A/N Again, my sincere and deepest thanks to my reviewers, AnonymCzZ, EroSlackerMicha, and LoErneBraska.

As the world became aware of what had happened, the anger, shock, and sadness was followed by a huge response from an entire planet. Help flowed from everywhere. Starfleet Security quickly landed full force in Geneva and the Starfleet shuttle fleet arrived to begin carrying out the wounded to hospitals all over the world. Hundreds of first responders came from every nation, paramedics, firefighters, MACOs and police. Even the ten thousand manned Terran Army came to help maintain order and search for victims. The remaining Earth Defense Fleet used its scanners to search for victims in the rubble. Specialists arrived to use methods created with the help of the Vulcans after the Third World War to start to clear the air and administer vaccines to prevent radiation disease. Medical teams set up triage centers and helped to staff hospitals that had avoided the destruction.

Back on Vulcan, Ministers Kuvack and T'Pau returned to the High Council chambers, where they were greeted by S'Tal who told them what had transpired. While Kuvack assured him he had done the right thing, T'Pau was more reticent, but did agree he had probably done what was necessary.

She then dismissed S'Tal and worked to contact the Vulcan Fleet.

The fleet had remained in orbit over Earth after the Romulans cloaked and presumably fled. The Andorians, finally getting through to their government, contacted the Good Will fleet and upon learning the course they were taking to return, sent five of their ships to meet them. They also sent medical personnel to aid the humans in Geneva.

Captain Kess answered the call from Vulcan, seeing the faces of Ministers Kuvack and T'Pau.

"Ministers. It is satisfactory to see you have returned."

T'Pau spoke curtly, "What is the current situation?"

"I assume Minster S'Tal told you of the situation that led to him ordering us to Earth?"

When T'Pau nodded, he continued, "We arrived in time to prevent any more damage to Earth itself, although its defense forces have been largely decimated. The Romulans cloaked before we arrived. According to Starfleet, there were originally twenty ships. Nine were destroyed and the whereabouts of the others are unknown. We are currently in orbit, awaiting orders as to how to proceed. The Andorians have sent five of their ships to attempt to escort the Good Will tour ships who are apparently on their way back to Earth."

"T'Pau quickly said, "You are to return to Vulcan immediately. You may inform Starfleet you have been ordered to do so."

"Of course, Minister, we will leave within the hour."

As T'Pau signed off, she turned to Kuvack, "You do not need to tell me your opinion, I know you do not approve."

"It is your decision. The danger is probably past. I wonder though, if we should have followed the Andorian lead and sent ships to perhaps aid Archer and the others. One of the ships is Vulcan. I think we should also at least speak to the Earth President."

"I shall take care of that now."

T'Pau contacted Earth and nodding to accept the President's thanks, said helping was the logical thing to do; she informed him she wished to contact the Charon, the Vulcan ship on the tour."

Receiving that information, she brushed off his repeated thanks, and contacted the Charon, asking to speak to Soval.

"Minister, I assume you are aware of all that has happened."

"I am well aware. I am deeply troubled by what has transpired and our part in it. I am afraid we are getting drawn into a conflict that has nothing to do with Vulcan."

"With all due respect, Minister, I think you are perhaps being naïve. I believe this was just the opening move of a plan to disrupt the entire quadrant and that the Romulans have designs on Vulcan itself."

"And I believe you are much too close to the Humans and Andorians. This is just the type of situation that I feared we would face when we took part in these attempts to form an alliance. I do not intend for Vulcan to go to war to protect the Earth."

Soval struggled to hide his feelings and said no more.

T'Pau, satisfied, said, "And now, I need you to inform Captain Sopek to return to Vulcan immediately. I suggest you take a separate path, as it is possible that the Romulans may be looking for Enterprise and the other Earth starships."

Soval could not hold back this time, "If that is true, leaving them would greatly reduce their ability to defend themselves. Surely we can wait to return until after the fleet returns to Earth."

"You have your orders. I expect you to carry them out."

When she signed off this time, Kuvack said curtly, "I am a little tired after the ritual, I will see you tomorrow."

"Perhaps that would be best."

For the second time, Earth had been attacked, but the reactions were much different this time. The Xindi attack had never been understood by the people of Earth and seemed almost random. There was the confusion of time travel, preventing a future attack, that never resonated with them. Then the fact that Vulcan had seemed to step away had resulted in sympathy for the ideas of Terra Prime. This time they had been saved by the Vulcans and Andorians. That plus the fairs made them feel more in kinship with them. This created similar feelings to those Pearl Harbor had elicited deep in the past.

