"That'll Wake You Up In The Morning"
Ensign Mason Farrell - Operations Officer
Ensign Nathalie Gui - Operations Officer, Communications

Location: Holodeck 3, USS Sulu
Stardate: 57907.05, 00h05

***

"Computer, run program Gui-IRK-01."

Nathalie Gui adjusted her long copper-colored ponytail as the ship's computer made the necessary arrangements. She had just finished her shift not little over a few hours ago and personally she felt stressed. Her cure for stress? Ishin-Ryu. The computer beeped, bringing Nathalie back to reality.

"Program complete, you may enter when ready."

Nodding, Gui faced the Holodeck doors which promptly whooshed open. Stepping inside Nathalie entered the simulation. Her surroundings resembled that of a karate dojo from 21st century Japan. Various scrolls and weapons adorned the walls and shelves as beams of sunlight shone in through the open windows. Lifting up first one foot and then the next Nathalie removed both boots, revealing both of her feet to be covered with athletic tape.

The rest of her outfit consisted of a pair of long, loose black fighter's pants, a white tank top, loose black karate gi jacket, and a black belt tied firmly over her jacket, around her waist.

That task done she set aside her boots and stepped onto the mat before her. Taking several controlled breaths she began to focus her concentration. Opening her eyes she straightened her jacket. "Computer, create opponent, male Vulcan." An opponent dressed similarly to herself shimmered before her. Both opponents bowed before rushing forward to attack the other in a barrage of fists and feet.

***

Mason Farrell strode down the corridor toward the Holodeck. Having just completed his shift, he was prepping to embark on a potentially long night on Risa. He had an hour or two first, though, and planned to use the time making sure his holoprograms had made the duty transfer intact. He had scheduled the deck time himself while on duty, a perk of the Ops post. Confident, he walked right through the doors and onto the deck.

He was quickly beaten to the floor by a Vulcan dressed for kung-fu, who was already fighting an exotic beauty in a black gi. Shouting a particularly foul Tellarite verb, Farrell clumsily blocked the next flurry of blows before his legs were swept from beneath him. The Vulcan leapt into the air, angling to bring a knee into Farrell's ribs.

Nathalie had been so immersed in her sparring match she hardly took any notice of the Holodeck doors opening. Her holo-opponent rushed forward at her, attempting to deliver a flying jump kick to her collar bone. Flipping her opponent, Gui blocked the attack as she promptly flipped the Vulcan warrior to ground. Apparently her opponent had lost his focus, for now he was attacking whoever had just entered the Holodeck.

Yelling, Nathalie charged forward at the Vulcan; there was no way she was letting her opponent just go off and run. Jumping forward Gui aimed a hard stomp kick at her holo-opponent's ribs, only to feel a pair of hands latch onto her lower leg. Nathalie and her opponent took a vicious tumble. Breaking away, Nathalie attempted a low axe kick at her opponent's feet. Tumbling to the floor the warrior latched onto her arm and drove his hand down near her neck, apparently choosing to end this match with a prompt nerve pinch.

The Vulcan was ripped from above her as a bellowing Farrell caught him in a flying tackle, driving him into the dojo wall and then to the floor. The sudden grapple caught the Vulcan by surprise, and Farrell landed two hard shots to the stoic fighter's kidneys before being thrown forward over the Vulcan's shoulder. The Vulcan rolled after Farrell, ankle extended for an axe kick.

Shaking the spiderwebs from her head Gui turned and spotted her Vulcan opponent continuing his fight with the Holodeck's newcomer. It seemed as though her opponent was not willing to end this match without taking someone down with him, original match partner or not.

"Computer! Freeze program! No, wait. Remove Vulcan opponent!" A beep acknowledged her request as the figure of the Vulcan warrior shimmered out of existence and back to the memory banks of the ship's computer. Puffing an errant strand of hair from her eyes she turned to look over at who entered the Holodeck.

Gui immediately recognized the newcomer to definitely not be a Holodeck creation, unless the computer had suddenly decided to create more visually distracting opponents for her to face. Grateful that she could blame the redness of her face on the momentary sparring match, Nathalie stood and walked over to Farrell. "Lemme guess, judging by the uniform you're not my new sparring opponent?"

Farrell took the offered hand, got up off the floor, and tugged the bottom of his jacket to straighten it. "I am certainly not your new sparring partner," he drawled, out of breath. Then he smiled. "But that'll certainly wake you up in the morning. Maybe I'll have to get a holoemitter in my quarters and program it to play a Vulcan ass-whuppin' if I ever sleep past my alarm." Still holding her hand, he proceeded to give it a shake. "Mason Farrell. Pleased to meet you."

Nathalie smiled. "Likewise; Nathalie Gui. I must say that's an interesting idea to consider putting to use. I've heard most resort to having someone call them or in extreme cases have a friend dump a bucket of ice water over their head. But hey, whatever method works best." Gui let go of Farrell's hand and proceeded to straighten her gi's jacket.

"So what brings you down here at this hour, Mr. Farrell? Was there an unscheduled maintenance check I wasn't aware of that was being performed on the Holosystems?"

"No no." Farrell held up a hand. "I just got off shift, and had scheduled some time to make sure my programs transferred alright." He paused to scrutinize Gui. "Gui, you said?"

Nathalie nodded at Farrell's question. "That's right, I'm Ensign Gui. I just got onboard recently. I'm one of the new personnel down in the Ops Department...I take it you also just got on board yourself?"

"This afternoon. As a matter of fact," chuckled Mason, "I showed up just as Beta shift started, only to learn that I was working Beta. I'm serious when I say I just got off the bridge. It's good to meet another Ops officer."

She chuckled before replying, "I believe you; I was half expecting no-one to be using any of the Holodecks at this hour, since the 'graveyard shift' starts around this time. So what kind of programs have you transferred over? I would guess from your lack of experience one of them does not include martial arts," Nathalie remarked, smirking slightly.

"Hey now." Farrell gave a mock hurt look. "I got a couple of good shots there. I just got taken by surprise, that's all." They looked at each other, both trying not to smile. "Alright," Farrell drawled at last. "I'm not much of a fighter, I admit. What did I bring. I've got several sport shooting programs, and--" He thought for a moment. "Computer, Arch."

He walked to the arch and brought up his list. "Here we are." He gestured Gui over to the panel. "Sport shooting. Horseback riding. Bass fishing. Gaming, several of those. Strategic simulation, a few there, too. The basic fleet program suite; workouts, procedural review, that sort of thing. A variety of stuff. I've got a dojo like this one, but it's not for martial arts."

Nathalie furrowed her brow as she tried to figure out what other sports or activities besides martial arts would involve using a dojo. "If it's not for martial arts then what do you use it for?" she asked, turning to look over at Mason.

"May I?" Mason asked, sweeping out a hand to indicate the holodojo.

"Sure, go right ahead," Nathalie replied.

"Computer, load and run program Farrell Go One."

The dojo shifted slightly. Weapons disappeared from the walls, instead centering in a corner around a suit of ornate Japanese armor. In the center of the mat floor there appeared a small table holding a simple gameboard loaded with colored stones. Across from Farrell and Gui sat a wizened old man in a simple kimono, pouring sake from a glazed bottle into a small bowl. He drank deeply, set the cup aside, and looked expectantly at the pair.

"Go," said Farrell. "It's one of the oldest strategy games known to man. Iyutamo-sama here's a master-level player. My win ratio against him sits at about 40 percent."

"This game seems to be very familiar; I remember trying my hand at it once when I was 15 and visiting in Japan." Smiling embarrassedly she asked, "How do you play again?"

"It's complicated," Mason quipped. Nathalie eyed him skeptically. "Really. It's one of those things that starts simply, but gets really complicated really fast. The long and the short of it is that each player places stones on the board--" he indicated the board with its pattern of black and white stones "--with the intention of capturing as many of his opponent's stones as possible, or controlling as much of the board as possible."

Nathalie looked up at Mason, the game suddenly coming back to her memory. Smiling slyly she stated, "I see. Tell you what: I'll challenge you to a game. If I manage to beat you, loser owes me about 2 weeks worth of rations... If you win..."

Mason thought about it for a second, then put on his best smile. "I'll tell you what. I'll take that bet, but not right this minute. Right now I need to make up for interrupting your Vulcan ass-whuppin'. Hungry?"

"Considering I haven't eaten in a while, yes. You wouldn't happen to know any place good would you? Right now I don't think my stomach wants anything replicated."

"I'm actually going to be heading planetside in an hour or so to meet an acquaintance that has promised to cook me dinner. I can let him know that I'll be bringing one more, if you're feeling adventurous."

"Hey, when in Rome, or this case Risa. Sure, up I'm for an adventurous dining experience. How soon do you need me to be ready and what time?"

"Shall I swing by your quarters in about an hour?"

Nathalie nodded and smiled. "Sounds like a plan. I'll see you in an hour then, and hopefully next time you can take me up on my challenge."

Farrell smiled, and left. Nathalie caught a glimpse of him rubbing his ribs as the holodeck doors closed.

---

"Absolution"
By: Commander Lyrr Tayla

Location: Holodeck 2, USS Sulu
Stardate 57907.05, 00h30

***

The game played on without her.

A goal was scored and the crowd sprang to their feet to cheer, a hail of popcorn and peanuts raining down around her as their arms were thrown up triumphantly. In their excitement, all seemed oblivious to the subdued figure seated among them. In fact, the empty seats beside hers only further suggested that even the holographic fans were making it a point to keep away from the despondent commander, with a cloud of discontentment hanging over her.

Even among the hundreds of spectators she was alone, but she had chosen that solitude for herself, no matter how unintentional it was. Every time she declined an invitation for dinner, or a drink in the lounge, to study ship specs or work on crew rotations; every time she pulled an extra shift to gain some more time on the bridge, or suppressed a pleasant smile for a fellow officer passing her by in the corridors; each time she closed herself off, the lonelier she became and it was no one's fault but her own.

It couldn't be helped, though, for she had been far too preoccupied for far too long in her life to change now. Her energies were always required devoted to other things, like fighting in the Occupation, or impressing her superiors for that extra pip, or even keeping her hatred for the Cardassians fuelled. All of it was so time consuming and at the end of the day there was nothing left but her accomplishments and herself, along with the untouched hot dog sitting on her lap.

That didn't explain it all, though. Sean hadn't considered leaving because she chose not to spend time with him or opted for a nice, quiet night in her quarters, poring over departmental reports; it was as Matt had said: she was bitter, she did have a skewed perception of an individual's worth. Sean had slighted her - unintentionally, but that hadn't mattered to her. He had suddenly found himself in her low regard, unworthy of her forgiveness, but she'd given it to him nonetheless, only after an admission to herself that she'd been in the wrong.

He was the first man she'd ever cared for, and hating him seemed so easy before. Not so much anymore. The smile did it, she told herself. That damned smile holds some magic I'm helpless against. Or maybe you've gotten weaker in your old age.

Her experience with Sean, though, brought her to the unpleasant realization that one fault and you no longer deserved respect from Lyrr Tayla. Though, she hypocritically disregarded that she too had faltered in her life, yet was granted the second chance she'd withheld from Sean for so long, and which she now kept from Tagliesh, and soon, Ensign Farrell.

Were they more undeserving of redemption because they were not she? Or was she too proud to admit that they were more like her than she cared to imagine, that she too was flawed and needed forgiving herself, once in a while? Allowing them the clean slate she had been granted in the past would be as good as an admission of that, and Lyrr refused to accept such an irksome revelation.

The goal buzzer sounded again and the crowd leapt out of their seats once more, yet Lyrr barely noticed and remained in her state of silent contemplation. She and Matt had come to a small understanding about their differences, but as long as she continued to be so resentful and intolerant, she and Matt would be at odds, and the longer she closed herself off from everyone around her, the lonelier she would become.

Passing up the opportunity to join the rest of the crew on Risa certainly wasn't helping matters, but that particular social situation wasn't one she wished to delve into at the moment. Carnal pleasures were something Lyrr had never engaged in. It wasn't something she was ashamed of, nor something she thought of often. It was simply a fact.

Her cheeks blushed as she reviewed her shore leaves on Bajor, her time with Sean. She'd had more than one lustful thought about him, but never once had she acted on her desires. In fact, she'd had no idea how to, or whether Sean was interested, or even what signs to look for to indicate he was. Lyrr Tayla was unfortunately knowledgeable about some things thanks to her time with the Resistance, but she was admittedly naive about certain other subjects. She attributed that, yet again, to the insular life she chose to live, though she'd never thought to live it any other way, never wanted to.

Lyrr glanced down at the red-hot growing colder by the moment in her lap and thought wryly, Well, at least you'll still be here when I've closed myself off to the utterly last person in the universe. Sighing, Lyrr set her hot dog onto the empty seat beside her and prompted the computer to end the program. As an afterthought, she quickly added, "And load 'Lyrr-005.' "

Another mass, rousing cheer from the crowd swelled, but was abruptly cut short as the hockey stadium faded and was replaced by a quaint, provincial town, complete with a dirt road lined with cottages, being traversed by the odd four-legged equine creature pulling a rickety cart of goods and wares. Lyrr had remembered to rise from her seat before it disappeared and she ended up flat on her rear, though with as mesmerized as she always became when she returned to this place, she would have hardly noticed if it had happened.

The Bajoran sun was shining brightly as it had been programmed to always do, and the faces smiling at her as the pedestrians passed on by never changed. She bowed her head in greeting to Yor Taleel, the old man who would always give her sweet Doba fruit treats as a child when her adoptive parents refused.

Right on cue, young Borij Lelaan darted across the road as his frantic mother chased him off with a broom. He always had a habit of dipping his fingers into the flala batter whenever she turned her back, and that was often enough to send her into periodic uproars. Lyrr stepped aside just in time to avoid a collision with the boy and his mother, and shouted encouragement at him.

The rest of the faces and the scenes appeared in sequence as the program exhibited the comforting predictability and routine she favoured in all things, though which was difficult to achieve on a ship with an unpredictable captain.

They were all here now, everyone she'd ever known during her time in the small village of Findan Plains, the ones who'd watched her grow into the woman she was now, though she doubted they'd recognize the person she'd become if they saw her again. That was one of the reasons she'd removed her adoptive parents from the program not so long ago. She couldn't bear to look upon their holographic faces, smiling at her as if everything was perfect when it was not. They were more perceptive than that in reality, and would notice a change in her if they saw her. It explained why she hadn't even thought about going back home for almost three years. The look of disillusionment in their eyes would be far too much to bear.

With practiced regularity, Lyrr waved to Taj Velum before the man could wave at her as he was programmed to do, then waited for the stray ball that would come her way in approximately 3.5 seconds, and upon its precise arrival, kicked it back to the two children running to retrieve it. She laughed softly to herself at the sound of their boisterous laughter and finally crossed the road towards her old home.

Halfway across, her eyes habitually strayed down the busy street towards where she'd first met Sean. She remembered the day clearly, and even now it made her laugh at just how impetuous she'd been in her youth, though Sean appeared to have appreciated it in those days. He wasn't included in the program, for many good reasons, though that didn't prevent the surroundings from triggering memories of him. For better or for worse, he was now a part of this place, of her memories, and no amount of altering and tweaking done to the program would change that.

As Lyrr came upon the doorway of her old house, she stood in quiet admiration of it and of how well her memory had served her. Every detail of the exterior was a precise reproduction of those that existed on her real home on Bajor. The weathered cracks crawling over the adobe walls, the patina latch she'd pulled loose during more than one fit of rage where she'd overzealously slammed the door on her way out; even there were the letters of her name she'd etched into the split wood of the doorframe when she was seventeen, with a knife that her mother had later confiscated; all of it was there in detail so vivid, Lyrr always did forget she was in a holodeck and not back on Bajor.

With a wistful sigh, Lyrr grasped the latch and pushed open the door. She stood just past the threshold and gazed into the familiar home, feeling again the same uncertainty she always felt, the same sensation of intruding into a place where she wasn't welcome. As much as her adoptive parents had loved her and made her feel like she was their own, Lyrr never could disregard the fact that she wasn't.

Still, Lyrr moved across the entryway, doing nothing to avoid stepping on those floorboards that tended to creak, the ones she always sought to maneuver past while trying to sneak back into the house after curfew. The once frustrating, damning noises were now music to her as they sang out at her. She paused on one of the particularly troublesome floorboards and rocked her foot back and forth, listening to it groan and squeak under the pressure. It was beautiful.

Lyrr continued forward, crossing the kitchen that held the thick aroma of freshly baked bread, which she'd also included into the program for an added touch of comfort and authenticity. As she neared the backdoor that led to the small garden behind the house, Lyrr became subdued, as she always did at this point. It was as if she were acting out a routine she'd rehearsed many times over the years - every route she took through the house, ever emotion she felt always the same. Even the silent procession she made along the cobbled path winding through the garden was made using exactly fifteen steps, as always. And upon completing the short trek, the re-enactment continued with Lyrr dropping to her knees before the two empty graves at the end of the path, and attempting to force back the silent tears.

She hadn't known her parents, but had been told of their bravery. All her adoptive parents could tell her was that they had been servants to one of the Guls overseeing a small sector of the province, and had risked their own lives so that she might live. On her thirteenth birthday, when she was told the truth of her past, Lyrr set out on a quest to find her parents, to learn of their fate. Her adoptive parents had pleaded with her to give up the foolish search before she stepped on some Cardassian soldier's toes and got herself thrown into a prison camp for asking too many questions. But Lyrr was determined, and nothing they could say would dissuade her.

She contacted local resistance cells for information, but was always turned away. There were things to do, and there wasn't time to humour a young girl inquiring about ghosts. But, proving the tenacious, stubborn individual Lyrr was known to be, she persevered. It was one of the main reasons she joined the resistance when she was old enough to. While fighting the Cardassians, she might glean some information along the way about her parents. It never happened, though. Even now, after all those years, and with Starfleet databases at her disposal, Lyrr still searched, but the trail always ended up cold. No matter how many failures she faced, Lyrr knew she wouldn't stop seeking them out, not until she was lying in the ground, just as they might be.

Watching her tears moisten the mounds of soil as they fell from her eyes, Lyrr smoothed a hand over each of the rounded stones at the head of each grave. She'd hammered the Bajoran words for 'mother' and 'father' into the stones, in memory of them. When she'd made the graves, she wondered with slight amusement whether her adoptive parents thought they were being prepared for themselves, but Lyrr had assured them that her behaviour wasn't nearly wild enough yet to drive them to an early grave. She told them they had to wait a few years more for that.

Despite the quips and humour they'd shared when discussing the small shrine she'd created for her parents, her adoptive mother and father knew it was still a sacred, reverent place for Lyrr, and always respected it and the visits she made to it daily. No one stepped into the garden while she was tending to the graves, and her mother never hollered at her to come in for dinner, no matter how cold it was getting. They let her have her moments of quiet observance, and never made her uncomfortable with probing questions about her daily ritual. Like her run-through of the holoprogram, it was simply routine, and they treated it as such. She'd loved them even more so for that.

After a long moment of reverie, Lyrr sighed and blindly picked up the two flowers that lay at her knees, as per her programming specifications. At the end of the long, slender stalk of each was a newly blossomed arkala, her favourite flower, though only she knew that. She placed the blue one atop her mother's grave, always assuming that had been her favourite colour; her father's grave got the red arkala, for she knew she'd gotten her fire from someone, and simply presumed it must have come from him.

She stared at the graves with tear-brimmed eyes, wondering as she always did which of her features came from whom so that she could mentally reconstruct their faces, so that she could have some image of them to associate with the strangers who held a place in her heart and in her dreams. No matter how many combinations her mind came up with, she never came any closer to knowing them.

Bending over each of the graves, Lyrr planted a kiss on their headstones, whispering, Uranak rana non boryhas to them both, wishing their spirits, wherever they were, a safe journey. In her mind, she sent up another prayer, asking the Prophets to kindly help guide her parents' paghs to her if they were so inclined. She held the hope always that it would happen, but knew it might never. But Lyrr would never stop coming here to visit them, to let them know she wasn't blind to their sacrifice, and to convince them that she was undeserving of it.

Lyrr had felt guilty about little in her life, and that she now breathed while her parents might not always gave her the greatest remorse. Everything she did was motivated by the need to prove herself worthy of their benevolence and selfless love, but she somehow never felt as if she succeeded in that. Just as she so often denied others forgiveness, Lyrr too denied herself the same. So, acting out the last of the routine, as she always did, Lyrr leaned forward and lay her arms across the graves in an awkward embrace. Resting her cheek upon her father's mound, she wept in an act of supplication. And in a tearful finale, Lyrr Tayla gave a choked wail as she begged her parents, as unworthy as she was, for forgiveness.

---

"Taste Test"
By: Ensign Mason Farrell - Operations Officer
Ensign Nathalie Gui - Operations Officer, Communications
Sikara - Head Chef [NPC+]

Location: Risa, "Le Bonhomie" private dining room
Stardate: 57907.05 02h30

***

At least "Le Bonhomie" was trying. The paneling was in good shape, and the place was clean. It was also relatively slow, as most revelers had retired by this time of night. Farrell, in a band-collared shirt and tropical-weight slacks, pulled out a chair for Gui, who was dressed in grey shorts and a dark blue tank-top, and motioned for the waiter after he took a seat himself.

"Thanks for agreeing to come with me on such short notice," he said, motioning more impatiently. "If this guy Sikara's cooking is as good as he says, I want someone else to share that opinion." After a moment's hesitation, he smirked and added, "And vice versa."

Nathalie nodded and replied, "Not a problem. Even us Comm Officers need to get dragged away from their work every once in a while...though I was more or less dealing with my escape artist of a pet anyway." She chuckled, wondering what her cunning canine friend was up to now that Nathalie had left the ship. Nathalie looked around before asking, "So Farrell, or is Mason preferred? How did you find this Sikara fellow anyway?"

"Long story," Farrell smiled knowingly. "For now, we'll say that I had wandered into the wrong side of Tulip City, and ran into Sikara nursing a pint and moaning about his troubles. He claimed to be a good cook, and I know Nebbs was starting to get a little frazzled by himself in the galley. I figured 'what could it hurt to give him a shot?' If he impresses, I'll have to scheme up a way to get the Captain interested in a civilian, but I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. Or burn it down." He grinned, and turned to motion to the waiter again, checking his wave when he saw the tired-looking Bolian start toward the table.

"Oh, and Mason's fine. Sorry. I've been all protocol for the past day getting the lay of the land on the Sulu. May I call you Nathalie?" He pronounced it correctly, with the hard 't'.

"Slumming, it either takes you down a good road, or to an accident just waiting to happen. Though in this case we've reached a literal fork in the road. But I'm not one to judge on word of mouth alone so if this Sikara proves he's as good as he is, I say we help him get on board," she remarked, smiling hopefully. Nathalie looked up as she saw a Bolian waiter beginning to head in their direction, albeit sleepily.

"Don't feel bad about the protocol, if it makes you feel better just remember even Admirals had to once be in our shoes and answer to the higher ranks by just last name or rank." Smirking she added, "But to answer your question, Mason, Nathalie is just fine. Props on getting it right."

"Thank you." Mason bowed his head slightly to acknowledge the compliment. "I spent my first shift on board re-reading the entire crew manifest. I like to know who I'm working with. And it'll be nice to have a partner in crime," he added with a wink. "For all that, though, I still don't know what you'd like to drink. Care to share?"

"This is almost starting to sound like the meeting of Smith and Wesson," Nathalie remarked, chuckling. "And to answer your question, whiskey sounds good right about now. While we're at it, should we check to see if the chef is in?"

"Good plan," said Mason as he looked up at the waiter. "The lady will have a whiskey, neat, with a spare tumbler of ice. Tequila for me, please, with a beer chaser. Please let Sikara in the kitchen know that Mason Farrell is here with another guest, and we're waiting on him."

The Bolian nodded and scurried into the recesses of Le Bonhomie.

Twenty minutes went by. They still didn't have any drinks, and there was no sign of Sikara.

"So tell me about this escape-artist pet you mentioned," Mason was speaking as he quietly drummed his fingers on the table.

"Houdini? Actually her name is Joji, she's a four year old Welsh Corgi. Over the years I've found that she can come up with ways of sneaking out of my quarters, even if they're locked or precautionary measures are taken. Personally I think she's either following sneakily behind me when I leave or she's found a way into the Jeffries Tubes," she replied, laughing.

Mason laughed too. "Maybe we can put a transponder tag on her. It might make a good project for the science team."

Nathalie looked around the room, curiously wondering what could possibly be taking their visitor so long. Across the room Nathalie spied a busboy who had just come in and was busily cleaning the floor. "I have an idea. Be right back." Standing up she walked over to where the busboy was working. Upon her approach she could see that he was a native Risan. Perfect, this would make her job much easier. Gui greeted the man and began to speak to him in Risan while gesturing with her hands. After a few moments she nodded to the busboy and thanked him. He walked off, heading in the direction that the Bolian waiter disappeared earlier. Nathalie returned to where Mason sat, a slight smirk on her face.

"Problem solved. We should now hopefully be seeing this Mr. Sikara soon."

"Operations gets it done," Mason said, nodding approvingly.

Sikara, who had grudgingly left his cooking for a few minutes appeared out of the back kitchen. His relatively handsome face was coated with a fine line of sweat; it was hot outside but it was very hot in the kitchen. He looked around and saw Farrell. Grunting, he walked over to him.

"Is everything alright?" Mason asked, holding his hands out in a 'what's going on' gesture.

"I must apologise. The Bolian you talked to doesn't understand Terran. He only knows the words for different drinks," Sikara said, glancing at his Bolian friend. The Bolian had been very nice. He owned this restaurant, and had allowed Sikara to show off his talents in the backdrop of his restaurant and the facilities of the kitchen.

Farrell thought about that for a second, and then decided to just move on.

"Sikara, may I present Nathalie Gui, a recent acquaintance, and someone who'll also be sampling your cuisine tonight. Nathalie, Sikara."

Sikara grabbed Nathalie's hand and lightly kissed it. "Very nice to meet you," he said in Risan. Then in Terran: "That means..."

"All that is ours is yours," Nathalie finished for Sikara in flawless Risan. "Nice to meet you, Sikara," she added, smiling.

Sikara raised an eyebrow. "What do you know about this guy? Anything I should know?" he asked in Risan, smiling at the private joke.

"Not much, but I will say he's more a colleague than a close friend," Nathalie remarked. Smiling coyly she added, "But he seems trustworthy if you ask me."

"I see," Sikara replied. He then looked to the puzzled Farrell and spoke in Terran, "Just getting to knowing each other. Starters will be served in a moment. Are there any allergies or things that either of you do not enjoy?"

"Given choice, I do like something good and spicy," Mason said, relaxing back in his chair. "Oh, and tell that Bolian to bring us our drinks, will ya?"

"Of course," Sikara replied. Then to Nathalie in Risan: "And for the beautiful lady?"

"Something sweet and sour sounds good. I would just say surprise me but I may regret such a decision later," Nathalie remarked in Sikara's native language, smiling.

Sikara smiled, "I'll get your food out soon. Give me five minutes." He headed back into the kitchen, and the Bolian was out in under a minute with drinks.

"Just so you know, he doesn't know I'm, that is we're, Starfleet," Mason remarked with a wink, smelling his tequila, making an approving face, and swallowing it. "If his cooking's worth it, I'll pitch him on travel and see what he says."

Nathalie nodded and took a swig of her drink. Setting her glass down she asked, "And if his cooking's not worth it, what then, don't leave him a tip?"

Mason laughed. "Maybe. But I'm betting he wouldn't have gone to all this trouble if he wasn't confident. And he wouldn't be confident if he wasn't at least passable." He took a sip of his beer.

"Maybe I'm just a confident person," Sikara said from a few meters behind Mason as he approached the table with two dishes. He held them with competence that had been instilled in him at the technical college not so long ago. "Risans have good hearing, couldn't help overhearing. I hope you enjoy."

He placed the plates in front of the two of them. In Risan he said, "For the beautiful lady," to Nathalie, but he described it in Terran. "This is a bread-based starter, each slice of bread contains a different flavour or spice. This is topped with a coating of a home-made sauce."

He then turned to Mason who was eyeing his plate. "For the gentleman we have a liquid-based product, uhm...a 'soup' would you call it?"

"Soup's just fine." Mason leaned forward slightly to catch the aromatic steam rising from the bowl. He made an approving face. "What's in it?"

"A vegetable called 'rulip root' and various seasoning. I hope you enjoy your starters, and do you have any requests for a side-order to go with your main meal?" Sikara asked.

"For myself, I'll trust you to match sides to main courses. And a nice bottle of wine," said Mason, unfolding his napkin.

Nathalie carefully looked over her 'starter' of bread and sniffed the aroma faintly. She was guessing the spices and ingredients used in making the bread slices were local but each seemed to have a distinct scent local or not. Unfolding her own napkin she looked up at Sikara to answer his question.

"Likewise. I'm not incredibly picky provided that you don't serve me anything resembling Terran liver. But vegetables I don't have a problem with," Nathalie finished as she laid her napkin across her lap.

"I'll be along with your main courses shortly," Sikara replied. He left them then and returned to his rather warm kitchen. Sikara was not normally like this but whenever he was serving someone food and cooking it with delicate care he was a different person to the slummer that was on the outside. He went over to the carefully cooking main courses and began preparation of some Ritalian side-dishes.

"Mmm," Mason grunted as he swallowed. "That's good. Try this." He slid the bowl slightly toward Nathalie.

Nathalie swallowed her bite of bread before proceeding to reply to Mason. "Alright, but you have to promise to try one of these bread slices next," she remarked. Taking the bowl from Mason, Nathalie lifted a spoonful of the soup and took a tentative whiff before proceeding to take a taste. She coughed sharply nearly dropping the spoon back into the bowl. Fighting back tears she managed to wheeze out, "Water!" before coughing again, attempting to fight the intense fire burning her tastebuds.

"Here, eat a piece of bread," Mason said quickly, tearing off a piece of the loaf. "It'll cut the fire."

Managing a word of thanks, Nathalie took the offered piece of bread and popped it into her mouth to dose the fiery aftertaste the soup had given her.

Mason took another slice while Nathalie gasped back to normal. "Sorry about that," he said, a little embarrassed. "Spicy food is one of my great passions. Sometimes I forget that other mouths are a little more sensitive. But it is good soup." He took another spoonful and ate it with obvious joy. He then tried the bread. "Oregano?" He tried another bite. "That's definitely Oregano."

Grateful that the bread had manage to put out the fire she laughed before replying. "Next time warn me in advance okay? I had some bad experiences with extremely spicy dishes back home on few occasions so I forgive you. My uncle makes a type of spiced meat dish that'd appease even a Klingon...or singe your tastebuds." Nathalie took another bite of her bread, contemplating its seasoning. "Does taste like Oregano. That or it's a very good substitute."

Mason dipped the last bite of bread in his soup. He closed his eyes with pleasure as he chewed. "If the rest of the meal goes like this, I think Sikara will definitely be finding out about the Sulu."

Nathalie chewed the last of her bread, savoring the taste. She nodded at Mason. "Definitely, if he keeps this up he gets my vote."

After about ten minutes, another waiter took away their plates. Sikara arrived shortly after with a small tray which he held superbly in the fold of one arm, barely using his hand to control it.

"How was your starters?" he asked.

"Excellent," said Mason, absolutely refusing to acknowledge Sikara's sketchy command of Standard.

"Likewise," Nathalie added.

"Well here is the wine you asked for, Mason. I got red but white or green is available upon request," he said, offering the wine to Mason, the icebox already on the table. Mason went about corkscrewing the bottle as Sikara continued.

"For your main meals; the lady has nothing to do with liver." He placed the meal down in front of her.

Nathalie furrowed her brow as she looked over the meal before her. It looked to be close to Italian in origin and preparation but it didn't look close to any type of Federation or Risan food or cuisine she had ever seen before. Looking up to Sikara she ventured, "I hope you don't mind my saying, but it looks quite alien in origin."

"That's because it is neither Risan or Federation in origin. My teacher at technical college was Ritalian and this is his father's recipe. The closest Terran meal would be spaghetti campanola, Italian in origin, yet the meat and vegetable has been replaced by Risan vegetables. I hope you enjoy," Sikara said.

"I'm certain I will. It smells good though its appearance would seem to state otherwise." Smiling she began to smooth out her napkin on her lap before proceeding to pick up her eating utensils.

"For you Farrell, I've made a pasta-based meal. It's my own sauce which you may recognise from your starter. The meat is a Risan animal that is very popular. I hope you enjoy," Sikara smiled, placing the plate in front of him.

"Thank you," Mason nodded as he set the bottle aside to breathe, and picked up his knife and fork.

"Well, I'll get back to preparing your desserts. You will have a selection, as whatever you don't choose will be payment for using the manager's kitchen. The manager is quite fond of my desserts," Sikara laughed.

Sikara left the pair to their main meals. Mason tucked his napkin onto his lap and cut into his dinner eagerly.

Doing likewise Nathalie cut into her meal. Spearing a piece of what appeared to broccoli she popped it into her mouth and began to chew carefully as she contemplated its taste. Sour but not too sour. Swallowing she turned to Mason. "What do you think so far? I'm beginning to think your friend might have outdone himself."

"It tastes like chicken, though that could mean anything," Mason smiled as he forked in another mouthful, chewed, and swallowed. "It's hot, but it's a flavorful hot, as opposed to just plain warp core breach hot, which is excellent. It takes a good cook to be able to do heat and retain flavor. He's in," he grinned.

"To a cook, cooking is like an art, it takes the right person to perfect it." Taking up a forkful of pasta Nathalie smiled as she ate; swallowing, she remarked, "And I'd say Sikara has this meal down pat. The pasta is excellent; it complements the vegetables and meat well and it's nice and sweet, but just sour enough so that both tastes balance each other out. But yeah, he's definitely getting onboard now. We'd be nuts not to ask him," Nathalie grinned.

"I'll ask, and you bat your eyes, and I'm sure he'll pack a bag tonight," chuckled Mason. "Unfortunately, I'm fuzzy on how to get him on board. He's obviously not Starfleet, and we don't even know if he could pass a civilian security check. We'll need to butter up the senior staff somehow."

Nathalie tossed around some random ideas in her head as she thought of a way they could get Sikara onboard. Taking another mouthful of her meal she swallowed and snapped her fingers, eyes lighting up. "What if we convince the Senior Staff to attend a private dinner with Sikara as the chef? Maybe we can have Sikara wow the Senior Staff with his cooking and convince them to let him come onboard?"

Mason gestured approval with his fork. "I like that. It'll take some time to put together, but we're on Risa for, what, two weeks more or somesuch? That should be plenty of time to get to know the senior officers enough to invite them to something like a test dinner. Yeah," he trailed off, absently taking another mouthful.

"Great, now we just have to see if we can convince Sikara to come along," Nathalie remarked before she took in another forkful of her meal.

Sikara exited the kitchen a few minutes later and approached the pair, who were just finishing their meals. He walked up to the table and sat down on an opposite chair. He sat still, politely, until both had finished their meals.

Almost as soon as Mason had put his fork down Sikara asked, "How was it?"

"A triumph."

"A true masterpiece," Nathalie added.

"Excellent. Now then, you can either wait a while until you have your dessert or I can bring them out here now. What do you think?" Sikara asked.

"I am at your mercy." Mason bowed over his empty plate with a mocking flourish.

Chuckling, Nathalie remarked, "As am I."

"Well, food always tastes better if the stomach, or stomachs, are given time to digest what they already have," Sikara said, smiling at their pleasure in his food.

"By the way, Sikara," Mason quipped as Sikara turned toward the kitchen. "Ever consider traveling offworld?"

"There would be no point in considering," Sikara replied. "I don't have the money or the opportunity. Why have you asked?"

"What if we could give you the opportunity? Think about that while you get the desserts. Are you tied to Risa?" Mason winked at Sikara.

"I'm not tied at all," Sikara said, with a confused look on his face. Why was Mason twitching his eye at him? "I shall bring your desserts."

Nathalie shrugged, looking from Sikara then to Mason. She shot Mason a look that said, 'Think we scared him?'

Sikara returned a minute later with a large triple-shelved trolley with almost 50 different types of cakes, crème cakes, pastries, pies, ice-creams and other distinctly alien desserts.

"Please ask me if you don't know what some things are, and take your time in choosing." Sikara smiled at the astonishment on the faces of his customers.

"What is this one?" Mason indicated an acid-green sphere that seemed to be humming.

"That is a Nausicaan recipe. It has a similar texture to jelly but the taste is quite different. It contains certain relaxants also, similar to alcohol but nowhere near as strong," Sikara replied.

"Hmm," Mason said, considering. "Maybe just a taste." He took a small amount of green jelly on a spoon and tasted it. He winced. "What a refreshing blend of apple and turpentine. Maybe I'll keep looking." He recommenced his inspection of the dessert cart.

"What kind of pie is this one here?" Nathalie asked Sikara, referring to what looked to be a slice of pie the color of a dark indigo.

"That is Risan; Phillipa Pie. It contains a fruit called Phillipa and has a cooling, refreshing taste," Sikara replied.

"Just to be safe too, I'll take a taste, Nausicaan or not." Taking a small amount of the pie using a fork Nathalie tried a bit. "Hmm, tastes sorta like blueberry, only sweeter. I think I'll go with this slice of pie then," she remarked.

"This looks like cherries. Is it?" asked Mason with a wary smile.

Sikara laughed. "Not quite. In fact it is meat. Sivarkasian, I think."

"If you want I'll try one of these, meat cherries with you, Mase," Nathalie teased, giving her companion a smile.

Mason looked at her for a moment, then at the Sivarkasian 'cherries', and then raised his fork like a fencing salute. Nathalie raised her fork likewise, and they each had a piece.

"Not bad," Mason said, bobbing his head as he chewed. "It's cool and light, almost a sashimi kind of thing."

"The taste does remind me of sashimi, it's not bad at all," Nathalie remarked after swallowing.

"Okay, Sikara," Mason said, eating another meatball before putting his fork down and wiping his mouth. "I'm convinced. How would you feel about being a chef aboard a starship?"

Sikara laughed at first, then he realised that neither were joking. "What, a freighter or something?"

"Cards on the table," Farrell said quietly, then at a normal volume, "Nathalie and myself are officers aboard the USS Sulu, currently in orbit. We could use a chef on board. Ever consider boldly going where no chef has gone before?"

Sikara had been taken for a ride only a few times before he began upholding the saying: 'if it sounds too good to be true it probably is.'

"The USS Sulu. Right. Good one," Sikara laughed half-heartedly.

Nonchalantly Nathalie reached into her shorts pocket, withdrew her comm badge, and laid it down on the table to show Sikara. "Ensign Nathalie Gui of Operations." Mason looked at her, and then looked at Sikara expectantly.

Sikara took another look at the pair. "You're serious?"

Nathalie remarked with a wink, "If you still don't believe us, I can recite the entire Federation Charter for you in both Andorian and Vulcan."

