"Pull Out Your Party Hats"

Lieutenant (jg) Dhanishta Eshe
Engineer

Lt. Commander Ethan Suder
Chief Engineer

Lieutenant (jg) Michael McDowell
Engineer

*** Minutes later in Main Engineering ***

"Risa On My Mind"

Principal Characters:

Lt. Ella Grey
Lt.(JG) Victor Krieghoff

****

USS Galaxy
Deck 7
Victor Krieghoff's Quarters

Victor glanced at the scheduled rotation for shore leave again to check his position on it, typed the correct confirmation codes into the pop-up form on his LCARS panel, and watched it vanish as he hit the key to enter it. ~Well, that's that,~ he thought, relieved, as he leaned back in his chair and waited.

A few seconds passed, and the display rippled as the change he'd requested worked its way down the line of names and leave times, shifting people ahead of him and behind him as his name winked out and vanished. In less than six seconds, it was as if his name had never appeared on the roster at all.

He stretched, sighed as his muscles tensed and strained for a second, and then relaxed. ~I understand why they had to put my name on the list after the CO said "all crew' in his announcement, but it's better this way. Too many people on Risa, too many problems if I went planetside.~

He stood up and looked around his cabin. ~Maybe the quiet will do me some good. I know Angelienia will go planetside, so that stress will be gone for a while, and the rest of the department will head down except for the skeleton crew, so O'Rourke and the Dream team will be off-ship as well. They need the break more than I do, especially with Darkstar's transfer bumping me to Beta Shift so they're actually having to interact with me.~

He turned back and picked up the picture of his parents off the desk, looking at it for a long time. ~I need to call you, let you know that everything's all right. God knows what Ar'resh and Rexa told you after lanJep. They'll have me married off to Grey and expecting children if I leave it up to them.~ He glanced at the open door to his bedroom, and then set the picture down. ~They'll have to get used to disappointment. She's like Risa, she needs someone to keep the monsters at bay and I'm good at that. Takes one to fight one, I guess.~

With another look around the room, he shook his head and turned to leave. ~I've wasted enough time this morning. I need to get to Security Main early and finish the paperwork for this shift.~ He smiled once, thinly, as he started for the door. ~Who knew filling out forms would be harder than fighting a Francosian Land Kraken?~

The door opened to reveal Ella Grey leaning casually against the door frame. ~~Hey Tiger~~ she signed with a smile.

Victor lanced at the proximity detector wired to the wall and frowned. ~Doesn't do me much good if I don't look at it, does it?~ he asked himself as he noted the display indicating someone outside the door.

Ella walked past him and plopped herself down in front of his terminal. She cracked her knuckles and then began typing on the keys. She frowned at the screen and then entered in some more typing. Finally she smiled and hit one last key. ~~There! All done.~~

"What is all done?" Victor asked, already suspecting the answer.

~~I made sure you get your shore leave. More specifically I scheduled it when Angelina is not on planet and when Curtis and I are.~~

"You're not supposed to be able to do that from a cabin terminal, Grey," Victor reproached mildly.

Ella shrugged. ~~I knew this guy once that liked computers only slightly more than he liked me. So do you like windsurfing, scuba diving, what? I figured you wouldn't mind if I took up a few hours of your vacation.~~

"I don't take shore leave, Grey. Not on places like this. They don't offer anything that I want to do."

~~Victor,~~ Ella's fingers began sternly. ~~The Klingons vacation on Risa on occasion. The Romulans do. I think the Risan's will know how to handle you. Now, what do you have to wear? Let's pack.~~ She jumped from her seat and headed off in the direction of Victor's closet.~~

"Grey..." Victor turned to follow her. "I just finished deleting myself from the leave roster, and even if you fixed it so I can't do it again, there is no one on this ship that is going to try and physically force me to go planetside. I don't want shore leave here, there's nothing for me on Risa."

~~I'm sure we can find you something.~~

Victor sighed. "Grey. Stop it. I'm not going."

Ella crossed her arms, her blue eyes fixed with determination, and raised an eyebrow. Oh really, her eyes seemed to say, for once her face even more emotionless than Victor's.

****

His closet had nothing but uniforms in it, with the exception of the leather clothing the Aunts had bought on lanJep, one pair of non-issue boots that had seen a lot of field wear, and a large locked footlocker taking up the bottom of the closet. Ella frowned at the closet and marched over to the drawers. They weren't much help either and she refused to let him wear that swimsuit down to the planet. Ella sighed and moved to the replicator. She could access the catalog here and then they could go to one of the larger replicators to produce whatever they picked. ~~I assume you prefer trunks to speedos?~~

"I prefer not to go on shore leave, Grey."

Ella shook her head with a smile. ~~You're pouting like a child.~~

"No, just stating a fact that you're choosing to ignore."

She ignored him and looked frankly at the way his uniform fit him. It would have been better if he would have undressed so she wouldn't have to guess at sizes but it probably would have been more distracting in the long run. She entered what she thought was the most appropriate size and was pleased to see they had the trunks in an array of colors. She'd order him at least three. ~~Now, what about casual wear? I honestly don't see you in Hawaiian print.~~

"Even Rexa and Ar'resh never tried that, Grey. That should tell you something."

~~We'll stick to solid colors.~~ Ella tapped a finger against her lips. Probably tank tops, she decided. His arms would look good in those. Maybe a few dressier shirts with sleeves for the evening. A couple pair of loose pants and a couple pair of shorts. Hmmmm, sandals? Sneakers? ~~You want some input, Tiger? I'd hate to order you something you're going to hate me for later.~~

"If I hated you, this conversation wouldn't be taking place. Irritation is something else though."

Ella laughed and couldn't resist ruffling his hair a bit. ~~I told you I always get my way. Now, I want you to try to really think about something you would like to do on Risa. No, really think about it Victor. Stop frowning at me. They have beaches. They have forests. It's a virtual paradise. There must be SOMETHING you would like to do. Hiking? Dirt bike racing? Nude beaches? You think about it while I go order these clothes.~~ And before he could say another word, she had left.

Victor stared after her, resigned. ~The only thing that I'm going to do on Risa is cause problems, Grey. It's not lanJep where the Klingons didn't care about fights unless weapons were involved, or where they figured that anyone with a problem would take it up with me. Risa doesn't work that way.~

He looked at the LCARS terminal in the other room, shrugged, and moved to it, hands dancing on the controls. ~I suppose it can't hurt to try... no, she blocked me.~ He wiped the screen and stood up. ~I know she's trying to be my friend, but I wish she'd understand that there are things that just won't work. My going to a place like Risa is one of them.~

He glanced around the room, stopped on a framed image of himself with Ar'resh and Rexa from a long-ago visit to DS9. ~As much as you two try, at least you understand that. I tell her and I tell her and she doesn't understand. What does it take? Do I have to go down there and cause someone's death, kill someone, before she'll understand?~

****

The large bundle made it impossible to hit the buzzer so she kicked his door instead. ~~All right, I hope these fit~~ She signed when Victor had let her in and she had dumped the bundle on his couch.

"Grey," he repeated again, after he'd looked at the armload of items she'd returned with, "I'm not going."

Ella let out a sigh and sat down on the couch beside the clothes. She patted to the place beside him for him to sit and then positioned her body so he could see her hands. ~~I'll make sure you have a remote place so there won't be any trouble, all right?~~

"There isn't any place remote enough on Risa, Grey. There are too many people for there *not* to be trouble."

~~Tiger, I want you to have a real vacation and it's going to happen if I have to prod you with a hot iron to do it. So stop fighting me and relax. I'll take care of you for a change.~~

Victor looked at her for a moment, and then shook his head slowly. "Hot iron or not, I'm not going to take shore leave, Grey. It doesn't work. Even my Aunts know better than to try and drag me to a place like Risa."

Ella threw up her hands before signing an irritated ~~Why!~~

"Because," he said slowly, "there are too many people. There's no place to get away from them - or for them to get away from me. There are no facilities to do anything I would do on shore leave. There will have to be Betazoids down there, maybe one of the other races that react most violently to me - what happens if they're doing something that requires attention to avoid disaster and I walk by? What happens if one of the people that doesn't get scared of me, but attacks me without thinking is there? What happens when I kill them?" he sighed. "That's why I'm not going, Grey."

She was silent for a few minutes; she had never thought of it like that. ~~I didn't know that happened often.~~

"It doesn't happen often, but it does happen. I trigger people's 'fight or flight' reflex, Grey. It only stands to reason that sooner ort later someone's subconscious chooses 'fight' over 'flight.'" He shrugged. "Usually it's aliens that are the most risk for a 'fight' trigger - and there are a lot of aliens on Risa."

~~Well, its not fair to you, just because they can't deal.~~ Ella signed.

"I learned a long time ago that life isn't fair, Grey. It just is. You make the best of it and move on."

~~There really are some remote places on Risa, especially some lovely waterfalls you can hike to. But I guess you don't like hiking if its on Risa.~~ Ella frowned, trying to think of things to do planetside that didn't involve a beach or a bed. ~~Well, what do you like to do that isn't on Risa?~~

"I hunt."

~~People?~~ Ella signed lightly.

"No. I hunt predators, things that hunt me back. No energy weapons, no safeguards, no tricorders, no standby medical teams with transporters. I kill it or it kills me - no middle ground. Risa won't accommodate that."

No it wouldn't, Ella thought sourly. ~~Have you ever tried any of the stuff they offer?~~

"No. There isn't a point to it."

Ella sighed, sat back, and closed her eyes.

Victor watched her for a moment. "Grey? Are you all right?"

~~Shush,~~ she said without opening them. ~~I'm thinking.~~

Victor frowned, remembering the other times that she'd 'thought' about things.

Ella smiled, a slow curve of the lips, and Victor knew he was in trouble. ~~All right then. If you can't come to Risa, Risa will just have to come to you. Modified for your tastes, of course.~~

"I don't think this is a good idea, Grey..."

Ella winked. ~~Keep that time I got you free, Tiger. You're going to need it.~~

"Lions and Lunches" Part 1 of 2

Primary Characters:

Lt (JG) Victor Krieghoff
Lt. Ella Grey

*****

Ella Grey's Quarters
USS Galaxy
Deck 5

Ella stuffed the last food item into the food basket and then tested its weight. Bearable, she decided. Besides it wasn't too far to the holodeck. She left the basket on the bed and then returned to her mirror, still unable to decide on what bathing suit to wear. The Risan sun had left her with a nice tan and her skimpier suits had left her with very few tan lines. Still this was Victor and she could imagine if she wore something like the infamous red two-piece, he'd keep looking around the holodeck for the type of predators that Ella was used to, even if he knew it was just the two of them.

In the end, she decided on the electric blue swimsuit; it was fun, a bikini top and boyish shorts. Nothing too threatening. She checked the time on the computer and saw she still had a full hour before they were supposed to meet. Ella sat back on her bed and then stretched out. She hoped Victor was enjoying himself. Ella had programmed the fake Risa with an expansive hunting program, pieces of it borrowed from some of Victor's own isolinear chips. She had adjusted the settings a bit so they weren't as dangerous as his (Ella had nearly had a heart attack when she saw his settings, which just barely made safety protocol for Marine Commando assault simulations) but had still kept the same pace. He should be getting the workout of his life.

