USS Sulu - Data Log Archive

"Reflections"
By: Ensign Shirik Lektar - Operations

Location: Lektar's quarters, Computer Core, USS Sulu
Stardate 57908.08, 07h00

***

Shirik woke to the sound of the computer alarm. She frowned as she sat up and rubbed her eyes, taking a moment to identify the sound. "Computer, alarm off. What time is it?"

"The time is currently 0700 hours," the computer said helpfully.

Shirik groaned. She'd overslept! She always woke before the alarm went off. Good thing she had it set as a precautionary measure, for just such an occurrence. She slid out of bed and padded barefoot in her sleeping shirt over to the replicator. Her mouth was dry and she was in sore need of a mug of Klaas.

Mug in hand, she squinted around the room and noticed that her roommate wasn't there. Likely already headed out for breakfast, she thought. She took a deep swallow from her mug and headed for the bathroom.

By the time she stepped into the shower her mug was empty and she was starting to feel more alive. She didn't have the time for a soothing water shower like she'd like so she settled for a quick sonic one, then slipped into a clean Class B uniform. She glanced at the wall chronometer on her way out the door. Just enough time to get to her station, she wouldn't be late.

She stood in the turbolift as it descended and her gaze was drawn to the far wall. She could almost see him still standing there, his arms folded across his chest, watching her. Had it all really happened? Had sparks really been flying, or had she imagined it in her fuzziness? How much had she drunk, anyway? She couldn't recall.

The lift deposited her at the floor for her shift, and she slipped out and disappeared into the inner workings of the ship's computer core.

She settled into her station and set up some diagnostics routines to run. As she stared at the screen, where numbers ran past, she thought about what had happened the night before, and a small smile came to her face. She liked Ben, that much she would admit.

She'd thought he was attractive the first time she'd seen his holopic when she went through the crew records, an opinion that was only enhanced when she met him in person. His face came to her mind easily, his strong features, his silky hair as black as her skin, his charming smile. She sighed softly. When she invited him to dinner, she didn't really think much of it. A meal, some conversation about culture and weapons maybe... But it turned into more than that. She didn't expect to find him so easy to talk to. Then there was the physical aspect. She couldn't deny she'd felt the electricity between them, something she'd never felt before, certainly not for an offworlder. Yet, he didn't seem so different from her people. She knew he'd felt it, too. He'd wanted her, she was certain. She wanted him, too. Why didn't she act on it, she wondered. She'd wanted to touch him, wanted him to kiss her. He almost had, she'd felt it. There was that one moment, frozen in time, but it hadn't happened. No, it wouldn't have been...appropriate, she decided. Not the right time or place. But maybe later. He said he would see her again soon. He looked excited about it.

Time would tell whether it was just the sake or something real that happened. She hoped it was the latter. No, she was sure it was. She found herself looking forward to their next meeting.

The computer beeped the completion of the diagnostics, snapping her back to the present. She had work to do now, she could reflect about other things later. But this morning, she'd be doing it with a smile.

"Collaborators in Design"
By: CWO. Sikara - Head Chef
Petty Officer Second Class Malcolm Nebbs - Ship's Steward [NPC]
And Petty Officer Third Class Luis Espinoza - Gamma Chef [NPC]
With thanks to Loren

Location: Holodeck 1, USS Sulu
Stardate: 57908.08 12h20

***

Sikara and Espinoza arrived at Holodeck 1 together, talking about the general gossip going around the ship. The pair had arrived at the Holodeck to meet with their immediate superior, Malcolm Nebbs.

Sikara had gotten permission from Lt. Sam to discuss decorating the officer's lounge, crew lounge to liven things up and now they had gathered at the Holodeck to decide upon which type to decide.

"So, how'd you manage to explain to an android the positives of decorating a mess hall?" the tanned Human asked Sikara.

"I haven't a clue," Sikara laughed. "But it took some time, I'll tell you."

"Hello all," Nebbs said pleasantly. Espinoza nodded in reply. "Lieutenant Sam sent me a copy of your request, and I've got us slated for two hours here to consider plans."

Sikara raised an eyebrow at the length of time he had ordered but didn't say anything. He simply nodded. "Ready when you are," he said to the ship's steward.

***

"Okay," Nebbs said, standing in the holo-mess hall, "Chantilly green is out. It would make all the food look spoiled. What else should we try?"

"Red," Espinoza said. "I'm telling you, red's the way to go."

Sikara sighed. "We've been through red four times now, it just doesn't go. The Navy and Dark Orange looked perfect!"

"I don't know. I liked the black and tan better than the navy and orange," Nebbs said.

"Look," Sikara said, close to screaming. "We've been at this for an hour, surely the three of us can agree on something?"

All three looked at each other.

"Maybe we're going about this all wrong," Espinoza said at last.

Nebbs gave him a questioning look.

"We could jazz up the main decor, and we probably should, but maybe just color isn't enough. Maybe we need a theme. Y'know, most everyone who didn't get shot, stabbed, or beat up enjoyed Risa. What about a Risan tropical theme? We could do kind of a palm-pattern on the walls."

"Rough-weave tablecloths," Nebbs mused.

"Traditional tupella wood trays?" Sikara smiled.

"I like that," Nebbs said.

"Ok," Sikara said, clapping his hands together. "Computer, reset design back to normal, um." He paused, searching for the right words.

"Settings," Espinoza said for him, helping his friend.

The mess hall reset and the trio set about designing the new officer's lounge. It was to be used for only Ensigns and above and Sikara would hand-prepare the food and it would almost act as a restaurant.

"Computer, change colour of walls by hue minus 14 points," Espinoza said, the brightish orange altered to a more subdued colour. "That ok?" he asked Sikara.

"That's good," Sikara nodded, "I can't see much room for improvement."