"We're real live officers, Sikara. Honest," said Farrell. "There's a real live Federation starship in orbit in need of a chef. Care to explore a strange new world or two?"

"Yes, I'd love to, of course I would!" Sikara smiled broadly; he couldn't believe it.

Mason thumped the table. "Excellent!"

"Great! I'm sure you would make a great addition!"

Mason leaned forward conspiratorially. "Now, we'll be on Risa for another week or so, maybe two," he said. "Give us that time to set up another test dinner with more of the staff. Then a bunch of us can petition the captain to bring you aboard. Fair enough?"

"That's the most fair thing I have ever heard," Sikara replied. He then spoke something in Risan.

Nathalie smiled at Sikara. Apparently he seemed very happy that the two officers would help him get on board.

Mason arched an eyebrow. Sikara spoke before the communications officer, "You shall be in my heart forever, a friend for eternity. Very loosely translated. And that's to both of you."

"Well, don't go gettin' misty just yet." Mason wagged a finger playfully. "Natalie and I will have to get this thing set up. How can we contact you?"

Sikara fished a large communication device out of his pocket. It resembled a tricorder a little but seemed a lot heavier and bulkier. "Connect to the Risan communications rig and contact this frequency."

Sikara handed over the device to Mason, indicating the frequency with his finger.

Mason noted the frequency. "Good. Well, we have shifts we have to get back to. But don't worry," he said as he stood from the table, "we'll be in touch." He paused to finish his wine.

"Thank you," Sikara replied, "very much."

---

"Looking For..."
By: Lieutenant Sam
Commander Lyrr Tayla

Location: Ship's Lounge, USS Sulu
Stardate 57907.05, 03h00

***

Solitude was pleasant, a necessity...about to be curtailed.

With the majority of the crew on the planet, combined with the lateness of the hour, the lounge was deserted, save for herself and Stencil, who faithfully stood behind the bar, wiping out a glass, and wearing a smile even when she refused one of his Tencil's Urprises. He'd teased her about closing the lounge and forcing her to leave if she didn't order something, though after declining for the third time - very firmly - he left her alone in silence to gaze out at Risa slowly spinning on its axis, while curled up into a compact ball in the viewport embrasure.

It was there, from the reflection in the surface of the transparent aluminium, that Commander Lyrr was interrupted from her musing when she caught a glimpse of Lt. Sam standing a short distance away from her, watching on with seeming curiousity. She sighed softly, tacitly pleading that he would move on and leave her alone. He took a step closer and Lyrr cringed.

"Lieutenant," she said wearily, swinging around on the sill to face him. "Do you always spy on your fellow crew or is there something particularly intriguing about me that you simply couldn't help yourself?"

"I do not require sleep," Sam said as he took a step closer, "therefore I am taking the opportunity to make a tour of the ship. Curious to see if anyone was in this location, I decided to stop by. If I am interrupting, I can continue on my way."

Lyrr sighed. "No, it's alright. You've already interrupted, so...have a seat." She gestured to a chair at a nearby table as she again pressed her back to the side of the embrasure and stretched her legs out along the length of it. "So...are we about the only two people aboard now, Lieutenant?"

"There are additional crew from each department who have chosen to remain aboard the ship. The list of reasons appear to have a fairly limited range, most of which center around discomfort in the sort of environment Risa offers to its visitors."

Lyrr nodded. "Ah. I think I can relate. But what about you, Lieutenant? Don't you wish to experience the delights Risa has to offer...even if you can't appreciate them."

"Since I am incapable of experiencing the delight the planet below has to offer, there is no need for me to. Additionally, with most of the Sulu's crew on the planet, my presence is more necessary here."

"I agree," Lyrr replied. "And that's why I'm here. No need for both the Captain and I to go down to the surface."

"That is correct, Commander," Sam said. "However, if you find yourself in need of time spent in frivolous activity, I am willing to watch over the ship."

"That's alright," she answered quickly enough. "I'm quite content where I am. Truthfully, I'm not one to indulge in...carnal delights either. They're simply a distraction."

"I have programming that allows for me to engage in such activity, but for me it is empty and devoid of feeling. Therefore, such pursuits would be fruitless. However, I am most content here on the ship, working."

"As am I." Lyrr smiled serenely as she again focused her gaze on the pleasure planet set against a background of glittering stars. As beautiful as it was, she had no desire to venture there; she didn't much like the idea of sitting alone on a beach wearing her uniform and fending off presumptuous, overtly promiscuous Risans offering hospitality and more. She was company enough for herself.

In the pervading silence, the whir of Sam's servos, as unimposing a noise as it normally was, now sounded deafening. It snapped Lyrr out of her reverie, and again she regarded him, inclining his head from side to side as he studied her. "Lieutenant? Is there something else you wanted?"

"We have not had much chance for interaction since arriving on the Sulu," Sam stated. "I was taking the opportunity presented to me to observe you in greater detail. If you would prefer, I will continue on my way."

"No, it's alright, Lieutenant. Stay right there." Watching him curiously, Lyrr swung her legs over the edge of the sill and leaned forward, propping her elbows upon her knees. "So...you wanted to observe me... Is there something about me you find intriguing?"

"I find all organic humanoids intriguing," Sam answered. "I have attempted to observe all facets of humanoid interaction, including with other humanoids, the environment, or themselves."

"And I'm interacting with myself?" she asked. "In what way?"

"There is much that can be observed by a person who is only thinking. Subtle bodily gestures will indicate mood or tension."

Lyrr nodded thoughtfully. "And do I seem tense to you, Lieutenant?"

"Your body language does not suggest tension," Sam said as he took a moment to process the information he was receiving. "You appear to be in a subdued state of mind. I would suspect that you have gone through a recent, emotionally draining experience that has led you here to ponder your life, possibly your future. I have found that most people, when they gaze out of the ship are looking toward the future, though some gaze into the past."

Lyrr chuckled wryly as she leaned back against the cold surface of the viewport. "You know, you should've been a counsellor, Lieutenant. You're really very good at reading people. And, it was both the past and the future. Normally, thoughts of the past lead one to think about what the future will bring. I don't like to think about either, but sometimes, it can't be helped."

"Would it be inconsiderate of me to inquire as to the reasons why thoughts of your past and future are topics you commonly avoid?"

Lyrr shrugged. "They're distracting," she explained. "There's a lot about my past that, if I dwell on it too much, I can focus on nothing else. As for my future.... It all seems so...uncertain. I avoid unpredictability, Lieutenant, and since none of us have the gift of foresight, the future will always remain just that. It's frustrating because I can't control it. The same goes for the past. As much as we'd like to, there's no way to change it, and there's little you can do to keep it from affecting your future - your present, even. But you--" She chuckled quietly. "You don't have to worry about that, which I envy you for, Lieutenant. You can focus on your duty, and only your duty, and not think about roguish Irishmen, or missed opportunities, or parents you'll never know... There's only the task at hand, and nothing more. Lucky you."

"It is difficult to compare myself to you, Commander. All of those tasks you mentioned, I could dedicate time in my processor to dealing with them in an efficient manner while still maintaining my duty to this ship and Starfleet. There are, however, certain aspects of your life for which, had I emotions, I would be enviable."

"Really?" Lyrr smiled inquisitively and motioned for Sam to elaborate. "Explain."

"I am incapable of feeling. While I may have people around me that I would consider friends, I am unable to feel anything toward them, other than the association. I am not capable of reminiscing on my past or hoping for my future in ways other than basic, unemotional observation. The ability to take an event and give it special meaning through emotional attachment would be something I would welcome."

Lyrr snorted wryly. "No, Sam, you really wouldn't. I've tried long and hard to separate my emotions from my duty...and I've yet to manage it fully. It affects your actions, as much as you don't want them to, and for someone who tries to be always focused on the task at hand, tries to have a clear mind when presented with a decision to be made, emotions are a distraction."

"So, you are practicing the Vulcan ideal? A purge of emotions in the pursuit of a logical, orderly life."

"Not exactly," Lyrr replied. "Although I attempt to suppress some emotions, I rely on others to drive me. It's just...it's impossible for me to separate one from the other." She chuckled and added, "I guess I'm just not as disciplined as I like to think I am."

"I might suggest a third hypothesis, Commander," Sam said. "It is possible that, like other humanoids, your emotions are an integral part of yourself, and to cut yourself off from them would be similar to removing an arm or leg because it had gotten in the way."

"Certain individuals can function with simply one limb, however, Lieutenant," she pointed out. "Those are extraordinary, determined people, something I believed I wanted to be. But now...I don't know..." Lyrr sighed as she idly picked at the hem of her uniform sleeve. "Ever since arriving on the Sulu, a lot of my beliefs, my methods...my feelings.... All of them have been suddenly thrown into question and I don't quite know what to do. I guess...I'm just confused."

"It is understandable to be confused when you have had your beliefs brought into question. I believe, even a Vulcan would find that position to be uncomfortable. My experience in dealing with humanoids is that talking through a problem is often quite helpful in reaching a solution. Is our conversation assisting in bringing you closer to the answers you seek?"

Lyrr bit back a smile and nodded to Sam. "Yes, Lieutenant. You have been very helpful. Are you sure you won't consider a switch to counselling?"

"Such a change of vocation is not something I had seriously considered," Sam answered. "Currently I am content with my position as Operations Manager."

"And I am content being commander of this vessel, despite all the questions its raised in my mind." Stifling a yawn, Lyrr slipped off the embrasure and stretched out the knots in her stiff back. "Well...it's late, Lieutenant," she said. "I think I should go and try to sleep if at all possible. You'll watch over the ship for me, won't you?"

"Of course, Commander," Sam answered. "And, good night, Commander. I shall see you again in the morning."

"Which is not so far off." Smiling congenially at the android, Lyrr started forward. As an afterthought, she paused, standing abreast him, and regarded him sideways as she said, "For an android, you're certainly insightful. A product of your programming?"

"I believe that is correct, Commander," Sam said, and then quirked an imitation of a human smile.

Lyrr laughed softly. "Perhaps, Lieutenant. Or perhaps not." Patting him briefly on the shoulder, Lyrr bowed her head slightly, then continued forward.

Sam watched the Sulu's executive officer leave the lounge. Once he was alone, he turned toward the embrasure she'd been sitting in, and gazed out at the planet below. He spent a few minutes like that, processors contemplating whatever it was that Lyrr Tayla must have been contemplating, before finally turning back and returning to his duty.

---

"Where The Lost Ones Go"
by Corran Quezith
and Cristobel Sefton

Location: Risa, Uisce Resort, Room 314
Stardate: 57907.05, 03h27

***

The satisfying sweat from their make-up sex had long since dried from Cristobel's skin, and yet sleep would still not come. He couldn't think of any anxieties in particular that might be plaguing his thoughts; he had apologised for his part in making Corran uncomfortable at dinner, and that had settled the situation. The more he convinced himself that everything was right, the more everything felt wrong. Even before exams at the Academy, Cris had never experienced insomnia. His current predicament was becoming increasingly peculiar.

And Corran simply slept, nude and with his body only partially covered as he rested. It seemed that all was well with him, but deep in his mind there was a dark secret that even Corran wasn't aware of, a secret that nudged within his dreams and slowly brought him to awakening. His eyes turned from an almost fiery red tone over to the soulful brown that Cris had fallen in love with, and suddenly, he reached out to caress Cris' cheek as he leaned forward to kiss his lips softly.

"Can't sleep?" he whispered.

"Can't sleep," Cris whispered back, with a slight defeated sigh.

Corran tried to read his thoughts, but there was nothing that seemed to be bothering him particularly. "Want me to make you something to help you sleep?" he asked softly.

"That'd be greatly appreciated, Doctor Quezith," Cristobel responded, sounding much more tired and much less whimsical than he'd intended.

That made him smirk, but he got up out of bed and walked in the darkness of their room, illuminated only by moonlight, until he reached the replicator. He linked up with the Sulu's computer, copied a file, and then replicated the beverage he wanted to give Cris. It was something like hot cocoa, but chocolate on Achicar Prime was notorious for not being a stimulant like Earth chocolate. He turned around and smiled at Cris as he sat down next to him on his side of the bed. "Take this."

Sitting up, to lean his back against the headboard, Cris murmured a "thanks" as he took the mug in his hands. He stared at the dark liquid, trying to figure if he was thirsty or not, but lacked the cognitive ability, at the moment, to make a decision.

"You're exhausted..." Corran frowned softly before he set his hand down on Cris' chest and started to project a sensation of relaxation and restfulness. It wouldn't help much but maybe Cris would fall asleep. "No idea what's wrong?"

Cristobel swallowed a gulp of the soothing chocolate and set it down on the bedside table. Shaking his head, Cris said, "I wish I knew." As Corran's rubbing began to have at least part of the desired effect, Cris' eyes began to droop, and he purred gently.

Sometimes I worry about you... he pathed gently. He moved onto the bed, straddling Cris until he was kneeling over his legs and still massaging his entire chest, moving up to his shoulders and arms. He started to hum gently to him, slow, a kind of serenade that promised to help him sleep.

Worry? Cris asked for clarification, getting ever-so-slightly worried himself.

About you, about how stressed you get sometimes... He sighed telepathically. Makes me want to just kidnap you to Achicar Prime so many times... He smiled softly as his hands moved back down along Cris' body.

S'funny. Don't 'member being very stressed. Cristobel's eyes were completely shut now, and his head was leaned back against the headboard. He half-smiled at the comforting sound of Corran's voice.

Hmmm, don't think about it, just rest, love... He moved off of Cris and slid up beside him, his own head resting on his shoulder as he used his left hand to keep massaging his body. He pulled away from him to get on his own pillows, and then wrapped both arms around Cris to gently pull him into his own arms. He was already half asleep...

***

Cristobel awoke, hours later, with his face on Corran's shoulder and Corran's arms still enwrapping him. Before he could even think about things like what time it was or where he was located, Cristobel screamed, heaving himself away from Corran with such vehemence that he tumbled off the bed. Corran crashed to the floor with a rough thud from Cris having impulsed himself the way he had. That made him wake up immediately, and he leapt up and looked around after hitting the lights. "Cris!?"

Wide-eyed and panting, Cris hissed, "There were too many!"

He rushed over to him and grasped him, checking immediately to see if he'd been hurt or had a fever. His mind was a mess, he couldn't see anything clearly in Cris' mind. "What happened..." He was trembling and sweating, which prompted Corran to sit on the floor as close as he could to Cris, still checking him out.

Cris held up his hands defensively, only barely aware of Corran's presence. "Too many! Too many concepts," he insisted.

Cris! he hollered to him telepathically, hoping it would burst through the mayhem.

Cristobel grasped Corran's hand, squeezed it desperately, and forced his breathing into a slower almost regular pattern. All the while, he blinked away the minute traces of tears in his eyes.

Corran pulled him closer and wrapped both arms around him, his hand still in Cris' grip as he tried to comfort him. He said nothing for a while, afraid to shock him too much or overwork his mind as he tried to calm himself down.

Once the reality around him retained lucidity, and he sealed his mind tightly, Cristobel eventually whispered hoarsely, "I'm sorry."

"Shhh, easy..." He kissed the side of Cris' head and just kept holding him close. "What was all that?"

"Nightmare," Cristobel said, clinging to Corri. "I think."

"What happened in it?" He could read the confusion on Cris' face, and he didn't like it at all. He'd never seen him half this rattled before.

"There were all the thoughts from all the people in the Resort and they were in my head. It's like there was this hurricane made up of geometrically-impossible shapes of sound and image and fear and sex and salt and smell and touch-memory and everything that fits in a humanoid head, and I was perceiving all of it. I couldn't raise any of my telepathic defences and it wouldn't abate or arrest," Cristobel explained increasingly frantically, and yet detached. "It was just like Andraia used to describe it."

Cris didn't need to explain to Corran about Andraia's lack of telepathic control. Cris' sister had been born with her telepathy fully active, which led to a systemic break between her perception of reality and imaginary thought.

"Easy...easy..." Corran let his own telepathic senses wrap around Cris' mind, forming a security blanket over the two of them as he cradled his love. "Maybe you relaxed too much and your barriers just floated open...?"

"Or maybe it was just a dream," Cris deflatedly said, starting to feel a little foolish, despite his inability to shake the emotional after-effects of said dream.

"No, your mind was so full I couldn't make any sense of it... How do you feel now though?" He was trying not to worry, and failing.

Looking up, to look Corran in the eyes, Cris simply said, "Tired."

That was his cue. He lifted Cris up into his arms and got back in bed with him, turning off the lights again so they could rest for what little was left of the night. Morning was already coming.

"Do you want to sleep...?" he asked softly.

Cristobel snuggled up to Corran, but then frowned. "If I can."

"Then talk to me, I'm listening..."

"I dunno," Cris mumbled, his face in Corran's chest. "I don't really want to think about it, or I'll probably end up dreaming about it again."

"Okay..." Corran didn't know what to do now, so he just held Cris, blocking all telepathy around them and helping inhibit their abilities together.

Cristobel rarely appreciated silence, and yet it was the only thing that allowed him to placate his rampant thoughts enough to find his way back to sleep. Corran however, was too afraid to sleep, and chose to stay awake the rest of the night, keeping guard...while unknowingly protecting his beloved from another barrage for reasons he might never find out.

---

"Piece Of Mind"
Ensign Niesha - Flight Officer

Location: Ship's Lounge, USS Sulu
Stardate 57907.05, 04h15

***

It was tiring watching the day go by, relaxing on the beautiful white beach of Risa. It was surprising how much it took out of you. She came back to the Sulu to get away from all the people, she wanted some private time with her faithful companion Ash.

She'd neglected him and this would be their time together. Walking the corridors of the ship gave Ash the time to sniff the walls, carpet, and doors, getting familiar with the vessel.

This was one of the few times she could get out and about with him, as Niesha had noticed people didn't generally like hanging around people with a wolf staring at them. They finally arrived at the ship's lounge. The lights were off as the lounge was closed. The lounge was almost in complete darkness apart from the light coming in through the windows from the planet below and the stars glittering in the blackness of space.

Niesha smiled as she listened to the silence. Ash instantly ran around the lounge, moving under the tables, moving around the bar, sniffing, taking in all the smells. Niesha walked slowly through the lounge, looking at the pictures on the walls. She stopped at one of the paintings that caught some of the light from the stars. It looked majestic.

She took a chair from the top of a table and sat down after dragging herself away from the painting. She lifted her legs up, placing them on the table as she stared out into the stars. Feeling something cold touch her hand she looked down almost jumping out of her skin.

"You scared me half to death..." she said, warmly smiling down at Ash running her fingers through his thick fur coat. He moved up to Niesha, placing his head on her lap. "I wish you could speak so I knew what you were thinking...what was going on inside your head.."

She looked into his big eyes that stared back up at her like he could understand every single word and wanted to say something only couldn't. She rubbed the top of his head as she leaned back on the chair, looking out at Risa.

---

"Wolf in the Fold"
By: Ensign Niesha
Commander Lyrr Tayla
Stencil [NPC+]
Ensign Blake Corrigan [NPC]

Location: USS Sulu
Stardate 57907.05, 04h35

***

"Commander Lyrr," Stencil said in a hushed voice. "This is Stencil, from the lounge. I know it's very early, but I thought that I should alert you to this. I know it's standing policy for pets to only be allowed in certain areas of the ship, but currently Ensign Niesha has what appears to be a Terran wolf in the lounge. I would be more concerned that she has her feet up on one of my tables like it's some kind of rustic, frontier pub, except for the fact that...well, wolf."

In bed, but completely wide awake, it didn't take Lyrr long to reach across to the bedside table and retrieve her commbadge. "Don't worry, Stencil," she replied, containing her agitation, "I'll take care of it. Thank you for informing me."

"You're welcome, Commander," Stencil said. "I don't believe the ensign knew I was still awake. I was checking one of the cooling units in the back room, when I heard sounds. The bar was closed up, but she came in anyway. With the regulations on animals outside of designated areas, and with this thing running around my bar like it owned the place... I'm certain I'll be spending a good portion of the morning cleaning up animal hair."

Lyrr felt a chuckle rising in her throat, despite the severity of the situation, but cleared it away quickly enough. "It's alright, Stencil. It won't be happening again. Lyrr out."

She hadn't expected to be forced to discipline an officer so soon into the Sulu's voyage, but Matt had informed her of Ensign's Niesha's wolf, and the strict instructions he'd given the officer to keep it contained within her quarters. Such a flagrant breach of those orders was unbefitting of a Starfleet officer, which she would make quiet clear to Ensign Niesha.

Folding back her sheets and swinging her legs over the edge of the mattress, Lyrr sighed and commed the woman. "Meet me in my office in twenty minutes, Ensign." As an afterthought, she added, "Alone."

***

Niesha was relaxing comfortably, peacefully enjoying the moment with her friend. It was a pain to go against orders, which was one of the reasons she'd waited for the early hours when the lounge was closed: less people and therefore less trouble.

She was almost thrown from the seat when she heard the commander's voice out from her combadge. With the tone of her voice it didn't take an expert to know she was busted. "Aye, I'll be there shortly, ma'am..." she sighed, looking down, seeing Ash's puppy dog look he gave her.

"Your going to be the death of me..." she whispered, rubbing her hand over his head as she swung her legs off the table. "Come on, sweety, time to go." She saw Ash looking over at the bar as he walked towards the exit alongside Niesha. She followed his gaze to the bar and instantly knew who'd snitched on her. She took hold of Ash and steered him in the direction of the exit. Next time she'd make sure she was alone, if in fact there was a next time.

It didn't take long to take Ash back to her quarters. She didn't feel like changing, so headed straight for the commander's office in her off duty attire. She was in more than enough trouble, appearing in front of the commander in her off duty clothing was the least of her problems.

The lift door opened, revealing the corridor that led to the commander's office. She'd seen many things in her life - the Borg destroying her world - so this wasn't much in comparison but something disturbed her. She liked her life within Starfleet and didn't want anything to put her career in danger. The universe works in mysterious ways, she thought as she walked along the corridor.

She reached towards the button, sounding her presence the instant she arrived at Lyrr's office. She took a deep breath, waiting for the reply to enter. When it came the door slid to the side, hissing as it moved. Lyrr emerged into her sight with her office and the El-Aurian stepped through with the door closing behind her.

Lyrr made a point to glance down and ensure the ensign's creature wasn't tagging along. Once satisfied, she motioned for her to have a seat. "Ensign Niesha," she began with complete formality in her tone, "how have you been enjoying your morning?"

"I've enjoyed it, ma'am..." Niesha replied, sensing this wasn't a social call. "It was peaceful..." Niesha remained standing, glancing around the office for a brief second before her eyes fell back onto Lyrr.

"I would imagine so," Lyrr said. "The entire ship almost deserted... It's understandable that one would gain the desire to let loose and act out of character. No one is looking, so why not? Isn't that right?"

"Perhaps..." replied Niesha, slightly raising her eyebrow as she regarded the commander. "Depends on the person really, doesn't it? Are we speaking hypothetically or did you have someone specific in mind?"

Commander Lyrr's stern expression hardened and she again motioned for Niesha to take a seat. "I could make it an order, Ensign, but considering the news that has come to my attention, there is no assurance that you will obey it."

Nodding slightly, Niesha took the offered seat, crossing her legs as she leaned back against the back of the chair. She looked the commander over and thought she was quite attractive and if she weren't her commanding officer there could have been possibilities; perhaps there still were possibilities.

Niesha mentally shook those thoughts out of her mind knowing full well it wouldn't work even if she were interested, which, by the stern look she was getting, the thought was far from Lyrr's mind. "There aren't many assurances in this day and age, Commander. Believe me when I say that I know what I'm talking about."

"Well, on this vessel, Ensign, when an order is given, we expect a fully trained Starfleet officer to obey. Failure to do so is considered an act of insubordination." Lyrr sensed that a more direct approach was required for this particular ensign, so she decided a review of Starfleet's code of conduct could wait. "It has come to my attention, Ensign, that you have flagrantly disobeyed an order given to you directly by the Captain himself. Was it not made clear to you your first day aboard that your...animal was not to leave your quarters and that to do so meant a breach in protocol and ensuing disciplinary action?"

Sighing, Niesha knew this was coming and nodded to the commander. "He did give me such an order, Commander, and I promise you won't hear about such incidents again." Which was the truth. She'd make damn sure no one was around when she went on her walks. Keeping an animal inside one room was cruel and Niesha would never do it to any animal, especially one she loved.

"I won't hear about them," Lyrr asked, "or you won't disobey the order again?" She sighed and leaned forward, making certain her eyes never left Niesha's. "I know you're not an idiot, Ensign, so I know you are well aware of what happens to officers who wittingly engage in acts of insubordination. But it would seem your temptations are easily piqued and you, easily influenced by them. If you can't control your own behaviour, Ensign, I'm afraid we will have to eliminate all sources of temptation and help you control it. That's why I'm recommending to the captain that he order you to have your...creature deposited at the nearest Starbase, and that you receive a formal reprimand." Lyrr smiled tightly at the woman and added, "This will ensure that you can continue your career in Starfleet without having all those nagging temptations distracting you."

"Then I go with him..." she said calmly and plainly. "My last two assignments were the same, too small for him...a search and rescue ship...and then the USS Valor, far too dangerous to have a pet on board. He is no danger to anyone on this ship, Commander! I have given a small yet valuable portion of my life to Starfleet. I have given my sweat, my heart and my blood to the Federation... What do I get in return...? You!" she shouted.

"I have watched my home and world destroyed, my father disown me as he saw his dead wife in my eyes! I will not be separated from my family!" The memory of losing Anna came flooding back and with it the anger, pure hatred. "Never again!"

The flat of Lyrr's hands slammed down upon her desk as she rose abruptly from her seat. "Ensign Niesha! You will rein in your anger or I will have you sent to the brig! Am I understood?"

"Perfectly..." Niesha replied sitting back down on the chair though she didn't remember standing up.

Lyrr studied Niesha for another few moments, assessing whether it was safe to place herself in a position of vulnerability by taking her seat again. She chose, instead, to remain standing. "Ensign, I think there's a more pressing matter that needs attention aside from the issue with your creature. That's why I'm ordering a psychological assessment of you immediately, the results of which will help the captain decide whether you are suited to remain in Starfleet. If you are unable to control your emotions when presented with a mildly troubling situation such as losing a faithful pet, then I can only imagine how you would behave in an emergency situation aboard this vessel. From what I've seen just moments ago, I am inclined to believe you could possibly be a threat to this entire ship and her crew." Lyrr sighed deeply, never having imagined she would be appointed the task of possibly ending an officer's career. She didn't envy Matt the duty of making the final decision in the matter.

"Ensign Niesha," she continued more gently now. "This isn't punishment. There are obviously issues from your past that need dealing with, and the counsellor will help you with that. But...until I've received the counsellor's report, I'm afraid I have no choice but to relieve you of duty. The best advice I can give you is to go down to Risa with your animal and relax."

"Not a punishment... Right, Commander, you keep telling that to yourself and perhaps you may even start believing it. Goodnight!" She needed to get out of that office otherwise Lyrr was going to see how much of a temper she had. She stormed out of the office, vanishing into the corridor before the door had even opened fully, giving the commander little to no chance of retaliating.

Lyrr shook her head and growled a Bajoran obscenity at the closed door of her office. Angrily, she tapped her commbadge. "Ensign Corrigan," she snapped.

It took some time for the officer to respond, and when he did, his voice was still groggy from sleep. "Ensign Corrigan here."

"Ensign, this is Commander Lyrr. I have an important assignment for you involving a certain contumacious officer. I want her watched closely and at the first signs of misconduct, I want her hauled to the brig." She added quickly as an afterthought: "And her dog too."

"Y-Yes, ma'am," Corrigan replied uncertainly. "Which officer, ma'am?"

"Ensign Niesha," Lyrr replied, suppressing a sigh.

There was a pause from the other end, then Corrigan responded with: "Right away, ma'am."

When the link was severed, Lyrr sank down into her chair with a heavy sigh. She certainly wasn't going to be the most popular individual on board after this, and considering the past arguments she and Matt had had regarding her skewed sense of judgement, she had a feeling her actions would be questioned by him.

Pinching the bridge of her nose to fend off a sudden, painful throbbing, Lyrr had a feeling her day was certainly not going to be a pleasant one.

---

"Troubles of Heart and Mind"
Dr. M'lira
Ensign Niesha
Commander Lyrr Tayla
Ensign Blake Corrigan [NPC]

Location: Risa; USS Sulu
Stardate: 57907.05, 06h00

***

Niesha had spent a restless night in her bed. Try as she might she could not get to sleep. She couldn't get her conversation with Commander Lyrr out of her mind. It was the beginning of the end in many ways. She didn't know why she acted the way she did but it was just something about Tayla that made her want to...

"Argh!" she screamed, not knowing whether she wanted to shoot Lyrr or kiss her. She was an attractive woman but the moment she opened her mouth and started talking all that went right out the window. She was irritating, annoying, infuriating, patronising, and much more that Niesha couldn't think of.

She looked over at her chrono sitting on the bedside table. Six in the morning. Looking in the direction of Ash she saw he was fast asleep, totally oblivious to what was happening, or probably he did but knew Niesha was going to find a way through it. She just hoped it was the latter because at the moment she had no clue how to get out of this, enabling her to keep Ash who wouldn't hurt a fly unless provoked.

Looking at the chrono again she saw it was now five minutes past six. Sighing to herself she got up, throwing the cover off her bed, and walking into the bathroom to have a shower. She needed a drink and needed to get off this ship which meant one thing: Risa.

She was on the surface of Risa before seven in the morning. The instant she materialised on the surface, standing in the middle of a path, she felt the hot sun on her skin. She wore a pair of tight fitting jeans and a very short t-shirt revealing her belly button. She wasn't wearing a bra, enjoying the feeling of her breasts being free.

She then came to her first bar; she slammed her hand on the table, getting the attention of the barman. "Two straight whiskeys and a double vodka with red bull!" she shouted and the way the barman rushed off to get the drinks made Niesha smile. She looked down at Ash. "You're too young..."

She never realised she was being watched from across the bar by an out of uniform security officer from the Sulu taking a seat. His eyes kept looking in her direction every few seconds.

***

"Commander Lyrr?"

Lyrr was poring distractedly over diagnostic reports, still unable to sleep, when she heard Ensign Corrigan's voice whispering to her through the comm. She found the young man odd, but at least he was doing his duty without question. "Yes, Ensign? Anything new and pertinent to report?"

"Nothing, ma'am, except she's now in a bar, drinking heavily from what I can tell."

Lyrr nodded slowly. She'd ordered Corrigan to follow Ensign Niesha to the planet after he'd informed her that the woman had stormed off the ship. Considering how aggressive she was towards a superior officer, Lyrr had no doubt the woman would act no differently towards complete strangers. The last thing she needed was an incident on Risa involving an officer she was responsible for. Her patience was far too thin to deal with such an issue at the moment, so Corrigan was dispatched to make certain it never occurred.

"Keep watching, Ensign. And step in only at the first sign of trouble. We don't want to provoke her."

"Yes, ma'am. Corrigan out."

The Ensign stayed huddled in a far corner of the bar, watching the very attractive officer tossing back her fourth drink and trying to keep his thoughts focused on his task, not on how enticingly her bosom bounced whenever she moved. He found himself grinning foolishly at the thought, and quickly repressed the lewd images forming in his mind to keep dutiful watch on the problem officer.

***

The drinks seemed to merge together as she moved from bar to bar. She'd given up counting when she hit the fourth, trying now to concentrate on what she was drinking. She'd had enough of whiskeys and had asked for the strongest spirit the barman had, along with another vodka red bull. It was great. She'd get drunk on the spirits but the red bull would sober her up at least until she got to the next bar.

She looked around the bar after downing the strong spirit, which in her opinion tasted like recirculated oil but the red bull soon got the bad taste out of her mouth. She didn't know what time it was but the sun was still up high in the sky - plenty of time for more drinks. That was when she saw him.

A human by the look of him but then Niesha was slightly drunk so he could have been a Klingon for all she knew. A giggle passed her lips despite herself but quickly stopped, concentrating on him. "Who is he...?" she asked herself, staring at him. Then it came back to her: she'd seen him at the first bar she came to, seated at the other end of the bar, seeming to stare more at her breasts than anything else. She thought he was a keep and she'd been proved right.

She remembered spotting him again in the third bar and now here he was in fourth...or was it the fifth? Sixth? Niesha shook her head. It didn't matter which it was; he was following her. She took a large drink from her vodka red bull before walking up towards him.

"Who the hell do you think you are?!" she shouted. The look she got was almost hilarious but Niesha was too pissed off to care. She grabbed hold of the shirt he was wearing and picked him up off the chair. "Following me around, you perve! Stand up!" she shouted.

Corrigan stammered an explanation as he tried to wriggle from the drunken woman's grasp, but Niesha, with adrenaline pumping through her system and the caffeine from the red bulls, punched the man in the face, whipping his head around. She grabbed his chest, kicking the back of his leg.

"Get security! This guy's been following me! He's a stalker!" she shouted, punching him again. Then Risan security appeared, taking over the situation.

"Thank you, ma'am, we'll take it from here," the large Risan said, grabbing the moaning man, picking him up off the floor. "We'll need a statement."

"I'd be happy to," she said, smiling. Ash came up beside her, rubbing his head against her hand. "How long will it take?"

"Only a few minutes, ma'am..." said the other security officer.

Niesha thought about it while rubbing Ash's head, running her fingers through his fur. Few minutes, then back to drinks... That's doable.

"Ok...let's go." Niesha followed the three security guards leading the human away. She looked at him again, wondering where she remembered him from. It was when she spotted him at the first bar. He looked familiar....

***

After explaining to the fine, very well-muscled security officers from the Risan security patrol that he wasn't, in fact, a stalker and instead a Starfleet ensign simply carrying out the orders of his executive officer - a story corroborated by a very angry Commander Lyrr - he was kindly released from the detention facility and sent on his way to tend to the bloody nose, swollen eye, and aching ribs he'd received for his troubles.

This was the most excitement he hoped to ever encounter during his tour of duty. Still, he had a task to fulfill, so after contacting the Sulu and having Ensign Niesha's whereabouts relayed to him, Blake Corrigan set off through the Risan streets, hoping the worst was over for him during this ill-fated assignment.

He stuck to the shadows this time, and did so even when he spotted the tall, drunkenly swaying form of Ensign Niesha stumbling through the streets. He didn't relish the idea of tackling the woman from behind, so he instead cautiously approached her, keeping within a safe distance, and called out her name. "It's Ensign Corrigan, Ensign! Don't be afraid!"

She stopped, drink still in hand and slowly turned around, seeing the human again, the stalker! "So, you perve, want to have some more do you?" she asked.

Just then, Ash came walking from the shadows, sitting right beside his owner. He just stared at Corrigan as if waiting for Niesha to give him the go.

"I don't know how you got out, but you have ten seconds to get lost before I reacquaint you with the ground and pain."

"B-But I'm Ensign Corrigan," he repeated, keeping his eyes fully on her wolf. He was a Starfleet officer and it just wouldn't do for him to run at the first sign of trouble, but with the beast baring its teeth at him, Blake considered doing just that. "Look...I was sent here to watch you. I'm not a pervert and not a stalker! The commander just wanted to make sure you didn't get into any...trouble down here, so I was sent to watch. That's all!"

"She sent...!" Niesha started to count to ten, went straight past ten and carried on counting in her head. "You go back and tell miss all high and mighty I don't appreciate being spied on! I'm on leave and if I see you or anyone else following me they'll regret it! They will be the cause of any trouble that erupts!"

Niesha's right hand came down to Ash, stroking his head. Ash's eyes never left Corrigan, his top lip lifting slightly, showing his two large fangs. "This is your cue to go away!"

Corrigan gritted his teeth and had no choice but to slowly back away. Commander Lyrr would have his head for this, though she'd no doubt be far more enraged at Ensign Niesha...if he survived long enough to relate his version of the encounter to her.

He'd left his phaser on board, as per the Risan government's strict instructions regarding tourists. All he had now were his legs for running...and his commbadge. He withheld a smile and turned away from Niesha. Surreptitiously, he tapped his commbadge and whispered into it, then furtively pulled the device into his hand. He paused long enough to slow his heartbeat and time his move perfectly, then clamped down on his fears and swung around towards Niesha.

His eyes followed the glinting, metallic insignia as it arched through the air, and clattered onto the ground at Niesha's feet.

"Now, Chief!"

As he turned to flee, Blake caught a glimpse of Ash rearing in the process of leaping at him, but he and Niesha were caught in the enveloping transporter stream. Blake skidded to a halt, then turned to watch as the threat was eliminated, whisked away to the brig if Ensign Viraj got the instructions right.

Sighing once they'd vanished, Blake pressed his back to a wall and passed a hand across his sweat-dampened brow. "All in a night's work," he muttered.

***

Before she realised what was happening, Niesha found herself in the brig on the Sulu. She looked around and ran towards the exit but slammed into the force field, sending her flying back, pain shooting up her arm.

"Ensign, you'll hurt yourself! Calm down!"

"If you don't lower this force field I'll rip your head off!" she screamed, punching the force field with her right hand. "Now!" The growling of Ash only made her seem even more terrifying.

The security guard stepped back away from Niesha despite the fact she was held behind a force field. He quickly tapped his combadge. "Commander! I think you should come down to the brig. Ensign Niesha is here, ma'am, and she's...not happy..."

When Commander Lyrr did arrive at the brig, the hardened expression she wore indicated that she, too, was not in the best of moods. Watching Ensign Niesha throwing herself at the force field like an enraged animal wasn't helping matters, and all Lyrr could think as she observed the woman was that with each passing moment, her career went further down the drain.

"Ensign, if you don't calm down I will have you sedated!" she shouted above the woman's bestial cries.

"You and who's army! Or are you going to get the sleeze ball you had spying on me! All I wanted was a few drinks! You couldn't even trust me enough for that! If you want to get rid of me fine! I quit! I resign my commission!"

Just then everything went dizzy. She was hyperventilating and suddenly collapsed, crashing into the bed on the side before hitting the ground, rolling over onto her back.

Lyrr groaned and rolled her eyes. This was definitely not what she'd envisioned for herself when she joined Starfleet. She tapped her commbadge and first contacted Ensign Viraj to have Niesha's wolf transported to another cell, then made a comm to Dr. O'Shea, though she was informed that he was not on board, which only added to her frustrations. "Doctor M'lira? Please tell me you're here."

"I'm here, Commander," M'lira answered. "How may I be of service?"

"Doctor, we need you down in the brig. There's been...an incident."

There was a sigh from the other end of the channel. "I'm on my way, Commander. I've seen too many shore leave 'incidents.' I hope the other guy's okay."

"The other guy appears to have been many large bottles of some potent spirit or another," Lyrr retorted. "Come as soon as you can. Lyrr out."