Some vacation, Ella thought with amusement. But whatever made the man happy. She closed her eyes, figuring she could allow herself a little nap, and wondered how Victor was going to react when it was her turn to show him around "Risa."

*****

USS Galaxy
Deck XX
Holodeck One "Risa"

~ Stupid!~ Victor snarled and jammed his back against the largest available tree, one hand scrabbling for a pair of rounds from his belt as the other broke open the rifle, the extractor sending the empty shell casings spinning into the air. ~You were stupid to try this as badly out of practice as you are!~

A bolt of lightning sizzled through the air and crashed into the tree overhead, sending a spray of splinters raining down like tiny knives, slicing at him and tearing his clothing.

~What the hell made you think you were ready for a Power Cat after almost a year of nothing?~ Victor berated himself, as his hands reloaded the rifle mechanically and he glanced around the clearing. ~Nothing besides this tree to use as cover..." Another bolt of lighting seared through the clearing and blew the top off the tree above him, the severed portion dropping like the mast on an old sailing vessel to cut the clearing in half. ~...besides that, of course.~

As his rifle clicked closed, he sprinted forward, dove over the smoldering tree and rolled to one knee facing the way he'd come. ~Time to end this - one way or another.~

As he raised the rifle, the heavy-shouldered form of a Cappellan Power Cat slunk into the clearing, electricity crackling around its raised dorsal ridge. It spied Victor, roared, and dropped its head, power rushing down the dorsal ridge as Victor raised his rifle, a feral grin on his face, for one instant truly alive.

The clearing resounded with the crackle of lightning and a roll of thunder and then everything was still.

Victor lay where the bolt of bio-electric lightning had flung him, smoke rising from his charred shirt, blinked once as his senses cleared - and sighed to the clearing at large past aching ribs and the ringing in his head, "You altered the settings, didn't you, Grey?"

With a jerk he sat up and looked around the clearing, his sense of victory lessened by the knowledge that he'd never been in real danger. "Sorry about that," he apologized to the still form of the Power Cat as it lay across the clearing, skull shattered from the impact of his bullet. "I didn't know it wasn't a fair fight."

Shaking his head, he got to his feet, checked his rifle, and reloaded it again. "No sense in trying again," he told himself as he winced and tested his ribs. "I might as well call it a day if there's no real risk."

Limping out of the clearing he started back down the trail towards a small waterfall and pool he'd passed earlier. "I can at least get cleaned up before Grey comes bouncing in...."

****

Ella entered the holodeck after making sure that the command programs were functioning on her computer PADD. Didn't want to get stuck on the holodeck, Ella thought. No matter how beautiful Risa was. She hefted the basket, turned the proverbial corner, and nearly tripped over her feet.

When she told him to clean up, she expected that he'd go to his quarters to do so. She didn't expect to find him swimming nude on the Holodeck. A small part of her was irritated he hadn't brought some of the new swimming trunks she had gotten him, but only a small part. Ella gave a big lusty sigh and then turned away to give the man some privacy.

She set out the blanket where she couldn't see him, reluctantly, and started making sandwiches. After a while she heard him approach and looked up and waved. ~~How do you like the program?~~

Victor shrugged. "You changed the settings - it wasn't a fair contest." He settled down on the other side of the blanket, setting the antique design rifle next to him carefully. "I should have died, or at least been injured more seriously."

Ella pursed her lips. ~~I can't believe you kept it at those settings.~~

"It's as real as I can make it without disconnecting the safety protocols and setting off alarms. Anything else will get me killed when I do it for real."

She gave him a long look before shrugging and reaching for her PADD. Ella entered a few keys and it was done. ~~Go play, Tiger. But I'm warning you. If you kill yourself, I'm going to be pissed.~~

He looked at her for a long moment, and then shook his head. "You're here now."

Ella waved him away. ~~Go, before I realize how stupid this is. I'll still be here. The computer's programmed to keep your little hunts out of the picnic area.~~ She stretched out on the blanket and closed her eyes against the holographic sun.

After a minute, a shadow moved across her eyes as he stood up, and footsteps slipped away into the underbrush. A few minutes later the PADD next to her chirruped, signaling that he'd engaged the portion of the program she'd built in for him, then followed the sound with another, shorter chirp as he selected an opponent.

Men, Ella thought with a sniff.

Time passed and it was a full hour and a half later by the PADD's display when Ella blinked herself awake with a start at sound of thunder. A moment later, another peal sounded, and she realized that it wasn't the signal for an impending rainstorm, but the sound of Victor's rifle in the distance.

Ella scowled and rolled over onto her stomach. She reached into the basket to pull out some chips.

There were no repetitions, and minute after minute clicked by on the PADD display with no sign of Victor. As she started to rise, the undergrowth moved aside and he stepped into the clearing dusty and still bleeding from a line of cuts across his chest, the torn rags of his shirt hanging down limply. He limped into the clearing stiffly, set the rifle carefully down on the blanket, and started to sit down, looking very, very tired.

Her jaw clenched but she said nothing, figuring that if she did she would start scolding him for the next month. She reached into the basket, thankful she had had the foresight to pack some bandages, and tossed them over to him. She foraged around in the basket while he removed the shirt and bandaged the wounds. She fixed him a plate of food and passed if over to him without comment.

He took it with a nod, set it aside, and finished taping the bandage down at his right side, the ease with which he managed it suggesting a disturbing familiarity with operations of that nature.

~~Better?~~ Ella asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes. I was smarter about my choice this time - the Power Cat was too much of a jump after that long. African lion was more sensible." He reached for the plate and made a face as the movement pulled at the bandages.

Ella nodded and then looked at him critically when he winced. ~~Sore?~~

"Hard not to be after a lion knocks you around," he admitted. He took a bite of the sandwich and chewed it slowly. "The bolt from the Power Cat didn't help either."

She dusted her hands off and then moved to kneel behind him.

"Grey?"

~~Massage.~~ Her hands signed before moving to his shoulders. She expected him to put up more of a fight but realized he was too tired to do so.

The muscles in his shoulders were tight, like bundled wire under tension, and resisted her efforts to work with them. He held himself stiffly as he finished his plate of food and she worked, betraying the fact that he had no experience with what she was doing.

She massaged the skin for a long time, distracting herself by alphabetizing common chemicals in her head, until her hands began to hurt. She patted him softly on the back and then returned to her side of the blanket. Victor, she noted with amusement, looked sleepy. It was a good thing she had a lot of Holodeck time saved up. ~~You should take a nap.~~ Ella signed with a smile.

Victor blinked once, nodded, and lay back. "An hour," he agreed. His eyes closed almost immediately and he relaxed, his breathing slowing as he dropped off.

Ella watched him for a time and then decided to swim. She practiced diving for a bit, spent some time lazily floating on her back, and then amused herself for a long time attempting underwater handstands, her legs scissoring more often then lining up straight. She grinned, after one particularly bad attempt, and struck a silly victorious pose.

"You didn't wake me after an hour," Victor said reproachfully - or as close to it as he normally got - into the silence of the clearing, startling Ella.

She blushed slightly but then signed, ~~You needed the rest. Besides, you're cute when you snore.~~

He thought for a time before he admitted, "If I needed the sleep that badly, you did the right thing."

She swam to the edge of the pool and then carefully got out. ~~You can use the program again. I wish you'd keep it at safer settings but I'm probably wasting my breath, huh Tiger?~~

"Twice was my limit today, Grey. I'm out of shape, and this isn't something that you do when you're tired and stiff. The lion shouldn't have gotten close enough to me to do this," he indicated the bandages around his ribs.

Ella shrugged and made her way back to the blanket. She quickly dried off and then pulled the tie out of her hair and squeezed the extra water out on the ground. ~~Maybe next time we'll try parasailing.~~ Ella commented before throwing the towel over her head to dry her hair.

"Next time?"

Ella pulled off the towel and combed her fingers through her hair. ~~I was going to come back up tomorrow or the day after that.~~ She clarified when she was done.

"Grey, there are better things you can do with your leave than to keep running back to the ship for things like this."

~~Do you not want me to come up, Victor?~~

He blinked. "I'm not going to tell you that you can't, Grey," he said finally.

Hmmm, that wasn't exactly a no, Ella thought. She shrugged it off. ~~Then don't tell me how to spend my time.~~ She admonished him. ~~Although, next time I would prefer to do something with you and I'm sorry, Sport, but I hate hunting. Would you try parasailing or maybe waterskiing with me? It wouldn't have to be long and if it bores you to tears you can go off and kill your beasts to your heart's content and I won't say a word.~~

Victor looked at her for a long moment. "Re-entry surfing," he said suddenly.

"Lions and Lunches" Part 2 of 2

Primary Characters:

Lt (JG) Victor Krieghoff
Lt. Ella Grey

*****

~~Excuse me?~~ Ella blinked. Surely he wasn't serious about...? ~~You want to go re-entry surfing?~~

"No, I don't, that's why I wanted to say that up front. Not again. Once was enough. As long as parasailing isn't like that, I'll try it."

~~I don't know what parasailing is like, actually. I've never tried it. I just suggested it so we could both try something new. Now surfing I can do. Not very well but I can turn in a passable performance. As long as we keep the waves decent and there are no killer sharks roaming about I should be fine.~~

"Sharks aren't a problem unless you're wounded and bleeding or they're starving. Antillian Horrormouths are another story, they'll eat anything that they can fit in their maw... but Risa won't have any of those."

Ella winked. ~~It's a date then.~~

Victor frowned. "Why?"

~~Well, typically when two people of different genders, or hell even same genders, engage in an activity...~~

"No, why are you trying so hard to do this, Grey? Is it one of those friend things that I don't understand?"

~~Let's just say I want to broaden your horizons. But, yeah, it's a friend thing.~~ Ella shrugged. ~~You've been on your own for too long, Tiger.~~

He worked on that for a moment, thinking. "You know that this is just making the things people say worse, Grey," he finally offered. "Especially Lt. Angelienia, since Gunny Goldstein and half the Marine unit transferred off with Captain Brhode - there's no one to restrain her now."

Ella rolled her eyes. ~~Like I care what Lt. Angie thinks of me.~~

"I'm not sure that I'm worth the trouble, Grey," he said carefully. "I don't know that I'm ever going to understand how to be a good friend... not like you do, anyway."

She smiled. ~~I'm not sure I even do. If you have questions, you should ask Curtis. I'm just winging it here. All I know is that why should you spend your vacation isolated when you don't have to?~~

"Because it's easier for everyone," he answered. "Because it's what I'm used to."

~~Well, get un-used to it cause I'm here to stay, whether you like it or not.~~

"I think you're better at this than you believe you are," he said, changing the topic abruptly. "Being a friend, I mean. At least I think so." He shrugged. "But I'm a poor judge, so you ought to take that with some caution."

~~So you've said before. And I keep reminding you that I never listen to your advice, so you can take that with some caution.~~

"You're exaggerating."

Ella found her hair was still dripping on her back. She reached for the towel again and made a 'hmmm?' noise.

"About taking advice - I've seen you do it many times, especially from me."

~~That's cause you're so darned convincing.~~ Ella replied. ~~And you don't make it a command. I really hate being told what to do like a dog, you know?~~

"Taking orders is part of being in Starfleet, Grey."