The Mess hall had been transformed. The new officer's lounge looked drastically different to how it had looked before. The silver, metallic walls were now painted a dark orange, there was no replicator in the large room, the many tables were the same, but large rough-weave cloths in muted blue plaid were draped over them.

Risan artwork, Sikara's favourites mixed with classic Risan art replicas, hung on the wall and the lighting had been altered so that it gave off a warm orange colour that complemented the candles that could be lit on any of the tables.

"Not bad," Nebbs mused. "Not bad at all."

The three nodded, and the officer's lounge was born.

"Advice All Around"
by CPO Calyca Boothroyd, Engineer
Ensign Galil F'Zal; Counselor [NPC]
and Dr. Ilan Potts, Assistant Chief Counselor

Location: Dr. Potts' office
Stardate: 57908.08, 16h24

***

Caly finished her shift and headed out of Engineering. The petite red-headed Chief tapped on her PADD and brought up the names of the counselors on board... One of the things in her whole 'check-in' list she still had left to do. Like most people, seeing the "head" doctors was way down on the bottom of her list of fun things to do, but unlike most, she really didn't mind the docs all that much, just the time spent away from something else she'd rather be doing.

She stopped by her quarters to change into workout clothes, planning on a nice workout after seeing if she could schedule an appointment with one of the docs or perhaps even catch one in and free. The luck of the draw had her in front of Dr. Potts' door first and after she adjusted the ball cap on her head, wiped a smudge from her cheek, and slipped her PADD into its holster around her waist, she knocked, popping her gum while she waited for an answer.

The duranium-muffled 'come' came out of the bulkhead just as she was about to knock again, the door sliding open just in time for her knuckles to meet air. After a brief blink of surprise, she stepped inside the place, noting it was a definite mess. There were books everywhere; shelves on the wall, the desk, the chairs, and the couch. Not to mention just general clutter. It even looked like there was a makeshift clothesline behind the desk covered with various gaily colored dresses.

She stared at the sight of all the books (books?)... Holy cow... Honest to goodness books. Her green gaze traveled around the room rather slowly as she took it all in. Until they finally stopped and settled on him - a curious little bald man ducking behind his high-backed chair, holding a book at the ready in one hand and some kind of makeshift blackjack in the other. One slender brow arched and she popped her gum as she waited to see if he was going to chuck the book at her or not. Was that a sock with a ..... monkey on it? "Dr. Livingston, I presume?" she asked with a cheeky grin and took a breath to announce who she was...

"Calyca Boothroyd!" Potts exclaimed, straightening from his defense posture and allowing a slightly green-tinged smile to erupt on his face. He dropped his sock to the deck, spilling out latinum bits and clutched a hand to his chest theatrically. "What do you mean by banging on my door like a Brikar? I thought the ship was under attack!"

"You've been reading my file," she accused gently and with an amused grin. She took a step or two further into the bowels of his office, feeling for all the world like she was braving some wild and untamed wilderness with restless natives ready to pop out without warning - she eyed the clothes line...in dresses no less. "I wanted to make sure you heard me, sir." She peeked over the desk at the dropped sock. "Do you need a moment to... Uh... Pull yourself together, sir?" she asked and grinned again at him, her gaze trying to get a handle on what book might come sailing her way.

"Yes," Potts admitted, dropping the book on his desk and walking around his chair on the side. He slumped into it without bothering to take the books out of the seat. He sighed heavily and then closed his eyes for a few awkward moments. "Okay, I'm all better now," he said brightly just as Boothroyd was about to ask if she should come back. His milky blue eyes sprung open and his warm yet somehow disconcerting smile had returned. "To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?" he asked, gesturing to a similarly book-laden chair across from him.

She closed her mouth on the unspoken question and smiled back, a thought popping into her head that perhaps she should be just a wee bit wary here. But then who ever paid attention to wee thoughts anyway? She followed his gesturing hand and quirked a brow at the perch of books that passed for a chair. Or was it a chair that passed for a book perch? Either way, she approached it cautiously so as not to have the whole thing tumbling down around her ankles, trapping her there in Potts' office like a potted plant. She plucked off the topmost book before gingerly settling down on the rest with an almost defiant pop of her gum.

"Just checking in, sir," she told him as she turned the book over in her hands and noted the title with an 'ohgoodlord' arch of her brow. She carefully laid the "Tantric Mating Rituals" on a nearly vacant spot of his desk before turning her green gaze onto him.

"Yes, of course." Potts looked at Boothroyd curiously and then down at himself. He leaned forward as an amazed grin spilled over his lips. "We're both quite tall, sitting on these books," he said, almost conspiratorially. "Perhaps I should always sit on a stack of them. Or better yet....have a stack sewn into the seat of my trousers."

"Perhaps," she agreed and really tried to keep a straight face. "It could work, if done properly... Then again, you could be giving a whole new meaning to the term 'dragging ass'... Sir," she grinned, totally losing the straight face battle.

"You certainly are a delight, Chief Boothroyd," Potts chuckled genuinely, leaning back and crossing his legs at the knee. "So many of the crew seem a bit off center meeting me for the first time. It's quite nice to have a change of pace."

Caly blinked at the compliment and laughed along with him. "Well thank you, sir." She removed her ball cap and settled it over a knee as she regarded him. "It never occurred to me to be off center... Although I will admit to being just a bit off balance." She teetered just a little on the books for emphasis, but grinned to show she was teasing. "I didn't interrupt anything, did I?" She combed her fingers absently through her hair to straighten it some.

"Not at all," Potts muttered distractedly. "Folks are putting off their sessions...new quadrant and all...lots to see as we fly through." The Doctor seemed overly intrigued by her knee or, as it turned out, the cap on her knee. "Wonderful hat that," he exclaimed, half-pointing at it and half-holding his hand out for it. "Whatever does E.O.D. mean?"

