"The Discussion"
by Lieutenant (J.G.) Arthas Hex
Starring Richard as Arthas and Craz
Marc as Gredala Hex
Maria as Clavain Hex
and Cecelia as Ashly Hex

Location: Arthas Hex's Mind (Conference Room - USS Blizzard)
Stardate 57906.27 00h10

***

"Let's set some rules shall we?" Arthas shouted over the talking.

The Five figures were seated around the Conference Room of the USS Blizzard. Arthas had imagined it to talk to them all. He desperately needed to control the symbiont, or he wouldn't be able to perform his duty, and his life.

"All right, people," Gredala shouted, her voice commanding and controlled, "let's settle down and get this meeting underway. Arthas wishes to speak with us, so let's give him our attention."

Clavain acknowledged with a snort of derision, but the ornery old man complied with Gredala's wishes. Although each of them held equal presence within Arthas, it was clear that Gredala was the unspoken leader among them. Even Clavain, most of the time, deferred to her. And now, as commanded by the woman, he watched Arthas silently yet with a scrutinizing gaze.

Ashly hadn't been the first for nothing, on top of that was the fact that she was also the Prime Minister of Trill. Politics were her life and she wasn't about to leave those skills behind her when the rest of them decided to speak up and make a nuisance of themselves. However, she was going to acquiesce to Gredala, in spite of the fact that she would have said something herself.

Craz, as usual, just nodded.

"Thank you, Gredala," Arthas said, sitting in the chair behind him. He looked around and stopped himself from laughing at the odd bunch they were.

"I've never talked to all of you before, not together anyway. I only recently learned how to...summon this place," Arthas started. "But I think that I need to know... How do I deal with this? How do I deal with, like just before with a girl that I liked, how do I stop you from interfering?" He was half-looking at Clavain, as he was the one who had shouted him on during the problem with the girl.

The old man, though he had been outspoken during the incident in question, simply shrugged a tacit, equivocal reply. He looked to Gredala, then, and motioned his head towards Arthas, relegating the task to her.

"We do not control you, Arthas," the admiral said. "We really only give you advice through the experiences and knowledge we gained through our own lives, all which is collected within Hex. In time, you will learn to sort out what is us and what is you, but for one without training, it is difficult. We will attempt to help you through this. You may draw upon our knowledge, from when we trained to become hosts. We will help you determine who is who. That you have been able to form this place in your mind, and you have given us distinct identities indicates that you are well on your way."

"The fact he could means he's feeling overwhelmed by everyone speaking at once. You two seem to do that more than the rest of us," Ashly spoke up, her haughty expression very much like a Vulcan's. "If you two would just keep your mouths shut, then he wouldn't feel that way at all."

Gredala glanced at Ashly and frowned. "Perhaps pointing fingers is part of the problem as well, hm? We will do well to work together, rather than sectioning off and making accusations. How very uncharacteristically emotional we are today, Ashly. Now, perhaps we should let Arthas tell us what he's feeling right now. Perhaps we can assist him if we have more information."

"Speak for yourself, Admiral," returned Ashly.

Arthas sat back and shook his head and looked out of the imagined window. There were no stars, just black. He began to talk: "When I was young, four or five years old, my mother once said to me that being joined with a trill symbiont is the most sacred event in any Trill's life. 'Only 5% of Trills are joined, Arthie,' she would say. 'If you ever get chosen, it will be a great honor and you will enjoy sharing your thoughts with the symbiont.' Well, you know what? This isn't enjoyment. I have a constant argument going on in my head and whenever I am about to do something I get four people all telling me different things. It needs to stop."

Clavain exchanged an amused gaze with Ashly, Gredala, and Craz, then regarded Arthas again and chuckled wryly. "Presumptuous," came his gruff, blunt reply.

Gredala glanced around the table at the others, like her, who had been host to Hex for a period of their lives. "Arthas, this isn't the way it's supposed to be. The symbiont is called a symbiont because we form a symbiotic relationship. There is a give and take that should exist between us. You were unprepared for joining, and as a result all the images and thoughts you receive feel out of place and jumbled. It's as if someone went into the library computer and scrambled all the data together. We can work together, if we are willing to cooperate"-- she cast pointed looks in Clavain and Ashly's directions--"we can help you sort through all of this. I am willing to make a commitment to helping you get through this difficult time."

"You might be. You've helped me a lot, Gredala, but quite frankly the other three haven't." He looked at Craz. "I thought we were friends, but all you do is sit there and shout your thoughts whenever something goes wrong."

He looked at Clavain. "Ah, yes...the king of witty replies. Not very quiet when it comes to just me and you." He then looked at Ashly. "You... You are probably one of the strangest women I have ever met. There are probably no other Trills like you. You're not Vulcan, show a little emotion!"

Ashly had just sat there to listen to everyone else's ideas as to what needed to be done. "Coming from you, Gredala, that seems odd. You seem to be the most stubborn, the most argumentative one of the four of us. And here is Arthas saying you have helped him most? I find that equally perplexing."

Her gaze then moved to Clavain. "Presumptuous is what you all are, not just Arthas, however he does seem to have that naïve quality that all newly joined Trills seem to have, but even more so." She was indicating that even the other three were naïve as well.

Her gaze took in Arthas then. "Naïve you may be, but you are also uncontrolled. Control is what made me the politician I was, and to a point, still am. If I allowed my emotions to play along my face as you let yours, then I would never have been Prime Minister. As it was, my term of ten years as Prime Minister depended on my being able to keep a solid lock on my feelings. If that is not what you wish, then you can ignore me from now on, as it seems you do anyway."

"As we all do," Clavain retorted. "You always did talk too much, Prime Minister." He snorted and returned to his mute state.

"This is not getting us anywhere," Arthas shouted. He put his head in his arms. He had had this going on for almost half a year now, and he was fed up.

Gredala sighed softly and pushed away from the table. She moved over toward one of the large observation windows looking out into space, hands clasped behind her back in thought. "I believe," she began, "that part of the problem, and I mean no offense by this, Arthas, is you. You cannot sit back and hope that all of this will sort itself out. I would have hoped that your experience in Starfleet would have taught you that. You must be proactive, and you must take control of this situation that is getting so badly out of control."

That was the final straw. Arthas stood up and walked over to Gredala. "I have had enough."

He then stopped envisioning the conference room. The symbiont's past hosts disappeared. And he returned to hearing their thoughts and barely controlling them.

As the vision of the conference room faded from Arthas' mind, Ashly spoke one last time: "This is one time I will agree with Gredala. You need to take control, be proactive, not reactive. Make YOUR mind the dominant one, and the rest will fall in line." She hadn't had to experience that herself, having been the first host, but she was there to assist the others in this with each new host that had taken the Hex symbiont into them in joining.

He had been trying his best for six months. He was not sitting back. He was trying his best. He was not sitting back.

Arthas Hex lay in his bed rocking back and forth for the rest of the night.

---

"For Two"
by Xayella Tagliesh
and Matt Salinger

Location: Matt's Quarters, USS Sulu
Stardate 57906.27, 00h30

***

Xayella was surprised just how many officers - people she didn't know the names of and most likely never would - seemed glad that she was recovering well from her injuries. On her way to Matt's quarters, she passed six officers, all unfamiliar, and all with smiles on their faces and a kind sentiment for her. She met each one with wariness and skepticism. If they knew who she really was, they would have walked right on by.

She wasn't the most liked person on-board, especially for those who had first-hand experience of her infamous temper, and many would have been in a convivial mood if she had perished from her injuries. But she hadn't. She knew she was lucky, and was grateful for a second chance, but she had no idea what to do with it. One thing she did know what to do was to catch up for lost time with Matt.

The closer she drew to his quarters, the more excitement she felt. She hurried her pace slightly as his door came into sight and tapped on his door chime three times once she reached it. As she waited to be allowed in, she found herself bouncing slightly, giddy with anticipation. She couldn't help, either, the large smile that lit up her face. She'd never been in love before, but in that moment, it felt wonderful.

The door to Matt's quarters finally slid aside to reveal him standing there, a smile to match Xayella's on his face. "I was just finishing up with an appetizer," he said. "I hope you like stuffed mushrooms, because that's what I've made. Come in." He stepped aside to allow her entrance into his quarters. "Would you care for anything to drink?"

"Of course," she replied. Once the doors closed behind her, Xayella couldn't resist looping her arms around Matt's neck and greeting him with a deep kiss. "Hi," she whispered when their lips parted.

"Well, hello there, yourself," Matt said once he'd recovered from the kiss. "I must say, it's very nice to see you again. And, you are looking very well...very recovered."

"I'm glad you noticed...along with the other hundred people on board. Not that I mind," she added, "it's just...strange, that's all."

"Still too used to having people scowl at you and back away suspiciously? I have a feeling if you would stop smiling at them, and grumble and stomp, you'd see them reacting as they always have."

Xayella laughed. "I do not smile at them. I only smile for you, Matt."

Matt chuckled. "You don't have to only smile for me," he said. "I know that your smiles for me are very different than smiles you'd have for anyone else. And, if you feel like smiling for them, it's fine. It's a small ship, Xay, and it's probably the closest thing we're going to find to family out here. Family that won't nag or expect you to be something you're not."

"That's true," she said thoughtfully, "but still, I'm not quite ready yet to drop my guard completely. Maybe a few more sessions with that insane counsellor will cure me of that." She slid her hands down to his chest and smiled silkily. "Or another night in your arms."

"I think I can definitely manage that," Matt said with a smile. "So, was your meeting with the counsellor that bad? I've spoken with her on a few occasions and...she strikes me as overly Betazoid. If that makes sense."

"Well, at times I felt as if she were sneaking into my mind and stealing information. I mean, she mentioned my romantic attachments... I've never given anyone the impression that I was in-- I was seeing anyone."

A dark cloud seemed to pass across Matt's features, and then cleared. He gave her a tight smile. "I think I'll have to talk to her about that. I know Betazoids have fewer inhibitions, especially in regard to matters of the mind, but I don't think I can tolerate a member of this crew reading minds like that without seeking permission beforehand. A person's thoughts are really the only things they can truly claim as their own, and a person should be able to feel safe enough to think what they will." He sighed.

Xayella smiled gently and cradled his cheek in one hand. "Don't worry about that right now. Let's just enjoy dinner, okay? I only want it to be me and you right now, not anyone else."

"Me and you? I'm confused, Xay. Does anyone else actually exist?" He raised her hand to his lips and kissed it tenderly. "Okay, so they do. But, for us, they won't exist until we have to go back on duty in the morning. Now, come, our mushrooms await."

