"Own Each Day"
by Captain Matthew Salinger
and Ensign Adora Arroway

Location: USS Sulu, Transporter Room
Stardate 57910.31, 02h00

***

Captain Matt Salinger watched as the crew stepped off the transporter pad, filing out of the transporter room and then into the ship. Ops had already arranged for quarters and schedules for checking in with medical, now it was just a matter of going from the bay to quarters. He hadn't expected Starfleet to send out more crew to join them on their mission, but with the recent departures he was happy they did. He spotted one young woman following after the rest and quickly moved to catch up with her.

"Ensign Arroway," he said. He smiled as she turned. "I'm Captain Salinger. I just wanted to welcome you aboard. I'm certain Counsellor Scott will be very pleased to have you aboard."

Adora smiled and immediately straightened her stance. "Captain...? Oh yes...thank you, sir." Adora was a little embarrassed about being caught off guard, but she had done her research on the Captain. A brilliant man, strong willed and honorable.

"I'm happy to hear that," he said. "I'm glad you were able to take the assignment so quickly. It's not every day you have to catch a fast transport out to the middle of the Gamma Quadrant to catch up with your posting."

"Yes, sir, I have to admit I was excited at the opportunity. I hope my records arrived in good order?" Adora asked.

"They did," Matt said. "I never expected crew rotations out here, but Starfleet Command has kept the lines of communication open. We've already taken care of quarters arrangements for you. And, as soon as you're settled, I'm certain Counsellor Scott will be very pleased to meet with you."

"I am looking forward to it, sir," Adora replied. The two walked down the corridor and people kept looking at the beautiful new officer. "How long do we expect to be in the gamma quadrant, Captain?" Adora asked.

"We're just about at the halfway point," Matt answered. "So, three months to go out here."

"That's actually quite good. I have been studying long term space travel ever since I had the opportunity to work with Voyager. This will be a good chance to actually see some first hand."

"I imagine you'll be seeing some of that sooner than you thought," Matt said. "We've had some rough times out here, so the crew are definitely feeling the effects of life out here."

"I appreciate you taking the time to see me, Captain, I look forward to serving with you and everyone else."

"You're welcome," Matt said. "The mental fitness of the crew is very important, so I felt it more than necessary to greet you and make sure you get settled in. While I'm hesitant to ever claim that any department is more important than others, at the current time, you'll definitely be filling a need for us. I'm happy to have you aboard."

"Thank you, sir," Adora said.

Matt gave her a smile. "Well, I'll let you get settled in," he said. "I'll speak with you later." As she got into the turbolift, Matt turned down the corridor to check in with engineering. The future had just gotten a touch brighter.

---

"Home Sweet Home"
By: Commander Lyrr Tayla
Lt. Commander Benedict T'Kal

Location: Ben's Quarters, USS Sulu
Stardate 57910.31, 11h15

***

The pillows cradling his head had been fluffed and elevated at the most comfortable angle possible. Lowering the illumination to a mere ten percent ensured there wouldn't be any strain on Ben's eyes when he opened them after his much-needed night of rest. Given leave to transport him from sickbay to quarters, Lyrr Tayla wanted to establish an ambience of comfort and tranquillity to achieve an environment that would aid Ben in his recovery. Doing so in a familiar place was one important factor, however her main concern was whether he would appreciate precisely where his convalescence would be taking place.

When his eyes finally began opening hours later, Lyrr had almost everything in place, save for Ben's weapons, the last of which she was hanging on the side wall while he found consciousness. With not a sound from him, she didn't notice he'd awoken.

The room was familiar. Lyrr was hanging his dai-katana and so had her back to him. The recognition of where he was instantly dismayed him. He watched her in silence. So this was his penance. He closed his eyes again and wished that it had been a dream. He was back in his single quarters. Was it the end of their relationship? What did this mean? He heard her sigh and the almost silent tread as she came back to his bedside. His heart was hammering in his chest and it was almost unbearable. His violet eyes opened and she was looking at him. He swallowed hard, and just looked at her. He was filled with a deep sadness, and fear. The fear rapidly grew in intensity in the moment that she realised he was awake.

"What's wrong?" Lyrr whispered, frowning. She settled gently onto the mattress and pressed a hand to his brow. "You're out of sickbay. You're home now."

He held her gaze for a long moment. "Am I?" he asked softly.

She closed her eyes briefly, unable to witness the anguish in his any longer. "This isn't what you think," she told him, and even slipped her wrist under his hand to assure him the betrothal bracelet was still there. "When you're better, I'll explain. Okay?"

"No, it's not okay," he breathed as he gripped her wrist, running his thumb along the metal links. "Tell me now." His eyes held fear but also determination. "I need to know where I stand, Tayla...what this means?"

"Where you stand?" she repeated in disbelief. "There's only you, Ben, and only ever will be. I just think that...." Lyrr sighed and gave a long, hard look at the stars dotting space in Ben's viewport. When the words were formed in her mind, Lyrr slid down onto her side by Ben and propped her head up on her hand so she could look down into his eyes. Her other hand rested lightly upon his chest. "We need to do this right," she whispered. "We rushed so many things...we need to take a step back and examine everything we've done to make sure we're doing what's best for us. I don't mean time apart," she told him quickly, "I just mean...space. I still want to be with you, Ben - now more than ever. But we need to start over again, from the beginning."

"What about...your...dreams?" he asked. Now concern warred with relief as he reached up to touch her face. "I don't need space...but I do need you." He brushed his fingers across her cheek and they trembled slightly. "If space is what you need then I can't deny you," he whispered. "I can't deny you anything."

"Don't do that," she urged him, and felt her resolve wavering. "I don't want this to be just my decision. I need to work through the dreams, Ben, and I can't do that in your arms, protecting me all the time. And you...you have to work through what happened. I don't think either of us can heal if we don't take time for ourselves, alone. Besides" --she smiled, stroking his chest lightly-- "wouldn't it be fun to date again, like we never got to? Imagine how much more secure we'll be for it."

"If that's what you need to do," he nodded. "It is just your decision, Tay. Don't make it mine. It's not what I want. I don't want to wake up alone. I don't want to be apart from you, or have to try to find time around our schedules...because there won't be time...there never is. You know that. You can't make this my decision, when I wake up here and it's already done."

Her features sank. "Ben...I just thought it would be easier this way. I'll be here to help you recuperate. We will make time. We need to, because I don't want you doing this again! I don't want to almost lose you again, Ben. There are things that still need to be fixed...and maybe this is the way to do it."

"Easier on who?" he asked softly. "You'll be here? For how long? All I can see is that you are creating distance between us." He looked away, unable to look in her eyes again. "I'll manage," he said. "I have no reason to repeat what happened." He sighed and for a moment closed his eyes. "I expect I'll require mandatory counselling."

"As you said, it's mandatory," she affirmed, resignedly sitting up once again. Lyrr looked around the room and sighed. "Maybe...maybe this wasn't the best time to spring this on you. I just...I thought this would be the best thing for us." She chuckled wryly. "I'm not so sure anymore. I'm...still not sure about everything, completely."

He reached for her arm and pulled her down again. "Please just stay for a little while," he whispered, sliding his arms around her and drawing her into his chest. He turned slightly so that she was nestled in his embrace. "I want to hold you...just for a while."

Lyrr was easily seduced by his yearning and curled against him. Her eyes locked onto the fading scar still raised from his chest, and she reflexively clung to him more securely. "Prophets," she whispered in horror, "I almost killed you. I shouldn't have said what I did...I should've just...just trusted you."

"No, Love." He stroked her hair, gently running his fingers through the silky locks and breathing in her light perfume. "It wasn't your doing. I did what I had to do. It was killing me anyway...slowly. I feel free for the first time in a long time. Now there's nothing but you in my mind. It's a new beginning for both of us. Tebrianne's memories will fade now...she's not there to keep them alive. I love you so much...and now there's no conflict raging in my mind. I'm free, Tayla. Free to love you in the way you should be loved; totally and whole-heartedly, I'm yours."

"I just shouldn't have tried to run from the problem," she insisted. "I shouldn't have let my insecurities turn me into that bitter woman I saw myself become." Lyrr nuzzled her lips to Ben's throat and was silent for a time. The only indication of why she had ceased to speak came in the dribble of tears collecting in the hollow of his neck.

He held her comfortingly, gently stroking her back and pressing his lips to her brow. She trembled palpably. "I've been keeping secrets still..." she whispered hoarsely. "I've been so afraid to do or say anything that would give you a single reason to give into Teb. I've lied, I've tried to manipulate...I hate that person I was...but I didn't see any other choice."

"That's not going to happen," he whispered back, his own tears gathering in his eyes. "Tell me...there's nothing you could say that would change how I feel about you. Please...no more secrets. You don't have to be afraid any longer. I love you, Tay. Good and bad, better and worse...no reservations."

"There's always fear," Lyrr told him. "For a person who's had no one for so long, then to suddenly find herself with someone who's willing to give her everything...of course that's scary, Ben. I don't want to lose that, and I know I won't...but there's this cynic in me saying that I could." She swallowed to ease the tightness in her throat and buried her face fully into Ben's chest. "I...kept something from you," she whispered. "It was...about--" Lyrr gripped the sheets tightly. "It's your son, Ben."

His breath left him in a long sigh as he held onto her. "I don't have a son, Tayla. What ever she said to you was only to hurt you and me. I never laid with her, I doubt that she even let it be born. She did the same thing to Amy Reese and Vincent Chan. She used the prospect of a child to secure some leverage. If it was born...that's none of my concern. It's not mine and never will be. Nothing of hers will be welcome in my life. Let it go. The child is dead." He kissed her brow and squeezed her a little tighter. "If I have a son, it will be with you. Only with you."

Lyrr felt cold, no matter how much warmth his embrace offered. How he could so quickly and easily disavow one borne of his blood, Lyrr couldn't fathom. "You're just...you're going to leave him there?" she asked breathlessly. Lyrr stared up at him with wide, stunned eyes. "How could you do that to him? It's not his fault that woman bore him." Lyrr sat up abruptly, breaking his hold on her. "You can't just leave him there with them, Ben! With him! Do you know what he'll do? Do you know what he's done, especially to Bajoran children!" She lowered her face to his as her hands framed his haggard face firmly. "He'll kill Benjamin's spirit, Ben," she rasped. "He'll steal another child's innocence. And you're going to let that happen?"

"Benjamin?" he asked as he stared up at her. "I don't know anything about him, and I doubt that anything she told you is the truth. Leave him where? And with whom? What lies has she told you?"

"They're not lies!" Lyrr hollered. Her quickly fleeting composure was evidenced by her increasingly wild stare. "This is just like him, Ben," she whispered unsteadily. "He uses people, he exploits the weak. It...it's the only way he gets to feel strong, important." Hot tears were descending over her cheeks slowly, and Lyrr's trembling worsened by the moment. "You can't let Oresh keep him, Ben," she sobbed. "Please...you can't...."

Benedict looked up at her in amazement. "She told you that she gave the boy to Oresh? Do you know how far fetched that is? That has to be a lie, Tayla. A cleverly constructed lie! The Cardassian that tortured you having a child that is supposed to be my son? Emma Summers was a counsellor, Tayla. She had access to all of our psych records - she must have studied ours and concocted this sham. It can't be real - don't you see? Oresh's name is in your record with Scott. She must have read it and used it as leverage to get what she wanted. Even the very thought of a child in his care would torment you - but my child? She knew that I would never accept the child, so she never said anything to me. This was a story made up to torture you, Tayla...not me. I can't believe that she went through with birthing him at all." He touched her cheek and the tears. "Please, Love...it's a lie."

"You don't know that for certain," she whispered thickly. "And what if it's not a complete lie, Ben? The situation could be the same, even if the players are not exactly who she says they are. He could still be with a Cardassian and you're willing to leave him there!"

"Tayla, she's a liar, but what can I possibly do? It's a set up. If the child was born how would we find him? We're in the Gamma Quadrant. The only woman capable of telling anything about him is in another universe. We could go after Oresh, but I doubt that he's the one that has him. Catherine knew that the Cardassian Union still wants me. This whole lie is a backup plan to get me killed and to force a wedge between us. She's had access to your counselling records, Tayla. She knows how you would react to such a lie. She knows how I would react. The child was a product of hers not mine. She created it in a lab! It has no connection to me except in its DNA."

"You don't understand!" she hollered in anguish and crumpled forward. Lyrr sobbed into his shoulder as he embraced her. "I was him once," she whispered. "An orphan who took to the Cardassians and turned against her own kind. I was too old, too desperate...it was too late by the time they found me. He's still young," she said tearfully, "I can...still save him. I need to save him. It's the only way to forget."

