Daniels glanced at Archer, and then back at Kirk.

"You recognize me, sir?" Daniels asked.

"Of course I do," Kirk said.

Daniels gave Kirk a blank look. He again looked back at Archer, whose very faint smirk gave the impression he was enjoying the predicament Daniels had found himself.

"Captain Kirk, I don't see how that's possible," Daniels said.

"Well, don't you serve on my ship?" Kirk asked. "I'm not too old to remember at least some of the names of my officers, you know."

"Yes, but…" Daniels started. What was he going to say, that he was a time traveler and not really a member of his crew? Daniels had no clue how Kirk knew who he was.

"I really don't understand why you're so surprised I remember your name, Commander," Kirk said. "Would you like to explain it to me?"

Daniels offered a nervous smile. He really didn't know what to say. He hadn't predicted being in the same room with Kirk, let along talking with him face-to-face. The fact he was a legend made it even more uncomfortable.

"I'm just…having my ego stroked a little bit, Captain…something I'm not used to. I'm honored you remember my name, since we haven't actually served together."

Kirk gave Daniels a surprised look. Archer was becoming more delighted by the moment.

"What the devil are you talking about, Daniels?" Kirk said. "We've served together lots of times."

"We…have?" Daniels said. He was out of ways to hide the perplexed situation he was in.

"Of course," Kirk responded. "You just never knew it."

"'Never…knew…it'…I see," Daniels repeated slowly. "Captain, I'm afraid you have me at a disadvantage. I…really don't know what you mean."

Kirk chuckled. "Of course you don't. That's been the point."

"'The point'?"

Archer continued to stand motionless and quiet, but the enjoyment he was having was quickly giving way to curiosity. What exactly was Kirk talking about?

"That's right, Daniels," Kirk said. He let out a long exhale. "You know who I am, right?"

"Well, of course, sir. You're Captain James T. Kirk."

"That's right," Kirk said. "Do you know who else I am?"

Daniels hesitated, and slowly shook his head. "No…I guess I don't."

"I am indeed Captain James T. Kirk. I am the commanding officer of the U.S.S. Enterprise." Kirk hesitated. "I am also Commander in Chief of the Temporal Alliance."

Daniels stood still, not understanding what Kirk was saying. Archer didn't understand, either, but it was enough to eliminate any enjoyment he was having.

"Oh, goodness. Two of them!" Archer said.

Daniels quickly glanced at Archer, and then back at Kirk, who was grinning.

"I don't understand, Captain," Daniela said.

"What do you mean, you don't understand?" Archer asked. He extended his arm out towards Kirk "He's a temporal agent just like you!"

Daniels' mouth dropped open just a little.

"What?"

"It's true," Kirk said. "Would you like to sit down? I have a lot to tell you." Kirk said as he motioned to the table.

"I don't believe this…I really don't believe this," Archer said, softly but annoyed.

The three men sat down at the conference table. Kirk took the head seat, with Daniels and Archer sitting on either side of him.

"You're probably wondering how James Kirk can be at all part of the temporal community," Kirk said to Daniels.

"That's one of many things I'm wondering right now, yes," Daniels said. "Another is if Captain Archer should be here to listen to what you have to say."

"Oh don't worry," Kirk said. "The captain won't remember the particulars of future elements that will contaminate the timeline."

Daniels gave Kirk a curious look. "How is that possible?"

"It's a little trick we picked up for the Organians. It's very complicated to explain, but very easily executed. It's in use right now, actually."

Archer gave Kirk a concerned look.

"Don't worry, Captain," Kirk said to Archer. "You will suffer no side affects and you will be completely unaware of the process."

Kirk then turned his attention back to Daniels.

"After I died on Veridian III and was buried by Captain Picard, my body was picked up by a team of temporal agents. I was revived in the 35th Century for the purpose of working for the Temporal Alliance."

"What's…the Temporal Alliance?" Daniels asked.

"I actually can't get into that,' Kirk said. "There are some things you need to learn as you go along."

Daniels looked annoyed.

"Not fun, is it Daniels?" Archer said with a smile.