~~Maybe I'm in the wrong profession.~~ Ella mused. ~~I would have been a great stock car driver.~~

"Stock car?"

"You know, driving automobiles on a track. They did it a lot in the twenty-first century.~~

"And the purpose for this activity was?"

Ella rolled her eyes. ~~The joy of taking left turns.~~

"Seriously, Grey. Why did they do this?"

~~For the driver, to outrace the other guy. For the audience, to see cars crash. Either way it's a lot of fun. Especially with popcorn.~~

"The drivers... I can see that. But going to watch crashes? Why would you want to do that?"

~~It's exciting.~~

"Maybe." He sounded dubious. "And the popcorn?"

~~Haven't you ever been to a movie, Victor? You're supposed to eat popcorn when being entertained.~~ She gave a large theatrical sigh. ~~Looks like another thing to add to your list of things to do. Poor Victor.~~

Victor shook his head. "Of course I haven't been to a movie like that, Grey. Why would anyone want to be shut in a dark room with me?"

Ella wished he'd stop making comments like that when she was eating or drinking. She choked a bit on a potato chip as the image of her, Victor, and a dark isolated theater came to mind. ~~I've never had a theater to myself.~~ She finally managed. ~~We'll definitely have to do that sometime. Besides you haven't lived until you've seen this old projection called the Matrix.~~

"The Matrix?" He looked at her oddly. "What is that about, a math problem?"

~~Careful Tiger or our first movie will be the Sound of Music.~~ Ella's fingers flicked humorously. ~~We can take turns picking movies if you like. Just keep the carnage tolerably low, okay?~~

"I wouldn't know what to pick, Grey. I don't watch things like that, with or without carnage."

~~Not even when you were a kid.~~

"No, I haven't, not even as a child."

~~Well, what do you watch?~~

"I watch educational programming. Self-paced classes, holocourses, things like that."

Ella made a face. ~~Well, we'll definitely have to put an end to that.~~

He looked puzzled. "Is there something wrong with it?"

She waved a hand. ~~Oh, I think self paced classes are fine, Tiger. How do you think I learned to sign? But all the time? Tell you what? You like to research. Check out the twentieth and twenty first century and see if anything jumps out at you.~~

Victor nodded slowly, still dubious. "All right."

Ella shook her head. ~~I just know I'm in for a night of war movies.~~ She sighed. ~~Oh, well. In the name of friendship...~~

"Grey," Victor asked after a second's pause. "Why would anyone watch a war and think it was entertaining?"

~~Well, I don't really.~~ Ella sighed. ~~Its a bit trickier with war movies. They can be both entertaining for some and educational. Give ordinary people a taste of what war is like. Show people about the past. Of course, they're not always accurate.~~ She considered. ~~Maybe you're a western fan. You know, cowboys and Indians?~~

"Isn't that a game that normal people play with other children when they're very young?" he asked.

She smiled. ~~I bet you're a closet romantic.~~

That one stopped him for a moment. "A closet romantic?" He blinked. "What do you do in a closet that's romantic?"

She tried to suppress the giggle but failed miserably. Her laughter rung out around Risa. ~~It means,~~ she said once she was under control, ~~that you secretly like romance. That watching romantic movies will make you feel all warm and fuzzy.~~

Victor looked at her for a moment, and then looked down at his bandaged chest. "Like I had fur?"

The giggles start up again and turned into howls of laughter. Ella buried her head in the blanket and laughed hysterically.

He looked back up, confused. "What did I say that was so funny?"

~~N..no~~ Her fingers stuttered as she tried to control herself. ~~They'll make you feel, uh, romantic. Like buying flowers and candy for loved ones. Dancing with her even though you might hate dancing. You know, sappy stuff. Stuff to show you care. Like watching a romantic girly movie even though you're a guy. Guys aren't supposed to like them, as a general male rule. I'm teasing you, saying that you will like them.~~ Ella chuckled. ~~Like fur. Christ Victor, you kill me.~~

Victor watched her fingers carefully. "Why am I supposed to not like something I've never seen, just because I'm male?"

~~It's the stereotypical norm. Guys just don't like romance movies. But I secretly question that.~

He shook his head. "Sometimes I wonder if I really missed out on things growing up the way I did. Things like this just don't make any sense."

Ella shrugged. ~~Don't worry about it, Tiger. We'll have a movie night sometime and you can sample a wide variety of films. There has to be something you'll like.~~

"I suppose so." He thought for a short time, his forehead creasing with the effort. "I remember... I remember something I watched a long time ago, when I was very young. There were ships on it... and they sang." He blinked. "I liked that."

Ella wrinkled her brow. ~~Like a space ship? Or a boat?~~

"Starships," he said slowly. "They were starships. Three of them. I think they were a family."

Odd, she thought. ~~I don't know it.~~

"I remember..." he thought again. "They were... happy. People liked them."

And he liked it. Well that settled it, she would have to find it. ~~I'll see what I can do.~~

"You don't have to do that, Grey."

~~But I want to.~~

"Grey, it was almost thirty years ago. I'm not sure that what I remember really has anything to do with what it was actually about. It's okay."

Ella rolled her eyes. He could be so stubborn. ~~Fine, you win~~ She replied in an exagerated defeated tone. She would look up this program tonight.

Victor looked at her. "Your eyes say that I lose. You're going to find this program anyway, aren't you?"

~~It never crossed my mind~~ She said as she batted her eyes. ~~I wouldn't even know where to begin.~~ Hmmm, she thought. It didn't sound like the era she was used to.

"Grey, we both know you're not being honest about that."

Ella was about to respond when she was interrupted by his comm badge, an unfamiliar masculine voice echoing through the clearing. "M'Kantu to Lieutenant Krieghoff. Report to my Ready Room ASAP."

Victor closed his eyes, sighed, and stood up as he replied, "Aye, sir. I'm not in uniform at the moment. Will twenty minutes be acceptable?"

There was a pause, and then M'Kantu's voice answered, "Twenty-five minutes is acceptable, Lieutenant. I'll be waiting."

~~What's all that about?~~

Victor looked at her for a moment as he picked up his rifle and broke it open to extract a pair of very large shells and slip them back into his cartridge belt. "Transfer, Grey. That's what it's always about."

Ella's eyes widened and then temper leapt to them. ~~That's ridiculous! Why would he?~~

"I scare people. I'm too violent. I'm a danger to the people around me. Pick one, Grey."

Her mouth set. ~~Well, we'll see about that.~~

Victor stopped. "Grey, no. Just let what will happen, happen. You'll only make things bad for yourself and it still won't do any good."

Ella's eyes took on a dangerous glint. ~~I can be very persuasive.~~ She paused. ~~Well, except with you.~~

"Grey..." Victor looked at her for a moment, then stood up straighter, his eyes unreadable. "Don't get in the way. Just stay out of it. It isn't worth it - I'm not worth it." Without another word, he turned and walked away, the arch appearing on command to let him exit.

She stared after him. ~~We'll see about that too, Tiger.~~

"I Am Going To Risa=Part 2."

Junior Member Of Senate Ramir Omar.

At A Risan Bar. Junior Member Of Senate Ramir Omar calmly walked into a Risan bar smiling to himself. It was true that jamaharon was definitely relaxing to a greater extent than meditation was. The unfortunate fact that he had not experienced sexual relations for an extremely long time only enhanced the great experience.

"Saurian Brandy," he said to the bartender as he remembered that Romulan Ale was illegal within of the territory of the United Federation Of Planets. He sat at a table while the bartender obediently searched for the bottles of Saurian Brandy.

Even though Risans were not discriminative then somebody had noticed his Romulan heritage. A rather nasty Klingon approached him. He appeared to be rather drunk and was trying to remain standing. "Romulan!" he shouted at Omar.

Usually then the senator was an extremely calm person but he hated Klingons and this one just wanted to have a fight with somebody. Omar would not disappoint him. He stood and looked at his enemy with a defiant glare.

"Klingon Scum!"

The nasty Klingon pushed Omar and the senator then fell to the floor. He stood and as his attacker charged at him then he drew his phaser. He shot at his attacker.

The blue bolt of energy cut into the Klingon and caused one large wound. It was unfortunate for Omar though that Klingons have huge numbers of secondary organs as the blast did not even impede the charging Klingon and he ran into the Romulan.

The two men wrestled as the phaser fell to the floor along with them. The Klingon was far stronger than Omar but he was an inferior combatant and Omar had the advantage for the Klingon was hardly sufficiently sober to fight with a former military officer. Of course then there was the additional fact that the Klingon was bleeding.

With minimal effort then Omar stood and then shoved the nasty Klingon back to the floor. He grabbed his phaser and then realised that three other Klingons had come to the rescue of his enemy. His three friends helped with the bleeding Klingon to accomplish the task of standing and he sneered at Omar.

"Something wrong Romulan? You won't kill us!"

Omar hesitated. He knew that the new captain of the Galaxy was definitely not tolerant of any of his people and that his days as an ambassador would be short if he killed an ally of Starfleet.

"You're correct Klingon," he said to his bleeding enemy and then shot at him. The very powerful blue bolt of energy blew the legs of the Klingon right off of the rest of his body. The Klingon howled with pure agony and his three friends looked at Omar with uncertainty. However then Omar knew that he could not shoot at all of them.

Suddenly then eight men managed to come to the rescue of the senator by fighting with the rest of the Klingons and Omar assisted with their efforts to fight with these despicable creatures. Five seconds later though then he realised that nearly all of them were Risan men. Apparently then the Risans were discriminative. However then the senator noticed that three of them were Starfleet officers.

Five minutes later then all of the Klingons had been dealt with. Omar looked at all of those who had helped with defeating them and offered to buy for them several drinks.

"I'm Curtis Geluf sir. It was a pleasure to meet with you."

"The pleasure is mine." Omar then turned to the Zalkanian Starfleet officer.

"I'm grateful for that Ensign?"

"Elijah Faraal sir."

The third of the Starfleet officers was just one young crewman who had an extreme disliking to Klingons and the Romulan was just getting far too drunk to ask for the name of the crewman. The bartender along with all of the other local customers had just fled from the battle and so then Omar was distributing completely free alcohol to all of his new friends. By the time that further Klingons had come to fight with them then they could barely stand.

Fortunately then several squadrons of Marines transported to the surface and asked for the Klingons to just leave from the bar. As all of the Marines were armed with weaponry then all of the Klingons obeyed with that order. When the Klingons as well as the Risan comrades of Omar had left from the bar then the Marines turned to the rest of them.

"I am really appreciate of this favour-" Omar said to the soldiers but was interrupted when they grabbed him and he was thrown to the floor. "You're going to be punished Romulan! You should have of stayed at Romulus!" The Romulan looked at his new friends who had just been thrown to the floor. When he looked at Curtis then he realised that the Operations Officer had an extreme disliking to Marines. Omar did agree with that opinion and as the Marines looked at him with triumph then he began to wonder if it would have of been preferable to fight with the Klingons.

Four Hours Later Then.

"One Klingon was very seriously injured namely his legs were destroyed, three of his friends were hurt and much of this Risan Bar was destroyed by one Romulan energy weapon. Any excuses for this behaviour?"