He held her tightly, her sobbing tearing at his already wounded heart. "Prophets..." he breathed hoarsely. "Alright...we'll find him. If he exists we'll find him. But it won't be some vengeance crusade. I have some people I can call," he promised. "We can't do anything for months, so you have to put this aside for now. By the time we get back...maybe we'll have something to go on. Okay?" A part of him knew that she was doing what he'd done; placing her own redemption in the salvation of another. In Ben's case it had been Lyrr. Now he had to face a new dilemma. Everything in him rejected anything to do with Page. The thought of a child with her chilled him. He knew that if there was a child, and they rescued him, then he'd have to acknowledge him. Tayla wouldn't let it go at a simple rescue. She'd want to adopt him. "Prophets...."

His placating assurances soothed Lyrr and staunched her tears. She lay still against him, the only sound and movement that of her every breath punctuated by a shuddering sigh now and then. Her lips brushed against his shoulder, then along his collarbone as she turned her face into his neck. "So many sacrifices," she murmured, kissing his throat. "I...I don't know what to give you in return."

"All I want is you," he whispered, "I don't need anything else." He turned so that she could see his eyes, and he smiled as he cupped her face and brushed his thumb against her lips. "You don't have to keep anything from me, or hide how you feel. There's no going back for me...there's only you." He kissed her lips, softly, and then her cheek, tasting the salt of her tears. "Don't ever feel that you have to hide things from me," he whispered and he kissed her lips. "You won't lose me, not now, not ever...you're mine and I'm keeping you."

"Then you'd better get well and strong soon," she replied with a soft chuckle, "to make sure all my other prospective suitors don't steal me away." Her mood having lightened considerably, Lyrr smiled fondly as her finger traced the curve of his full lips. "If you need more incentive to recover, though," she mused, "there is an entire paradise on Castari Alpha's surface that we need to visit together."

He grinned. "Other suitors? You mean the rumours about you and Mark Thaine are true?"

Her expression showed clear surprise. "What? There aren't really rumours, are there?" She smiled with some interest, then. "What are they saying?"

Benedict's eyes narrowed. "I've seen the way he looks at you sometimes...and you spend a lot of time in Engineering with him. Just remember, Lyrr Tayla that I'm the Chief of Security." He frowned. "Don't look so damned smug...it's not funny."

She still chuckled despite his glare. "Why not? It's not true, you know. The only looks Lt. Thaine ever gives me are comprised of glowers and sneers." Lyrr raised one eyebrow at him and smiled knowingly. "You're jealous of Mark Thaine? Why?"

"I'm not jealous." He scowled. "Stop smiling!" He leaned in and kissed her, this time the kiss was more passionate as he held her against his chest. After a while, he finally released her, though he was reluctant to let her go entirely, and he kissed her throat. "I love you," he whispered into the soft curve of her neck as he nuzzled into her.

She rolled her eyes playfully as her fingers pushed through his loose hair. "So you keep saying," Lyrr quipped. "Though...shouldn't you be resting? You sure aren't acting like someone who's just cheated death."

"I'm celebrating life," he chuckled. "I didn't cheat...and this isn't all that strenuous." He kissed her again, this time with more tenderness. "I just hate the thought of being here alone," he whispered as they parted from the kiss.

"I told you you wouldn't be," Lyrr reaffirmed, tucking a strand of dark hair behind Ben's ear as she stroked his cheek. "I'll sleep on the sofa while you recuperate so you can have the bed to yourself. And if you need anything, you can just comm me from in here." She smiled gently and kissed the tip of his nose. "Don't worry so much."

"Why would you want to sleep on the bloody couch?" he asked her in confusion. "I'll heal much faster if I can hold you while I sleep...no messing around...okay?" He smiled. "I don't sleep all that well when you aren't there you know."

"I've heard that before, too," she replied. "I guess this means giving each other space is out of the question." Lyrr sighed and shook her head. "I don't even know why I bother trying...." Then smiling slowly, she lightly pressed her hands to his shoulders and laid him back upon the bed. "I'll get us some tea and we can just lie under the covers for a while - but only for a while!" she stressed. "You really can't have your way all the time, Mr. T'Kal. It isn't good for your ego."

He reached up to touch her face. "If it's really what you want, Tay.... I'm sorry. I don't want to be pushy. I understand what you're trying to do.... I guess I can get used to it. Just stay for a while...and then...you can go."

Lyrr frowned as her eyes dropped to his chest, to the scar he had inflicted upon himself for their relationship. It would be cruel and selfish to abandon him so quickly, if ever. She groaned as she rolled onto her back. Both hands folded over her stomach as she stared distantly at the ceiling. "I don't know how you do it," she sighed, "but you always manage to make me change my mind." Looking aside at him, she raised one hand and cupped Ben's cheek. "I'm not leaving tonight. I'm not even sure if I'm leaving at all. But for now," she said softly, "I just want to be near you, Ben. I've had enough distance while I waited for you to wake up. I don't need anymore just this second."

He smiled, and took her hand, gently kissing her palm. "Me either," he said as he kissed her wrist. The chain links of the delicate betrothal bracelet glinted, and once more he caught the scent of acacia blossoms; his mother's perfume. The metal was imbued with the scent, a gift from Q. It had come a long way...and so had he. "You're right, you know," he whispered. "In wanting to do this right. I don't want anything coming between us again, Love." He turned to look into her eyes. "Stay tonight. I don't want you to go tonight...but tomorrow...if it's what you want...then that's what we'll do."

Lyrr's expression read puzzlement. She had been nearly prepared to abandon her foolish idea just a moment before, and now she was receiving encouragement. Shaking her head to clear her mind, Lyrr shifted onto her side. "Ben...is this some weird reverse psychology strategy? These are some loud mixed signals you're giving me here."

"The truth is...I don't want to be apart from you...but you're right. You have to face your fears if you want to conquer them. I know that you have bad dreams when I'm not there, but being with you isn't helping you, it's just burying the problem. I want you to grow, Tay. I want you to be the person I can see that you are. You're the most courageous woman I've ever met. You are strong, but you don't see just how strong you are, and you are a beautiful woman, who doesn't see her own beauty. I want what's best for you, and sometimes what is best for you isn't the best thing for me...but I love you, so I have to do what's best for you and for us. I want to make you happy, and I want to give you what you need." His violet eyes gazed into hers, and she could see the adoration and the love that he felt. His chest ached with the depth of his emotion. He was finally free to love her; totally and without reservation. This was a different Benedict T'Kal; there were no shadows in the depth of his eyes, no hint of a dark past that had hovered like a black cloud over his life. "I'll do anything you want, Tay...anything at all."

With her fingers lightly and absently tracing the scar on his chest, she whispered fervently, "I know that, Ben. I know that now more than ever." Smiling tenderly, she closed the gap between their lips and kissed him with an infusion of desire, pure love, and a promise of the future they would have together. Even if nothing was resolved with some distance between them, Lyrr had no doubts it was into Ben's arms she would always return. There was nowhere else she wanted to be.

---

"A Call to Beachwear"
By: Ensign VT Chan
Ensign Amy Reese

Location: Chan's Quarters, USS Sulu; Castari Alpha
Stardate 57910.31, 11h30

***

"Yoo Hoo!" sang an annoyingly cheerful voice over his comm. "Mr. Chan, where are you? I've been standing here for ages. Open up!"

Groaning as he rolled over, Vincent's sheets dropped to the floor. He had been drinking the night before and had no desire to be woken up this early. He had run into that new CMO, Fletcher or so he thought it was. The Irishman had thought he could outdrink an Aussie. Yeah, right! Vincent had no memory of who had actually won.

He recognised Amy's voice hammering away at his already weak hung-over mind. It sparked an instant headache. He was tempted to roll right back over and ignore her. But his sheets had fallen to the floor and lost their warmth when he recovered them. Grabbing some pants and hopping into them as he went to the door, Vincent cringed as Amy shouted out again. Letting out a muttered curse, he opened the door, immediately regretting it as he cringed away from the light.

"There you--!" Skipping inside, Amy grimaced as she got a focused look at Vincent, and put her thoughts to words. "You look horrible. What happened?"

Vincent groaned. He was not yet ready for that chirpy voice of hers. Come to think about it, he doubted that he ever would. He managed to grunt a reply from his dry mouth. "Drinking..."

Vincent took in Amy, his eyes still squinting against the light. She looked like a loud advertisement for beachwear. It was as if she had just come from Risa. The pounding in his head refused to cease. He kneaded his head vigorously as he asked, "Getting ready for a holiday?"

Amy cocked an eyebrow, realizing he was far more drunk than he seemed. "Vincent...we've landed the ship. We're all on shore leave. Didn't you get the notice?" She sighed and move to the nearest chair, muttering, "Of course you didn't. I bet you've been passed out since we got here." And plunked herself down in the seat. "How long you gonna keep doing this to yourself? This isn't healthy, you know."

"We've landed? Of course!" Vincent exclaimed. He had almost forgotten about the ship landing planetside. Flashes of memory hit him. And finally the image of shore leave came to him. He hurried around getting his holiday gear, stuffing whatever he could into a day pack. The headache and hangover was still there, but the prospect of fun in the sun invigorated him.

He was halfway into changing into a pair of board shorts when he noticed he had completely forgotten about Amy. "Don't worry about me. I'm fine. Really," he reassured her. "Last night was just a one off. The new CMO thought he could outdrink me. But it's over now. You really don't have to worry about me."

Amy smiled bashfully. "But I do, Vincent," she told him softly. "You're my friend now. I'm allowed to worry about you!" Then she frowned hesitantly. "Unless...you don't feel the same way..."

"Listen," Vincent began but paused halfway, trying to find the right way to express himself. "You're my friend but don't let that tie you down. You can do whatever you want, just don't stress yourself too much about me. I can take care of myself pretty well." Vincent then added with a coy smile, "There are times when I need others, but generally I manage pretty well. Don't you think so?"

Amy smirked. "Vincent, you and I are helpless without others to tell us when we're being stupid or careless. Do you think either of us would've gotten involved with Emma if we weren't?" She chuckled as she sprang from her chair and skipped towards him. "Besides...I like being tied down by friends." She hopped to a halt before him, grinning widely. "There's no one else I'd rather be tied down by."

Jokingly Vincent said, "Oh, stop it! You're making me feel all warm and fuzzy..." He motioned to her that he was ready to go. "But seriously. Thank you. Makes me feel less lonely. We all need someone to lean on. Now didn't you say something about getting coffee?"

"Coffee and the best desserts you could ever dream of!" She linked arms with Vincent, taking him by slight surprise, and grinned beamingly as they squeezed through the small doorway. "Oh, and did I mention the women? Beautiful!" Leaning in towards him, she whispered, "And none look anything like Emma."

"Not even a slight resemblance?" Vincent asked mockingly. "Seriously though, I think I've been put off for a while. It'll be a while before I get another girlfriend..." Noticing the look on Amy's face, he quickly added, "Oh, no. I'm over Emma. It's just that I'm not too keen to fall in love again."

Smoothing a crease from his boardshorts as he walked down the corridor arm-in-arm, it seemed like Vincent's headache was well and truly gone.

Amy was all aflutter as they wound their way through the ship to the nearest docking ramp. Her tales of the wonders Castari held were animated and delivered in near-squeal pitch. Clinging to Vincent's arm, she tugged and jostled him as she bounced in excitement when something she'd failed to mention came to mind. By the time they'd reached the ramp and began descending into the daylight, she'd relayed an entire two days of wonder she'd experienced to the helpless Chan. "Come on," she urged him, beaming a smile. "There's more to see once we hit the city!" And squeezing his arm, she pulled him into a scampering run.

Finding it hard to keep up with Amy, Vincent followed her, shuffling his feet as quickly as he could while trying to control his puffing. His fitness was now becoming a problem. He had let himself go too far. I really must get back in shape, he thought. "Wow... it's... great!... Can we... slow... down?" Vincent said between breaths. "That way... we can... take in more... take in more... of the city!"

Amy smiled apologetically and slowed to a leisurely stroll alongside Chan. "I get excited, that's all," she explained. "I just don't know how much time we have here and I want us to see everything!" Looking down demurely, she corrected, "Well...you, at least. I mean, we don't have to sight-see together or anything...."

"No, it's okay," Vincent reassured her. "I'd probably get lost if they let me loose out here by myself." It was a lie of course, he could hardly miss the ship from anywhere around, but at least it would reassure her. He hoped. Besides, he liked her company. He expressed, "Anyway, I've got no one else to do this with..."

She chuckled. "Oh, so you're just settling, are you? The polite thing to say was that you couldn't imagine yourself here with anyone else!" Amy sighed theatrically. "Well, that would require you to possess some tact, though, wouldn't it?" she teased, and playfully nudged Chan in the arm. "That's alright, though. We're gonna have fun whether you want to be here or not."

