Chapter 26

Chapter Twenty-Six

Jim was upset. He was going to lose his friend and Chief Communications Officer. To him though, the more important thing was he was losing a friend. He was made aware of the engagement early this morning by an excited Uhura. He never thought he would see the day when she would willingly leave the Enterprise and possible promotions. She had always been so goal oriented, but he guessed that was what love did to you. He would do it for Spock if he wanted to stay on New Vulcan and raise the kits there. He knew that he was being selfish but he needed her. He could trust her and did not need a new communications officer coming in and possibly being one of Marcus’ little toady’s. 

Once she had left to go to breakfast with her new fiancé, he was not ashamed to admit, he went crying to Chris and Archer. He did not want to lose her or for Omal to go back to the viper's pit that was Betazed. He was surprised to find them in bed together and knew that he would be traumatized for a very long time to come. Nothing creepier than seeing your parents in bed together looking like they had just finished doing the beast with two backs. He could feel his mate’s amusement at his thoughts. He rolled his eyes and flipped him the mental bird. He winced at the mental twinge of annoyance that came from his mate. He sent a quick apology as he did not want a spanking. 

He slouched further down in his seat and wondered when he would have the results from the blood tests. He did admit that going through billions of DNA strands, especially as he did not know how much of the DNA used was still intact to test, would take time. He sighed and grabbed the PADD that was being held out to him by Yeoman Rand. Oh joy! More paperwork to sign. He read through it and signed where necessary. He handed back the PADD and sat back in his chair. They were still on their way to New Vulcan, he was glad that the mess of the last mission was over. Yeah, someone had died but it hadn’t been one of his crew this time. It was almost always one of the security team. Maybe they should have further training. He was getting tired of having to get new ones shipped to him. He sat there and pondered how they could do this and what measures to implement on away missions. What better way to spend his time then mulling over something he couldn’t change.

**********

Archer and Pike were sitting down for breakfast. They had a late start due to a certain Captain bursting into the room to have a breakdown over possibly losing his Chief Communications Officer to marriage and staying on Betazed. His mini breakdown over finding them in bed together had been amusing on Archer’s part but not on Pikes. The one time he gives in to Jonathan's sweet talk and Jim finds them the next morning. His comments on seeing his parents in bed together naked as creepy annoyed him. Jonathan thought it was hilarious. When he promised to see if he could fix the problem, no idea how yet, Jim left them in peace in a much calmer mood then when he arrived. Pike poured them coffee and started eating.

“Didn’t Jim say that Nexi had no family left because of that plague that hit them a few years back?” Archer asked, biting into his toast.

“Yes, it killed his fiancé’s family and many others.”

“If he doesn’t have family maybe he could stay on ship. We find a spot for him here and maybe talk to the Ruling Council, have him as a permanent Ambassador for them aboard ship. I mean they already are trying to get their hooks into our boy.”

“Might be a good idea. Jim did say that he wants away from their control.”

“Well, if he’s aboard the Enterprise as one of our staff as well as an Ambassador to us, he would be out of their sphere of influence. A lot harder to get to him here than on another planet.”

“True, but what could we offer him? He already has Lieutenant Uhura willing to leave the Enterprise for him.”

“Since the Enterprise can’t seem to keep a Counselor for more than a month, maybe he would take the position. Maybe he could be a Diplomatic Officer,” Archer said as he took a swig of his coffee.

“We can ask him if he would be interested. Since his aides aren’t planning on returning to Betazed anyway.”

“Really?”

“Yes, one is in a relationship with the Andorian Ambassador’s son and the other I noticed is trying to “court” Lieutenant Commander Giotto.”

Archer shook his head, “They should rename the Enterprise The Love Boat.”

“Come on. Let’s go see if we can get an Ambassador on board the Enterprise.” Pike stood up with Archer and following him from the room headed out to the quarters of the Ambassador from Betazed.

They pressed the chime for the door and Omal himself answered it. “Good morning Admiral Archer and Admiral Pike.”

Archer was the first to speak. “Mind if we come in for a talk?” 

“Of course,” he said and stepped to the side so they could enter. “What can I do for you this morning,” He asked as he led them over to the lounge area of his quarters?

“We actually have a proposition for you.” Archer said as they took a seat.

“Really? And would this have anything to do with my asking Nyota to marry me?”

“In a way it does,” Pike said to him. “We have been in contact with Captain Kirk and he has told us that things are less than ideal for you on Betazed. We thought since you are going to marry our Chief Communications Officer on the Enterprise you might be interested in a position as well.”

“A position?”

“Yes, we are in need of a new ship's Counselor. Apparently they have a hard time keeping them and psychologists. We are also looking for a Diplomatic Officer as well. In your case a Diplomatic Liaison.”

“I am honored that you would ask me to do this.”

“Jimmy begged and pleaded for us to do something. He is friends with Lieutenant Uhura and he was afraid for you to go back to Betazed as well. Apparently he does not trust the Ruling Council.” Archer snorted at Pikes understatement.

“I will speak to Nyota. If she agrees then I will take the positions you offer.”

Pike and Archer smiled and shook his hand. “We better go. See what necessary paperwork is needed.” 

Omal stood up and lead them to the door. “I will let you know as soon as I have talked to her.”

“Thank you,” Archer said and they left. Omal smiled at how the two seemed to be gravitating towards each other, even when they were only a foot apart. He smiled and headed over to the comm., he had news to tell his love.