Omar stood with both of his new friends while Lieutenant Shelly O'Rourke disciplined them. The brig seating was extremely uncomfortable and so then it was only understandable that standing was preferable. Omar tried to appear as utterly confident as he could but unfortunately then it was impossible for somebody with a face as bruised as his to be intimidating. Most of his bruises though were caused by the harsh treatment that he had received from the Marines.

"I shall be talking to Lieutenant Commander Corgan about this unfortunate situation if you do not talk to me," she said to them with an amused but harsh expression.

"Do not blame them," Omar said to Rourke. "I was the one who was fighting with that Klingon and I was the one who shot at him with the phaser. Both of these men just came to help with defending me against those nasty scum."

"With those Risan men?"

"That is true. It appears that the Risans are discriminative and with good cause."

"I don't think that it would be appropriate to blame just one person."

"Lieutenant I do."

"Your opinion is not important," Rourke said to the senator but with amusement.

"I do beg to differ. I do happen to have very highly-placed friends. I could just decide to talk to Admiral Janeway or even Colonel Kira Nerys or even Seven Of Nine-"

"Junior Member Of Senate!" Rourke was no longer amused. Instead of an amused expression then she was nastily scowling at him.

"Very well then. I shall punish you." With one single wave of her hand then she dismissed the two Starfleet officers.

"Junior Member Of Senate Ramir Omar you may stay at Risa for the rest of the shore leave. When we do leave though then you shall be confined to your quarters for an indefinite period. Is that understood?" She scowled at him with an expression that was anything but amused with the situation. His triumphant smile vanished from his face.

"Just Another Lazy Shoreleave"

by
Lt. Janelle Reynolds CMO

Lt. Reynolds went to one of those tropical type restaurants, one where they put the cute little bamboo umbrellas in their drinks. She didn't know anyone on the Galaxy and wasn't ready to meet her medical team. That would come later.

She was set down in a small table outside near the waters of Risa. Looking up, she just fell in love with their three moons. The water was so blue too that you couldn't distinguish where the sky met the water. She said to herself, "Giselle would have loved this place."

Janelle didn't want to depress herself so she immediately turned her thoughts else where. She watch people at each of the tables, watching their mannerisms and how they related to their dates. She could tell who was justt on a date because they liked the attention and those who were truely in love with their dates. She got her food and ate along with her drink...umbrella and all.

With two more drinks under her belt, she was feeling a bit tipsy so she walked along the shoreline, barefoot, enjoying the soft sand. It was even softer than the sands of Florida or even Hawaii. She sat down, enjoying the reflections of the moons on the water. She wished that she could stay there forever but she had a ship to get back to.

Back on the ship, she went to Sickbay once more and sat in her office, reading up on medical journals she hadn't had a chance to read. She'd remain there until it was bedtime.

"Return of Rebecca von Ernst"

Starring:
Commander Rebecca von Ernst
Holli von Ernst

(Minnesota, Earth)

With a strained 'grunt' of exertion, Commander Rebecca von Ernst of Starfleet shoveled the steaming pile of warm cow dung off the floor and tossed it in the general direction of the barnyard compost heap.

>splut<

"How.."

>splut<

"..the mighty.."

>splut<

"..have fallen." The ancient quote escaped through clenched teeth as aching muscles heaved each successive mound of bovine excrement.

Rebecca, a waif-thin girl of diminutive proportions paused in her efforts to lean heavily on the large shovel and wipe the sweat from her pale freckled face.

~~~ 6 weeks leave from the Galaxy.~~~ she mused wearily, ~~An unheard of chance for rest and relaxation anywhere in the Federation, and what do I choose?~~~

She took a grim look about the snow-speckled Minnesotan farmyard of her youth. ~~~6 weeks of poop-patrol under the direction of Mommy-the-Hun~~~ she thought with a bemused sigh.

The Von Ernst dairy farm in rural South West Minnesota had never been an overly large operation even in its heyday, but even now with its reduced output, there was plenty of chores to keep the owner and her freckled faced daughter quite busy.

Resting her chin for a moment on the handle of her down-turned shovel, Rebecca glanced across the yard at her beloved Momma who was busily applying hammer and nails to a damaged fence section.

Even in this day of 24th century technological marvels, Holli von Ernst, a 40ish woman with gray-streaked red hair preferred the ancient values of doing things by hand.

Holli's aforementioned hair was pulled back into a tight braid that hung well below her knees as she pounded yet another stubborn nail into a replacement crossbeam.

Rebecca smiled a small smile, feeling a nostalgic mix of happy and sad memories. Life on the farm always seemed like 'real-life' to her while the troubled years in Starfleet always took on a blurry imaginary quality. Saving the universe was fantasy. Shoveling cow poop was real. With a soft sigh, Rebecca blew a strand of red hair out of her face and pondered her imminent return to that so-called fantasy.

A lackluster graduate of the Academy class of '74, Rebecca's career had been a in essence a comedy of errors, one after the other. If she were more poetic, she might have described the experience as a piece of driftwood caught on a rushing tidal-wave that while it swept her into ever higher levels of achievement and promotion, at the same time destroyed everything in its path leaving a wake of death and devastation.

Not the literary sort, however Rebecca merely thought of it as an 'icky experience.

~~~So why do I stay?~~~ she thought for the umpteenth time in as many years.

~~~Mainly is it because I cant think of anything else to do?~~~ That answer seemed simplistic and naïve.

Another sigh.

"That poop isn't going to shovel itself sweetie!!" Her mothers call snapped Rebecca out of her reverie and brought a slight blush to her cheeks.

"Sorry Momma." She replied bending again to her feces-flinging task. "Just..ooof."

<splut>

"..taking."

<splut>

".a breather."

<splut>

Holli von Ernst watched her skinny daughter straining against the shovel and sighed. Rebecca's wild efforts were really not productive as all she was managing to do was fling the poop in a random fashion. Once she left back to the Galaxy Holli would have to re-do the whole compost pile herself.

Still..it was nice to have Rebecca home for a change. Things got a bit lonely all by herself on the farm, and now that Old Doc Cook the next farm over got bought out, there wasn't even any neighbors to chat with anymore.

Holli idly flicked some dirt off her hammer as she watched Rebecca work. She had to go back tonight. Back to the Galaxy. Back to dangerous aliens and violent conflicts amongst the stars.

~~~..my little baby girl..~~~ Holli sighed in the futility known by all empty-nest parents.

Rebecca was grown up now. Older...more serious. She took her duties to Starfleet seriously, but it was obvious to Holli that her daughter derived no joy from those duties. Where was the eager young officer from the recruitment commercials? Nowhere. Just a burned out 27 year old going through the motions.

~~~When did my daughter get so much older than me?~~~ Holli wondered.

The soft muffled chirp of an electronic device broke the silence of the fall air. Holli looked up to see Rebecca digging into the pockets of her cut-off shorts to retrieve a small communicator pin.

She was close enough to overhear the ensuing conversation.

=/\= Sorry to interrupt your leave Commander.=/\= a disembodied voice buzzed. =/\=.but Captain has new orders and we're pulling out for Risa a bit early.=/\=

As Holli watched, Rebecca seemed to straighten up into a stiff posture, and a stern look of coldness washed over her pale freckled features.

"Acknowledged Lieutenant." Rebecca was saying. " Standby to beam me to the Galaxy, and assemble the Pre-Launch support team for a briefing in 15 minutes. Last departure was 12 minutes behind schedule and I don't want a repeat performance. Of that fiasco."

=/\=Copy that Ma'am. The team is already expecting you.=/\=

Rebecca nodded to herself, and after a pause looked up at her watchful mother.

"Momma. . . .Im sorry but I.."

"...you have to go. I know baby." Holli finished with a sad smile.

There was another awkward pause before Rebecca stepped forward into her mothers waiting embrace.

"I. .I. . I 'm so s..scared Momma." She breathed into Holli's shoulder. "I. . .I. . I d. . don't like myself when Im out there. . . .I. . . I'm just so scared."

For her part, all Holli could do was hug her daughter tighter. She felt the sharp relief of Rebecca's bony frame under her arms and worried. ~~~Losing her mind. . .and losing her health. . . oh my baby.~~~ she fretted silently.

"There there now honey." She said aloud, reaching up to wipe a tear from Rebecca's cheek. "We cant have the Klingons and the Romulans seeing you all weepy-eyed now can we." Holli smiled. "Run along now and play with your alien friends and try not to break any laws of physics."

Rebecca crinkled her nose in a slight laugh. "O. . .O okay Momma. I'll be home for dinner." She joked sadly.

~~~I wish that would be true.~~~ Holli thought as she crushed her daughter in another hug. ~~~I wish it were true.~~~

