay down my heart, my body, my soul
I will hold on all night and never let go
Ev'ry second I live, that's the promise I make
Baby, that's what I'll give, if that's what it takes

o-o-o-o-o

Jonathan woke up in the middle of the night and realized he was alone.
He looked out of the window and saw Niki in the garden, she was wrapped up in a blanket, with bare feet on the grass.
He wore something and reached for her.
His arms circled her waist from behind and he leaned his cheek on hers.
"Niki! It's cold out here, come back to bed ..."
"Look at the stars, Jon ... they're so beautiful ... it's not the same from Enterprise."
"You're right ... but you're freezing, let's get back inside."
"One more minute ..." she paused "I'm so happy we can stay here one week longer."
He held her closer and smiled: "So do I."
"Really? I thought you were angry ..."
"Shhh" he whispered "That's over ... I want to live again. I don't wanna waste one single minute." he placed a gentle kiss on her cheek. "I care for you, Niki."
She sighed softly and closed her eyes a moment.
"Me too." she answered.
He whispered something into her ear. She opened her eyes wide.
"Jon!"
He lifted her into his arms and, brushing her mouth with a kiss, he said: "You heard me."

o-o-o-o-o

10 days later - Starfleet Headquarters

"Captain Archer, please ... sit down." said Gardner.
"Admiral."
"There is something I wanted to talk you about ... a delicate matter." Gardner paused "Two days ago we lost contact with a secret base near Altair system, approx. 15 light years from Earth."
"Secret base?" Archer looked at the Admiral questioningly.
"A group of human scientists was conducting military research."
"What kind of military research?"
"Weaponry."
"Ah ..." he had a bad feeling.
"The original project concerned the development of new and more powerful phase cannons, but ... things slipped out of hands."
"What do you mean?"
"They discovered a highly destructive weapon, which could annihilate a vast region. Our survey stated that the Klingons occupied the base and intend to use that weapon to expand their Empire."
Archer stood up in utter amazement.
Gardner continued: "We have to stop them before the news get out. If other species knew we were developing such a lethal weapon, this could compromise our future relationships and the possibility of forming an alliance."
"I couldn't blame them ... why the hell did our government allow such research?" Archer asked with anger.
"It's not your right to debate our government's decisions. Your mission is to proceed to the Altair system at max. warp, eliminate the Klingons and destroy the base, leaving no trace ... and no witness."
"What do you mean with "no witness"?" Archer stared at Admiral Gardner in dismay.
"This is not a rescue mission, Captain. Those scientists are too dangerous to be left alive."