Steven Baker and the other members of Terra Prime could sense this was not their moment. For them of course, it did not matter what aliens did. Their core beliefs were that all aliens were dangerous. They feared contamination, a loss of identity. Their ideas were grounded in the same mind set as racists of the past. They would bide their time.

With the attack a day behind them and with rescue efforts continuing, the shock was passing and everyone looked for signs of how to proceed, to rally together.

When Columbia and Shenandoah returned, people suddenly realized the continuing absence of Enterprise. Fears grew. Was she destroyed, what was delaying her?

Starfleet tried to allay their fears by saying that when they last spoke to Captain Archer, they were on their way back. But they also admitted that due to the same Ion storm that had disrupted communications with Andoria, they had not heard from them for over twelve hours. They had also lost contact with the Andorian fleet that was on the way to meet them.

Now, suddenly, the worries for Enterprise took Earth by storm. Everyone looked for any piece of news.

Two people especially consumed by their fears were a pregnant woman and a ten-year old girl. Despite the father of one and the mother of the other telling them to get some rest, that they would let them know if anything happened, both refused to go to sleep, both determined to wait until Enterprise and its crew was home.

Hoshi decided she had definitely made the right decision. Captain Archer had let her decide which ship she wanted to spend the tour on. She was going to discuss it with Travis, seeing if they could serve together, but Archer had seemingly anticipated that and said he needed Travis on Enterprise.

In the end, she had chosen the Andorians and was enjoying her time with them. Personality wise, they were probably closest to Humans. She had been intrigued though by their much more overt sexuality. Banter and innuendo that would have been out of place on Enterprise, were apparently common fare. It came however from women and Hoshi was reminded that ii was women who were aggressive in Andorian relationships. She also found that having several partners and being promiscuous were also common and almost expected even for married couples. She found it interesting though that she discovered that certain men and/or women were considered off limits, Shran being one.

She was also surprised that apparently changing sexes was not uncommon on Andoria. In fact, two such individuals were on the ship.

All four species were represented on the Bridge and Hoshi enjoyed speaking to each of them in their own languages and sometimes acting as a translator. But she was also amazed to learn how English was rapidly becoming a common language. She had to admit it was much easier to learn than any of the others.

Unfortunately, her exciting and informative foray came to an abrupt end when everyone received Archer's shocking fleet-wide message.

Megar had not been enthused when he had been assigned to Enterprise as communication officer. Whether fairly or not, he like many Tellerites, felt they were on the outer edge of this alliance. After all, the Humans and the Vulcans had worked together for over one hundred years, and it was apparent that the Humans and Andorians had helped each other many times. His feelings were reinforced as he watched how Archer and Shran interacted, often with T'Pol involved.

He had to admit however, that they had made a strong effort to get him involved also, to allow him to share in the comradery of the Bridge. He had exchanged insults with both Shran and Archer and felt he had been far superior.

Archer was enjoying himself. He was not deluded, he knew that interacting together on a bridge, acting as friends, meant that the past could just be thrown away. But, he felt it did show progress was being made. But, hell, whatever its long-term significance, it felt right to spend time with them.

As he continued to ruminate, his thoughts were interrupted by Megar, who announced he had an important message from Earth for his eyes only.

Wondering what the hell this was all about, he told Megar to transfer it to his Ready Room. After Archer had been gone for sometime another message came from Starfleet and Megar passed it through.

Finally, a different Jonathan Archer emerged.

Not sitting down, he turned to Megar, "Open a channel to all ships."

When Megar signaled him he was ready, Archer struggled to control his emotions and said, "I have just received word from Starfleet Command. Earth has been attacked by forces of the Romulan Empire."

On all ships, everyone was stunned. Even the Vulcans had to fight to hide their reaction.

"They used a nuclear weapon to destroy Earth's capital city Geneva. Earth's defenses prevented more damage but were being systematically destroyed. Then a combined Andorian/Vulcan fleet came to our aid. The Romulans cloaked and escaped."

He paused and then went on, "We will be returning to Earth immediately. A course setting will be sent to all ships and we will turn back as soon as all ships have the course laid in."

Then, Shran interrupted, "Perhaps we should get all personnel back on their own ships, there may be Romulans looking for us."

Archer nodded, "Belay that last order. All ships come to a full stop and all personnel return to their regular posts."

As Shran and Megar rose to leave, Shran said, "So, it has come. Don't worry Pinkskin, I know Andoria will be at your side."

Archer just managed to nod as they left the bridge.

T'Pol, who had been standing quietly watching, came over and instinctively took his hand. Archer looked up surprised, then managed a smile and squeezed her hand. They stood there together for a moment each lost in their own thoughts.

