The Price of Passage

            “I will see you tomorrow, Doctor,” Riaan said as she and Jonathan left together.

            “You don’t need to call me ‘admiral’. Jon or Jonathan will be fine.”

            “Seems Branni and I will be the only ones aboard with that privilege.”

            “Is that a problem?” They continued walking towards the turbo lift. She shook her head.

            “I want to ask you something about Branni,” Jonathan said. “The captain would like to give him some responsibilities on the ship. Would the galley be interesting for him?” They stopped at the turbo lift and waited. “I thought maybe it would be good for him to learn English, too. The best language instructor on Earth is right here on Endeavour: Commander Sato.” The turbo opened.

            “That would be good. He’s been watching some of the media files; I think he’s starting to pick it up. As am I.”

            “Well, between the two of us, we might actually be able to have a conversation in just one language eventually!” He gave her a wry smile and crammed his hands into his pockets to keep them listening to his brain. The trouble was, his brain wasn’t thinking all that well either. The turbo opened. He turned towards his quarters. “I have a lengthy report to work on for this mission.”

            “What time is the evening meal?”

            “Tonight it’s whenever you want. I made our excuses to Captain Mitchell. Maybe it would be nice to have some time without mission talk. Seventeen hundred?”

            “Your quarters are pretty nice, but they could all use more head room,” Jonathan said, ducking under a bulkhead beam in Riaan’s room.

            “Admiral Jon!” Brannigaan bounded up to him and handed him a PADD. “I found a media file with this in it. It’s like a way to learn English.”

            “Well, if you want to live on Earth that’s a good idea. In fact, I talked to Commander Sato. She used to be my communications officer when I had my own ship. She was a teacher before that, and she said she’d love to help you learn Standard. English. It’s the primary language of the Coalition.”

            “That would help because I can’t read anything on the ship.”

            “Well, the sooner the better, then. You can start after dinner.” He slowly winked at Branni, and to Riaan the quickest most imperceptible smile he could summon, saying more to her with the look in his eyes. The doorbell chirped; the captain’s steward brought dinner for three to Riaan’s quarters.

            Archer was anxious but not deterred. Coming back from the classroom, he was beyond ready to make a connection with Riaan. Ever since he’d seen her again over dinner at her home he’d not been able to think of anything but her without serious concentration. He didn’t want to call it obsession, but definitely a physical, emotional, mental addiction. And the cure was behind that closed door.

            “Come in, Jon. I was going to make us some tea, but there’s no kitchen here.”

            “You can heat water with the microwave unit.” She turned her head to see what he was talking about. “I…forgot. We use some things so much every day I forget not everyone does. Put water in the cups, place them in here, and touch the “hot water” button. It will do the rest. But I doubt you’ll find tea in here anywhere. I’ll talk to the chef.”

            “I don’t think it matters anyway. This came while you were out.” She held up a dark green bottle wrapped around the top with foil. “It’s from Captain Mitchell.”

            “Well, I’ll be damned. I guess it shows,” he said, a little embarrassed. He stepped over to Riaan and took the bottle, kissed her on the cheek, and then rustled two glasses from a cupboard.

            “Jon,” Riaan said, walking over to the sofa where Jonathan had perched. She joined him just an arm’s reach away. “I appreciate this opportunity you’ve given me and Branni.”

            “If I hadn’t, I’d never forgive myself. You might have been taken by the Orions as a slave, knowing how those people operate.” She raised her brows. “I’ll tell you about them some time. They’re not a particularly pleasant species, with a few exceptions.”

            “Is there something I should know about?”

            “I’m not sure I know what you mean.”

            “My room and board, what do you expect in return?”

            Archer didn’t quite understand what she meant at first.

            “Nothing. You’re my guests. If you don’t like the sick bay-“

            “No, it’s fine, I love the environment there. That’s not what I meant.”

            “Oh.” He paused. “Oh, no Riaan. I think I’ve given you the wrong impression. That’s not why you’re here. No. No, no, no. I…I find you intriguing, and I admire your courage and intelligence. I also find you very attractive for all those reasons, besides being beautiful, that is.” Riaan blushed just a little.

            “I learned a word today: enigma. That’s you, hard and soft both at the same time. But I’d like to know more. We really don’t know each other, do we?”

            “What do you want to know?”  Archer struggled with the Champagne top for a moment but after a moment the cork popped and hit the ceiling. The foam spilled over a little, and Jonathan quickly redirected it to the glasses. She paused for a moment.