In Angels We Trust
Theme Song: Phil Collins – You'll be in my heart
Has References To: Black-Eyed-Peas "Let's get this party started" "I Remember You, Hallo Heartache, Rain Rain, I'm Gonna Be A Cowboy, The Dusty Café and Saddle Bum" by Wylie & The Wild West Robbie Williams "Things" and Frank Sinatra "New York. New York."
Disclaimer: If Enterprise and it's characters were mine I'd be rejoicing but I'm not I don't own them and there is no profit being made on this what-so-ever. Lee Tristal, Rala, Steven Willows, Aunt Maud, Aunt Chrissie, Aunt Georgina, Kaara Willows and Aaron Burton however are my characters so therefore copyright only to me.
Upendi
This was it, the day he was getting married to the only woman he loved in the whole universe. Archer looked around the room and smiled. Not a single thing was out of place. Well, they were in Reed's quarters and Malcolm was quite the perfectionist when it came to his quarters.
Lieutenant Reed was in the same room as Archer. He was helping out with things, like Archer's suit. Archer looked at him. He was running a comb through his dark hair. Typical of Malcolm, always could be depended upon to look smart. Archer picked up his own, remembering that he hadn't done so already. Once he finished he set it back on the desk. He had temporarily moved some of his stuff into Reed's quarters so that he wouldn't have to meet Kaara before the wedding. That would have been classified as bad luck, and he didn't want that. He turned and saw Malcolm standing in front of him in his dress uniform.
"It's time Sir," Malcolm smiled genuinely
Archer nodded and followed Malcolm out. They made for the Mess Hall, where it had been changed to look like a church hall. Chairs replaced benches and there were no stained glass windows.
They got there ten minutes after they had left Reed's quarters. Kaara was in theirs getting ready for the grand occasion. He had no idea what she would be wearing whatsoever. Whatever she was wearing, he knew she would look beautiful. She always did whatever she was in.
He walked up the aisle. The invited guests filed in behind him and sat down. The family sat at the front.
Rala sat at the front. Kaara had only just grown to accept her and she was happy. She looked at the husband to be, he looked nervous. He seemed on edge because he was shifting his weight on his feet. She knew now he was Admiral of Starfleet Command. Abbey was prancing around the hall making happy grunting noises. Most of the crew smiled at its movements. The purple deer whinnied like a horse and reared as if to announce something to come.
The wedding music, provided by the computer database began to ring out which caused Archer to look behind him. This music signalled Kaara would be coming up the aisle with her father any time soon and sure enough Kaara and Steven turned into the aisle and began to slowly walk along it, towards Archer and the officiator.
She held an arm onto her Father's. She looked absolutely gorgeous. A white veil fell over her face and her dress was immaculate. It was a stunning snow white in colour. He smiled and looked at her appreciatively. He could just make out that she was also beaming through her veil.
They eventually reached where Archer was standing. Her father, who was giving his only daughter away looked at Kaara and then at Archer and nodded. He then sat down in the chair nearest him. The married couple to be faced the officiator.
Trip looked okay for someone who hadn't wed anyone before. So he had been practising ever since he was told he would be the officiator. He managed to accomplish it without laughing. He found it quite amusing, Reed had known about this and was giving Tucker 'If you dare' looks. Trip seemed to have understood. He doing his best to keep a strait face and so far he was succeeding.
The music ceased and Trip started to speak,
"Dearly beloved. We're gathered here today to witness the union of these two souls. If there is anyone in this room who feels they should not be united, speak now or forever hold your peace."
Trip paused if anyone should speak out but gratifyingly, no one did
"Admiral Jonathan Archer, do you take Lieutenant Kaara Violet Willows in sickness and in health, for richer and for poorer, to be your lawfully wedded wife?"
Archer looked at Kaara next to him and smiled.
"I do"
"And you, Lieutenant Kaara Violet Willows take Admiral Jonathan Archer in sickness and in health, for richer for poorer, to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
"I do," Kaara responded with a smile.
Kaara's Father was crying. He wiped his tears with a white handkerchief. His little princess was finally being married. He was so happy it wasn't true. Rala had her arm round his moving shoulders to calm him.
"Then by the power invested in me I now pronounce you both as husband and wife."
Slowly, Archer and Kaara put a ring on the other's right middle finger.