"Needless to say, we've been watching your progress and evaluating your work, and you have done a remarkable job," Kirk said. "Excluding a few minor hiccups, you have been doing everything properly, including the involvement of Captain Archer here."

Archer's smile disappeared.

"Being in the position I am, I have the luxury of coming back to times I spent as captain of the Enterprise and re-experience some of the time that is now very distant to me. Sometimes, it's for no other reason than to reminisce. At such times. I'm able to replace myself, which I'm doing right now. At the same time, we wanted to give you a promotion to expand your role. I thought this was as good a time as any."

"Well…thank you, Captain Kirk," Daniels said. "Or…should I address you a different way?"

Kirk smiled. "No, that's fine…I like it. Besides, right now I am Captain Kirk, so it's appropriate."

Archer straightened out in his chair. "Captain, you say you are now working in the 35th Century. How long have you been there? How old are you, actually?"

Kirk chuckled. "In Earth years, you wouldn't believe me if I told you. I will say that 1,100 years from now, we can do amazing things to keep people living longer and looking younger. That gives me the ability to stay at my job for a very long time. Quite frankly, I enjoy it."

"So…" Daniels began, "you first spent 78 years in the Nexus, only to die in the 24th Century. Then you were returned to life after being transported to the 35th Century, and that's were you have been living?"

Kirk nodded. "That's correct."

"Is it sufficed to say you have been working more with this Temporal Alliance than you had in Starfleet?"

Kirk chuckled. "Very much so, yes. I will tell you that my body is hundreds of years old."

Archer gave Kirk a look with that in mind. "Not bad."

"Thank you, Captain," Kirk said. "I do what I can to stay in shape. As much as things have advanced in the 35th Century, people still need to keep themselves in good shape."

Daniels ignored the exchange. "Captain…there is so much I want to ask you…so much I would like to know."

"You will have much opportunity for that, Daniels, trust me," Kirk said. "But it's about time we send Captain Archer back to the 22nd Century."

"But I don't understand something, Captain," Archer said. "If all of what you said is true, then why did Daniels bring me back in the first place…with my blood? Why was that necessary?"

"Because…" Kirk said quickly, then paused, "in the original timeline, I did get infected with a rare disease, and I did die. You are indeed my ancestor, and your blood did save my life."

"But…that was just a week ago," Archer said.

"To you, it was a week ago, yes," Kirk said. "But to me, it was hundreds of years ago."

Archer shook his head, not wanting to understand. But Daniels smiled, as it made perfect sense to him.

"And if you're wondering why you came back, it's because I wanted to meet you again…as an equal Starfleet captain…on my ship. It's truly been an honor, Captain…or should I say, great-great grandfather."

Archer gave Kirk a quirky smile. "I wish I could appreciate it as much as you, but I feel like I barely know you."

"That's understandable, Captain," Kirk said. "But who knows…maybe one day we'll all be working together in the 35th Century."

Archer stood out of his chair. "Alright, I think that's my cue to be going. Would someone like to do the honors?"

Kirk and Daniels both got up as well. Kirk turned to Archer.

"Captain…truly…thank you for all you have done, and what you continue to do. Billions of people do, and will, benefit from it."

Archer gave Kirk a half smile. "You're welcome…I think."

Kirk laughed and Daniels chuckled. "It's been an honor, Captain," Kirk said again, "and enjoy."

With that, Archer instantly found himself walking out of the turbolift, making his way to his quarters, completely unaware where he was a moment ago. When he walked in, Porthos jumped up on him, very excited to see him.

"Ok, boy, ok. Hungry?"

Archer had no recollection of meeting Captain Kirk, or even the initial mission with Daniels. As far as he was concerned, none of those events happened.

As the door closed behind him, Porthos ran to his supper bowl. Then without warning, Archer heard what sounded like a whisper in his head say something. Archer discounted it, but then heard it again.

"James?" Archer said to himself. He stood for a moment, trying to recall why the name popped in his head.

"James," he repeated. "Interesting."

Archer walked over to get Porthos his dinner. At that same moment, somewhere in the far future, two men observed, smiling.

THE END