Xayella walked with Matt to the carefully decorated table and couldn't help smiling again at him. "So...I'm allowed to stay the night? You aren't afraid someone will see me leaving in the morning and begin to wonder?"

"Of course you're allowed to stay, and I'm beginning to worry less and less about being seen with you on my arm. As captain of the ship, I'll need to make sure I don't allow favouritism influence any of my decisions. And, it shouldn't be open and blatant, but...I'm not afraid of anyone seeing, Xay."

"Not even your strait-laced first officer?" Xayella smiled skeptically as she took her seat. "It's okay, Matt. You don't have to parade me around to make me feel wanted. I understand about appearances and how much of an effect they can have on how one is viewed by others. I'm known as the evil witch, and no matter how much I change, there will always be some who believe I'm still that person."

"I know you're not the evil witch," Matt said. "And, I want people, including yourself, to see that you're not. I don't mind being seen with you, but publicly I don't believe I should make a big deal of our relationship, for professional and political reasons. And, besides, what happens between you and I is our own business. I don't want the intimate details of our relationship to be the main topic of gossip on the ship, though I know we are one of the current hot topics."

Xayella cocked an eyebrow. "Really? What have they been saying?"

"I believe the last time I was in engineering, I heard that we had engaged in some wild sex while you were locked in the brig. I think you were so good, that I couldn't see keeping you in there any longer, so I let you out, but remanded you to my quarters. Oh, and I was insanely jealous of Ensign Steele, so I threw you in the brig to keep you away from him. I think one version that I heard...by the computer core of all places...indicated that I invited the ensign along for a wild time."

Xayella slapped her hands together and laughed boisterously. "How on earth could they know anything about us! We haven't even been seen together in public."

"I have no idea how half the crew gets their information, though I have my suspicions. How many people knew you were put in the brig, including Ensign Steele? And, how many people knew I went in to see you in the brig? And, then that I released you? It only takes one to start a rumour. So, we are becoming quite famous on the ship."

"Unfortunately for you, right?" She smiled wanly and reached across to pull a bun from the basket. "I'll keep any impromptu visits to see you on the bridge to a minimum if that'll help."

Matt caught her hand before she could pull it away. "You know you don't have to, right," he said with a smile. "You know you can visit the bridge if you have a legitimate reason to be there, like telling me that everything is fine in the science department. That's a legitimate reason in my mind."

"And is coming just to tell you I had soup for lunch just as legitimate a reason?" she asked with a grin.

"I think that is a good reason," Matt said with a severe nod. "It's very important that a captain be apprised of his crew's health, and dining habits are very important. So yes."

Xayella laughed softly and slipped her fingers through Matt's. "You're sneaky, Salinger. I think I suspected that the first moment I met you."

Matt grinned. "I like getting my own way too," he added. "So, I'm good at coming up with justifications for the things I want. Fortunately for everyone else, it's not something I abuse."

"And I promise not to force you to abuse it either, not by having to cover up for my mistakes or anything like that." She gazed into Matt's eyes for a time, then smiled bashfully and focused on her empty plate. "So...where are those mushrooms?"

Without a word, Matt quickly fled from the table. He returned a moment later with a large plate full of very delicious-looking mushrooms. "Mushrooms the way my mom used to make them. A really old Salinger family recipe that can be traced all the way back to the eighteenth century. At least that's what mom always said. According to my father, she was always prone to exaggeration."

A tightness appeared around Xayella's eyes and her smile quickly faded upon mention of a topic Xayella wasn't too fond of. "Did you have to mention the word 'mom'?" she asked with a weak chuckle.

"If you'd like, you can share mine with me," Matt said. "Next time we're near earth, I'd like to bring you to meet my parents. I can also order radio silence if you'd like; she won't be able to contact you at all." Matt reached down and lifted one of the mushrooms from the plate and lifted it up toward Xay's lips.

She was grateful for the laugh Matt induced and opened her mouth to accept his offering. One side of her lips pulled up into a grin as Xayella kissed his fingertips, then began chewing her appetizer. "A good choice," she told him. "And thank you for the concern, but I'll have to deal with my mother at some time." She continued munching on the mushroom until it was completely swallowed, then an inquisitive little smile appeared. "You really want me to meet your parents?"

"Why wouldn't I?" Matt asked with a mischievous smile. "I really hope you don't mind being fussed over. And, I imagine with how things are going, perhaps talking to your mother won't be so bad. At least she won't have to sic some admiral or Federation councillor on me this time."

"I did talk to her," Xay said. "She caught wind of what happened and instead of asking how I was, she rambled on about how she'd have Starfleet begin an inquiry into how you could let something like this happen." She sighed sharply. "I don't know what is wrong with that woman. She just...drives me insane! I mean, my almost dying didn't seem of interest at all; she was more bent on asserting her sway with Starfleet by getting you into trouble."

Matt sighed and shook his head. "There are certain reasons why a single person shouldn't have so much influence in the Federation," he said. "Well, whatever happens will happen...and I know you and I will be together to weather it. Maybe Starfleet can send us somewhere she won't be able to reach us. Wouldn't that be nice?"

Xayella nodded, her gaze once again on her empty plate. "Does everything have to be so difficult? I mean, us, parents...life in general? Or is this just punishment for my past misdeeds?"

"I think it may be," Matt said as he placed a few more mushrooms on Xayella's plate. "Though, we'll have to see. I think I can take difficult if I've got you in my arms at night...especially if it's anything like our last night together."

Xayella laughed gently. "So...that's the only reason you're with me. Matt Salinger, you're a shallow man."

"Well, there's also the fact that I like your eyes and your spirit, you make me smile, and despite the reputation you've earned yourself, I like having you around, especially close to me."

"And despite your boyish good looks, those dimples... Well, actually those are the reasons I'm stuck on you, Matt Salinger, and not to mention your unwavering confidence in me. However do you manage that?"

"When I look past your file, it's actually pretty easy," Matt said. "You're a beautiful woman with a very intelligent mind. You are an explorer and a scientist, and despite the problems of your past, I know you want to be out here, exploring and figuring out how the galaxy ticks."

"And how Matt Salinger ticks?" She smiled and nodded her head. "I guess when you put it that way...." Her hand sought out Matt's again and covered it. "You're going to give me a complex if you're not careful."

"A good complex, I hope. And, I am able to get to see the beauty and potential you have within yourself, then I'm a happy man."

"So...are you saying I make you happy, Matt?" Xayella asked.

"You do," he said. "At least I think so. There seems to be a consistency between my recent good moods and the time I've spent with you, so I'm thinking that may be the case. I'm trying to spend as much time with you as I can...just to be sure."

"And as a reward for my job well done... Next time, can we have dinner in a restaurant on the Starbase?" she asked with a pleading smile. "Just dinner. No touching, no kissing...just eating in public."

"Of course," Matt said with a bright smile. "And, if you have any favourite holodeck programs, perhaps we could engage in one together."

"Really?" Xayella gave a little squeal, leaned forward and kissed Matt lightly. "You're spoiling me, aren't you?"

"I am treating you as you deserve to be treated," Matt said with a smile. "If it seems like spoiling, then you really haven't been treated right by a man."

"Or perhaps it's because I haven't been with the same man more than once." She shrugged and settled back against her chair. "This is all new to me, Matt. I don't really know how a relationship is supposed to work. I mean...am I supposed to do something special?"

"I don't think there's anything special that needs to happen," Matt said. "There aren't any defined processes or procedures. Basically we just do what we feel we should for each other, to show our caring and consideration. It shouldn't be too difficult once you get the hang of it, but basically it's just doing what feels right. Actually, it's a lot like cooking. Just put stuff you like into it until it tastes right."

Xayella laughed. "Matt...I don't cook. I really don't know many people who do. Don't you have a better analogy?"

"How about mixing a chemical combination in order to get a desired effect without really knowing what parts of each component you need to mix together?"

She snickered. "All you'd succeed in doing is causing an explosion, most likely. How about...when you're kissing someone, and you get this feeling, telling you that everything's right, everything's perfect." She brushed her fingers over Matt's hand and smiled suggestively. "Is it sorta like that?'

"It's exactly like that," Matt said with a smile. "A very astute observation, and very accurate. So, do you...actually, that may be a silly question because it feels like we're already there. This is a relationship, and it's what we both want, right?"

"Well...I don't really have anything else planned right now," Xayella teased, "so a relationship sounds good to me. Is...that okay with you?"

"It's okay with me," Matt said. "It's definitely okay with me." He lifted another mushroom from the platter for her. "I can bring out the meal in just a moment. I've also got a bottle of 2370 St. Michelle, which is supposed to be second only to Picard for that year."

Xayella made a sound of approval and once again pulled the mushroom into her mouth. This time, though, she closed her lips around Matt's fingers in turn, and sucked clean the garlic butter sauce left behind by the mushrooms. "Very good," she purred.

"I thought you might like," he said, not taking his eyes from hers. "Stay right here, and I'll have food for us." Again, Matt disappeared and returned a moment later with two steaming plates. Each plate was filled with a variety of vegetables along with a fillet of Pacifica deep ocean tuna, sautéed in lemon butter. "I hope you like this as well."

Xayella closed her eyes as she inhaled the fragrant aroma of tangy lemon and the fresh tuna. "Oh you're good, Matt," she moaned happily. Her green eyes flashed open and held Matt's in their loving gaze. "You're too good to me at times."

"Never too good for you," Matt said with a smile. "And, besides, it's just dinner. The really special part is dessert."

"Metaphorical dessert?" she asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Isn't that the best kind? Now, once you've finished your meal, you'll see what I've prepared for our dessert."

Xayella shrugged as she picked up her utensils and began digging into her meal. "Are you going to watch me or are you going to eat too?" She glanced up at him, smiled, then pulled the morsel of tuna from her fork.

"Oh, I'm going to eat," he said, indicating his own plate as he returned to his seat. "And, I promise not to stare at you for the entire meal."

"You're trying to unsettle me," she said around her half-chewed mouthful. "You're trying to see if you can get me to drop my guard, aren't you?"

Matt smiled and turned his attention to his dinner. "That's alright, isn't it," he said. "Getting you to drop your guard. Though, it seems like your guard has been down with me, hasn't it? Though, I'm not deliberately trying to do that. All I'm doing is trying to make sure our time together is enjoyable. I hope it is working and I'm not actually unsettling you."

She chuckled throatily. "I'm not easily unsettled, Matt. Don't worry; I'm completely relaxed around you." Xayella paused and picked at her tuna. "Okay...not completely relaxed. But...comfortable."

"Good," Matt said with a smile, still occasionally glancing in her direction. "Comfortable is good. If you like having dinner with me, Xay, we can do this frequently if you'd like. It's not easy to cook for one, and if I have someone special to cook for, it'll make me cook and cook good things at that."