Then T'Pol said, "Captain, it is imperative that Commander Tucker and I talk to you immediately."

Looking surprised, Archer released her hand and turned to Travis, who was trying hard to show that he hadn't noticed anything. "Travis, when Hoshi gets back, have her monitor everyone getting back where they belong. When everyone is set, have her contact me in my Ready Room."

Travis nodded, "Yes, Sir."

Archer hit a button on his chair, "Commander Tucker, report immediately to my Ready Room."

Then he and T'Pol left the bridge.

When Hoshi returned to the bridge of Enterprise, she saw just Travis was there. She rushed into his arms as he held her tightly.

"God, Travis, it's awful. Why does this stuff keep happening?"

"I don't know, Hoshi, it just seems like things that have been stirring for a long time have come to a head. We seem to be the catalyst that brings them on."

Hoshi then just squeezed him harder, "I don't care, just hold me."

He obliged and then their lips found each other. That is where they were when Trip exited from the Turbo lift. Hoshi and Travis quickly broke apart, but Trip just smiled and went past them into the Ready Room.

Travis held her again and kissed her tenderly on her lips. Releasing her he said, "Captain Archer wants you to monitor everyone getting back where they belong and let him know when everything is set."

Hoshi sat down at her station, "I better get started."

After talking to each ship and asking them to keep her posted, she asked, "What's going on with the Ready Room?"

"I don't know, T'Pol said she and Trip needed to talk to the Captain."

After Trip entered and sat down, he said, "Damn it. I never thought it would happen this way. I suppose this means war."

Archer answered, "I don't see another choice, Trip, but I don't know what Earth can do without some help. We're not dealing with the Xindi here. This was not a mistake, I am sure this was the first step in an attack on the entire quadrant. We're just lucky we are still in the game. Without the help of the Andorians and Vulcans, it's hard to imagine how bad it could have been."

He paused and went on, "And without their help, I don't see how we could stop it from happening again."

Then he turned to T'Pol. "Now, what is so important we need to discuss it now?"

T'Pol glanced at Trip who apparently was letting her go ahead. "Captain, you of course remember the incident we had at the Romulan minefield?"

Assuming the question was rhetorical, Archer just nodded.

"At the time, we decided that the device we used to detect the mines would not work on detecting the ship. I believe it is possible we may have been hasty in that decision."

Archer sat up, "Are you saying you think we could see their ships?"

"I am saying, I am not sure. Logically, since one could presume that they use the same basic technology, there is a presumption they could both be detected by the same detector."

Trip stepped in, "During the time since then. T'Pol and I have done some experimenting with the device. We of course had nothing we could test it on, but we did determine a way to run through a series of frequencies and found that it does have quite an extensive range."

Archer felt a quick moment of relief when he realized he no longer felt that twinge of jealously whenever he thought of them doing anything together. "Why haven't I heard about this before? What is the current status? Where does it stand after the upgrade?"

T'Pol answered first, "Since we could not test and were unsure about any value it had, we decided to wait until we knew more." She then paused and said, "Then outside circumstances started to absorb our time."

Trip then continued, "I had it integrated as a working part of the ship. We can deploy it at any time and T'Pol can see its results on her science console."

"How long will it take? Do you need any help?"

Trip went on, "Not too long, would go faster if someone could help me with it."

"All right, you two go ahead. Keep me posted."

T'Pol interjected, "Captain, it is possible I may be needed on the bridge, perhaps Commander Reed could assist."

"Very well, I have no problem with that."

Then suddenly Archer had a thought. "I think we should limit the knowledge of this to as few people as we can."

Seeing their questing looks, he went on, "Think how big a weapon this could be, if the Romulans do not know we can see their ships. It could be the difference in a battle. And although I do not know of anyone that would reveal it, the more people that know, the more likely it will get out."

T'Pol spoke up, "That makes sense, but will not the secret be exposed if it does work and we make use of it in our current situation?"

Archer thought about that for a moment and then said, "I have an idea that may work to mask that fact. I will need Shran's help. It will only work because I think it will be difficult for people to believe we do have this capability."

Then he smirked, "But we are a long way from that. We have no idea if it will even work, or if the Romulans are still out there." Turning to Trip, "You and Malcom get it set up and let me and T'Pol know. For now, we will limit knowledge of it to the Bridge crew and see how it all works out."

Just then the communicator beeped. Archer answered and Hoshi informed him everyone had returned to their ships and were awaiting orders.

Upon returning to the bridge, Archer noticed that everyone was present and at their stations. T'Pol went to her station while Trip stood by. Archer told Travis to lay in a course for Earth. He then indicated to Hoshi to connect him with all ships.

