(setting: Inside Phlox and Tucker's quarters. They are lying on the bed together after getting dressed, cuddling before their shift. Phlox is lying on Tucker.)

P: The Paraagans? Well, I don't know as much about them, except that as a race, they are very curious. I don't mean that they are strange yet, every Paraagans I've known has had an insatiable curiosity. About everything. There is nothing they don't want to know.

T: CoolÉ Jon should love 'em, together they will try to apart the universe.

P: (laughs) Our captain isn't that bad.

(Tucker looks down at Phlox and shakes his head.)

P: Oh yes, the engineers…(Phlox smiles softly) I believe they are working on breaking the Warp 5 barrier.

T: (Trip jumps, then settles back calmly) And their docs? What are they up to?

P: Well…

T: (Pulls Phlox up and kisses him deeply) I haven't told you today that I love you, have I? I'm sorry. I ain't good with words.

P: You say it well enough, kee.

***

(setting: Inside the Launch Bay. Reed is running a diagnostic on the shuttle they plan to use to visit the Paraagans. Archer enters and waits for Reed to see him.)

A: How many times are you going to run that plasma duct diagnostic?

R: As many time as I have to, Captain. With all the tetrazine in the atmosphere, I don't want to take any chances.

A: (wraps his arms around Reed's waist and kisses his neck) Very well. As 'Captain', I applaud your devotion to duty. As you lover, I can't help but want to tempt you from it. Yet part of what I love (turns Reed around) about you (licks Reed's earlobe) is your absolute (moves his hands lower down Reed's back) attention to detail.

R: (Gasps) Jon…I…(kisses Archer) The diagnostic will be done…(pulls away from Archer) now! Everything's fine. Let's go. (Reed drags Archer from the Bay)

***

(setting: Reed and Archer's quarters. Archer lowers Reed to the bed and covers him with a blanket.)

A: I'm so sorry, my love. I have to tell StarFleet.

***

(setting: In engineering. Tucker is sitting at a workstation going over the information. Phlox comes up behind Tucker and lays his hands on Tucker's shoulder. Tucker jumps.)

P: It is late and you have been up too long, keson'a kee (most precious love). Please.

(Tucker stands up slowly and looks through tired eyes at Phlox. Nodding his head, he slowly walks with Phlox back to their quarters. Climbing into bed, he let Phlox cover him with a blanket.)

P: Kee, what are you trying to do?

T: I'm trying to keep Arch from making a huge mistake. He…he's gonna let 'em use this to kill the program. Them damn Vulcans will use this as an excuse to keep us back for another 10 or 20 years.

P: Oh…Perhaps tomorrow, when you awake there will be new information. I cannot believe that this can happen. We didn't do this. We didn't murder these people. Believe that, kee. Please.

T: I'm tired, 'Lox. He just dismissed me. I argued and he just dismissed me. Why won't he try?

***

(setting: Archer is sitting at his computer. On the screen, slowly scrolling up, is a short bio of all 3600 residents that were killed by the explosive reaction. A soft ringing sounds. Finally he presses the button to permit entry. Turning back, he stares at the computer. He feels Reed lay his head on his shoulder, wrapping his arms about him.)

R: It's not your fault. We made sure that the ducts were closed. If it's anyone's fault, it's mine. I was supposed to make sure everything was right. I was supposed to make sure the shuttle was ready. I failed you. I failed our mission. I failed all those people. (Reed touches the screen.) I'm sorry, it can't help anything, but I am sorry.

(Archer turns to face Reed. He's astonished that Reed feels guilty.)

A: Ultimately it's my fault because I am Captain. I shouldn't have let my personal relationship with you, interfere with your job. I was more interested in…sex…than my job…or yours.

R: Sex? Just sex?

A: No! (Archer kisses him hard) I love you, sex with you is so perfect…I love to make love with you, but it doesn't change the fact that I listened to my hormones instead of my reason. Maybe the Vulcans have it right after all. Maybe we should just hide our feelings, control them.

R: We aren't bloody Vulcans, Jonathan. We are humans. We may make mistakes but that's what happens. I don't believe that it's our fault. I've gone over everything. Jon! I checked the bloody plasma ducts myself. Not just running diagnostics, but a full, eyes-on check, then I ran another three. Trust me when I say, we didn't do it. We couldn't have. Now I'm bloody well tired of you sitting on your arse wallowing in self-pity. I'm going to bed. Join me when you want.

(Reed undresses and climbs into bed. He turns off the light. Turning to the wall, he watches the light from the computer flicker as the roll of names flows past.)

***

(setting: Inside Sickbay. Phlox is feeding his pets. Tucker enters and hops up on one of the beds.)

T: Do you want some help?

P: Hmmm…well you could feed the little ones in that habitat. (Phlox points to a case on the far wall) The food is on the shelf above it, just open the can and give it a few shakes.

T: That's not what I meant. (Trip feeds the pets. Jumping back when they knock against the darkened glass wall. Phlox laughs.) I meant do you need help packing up the Sickbay.