Waiting for the good doctor to arrive, Lyrr paced alongside the cell holding the unconscious officer. She would have to report this to Matt, who would no doubt report it to Starfleet command, all but sealing Ensign Niesha's fate. Her career in Starfleet was no doubt over, unless a miracle intervened on Niesha's behalf. "Highly unlikely," Lyrr muttered.

It was only five minutes after Lyrr had contacted her that Dr. M'lira stepped through the doors to the Sulu's brig cells. She fixed Lyrr with a look and a sigh that indicated how much she enjoyed dealing with overzealous crew during shore leave. She adjusted her medical kit on her shoulder and glanced within the cell at the unconscious officer. She pulled out a tricorder. "So," she said, "what's the brief summary?"

"That troubled ensigns and alcohol don't mix," Lyrr replied wryly. "Shall we deactivate the field? I don't think she'll be waking up for a while, if you're worried at all."

M'lira grinned. "Part of my medical training included dealing with unruly and even violent patients." She reached into her kit and pulled out a hypospray. She selected an ampule and filled the injector, then nodded to Lyrr. "Ready."

Lyrr gestured towards the security officers to take their places, then nodded for the brig guard to drop the field. The invisible barrier shimmered briefly then vanished, and with a falsely pleasant smile, she motioned M'lira into the cell.

M'lira started forward, her tricorder scanning as she approached. "I'm picking up an abnormally high amount of activity in her cerebral cortex. It's nothing life threatening, though it can definitely be a product of a heightened emotional state. I'm going to give her a dose of melorazine; it will sedate her."

"A little redundant, don't you think?" Lyrr sighed and smiled apologetically at M'lira as she crouched down next to the Caitian. "I just can't believe someone would ruin their career like this. I don't even know what to tell Captain Salinger."

M'lira sighed and administered the drug. "Without knowing the full story, I cannot suggest anything; however, this sounds worse than just a drunk officer causing trouble on shore leave. My recommendation would be to tell him everything he needs to know to be able to make a decision." She gave a half-smile and sighed. "As to the sedative, it'll help her rest more...calmly. The highly agitated state wasn't helping her, but she should rest more comfortably now. We should probably move her to the bed. Do you believe she should be restrained, Commander?"

Lyrr let out a slow breath and finally nodded. "Even sober she's belligerent. We'd better." After prompting two of the security officers, Niesha was lifted off the ground and gently laid upon the bed. Once settled, a restraining field enshrouded her, and the forcefield on the cell erected once Lyrr and M'lira had stepped out. "Have a look at Ensign Corrigan next, will you? He had a little run in with the Ensign."

"Of course," M'lira answered. "If she causes any additional trouble, let me know. Will you be contacting the counselling department, or should I?"

"That's already been done," Lyrr said. "I had to speak with her before this incident about yet another incident. I'm convinced now that requesting a psychological assessment was the correct course of action."

"I'll go check on Ensign Corrigan," M'lira said. "If you need me for anything else, Commander, I have a feeling I'll be up for awhile."

"As do I," she muttered in reply. Lyrr thanked Doctor M'lira again before the woman departed, then ordered the two man security team to stay and guard Niesha's cell.

As she moved to leave, a whining bark came from the adjacent cell where Niesha's wolf was being detained. She approached the cell slowly, then smiled wanly at the creature as she crouched down before the opening. The animal growled and lunged at her, only to be stopped short by the force field. Lyrr barely flinched.

"It's okay, furry thing," she told it quietly. "She'll be fine... physically, at least."

The wolf growled at her, then fell back and moped about the small cell, emitting high-pitched whimpers as it went. She ordered the brig guard to have the appropriate supplements replicated and given to the animal, then she shook her head slowly at the discouraging turn of events and departed to carry out the more difficult task of writing a report that would damn the young ensign's career.

---

"Welcome Aboard Present"
Ensign Mason Farrell ­ Operations Officer
Lieutenant Sam ­ Operations Manager

Location: USS Sulu, Corridor
Stardate: 57907.05 06h30

***

Farrell enjoyed being active during Gamma shift. When most of the ship was sleeping, he could walk the corridors and think. What a night. Sikara was as good as he had boasted. And Nathalie had seemed to think so, too. This was good. Sikara wasn't Starfleet. This was not so good. But Stencil was a civilian, and there was a doctor in science that wasn't fleet, either. Good signs, both. He didn't even begin to have the pull yet to work something like bringing aboard an unknown who may not even pass a basic security-clearance exam. What to do?

He decided to examine the situation systematically. First, his assets. Sikara was a damn good cook. There was only one cook on the current manifest, and he only worked one shift a day. The galley could use another body; that went without saying.

He also had Gui in his corner. Nathalie had been enchanted by the Risan. Go figure. Still, it meant that she'd be behind an attempt to get him aboard.

He could get back in touch with Thalan. Jorell loved to cook. Sampling someone else's cuisine ought to be right up his alley. And the CSO, Tagliesh, was apparently shacked up with the captain, so he'd only need to get the captain in order to get her, too. And probably vice versa.

It certainly wasn't hopeless, but there was a good deal to do. Operations got it done. That had been the best lesson he had ever learned. How to get it done now?

Especially in light of his liabilities. He hadn't even met the captain. Commander Lyrr obviously hated him. He knew Thalan, but didn't really know any of the rest of the senior staff, and he would need their approval to get Sikara on board. He had to pull off something that would impress a group of senior staff he'd never met. Lovely. Where to begin?

Where to begin indeed. Start turning liabilities into assets. It never hurt to make as many friends as possible.

"Computer," he queried. "Where is Lieutenant Sam?"

Before the computer could answer, the being in question strolled around the corner. "I am currently at your present location, Ensign," Sam answered. He took a few more steps until he was directly in front of Farrell. "I was returning to the bridge." He indicated the turbolift back along the corridor. "What is the purpose of your desire to locate me?"

Farrell, surprised at Sam's sudden appearance, took just a moment to recover before speaking. "Actually, sir, I'm glad to have found you so quickly. I have a present for you, if you don't mind delaying your trip back to the bridge by a few minutes."

"A present," Sam asked. "Is this another human occasion in which gifts are exchanged?"

"No, sir," Farrell chuckled. "It's just something I like to do. Call it a 'glad to be aboard' present, if you like."

"That will be acceptable," Sam answered. "I am unable to reciprocate the gesture at the current time, however I would like to extend a welcome to you as well."

Farrell grinned. "Thank you, sir. Shall I meet you at your quarters in a couple of minutes? That way you can put it away before you head back to duty."

It took a moment for Sam to respond, but he finally gave the Ensign a nod. "That, also, is acceptable. I will see you soon, Ensign."

***

The doorchime sounded.

A moment later, the door slid aside to reveal Sam there. "Welcome, Ensign Farrell."

Ensign Farrell stood there with a sizeable box wrapped in green and gold.

"This is a little heavy. Where do you want it?" Farrell grunted, beginning to step forward.

"Please," Sam said, indicating the table in the center of the room, "the table will be adequate."

Farrell placed the box gently on the table and stepped back, motioning Sam toward it.

Sam stepped forward and glanced curiously at the box. He cocked his head to the side as he circled the table, trying to ascertain its contents by the size and composition of the box. He finally stepped forward once more and opened it, careful not to damage its wrappings. Within was a sizeable block of wood, half a meter on a side, and a small metal case.

One of Sam's eyebrows raised as he removed the block of wood and case. The case on further inspection held a variety of small knives and files. He set the block of wood upon the table and considered for another moment before finally looking up at Ensign Farrell. "I am uncertain as to this device's purpose."

"This is Risan Malindra wood," Farrell explained. "They say it's the absolute best carving wood native to Risa. I, uh--" Farrell paused and scratched the side of his nose absently. "I read Data's autobiography, and he wrote that artistic pursuits helped him understand human creativity. I didn't know if you were already experimenting in an art or not, but figured woodcarving might be something you'd find interesting."

"Intriguing," Sam answered. "I had not considered woodcarving as a potential pursuit. I thank you for this gift, Ensign. I will be certain to carve something memorable."

Mason smiled. "You're very welcome, sir. Shall I let you get back to the bridge, then?"

"That would be a correct assessment," Sam said. "However, I will allow you to examine the results of my endeavours with this woodcarving set. If that is acceptable."

"If that's acceptable to you, sir, I'll be happy to take a look."

"I will notify you once I have completed my first project," Sam said. "Thank you for this gift, Ensign Farrell."

"You're welcome, sir. Enjoy your shift." Farrell bowed slightly, and turned to go.

Sam walked with Farrell to the door, and watched as the ensign exited and disappeared down the hall. Before passing through the doorway himself, he took a glance back at the woodworking set as beginning thoughts of potential projects began working through his mind.

---

"Peace Offering"
Commander Lyrr Tayla - Executive Officer
Ensign Mason Farrell - Operations Officer

Location: USS Sulu, Lyrr's quarters
Stardate: 57907.05 7h30

***

Mason Farrell walked down the corridor. He hadn't been this nervous since Becky Devereaux had asked him to the Sadie Hawkins dance when they were both twelve. It was ridiculous to be as twitchy as this, but the Commander had been freezing cold from word one, and he needed that to change. It was risky, but he had to try and chip the ice or the Sulu would be a living hell. He just hoped he had pegged this right. At least he had changed back into uniform.

Lyrr muttered a curse as her door chime sounded, inordinately loudly today and adding to her accumulating frustrations. She'd scrounged only a brief amount of time to return to her quarters after a very long and eventful night, and was interrupted even before her fork could slide into her kolta sausage. With Ensign Corrigan comming her every ten minutes to update her on the situation with Ensign Niesha, and Lieutenant Flummux having an especially severe bout of anxiety that required him to contact her frequently for assurances that the ship wasn't experiencing dangerous systemic irregularities, she had absolutely no time for herself.

She suddenly resented Matt for taking advantage of shore leave and abandoning her to deal with all the unexpected difficulties. Stifling yet another curse, directed at him this time, Lyrr pushed away from the table and stalked to the door. She punched at the door console, spitting another choice invective at the pain radiating up from her knuckles, then shot her impromptu visitor a scowl.

"Yes?" That it was Ensign Farrell, yet another officer with a shady past who was dumped on the Sulu, only added to her aggravation. "Ensign, if this isn't important, for your sake, I suggest you wait until I'm on the bridge."

Straight out of the cave, and breathing fire. Farrell briefly considered breaking and running, but his game-table instinct wouldn't let him show it. He did what he always did when facing danger. He smiled. He smiled genuinely, and slid the carved wooden case from under his arm, offering it to Lyrr.

"You've obviously got a lot going on, sir." He glanced past her, risking only a fraction of a second. "And your food's gettin' cold, so I'll be brief. This is for you."

Lyrr cast a wary eye upon the case, though it didn't take very long to realize its purpose was for Farrell to ingratiate himself with her. She had never been a commander before, so she had yet to encounter such a flagrant attempt at fawning. However, she was somewhat curious about the contents of the box, so instead of an outright refusal, she affected disinterest and asked, "And what is that supposed to be, Ensign? I sincerely hope that isn't a gift."

"Not unless you're willing to open it, sir," Farrell said, keeping it extended toward her. It was about a half-meter long, and half as wide square.

Lyrr sighed impatiently and yanked the box from Farrell's hands. "I'll open it...if only to give me some peace and quiet for the first time this morning." She propped the sizeable parcel up atop one palm and unfastened the metal hasp with her free hand. Giving Mason a tight smile, she flipped the lid, then glanced down into the box. Once she'd pushed away the strips of stuffing and the beautifully curved bottle of deep red-gold liquid, and the pair of wide-bellied snifters came into view, Lyrr smiled unintentionally. It quickly vanished, however, once she became aware of it, and she cleared her throat as she regarded Mason again suspiciously. "Have you been talking to O'Shea? What's this for?"

"I've yet to meet Doctor O'Shea, sir," said Farrell after a moment's thought. He nodded to the now open case. "As for what it's for, I figured you might be the sort of person who enjoys the occasional nip of luxury. This is Yridian Brandy, brewed by the Deblyn company. Among those who care, Deblyn's brandy is believed to be the best kept, and most sought after secret of Yridia. For now, though, call it a 'glad to be aboard' present from your new Operations officer. Share it at your leisure, or don't. After you taste it, you may decide to keep it your secret," Farrell finished with his best smile.

Lyrr nodded slowly, still casting a skeptical gaze towards the man. The only officer on board who knew of her preference for brandy was Dr. O'Shea; either Ensign Farrell had been speaking with him, or he certainly had made an amazing guess. With hasty movements, Lyrr slapped closed the lid, secured the hasp, and thrust the box towards Farrell. "This is inappropriate. I cannot accept gifts of any kind from junior officers."

"Texans give gifts to each other all the time," Farrell replied, not reaching to take the case. "This has nothing to do with rank. It's about being in a new place and being nice to the people I'll be working with. Besides, I can't very well take it back now that I've given it," he chuckled. "My father would roll over in his grave if I took back a gift."

"I am not a Texan, Ensign Farrell," Lyrr replied, motioning her eyes insistently towards the box still being held out to him. "I am the commander of this ship, and if it were to be made known that I had accepted a gift from a junior officer, that could be misconstrued as an impropriety...especially considering the officer in question does already have a rather colourful record, one he might wish to encourage an executive officer to overlook by offering her lavish gifts."

"Oh! I see." Farrell seemed to have some sort of epiphany. "You're worried I'm going to want something in return. I don't know how gifts work on Bajor, but where I come from a gift is a gift, not payment for services. This is strictly no strings attached. I'm glad to be in a new post, that's all. This is a private gift, given off duty. No worries, and no strings. And I'll never tell a soul," he finished with another grin, and then glanced up and down the corridor. "So you're going to have to shut the door before someone comes along that I'll have to silence. Your food's gettin' cold."

Lyrr grumbled as she pulled the gift back towards her and out of view of any passers-by looking for enticing gossip to spread. "This is still highly inappropriate, Ensign," she said sternly. "I do not appreciate you putting me in such an awkward position. From now on, I would advise you not to go around handing out gifts to your senior officers. There are many other ways to express gratitude without risking a ship-wide scandal by offering your executive officer "thank-you" presents."

"I'm sorry you feel that way, sir. I'll let you get back to your breakfast." He half turned to go. "Oh, one last thing, though."

Lyrr suppressed an impatient sigh and gestured for him to proceed.

"You're welcome," he said quietly, without a smile, and then strode down the corridor to the turbolift.

Lyrr peered around the edge of the doorway, watching Ensign Farrell warily. With a shake of her head, she slipped back into her quarters with her gift. She made a mental note to pay closer attention to the crafty ensign from now on.

The lift doors closed, and Farrell told the computer to take him back to his deck. He slumped against the wall and breathed deeply several times with his eyes closed. That was close. Commander Lyrr had serious issues. But she had kept the case.

He straightened from the wall, pumped a fist in the air, and did a little dance, whispering 'yes, yes, yes' to himself. He composed himself just as the doors opened again, and headed for bed. What a night.

---

"Pity Party"
Ensign Dwayne Sanchez

Location: USS Sulu, Crew Quarters
Stardate: 57907.05 09h30

***

Dwayne hadn't slept. He hadn't slept in the last few days. He was beginning to feel really bad about the situation and what it was he could do to rectify it.

Like it would make any difference. I started out with no friends, and now I'm back to having no friends. Part of the reason I didn't want to socialize was because if I did, I'd either hurt someone, or someone would hurt me.

He climbed out of bed and went to the monitor. There was one in the living area and he went to it, just as he was, naked. There wasn't any point to dress, Amy wasn't there. She'd been on the planet below almost ever since shoreleave had been declared.

He set up a call to his grandmother. The Holo-image of her was good, but nothing worked like the real deal.

"Hola, Mijo." The first words from his grandmother's mouth made him smile, "What could I do for you this manana?"

"I just needed to hear your voice, Abuela, that is all."

"Are you sure? I haven't seen you call me in nothing for a long time. Something must be wrong if you call and not be in uniform."

Dwayne blushed, but he replied, "I'm sorry, and you are right."

"You do not have any friends again?"

"Well, I did. Then I messed up real bad. Abuela, what is wrong with me?"

"Mijo, there is nothing wrong with you. You are just shy, and there is nothing wrong with being shy."

Dwayne felt the warm trail of tears as they fell from his eyes. "It hurts. I hurt so many here. Maybe I wasn't cut out to be Starfleet."

Maria Sanchez frowned, "Now that isn't so. You're mother and father would have wanted you to be in the 'fleet. You know that."

"Si, I do. But, why is it that I don't get along with anyone, and when I start to draw close to someone, I do or say something that spoils it."

"Dwayne, you have always been a sensitive boy, and now that sensitivity has stuck with you into adulthood, don't let it take you over, but don't let it be lost either. You lost your parents as a child, maybe you are afraid of losing someone else the same way."

He looked at her over the screen, and over the many light-years' distance. "I know you were a counselor, I didn't know you could do that."

"What, tell you what I thought?"

"Oh, no, I knew you would do that, but I didn't know you could figure out what the situation was that quickly."

"Mijo, I just know you. You took one small part of your life, and now you are using that as a crutch. Life isn't worth living unless you take risks...and from what I'm understanding, you're not taking those risks."

"I don't like being hurt."

Maria sighed, "Dwayne, all things hurt. The loss of a pet, giving birth, marriage, death...they all hurt. Just some are good hurts, and some aren't."

"I know."

"Dwayne, listen to me, you are a good man, you were always a good boy, and that is all a part of what, and who, you are. Don't lose that. Everything that happens to you moulds you into the man, and officer, you are and can be."

A tearful smile spread across Dwayne's face. "Thanks, abuela. I love you."

"I love you too, mijo. Now, go back to sleep."

"If I can. Good night."

"'Night." And the connection was closed.

---

"Separation Anxiety"
By: Matt Salinger
Xayella Tagliesh

Location: Risa
Stardate 57907.05, 10h45

***

The night had been as beautiful as they both could have hoped. As Matt Salinger and Xayella Tagliesh walked alone together on a stretch of deserted beach, he smiled as he looked out over the water. "They say that that little string of islands out there is quite the place for revelry. Though, you have to have a fairly...liberal viewpoint. Those who are offended by drugs, nudity, openly displayed sexuality or even sex are generally urged to stay away. It's quite the party."

Xayella smiled, nodding slowly. "Is this your way of telling me you wish to go there? And here I thought I was enough..."

Matt chuckled and gave her hand a squeeze. "Oh, don't worry," he said. "You are definitely enough. Actually, I was just wondering how many of our crew is over there right now."

"I imagine Commander Lyrr was the first one to hop on a boat and sail her way there," she joked. "She's so uptight. What's her problem anyway? Does she think because her past was such a struggle that she needs to be so severe and difficult herself?"

"I believe the Occupation sapped whatever joy she might have found in life out of her," Matt answered. "The tragedy of her people, the atrocities that were committed upon them colours everything in her life now. On one hand, I can't understand why she clings so viciously to those days with her eyes clamped so tightly shut that not a single flicker of light gets in, and on the other, I can't help feeling for her. I can't imagine what it must have been like growing up in a warzone where tomorrow you may end up a slave, dead, or worse."

Xayella sighed softly, finding a slight new understanding for the woman through Matt's impassioned explanation. "Still...the war's over, Matt. It's time she moved on and stopped blaming others for what happened to her people. Like me, for example. I'm not a Cardassian, but sometimes, the looks she gives me indicates she thinks I'm no better than one."

"We've fought about that," Matt said. "It's not just you. It's people who don't measure up to her standards. It's people who have caused problems. It's people who don't perform like perfect, model Starfleet officers. Those that seem to be sub-sentient in her eyes. I don't understand it, and I can't get her to understand that people who don't meet her criteria shouldn't be treated as if they're less-than-human, or in her case, Bajoran."

"She does realize that she's not infallible either, doesn't she? Hell, she's worse than I ever was!"

"I think she's trying to ignore that little piece of information."

Xayella shrugged and nestled her cheek to his shoulder with a sigh. "Well, this is our vacation. I don't even wanna think about the many ways in which you can try and knock some sense into her before I do it myself."

"That sounds like a marvellous idea," Matt said. "How about we talk about the little cruise we're going to take today? I was thinking about a quick trip out through the bay and across over to the botanical preserve. They've got guided tours and everything."

"Hey..." Xayella turned her face up towards his, narrowing her eyes suspiciously. "You never said anything about a cruise."

Matt grinned. "Are cruises okay? I was hoping it would be a surprise. We don't have to go if you don't want. And, don't worry, we're staying far away from the naked revellers."

"I never said I didn't want to go on a cruise," she replied defensively. "You must be thinking of your other lover. I would love to go...if you're still offering."

"Oh, but I'm certain Monica's out on that frolicking island." Matt turned a shocked and surprised expression. "Oh, I wasn't supposed to say that. That came out wrong. Here, the cruise is this way. Come, we should hurry to get away from my blunder. Hurry, my love before I stick my other foot in my mouth."

"Or I jam my fist into your gut," she warned, putting on her most menacing sneer. It vanished a moment later when a smile lit up her face and Xayella dashed towards the docks, with the hem of her skirt held in her hands. "Hurry before I find a handsome Risan to go with!"

"Hey get back here," he called as he raced after her. "All that is mine is yours, remember?"

"Only if I want it," she shot back, screeching and sprinting faster as Matt surged forward to close the distance between them.

"That's not what you said last night!" Having never chased after Xay in quite this manner, he never realized how quick she was. He found himself wishing for an ice rink, knowing there he'd catch her easily...possibly even catching her before she fell to the ice. He laughed aloud, and the vision in his mind disappeared like a wave crashing against a rock. "Don't make me use a transporter!"

"You wouldn't!" she hollered back. One glance backwards at the mischievous, crooked grin he wore, and Xayella yelped and picked up the pace. "That would be an abuse of your power, Captain! And if you did...I'd withhold sex!"

Matt barked a laugh. "Then I'd just make a recreation of you in the holodeck! You can withhold all you want, and I'll just go to my holographic mistress who'll be exactly like you in every way! Well, except for the being a real person part."

Xayella halted abruptly and whirled around in the ankle-deep water to face Matt. His pace slowed as he neared, enough for Xayella to leap at him, wrap her legs tightly around his waist, and tackle him into the water. Laughing breathlessly, she smacked a wet kiss to Matt's forehead, then asked, "Now, would a hologram do that?"

"Oh," Matt said with a laugh, "I have a suspicion that a hologram wouldn't do that. Hell, I couldn't even be right here with a hologram right now. So, you know any other tricks a hologram wouldn't do?"

Xayella nodded readily. "But nothing I think we should do in public." She kissed him again - his lips this time - then grinned. "But...tonight for sure."

"Tonight, I like the sound of that. It's got me all wet, my love. No wait, I think that's the water we're lying in."

Xayella chuckled and picked herself up off Matt, offering him her hand. "Now that we're both wet, we could use a nice, fast, windy boat ride to dry us off. Care to join your lovely, wonderful, intelligent girlfriend?"

"I would be happy to," Matt said with a smile as he placed his hand in hers. "It'll also be nice to get away from all the other vacationers here for awhile."

"I'm surprised we haven't really seen anyone from the ship." Xayella kicked at a low wave coming at them as they walked, then asked pensively, "What will Lyrr say when she finds out? I know she'll disapprove, but how far will she go with it?"

"I don't know," Matt said with a shrug. He chuckled softly and shook his head. "I imagine she'll hear about it soon enough, at which point I'll hear about it. I don't know if she'll try to put a stop to it or not, but we'll deal with whatever happens. And, maybe in seeing us together, she'll realize how wrong she is."

Xayella shot Matt a skeptical smile. "You don't actually believe that, do you? Or are you just trying to be optimistic?"

"Optimistic," Matt answered with a smile. "I imagine she'll tell me that I'm gullible and naive and that your true intention is to mislead and deceive me so that you can manipulate me into allowing you to stay in Starfleet."

"Well..." She grinned and looked sidelong at him. "Did it work?"

"Not yet," Matt said. "Though, keep working. I'm sure you'll get there eventually."

Xayella scowled playfully and muttered, "Jerk... You do know that if I'm kicked out of Starfleet, we'll never see each other again. No...I'll be off on some mining colony, snapping at the workers and sabotaging my parents' business affairs..." She made a show of thinking it over, then nodded and gave a small sound of approval. "Doesn't sound so bad, actually."

"Well, except for the part about you being there, and me being off racing around the galaxy, exploring strange new worlds and seeking out new life and new civilizations."

"You'd better not! You can't do all that without me." She smiled at him and added, "It won't be the same if we're not there, experiencing it together. I guess I'll just have to stay in Starfleet then, now won't I?"

"I guess you will," Matt said as he pulled her closer. "And, that makes me happy. I think the dock for those cruises is just up ahead there."

Xayella kept her eyes fully on Matt, replying, "Yes...it is. Just you and I on an island doing...whatever it is people do on islands." She grinned and reached up to brush her lips against his chin. "Got any idea what that could be?"

"Well, on one part of it they have a botanical garden," Matt answered as his lips caressed her forehead. "On the other, I think they have private beaches that few people ever go to. If you're interested, I'm sure we could go see how...private they are."

Xayella moaned happily while she slid her arms around his waist. "You're always luring me into bed, you fiend. I think we spend more time lying down in each other's arms than we do talking. That's not a bad thing, is it?"

"We've been doing a lot of talking today," Matt said with a smile. "And, I think we're at a stage in our relationship where our friskiness may overwhelm other aspects of our relationship, but I don't think that cheapens what we have or makes us necessarily bad. Just horny."

Xayella snickered and lightly slapped Matt's stomach. "We are not. It's you. I could go an indefinite amount of time without sex. You, on the other hand... I doubt you could function without it."

"Well," Matt said as he crossed his arms over his chest, "we'll just have to see about that, won't we? Which one of us will break first?"

Xayella assumed a similar self-assured pose with back straight, shoulders squared, and arms tightly folded beneath her bosom. "Oh, it certainly won't be me, Matthew Salinger. I've been at this sort of thing longer than you have. I can withhold and abstain at will." Grinning slyly at him, she asked, "You sure you still wanna go through with this?"

"You seem to be quite intent on it," Matt said with a commanding wave. "Therefore, that's what we'll do. Let's see how long we can last. You do realize it could be months, don't you?"

"Or years," she added. Xayella sighed airily then said with mock disappointment, "And tonight I was going to wear that skimpy nightgown I brought down with me... I guess I'll never get to show it to you ever..."

"Oh, that sounds lovely," Matt said. "Well, you can still wear if it you'd like, unless you think it would be too difficult for you."

"Oh, not at all," she replied. "I was simply trying to make things easier on you, but if you want a challenge, I'll gladly wear it." She smiled to herself as she said, "Did I mention that it was red? And tight? With lace and cut really low. I did mention that...didn't I?"

Matt laughed. It was a loud bark of defiance as he thrust his chin up in the air. "Oh very well," he said. "Tight, red, and plunging is perfect. Oh, and did I mention that I haven't brought anything to sleep in?"

"How convenient for you," she drawled. "I imagine the lack of constrictive sleep-wear will facilitate the self-administered release of sexual tension you'll build up over the days...and weeks...and months..."

"Oh ho," Matt said with a knowing nod. "So that's how you're going to get through this. And, you suspect me of planning to do the same. Well, well, Ms. Tagliesh, you do have a low opinion of me, don't you?"

Turning her face up towards his and smiling sweetly, she replied, "Very."

Matt gave her a toothy grin. "Oh, you will pay for that, my dear," he said. "You will pay dearly. Now, we have a boat to catch, unless we want to stay here taunting each other."

She shrugged. "I could go either way, really." A gleam of mischief glistened in her eyes as she watched Matt, but before he could react defensively to the tacit warning, Xayella had hooked her foot around his ankle from behind and shoved. His arms windmilled as he scrambled to maintain his footing, but the ensuing shout and heavy splash of a falling body hitting the water proved that his efforts had been futile.

Xayella didn't stay around long enough to watch the results of her impetuous act, and instead made a break for the ships already being loaded up with passengers, giving Matt time alone to conjure a fitting punishment for her, one that hopefully involved forcing them to break their pact of celibacy.

***

Matt Salinger stood on the dock where the ship heading across the bay toward the botanical preserve was moored. Xay sat inside the boat, her questioning gaze meeting his as he only smiled. The Risans were already clearing away the ropes that held the small craft in place at the dock. A slow chuckle built up within Matt as he gave her a quick wave. The sudden realization of his revenge hit her, and Matt laughed aloud.

Xayella jammed her fists into her hips and scowled. As the boat gently lurched when the dockhand pushed them off into the sea, Xayella stomped her foot and hollered, "If I could swim, Matt Salinger, I'd be jumping off this boat and coming over there to sock you one!"

"See you tonight," Matt called as he waved and blew her kisses. "Have fun! Bye!"

Xayella growled in frustration. "Fine! I will! There are plenty of handsome men aboard who can keep me company." Jerking her head up haughtily, she whirled away from her seat and strode across the deck, sufficiently agitated and searching for the most pleasant-looking passenger.

Considering it was Risa, there were plenty. And all of them happened to hear her shouted challenged.

A swarm of smiling, very eager men - some Risans, some obviously not - flocked around Xayella before she made it halfway across the deck. Hemmed in by more handsome men than she'd ever seen in one place, Xayella gave her most enchanting smile to them all, then waved at Matt over their heads. "Have fun, Salinger! I certainly will!"

At her obvious delight at their attention, the men pressed in even further. From out of seeming nowhere, hands came up to caress her bare shoulders and arms, her back and hips.

"Oh...uh..." Xayella chuckled awkwardly and wriggled away from some of the more frisky and daring hands. She slapped away another pair that was seeking out her chest and jumped back, only to be blocked by a firm, sturdy form behind her, whose arms came up around her waist. "Uh...Matt? Matt! A little help!"

The whine of a Starfleet transporter sounded on the deck, and a moment later, Matt Salinger was standing there. "Excuse me, gentlemen," he called, putting all of the authority he could into his voice. "My name is Captain Matthew Salinger with Starfleet. I'll take over from here." He glanced at Xay, raising a questioning eyebrow to make sure that's what she wanted.

As the circle of men parted, Xayella appeared in the center with arms folded over her chest and lips turned down in a frown of displeasure. "Oh you will, will you?" she retorted. "These nice gentlemen were just helping me get acquainted with Risan customs, weren't you?"

The men nodded collectively and readily. Xayella grinned. "See? At least they know not to abandon beautiful, vulnerable women on a boatful of strangers."

"Well," Matt said with a nod. "Then, I'll let you get back to it then." He stepped aside and gestured the men toward Xay. "As you were, gentlemen. Salinger to Riley, one to beam back to the mainland, Chief."

As the men closed in around her again, arms outstretched towards her, Xayella gasped and called out for Matt. "Wait. You can't! Matt?!"

Matt held out a hand toward her. "Come on, my love," he said. "It's kind of crowded over here."

Xayella gratefully flung out her hand and grasped Matt's. With a gentle, yet firm tug, Xayella was pulled away from the crowd of greedy men and into Matt's arms. Sighing, she whispered, "Now, this is where I prefer to be."

Without saying a word, Matt kissed her. It was several minutes later when the kiss broke, and he grinned. "I missed you, my love."

"Only because you were afraid one of those men would whisk me away with them." She nestled her cheek to his and laughed softly. "I missed you too. Were you really gonna leave me here with all these men?"

"Only if they behaved themselves," Matt said. "And, I would have been there to meet you on the other side when the boat got in. Of course, I had to have Chief Riley make a quick change in the coordinates. I don't think we can really consider that a fight, but would you like to make up anyway?"

Xayella grinned. "I thought we were abstaining? Are you admitting defeat, Matthew Salinger?"

"I'm not admitting anything," Matt said with a smile. "Except that I love you. Though, if you'd like to form a truce, and call it even..."

"And I can wear my nightgown just for you?"

"You can wear your nightgown just for me," Matt said with a smile. "Is it a deal?"

Xayella tapped her chin in a contemplative manner while gazing up at the cloud-spotted sky. Chuckling softly, she abruptly pressed a kiss to Matt's cheek and said, "Deal! But...only if you try it on afterwards."

An eyebrow crept up Matt's forehead as he stared at her, trying to gauge her seriousness. "Do you have an extra? If I make it into the thing, I can't guarantee what condition it'll be in when it comes off."

Xayella waved a hand languidly and replied, "Well...then just wear nothing at all. Better?"

Matt made a show of contemplating, then broke into a wide grin. "Better," he said. "And, if you get tired of that nightgown, you could too."

Grazing his lips with hers, Xayella chuckled lowly. "If I get tired of it."

"If," Matt whispered, and kissed her more fully. "Though, I have a feeling it won't be a matter of being tired."

"Are you always this voracious?" she murmured, finding Matt's arms pulling her more tightly to him. She sighed softly at the warmth permeating her from the length of his body, and found his mouth with hers again, enveloping it in a deep kiss that only generated more heat within her.

Matt laughed again. "Is that a complaint?"

Xayella shook her head quickly, taking in a shuddering breath. "Nope," she whispered. "Just making sure I was right. Definitely voracious, my love."

The ship rocked gently as they stood together, holding each other. Matt knew that others finding out could be very bad for them, but he couldn't hide his feelings on this or anything else. If they wanted to strip him of his command for falling in love, so be it. It'd happened to other captains before, and not all of them had been disciplined. All he needed to be able to do was to prove that he could keep himself impartial when it came to duty. He knew the true test would be when, and if, he ever needed to send Xay into a potentially dangerous situation. He had faith in himself and in Xayella that they would perform admirably under those circumstances. He smiled then, and kissed her. "I'm not worried at all," he finally said.

***

Xayella and Matt both waved at the crew of the boat after it had deposited them on the beach again following their tranquil, fulfilling day at the botanical gardens. Hand-in-hand and treading their way barefoot in the damp sand, Xayella felt as if her entirely lonely and bitter past before meeting Matt had happened to someone else, not herself. It was a liberating, cathartic feeling.

"Let's stay on Risa forever," she sighed, embracing Matt tenderly. "The ship can fly itself, can't it?"

"Pretty close," Matt said with a smile. "We can stay in our little beach house. We'll have to make sure these walks along the beach are a daily thing." He sighed happily. "I never imagined anything could be so perfect."

Xayella grinned in pure contentment, and was in the process of agreeing with Matt wholeheartedly when the distinctive, annoying and muffled chirp of a commbadge entirely shattered the mood. "Oh, Matt," she whined. "I thought you left that behind! You promised."

Matt pulled the small shield with affixed arrowhead from his pocket and stared at it. "I figured the ship would intercept anything that wasn't an emergency. I wouldn't be surprised if it was Grixble in a state of panic. Don't worry, it'll only be a moment, and then I'll pitch it into the ocean."

Xayella pulled stubbornly away from Matt and hugged her arms tightly around herself. "Sure you will," she mumbled.

Matt sighed, and tapped the communicator. "Salinger here. Go ahead."

"Captain Salinger, this is Colonel On Torik of the Risan Planetary Security. We have...a situation."

Matt sighed. "I understand," he said. "What sort of situation?"

"Currently this information has not been released due to the sensitive nature of the incident. However, a Federation ambassador working on Risa was murdered, and the suspect is a member of your crew."

The news nearly sent Matt crashing down onto the sand. "Which--?"

"Ensign Andrea Collins is currently in custody for the murder," Torik answered. "Eyewitnesses report her leaving the scene around the time of the murder. The Ktarian authorities are demanding for extradition."

Matt sighed and glanced to Xayella.

She shrugged, obviously not pleased about what no doubt meant a severe hitch in their vacation plans. "Go on," she whispered. "I'll be fine alone."

"I'll try to care of this as quickly as possible," Matt said, holding her eyes with his own. "And, I'll make it up to you, Xay. I promise."

She let a wan smile escape and nodded sullenly. "Of course you will."

"Colonel," Matt said into the communicator, "have your transporter operators prepare to beam me there. I'll just be a moment. Salinger out." He tapped off the channel and took Xay into his arms. "I will make it up to you, Xay. I don't like this any more than you do, but I can't ignore it. It won't take up all my time, so we'll still have our night together."

"Only one night?" She tried to laugh, but it came out only as a resigned sigh. "This is stupid... It's our first vacation together... But I guess this will be your first test: Can you put your duty before your relationship?"

"I'm going to try to do both," Matt said. "Hopefully, I'll just be gone for a little bit and we can go on with our day. Xayella, I love you and regardless of what happens here, we'll have our time. Please don't be bitter, Xay. Please don't make this harder than it already is. I will be back...you have my word."

"I know," she whispered. Gazing up at him, Xayella smiled gently, then kissed his lips. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be that way. You just...do what you have to do. I'll be waiting for you at our love nest."

Matt smiled. "And, I'll be back to our love nest soon," he said. "I love you, Xay. I'll see you soon. I'll keep you informed on what's happening."

She laughed lightly. "I'll be waiting eagerly for the first report. Now--" She stepped back, out of Matt's embrace and motioned for him to contact the Risan officials. "I love you, Matt Salinger, but...duty calls."

Matt tapped the communicator. "Salinger to Colonel Torik. I'm ready here. Energize." With that, the transporter stream caught him and began pulling him away. Before he could be transported away completely, Matt raised a hand to his lips and blew the kiss toward Xay.

She caught it quickly in her hand and pressed it to her heart as he disappeared entirely. Shaking her head and laughing softly to herself, she resumed her trek along the beach alone. But with thoughts of Matt definitely still occupying her mind, she was content enough in his absence...for now.

---

"It's About Nature"
by Corran Quezith
and Cristobel Sefton

Location: Risa
Stardate: 57907.05, 11h46

***

They'd left the doors to the Uisce Resort's bronze floater open in their mad rush into the water. Since Corran had piloted the fairly autonomous floater, it had been landed softly on the perfectly green grass that stretched out for kilometres, instead of the burrowing into the ground Cris would have called a good landing. They'd left a silver Starfleet case lying open in the floater; it had been carelessly overstuffed with their sandals, tees, towels, lunch, and a commbadge.

Hip deep in a seemingly natural pool of perfectly warm water, Corran and Cristobel embraced. The pair was enveloped by an ethereal mist, which was created by twin dense waterfalls pouring down a towering cliff face to the lagoon in which they were wading.

Cris had kept all thoughts, except his own, out of his brain since awaking. With his arms still draped over Corran's shoulders, he broke away from their ravenous kiss to concentrate on Corran's eyes, and to open his mind to only him.

Carefully, Cristobel projected his thoughts to Corran. You know that after everything that happened on the Miranda, the alternative Cris' attack on my psyche and that sudden bombardment of thousands of panicking minds, my mental defences were shattered a little. In the familiar setting of Starfleet Academy, and now on the relatively small Sulu, I haven't had the difficulty of other thoughts overpowering my mental defences. All the while, though, I've known that I have to accentuate my defensive telepathy. I mean, it's fun learning to project images and emotions like Achicarians do, but I think last night may have been some sort of warning from my subconscious or metaconscious. I have to be able to protect my mind first and foremost.