"I can understand that, seeing things you've never seen before does tend to make one want to gawk a bit," she smiled and handed over the cap to him. "Explosive Ordinance Disposal. So does that mean that you have a lot of spare time on your hands now?" she asked and glanced around. "Are you reorganizing?"

Potts accepted the hat gleefully and immediately sat it on his head. "No, not at all," he said, trying to fit his rather bulbous head into the fixed band of the cap. He finally got it to a spot where it seemed like it might stay put and he brought his hands away slowly. "How's it look?" he asked, barely moving his lips and holding his entire body stiffly.

Caly tilted her head a bit to "inspect" him and in the end tried to conceal her laughter. Actually, she'd been trying to conceal her laughter while watching him try to get his head in it. "Well... In all honesty, sir.... Like a Mr. Potato Head..." she told him as nicely as she could. "We could probably get it to stay on with some adhesive... Or gum." She popped her gum for emphasis and grinned at him. "It's definitely your color though."

"Mister Potato Head," he enthused, seemingly pleased but still barely moving. He slowly stretched out his hand. "Your orders?" he asked, gesturing for the PADD on her waistband.

"Oh, yes sir! Uhhh... Don't move too much or it'll fall off," she grinned and hopped off the books, knocking a few down in the process. She grabbed at them with one hand and bent to retrieve what she could while she got out her PADD with the other and handed it to him. She had to stretch a bit because her leg and hip were keeping the books on the chair from all tumbling onto the floor and if she moved too much she was afraid she'd get buried alive. "I think we need a librarian, sir," she grinned.

"We'll put in a request for you if engineering doesn't work out," Potts said somewhat seriously, holding her PADD at arms length. His lips moved slightly while he read the contents.

"Oh, I'd make a lousy librarian, sir," she admitted before turning to gather the books up that were falling and settle them back on the chair. She looked around his desk for glasses when she saw him holding the PADD at arms length, moving a few books in the process.

"Well," Potts exhaled the word slowly, still reading and lip moving. "Dr. Easton aboard the Exeter seems to be of the opinion that you're in perfect mental health but I simply must take what she says with a grain of salt."

Caly quirked a brow as she listened and a slow smile curved her lips. "Oh? And why's that, Dr. Potts?" she asked, giving up looking for the glasses which didn't appear to exist and instead leaned over his desk to peer around and try to have a look at the PADD along with him.

"This report says nothing of your large lovely green eyes," Potts smiled. "Dr. Easton obviously never even met you."

She turned those large green eyes onto him and blinked. "You're Deltan, aren't you?" she asked rather candidly and popped her gum.

"Only half," Potts admitted, turning to meet her gaze. "Most people find that to be more than enough."

Caly grinned at him before retaking her seat. "Personally, I don't believe that anyone is ever in per--"

"Oh!" Potts exclaimed, shooting out of his chair, all thoughts of careful movement banished by something he saw on the PADD. "By the Great Bird!"

"Holy shit!" she jumped, clearly startled by his outburst, and stared wide eye at him, practically unseating herself from her bookly perch in the process. She did wind up on her feet again and once more part of her kept the books from tumbling to the floor somewhat successfully while she reached for the hat as it came flying off his head. "Whoa the hell down, doc!"

"You were on the Rabin!" Potts gushed, practically jumping up and down. "So was I! Oh, if only I'd rejoined Starfleet a year earlier, before you were off to the Livingston!" He clutched the PADD to his chest. "So you served under Captain Sterling. And the Chief Engineer would've been Lieutenant Commander Hanson!"

Caly watched this with a wide grin and a 'wow, someone as hyper as me' look on her face. She popped her gum and waited for him to stop gushing as she re-perched the books and settled back on top of them. "Yessir, I was and I did," she agreed with a bit less jumping and a lot less clutching. "Lieutenant Hanson when I knew him," she added and slid her ball cap back over her knee as she grinned at him. "You liked the Rabin, I take it?"

"Well, it was war time." Potts calmed only enough to get back in his seat. "But I found the experience invigorating. My first assignment in Starfleet was not so rewarding...I guess I do have a fondness for that ship and her people."

"Well, I'm sorry I missed you then," she told him with a genuine sounding sincerity in her voice. "What was your first assignment? If you don't mind me asking," she asked curiously.

"The Potemkin," Potts said with a touch of momentary distaste. It cleared quickly. "Oh, don't misunderstand me...there was nothing wrong with the ship or her crew. Counselors were still fairly new to the fleet then and folks just weren't willing to open up."

Calyca tipped her head just a bit as she listened. She wasn't jiggling a leg at the moment, or popping her gum, which generally indicated she was absorbing more and paying a lot more attention. "And it's better now? People are more willing to open up to you?" she asked curiously. "Were you avoided a lot on the Potemkin? Shunned at all?" Which to her way of thinking would be awful even if you were in a profession that people had an automatic distaste for.

"Not avoided or shunned exactly...perhaps professionally to some degree. I got married aboard the Potemkin...twice, in fact...but they didn't really work out." Potts' look became far off and melancholy.

"Twice?" That made her blink and finally pop her gum. "You... Uh... Do that a lot?" she asked out of curiosity. She was a very curious sort usually. "Get married, I mean. Got your eye on someone here?" She was probably going to regret asking that question.

"Only seven times so far," Potts snapped back into reality. He smiled at her knowingly. "I do always have an eye out for number eight."

She quirked a brow at him and popped her gum thoughtfully before finally smiling back. "Not much in for the whole... 'till death do you part', huh? Ever think of getting married to just one person in a forever kind of way?"

"I always think that," Potts declared, a shade indignantly. "It is my wives who get other ideas."

"Oh... I'm sorry, I didn't mean anything by it," she apologized and offered a small smile.