"Fun's alright," Vincent said, "But what about that coffee and breakfast you promised? I'm starving!" Vincent playfully clutched his stomach. He was telling the truth though. He had not had anything since those beers last night. "Aren't you hungry or anything?"

"Maybe a little thirsty," she admitted. "They've got this amazing fruit juice!" Giggling, she confided, "Served by the most beautiful girls you've ever seen." Again she veered and led Vincent off the main road.

The cobbled path ended abruptly and was replaced by a sandy trail that they now shared with native Castari and Sulu officers alike in outfits similar to Amy's. The Castari's long robes were replaced by simply loin cloths for the men, and the same for their women, save for the strip of white fabric that encircled their bosom. As they neared their destination, Amy and Vincent were greeted by the great, thunderous crash of waves and a salty spray. She sighed dreamily as they stepped onto the edge of Castari's expansive beach. "Isn't it great?" she whispered.

"Yeah," came a hushed and awed response. Vincent was silent for a minute as he savoured the moment. The sun beating down on his back, the salty sea air, and the jubilant music and voices around him. It actually felt like home. Home being specifically the east coast of Australia. He almost regretted not bringing a surfboard, before realizing he couldn't surf all that well. A lurch from his stomach drew him back to the present. His dry throat also gave a twinge. "Let's go pay those beautiful girls a visit. I'm simply dying for a drink!"

"But why ever? You've got one right here, hanging off your arm!" She snickered, however, and pulled him away. The first stand they arrived at offered an array of juices in colours Amy didn't know existed in fruit. She chose an indigo concoction, while Vincent chose the red. He was also awarded a complimentary kiss on the cheek by the one of the stand's female workers. It took much of Amy's strength to drag him away. "This planet is worse than Risa," she sighed. "The other night, Kit and I were nearly abducted by two Castari who intended to do God knows what with us." Then she giggled. "Though I imagine it had a little something to do with getting undressed."

"I wouldn't mind that," Vincent said. "But I'll be thinking with my head rather and my dick... Our purpose here isn't simply to get laid, however appealing that may be..." His eyes lingered over one of the girls at a drink stand. Oh no, he wouldn't mind at all...

An elbow to his ribs jostled Vincent. "You're so vulgar," Amy complained, though her smile remained. "But I guess if you're trying to deter any potential female suitors, you're on the right track...."

"I don't mind. I don't think I could handle it. But let's not talk about my sex life for now, hmm?" Vincent usually steered clear of the topic and had no intention of talking to Amy about it. "You should really try this red stuff, you know. It's like a fruity version of a bloody Mary."

Amy grinned and bent over Vincent's arm to trap his straw between her lips. She sucked up a gulp of his beverage and sighed with satisfaction. "Yummy," she purred, then broke into a fit of giggles. "We need to swim, Vincent! Or don't you know how?" Amy joked lightly. Leaning into his arm, she sang, "I can teach you."

"I can swim," Vincent said. "But what I really want to do is surf. Shame I left my surfboard on board, isn't it?" He gestured his thumb back to the shadow of the starship. "But if it'll make you happy I'll get my feet wet..."

"Oh, all for me?" she asked sarcastically, then unbuttoned her shorts with a single flick. They dropped to her ankles and Amy hopped free of them as she sprinted off towards the ocean clad only in her bathing suit. "Come on, Chan! I bet it's warm--" She shrieked as a wave crashed into her, throwing Amy onto her backside upon the beach. Pouting as the water receded away from her, Amy sulked, "Not so warm after all...."

---

"Planetary Offerings of an Unpleasant Kind"
By: Commander Lyrr Tayla
and Lieutenant Mark Thaine

Location: Mark Thaine's quarters, USS Sulu
Stardate: 57910.31, 14h15

***

With a sigh, Mark sat down in his chair; a coffee in one hand and the final reports of the Alpha Shift repairs in his other.

The day had gone surprisingly well. With key systems shut down the more involved diagnostic processes could be run without interrupting ship's systems, and the number of engineers Thaine had at his disposal for repairs almost doubled, with constant monitoring of the shut-down systems no longer needed.

It had also been a tiring day, though. He'd spent most of it running for one end of the ship to the other, overseeing the various repair-work going on, and lending his technical expertise to solving the various problems which inevitably arose when parts of the ship were systematically taken apart and put back together again.

"Lieutenant Thaine," Lyrr's voice sounded over his commbadge in a surprising sing-song. "Would you mind meeting me at the landing ramp on Deck 2, Section 4-C? You're needed."

Thaine groaned in annoyance, before finally tapping his commbadge to answer. "On my way," he told her, forcing himself out of his seat, and out of the door of his quarters. This, he decided, had better be good.

The corridor on Deck 2 was flooded with glaring Castari sunlight spilling in through the open hatchway. A sole, lean figure was standing before it, with one hand shielding her eyes as she peered outside. Commander Lyrr grinned amusingly at Thaine as she noted his approach. "Oh good, you've made it. This is really more for you than it is for anyone else aboard."

As Thaine drew nearer, his eyes widened in surprise at what awaited him. "The hell is this?!" he asked, gesturing to the planet's surface.

It seemed to take all Lyrr's will to prevent herself from laughing when she swept an arm towards the base of the ramp. Crowded below, all in blue robes, were a group of four men all wielding toolkits, and staring up eagerly at Lyrr and Thaine. She turned to him and simpered, "Your repair team, Lieutenant.

There was a moment of stunned silence from the Chief. Then, "They know how to use those 'kits they're carrying, right?" he muttered to her.

Lyrr shrugged as she planted her hands upon her hips. "All I know is they came, offering to help. As I recall...they never mentioned anything about being Engineers." She gave him a facetious grin. "You aren't really going to refuse an offer of kindness, are you, Lieutenant?"

Thaine glared at her, before shooting a glance down at the assembled Castari. "Alright, you can get up here!" he called down to them, before returning to glare at Lyrr. "Where do you want them to start? The environmental systems on deck 3?"

Lyrr pursed her lips at Thaine, unappreciative of the jest. "I think I'd prefer if you worked on those systems, Lieutenant. The Castari seem to be partial to warmer climates...and that might just affect their adjustment of the temperature controls." She sighed a chuckle, then. "Though, I now see your point, Lieutenant. But we really can't refuse their help. This is a first contact situation and it just wouldn't be...polite." Lyrr and Thaine stepped back as the repair crew assembled before them. She offered a smile and raised her forefinger in what she hoped was the universal request for a moment of privacy, then took Thaine's elbow as she turned them away from the eager men. "Okay," she whispered. "The least amount of damage they could possibly do is in the lighting controls and ship's gravity. What do you think?"

Thaine gave her an incredulous look. "You really want them messing around with the artificial gravity systems?"

Lyrr snickered. "What's the worst that could happen? We float around for a while, maybe bump our heads against a ceiling or two?" Noting the lieutenant wasn't sharing in her amusement, Lyrr cleared her throat and nodded curtly. "Ok, gravity's out of the question. The waste disposal systems?"

"I thought you wanted to be polite? But if you don't think they'll mind if I put them on repairing the waste reclamation systems..." Now it was Lyyr's turn to fail to share in the amusement. "Alright, alright, I'll find them something worthwhile and non-critical for them to do."

She smiled. "Thanks. It keeps them off my hands, at least. But if they are any trouble, just contact me. Otherwise" --she patted him on the shoulder-- "good luck." Then tossed her head towards the waiting crew.

"Thanks," muttered Thaine, and not exactly enthusiastically. He looked over at the waiting Castari engineers, who were waiting expectantly, and eagerly, for their orders.

The repairs, decided Thaine, had just become more difficult.

---

"Sunny Greetings"
By: Ensign Amy Reese
Dr. Terrance Fletcher

Location: Sickbay, USS Sulu
Stardate 57910.31, 14h20

***

Whimpering and spreading her arms and legs wide to keep her flesh from rubbing, a very reddened Amy Reese waddled to sickbay. Kit, Tchi, and Kelli had all laughed when they woke her from the nap she'd taken on the beach, after the sun had already inflicted its punishment, but Amy herself experienced only searing pain when her eyes had opened. Although Kit had offered to escort her to the ship, she'd declined, stating that she'd rather hobble her way there on her own. And she'd done so, taking a gruelling twenty minutes to get there, including her trek through the corridors. The ship was relatively deserted, and for that she was grateful; the last thing she wanted to put up with was gawkers.

Her flesh felt as burnt as it looked, and although an ice bath was the first thing on her mind, getting the burns healed would be a more effective remedy. She only hoped there was someone in sickbay to tend to her.

The parting doors led her to the bay, with not a person in sight. Amy pouted miserably and stood just after the threshold, looking around dolefully. "Help," she whimpered feebly.

A spark of hope filled her as the sickbay doors whooshed open once again; she attempted to turn with the intention of eagerly greeting her saviour, but the next thing she knew, her arms were flailing to maintain her balance and a spear of pain shot through her where she'd been struck in the back. With a shriek, Amy pitched forward, catching only a glimpse of the person who had bumped into her.

Juggling his falling data pad, ready to apologize to whoever he bumped into, Terrance saw a young woman, very red for some reason, who was flailing her arms wildly trying not to fall over. Although his first instinct was that he had had one too many to drink, he soon recovered, letting his data pad drop whilst extending an arm to support the woman. He was, however, too slow and ended up being dragged down by her.

Sitting up and dusting himself off, he reached for his data pad from under a biobed. He turned back to the woman. "Uh, sorry about that. Didn't look where I was going." Which was true. Terrance had been entirely absorbed by the map he had been reading on the data pad. Without it he was likely to get lost simply walking down a corridor. He stood up, offering a hand to help the injured woman up. "You look a right mess and I didn't help you any."

Amy sulked. "I feel a mess." Sucking in a sharp breath, Amy allowed herself to be pulled up, and sighed once she was upright and the burning lessened. "Are you with medical?" she asked the man hopefully. "I-I've never seen you around before...and I really need help."

"Er, right. You do need help," Terrance said. "Hop onto the biobed and I'll have a look." Helping the woman up he added, "I'm Dr. Fletcher by the way... I'm the new CMO." That sounded pleasant enough, he thought. Apart from the captain and his assistant, the only other person he had met was an asian science officer who he had had a drinking contest with. "And you are?"

She seemed mortified rather than honoured to meet the man. This was not the manner in which she'd intended to meet her new department head. Amy seemed near tears. "I'm sorry about all this," she whined. "I'm Ensign Amy Reese...I'm one of your nurses, sir. Y-You really don't have to treat me," she insisted, even slipping off the bed for emphasis. "I didn't mean to take up your time, sir."

"That's okay. You're not wasting my time," Terrance said. "I only just got here anyway. Dr. M'lira lead me here on my first day, and I've spent all my time since trying to retrace those steps. And get back up on that bed. I can treat you, no need to worry... I would expect you to do the same if I ever came in here like that."

"Of course I would, sir," she insisted in all seriousness. Wincing and exhaling short, rhythmic breaths to alleviate the pain, Amy struggled onto the bed once more. She sighed once in place and smiled weakly at the doctor. "What I mean is that you probably want to get settled in before having to get right on treating patients...especially careless ensigns." She blushed.

Terrance's eyes took in the red damage before him. It looked simple enough but he did not want to rush. "This would help me settle in, Ensign... Nothing like real work. All I've been doing since getting on board is talk, drink and play soccer. This makes a nice and pleasant change..." He looked at the painful expression on Amy's face. "For me at least."

The problem looked simple enough. Preventing any scars would be his problem though. He thought back to an old herbal remedy for sunburn. "Yeah..." he said to himself, his mind thinking back. He had used it in his youth when he had gotten sunburnt once in a rather delicate area. The redness and swelling had disappeared in a matter of days. It wasn't conventional, but he thought it would be the easiest and most soothing manner to deal with this. He drew up his files at the nearest computer on the mixture.

"This might work for you... It's an old Asian herbal paste thing that should clear it up for you in a few days... Reduces discomfort more than whatever modern stuff we have." She looked apprehensive, he noted. Terrance gave her a reassuring smile. "Trust me on this one... I've used it myself on more delicate areas..."

Amy smiled bashfully at the first image that popped into her mind. There was only one delicate area she knew that existed on a man.... "I trust you, Doctor. Though...you think you could get my back, sir? I don't think I'd be able to reach it." And before his agreement, she shifted sideways on the biobed to bring her back into view. "You can undo my top if you like, sir. If it'll make it easier to work."