"This is Captain Archer; Lieutenant Mayweather will be sending you our route back to Earth. As soon as you are all ready we will proceed to Earth at Warp 6. Everyone stay alert, there is a good chance the Romulans may be waiting for us."

Getting okays for all ships, the fleet began its journey back to Earth.

Archer turned to Malcolm, "Malcolm, Trip needs some help with a project he is working on. You are relieved to accomplish that."

Malcolm showed surprise for a second and then said, "Understood, Sir," and followed Trip off the Bridge.

Archer then continued, "Hoshi, contact Ensign Rodgers and have her report to the bridge."

Things stayed uneventful for the next few hours. They kept in contact with Earth and learned what had been happening. They found out that the Vulcans were heading back to Vulcan and that five Andorian ships were heading their way to escort them back to Earth.

Then, in the next few hours, several changes occurred.

They lost contact with Earth but were contacted by the Andorian fleet heading their way. Both fleets knew that if the Romulans were still in the area, it was likely Enterprise and the others would encounter them before the Andorians could reach them.

Then, Archer got a call from Soval saying he needed to talk with him.

When Archer contacted him from his Ready Room, the concerns Archer felt when he heard the Vulcan fleet was returning home were intensified when Soval informed him T'Pau had ordered him to chart a different path back to Vulcan.

Archer said resignedly, "It appears that T'Pau is reluctant about joining any Alliance against the Romulans."

Soval admitted, "I am afraid that is true for now, but I still think there is hope her mind can be changed. As for my path correction, I have informed Captain Sopek to change course by one degree. We should still remain close enough to help if trouble should occur."

Archer stared at him, "I don't think T'Pau will be very happy about that."

"Then she should clarify her orders."

Archer said earnestly, "Thank you, Soval."

Soval went on, "T'Pau also said I have become too close to Humans and the Andorians. I am afraid she may be right." He hesitated, "I grieve for what happened on Earth, but I never felt more strongly that if we cannot form an Alliance, we all will face the same scenario."

"Thanks again, Soval, and I am afraid I agree with you."

While he was in the Ready Room, Archer put in a call to Shran, arranging to talk privately.

Shran spoke first, "What is so important Archer, that I needed to leave the bridge."

"What I am about to tell you is for your ears only. Only my bridge crew knows anything about it."

"All right, you have my attention. You know I will not reveal it unless it is something that is vital for my government and people to know."

"If this works out, we will be both be notifying our governments." He paused and said, "We may have a way to find Romulan ships when they are cloaked."

Shran about fell off his chair. He had never expected to hear anything like that. Stunned, he asked how that could be possible and what did he mean, they could have a way.

Archer then explained the whole thing. The circumstances of how they had received the device from the future and what had happened at the minefield, and the work Trip and T'Pol had done.

Shran just sat there stunned, hardly able to believe what he was hearing. When Archer had finished, he said, "That is about the wildest tale I have ever heard. There are less than five individuals that I would hear that from and even consider it to be true. But you are at the top of the list. Of course, you realize what this could mean."

"Yes, and that is why secrecy is so important. Here is why I am telling you this now. T'Pol pointed out that if we do find them and use that information to win the battle, the secret could get out. So, when we do 'see' them, I will send the coordinates secretly to you and you will say your scanners detected something just for a moment like a ship and then it was gone. We will then act on that information."

Shran had to smile, "That sounds pretty weak."

"Your right, but I am hoping that since no one would ever suspect that we could possibly have such a device and since the sighting comes from you, not anyone on Enterprise, we might just get away with it."

"With what is at stake, I am willing to try. Send the coordinates via this protocol, only I will see them."

"Thanks, Shran, and I hope we get to find out if it works or not."

"Me, too." Then he did his irritating smirk, "I must say, you Humans still continue to manage to surprise me. Did you get anything else from the future?"

Archer smiled, "Goodbye, Shran."

A few hours later, the miracle occurred, T'Pol announced, barely hiding the emotion in her voice that she had found the Romulan ships. There were eleven ships heading for them at Warp 7. Since the device had a greater range than normal long-range sensors, it was doubtful the Romulans had detected them.

Archer immediately sent the coordinates to Shran and when the Romulans were in scanner range, Shran did his act and informed Archer and the fleet of what he had 'seen'. Archer then ordered the fleet to drop out of warp.

Tribune Kratar had more than enough of this mission. Nothing had gone as expected. The original plan was that after sowing destruction on Earth, he would wait nearby for Enterprise and the others to arrive. The arrival of the allied fleet had put a big crimp in those plans. If he waited around he would be in reach of that fleet when he attacked Archer.

