A video screen apprised from the table near me with the admiral's face on it

"Good afternoon Captain, I'm glad to see you are feeling better, Captain Archer told me you were injured aboard that Xindi ship, how mighty resourceful you were Rachel, if you weren't already Captain, I'd promote you!"

I laughed weakly

"However, Captain, the news I bring today, is no laughing matter" his face had gone somber, "This morning at 0900 hours a Xindi ship appeared within firing range of the Columbia, which was in space dock and fired, exploding the warp core which as well as taking the whole ship and most of space dock, it took out the Xindi ship, we can only surmise that it was a suicide mission, revenge for the destruction of Degra's ship."

I had tears in my eyes, my dear Columbia, I had abandoned you

"How many were on my ship Admiral" I asked my voice firm, trying to keep myself from crying.

"Everyone, Captain, they had yet to be transferred they were scheduled to leave this afternoon, ironically."

Everyone, I thought, if only I had been there I could have helped. Jonathan seemed to have read my mind.

"Rachel, there's nothing you could have done, you know that, had you have been on that ship you would have died too." Jonathan said, with his arm around my shoulder.

"I know, I know, i just can't help feeling guilty, it was my ship after all."

"Captain Robinson, there is something else that I wish to discuss with you, it might not seem like the right time, but I had planned to ask you anyway; Captain, you have shown great skill and bravery in light of this Xindi disaster, not two weeks ago now, due to your resourcefulness in the position you are in, I request that you remain on Enterprise and assume the role of first officer"

Jonathan looked up surprised at the Admiral "What about T'Pol, not that I'm complaining at the prospect of permanently having the Captain aboard my ship, she has been a pleasure to work with, though we already have a first officer"

"Well Archer," Admiral Forest began "It seems that the Vulcan High Council wish for T'Pol to return to Vulcan and assist with scientific research, it would seem to be a position that she has greatly wanted. She will be leaving in a year though so to give enough time to complete this mission."

Everyone looked over to T'Pol, who looked as pleased as a Vulcan could be,

"Yes, it true Captain, I was informed about it this morning and the Admiral here wished to tell you first." she turned to look at me "Captain Robinson, I would be glad for you to take my position, as I would leave it in no other hands." she nodded at me and Jonathan.

"I would be thrilled to take on this new position; I have so far enjoyed my time here with Captain Archer and the crew, who have treated me with the utmost respect."

Quite a few crew members started laughing, trying to do it quietly but failing miserably.

"I don't know what your crew is laughing about Archer but it seems they like Robinson a lot, will you accept her as your first officer?" Archer looked into my eyes and said

"It will be my pleasure to have her aboard permanently."

"Well that's excellent, I will be contacting you shortly Rachel for the times of the memorial services that will be held, but I am glad that we have one decent male captain in Starfleet that treats you as you deserve" he smiled warmly "Forrest out." As his picture disappeared from the screen everyone burst into applause with some yelling out "Congratulations Captain!"

"Well thank you and thanks for the lovely party, but I'm feeling tired again, I think I should go and rest after all its Doctor's orders." I winked at Jonathan.

Jonathan helped me up, and once again, I placed my hand around his waist as he helped me walk out of the mess hall and to my room.

"How did you ever get so lucky as to have such a wonderful crew eh? I mean, bless their souls, my crew was alright, but no one really liked me that much, except for Ensign Johnson, the only one who actually looked up to me like no one else on the ship did." I asked, while we were walking to my room. Jonathan stopped walking and turned to me,

"Rachel, I think the question that should be asked here is how did I ever get so lucky as to have you join my crew." and with that he leaned in and kissed me softly on my lips. When we reached my door he picked me up entirely and opened the door and went through and he placed me down on the bed.

"Rachel, I wanted to ask you, since you are still pretty incapable of doing anything for yourself at the moment." he began, when I opened my mouth to protest he continued "Uh, Rachel, you know what I mean, would you like me to stay with you tonight?" I looked gratefully up at him,

"Thanks Jonathan that would help me a lot."

A couple of hours later of just sitting round my quarters and talking, I decided that wanted to go to sleep.

"I'm going to go and get ready for bed Jonathan okay?" I called out to him as I steadied myself and walked across to my bathroom. When, as I was shuffling along, I swayed and fell backwards, purely of my own imbalance and seconds before I hit the floor, Jonathan caught me.

"You can't do anything can you Rachel?" he joked "I guess I'm going to have to help you get dressed." I blushed a deep crimson

"Oh no you don't have to Jonathan, I can do it" I said, determined not to show my weaknesses in front of him, not that it mattered he seemed to know anyway, He looked at me matter-of-factly,

"Look Rachel, I can't have you collapsing on the floor and hitting your head again, then you will be unconscious for another two weeks."

I was a little bit nervous and worried, being as I had not had many good experiences with Starfleet males, so I didn't know what to expect with him. Then I remembered something that Trip had told me from my first day aboard Enterprise:

"Everything he does is in the best intentions, he would never ever in his whole life take advantage of anybody just for personal gain, trust me on that one."

Then I thought what if just this once I trust him, and see where it goes after all I can't be cynical all my life…

"Okay, Jonathan alright, I accept your help." I gave in to his loving stare. We closed the bathroom door behind us and as I went to unbutton my undershirt, he stopped my hands, looking into my eyes and I couldn't help but trust him he sat me down a stool and slowly undid my buttons then unzipped my uniform. I sat there, goose bumps appearing all over my arms and I found my breath to be short and raspy as he calloused hands crept over my skin. Jonathan stopped

"Are you alright Rachel? You look a bit funny?" he had a genuine look of concern on his face. There's no way I could tell him why I was losing my breath; the very touch, of his strong hands was driving me crazy as surprisingly his hands were soft and gentle,

"Oh I'm just tired Jonathan, I've had a very trying day." Thankfully he accepted my reason and then he continued to undress me, slowly slid my uniform down my legs and taking off my shoes while keeping his hand upon my thigh a moment longer than he perhaps intended. He then helped me to put on my pajamas and night gown. When he finished he stood up and smiled at me.

"Well, I should be less capable more often." I remarked "If I get you to undress and dress me everyday."

"You don't always have to be sick." he smiled slyly as he helped me to my feet and led me to bed.

"Rachel, I have to go for a moment, I just have to get changed myself then I will be right back." he bent over my face and kissed my forehead.

When he went I felt really alone, the few minutes he was gone, seemed like hours when he finally opened my door and stepped in. I took in the sight that was before me; his shorts hugged his legs nicely which were just muscle, then his shirt stretched over his chest and arms accentuating his stomach, arm and chest muscles. I smiled over to him. He came over to me and sat on the edge of the bed next to me,

"Good night Rachel, I'll just be down on the lounge if you need anything" he got up and turned to go when I grabbed his wrist, he turned back to me.

"What are you talking about, I can't have you staying on the lounge, you can stay up here with me, after all you deserve it, the way you have been taking care of me" I said graciously.

He smiled gratefully at me as he walked around to the other side of the bed and got in. This was the final test I thought, if he tries anything now, I will know that it was his intention all along and boy will he regret it, however even to my surprise when he got in, he pulled me into his arms and kissed me on the lips and said

"Goodnight my love, after all I have to keep you warm isn't it." I smiled softly at him as I closed my eyes and leant my head against his. Like this in each other's arms we fell asleep, forgetting any doubts I ever had about Jonathan and for the first time in my life truly knowing that I will be living and working with a man that I can completely trust that I know that he would come and rescue me if I was in danger or trust to catch me before I fall.