She actually managed to keep the encouraging h smile on her face for several minutes longer. It was only after Rebecca stepped back and faded into a sparkling shower of blue light , when Holli was truly alone again, that the smile faded and the tears came.

~~~Damn you Starfleet.~~~ she swore to herself. ~~~I don't know what you are doing to my daughter, but she better come back to me.~~~

For a long time the only sound that could be heard was the wind through the trees and the soft crying of a mother who had lost all she cherished.

"Communing with the Elements"

Sub-Commander Savar ir-Aihai tr'Khellian

The hike was refreshing. Challenging enough in its own way, though the route plotted out by the company he had engaged to provde a starting point, equipment, and the hotel room for the night, was more suited to beginners and intermediates than an experienced hiker-mountaineer like tr'Khellian. Still - for better or worse - it meant he could concentrate less on where he was placing each foot, and had some time to think, to clear his head.

It seemed surreal, to be walking through Risian foothills, on this strange, sex-obsessed world, on the wrong side of the Neutral Zone. After hours of solitary walking, the sun climbing higher in the sky as midday approached, the two days he had spent onboard the Galaxy seemed almost imaginary, as if from some incredibly strange but lucid dream. Had he really met those people? Had he really relocated his life to what, a year ago, would have been regarded as an enemy vessel? It seemed too far-fetched to be so.

Whereas this, this was.. what? More real? To be trundling along in the shadow of small, purple mountains on a Federation world? Nothing was real any more. The last real thing he had experienced was narrowly avoiding contracting bronchitis in that hovel on Galen III. That was the last time when he felt a stable grip on reality, however grim that reality had been. Since then, he felt lost in some sort of bizarre and threatening dream. It was like one of those dreams where you turned up for duty wearing nothing, but worse - the shame you felt and the sneers of others were all the more clear - and it had lasted two months.

In the early afternoon, Savar paused to rest under a solitary tree by the side of a babbling mountain stream. Using his scanner to test the purity of the water, he filled his bottle, and relished the icy burn of the crystal clear liquid as he swallowed it. He washed his face in the chilly stream and sat back under the shade of the leafy tree. By his reckoning he had only three miles left on today's route before he reached the hotel for the evening. He was making rapid progress - not so fast as he might normally, but he wasn't in the best of shape after recent.. adventures. But, by the Elements, it felt good to get out of those clinical, overwhelmingly grey Federation confines. The Starbase had been the worst, but the Galaxy was scarcely better. Here, there was nothing between the earth, the water, and the air - three Elements in perfect, vocal harmony. That was why he loved the mountains, loved to spend the night out under the stars, lighting a fire at a campsite near to a stream, to complete the set of four Elements, to invite the insight of the Archelement. There was something other-worldly, almost ethereal, about that experience. He never felt more at peace. He would have liked to have camped out rather than spend the night in a hotel - frivolous luxury - but the tourist authorities had advised against it, citing wild animals, sudden temperature drops and even electrical storms as reasons to avoid such plans. Savar had been highly sceptical but with no time to double-check such claims, had plumped for the easiest option.

He resumed his trek after fifteen minutes, pausing to collect a few pieces of wood and an interesting stone from the area, stowing them carefully in his rucksack for use in carving, later. After another hour's walking through the hills, during which time he silently overtook a number of other hikers, the mountain-side hotel came into view in the distance. Using an electronic eye-glass, he surveyed it from afar and was pleasantly surprised - domes of glass and spires of green steel and wood, surrounded by a small pine wood - a refreshing change from boring, smooth grey.

His spirits rose as he approached his resting place for the night, allowing his mind to empty of all his thoughts, ignoring his life situation for now in simple appreciation of the landscape and the clear, fresh mountain air. Skirting a lake towards the end of his journey, he smiled at the rare sight - rare for him at least - of children, frolicking at the water's edge, some sort of wooly creature playing alongside them, making gruff noises. The children's parents were watching on, fondly, then realised the presence of another, and turned to look at him. An expression of horror crossed their faces at the sight of a Romulan suddenly intruding on their family outing, the woman's mouth beginning to gibber as if tr'Khellian had come armed with a disruptor cannon to slaughter them all with. Savar hurried onwards, shaking his head, trying not to let the negative thoughts return. Perhaps their reaction was natural. His people had acquired a reputation through their own actions - actions he had himself denounced, which had put him in this very position. But still, he could not help but feel aggreived.

By the time he reached the hotel, not even the sharp, clean smell of pine could uplift his mood. He paid little attention to the architecture he had previously admired from afar, checked in with haste, and retired to his room. Stripping off the warm, figure-hugging clothing he had selected for the hiking trip, he got into the shower - a real shower, with real hot water, not these despicable things the Starfleet used, bombaring you with sonic waves to shake the dirt off - how revolting! The heat eased some of the tension in his bunched-up muscles, and the wind down left him feeling more weary and exhausted than anything else.

After dressing in simple, comfortable clothes, he picked up one of the towels the hotel had provided and left his room. He was determined to try out this 'Risian sauna', whatever it might be; though he was naturally suspicious of new experiences, he was also very much aware that he had paid for the privilege. He asked directions from a porter, and set off. Ten minutes later, he was lost. Somehow he had managed to end up on the northern side of the hotel, in a long room whose outer wall and ceiling were made entirely of glass. It gave a wonderful, panoramic view of the landscape outside, darkening as the sun set, the Risian moon beginning to rise, a few bolder stars becoming visible in the night sky. Savar stood there for a moment, caught in the beauty of it all, and did not realise that he was, again, intruding. A robed man was kneeling on a mat, his eyes half-closed, apparently in a meditative rest. The light was murky, and so Savar could not make out the man's features. But he needed to get past him, in order to exit at the far end of the room. It seemed the only way to get back on track.

He approached, stealthily, trying not to disturb the man, but as he came closer his eyes picked up the unmistakable point of Vulcanoid ears. Had he stumbled across a Vulcan meditator, here on Risa? Was it possible? He paused, uncertain of how to proceed, not wishing to be rude, but also not wishing to pass up the opportunity of dialogue with a Vulcan. For though he thought the Vulcan reunification movement foolhardy and idealistic, he certainly did not see it as a threat, and sympathised with many of their aims.

He crept a little closer. At that moment, the sun reached the horizon, and a red crack of light escaped beneath the cloud that it had been sinking into. It lit up the meditator's face, and Savar gave an audible gasp when the raised bone structure of the man's forehead was suddenly revealed.

It was Senator Omar.

"Friends"

Sub-Commander Savar ir-Aihai tr'Khellian
&
Junior Senator Ramir Omar

Omar's eyes flicked open at the sound of Savar's gasp. Tr'Khellian took a step backwards, his mind already racing with the social ramifications and embarrassment inherent in this position. He had never expected to meet another Romulan on this side of the Neutral Zone - and certainly not a junior member of the Rihannsu Senate, and certainly not on Risa, and certainly not... meditating!

When two Romulans meet, the protocol is defined on the spot, at that minute, by their relative positions and ranks. A low-ranking officer onboard a Galae vessel would be most deferent to his Leih, his Captain, if they were to meet to discuss military matters; but if that low-ranking officer were the head of a patriciate House, and the Leih were to be consulting him on matters related to that house, the deference would be duly reversed. Both rank and position were minutely considered in the sometimes tortuous Rihannsu social system. But situations such as this were not provided for in any of the literature. Omar was a Senator, tr'Khellian the son of a Senator; Omar was a politician, tr'Khellian a military officer; this was a chance encounter - and they were not even in Romulan space - and what business had they to discuss?

In the few seconds Savar's mind had grappled with the awkwardness of the situation, Omar had hurriedly risen to his feet. The two men opted for the safest and most respectful form of greeting, and bowed to each other.

"Jolan'tru, Senator," tr'Khellian said, unable to keep his surprise from entering his voice. "I am.. surprised to see you here."

"Jolan'tru, Sub-Commander," Ramir replied, guardedly, a suspicious look in his eyes. "I might say the same."

"What are you doing here, Senator?"

"I was enjoying the silence," Omar said to Savar. "I was fighting with Klingons earlier and I came to this place to recuperate."

"Senator? A doctor has healed your wounds-"

Omar quickly raised his left hand and Savar paused. Omar smiled to himself. Even though this military officer had been exiled then he acted with the perfect training of a member of the patriciate class. He politely deferred to the Senator.

"I have been healed physically but my mind is a rather different matter and it has to be returned to the calm that it had attained."

So he *was* meditating! A junior member of the Romulan Senate, doing Vulcan meditation? Savar was too shocked to process the information, let alone discuss it. He looked at a Horga'hn Statue that the senator was holding. "The purpose of that?" he asked of Omar.

"Senators rarely have chances to relax with females. We do not ignore these type of opportunities." His eyes were still very suspicious. "Do you have a reason for being very nearby to my location? That is apart from surveying Romulan Senators?" A great amount of irritation entered into his voice. It was extremely unfortunate that he had just been discovered to be delving into Vulcan meditations and it was unfortunate to an even greater extent that it had been a Romulan who had been the finder of his meditation.

"I was relaxing," Savar said to the senator. When Omar glanced at his rather decorative Horga'hn Statue with a questioning look then Savar hastily added to the sentence. "My methods of relaxation are rather different from yours."

Omar did not reply to that. He was trying to calm himself. He reasoned that Savar was a Romulan exile and that nobody would believe that he was truthful if he decided to talk to the Senate about the meditations.

For several very long seconds then there was an uneasy silence. The conversation again seemed to be steering itself back to Vulcan meditations. Finally then Omar spoke to Savar.

"You are partially fortunate that you are not at Romulus."

"Really?" Savar was highly sceptical about that.

"Yes. The reconstructed Senate is very unstable. The Praetor herself has just managed to escape from an assassination attempt no less than four times during the previous month alone."

"Really?" Savar said to the senator again but this time it was with interest instead of sheer disbelief. Romulan politics fascinated him and he had not been aware of this fact. Of course, such news would never be allowed to leave ch'Rihan, let alone the Star Empire itself. The information Omar had just revealed made Savar feel his isolation all the more keenly. An idea started to form in his mind. He had something over this man - this man who could be a useful link right back to the very Senate that had exiled him.

"Yes." Omar then removed a bottle of authentic Romulan Ale from his bag. "This place has an excellent bar. We can discuss all of these matters further. The last time that I drank one whole bottle of this liquid though then. I would rather not repeat that experience but I don't wish to discuss politics without alcohol." He was definitely not smiling at Savar but the suspicious look was gone from his eyes. "Would you like to have a drink of Romulan Ale Sub-Commander?"

"Alas, Senator," Savar replied, grimly, "I do not enjoy the protections of diplomatic immunity." He had met Omar once, in 2368, whilst home on shoreleave, at a diplomatic function. He had attended with his father, Senator Belar, and Omar had been officially appointed Ambassador to the Federation at that ceremony. Omar's meteoric promotion had been a cause of surprise to most observers. Within nine short months, he had become Senator for a large city on the western continent, and been given this crucial, prestigious posting. Belar had remarked in private that it could only have been the Omar family's vast wealth - new money, of course, not like the old landed elite - that had landed him such an assignment. Savar concurred at the time, but this revelation of Omar's interest in Vulcan practices would force a reassessment.

"Then perhaps we can retire to my suite," Omar suggested.

"That would be agreeable," Savar said, nodding. He hadn't tasted Romulan ale in quite some time, and knew Omar's collection would be most fine - his family had reputedly made quite a lot of money about five years ago from an enormously lucrative alcohol contract. The two Rihannsu walked back along the corridor towards the staircase that would lead to Omar's chambers. "Forgive me, Senator," Savar said politely, "but is it really necessary to travel across the Federation to Risa, just to enjoy the company of women? Surely there are places closer to Deep Space Nine?"

"Ah, but I am no longer stationed on DS9," Omar smirked. "I recently transferred to the Federation flagship, USS Galaxy."

Savar was again stunned into silence. He had to assume Omar knew that he was already exiled and stationed on the Galaxy, since he had not reacted with sufficient surprise when they first met to suggest otherwise. Perhaps his luck was improving. "I see. I am fortunate then, to have a compatriot onboard the Galaxy."

"Indeed," Omar remarked without a trace of emotion.

Tr'Khellian glanced at the bourgeois Senator, wondering if he, too, shared the sentiment of his colleagues who had exiled the Sub-Commander. Well, if he did, their relationship would be less than cordial - but that was irrelevant. They both knew that Savar had stumbled across something valuable.

Within minutes they were seated in Omar's chambers. The Senator had poured them both a glass of Romulan ale. Lifting their glasses, they toasted one another politely, before drinking some of the fiery blue liquid. Savar smiled as the vintage beverage stung his throat. "It has been too long since I felt the burn of such good ale, Senator Omar," he smiled, gratefully.