"You'll arouse suspicions," she replied dismissively. "People will know the rumours are true...mostly." Her gaze shifted up to his again. "Aren't you afraid?"

Matt looked up and met Xay's eyes. "Do I seem afraid?"

"I don't know," she replied. "You're a captain. You're supposed to be good at keeping your true emotions from showing through your calm, stern facade. You might be afraid... You might not be..."

Matt laughed and shook his head. "I'm not afraid of letting anyone know what I feel for you, Xay. The only...hesitation I have is how it might affect the chain of command, but I'm confident I can get through that. I just need to make sure that everyone knows Matt Salinger is with Xayella Tagliesh, but Captain Salinger and Lieutenant Tagliesh are still professional."

Xayella couldn't help but snort at that. "Yeah...I'm sure that'll happen, Matt. People aren't as tolerant as you are." As she thought on Matt's exact wording, Xayella lowered her eyes to the barely touched tuna being pushed around in the plate by her fork. "What you feel for me?" she repeated awkwardly. "What-- What exactly--" Xayella chuckled abashedly and shook her head. "It's okay. Nevermind."

"I care for you, Xay," Matt said. "I'm still sorting it around in my head and in my heart, but I care for you very much."

Xayella's heart fluttered in her chest and her breathing accelerated. She didn't really expect a profession of love from him, and found that knowing he at least had feelings for her was enough to get her completely giddy. "I-I... I care for you too. And...and more, Matt." Her eyes finally found his again. "A lot more."

"A lot more," Matt repeated. "So, you still want to eat?"

Xayella shook her head quickly and took a breath to settle her racing heart. "Not hungry, not for that."

"Wait here for a moment," Matt said. "I'll be right back." With that, he slipped away from the table and disappeared off into his bedroom.

Xayella sat motionless at the table with her hand on her chest and her stomach doing flips. Sudden restlessness afflicted her and forced Xayella out of her seat. A characteristic, yet lately unseen streak of impulsiveness possessed her and had her scrambling to remove her dress and undergarments. When her clothing was in a pile next to her chair, her eyes darted about the room to find the perfect spot to wait for Matt's reappearance. With a stifled giggle, she scampered over to the armchair and ensconced herself in it, one leg draped over the armrest and her hands clasped behind her head. Once settled, her lips formed a sultry smile in preparation for Matt's return.

Matt returned from the bedroom a moment later, and his eyes widened to about the size of the deflector dish. He recovered quickly and gave her a grin as he strolled to her side. "I think your surprise is much better than mine. But, mine's ready in there if you're ready."

Xayella motioned her eyes towards her naked form, then shifted up to Matt's again. "If I don't look ready, I think we have a serious problem here." With a gentle chuckle, she held out a hand to Matt and rose with his help. "Come on, Salinger," she purred as she pressed herself lightly against him. "What's the surprise?"

Matt slipped one arm around Xay's waist, and then in a quick move had her in his arms. "Come on," he said. "It's this way." With that, he carried her toward the bedroom, and slipped through the still-open door. Once they were inside, the room seemed to glow with the light of hundreds of flickering candles. Small screens of coloured fabric had been set before a number of them, casting the room in a variety of colours. "What do you think?" he asked.

"Oh my..." Xayella's eyes wandered slowly about the room, taking in the elegance of it all. The smell of incense lingered in the air and the soft illumination provided by the candles made her forget completely they were in the usual sterile, Starfleet quarters; instead, she felt as if he had transported her to a love-nest somewhere on Risa. This was one of the reasons she felt confident of her love for Matt. If only she were just as confident that he loved her back. "You did this?" she asked, still overwhelmed by it all. "All of this?"

"Every last candle," Matt said with a smile as he moved to place her on the bed. "I just hope Sam doesn't raise an eyebrow when he sees that I replicated all these candles. Though, I think since it's Sam, it won't be a problem."

"Still feel the need to be covert?" Xayella tugged on the waist of Matt's pants and pulled him down towards her. "If that's the case," she whispered, "then you should've had these walls soundproofed."

"Bad me," Matt said as he found his body twining very comfortably with hers. "Maybe I'll have engineering do that next time we're in dry-dock." He kissed her deeply, and then let his kisses trail down her throat and shoulders. "But for now, I have more important things to occupy my time."

"Oh yeah?" She laughed softly. "And what would that be, Captain Salinger?"

As an answer, Matt only smiled. He then let his lips and body tell her exactly what that would be.

---

"Dance Hall Days, Part 1"
by Kelzira Rax
Amy Reese
Dwayne Sanchez
and J.R. Steele

Location: Lounge & Holodeck, USS Sulu
Stardate: 57906.27 01h36

***

Kelzira Rax sighed happily. She glanced up from the padd she'd been reading while she and Amy walked down the corridor from the lounge and smiled at her friend. "I still can't get over this report. It's so amazing; to take all that pain and suffering, and then turn it around into something beneficial...it makes me proud to wear this uniform. Crewman Ga'Lat and Ensign Manning even stayed behind to help them out and wait for the USS T'Kenna to arrive. It's like a holonovel."

"Well...except for all the bloodshed," Amy put in. "I mean...I don't get it. They killed five of our officers. Aren't they going to punish them somehow?"

Kelzira shook her head and sighed, this time less happily. "I don't know. I imagine there will be some sort of diplomatic exchange. I actually was working on an experiment with Tanner. It's all so unreal. It definitely makes you think. At least it's over now, and we're on our way to a Starbase. I wonder where they'll send us next."

Amy sighed and stared distantly at the approaching doors ahead. "Who knows. It's all so depressing. Our first mission...and I didn't get to do a thing!"

"I'm sure you will soon," Kel said. "Maybe we'll have a nice evacuation to help with, or something like that. Something that some of your unique skills and fashion sense will be perfect for. I don't want to think about the mission anymore, just the future. I'm not going to have to take you back to your quarters to console you, am I?"

Amy glanced sidelong at her friend and grinned slyly. "You might just have to, my Kelli. But after a drink or two." She slipped her hand into Kelzira's and laughed softly as she stepped into the lounge, pulling Kelzira up alongside her. It was busy, which was surprising for such an hour, but even with no vacant tables in sight, they'd find somewhere to sit.

"Oh, look!" Amy exclaimed. "It's Dwayne." She pointed to their other friend - their even stranger friend, if that was possible - sitting at a corner table across the room. "Let's go join him. He looks like he's just aching for some company."

Kelzira laughed softly. "He looks like he's daydreaming about something. So, get drinks and then go to the table, or join him and then get drinks?"

"Well...why not do both? I'll go grab us something and you go see if those seats are taken." With little inhibition, Amy kissed her friend's lips lightly and departed for the bar.

Kelzira watched after Amy, grinning as she did. She started toward where Dwayne was sitting and bumped into someone. She looked up and apologized to the tall man in security or ops gold. With a smile still in place, she sauntered over to where Dwayne was sitting. "Excuse me, sir," she said, "are these seats taken?"

Dwayne had spent a very quiet afternoon on the bridge, and now he was off duty. He hadn't even bothered to go back to his quarters, just came straight to the lounge and once he'd sat down, he just started to stare off, much like he had on the bridge. He'd had his mind on the same things he'd had it on all during his duty shift.

So when Kelzira spoke, he jumped, nearly spilling the Andorian ale he'd ordered and looked up. "Oh, no, they're not. Would you like to join me?" he asked, as though they were playing some kind of charade, which was likely, but he didn't mind. He stood up like his mother taught him a gentleman should and offered one of the two chairs that were free.

"Amy's getting drinks right now," Kelzira said as she slipped into one of the seats. "And, you might want to wipe that up," she added, indicating where a little bit of blue was staining the front of his shirt. "Didn't mean to startle you. You were pretty deep in thought there. Dare I ask about what?"

He glanced down at his uniform where he'd spilled his ale. "Oh damn...and this was my last clean uniform." He picked up a napkin to scrub at the blue stain on the front of his uniform only to find that the stain was going to be getting worse, rather than better. "Damnit!" He slammed his hand on the table, the napkin held tightly in it.

"Whoa," Amy said as she came up to the table, two drinks in her hands. She looked inquisitively at Kelzira, then back at Dwayne. "Did I come at a bad time?"

"Dwayne was just taking out his aggressions on the table," Kelzira said, looking a little startled and on-edge after Dwayne's display. "Just replicate a new uniform, Dwayne. It's just a spill, not anything to get so upset over."

He glanced at Amy. "No, I just spilled my drink, that's all," he replied to Amy, then looking to Kelzira: "I'd used so much replicator energy while I was between living quarters, I don't know if I'm allowed to."

Amy smiled at Dwayne. "We'll just help you clean it, then." She set down the two drinks and took a seat upon the vacant chair next to Dwayne. She rested her hand lightly upon his balled up fist and caressed it soothingly. "We'll make it okay, Dwayne."

"And, I'm sure replicating another uniform is fine," Kelzira said as she took up the glass Amy brought, sipped it, and then set it aside. "Dwayne, you really need to loosen up. Amy and I would be very upset if you broke your hand one of these days."

He laughed...and doing that, he relaxed. "Yeah, I'd be upset if I'd broken my hand too." He tossed back the rest of his ale and stood up. "I'm going to get me some more." He stood and looked between them with a small seductive smile, then walked towards the bar.

Amy raised her eyebrows and shifted her gaze to Kelzira. "What the--? There's no real alcohol in those things, is there? Something sure has gotten into our Dwayne, Kelli."

"I have no idea," Kelzira answered, watching as Dwayne made his way to the bar. "He's got issues, Amy. His first reaction to anything stressful is to punch. He was doing that they day I met him, and I heard Crewman Valterra saying that on the bridge he just kept hitting the Ops console and muttering to himself a few days ago."

He placed his order for another Andorian Ale. What made me do that? he thought. He couldn't figure it out. He shrugged, just as he got his refill and then made his way back to the table and sat down. "So, how did your day go?"

"Now that the crisis is over," Kelzira said, "it was fairly easy-going. Of course, we have a mountain of samples and other things collected from the planet to go through."

He nodded. "Yeah, my catalogue should help." Not that they hadn't already had this conversation...they had. "Okay, what's next in our plan?" Somehow, he thought that may not have come out very well.

Amy snickered. "What plan, Dwayne? We just came to talk and have a drink with our friend...unless you have something else in mind."

No, he didn't have anything else in mind. "I just thought we were going to go into the holodeck again, that's all. And no, it doesn't have to be the same program." He softened his words a little: "Maybe we could do one of the programs you girls like." In other words, 'If you want to go dancing, we'll go dancing.' Well, that was the basis of what he was saying.