"Anyway, the Sulu is a wonderful ship," Potts said, shaking his head as if to clear it. "At least she seems to be...I'm almost as new here as you. Got on right before the wormhole, did you?"

"Yessir, right before," she nodded. "She's a grand ship," she agreed with him. "I've been spending most of my time getting to know her."

"Well, I am sure that you'll be an absolutely fantastic addition to the crew." Potts punched a few keys on her PADD and held it out to her. "I'm declaring you mentally fit with no need for regular counseling sessions. However, if you ever do have the need, I've assigned you to Ensign Chambers on Alpha shift."

"Thank you, sir," she smiled and took the PADD from him, glancing at it before sliding it back into its holster at her waist. "Ensign Chambers? Why Chambers?" Her curiosity was definitely piqued at that.

Potts blinked at her once or twice as if the answer were obvious. "Why, I'm far too physically attracted to you to ever be an efficient and professional counselor."

After an initial blink of shocked reaction his words evoked, Caly's eyes got huge. She popped her gum and eyed him with a light frown as he continued to state his rationale for being attracted to her.

"One," Potts counted off, bending back a long finger. "You're shorter than I am...I don't get that very often. Two, you've quite the fetching shape...I'd never be able to concentrate on the business at hand. Three and Four: Lovely Green Eyes." Potts shook his head empathically. "No, no, Miss Boothroyd. You would be the death of my career. Counselor Chambers will serve you well."

She popped her gum at each of his points, her frown deepening just a bit with each one. When he finally finished her face cleared and she let out a breath before she grinned at him and stood up. "Thank you. That's the nicest set of compliments I've had in a long time. I like you, doc," she admitted. "And I'd hate to spoil that with some kind of messy romantic...thing." She settled her hat back on her head and extended her hand to him. "I'll see Chambers if I need to. But really, I just think your Deltan half is a wee bit overactive. It's been a pleasure, Dr. Potts," she told him honestly.

"The pleasure has been mine." He shook her hand and smiled. "I do certainly hope to see you around the ship from time to time."

"I'll be around. Probably in the bowels of the ship more often than not." She had a firm, warm handshake and didn't allow her hand to linger in his. She smiled as the took it back and gave him a casual salute. "Afternoon, doc." And with a final half wave she made her way out of his office and headed off to run through her exercise routine.

Potts stared at the door for a few gentle heart throbs before he pushed the chair back behind his desk and slid into it again. As he busied himself with a PADD on his desk, he failed to notice that his door, detecting the motion of another warm body, never closed.

" 'Why, I'm far too physically attracted to you to ever be an efficient and professional counselor,' " F'Zal mimicked Ilan's words. He leaned in the doorway with the easygoing smugness of someone who felt completely in the right.

"Eavesdropping is a particularly nasty habit," Potts said, continuing his work. He looked up for emphasis. "Maybe you should see a counselor?"

"I told you, Doctor, your mind is the culprit." F'Zal stepped inside and the door closed. "I'm merely the innocent receiver."

"Innocent!" Potts scoffed, looking back to his work. "I would've thought you supportive of my declining to see Chief Boothroyd on ethical grounds, considering your concerns about the Amy Reese incident."

F'Zal actually nodded. "A part of me is," he admitted. "And yet another part of me realizes that our staff has just been downsized and we might not be able to afford an Assistant Chief Counselor who is so ready to shuffle patients just to avoid the ones he'd like to date."

Potts leaned back in his chair, regarding the young Betazoid intently. "You may have a point," he admitted, making a move to examine his naked wrist. "Okay, starting riiiiiiight now...no longer so selective about my potential patients list." He looked back to F'Zal. "Happy?"

"That remains to be seen," F'Zal said with a small grim smile. He walked to the door and paused in it. "I like you, sir," he said genuinely. "Just make an effort to not find every female on board attractive." The door shut behind him.

"But they are all attractive," Potts pouted morosely, leaning his head down to the desktop with a woeful thump.

"The Last Lie"
By: Lt. Commander Benedict T'Kal - Chief of Security
Commander Lyrr Tayla - Executive Officer

Location: T'Kal's Quarters, USS Hikaru Sulu
Stardate: 57908.08 19h10

***

Never before had she done anything like this, but waiting outside Benedict's door, overflowing with anticipation, Lyrr Tayla knew that as much as she hated surprises, she enjoyed springing them on others. As the door slid open, presenting T'Kal and bringing a blush to her cheeks, Lyrr nearly got ahead of herself and blurted it out, but after a quick mental chiding she got her excitement under control. Grinning larger than he'd ever seen her do so, Lyrr invited herself in and immediately embraced him; although that alone would have qualified, T'Kal's real surprise was still to come. "Hi," she whispered against his ear.

Benedict's eyes went a little wide. Tayla was standing at his door looking positively 'bubbly' and dressed in a surprisingly flattering white lace shirt, cut low in the neckline and whose sleeves were loose, short and frilly. Her hips and legs were shown off to perfection in a form fitting pair of black pants. He didn't have time to admire the view before she was in his arms. Even her hair had been coiffured in a slick-back style. She was dressed to kill...and as his arms went around her and a broad grin split his face her lips were nuzzling his ear. "Hi yourself..." he managed as he lifted her clear off the floor in a strong embrace.

He pulled back a little, but didn't release her. "What in the Name of The Prophets is this?" he asked with a laugh. "You look like a girl," he chided.

She frowned good-naturedly. "I'm sorry if this displeases you, but it's a special occasion and I just presumed that ordinary people normally dress a little more extravagantly for those." Lyrr smiled again, with a slight glint of uncharacteristic mischief in her eyes as she transferred her arms to around his neck. "I can remove them if you don't approve...."

