Never and Always...

Disclaimer: Star Trek: Enterprise is the property of CBS/Paramount. All original material herein is the property of its author.

Chapter 7: Three Steps Forward

NX-02 Columbia
Spacedock, orbiting Earth

Erika Hernandez had actually begun to fear that this day would never come. As she rode the turbolift down to engineering, she realized she'd lost count of how many times she had faced the depressing possibility that Columbia would never leave Spacedock. With each prospective engineer's bungled attempt at implementing the new modifications recommended by Trip Tucker in February, the rumors had grown: Columbia was cursed. Hexed. Doomed never to launch at all.

But what had taken a parade of engineers months to hopelessly bollox up, Lorian had made sublimely functional in only three weeks. Even he had been surprised at how well the engines had responded during the final warp trials today. Every parameter had been met or exceeded, every scenario completed successfully. The new modifications—many of which Lorian had supplied to Tucker in the first place, in the Delphic Expanse—were operating as smoothly as if they'd been part of Columbia's original design specs. Hell, even the tweaks Lorian and Karyn had made to the navigational systems on the bridge worked like a dream.

Hernandez had taken great satisfaction in calling up Admiral Gardner to inform him that, after another week or so of minor pre-launch final touches and the loading of supplies, Columbia would be ready for her debut at last. She had been sure to give Lorian the credit he was due, which had tickled Gardner. His fondness for the E² bunch was well known.

Hernandez entered engineering expecting to see Lorian's crew lined up for some kind of congratulatory speechifying by their new chief. But it looked like business as usual...the crew at their posts, attending to their duties. From the doorway, Hernandez scanned the vast, humming room. Finally she spotted Lorian on the catwalk above the warp reactor, in quiet conversation with a young crewman. The kid's face was shining with pride as Lorian spoke calmly to him. Then, with a nod, Lorian moved on, leaving the crewman grinning happily to himself as he returned to work.

Lorian stopped at the next station to address the crewmember there, a fresh-faced young woman. Hernandez saw the same lovely scenario play out: the woman's face lit up at her boss's words, she responded eagerly with a few comments of her own, then Lorian gave her a farewell nod and went on his way, leaving a thrilled young crewman behind.

He's thanking them, Hernandez realized. Not bunching them together in a line and spouting a prefab speech at them, but going to them one by one and thanking them personally. Knowing Lorian, he was probably singling out each crewman's specific contribution to the last three weeks' round-the-clock whirlwind of concentrated effort that had resulted in today's resounding success.

A passing ensign caught sight of Hernandez and drew in a breath, undoubtedly to sing out, "Captain on deck!" Hernandez held up her hand to keep him silent. She wanted to stay anonymous for now, and simply watch.

Lorian made the rounds of the entire engine room, leaving a uniformly enthused crew in his wake. By the time he descended the metal stairway to the ground floor, the captain had quietly slipped out.

Lorian entered his quarters still exhilarated from the day's accomplishments. Captain Hernandez had announced shipwide that Columbia was now expected to launch on her maiden voyage within ten days, as soon as the embassy memorials were concluded.

As he began shrugging out of his jumpsuit, Lorian saw the message indicator blinking on his terminal. He called up the message—and stopped, half-dressed, staring at the text on the viewscreen.

Karyn arrived fresh from her bridge shift, exuding the same heady excitement as Lorian. "What a day! The helm performed as well as Enterprise ever did! The captain's so happy, I don't think her feet are even touching the..." Her voice trailed off as she saw Lorian transfixed before the viewscreen, his jumpsuit bunched incongruously around his waist. "What is it? What's wrong?"

Lorian turned to her, his face unreadable. "I have good news and bad news," he intoned solemnly.

She went to him, concerned, wondering what he was hesitating to tell her. He took her hand as he continued. "The bad news is...we will not be able to marry in secret, as we have discussed."

So. Secretly engaged forever. Karyn sighed. She didn't feel as disappointed as she expected, though. Just being with Lorian, she had realized these past weeks, was more than enough to keep her happy. Not wanting him to feel too badly about it, she smiled. "It's all right, love, as long as I have you. Now tell me the good news."

