I Remember It Well!

I Remember It Well!

The older man entered the ballroom. Overwhelming. That was the only word he could think of. Overwhelming. He would never get used to the pomp and circumstance of official Starfleet ceremonies.

Yes, retired Admiral Archer was a simple man.

He thought that being out of the service for four years would eliminate him from these guest lists.  But apparently, nostalgia was even more popular than ever, and his career was…well, nostalgic.

Jonathon looked around. Plenty of new faces.  In fact, he couldn’t see one person he recognized.  He had hoped to see some of the old Enterprise crew. The ones that were left usually didn’t miss these Starfleet anniversary parties.  In fact, he recalled one particular party that ended with Malcolm and Hoshi...getting to know each other better.

But now, no one.  I guess as the years went on, they all had other things, more important things.  Families, careers.  He was proud that four of those original crewmen went on to captain their own ships.

But one face in particular had been missing for twenty years. The only face that he seemed to long for.  A fine officer, a friend. A soulmate.  She just disappeared.

T’Pol.

He knew she had returned to Vulcan shortly after the Enterprise mission was over.  She taught temporal physics at the Vulcan Science Academy, a feat in itself because to this day, most Vulcan scientist disavow time travel.  But, T’Pol could be very persuasive when she wanted to be.

“Sir…a drink?”

Archer took a Saurian brandy from the waiter’s tray.  Tasty.  Perhaps one of the best finds in the galaxy in the past thirty years!

He made his way through the crowd, shaking hands and smiling all the way. He was always the diplomat. The room was thick with important (and self-important) dignitaries. Admiral Jenkins. Captain Coy, who commands the first warp seven engine. Dr. Bearce, who developed the vaccine which saved two worlds from annihilation. Ambassador…

…Ambasador Mayweather!

 “Admiral!”

Travis looked as youthful as ever, although he had to be in his late fifties by now.

“Travis, how are you old friend?”

The two men embraced. They had not seen each other for a decade, since Archer had made him the official liason between Starfleet and Klingon.

“I am doing well, Sir. ‘qaleghnes!’”

“Well, my Klingon is rusty, but ‘qaleghnes’ to you as well! How is life on Kronos?”

“After ten years, still hard to get used to! I love the warrior attitude, but the food…well, it’s just…”

“Undercooked?”

They both laughed. Klingon food was never a favorite of Jonathons.

“Sir, I want to…”

Archer peered over Mayweather’s shoulder.  Through the crowd, he caught a glimpse of a figure coming through the door.  Dressed in a the traditional dress of the Vulcan Science Academy. T’Pol.

“Travis, excuse me…” Archer slipped past his old friend, and toward the door.

“Yes Sir.” Mayweather  wasn’t insulted by the abrupt exit once he saw who was at the entrance.

T’Pol spotted Archer walking towards her. She was sure that she had prepared properly for this reunion. She left abruptly twenty years ago, and was sure that had to be a strain on their friendship. But she had to take that chance.

Their friendship had become something more over those first years after the mission. It was a good escalation of feelings. It helped them both heal from the loss of Trip.  But eventually, she knew that they wanted different things.  She had the desire to return to Vulcan, and honor her family by teaching. And Jonathon…well, she knew he could never leave Starfleet.

Yes, It was the right decision.

“T’Pol!”

Jonathon spoke above the noise of the crowd. He was still ten feet away, but they both could feel the heat that still generated between them.

‘T’Pol, it’s good to see you.”

“Admiral, it is favorable to see you.” Her tone was more standard Vulcan than friendly.

“Please, use Jonathon.”

The two walked over to a quiet corner of the room. 

“Why have you been out of contact for so many years?”

She paused before answering. This was already feeling like a mistake.

“It has been very busy teaching at the Academy.”