Title: Unlocked
Fandom: Star Trek Enterprise
Rating: PG
Length: 100
Pairing: Jonathan Archer/Malcolm Reed
Content notes: Post-ep to "The Communicator" (Season 2).
Author notes: This takes place in Jonathan's quarters on Enterprise the night after their last-minute rescue from the gallows. It is Jonathan's voice.
Summary: Under the shadow of death, an admission.

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Ironic. It took being locked up together in a prison cell on a alien planet – under a death sentence no less – to allow something long-simmering to finally emerge.

Sitting close to Malcolm on a narrow cot, his hand found mine. Our lips were next – a kiss holding regret for time lost and a promise for more if we lived.

Between us we covered the whole emotional spectrum. Anger. Frustration and helplessness. Fear. Guilt. Check them all off the list. There were others, but the only one that still matters tonight, safely back on Enterprise, is the one least expected.

Love.
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