"Dancing sounds good," Kelzira said with a smile. She glanced at Amy, a large grin on her face. "Dancing?"

Amy nodded rigorously and quickly pushed back her chair. She held a hand out to Dwayne and grinned sweetly. "Well? What are you waiting for? Escort your girls to the holodeck, Sanchez!"

His girls? He tossed back his ale as though it was real to gain some 'courage,' then he stood, offered each girl a hand and then headed for the door. The thought on his mind: What was he going to do for clothes?

Kelzira slipped one hand into Dwayne's and quickly finished off her drink with the other. "It's been a long time since I've gone dancing," she said. "Far too long. I'm glad you're coming around, Dwayne. This'll be good for all of us."

Good for us? Not likely for 'us,' for you two maybe, not for me. I don't like feeling like a fool, he thought.

"Yeah," Amy agreed as her arm linked with Dwayne's. "Just like old times." She snickered. "I mean, last night."

He turned to Amy, a smirk on his face. "Not likely, dancing is hardly like what we did last night."

"Last night was very fun," Kelzira said with a grin. She glanced over at Amy, a mischievous gleam in her eye. "Waking up this morning was really nice too."

He frowned. Like I would know, I slept alone.

Amy smiled warmly at her friend. "I guess it was a comfortable bed. And how did you sleep, Dwayne?"

"How I'm most comfortable," he said with a wink, "in the buff." Then he led them out of the lounge, a smirk on his face.

Kelzira grinned at Amy. "That sounds nice," she said. "I think I may have to try that."

Dwayne's fingers traced over Kelli's hand. "That would be something to see, all those spots." He grinned at her...but he sounded serious.

"I believe, sir, that you saw all of my spots, every last one of them, at the pool just last night. Are you trying to tell me that you would like to see them all again? Oh, Dwayney, what are we going to do with you? Any ideas, Amy?"

She grinned at her two friends, and her eyes clearly displayed mischief. "We could always dance in the nude." Amy gazed up at Dwayne and couldn't help the lustful element her smile took on. "I bet you'd enjoy that...all of us in the buff, as you put it."

"Perhaps not. I wouldn't mind seeing those tattoos again either." He grinned down at them both.

"Why, Dwayne," Amy teased, "are you flirting with us?"

He grinned. "Maybe." He guided them to the nearest turbolift and let them enter before him, as a gentleman should.

Amy and Kelzira stepped onto the lift, followed by Dwayne. After he'd requested the appropriate deck, the turbolift descended towards Holodeck 4. Amy kept her eyes inquisitively on Dwayne the entire time, observing him and trying to figure out how he'd managed to get so bold.

Dwayne seemed to feel Amy's gaze on him, yet he didn't glance her way. Maybe he was wanting her to guess what he was up to or maybe he was just being mischievous. That would be up to her to decide. Perhaps he would like to see her complete the dance that she was doing when they first met. Again, that was up to her to decide.

"You know, Amy," Kelzira said from the other side of Dwayne, "I do believe that Dwayne is being coy. Though, from that look on his face, I do have to wonder if it's just a trick to make us think he's being coy. What do you think?"

"Oh, I think Dwayne here is holding out on us," she replied. "I bet once we get into that holodeck, he'll surprise us like he did last night."

"That was certainly a surprise," Kelzira said with a knowing smile. "I wonder what kind of surprises he's planning today. I bet he's really not shy and withdrawn. I think that was just a ploy to lure us in. He's really quite open and outgoing, and loves to run around naked in front of women."

Amy made a show of examining Dwayne's rear, then moaned happily. "Oh, I certainly hope so. Wouldn't we love to see that!"

"Oh, very nice indeed," Kelzira said, nodding to Amy. "All in all, not a bad package at all. Though, we have to be very careful. Open compliments like these have been known to swell...egos."

Amy giggled, look down at Dwayne's groin, then giggled again.

Dwayne gave each girl a sideways glance and smirked. "Egos aren't the only thing known to 'swell.' " Dwayne said. He realized that is what Amy had thought as well, he noted her glance. He grinned at her.

Then, he stood in the lift like a peacock in the zoo in Mexico City, where he grew up. The city, not the zoo. When the door to the lift opened, he strutted out of the lift, just like said peacock and glanced back at them to see if they were really paying attention. They were.

Kelli and Amy caught up to Dwayne again, both rolling their eyes at their vain friend. Upon reaching the holodeck, Amy gestured for Kelli to call up her dancing program. The computer indicated that the holodeck was ready, and the two doors parted.

The room beyond the doors was mostly dark, with stroboscopic lights flashing around in a variety of colours. Dozens of holographic bodies were moving along with the beat of the music running through the club. Kelzira smiled as she looked around. "I haven't been in here forever. I got the program from a friend on Trill. This place is supposedly modeled after a club on Risa. Come on!"

Dwayne stepped in, but he wasn't exactly thrilled at the scenery. Why did he say he'd do this? Because he'd promised them a chance at dancing. True, the promise came about just this night, but still...he let the girls take off to do whatever it was they wanted to do, at the same time he moved to sit at the bar. The holographic bartender walked over and he placed an order for some Romulan Ale.

As he reached back for the glass, he turned to find the girls dancing...together. He had to admit, they were rather good at it...but he knew he wasn't and he wasn't about to humiliate himself, even in front of holographic people. Not to mention, he was beginning to get a little worried...worried that one of the girls was going to come over and drag him to the dance floor. He took a huge gulp of his drink as he watched them dancing.

***

J.R. came off duty and decided it was time to find Sanchez and set the record straight. Realizing he may have done the same thing in Sanchez's position, J.R. also noticed how much of an ass he was being to his crewmembers.

"I don't want to be a solitary warrior on this ship, give up the vendetta, J.R.," he said to himself.

Calling out to the computer he asked for the whereabouts of Sanchez and was informed that Sanchez was on the holodeck. Standing up he decided to make his way down there to make amends with Dwayne.

***

Kelzira couldn't help smiling at Amy as they danced together. It was obvious as soon as they started moving that they both were good. Of course, Dwayne had decided to hide at the bar. There was no way that would spoil either her mood or her evening. She liked Amy, very much in fact. And, if Dwayne wanted to allow her to have much more of Amy's time tonight, that was perfectly fine. She knew that Amy would never put a damper on her fun, and together they could get quite wild. "Moving the way you do," Kalli said over the music, "we should really do this more often!"

"Oh, stop that, Kelli," Amy chided. "You're awesome at this! Better than me!" She slid her hands to Kelli's waist, and spun the both of them around until their heads were dizzy. Amy embraced Kelli while she laughed breathlessly, then grumbled gently as she saw Dwayne hiding behind his drink. "What are we gonna do with him? At first it seems as if he's coming around and then..." She sighed. "At least I have you, Kelli. That always brightens my mood."

"Mine too," Kelzira said with a smile. "Well, we don't really need him if he doesn't want to join us. I think we can have a perfectly good time together. I don't understand why he won't even try. Still, it just means more of you for me."

Amy giggled and pulled back to regard Kel. "I've never had a friend quite like you, Kelli. And I doubt Dwayne's had friends anything like us either. We should try and pull him onto the dancefloor. He needs to see how much fun this is!"

"He does," Kelzira said with a grin, then laughed. "But first..." With that, she pulled herself close to Amy again, and gave her friend a lingering kiss.

Amy was caught off guard momentarily and almost staggered backwards, but soon she was embracing Kelli to steady herself and returned the kiss willingly. With a gentle laugh, she pulled back and gazed into her friend's eyes. "What was that?"

"That, my silly friend," Kelzira said with a smile, "was a kiss. I hope you didn't mind."

Amy grinned and shook her head briskly. "I guess if that's how they do it on Trill...then I'm fine with it!" She reached out and took Kelli's hand. "Now, let's go slap some sense into Dwayne...or his rear, at least."

"In a moment," Kelzira said with a mischievous smile. "First, I want you to show me how they do it on Earth. Just...just so we know what it's like for each other's culture."

Amy narrowed her eyes inquisitively at Kelzira and smiled uncertainly. "Well...it's not really much different," she replied. "Though, this is how friends do it." Amy leaned forward and kissed first one, then both of Kelzira's blushing cheeks. "Just like that."

Kelzira smiled. "I like that," she said with a grin. "Now let's get over to Dwayne so you can go slap his rear."

Amy's grin returned and she took Kel's hand as they started through the crowd. "So we can slap him on the rear."

"I really don't know if he can handle that," Kelli said with a grin. "I mean, maybe now that he's loosening up, but we are in an environment where we'll be encouraging him to dance. He could revert to his prior state of cowering shyness."

"Then we'll just have to lose the clothes again." Amy winked conspiratorially at her friend, then as they came up behind Dwayne, she swung back her arm and forward again, bringing her hand down hard against Dwayne's rear. "Hiya!"

Dwayne yelped as Amy's hand descended on his backside in quite the resounding smack. It wasn't embarrassment that made him yelp, it was surprise...and maybe a tad bit of pain, not that he didn't enjoy that; he did, both being slapped on the backend, and the pain. "Hey girls, weren't you having fun?"

"We were having lots of fun, Dwayne-o," Kelzira said, "but you looked like you were having a positively terrible time, so we decided to come over and try to cheer you up. So, here we are."

"Oh, well, I wasn't having a bad time. I was watching you two." Of course where his eyes were remained to be told. And it was at this point that someone had chosen to have a slow song play. He glanced at the two and wondered what was going to happen now.

Kelzira grinned. "A slow song, Amy," she said. "If Dwayne's not interested in having you squeezing his butt out there, would you like to dance?"

"Sure," Amy replied. "If Dwayne doesn't want to. Come on, Sanchez. What'll it be?"

"I told you girls, I've got two left feet. I'm no good at dancing." The last word was said as Amy grabbed his hand and led him to the floor. She put his arms about her own waist while he was trying to think of something to say to keep this from happening.

"Come on, Dwayne, loosen up." Amy smiled at him and shifted closer. "Just don't look at your feet. You'll only get disoriented and end up stepping on my toes. Let instinct take over. You'll be fine."

He tried, he really did, but he found himself looking down at his feet and what do you know, he did exactly what she said he would: he stepped on her foot and he sighed. "So much for instinct."

Amy laughed gently and took a step back to put distance between she and Dwayne, and to avoid having her toes trampled again. She cupped his chin with one hand and raised his head. "Keep your eyes on mine, Dwayne. Just look at me, and it'll be fine."

He kept his eyes on her and as it happened, he didn't step on her feet again. "I...I'm sorry about stepping on your feet before Amy, I told you I'm not good at dancing."