He laughed. "Remove what?" he asked with a hint of mischief of his own. He was off-guard, and he wondered what had gotten into her. She was being affectionate - more than that, she seemed completely comfortable in his arms. "Special occasion?" he asked as he put her down further in his quarters. He was still in uniform, and Lyrr was definitely dressed for something special. Her eyes were sparkling and he felt his chest constrict as he looked at her. He unconsciously ran a hand down her spine as he held her, liking the feel of the material against her skin.

"I have something for you," she told him, still beaming. "Do you have time for dinner, or at least a drink?"

He grinned. "Sure." He narrowed his eyes. She wasn't carrying anything... "Here...or...somewhere else?" She was so 'boppy' it was disturbing. He took a step away and ran his eyes over her slowly, holding her by the hands and making a point of surveying her whole body. "You look...great," he said as his violet eyes finally came to rest on her own. His gaze was steady. "This is a very nice surprise." His grin turned sly. "What have you done with my Tayla. Where is she?"

Lyrr smirked. "Oh, don't you dare tell me you miss her because it's obvious you don't, Benedict T'Kal." She chuckled and nodded towards the replicator. "Two glasses of champagne, if you would," she prompted him.

He narrowed his eyes. "Champagne?" He stepped closer, holding her, looking down into her eyes. "I'm getting nervous," he said with a grin. He leaned in and kissed her cheek, his lips lightly moving against her soft skin. He backed away and let her go, walking to his replicator to order the drinks.

Two fluted glasses appeared, chilled. Light bubbly liquid in both. He held hers out to her as he came back. He couldn't believe the change in her. She was a different person. Not the same woman who was sobbing in the holodeck. The woman with doubt in her eyes. "So...are you going to tell me?" he said as she took the glass.

"I will," she assured him, and watching him from beneath her lashes, she sipped at her champagne. Grinning, she took his free hand and led him towards the table. "Now, I didn't want to make a big show of this, but it's an important event and I just thought you might appreciate all the hubbub." At the table, Lyrr set down her glass, then relieved T'Kal of his own. Her face absolutely gleaming, Lyrr shifted closer to T'Kal, nearly pressing against him. "Close your eyes," she whispered.

He did as she asked, completely bemused by the whole thing. He caught a whiff of her perfume, light and airy and he smiled. He held her by the waist and grinned, his eyes closed. He could feel her body close to him, and her whole demeanor was opposite to anything he'd seen from her before. It was refreshing. He couldn't imagine what was happening...what was she doing? He was half expecting her to kiss him. That would warrant a special occasion all by itself!

There was nothing for a moment aside from slight shifting in his arms, then a gentle tug on the collar of his uniform. Within moments, there was again nothing, except Lyrr's lips brushing against his ear. "Okay," she said softly, "open them and go take a look."

He still held onto her and as he opened his eyes all he saw was her face close to his. She was beaming and he smiled in response. He couldn't not respond to her proximity. All the worry and angst of the last few days seemed to vanish as he beheld her. He moved in to her and his lips came to kiss her. He had to. He'd wanted to kiss her for so long.

Lyrr shrank away at first, but all her elation and excitement lent her a boldness she hadn't felt with Ben before. Now pulled close, and looping her arms around his neck to draw him nearer, Lyrr allowed their lips to connect. At once, a wave of heat spread over her body and exploded in her mind. She was delirious with the fever it seemed to elicit, and Lyrr's movements evidenced it as she fed from Ben's lips fervently and deeply. It seemed he had planned a surprise of his own.

As she returned the kiss he felt his defences go. She was his girl and he melted as she returned his kiss. She wasn't Tayla the Commander - she was Tayla the woman and he responded to that like a man starved beyond endurance. His passion for her was awakened and he revelled in the touch and heat of her lips. He'd thought about this moment for such a long time. The kiss went on for a long time, before he finally broke off. His breathing was ragged and he didn't want to push her...the momentary worry about her reaction was in his eyes as her gazed into hers. He could feel her whole body against him, legs twined together as he leaned back against the table. He wanted to keep kissing her, he wanted it so much, and looking in her eyes he thought that she wanted it too. He waited for the reaction, not sure what to do but willing to let her decide.

Lyrr seemed to gasp for air, and breathing only became harder as she gazed into his eyes, staring intently at her and with a desire she couldn't deny she felt for him too. One hand gripped the front of the T'Kal's jacket shakily and the other clung securely to his shoulder to hold herself back while her body willed her to close the distance between them. There was the anxiety she'd always come to expect in such a situation, along with a yearning and excitement that almost overshadowed any fear. She said nothing as her eyes swept over his features, stopping at his lips, which seemed to taunt her with their healthy red hue and almost imperceptible smile. Lyrr exhaled unsteadily and pressed her forehead to his lips, rocking it against them as her mind warred with the potent need gripping her body. Eyes clenched shut, Lyrr fought with the more rational part of herself advising temperance and self-discipline. As both hands came up to his face, she raised her head and again pressed her lips to Ben's. Whimpering quietly and pushing into Ben, the daring, passionate aspect of her psyche proved itself the victor.

The kiss was passionate, consuming and Benedict didn't want the sensations to stop. Her body pressed against his, moved and pushed with a friction that drove him to despair. It had been a long time since he'd been with a woman. A very long time. His need crashed in on him and he groaned into her mouth as he lifted her, pulling her against him even harder. He was trembling with desire but the kissing continued. He loved the feel of her lips and he softened his kisses until they were light caresses of love rather than fervent desire. His hands caressed her face and hair, and he planted soft kisses on her cheeks, her eyelids and nuzzled into her neck. "Tayla..." he breathed into her ear as he held her gently. He came back to her lips, gently planting kisses and breathing her breath.