P: No. I'm not packing up.

T: But Jon said that the Vulcans will be here for you and T'Pol in three days.

P: Oh my Kee…you still do not understand. My wives I married for the good of our species. You, kee, you I love. I would 'marry' you, if you would allow me. I will not be taken from you. Even the Vulcans would not separate mates. They know how we feel about our 'love matches'. I don't share! I will not leave you! We will go back to San Francisco, if that is our orders. Or we will go to my planet. Or we will go wherever we wish. Perhaps young Mayweather will allow us to join him on one of his family's ship. Wherever we go, we go together like a lock and key. ('Lox and Kee)

(Tucker wraps his arms around Phlox and holds on. Tight.)

***

(setting: Archer is kneeling by the bed. He looks like he hasn't slept, though he was in bed earlier. Slowly he pulls Reed onto his back. Archer slips up and sits by Reed. He leans over and kisss Reed.)

A: We didn't do it. You were right, beloved. I should listen to you. We didn't do it. Daniels proved it to me. I love you. Wake up. (He shakes Reed's shoulder to wake him up.)

(Reed wakes and looks up at Archer.)

R: What's wrong?

A: Nothing is wrong, Mal. I know this is gonna sound amazing but I just talked with Daniels and he-

R: Daniels? Isn't he-

A: I'm not sure how he survived but he did. He proved to me that it wasn't our fault. I should have listened to you. I'm so sorry. Now we have to prove this to every one .It was the Suliban and I won't let them do this to us. To me. To you. I love you

***

(setting: In Sickbay. Tucker runs in and hugs Phlox.)

P: We didn't do it. It was the Suliban. And we can prove it. We're not giving up. (Tucker kisses Phlox again.) I have to go build some doohickey for Jon. Perhaps later you can tell me some about Denobula. Denobula

T: Of course. Now go build whatever it is you need.

***

(setting: Outside Sickbay. Tucker is arguing with Archer. He tries to walk away but Archer grabs his shirt. Archer opens Sickbay and slings Tucker inside.)

A: He's not going to do anything to ya Trip. I promise.

T: But you don't know him, Arch. He's…

P: Do you two gentlemen need something?

A: Yes, a shot of courage for Trip. No…ummm actually Doc, I just need to borrow something of yours.

P: Oh?

A: Yes, Trip. I need him to help me break into a cloaked Suliban ship. I promise to bring him back in one piece. Promise.

P: (stands up and walks over to Trip. He gently takes Trip's face in his hands and whispers.) Porask'inth'a. Asj'ni olan'ti pasei fan'yu, b'kee. (My heart with yours, our souls are one, never to part, my love)

***

(setting: Outside the Bridge. Phlox runs into Reed.)

P: Mr. Reed, may I ask you something?

R: Of course, Doctor.

P: This mission…how dangerous is it?

R: Well with all the information we have, probably not much. There's always risk but they'll come back. I have Jon, on there too; I'll make sure they get back. Now not to rush you but I have to go monitor the mission.

P: Of course. (Phlox turns and walks away)

***

(setting: Inside Archer's ready room. Reed is sitting in Archer's lap.)

R: We did it. We really did it. How long until you think the Sulis will come after us?

A: (laughs) A little while. I know you're the weapons officer but can't you just take a few minutes before you go count missiles.

R: Jonathan. Do you know why I am always making sure all our weapons work right, that we have enough fire power to blast anyone out of space? (Reed gives Archer a serious look)

A: Because you do you job.

R: No. So that no one can ever take you from me. So that anyone who wants to attack this ship, try to kill you, or hurt you will have to go through me and everything I can throw at them. I will never give you up. Never Jonathan.

***

(setting: Inside Archer's and Reed's quarters. Reed is curled up with Porthos. His eyes are closed, swollen from crying. Tucker enters the room and sits down beside him. He leans over and hugs Reed. Kissing Reed on the cheek he whispers to him.)

T: Malcolm. I don't know who has him or what they did to him. I do know one thing and that's that Jon loves you. He told me that he'd never leave you, and if someone got in his way, he'd fight and fight until he was back with you. If he died trying to come to you, he'd still come and watch over you, he'd never leave you alone. I knew…when we was stuck in the shuttlepod, I knew you were talking about Jon, 'cause he'd come to me before. Talking about you. Saying how much he loves you. Just believe wherever he is, he's coming back to you. I know.

***

(setting: Inside Phlox's and Tucker's quarters. Phlox is standing at the window, looking out at the stars. Tucker comes up behind him and lays his head on Phlox's shoulder.)

T: 'Lox?

P: Yes?

T: Porask'inth'a. Asj'ni olan'ti pasei fan'yu, b'kee. (My heart with yours, our souls are one, never to part, my love)

P: Oh Charles…

T: I know what it means and I want you to know that. You are my J'san'kee (Lovemate) forever

P: As you are mine.

(They watch as the stars slow and stop.)