Corran held Cris firmly, personally exhausted somewhat by the unusual events from the night before, but elated by the feelings of physical and emotional warmth that came from their love. Coffee couldn't achieve this even under the better circumstances... With them inside their combined telepathic bubble, protected from Risa's inhabitants and visitors, their emotions were magnified.

He kissed Cris softly, and then answered him as his eyes changed to an emerald green tone, You have a very potent mind, and you know I've meant to help you tune your telepathic senses... I'm sorry I didn't show you how to shield yourself better, but we'll concentrate on that more. I promise.

Almost shyly, not wanting to seem too easily influenced by something as evanescent as a dream, Cristobel asked, Why not concentrate more now?

In a shared point of imagination, Cristobel and Corran waded in a very similar lagoon. Cristobel seemed to echo his questioning "now", but now he held a tree branch in his hand. He smirked playfully, held his palm flat-up higher, and the branch swirled into the bright sky before firmly positioning itself in the water behind Cristobel. Looking from side to side, Cris watched dozens of gnarled tree trunks splash into the water to form a protective circle around Corran and Cristobel. All things relative, the density of wood was about as strong as he envisioned his conscious-level mental shields to be.

Corran's brow raised at the crude representation, albeit appropriate as an expression to the shields he observed Betazoids to normally have. It was all they normally needed. He moved to the edge of the shield, and picked up one of the branches before coming back. He didn't even realize that both of them were nude, a representation of their joining and trust in each other.

"This wood is a precise measure of the strength of your mind against the onslaught; it's also a representation of discontinuity with nature."

Grinning mischievously, Cristobel surmised, "In that case, I might as well continue subverting nature's expectations. I ought to reinforce the trees with some transparent titanium or ablative armour. If I can."

Corran chuckled before shaking his head. He threw the branch back and it simply disappeared, followed by the shields. Suddenly, in its place, the water swirled gently until there was a circle where the water was moving as it would down a gentle stream. A leaf drifted from the trees above, and Corran took it, then let it go at the outer edge of the circling water. Soon the leaf fell into the stream, and simply began to swirl around the stream.

"The first thing you must learn is that there is a natural order to all things, this includes telepathy. Ablative armors and other metallic shields, metaphorical artificial protection, does nothing to truly shield you. It's a temporary barrier, one that can be fragmented eventually, no matter how strong... Watch the leaf."

The leaf twirled around them a few times in the stream, only to suddenly be swung outwards, much like a ship orbiting a planet would do if it attained sufficient energy to do so. The leaf drifted away tranquilly.

While Cristobel understood the textbook science of telepathy, the psychology of telepathy and the basic mechanics needed to communicate, he had never been taught the undercurrents such as the nature and the mythology of telepathy. His parents had never been terribly interested in the subject, as long as their telepathy worked, and until he met Corran, Cris had been a little afraid of the idea of expanding his psionic abilities.

His body swaying gently with the ripples of the water, Cristobel gazed at the drifting leaf and continued listening to Corran intently.

Corran faced Cris, and then took his hand. "Now...concentrate your mind and slowly open it to the exterior, allow a few emotions to penetrate your barrier..." He waited until he had done that. Corran made sure that he wasn't swarmed, and then continued, "Now take those emotions, and imagine them forming a bubble around you."

The tiny pink bubbles that had popped into existence slowly moved en masse to coalesce into a single solid bubble around Cristobel. He could smell the sex off of the bubble, the emotions having come from a married couple and a Risian friend in a wooded area to the east of the waterfall.

"Note how their emotions are not quite touching your mind, how they surround you, but do not overwhelm you." Corran took Cris' hand and then forced his hands to brush against the bubble, giving him the sexual sensations from the couple for a brief moment. He pulled his hand back, and then smiled at him.

"This is a level one shield, a kind of filter where your own emotions are almost completely dominant. You still know how someone nearby feels to a certain degree, but only if you choose to dabble into them further than simply...smelling them."

Corran closed off the minds of the people and the bubble dissipated. He took both of Cris' hands and put them on his own hips while his hands set upon his. They moved closer. "Now you're going to try blocking their emotions completely, not with strength, but simply isolating your mind from all minds excepting my own. Look into the depths of your own mind...and slowly envision the stillness of space, blackness, feel the solitude without allowing it to scare you, or to feel cold."

First, all the trees in the distance were eaten by the sky, and all the trees in the foreground of Cris' perception followed them. The floater and the grass fell away; the cliff face crumbled to dust. As each seemingly physical object gave way, there were no thoughts revealed hiding behind them in the distance; there was simply more sky. Even the sun faded away, leaving Cris and Corran alone with the water in the sky, until the water, too, became even more transparent and immaterial. Focusing on himself even further, the colour of the sky drained away, leaving Cris and Corran in a field of white. With his inner-focus growing ever stronger, even Corran evaporated away.

In the shared imagination point there was just Cristobel. He wasn't even a physical body; he was simply an absolutely still and calm essence.

"Nothing excepting what you choose can enter here. Anything that does enter otherwise simply dissipates. This happens because you have gone into your physical mind, into a part where either your own thoughts dominate or you are at ease. An invader might try to press into this area, but it would be extremely difficult, you would see their effort right away and be able to lead them into a black hole where their mind would lose itself and induce a comatose state for them."

"Hunh," Cristobel muttered, impressed with Corran's lesson, and even with himself. "Shiny."

"This is the strongest shield you can make, actually, also the most feared by invaders. You can project this shield even in your sleep..."

"That's perfect," Cris enthused, and slowly allowed reality to come into focus around him. "I'll have to practice that almost as much as I practice my trysette. Which I probably should have brought down to the planet. Kit and Amy will probably kill me if I don't get some rehearsal time in with them this week."

Corran smirked almost unpleasantly, but continued with the last part of the lesson, "You saw me create a barrier with water, that is a medium shield which is harder to achieve than the other two. Once you've learned how to make the other two easily, we'll practice that one."

Cristobel's brow slightly furrowed in concern at Corran's smirk. "Right. Later. Uhm, do you think my being in a band is a bad idea? I mean, yeah, my lack of love for performing is a hindrance, but, really, I'm trying to look at it as a 'challenge'."

"It's not that, Cris." He sighed heavily as they broke away completely from the teaching and he allowed himself to drift back into the water and onto stone he could sit on top of. "It doesn't matter though, I just don't like Amy... Kit's okay, but that woman gives me bad vibes."

Following Corran slowly, Cris remained submerged in the water, and lay his hands on Corran's thigh. "Bad vibes? You mean how she's awfully conflicted about what she really wants?"

Corran nodded a few times. "Yes, she makes me feel uncomfortable... I do not like being around her." Corran's eyes changed to light blue as he said it and thought about the conversation that they'd started having the day before at dinner. He didn't like her, and he doubted he ever would.

"You're not around her today," Cris said, trying to sound like the innocent comforting boyfriend, and then grabbed Corran's arms and pulled him into the water.

Corran smiled slightly and nodded as he moved closer to Cris. "I know... Sorry for brooding like that, but I do have to say that I will avoid her at all costs. I'm sorry, but I feel that strongly about it."

Understanding without fully comprehending, Cristobel nodded at Corran as he shone him a grin that declared his own thoughts to be elsewhere. Without disturbing the water greatly, Cris began circling Corran. The mist around them began to grow thicker, as Cris subtly guided Corran closer to the waterfalls.

Planning to soak me now, are you? He followed slowly, a grin mirroring Cris' appearing across his face.

Well, it is right there on the surface of my thoughts, now, isn't it? Cristobel taunted, his grin becoming cocky and lopsided.

Ohh you're terrible... I can't protect us from 'that' with my telepathy... he joked.

I don't need protecting. Nothing on Risa is lethal. Can't you see the tubing up there? The water pressure is being modified, Cristobel told him, as the surrounding mist grew thicker still.

They made this planet all about sex, didn't they...? he asked somewhat seductively as well as curiously.

Cristobel shook his head, indicating 'no'. Still grinning, he said, Corran, how is it that you are the most insightful person I know and yet so pedestrian at times? They made this planet to give pleasure, and there is an entire spectrum of pleasure existing beyond the sensual pleasures. Risa has some of the most thought-provoking museums, the most dedicatedly followed spiritual organisations and the most brilliant relationship counsellors in the Federation. There's all this, and all you can think about is sex? Or...wait...maybe it's me who can only think about sex? I can't tell.

Now 'that' made Corran laugh telepathically as he stopped Cris to kiss him firmly. Because I've seen other worlds, love, and none of them have sex in the air, sex on every mind, sex in all the literature, sex in the designs of everything... This planet isn't just uninhibited, it's too much!

Holding onto Corran's shoulders with one hand solidly, Cristobel placed his other hand over the top of Corran's face. Close your eyes, Imzadi, Cristobel instructed, deciding to put Corri's lessons to proper use. I want you to isolate your mind from all the other minds on Risa, except for mine. There's nothing to be overwhelmed by. There's only you, and there's only me. There's only us.

What a dangerous proposition... he teased just before he let Cris try this. He could use some protecting himself, really...

Following an impulse the instant it came to him, Cristobel grabbed Corran about the shoulders, and flung himself backwards into the waterfall, dragging Corri with him. Water from the cascade fell on them gently, adjusting the way Cris had promised they would, but the strength that the fall lacked, the two shared as they kissed each other passionately. Corran's hands roamed down along Cris' back and onto his butt, where he felt each cheek, and let his mind lose itself inside of Cris'.

---

"Enjoying the Sun"
Ensign Niesha - Flight Officer

Location: Risa
Stardate: 57907.05 12h00

***

It always brought a smile to her face when she heard the words 'shore leave' and when the ship was in orbit around such a wondrous planet like Risa that smile wouldn't go, no matter what she did.

The first day of her leave was just starting and Niesha was enjoying the peaceful sunshine as she lay on the beach wearing nothing but the smallest two piece bikini and bottom you'd ever seen. She smiled as she saw a man and woman walk by. The man's eyes grew wide looking at her as he walked past. He hadn't gone two metres before his female companion spotted him staring and smacked him around the face.

"Ouch..." Niesha whispered. They both stormed off with the woman shouting abusive words over her shoulder while the man was almost walking on his knees beside her apologising.

Smiling Niesha closed her eyes and relaxed enjoying the sun on her almost completely naked body not caring the slightest if anyone was watching her. She was in heaven and that is all that she cared about.

---

"Counselling on the Beach"
by Ainsley Chambers
and Amy Reese

Location: Risa
Stardate 57907.05 12h45

***

Amy wrung her hands nervously, tangling her fingers painfully in the process and yelping in pain. She shook out her sore hands and anxiously watched as another small group of divers came to shore with their breathing masks in hand. Amy studied each of their faces and felt another twinge of impatience as none ofthem resolved into that of Ainsley Chambers.

Cris had recommended her services, and after a rather uncomfortable evening the night before, Amy had finally decided to take advantage of them. She had to figure things out before she lost Kit. The more time she spent with him, the deeper in love she became, and the more painful it would be if she drove him away.

Another small group surfaced from the water and came to shore, and Amy almost let out a triumphant cheer. Among them was the young woman whose profile Amy had accessed through the ship's computer this morning, just after she'd gathered the nerve to approach the counsellor. Unable to wait for Ainsley to come to her, Amy skipped over anxiously and hopped directly into the woman's path. "Hi. Ainsley?"

Ainsley was deeply contented. The dive had been absolutely amazing and she had met a couple nice people. She looked over at the taller woman who had spoken her name and instantly recognized her as being part of the Sulu crew. She was a little hard to miss on the Sulu with her orange hair and all, but the counsellor was unsure of the other woman's name.

"Give me a call and we can do this again before we head off the planet..." she said to one of her new friends and received a nod in reply.

She turned back to the woman with the orange hair again. "Yes?" she asked kindly, smiling as she took note of the woman's outrageous bikini.

"Uh..." Amy laughed nervously and again found her fingers twisting together in awkward positions. "I-I know you're not on duty or anything...and I know talking to someone, helping them with their problems is the last thing youwanna be doing on your shore leave..." She sighed and regarded Ainsley with slight desperation clear in her eyes. "I really need to talk to someone," she said quietly. "I'm...I'm so lost and so confused.... If you don't want to, that's okay, but please...everything's a mess and I want to fix things before they get too far out of hand. Will you help me?"

"Of course I will!" Ainsley answered immediately. "Just give me one second..." She hurriedly brought her diving gear over to the diving shack that was a little over 10 feet away, grabbed her duffle bag that had been left there and then came back to where Amy was standing.

"Where would you like to go chat, uhh...actually maybe you should tell me your name first." She smiled at her again.

"Oh!" Amy snickered and shook her head. "Sorry. Just...a little out of my head right now." She thrust out a hand towards Ainsley and said with confidence, "Ensign Amy Polly Reese."

"Nice to meet you, Ensign Reese!" She shook Amy's hand and then asked again, "Where would you like to chat? We can hit a little café that has some nice quiet tables or we could find a blanket here on the beach...or we could go back up to the ship if you'd really rather, but it's so beautiful down here."

"Down here's fine," Amy replied. "And...this looks like a quiet...isolated place," she said pointedly. She scanned the beach briefly, then gestured towards a vacant, secluded spot atop a series of craggy boulders along the beach. As the two made their way towards them, Amy regarded Ainsley again and asked, "So...how long have you been a counsellor...not that I'm questioning your qualifications or anything."

Ainsley laughed softly. "Well I've only been out of the Academy for a little over a year actually." She tied a wrap, which she had taken out of her duffle, around her waist and then slung the bag over her shoulder again. "And to be completely honest being a counsellor involves a lot of learning. I'm learning as I go along, but I'll try to help you as much as I can. Maybe all you really need is someone to listen to you."

Amy snorted wryly and shook her head. "Oh, I've got plenty of people to listen to me, and all are telling me different things. I guess I'm just looking for a second, decisive opinion."

"Ah well..." Ainsley replied as they arrived at a nice spot to sit. "I'll certainly try!" She sat down facing the ocean, so she could watch the goings on as they spoke. She patted the rock beside her. "Pull up a rockand take a load off!"

Amy grinned as she pushed herself up onto the rock and drew her knees to her chest. She took in a deep breath of the salty-sweet air coming off the ocean and sighed. "It's almost a shame to feel so miserable in such a beautiful place. I mean...it's probably a good thing, though. If I didn't feel so guilty, I would be really scared."

"Guilt usually means that you need to get something off your chest..." Ainsley responded, looking at the other woman's profile. She could see the tension in the other woman's face, and in the way that she was sitting there with the muscles in her arms and back so tight that it looked like they would snap at any minute. "What has you feeling so guilty, Amy?"

She shrugged lightly and continued to stare off distantly at the crashing waves. "Something I did. I-I didn't really mean to do it. But I did, and now I'm afraid it's gonna come back and haunt me. I mean, I have one person telling me I did nothing wrong, and another telling me I need to tell Kit what I did - Kit's my boyfriend, by the way. And...I just don't know who's right."

"Well now..." Ainsley leaned back onto her elbows and watched waves as well. "I don't believe that anyone ever does anything they don't really mean to do. There's a payoff in it somewhere, otherwise you wouldn't have done it." She smiled slightly, hoping to take the sting out of her words. "But what was this thing you didn't really mean to do?"

Amy chewed her lip nervously for a moment, then replied, "I...sorta slept with someone who wasn't Kit...twice. B-But it was in the same night, so it doesn't really count for twice!"

Ainsley sat up again. "I assume "sorta" sleeping with someone means you had sex with them?"

Amy groaned miserably and pressed her forehead to her knees. "Yeah...exactly that. I don't even know what happened. It...just happened in a blur of steaming, hot passion, mixed in with blood and sweat... The usual."

"Why'd you do it?" Ainsley asked simply.

Amy shrugged. "I wasn't sure at the time, wasn't thinking. Now?" She sighed. "I think I was afraid. I was falling in love with Kit and everything was...so right. Could it be that I just wanted to screw everything up?"

"Yes..." Ainsley admitted. "Lots of people do it. Why would you not want everything to be, to use your own words, so right? What have you done wrong in your life that you don't deserve to have something good?"

Amy frowned pensively, but had no real idea what memory she was looking for in the recesses of her mind, the one that was causing her insecurity. "I don't really know," she answered quietly. "I mean...I was always perfect." She grinned guiltily. "Okay, I was never perfect, much to the chagrin of my parents. They're successful, smart...and I know they expected the same from me, but I never could meet their expectations. Do you think I'm just afraid of succeeding? That sounds so silly..."

Ainsley shrugged. "I don't think it's the fear of success that is your problem..." She believed it was more a fear of not living up to expectations that made her back out before she could disappoint someone else, but she'd have to speak with the ensign a little more before she could really say for sure. "Are you planning on sorta sleeping with this person again?"

"I hadn't planned on it," Amy replied, "but...I hadn't planned on sleeping with him the first time."

"But this is a conscious decision, Amy. You decide what you are going to do or not do." Ainsley looked at Amy, sympathizing with the other woman in a way. She was pretty sure she wasn't getting the answers that she wanted. Ainsley was pretty sure she wanted to be told that it wasn't her fault, that nature made her do it and that there was no way around it. "Do you love your boyfriend? Obviously you've broken some sort of trust issue with him, otherwise you wouldn't be feeling so guilty."

Amy smiled dreamily and regarded Ainsley with a smouldering passion in her eyes meant only for Kit. "I've never loved anyone like this before.... He's so awesome and everything I've wanted in a man." Her grin waned and the emotion in her eyes fizzled away. "I don't know if I should tell him, and I'm afraid of what'll happen if I do. He'll hate me, I'm sure of it."

"Then why did you do it?" Ainsley asked again point of factly. "Surely thoughts of Kit entered your mind at the time. I've always tried to hold one thing true when I am in a relationship. Never do anything with another person that you would not do if your partner was in the room. It makes it that you never have to worry about telling them what you did."

"But I did think about him!" Amy exclaimed. "That's part of the problem! I thought about him, and part of me did it to...spite him. N-Not for anything he's done. Just..." She sighed. "I did it because I wanted to prove to him, to myself, to everyone, that Amy Polly Reese is her own woman, not a possession. An independent, unbridled individual who doesn't want to be tied down by one man." Amy's blue eyes became awash with tears surprisingly quickly, and she sobbed, "The problem now is...I want to be tied down by Kit. I want him to be the only one! Now I've ruined it!"

"Now, now..." Ainsley responded. "Isn't that a decision that he should make? You need to give him the chance to say whether you've ruined it or not."

Amy choked on a sob and passed the back of her hand across her dripping nose. "He'll be hurt and won't wanna look at me anymore. He'll think I didn't mean it when I said I loved him! I mean, sure, I could lie to him about it for the rest of our lives, but how am I gonna deal with this guilt?"

"Guilt is the correct response to what you have done. You either have to decide to tell Kit what has happened and then deal with the consequences. Maybe he'll be understanding, or you hide it from him and deal with the guilt on your own. In my experience guilt is a lot easier to deal with if you fess up to what you've done." Ainsley looked at the other woman. She was obviously very tortured about the situation that she was in. "But before you even worry about Kit you have to figure out why it was so important to you to prove to yourself that you are not a possession, and then you also have to figure out why when you think of a relationship you automatically think possession. There are thousands of strong independent women in the past and right now who have a very solid relationship with another person while not thinking of it as being a possession."

"I know," Amy said with a sigh. "But I'm not those women. I-I'm not strong like them...I don't think. It could be just an excuse though," she mused. "I mean...what if I'm just afraid of committing? Is that possible too?"

Ainsley nodded. "I think that's a definite possibility. Another thing that I believe is going on here is that you are afraid of not being able to live up to any expectations that Kit may have for you." She had decided that this was what was going on. "So instead of waiting for the inevitable, waiting to see how you're going to screw up, you decided to take matters into your own hands and screw up right off the bat. That way you don't have to have weeks or months invested into the relationship before Kit realizes how much of a screw up you are." She paused for a moment. "At least that's what I believe was going through your head!"

"That I'm a screw-up?" Amy laughed softly and added, "I think you're right, though. My parents always expected so much from me, and I was always afraid of disappointing them. That's why I never ventured far from areas of study I was comfortable with for those I knew would be challenging. I've always wanted to sit in helm, you know? But...I knew it'd be hard work, so I didn't even try." She smiled wryly and shook her head slowly. "I always imagined what my folks would say if I came home, telling them I'd flunked a course... I guess that's sorta the same thing happening here, with Kit. I'm afraid I'm gonna...disappoint him, so might as well screw things up now before I fall deeper in love, right?" Amy gazed serenely out at the sparkling ocean, nodding thoughtfully at Ainsley's words, and her own realization. "I'm self-destructive and afraid.... I've gotta stop that, but not sure how."

"It's a long process, mostly having to do with changing your thoughts. But we can get you through it, you and I, if you'll let me work with you," Ainsley replied.

"I've gotta do something," Amy said quietly. "I don't wanna lose Kit. As confused as I am about everything else, I'm certain about that." She closed her eyes, picturing how long the road ahead seemed, but knew it was necessary to follow it if she wanted to hang on to Kit. "So. When's the next session?"

"Hmmm..." Ainsley thought. "Well I'll want to see you on a fairly regular basis to begin with, say once a week, and then once we start making a little progress then we can cut back a little. Does that sound ok or would you rather see me more often?"

Amy shook her head quickly. "Any more than that, and I think Kit will start to wonder where I am all those times I'm not with him. You won't...tell anyone, will you? I mean...no one has to know about this?"

"I won't tell anyone at all. I promise. I do want to know though, are you going to tell Kit?" she asked honestly. She believed it was going to be crucial to the relationship that she tell him.

Amy chewed on her lower lip nervously as she measured how much courage she had, then somberly shook her head, realizing she hadn't hardly enough. "I can't. Not yet, at least. I wouldn't even know how to."

"You really need to think about it and I believe you really need to tell him if you want this relationship to make it through this problem," Ainsley responded. "There is another person involved in this, the person you slept with, and you have no control over what he says and to whom. And even if he does not tell a soul, there are people around who can read minds, people who can find things out. The chances that Kit will find out are very high. If he finds out from someone other then you then you can basically kiss any chance you have of saving this relationship good bye."

Amy grimaced and muttered, "Very to the point...." She sighed. "But...you're right. I'll need to work up the nerve, though. Is that allowed or do I have to do it right away?" she asked with a crooked smile.

"Anything is allowed," Ainsley replied with a sympathetic smile. "Take the time that you need. But sooner is better than later!"

"Yeah..." Amy stared absently at her bare toes, then let out a deep sigh and pushed her drawn up legs over the edge of the rock. "I'm really glad we had this talk, Ensign Chambers. I think I feel a lot better now."

"Please call me Ainsley...and I'm glad. Feel free to contact me any time you need to talk. I know it's shore leave but I don't have a lot planned that can't be rescheduled."

Amy smiled freely and, overflowing with sudden relief, impulsively embraced Ainsley. "Thank you so much! Oh, you don't know how stressed I was. I couldn't even have sex with Kit without feeling all nervous!" She smiled bashfully at Ainsley as she pulled back, then giggled and shrugged apologetically. "So...I'll see you around then?"

Ainsley smiled in understanding. She'd received many hugs after particularly good sessions. "Yeah, I'll see you around. I'll put you on my schedule for next week and I'll send you a reminder of when it will be, ok?" Ainsley got to her feet.

"Works for me!" Amy hopped off the rock and landed on the yielding sands below. "You know," she said, squinting up at Ainsley, "you're a really good counsellor. Anyone ever told you that before?"

Ainsley hopped down beside Amy. "A couple times. Thanks so much!"

"Any time. And...thank you. I think now, I can face Kit without feeling all anxious." Amy smiled brightly at Ainsley, and slowly began backing away. "Well...have a nice shore leave until I see you next."

"Thanks! I intend to!" Ainsley smiled. "You do the same, and relax!"

"Oh I will," Amy replied as she gave Ainsley a final wave and turned down the beach. With a happy sigh, Amy smiled up at the sun and added to herself, "I definitely will now."

---

"An Invite"
Sean O'Shea and
Ainsley Chambers

Location: USS Sulu
Stardate 57907.05 15h37

***

Ainsley dropped her duffle down on the floor in the living room. After her early afternoon chat with Amy Reese she had decided to come back up to the ship for a little break and to write down some thoughts in Reese's profile. She seemed to be a nice person, but she had a hell of a lot of problems.

She put her thoughts down in a PADD, locked it and then flopped down onto the nearby couch. She was bored. She wanted to do something but didn't want to go back down to Risa alone.

Thoughts of Sean O'Shea entered her mind and Ainsley smiled. She seemed to be thinking about the good doctor quite a bit since they met up in the gym a few days before. She wondered if he might want to go to dinner with her. Before she could analyze the situation much further she decided to just ask.

She asked the computer to record and send a message to him.

"Hi, Sean, Ainsley Chambers here. I was wondering if you'd be interested in having dinner with me down on Risa tonight. I've been down to the planet already today and Risa's as beautiful as it always is. But let me know. Ainsley out."

With that she turned and went to take a shower.

***

Sean sat in his quarters wincing as he did a self examination of the bruises he picked up during his short visit to Risa.

"Should have bloody well known better," he said, as he wiggled his jaw and his nose with his hand. "Nothing broken, good," he muttered. His fingertips tentatively probed his ribs.

"Ow! Jaysus!" He fumbled around in his kit for a bone knitter. "Shore leave and I do not mix," he said, as he ran the device over his cracked ribs. "Trouble's like a bloody monkey on my back." He hobbled over to the mirror and looked at the contusions on his chest. He gave himself a shot of pain killer from his kit and then began running the dermal regenerator over the bruises, turning the purplish bruises back to a healthy tan.

It took him about a half an hour before he looked normal again. Most of the pain was gone but he knew the complications were going to take longer to hash out. With any luck, he could pass it off as a mugging and the truth wouldn't get back to the Captain or Tayla. He wasn't sure what she'd be madder at him for, the fight or the situation that led up to it.

"Well, what she doesn't know won't hurt her," he said as he limped towards his bathroom. Captain Kincaid would find out who he was, of that he was certain. But Sean was ready and confident to face that day when it came. He had ammunition the USS Majestic's skipper was completely unaware of.

Sean washed away his worries with a long hot shower. None of that sonic claptrap for him. One of the first things he had done upon his arrival was to get environmental engineering to put in an old fashioned hydro unit. He took his own sweet time, letting the water beat down on his back and shoulders. He was definitely done with shore leave, he decided. He'd just spend the rest of the stay onboard the Sulu and out of trouble.

After a half hour, he reluctantly got out of the shower and toweled off. He was wandering over to his closet for a fresh uniform when he noticed the message light blinking on his console. He played the message back, smiling as he looked on Ainsley's attractive face. Dinner on Risa? He'd just gotten done convincing himself not to go back. But a quiet dinner with a friendly and attractive officer? Where would be the harm in that?

Still officially off duty, he decided to change into civilian clothes instead. Sandals, a comfortable pair of tropical weight slacks, and a Starfleet Medical tee completed the casual attire. Rather than engage in "console tag" Sean decided to pay a call on Miss Chambers directly to accept her invitation. No location was ever far away on a ship the size of the Sulu and in no time at all, he was outside Ainsley's quarters and ringing the chime.

***

Inside the quarters Ainsley was just stepping out of her own shower when the chime began to ring. As she pulled the towel off the rack she briefly thought of not answering it, but she was too curious to know who it was.

"Computer, who is outside my door?" she asked as she stepped from the bathroom into her bedroom.

"Doctor Sean O'Shea," the computer's voice replied.

Ainsley nearly tripped over her towel as she bolted out into the living room. Realizing that she couldn't answer the door with no clothes on she called out, "Ahh... Just a minute!" She dropped the towel down on the couch and sprinted back into her bedroom to find something to put on.

Not wanting Sean to think she wasn't in and leave she grabbed the first clothes she could find - a pair of shorts and a t-shirt - and pulled them on.

She walked back out into the living room once she was dressed and called, "Come in..." and then realized her hair was still sopping wet, so she grabbed the towel off the couch and began to dry her hair a little as she made her way towards the door, which opened a few seconds later to allow her visitor to enter.

Sean stepped into Ainsley's quarters, his eyes taking in the Spartan décor. Obviously, she had not found the time to unpack. But there was nothing Spartan about the counselor herself. His jaw opened and shut slightly when he looked at her, her arms raised above her head as she toweled herself dry, her body still damp, causing her thin cotton shirt and shorts to cling in all the right places. Once again, Sean thanked the stars that this particular counselor was not a Betazoid.

"Hi!" Ainsley said, allowing her towel to fall down onto her shoulders. "You caught me just stepping out of the shower, I do apologize." She grinned a little.

Sean quickly composed himself, flashing her a smile. "Not to worry, I just finished up showering myself. I got your message and decided to wander by and personally accept. Dinner would be lovely. Were you thinking this evening?" As he waited for her response, he mentally forced himself to keep his eyes focused above her neck.

"I was hoping for tonight, if you don't have any other plans that is." She really hoped that he didn't have previous plans, but then if he had he probably would have mentioned them already, or sent a message over instead saying they could meet tomorrow.

"Nope, none at all. Actually, until you called I was planning on making a quiet evening of it, but I like your proposal better." Where was the harm? he thought to himself. He was certain he'd already exhausted his quota of trouble for the day on Risa. A nice dinner planetside would be fine. What could possibly go wrong?

"Excellent!" Her smile widened. She pulled the towel from around her neck. "Have you managed to get down to Risa at all? I had a wonderful morning dive today."

Sean's eyes flickered for a moment as his mind processed the lumps and bruises of his recent visit. "I did go down for a few hours, but it didn't turn out quite the way I planned. I'm hoping this visit will be a lot more pleasant." He smiled softly. It wasn't exactly a lie and it sure sounded better than 'I got beat up by the hulking security chief of an enraged starship captain after spending the night having wild sex with his daughter.'

"Did we want to head down now?" Ainsley asked. Indicating her bedroom: "It would just take me a couple moments to change and then I'd be ready."

"I don't see why not," Sean replied. "I've got a skeleton staff working and more on call in case of emergency. All the bases are covered and I'm still officially on shore leave. Did you have a place in mind?"

Ainsley had pondered that exact question a little earlier while she was showering. "I was thinking that some Bajoran food might be appropriate. There's a little place on Pakora Beach that I have heard of. It's got quite a corny name, 'The Prophets' Plate,' but I've been told that the food is fantastic."

Sean smiled. "Bajoran sounds perfect, just like old times." He was about to mention that he was fairly accomplished at cooking Bajoran food as well, but he caught himself. He had already promised to whip up his famous extra spicy hasperat for Tayla. They had no relationship, were just barely friends again, but he knew how she would react if he was dishing out his recipes for someone else. No, he told himself, best to keep it to nice dinners out with the lovely Miss Chambers, at least for now.

"I'll just wait here, and when you are ready, you can lead the way," Sean suggested.

"Great!" Ainsley smiled in return. "I wont be long..."

She hurried back to her room and looked quickly through her clothes in her closet. She decided on a simple sun dress and then quickly brushed her hair into a pony tail and threw on some sandals. The Risan evenings were always nice and warm so she wasn't worried about getting a chill.

It was only a few minutes later that Ainsley came back out of her bedroom. "Alright, I think we're ready..." she responded.

Sean nodded appreciatively. He liked a woman who could make a simple outfit work as well as she did. He stepped out the door into the corridor and waited for her to follow. "Shall we?" With a smile he offered her his arm. It was an old fashioned custom, but sometimes, the "old" could be just what the doctor ordered.

"I'd be honoured, Sir!" Ainsley replied with a grin and placed her arm in his. With that the two of them made their way to the transporter room.

---

"Testing the Waters, Part 1"
By: Ensign Kit Markham
Ensign Kelzira Rax
Ensign Amy Reese

Location: Science Lab 1, USS Sulu; Risa
Stardate 57907.05, 16h15

***

It was still flashing. Right there in front of her; blinking on, blinking off. Watching it was maddening. Thinking of the originating source of the message causing the on-off blinkfest happening on her console was even more maddening. With a long, ragged breath Kelzira looked away. As it had done many, many times that day, her mind drifted to Amy. Her friend was probably down on the planet having a great time with Kit. How could someone not have a great time with Kit? The guy was like...fun given human form.

She sighed and shifted in her seat. She adjusted the short skirt she was wearing, a suggestion from Tchalla, who'd found the style of uniform very comfortable on the Dorvali mission. In the cooled environs of the science lab, it was very comfortable. It was slightly amusing that not one single person who'd seen her in the variant uniform had failed to comment on the thin trail of spots creeping out from under the short skirt and racing down her legs only to disappear beneath the tops of her boots.

For the millionth time, she kicked herself for not taking Amy up on her offer. Amy's failed seduction in the holodeck still weighed heavily on her mind, and the more she thought about it, the more she regretted the decision. With a sigh, Kelzira activated the cellular scan she'd already performed four times on the same sample. Focus, she told herself, and then added silent thanks that when she wanted focus she didn't have four other voices in her head telling her how to focus. She couldn't live that way.

They looked around the science lab as her brain churned over the fact that they were orbiting Risa. She gave a wry laugh at the whole illogical mess. There she was over the vacation spot to be, and she was work. At least it's appropriate, she told herself.

A waft of spicy-sweet perfume suddenly drifted up Kelzira's nose and grew more potent with the passing seconds, until the exotic scent completely embraced her. Accompanying the divine aroma, a pair of warm lips brushed her cheek, followed by a gentle ripple of laughter. "Are those results sufficient replacement for fun and sun, Kelzira Rax?"

"Amy! Oh wow! I was just thinking about you. And, no they're not, but they keep me busy. And, they keep my mind off other...things. Wow, you're looking good. Paradise is treating you very well."

"So's Kit." Amy giggled as she came around to face Kelli and leaned against the side of the console. It felt almost awkward wearing just a swimsuit and a vibrant-coloured sarong on a starship, but there were few situations that made Amy Reese uncomfortable. "Kel...what are you doing up here?" she asked, nudging her friend's foot with her own. "Come down with me. Please? Just for a bit? You're gonna work yourself to exhaustion if you spend one more minute on this ship!"

"I've gotta get this stuff done," Kelzira answered. "And, besides, with you and Kit down there, I'd just be a third thruster. I'll just stay here and let Dwayne keep stalking me."

"Stalking you?" Amy scooted closer to Kelli, eyes wide with curiousity. "What do you mean? Spill it, Kel!"

Kelzira sighed, and then quickly related her side of the story from what happened the scant few days ago she and Dwayne had fought. "He pretty much didn't even care that I was there," she said. "He came out, and basically... And, then when I told him what was wrong, all he could say was 'sorry, but Amy forced me to have sex with her, and I'm not myself.' I don't understand it, Amy. I thought he considered me a friend, and he made me feel like furniture. He keeps sending me messages. I've got--" She peeked over at the console and sighed. "It's up to sixty-seven now."

"What!" Amy looked around quickly, grabbed Kelli's hands and pulled her out of her chair. When she'd quickly marched them to a secluded area of the lab, Amy leaned forward and spoke in hushed tones. "Did you tell him to stop? I can't believe he's doing this! And my fault? He certainly wasn't fighting me during-- And he was on top too!"

"I've been avoiding him. He keeps telling me that we need to talk through this and work it out," she answered. "He's just so... I don't know what's come over him, but he seems about as insane as this other guy I met's symbiont. Long story, but I met this security officer, and we have a lot in common as far as the whole slug thing goes. But, the past hosts talk to him in his head. He says he has conversations with them and everything. It's kind of freaky, and I'm glad that Epharyn, Kyrii, Looryx, and Julanna keep to themselves, and allow me to draw on their strengths and memories. But, I can't believe Dwayne. I told him what you'd told me, and he backed off some about the sex, and then he nearly started crying. Of course, I was standing in the turbolift wearing only your shirt. Thankfully we didn't draw a crowd."

"Thankfully," Amy repeated, relieved. "Kel, if anyone hears... I don't want Kit finding out, not from some stranger." She sighed and wrapped Kelli in an embrace. "This is just more reason to come down with me. You can get away from psychotic Dwayne for a while."

"I don't want to get in the way with you and Kit, Amy," Kelzira answered. "I'd feel more alone watching the two of you together than doing the same cellular scan half a dozen times."

Amy abruptly pulled back and gripped Kelli by the arms gently. "Please don't be this way, Kel. It's not like we have sex all day. It wouldn't just be me and Kit, it would be the three of us, having fun together!"

"Alright," Kelli said hesitantly. "But as soon as I start becoming a third nacelle..."

Amy laughed gently and kissed Kelli's brow. "Never, beautiful Kel. Now--" She tugged her along towards the door and giggled. "We've got to replicate you a nice outfit. Something that definitely shows off your spots."

With a laugh, Kelzira allowed herself to be dragged along. "Just as long as it's not all of my spots," she said with a giggle. "There are a few spots that I reserve for only private viewings for people who are deserving."

Amy couldn't help the sultry smile she gave Kelli as she asked, "Am I deserving, Kelzira Rax?"

A matching grin curled Kelzira's lips. "You know, I think you are." She couldn't help the desirous look that she flashed Amy or the heat that flushed through her body.

Amy chuckled at Kelli's immediate reaction and kissed her friend's warm cheek ardently. "I'm glad. Maybe tonight, Kit will let us have a sleep-over again. I think he can do without one night of sex."

Kelzira grinned slyly. "But can you?" she asked.

Amy frowned slightly and looked down at her sandalled feet hitting the ground. "I can," she replied quietly. "I talked to the counsellor the other day... I don't need sex, Kel, if that's what you think. It doesn't drive me. We slept together the other night and never had sex. What does that tell you?"

"I'm sorry," Kelzira said quickly, not realizing that her comment would have had the affect it did. "I was just...just teasing, that's all. I didn't realize. Oh, Amy, I didn't mean it like that. Sleeping in the same bed with you, next to you, touching you...it's all amazing, and... I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said anything. It's just that, I was teasing...about, you and me. And, not teasing, I guess. Oh, I'm not making any sense."

Amy glanced sidelong at her friend, and snickered. "Oh, Kelli... It's okay. I was just being sensitive. I liked sleeping with you too. It was nice..." She leaned in closer to Kelli and whispered into her ear, "And you really are a wonderful kisser."

"Thank Kyrii," Kelzira answered with a sly smile. "I know a little on my own, but...she was the kisser in the Rax history. However, in your company, I have an uncanny knack for it, though I must say that most of it is that you inspire me. I'm just glad we're still sleeping in nightshirts, because if we weren't... I can't finish that sentence at the risk of incriminating myself."

Amy shrieked with laughter and pulled Kelli into a rough embrace. "We can practice more self-restraint tonight, my love. And on the beach if we hurry and catch the sunlight."

Kelzira let out a shriek of her own, and kissed Amy. "Let's find me something to wear! I want to go down and be free and frivolous and happy! I want to forget about everything else, and just enjoy shore leave. You'll help me with that, Amy. With your help, it will be a perfect shore leave!"

"Oh, I love this newfound confidence you have in me." Wrapping one arm around Kelli's waist, Amy escorted her to her quarters and, soon, to Risa and all the pleasures it had to offer.