Lyrr swallowed hard, and with each kiss, her lips reached out for more, with each caress her body swayed against his. Sweat was beading on her forehead, and her flesh felt hot enough to singe the suddenly restrictive clothing on her. Blood pounded against her ear drums as her heart quickened, and an unfamiliar ache began throbbing between her legs. It made her cheeks blush even more furiously with the embarrassment of being undisciplined enough to allow herself even a moment of arousal. Lyrr shook her head quickly, and briefly pulled away, but even the short moment of separation seemed to intensify her need for his touch. With a gentle cry she pushed herself back into his arms and covered his mouth with hers. The action was forceful enough to shove Ben back, and with her full weight bearing down on him, she had him reclined fully upon the small table. Lyrr remained atop him, still feeding hungrily from his lips.

He drew her with him. The champagne flutes falling from the table went unnoticed as she kissed him with more passion. Benedict was man enough to respond hungrily to her sudden change, but part of his mind was warning him that this would lead to disaster. He kissed her fervently, his raven hair spread over the table, her hands caressing his face and moving through his hair. He had to stop. He couldn't. His mind was foggy with arousal, every fibre of his being wanted her, wanted to possess her, make love to her, give her joy and satisfaction. She could tell how aroused he was, but she wanted to ignite the flames - she was pushing him now - demanding, needing. He reached between them, caressing her as he kissed a hot trail across her throat. He pulled her against him, as if their clothing was non-existent. They pressed together, the sensations escalating.

Lyrr groaned thickly, and followed it up with a shuddering sigh as she drew her legs up onto the table to straddle Ben's waist. Their lips never parted, except for Lyrr to moan quietly when Ben's rigidity pushed fully against her. Her fingers tightened their hold on his hair and her eyes clenched against the sensation. It was pleasure mingled with uncertainty, and a touch of revulsion at what such and act had meant for her in the past, in Oresh's keeping. She sat up fully, still closing her eyes, and clinging to Ben at the same time. She needed strength and resolve, and she needed the bubbling memories to leave her alone. Choking down her fears, Lyrr lowered her lips to T'Kal's again, but now they trembled. "So fast," she murmured against his. "I can't think straight."

"Just don't think," he murmured as he tasted her lips. He brought her up in his lap, kissing her throat, hands pulling at her shirt. Buttons opened and warm flesh was exposed as he moved his lips upon her chest, caressing her back and pulling her against him, rocking her gently. He didn't want to stop, but he knew he had to. He had to. He stood, holding her to him, kissing her lips hungrily as he walked to his bed. He lay her down gently, stretching against her and kissing, still kissing, he couldn't get enough. He kissed her neck and her throat and her shoulder.

Warm, strong hands ran up her sides, while her own remained flat against the mattress, clenching and unclenching the sheets between them. She craned her neck to receive T'Kal's kisses, and tensed slightly as they moved down towards her chest; his hands, conversely, moved upwards to cradle her breasts, and Lyrr bit down hard on her bottom lip to stifle a moan. Her mind was heavy with a din of protests, pleas, and T'Kal's name resounding within. She wasn't prepared for what they were nearing, but she wasn't ready to stop either. The struggle was driving Lyrr near madness, and it was only exacerbated by the feelings T'Kal was evoking in her.

She gasped and her eyes flew open as his hips pressed down against her own. His legs pushed between hers, parting them and heightening the sensation. Trembling hands went to his cheeks and lifted his face towards hers for a desperate kiss, while she felt his working at the fastenings of her pants. All the while, her mind continued screaming at her to stop.

He moved down her body, gently stroking, kissing and caressing. As her skin was exposed he kissed it, always gentle, always moving, roving, heightening her sensations. The remainder of her clothing fell to the floor, as he nuzzled her flesh, caressing her, making her moan and gasp. He was a skilled lover. It had been a long time, but he knew how to please a woman - more than that. He was still in full uniform, his desire no longer urgent as he wanted to share love with her, replacing sensations of her past with pleasures for her future. He moved down her body, tasting skin and then making her cry out with a trembling quaver as he concentrated his attentions in the one place.

Lyrr's eyes stared at the ceiling, wide and dazed, while her mind tried to process whether she was trapped in a dream, or truly experiencing her first intimate moment with T'Kal. As a blinding spike of pleasure coursed through her, and her back arched against the mattress, she realized it was the latter.

"Ben," she gasped, though it was lost in an ensuing moan. Her chest felt heavy, and the air against her naked flesh was disconcerting. She shouldn't be here, doing this. Did she even love him? Even if she did, would allowing herself to become so physically connected to another dredge up sensations Oresh had inspired in her, ones she was ashamed for having experienced? Although he had hurt her, abused her and forced her, in the end, there had been pleasure. Embracing it had been the only way to save her sanity, but now it was tormenting her.

"Oresh," she murmured, and reached between her legs to stroke his raven hair. With as brutal as he had been, there were times when he was gentle, if only to gain her loyalty and encourage her to become more docile. It had worked, and instead of fighting him, she'd welcomed the nights he spent violating her. Now, it shamed her, and Lyrr closed her eyes against the tears.

She gave a strangled cry soaked with ecstasy and sorrow as Ben persisted. It was beautiful and wonderful, and she only wanted it to end. Lyrr tensed against the pleasure and threw her head back to emit a choking sob. Everything had been so right, but now she only wished surcease.

"I can't," she pleaded, shaking her head wildly against the mattress. "Stop...stop, I can't...do this!" Lyrr jolted upright and scrambled away from T'Kal, immediately pulling her knees in towards herself. She watched him, ensuring he wouldn't draw near. Her eyes were large and haunted, and tears flowed unchecked from them onto her suddenly paling cheeks. "Stop," she muttered weakly, then let her forehead fall onto her knees.

Benedict sat back and knelt before his bed, facing her. He'd known this would happen. He'd pushed it. Knowing that there would be consequences he had pushed her. Of all the words that echoed in his mind there was only one. Oresh. His violet eyes closed for a moment. It was a Cardassian name.