"You may now kiss the bride"
Archer lifted the veil back onto Kaara's head. It rested on her jet-black hair. After briefly smiling he kissed her, she returned the kiss. The room went into an uproar and confetti was thrown everywhere.
Kaara looked at her husband and knew he was right for her. She smiled and he smiled in return. They went to the corner of the room so they could sign the registry to say that they were officially married and were one under the house of God.
They had to clear out of the Mess Hall for a while so that it could be changed again for the party afterwards. Trip was looking forward to that. He felt like he needed a drink after wedding his friend of ten years to a miraculous woman who has amazing abilities. It wasn't everyday you met someone that could turn into anything from a flea to a prehistoric dinosaur. How she was able to do this was beyond him, but he didn't really care.
He headed for the bridge with a tray of food and he asked an Ensign to help him with the drinks. The Enterprise was running on a skeleton crew seeming the rest were at the festivities but Archer didn't see why they weren't allowed to hear it over the COMM and eat. T'Pol was part of the skeleton crew. When Trip and the random Ensign arrived on the Bridge he found them looking ever so bored.
"Awww T'Pol. Look, you're boring 'em to death" Trip said cheerfully. The officers at the stations perked up but Trip guessed it was only he was a Commander, and that he could bust them down a few knots if anyone chose to go against his path. But Trip was generally a good guy as long as you didn't push him too far.
The Sub-Commander rose from the chair and turned to face the Southerner.
"Commander?"
"Hey T'Pol.' Trip paused and looked T'Pol in the eye 'It's Trip, T'Pol. Trip. Anyway, Cap…Admiral Archer thought you guys might want some refreshments but I think he and Kaara just don't want you guys to be left out of the festivities. We've brought Human and Vulcan foods so you guys can knock yourselves out"
"Thank you Commander"
"Not a problem," Trip replied with a grin. He set the tray on the floor in the middle of the Bridge as well as the Ensign who places the drinks next to the tray
"Well, we'll catch ya later you guys. Enjoy the feast"
There were mutterings "Yes Sir," and "Will do Sir," that followed. Trip nodded and left the Bridge with a grin on his face. The Sub-Commander was still standing when the Ensign left.
Having to clear out from the Mess Hall meant Kaara and Archer could spend some time alone with each other. They had disappeared to their quarters. They had gotten themselves some wine that had been transported along with many alcoholic beverages to suit everyone's taste buds. Archer had got a bottle of Red Wine and managed to get a good brand, Cabinet Sauvignon. It was also Kaara's favourite and they shared a bottle.
They lay on their bed, staring at the ceiling.
"I noticed that Leah was taking snapshots," Archer said softly, sipping some his wine
"Yup," Kaara answered her husband. She couldn't believe she was finally married to the man she loved since she came aboard Enterprise.
There was scampering heard nearby. Abbey and Porthos were chasing each other again. Abbey was the one being chased but she always went at a half trot, as she wanted to give Porthos a fair chance. Porthos was getting older and wasn't as lively as he used to be. They were going round a chair that Kaara had left in the middle earlier.
"Abbey never seems to age does she?" Archer said thoughtfully, looking at the lilac deer prancing round the room
"Nope," Kaara returned. She knew Archer would miss Porthos terribly when Porthos would die and she knew there was no replacing him but they knew they would still remember the little guy.
After a while the chime went. Archer and Kaara looked at each other and smiled. Kaara got off the bed as did Archer both being careful not spill their wine.
"Come in," Archer called out as he set his glass on the side table.
It was Travis who entered. He smiled openly at the newly weds.
"Hey Travis. What brings you here?" Archer laughed. He knew Travis would make a fine Captain one day in the future. He was proud for the helmsman of the NX-01.
"Oh. We just thought we would just tell that the party's just about to start and we wouldn't want to party without you Sir" Travis told them.
Archer smiled and nodded. Kaara came up to Archer's side and put her arm round his.
"Well, Travis. Let's not keep them waiting," Kaara laughed. Archer nodded and put his arm round Kaara's waist and along with Travis they headed for the Mess where the party was being held.
When they got there they noted the dance floor in the middle with a long table alongside. Several smaller tables were dotted around the room at the sides in the Mess. Travis led them to the long table and showed them where they were sitting. They sat down and so did everyone else waiting expectantly for a speech from their beloved Admiral.
