Admiral Archer's Office

It's in my nature, kitten. You wouldn't know what to do if I didn't try that at least once, he thought back, amusement and love filling his mental voice.

Jim looked at him thoughtfully, "I think you'd say you would, but I have a feeling my crew would mutiny without Pock there."

Pax shook her head. We should return to their world, she told him slowly. We have the rest of our lives to spend hidden away in our mutual minds.

Pock turned to Archer. "I believe he has a point, Admiral."

Archer sighed. "Probably. Just don't press your luck, alright Kirk? Else I'll send your little girlfriend here to one corner of the Known Universe, and stick you clear at the other side. Got it?"

Do we really have to? he asked, hands squeezing her hips. Because I think Archer's having a fun time torturing Junior and mini-you.

"Of course you will, sir," Jim said innocently, a faint smile on his face.

Indeed, Pax told him, rubbing gentle circles into his shoulders with her thumbs. But surely we cannot allow the Admiral to have too much fun, can we?

"Don't you doubt me, Kirk!" Archer warned playfully. "I'm sure Pock here would be thankful for the break!" He clapped her affectionately on the shoulder, then winced. "Er... sorry."

Pock smirked. "It is inconsequential, Admiral."

James smiled. Are you kidding? He did that to me when I was captain. Only fair Junior gets his fair share. But if you insist, we'll go save him.

Jim smirked at Archer. "Sometimes, I'm sure she'd agree with you."

I insist, Pax teased. And with that said, she withdrew herself from his mind, untangling the tendrils of her thoughts from the hands of his.

"Believe me," Pock teased, a mischievous glint to her eyes. "I definitely would. Sometimes."

James pulled her back in for a brief, hard hug, before letting her go. His hand fell instinctively to the small of her back as it had so many times in their previous lives.

Jim's stomach clenched. Even though there had been mutual declarations of love, he was still worried that she would find someone better. Someone who would live as long as she would, so she wouldn't have to go through what Ambassador Pax did. And the fact that sometimes they did fight only worried him more. He knew that while every couple fought, he was consistently scared she'd get fed up and leave him.

James walked Pax over to where the others were standing. "Done with your tormenting of Junior here?" he asked Archer, a teasing note in his voice.

Pax rolled her eyes at her husband's teasing.

Archer, on the other hand, just chuckled. "Never," he said with a grin.

Pock noted the look of hurt on Jim's face, the insecurity that flashed briefly across her eyes. Archer was distracted by the Ambassador and the newly arrived Admiral Kirk, and even if he had been looking at Jim, she doubted he would have seen the telltale signs in his cold blue eyes. He didn't look at Jim the same way that she did.

She would ask him later what was wrong. She had a lump in her throat that said that maybe, just maybe, it was something she'd said.

James laughed. "Of course you aren't finished."

Jim distracted himself from his thoughts. "So, I believe we have an ambassador to pick up to take with us, along with Ambassador Pax?" he asked, turning to Archer.

Why was he so hesitant to talk to Pock about mentioning their relationship to Command? They'd have to soon, if they were going to continue with their relationship. However long she wanted their relationship to last, that was.

Archer grinned at the older Kirk. "So, now that the Ambassador has confirmed that you're not a Chameloid or something even worse, what can I do for you, Admiral? Anywhere in particular you want to go? Or maybe I can set you up with a position, somewhere to stay...?"

Pock moved to stand beside her captain. "He is correct, Admiral," she said. "We must meet the Romulan ambassador soon if Ambassador Pax is to make any headway with Empress Ael and the Romulan Star Empire."

Pax nodded. "Rihannsu do not like to be kept waiting," she chimed.

"Of course," Archer said. "You're free to go now, Enterprise. Ambassador."

James instinctively stepped closer to Pax, not wanting to be separated from her quite so soon. "I would rather stay with my wife, for the time being, Admiral. She and I have many things to discuss before I decide on what I want to do with the remainder of my life in this universe," he said. He glanced at Pax, a small smile on his face, knowing he was going to stay with her to the end of their days together.

Jim nodded, before raising his hand to salute Archer. "Aye, sir." He turned on his heal, making his way out of the room, knowing Pock would follow.

Archer nodded. "I'll fire your clearance papers to allow you to board onto the conference planet with your wife, Admiral. You're free to go as well."

Pax nodded at Archer. "Thank you, Admiral."

She followed Pock as all exited the room, on to make their way back to the Enterprise, and then onward to meet Pax's Romulan emissary.