But he had no real way of finding Archer if he went out searching. So, he compromised and moved some distance from Earth to see what happened. Perhaps the fleet would leave. But then he saw five Andorian ships leave orbit and head out to space. He quickly realized they were going to intercept Enterprise and the others and escort them back. He would then be outnumbered.

He decided he had one chance. He used his long-range scanners to determine the course the Andorians were on. He then took a desperate gamble and moved along that same course ahead of the Andorians hoping he could stay far enough ahead to engage and destroy Enterprise before the Andorians caught up with him. He did not know what their maximum speed was but pushed his fleet to warp 7.

Kratar did not know it, but he had finally caught a little luck. The five Andorian ships were not top of the line and could only do warp 5. He quickly outdistanced them. Now he could only hope that the course he was following would lead him to the others.

A little to his surprise, his plan worked out and his scanner finally picked up Enterprise and the others. But then, to his surprise, they dropped out of warp. Why had they done that? He finally decided they were in contact with the Andorian fleet behind him and were waiting for them before proceeding. The Andorians had been out of range of scanners for some time, but he didn't know how far they were behind him. He decided he had no time to waste. He ordered his ships out of warp and as they approached the fleet, ordered his ships to prepare to decloak and attack.

T'Pol announced to Archer that the Romulans had dropped out of warp and were presumably ready to decloak. Archer knew he was pushing his luck at keeping this secret but figured he could cover any questions by saying that assuming Shran had seen something, they would soon be arriving. He thus announced he had seen them start to decloak before they did and opened fire. As the ships he hit began to appear he ordered the other ships to fire into the same area. To his amazement, their fire was completely effective, it was as if their ships were unshielded. As they continued to wreak havoc, he wondered why the other ships did not return fire. The few that managed to decloak were quickly destroyed. In a remarkably short time, it was over. With little or no damage to his ships, the Romulan ships had been destroyed or damaged. Then to his further amazement, the damaged ships immediately exploded, evidently self-destructing.

The fleet returned to Warp, met up with the Andorian fleet, and joined with them.

As they got closer to Earth, Archer asked Gral, Soval, and Shran to join him, Trip, and T'Pol aboard Enterprise.

He quickly told the others what he had previously told Shran and received a similar reaction. They didn't want to believe it but had no other explanation of what had happened. They all agreed to keep the secret and reveal it only to the highest levels of their governments.

Archer then asked if anyone had explanations for how easily the Romulans had been destroyed and why they had not even returned fire.

T'Pol spoke first, "I have been considering possibilities since the battle. Although I am not cognizant as to how the cloaking works, I would believe it would take enormous amounts of energy. It could be possible that it would take that energy from other functions of the ship."

Gral spoke up, "Are you saying you think they do not have the ability to protect themselves when they are cloaked?"

T'Pol nodded, "I believe that is possible, yes."

Trip shook his head, "This just means it is even more imperative we keep this secret. Just think about it, a much larger fleet could be destroyed the same way we did this one." Then he went on, getting more excited, "And if we could build more devices, other ships would be able to see them as well."

Soval joined in, "But since you did not develop the technology, and it is from the future, would it not be difficult to replicate it?"

T'Pol answered, "Difficult but not necessarily impossible, it may be that we can duplicate it without fully understanding it."

Just then, the communicator in the room beeped. Archer reached up and pushed it, "Archer here."

"Captain, we have just regained contact with Earth. I assume you would like to talk to Starfleet."

Archer smiled, "I would indeed."

He turned to the others, "We can continue this conversation later. I am sure our superiors will have many of the same questions."

Back on Earth, the vigil continued, as everyone anxiously waited for news. Then it came. Over all news media, Starfleet issued the following message: "Starfleet Command has regained contact with Enterprise. The remaining Romulan ships have been engaged and destroyed. Enterprise and the rest of the fleet should reach Earth in the next six hours."

Pandemonium broke out all over Earth. Grateful prayers were made and spontaneous celebrations broke out. In a local bar, Harry Waters, with a huge smile on his face, slapped the man next to him on his shoulders, "I told you Joe, I told you that Archer would come through. You just can't kill that bastard."

When Enterprise entered orbit around the Earth, Jonathan Archer looked down at it with T'Pol at his side.

He didn't know that the final death toll in Geneva would be 175,943 and that the President's wife and children would be among them.

He didn't know that 1,210 soldiers had died defending earth, including one Acting Captain Christopher Stallings.

What he did know was that he had returned to a much different Earth than the one he left, one that would never be the same.

And, as pictures of Enterprise entering orbit came with the news that all of the crew were all right, Natalie Tucker and Mercy McBride finally surrendered to a peaceful sleep.