Turning around from the replicator machine which was now dispensing the mixture, Terrance was caught offguard by the red and swollen back now presented to him. Well, he thought, it could be worse... Terrance brought the herbal mixture to his nose and gave a sniff, before dipping his finger into the gooey mush. Rubbing it between his fingers he gave a satisfied nod and brought the bowl back over to the biobed. Fumbling with the catches, Terrance managed to expose Amy's back and began to smear the substance on her. "It should take effect instantly. You'll be fine by tomorrow, or the day after at most," he said professionally. "I expect to see you in sickbay by then... In uniform, hopefully..."

"Really?" she asked, her disappointment obvious. "You mean...aren't you going to the planet, sir? We're all there...even the Captain! It'd be a shame to miss it...for both of us," she muttered under her breath.

"It's hard enough finding my way around the ship, how do think I'd fare out there?" Still, the thought of going planetside appealed to him. It would have appealed to him, he corrected himself, some ten-odd years ago. "I'm a bit too old to be doing stuff like that. Still it sounds fun..."

"Then do it," she said blithely. "It's not like you have to do all the things us youngsters do. There's a beach and water." Amy gasped excitedly and bounced around on the biobed to face the doctor. "Oh, you have to taste the drinks, Doctor! You'd really be missing out if you didn't. And besides, you really do need the rest before we head out. With all the chaos we encounter, you'll be busy soon enough!"

Terrance shook his head at the word 'drink.' After his humiliation last night against the Australian scientist, he had no intention of showing his drinking prowess to anyone. "I'll go when I have the time, but right now..." he nodded his head to Amy's red skin. "I can't wait to get to work. I know it sounds a bit crazy, you know, wishing that people would get injured, but I've been away from this job for long enough now..." With that he went back to applying the mixture.

After a while Terrance had managed to smother any part of Amy's skin that was red and put some of the mixture in a container for here. He printed out some instructions and stuck them on the plastic container. "This should do you for the next few days. If something happens come back to me, alright?"

Amy gave him a large grin and slid off the bed. She paused to test her arms, raising them, then rotating them, and finally nodded with approval. "That's some good stuff, Doctor. I didn't even need a dermal regenerator." After collecting the jar from Fletcher, Amy thrust out her other hand for a shake. "It's a pleasure meeting you, sir, and I look forward to livening up your days further with my very presence in sickbay." Her grin was cheeky.

"Ensign," Terrance replied with his own smile and a shake, "I look forward to it."

She nearly giggled at his charming grin, but saved herself by scampering away, waving all the while at Terrance until she was through the doors.

---

"Admission of Guilt"
By: Captain Matt Salinger
Commander Lyrr Tayla
Lieutenant Commander Benedict T'Kal

Location: Ben's Quarters, USS Sulu
Stardate 57910.31, 19h00

***

Lyrr awoke with a gasp at the doorchime, her dream-engrossed mind having convinced her it was Ben calling her name. When the fog of sleep cleared, and the chime sounded again, it was no longer his voice she heard. Her heart again settled.

They'd been asleep for hours, it felt, and Lyrr couldn't remember when she'd slipped out of bed to nestle into the nearest chair, despite Ben's insistence that he couldn't rest unless she was in his arms. When she looked up to where he was soundly asleep, she wondered how true his claims were; though, her hand was still resting on his, and that scant form of contact alone may have been enough to soothe him. She was reluctant to break that hold, however the chime rang once again to betray their visitor's persistence. Lyrr slowly removed her hand from his and, without creating too much of a disturbance, she moved free of her chair and crept from the bedroom. With a single look back to see Ben stir but nothing more, she hurried lightly to the door before the chime could ring once more.

Her face registered shock when Matt appeared before her. She self-consciously hugged her bare arms around her chest to conceal the tank top she had replaced her uniform tunic with, and tried to draw little attention to her stocking-less feet, but her blushing cheeks announced her discomfort loudly. "Captain...." She swallowed hard. "I wasn't expecting you. I'm sorry."

"Commander," Matt said as he focused his attention away to ease her discomfort. "I hadn't really announced I was stopping by. I'm going to be heading down for the party soon, on the surface. I wanted to check in to see how Ben was feeling. How are you holding up?"

Lyrr stepped aside to allow Matt entry. Once he did and the door closed, she relaxed and let her arms fall to her sides. "I'm fine, Captain," she answered. She motioned to a vacant chair at Ben's dining table on her way to the replicator. "The doctor says he'll be fine, as long as he rests. He's sleeping as we speak."

"I don't know how many times I've heard that recently," Matt said as he took the offered seat. "I think I managed to rest enough to last me until the end of this mission."

Lyrr chuckled weakly, then muttered an order of green tea. "Anything for you?"

"Some tea would be nice," Matt said. "Thank you."

Taking up the newly materialized beverages, Lyrr joined Matt at the table. "If you're worried that I won't be able to make my shift in the morning, don't be, Captain. I'll be there." She took a seat and smiled. "You deserve some shore leave. I'll take care of things around here."

"I'm not worried," Matt said with a smile. "And, I'm going to be on and off-ship for a bit, I think. Xayella's been after me about the nebula. After tonight's fun, I'm going to send a shuttle with a science team aboard out. My next stop is to talk to Sam about leading the mission, then I'm off for the party."

Staring into the steaming green brew, Lyrr nodded slowly. "I can help him oversee preparations if you wish."

Matt nodded. "Of course," he said. "I was going to send you as mission leader, but I figured you'd prefer to stay here with Ben now awake."

Her head perked up, her gaze cutting to Matt. "Captain, I would prefer if you didn't pass me up for anything because of my personal situation," she told him frankly. "My career is important to me and the first thing Ben and I promised ourselves when we decided to enter into a relationship was that we would put duty before anything else. I appreciate your concerns, Captain, but please don't let this incident interfere with my job aboard this vessel." She paused and studied him carefully. "Unless...you believe I'm not fit to lead this mission."

"I believe you're fit," Matt said. "Do you want to lead this mission, Lyrr? If you want the lead on it, you're up. If you're hesitant, I can send Sam."

"I'm not hesitant," she answered with an edge to her voice. "If you're asking me to lead it, I will."

"Do you want to lead it," Matt said. "If you want the assignment, it's yours."

"I want it," was her immediate reply. Hesitation came afterwards, but Lyrr refused to turn down the offer now.

"It's yours then," Matt said. "I'll have the mission information dropped by later. Departure is at 08h00." He looked around, then back to Lyrr. "I thought you and Ben had moved into your quarters."

She stiffened. "We had. But...we decided to try something a little different now."

Matt nodded. "I see. Well, I do hope it works out for you. How's he holding up?"

Lyrr smiled wanly. "Would you like to ask him yourself? I assume that is why you're here, Captain."

"Oh, if he's sleeping, it's alright. I'll talk to him later."

"No sir, I'm not," Benedict's voice came from the doorway to the bedroom. He was dressed in a long kimono styled robe and his raven hair was draped over the shoulders. He gave the captain a slight bow as he walked to the replicator and ordered green tea. He smiled at Lyrr's look of concern and shook his head a little. "I'm okay," he said, "and a shuttle mission will do you good," he added with a grin. He sat in the chair opposite Salinger.

Lyrr smiled awkwardly at Matt as she leaned in towards Ben. "Why didn't you call for me?" she whispered. "If not to help you up, to at least keep you from overhearing before I could tell you myself."

"You don't need to help me up," he smiled and slipped a hand over hers, giving it a squeeze. He turned to Salinger. "I'm sorry for this, sir. I know that it's causing problems. I'd like to resume my duties as soon as possible."

"Of course," Matt said, then added, "when Dr. Fletcher says you're ready to return to duty. For the time, Lieutenant Bennett has things under control for the security department. I'm sure she'd be more than happy to drop a report by for you. There are some...some other things we should talk about..."

Lyrr sighed and pushed back her chair. "I'll go..."

Benedict's hand tightened on hers. "No, stay...please. Whatever we have to discuss you should be part of. This whole thing is about us. I'll have no secrets from you." He turned back to Matt Salinger and nodded. "If you don't mind, Captain. You deserve a full explanation."

Lyrr sat back down slowly, watching her captain with expectant eyes.

"Of course," Matt said, then gestured for Ben to continue. "What I have can wait for a few minutes."

The explanation took more than a few minutes. Benedict told him about his past relationship with Tebrianne and where it had left off; about Catherine Page and her mind altering device that left him badly injured, and about the Blood Bond that he had shared with Tebrianne. Benedict's explanation was objective and managed to remain so as he talked about what had happened in the alternate universe while Salinger had been a captive. The bond had been causing him difficulties before the mission to the Space Station and the Gate, and Counsellor Scott had consented to provide him with a drug that had kept him going; even though she disagreed with it, she had conceded because of the seeming one-way nature of the mission.

He explained the events afterward between Tebrianne and Lyrr, and that for his relationship to survive, he had no choice. It was either lose everything he cared about, and lose his mind in the bargain or risk certain death. He'd chosen the only course of action available to him. Now he was free of the bond, and free of the divisiveness of his emotions. Tebrianne was now free to rebuild her own life. Benedict was in love with Lyrr Tayla. He smiled fondly at Tayla as he told Salinger how he felt.

"I'm sorry that it happened as it did," Benedict finished. "But I'm recovering quickly, and feeling better than I have in a long time, Captain. What I did was to save my life; not really take it. I didn't want Tayla to always wonder...nor did I want her only having a part of me. She deserves everything I have." He smiled again at Lyrr. "Everything."

Matt nodded. "I see," he said. "I have one question and a statement. Ensign Markham and Ensign Marp will continue at the helm until we return to the alpha quadrant, or until such time as Ms. Bancroft changes her mind. She's chosen to not sit in at the helm of the ship, using the overly warm welcome we've shown her as evidence that it would only cause problems for her to be visible. She doesn't feel welcome here, doesn't feel like she fits in, and is feeling a compulsion to show us the same sort of compassion we've shown her. I can't say I don't blame her. I've got security, medical, and counselling keeping an eye on her. Rumour has it that she's fairly handy with a knife as well." His eyes dropped quickly to the front of Ben's kimono which hid the scar from the wound he'd inflicted upon himself. "Second, the question, was it this temporary insanity brought on by the bond with Ms. Bancroft that prompted you to attempt to strangle the Chief Science Officer of the Sulu?"

Lyrr's eyes darted to Ben, evidencing her extreme shock. It was apparent this had not been brought to her attention previously.

"No, Captain." Benedict held Salinger's eyes without fear, the sudden anger he felt evident in the flash of his own eyes. "Xayella Tagliesh faked being raped so convincingly that it got an innocent man killed. Even if he was the enemy, her methods sickened me. It went so far as to use a sample of the man's bodily fluid; and to coerce the medical staff into the sham. At a time when we were trying to allay the enemy's suspicions so that we could set up our revolt and escape, Xayella was trying her damndest to cause trouble. She instigated the plan to build probes within science without consultation with anyone and as a result of that debacle Shyla Moreau was murdered when the enemy discovered what she'd planned. I did not strangle her, Captain. Our confrontation was brought about as a result of her so-called rape. I went to her in my capacity as Chief of Security; at the time I did not know that it wasn't true. When I discovered her lie, and that she had manipulated Tebrianne into killing a man, and endangering all of us...I lost my temper with her, sir, and I grabbed her. I did not attempt to strangle her. She used methods no different than the enemy...her behaviour was unbecoming of a Starfleet officer. She set a man up to be killed in cold blood, and conspired with Ensign Farrell in other matters. Honestly, Captain, she was no better than they were!"

"It was a difficult time for everyone," Matt said. "The chain of communication between all departments was broken down, there was no longer a clear chain of command. From the reports I have read, people were trying, on their own, to help get the ship back home, and to free it from the hands of the enemy. Xayella was doing what she could, in her own way, to help the ship get back home. Some might say the death of Lt. Tagliesh's so-called rapist was payment for Shyla's death. Your perception may be that she was trying to cause trouble, Commander, but I assure you that Lt. Tagliesh was doing her damndest to help get the ship home, regardless of how unorthodox her methods may have been. Tebrianne Bancroft was raped in one of our own brig cells; Lt. Lektar was beaten in her quarters; Lt. Saavar beaten in his. Officers were beaten in the cargo bay, in the lounge, on the bridge. I don't believe there's a single microgram of cold blood in that entire universe, Mr. T'Kal. She was doing what she thought necessary in the face of the danger the ship faced. And, because you didn't like her methods, you assaulted her. Whether she was right or wrong aside, Commander, a member of this crew was assaulted by my Chief of Security."

"Ben," Lyrr whispered, searching his eyes. "It isn't true, is it?"