"Oh, it was nothing," she assured him. "Didn't hurt a bit." She looked over Dwayne's shoulder and smiled hopefully at Kelzira.

Kel leaned back against the bar and gave Amy a sweet smile.

He drew her closer to him...almost pressing her to him, really getting into the slow dance. He even forgot himself and who he was with as he snuggled his face into her hair...close to the neck...below her ear...on the right side of her head.

Amy smiled tenderly and brushed her fingers against his neck, then combed them through his hair. She closed the insignificant distance separating their bodies and flattened herself against him. "This is better, isn't it?" she whispered. "It's good to relax, Dwayne. You should relax more often."

He nodded, his hair brushing the side of her face. "Yes." His warm breath could be felt on the side of her neck as he spoke or every time he would breathe. "But I still don't like to dance," he said with a slight grin that could be heard in his words.

Amy chuckled throatily. "I bet you will before the night's over." Their hips lightly brushed up against each other as they swayed slowly to the music. Amy bit her lip and held back a smile at the sensation of Dwayne's firm body moving in time with hers. She definitely was aroused, but then again, who wouldn't be? "Poor Kelli's left out," she said huskily. "You sure you won't dance with her?"

As he lowered his head to hers, his mouth hovering over hers slightly: "Next dance," came his reply as he pressed his mouth to hers.

Amy made no attempt to manoeuvre out of Dwayne's kiss and instead opened her lips and accepted. Her hand clenched into a loose fist, trapping his hair between her fingers, while her other hand moved to his cheek and caressed it. She was no stranger to men, and certainly was no amateur when it came to kissing, so she didn't shy away. She figured Dwayne needed this after his days of emotional turmoil, so she allowed the kiss to linger for a moment longer before pulling back. When she did, Amy grinned at Dwayne and asked in a sing-song voice, "What are you doing, Dwayne?"

He looked into her eyes, a grin on his face. "Can't you tell?" He could only take so much of the flirting that Amy and Kelli were doing. He found himself giving in to the lures that each one was sending out...and he found himself enjoying that. "I can stop if you like." Again, said with a grin.

"Oh, no you can't," Amy teased. "You like girls, Dwayne; you can't control your urges when it comes to us. I bet if Kel were here, you'd be kissing her just the same. Who knows?" She smiled. "I'd probably be doing the same."

Dwayne leaned his head against hers, forehead to forehead and smiled. "You're right, I can't help it. The urges are getting too much for me to hold back. As much as I have been trying, it's getting harder and harder for me to hold back." He then leaned in and placed another soft, gentle kiss to her mouth.

Amy grinned. "So...what are you saying, Dwayne? My charms are becoming too much for you to handle?"

"What I'm saying is, no number of cold showers is going to work anymore. I need release or I feel like I'm going to blow up." He sounded and looked serious.

Amy's smile took on a sultry quality as she ran her fingers down Dwayne's spine. "So...what are you gonna do about it, Sanchez?" She gazed up into his depthless brown eyes from beneath her lashes. "Make me an offer, and...maybe we'll see what happens."

"Oh, Amy...I'd like nothing more than to relieve the tension...and with you. Unfortunately I can't do that to you. I can't do this casually, it has to be worth something, it has to mean something to me, to us both. And if it's just going to be a one night thing..." He shook his head. "It wouldn't be worth it."

Amy sighed and shrugged. "Well...maybe some other time, huh?" She kissed Dwayne again, then pulled fully away from his embrace as the music began waning. "Come on, Sanchez. We'll find another way to put a smile on your face. Although, I'm certain I could have plastered a very large one there permanently, if you'd given me the chance."

He didn't know what to do. He tried to make it as gentle as he could and still she sounded hurt. At least to him she did. He could have been wrong. "Amy, don't be mad at me, please? I was taught to do things...differently...when it comes to women. I'm not used to women throwing themselves at me like you and...Kelli do." He paused as they walked back towards Kelli. "Please don't take that to mean I don't find you attractive."

"Oh, don't be silly, Dwayne," Amy chided. "I know you think Kelli and I are pretty, and we think you're hot too. It's okay not to want to have sex with us. It just makes you a better friend." She kissed his cheek, then slipped into the nearest vacant chair. "Now, come on, Dwayne, don't frown. Smile and have a drink with us."

Kelzira grinned. "If you get us drunk enough, Dwayne-o, you may even get to watch us have our way with each other."

Dwayne smiled. "Don't get me wrong, I do want to have sex, it's just...my mother raised me to wait till marriage. I know, that's an antiquated idea, but I can't help it, it's just something that's stuck from the time I was old enough to even know what sex was." He glanced to Kelli. "Something tells me that you would do that whether you were drunk or not."

"That's admirable," Amy said. "Really, Dwayne." Her hand shot up to signal the waitress over.

Kelzira glanced at Amy and then nodded. "I honestly can't see any reason why I'd object in either case, drunk or not. When we get that drink, I suggest a toast to Amy."

He shrugged, he was only living by what he was taught.

Kelli playfully punched Dwayne a couple times in the arm. "Come on, Dwayne. Just because you don't want to have sex with Amy or me tonight isn't any reason to start shrugging and moping. We can still have fun. Don't let that bring you down. And, I've been a man enough times to know that a little privacy and a vivid imagination can help relieve that tension."

"I won't be getting that drunk, my friend. Not now, not ever." Then as he sat there, and Kelli punched him, then told him what she did: "It wasn't you really, it was your symbiont. And a lot of that depends on how you were raised. Again, the antiquated idea about that kind of thing extends to the single five finger method too."

Kelzira suppressed a frown, instead making her smile even more cheerful. "Humans can be a strange lot, that's for sure. So, you get yourself all screwed up with sexual tension, and you don't even have any way for release? Dwayne, if that is your philosophy on life and intergender relations, then you're going to have a very...tense time around me and Amy, I think."

"Don't get me wrong, Amy's as human as I am and she's far from being hindered by her sexuality. As I said, a lot depends on how a person was raised. My mother believed in the old fashioned beliefs of those who lived where we did in the twentieth century, that's all," came his reply.

"Well, I think if the five-finger solution is what will satisfy you the most, Dwayne," Amy said, "then that's what you should do. Kelli and I will be right here to help you out if you change your mind." She smiled brightly, then thanked the waitress as she set down their drinks. She was about to take a sip from her glass when the doors of the holodeck parted and the light from within the corridor spilled into the room, brightening the dimly-lit club. Amy squinted her eyes at the shadowy figure standing in the doorway. "Hello?"

Dwayne was thinking about what Amy said. Of course he hadn't planned on doing anything with them without the benefit of a more permanent relationship, but who knew if that would work out or not. He just couldn't do that to her, or Kelli. His glance turned to Amy then over to Kelli. He turned then to look to the waitress and nodded his thanks when his drink was set before him. He hadn't noticed the doors part, his mind on something else. It wasn't till she'd said hello that he turned to see J.R. had arrived, and his good mood dissipated.

---

"Dance Hall Days, Part 2"
by Kelzira Rax
Amy Reese
Dwayne Sanchez
and J.R. Steele

Location: Holodeck, USS Sulu
Stardate: 57906.27 01h55

***

J.R. arrived at the holodeck and took a deep breath, as he was unsure of just how Dwayne would react to his offer of friendship. He entered what appeared to be a nightclub setting and looked around. At first he saw no one he recognized, but then after a few passing moments, he spotted Dwayne seated at a table with a lovely woman on each arm.

Shaking his head, he realized Dwayne was no slouch with the ladies, unless of course this was all part of the program. Making his way over to Dwayne he came to rest at the end of the table and cleared his throat. "Dwayne, I was wondering if I might have a word with you..."

Dwayne had watched as J.R. made his way towards them. His previously good mood had left him and a cold place in his stomach started to build like a glacier. "If you wish to speak, J.R., you can speak here." His tone was as cold as the feeling in his stomach.

"J.R.?" Amy repeated quietly to herself. "That's that Steele guy? The one who's been making your life miserable?" Amy frowned unhappily. "If you'd like, Kelli and I could take care of him for you."

Dwayne nodded. "Yes, this is him. And not yet, I want to hear what he thinks he needs to say." He glanced at J.R. again. "Well, speak."

J.R. shrugged his shoulders and said, "Have it your way. I just came down here to apologize for my actions. While I am a little mad that the captain condemned me without ever asking my side of the story, I can see where he was coming from. I realized life is too short and that we all need to trust each other. So I stand here in front of you, face to face to tell you I am sorry." Looking at the two ladies seated next to Dwayne, J.R. smiled inwardly and thought, At least he isn't alone...

"I did what I did to protect the females of this ship. Then you turn around to hurt me and you do that with the one I told you I loved. You shot down any chance I had to be with her. She couldn't care less what my feelings were." He sighed. He had to give up his temper and his anger at this man, his former roommate. "I've never been good at holding a grudge. Get up here, Steele." He grinned at him, a hand held out to him to help him up to the table.

Trying to hide his shock at the quick acceptance by Dwayne, J.R. extended his hand in friendship, then smiled. "I didn't really intend to go through with that bet, Dwayne. Who knows... Once I tell Jenara that you aren't that bad, maybe she'll choose you over me."

"Who knows," Amy interjected, "she probably will, Dwayne. Now she'll get the chance to see what a nice guy you are and not what a jerk Steele over here made you out to be." Amy couldn't help the slight sneer she shot J.R. She was very protective of her friends, and didn't especially like men who took advantage of women.

"That's not too likely. She didn't seem to be the kind to forgive and forget too well. Even if the story she'd heard was a lie."

Kelzira sighed and rolled her eyes. "Dwayne, do you have any idea how absolutely infuriating you can be? There is only one way to find out if she'll forgive you, and it's not by relying on one not-even-a-conversation conversation. You need to talk to her. You need to at least become her friend. And, when she sees how crazy you are for her, then she won't be able to resist you. Stop being so negative about yourself and how people relate to you. It's not very pleasant, and in the end it'll only turn people off and leave you alone. You will talk to her; no arguments. Amy and I will see to it."

"She won't see how crazy I am for her because I can't see how she could just not see through -- no offense -- the lies that J.R. told her about me and how predatorial he was being. I'm sorry, but there's no way. I've already told Amy that, and I mean it... As smart as she was to get through the Engineering courses at the Academy, she doesn't have the smarts to see through that kind of thing. Not going to happen." He shook his head. "Besides, that was 'see how crazy I was for her. I'm no longer attracted to her."