***

The transporter beam had deposited them back on the planet. Amy had informed Kelli that Kit had gone in search of an activity they could all participate in and would soon be meeting them near one of the fountains. Which left Amy and Kelli some time for shopping. Kelli was now wearing a blue and purple bikini with matching wrap.

As they walked toward one of the stores, she smiled at Amy. "You're sure this looks alright? I just don't wanna...well, I guess I'm just being silly and paranoid. Blue and purple do look good on me, right?"

"Definitely yes," Amy replied with a broad, admiring smile. "You look good in anything." She giggled. "And nothing!"

"Well, for now we'll have to do this." She leaned close to Amy and giggled. "Nothing will have to wait until later."

Amy agreed with a vigorous nod, and veered Kelli into a shop selling figurines and other assorted souvenirs crafted by local artisans. The shopkeeper called out the standard Risan greeting of "All that is ours is yours," and once welcomed within, Amy and Kel began perusing.

"So...what do you think of Risa so far? Isn't it great?"

"It is," Kelli answered as she began looking through the wares. "Everyone is so friendly and giving. I think I could get used to it down here. Did you see that one statue out in the middle of that star-shaped fountain? I think it was actually a naked guy who'd painted himself and was then standing really, really still."

"I bet if we poked him..." Amy didn't finish her thought and instead grinned suggestively at Kelli and led her down the next aisle. As she passed her fingers over the iridescent shell of a large mollusc, Amy watched Kelli out of the corner of her eye and asked, "So...what do you think of me telling Kit about Dwayne? Everyone's been telling me to...but I just don't know."

"It's a tough choice, Amy," Kelzira said gently. "The longer you don't tell him, the worse it can be when you do. And, if he truly does love you, and knows that you truly love him back, then he'll be able to get over this."

"I know... But what if it hurts him so much he just can't get over it?" Amy sighed. "I've talked to a counsellor about it. She said the same thing, that I should tell him. But it's easier said than done! I mean, one look at him, and I lose my nerve. He's so happy and having fun... I don't wanna ruin that for him."

"How long can you keep this a secret without ruining yourself, Amy?"

She gazed up at her always so wise friend and smiled wanly. "Does that really matter compared to how much I'll hurt Kit?"

"It'll matter a lot," Kelzira answered softly. "When you enter into a relationship with someone, it's like a Trill host's relationship with her symbiont...well, except for Arthas's symbiont, but that's beside the point. The point is that what happens to one affects both, and your suffering to keep him free from suffering won't work because he'll suffer along with you. He'll feel something wrong, he'll sense your distance and maybe even your despair."

"You really think so?" Amy asked worriedly. "Do you think... Do you think he suspects something?" Her face paled and Amy's breathing hastened. "He knows, doesn't he? Oh God he knows!"

"He doesn't know," Kelli assured her. "He hasn't been acting any different from the usual Kit has he? I'm sure he doesn't know, and probably doesn't suspect. He may know something's up, but not that it's that."

Amy let out a deep breath and nodded unsteadily. "I know he does... Sometimes, he gets this concerned look, like he wants to ask me if something's wrong, but he suddenly reassures himself and says nothing. I want to tell him, Kel. I just don't know how."

"Maybe we can work on it together," Kelli said softly. "And, what about us? Do you think he'd mind the way we kiss each other? Or--" She felt herself blush at the memories of their last night shared in Amy's bed. "Or, do you think he'd have a problem with us having our gropefests together? I mean, I can get by without your hands on my...unmentionables, if it means problems between you and Kit. I mean, do you think he'd have problems with two best friends having frisky fun together?"

"I hope not," Amy said sadly. "I really like our time together, Kelli. It's why we're as close as we are. I don't wanna ruin that."

"Maybe we can test those waters with him," Kelzira said. "I don't wanna ruin it or lose it either. Maybe we can even get special permission to sleep together naked. I think I have an idea that we might be able to use to get Kit to warm up to the idea."

Amy giggled at the scheming look in Kel's eyes and bounced happily where she stood. "Tell me!"

"While you were sorting through all the bikini patterns for me, I was looking at one of those info sheets on Risa. There are some islands just off the coast that people go to for stuff. There are a lot of them and they're pretty small, so we should find a private section on one of them. Now, they're all clothing optional. I think as much as I love my new bikini, I don't think I really want to go swimming in some ocean in it."

Amy snorted with laughter. "And you want the three of us to go there? Skinny dipping!"

Kelzira grinned. "Exactly!"

She squealed and threw her arms around Kel's neck, holding her in a tight embrace. "Oh, my brilliant love. This is gonna be great and perfect and... Skinny dipping!"

Kelzira laughed and shared a kiss with Amy. "Absolutely perfect, and it will help him become comfortable with us both, and hopefully open him up to the idea that no matter how close you and I get, it is absolutely no threat to his relationship with you."

"Let's go find him now, then," Amy said. "We can go shopping later." Clasping hands with her friend, Amy and Kel scampered out of the shop in hopes of finding Kit, and convincing him to bare it all for the sake of friendship.

***

Kit Markham's hand idly splashed down into the pond as he sat looking out across the square. He'd been at the place he was supposed to meet Amy for nearly thirty minutes, though he wasn't supposed to be there for another forty. He could have gone looking for her, but decided the time alone with his thoughts would be better for now. He knew they'd have a lot of time together on this shore leave and in the days, months, and possibly even years to come. His thoughts, as he sat, were on Amy of course, and how close they'd come since meeting in Sickbay. To him, life was music, and together they made some of the most amazing music ever.

"She's truly beautiful, you'll see," he said aloud.

Behind him, a voice came from the center of the pond. "Will you stop talking to me? I'm supposed to be a statue, and the illusion is shattered if you keep carrying on!"

"You don't have to answer you know," Kit responded. "You could just play statue and ignore me. Watch out, incoming." He watched the pigeon fly over his head and flutter to a landing on the "statue" in the fountain.

With a smile, Kit went back to his musing and didn't even notice the approach of his girlfriend and her best friend.

"Waiting for your lover to show up for your secret tryst?" Amy teased as they came up behind him. "Well...I think she's here!"

Kit was startled out of his thoughts, but recovered quickly. "Kelzira! How can we have a secret tryst if you bring my girlfriend with you?"

Kelli giggled and looked away, mumbling her apologies. "I wasn't thinking," she said. "I figured, 'hey, she's your girlfriend, so you won't mind.' "

Kit waggled his eyebrows and grinned. "Ooh yeah, I wouldn't mind at all."

Amy sniggered and swatted Kit's arm before plunking herself down onto his lap and kissing him tenderly. "Have you been tormenting the poor statue?" she asked. "I'm gonna have to keep you on a leash if you keep this up!"

"I think the pigeons have been causing more torment than I ever could," Kit answered. "I still can't believe they have pigeons here. I mean, those are the same kind they have on earth around the academy!"

"Maybe someone introduced the species here and they just stuck." Amy took Kit's hands and slipped off his lap. "Now, get up. Kelli and I have an idea we wanna run by you and we don't want the statue listening."

"Oh alright," Kit said. He turned back to the statue melodramatically. "Bye, Mr. Statue Man."

They all started laughing when the naked statue glared at them, but then quickly scampered away.

***

After relating their plan to Kit, Amy and Kel watched him expectantly, though in Amy's gaze there was a hint of slight anxiety. The thought of having to choose between Kit and Kel wasn't a pleasant one, and if Kit didn't go for the idea, it was likely she would eventually be forced to make that decision.

"So?" she asked nervously. "What... What do you think, Kit?"

"All three of us naked on a beach? Together?" Kit chuckled. "You two are really big on this skinny dipping thing, aren't you? Okay, I'm in. But on one condition."

Amy glanced questioningly at Kel, then nodded at Kit to proceed.

"The two of you must promise not to fight over the Kitster, especially when he's au natural."

Amy and Kelli looked to one another, then both burst into a fit of giggles. "Oh thank you!" Amy exclaimed, kissing Kit's cheek soundly. "Now Kel gets to see what I've been bragging about."

Kit raised an eyebrow and grinned. "You've been bragging? Oh well...I...I hope I don't let you down."

"You? Let me down?" Amy brushed her lips against Kit's and smiled tenderly. "Never," she whispered.

Kit chuckled and gave her a kiss. "Ever," he finished. "Come on, let's go find some place where we can frolic naked under the sun. If it's not too cold out, we can frolic under the stars and moon too."

"See, Kel?" Amy said. "Told ya you wouldn't be a third thruster." At Kit's quizzical look, Amy smiled and added, "I'll tell you later."

Kit glanced at her and then grinned. Kelzira, who was on the other side of Amy laughed. "At least until your frolicking leads to the Amy Reese and Kit Markham patented friskiness. I promise to avert my eyes though."

Standing between both Kit and Kel, Amy took each of their hands into hers and hurried them along. "If night hits, I don't know if they'll ferry us across to the island. We could camp out under the moonlight once we get there, though! Hope there aren't any scary beasts," she added with a frown. Her lips then spread into a smile as she said, "But I'm sure Nathanial will protect us."

"Oh, of course he will," Kit answered, puffing up his chest. "I can't have the love of my life and her best friend eaten up by nasty monsters. But, if we're going to camp out, we'll want to bring some things along. Some food mainly. I have a feeling we can keep ourselves entertained for the night."

Amy and Kel looked to one another with a raised brow each, then they broke into a fit of gentle laughter. The dockmaster appraised them curiously, then cleared his throat and stepped forward as they approached the dock. "All that is ours is yours. Do you require a boating vessel?"

"We do," Kit said stepping forward. "And, we're looking for one of the private islands just outside the bay. Preferably the one with the fewest people on it."

"Ah," the old man said, with a hint of a knowing smile on his weathered face. "I think I know just the one. Head directly down the dock to the last boat and Olyk will take you there."

Kit grinned and nodded. "Thank you very much," he said. He turned back to Amy and Kelli, and together they started toward the end of the dock in search of Olyk. "With that look he had on his face, I wonder just what he thinks we're planning to do out here?" While the words sounded innocent, Kit's tone indicated he knew exactly what was being intimated.

Amy grinned at Kit, then pointed ahead at the last ship in the long line of vessels anchored to the dock. "I think this is the one," she said, admiring the sturdy-looking ship. "Olyk?" she called out. "Hello!"

A man in his mid-thirties emerged from the small cabin atop the vessel and smiled at them. "Hello," he called. He was an attractive man. He wore only a pair of shorts, his skin bronzed from so much time in the sun. He ran a hand through sun-bleached hair to push it back out of his eyes. "All that is ours is yours. Looking for passage, my friends?"

Amy nodded absently and found herself blushing as the man's eyes caught hers. She averted her gaze quickly, berating herself for getting so easily flustered over any handsome man that smiled at her. It was what had gotten her into her present mess to begin with. I only love Kit, she repeated to herself numerous times. Well...and Kel too. But...just them. Until someone else comes along, right? Amy groaned quietly and shook her head. She was hopelessly cursed.

Like Amy, Kelzira was finding herself equally flustered by Olyk's penetrating gaze. She felt a fluttering inside of her and a rush of excitement as he gave her a brief smile.

"Please," he said, motioning them forward. "Please come aboard, and I will take you where you wish to be."

Kit was the first to hop on the boat, at Olyk's insistence. He then helped Kelzira, who had flushed a deep red as his hand took hers, sending an exquisite jolt through her. As the feelings surged within her, Kelli knew it was going to be a very long night.

Olyk then turned his attention to Amy. "All that is ours is yours," he said again, as he held a hand out to her.

Amy reached out tentatively and slipped her hand into his, feeling a tingle instantaneously running from the tips of her fingers downwards until she was feeling slightly aroused. She smiled lazily at him as she blindly set her foot upon the edge of the vessel. A badly-timed gust of wind disturbed the ship and jostled Amy forward, off-balance. With a yelp, she stumbled into Olyk's already waiting arms and felt her body reacting to his touch.

"Thanks," she whispered breathlessly, gazing up into the most remarkable blue eyes she'd ever seen.

"It was my pleasure," Olyk responded with an enigmatic smile. "And perhaps yours as well." Deft fingers surreptitiously brushed against her bare skin. "The colour of your hair is remarkable." He seemed to take his time helping to steady her, all the while his eyes asked a question that Amy couldn't answer with Kit present.

She smiled and brought one hand up to gently tug at a lock of orange hair. "It's not normally this colour," she told him, hoping her voice wasn't betraying the gentle shudder that quivered her body. She felt unwilling to separate her body from his, especially with his fingers surreptitiously brushing down her spine.

Her eyes focused on his lips, far too attractively full and their smile inviting. If Kelli's distinctive giggles hadn't snapped her out of her reverie, Amy knew she would have been kissing this stranger...directly in front of her lover. "I'm-- Sorry," Amy stammered as she pulled away. "I didn't mean to...you know...almost tackle you there. It...it was the wind."

Olyk chuckled lowly. "It is alright. And, I've spent so much time on this boat, that it would have required much more effort on your part to tackle me. As long as you are safe, that is my concern. Now, let us be off." He helped her into the boat, letting his touch linger just slightly.

Once everyone was aboard, he uncoiled the moorings, and they set out, the engine of the small boat nearly silent as it trundled out into the water. "So, my friends, you are going for the Islet of N'Chiana." At Kelli's raised eyebrow, he added, "That is where my boat goes. In your language it would be Islet of Lovemaking."

Amy slowly shifted her gaze to Kit then Kelli, eyes growing incrementally wider as she did. From the looks on each of their faces, it was clear they all knew they were about to get in way over their heads. "Is it too late to tell him to turn this thing around?" Amy asked.

Kit chuckled. "Well, it's not like they can force us to have sex with each other if we don't want to," he said. "Might as well just go and enjoy ourselves out there."

Amy nodded sullenly. Easy for you to say, she thought unhappily to herself. At least you've got self-restraint. She glanced up to catch Olyk watching her with an enticing gaze, and quickly looked away to watch the harbour rushing away from them as the boat propelled forward. Kelli's idea wasn't looking so promising now. It was likely to get them all into a lot more trouble than keeping one secret from Kit, especially when the words "mass orgy" came to mind.

Amy groaned again and, shaking her head, she buried her face into her hands, dreading the night they had ahead of them.

---

"Thanks, Chief"
by Ensign Viraj [NPC+]

Location: USS Sulu, Transporter Room One
Stardate: 57907.05, 17h03

***

"Thanks, Chief," Lieutenant (jg) Jacobs said automatically, with a nod and a sweet smile, once she materialised on the transporter platform.

Viraj opened his mouth to correct her, paused to decide how to phrase it politely, and said, "Actually, it's..." He didn't get to say "Ensign" until after she had exited the transporter room. He wondered if it would be appropriate to follow her into the corridor, just so he'd have someone to talk to about anything, or if it would be awkwardly misinterpreted as flirting. Before he had a chance to properly consider it, his commbadge chirped.

"Ensign Ulag to transporter room, five to beam up," came the immediate order.

"Acknowledged," Viraj stated half-heartedly, in a not-terribly-professional tone.

The sparkle of the materialisation process faded to reveal Ulag surrounded by a gaggle of Risian females. The Ferengi put a finger to his lips in a 'shhh' gesture, and offered Viraj a half-smirk accompanied with a "Thanks, Chief."

This time tossing aside vulnerable politeness, Viraj attempted casual matter-of-factness, when he said, "Actually, it's 'Ensign'. I'm an officer. Went to the Academy for a full four years and graduated."

Despite the time it took Ulag to usher his ladies out of the transporter room, he obviously hadn't heard a single word Viraj had said.

To himself, the Deltan continued, "I'll let Lieutenant Sam know you think I should be the Chief Transporter Operator. Or even the Chief of Operations. Or is it 'Operations Manager'?"

Before he had a chance to properly consider it, his commbadge chirped. Again. He couldn't help going through the motions of the transport, as he wondered if the switch to Beta shift had been the honour he'd originally thought it out to be. With Risa as too great a temptation for his Oath of Celibacy, he'd have to remain on board during the entire shore leave. He hoped that going well beyond the call of duty during this time, working during some of Alpha and Gamma shifts as well, since there was little else to do on board during a ship-wide planet-bound shore leave, would get him a permanent transfer to the much more exciting Beta shift.

And yet, Gamma shift certainly had its charms: namely, at that hour of night on Risa, the rest of the crew would be having sex instead of demanding to be transported. Plus, with the constantly varying schedule of a junior officer, he was more likely to get bridge duty during Gamma, rather than Transporter or Operations Office duty. His thoughts leisurely slipped back to the thoughts of certain crew-members having sex on Risa. He stopped himself, though, wondering if he was making the Oath harder on himself by still thinking of sex incessantly. From overheard conversations, Viraj learned that much of the crew thought of the Risians' preoccupation with sex as almost ridiculous, and yet even the Risians were sexually immature in comparison to Deltans. For instance, most Risians didn't even know what an orgasmic handshake was. With all of this in mind, he couldn't help wondering what the crew thought of his people.

Before he had a chance to properly consider it, his commbadge chirped. Again.

Ensign Corrigan materialised on the transporter pad, thanks to Viraj's smooth operation of the transporter controls. Blake stood there alone, but he absolutely smelled of sex. Full-face grinning, Corrigan said, "Thanks, Chief."

"Actually..."

Corrigan practically skipped out of the transporter room.

"...It's 'Ensign'."

---

"Testing the Waters, Part 2"
By: Ensign Kit Markham
Ensign Kelzira Rax
Ensign Amy Reese

Location: The Islet of Lovemaking, Risa
Stardate 57907.05, 18h25

***

They found a secluded spot pretty quickly, and as far as their initial checking showed them, they had that particular spot all to themselves. There was another large group a kilometer away, but they seemed more interested in their own activities than the trio walking by.

Back in their own camp, right down near the water, Kelzira relaxed back upon the sand next to Amy. "You've been very quiet," she whispered. "If you want me to, I can head back on the next ferry so you and Kit can be alone out here."

"Don't be silly," Amy replied quietly. "It's not you. I was just realizing during the ride over that I'm not as rehabilitated as I thought I was. You saw me with that Olyk person," she whispered, glancing around to ensure Kit was still off getting them drinks. "I can barely control myself. What the hell is wrong with me?"

"Amy, I almost jumped the guy then and there," Kelli answered. "He was...he was very handsome and sensual, and I bet he's been with hundreds of women by only looking at them. I don't think it has anything to do with rehabilitation...it's just that that guy has some way to touch something primally sexual with just a look." She reached back and untied the ties holding her top in place. She pulled the fabric away and set it aside. "Might as well get to what we came out here for, right?"

Amy felt her anxieties quickly melting away under the heat and Kelli's assurances. Soon, she too was divesting herself of her bikini, first by unclasping the top and tugging it off, then by wriggling out of her bottom. She flung it at Kelli with a laugh, then reached down to her friend's bottoms and began pulling. "Off with them, Rax! It's not fair if you get to keep something on and we have to get completely naked."

Kelzira laughed and then quickly divested herself of the rest of her bikini. She tossed the garment at Amy with a giggle. "There! Happy?"

Amy swung the bottoms around on one finger as she grinned slyly at Kel. "Very." She loosed the bikini bottoms, which sailed towards the shore, barely missing being pulled in by the tide. Amy was too preoccupied with snuggling up against Kelli to notice. "You think Kit will be understanding?" she asked, running a finger idly up and down Kel's belly.

"Only one way to find out," Kelzira answered with a grin. "You know, I really think we should do this more often."

"Lie naked on a beach?" Amy smiled and nodded her head as it rested on Kelli's bosom. "I definitely agree. I hope Kit will too."

"That makes two of us," Kelzira answered. "And, I really hope he won't mind us being as close as we are. It's special for us, and...important."

Before Amy could answer, the sound of approaching sandaled feet reached them. A moment later, there was a low whistle. "Well, aren't I a lucky guy. Go off to get some drinks for us to return to find two very naked, attractive women lying in the middle of my camp site."

Amy sat up to receive one of the beverages from Kit and smiled worriedly. "It doesn't bother you, does it? I mean...we weren't doing anything..."

"Bother me? That's why we came out here isn't it? You two were looking rather comfortable together, but I guess that's alright since you didn't start anything without me." He gave them a roguish grin, followed by a laugh. "Oh wow! They do go all the way down. I'm...I'm sorry...it's just...I've never seen a naked Trill before."

Kelli laughed and felt herself blushing. "Well, you're in luck. And, yes, they do go from all the way up to all the way down. But, if you want an up-close inspection, you'll have to clear that with Amy."

"Definitely," Amy concurred. She patted the free area of blanket beside her, then gestured for Kit to take a seat. Amy halted him abruptly, however, and motioned her eyes towards his swimming trunks. "You are planning on removing those, are you not, Kit Markham?"

Kit glanced down at his suit, and then at Amy. "Oh very well," he said, and then quickly shucked the garment before dropping down onto the towel beside Amy. "I hope this meets with your approval. Though, I must say that the two of you will have to be very careful here or there may be a rather embarrassing situation popping up."

Amy shrieked with laughter and pressed a firm kiss to Kit's cheek. "We really don't mind, Kit. I think it'd be good for all of us to get comfortable being...like this."

"All of us hanging out naked together? Do the two of you have some plan that I haven't been made privy to?" He glanced down at his lap, and sighed. "See, there you go. See what you made happen?"

Amy snickered and playfully covered Kit's groin with both hands. "And if there is some plan, would you mind?"

"You wouldn't think less of me if I said that I wouldn't mind, would you?"

Amy's eyes grew wide with surprise and her lips stretched into a broad grin. "Really? Do you...really mean that?"

Kit laughed and shook his head. "By the look on your face, you sound pretty...enthusiastic about the idea. Yes, really. It feels very strange to be talking about this, you know. Just so you know. But, yes... I mean, have you happened to look at yourselves? You're both very attractive, fun, desirable woman. What guy wouldn't dream of sharing that? Of course, most guys wouldn't have the guts to say anything... But, yeah. I mean, if that's something that you'd want too, Amy...then definitely yes."

"Well...I was only thinking of having Kelli to myself, but if you wanna share..." She smiled and startled him by tackling Kit and spreading kisses over his face and lips. "This means so much to me! Oh, I love you so much, Kit."

"By the look on Kelli's face, it looks like it means a lot to her too," he said with a laugh as he tried to return her kisses. He felt a tentative hand touching his shoulder, and he looked over to see Kelzira lying on her side, watching them, but with her hand outstretched to caress both his and Amy's shoulders and arms.

Amy smiled questioningly at Kit and furtively motioned her eyes towards Kel. "Okay?"

"Definitely," Kit said with a smile, then turned to regard Kelzira with a warm smile. It was awkward doing so, but he shifted enough so that he could share a kiss with her.

Amy tried to stifle an excited squeal at the sight, but it slipped out at any rate, interrupting the fragile moment. Kit and Kel both looked startled, but Amy threw herself at both of them and quickly all uncertainty vanished. Although Kit was open to sharing her and himself with Kelli, Amy still wasn't sure he would be pleased about the fact that she'd shared herself with Dwayne, but she decided it would be best to take things one small step at a time.

***

"I can't believe they're gone," Kelzira said again as they were staring up at the Risan starscape. "One moment I was taking them off, and now they're completely vanished. I guess it's a sign. A sign for our times here on our little island of love, that's it. At least I still have my wrap. I can handle being out here with you guys, but I really don't know about walking through the city that way. Those spots are only reserved for certain, particular, very special people to be able to see. And, Kit Markham, I think you've done enough seeing of those spots for a little while." She glanced back at Kit who still had his arms wrapped around her as she lay back against him. "You should give Amy some more attention now. I think enough attention's going to be the big issue in this little three-way whatever it is we have here."

"Oh, I don't mind," Amy said with a happy sigh, nestling her cheek to Kel's shoulder. "I like it like this just fine." She lazily trailed a finger up Kit's thigh, and dragged it down again over Kelli's this time. "This doesn't mean we'll have to move into quarters with a really big bed, does it?"

"Would be fun though," Kel said with a mischievous grin. "So, when we want some time for just us back on the ship, where will we go?" He pushed the hair away from the back of Kelli's neck and started kissing. She squirmed and laughed.

"Oh, I think someone's ready for another go. I think we've got a real winner in this one, Amy. He can take two women, and still be ready to go for more."

She smiled fondly at Kit as she pressed up against his side. "I knew that the first moment I met him." Amy's lips teased Kit's earlobe while one hand slid up Kel's thigh and the other caressed Kit's strong back. "I really, really like Risa," she whispered.

"We could all go AWOL and just move onto our little island here," Kelzira said with a grin. "All that is ours...is ours."

"All that is mine is ours, you mean," Amy amended with an impish grin.

"Oh, is that an offer, Miss Reese? Are you offering to have Kit and I gang up on you?"

Amy folded her arms over her bare chest and looked away defiantly. "Never! Why ever would I want that?" The crooked grin she wore completely belied her mock indignation.

"Kit, my dear," Kelli said as she tilted her head back to regard him. "How frisky are you feeling?" Kit shifted below her and she giggled. "Oh yes, very frisky. You know what to do?"

"I know what to do," Kit answered and turned his gaze to Amy. "I'm really sorry, my love, but this is the way it has to be."

"Oh no you don't!" Amy caught the wicked gleam in Kit's eyes and shrieked as she scrambled away from them to seek shelter in their hut.

"After her," Kit called, as he and Kelzira sprang to their feet and raced after Amy, disappearing inside of their hut. The noise the three of them made there attracted the attention of a few of the revellers from the kilometer distant group, who merely looked at the hut and smiled knowingly before returning to their own revels.

***

Amy giggled and pulled Kelli closer to stave off the slight chill in the night air with her friend's natural warmth. After searching for twenty minutes for her bikini bottoms, Amy had convinced her to abandon the effort and claim them as a loss to the tumbling waves of the ocean. Compared to the other naked tourists, skipping and dancing around the communal bonfire, Kel in just her bikini top and a wrap was still relatively over-dressed.

She could never have imagined Kit's ready acceptance of Kelli into their bed and their lives. He showed no sign of jealousy when Amy kissed her friend less than chastely, and caressed her tenderly. Still, she knew admitting to her night with Dwayne was not something she would be doing at the present time. She needed to work up a little more nerve for that.

The firelight played off the naked flesh of the undulating, frolicking forms dancing under the moonlight, and soon they jumped into a lyrical, jovial tune. Someone brought out a stringed instrument and another something akin to a tom-tom, and together they added a rhythmic background to the singing voices.

Amy smiled over at Kit, seated directly to her right and bobbing his head to the music. Kissing his cheek, she then whispered an "I love you" and settled her head upon his shoulder.

"I love you too," he whispered back to her. "How long do you give it before Kelli loses her wrap? I'm giving within the hour it will be somewhere other than wrapped around her waist."

"I heard that," Kelzira said from the other side of Amy. "I've got the knot tied really tight, so it's not coming off that way. If it comes off, it's because someone's sneaky fingers have taken it off. Hey, Kit, you play, don't you?" She indicated the vacant instrument at the edge of their little stage.

Kit chuckled. "Yes, I do," he said.

Amy grinned and gently shoved him. "So play! And sing too. Oh, his voice, Kel..." She sighed and sank against him with a dreamy smile.

Kit laughed and finally nodded. "Oh alright," he said. "I shall play and serenade my two wenches. Any requests, wenches?"

"Something jazzy," Amy said. "And definitely sexy."

"Your wish," he said as he kissed Amy. "Is my command." He then kissed Kelzira. His gaze lingered on them both as he backed toward the stage, bowing like the showman he was.

"Is it possible to fall for someone that fast?" Kelzira asked after a moment.

Amy shifted her gaze slowly to Kel and she smiled at her friend. "Are you in love with Kit, Kelli?"

Kelzira glanced back at Amy and returned the smile. "I'm not sure," she said. "Though, he certainly is lovable."

"I know! He's just so...full of life and joy..." She sighed and snuggled her cheek against Kel's. "Makes me wonder why I wanted to destroy what we have so badly."

Kelli laughed and slipped her hand into Amy's. "Don't have to worry about that so much now," she said with a smile. "He was...very accepting, wasn't he? Though, I guess we'd have to find a Vulcan if we wanted a guy who would turn down a threesome with another woman offered by his girlfriend."

"But it's still different with Kit," Amy said. "He's really caring, and he did it out of concern for our happiness. Sure, I bet he enjoyed it, but I don't think that was the main reason." She grinned at Kelli and added, "We're really lucky to have him."

"Very lucky," Kelzira added. "And, what other pair of girls have a guy who will willingly serenade them whenever they wish?"

Gazing across the fire at Kit strumming his guitar languidly, Amy sighed and whispered, "Not a one."

"All this revelry and the two of you sitting here alone," a melodious voice said from behind them. "Shame shame."

Amy felt the same tingle of arousal she'd experienced on the boat when first she'd heard that voice and felt his fingers dancing slowly across her flesh. Emitting a shaky sigh, Amy looked up to see the smiling face of Olyk, the damned seducer from the boat ride over. She gave him an awkward smile and unwittingly pulled Kelli closer for support. "I didn't think we'd see you here," she said, chuckling uncomfortably. "Do you-- Do you always visit the...uh...Islet of L-Lovemaking?"

"It is my job during the day to bring people here," he said with a smile as he edged closer. "And, sometimes at night, I come back to visit the revelry. I wasn't certain if I would see you here or not, but I am delighted that I have. Both of you. Now, you must dance with me."

Amy glanced uncertainly at Kelli, then back up at the man, already holding a hand out to her and Kelli. "I guess one dance couldn't hurt," she said, taking his offered hand somewhat reluctantly.

"One dance is mandatory," he said with a jesting smile. "Though, we will dance and then see if you are ready for more. Come, come." His body was already moving to the rhythmic beat being pounded out by the drummer. "Don't be shy, my dears."

"Us? Shy?" Amy grinned knowingly at Kel, and shrugged before sliding up against Olyk's side to share in the dance with him. "Come on, Kel!" She giggled, easily loosening up after a moment's apprehension. It was much easier to do so with Olyk's strong hand resting on the small of her back and infusing her with his soothing warmth.

As Olyk pulled them back toward the bonfire with his eyes, his hands at each of their backs massaged at their spines with sensual fingers. His feet were working through intricate steps while his eyes passed from one to the other, taking them in. "This is a fun dance, and one you will find performed all over the planet. Though, in the more public areas, you will find it performed with more clothing than out here."

Amy shifted her gaze between her bikini bottoms and bare chest, Kelli's barely-concealing wrap, and Olyk's formfitting shorts, and blushed profusely, especially with how close her body was swaying against Olyk's. "You're...some expert at it, I bet," she said with a bashful chuckle, not knowing what else to say. "I bet you put a smile on a lot of girls' faces, dancing like you are."

"I've put a few smiles on a few faces," Olyk said with a grin. "And, it looks like the two of you are smiling. I love dancing; dancing is an expression of life. Perhaps the two of you would be more comfortable if you were to remove those binding garments." He indicated Amy's bikini bottoms and Kelli's bikini top and the wrap that kept coming open as her body brushed against his. The young Trill woman was flushed, and looking very much like she was ready to tackle him to the ground any moment. Olyk grinned.

"I'm not so sure..." Amy said, glancing nervously at Kit happily jamming with the locals. "My boyfriend..." She smiled at Kel and corrected, "Our boyfriend might not like that so much." Giggling, she added, "Though if you want to get comfortable..."

"Ahh, boyfriend," Olyk said with a smile. "He's quite talented. And, for both of you. I didn't figure others were so generous with their relationships, except for perhaps the Bolians." He gave them both a smile and quickly shed his shorts. "Much more comfortable this way."

Helplessly staring at Olyk's exposed genitals, Amy's mouth gaped and her eyes grew wide as saucers. It didn't help, either, that every movement she made brought her thigh dangerously close to the flaccid organ. Amy gasped softly as she realized her hand had been sliding over Olyk's abdomen, meaning to slip down to his groin. She was convinced she was completely and hopelessly bereft of self-restraint. "Oh God, you're naked," she groaned miserably.

Olyk's eyes blazed with his own unbridled lust. "Quite naked," he said. "Why do you fight against your feelings so, my dear?"

Amy sighed. "I-I have a boyfriend. I love him...and I don't wanna hurt him."

Olyk nodded sagely. "I understand," he said, and then turned to Kelzira. "And, you, my little spotted nymph?"

Kelli stumbled under his gaze and then glanced at the stage where Kit was beautifully lost in his music, the music he was playing for them. "Yes," she whispered, not taking her eyes from him. "Yes, I do...and I couldn't. You're a beautiful man, Olyk, but...but I couldn't."

Olyk laughed heartily. "Oh my dears, you speak as if you think I might be offended. It warms my heart that you could choose one and devote yourselves to him."

Amy's cheeks burned with something other than the rush of desire she'd felt for Olyk; now, they flushed in shame. "See...that's the problem," she told him sullenly. "I haven't been devoting myself to him. I-I've...given myself to another while we sort of promised to be only with one another. Well...it wasn't really a spoken promise, but I know it's what he expected. I've let him down..."

"Then to do as I would have desired," Olyk said with a sagely look. "That would have caused even more problems. When you were with this other, did you feel the need for devotion as you do now?"

"At the time," she admitted regretfully, "I did it to...spite him, even though he'd done nothing. I did it because...I knew something serious was happening between us, and I was scared. I knew he liked me a lot and I hated him for it because I knew I'd end up hurting him somehow, and I'd end up suffering too." Amy chuckled ruefully. "Stupid, isn't it?"

Olyk noted that Kelzira was gaping at Amy, a clear indication she had no idea of Amy's reasons for sleeping with Dwayne. "Sabotage is a common method for getting out of scary situations such as that," Olyk said. "You figured you'd expedite the process by doing something right away that would hurt him. Though, my question is, if you intended to hurt him with that event, at what point did you realize you didn't really want to hurt him?"

"When I realized I loved him," she replied, still pressing up against Olyk, but only because of the comfort she felt in his half-embrace. "And then he loved me too...and I realized he wasn't planning on leaving me anytime soon..." She sighed as she lay her head against Olyk's chest. "I don't want to hurt him because he's the first guy I realized I definitely wanted to be with...and the first guy I knew I wanted to fight to keep, no matter what I do now or in the future to screw things up."

Their dancing had more or less ceased, but the music was still going around them, with all the other dancers loping and prancing about the fire. Olyk, Amy, and Kelli had some how managed to end up on the edge of the circle near a large open-air tent. He was holding her close on one side while Kelzira clung to him on the other. "That first moment of realization is a beautiful one," he said. "Though, it's usually followed quickly by the shock, surprise, and outrage at your own actions that could potentially arrest all you've gained. The key is to know what you want and never back down from that. Though, from what you've said, it sounds like he was very accepting of the two of you. And, you both appear to care for him very much. Though, I must say that this new devotion you have toward him will be both my joy at your happiness and my sorrow at my own misfortune. It is fortunate, though, that I recover easily from the rejection of those who have previously devoted themselves to another."

Amy laughed softly and lightly kissed Olyk's chest. "Sorry... But Kelli here isn't exactly taken." She motioned her eyes towards Olyk suggestively. "Right, Kel?"

"No," Kelzira whispered dreamily, and then started. "Wait...what...what about you and Kit? I thought we...aren't we?"

"Of course, Kel," she assured her quickly. "But...not exactly exclusively. You can still be with anyone you want, you know. We'll still love you just the same."

"That's okay with Kit?" Kelzira asked. "I mean, he wouldn't mind. Should I ask him? I wouldn't want to do something like that if it'd upset him, especially with everything new and all. It's okay with you if I'm with other people?"

Amy snickered and leaned forward quickly to kiss Kelli's lips, hoping to melt away her anxieties. "Don't worry," she whispered. "If you have to share me, it's only right that I have to share you. I want you to do this, Kelli. Please?"

Kelli looked from Amy to Olyk and back. "Alright! For you, I'll do this. And, well, for me too. Hey!" She glanced down as her wrap fell away under Olyk's very nimble fingers. "Oh, you're going to pay for that!" Before she could continue, Olyk was kissing her and working at the ties holding the top of her bikini in place.

Olyk shifted his eyes to regard Amy, and it was obvious that if he weren't kissing Kelli, he'd be smiling. The kiss broke, leaving the young Trill woman breathless. "Come, my little spotted nymph, I have some things I wish to show you. For you, my other dear, go to your young man and let him know how much you love him. I'll bring this one back to you in the morning...if that's alright, of course."

"Oh, be my guest," Amy said with a wide grin. She kissed first Kel's, then Olyk's cheek and ushered them away, noticing happily where Olyk's hand was conveniently placed on Kel's rear. "Have fun, my sweet Kelli!"

Kelzira glanced up at Olyk and then back at Amy. "Oh, I don't think I really have much choice in the matter! Bye, Amy!" Then she silently mouthed the words, "I love you."

Amy dramatically pressed a hand to her heart and sighed, then giggled and gave Kel a final wave before sauntering towards Kit. He looked up at her when he noticed her approach, and the smile she received took her breath away. She settled onto the guard at his feet and grinned softly as she lay her head upon his knees. "Beautiful song, my love," she sighed. "Did you write it for me?"

Kit grinned down at her. "I did," he answered. "Though, one of these people here is a time traveller from the twenty-third, and he's going to go back to his home and steal it from me. The scoundrel!"

Amy chuckled and climbed onto the squat stage he was perched on. Slipping her arms around his waist, she sighed and nuzzled her lips to his neck. "Kelli's gone off with that Olyk guy. So, it looks like you're stuck with just me tonight."

Kit laughed. "She's quite a gal," he said as he set the guitar aside. "I was hoping the three of us could have a night together, but that guy did really seem like he needed some. So, what's it going to be like with the three of us, Amy? Is she just someone we share ourselves with, or are we allowed to fall in love with her?"

"Whether we're allowed to or not, will that stop us? I already love her, Kit. She's my best friend." Glancing up curiously at him, she asked, "Do you think you're falling in love with her?"

"It's too early to tell," Kit said, as he mused, "but she's a great person. I may have to fall in love with her just so she'll show me that one spot that she wouldn't let me see that you spent a lot of time with. What did she call it, #347?"

"Well, if you'd just asked nicely..." She pressed a light kiss to Kit's lips as she slid a hand into his. "Done playing?" she asked. "I mean...we do have the hut to ourselves..."

"Done playing with the guitar anyway," he said with a mischievous grin. "A whole hut... Whatever shall we do?"

Amy chuckled salaciously. "Let's go find out." With a single tug, she pulled Kit to his feet. "Let the others captivate the audience for a while," she said. "You're mine for the rest of the night."

With his eyes only on her, he followed. "Well, I know that I'm captivated. Lead me, my beautiful, taller girlfriend, and I will follow. Lead me to that beautiful, sensual bond that exists only between lovers."

Amy smiled wanly and nodded obligingly. If only he knew how she'd broken that bond, and how often she found herself tempted to do so again. All the counselling she'd received, from Ainsley to Olyk, who was still practically a stranger, had impressed upon her the necessity to confess to Kit, for if the knowledge came to him from someone other than herself, there would be no saving their relationship.