"It's true that I grabbed her, Captain. It is not true that I tried to strangle her. She was not hurt, sir, just rattled by it. Xayella is exaggerating the event. We don't exactly get along, even though I have tried to be friendly to her. It was a momentary lapse and even though we were under a great strain, it was regrettable on my part. I did not strike her. I grabbed her for a second or two; that was all. She played a part in provocation; she taunted me at the time, about my ability to prevent your capture and that we should have fought them initially. She was completely dismissive of the death of Crewman Moreau, or any of the other attacks. I am aware of how the crew was treated, sir; that was the issue at the time. She was provoking further tensions and as a result the enemy acted accordingly. Yes it was a chaotic time, but we had a plan and it was coming together; Xayella's actions could have ruined everything. As it was, the Enforcers were reinforced with extra personnel to keep us under control."

"Lt. Tagliesh was more deeply affected by what happened than anyone may realize," Matt said. "My only hope is that when the next crisis occurs, my senior staff can work together through the crisis rather than turning on her. And, I truly hope that I never hear of another incident where one of my crew, especially a member of my senior staff, has assaulted another member of this crew or any other officer in Starfleet. And, the feud that exists between yourself and Xayella, it needs to end. I know you don't trust her, but you're going to need to learn to. She won't endanger this ship or crew needlessly. Her plan was sound and it would have worked, however the problem was not her plan but that it was detected before it could be carried out. But, I want this to end. I'll speak with Xayella, then the three of us are going to have a meeting. The fighting has to stop immediately."

"As far as I am concerned, sir, it ended a while back. There is no feud. The incident was isolated, and it went no further. It surprises me that you would support her actions. Her plan was not sound, Captain. She did not even attempt to discuss it with anyone. As the ship's Tactical Officer she should have consulted me. She chose not to. She stepped beyond her rank and position and someone was killed for it. The incident was a minor one that she's exaggerated for her own purposes."

Lyrr's jaw clenched as she pulled her hand from Ben's and sat up at attention. "Captain, I apologize for this," she said, her tone formal and solemn. "This incident occurred while I was under command of this vessel, and I let it go unnoticed and unpunished. I was negligent...and I'm sorry."

"Even a starship commander can't be aware of everything that happens on their ship," Matt said. "It's not your fault, Lyrr. You couldn't have known since you were not made aware of it by the parties involved."

"The captain's right, you weren't to blame, and you weren't in command either," Benedict pointed out. "If it was so damned serious why didn't she say anything to you or to a counsellor. She's not affected by it - she didn't even get hurt. She's just a vindictive woman who seeks every advantage she can get. She sows disharmony everywhere, she's positively hateful, spiteful and childish. She doesn't know what the word professional means. Ask around, Captain, you're possibly the only person on this ship she's civil to."

Lyrr looked at Ben with complete disillusionment. She never imagined he could sound so...bitter. "Commander T'Kal, I would advise you to stop right there before you say something to further damage your chances of coming through this with your career and record intact. No matter what the reasons, harassing a fellow officer will always be an objectionable offence. If the captain so wishes, I'm sure he won't hesitate to reprimand you."

"I happen to have a unique insight into Lieutenant Tagliesh's psyche and behaviour," Matt said. "I'd like to think that I happen to know something about her, something your perceptions of her haven't spotted. When I say she was affected by what happened, I assure you she was. Don't let your own feelings for her blind you to what may be happening beneath the surface. I wish it were a simple explanation or fix, but it's not. You weren't here when she first arrived...she has made progress. You won't be reprimanded, but I do want you to strive to get along with her. I'm going to tell her the same thing."

Ben looked between Lyrr's hard expression and Salinger's. "I will attempt to get along with her, but I will not tolerate her insubordinate attitude because she believes she's untouchable. You only see what she wants you to see, Captain. When you aren't in the same room with her, she's a different woman. Frankly her behaviour while you were absent from the ship was sickening. She seduced a man, got him drugged and staged a rape; even going as far as injuring herself so that the medical officers believed it was a rape, with all of the evidence. As a result of that, Tebrianne had to kill a man publicly; putting her own life at risk as well. Is that the kind of woman you think she is? Is that acceptable to you? It's not acceptable to me, sir. It made her no better than the animals down in the cells."

"And assaulting a fellow officer doesn't make you the same?" Lyrr riposted. She sighed and turned her gaze aside. Never having witnessed this side of Ben before, she was unprepared for how to deal with it. All she could do was shake her head and rise. "Permission to be dismissed from this conversation, Captain."

Benedict looked at Lyrr with open amazement. "You think grabbing a Starfleet officer is the same as staging a rape and killing a man?" He shook his head. "I think some perspective is needed here. Obviously whatever the woman does will be acceptable; she really is untouchable isn't she?" He looked at Salinger. "No matter what you tell her, and no matter how friendly I will be to her, she will always seek to get what she wants, and she doesn't care who she steps on to get it. Hell, she can even get a commendation for something she was reprimanded for."

"This isn't about Tagliesh, Ben!" Lyrr snapped, rounding on him. "This is about your carelessness! Whatever you do reflects badly on me because of the position we're in, and I thought you knew that. My career is important to me, but how far do you think I'll get if I marry a man with a spotty record? What will that say about me? You're already bordering on instability, Ben," she told him. "First assaulting a fellow crewmember, then turning a knife on yourself?" Lyrr exhaled sharply, gripped by an instant of panic. "I can't have my career jeopardized like this," she whispered. "So stop being so bloody stubborn and take responsibility for your actions."

"I do," he stated flatly. "I apologize for grabbing her." His expression was unreadable, his eyes shadowed.

Matt glanced up at Lyrr. "I believe I'd like to talk to Ben alone now," he said. "I'll get you that information within the next hour."

Lyrr sighed and gave Matt a nod. She barely glanced at Ben before departing.

Benedict didn't even glance her way. He looked over at Salinger and sat back, trying to compose himself. He'd let his anger run its course. Obviously speaking freely was forbidden. For Tayla to turn on him and throw what he had done for her back at him as instability was a gross insult. He had placed Lyrr Tayla ahead of everything, and now he knew where she stood; or rather where he stood with her. He took the opportunity to close off his emotions while she left the room, and sat silently awaiting Salinger's response.

Once Lyrr had entered the bedroom, Matt looked back to Benedict. "I'm sorry about this," he said after a lengthy silence. "My only purpose in bringing that up was to find out why it happened. I know because of my relationship with Xayella it seems as if I'm upset because she was the one, but I would feel the same if any of my crew was assaulted. I didn't want for it to...to get out of hand though."

"Yes, sir." Benedict's reply was softly spoken. He nodded, still replaying Lyrr's words in his mind. He'd given her everything, and she had thrown it back at him in the most hurtful way possible, and she'd done it in front of Salinger. Again. "The situation with Xayella got out of hand; I was under a lot of strain...and I wasn't thinking clearly. I apologise, Captain. It will never happen again." It was as if the life had left his eyes; they were dull, his expression unreadable.

"Don't do this to yourself, Ben," Matt said. "I need you to get better, I need you to get through this, and I need you back on my bridge. I understand the strain and I understand not thinking clearly. It happens; just be careful in the future and make sure it doesn't happen again. It's over and done with, and in the past. But, don't let what Lyrr says get to you. She's upset and her career does mean very much to her, but she's a blunt woman who says what's on her mind and doesn't hold back. For anyone."

Benedict nodded. "Thank you, sir. It won't happen again. I give you my word. I'm sorry that all of this has happened. I'll talk to Tayla. I understand, Captain. Thank you." He gave a slight bow of the head.

"Sounds like you're trying to rush me out of here, Mr. T'Kal," Matt said as he leaned back in the chair with an equally unreadable expression. "Don't do anything you or I will regret, Benedict. Please."

"No, sir, that was not my intent," he sighed. "I do not know what to do about Tayla, but I will not do anything either of us will regret. I love her; and I'll do anything to keep her."

"I can't afford to have you out any longer than it takes for you to get back," Matt said. "Do you need anything here? Is there anything I can do?"

"Not really, sir," he shook his head. "I assure you, I'll be back to duty as soon as Counsellor Scott will allow. I would appreciate her assessment taking the minimum time possible. I feel better than I have in a long time, Captain. My physical health is improving by the hour; I believe a day or two is all that I need. I am being kept aware of the situation in my department."

Matt nodded. "That's good to hear," he said. "I hope to see you back on the bridge soon. But for now, get lots of rest."

"Aye, Captain. Perhaps...." He hesitated, momentarily looking away before he continued. "Perhaps you could talk to her...Tayla," he said in a soft voice. "Everything should be okay now. I was...very conflicted before."

"I'll talk to her," Matt said. "I have to go down to the planet for the party in our honour tonight, but I'll speak with her before she heads out in the morning. I'm sure everything will work out now that you're healing up and the conflict's been eliminated."

"Thank you, Captain," he bowed slightly, and smiled a little ruefully. "The conflict of thought may be removed, but the object of them has not. Tebrianne has been sorely treated, but I think given time to adjust she'll be back at helm. She deserves the opportunity, sir, and I feel responsible for what's happened."

"Perhaps she'll find a way to fit in with the crew, to make friends and become one of us again," Matt said. "At the moment, I don't believe she's trusted, and she's not received well wherever she goes. Perhaps she will end up back at the helm...I'm sure Mr. Markham and Mr. Marp would appreciate that. Time is the best counsellor or doctor we could ever hope for in many cases."

"Yes, sir. Nevertheless I will make sure my department accepts her. If I may make a suggestion...give her the opportunity to sing, sir. She's never failed to win hearts when she sings."

"I'll see what I can arrange," Matt said. "I'm sure the crew would enjoy the entertainment."

Benedict smiled, most of the anger he'd felt a few minutes ago had already evaporated. "Thank you, sir. Perhaps...you might also ask her to share some of her flight experience with Ensigns Marp and Markham. She's the best combat pilot I've ever seen, sir. She can make a Galaxy Class vessel dance; on an Intrepid...her experience would be invaluable, and it might also make her more comfortable... I apologise for presuming.. but I know her, sir."

"I understand," Matt said. "You know her better than any of us here, and perhaps as well as she knows herself. I'll see what I can arrange with her. If you'd like to be involved in any of my discussions with her, or in helping me convince her, if necessary, please just let me know."

"I'll help any way I can, sir. Just let me know and I'll be there." Benedict's tone was serious and Salinger knew that he meant it.

"Thanks, Ben," Matt said. "I should probably leave you to get some rest. I have a few things I need to take care of before heading down to the planet."

Benedict smiled in return and nodded. "Thank you, sir. Forgive me if I don't get up."

"I understand," Matt said with a smile. "Get some rest, and get well. I'll talk to you soon." With that, he stood and left the quarters. Hopefully things would sort themselves out soon.

---

"Second Wind"
By: Commander Lyrr Tayla
Lieutenant Commander Benedict T'Kal

Location: Ben's Quarters, USS Sulu
Stardate 57910.31, 19h30

***

Salinger left Ben's quarters and for a moment the Bajoran sat still and sipped the remains of his tea. With a deep breath he climbed to his feet a little less than gracefully. He was still tired and he wanted to sleep again. He hadn't wagered on the after affects being so debilitating. He took another breath and looked to the bedroom. The far side of his quarters were sectioned off with an open arch and he walked over to pause before the entrance. He heard Tayla shuffle something and he stepped in. She was pulling the bed quilt straight and she didn't hear him as he came from behind.

As she straightened up he slid his arms around her from behind and kissed the back of her neck.

She sighed raggedly and covered his hands with hers as she leaned her head back upon his shoulder. "I'm sorry," Lyrr whispered. "I was caught by surprise by what he said, by what you did."

"It's okay," he said softly as he squeezed her a little more tightly and kissed her neck again. "You were right, Love...so I'll make sure you never have to think about that again. I'm sorry." He turned her within the circle of his arms and kissed her brow. "He wants me back on the Bridge as soon as possible," he whispered, and smiled. "Everything will be okay. You'll see." And she could see that his violet eyes were gazing at her with open devotion.

"He says I leave tomorrow morning," she told him quietly. "I don't want to leave with things as they are... My outburst...you have to understand that my career is so important, Ben. I didn't want him thinking I condoned your actions."

"Shhh..." He placed a finger against her lips, as he gazed into her eyes. "I know, Tay...Commander Lyrr doesn't condone what I had to do, but Lyrr Tayla, the woman who loves me, knows why I had to do it." He kissed her then; a soft touch of lips that expressed more clearly than anything else could that he forgave her. "How long will you be gone?" he asked softly, his hand pressed to her cheek.

She swallowed unsteadily at his touch, overcome by a mixture of uncertainty and relief. "I'm not sure... I've yet to see the mission outline, but I imagine at least a week."

"At least?" The dismay in his voice was evident. "I'll pine away." He grinned. "Stay with me tonight? And I don't mean on the couch." He kissed her lower lip. "Please...?"