"How utterly and completely arrogant of you," Kelzira said, gaping at Dwayne. "Whether or not a woman can see through some bastard's pick-up line has practically nothing to do with her intelligence. Jenara was in love with the idea of being in love. She had never had anyone notice her in her life, and when Steele did, he suddenly became Prince Charming, no matter how repulsive and repugnant he is. If you expect to fall in love with a woman who won't be fooled by cheap pick-up lines, Dwayne, then I suggest you start setting your sights on dating Betazoids because those of us without telepathy have to rely on other mundane methods to tell if someone is trying to deceive us, and it's not always accurate. How do you know what Steele said to her? Just because you know he's a targ's ass doesn't mean that he came across that way when he was talking to her. He may be very charming when he's trying to seduce a woman so he can take advantage of her. This is partly your fault too, you know. How could you have possibly even agreed to such a low, disgusting, and degrading bet? How could you, the self-proclaimed Defender of All Women's Honour, agree to something like that? And, you spurn Jenara because she was taken by whatever tripe Steele spewed at her?"

He hung his head. What could he say? She was right. "I'm sorry, I know you're right. She...she's..." He couldn't finish what he was intending to say, he felt all choked up suddenly. And with Steele sitting there... "Kelli, if I hadn't have felt guilty for that bet, I wouldn't have said anything to the captain about it, I wouldn't have gone three rounds with the operations console, and lost." He shook his hand remembering that one. "And it wasn't so much knowing what J.R. told her as how cold she was to me, the expression she gave me when I glanced at her and him together that first time. I knew he said something to turn her away from me, to turn her cold to me. I just didn't know what." He was having such a good time that this suddenly hit him hard and now he dropped his head to his hands...with a sigh, but he really felt like crying.

Amy couldn't help staring wide-eyed at Dwayne, suddenly grateful he hadn't taken her up on her previous offer of sex. There was no way a man as sensitive as he could handle Amy Reese in bed. She cleared her throat, nodding her head in Dwayne's direction, urging Kelli to at least keep him from bursting into tears.

"Dwayne," Kelzira said, much more gently this time, "it's in the past, and it's a learning experience. You can now move past that, and if in your heart you still want to see what can happen with her, you can. You were head over heels with her yesterday, and today you can't be out of love with her already. That only happens in fiction from Earth's Victorian Era. Your heart can't change that fast, Dwayne. I think that's only the anger and pain talking. Now, let me and Amy buy you a drink. Steele can have one too if he wants, but only if he doesn't dribble on the floor. We are still dancing here you know."

He had to smile at her words. At least the last ones about Steele dribbling on the floor. "I can't, not until she loses this facination for Steele here."

"Dwayne," Kelli said. "I'm sure that Jen wouldn't mind a friend. And, who knows what she'll say after Steele reveals the truth to her. And, I do hope he plans on revealing the whole truth, including his original intentions before the captain was notified, and the reason he seduced her. You are planning to tell her all those things, right, J.R.?

J.R. seemed lost in thought as he followed the rambling conversation, then suddenly realized they were talking to him. Shrugging his shoulders, he replied, "Who is to say I didn't like Jenara the moment I saw her? Just because Dwayne here likes a woman doesn't immediately make her off limits to everyone else. I'll explain about the bet, because in a lot of ways it wasn't Dwayne and I making that foolish bet, it was two idiot ensigns trying to show off. I was still mad at the captain and not in a right frame of mind and I do feel my arrogance and anger rubbed off negatively on Dwayne here."

Taking a breath, he continued, "In terms of what I told Jenara about Sanchez, I plan on telling her Dwayne isn't a bad guy and how she reacts to that is one thing, but for you to sit here and want me to say I only went after Jenara in spite is ludicrous. I like her...a lot. At first she may not have seemed my type, but I looked past all that and saw she is a wonderful person that I want to get to know better." Pausing to take a deep breath he smiled at the thought of Jenara.

Kelzira rolled her eyes and looked away. "I don't believe this," she said. "I really don't believe this." She turned to look at Amy. "Please tell me this isn't normal behaviour for human males. Please tell me that these two men are aberrations of the human species."

"I sure hope so," Amy said with a frown. "Because if they aren't, we're doomed to be old spinsters. Do you mean to tell me you used that poor girl, and now you like her? Really like her? Lemme guess. You're not gonna say a word to her about what you did, right?" She snorted derisively and shook her head. "Typical."

"Amy, my dear," Kelzira said, "I have an idea. I think that it's time for a Girls' Night Out. And, I think we should invite my roommate, Jenara. What do you say?"

A mischievous smile curved Amy's red-glossed lips. "Oh that sounds wonderful," she replied, looking specifically to J.R. "Oh, the fun we'll have, talking, and talking...and doing some more talking. I really think we should do that."

J.R. just shrugged and said, "Jenara probably has an inkling of what is going on, after all the Captain thought it necessary to have the counselors send a message to all of the women making me out to be a monster without even hearing my side of the story. Is that fair? Wait don't answer that, I already know what you women are going to say."

"You made a bet to sleep with all the female junior officers on the ship as a means to get back at the captain for interrupting you from having sex with Lieutenant Tagliesh in a turbolift. It sounds like the captain did exactly the right thing, though he may not have gone far enough. You are a monster, J.R. Any man who could even dream of doing something like that, to use innocent women as a means for revenge, and then not even appear to be bothered or guilty by his actions, is the worst kind of monster there is. You're a disgusting jerk and a disgrace to the Starfleet uniform you wear. Try joining a Klingon ship."

"You tell him, Kelli," Amy said with a proud smile.

J.R. looked at Dwayne and shook his head. "It's bad enough to make a mistake and then regret it. It's another to change one's mind before making the mistake. These women here have already punished us for something that never even came to bear. Talking about it is one thing, but did I lay a finger on one single ensign on this ship? No! If you women want to act all high and mighty and take the high road thinking you're better than me, fine, but it took a real man to come in here and admit he was wrong, and I won't let anything you say or do affect me at all. I've made my peace with Dwayne. My mind is clear; after all nothing else happened. If you want to turn into vindictive little vixens and turn Jenara into one of you then go ahead, but know that you're only going to be doing the same thing you sit here and yell at me for." With a smug look on his face, J.R. turned and left.

As J.R. was waiting for the holodeck doors to open, Kelzira strolled leisurely after him. "So, what was your real reason for coming here and making peace? I can't imagine you felt guilty and decided to make up with Dwayne. There has to be another reason. Tell me, J.R., if Dwayne hadn't gone to the captain with his information of the bet, would you have gone through with it? That's the real key. It's not that you're not, it's after Dwayne said something, you had to back off. But, you had every intention of getting every woman on this ship into your bed, didn't you? At least Dwayne had the conscience to try to call it off before Jenara got hurt, let alone the rest of us. But you? I doubt you even have one. I think you're still upset that the captain stopped you from having your disgusting fun."

J.R. looked directly into Kelzira's eyes and said, "It doesn't matter what I say right now, because you've been biased by Dwayne's opinions...much as Jenara may or may not be biased by what I said to her the other day about Dwayne. I told the captain that I had no intention of going through with it, and a lot of that may just have to do with the fact I like Jenara a lot, and don't want to hurt her. I'm going to tell her right now that Dwayne and I made up and that he isn't such a bad guy after all, and knowing how she is, she'll likely apologize for blowing him off. At least she can forgive someone, unlike you and Ms. Reese over there."

With that the doors opened and J.R walked away to leave Kelzira to ponder his words.

Amy laughed wryly. "Someone's deluded," she said sardonically. "Can you believe that jerk? He actually thinks he deserves forgiveness? Does he believe what he's done can simply be overlooked because now he's decided to be a nice guy? Right!"

Kelzira shook her head again and let out a scream of frustration. "What a jerk! Does he not realize that Jenara has no reason to forgive Dwayne? I mean, what is she supposed to say to him? 'I forgive you for all those lies J.R. told me about you?' As opposed to 'We forgive you for making a bet that involves sexually harassing the female junior officers of the ship and know that the only thing stopping you from doing it now is because the captain found out and you happen to actually like one of the women you were going to use.' Someone please tell me we can launch that bastard out of a torpedo tube during our next crisis."

Dwayne just sat there through it all. He just glanced between the three, and till J.R. left, he even listened to his words. But somehow, he wasn't too sure he believed anything that he'd said. He stung at Kelli's words, but he knew she was right. When she asked about launching J.R. out the torpedo tube at the next crisis, he had to laugh. "I don't know, my friend, I think if we did that, the ship we'd launch him at would take off away from him." Then he frowned. "I don't know if I ever said this to you girls, but I really like you. I really do. And I'm glad you are my friends."

Amy's good humour returned and she reached across the table to pat Dwayne's hand. "That's sweet, Dawyne. And at least we know you're not a jerk like that Steele fellow. We really have to warn Jenara about him, and fast!"

"If she's as in love with him as it seems she is, that may be difficult," Kelzira said. "But, hopefully we can get her to listen to reason. I can't believe he's so deluded about all of this. And, I really can't believe that he's saying the main reason he stopped is because he likes her. That means, if the captain hadn't stopped him and he didn't like her, he'd do it anyway without any remorse. How could anyone really be that low? Perhaps if they could find a way to eradicate that sort of behaviour from a person's genetics... I'd certainly be in favour of resequencing someone's genes if they were going to turn out like Steele."

"I'd say someone like him would need to be recycled, not resequenced," Dwayne said. He picked up the drink he'd been given and took a drink from it. "Anyway, I hear another slow song. Kelli, it's your turn. You wanna dance?"

Kelzira grinned and then glanced to Amy. "Back in a few," she said. "It's my turn now." She then held a hand out to Dwayne. "We'll make a dancer out of you yet."

Dwayne frowned. "I told you, I'm not much of a dancer. About the only kind I can do is the slow kind, and that's just recently." He turned Kelli around so they were facing each other and drew her arms around him as he leaned in. He wrapped his own arms around her. He tried to get into the same type of position he'd gotten into with Amy, except Kelli was a bit shorter than Amy and therefore that made it a little harder for him to do so.

Kelzira smiled as they started moving with the music. Very subtly, she made the necessary adjustments to their postures to allow him to more easily lead in the dance. "You're doing well," she said. "I think if we were to speed up the music, you'd do well too. You seem fairly coordinated and you're picking up the rhythm of the song. You're better than you think you are, Dwayne."

"Um, well, I don't dislike music as much as I claim. I play the piano," he replied.

"Then it should be really easy for you to actually be able to dance. You know, I think Amy and I are going to have to give you lessons. It won't be long, and you'll be one of the best dancers on the ship. All it takes is confidence."

"I said I took the lessons, I didn't say I liked them," he said. "Besides, I've practically forgotten everything I'd ever learned."