"Indeed, it is a good year," Ramir smiled back.

"So tell me. What news from the homeworld?"

"The Remans are not returning to the mines quietly," Omar said to Savar with a great amount of regret. "A group of mercenaries are assisting with their efforts. My father himself is leading Romulan soldiers to eliminate these rebels." His irritation turned to pride. "The Tal Shiar have forced most of them to return to Remus but some of them are incredibly stubborn and it has even been rumoured that the schematics of the Reman Warbird Scimitar are going to be put onto the Romulan black market."

When the powerful Scimitar was mentioned then Savar again felt regret that he had been unable to return to Romulus prior to the departure of Lord Shinzon. But the talk of using foreign mercenaries to force the Remans back into slavery was simply abominable. "What of my father?" he asked of Omar.

The senator put down his glass onto the pine table and turned to Savar. "Your father has returned to the Senate. He is as proud as ever but his prestige is not as high considering these recent events."

Savar understood the rather obvious implication. "I do not regret any of my actions," he said to the senator defensively.

Omar laughed slightly at his response. "I do agree with you that the Senate can be rather militaristic occasionally but there was just no need for that type of extremely radical actions."

"With respect Senator: nonsense."

"Would you care to enlighten me?" Omar was genuinely curious about the circumstances that had led to those actions.

"Why do you think Shinzon was able to lead the Remans into all-out war against ch'Rihan?" he demanded. "Do you seriously think it was because he was rather persuasive and they were bored of working in the mines?" Omar made a bland facial expression as if to admit that same possibility. "Centuries of oppression, Senator, that's what forced the Remans into rebellion," he snapped, his eyes flashing angrily. "What right do we have to subjugate those people - or anyone else? What right do we have to force them into slavery?"

Omar sneered. "Have you ever seen a Reman, Sub-Commander? They are inferior genetic material. They are lucky that we allow them to serve the Empire instead of exterminating them."

"Lucky? How lucky would you consider yourself if you had been born a Reman slave rather than the son of wealthy merchants, Senator Omar?" Savar shook his head and downed another mouthful of ale. "It's happening all over Romulan space - the Remans are just the first. The blowback has only just begun - this is the cost of empire, Senator."

"We have defeated the Remans, Sub-Commander," Ramir bit back. "We shall defeat anyone else who defies us."

"At what cost?" tr'Khellian spat. "The entire Senate was massacred! My father only survived because he was fighting off a disease, and your life was only spared because you were on the wrong side of the Neutral Zone. Not to mention our losses. The Dominion War claimed a third of our fleet, Senator; defeating the Reman Rebellion cost us a dozen more ships and thousands of men - and the rebellion continues still! We cannot continue annexing new territory, raping barely-subjugated worlds of their resources to fuel further expansion, using enslaved troops to fight our battles, then profess surprise when the slaves rise up against us."

Omar stood. "What would you have us be Sub-Commander? Pathetic pacifists? We have taken a large number of casualties against the Dominion and against the Remans but we have prevailed!"

"We have never been weaker," Savar countered. "We cannot sustain these losses indefinitely and just carry on the way we have been doing."

"Yes We Shall! We Are The Romulans! It is our great destiny to be the great empire that we are! You do say that the Remans are not inferior to us! Would you ever get married to a Reman Sub-Commander?"

"No, but I fail to see--"

"Exactly!"

"If you care not for the Remans, surely you have some consideration for the men and women who died in these needless conflicts?" tr'Khellian demanded. He was not far away from citing his own considerable campaign experience and using it to override this former science officer's naivete. He doubted Omar had ever been in battle, and as for his father, he had earned little independent respect in Galae circles. Most of the fleet despised him for his Tal Shiar connections - and that included Savar.

"Those soldiers knew that they might be honourably killed at a battlefield!" Ramir declared.

"Where is the mnhei'sahe [honour] in dying in a pointless conflict we brought upon ourselves?" Savar demanded, about to launch into a rendition of the passage on what Romulans call 'mnhei'sahe' from his now-infamous speech to the Senate.

However then Omar interrupted him. The senator was trembling with pure rage. "You do speak of the cost of empire but what of the cost of being an utterly subjugated people Sub-Commander? Would you prefer to have us to be a subjugated people?"

Savar shook his head in a gesture of contempt. "If you really think there is such a dichotomous choice between slavery or slave-owning, then you really have no conception of state craft, Senator. I cannot believe this is so." As heated as this debate was getting, as enraged as Omar clearly was, Savar was careful to leave him the opportunity to regain 'dathe', to save face. This was critical for Rihannsu in all discourse. If either party lost face irrevocably, this was a 'khlihlan', a loss of honour, a grave result for any exchange, and not one easily forgotten. It was considered the height of bad manners and wars had been fought over lesser things.

"Surely you can see, Senator, that constant expansion and the subjugation of peoples makes us weaker, not stronger? I am not calling for disarmament, or for pacifism, merely for an end to aggrandisement for its own sake, for a period of consolidation and co-operation with the Empire's subject worlds." He paused for a moment. "Though I have to say, Senator, that I find it remarkable that someone with such an 'interest' in Vulcan would refer to pacifists as 'pathetic'."

Omar looked as if he was going to roar with anger. He stood trembling with rage for several seconds. Finally then he spoke to Savar.

"My interest with Vulcans is none of your concern Subcommander. I do not believe that pacifism itself is pathetic merely that Romulan pacifists are pathetic. I can agree with consolidation of our territory. However than we do not negotiate with our subjects! We Are Romulans! When we conquered those species then they lost their ability for freedom! If we negotiate with them then we are no longer an empire! I am sorry for the fact that you do not know that there is not an obvious answer to a problem. If there was then do you not think that politics would be very easy?" He was nearly shouting at Savar. "If it is not pacifism that you are saying to me then what is it? Democracy? We are a proud empire and not a rather pathetic grouping of planets!"

Tr'Khellian resisted the urge to smirk. Omar had clearly revealed his vulnerability in the area of his Vulcanophilia, and was so enraged that he was becoming irrational. Just what Savar had intened. "In fairness, Senator, it is you who takes the 'obvious' line. I am proposing something 'radical', as you yourself pointed out. But it is not as if I am really suggesting democracy, despite what the Federation has achieved with it," Savar replied, maintaing a level tone in the face of Omar's shrieking.

"Humans are very cunning!" Omar hissed at Savar. "Do trust me. I have human friends and they are very resourceful."

"As are we," Savar said to the senator.

Omar did not reply to that. He sat down and then drank all of the ale contained within of his glass to calm himself. "Even if I did agree with you then it would not be my place to alter our empire as radically as that."

"Of course not," Savar replied evenly, taking another mouthful of Romulan ale. "It would be a project too vast for any one man. A project requiring a new mentality from the ruling class and its military servants. I am no idealist, Senator, I do not expect a change overnight. But I *do* see more trouble on the horizon for the Empire if it continues on its present course."

Omar would have replied, but at that moment came a strange chirping noise. Savar reached into his pocket and took out the Starfleet commbadge. It seemed such an alien object in the palm of his hand, a thousand light years away from the things these two Romulans had been discussing so heatedly in their native tongue. He pressed it lightly.

"All personnel from USS Galaxy are instructed to return to the vessel as soon as possible. Shoreleave is being cut short. We have new orders. Repeat, all personnel must return aboard immediately."

Tr'Khellian looked back to Omar. "It seems we must cut short our discussion, Senator. I hope we can resume it aboard the Galaxy at another time." He rose from his chair. "Thank you for the ale."

Omar rose also, and the two men bowed to each other, though it was clear that Omar was still fuming and Savar's own passions were running high. Formal politeness helped smooth over many awkward occasions - this was one of them. Omar had nothing but contempt for this 'pathetic, pacifist' exile, whilst Savar looked down on Omar as socially inferior and militarily - and possibly politically - inept and unimaginative. It seemed a typically Romulan relationship had been established: they cordially detested each other, but were now bound to each other, not only through race, but by mutual knowledge -- Omar was a direct link back to the Senate, and could foil any attempt Savar made to rebuild his career; but tr'Khellian had seen something he really shouldn't have, and if Omar's links to the reunification movement were exposed, his career would be wrecked, too. And at the moment, Omar appeared to have most to lose.

Savar smiled for the first time in too long as he thew his things together in his bag. He had made a 'friend' today.

"You Name it"

By:

Lt (jg) Kay MacFarland,
Science Officer (APC)

Lt (jg) Dr. Klaus Fienberg,
Medical Officer

**Holodeck 2**

Kay is walking towards the holodeck where her boyfriend Klaus was at. The young redhaired woman was planning to get her boyfriend to Risa one way or another, so the young half Betazoid walked towards the holodeck wearing an red two-piece swimsuit and walked right into the holodeck.

With Ren in hand he darted through the pretend Ventnor. Thinking "Screw it" he looked behind him and yelled "ARCH!" Looking forward he could do nothing but scream like a little girl. "H....hi."

Kay walked up toward his handsome, German boyfriend "Lovely to see you too lover." she replied in her Scotish voice.

"So......You got any holodeck time? Where-ever you want." His paranoia was knocking with full force. 'She's one of them. She wants to take you to Risa. EVIL!' were t! he only thoughts in his head. He began to sweat terribly. Ren howled a little bit and wriggled as if to say "Get on with it, just go."

"So do you want to do to Risa with me, or do I have to tie you up and take you? Because I was hoping you can do that to me at my house on Risa."

Dok kinda flinched a little bit, remember the last time he was tied up on Risa. "Uh.....um....."

It was as if two voices started arguing in his head. "Don't go you idiot! Remember last time?" "Go on ahead, it's not like you're a swinger anymore. You're a one woman man!" "SHUT UP! YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT'S IN THAT HOUSE!"

"Uh, um......" Dumbfounded, he finally said, "ok." while remaining very reluctant.

An few minutes later both officers beamed down at Kay's house that was giving to her by Rose MacAllen. The young woman sat the man on the floor by an leather black couch and started to rub his shoulders and back while trying to make him relax and horny.

Still nervous as hell, "Well, this isn't so bad." He was jittery to the point of Seisure. Ren was nowhere to be seen. He was finally starting to relax, when he heard a noise in the background. He jumped and looked torward it.

"Are you ok my love? I can stop if you like?" Kay asked while kissing his neck gentle.

"No, it's just that I had some bizarre times down here."

He calmed down and became putty in her hands.

"So what now love, you can do anything you want with me."

"Come Now, I am a guest in your home, it is your choice my dear."

Kay sat on his lap in front of the roaning fire place and told him, "Your my master and I been very bad."

Finally totally calm, the gentleman felt the wolf in his belly. "OH? What did you do? I need to know how to punish your."

Kay starts to purr like an kitten and smiles, "An way you want."

"I see, been bad eh?" He began to massage her body in random points. He also started kissing his neck and cheeks.

The Makeout sorrta spawned at this point, and midway they both stood up. This was somewhat awkward, so they rushed to the Bed Room and continued their little make out.

Kay giggles while Klaus walked her toward her bedroom, "What if I try to escape and you know I'm an wildcat."

"Well, I am in the lair of this wildcat, technically I'm an invader. I don't really know if you'll escape, but it's likely, but if you do I'll catch you."

"Really now, ready set go!" the young woman said while running around the bedroom and though out the house."

Klaus took chase. The Blood was pumping, a good thing. He started to catch up.

Then the young woman fell on the floor when Klaus catch her, she grins at him, "I'm yours now, do anything you want with me."

With! an Almost Evil smirk, Klaus Hoisted her up and carried her back to the bed.

"Really?"

"Yes really sir!"

Plopping her down on the bed, he removed his shirt. "Well, you asked for it!"

"I love you Imazdi!"

OOC: Lets just end it there, you make your own Conclusions. Gotta get into the real meat of my Risa Arch.

"The IceQueen Cometh"

by
Rebecca von Ernst,
Chief Executive Officer

The familiar sights and sounds of the USS Galaxy drifted into Rebecca von Ernst's awareness just as she faded into view atop the Main Transporter dais.

The long trip from Earth to Risa aboard a cramped Runabout was finally over, and she was at last back aboard her personal albatross.

The young XO waited patiently for the suspensor field to release its grip on her before stepping off the platform and back aboard Starfleet's newest Battlewagon.

"Welcome back Commander." The Transporter chief behind the console offered with a hopeful expression. "Enjoy your time on Earth?"

Without a word Rebecca turned to study the Chief as if he was a bug on a mounting pin, and narrowed her brown eyes critically.

Never known for her socialization skills, the petite redhead had slowly modified her adolescent shyness into the pinnacle of detached emotionlessness. Social entanglements were messy and inefficient. Chit chat was not necessary in the performance of her duties as First Officer and thus habitually ignored.

Still..this Chief was the first crewman in a long time to dare speak casually to the infamous Ice Queen of the Galaxy, so Rebecca continued to study him as if trying to isolate the source of his brashness.

The chief shifted his weight uncomfortably under that gaze which seemed to last for several agonizing minutes.

Finally, Rebecca decided that the insignificant man before her had no real bearing on her duties and without deigning to offer a reply, she turned neatly on a heel and strode out of the transporter room leaving the Chief alone to breathe a sigh of relief.

