Laughter could be heard through the sealed doorway, and Scott fought the smile that threatened to fracture his poise. No one ever believed him when he told them that a Vulcan could make the captain laugh. It was good to be proven right.

With a sidelong glance at the surprised Crewman Hensen, Reynolds triggered his throat mike.

"Roughneck Six to Commodore Archer," he said softly, abandoning the fight against the smile as the sound of Tucker's amusement echoed from the observation deck. "Mission accomplished, sir," he reported with a grin. His peculiar sense of humor caused him to add, "Peace is restored in the streets of Verona." Archer's answering bark of laughter over the commline was indication enough that he understood the literary reference.

Everything was as it should be.

END