In reply, Lorian took her by the shoulders and positioned her in front of the message on the viewscreen. Karyn read:

FROM: ARCHER, J., CAPT., NX-01 ENTERPRISE
TO: LORIAN, CMDR. / ARCHER, K., LT., NX-02 COLUMBIA
RE: MARRIAGE + COLUMBIA

PER ADM. GARDNER — SET THE DATE!!

There was more to the message, but Karyn didn't see any of it. She was too busy whooping with joy, leaping into Lorian's arms. He twirled her around, delighting in her laughter, contentedly accepting the kisses she showered on his face. Finally he captured her mouth with his and proceeded to kiss her breathless.

At last Karyn pulled away, her eyes shining, her smile bright enough to put a supernova to shame. She was an exquisite sight. Lorian felt a smile gracing his own face as he continued to gaze happily at her.

She tried to glare at him. "You should be ashamed, you know. You're getting way too much like your father, pulling a practical joke like..." With a little gasp, she stared at him in wonder. "Lorian, you have dimples."

He realized he must be smiling quite broadly. "Yes," he acknowledged. "So does my father." He couldn't resist adding playfully, "You did not know?"

She cupped his face in her hands, tracing the tiny indentations in his cheeks, captivated. "I've never seen you smile like this."

He shrugged casually, but his eyes were dancing. "Apparently, the joy you bring me has exceeded even the ability of my Vulcan half to maintain a semblance of its characteristic composure."

Karyn fairly melted at his words. "We'll have to do something about that. We can't have everyone seeing those dimples, my husband-to-be."

"I shall reserve them for you alone," Lorian vowed softly. "Will that satisfy you, my wife-to-be?"

"It's a start." She kissed each dimple in turn, then fell hungrily upon his lips again. Their kiss quickly deepened into a full-body clinch that had them both tugging at each other's clothes.

Karyn began kissing her way down Lorian's chest, pulling off various articles of clothing as she went. Lorian, his entire body tingling with desire, tried to keep his voice even. "We must ascertain whether Captain Hernandez has any objection to our marrying and remaining aboard Columbia. Do you wish to do so now...or later?"

Karyn paused at his naked waist and pondered his question. For about two and a half seconds. "Later." And she went back to what she was doing, moving significantly lower. Lorian groaned, tangling his fingers in her hair—

—And the comm sounded. "Hernandez to Lorian."

Karyn fell away from Lorian and sat back on the floor, clapping her hands over her mouth to stifle her half-moan, half-giggle of frustration. Lorian gave her a quick kiss on the top of her beautifully mussed hair before taking a steadying breath. "Lorian here, Captain," he answered, his voice sounding much calmer than his body.

"Have you eaten yet, Commander?"

Lorian glanced at Karyn. She rolled her eyes, stifling a squeal of laughter, her hands still secure over her mouth. "Not quite, Captain," he replied.

"Join me in the Captain's Mess then," Hernandez said. "I have a matter to discuss with you."

"Lieutenant Archer and I have news for you as well, Captain. Would you mind if she joined us?"

"Not at all. See you in half an hour?"

"We'll be there. Lorian out."

He turned away from the comm panel to see Karyn wriggling out of her jumpsuit and black undershirt, her eyes dark with desire. "Karyn, we are meeting the captain in half an hour."

She rose and slid sinuously into his arms again. Without uniforms to separate them, the sensation was decidedly more tactile. He could not suppress a gasp of pleasure. Karyn smiled wickedly. "I don't need half an hour to get ready."

Hernandez was still on a high, spending much of dinner waxing rhapsodic with Lorian and Karyn about Columbia's superb performance during trials that day, particularly her engines and navigational systems. "You certainly have inherited your father's penchant for miracle-working, Commander," she told Lorian. "You've done an outstanding job."

"Not I alone," Lorian demurred. "The crew's performance has been exemplary. They are a dedicated and determined group. You chose them well."

Hernandez couldn't help but smile at Lorian's quiet humility. "I'll call it a team effort, then." She sat back with her tea. "Before we get to my little matter, let's hear your news."

Lorian and Karyn glanced at each other. This was the final hurdle. With careful deliberation, Lorian placed his hand lightly over Karyn's on the table—a significant gesture, done as it was in front of the captain. "Admiral Gardner has given his approval for Lieutenant Archer and myself to marry while continuing to serve together aboard Columbia. If you have no objection, Captain."

