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The Long Road Home (Plot #3)

Author - vandiver | Genre - Action/Adventure | Genre - Angst | Genre - Season 3.5 Story | L | Main Story | Rating - PG-13 | T
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The Long Road Home

By vandiver49

Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters associated with Star Trek, I'm just borrowing them for a moment. Please don't sue; people in the Navy don't make that much money.

This story takes place after “Zero Hour" and neglects Enterprise’s jaunt into 1945.

_______________________________

(Prologue)

Gazing out the window at the pale blue dot he called home, Commander Tucker knows he should be thrilled. Against all odds, eighty-three star-bound souls were able to save countless billions. But that thought did nothing to assuage the hollowness of their victory.

“Commander?” Questioned an all too familiar voice.

“I was wondering how long it’d take you to come looking me T’Pol.” He acknowledged as she walked up beside him.

“You are a rather predictable individual.”

“So, how’s it going?”

“We have been cleared for entry into Space Dock upon our arrival.” She replied, gazing out the window with him.

“How’s everyone doing?”

“The crew’s anticipation of our return is quite palpable.” She answered, contemplating how best to broach the subject of her presence. Fortunately, he is kind enough to do it for her.

“He should be here. If there was anyone who deserved this, to enjoy this day, it’s him.”

“Captain Archer’s absence is greatly noticed.” She conceded. It is an admission that caused Trip to finally turn towards her.

Instantly all the grief and loss that has burdened his mind is dispelled as the same emotions and feelings clearly etched upon her countenance. She was attempting to deal with their friend’s death by herself and was failing miserably. “Wanna talk about it?”

For a moment, the impulse to rebuke his offer courses through her mind, an offer he had made freely on several occasions. But despite her best efforts he had stubbornly refused to leave her alone. Perhaps today it was time to try a different approach.

“Yes, your company would be appreciated.”

* * *

It’s the alarm that stirs him from his slumber. That incessant buzzing that causes an unsuspecting body to flail around in frustration until it is quieted. But his attempts are in vain as he realizes the alarm is out of place. His futile efforts cause him to sit upright in his bed, determined to silence the annoying racket.

“Lights” He commanded, knowing that the twinkling lights of distant stars would be far to dim to assist in his search. He shuts his eyes instinctively, affording them the opportunity to adjust as the brilliant illumination beats back the darkness. In his mind he expects to be greeted by familiar haze gaze bulkheads and the multiple plasma displays of his cabin. Nothing could prepare him for his eye’s betrayal.

His vision is instead filled with the chestnuts hued walls of a place readily familiar. The room lacked a star filled porthole, save for the rays of light cascading through a window from the one star that truly matters. Slowly, he reaches over to the nightstand to silences the alarm, hoping the stillness will provide his mind with a moment of clarity.

“Rise and shine Captain.” A voice calls from the kitchen, shattering his introspection. He begrudgingly pulls himself out of bed, realizing that if anyone can provide some insight to his current confusion, it is him.

“Daniels?” He questions, slowly pulling himself up a chair as his former steward diligently prepared what smelled like a delicious breakfast.

“Coffee?” Daniels asked as he turns around with two plates filled with bacon, eggs and toast. “It looks like you could use a hearty meal.”

Archer muses to himself briefly on weather or not he should wait patiently for an explanation from his former steward. “OK Daniels, what gives? Where am I?”

Daniels looks down at him incredulously in response. “Come now Captain, surely you have a better question than that?”

“Fine, when am I?”

“When do you think you are?”

The cyclical remark only raises the Captain’s ire. “Look Daniels, I don’t have time to play games with you. I have to get back and destroy the…”

“Easy Captain, tell me, what is the last thing you remember?” Daniels interceded, placing a plate in front of the Captain and then himself.

“I remember being on the Xindi weapon,” Archer started, struggling for recollection, “we were trying to make our way out when…” He stopped abruptly, finally realizing what his mind has been so desperately trying to hide from him. “I didn’t think I was going to make it.”

“You’re right, you weren’t going to make it, which is why you’re here.”

“And where is here?”

“Earth. The Earth from your timeline.” Daniels answered while sipping thoughtfully from his coffee cup.

“So we did it? We saved Earth?”

“It’s still here isn’t it?” The time traveler replied, moving onto his eggs. “But that’s not you’re real question is it?”

“How did you save me?”

A casual smile graced Daniels’ lips as he answered. “Ah, a good magician never reveals his secrets.” But from the slump in his Captain’s shoulders, it appeared as though the answer no longer mattered. A dream that had been eight month in the making had finally been made manifest.

“Well Captain, if you’re not going to eat breakfast, I suggest you get moving.” Daniels redressed, sliding what appeared to be a VIP pass across the table. “You don’t want to be late.”

“Late for what?”

“If memory serves me correctly, I believe Enterprise’s homecoming reception is in twenty minutes.”

TBC

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A handful of people have made comments

"If memory serves me correctly, I believe Enterprise's homecoming reception is in twenty minutes." ::snicker:: Ha ha, Archer. Jeez, Daniels saves your life, but he couldn't even give you time to clean up.

I'm looking forward to reading this story.

Loving this so far, keep it up!

I'm hooked! I'll be watching for your next post! Thanks!

I can't wait to see everyone's reactions when Archer turns up at the homecoming ceremony! Talk about going for the big shock effect - WOW!. Ali D :~)

Blimey, that threw me when Archer suddenly turned up! What a terrific way to grab people's interest. Waiting impatiently for more now.