She kept telling herself she would admit her infidelity to Kit, though it always ended up being postponed for another day, and another, until she could work up the courage to take responsibility for her stupidity. I'll do it tomorrow, she thought. If I'm gonna lose him, I want at least one more night with him. Catching Kit smiling amorously at her, Amy sighed, and amended: Or maybe the day after tomorrow.

---

"Prelude, Part 3"
By: Lt. (jg) Natalia Alexandria Druschev - Science Officer

Location: In Transit on board ITS Do Little
Stardate: 57907.05 17h47

***

The ITS Do Little dropped out of warp on the fringes of the Risan system and approached the planet at one-third impulse. The bulk freighter was delivering a shipment of exotic goods to the pleasure planet that had no replicated equivalent. The civilian crew were all professionals and Natalia Druschev and her son Domenic had had a comfortable trip in a stateroom just a little smaller than a standard Starfleet berth for two junior officers. Domenic had been sulky all the way. His mood had rubbed Natalia the wrong way and her nerves were a little frayed at the edges. The trip had taken almost a week. There were no holodecks on the freighter, a Natalia had read about as much as she could, used the small cubicle gymnasium a few hours a day and tried to cajole Domenic into studying. He was being difficult.

Their arrival in the Risan system had been welcome. It had taken only two hours to reach orbit and they were to transport down to the planet in the Do Little's shuttle. The Starfleet Officer in Natalia wanted to catch a glimpse of her new ship - but the Sulu was on the other side of the planet. The blue orb of the Risan world hung below the transport and Natalia stared at it. The thousands of islands dotting the emerald oceans were patches of brown and green with a smattering of high level clouds. The weather was totally controlled making the world a paradise of white sand beaches and manicured gardens. Natalia had never been to Risa and she was looking forward to it immensely. She needed to unwind and the tales that she had heard from others regarding the people of this world was enough to make her blush! The computer library held extensive data about Risa - the Do Little stopped here regularly and the archives were full of holographs of people and places that were quite risqué. Enough so that Natalia had barred Domenic's access to them.

They packed their stuff into duffle bags - clothes and a few padds, their belongings were in cargo containers that would be transferred directly to the Sulu using the cargo transporters. The Do Little didn't have personnel transporters. The shuttle was a sleek winged delta model that was at least a decade old. They strapped themselves into the couches and waited for the flight crew to go through pre-flight checks.

Domenic plugged his music-deck into his ears and closed his eyes. The pounding pulse of the music was irritating to Natalia but starting an argument with Domenic over the damage it was inflicting to his ears would do no good. She stayed silent and pulled out her lapdeck - the program she started on was a refining of a holodeck scenario. She used the lapdeck to store her holodeck programs and there were several characters she was working on for an adaptation of one of the popular commercial adventures. Holodeck adventures were Natalia's escape from reality and she had a few favorites - especially in characters. Martel was the leading man. He was tall, dark and ruggedly handsome. He combined the best qualities in every man she had ever known - and he loved her. Martel was a little ruthless, and had a mystique - he wasn't a white knight hero - rather a dark agent of adventure with a passionate streak and a dangerous side. His program combined all the characteristics of a warrior - strength and skill that matched a dangerous level in security officer training programs. Marksman, artist and dancer - he was Natalia's personal hero. Martel was a man that no man could match. How could they? Every man had a weakness or a bad habit - Martel was programmed for her alone.

Her favorite adventures were the "Majestic" series. Martel was the agent of a covert agency called Majestic and he fought the bad guys who wanted to take over the world. Natalia was always his female companion - the leading female romantic interest. She played many roles - and loved it. In the course of a few thousand hours of holodeck adventuring she had learned many of the skills attributed to security officers. In fact some of the skills training built into her programs was not commercially available. She had purchased a few illegal programs too - embedding them in the commercial programming so that they were 'sanitized' for security scrutiny. Natalia loved to play the female thief character - it was a side of her personality that she kept hidden. Danger gave her a thrill that she couldn't resist.

She kept herself busy with the modifications to the storyline of the latest Majestic holonovel as the shuttle dropped free of the ITS Do Little. The landing was smooth and the cabin attendant had to touch her shoulder to get her attention. She gave him a smile and thanked him for the trip - the crew had been nice - friendly and attentive to her needs without being pushy.

Natalia and Domenic made their way off the shuttle and stepped into a balmy night. The small shuttle landing area was perched on an elevated platform above a stepped garden. There were three hexagonal paneled domes surrounded by palms and arched bridges - all lit by flaming torches that added a romantic lighting to the area. A gathering of men and women stood in brightly patterned beachwear to meet the shuttle. Natalia was greeted warmly by a male Risan who took her hand and bowed over it, smiling and giving the traditional, "What we have is yours," greeting. A woman repeated the saying as she gave Natalia a light hug.

Domenic was blushing. An attractive woman had kissed his cheek as she greeted him and he seemed flustered. Natalia grinned at him as she took his hand and passed the line of Risans. A handsome dark haired man stepped up and took her bags, saying, "This way," as he waved ahead. "Is this your first time on Risa?" he asked as he nodded and grinned at Domenic.

"Da," Natalia nodded. "I am transferring to the USS Sulu in a few days, I have some leave time and thought it was a good chance to enjoy your hospitality."

"You are most welcome." He walked with her across a narrow pedestrian walkway that entered the closest dome. "Risa is a paradise - we live to serve. My name is Jordin - and I am your assigned host for this evening. We will get you settled in a suite - and I am sure that you will require the services of a masseuse before you relax in the hot pools prior to dining."

Natalia smiled. The hot pools sounded dreamy! A real soak - she hadn't had a water wash in a week! Sonic showers were okay - but she loved water baths. "A massage sounds great," she said as she caught sight of Jordin's muscular physique.

"If you need anything else--" he gave her a meaningful look "--I will be most pleased to provide it."

"Thank you." She gave him a rueful smile. "We are a little tired and could use some time alone. Perhaps you could show me around tomorrow?"

"Of course." Jordin smiled warmly as they passed inside the dome.

The temperature in the dome was warmer than the night outside and it was filled with hot-house flowers of exotic colours and scents. Two slender towers rose out of the flora in the center of the dome. The path descended into a series of small gardens, grottos and pools. People wandered the paths - Natalia saw happy smiling faces everywhere. Couples and groups laughed and played in the pools and the Risans were conspicuous in their bright colours and floral covered hair styles. She could sense the well-being here. The ragged feeling she'd had for the last few days was already wearing off.

"Can I go for a swim, mom?" Domenic pointed at the tiered pools that were crowded with children. A fountain and a waterfall cast spray across them and delighted laughter and squeals came from the frolicking kids. The suns were only recently set and there was plenty of time before dinner.

"Sure thing, Dom," Natalia laughed. His sulking was over for the minute. "First we get settled - then you can go for a swim while I take a massage. Okay?"

"Yeahhhh!" Domenic picked up the pace as they entered the lobby of their hotel. It was marble and chrome in a simplistic design that was tasteful. There were flowers everywhere.

The room was large. Spacious and comfortable - with a spectacular view of the dome that extended around a third of the walls. Jordin wished her a good night as he left, saying that he would be back in the morning at her summons should she still wish to be escorted around. She settled in quickly and Domenic was in his swim gear in minutes.

He dashed out as the terminal in the room beeped for attention. It was the room service computer asking what her dietary preferences were and did she wish to have a massage, solarium or mud bath - or all three. She opted for the massage and the computer told her that a Host would be up in a few minutes.

It was. He was. The Adonis was dressed in white kilt and sandals. He was blonde, green eyed and muscular, and he introduced himself as Kaeron as he smiled and entered her room. Natalia was asked to undress and lay on a massage table that exuded from the floor.

Natalia undressed in the bathroom and came out with a towel wrapped around her. He smiled at that. She climbed onto the table and he skillfully managed to drape the towel to cover her modesty. He went to work in silence, first rubbing oil into her skin and then working on her back. It was heaven. As he worked his strong hands over her muscles, finding the tense knots and kneading them out, she found herself relaxing into a soft haze. When he asked her to roll over she did, not even thinking about it. Her eyes were closed and she just allowed him to massage her body into a pliable mass of jelly.

She woke up later to the sound of soft music. The Adonis was gone, but she was left with a floating feeling of complete happiness.

Domenic came in a little later to ruin it.

---

"Confessions of the Heart"
By: Ensign Dwayne Sanchez

Location: Holodeck One, USS Sulu
Stardate 57907.05, 18h25

***

Dwayne hadn't been planning on going anywhere while the ship orbited the planet. Where would I go anyway? Just to clubs and maybe the damned beach. The club would only serve to remind me of the band rehearsal and the beach would only serve to remind me of the time Kelzira and Amy and I skinny dipped on the holodeck.

He did go to his and Amy's quarters for a few minutes while he got himself ready for a pool-side afternoon at his grandparents hacienda. At least there I know I won't get bitched at. He nabbed a towel and a novel and headed to the holodeck. "Computer, run Sanchez 1. Include figure of grandmother Sanchez. Scan holographs and DNA for her image."

"Program ready. Enter when ready."

He was ready rather quickly. He'd glanced about once he'd entered. On the PADD too was another of the many messages he'd been sending to Kelzira. I can't think of her as Kelli. She hates me now, and I guess I can't blame her. He deleted the message, realizing that his bothering her wouldn't get her to respond. Oh well.

The doors to the holodeck opened and he walked in. The deck and the pool was as he remembered them from before. His grandmother sat on a chaise lounge just at poolside and he grinned seeing her.

"Ah miho, how are you doing?"

"Not good mi Abuela. I do not think mi madre would be proud of me. I miss her something terrible."

"What of those two lovely young ladies you were here with before?" she asked, a brow raised. "Couldn't you talk to them?"

"I am in the mood I'm in because of something I did. Either to or with them."

"You didn't...Miho, tu madre spent hours teaching you different."

"I know. And I know that whatever grave she's in she's rolling in it now. I hate myself for doing it. I said to someone, one who knows, that I was sort of forced, but in reality, I wanted to. It was almost painful how badly I wanted to do that. And it felt good. How could my mother teach me what she did about something that felt so good?"

"Miho, she didn't want you to get hurt. And it seems that you are hurting now."

"It's all my fault. And now I've hurt another person that I cared for."

"How miho?"

"She said I treated her like nothing more than that chaise...or even a glider rocking chair. I don't know. I thought asking about her work, asking if she wanted something to eat...if all that would work, and she said that it hadn't. I don't know, I'm so damned confused."

"Miho, this woman, was she your friend?"

"Well, I'd like her to be, still."

"That didn't answer my question, but I suppose that is the best way you can answer. Is there some way you could repair the damage?"

"No, I guess not. Except just do what I've always done. I should have known that doing that with Amy would make trouble. Mother never told me that would be what would happen. She just said that I was to keep myself chaste, not why I should."

"How are you doing with your piano playing?"

"Oh, well, I've joined a band." He didn't sound the least bit happy about it.

"How wonderful, miho. How come you do not sound happy?"

"Because Amy and her boyfriend are in the band."

His grandmother, or rather the photon generated image of his grandmother raised her brow. "Her boyfriend? And did this other man exist before you and her slept together?"

He nodded. "That's part of the reason I feel so guilty."

"I see. And this woman was one of them you were here with before?" At his nod she nodded her own head. "And she's seen you in your altogether, as you have hers. And you still sleep as you always have?" Again at his nod she said, "Tell me what happened."

"I was sleeping in my room. I heard someone stumbling around in the main room and when I stepped out, I didn't think about pulling a robe on. When I had stepped out, I seen Amy. She was lying on the floor. I assisted her up and helped her to her room and was turning to go when she yanked me into her room.

"I hadn't planned on doing it." He looked to his grandmother and at her nod, he continued. "I even tried to leave her room before anything happened, but she pulled me to the bed. I even reminded her about her boyfriend and she said, 'He doesn't own me.' I...I don't know, I tried to leave, but she got it started and once it was started, I couldn't stop. I didn't want to stop."

She left the chaise and kneeled beside him. "Did it happen a second time?"

He nodded, "In the same night. I could have left then but then I didn't want to. I wanted to experience the feeling again. I feel so guilty."

"It was a mistake, miho. Don't let it overwhelm you. Learn from it and move on."

"Even if it means leaving them behind?"

"Darling, if they were your friends, they will forgive you for anything you have done. If they are not, then they are not worth crying over."

"You are the best, grandmother." He hugged her to him.

***

Sometime later, Dwayne found himself back in his quarters. He put a 'Do Not Disturb' sign on his bedroom door, and that was where he holed up.

---

"Investigations"
By: Captain Matthew Salinger
Dojit Terise - Vice Director of the Risan Judicial Directorate

Location: Risan Governmental Arcology
Stardate 57907.05, 19h05

***

Captain Matt Salinger arrived in the foyer of the main administrative building and glanced around for anyone who might be the Dojit. The room was crowded, filled with beings from all over the alpha and beta quadrants. He wasn't quite sure which ones would---or could---be the official he needed to talk to. So, he angled toward the most officious looking group.

"But my dear Counsellor Aurek," the sole woman in the group drawled. "How can you possibly even consider placing a restriction on public displays of sexuality? Risa is and has always been known for its liberal attitude regarding affairs of the carnal variety." The aged woman chuckled humourlessly. "You'd have yourself a worldwide riot if that motion ever passed."

The small group joined the robed woman in a round of tame laughter that had Aurek blushing a noticeable shade of red. Clearing his throat, the man gave a curt bow and excused himself. In his haste, he collided with Matt, and after a brief, muttered apology, the gaunt, hunched man scurried away.

Matt massaged at his shoulder and watched after the man before turning back to the group. "I'm sorry to interrupt," he said. "I'm Captain Matthew Salinger, commanding officer of the USS Sulu. I was summoned here in regards to one of my officers."

A hush fell over the small group, and each of the men bowed their heads at the woman before detaching from the circle and moving off. "I am Dojit Terise, Captain," the woman stated with stern dignity in her tone and expression. "I am glad you could make it so promptly. Do join me in my chambers." She gestured for Matt to follow, then set off across the atrium. "How has your stay on Risa been, Captain? Pleasurable, I hope."

"It has," Matt said with a smile. "Though, my companion was not pleased that I was called away. Fortunately, she is very understanding and hopefully we can get this situation settled expediently."

"As far as the Ktarians are concerned, this matter is already closed. I must admit, the evidence against your officer is quite damning. I fear there is nothing to be done really, Captain."

Matt raised an eyebrow. "So, there's not to be an investigation?"

Terise sighed and extended her arm through the open doorway of her chambers. "Please...have a seat, Captain." The older woman, who looked deceptively youthful for her sixty-seven years and who still moved with the grace of a woman half her age, eased herself into the chair at her desk and folded her slender hands.

Once both were settled, she regarded Matt with an impassive gaze and spoke with surprising candour for a politician of sorts. "Captain, you must understand that Risa is a peaceful planet. We are not accustomed to dealing with crimes of this severity. That means, also, that we've found no need to organize a force devoted solely to investigating and punishing crimes. Your Ensign Collins was seen storming out of the victim's room the night Ambassador Daleel was murdered. The murder weapon was then found in her room the next day. We do not have the resources or means to explore the possibility that your officer was framed. Frankly...it appears to be a crime of passion, and since the Ktarians are satisfied with that, we are inclined to be so as well."

"Well, I'm not," Matt said. "And, I assure you that Starfleet Command and the Federation Council won't be either. Please, allow us the time to look into the matter. At least, give my security department the opportunity to look into the case and see if they see anything. Right now, despite the presence of the weapon in her room, it's still all circumstantial. It isn't fair to condemn a young woman this way, not without at least determining if she deserves this."

Terise shrugged eloquently and sighed. "I'm sorry, Captain. I'm afraid this is now a Ktarian government matter. I know you are most likely aware of many of our customs regarding hospitality, but there is another you may not be familiar with, and it involves jurisdiction over crimes, and in this matter, the Ktarians have jurisdiction. Your officer's fate is in their hands, Captain Salinger. I suggest you take the matter up with them."

"Very well," Matt said. "I shall contact them at once. Please see to it that nothing happens to Ensign Collins during that time. I want to see justice served in this matter, but I also want to make sure that the right person is punished. Without an investigation that can't happen."

Terise smiled pleasantly at Matt and bowed her head. "Of course, Captain. She is quite safe, I assure you, and will remain so."

Matt nodded. "Very well," he said. "I'll be sure to be in touch soon with any information I get from the Ktarians."

"Very good, Captain." Terise rose from her seat as a gesture of dismissal, though her polite smile mitigated any potential impertinence implied in the act. "Please, contact me if there is anything else you require. And enjoy your stay on Risa."

"As I see it," Matt said as he stood and started toward the door, "that's no longer a possibility. One of my crew has been accused of murder, and all parties involved have taken the stance of guilty until proven innocent." Matt pulled out his communicator and tapped it. "Salinger to Sulu."

"This is Lt. Sam, Captain," came the voice from the Sulu.

"Go to Yellow Alert, Lieutenant. Begin passive planetary containment protocols. I'll brief you and Commander Lyrr in thirty minutes. Salinger out." With that, he tapped off. "Have a pleasant day," he added to Terise.

"We are not your enemy, Captain," she told him, the smile now absent from her lips. "Please, do not make any with this."

"No," Matt said. "The enemy is still potentially out there, but you and the Ktarians aren't interested in that. You don't care if the person you're holding is the one who killed the Ktarian ambassador. All you care about is that you've got someone locked in a cell, so now you can get back to your revelry. It's no concern of yours that you may have an innocent person locked away. You aren't even interested in knowing whether what you suspect happened that night is the truth. If you don't like how I'm handling this situation, Starfleet Command will be happy to hear your grievance."

"I have said nothing of the sort," Terise replied firmly. "I am simply advising you to explore the possibility that your officer may be guilty. I can assure you that I will not interfere in your investigation, Captain, if it is even allowed by the Ktarians; I cannot, however, promise the same for them. In this, I'm afraid my authority has little reach. But you will have any cooperation from the Risan government that you require."

"Thank you," Matt answered. "Sulu will be taking no aggressive action until such time as it may be warranted. For the time being, we are only watching the space lanes to make certain there isn't anyone fleeing the planet, as a precaution."

Terise nodded stiffly. "Very well, Captain. You can most likely find the Ktarian ambassadors in the council chambers. The negotiations must go on, after all."

"I'll contact you shortly with my findings," Matt said, and then turned to leave.

"Good luck, Captain," Terise called out to him. "You will certainly require it."

"Certainly will," Matt muttered to himself. "Salinger to Sulu. One to beam up."

A moment later, the energy stream disassembled his physical form and carried him up into space. There was much work to be done.

---

"Re-Acquaintances"
By: Captain Matthew Salinger
Ensign J.R. Steele
Lieutenant Xayella Tagliesh

Location: Risa
Stardate 57907.05 , 19h35

***

Bypassing the "love nest" she was sharing with Matt, Xayella found her feet taking her directly to the resort section of the city where she wasn't hoping to find a handsome male distraction; rather, she was searching for a nice, potent drink.

The sun was still hanging low in the sky by the time she reached the resort, but even so, the revelry seemed to have begun. Rich, upbeat music originating from some unseen part of the city seemed to fill the entire quarter with its enticing rhythm and had many spilling onto the streets, dancing spiritedly. Some appeared to have already succumbed to inebriation, apparent by their raucous laughter and clumsy dancesteps; others seemed to be intoxicated by pure joy alone and were no better off than the drunk. Xayella only ever felt such happiness herself when she was with Matt, but she still found herself laughing softly at the scene.

She wove her way through the unruly crowd, sidestepping the especially careless dancers who tossed themselves about with complete disregard for those they would collide with; she was jostled by others and even caught up in the dance herself on two occasions by some very frisky Risans who felt it their duty to seize a beautiful woman, obviously trying to avoid the party, and sweep her into a dizzying series of spins.

Xayella managed to finally elude any more potential opportunists and stumbled into an open-air café that appeared to be feeding the revellers' thirsts by graciously providing them with liquor whenever one staggered within range of the bar. She was glad that the majority of the party-goers had chosen to keep to the streets, which left the café only sparsely occupied.

With a sigh of mild relief, she crossed the room to the bar and sank heavily into a vacant chair. "One...fruity drink of any kind," she said to the bartender, who nodded in return and set off with a smile to prepare her concoction.

Xayella shifted sideways in her seat to gaze out at the frenzied dancers parading their way down the street at an incremental pace. Her eyes absently glanced at the patron seated beside her - a young, dark-haired man stooped over a drink he seemed not at all interested in consuming. The light radiating from the torches lining the streets limned his profile in a fiery glow, but it was enough illumination to bring his features into focus.

With a chuckle, she nudged his foot with hers and said, "Anything particularly intriguing about that drink, Steele?"

J.R. followed the voice and his eyes met with the familiar face of Xayella. Looking around cautiously he replied, "Surprised to see you without your boyfriend. You two having a little fight or something?"

"My boyfriend?" she replied coyly. "Whatever do you mean, Mr. Steele?"

Steele simply replied, "I'm talking about your conjoined twin, Captain Salinger. You two are never seen anywhere these days without the other one at their side. I'm starting to suspect that was the real reason he had me reprimanded that night. It was likely hostile jealousy towards a man making a move on his woman."

"You don't give Matt enough credit," Xayella chided playfully. She thanked the bartender as he placed the tall drink before her, then focused on Steele again, wearing her most charming smile. "He reprimanded you because you were acting inappropriately. He sent me to the brig for the same reason. Now, if you think doing so was his way of expressing his interest in me, then you certainly have a jaded view of relationships, J.R."

Steele laughed at the remark. "I've been hearing that an awful lot lately. Tell me...what is it you see in Salinger? Is it the power and authority or is he actually a nice guy?"

Xayella couldn't help the love-stricken smile that formed, though she did manage to suppress a dreamy sigh. "He's not the jerk you think he is, J.R. All he wants is to be an explorer. He doesn't care for all the bureaucracy or pushing his weight around like some other captains live for. He just wants to search the universe for things that pique his curiousity." She grinned and added, "And he wants to do it, preferably, with me by his side."

J.R. shook his head and rolled his eyes. "Everyone is in love...I think it's something in the air. Oh well, let me say I am happy for you, though I do wonder what would have happened had we not run into the captain that night."

Xayella grinned knowingly as she idly stirred her drink with its straw. "I think you know what would've happened if he hadn't shown up. Don't you dare be coy with me, Steele. But I'm sure that night wasn't such a loss. You've got all sorts of women lined up, haven't you?"

"Oh sure...yeah lots. Thanks to a vengeful crew member, a simple mistake is going to haunt me as long as I am on the Sulu," he said with a hint of anger. "It's funny because the very thing she is mad about is what she herself is doing."

Xayella chuckled. "Is this some woman you dropped whose out to sabotage your relationships now?"

J.R. smiled, "If that were the case, I could see her reasoning. Nope, this is someone totally independently making my life a living hell."

Pulling her lips away from the straw, Xayella frowned. "What'd you do anyway? It can't have been that bad, because I haven't heard anything about it, and we all know how quickly particularly intriguing rumours spread on board that ship."

J.R. seemed surprised by her revelation, but shrugged as he replied, "Well, it kind of stems from what happened after you and I parted that night. I admit my somber mood led me to make a foolish statement of wager to my roommate at the time. Perhaps at the time I honestly wanted to go through with it, but then I met someone who made me realize how stupid I was. I told her of the bet before she heard from the wrong person, and she ended up hating me for it. Serves me right I guess."

"No, it doesn't," Xayella told him firmly. "You made a mistake; I've made hundreds in my life and look where I am now. I'm...happy. If you want to be too, and you really do like this girl, you've got to do something and fast. Who knows? Maybe I can help."

"I wonder how. She hates me. I have no way to make her see that I am sorry for what I did. She doesn't even want to talk to me."

Xayella chewed her lower lip pensively, then shot Steele her most radiant smile. "Why not invite her for dinner at some romantic, secluded location? What woman wouldn't like that?"

"She won't return my messages. She's making it pretty clear what her answer would be," he said with a frown.

Xayella sighed. "Dammit, Steele, don't be such a coward. Show her that charming, dashing character you showed me that first day we met, and she'll have no choice but to accept your offer. If she was hurt by what you did, it means she obviously likes you. Make her give you another chance."

"I never thought of it that way. Maybe you are right, Xayella. Maybe she will give me another chance some time soon."

"So...you gonna do it then?" She fixed a stern gaze on him and gently nudged his knee with her hand. "Come on, Steele; don't be a coward. Do this."

"I just need to set up a few things down here but, yeah, I think I'll give it a try."

"Good." She took another long sip of her drink, then patted J.R.'s knee and hopped out of her chair. "So, gonna stay here and brood all night, or are you gonna escort me home so I don't get accosted by those dancing fiends?"

J.R. winked. "The last time I did that, you ended up in the brig. Sure you want me to do this?"

"Well...that all depends on how much you've had to drink," she replied. "But, if you think you won't be able to control yourself, then it's quite alright, J.R. I think I can manage on my own."

"I am just a little curious about something. Do you often wonder what may have happened if you and I had finished our evening that night?"

Xayella chuckled and leaned in towards Steele. "We would have had an intense night of sex, a few flings here and there, and nothing more. Wasn't that the point?"

J.R. flashed a smile. "I was hoping you didn't have any stronger feelings otherwise my future relationship may have been hindered somewhat."

"Dear Steele," Xay drawled, "do you really think I would stand in the way of true love?" She winked at him and with a toss of her hair, she started for the exit. "Coming?" she called back to him.

J.R. quickly joined her side and the two officers left the café.

***

Once again, the night air filled with Xayella's melodious laughter and she leaned heavily against J.R as the two made their way up the path towards the cottage. "You really did that?" she asked. "I really don't know if I would've gone for that, but she enjoyed herself?"

J.R. laughed as he continued with his story. "Until her boyfriend came home. There I was...trying to get out of her house without my clothes. Needless to say I caught the eyes of a few passers-by."

Xayella shrieked with laughter and pressed her tearful eyes into his shoulder. She sighed heavily, though small bursts of laughter still escaped, and looked up in time to avoid missing the gate leading to the "love nest." "We're here already?" she complained. "I want to hear more embarrassing anecdotes. I bet you've got a lot of those," she teased.

J.R. nodded his head. "Let's just say that wasn't the first time I had climbed down a tree in my birthday suit."

"You'll have to tell me more sometime," she said, stopping before the gate and turning to face Steele. "Well...if you want, of course."

J.R. grinned as he replied, "I'd like that, but perhaps I should be going, as I don't want to waste another moment putting these plans into effect."

"Well...you do have a lot of work to do to get that girl back." She smiled at him, and a moment of awkward silence ensued, which she broke with a gentle laugh and an embrace. "Good luck, Steele."

The sound of booted feet approaching from down the street got louder, and quickly resolved into the form of Matt Salinger. He took a look at the two people embracing in front of the small beach house he was sharing with Xay, and frowned. He slowed his pace as he approached, not wanting to barge into the middle of whatever was happening. He'd let them sort it out and he'd talk to Xay later if there was anything to talk about.

Xayella eased out of Steele's hold as her eyes caught Matt's. She shifted her gaze to J.R. and said with a tight smile, "I think you should go now."

J.R. nodded acknowledgement to Captain Salinger. "Evening, Sir. I saw Ms. Tagliesh alone in a Risan bar and noticed that several of the locals were eyeing her up. I thought it best if I escorted her home so that no harm would come to her."

"Thank you," Matt said to J.R., then looked with a questioning eye to Xay. "Everything alright?"

Xayella nodded her head, then prompted, "Well...I guess I'll see you later. And tell me how things turn out with that girl, okay?"

J.R.'s head nodded as he turned towards Salinger. "Is there anything else I can do tonight, Captain?"

Matt glanced from Steele to Xay and back again. "Enjoy your shore leave would be my suggestion. Other than that, you're on Risa. The sky, as they say, is the limit."

J.R. took a step backwards, looked towards Xayella with a nod, then turned and made his leave.

Matt watched him go, then turned to Xay. "Things are a mess," he said, once they were alone.

She nodded slowly, then smiled wryly. "And you didn't really need that, did you?"

"Need what? To see you with him? I trust you, Xayella. I don't think the guy is the most decent human being ever, but I know that you wouldn't do anything inappropriate with him."

"Okay," she said quietly. "You just...didn't seem too happy there for a second. I'm sorry."

"It's alright," Matt answered. "I was just a little surprised. That's all. I didn't really expect to see the two of you together again. It's more that there's bad blood between me and Steele."

"So I heard," she replied, finally stepping forward to embrace him. "Did you really drag him into your office and chew him out? Oh, I'm so flattered!"

Matt laughed and shook his head as they started inside. "I actually took him in there for a couple talks. He wasn't happy either time, and gave the impression that since it was his own time he could do whatever he wanted."

"What was he doing anyway?" she asked. "If you can tell me, that is."

"Because I interfered in the fun he wanted to have in the turbolift, he and Dwayne Sanchez made a bet that Steele would sleep with all the female junior officers on the ship."

"Ah." She nodded slowly. "So that's the big wager he was talking to me about. It's no wonder that woman doesn't want to have dealings with him anymore. And sorry again for the turbolift thing. Won't happen again...not with him, at least."

Matt grinned as they slipped inside their love nest. "Oh, I've been wondering what it must be like with you, alone in a turbolift."

"Alone in a cottage isn't enough for you?" she retorted. She grinned slyly and added, "It will be soon enough. And then I'll make you forget all about your rough evening."

"Oh, anywhere is enough for me, as long as you're there with me." He took her hand and brought it to his lips. "Come, let me tell you about our latest crisis."

"I think, to make it easy on you, we should probably do it in the shower." Walking ahead of him, Xayella pulled Matt along behind her and led him towards the suite bathroom they shared.

"Oh, the shower," Matt said. "I think that's the perfect place for...well, for us to be us." With that, they slipped down the hall of their little temporary home, though they managed to actually say very little once the shower started. They would muse later on in the evening, as they lay in bed, how it was funny how little talking they managed while in the shower together.

---

"Arrival"
Lieutenant Saavar - Science Officer
Ensign Mason Farrell - Operations Officer

Location: Shuttlebay; Lounge, USS Sulu
Stardate 57907.05, 20h00

***

The shuttle bay was busy. The duty Engineers were stripping equipment for a maintenance cycle brought on by the shore leave. The USS Finlay was being examined by a crewman engineer even as Saavar walked toward the Operations Officer that had arrived in the bay to greet him. He noted that the Human was tall and stocky - blue eyes and a lopsided smile that was welcoming and friendly. Saavar stopped before him and gave his own smile. "Lieutenant Saavar," he said. "Reporting for duty in the Science Department."

"Welcome aboard, Lieutenant, sir," drawled the Human. His words sounded lazy, the syllables flowing slightly into each other. It struck Saavar as reminiscent of an accent from Earth's North American continent. "Ensign Farrell, Operations. Shall I show you to your quarters?"

"Indeed, Ensign." Saavar motioned back at the Runabout. "I have a small amount of personal effects that will require transport to my quarters."

Farrell nodded and tapped his comm-badge. "Farrell to Viraj." A moment later the voice of the quiet Deltan in transporter room one responded. Farrell continued, "Ensign Viraj, please see that Lieutenant Saavar's things are transported from the Finlay to his quarters."

The Deltan responded with, "Right away," and Farrell looked back to Saavar with a smile. "This way, sir."

"Thank you, Ensign Farrell." Saavar shouldered his Starfleet tote bag and fell into step with the cheerful Operations Officer as they exited the shuttle bay. As they walked Saavar said, "I am pleased to gain this assignment. I anticipated being met by the Chief Science Officer upon my arrival." He looked questioningly at the young man.

Farrell appeared to have anticipated the question. "Lieutenant Tagliesh is currently planetside, enjoying some shore leave. We're on a skeleton crew, what with being in orbit over Risa. Most everyone's down below." He hesitated for moment and glanced momentarily at the Vulcan with a wry smirk. "Venting some emotion."

Saavar nodded. The Vulcan did not feel the need to comment upon the Human propensity for 'venting emotion.' "Then I will get settled and see Lieutenant Tagliesh when she returns to the Sulu. Here is a copy of my transfer orders." He handed the Ensign a padd. Farrell glanced briefly at it and tucked it under his arm. "I am unfamiliar with the Intrepid Class design, Ensign. I would appreciate a minor tour of the crew meeting spaces - mess hall and such."

"Absolutely, sir. Did you want to put that bag down first, or shall I take you to the lounge right away?"

"Perhaps my quarters would be an appropriate place to commence, Ensign. We can continue on to the lounge as I am rather hungry and would appreciate a meal. If your duty allows, perhaps you would be kind enough to brief me on the Sulu's current status while I dine?" Saavar asked.

"Absolutely, sir."

The two officers made their way to the officer's quarters where Saavar left his personal luggage and with only a cursory examination left to visit the crew lounge. They entered during an obvious quiet time. The evening meals had been served during shift change and only quiet after dinner conversation, or those who would wind down from a shift at the bar were present. The lighting was subdued which was to the Vulcan's liking. They chose a small table by a view port and Saavar ordered a vegetarian meal. Farrell ordered a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a shot of espresso.

When they were settled Saavar said, "The crew seem relaxed, Ensign. Have you been down to Risa yet?"

Farrell laughed. "Oh, yes. I spent two weeks of shore leave there prior to the Sulu's arrival. It's quite a planet, even if you're not into the carnal aspect."

Saavar nodded. "Yes, I have visited the planet. It was interesting," was all he would say about his brief experiment with the jamaharon. "There are places of solitude to be found if that is your choice." The Vulcan tasted the dish set before him. It was bland - replicated food never quite tasted as the real article should. "If I understand correctly, Ensign Farrell, you are also new to the Sulu?"

"I got on board yesterday," Farrell nodded.

"Ahh," Saavar smiled. "Then there is little you could tell me in regard to the captain and the way he runs his ship, or the general status of the crew of the Sulu." He nodded to himself and uncharacteristically for a Vulcan he shrugged. "Then it is well met, Ensign. Perhaps we will find companionship as new crewmates together. I know no one - and one can never have too many friends."

"I'm sorry I can't tell you more." Farrell gestured in surrender.

"Tell me about yourself, Ensign." He gestured with his fork and added, "You have an interesting accent. North American if I am correct?"

Farrell nodded as he swallowed a spoonful of ice cream. "That's right. North America. The Republic of Texas, to be exact. It's a stubborn accent, too," he smiled. "It's been eight years since I've been home, and it still creeps in on me."

"One's early formative years are significant in lingual terms. Patterns of speech are established for adulthood and it will be difficult to unlearn unless you strive to do so. It does serve to establish a part of your personality." Saavar noted the ensign's length of time away. "You have no family, Ensign?" Saavar asked.

"I don't. You?"

Saavar nodded. The abrupt answer and deflection served to warn the scientist that the man did not wish to discuss the matter. He left it at that. Vulcans understood matters of privacy. "I have a wife and son," the Vulcan replied. "My son is six. He is commencing training for adulthood."

"When I was six, I was commencing training for being a troublemaker," Farrell chuckled. "How does your wife feel about you being away?"

Saavar thought a moment about his response. Being a Vulcan, T'Sirra would not 'feel' anything about her husband being away, but the Ensign's question related more to the aspect of separation and its effects upon their relationship. "My wife, T'Sirra, is understanding," he said. "I have a duty to perform in Starfleet and she has her duty to our son and to her own learning. Vulcan relationships are often not the same as Human. We are bonded from early childhood and retain that bond regardless of distance. We do not have an emotional need for physical proximity, and our minds are not preoccupied by matters of sexual reproduction. All that being considered, I do miss her."

Farrell smiled at Saavar's opinion of non-Vulcan relationships, but was intrigued by the totality of his opinion. "Does this bond you speak of help when you miss her? Is this bond a psychic one in some way?"

"Yes," he answered after a moment of reflection. "We are blood bonded and the mental bond of joining together in this way remains. We are able to 'feel' each other's presence. It does provide some comfort while we are apart." Saavar would not go farther into the bond between husband and wife, for that would be to discuss the Ponn Farr - or Blood Fever that came upon Vulcan males every seventh year. His wife would respond to his mental contact so that they would call to each other when it was time. Thus a Vulcan mated pair would come together to mate. Ponn Farr was known to Humans, however to every Vulcan it was an issue of utmost privacy that was never fully discussed even amongst themselves. Saavar would encounter his fourth Ponn Farr some time within the next year and he would seek leave to journey to Vulcan before it fully manifested.

"What brought you into Starfleet?" Saavar asked, changing the subject.

"The advice of my elders," Farrell answered after a moment. "My family lived on a ranch, and I started helping out when I was very young. My grandfather told me I was too smart to raise cattle forever, and encouraged me to join Starfleet. I took his advice, though his opinion of my smarts may or may not be true. I was a pretty good task manager on the ranch, and ops has proved itself to be pretty similar."

"I have a desire to explore," Saavar revealed. "Encountering the unknown, discovering new species - Starfleet is the only method of fulfilling that desire and at the same time contributing to something larger than oneself." Saavar smiled. "My specialty is communication with a secondary specialty in medical." He finished the meal and dabbed at his mouth with a napkin. "The only draw-back to Starfleet is the food," he commented. "I prefer something a little spicier."

"You and me both." Farrell ate some more ice cream. "Funny you should mention spice. I met a chef on Risa just the other day who can cook spicy food like a master. I'd like to get him on board somehow, but the 'how' remains to be seen."

Saavar smiled. "That should be no real problem," he said. "If the chef desires to come aboard and there is no difficulty with the Risan authorities, then the decision rests with the captain. There is ample precedent for civilians serving aboard starships." Saavar motioned toward the bar. Stencil the Bolian was cleaning glasses and chatting with a crewman. The Bolian's absence of a Starfleet uniform indicated that he was a civilian. "There are many civilian scientists and specialists of one field or another serving in the fleet. For a decent chef, I would be willing to support your application with the captain - although as a new crew member I do not have any leverage. Perhaps you might gauge the captain's response by talking with the XO?"

Farrell gave a wan smile. "The XO doesn't like me," he said, "which poses problems of its own. What it comes down to, though, is that I know what he can do, and I'd love to see him come aboard. Problem is, I'm new onboard, too, which means I've got no pull to suggest that sort of thing. I was thinking of setting up a dinner at some point for the senior staff. I don't know." He finished his ice cream.

Saavar considered the problem and nodded. "That would seem an ideal introduction. However, you would still need to bring the chef aboard - unless you plan to accomplish this feat on Risa? Why do you think the XO does not like you? You have hardly been aboard the Sulu longer than I - and you have presented yourself as a friendly out-going individual toward me. I see nothing that would be 'unlikeable', Ensign." He settled back in his seat and said, "Perhaps organising a dinner party on Risa with an invitation to all would alleviate the problems associated with inviting senior officers specifically. If there is a wide-spread acceptance of the chef's skills, then a petition could be brought to the captain with greater support. Thus you would not be seen as the instigator of the petition. The question remains - does the chef wish to serve aboard a Starfleet vessel?" Saavar asked.