She'd called out a Cardassian name. His mind reeled. With a hiss of breath he stood on shaking legs. Desire had fled. He felt only revulsion. He'd seen women broken by the Cardassians. It was the reason she held on to the memories. The real reason; she had collaborated in a way that made him feel sick. The revelation rose in his gut and his face contorted with distaste. She was still looking away, curled on his bed, hiding her features.

He clenched his jaw but it made no difference, the bile rising in his throat gave him no choice. He staggered into the refresher and was violently sick. When he looked up at his pale face in the mirror, the glint of his new third pip mocked him from his collar. He couldn't face her. Not that. He shook his head and felt sick. Rage and anger screamed at him from some lost place. It was her last secret. She'd been broken in the worst possible way. It was the last lie. He couldn't take it anymore.

There was the sound of retreating footsteps, and a faint sob in the main room. The door to his quarters opened, but instead of immediately closing, there was a pause and a barely audible apology. Then, it hissed shut again.

"The Sequel..."
By: Lt. Commander Benedict T'Kal - Chief of Security
Commander Lyrr Tayla - Executive Officer

Location: Lyrr's Quarters, USS Hikaru Sulu
Stardate: 57908.08 19h55

***

The corridors melted under a sea of tears, and officers, distorted into phantasmic figures drifting by her, turned their ghastly heads towards the sobbing woman. She stumbled, hugged the wall to regain her footing, then choked on her grief and pushed off again. There was murmured conversation around her, and her name was spoken among the susurrations. Her reputation would be ruined, but her sorrow could not be allayed despite attempts at regaining her composure. She'd rejected him again, and the disgust, the disdain in his eyes had been apparent. She was the subject of it, and that he had simply let her go without raising a single protest validated her greatest fears: it was over. It had been a gamble, getting involved with another, and she'd lost more than she ever thought possible - her privacy, her self-respect, all her secrets, and the mental stability she had worked so hard at maintaining. All of it was gone, and for T'Kal. And now she was nothing to him.

Staggering into her quarters, she emitted a strangled wail, then sank back against the wall. Her clothes, her hair, her entire appearance had unwittingly been an offer of intimacy for T'Kal, and he'd taken it. Most discouraging of all, was she hadn't resisted.

"Whore," she whispered convulsively, then growled and tugged at the front of her shirt angrily. Buttons popped loose and fabric tore; with a hoarse shriek, she violently struggled to free herself of the shirt, then forced open her pants and stumbled as she kicked them off. Her grief overwhelmed her and Lyrr dropped to her knees, wracked with sobs again. She'd told T'Kal she couldn't bear to part from him, and he very nearly shoved her out of his life. Bleary eyes watched the tears splatter onto her thighs; she had no idea so many were left, and she hated T'Kal for bringing them out, and herself for allowing them to come so freely. "What the hell is wrong with me?" she breathed.

The door opened with a soft hiss. The security override allowed for no chime and T'Kal stepped through. The door shut. With a single step he was beside her and kneeling. He'd been such a fool! He couldn't help his reaction. It was ingrained - a part of his old life. He'd let her go, too shaken to do anything or say anything, but the closing of his quarters' door had been like a knife thrust into his heart. He'd fled after her. He'd caused it.

"It's my fault," he said as he came to his knees. "I'm sorry...forgive me...." He sounded broken, a part of him was. He didn't know what to do or how to fix it - but he couldn't bear seeing her pain. Knowing that he'd caused it.

Lyrr remained staring fixedly at the plummeting tears, wishing she were only aware of them, but finding it difficult to ignore T'Kal's proximity. She unconsciously shifted away from him, seeking some escape. "Go away," she muttered. "You've made things all too clear. I don't need a reminder."

He bowed his head. His own tears were hot as he looked back at her. He reached out and grasped her arm, pulling her into his embrace. He used his strength to stop her from avoiding it, holding her gently but firmly. He held her. Doing nothing but that. He wanted to take it back - undo what had been done. He couldn't. "I'm so sorry, Tayla." He didn't want it to end like this. For her sake and for his.

"For what?" she rasped, struggling against him, but too emotionally weakened to put forth much of an effort. "You're sorry I see him when I look at you? That I call his name! Or that I'm not submitting to you as any sane woman should?" Lyrr wriggled in his hold with increased vigor. "Let go," she growled between clenched teeth. "I'm not going to be that woman, Tikaru. Perhaps Counsellor Scott is a more viable option. I bet she'd just beg you for a roll through the sheets if that's what you're so interested in!"

"Do you see him when you look at me?" he asked in a broken voice. He let her go, all the strength leaving him as she cut him with words. His violet eyes searched hers. "I never wanted your submission, Tayla - I wanted your heart." He looked away as his own tears fell. "But that's already been given away hasn't it?" he choked out the words and they tasted like bile.

"You think I love him?" she asked, incredulous. "You think I could ever love that bastard! He raped me, T'Kal! And the only way to survive it was to find some way to ignore the pain." Lyrr sobbed, tears rolling down her chin and dropping onto her chest. "How could you think that?" she whispered coldly. Her eyes narrowed, and body shook with the sudden intensity of rage she had never experienced before. "How could you!" she hollered, and threw herself at him with fists battering his chest. "You bastard! I hate him! I hate him with everything that I am and you believe--" She shrieked and swung her open hand against his cheek before resuming the barrage of punches. "If you think that I don't love you, then leave, you heartless torg!"

He withstood it, not fending off her blows at all, just taking it. The stinging blow to his face sliced his cheek and he closed his eyes against it. Then his arms were around her again, smothering her blows and holding her against his chest. "No," he said, "No...I don't believe that. I don't." He grasped her face, turning it so that she had to look him in the eyes. "I love you, Tayla, please...you have to let it out...all of it...everything. You can't hold onto it anymore - you have to let him go. There's no room for me...not while he's there." His voice wasn't soft but it was hard edged. His eyes held hers, searching. "I do love you - and you love me! You can't admit it because you're afraid. I'm not like him! I'm not after your submission, I don't want to break you to my will! I won't punish you for trying to leave me! I won't be the cause of your pain, Tayla! I can't do that!"