Kaara pushed him up a little and Archer stood. He looked round the room and saw the Crewman, Ensigns and several other members of the Enterprise crew. He smiled and started to speak,
"I just want to thank you first of all, for coming and gracing the wedding with your presence. It's a pleasure and an honour to serve with and alongside you all," A cheer rose through the crowd. There were several clinks of glasses being banged together. "And I would also like to give me special thanks to three off my fellow officers of five or more years. Truly, I've lost count of the time and if T'Pol were here, I bet she would be able to give an exact date. I'd like to thank Trip for wedding Kaara and myself and we couldn't have done it without him" Another round of cheering came it was mostly from the engineering staff and Archer couldn't blame them for doing so. "And also Malcolm, for being my best man. Sorry Trip, I knew how much you wanted to be the best man" Trip just waved his hand whilst smoothing down his ridiculous Hawaiian shirt down with the other. "Malcolm, I couldn't have got there without you, so thanks" Archer looked towards his Armoury Officer beside him. Malcolm only nodded and smiles genuinely. Archer didn't fail to miss Malcolm's quick glance at Hoshi before looking at his senior officer. "And lastly, to my new wife whom I love so much and couldn't live without, just for being there when I needed her most"
Kaara smiled and could feel herself blush. She took a sip from her wine glass in the attempt to cover it up. She was sitting next to Leanne Tristal. She had chose Leah to be her Maid Of Honour but that didn't stop Leah from taking snapshots of the special occasion. The continuous sounds of the digital camera was annoying but Kaara put up with it for the time being
Archer sat down leaving his best man to give another long-winded speech. He knew Malcolm was never good at giving long ones so he poured himself some more wine from the bottle and relaxed in his chair, listening to any caustic comments the Armoury Officer could decide to make.
Malcolm stood up, holding his wine glass in his right hand. He wet his lips slightly and began to make his speech. He had, of course come prepared. On the table there was a padd with notes for what he wanted to say as a whole.
"To start off with, I'd like raise a toast here tonight. To a friend, an Admiral and now a married man"
The crowd cheered and repeated this after Malcolm had said the initial toast. Several wine and pint glasses rose in the air. Archer smiled and he could feel his ears redden.
"Well, what can I say but honoured to be the best man much to Trip's dismay" A few of the crowd laughed while Trip just crossed his arms "And sulking doesn't suit you Captain. Well, serving under the Admiral's command for over at least five to six years has certainly been an interesting if not peculiar experience."
Archer smiled and looked at Kaara who was looking at Reed but fiddling with the stem of her wine glass. He held her free hand and squeezed it gently. She looked at him and smiled.
Malcolm nattered on for couple of minutes and he ended his speech with a raised glass towards the married couple
"To our Admiral and our Lieutenant. May they be together for eternity" Everyone in the entire room raised their glasses and toasted them. Kaara and Archer nodded and smiled, their grip tightening a little. Malcolm turned towards Kaara and made eye contact with her. "Anything you'd like to add Mrs Archer" He said this with a smile and Kaara nodded at him.
She rose from her seat and held her glass in her hand.
"Thank you Mr Reed." Malcolm nodded and sat down again. "Well, as my husband has said, thank you all for coming and supporting our little union. Um, what can I say but let's get this party started"
There were shouts of "Here. Here" especially vocalised by a certain southerner whom had risen from his chair to go and turn the music on.
As tradition goes, Kaara and Archer were the first to dance. It was a slow beat and they danced around the floor, one hand on the other's shoulders, the other on the waist. Gradually, as the night drew on, others started to dance along with the newly weds. It proved to be quite a night. Later on, Malcolm had managed to get Hoshi to dance with him. Kaara thought they suited each other and hoped they loved each other.
Many of the crewmen got drunk and had to be taken to Sickbay where Phlox was waiting. Trip had warned him beforehand that there might be some who might become drunk and would be winding up his way.
Both Malcolm and Trip had asked Kaara for a small dance and Kaara had agreed. She found that the reserved British Armoury Officer was the better dancer of the two. She enjoyed herself and hoped that Archer had as well. It had defiantly been the best day of her life yet.
She moved over to a stage area where an Ensign with a very good voice was singing to the music filling the room with his voice. Kaara whispered to him and he nodded. He cleared his voice and spoke heartily with a German accent.