"He does," Farrell nodded. "He's just nervous about how Starfleet officers might act toward him as a civilian. Maybe it comes from being Risan. Everybody who comes to Risa takes what they please with little or no permission; the place actively encourages it. He wants to be a chef, not a slave. But he'll be alright."

"There is a great difference between being on Risa with Risans catering to every whim, and being on a starship. Our officers know the difference. I have no doubt that he will be treated with the respect that he deserves while aboard the Sulu."

Saavar gestured to the bartender and said, "Perhaps you may discuss the matter with the Bolian - he may be able to assist in your cause. He may desire a chef aboard to compliment his service here?"

"I imagine."

"If you require assistance with your 'project' Ensign, I will be happy to comply - should duty not interfere. I am yet to discern which shift I will be on, or what my duties will be." The Vulcan looked at his chronometer and said, "Forgive me, Ensign, you are still on duty - and I am remiss in that consideration. Perhaps I have taken enough of your time this evening. The tour can wait until tomorrow. I have kept you far too long."

"Not at all." Farrell waved off Saavar's apology with a smile. "This being Risa, there's nothing going on. Welcome aboard, sir."

"I thank you for your warm welcome." Saavar stood and nodded. "I can find my own way back to quarters. I will commence duty on Alpha shift. If there is anything I can help with - please contact me." With a curt nod, Saavar made his way out of the lounge.

"Good night, sir," said Farrell, standing to bid farewell to the Lieutenant. He tidied up the dishes, deposited them on the bar for Stencil to deal with, and headed back to the bridge.

---

"Conferring"
By: Captain Matthew Salinger
Lt. Sam
Commander Lyrr Tayla
Lt. Jorell Thalan

Location: Conference Room, USS Sulu
Stardate 57907.05, 20h15

***

After giving Ensign McKenzie the bridge, Lyrr hurried to match Matt's urgent pace as he strode towards the conference room. She noticed the lines of tension around his eyes and the furrow in his brow; considering what he'd told her regarding their Ensign Collins, and Ambassador Dalil's murder, his obvious stress was understandable. Her horrible day wasn't looking like such an ordeal now.

When they entered the conference room, Lt. Sam was already waiting, and rose from his seat when Matt appeared. Lt. Thalan, too, was present. Lyrr took her usual place to Matt's right, and when all were seated, their complete attention was focused on Matt.

"I believe you've all been apprised of the situation, but I'll go over it again briefly so we're all on the same page. Ambassador Dalil V'ril, a Ktarian, was on Risa working with an alien culture petitioning for membership within the United Federations of Planets. On stardate 57907.03, he was murdered in his hotel room. Risan authorities have arrested Ensign Andrea Collins, who was scheduled to join the Sulu upon our arrival. She was witnessed leaving his hotel room shortly before the chief physician's projected time of death. The Risan's have turned over the matter to the Ktarians; and I'm still waiting to hear back from Vice Minister Toril Z'rol on a petition to investigate this matter. I don't know if Ensign Collins is guilty or innocent, but I at least want the matter investigated. The Risans are happy to have the matter out of their affairs, and the Ktarians want someone to blame.

"You have the available data on Ensign Collins, and as you can see it doesn't paint her in a very pleasant light. I don't know what we'll find in the end, but I at least want the truth. If she did it, she'll serve her time; if she didn't, I'll do everything I can to find the real killer. I want the truth, and I want it as quickly as possible. The Ktarians are a passionate people, and I don't anticipate them waiting long for us to dig up clues. Any questions?"

Lyrr looked between the three around the table, then regarded Matt. "I have one: Have you informed Starfleet Command of this matter yet? I imagine this is something that is imperative they know of."

"As soon as I came aboard, I contacted Admiral Kenyon's office. He was touring the USS Ticonderoga, but was expected back within the hour. Captain Simms indicated he'd put me on priority with the admiral, and we should hear back from him the moment he returns."

"Are the Ktarians allowing us access to the Ambassador's remains for examination? And what of his quarters on Risa? Both are key pieces if we wish to learn the truth on this matter," Lt. Thalan asked after the Captain answered Lyrr's question. "I'll assume you will want me to lead the investigation, Sir?"

"Yes," Matt answered. "I'll want you and a small team to handle the investigation. I'm still waiting to hear back from the Ktarians, but I expect an answer before evening. I am hoping they will allow Dr. O'Shea or Dr. M'lira to examine the body. We'll need access to the room, and I'll do what I can to ensure that you get that. Once we have an okay from the Ktarians, I'll make sure Dojit Terise allows us access to his hotel room, as well as access to the witness for questioning."

"Are either the Risans or the members of the Ktarian delegation aware of Ensign Collin's...past misdeeds, shall we say?" Lyrr asked, not going into much detail in accordance with the classified status of Collins' record.

Matt couldn't help sighing. "They haven't been able to access the restricted parts of her file," he answered. "That is, unless someone there has high-level security clearance. However, I'm certain that the portions of her file that are available were flagged as soon as she became a suspect. For the time being, we will have to assume that those involved are aware of Ensign Collins' history."

"Which means," Lyrr added, "that it is going to take some solid evidence to have her acquitted...if she is innocent, of course."

"Pardon me, Commander, but Ensign Collins is merely a suspect, on a mere report of witness at the moment. Someone I will wish to question as soon as possible. The Ensign is presumed innocent, until there is evidence otherwise. I will find the truth in this matter, be assured of that."

"That is hopefully what Lt. Thalan's investigation will prove," Matt answered with a grave nod.

Thalan then looked to the Captain. "I would request that Ensign Collins be transported to the Sulu, and confined to quarters, Sir."

"That may be difficult," Matt said. "They've got the murder weapon, and it was found in Ensign Collins' hotel room. Forensics teams are still analyzing it, but they haven't found anything conclusive yet. You'll want to talk to Orn Tessal on the planet; I'd like science and medical to assist him if possible. One thing we need to make sure we don't do is give the impression that Starfleet is working so hard to protect one of its own, that we're willing to overlook information. Everything needs to be above-board and by the book."

"That still makes Ens. Collins a suspect. She has rights and Risa is part of the United Federation of Planets last I heard. If not her quarters, then confine the Ensign to the brig," Thalan added. "Ens. Collins is a Starfleet Officer, and until she is turned over to the Ktarians, I believe we have the duty to protect her and her rights. I would expect such for myself if I were to be arrested for any crime."

"You have to understand, Lieutenant," Lyrr interjected, "that the Risan's have different protocols when it comes to dealing with crimes. The Ktarians have jurisdiction here; they make all decisions concerning Ensign Collins. But...as Federation citizens themselves, I imagine we can persuade them to cooperate fully with us." She lifted one eyebrow at Matt and asked, "Can't we?"

"I will discuss the matter with them," Matt answered. "However, if they wish that she remain on Risa, then I will comply. I won't let her out of this system, and for now she's safe on the planet below. I have Dojit Terise's assurances of that. If you'd prefer, you may send a pair of guards down to the facility. This is Risa; I imagine the cell she's in now is a palace compared to a Starfleet brig cell."

Thalan took up a padd and started to look it over as he replied to the Captain's answer, his tone betraying that he did not agree nor liked the decision, but would follow the order nevertheless. "Yes, Sir."

He turned to the android. "Lt. Sam, perhaps your talents could check something out. Though we have yet to talk to Ens. Collins, for something like this to occur, even if she was framed, there must be some history between Ambassador Dalil V'ril and Collins. You could go through records and see if they were previously in any place at the same time, and if so if there was anything of note said about it."

Sam nodded to Thalan. "Of course, Lieutenant," he said. "I will begin searching through the public records immediately. I will keep you apprised of my progress."

"So until we gain permission from the Ktarians, we can do nothing?" Lyrr asked.

"That's correct," Matt answered. "Though, I'm hoping they'll get back to us quickly. If not, I'll have to apply a little pressure. I'll keep everyone else moving, so the rest of you can concentrate on getting to the bottom of it."

"Pardon me, Sir, but there does appear a few places where this investigation can start until we have the Ktarians' permission to proceed further." Thalan added and continued, "Can we not search Ens. Collin's hotel room? It has nothing to do with the Ktarians. There may be some clues that the Risan security people may not have discovered. We can also check on the report of the murder weapon that was found in Collins' room. And lastly, and probably most importantly, we should be able to talk to Ens. Collins herself, even if she is on Risa." He looked at the Captain in a questioning manner to see if those options were indeed open to him.

"We'll need to clear it with Risan authorities," Matt answered. "But, yes, all those should be available options. As far as speaking with Ensign Collins, I will need to talk to the Ktarians; it is our right to speak with our officer, but I don't want to barge in and upset them, thus ruining any chances we have at getting to the bottom of this."

"Will you be staying aboard then during the investigation, Captain?" Lyrr asked, attempting not to sound too eager to hand over the reins to him.

"I'll spend as much time as I can on the ship," he said. "Though, I do have some other obligations on the planet that I'll need to see to, including working with Dojit Terise's office. I'll have my communicator at all times, and I won't venture into any non-transportable zones. Any other questions? Everything's clear? Lieutenant?" He gave the Sulu's chief of security a glance.

The man shook his head from side to side. "Nothing more at this time, Captain. I will contact the Risian authorities, and start with Collin's Room, and the murder weapon."

"Both currently in the Ktarians' possession," Lyrr pointed out. "I imagine we should talk to them right away, Captain." As an afterthought, Lyrr added, "What's happening with the negotiations? I thought they were drawing to a close?"

"With the death of the ambassador, things are stalled. I'm going to contact the Farehn'ti party in the morning to find out what we can do. I'll see if I can get the Ktarians to release the murder weapon and allow us to talk with Andrea. That is, unless any of you wished to take on the role of diplomat."

"Oh, not at all," Lyrr replied hastily. "You go right ahead, Captain. Diplomacy is more your area of expertise."

Matt grinned. "Very well," he said. "I'll contact the Ktarians as soon as we get out of here. They're putting us through all this, so I'm sure they won't mind at all being interrupted after 20h00."

"Not at all," Lyrr concurred. "Besides, I thought on Risa, no one sleeps."

"I think that's everything, so let's get this over with," Matt said. "I'll contact the Ktarians and the Risans. Hopefully we'll have all the authorization we need within the hour. Dismissed everyone."

As Sam and Lt. Thalan left their seats and strode towards the door, Lyrr and Matt remained behind for a moment, just long enough for Lyrr to ask, "So...I still have the bridge then? I must say...it's been quite an eventful experience."

"I can imagine," Matt said. "If you'd like a little time to yourself, put Sam on bridge watch. I'm sure he'll be amenable. And, if you need anything else, just let me know."

"Oh, I'll be fine," she assured him. "Nothing I can't handle. Good luck with the Ktarians. Sounds like they're convinced of Collins' guilt."

"With a past like hers, I imagine it's really easy to do. She may have done it, but I won't be convinced until I have proof."

"Well, she's lucky to have you on her side then." Lyrr rose and added, "With you there, she at least has a shot."

Matt smiled. "Thank you," he said. "Time to see how influential I am. Did you want to come along?"

Lyrr paused and smiled quizzically at Matt. "You really want me to help you in a diplomatic negotiation? I always thought you considered me undiplomatic."

Matt grinned and then laughed. "You wouldn't have become a ship's executive officer if you had absolutely no diplomatic skills. Come on, let's go test your limits."

"Aye, Captain," she replied, then departed for the bridge, with Matt closely behind.

"Good," Matt said with a smile. As they headed toward the doorway that led onto the bridge, he glanced at her. "It's good to be working with you again, Commander."

Lyrr showed him a hint of a smile and replied, "It's good to be trusted again, Captain." Then, she moved off towards her chair, hoping to avoid any further uncomfortable sentimentality.

Matt settled into place, mentally preparing himself for what came next: navigating the diplomatic channels that would grant the crew of the Sulu the opportunity to investigate the murder one of their own was accused of, and hopefully, in the end, prove her innocence.

---

"Undiplomacy"
by the Farehn'ti delegation

Location: Tomorian Towers, Diplomatic Wing, Risa
Stardate 57907.05 20h17

***

"Dalil is dead," the aged man spat, pounding a fist onto the table for emphasis. "The negotiations should be terminated!"

"The Federation will find us another diplomat," was the reply. "I know that Dalil was our best hope, but I'm not ready to give up all hope. If we need to, we can petition them for a new diplomat. I'm certain they will oblige us. It is their way."

"What of our ways?" the sole woman in the room asked. "This is why there is opposition to this...joining. People fear we will lose our rights. Already we must abide by their rules, their laws. What of our customs? Do they mean nothing?"

"But Dalil assured us that we wouldn't. We will still be us, but we will also be part of a larger whole. We won't lose our identity. Do you remember what he told us of Bajor. They had those same fears, but that isn't a concern with the Federation. We will be part of a larger whole, not consumed by it."

The slender, innocuous-looking leader of the Ryuck faction raised a trembling hand to indicate his intention to speak, then stammered, "Dalil trusted the F-Federation. We trusted h-him. Would the next logical step not be for us to trust the...the Federation as well?"

"A very good point. We trusted Dalil, and these people are Dalil's people. We should trust them as well."

"Flawed reasoning," the leader of the Opai faction sneered. "Have you no ability for independent thought?"

His associate, the middle-aged man again, chuckled. "It is true. Dalil was a fool anyway. That young woman who murdered him did us all a favour!"

"I cannot believe I'm hearing this. We all agreed that without Federation membership, our people would not survive this century. Dalil was a hope for our future, but that hope is not entirely diminished. The Federation will send another, and they will help us."

"How can you place your hope on them this way? They just murdered one of their own. And we wish to be part of this?"

"W-We require this," the bookish Ryuck representative spoke up. "It shall be our planet's salvation."

"I agree that this union would be beneficial to our people," the Opai's head official replied. "However, do we wish to side with such an obviously temperamental, violent people? Is there not enough war on our planet as it is?"

"If they truly knew, then I doubt we would have even gotten this far," one of those at the end of the table muttered. "We play with our own fates in this, and we're likely to lose. Can we afford that?"

"Our planet is falling into chaos," the staid-looking female commented. "Whatever the cost of joining the Federation, it is not so high that we should risk losing the last chance we have to save our world."

"We cannot afford to do nothing. Our people need us to help them, to save them. This is necessary. This is needed, and anyone who says otherwise does not have the future of Farehn at heart. We just continue with our petition to join the Federation. It is our only option."

"You talk as if our people are helpless," the oldest of the group said with clear disgust. "They are not helpless enough to kill one another, to tear our planet in two!"

"They are simply misguided," the soft-spoken Ryuck man replied tremulously. "We need t-to lead them back to the path of righteousness. The Federation can help us."

"The Federation can help us rebuild. To provide for those who have been without for so long. We need the Federation now more than ever. We must urge the Federation to continue with our petition."

"We have always helped ourselves, but now you expect us to go to this coalition of planets for handouts? You wish them to toss us the scraps as you would your pet helimph?"

"Oh, don't be so melodramatic," the woman drawled.

"And don't be so naive," the older man spat.

"Naive?" She pushed her chair back and rose abruptly. "How dare you!"

"P-Please," stammered the ineffectual Ryuck diplomat, but his plea was easily drowned out by the shouting match that quickly erupted.

As the argument raged on, getting louder as it went, several in the room exchanged tired looks. This sort of arguing would be their undoing. It was impossible to tell if even a new Federation diplomat would make a difference. One thing was clearly for certain, whoever it was had an arduous task ahead of them.

---

"To Begin An Investigation"
By: Lt. Jorell Thalan
Lt. (J.G.) Arthas Hex
Ensign Blake Corrigan [NPC]
Ensign Ethan Storm
Ensign Saris
Ensign Taylor Bennett
Ensign Jermaine Gordo
CWO Kur'Oh [NPC+]
Ensign Andrea Collins [NPC+]

Location: USS Sulu, Security Office
Stardate: 57907.05 20h33

***

Lieutenant Thalan walked out of the conference room before Capt. Salinger, Cmdr. Lyrr, and Lt. Sam entering the turbolift as he did. "Security Office."

As the turbolift started down he tapped his combadge. "Computer, contact all the 'officers' of the security department and have them report to the Security Office immediately. Also include Chief Petty Officer Jance in that request."

The computer chimed, "Processing request."

Tapping his combadge again he spoke, "Chief Kur'Oh, report please."

There was only a moment pause as Kur'Oh answered, having just started his shift, "What can I do for you, Lieutenant?"

"I have a job for you, Chief, meet me in Security and wait around after I have briefed the officers," Thalan replied.

"I'm there already, Jorell." And then the man paused as the doors to the security office could be heard opening before he continued, "So is Mr. Brayden."

"Expect a few others, Kur'Oh. I'm on my way."

"Aye aye, Sir," Kur'Oh replied as the channel then closed.

The turbolift stopped at the appropriate deck and Thalan walked out and headed towards the Security Office. Walking in he could see CPO Brayden and Kur'Oh and nodded to both. "I'll be right back, I need to contact the Security Forces on Risa. Chief," he said, looking at Kur'Oh, "call me when everyone's here."

And with that he moved into his office, sitting down, opening a com signal to Risa

***

Andrea sat on the bunk in her cell. She hated being the one accused, but hey, it seemed to be obvious to her, and obviously to the authorities who were responsible...her.

She rested her head on her knees as she sat there. Her most intimate circumstances, her most intimate things, everything she held dear was being sorted through and pawed at by men who thought they had to because she was their prime suspect for murder. She closed her eyes to rest, and found herself falling to sleep.

***

Storm arrived in the Main Security Office and was surprised to see some of the Alpha shift already there. After his combadge had chirped, it had only taken Ethan a mere six minutes to finish his late meal, get back in a duty uniform, and make his way to Deck Six. That there were already people there off shift meant one thing: Something big.

Storm could see Lt. Thalan in his office, apparently speaking to someone over the com. Chief Jance and Chief Warrant Officer Kur'Oh were standing just outside his door, both looking worried.

"Mr. Kur'Oh. Chief," Storm said with a nod at the two men, by way of greeting. "What happened?"

***

Deputy Chief of Security, Lieutenant (J.G.) Arthas Hex was on the bridge at the tactical station during his Beta shift when the summons arrived from his superior.

Arthas quickly asked an operations officer to take over for him and headed to the turbolift.

***

Ensign Saris was enjoying lunch with her parents when the summons came across. Saris seemed surprised to be receiving orders but acknowledged and stood up. Looking at her parents apologetically, she shrugged and said, "Hopefully this won't take long. The ship is still going to be in orbit for a month, so I am sure we will still get some time together."

Her parents nodded simultaneously and her father said, "You have a job to do. Go make us proud."

With that Saris hugged both of them and stood back. Noticing her casual clothing, she decided to report first, then change later. After a quick comm call to the transporter chief she was aboard the ship and quickly made her way to the Security Office to join the rest of her crewmates.

***

The hangover in the morning would be a difficult distraction. The slightly blurred vision and loss of dexterity now would prove to be...less-than-debilitating, but a hindrance nevertheless.

Taylor Bennett stopped quickly by sickbay on her way to the security office. The Caitian doctor offered a smile and friendly word as she administered a hypospray.

As Taylor left sickbay, the effects of the alcohol she'd consumed were gone, and the morning hangover would never be. By the time she slipped into the turbolift, her characteristic grin was back. That she had to leave her party was frustrating. That she had to leave Raoul was infuriating. But, duty called, and she was obligated to respond.

She entered the security office and wasn't surprised to find that she wasn't the first to arrive. She wondered how many others would have to stop to counter the effects of the planetside revelry. She also wondered what prompted her sudden recall from shore leave. It had to be something big.

***

Everyone seemed to arrive and as it appeared everyone was assembled. Kur'Oh chimed the door to the Chief of Security. "Everyone's here, Lieutenant."

A few moments later the man emerged from his office. "Good evening folks, sorry to tear you away from whatever you were doing but a matter has come up. Ensign Andrea Collins, a security officer who was assigned to the Sulu we were to pick her up here on Risa, has been charged with murder." He let the news sink in on those present.

Arthas raised an eyebrow; she was going to be on his shift.

Though he was as taken aback as anyone, Storm was inclined to ask practical questions. "What do we know so far, sir? Who was the victim?"

"So far all we know is that Ens. Collins was seen departing from the Ktarian Ambassador's - Ambassador Dalil V'ril - quarters. The murder weapon was also found in Ens. Collin's room. I have spoken to Captain Salinger and Commander Lyrr on this matter already, and there seems a real problem with jurisdiction. The Risians have given it to the Ktarians, and until we get permission we cannot investigate the scene of the murder, the Ambassador's remains, or even talk to Ens. Collins herself." The frustration of this was evident on Thalan's face.

He then went into what he had taken care of: "I have contacted the Risian authorities, and for now we can search Ens. Colin's hotel room and will have access to the murder weapon. I have asked Lt. Sam to look into the background of Ens. Collins and Ambassador Dalil V'ril, to see if anything comes up."

He looked to his second. "Lieutenant Hex, choose who you wish for your team. I want you to go over every millimeter of Collins' room.

"Mr. Storm, you are with me. We'll see to the murder weapon," Thalan ordered, motioning to the man.

Jermaine then entered the room quickly and quietly. His hair tied behind his head swayed slightly as he looked to everyone in the room.

Hearing mention of a murder weapon he looked to ensign Corrigan with a somewhat puzzled look upon his face. "What has happened?" he asked, the look subsiding now as he was ready to listen.

Corrigan leaned over to Gordo and whispered what Thalan had briefed the officers present so far.

With a mere glance to the late Ensign hhe turned to look at Saris. "Ensign, you're in change of things up here while we're down on Risa. Corrigan will be about to assist you."

Corrigan looked a little sheepish as he stopped whispering and Thalan was looking at him and merely nodded.

Arthas followed that with, "Gordo and Bennett with me, grab yourselves tricorders. We'll transport from transporter room 2 in five minutes."

Thalan nodded once again to his second and said, "If there is nothing else you are all dismissed to your assignments."

Jermaine gathered his equipment as instructed and made his way to the transporter room. A bit eager to say the least, though by no means happy about what had happened.

"Kur'Oh and Chief Jance, please see me in my office." He then turned and moved into the office himself.

The two enlisted men followed behind and as the doors shut Thalan turned about and started, "I have a job for the two of you. I'm not sure what is happening, but for whatever reason Captain Salinger is leaving Ens Collins down on Risa. I don't like it." He stated the last part bluntly. "I have been told I can send two guards down to make sure the Ens remains safe. This is where the two of you come in. I want at least one of you present at all times to watch Ens. Collins. If anyone sees her, I want to know who."

Thalan stopped a moment and began making sure both men knew the emphasis on his last order. "No one moves Collins without mine or the Captain's okay. If anyone attempts to move her at anytime, I want to stall them as long as you can and contact me immediately."

Both nodded their understanding.

"Figure out amongst yourselves how you wish to watch Collins." And seeing both men looking at him with no questions: "You're dismissed."

***

Andrea Collins sat up with a start. She looked around and finding no one around, she stood up and began to pace again.

---

"Going Fishing"
Lieutenant Sam - Operations Manager
Ensign Mason Farrell - Operations Officer

Location: USS Sulu; Bridge
Stardate: 57907.05, 20h33

***

Ensign Farrell strode off the turbolift and took Saavar's padd out from under his arm. Something was up. Thalan got in the lift behind him wordlessly, and ordered it to the security office. Sam was staring at the ops terminal pondering something. Hamilton was nowhere to be found. Flight control was on automatic station-keeping. Ner'c was trying very hard to look busy. No one was sitting in the big chair.

The turbolift doors closed to carry Thalan away as Commander Lyrr exited the conference room with, unmistakably, the captain. Yes, something was certainly up. Lyrr moved to the command chair, and the captain moved in direct fashion to his ready room. Farrell opted not to stop him. Instead, he presented Saavar's transfer order padd to Lyrr, who accepted it wordlessly, clearly preoccupied.

Well, if something was up, it was time to figure out what. He approached Sam, whose head was cocked slightly to one side.

"Sir?"

"Hello, Ensign Farrell. It is good to see you again."

"Lieutenant Saavar is on board and stowed comfortably, sir. If I may, you look deep in thought. Anything I can help with?"

"I am uncertain in what capacity you would be able to assist me, Ensign," Sam responded. "I have been assigned to research a matter concerning a member of this crew, and am not certain if assistance is required."

"How big a research assignment is it?"

"Without further input, I am unable to ascertain the full scope of this assignment," Sam answered. "However, it regards determining the association between a member of the Sulu's crew and a civilian from Risa."

"Hmm," Farrell commiserated. "Maybe I can help you determine the scope of the search. Who are you trying to find?"

"Ensign Andrea Collins has been accused of murder, and Lieutenant Thalan has asked me to find information that creates an association between the ensign and Dalil V'ril."

"Who is Dalil V'ril?" Farrell could feel his mind engaging, but kept his face politely interested.

"He was a Ktarian diplomat," Sam answered. "Ensign Collins has been accused of murdering him."

Farrell, took a moment to digest this new piece of information. "Where and when is she alleged to have done this?"

"According to the report filed by the Risan authorities," Sam said, "the murder took place in Mr. V'ril's hotel room. A neighbour is reported to have witnessed her departing around the time of the murder."

"And we know nothing about how or when these two met?" Farrell noted out of the corner of his eye that Commander Lyrr had entered the captain's ready room.

"That is the nature of my research, or at least a portion of it. I have been given the task of deducing the relationship of these two people, including where they met and how they came to know each other."

Farrell nodded a moment before saying: "Ensign Collins' personnel file is on record in the Sulu's computer, but I don't think she's actually transferred aboard yet. Have we been processing her debits?"

"We were apprised of the situation only a short period of time ago," Sam said. "At this time, there has been little done on the investigation. However, if you wish to assist me, perhaps you could research the debiting of Ensign Collins' Starfleet account as you have suggested."

"Will do, sir." Farrell activated the computer screen next to Sam and keyed into the ship's accounting files. "I may need your authorization to look at records outside the Sulu's own."

"That will be acceptable," Sam answered as he cocked his head to the side to observe the ensign. His internal processors couldn't help noting Ensign Farrell's overzealous attitude in helping out senior officers. He was quite certain that Lieutenant Tagliesh had used a term to describe similar zealous displays of helpfulness. Processing back through the previous data, he found it: kissing ass, is what she had determined.

"Most of this looks pretty normal," Farrell murmured to himself as he scanned the records. "Here's the giftshop at her hotel. Shopping. Shopping. Bars and clubs and such. Hmm. For a week leading up to Stardate 03, she bought drinks almost nightly at a bar called the Silverslip. Where was V'ril's hotel?"

Sam reached down to the control surface and his hand became a blur of motion as he entered the appropriate data. A moment later, an inlaid map appeared with a blinking dot indicating the location of V'ril's hotel. "His hotel is at that location."

Farrell applied this new datum to his research. "That's four blocks from the Silverslip. I wonder..." He trailed off as he tapped and thought and tapped some more. "Excellent," he said at last. He turned to Sam. "Care to watch some video?"

"Considering Ensign Collins' activities with the deceased, I am not certain that watching recorded footage would be an appropriate course of action."

Farrell laughed. "No, sir, that's not what I meant. As it happens, for a small fee you can get full access to the security recordings in most any public establishment in the tourist areas. They call it the Voyeur Frequency. The archives are video only, but we may be able to spot Collins and see if and when she met V'ril."

"That will be an acceptable course of action," Sam said. "Do you believe this task will require both of our attentions, Ensign?"

Farrell thought a moment before speaking. "I don't imagine. It'll just be wading through video archives. If you'd like, I can do it and put together a briefing on what I find, if anything."

"Gather what information you can, Ensign," Sam said. "I will begin my research with Ensign Collins' recent purchases on the planet, and compare those to expenditures made by Dalil V'ril. Once we have a viable report to present to Captain Salinger, we will do so."

"Will do, sir," Farrell nodded.

---

"The Investigation"
by Lt. Jorell Thalan
Ensign Ethan Storm
Ensign Saris [NPC +]
CWO Kur'Oh [NPC+]
Dojit Terise, Director of the Risan Judicial Directorate [NPC]

Location: USS Sulu Transporter Room; Risa Security Office; Ambassador Dalil V'ril's Hotel Room
Stardate: 57907.05 20h40

***

After dismissing the security staff and his chat with Kur'Oh and Jance, Thalan quickly gathered his things and made his way to the transporter room.

When he arrived Kur'Oh was already waiting there. The half-klingon man nodded, "Sir."

With a smile Thalan added, "Don't waste any time do you?"

The man shrugged and replied, "Did I ever?"

Thalan looked at Ens. Storm take up his place on the transporter pad.

Thalan was on the move so fast that Ethan barely had time to get his equipment together. Even as Storm stepped up to the transporter pad, he was still programming his tricorder with the necessary forensic protocols.

"Sir?" Storm began, punching code. "Do we even know what the murder weapon is exactly?"

"From what I have been told the weapon is a knife of some kind."

Storm raised an eyebrow but didn't speak. A knife would have been messy for both the victim and the killer. If it were true, it should yield a wealth of evidence.

Without any more delay he looked to the transporter operator. "Risian Security please."

The crewman tapped in the coordinates and looked up as Thalan gave the order to energize. The trio dematerialized and reappeared in a small alcove.

"Shall we?" the Lieutenant stated, motioning his staff onward towards the counter down a short hallway.

"Aye, sir." Storm took off after Thalan. Kur'Oh waited for the Ensign to proceed before following after him.

At the desk Thalan identified himself and asked to be allowed to see the murder weapon.

The young man behind the counter tapped a few buttons on the computer before him and looked back up, more than a little intimidated. "Uh... Sorry, Lieutenant, but you have not been cleared to examine the murder weapon."

Thalan's right brow rose. "Oh? I contacted your superior not thirty minutes ago, I had permission then."

"Uh... Let me check, please wait here." The man scurried off towards an office in the background.

The man returned, looking a little more composed. "I'm sorry, Sir, but there seems to have been a mix up."

Thalan shook his head and stated, "Before I contact my Captain, Chief Warrant Officer Kur'Oh here--" he motioned to the burly man off to his side "--and Chief Petty Officer Jance will be watching Ensign Collins."

"That is not necessary, Lieutenant, we are able to..."

Thalan cut the man off. "I am making it necessary."

The young man looked flustered once again and replied, "All...alright, Lieutenant."

Thalan then nodded to Kur'Oh and told the young security officer, "I'll be right back."

Thalan contacted Captain Salinger and relayed the news. After a moment he returned to Storm and motioned him over to some chairs. "Looks like we are going to wait."

"Sir," Storm began, obviously in deep consideration of the matter at hand. "What is Ensign Collins' version of events? Do we even know?"

"Good question. The Ktarians will not let us speak with her," Thalan answered.

Storm exhaled audibly but his frustration didn't dissipate. "Sir, this is completely unreasonable. May I suggest that Chief Jance or Chief Kur'Oh at least make an attempt to get her side of the story if they get the opportunity? To not make the attempt seems grossly unfair, even if it would be completely unauthorized."

The man smiled as he looked on at Storm and made sure the Ensign saw it before answering, "Mr. Storm, that would not be appropriate. We must abide by the Ktarian's wishes."

Storm shared the knowing smile a moment before tapping his communicator. "Ensign Storm to Chief Warrant Officer Kur'Oh."

"Kur'Oh here, go ahead, Sir."

"Are you the only one hearing this, Chief?" Storm asked, still smiling.

"Yes, Sir, save perhaps Ensign Collins who appears to be resting."

"Lieutenant Thalan thinks it's important to stress that we do not make an attempt to go against Ktarian wishes. Specifically, we want to ensure that neither you nor Chief Jance try to get Andrea Collins alone to hear her version of events, no matter how appropriate it may seem to do just that. Is it perfectly clear, Mr. Kur'Oh?"

"Crystal, Sir," Kur'Oh responded.

Thalan nodded to Ensign Storm in agreement.

Several minutes later, the Captain contacted Thalan. "Salinger to Thalan."

Tapping his combadge: "Lieutenant Thalan here, Captain. Go ahead."

"We've got the okay from the Ktarian's to proceed with the investigation. Go ahead and get to work."

"Yes, Sir," Thalan replied. He looked to Storm. "Looks like we will be doing more than examining a murder weapon."

He tapped his combadge again. "Thalan to Saris."

The calm reply came from the commbadge. "Saris here."

"If you are up for it, we are going to need you after all. Bring Chief Jance and shuttle down to Risa. I want the murder weapon brought back to the Sulu as it is, not via a transporter where we may lose vital information. He can return it to Medical for analysis. Also before you depart, let Corrigan know he's in charge up there while down here."

"Acknowledged, sir," replied the young Risan.

"We'll wait here for you Ensign. Please be quick," the Security Chief added.

"On my way, sir. Saris out."

***

Thalan handed a small sealed container to CPO Jance and with a nod turned to look upon Saris and Storm motioning them out of the Security Office. "The ambassador's hotel is not far."

Saris nodded and began to move towards the hotel, glancing sideways at Storm as she said, "Well you seemed to want excitement and adventure. It would seem we have found some."

Storm tried his best to look all business while he continued to follow Lieutenant Thalan. "It's just part of the job. I'd rather a little excitement and adventure without the dead body or the possibility of ending someone's Starfleet career."

"That's never a good thing," Saris said, nodding in agreement.

Arriving at the hotel minutes later, Thalan made the presence of his team known to the staff and after finding out which room the Ambassador was in, proceeded there.

As they closed in on the room, there was a Risan woman there.

"I am Lt. Thalan Chief Security Officer of the Starship Sulu. I have permission to search this room."

The middle-aged woman smiled blandly and replied, "I know, Lieutenant. I am Dojit Terise, Vice Director of the Risan Judicial Directorate. You may do as you like, but I am here by request of the Ktarians to ensure everything goes...smoothly, shall we say." She spread her arms, presenting the two men flanking her. "As are they."

"We are as well, Dojit. I assure you," Storm said, still standing behind his department head. Storm had been chomping at the bit too long and hoped that Lieutenant Thalan wouldn't mind him speaking up. "We understand there was a witness to Ensign Collins' departure from the Ambassador's room. Is the witness still a guest at the hotel?"

Terise gave a cursory, disinterested glance at Storm then replied, focusing fully on Thalan, "The witness is still a guest, that is correct. If you wish to question him, we can set up an appointment appropriate for us all. However, I doubt you will get much more from him than the Ktarians did."

"Please set up the appointment Dojit Terise." He then motioned towards the hotel room. "Shall we proceed?"

"Of course." Terise gestured for her two officers to enter, but Thalan halted them.

"If we might proceed first?" Thalan asked. "And if I might have a list of who has already been in the room since the murder, so that we might eliminate those people's traces we discover."

Terise smiled in acknowledgement, though it bore no warmth. "I shall have my people do so."

Thalan then motioned for Ensign Saris and Storm. "Scan for everything. We don't know what we are looking for yet."

Saris pulled out a tricorder and adjusted it slightly before making her initial scan. Frowning at the readings, she checked them twice before announcing, "Sir, I am seeing the residue of several body fluids. There is some blood stains on the pillow and I am seeing traces of semen near the middle of the bed. It would appear that Ensign Collins was rather friendly with the victim."

"Very friendly," Storm added, confirming Saris' scans. "I'm also getting dead skin cells and hair, human and Ktarian. The skin cells show a variation in their state of decay, meaning they were shed on different days. It makes sense for the Ambassador...it was his room...but Collins? She must have been here more than once."

As his officers moved in, so did Thalan behind them and scanned away with his tricorder as he looked about the room. "Be sure to get samples to send off to the Sulu."

Storm sighed audibly when it came to taking samples and gave Saris a sidelong glance. "You said something about excitement and adventure?"

Saris smiled politely as she chided him, "We can't get all of the good assignments now can we?"

The security chief looked about at the orderly room. Nothing seemed to be out of place and he spoke aloud, "There does not appear to be a struggle..." He looked back to Terise. "Has anything been moved, put back or the like?"

"Not that I am aware of," the Dojit replied. She watched the Sulu's security team with scrutiny and with a visible frown drawing down her lips.

Moving off to the other side of the room where nothing appeared to have happened, Thalan's tricorder beeped away and he stopped. With a determined look he tapped away at the small machine and waved it about the area. "Strange." He looked back at Terise. "Did you or the Ktarians find this energy reading when you went though the room?"

The Risan woman shrugged. "We did, however we felt it was nothing significant."

Storm walked over, his own tricorder humming as he studied the energy reading. "Do Risan hotel rooms typically have their own random residual energy patterns, Dojit?"

"Not that we've previously encountered," she replied. "My associates with the Directorate postulated that it might simply be the fields produced by our weather control system interfering with the equipment. Is that not a safe assumption, Ensign?"

Thalan turned to look at the Risian. "Pardon me, Dojit Terise, but in an investigation never 'assume.' "

"As far as we are concerned, and the Ktarians," Terise countered, "there really is nothing to investigate. Hence, any assumption is valid." She gestured vaguely around the room and gave Thalan an unpleasant smile. "But, if you feel you must explore further, be my guest. All that is ours is yours, after all." And with a bow of her head, Terise moved off across the room.

"It would seem that the famous Risan open mind doesn't extend to everything," Storm said softly as he watched Terise walk away.

Saris shot him a dirty look. "And just what is that supposed to mean, Storm?"

Storm looked to the scowling Risan officer. "It simply means," he began, keeping his tone low but unable to prevent a slight sneer from crawling onto his face, "that your people are fantastic free thinkers when it comes to naked hopscotch or dreaming up jamaharon but they are completely out of their element conducting this investigation. If it were up to Dojit Terise, Collins would already be on a prison ship heading to Ktaria VII."

Saris fought off the visible anger on her face at the somewhat racist remark and replied in a casual tone, "I can assure you that the Risan Government is doing all they can in this matter, and I will assume you've never really spent much time around Risans or else you wouldn't have made such a stereotypical comment about my people."

"I don't understand you, Saris," Storm said, warming to the argument. "You're a competent, professional Starfleet officer who managed to walk all the way here past several little wooden statues without losing all sight of your priorities. If any of us would be offended by the Dojit's attitude, I would hope it would be yo--"

"Ensigns! Enough the both of you," Thalan stated as he sternly looked at both officers and then continued, "We are running an investigation here, perhaps you can both focus on that and have your 'discussion' on your own time."

At Thalan's interruption, both junior officers fell silent but continued to eye one another warily. Finally, Saris took a step closer to Storm and spoke with a firm, even voice. "Don't ever say such remarks in my presence again. I thought Starfleet officers were taught to be more respectful of other cultures but I can see they missed the mark with you." With that she walked away from him.

"I don't recognize the energy pattern, sir," Storm said as he watched Saris walk away. "Something could have been transported from this spot or something could have been disintegrated or it could be exactly what Dojit Terise thinks. I'm storing the wave amplitude...maybe someone in Science can make heads or tails of it."