"Are you sure?" she whispered. Her voice trembled to mirror the eager quivering of her body. Closing her eyes, she returned the faint kiss and pushed her hands lightly up to his chest. "You know you're not ready for more than just...sleep," she murmured.

"We won't be playing Springball," he mused and he drew her lip between his teeth, teasingly and then kissed her again, softly, adoringly. By the time they parted from the kiss he could feel her trembling in his arms. "I want you, Tay...more than I've wanted anything in my life," he whispered into her mouth as he brushed his lips against hers.

She gripped the front of his kimono to steady herself. "I feel the same," Lyrr mumbled back, somewhat entranced by his affections. "I just don't know if we're allowed." Still, she kissed him again and slipped her hands into the folds of his robe to caress his bare chest. "Don't push yourself," Lyrr stammered. "There'll be time, Ben. We have so much time...."

"I know," he whispered as he placed a light kiss to her cheek, and caressed her throat with his tender fingertips. "I don't want to waste a minute of it," he breathed into her ear and brushed his cheek against hers. "I love you," he murmured and planted a soft row of kisses along her jaw to her chin before taking her lips once again in a loving kiss that left both of them breathless.

Lyrr sucked in a lungful of air, and sighed shakily. "I love you, too," she answered fervently. "That's no longer in question." Her fingers gently dragged over his healing scar in affirmation. Both hands then moved upwards to his strong shoulders and continued back, pushing away the top of his robe. She leaned forward to graze her lips against his throat as her hands dropped to the tie holding his kimono closed. "Is this what you really want right this minute?" she murmured.

He had closed his eyes as she brushed her lips against his throat and felt her hands move over his shoulders, and she could feel his trembling as he swayed toward her. "I wasn't...thinking...now," he whispered and sighed as his lips parted to draw in a ragged breath. "Tonight..." he whispered as he caught her face between his hands and tilted her face for another kiss. He kissed her deeply, and she could feel his passion and desire for her expressed within it.

He drew apart only slightly, his hands resting on her shoulders as he smiled. His violet eyes held her gaze and in a moment of silence between them he brushed her cheek with the back of his fingers. "I'll see you later tonight," he promised.

Lyrr, cheeks flushed and hot with the desire he had inflamed, regarded Ben with confusion. "I don't understand...what do you mean?" She was breathless and still stroking his shoulders with her fingertips.

"I think I need to rest a little while.." he whispered, his own voice thick with desire. "Just for a few hours. Prophets, Tayla, I want you...I need you." He could feel his heart hammering.

She leaned her body into his, unable to refrain from expressing her yearning for him. "Can I at least stay beside you?" she whispered as her hands returned to the sash holding closed his kimono. Her mouth trapped Ben's again, suckling on his lower lip hungrily. "Let me stay," she breathed. His kimono fell open and her hands instantly sought the flesh beneath.

Benedict closed his eyes and swayed into her and surrendered to her hungry lips. His capitulation was complete and she knew it as he moaned into her mouth and cupped her face in his hands. The kimono slid off his shoulders and was caught at his elbows. The golden tiger paws shone in the light, his bared chest glistened with a sheen of perspiration. He kissed her back and let the garment fall all the way to the floor and he stood before her naked; the white, perfectly straight scar just under his ribs was livid. His raven hair fell across his shoulder as he kissed her throat and manoeuvred her to the bed. "Be gentle," he whispered.

Lyrr smiled against his cheek. "When am I not?" she answered softly, and felt the back of her knees hit the mattress. Lyrr watched Ben with adoration as they sat upon the bed, the visual connection broken only when she removed the tank top over her head. She leaned in to resume the tender series of kisses being bestowed upon one another, and gently pressed her hands to his chest. As he reclined upon the bed, she whispered, "I'll take care of everything. Just relax..."

He chuckled at that and undid the fastenings on her pants. "Get out of these," he said as he pushed them down her hips. He felt a little light-headed and the effect she had on him as always made his heart race. As he watched her undress, his violet eyes seemed to devour her. There was no mistaking the devotion written large in his eyes. He desired Lyrr Tayla; he wanted her and only her. There was no confusion, nothing to hide, no secrets, no guilt, no shame...only Benedict's love for her remained.

Crawling up alongside him, Lyrr smoothed her hand over the angles of his chest, dragged her fingertips over the raised, segmented muscles of his abdomen... When her lips met his as she lay down beside him, her hand finally dropped below his waist to its final destination. Thinking of how close she had come to losing him evoked a sense of urgency in Lyrr; they couldn't afford to ever squander any moment they had together, and she wasn't about to now, despite his injuries. "Maybe," she mumbled between kisses, "the separate quarters idea was a bad one for the time being...." Lyrr pressed herself against his side as she draped one slender leg across his waist. She smiled down at him. "Don't you think?"

Benedict smiled up at her, his hands seeking her breasts. "It wasn't my idea," he said with a chuckle, as she moaned softly at his touch. He leaned up as she pressed forward against him and his warm breath washed over her sensitive breasts. He caught one hardened nub with his lips, his hands smoothing over her other breast and pressing into the small of her back.

Lyrr sighed as she pushed her fingers through his hair, encouraging him to continue with his present course. "It was...just a thought," she whispered unsteadily. His knee slipped between her legs, parting them as he began rolling Lyrr onto her back. She laughed softly, gripping his shoulders to stop him. "I thought I was supposed to be taking care of things here?"

"Okay," he smiled, and gave in, and pulled her back to a searing kiss. His strong arms circled her as he melted into her, a soft moan escaping his lips. The kiss lasted a while, and by the time they parted to breathe raggedly into each other's mouth, brushing lips, Benedict's hands were kneading her back and the soft curve of her rear. He bit softly against her lower lip, her breasts rubbing erotically against his smooth chest.

They both knew this was the last night they would have together for at least a week, and their fervent actions spoke of how trying that short separation would be. Sitting upon his waist, and driving the pace as she had promised, Lyrr and Ben made love as if it were the last time and the first. There was still some mending that remained, and would have to wait until she returned, but the major hurdle had finally been overcome: Tebrianne no longer had a hold on Ben, and judging from how quickly he had succumbed to Lyrr's desires despite a heated moment, it was clear she was the only one now holding the strings to Ben's heart. Every other weakness in their relationship was of miniscule importance in comparison to what they had endured. They could finally just be together.

"It's over," she whimpered into his ear, sliding against him with increasing passion. "And just beginning..."

Benedict hardly heard her words, his eyes closed and his concentration focused on their joining as he succumbed to her needs. His heart hammered in his chest, and there was no pain, no discomfort, as they strove for the release that both craved. He loved her, and in the height of his passion he gazed up into her glazed and sexually charged eyes and watched the play of emotion and desire, lust and love that held her as she writhed upon him. Their eyes locked upon each other like magnets unable to break free, and at the moment of release they kept that contact, and it ignited both of them. Benedict cried out as he fell, every muscle tense and quivering and pulsing as she took the life from him and gave her own in return.

Her chest was heaving against his as Lyrr clung to Ben, struggling to breathe. Anxious eyes found his when Lyrr framed his face with both hands, bringing his head forward. She shuddered briefly, still being struck with the residual tides of their climax coursing through her, but she swallowed hard and opened her eyes once again to study his. "Ben," she panted, "are you okay? Was that...was it too much?"

"It wasn't enough," he breathed with a grin as he kissed her, still fighting for breath, yet holding onto her; cradling her. "I'm okay," he reassured her as he wrapped his arms around her tightly and held on. "Don't ever leave me, Lyrr..." he whispered fervently.

She chuckled breathlessly. "You're the one who almost left me, remember?" Sliding her hands under his arms and over his shoulders, she pulled herself up closer, until their noses were just touching. "Ben," she whispered, her eyes and voice conveying complete sincerity, "no more of that suicidal honour crap, okay? Please, no more...."

He cupped her chin and cheek and looked deeply into her eyes, "I promise, Love, no more. You know why I did what I did. I couldn't lose you...and I felt like I was losing my mind. I wasn't suicidal, Tay. It was the only way for us to live, and that was worth the risk to me. I need you, Tayla. I promise never to leave you; I'll always belong to only you. There's no one else for me." His words were spoken softly but the sincerity and adoration in his eyes as he looked at her pierced her, and she knew without a doubt that he meant every word. The darkness that had always been a part of him seemed to have lifted away. He smiled and kissed her, a tender and gentle kiss that conveyed his heart's desire to love her.

Somehow his touch and his assurances were always enough, especially now. She groaned miserably as their lips parted, and gave Ben a veritable pout. "I shouldn't have agreed to that shuttle mission. A week away from you?" Lyrr grumbled and shifted against him until she had wedged herself comfortably under his arm by his side. "You know it'll be torment. A week without being able to touch you..." She brushed her fingers along his ribs and sighed. "What will you do?"

He rolled into her so that they were twined together, one hand idly stroking her hip and thigh. "I suppose I'll just pine away..." he whispered with a smile. "I can't go back to duty until Scott clears me.. and she's going to make the whole ordeal painful. She was pissed at me because I didn't go to her to get help...and I definitely need to concentrate on my fitness," he added. "By the time you get back I'll be back in condition, so you'd better be prepared to get wiped all over the Springball court...as well as other things," he added softly as he brushed a finger across her abdomen. "Don't regret going on the mission, Tay...it's duty and it's important, and I love that about you. I'm sorry that I disappointed you," he said as he touched her lips with a finger. "It won't happen again...I promise."

She grasped it gently away from her lips and narrowed her eyes at Ben with incredulity. "Disappoint me? You haven't, Ben," she whispered ardently. "Things get a little shaky and we both end up saying or doing something we might regret later...but you did nothing that would make me think less of you." Sighing, she laid her hand upon his chest and traced the contours idly with her fingertips. "For all I know, Tagliesh could do with a fright or two to get her in line. Sure, it should never have come to violence, but that's not to say she didn't deserve it slightly. You have to stop worrying about me." Nodding her head and raising a hand to stay his reply, Lyrr said, "I know I said you need to consider me when acting...but forget that, Ben. If we have to walk on eggshells because we're afraid of damaging the other's career, we'll be miserable. I'll deal with any ramifications that come from your actions or methods...and if people can't accept that I love you just as much as my career" --she shrugged, and grinned at him-- "to hell with them all."

He stared at her for a long moment, his smile growing. "Okay..." he said softly, his lips touching hers for another soft kiss, and he barely moved away as he whispered, "See...there's nothing that love can't solve." He brushed against her lips, and his fingers traced the contours of her shoulder and neck. "I swear to you, Lyrr Tayla, I'll never be a Tagliesh to you. There'll be no more problems." He kissed her again. "No matter what she says to provoke me, I'll just ignore it."

Lyrr smiled quizzically. "What did she say anyway? I've called you 'Benny' on more than one occasion and still haven't seen you that mad." She giggled as she leaned in to playfully nip at his earlobe. "Benny," she whispered teasingly.

He chuckled and when she bit his ear he couldn't help the half-moan that escaped his lips and the sucked in breath as it sent a shiver down his spine. "I'll get even, Kitten...." he laughed as he slapped her playfully on the ass. "You don't want to know what she said. I wouldn't want to have to throw you in the brig."

Lyrr smirked. "That bad?" She shrugged and dragged her lips down the curve of his neck, pushing his long hair back to expose more glistening flesh. "Just promise not to conflict with her anymore. She's brash and outspoken...and she might just have intentionally provoked you to rile you. I'm not saying she would plot to ruin your career" --she raised her head to stare directly into his eyes-- "but if you continue to let her antics frustrate you, you'll run into trouble, Ben." Then, she chuckled and returned her lips to his throat. "Okay, enough with the lecture...I know.... I just don't want anything to happen while I'm gone."

"I know," he agreed softly. "She knows which buttons to press, but still, I never would have touched her normally...it was just what she'd done, and she was so smug about it, and I was just...not in a normal frame of mind anyway. She knows that insulting me wouldn't get her anywhere...but she attacks me using our relationship. I really don't like the woman," he said with a hint of fervour. "The thing I can't work out is why she'd be this way...you'd think that she'd do her best just for Matt and his sake." He sighed, and gave Lyrr a fond smile. "I promise it will never happen again, Love...you're too important to me to screw things up for you." He sighed again as her lips continued to caress his neck.

"Good," she murmured, winding her way down to his chest. "Then you won't mind apologizing to her."

He chuckled, "Yes I would mind. I think it's best left forgotten...treat it like it never existed...then I won't have to make her apologise to me...about what she said about you."

Lyrr raised her head again, fixing a stern gaze on him. "But she should have to apologize, Ben. The captain can't let her get away with things like that. You, Tagliesh, and the captain are going to have a meeting, and that would be the perfect opportunity, Ben."