"Ladies and Gentlemen. Can I introduce de lovely Mrs Archer who will be singing a song for you all in extra thanks for being here tonight and for those on skeletal duty this evening. She asks for Sub Commander T'Pol to cheer up, so to speak" Most people laughed at that and the rest smiled. "Anyway, I'm retiring…I'm welcoming Mrs Archer…give her a round of applause everybody"
Kaara nodded and stepped up to the mike, she smiled and waved.
"Thank you Klaus, your singing tonight was spectacular as ever" She clapped and everyone followed suit. Klaus bowed mockingly and shouted 'no problemo' "I would like to sing a few numbers. The first being I Remember You by Wylie & The Wild West. Now, I don't know all of it so I'm singin' shorts kay?"
The crowd just nodded and Kaara progressed to sing the song. She sang mostly Wylie songs, including Hallo Heartache; Rain. Rain, I'm Gonna Be A Cowboy, The Dusty Café and Saddle Bum. Everyone enjoyed her singing the night through; she stopped and gave the stage back to Klaus before slipping into a chair.
When she opened her eyes she saw Abbey stuck under a chair with Porthos trying his best to help her. They had of course been brought along to the wedding. She chuckled softly and went to help her lilac love. Abbey's legs were splayed awkwardly beneath the chair but Kaara managed to free her. Porthos was more of a doggie hinderer than a doggie helper.
Chortling quietly to herself she went back to her seat. She was about to sit down when Steven came up to her and held out his arm.
"Can I have the honour of this dance?" He asked.
"Sure Dad. Course you can" Kaara smiled as she took his arm. He led her to the dance floor where they dance to a very fast beat. Everyone just watched them fly across the deck.
Malcolm and Trip where of the many who where looking at the parent and daughter gracing the floor.
"Dance well don't they?" Trip stated, watching the flying legwork.
"Yeah. Very talented Kaara is. She must have got that from her Father judging how perfectly well they dance together" Malcolm replied, resting his arms on his legs
"Yeah. She's very fluent in when she dances. I learned that much from her" Tucker smiled as he watched Steven twirl around with Kaara in his arms.
Malcolm nodded and took a sip of his drink. He agreed wholeheartedly with his best friend. It was good to see people relax and have fun in troubled times. Not that they were troubled at the precise moment but there was always a slight chance they'd have unwelcome visits by the Suliban or morbidly, the Klingons. Or even worse then the honourable Klingons, an unknown species they knew nothing about. If they were attacked by the likes of Klingons or another known alien species then Malcolm would know what to do, weapons wise.
He was always maintaining his Armoury to its best and always trying to make Enterprises' weapon systems better which he frequently talked about with Trip in their the usual talk at breakfast time. Malcolm looked forward to their talks whether it was about work or past girl friends, each conversation was different and more interesting than the last.
Malcolm realised he was staring into mid-air when Trip waved a hand in front of his face, close to Malcolm's nose.
"Wakey. Wakey English chum,"
Trip grinned. He knew Malcolm could stare into oblivion at times. Trip guessed he was either thinking about the next Weapon upgrades or whatever it was. It was always to do with Malcolm's precious Armoury. Trip couldn't blame Malcolm for being so protective. Any alien would jump at the chance to see it, the Xindi in particular Trip thought bitterly. Even though Trip had learned to deal with the unfortunate death of his baby sister, Lizzie he still felt pangs of regret and angriness. His regret was that he wasn't able to do anything to save her from the unforeseeable killer. Trip had half consoled himself that she would have least felt no pain.
The party lasted till the early hours of next morning. The room began to get slightly emptier by the hour. People were tired and it was the best night of their lives ever.
Jonathan Archer and Kaara Archer danced again to fast and slow music…they danced to a few good numbers by various artists. Wylie & The Wild West and Frank Sinatra 'New York. New York' with a bit of Robbie Williams 'Things' thrown in for good measure came up in the many numbers.
"I'm glad I married you Kaz. It's the best thing I've ever done" Archer smiled at his bride.
"Likewise Jon. I love you and no one can tear me away from you." Kaara said as she leaned into Archer's chest as they danced into the night.
It wasn't till one that they returned to bed that night or morning. They got changed and climbed into the covers. Kaara snuggled into Archer's warmth and sighed her content.
"Sleep well Love"
Archer looked down at his wife. Her eyes were closed, flickering now and then. He ran a hand through her hair, it was softer then downing from a duckling.
"Good night sweet pea"
And with that his head fell back and he fell into a peaceful sleep.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter...please review