"Then," Kelzira said with a wide grin as she looked up at him, "Amy and I will need to give you a refresher course. We'll have you moving like a galactic class dancer in no time at all. You'll see. You really shouldn't fight it, Dwayne-o. You know when Amy and I make up our minds about something, it's as good as done." She looked back at Amy and grinned. "Hey, how about a three-way slow dance?"

Amy chuckled and shook her head. "How about you two finish up over there and we get outta here? Do you two realize how late it is? Some of us have shift in the morning."

"Well, Dwayne," Kelzira said with a grin, "you're leading. If you want to try anything fancy, now's the time."

He had planned on kissing Kelli, you know, giving equal time to both girls...but he didn't know how that would be received, but...oh well, he went ahead and leaned down, even though he had to lean a little further down with her than with Amy, and pressed his mouth to hers. He very likely caught her off-guard...

Kelzira started as she found her mouth suddenly covered by Dwayne's lips, but after a moment, allowed herself to relax and go along with it. She let her arms slip around his back and inched herself up onto her tiptoes to help ease his neckstrain.

He didn't let it go too long. He pulled back mere moments later. "I...I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that."

"Dwayne, you're going to have serious trouble in life if you have to apologize every time after you've kissed a woman," Kelzira said with a smile. "Come on, let's go finish up those drinks." With that, she led the way back over to Amy. "You know, I think if we're willing to put in the time, we'll have this guy dancing like a pro in no time."

"Then, we work on getting him to stop blushing so much," Amy replied, raising her glass to the two.

---

"I Never Meant To Hurt You"
By Ensign J.R. Steele
and Ensign Jenara Redman

Location: Corridors outside Ensign Redman's quarters, U.S.S. Sulu
Stardate: 57906.27 02h01

***

A million different fears and worries crossed through the mind of J.R. Steele as he left behind Sanchez and those two vindictive women he was with. A simple heartfelt apology wasn't good enough for them it seemed. J.R. wasn't above apologizing when he was wrong, after all, that was what he had just done.

Shaking his head he realized he had to tell Jenara the details of why he started to pursue her, even if those weren't his motives anymore. J.R. seemed confident that when he fully explained the situation, she'd understand he wasn't really like that, and perhaps they could continue down this path they had started on.

J.R. walked past Jenara's quarters a few meters before realizing it, and he quickly backtracked to the point right outside of her room. Glancing at the wall chronometer, he silently cursed as he realized it was rather late. Taking a moment to compose his thoughts, he quietly paced for a few seconds before reaching forward to touch the door chime.

Inside the room, Jenara lay on her bed, with the covers haphazardly tossed about the bed as a result of her tossing and turning. Her dreams interrupted by the door chime, she slowly awoke. Jenara was disoriented as to what had caused her to wake up. It wasn't till the chime sounded one more time that she knew why. Glancing down to make sure she was decent, she stood up and went through her bedroom door and approached the door to her cabin. Pausing just before it, she called out, "Who's there?"

J.R. realized he had woken Jenara up, but that it would be cowardly to run now. He called out, "It's J.R., I'm sorry I woke you up, but I think we need to talk about something."

Jenara smiled a little bit and made sure once again that she was fully covered, so as not to give a wrong impression, then touched the door lock to allow J.R. in. Smiling outwardly, she motioned for J.R. to come in, then she called out, "Lights!"

A moment after the lights had come on, she looked confused as she asked, "Well you're sure up late, can I get you anything to drink?"

J.R. shook his head as he eyed Jenara slowly. She was wearing red satin pyjamas, nothing too provocative, but flattering nonetheless. Confident that he wasn't about to lose her, J.R. allowed himself to smile as he said, "Nice pyjamas."

Jenara smiled at the compliment then replied, "Thank you, but I'm sure you didn't come here at 2 A.M. to tell me I look nice in pyjamas."

J.R. nodded. "You're right. There's something I need to say, that I felt you should hear from me. I want you to listen to everything I have to say, because it's a bit of a long story, okay?"

Jenara simply shrugged then nodded her head as she got comfortable on her sofa.

J.R. sat down beside her and took a deep breath. "You remember how my roommate and I had an argument because he tried getting me into trouble?"

After Jenara nodded her head, Steele continued, "Well, he was just trying to keep us both out of trouble as a result of a stupid thing him and I discussed. I know it's going to sound a lot worse than it really was, but I want you to know I had no intention of going through with it."

Pausing a moment, J.R. spoke again: "One night, I came home from a bad date, and I was a little mad at how things turned out. Sanchez, my roommate, kind of instigated me to the point where we made a foolish bet. He bet me that I couldn't get intimate with every female ensign on the ship. A second part of the bet involved you. It seems that Sanchez has a bit of a crush on you, and he said there was no way I could ever get you. After Sanchez reported all this to the Captain, I was mad, and I thought that the best way to get back at him was to go after you."

Jenara was stunned and said nothing. J.R. decided to keep explaining things as best as he could. "I really knew nothing about you other than your name, and when I decided to pursue you, maybe at first it was in spite of Dwayne, but you have to believe me when I say my interest in you has become a lot more than that. I underestimated how much I would fall for you, and I wanted you to hear an explanation of all this. I felt I owed it to you to be honest and to help you know that I never intended to hurt anyone. I really like you, Jenara, and I want to spend more time with you. I hope you aren't mad."

Tears were forming near the bottom of Jenara's eyes. Looking away from J.R. she was just unsure of how to react to what he had just told her. Suddenly she spoke with a bitterness J.R. had never head before. "I was just a pawn to you wasn't I? A way to get back at Dwayne because he stood up for what was right. I can't believe this."

J.R. raised his hands defensively as he replied, "No, not at all. Like I said, I've been attracted to you more and more from the time we started spending together. Jenara, I want you to know that I think I am falling for you, and that I never had any intention of going through with the bet."

Jenara stood up and stomped over to the door. As it opened she motioned out into the hallway as she said, "You can leave now, J.R."

Realizing that he may have lost her, he pleaded, "Please Jenara, you have to believe me. I never meant to hurt you."

Jenara closed her eyes as she said, "This is... It's just too... I don't know what to say or believe. Please just leave. I.need...to think this through on my own."

Dejectedly, Steele trudged through the doors and turned to take one more look at the crying woman he was leaving behind in her room. In a soft voice he said, "I'm sorry," before he turned to walk away.

Jenara watched through her tears as he left. Running back into her room, she threw herself into her pillow and cried herself back to sleep.

---

"Only The Strong"
by Ensign Jermaine Gordo - Security Officer
and Ensign Saris - Security Officer

Location: Starbase 163
Stardate 57906.27, 06h36

***

Jermaine was lying in his bed, still a bit groggy as the annoying sounds of his alarm clock roused him from his slumber. He sat up slowly and rubbed the sleep from his eyes as he made his way to the bathroom to get showered.

After a refreshing sonic shower he walked back out into his quarters and decided upon his attire for his daily workout. He selected a loose fitting pair of yellow pants, common to his heritage, and a button-up black silk shirt.

The still opened top few buttons showed off the dazzling white tattoo that covered his entire torso, quite the opposition to his dark complexion. His long dark dreadlocks swayed in the confident strides that led him to the door.

Taking his gym bag into his hand he stepped out of his quarters and started off to the holodeck for his daily workout. This was indeed crucial to him, he would just not feel the same without doing it daily.

Jermaine arrived at the holodeck, with only few interruptions along the way to make pleasant conversation. He loaded a suitable music selection and the proper training devices.

Stepping to the center of the room he took a seat and began his callisthenics to limber himself up for the workout he would be putting himself through shortly.

Rising to his feet once again Jermaine closed his eyes as he allowed the music to take hold of him, guiding him as he started the unique fighting stance of his long practiced art.

Jermaine took off his shirt and placed it with his things. He would never forgive himself if he ruined it. It was one of his favorites after all.

His arms raised parallel to the ground as they counteracted the shifting of his mass from side to side as he started to move.

His eyes opened once again, taking in the sight of the bag in front of him. He lashed out in perfect rhythm with the music that had grown part of him now. He delivered multiple strikes to the bag, although with his time-tested skill they blended into what would be mistaken for that of a single strike, only the sounds proved otherwise.

Although he had gone into his "fight mode" the sounds of the holodeck door opening put an end to his motions as he turned to see who had walked in.

Jermaine saw a young woman walk in with...what was this? A Tae Kwon Do gee? The thought seemed to echo through his mind before his eyes could surmise much else about her.

Saris saw Jermaine standing there next to the punching bag which was still swaying slightly from the techniques he had just delivered. She smiled politely at Jermaine and walked to a side bench, her hips swaying slightly as she did. She bent over and placed her bag on the ground and slowly laid down on the ground.

Jermaine raised a dark brow as a bit of curiosity ran its course through him. The lettering on her gym bag, though slightly contorted due to its lack of contents, seemed to read "Risan Champion."

He turned his attentions back to her as she laid down on the ground and started stretching her lower back and her hamstrings as she reached for her toes.

"Hello," he ventured the first attempts of conversation. Jermaine waited a moment for her to respond, knowing most would hold their breath as they stretched.

Saris finished her preliminary stretch and allowed her friendly gaze to fall upon Jermaine as she smiled. "Hello there, how are you today?"

"I am fine, thank you for asking," replied Jermaine, then he added, "How are you today? By the way, my name is Jermaine. And yours is?"

"My name is Saris." The young Risan seemed to ponder the rest for a moment then she replied, "Well, any time I can get to do my morning exercises is a good time, so I guess you could say that I am feeling pretty good right now."

Jermaine nodded in understanding. "I know how you feel. My day just isn't the same without my morning regimen. I'll stay out of your way unless you prefer privacy." Jermaine made an emphasis on his statement by turning down the music that he once again realized was playing.

Saris chuckled slightly as she asked, "Why would I need privacy? Because I am a woman? I'm not ashamed to do my workouts in front of men."

Jermaine lifted his hands and pressed his fingertips innocently against his chest as he replied, "I didn't mean to imply anything. I just know a few people that are not as confident as you seem to be, and prefer to do this alone."

Saris could see that Jermaine was being sincere, and wasn't flirting with her, which made her smile inside as she thought, Could it be? A guy not just interested in me because of what I look like? On the outside she nodded and said, "Well I appreciate the fact you seem to care about others' feelings. I hope I am not intruding on your workout."

Jermaine nodded again as an understanding seemed to be reached. He looked back towards the bag as he allowed himself to reunite with the melody playing from the holodeck program.

As Saris slowly finished her stretching, her eyes took in the white tattoo that covered Gordo's entire upper body. Confused as to its meaning, she decided to ask him about it. "That's an interesting tattoo, is there a special meaning behind it?"