"Love...I'd rather just forget it happened. Neither of us would be sincere in the apology anyway. It would just make it worse, not better. For what she did, she deserves Brig time. I don't want to sit down and apologise to the captain's girlfriend in front of the captain...she'd just see that as another bloody victory to rub in my face later! I'm not being stubborn, Tayla, I've tried to play nice with the woman, but she's just a complete bitch!"

She sat up abruptly, propped up by a single hand and peering down at Ben with presumably furious eyes. "I can't believe you said that," she whispered slowly. And just when it seemed Lyrr would blow up at Ben, she laughed and draped herself across his waist. Gazing up the length of his torso, she now only expressed amusement. "I don't know if I've ever heard that word come out of your mouth before! I think I really like this fiery side..." Her hand snaked over his thigh to further convey her approval. "What other words do you know?" she asked with a leering smile.

Her reaction took him by surprise and her question even more so. "You want me to swear?" he asked, his voice full of amusement. "Like what?" he asked.

"Not swear, exactly," she told him, swatting his stomach with the back of her hand. "Just...expressing your anger with such colourful language." Lyrr chuckled and nestled her cheek into the cleft of his hip. "It's really appealing, you know. It just goes to show that you can do more than spout codes of honour and take yourself too seriously...." She smiled fondly. "I like that."

"For a minute there I thought you wanted me to talk nasty to you." He laughed and slapped her butt with a sharp smack, certainly not hard enough to hurt, but enough to make her squeal!

Lyrr gasped and smoothed a hand over her abused rear. "We're not children, Benedict T'Kal," she chided severely. Then, she broke into snickering laughter and began stroking his abdomen idly with her fingertips. He flinched uncontrollably as she tickled him. His violet eyes narrowed.

"If you want to, you can, though." Her smile was undeniably wicked. "Except...only in Bajoran. And if I approve...." Fingers sliding past his abdomen and between his legs, she added, "Well...that'll be a surprise, won't it?"

"Lyrr Tayla," he chided and pulled her into his embrace, kissing her as his arms wrapped around her; she was so warm and he wanted to soak up her heat. "You're a bad girl..." he scolded her softly. "I love bad girls," he growled as he rolled her onto her back. His raven hair fell across her as he moved down her body, and finally he set about showing her just how much he loved her, whispering in Bajoran as he pleasured her again.

And through the ardour of his ministrations, Lyrr was wholly convinced Ben wouldn't suffer any physical after-effects of his sacrifice. She wasn't by any means a Vulcan or a telepath, but their bond felt as if it was strengthening. The proof was in his words, his touch, and how Tebrianne's name wasn't even hinted at any longer. All that remained was she, Ben, and the ecstasy he was driving her to. Nothing at all seemed lacking now.

---

"Natives and Dancing, Part 1"
By: Captain Matt Salinger
Lieutenant Xayella Tagliesh
Ensign Marp
Faelen Metah

Location: Castari Alpha
Stardate 57910.31, 20h15

***

"Hey, doesn't this remind you of somewhere?" Hanging off Matt's arm while constantly twisting, turning, and straying to take in all the passing sights, Xayella Tagliesh finally stilled enough to grin dreamily up at Matt. "A certain pleasure planet where we baptized every single place possible?"

Matt chuckled. "I believe that would be Risa," he said. "It's a very nice place, and the people are so welcoming. A little too welcoming at times, but still a delight." He slipped his arm around her as they walked, enjoying the feeling of her body pressed against his side. "I"m glad we have some time together."

"Yeah, and without pesky assassins running loose," she quipped, but the memory had her subconsciously holding Matt closer. Wearing only a simple, thin sundress, it was comforting to feel his warmth transferring to her skin; it lent reassurance that they were both still alive and well together. "How long do you think we'll be here?" she asked softly.

"Perhaps a week," Matt said. "Lt. Thaine is still working up an estimate for repairs."

Xayella grumbled. "The same man who promised me sensors would be fully operational yesterday?" She snorted. "We're never leaving! Although...." Nuzzling her lips to his ear, she whispered, "There's plenty we can think of to occupy our time, don't you agree?"

"I'm certain we'll all find enough to keep us occupied while we're here," Matt said. "I authorized your science expedition request just an hour ago. You should have received a computer confirmation."

"Oh, I did," she whispered huskily, and nipped at his earlobe. "How ever will I thank you?"

"I can think of one or four ways," Matt said with a grin. "Though, we should wait until we're somewhere more...private."

Xay sighed and pulled back. "Oh, and anyone on this planet will care?" She chuckled and again returned her lips to his neck this time. "So...why can't I go on my own mission, again?"

"It's not really a can't go, it's a do you really want to spend your time on the mission enclosed on a shuttle with Lyrr Tayla?" Matt raised an eyebrow for emphasis.

"You have a point," she allowed. "And you're right...you and I need some time together. First you're stabbed, then you're abducted...." Xayella sighed dramatically. "The universe is against us."

"It is," he said gently as he cupped her face with one hand, "but we have a chance now to get back at it. Which means, tonight we've got a party to attend...and after that, private time."

Xayella grinned salaciously as she stroked his hand. "Whatever you say, Captain." And kissed him lightly.

Matt gave her a smile as they walked together. "I spoke with Commander T'Kal about the incident in the alternate universe."

"Did he tell you it was his double who did it?" she asked playfully.

"No, he admitted to it," Matt answered. "But, he insisted that you provoked him into it."

She rolled her eyes. "Whatever I said to him, he had no right to touch me, Matt. Did you tell him that?"

"I did tell him that," Matt said. "But, did you provoke him? Taunt him?"

As she looked down and began chewing her lip, Matt discovered the answer he was searching for.

"Xay, Love, I know we've talked about this. Please...things are falling apart on the ship, coming apart at the seams. Please don't help things fall apart...please...please don't help in the ruining of my career."

"Matt you know I wouldn't do that!" she exclaimed, gripping his arm pleadingly. "You weren't there, Matt. You don't know how things were. Everyone was tense, pushed to their limits. I was worried about you, and he comes barging into my quarters lecturing me on what I should and shouldn't do to get my captain home. Things got heated and we both said some things that shouldn't have been said. But that still gives him no reason to hit me!" Xayella pulled Matt to a stop and framed his face with both hands. "I was trying to bring you back to me," she whispered. "If one enforcer got killed in the process, who the hell cares? They did far worse to us."

"I know," Matt said gently. "And, I understand. At least, the part of me that's just a human being, who loves you and probably would have done similar things if you'd been the one taken hostage. The Starfleet captain in me, however, has to think of other things. No one's being reported or reprimanded for this. But, I would like for you to do your best, try as hard as you can, to get along with the rest of the senior staff and crew of the ship. We need to work together now more than we ever have before."

"I've been trying to get along," she insisted. "But it's like he waits for me to screw up so he can give me a self-righteous lecture on what it is to be a model officer." Xayella growled and threw her arms across her chest petulantly. "What a hypocrite!"

"I think there are a lot of people watching you and waiting," Matt said. "They want you to mess up. That's why I want you to prove them wrong. To show them that you're better than they realize, that you're worthy of this position and uniform. I want you to show them how wrong they are."

She smiled tenderly as her hands slid down to his chest and she moved in closer. "You see my potential," Xay pointed out softly. "Isn't that all that matters?"

"I see it, but I want to see you reach it," Matt said. "And, I want all the people who have doubted me, doubted my ability to command, to know that I was right to trust you, to give you a chance. I don't want them to go on thinking they're right about you, when they're very wrong."

"If it's any consolation," she told him with the sweetest of smiles, "I think I've convinced Saavar of that. I think he actually smiled at me!"

"That's quite an accomplishment," he said with a laugh. "You may not be the ideal Starfleet officer, with a crisp salute and by-the-book actions, but you're one hell of a scientist. Anyone who doesn't see that, doesn't want to see it."

Xayella smiled curiously at Matt. "I love you," she whispered, sounding as if she had only just made that realization. "You promise you always will in return?"

"I promise," Matt said as he took a step back and opened his arms for an embrace. "I'll always love you, Xayella, with all of my heart."

She chuckled as her head laid against his chest. "That's especially sentimental of you, Salinger. You're really eager to get to our room, aren't you?"

Matt chuckled softly as he folded her into his arms. "I can wait for a bit. Can you?"

"Me too," she sighed, and moved around until she was at his side again...where a rather short, stocky man in purple robes stood, grinning at them from ear to ear. Xayella started.

"Greetings, Captain Salinger," he announced reverently, and even bowed.

Matt smiled. "Faelen Metah," he said with a smile to cover his own surprise. "Allow me to introduce you to my Chief Science Officer, Lieutenant Xayella Tagliesh."

He plucked her hand from around Matt's waist, much to her puzzlement, and raised it to his forehead in the customary greeting of his people. As interested in cultural practices as she was, Xayella was still disoriented by the man's sudden appearance. "It is my esteemed pleasure, Lieutenant Xayella." Metah straightened, but maintained his hold on her hand. "A most exquisite woman you are," he gushed. "Is she your mate, Captain?"

Matt chuckled. "She's not my mate yet," he said. "Though, we are very close."

"Close enough," Xay quipped with a teasing smile for Matt. Metah giggled.

"Oh, she is delightful, Captain!" he declared, patting her hand with his free one. "And you are both of the same species. Oh, you will make purely beautiful children."

Xay gave a short, abrupt laugh, then murmured an apology.

"Because of our careers, we're holding off thoughts of starting a family," Matt said. "But thank you for the compliment. The party seems very lively. The crew seem to thoroughly be enjoying themselves."

Metah clapped happily. "We are so pleased, Captain. It is our hope the rest of your stay on Castari continues to be as engaging." He stepped aside, clearing their path, and swept and arm towards the gathering. "Shall we?"

Xayella tried to smile politely, but her sidelong look towards Matt expressed her displeasure at the prospect of being entertained by Metah the entire evening.

Matt tried to give her a look that indicated he would try to break them free of Metah as soon as he could, then turned back to Metah with his diplomatic face in place. "I look forward to this night, and the rest of our stay. So far, everything is wonderful. It's very refreshing to find such a welcoming and open place here in the Gamma Quadrant."

"If only we could be closer to your Federation," Metah sighed. "Your departure will be a somber occasion indeed, Captain."

Matt chuckled. "I'm sure it will be amongst the crew as well," he said. "When I give the order to lift away, I may have a mutiny on my hands."

Metah chortled with one hand supporting his ample stomach. Xayella nearly cringed. She and Matt, however, halted as two crimson-robed men rushed up behind Metah, coming to a sudden stop themselves behind the oblivious man. Metah oofed as he, facing the entirely wrong direction, bumped the imposing man. "Oh dear," he murmured and maneuvered his bulk around to apologize profusely. It seemed to slip his mind completely when he regarded the two figures. His expression became wholly perplexed.

One of the men bowed deeply. "Your Faeghraen," he said. "Perhaps a private word? It's in regards to--" He glanced at Matt and Xay, then back to Metah. "It's a matter with the Separation Council, sir."

Metah nodded slowly in understanding. When he regarded Matt and Xay once more, his usually cheerful demeanour was all but absent. "I am afraid I will be unable to join you this evening, Captain. I am needed."

Matt smiled. "As the captain of a starship, I know exactly what you mean. It was good to see you, and I hope to speak with you again soon, Metah." As he watched the little man rush off to help solve the imminent crisis, Matt turned back to Xay. "Well, that wasn't so bad, was it?"

She frowned at him sourly. "If he hadn't been called away, I have a feeling he would've been joining us in bed."

"I really don't want to think about that," Matt said with a laugh. "Come on, let's go see what sort of food they have over here. I can't wait to sample some Castari cuisine."

Chuckling seductively, Xayella breathed into Matt's ear, "And I can't wait to sample some of yours later...."

"I was hoping you'd say that," Matt said with a sly grin. "Come on."

While Matt and Xay were strolling lazily to the banquet table, another of the Sulu's officers was being cheered on by a native Castari female. She laughed musically and clapped in time with the tune wafting through the air. Golden hair bounced as gracefully as her supple bosom did beneath the thin, white garment she was swathed in, and sandled feet moved consummately in time with the music. "Oh, you dance well, little man," the young woman complimented, her thick accent coming through heavily.

"Thank you," replied Marp as he moved with the beat of the music. "You are not so bad yourself." Marp flashed her a smile.

Her eyes grew wide at the sight of his crooked, pointed teeth, but not with shock; rather, she appeared intrigued. "You are like nothing I've ever seen before." With a soft, sultry smile, she moved in towards Marp. His eyes were level with her substantial chest. "May I touch you?" she asked forwardly.

Marp chuckled. "Who am I to say no to such a friendly request? Be my guest."