~~~What the Snarf was I thinking?~~~ he berated himself when she was gone, ~~~Trying to make smalltalk with the Ice Queen?~~~

Outside in the hall, Rebecca ran into a veritable beehive of activity. What with Galaxy preparing to leave Risan orbit within the hour, the passageways were chock full with crewmembers stowing various gear and supplies in every available nook and cranny.

She recoiled a bit nervously as the swarm of pressing bodies threatened to crush her helplessly against the bulkhead, her natural aversion to people in general briefly overcoming her stern demeanor. A lumbering team of 6 foot tall Ensigns wrestling with a cargo pallet dwarfed her own waifish 5-foot frame as they went by barely noticing her.

It was only when a large Bolian lugging a mysterious lumpy package inadvertently bumped into her eliciting a small squeal of surprise did the assembled crew take note of who exactly it was that had materialized in their midst.

"Great Gotan's Goat!!" someone swore, "It's the. . . .Queen."

Startled crewmen paused in their tasks, some almost dropping their bundles in surprise as they took note of Rebecca.

Commander von Ernst (the Ice Queen) had been offship for the last 6 weeks and the crew had almost forgotten her icy cold discipline. They had relegated her to no more than a distant unpleasant memory. They thought her endless drills and inspections, and impossibly high standards of performance were likewise a thing of the past.

Rebecca's natural fear of being in such a small crowded hallway faded into a frozen mask of emotionlessness as the tiny redhead drew upon the pain in her soul and channeled it into disdain for those around her. For the last six weeks she had been a simple farm girl on earth, but now it was back to the bloody business of Starfleet, and playtime was over.

There was an eerie silence as she considered those assembled.

Finally she said, "Pre-launch countdown is in effect people and it seems you are behind schedule." Her soft whispery voice was barely audible yet brooked no argument. "Finish stowing this gear in an orderly fashion, and clear MY passageways of obstructions."

A smattering of mumbled. 'Aye ayes', and 'yes ma'ams'.

Another pause.

"Well. . . . .then MOVE!" The latter word came out as a whispered hiss, and the crowd popped into motion again.

Rebecca stood in the midst of it all for several minutes..an immobile rock in the river of humanity (and inhumanity) observing it all with a critical eye.

Her memory taking quick notes in the back of her mind to bring up and forthcoming crew evaluations.

One thing the crew of the Galaxy had learned..if you screwed up..no matter how trivial...the XO would remember it weeks or even months down the line.

Finally satisfied that the traffic patterns had smoothed out, Rebecca wormed her way into the flow and at length made her way to her Deck 8 XO's office just a few doors down from her cabin on the Starboard side of the Saucer.

Similar in arrangement to the Captain's Ready Room on Deck 1, Rebecca used this space and a work area for the never-ending list of jobs her position required.

Almost as soon as she established herself behind her small desk, a virtual swarm of yeomen descended upon her bearing PADD's with all manner of checklists for her to sign off on.

Matters too trivial for the Captains notice always got flagged to her attention. Oh well that's what an XO was for.

As First Officer, it was Rebecca's job to ensure the smooth day-to-day running of the Galaxy thus allowing the Captain the freedom to make necessary decisions without needless distractions.

Cargo Manifests

Efficiency Reports

Crew Transfers

Routine Diagnostic Results

ETC

ETC

All of it had to be skimmed over and either signed off on, or bumped upstairs to the Captain for his input.

Rebecca rarely bumped things to the Captain however, and viewed anything she could not handle personally as a failure on her part.

Speaking of the Captain...it was time she met the new CO. Her memory supplied the name quickly...M'Kantu.

Yes that was it.

“The Betrayal.”

February Of 2370.
At Romulan Military Headquarters.

“Who was this pathetic alien who nearly destroyed the Romulan Senate?”

Ramir Omar walked to the interrogation room with Centurion Rakar.

“We are unsure of that Senator. We do suspect that he might be a mercenary.”

“It shall be revealed to us when the Tal Shiar interrogates him.”

“You Are Correct Senator,” The centurion said to the senator. He had a particular disliking to the senator for he was the only son of the very ruthless Admiral Omar who was very greatly despised by much of the Romulan military for having a very large number of Tal Shiar friends.

The senator walked into the room and was then utterly surprised by the prisoner. He was a Vulcan male. Multiple bruises were covering much of his face but Omar was able to recognise him. It was a member of the Vulcan group that had been founded by the legendary Spock. This unfortunate Vulcan had been looking at Omar while Spock had been training him.

It was obvious that the man recognised Omar. He looked at him.

“Senator Omar?”

Unfortunately then Omar knew that this man would be talking to the Tal Shiar interrogator. When he did talk to the interrogator then Omar would become to be a criminal. That could not be allowed to happen to him.

“You are to kill him,” he said to Rakar.

“Sir?”

“You are to kill him,” Omar then looked at Rakar with annoyance. “Do you have a problem with that?”

“Sir The Tal Shiar interrogator is due to-”

“You are to kill him. Is there a problem with that Centurion?” He greatly emphasised the rank of Rakar but not with a respectful tone of voice. “Aye sir.” It was fortunate for the senator that Rakar did eventually very reluctantly decide to comply with the command to kill the prisoner. As the phaser beam sounded then Omar did not look at his prisoner for he knew that he would witness the look of one who has been utterly betrayed by a senator who had been trusted by Spock himself.

“The Betrayal: Part 2.”

December Of 2374.

At Romulan Military Headquarters.

“It is your brother who has disgraced the Tal Shiar And Your Family!”

Admiral Omar had been shouting at Centurion Rakar for the last ten minutes. It was just because of the fact that his only brother who was Rekar had been unable to give to the Tal Shiar the new vessel that Starfleet had created for combat. About two weeks ago then his brother had said to him that it was named the Prometheus. Unfortunately then Starfleet had captured his brother and the Prometheus had managed to destroy one Romulan Warbird. Rakar had been utterly disgraced by the actions of his brother.

Senator Omar stood behind of his father. He looked as utterly confident as ever and it added to the anger that Rakar was feeling against the Omar family. Suddenly then Rakar interrupted the constant shouting of Admiral Omar.

“Is there a way to compensate for this disgrace?” he asked of the admiral who stopped with the discipline of Rakar.

“There is a way to compensate for this disgrace.” He handed to Rakar an electronically powered notepad. It had the names of two Vulcan prisoners. “You are to kill them,” Admiral Omar calmly said to Rakar. He was unsure of why exactly it was that his only son wanted to kill these Vulcans. It was obvious that he had given to his only son his hatred of Vulcans and that was not a problem to him.

“Very well then.” Rakar left from the office of Admiral Omar. It was with a great amount of reluctance that he had agreed with the assignment but he did not wish to live with that type of disgrace. It was troubling to him that Senator Omar seemed to just have a hatred to captured Vulcans. He had only expressed a very small amount of disliking to Vulcans who were living at Romulus.

It was as if he did not wish to allow for them to talk to the interrogators.

"A Day at the Circus"

by

Legate Kylar Curran

*** Ten-Forward Lounge ***

"Yes, yes, yes! Everything is so splendid, Legate!" The Risian Ambassador, Jonas Galali, positively beamed from ear to ear, betraying the leisurely attitudes of the planet he hailed from.

"Now, it isn't the same as the real thing, mind you!" The short, plumpish man, nodding at everyone who came near him, shaking hands with those who had time, now sat at the bar, engaged in a banter with Erin Friel. The redhead gave her best smile, but shook off his advances.

"I told you, Ambassador, I couldn't possibly leave this wonderful crew! And there is a certain someone keeping me here, after all." She wiped the bar counter down with a silver kerchief where Galali had sloshed some Risian Amber Ale in grandiose fashion. He'd brought it on board with him and decided to share it with his companion, the Kelvan.

Kylar Curran, Chief Federation Liaison Officer to the Galaxy, was pained by the laxness of the Ambassador's attitude. How could the Federation send this idiot to negotiate with a new species? This fool, representing the Federation? He groaned.

This distracted the flamboyant Ambassador from courting the bartender for the moment. Erin took the opportunity to conspicuously desert her patrons.

"Is something the matter, Legate? The alcohol getting to you? I've heard about Kelvan digestive systems not holding their liquor. Is that the case?" Ramble, ramble, ramble. This man gave him a headache.

"No, Ambassador, it isn't the alcohol." He swished his golden liquid around. He'd hardly touched it. The Ambassador was right about Kelvan tolerance for alcohol.

"Oh, then it is my zest for life that bothers you! I almost forgot... Kelvans have no sense of fun." He took a swig of Ale and returned to macking Erin, but she'd disappeared out back, to be replaced by an El-Aurian. He beamed, but was cut off before he could open his mouth.

"Don't even try it, Ambassador." She held up a hand, twirling the ring on her third finger. "I'm happily married." Curran shook his head. He almost wished Brhode was here. *Almost*.

The Lounge was fairly busy. The crew, having little to do this mission, simply carried over their shore leave to the ship. Since the Galaxy was on patrolling duties for the next month, the only personnel with any kind of work to do are Sciences and Engineering. Maybe Operations as well, acting as referee in power distribution over conflicting requisitions.

Only his higher clearance had allowed him to over-ride scheduled slots in Holodeck 1 as well. He'd arrived to find a group of junior officers gathered in angry protest that their rock-climbing trip had been cancelled. Only the threat of having Security remove them allowed them through.

The Risian Ambassador had generated a recreation of his home planet. Curran had escaped it while at the real thing, but Galali hardly let him go from the holodeck. He was forced to endure women, dance, and song.

And now he was being enticed to drink. He could already feel his pores sweating out the little alcohol he had to drink. It only enhanced the agitation of being trapped under Terran skin.

"Legate, I want that Karyn Dallas to accompany me on the delegation." Curran would've spewed out his drink, if he'd be drinking. He only had the amber liquid touch his lips to simulate it. The idea struck him like a ton of bricks.

"Ambassador, she is not a delegate, or diplomatic in any way. She single-handedly brought the Federation to the brink of economic ruin." He wanted to slam down his glass, but refrained from letting his anger rise to the surface. It would do no good to let this Risian get to him.

"Decidedly so, Legate, but nevertheless..." He cast a dangerous eye over the lip of his glass, and slammed it down, gesturing Zerhi for a refill. "It isn't up to you. It's up to me. Maybe I could teach her a thing or two."