Without pause, Jermaine replied, "It is a symbol that makes me stand out amongst my fellow Brazilians. Do you think it did the trick?"

Shrugging her shoulders, she answered, "Well I can't say I've met any other Brazilians, so I can't really say whether it does or not."

Jermaine laughed as he realized the assumption made him look rather foolish. He shrugged it off inwardly as he delivered another combination of attacks onto the bag in front of him.

Saris started to recognize the attack style he was using as Capoeira, and was rather impressed at the skill Jermaine was displaying. Crouching low to the ground, she began to do push-ups while she asked, "How long have you been studying Capoeira?"

The end of his combination left him in a handstand position with his head looking back towards her. His dreadlocks cascaded down to the ground as he tilted his head to the side. "I started mastering my art at the wee age of five," he said with a confident grin, before rocking back to stand up once again.

Saris finished her push-ups and stood up as she replied, "What made you want to start at such a young age?"

"I was told by my ancestors that it would give me the appropriate amount of time to become one of the greats," he replied, though by no means in an arrogant way.

Saris smiled at Jermaine's response. After finishing her push-ups, she made her way over to a different punching bag.

She slowly took up the Tae Kwan Do stance and came set, ready to attack the bag. Launching herself into a series of kicks from all different angles, she began to pummel the bag repeatedly.

Jermaine returned her polite grin, as his dark eyes took in her martial arts skills. Realizing how much the rest of their conversation could be seen as flirting, he decided to shift the focus elsewhere.

"Would you care to spar?" he said with a rather cocky smile on his face. "I don't know about you, but I need something more challenging than the holodeck simulated opponents."

Saris began to look Jermaine over, looking at his body english to see how confident he was in himself. Nodding her head, she said, "You aren't going to go easy on me are you? I'd be extremely disappointed if I didn't get your best effort."

Jermaine shrugged a bit as he answered, "I know of no other way to fight. To not do my best would be to not be myself."

Saris allowed a similar cocky smile to cross her face as she retorted, "Just so you know I don't hold back either." Lifting her head upwards more for effect, she said, "Computer, please reconfigure program and set up spar program delta."

The background shimmered around them and reset as a basic tournament legal sparring mat. Saris made her way to the center of the mat and came set as she patiently waited for her opponent to join her.

Gordo allowed his head to look up as he said, "Computer, load music program Gordo-3." The holodeck filled with the rhythmic sounds of his homeland. Slowly pacing himself towards the center of mat, he allowed the music to once again unite with him. Saris slowly allowed the music to fade from her consciousness until there was just her opponent facing her.

Gordo's swaying stance took effect as he arrived in the middle of the ring. The two adversaries bowed towards each other as a sign of mutual respect. Coming set in their base positions, the holodeck referee came forward and dropped his hand as he said, "Fight!"

Gordo's battle reflexes were strong, and he timed his combo perfectly with the conclusion of the referee's signal to start.

The first part of his combo, a powerful roundhouse kick towards her head, was deflected by Saris, although it knocked her slightly off balance away from Jermaine. The second part of the combo, a back flip, bringing Jermaine's feet towards her head, was countered by the fact she took another step away from him. Fully aware that Saris was backing towards the edge of the ring, Jermaine began the third part of his combo. The leg sweep caught Saris by the legs, knocking her to the ground.

The referee signaled a successful point for Jermaine and motioned for the two to return to the center. Saris slightly bowed her head in admiration of the success Jermaine had on their last point.

The two came set once again as the referee motioned for them to begin the second round. This time, Saris timed her attack a little better, and began her combo attack. The first part, a shin kick towards his left shin, was avoided with a sidestep due to Jermaine's fighting stance. The second part, a mid kick towards his hip, was parried by Gordo's hands. Gordo avoided the third part of her combo, a high kick, by ducking under her leg, but was caught completely off guard by her slight hop allowing her opposite leg to catch him square across the jaw for a point.

Standing up, Jermaine cocked his head from side to side as if to "crack" it, before making his way to the center to stand opposite of her once again.

As luck would have it, Jermaine's timing once again was flawless. Leaning forward and placing his left hand on the ground, his right leg came overhead and struck at her shoulder. Saris sidestepped to her left to avoid the attack. Jermaine's legs carried through much like a gymnast on a pommel horse, attempting a sweep, which was avoided with a simple hop by Saris. Displaying amazing upper body strength, Gordo rose into a handstand and lashed his legs out into a split. Saris pushed the legs to the side to avoid them. Pivoting on his hands, Gordo twirled his legs about, sending a series of blows towards Saris, which she also blocked efficiently.

As his legs came together, he lowered his body to the ground as though pivoting on his shoulder. This sent both heels towards the side of her leg which Saris blocked again. Rolling over as he continued through the kick, he rose to a knee and blindly brought the side of his left hand up and towards her chest. Caught unaware by his move, the hand made contact with her chest, causing her breasts to bounce slightly as the referee signaled a point.

Not appearing to be in any significant pain, Saris rubbed her right breast slowly as if to massage the slight pain out of it. Making her way back towards the center, she turned and waited for Gordo to meet her once again.

Using the momentum the point had given him, Gordo jumped and, while in midair, did a cartwheel without touching the ground. He landed in the center of the mat and started into his stance. The referee had no sooner dropped his arm before Saris began her attack on Gordo. Instead of the expected kick, she lashed out her left hand with a chop towards Jermaine's head. Jermaine turned to the side and leaned so that her attack would miss. Saris then attacked with a spring kick, which Gordo avoided by launching himself into a back flip. While avoiding her second move, this left him completely vulnerable to her next move, a high chop to his chest.

The two made their way to the center and were about to start the next point when the referee was interrupted by an intercom announcement. "Ensign Jermaine Gordo, please report to the medical bay immediately."

Calling out loud so the comm system would register, he replied, "I'm on my way." Turning towards Saris, he shrugged his shoulders as he said, "I guess we'll have to finish this some other time."

Saris smiled and nodded her head. "You fight well, I look forward to continuing this in the near future."

Politely bowing his head, Gordo slid his shirt back on, grabbed his bag, and made his way out of the holodeck and towards the medical bay. Saris watched him leave then decided to spar with a holosim for the rest of her routine.

---

"Meeting"
by Lt (j.g.) Arthas Hex- Future Deputy Chief Security/Tactical
and Ens. Jeremy Haskins - Future Flight Control Officer

Location: Starbase 163
Stardate 57906.27, 14h30

***

Arthas came out of the sonic shower and walked the short passage into his temporary bedroom, where he opened his suitcase and decided on wearing black denim trousers and a lightweight grey t-shirt with the 'Creative Do-Gooder's' musical band emblem on it. The band was very close to the genre of indie rock of Earth but it was all done using a guitar and several different species' instruments. He liked them a lot; enough to take a week off to go and see them a year back.

The gigs were on the back:

London, Earth, 57810.30 Tokyo, Earth, 57810.31 T'Quel, Bolia, 57811.06

The list went on, until it reached the bottom of his t-shirt.

Arthas put his commbadge on top of his shirt and sat down on his bunk

I still can't believe you put us through that concert Arthas, Lt Craz Hex said inside of him.

Arthas thought back and smiled as he remembered their friendship

And I still can't believe that I have to say sorry every time I put the t-shirt on, sir.

Arthas laid down and asked the computer: "Computer, are there any future USS Sulu officers on board base currently?"

"Affirmative"

"Are there any that are in the recreation part of the base?"

"Affirmative"

"Where? And Who?"

"Lounge, Ensign Jeremy Haskins."

Arthas set out to meet him.

Haskins had quickly ditched his quarters for the larger recreation area, where there was a bar, some booths, tables, and some games. Haskins took a seat at an empty booth. He had a PADD with him that would keep him occupied if need be, but it didn't look like it from the amount of activity going on. A waitress came up and approached him.

"What'll ya have?"

"Um, can I have a soda and some mozzarella sticks?"

"Sure can. I'll be back in a minute." The waitress walked off.

People were coming and going, and Haskins, being his inquisitive self, looked at everyone. He didn't want to seem conspicuous and nosy, it was just his nature. Haskins caught a glance at a tall Trill walk through with a t-shirt and his commbadge over it. What really got Haskins was that the Trill was looking back, as if to come up and talk to him.

"Computer, quick scan of all future USS Sulu crew members on board the Starbase."

The computer in the PADD silently showed one picture, that of one Lieutenant junior grade Arthas Hex. It was the same exact face that was looking back at Haskins and approaching him. As Hex got within speaking distance, Haskins stood up and extended his hand. "Lieutenant Hex, I presume?"

"I didn't know that you were telepathic." Arthas smiled, offering his hand.

Haskins and Hex shook hands, and Hex took a seat. "Please, call me Jeremy. Oh, and I'm not telepathic, just a little fast with the PADDs here. So, what brings you to the Sulu?"

"My old ship was decommissioned, spent my whole career there, climbed the ranks, ended up with Deputy chief of Security on an Intrepid. Not too bad? What about you?" Hex explained, sipping the Trill drink he kept in his hands.

"Me? My gills are as green as they come, but I've got just the right amount of skills, and a bit of assertiveness to make my way."

"To get on a good type of starship first placement demands skill, congratulations," Arthas replied, unsure what he said he asked a typical question, "What do you like to do? Any hobbies?"

"Oh, thank you, sir." Haskins laid back. He could relax around this guy. His drink and mozzarella sticks came, and Haskins ate one and offered another to Hex. "Well, I'm a big reader, writer, all that kinda literature stuff. But, also, I'm also really into fighting with weapons, especially something that you can yield without pulling a trigger or pushing a button. I've got good standings with a bow, and I think I'm pretty good with a Bat'leth. What about you?"

"Well, being in security I enjoy tactical situations, holo-simulations that sort of stuff. I enjoy talking like this to friends, getting to know people also I'm partial to riding a Retalliat, similar animal to a horse," Arthas replied.

"Oh, you're joined? I couldn't miss your spots to know you're a Trill, but I didn't want to ask. I know how sensitive a process it is."

Arthas almost said 'no' but said, "Yes, not until very recently though - I've had these little rascals inside me for just over a year now."

"Excellent," Haskins replied. "That's very cool."

Arthas' commbadge hailed him. He touched it. "Lt. Hex here,"

"Please report to the command center, Commander Georgeton would like to speak to you."

"I'm on my way, Hex out." Arthas stood and said, "I'll talk to you later, perhaps when the Sulu arrives. Goodbye."

Hmm, Haskins thought to himself. It was a rather punctual good-bye, but Haskins was sure he'd see Hex again onboard. For now, he would eat and drink the things in front of him until he was ready to move around the Starbase more...

---