To Forget and Each Other Forgive
Title: To Forget and Each Other Forgive Author: Lopaka Tanu Disclaimer: I do not own Enterprise. Characters: Archer, Reed Words: 708 Fandom: StarTrek: Enterprise Pairing: Archer/Reed Rating: Teen Warnings: Language, Emotional Baggage Summary: Restoring a balance is easier physically than mentally. Author's Note: Spoilers, 3.17 "Hatchery." - For TK. "I still can't believe you did that to me. To me! On the bridge no less." Reed sat forward in his chair staring across the table at his lover. "Insect inspired or not, you were out of line!"
"I don't know what to tell you, Malcolm." Jon returned his lover's stare, his features tightly controlled.
"How about what the bloody hell you were thinking. Relieving both me and T'Pol of duties. Threatening to do the same to both Trip and the Doctor was just sheer madness. Then placing a Maco, a man with no ship's experience, in command. Phlox's bats would have been a better choice!"
"I told you, it was nothing personal. I felt you were a threat to my...to the eggs."
"Fuck the eggs! I did not target the Xindi ship on the planet, you had no right to make that judgment call. I am starting to suspect more than just your priorities are faulty."
"Now that's enough!" Jon shot out of his chair. Leaning across the table towards Reed, he narrowed his eyes. "I did what I thought was necessary to insure their survival. That means nothing about my ability to command."
"You're wrong. Any competent captain would have arranged our resources in such a way that no one would have questioned his judgment despite his change in priorities. You left us all to hang for a few roaches not worth stomping." He smirked at the death glare Jon was sending his way. "Face it, you were weak. Consider this, what would you have done if I had let that Xindi ship escape to bring back reinforcements? There is no telling where their people were, that they would be receptive to your overtures, or that they would even accept those baby Xindi."
"What are you talking about?"
"You don't get it, do you? There is no guarantee that they wouldn't bomb the hell out of the ship from orbit just because we had been there let alone risk any of their people on what could be a booby trapped ship. For all we know they lack a biological imperative to protect the offspring of another Insect Xindi not of their own. That would explain why they have developed the spray in the first place."
Jon fell back in his chair, face down cast. He heaved a sigh. "I hadn't thought about that." His voice carried a lost tone. "I only wanted to get them home safely. It just seemed wrong that they had to suffer for the mistakes of others."
"I know that, Jon. But you went about it the wrong way."
Nodding he looked up hopefully at Reed.
"But it isn't the first time, captain." He tried not to be too harsh, but this was very important. "You've lost control, not only of yourself, but the entire ship. People have started to question your judgment."
"I suppose you are one of those people."
"No." Breathing heavily, he swallowed. "Or at least I try not to be. It's...sometimes you make it hard, leaving me no room to maneuver."
"I'm sorry."
"We have to take a break, Jon. Regroup, pull our wits about us and try to make some sense out of all this. There has to be some explanation."
"What do you suggest I do, Malcolm?"
"Turn command over to T'Pol, not forever, just a little while." Standing, he slowly made his way around the captain's mess table. "You need to rest, Jon. You're under too much pressure and it is starting to get the better of us all."
Jon stood when Malcolm reached his side. "Just a little while."
"Just a little while," he agreed.
Grabbing Malcolm's hands in his own, he brought them to his chest. He stared into the pleading eyes of his lover. There was an emotion he had thought never to see in them. Fear. Finally, with a regretful nod, he spoke. "I'll see to it."
"Thank you, sir." Pulling his hands back, he wrapped them around the older man in a grateful embrace.
"I'm sorry, Malcolm." Resting his head on top of Reed's, Jon tugged him close. Tears choked his words. "I'm so sorry. I'm just so damned tired. Why can't it all to be over?"