"Lt. Hex to Lt. Thalan. We've found some blood down here, sir. Also a strange energy signature. At the current time, all we know is that some 'energy' is in the kitchen."

Thalan tapped his own combadge. "Understood, Mr. Hex. When you are done there, we need compare notes."

"Aye, sir," Arthas said. "We'll perform a thorough search of the apartment now and I'll ask for a science officer to come down to analyze the blood and that energy signature."

"Be sure to take samples. We'll see you back on the Sulu. Thalan out."

He then looked to the Dojit and the two security officers. "Let's finish up here, shall we?"

With his samples collected and those words, Storm snapped his tricorder shut and moved closer to speak conspiratorially with Lt. Thalan. "Sir, may I ask permission to conduct the interview with the witness? I'd like to do it immediately, before the guest checks out of the hotel."

Lt. Thalan looked to Ensign for a moment considering the request and nodded. "Very well, Ensign. I'll inform Dojit Terise. Be sure to record the interview."

"Lieutenant." The Dojit herself came forward, dismissing Ensign Storm completely and directly facing Lt. Thalan. "Is your investigation quite done? I'm afraid I must depart, but I would feel better doing so if I was certain you and your officers had all you needed here."

"Yes, I believe so. If there is anything else I will be sure to contact you," Thalan answered. He then motioned for his officers to depart from the room, and followed them out adding, "Thank you for your time, Dojit Terise."

Following Saris, Storm paused at the doorway before turning back to Terise and Thalan. "There is the matter of the witness, Dojit. I think it would be prudent to conduct the interview tonight. I don't want the guest leaving the hotel while we wait for an appointment."

"If I were you, Ensign, and I obviously am not," she said with a note of distaste in her expression, "I would wait until tomorrow morning to conduct the interview. Mr. Thrivar is an ornery character and he will most likely prove stubborn if you disturb him at such a late hour. Come by the Governmental Arcology tomorrow morning and we will have him waiting for you to be interviewed. Is that acceptable?"

"Completely acceptable," Storm affirmed with a glance to Thalan. "Shall we say 1100?"

"That is an appropriate time, Ensign. Everything will be in order once you arrive." Terise inclined her head, then gestured pointedly to the door. "Until tomorrow morning then."

---

"Investigation: The Search of the Room"
by Lieutenant JG Arthas Hex - Deputy Chief of Security
Ensign Taylor Bennett - Security Officer
Ensign Gordo - Secruity Officer [NPC+]

Stardate: Stardate: 57907.05 20h40
Location: Transporter Room 2, USS Sulu; Ensign Collins' Hotel Room, Risa

***

Lieutenant Arthas Hex stood in Transporter Room 2, awaiting the pair of ensigns he had requested to be on his team. He had picked two of the remaining security officers. He had worked with Gordo for a while now but he had worked little with Taylor Bennett. He guessed now was as good a time as any.

Now remember Arthas, be in command of your unit. Make sure that they know what their specific jobs are and you'll get the best out of them, one of Hex's previous hosts, Gredala, said - she spoke from experience as she had also served as a security officer.

I agree, Arthas. Make sure they know their tasks and you'll be fine. This time it was Craz.

Thanks a lot you two. I'd appreciate it if you see something that I miss, Arthas replied, thinking it to his symbiont.

Of course, the two replied almost simultaneously.

Back in uniform again, Taylor Bennett entered the transporter room, ready to get to work. It was depressing that her shore leave had been cut short, but when emergencies happened, it was time to put the fun aside.

She accepted her tricorder from the transporter chief. The man's Irish brogue was cute, and his flirtations amusing, but there was work to be done. She knew it was all harmless fun, and when she'd had the time, she returned the attention he gave her, knowing it would only lead to a pint in the lounge later on. But, tonight, there was no levity. She didn't feel like laughing, and from the look in his, and everyone else's eyes, neither did they.

She glanced to Arthas Hex, the team leader, and nodded. "Sir."

Gordo entered not long afterwards and curtly nodded to both of his fellow officers.

"Let's move people," Arthas said, indicating the transporter pad.

The three yellow-shirted officers stepped onto the transporter pad of transporter room 2. Arthas nodded to the transporter operator.

"Energising," the man said while tapping the console.

***Andrea Collins' Room, Risa***

After gaining the key from reception, the trio of officers stepped into the murder scene. It was evening outside, making the hotel room seem dark and gloomy. Whether it was Arthas' imagination or not, he did not know.

"Gordo, search the main room; Bennett, take the kitchen; I'll try the bathroom. Look for anything such as blood, anomalous scans, weapons that sort of thing," Arthas ordered as the three parted.

Arthas headed into the bedroom and looked over the unmade bed. It was darker in here as the blinds were closed. Arthas looked around for a control panel or lightswitch and eventually found that it was on the bedside table. Pressing the switch the room was instantly lighted.

He looked over the room and instantly saw the a stain on the carpet.

Kneeling down he scanned it closely with his tricorder, it was as he thought.

It was blood.

And there were traces of it leading him to the bathroom. There was still plasma residue lining the inside of the sink, detectable by his tricorder, and along with the dried blood splattered upon the tiled floor, faucet, and outer surface of the sink, it was easy to surmise that Ensign Collins had attempted to conceal her crime by washing the weapon clean. Considering the mess she'd left behind, it was obvious she wasn't in the most rational state of mind at the time. He wasn't a forensic psychologist, but the visual evidence was beginning to support the Risans' reports indicating Collins had murdered him during a lover's quarrel. At the least, they might be able to get her charge reduced to manslaughter...

***Kitchen***

Taylor stepped through the arch of the small kitchen area of the hotel room. Her tricorder continued to warble as it advanced through a series of forensics scans. She had always been fascinated by the ancient Terran method of crime solving, but the human investigators always took nearly one hundred twenty percent longer than a Vulcan would have. It mainly came from the humans' seeming inability to apply the same sort of flawless logic that came naturally to a Vulcan.

A low tone sounded from her tricorder and she glanced at the small display. "Intriguing," she whispered, raising an eyebrow in typical Vulcan fashion. The smile that curled her lips, however, was quite un-Vulcan. She tucked a lock of blonde hair behind one pointed ear and started forward, cataloging the anomalous reading she'd found. It was in a frequency band she had never seen before, and the pattern was unlike any known to the tricorder's database. She only hoped that the scans she was receiving would be accurate. Energy, she mused. An anomalous energy reading was definitely a clue. Her smile widened and she glanced back toward the doorway. Lieutenant Hex would be pleased with her readings.

***Main Room***

Jermaine opened his tricorder and started a slow pass through the main room. Concentrating on the readings he also allowed his eyes to look about the scene.

Making sure not to miss anything he retraced his steps a few times to be as well as he humanly could.

As he approached the entrance of the bedroom his tricorder picked up a minute trace of organic matter, interestingly enough originating from a the adjacent wall.

Upon a very close inspection he noticed the panel covering the ventilation duct had been tampered with. Quick to remove it he called out to his superior officer. "Sir, you had better take a look at this."

***Bedroom***

Arthas scanned the blood for a DNA match but it was beyond his tricorder's capabilities. He exited the bedroom and entered the main room.

Ensign Bennett had just entered from the kitchen, so Arthas directed his order at the pair of officers.

"What have we found?" Arthas asked.

"While scanning the kitchen area, I detected an energy signature of unknown origin."

"An 'energy signature'. Anything specific?" Arthas asked.

"My scans were inconclusive," Taylor answered. "I would need access to the equipment on Sulu to provide a more accurate answer."

"I see." Arthas looked to where Gordo was standing. "How about you Ensign?"

Gordo quickly related his finding of the place where the weapon had been hidden, along with the minute traces of blood. All put together, the evidence seemed quite damning.

"Alright," Arthas said tapping his commbadge. "Lt. Hex to Lt. Thalan. We've found some blood down here, sir. Also a strange energy signature. At the current time, all we know is that some 'energy' is in the kitchen."

Thalan tapped his own combadge. "Understood Mr. Hex, when you are done there, we need to compare notes."

"Aye, sir," Arthas said. "We'll perform a thorough search of the apartment now and I'll ask for a science officer to come down to analyze the blood and that energy signature."

"Be sure to take samples. We'll see you back on the Sulu. Thalan out."

Hex then tapped his commbadge again to request a science officer to come down.

When he was finished Arthas looked to the officers. "Continue your search, ensigns. Millimeter by millimeter. One of our officers is being tried for murder, we'd better give her the best chance."

---

"Facets of Diplomacy"
By: Captain Matthew Salinger
Commander Lyrr Tayla
Ambassador Noril V'sant [NPC]

Location: Captain's Ready Room, USS Sulu
Stardate 57907.05, 20h45

***

It was surprising how quickly the Ktarians responded to the Sulu's hails, but it only took ten minutes of waiting before Matt Salinger and Lyrr Tayla had moved to the captain's Ready Room to privately converse with Ambassador Noril V'sant, one of the Ktarian ambassadors to the Federation.

"Ambassador," Matt said with a gracious smile once the other man had secured his side of the connection, "I apologize if my hail comes at an inappropriate time."

"After Dalil's death, Captain," Ambassador V'sant answered haughtily, "anytime is inappropriate. However, I do not wish to be rude to you, even in this time of mourning." He glanced at Lyrr and smiled. "And this must be your executive officer, Commander Lyrr. I have heard good things about you, Commander."

Lyrr refrained from expressing her pleasant surprise and instead smiled courteously. "I hadn't realized I was so reputable. I thank you, Ambassador."

V'sant smiled, though it was forced, and then nodded. "The nature of your contacting me, Captain; it is about Ensign Andrea Collins, no doubt."

"It is," Matt said. "We would like to conduct an investigation into the murder of Ambassador V'ril. I am not convinced of irrefutable guilt in this matter, and I believe an investigation will help to settle my mind, if not reveal something more at work in this matter."

"Captain, the matter seems quite clear to all those who have studied it. With a record like Ensign Collins', her guilt in this case is practically assured."

"But, it's not been determined yet," Matt answered. "Her guilt has not been proven."

"The current evidence is proof enough for me. Dalil's blood was in her room and on the weapon she hid. She is as guilty of this as any murderer ever has been. She's done this sort of thing before, Captain. Is it so hard to believe that she couldn't do it again? Commander, do you believe this woman is innocent of this crime as well?"

Lyrr's eyes flicked towards Matt briefly. She was unprepared to be put on t he spot, but she remained composed for appearance's sake. "What I believe is of no consequence in this matter, Ambassador," she replied slowly. "Until it is proven without a doubt that she is guilty, we have a duty as her superior officers to seek the truth, no matter what that may be."

"Diplomatically spoken, Commander," he said with a smile. "Captain, the Ktarian people demand that justice be served."

"And, justice will not be served by an innocent woman. And, in the Federation, we do still go under the truth that all are innocent until their guilt has been proven. Guilt has not been proven in this case, but I will find the proof I can. I will see that justice is served, but by the person responsible for this crime. Whether that is Ensign Collins or not is yet to be determined."

"Well turned, Captain. Commander, it must be a delight to serve on a ship with this man."

Lyrr laughed softly and nodded unequivocally. "Truly, Ambassador. You'll unlikely meet a better man for the job."

V'sant's eyes sparkled with mirth and he nodded sagely.

"We'd also like to have Andrea remanded to our custody here on the Sulu," Matt said.

"That," the Ktarian answered, "is one concession I cannot make. I'm certain that the young woman will be perfectly safe on the planet." He smiled again, but this time it held no humour. "Prove her innocence and she can return to you, but not before. Agreed?"

Matt bristled at the man's attitude, but knew there was no hope in pressing. He glanced at Lyrr and sighed. "Agreed," he finally said. "We'll begin our investigation at once."

"And, Captain," V'sant said, "please keep me informed of the progress."

"Of course," Matt said. "Sulu out." He reached out and tapped the disconnect key on his desk. There was a moment of silence before he turned to Lyrr. "I guess that went better than it could have been."

"He seemed pleasant enough," she replied. "We should focus our efforts on the investigation; we can attempt to have Ensign Collins turned over to us after we've obtained some evidence that brings her guilt into question."

"Agreed," Matt answered. "We can get the word passed around that we're on for the investigation. We just need to make sure no one gets too enthusiastic down there. I don't think it would help our cause too much to throw our weight around in this investigation. We'll have to abide whatever the Risans throw at us."

"Should one of us accompany the security team then?" she asked. "Just in case..."

"No," Matt said after a moment. "We need to trust our people to do their jobs. Do you think Jorell can keep his people out of trouble and in line during this?"

"Them? Yes," she answered without hesitation. "Himself?" She sighed. "He's a little more contentious and stubborn an officer than I'm used to serving with...but he's on this ship for a reason, so I do have to trust him, even a little."

"We'll give them the chance to do this on their own, but we'll watch...just to make sure. They made it through the Academy, they should be able to behave themselves, even if we're on Risa. I'm just not sure what we'll find at the end of this thing. I want to believe she's innocent."

Lyrr nodded slowly, then asked, "But...do you?"

"I don't know what to think right now," Matt said. "She's got a history, and it's not easy to overlook. I want to believe she's innocent of this, but...who would go to this kind of trouble? It doesn't make sense. Why would someone target her like this?"

"Considering her past," Lyrr said, "it isn't difficult to see why they wouldn't."

Matt nodded. "I know," he said. "I guess our investigation will determine it for certain. I just hope we can clear this up quickly. It's not often the crew will get vacation on Risa, and I don't want it all pulled into this investigation."

"You can go on ahead if you wish, Captain. I think I can manage things well enough on my own up here."

"If you need any time away, just let me know. I'll just be a hail away if you need anything from me, or things take a turn for the worst."

Lyrr smiled. "Oh, I don't think my day could get any worse, Captain. I can handle it. Really."

Matt chuckled. "Very well," he said. "Did you want me to let security know before I head back to the planet? I can swing by and let Thalan know before I beam down."

Lyrr sighed impatiently and frowned at Matt. "Comm him if you must, but...just go!'

Matt chuckled and tapped a key on his desk. "Salinger to Thalan."

"Lieutenant Thalan here, Captain. Go ahead."

"We've got the okay from the Ktarian's to proceed with the investigation. Go ahead and get to work."

"Aye, sir."

Matt closed the channel and glanced back at Lyrr. "I'll return to my vacation now, Captain Lyrr."

"Well." Lyrr rose and smoothed out her uniform with an airy sigh. "It certainly is about time." She jerked her thumb over her shoulder, towards the doors of the Ready Room, and ordered playfully, "Now move."

"Just don't overwork yourself up here," Matt said. "We are supposed to be here relaxing, even those of us who aren't frolicking on the planet. Give Sam some bridge time, and do something you enjoy...other than bossing people around."

She smiled sarcastically at Matt and took a menacing step forward. "You'd better run before I challenge you to another eating contest you'll lose."

Matt laughed again and headed toward the door. "I think I should get myself out of here before things get really bad. I'll talk to you later, Tayla. And, enjoy some of your time up here. I don't want to be the only one having a good shore leave."

"Oh, I'm sure there are some Risan women having just as much fun," she replied, smiling knowingly at him.

Matt only returned a grin as he started toward the door. "I'll see you soon, Commander. The ship is yours."

"Not too soon, I hope," she quipped, following close behind him. "I'm just getting good at this."

"You're doing a remarkable job, and despite the differences we've had, I couldn't ask for a better number one."

"None of that now," she chided gently as they stepped through the doorway. "It's far too late in the day to gush."

"Very well," Matt said. "I'll make sure to limit my gushing to earlier in the day from now on." He stopped before the doorway and looked at her. "I know you won't, but if you need anything, you know where to find me."

"Believe me, Captain, I really don't want to interrupt you while you're down there." Thinking of the most inconvenient time during which anyone vacationing on Risa could be disturbed, she added firmly, "Really, really don't want to interrupt you."

Matt couldn't help laughing once more. "Well, I'll try to avoid getting myself into any compromising positions when a crisis could break out. Take care, Tayla."

"You too, Captain." As he started off for the lift, and she for the captain's chair, she called out, "Enjoy! Although, I know you will."

Matt grinned and started toward the turbolift. He glanced over at the science station and noticed Monica Gainsborough there. He hid a smile as she quickly giggled and looked away from him. She wasn't in uniform---wearing a long, wrap-around skirt and sandals with her hair pulled back in a tail behind her head---and he imagined she was only stopping briefly onto the bridge. He glanced back at Lyrr and waved before disappearing into the lift.

---

"Sulu"
By: Lt. Saavar - Science Officer

Location: USS Sulu
Stardate 57907.05, 20h45

***

The USS Finlay dropped out of warp at the edge of the Risan system. The twin suns hung in space - golden orbs that cast warm illumination across the Runabout's hull. The legendary pleasure planet was still a small bright star as the Federation vessel proceeded under impulse power. Saavar sat in the co-pilot's chair and watched the glowing jewel resolve slowly into a blue-white globe.

Saavar had been to Risa on four occasions. Three times to escort diplomatic missions and once for shore leave. Risa was a primary port for Starfleet ships on leave rotations. The world was a deep blue dotted with thousands of tiny islands. The weather was perfect all year round - a result of the weather modification matrix that made the planet a paradise of white sand beaches and tropical gardens.

Saavar smiled to himself at the memories that surfaced from his last visit here. The native population truly loved providing pleasure to the guests that routinely outnumbered them. There was so much to offer for anyone wishing to stay on Risa - truly a paradise. The Vulcan officer had found a secluded island set aside for guests whose pleasure involved solitude. That had lasted until the very last night when he had decided to explore the experiences that the majority of the crew on his ship had been enjoying for a week. Saavar's curiosity had led him to indulge. He had partaken of the jamaharon with a female who had intrigued him with intelligent conversation and adept logical argument. It was a scientific exploration of the senses. The rite had been extremely sensual and beyond his prior experiences. He remembered it vividly and with typical Vulcan detachment he was satisfied that he need not repeat the experience.

Saavar had an understanding of what a lure this place was for the emotional beings of the Federation. To some the eroticism would be as addictive as a drug, and jamaharon was dangerous to the infirm. The reported deaths from the Risan sexual rite acted as yet another lure to the thrill seekers that visited the paradise.

The Runabout came over the planetary terminator into the night side. The navigational display in front of Saavar indicated that the Federation starship USS Sulu was in a high orbit. She was circling the world every fifty-three minutes.

"There she is..." Lieutenant Harriet Charter pointed to a speck in the blackness of space. She smiled at the Vulcan and watched his face for the expression every Starfleet Officer got when first setting eyes on their new home. His face did not change at all - not even a blink of his eyes. Typical Vulcan, she thought.

The pilot's tone of voice and her expression as she watched Saavar indicated that she was expecting an emotional reaction from him. He felt nothing at the sight of a speck of reflected starlight. Her disappointment was evident and the scientist knew that she was now pondering his lack of enthusiasm. Humans were a chaotic race - most often than not they chose to forget that not every species in the universe reacted as they did. They held themselves in such high regard that every other race was held up to scrutiny and measured for their 'humanity'.

They were emotional and driven to excesses of savagery and equal amounts of compassion. Vulcans had sponsored them into the emerging universe and coaxed them in the ways of co-existence with their neighbors, only to be surpassed by the very nature that drew other species to them. A nature that had brought about the United Federation of Planets. To traditionalists among the Vulcans the situation was perplexing. Logic and total control of emotion was the cornerstone of Vulcan superiority - yet Humans had flaunted their chaos and dragged the Vulcan society out of its self-imposed elitist exile.

Saavar felt a touch of true affection for the Human condition that was as intriguing to him as sub-space chaos mathematics. He turned to the pilot and gave her a slight smile. "It is only a starship, Lieutenant. My last posting was a Galaxy Class vessel - a somewhat larger speck of starlight at this distance - however I do anticipate the new experiences and relationships that a new posting brings."

Harriet Charter laughed self-consciously. The communications system chimed and she responded automatically. "USS Finlay, Lieutenant Charter here."

"Finlay this is the Sulu, we have you on approach, you may land immediately."

"Understood, Sulu."

***

Saavar stepped out of the Runabout with a single bag. He nodded to the crewmen who were servicing a maintenance pod further in the shuttle bay and said farewell to the pilot. The entry door hissed open and an Operations Officer stepped through and smiled as he made his way to Saavar.

---

"Settling In"
Lt. Saavar - Science Officer
Lt. (jg) Arthas Hex - Deputy Chief of Security

Location: USS Sulu
Stardate 57907.05, 22h21

***

Saavar's quarters were standard issue neutral and comfortable. He gave the single officers' quarters a brief tour, knowing already what was here. He never-the-less measured the space that was now his personal domain. As a matter of course he gave the computer instructions to diminish the illumination to a more acceptable level and considered the small pile of boxes that had been beamed directly from the Runabout. He began unpacking.

There were a small amount of clothes. Off duty garments and traditional Vulcan wear made up his collection of apparel. Clothing was a convenience of necessity and held no attraction to the Vulcan. He preferred to remain in uniform on board a starship. It was comfortable as well as designating his rank and position - one was never truly off duty on board a Federation vessel.

He unpacked his collection of candles and spread them around the rooms to give a more subdued and aesthetically pleasing lighting that accentuated the darkened corners and wall spaces. Next came his statuettes - artistic works from a collection of worlds that showed form and geodesic design in a variety of styles. His Vulcan Lyre, an Earth flute, a tapestry from Bajor and a throw rug from Ferenginar were placed where they would give a personal touch to the officers' quarters. A holo of his wife and son took central position in a wall alcove and he added a floral arrangement replicated from Vulcan plant life.

He was just finishing as the annunciator chime for his door sounded. Saavar said, "Enter," and the door parted to reveal a man who filled the doorway. A Trill officer in gold and Lt. (jg) pips stepped inside Saavar's quarters with a smile. His dark features were shadowed in the dim light of the candles and he stopped just inside the room.

Arthas surveyed the room and studied the Vulcan in front of him. "Lt. Arthas Hex, deputy chief of security."

Saavar noted that he was almost a head shorter than the security officer. It made the Trill imposing and he briefly speculated whether the man was joined. Putting aside his personal curiosity he returned the offered smile but did not extend a hand in greeting. "Lieutenant." Saavar indicated that the Trill should enter with a wave of one hand. "How may I assist you?"

"Good day, Lieutenant and welcome aboard," Arthas said, looking around the interior of the Vulcan's quarters, his eyes adjusting quickly to the gloom. "Just some routine that has to be done when a new crewmember arrives. A quick scan, a few questions nothing much."

"Of course," Saavar replied. "I am happy to oblige. I was about to make some Vulcan tea. Would you care for some?" He noted the tricorder that the security officer was extracting from a belt pouch and understood that he had to firmly establish his identity. Saavar knew that he would also have to report to Sickbay within his first shift and meet the counselor. All routine, and necessary for him to smoothly integrate himself within his new home and crew.

"I would usually say that I was on duty yet my symbiont tells me that Vulcan tea is very nice so I will accept," Arthas said. He indicated the tricorder. "May I?"

Saavar submitted to the brief tricorder scan. When Arthas had finished, Saavar waved to a seat. "Make yourself comfortable, Lieutenant. What information do you require?" He walked over to his replicator and ordered tea for two. He set the glass cups down on the low coffee table between the two Starfleet Officers and took his own seat. The Trill was joined then - it would be interesting to discover the history behind this mated pair of beings.

"Just for you to answer a few questions," Arthas smiled as he raised a padd that he had in his back pocket. "You have been with Starfleet since 2370, correct?" Arthas asked.

"Yes, Lieutenant. 2370 was my first year at the Academy." Saavar sipped the spiced tea and sat back.

"Born on Vulcan 27 years ago, two previous starships. The Protevski and the Takashima..."

Saavar nodded. "Both Galaxy Class vessels. I am used to much larger vessels and larger crew compliments. Greater diversity but also significant distractions."

Arthas took a sip of the tea and smiled. "This tastes really nice, thank you. Two decorations; Merit Award for Diplomacy, Meritorious Conduct Award..."

"I was fortunate. The Protevski escorted a Romulan Ambassador during negotiations with the Federation Council. I prevented a minor misunderstanding that may have disrupted the negotiations with the Nausicaan Ambassador and a trade delegate from Rhathit Prime. It was considered significant enough to award a merit. It was a simple misunderstanding over a game of shitakt." Saavar had prevented a bloody murder - the Nausicaan had been accused of cheating and had taken offense. Of course the Nausicaan had been cheating.

"The Meritorious Conduct was the result of surviving a Jem' Hadar raid." Saavar had treated Starfleet wounded during a firefight and dragged officers out of harms way as the Starfleet Garrison had fought off the attack. He had risked his life to save others - something that Saavar considered part of his duty. It had surprised him to receive an award when he had not participated in repulsing the attack. Saavar was a pacifist. His science major was complemented by medical training and if required he could fulfil a role as a medical technician or nurse on a Starship. Saavar switched his speech to the language of the Trill. "May I ask a question in return, Lieutenant?"

Arthas smiled. "Of course."

"How old is your symbiont? I am a cultural historian as well as a language specialist and the Trill species holds an interest for me. I find it fascinating that the knowledge of your species is handed down through hosts such as yourself. I would enjoy a discussion on your personal perspectives and experiences."

"I suppose to an outsider it would be considered fascinating, yet to my people, it is entirely natural. My symbiont is quite young, about 300 years old," Arthas replied.

"I have visited Trill," Saavar replied. "I was fascinated by the concept of your symbiotic relationships and the parallel development of your species."

"Well, I can't talk for my people but I am sure that we are flattered by your interest." Arthas smiled.

Saavar realized that the security officer was not going to be forthcoming with idle chatter. He had a job to do and was on duty. "Forgive me, Lieutenant - I am prone to lengthy conversation where I have an interest in expanding my knowledge of other species. I am keeping you from the tasks for which you have been assigned. I believe that as a standard protocol I am required to be assigned to a battle station by security. I have served on a damage control party as a medical officer when the need arises." Saavar was assigned quarters on deck thirteen.

"During an emergency the majority of the science department use the sensor grid to help the tactical station to target key systems of any attackers and identify any problems. If a big emergency arrives your chief should reassign you to other places such as engineering as he or she sees fit." Arthas almost sounded like he was reading from a book. "So I can't really help you. You should speak to your superior."

"I will do so." Saavar finished his tea and set the empty glass on the table. "Thank you, Lieutenant. My superior is presently on Risa. No doubt she is enjoying the delights of shore leave."

"No doubt." Arthas nodded, flicked up his tricorder and continued. "Everything checks out. Once again welcome aboard, Lieutenant."

Saavar nodded and smiled in the typical Human fashion. "Thank you, Lieutenant Hex. I am most pleased to be aboard." The Vulcan scientist escorted the security officer to the door of his quarters.

"Perhaps I'll see you around the ship," Arthas said, walking to the door. "Good day," he said as he walked out.

As the doors closed, Saavar's smile dropped away and his face took on the Vulcan mask of neutrality. He was adept at using the body language of many species, interpreting the scenario and adapting his features accordingly. Sentient species used visual senses for approximately ninety percent of communication, and it was important to Saavar as a communications specialist that he be able to understand and project the correct communication to those he was communicating with. In Starfleet it meant adopting typical Human characteristics, as Humans were by far the largest majority species serving in the fleet.

As he made himself another cup of Vulcan tea, he reflected that to some it may seem a false projection - he wasn't being 'true' to his own emotions, however as a Vulcan, he rarely had any of his own. Only those he allowed to surface - and these were only the positive kind. He admitted that using his Vulcan neutrality was often an easy way out of difficult situations; it relieved Saavar from having to interpret the facial emotions of others and mimic the correct body language. He used the Human smile most often as a tool to ease others in greeting and general conversation. It seemed to make him 'less' Vulcan to those he spoke to - and it really did allow for easier flow of communication. It had taken him a great deal of effort to get his smile correct - he had to summon an element of emotion to do it. When he had first tried it, he received negative reactions and it was only when he was summoned to the Takashima's Counselor that he discovered why. His smile had not reached his eyes - and the net effect was that his peers thought that he was being duplicitous - his eyes had not reflected his smile and therefore subconsciously, he had been seen as 'false.'

He was tired. It had been a long and quite stressful day. The trip in the Runabout had been several days long, and the cramped quarters and lack of solitude had taken its toll. He finished the second cup while staring out his view port at the disc of the Risan world. It was calming and he ordered the computer to shut down the cabin's illumination. In the relative darkness of the flickering candles, he stood motionless and considered the stars. The thrum of the ship's warp core was barely perceptible through the deck plates, but it was the beating heart of his new home. To borrow a Human emotion, he considered the fact that he did 'love' travelling amongst the stars. It brought him fresh experiences that learning from the knowledge of others just did not satisfy. Saavar yearned to explore - as his ancestors had when they first discovered Mankind. That discovery had eventually led to this; Starfleet and a purpose that exceeded the needs of the one - to the greater good of the many.

T'Sirra, his wife did not understand the drive that had taken him away from Vulcan to serve with the fleet - but she did understand and accept his need to do so. He could feel the tenuous link in the back of his mind that told him she was still there - waiting patiently for his return. The mental link was all he needed of her - all he required to remain separated from Vulcan.

He lowered himself into a meditation pose and closed his eyes. He remained relaxed and at peace through the long night and opened his eyes upon the new 'day' feeling totally refreshed.

It was his first day on shift, and there was much to do!

---

"When Dalil Met Andrea"
By: Commander Lyrr Tayla - Executive Officer
Ensign Mason Farrell - Operations Officer
Lieutenant Sam - Operations Manager

Location: USS Sulu, conference room
Stardate: 57907.05, 23h45

***

The conference room was quiet when Lyrr entered. Being in temporary command of the Sulu was proving a hectic task; she wondered how Matt pulled it off. Though, she imagined the rise in activity had a lot to do with the recent investigation. She didn't know Ensign Collins personally, but she'd read her record, and that alone was enough to raise some doubts in Lyrr's mind about her innocence. But, it was in Matt's nature to at least try, even if it was a waste of time.

At the front of the room, Lieutenant Sam and Ensign Farrell were waiting at the display viewer. She greeted them with a brief smile, then seated herself at the head of the conference table. "Alright...what have you got for me," she sighed. "Please make it good. I haven't had a very pleasant day."

Farrell paused momentarily, and keyed on the viewer. It displayed a still image, taken from slightly above, of what appeared to be Collins in a slinky dress, sitting at a bar table. A time matrix was displayed in the corner of the image.

"Okay," Farrell began, starting the video. "Here are the basics, given only the camera recordings.

"Dalil V'ril met Andrea Collins for the first time on Stardate 57907.02, in a bar called the Silverslip. According to security camera recordings, which you're watching here, he approached her first, buying her a drink. This is him here. Something was said at the table that prompted him to try and leave, but she got him to stay, and initiated a fling with him. They left the Silverslip together."

The view shifted to a lift imager. Collins and V'ril were in the lift, obviously enjoying one another's company.

"You can see from the time matrices--" Farrell indicated the numbers in the corner "--that they traveled the four blocks to V'ril's hotel in about ten minutes. I haven't included lobby footage here because they walked into the hotel and went directly to the lift."

The lift doors opened, and an older man spoke to the pair as they left and he entered the lift.

"One person got a really good view of the pair heading for V'ril's room at his hotel. A man argued with them for a moment as they exited the lift on the seventy-sixth floor. That same man, who we'll call the 'Grump' for now, turns out to be staying in the room directly across the hall from V'ril."

The view shifted again, this time to an angle from the end of a hotel corridor. Collins and V'ril stopped in full view of the imager, and turned to a door.

"Collins and V'ril enter his suite and spend the night of Stardate 57907.02 there. She leaves when he does the next morning."

The bar imager came back on.

"About the same time of night on Stardate 57907.03, Collins meets V'ril in the Silverslip again. They are interrupted, but the imaging coverage in the Silverslip is spotty, so whoever calls V'ril away isn't pictured anywhere."

The image bore out Farrell's words, as V'ril hesitated in his talking to Collins, obviously excused himself, and left the picture.

"Collins waits, and waits, and gets impatient. She finally gets up and goes after V'ril. After only a couple of minutes, she comes back to the table with V'ril, who keeps patting her arm like he's reassuring her of something. They finish their drinks, and the pair head for the hotel again."

The corridor view returned.

"They get to V'ril's door again, and have a brief dispute with the Grump, who actually opens his door to say his piece. You can see he lives right across the hall from V'ril. The Grump closes the door in disgust, so we can assume they laugh him off, whatever he says."

"Anyway, they stay in V'ril's room for three hours. At that point, the Grump opens his door in a robe and takes a step toward V'ril's suite. Just as he does, Collins exits V'ril's suite, naked as a jaybird, holding a bundle in front of her. The Grump watches her run down the hall to the lift, and then closes his door.

"She stops the liftcar about halfway down and tries to shrug into her dress. She's moving fast, obviously distressed. Either she tears it yanking it on, or something happened to it while she was inside V'ril's room. The bundle's not all clothing, either, as it turns out. Even after she gets what's left of her dress on, she's still got something rolled up. She hits the lobby, heads outside, and gets out of Dodge. She goes straight to the street. Doesn't look like she talks to anybody, and she doesn't stop. She wanted out of that hotel room, and out of that hotel, and she wanted it directly."

The view switched yet again, this time to a street scene in a residential hotel nighborhood. Collins could be seen getting out of a taxi and heading into the complex. The time matrix had advanced.

"Somewhere along the line, she gets a taxi. She arrives at her hotel complex just over fifteen minutes after she leaves V'ril's. She may have gone somewhere in between, though there's no way to track where since she didn't spend any money along the way. There are no recordings within her complex, but as you can see she moves quickly from the cab, obviously still distressed."

The time advanced again, and the street scene now showed Risan security arriving in a personnel carrier.

"She appears to stay there until Risan security officers pick her up."

Farrell keyed off the viewer. "There it is. Questions?"

"I have one," Lyrr replied. "Where exactly did you acquire all these recordings, Ensign?"

Farrell looked down briefly and smiled slightly in thought, then looked back at Lyrr calmly. "This being Risa, every imaginable interest is catered to. In this case, that includes services for people who just like to watch other people. A Risan service called the Voyeur Frequency willingly supplies video recordings from public and quasi-public security imagers to those interested in such things."

Lyrr stifled a snort. "Only someone with your...resources would know of something like that, I imagine. But...aside from how you procured your information, I really don't see anything in that footage that casts doubt on Ensign Collins' guilt. In fact--" Lyrr slid out of her seat and approached the viewer "--it only seals it. Lieutenant Sam, if you would, please call up time matrix 6005, where she leaves Ambassador V'ril's room."

"Certainly, Commander," Sam answered as he called up that sequence of security footage. He activated the playback, and the screen, once again, showed Andrea Collins' flight from V'ril's room.

"The bundle you mentioned," Lyrr said, pointing to the wad of clothing held to Collins' chest. "Now, advance to time matrix 8405." When the footage of Ensign Collins arriving at her hotel was displayed, Lyrr again pointed to the remaining bundle in Collin's arms. "She's already dressed, so what's that in her arms? One can easily argue that she was concealing the weapon within." She turned to Farrell and smiled tightly. "Show this to the Ktarians and it will only reinforce her guilt in their eyes. Aside from condemning Collins further, was there anything else we were supposed to gain from this...presentation of yours, Ensign?"

"Sir, this presentation was designed to demonstrate a relationship between Collins and V'ril. That's all. Though my opinion is largely irrelevant in this case, I completely agree that it looks bad for Collins." Farrell kept his face blank, merely answering briefing questions. "If the commander would prefer that this video record not find its way to the Ktarians, I will delete it forthwith. Alternately, I will continue scanning the record in search of some other clue. If indeed Collins is carrying a weapon, as the commander has suggested, perhaps there is a recording of her purchasing such an item. What type of weapon is Collins alleged to have carried?"

"It was a knife, Ensign," she replied. "One that could easily be concealed in a bundle of clothing." She leaned in towards Farrell, smiling coolly, and whispered, "And I'll forget about your earlier remark about destroying valuable evidence. This is Starfleet, Ensign, not a starbase in the Orion nebula. We do things a little differently around here."

"Very good, sir." Farrell nodded once, a gesture of understanding. "I will begin looking for a recording of Collins acquiring a knife, then?"

"Why not leave that up to the Ktarians, Ensign. Although we do believe in upholding the law, we are here to seek evidence for Collins' innocence if it exists, not go out of our way to condemn her." That said, Lyrr leaned against the edge of the table and folded her arms over her chest. "Now... For the time being, we shall keep this footage confidential until we can investigate further and question Ensign Collins about that bundle. Is that agreeable to you both?"

Farrell looked to Sam.

"Of course, Commander," Sam said. "That is agreeable."

Farrell looked back at Lyrr.

Lyrr, in return, glanced between the two. "Alright... So, now we know Collins had a suspicious-looking bundle, she and Ambassador V'ril were lovers, and she enjoys wandering around in the nude. This has been a very productive meeting indeed...."

"We can certainly keep searching, sir," Farrell suggested.

"You're not a security officer, Ensign," Lyrr reminded him. "They're leading the investigation on the planet, which means there's really no place for you. Besides...I'm not certain I feel confident allowing you to go roaming about Risa sticking your nose into things and interfering."

For just a moment, Farrell's composure cracked. He forced it down, but it was there for a split-second. Anger. "I was referring," he said calmly, back in briefing mode, "to the records to which we have access. These recordings and the financial records. Any information is good information."

Lyrr looked down at the top of her boots as she let out a slow, deep breath. Clearing her throat, she gazed up at Farrell expressionlessly, then finally offered him a vague gesture. "Alright, get on with it. But I'm warning you, Ensign: one complaint from anyone, and I won't be happy."

"Yes, sir," Farrell nodded.

Lyrr eyed Farrell warily, studying his face for any hint of insincerity. Almost satisfied, she dismissed him with a wave. As he proceeded to leave, Lyrr addressed Sam, loud enough for Farrell to hear. "You'll accompany the Ensign. He's your responsibility, Lieutenant."

"Aye, Commander," Sam said. "Of course."

"Alright," she sighed. "Dismissed, Lieutenant."

"Thank you, Commander," Sam answered, and then turned toward the door. He stopped. "I shall have a report on our progress to you as soon as I have enough data to make one."

"Of course you will, Lieutenant. I would expect nothing less of you." She gave him an almost smile, then said, "Good hunting."

"Thank you, Commander." And, with that, Sam followed Ensign Farrell out of the room, leaving Commander Lyrr alone.

In the hall, Sam caught up to Farrell, and fell into step beside him. "Have you a plan for the next stage of your investigation, Ensign?"

"Well..." Farrell rolled his head on his shoulders slightly to stretch. Dealing with Lyrr was an exercise in minesweeping. "I was thinking we could keep matching Collins' spending records with video recordings of the places she's been. See if we can turn up anything further."

"Very well," Sam answered. "Alert me when you have found any additional information that will aid us in this investigation, or if you decide to transport down to the plan to continue this research." With that, Sam returned to his station and allowed Farrell to continue his research.

---