Archive of Our Own

Where did they even get that ridiculous imagery anyway? Humans are a strange bunch alright, that's for sure. Maybe that's why I find them so fascinating. They're odd, especially in the ways they've found to combat love, but when they do finally embrace the facts it's exquisitely beautiful. I find myself intrigued and impressed while simultaneously dumbfounded by them at times.

These two for instance....

A male named Jonathan Archer and a female called Erika Hernandez.

I have a sixth sense for true, soul intertwining, love. I can quite literally sense it between two people. It's a intuitiveness that only a few of theses humans seem to posses while others ignore it completely. In effect I tend to know when love is blooming before the two people I watch are even aware of it.

Archer and Hernandez are no different. I've been watching them for many daylight exchanges now. They're oblivious to me, as all humans are, but I still be careful and watch from a respective distance. It's such a simplistic love these two share. It's simply natural for them. Their friendship pulls them together, but their love binds them for eternity. I can tell that they will go far together.

But what's this?

Time moves, time changes situations , and time is cruel at times. These two are destined to be together, as were so many before them, yet they move further away from the other. Bipeds are exceedingly stubborn creatures, clueless to the truths of the universe, and insistent on making things harder for themselves. Through time and space I hover, listening in, and hoping they won't do what I'm half-way certain they'll do....

"It's for the best, Jon. You're a captain now and I'm heading on to the Republic," the female says.

I can tell she is doing only what she thinks is right, but her words sting even me.

"You're right, of course. I know that," the male relents. "It doesn't make it easier."

"This doesn't have to be goodbye. We're just...going forward with our lives. It's not the end."

The Hernandez is correct, at least partially. A quick peek into the future and it's easy to see that it's not the 'end' in the literal sense. I'm saddened to see that this is, however, a farewell that will last for several of what they consider 'years'. It's the end of one phase of their love era, but the next will start anew soon. I will wait and when the time comes I will be there. It's a good thing I don't grow old at the rate they do. Humans really are exceedingly slow.

The next time I check in on the Hernandez and the Archer much of their time has passed, but they intercept each other again just as I knew they would. It's not the joyous reunion like others I have witnessed though. The joy is dampened by the guilt and pain that the Archer has experienced. The Hernandez, being the devoted friend that she is, doesn't allow him to wallow in his abundance of feelings for long.

There is something about a mountain and climbing. I'll never understand humans' recreational preferences. They can do better that this 'mountain climbing' though. I'm not as impressed as I could be. They are reunited and for now that is enough. There's something else coming though. Something a few more of their years away.

Yes, now this could be interesting.....

Jonathan Archer probably shouldn't have been so surprised to walk into his quarters and find her there. They had a mutual understanding that they were both welcome in the other's quarters at any time. It was a sight for sore eyes anyway to see her sitting comfortably on his cot reading a book as if all were well with the universe. They both knew the universe was really anything but 'well' at the moment.

The ease and comfort she displayed was inviting though and he found himself standing just inside his own quarters watching her quietly with a half-smile. It wasn't meant to last though. She obviously knew he'd entered and after a few seconds of no greeting on his part she looked up with a crooked little smile that always made his stomach twist. Only Erika Hernandez could give him butterflies.

"Hope you don't mind that I stopped by," she said in greeting. It was only a formality since they both knew he didn't mind in the least.

As she put the book down he caught sight of unrecognizable words in a language he'd never seen that he wouldn't even begin attempting to pronounce. When she began to stand he finally moved away from his spot in front of the door. A bark, sounding oddly like a complaint, followed her standing and with a quick glance to the cot he realized Porthos had been laying between her and the bulkhead and apparently didn't approve of her moving.

Erika followed his gaze and waved a hand in the dog's general direction. "He refused to sleep anywhere else."

"Yeah, that sounds like him alright," he said with a chuckle. The laugh fell short quickly though. He just didn't have reason, perhaps not even the right, to be that happy. Not with the ever growing threat looming closer.

"Jon?"

At the sound of his name he looked back up at Erika, not even having realized he'd been staring at Porthos so distantly. "Sorry. I guess I'm a little distracted this evening." He sat down on the edge of the cot and began taking off his boots. "I thought you'd be on Columbia tonight to get ready for your departure tomorrow."

Erika sat down next to him and he could feel her eyes watching him. "Columbia is already ready. We only had a few bumps and bruises compared to Enterprise this time. So I thought I'd stop by and visit before we have to leave since I doubt we'll have the chance for long winded goodbyes in the morning."

At the thought of them separating again he had the urge to pull her as close and humanly possible and never let go. It wouldn't be logical or practical though and he could just imagine Starfleet's reaction to two conjoined captains. A reassuring hand on his shoulder broke him from that little fantasy.

"It won't be for long, Jon," Erika said softly, somehow reading his mind like she always did. "We'll see each other again soon."

He wasn't sure how she could be so confident in that. There was a war on the horizon and it grew closer and closer with each passing day. "How do you know that?" he asked, a tinge of anger lacing his voice. "How do you know any of us will be alive to see the end of this? The Romulans...."

"I know, Jonathan," Erika interrupted. "I know." She smiled a sad smile and brushed her fingers through his hair comfortingly. He leaned into the touch automatically and wrapped an arm around her from the side. "We can't control what might happen, only take it one step at a time."

"I know," he breathed out, his eyes closing as he slowly relaxed, if only minutely. "I've gotten used to seeing you so often these last few weeks."

For several weeks now Enterprise and Columbia had been making rounds around the sector together, carrying dignitaries and ensuring safety for the area. While much of it was monotonous, it had been nice to have Erika so close for awhile. However after the surprise ambush by the Romulans it almost assuredly meant war and so the two ships were parting for separate missions. Between the looming war and Erika's departure he'd fallen into a self-dug hole of despair.

"You'll see me again soon."

He sighed, but wasn't angry at her confidence this time. Instead he turned to face her on the bed and pulled her to his chest until she was practically in his lap. "Erika..."

To his surprise she laughed. "Jon, I'm serious. I received another set of orders before I came over here. Columbia is going to meet up with the Enterprise in a couple of months."
 
He loosened his grip and pulled back just enough to make eye contact. "What?"

With a light heartened smirk she nodded her head towards the computer terminal on his desk. "Maybe you should consider checking your messages."

"Yeah," he said, smiling genuinely for the first time in what felt like all day. "I probably should. I think I have a better idea though." With that he leaned over and kissed her, foregoing the usual tenderness and unleashing the desperation he still felt bubbling inside over her leaving. Judging by the way she began unzipping his uniform he assumed she liked his idea as well.

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Well, that explains the call I felt to be here. I believe I'll vacate the area before I see something I don't particularly want to witness though. I almost feel bad for the Porthos creature having to remain. Almost though, but not really. That creature is far too loud for it’s own good.