Hernandez broke into a grin. "Hot damn!" she declared with satisfaction. "I, for one, will be glad to be rid of this ridiculous policy of official ignorance. No, I have no objection! Yes, get married! But I want to be there."

Lorian and Karyn visibly relaxed. "The admiral said the same thing," Karyn remarked. "By all means, Captain, you're invited."

"Congratulations to both of you," Hernandez said warmly. "When's the big day? Any plans made?"

"None as yet," Lorian replied. "Although we have apparently begun a VIP guest list."

The captain laughed heartily. "It's lucky that you didn't have to get all of HQ to okay this. You wouldn't have room left for anybody you know." She took a sip of her tea before inquiring casually, "When will you be needing joint quarters?"

Karyn blushed delicately, as Lorian almost imperceptibly tightened his hold on her hand. Hernandez noticed anyway. "We are ready now, Captain," he stated evenly.

Hernandez eyed them over the rim of her mug. "I figured as much. Sneaking into each other's rooms at night is a lot of fun, but those crew bunks are way too small."

This time she was rewarded with a deep green-bronze blush from Lorian himself. Without missing a beat, she nodded, her eyes twinkling. "I'll see what I can do."

Karyn dissolved into a charming giggle, collapsing against Lorian's shoulder. And bless him, he actually seemed to be taking the ribbing with good humor, despite his embarrassment. Hernandez rose to refill her tea mug at the sideboard, giving the two of them a moment. And herself as well, truth be told. Teasing a Vulcan was simply irresistible. She wondered if Jon thought the same way about T'Pol.

When she returned to her seat, the commander and his bride-to-be had recovered their composure. Hernandez got down to business. "Before Columbia launches, only one major task remains for me: the selection of my first officer. I just so happen to have two crewmen with experience at the job, sitting right here at this table."

Lorian and Karyn traded a look, but said nothing. They'd been so focused on their work, they hadn't thought about this possibility for weeks.

Hernandez smiled at Karyn. "Lieutenant, you're something of a prodigy, having been promoted to XO at the tender age of twenty-one. Highly qualified though you are, however, I fear that your age will work against you for a little while yet." The captain's gaze shifted to Lorian. "That leaves you, Commander."

Lorian opened his mouth to speak, but Hernandez held up her hand. "I don't make this offer lightly, Lorian. If you take it on, I will work you too hard, give you far too much to do, and make serious inroads into your free time...which you have very good reason to safeguard, especially now."

Lorian hesitated. "Before we discuss your offer further, I must inform you that I have applied for the captaincy of the NX-03, which has begun construction."

Hernandez brightened. "I should have guessed," she said approvingly. "The NX-class is tailor-made for you."

"If I am selected, I would be obliged to leave Columbia in only a few months. My departure might leave you at an unfair disadvantage, particularly if I were your first officer."

Hernandez considered it. "True, continuity of the command staff is always a plus; it provides stability for the crew. But because Columbia has had such a rocky start, I believe your experience and expertise with the NX-class and her engines supercedes the risk of my losing you permanently." She leaned forward, addressing him intently. "More importantly, I trust your judgment, Lorian. You've been a great sounding board these last few weeks. I find that invaluable. I wouldn't hesitate leaving the ship in your keeping. My offer stands."

"I am honored," Lorian stated gravely.

Hernandez sat back, nodding to Karyn. "You two take all the time you need to talk it over, of course. It concerns you equally now."

Karyn smiled at her. "We've discussed the various possibilities that might arise for Lorian. I'll support any decision he makes."

Hernandez turned to Lorian. "Quite a lady you have there, Commander."

"Indeed yes." Lorian was silent for a long moment, mentally running a myriad of scenarios, endeavoring to determine the best course for his captain and ship, his future wife, his career, and himself. At last he addressed Hernandez. "If you are confident that I can best serve Columbia, and you, as her first officer as well as her chief engineer..." —he arched an eyebrow— "...and if we can negotiate regarding the free time issue...I accept."

Hernandez laughed out loud. "Done." And with a handshake, Commander Lorian became second-in-command of the starship Columbia.

-tbc-