She buried her face into his chest, blotting her tears against his jacket. Lyrr shook gently with silent sobs, and whispered, "You already have. You hurt me everytime I see the dejection in your eyes after each flinch, after each touch that evokes memories of him..." Lyrr took in a steadying breath, and managed to look up at T'Kal again. "I was so excited for you...for your promotion. I-I didn't think-- I wasn't expecting that. It was too fast," she whispered, gripping the sleeves of his jacket. "Too fast, Ben. And I didn't know how to stop it."

He brushed a strand of hair away from her face and nodded. "I know, love." He pressed his forehead to hers and closed his eyes. "I'm sorry...I know." He held her to him and cried, smoothing her hair as he unconsciously rocked her in his arms. "You need time," he whispered as his tears fell onto her shoulder. "I can't--" His voice broke. "We can't do this to each other." He held her tighter, knowing that he had to do the right thing for both of them. "We have duty, Tayla. I can't allow you to fail in that. I can't allow myself to fail. We have to let it go.... I can't bear anymore pain - I'm not strong enough." His admission was his failure. "Give it time...but you have to do something for me. You have to talk it through with someone...please.... I need you to be strong. The Captain needs you to be strong...please...."

"I am strong," she insisted, and her red-rimmed eyes pleaded with him. "We just...we need to go slow, that's all!" Lyrr cradled his face in both hands, desperately searching his eyes. "Don't make me do this," she whispered. "You know I can't. It's too hard!"

"You have to," he replied. "I can't do it for you." He placed a palm against her face, gazing into her dark haunted eyes. He shook his head slowly. "I can't. I've been there. I can't go back, not while he's there. Only you have the strength to deal with this. I know that you will. It's up to you now." He kissed her forehead softly, his tears a steady wetness that streaked his face. "I love you, but I don't know what to do." He shuddered, steeling himself to tell her they needed to end it. He had to do it. He needed to do it. It was his duty. "Duty demands we end this," he said softly. "Duty demands everything...." He pulled her to him and held her. "I need to end this," he said, "but I can't." He thought of everything he'd said to Hex - everything he'd said to himself, about duty and honor and being Samurai. "I can't...Prophet's help me...but I can't." He shuddered with anguish.

"Then don't," she whispered, clinging to the back of his jacket desperately. "We can help each other." Lyrr wept into T'Kal's shoulder, fearing his resolve would falter and his mind would turn itself around towards a life without her present. She could hear the conflict in his voice and feel it in his trembling breaths, but she couldn't sacrifice their relationship for his devotion to duty. "If it's what you need," she murmured, bringing her lips to his ear, "then...then stay the night. My bed...it's large. You don't have to go, Ben." Lyrr clung tighter to him and sighed. "You don't ever have to go."

He couldn't leave her. Not like this. He stroked her hair, held her tightly and lifted her easily. He knew that he should go. But he couldn't. She had a hold on him more powerful than he'd imagined. For the first time in his life he knew that his duty came second to Lyrr Tayla. She was his girl. He'd done his duty. Now he had a duty to her. Giri. It wasn't just a loss of face, or a social thing. It was a spirit of service - a Samurai and his lady.

He carried her easily to her large bed and sat beside her as he undressed. They looked upon each other for the first time. The golden tattoo gleamed in the semi darkness, seemingly alive as he moved. With a deliberate slowness he curled up beside her, placed his arms around her protectively and stroked her hair as he looked into her eyes. "Sleep now," he whispered. "I love you."

She sighed, finally feeling secure that Ben was not leaving her side. As long as he remained in her arms, she could continue to exert whatever hold she had over him, one just as strong as that he had over her. Lyrr smiled at him tenderly and lightly brushed her lips against his before nestling her head into his chest. She had no idea where it would all lead, but she was confident that they would find out together, no matter the consequences. For the first time in memory, and despite the night's whirlwind of emotions, Lyrr fell alseep easily, and knew it was because of the safety T'Kal's arms provided.

He stroked her hair until she slept, holding her tenderly as he would a child. She curled against him, twining together in sleep. He stared at the stars outside the view port for a long time. Sleep was a hard thing to find. There would be no hope of keeping their relationship a secret now. Not after he'd chased her through the senior officers' quarters deck. Not after seeing the faces of concern that had followed her. They had looked at him and seen his own visage - and had turned away.

It would be all over the ship by tomorrow. There was no escaping it. Here he was in the XO's quarters, and they both had to face tomorrow. It seemed that little secret had been revealed. He thought of Shirik then. A temptation. Chemistry. What was he to do? Nothing. It wasn't a road he wanted to travel. Not now. Not after this. He couldn't.

As for the morning, they would brave it out - act like nothing had happened, but it would be in their eyes. He didn't mind that. He'd rather have it in the open where he didn't have to slink around. He would not make a display of it though - they had to keep it away from the eyes of the crew. Tonight had been a mistake. Such a bad mistake. He'd pushed her - tried to push her away. He'd thought it was the right thing to do - duty first. His personal honor wouldn't allow that. He'd given her his word. He would always be there for her. He did love her...there had been doubt.

He smiled in the darkness, sliding a hand across her back absently and she stirred, sighed and her arm snaked across his chest as her face moved into the crook of his neck. Her breath tickled his cheek and he turned slightly to make her more comfortable. He was overcome with the emotion of the moment and tears fell from his eyes again. He never thought that he'd feel this way again. Not after Tebrianne had gone.

He felt on overwhelming need to protect her against everything. She slept peacefully in his arms, and he cried for half the night in total wonder.