The woman pulled her bottom lip between her perfect teeth as she slowly brought one finger towards his face. Eyes crossing as he followed the digit, Marp watched it land on his nose. She giggled while running the fingertip over his ridges, and was soon carried away, pinching his cheeks and stretching them taut, prodding and tugging at his lobes. "This is extraordinary!"

"Yeeouch," said Marp as he jumped back. "Careful with the lobes, honey, they are kind of sensitive." Marp smiled again, rubbing his head.

"Oh, I am sorry, little man," she said with genuine remorse. "They are...very big for ears. I was simply curious." And to repent for her previous impertinence, she bent forward and kissed the tip of his nose. Watching him with large doe-eyes, she asked, "Do you forgive me? I will do anything to make it better."

Marp smiled. "Of course I-- " Marp paused. "Anything? Did you say anything? Maybe we should go somewhere more private and I will tell you all about my lobes," said Marp with a smile. Taking her by the hand Marp led her away from the dancing crowd.

---

"Natives and Dancing, Part 2"
By: Lieutenant j.g. Taylor Bennett
Ensign Alexia Johnstone

Location: Castari Alpha
Stardate 57910.31, 20h45

***

Taylor Bennett was only partially on duty, and partially enjoying the festivities. As everyone, she'd dressed down for the party, choosing a long skirt, tanktop, and a pair of sandals. It was more comfortable than her uniform and helped her to relax a little. She moved easily through the crowd, enjoying the music and the crowd. She smiled as she made her way toward a table piled high with treats and other assorted morsels of goodness.

"May I?" a deep, resonant voice asked from behind. When she turned, a dark-haired Castari towered over her, with a string of beads draped in his hands.

Taylor smiled up at him. "Of course," she said and lowered her head for him to string them around her neck. It was no surprise that he was attractive, nearly everyone on the planet was, and to think Finn was missing it. She'd have to give him the highlights later. "This is quite an event here."

The man shrugged his broad shoulders, his attractive smile remaining. "It is always like this. But never have we had people of your kind in our presence." With great assertiveness, he stroked the pointed tip of her ear with a finger. "Very intriguing...."

The warmth of his hand in such an intimate gesture sent a tingle down her spine. "Thank you," she said. "My heritage is mixed. I'm part human and part Vulcan. It's very nice here. I can't help but wish to stay for longer. The planet, your people, everything is beautiful."

"Everything," he repeated, eyeing her meaningfully. "I am Ranesh. You have accepted my beads. That means I get first dance." Unseen to Taylor, his one hand cupped the slope of her hip while the other was extended to her palm up. "Will you?"

One of Taylor's eyebrows rose , but her countenance dissolved into a smile. "Of course," she said and slipped her hand into his. "My name is Taylor. I am a member of the Sulu's security department."

He seemed to be sizing her up as he pulled her closer. "You don't look very strong." Together, they swayed to the music. "What is it you do in security, Taylor?"

"I mainly operate the primary tactical station," Taylor said. "I also assist the chief of security as necessary." She gave him an enigmatic smile. "And, I may not look very strong, but I'm stronger than I appear."

"You must show me later, then," he challenged with a dashing grin. His hand dipped lower, cradling the small of her back. "Are all your females as tantalizing, Taylor?"

"A lot of them are," she said with a smile. "There's a rumor that only the most beautiful women in the Federation are allowed to join Starfleet. I don't believe it myself. But, I'd say that everyone in the fleet has their own unique beauty. Everyone can be tantalizing in some way."

His laughter was rich and smooth. "You are too modest, Ms. Taylor. Not like the women of this planet. They recognize their beauty and embrace it, boast it. I find your attitude...appealing." And from his intense, lingering gaze, it was clear he found more than her attitude appealing.

"Thank you," Taylor said with a smile. "While I have been told I'm attractive, I do know there are others more attractive than I. But, we all do have our own standards of beauty, don't we? Though, I can't imagine anyone's standards not finding your people, or you, as appealing."

"We are exotic," he granted. "But...we are all the same." His delight transformed to resignation rather quickly. "I, myself, prefer Chawla women, but..." He sighed.

Unconsciously, Taylor reached up and touched her hair, blonde just like the other...faction, on the planet. "I understand," she said with a nod that indicated that she did. "I'm sorry about that. But, at least you get to dance with me tonight."

"Oh, I may dance with any of them," he clarified, raising his hand to the lock of hair she had been playing with and idly stroking it. "But that is all."

Taylor smiled, though not sure if she understood, or if she wanted to understand, the meaning beneath what he was saying. She decided to let the comment pass, choosing not to assume the more paranoid option. "This is a great song to dance to," she said with a grin.

"It is just a song," he told her, and at once he was suddenly dour. "I would continue this with you somewhere more intimate if I could...you are an amazing female."

"But you're not allowed to," Taylor said. "With me?"

His smile was rueful as his hand dropped from her hair to her cheek. "You are...different. That is unacceptable."

Taylor smiled at him. "But, you don't seem happy, Ranesh."

He sighed wistfully as he pushed his fingers through her hair. "I do so like the colour gold," he mused. Then, his smile returned. "But, it is impolite of me to be so gloomy in the presence of such beauty. You will still continue to dance with me, will you not?"

"Of course I will," Taylor said with a smile. "You're a good dancer, too."

He laughed with renewed mirth as he launched them into a spin, pushing his cheek into Taylor's golden hair for good measure.

***

Alexia Johnstone's head was aching as she wandered around, looking at everyone and everything within sight. It really was the most amazing place that she had seen in a long time. The scenery was absolutely breathtaking, and so were all its inhabitants. It was as if only beautiful people were allowed on Castari. Even the food was absolutely delectable. The tables were almost groaning under the weight of the food piled on top. Even though Lexi had had no appetite, she had tried quite a few different native dishes in an attempt to show how grateful she was for the hospitality. So far, there had not been one thing that she had tried that she hadn't liked yet. It was good to have some time off duty, and to be spoiled with the abundance of the pleasurable pursuits that were available here, and Lexi found herself wishing wholeheartedly that her head didn't ache quite so badly.

She had watched Taylor Bennett dancing with one of the inhabitants of the planet, and saw that she seemed to be enjoying herself. If anything, seeing them together made Lexi feel a little homesick. She was feeling very alone at present, as was usual when she was feeling under the weather, and knew that if she had been at a party back home on Earth, she would have had absolutely no troubles mingling and mixing and making new friends.

Lexi continued to meander around, trying to look as if she belonged, and that she was enjoying herself, hoping that she wouldn't be stopped by anyone. A slight frown marred her brow, as a wave of nausea hit unexpectedly. Her headache seemed to be getting worse, and Lexi didn't know what had caused it. She had been working quite hard over the past couple of weeks, but then so had everyone else, so she decided that couldn't be the cause. Besides, she wasn't exactly working now.... if anything, she was more relaxed than she could remember being in a long time. No, it's definitely not stress related. This really isn't the best time to be feeling lousy, she thought. I could so enjoy this under different circumstances.

She chuckled wryly to herself. What sort of a nurse was she, if she couldn't even prevent a simple headache of her own! As she continued to wander, the thought suddenly occurred to her that her headache probably had something to do with the brightness and warmth of the sun on Castari. It was something she was unused to, and she had forgotten her sunglasses when they had beamed off the Sulu. She also hadn't had enough to drink, and was probably slightly dehydrated. Lexi cast her eyes around, seeking out where she might be able to find something to drink, and noticed a table a short distance away from her with some kind of drink set out on it.

As she reached the table, and stretched a hand out for a cup, another hand reached for the cup at the same time. Lexi blushed slightly as she glanced upwards and her eyes came into contact with those of a very handsome tall blonde man. Her eyes skitted away nervously. This was exactly what she had been hoping to avoid! Now she had no choice but to speak. To not speak would be inexcusably rude, and she couldn't do that.

"Hello," Lexi smiled. "It's been a wonderful day, hasn't it? I'm Lexi, nice to meet you."

"My name is Tayan. It is my pleasure to greet you," responded the Castarian. "Would you wish to have a drink? We have the finest fruit juice composite I think you will have ever tasted. Not that I wish to boast, but of course I shall." He smiled as he voiced this last comment, and Lexi knew he believed every word as he spoke with such passion and fervour.

As Lexi nodded her agreement, Tayan poured a drink into the cup that she was holding. Lexi took a sip, then the sip turned into a gulp. The juice concoction was indescribable. The initial taste was of coconut, then there came an aftertaste of possibly pineapple and mango, with a dash of melon. Mixed in with these was a hint of mint, a hint of guava and something that could also be passionfruit. It was the most unusual taste sensation Lexi could ever remember tasting, but it was so refreshing and light on the palate. Almost immediately, she could feel her nausea and headache receding.

"This juice...what do you call it? It is the most divine taste I can remember ever trying," Lexi asked.

"Sheareva," Tayan replied. It was said 'shay-a rev-a' with a slight burr on the 'r'. "It is one of our native fruits. I think you would possibly describe it as a sort of fruit salad type taste. We use it here for nutritional purposes as well as its healing capabilities."

Lexi nodded again. "I can feel the benefits you talk about. It was just what I needed."

Tayan smiled gently. "If I may speak boldly, you looked as if you were needing something a little refreshing." He motioned with his hand to the scenery in general. "Sometimes it can be a trial if one is unused to our climate. It has been known to cause head achings in those unfamiliar to it."

Lexi's eyes scrutinized the man's face. There was only openness and honesty there, and concern. "How did you know?" she asked.

"Your eyes... they reflect emotions like a pool of water. I see so many things in them," he said. "You would be surprised what I see in them."

Lexi ducked her head shyly. She felt like a blushing school girl again. Was she being flirted with? What a novel idea! "What do you think you see in my eyes?" she invited.

Tayan smiled cryptically. "Would you wish me to respond honestly?"

As she pondered this question, Lexi was unsure how she hoped Tayan would respond. With honesty, or with what he thought she wanted to hear? For some inexplicable reason, she felt a bond with this handsome man. Whether it was simply a physical attraction she was feeling, or something else, Lexi was unable to explain the feelings he was inspiring in her. She could hear her heart beating, and her skin felt flushed. All this, and he had not even touched her!

"With honesty," she decided.

The Castarian smiled benignly. "As you wish," he said.

Lexi's stomach rolled as if she were on a roller coaster. What had she let herself in for? As she waited, somewhat impatiently, the Castarian began to speak.

"I see a very beautiful woman who works hard and plays hard. Someone who is dedicated to her job, and who is very caring. I see a woman who is a romantic at heart, and who occasionally wears her heart on her sleeve. I see a woman with very strong sexual desires that have been pushed aside. I see a woman who, once she has decided to give her heart, gives of herself wholly and completely. I see someone who waits patiently for the day her mate will come along and sweep her off her feet.... "

Lexi stared at Tayan, wide-eyed, her face flushed and her lips slightly parted. Her breath came in short puffs. How in the name of the Gods did this man do that? She cast a furtive look around. Had he found one of the others from the Sulu and spoken with them about her? It was if he had a book in front of him with all her character details written in it!

"I see you are a little disconcerted." Tayan spoke softly. "If I have upset you in any way, I apologise deeply and most sincerely. I do not mean to injure you, and I speak only of what I see in your eyes. I believe what I have spoken of is nothing but the truth. On Castari, it is a crime to not speak of the truth." Tayan's hands came together as he bowed slightly towards Lexi. "A very beautiful woman such as yourself deserves nothing but the most truthful words from my mouth. I should also speak the truth when I say how honoured I am to have been able to speak this truth with you."

As Lexi stared at the Castarian male before her, completely baffled by him, and the emotions coursing through her, he bowed again, and said, "I will leave you now with your thoughts. If you have questions of me, I will be available to continue this discussion at any time you may choose. Simply ask for Tayan, and your request will be passed on to me. I wish you many days of enjoyment and relaxation as you rest here in my world. Please, enjoy your time here. I am honoured to have made your acquaintance."

With that, Tayan turned, and left Lexi standing alone at the table. She watched as he moved into the crowd, then disappeared from her sight. She felt let down, and she wasn't quite sure why. What had she expected to happen? That he would feel the same as she did? That he would take her in his arms and kiss her? Lexi shook her head in an attempt to clear it. There was no reason for her to feel the way she did. In no way had Tayan led her to believe that they were having anything other than a conversation, and yet she felt as if she had been cast aside like a piece of driftwood. What was so bizarre, was that this was the first time Lexi had allowed her emotions to surface the way they had just now. Usually, she kept her emotions tightly checked, and no one had ever read her as wholly and completely as this man had. Lexi truly believed that her time here on Castari would be a very interesting and enlightening time if it were to continue as it had started, and she looked forward to it with a mixture of both consternation and delight at the same time.

---