Cmdr. Tucker was correct in his assertion that the captain would not believe what had happened at the inquest. Even after he heard it, Archer sat there at the bar in disbelief for several moments. When he had been led from the hall, he had believed that the delegates were fully siding with the Romulans against Earth. It seemed that except for Earth, each of the ambassadors were familiar with the Romulans and knew better than to take their story or evidence at face value. Tomorrow they would begin hearing the testimony of Columbia's survivors and Archer truly regretted that he could not be there to hear it. At least Trip and Malcolm would be able to let him know what was happening.
The first to testify was the ship's communications officer Ensign Lila Spencer. She explained that they had received a distress call from the Romulan vessel. When they arrived they were surprised to find nothing wrong with the ship. They attempted to contact the Romulans but they did not answer. She said Captain Hernandez found their behavior suspicious and decided it was best to leave the area, but before they could someone or something opened fire on the Romulan vessel. It appeared to come from their vicinity, but the Columbia never fired. The captain offered assistance once again, but the Romulans locked their weapons and began to attack. The crew did their best to protect and defend themselves, but their technology was no match for the Romulans. They continued unabated until the ship blew apart. The captain's last act was to order all crew to the escape pods, but there simply wasn't enough time. Records and voice recordings all corroborated her testimony.
Lila tried to keep her composure as she spoke, but more than once she had to stop to keep from breaking down completely. For her the attack and the destruction of the Earth ship were still very real. It invaded her thoughts constantly and at times she found herself reliving it in her mind. Coming to the inquest and testifying had been extremely difficult, but she felt she had owed it to her captain and crew. They deserved some measure of justice and so did she. Lila's testimony and cross-examination lasted all day, but despite the rawness of her emotions and her ongoing trauma, she held up admirably, even when the Romulans tried to discredit her.
The next day Archer was allowed to return to the inquest. This time the testimony was being given by a crewman working in the armory. His story was short, but he was able to give first hand knowledge that the initial shot that sparked everything had not come from the Columbia. At this point the delegates looked over the ship's manifests and records and indeed it backed up the crewman's story. There was no evidence that phase cannons were fired or torpedoes shot at the time stamp submitted by the Romulans. For Archer this was another victory in Erika's favor and he was relieved to see it.
The last two witnesses, the chef and a science officer were not called to testify since their positions had not placed them anywhere where they could speak regarding what had transpired between the ships. With all of the depositions from both sides and evidence from the two ships in hand, the delegates went off to deliberate. The captain was certain that between the two survivors, ship's logs and records, a verdict would be quick and in Earth's favor, but that was not the case. To his dismay a decision was not so swiftly given.
For months the delegates deliberated, arguing one way and then another. Archer was in no position to hear what was being said nor could he help sway the decision in Earth's favor. All he could do was wait and it grated on him. To him there should have been no debate and the answer simple and unanimous, but still there was no decision. At least during the day he had the distraction of advising on the new ships being built. Over the last five years they had experienced so many things, met so many species, and had gone through so many highs and lows, that he had a lot to say about what had worked well on the Enterprise and what had not. He also had a long list of suggestions that could make these new vessels better, stronger and more formidable. Archer also drew on the expertise of both Commander Tucker and Lt. Reed who were invaluable to him.. As they went over the specs of various weapons and picked what worked best and optimal placement, the captain found himself laughing. How strange to think that once he had refused having too much armament because he had believed that a vessel of exploration had no need of it. Now he couldn't think of enough ways to protect Earth ships.
When the work was done for the day then the three shipmates would go out to a nearby bar and unwind for a couple of hours with jokes, humorous observations or anything else that would pass for light-hearted entertainment before going their separate ways. While Trip and Malcolm would go back to their apartments, tired and ready for a night's sleep, Archer was far too restless. Rather than go home, he would take Porthos for a walk down to the wharf and sit beneath an ancient clock tower that marked an old ferry terminal from two and a half centuries before. He did this in hopes of finding Danaë there at exactly ten. After the Xindi conflict when they had finally admitted their feelings for each other, it had become their favorite rendezvous point. Anytime they were on Earth they would meet there before going back to Archer's apartment together. It had become regular enough that when they had a chance to exchange a word or two in the presence of others they would manage to slip in the phrase "by the clock" as code. This small sentence meant more than just a promise to meet later, it was their way of saying 'I love you' without anyone knowing. Occasionally he saw Lt, D'Arcy working with the others to get these new ships ready, but there were always people around and there was never any time to chat or even exchange pleasantries.
Three weeks into the deliberation, Archer was still showing up every night at the wharf, but Danaë had yet to and it bothered him. Their last encounter had been an odd one and even perhaps a bit cryptic. They hadn't exactly broken up but it was obvious that the nature of their relationship was problematic and he wasn't sure it could go on the way it was. The amount of strain created between two people when they tried to keep things going long distance or when things are kept in secret could only go on so long before cracks appear and things fall apart. He hoped against hope that this had not happened between him and Danaë.
After so many fruitless nights of sitting alone with just Porthos, Archer was about to give up on going to the wharf, but his heart rather than his mind continued to lead him there anyway. He stood for a few moments in the darkness of the colonnade that ran beneath the clock tower then shook his head and wondered 'what am I doing here' before deciding to walk away. Looking for a change of scenery he walked around to the other side of the building to the plaza that went out over the water. No one seemed to be around and he couldn't help thinking that being there was all just a waste of time. He turned to leave only to see a lone silhouette watching him from the corner of the building.
At first he was suspicious, after-all, he was not without enemies from many galaxies. The Klingons were willing to pay a steep price to capture him, but this form was far too short and shapely to be a Klingon. He called to the figure to show themself then steeled himself for a fight. After a moment the figure stepped forward, the lamp light illuminating their long, loose golden curls and the creamy color of her skin. He knew those hazel-gray eyes and the shapely figure that stood before him. He was not so familiar with the long form-fitting gray, black and white striped dress she was wearing, nor did he care where she got it. All that mattered was that it was Danaë and she was here. Silently he approached her and, taking her hand in his, led her to a dark secluded area in the back of the building.
Neither spoke as he claimed her mouth and pressed her body against the building with his own. He was not a man normally given to taking wreckless chances. He was methodical, careful, focused, an example of the Starfleet ideal. There were times in the past when he had been presented with opportunities to have a dalliance with an officer of lesser rank, such as Erika Hernandez. Each and every time, without hesitation, he had wisely nipped it in the bud and never regretted it. Yet when it came to Danaë he found himself unable to resist. In her arms all rules were forgotten and he never even felt guilty over it. He just needed her with him... always.
