Remembering my pact to myself 'strictly professional' I marched into the meeting room the next afternoon, ready for our briefing on the Xindi mission, with my head high and a stony expression on my face.
I walked past Archer who stood up as I approached.
"Rachel-" he began when I cut him off
"Captain, I believe that Admiral Forrest wished me to instruct you and your crew on the attack pattern which would be highly effective against the Xindi." I stared at him waiting for a response. Jonathan's face fell.
"Yes that's correct"
"How would you know they are effective Cap'n?" inquired Trip
"Being as they are of my own creation, and they have been run through many successful simulation tests, I believe that they will work"
Trip looked impressed.
I opened up the video images of the Xindi simulation "As you can all see this was my last simulation, I performed before boarding your ship, and so far it had been the most successful." I played it and sat in silence, staring at the screen, ignoring Archer's attempts to gain my attention.
Over the next half hour, I sat there explaining the "Robinson" maneuvers and its effectiveness in disabling the ship to allow Enterprise to gain information regarding the location of the weapon. Meanwhile, my heart further breaking as I noticed Jonathan's futile attempts to catch my attention.
"That is some mighty fine techniques there Cap'n" remarked Trip "Don't you reckon Cap'n Archer."
"Definitely, excellent work, Rachel. Travis insert the attack pattern into our database, I have a feeling we might need it soon."
"Thank you Captain Archer" I replied stiffly, as I watched Ensign Mayweather walk out of the room.
Trip and Malcolm exchanged looks, sensing the rift between us.
"Hey what's gong on between you two, I could barely pay attention for the environment controls seemed to have plunged this room into ice." Trip asked boldly
Jonathan's eyes connected with mine as he looked expectantly up at me, as if what he said I could forget. He had just told me he loved me and then took it back, with a very flimsy excuse.
I opened my mouth to speak then closed it again, then decided I had to get my self out, "If you will excuse me gentlemen, if this meeting is over I wish to return back to my quarters." I quickly slid out before anyone had a chance to say anything to me.
On my way back to my quarters, I walked with my head hung low, hiding the tears forming in my eyes, I found that every moment I was thinking about Jonathan, but then any nice thoughts I had were punctured by the statement he made that broke my heart:
"…Ohhh, I don't love her, how could I now anyway, I'm the captain of the best ship in the fleet."
Just as I was about to completely break down into tears, I felt myself thrown against the wall, the ship shaking with the effect of a phaser blast. I was already on my way up to the bridge when the comm. came through.
Captain Robinson please report to the bridge.
It was Jonathan who made the call I felt another pang in my heart but pushed my feelings aside as I rushed onto the bridge.
"What's going on?" I demanded as I took my place next to Jonathan "Was that Xindi?"
Jonathan glanced at me, looking surprised at my change of demeanor.
"Yes Captain, primate species to be exact, this actually is Degra's ship we've been after him for months."
"Degra?" I was confused, "How do you know the Xindi's name?"
"That's right, you haven't been entirely briefed yet on our circumstances, Degra is the Xindi responsible for designing this super weapon, our aim is to catch him and his ship to question him about the weapon and then go after it"
"Well it's doesn't seem to be as easy as that, does it."
"Yeah tell me about it – Fire aft torpedo target main engine!" Archer interrupted himself as he barked that order.
God he looked good when he was determined, I thought breathlessly. No! I scolded myself; your life depends on quick thoughts in the now! I quickly snapped my head away from him, ironically making it further obvious to everyone and to Jonathan that I was looking at him.
"Captains, we cannot seem to penetrate their shield plating, what do you suggest we should do now?" Lt. Reed stated. Before Jonathan could reply I ordered
"Commence attack pattern Robinson, Ensign, it's the only way we are going to be able to disable this ship"
"Yes ma'am right away" just before Travis commenced the pattern there was the familiar sound of beep beep beep
"We are being hailed" replied a surprised Ensign Hoshi Sato "Its Degra."
Archer stood up and walked towards the viewer screen and nodded at Hoshi to open the channel
"Degra, what is it?" Archer barked
"Oh I just thought you might like a little chat before I destroy you" he said with an amused expression on his face.
Hmmpf! I snorted destroy us, boy has he got delusions
Immediately Degra's head snapped towards where I was sitting, and he looked interested
"Ah Captain, who have we got here, I don't remember seeing her last time we met, probably just one of the servants aren't you woman!" he sneered down at me. That really hit a nerve.
"That's Captain Robinson to you Xindi! I don't care much on your opinion of what I am doing here, just be prepared to be destroyed."
Degra looked like he had been slapped,
"Archer you let your women talk this way to guests! For that clear insolence…" he nodded to his right.
The ship shook as again the Xindi blasted one shot which was aimed perfectly hitting our shields, I fell sideways into Jonathan and he caught me before I hit the ground, he looked longingly into my eyes as he held me there but I pulled myself out of his grip "Thank you captain"
"No problem," he smiled
Degra chuckled softly to Archer.
"You petty humans, all you think about are affection and who you get it from, looks like the Captain's found his mate…." He chuckled again "I wonder what you would do without her."