Wonderful. It's like the blind leading the blind. They should both be dropped into the ocean. Good riddance. Curran coughed.

"You have a problem with my methods, Legate? Well, never you mind. I am a member of the Federation Council for a reason, and I'm not here to impress you. I have a job to do, and I'm going to damn well do it."

[Legate Curran. We've just entered orbit around Quentin. We are receiving a transmission from the Observational Team on the surface] Curtis Geluf, prompt and always at the fulcrum of things.

"Thank you, Mr. Geluf. Direct the communication to myself at this commline."

[Aye, sir. Quentin, go ahead. Legate Curran is on the line.] The audible switch echoed as the lines converged.

[Good morning, Legate! I trust the Ambassador is with you?] The voice, distinctly female, tunneled through but sounded faint.

"Good morning as well, Commander Creighton!" Jonas had leaned into Curran so that he could be heard clearly.

"Mr. Geluf, is there any way to boost the signal?" Curran picked off his communicator and placed it on the counter to keep old beer-breath away from him.

[That would be us, Legate. The Quentites have developed radio technologies that could possibly intercept our messages, so we're on a low band.]

"Then I suggest we keep our conversation short and to the point, Commander."

[I agree, Legate. Ambassador! We are pleased to invite you and your delegation party to our humble abode. Please join us. We have much to discuss about the planet and its inhabitants.]

"We shall depart immediately, then Commander!"

[Excellent. I am transmitting our coordinates now. In one hour, then?]

"One hour exactly. I've brought some Risian Amber Ale for us to celebrate with!" Jonas grinned and rubbed his hands excitedly. Curran raised an eyebrow.

[None for me, thanks, but the others here may appreciate a little reminder of everyone's favourite planet. Until then, Creighton out.] The transmission cut.

"Are you ready, Legate?"

"Let me gather your data packets and I will deliver them to Transporter Room 2 for your delegation's beamdown." Curran slid off his barstool, and smoothed out his uniform. He re-attached the communicator to his jacket's lapel.

"Yu aren't getting away that easy, Legate. You're coming with us!" Galali palmed the remnants of the bottle of Amber Ale and slid it into a deep recess of his lavender robe. He reminded Curran of a magician. He just needed the tall, pointy hat. He slapped Curran on the back, knocking the wind out of him.

"Someone has to show you how to have a good time! Maybe we'll get you and that lovely Karyn Dallas together...." They shuffled off out of Ten-Forward. Kylar's face was a deep shade of red.

"Secretary"

Lt. Curtis Geluf, Chief OPS

OPS is a high-stress job.

The resource allocation and functionality of an entire starship, especially one as large as the Galaxy, are basically all in the hands of the OPS officer on duty. Don't press the wrong button kiddos, or the ship could suddenly explode.

Such were the thoughts of one helluva bored Curtis as he checked the sensors for the 50th time since Alpha shift started.

While in transit, the Kerelian chief's duties amounted to making sure there wasn't a big rock in the middle of the ship's path and if there was, to pass that info along to helm. Of course, he also had to keep a look out for possible hostile ships, cause, you know, hostile ships were always popping up in the middle of Federation space.

Most of all, though, he was a secretary, monitoring communications and taking hails and whatnot. Yeah, that's exactly what he was right now, a secretary.

He allowed his thoughts to drift to the subject of the new Captain. Certianly different from Brohde from what Curtis could tell. Still, not exactly Mr. Rodgers, probably better that way too. But the Captain hadn't been around much since he came aboard, so Curtis was saving any and all judgement for the time being.

Giving a short glance to Lt. Savoie to signal a sensor blip (a small, rouge asteroid), Curtis settled back down into his routine and checked the scanners for the 51st time...

"Fear & Loathing on Risa"
Lt. JG Dr. Klaus Fienberg

Backpost (Before departure from Risa)

Behind a beach on Risa (in visible range and almost on it...but not.)

Soundtrack: Yoko Kanno and the Seatbelts - Bad Dog No Biscuit (Drug Trip/Chase scene)

Dok had finally overcome his fear of Risa after about an hour of arguing with himself at his girlfriends villa. He decided that he would like to go alone though.

He had noticed a few of Galaxy's Crew on the surface but he didn't know them on a first name basis so he didn't bother talking to them. There would be time aboard ship, besides he didn't wanna be in one place at any one time. He was the most unique looking person in the vacinity with his signiture long black trenchcoat on.

Dr. Fienberg approached a small bar near the beach. He turned up the large collar on the coat to help hide his face, this was a popular hang out of his and people he used to know back in his wilder days.

He recognized many a face and made damn sure not to get noticed. He failed recognize the bartender, one that had a bit of a grudge agains't him. The house band began to play a song, a rather old jazz tune, a fast one. "Barkeep, could I have just a water with a spike of Vodka?"
The Barkeep nodded and walked off, returning with the drink, handing it too Klaus. Klaus Sipped at it noticing an odd tang. Probably nothing.

Suddenly the world around Dr. Fienberg began to warp and distort. Colors and feelings he hadn't felt in a long time rushed him. Despite feeling rather high, he realised something was terribly wrong. The Barkeep was staring him in the face. Pat, The Transvestite.

Klaus made a shrill scream and darted out of the bar, into a frigthening distorted nightmare. he did however realize through the distorted nightmare that he was being chased. Pat was behind him, and gaining. Klaus made a quick turn, whatever Pat slipped him in the drink had given him inhuman agility and speed. Pat was still gaining on him.

Klaus made his way out onto the beach, slowwed down and stood there. For some reason, his distorted nightmare world turned dark and grim, he was surrounded by monsters and demons.......he turned to find Pat gone, having given up chase. The Nightmare ground to a halt, and Klaus passed out, falling face first into the sand.

"Aftermath" Part 1 of 3

[Backpost]

[Takes place between 'Memories of Home' and 'Anything Can Happen']

Primary Cast:

Lt(JG) Victor Krieghoff
Lt(JG) Ella Grey

****

USS Galaxy
Deck 7
Victor Krieghoff's Quarters

She rang the buzzer, watched her feet while Victor made his way to the door. ~~Hi.~~ Ella signed quietly when he appeared.

Victor looked at her for a long moment, unreadable, before slowly lifting his hands to respond. ~~Hello.~~

~~Can I come in?~~

It took longer than she thought it would for him to answer, like he had turned the words around in his head several times to make sure there was no hidden meaning to them... or to decide that there was no danger in allowing her in. His answer was a single wordless step to the side, allowing her entry.

Ella walked past him and sat carefully on the couch. She looked around her, for once paying attention to the sparseness of the quarters. It was very spartan, so clean that one wouldn't know there had been as a struggle between two people just days before except for the empty spot where one of his plants had been. She would have to buy him a replacement plant sometime in the future. Ella was quiet a long time before signing. ~~It's my fault.~~

~~What is?~~ He seemed more deliberate with his sign today, as if the extra effort and time it took to form his words was necessary.

~~I should have stayed.~~ Ella replied. ~~Dallas came because I misjudged the situation.~~

Victor winced visibly, the pained look startling because it was the single most emotional reaction she had ever seen on his face. It remained there for several seconds before his normal look dropped over it and wiped it away. ~~No, you shouldn't have.~~

He had stopped long enough that she was about to respond, when he held up a hand and added, ~~Would have hurt you, then.~~ He debated a second, then added, ~~Worse than hurt you - you had no hypo to stop me with before I could....~~ He let his fingers drop without finishing the sentence.

Her eyes flickered up to him. ~~I wouldn't have stopped you.~~

He started back at her uncomprehendingly. "You..." He blinked and raised his hands to continue in sign. ~~Why?~~

~~Because I'm your friend.~~ She signed. She didn't add that, for her, their friendship was blooming into a full blown crush - something she hadn't felt for years and would have acted on if he were anyone other than himself.

Victor's head tilted to the side and he regarded her silently for several heartbeats. ~~No one would let that happen to them, even if a friend was doing it. It's wrong.~~

Ella managed a weak smile. ~~I never said I was the role model for friendship.~~

He frowned and moved to sit in a chair, careful to keep a good distance between them - almost exactly two meters according to Ella's practiced eye. The same distance that he'd been drilling into her was the minimum space to keep a possibly dangerous opponent at to give you time to react to their approach.

~~Who told you?~~ he asked abruptly.

~~No one told me.~~ Ella answered.

~~Then how did you know? The Counselor said she'd ... covered it up, hidden it.~~

~~I'm smarter than the average bear.~~ Ella said, then sighed. ~~I know the signs of a victim. I could tell something was wrong. So I hacked into her file in Sickbay.~~

Victor's frown appeared as if by magic. ~~I'll make sure to fix that. Or have her do it. Most people would ask and let it go at that out of common decency.~~

Ella raised an eyebrow at that comment. ~~Do I strike you as a particularly decent person?~~

~~Yes.~~ She noticed suddenly that he'd retreated again, fallen back to the strictly controlled body language he'd had when she first met him. ~~Too decent to be here.~~

~~Stop it!~~ Ella signed before slapping her hand down on the arm of the couch. ~~And move over here. It is nice to pretend that you distance yourself from me because you are afraid of me, but we both know otherwise.~~

Victor didn't move more than it took to answer, ~~Not afraid of you. Afraid *for* you.~~

~~I am not afraid of you.~~ She signed.

~~You should be. I am.~~

~~That's your problem, not mine.~~ Ella told him. She sighed and moved towards him. There wasn't a chair handy so she sat on a table and hoped it would support her weight. "Why are you afraid?"

~~Because I am what I fear myself to be.~~

She clenched her jaw. ~~It was an accident... the chemicals...~~ Her fingers trailed off. There were only so many times they could have this argument.

He kept looking at her, eyes unreadable. ~~What did the Defiant show you?~~ he asked suddenly. ~~What did the creature use to make you afraid?~~

~~What would have happened if he hadn't stopped hitting.~~ Ella replied. ~~But mostly it was going through the experience again. Being helpless again. Knowing for sure that no one would help me, that at best I had to hope that someone would interrupt again. Which you did.~~

He nodded. ~~It showed me that what I've always been afraid of - the only thing I've been afraid of - was true.~~

~~Don't believe something that the Defiant told you, Tiger.~~ Ella warned.

~~It wasn't something that I didn't already know, Grey. It just made me face the fact that there was a reason for me to be afraid.~~

Ella frowned. ~~There isn't a monster hidden in you.~~

~~Yes there is. I can bury it, deny it, try to hide from it - but it's there.~~

~~I shouldn't have left.~~ Ella signed. She rubbed at her temple, wishing the problem would just go away.

~~You did what you should have done,~~ he insisted. ~~What I tried to make the Counselor do and couldn't. What...~~ He stopped and dropped his hands.

~~Training tomorrow?~~ She asked, ignoring him.

"No. I don't think that's a good idea, Grey," he said quietly, the first words he'd spoken since she'd arrived. "You should find someone else. Someone safer to be around."

She gave him her sweetest smile. ~~Victor, trying to get rid of me now is only going to make me redouble my efforts. And since you think you know me *so* well, try and guess what happens when I don't get what I want.~~

His look was unreadable, but the tone in his voice was sure. "Stop trying, Grey. Find another person to be a friend to. Someone who can be a friend back."

Ella reached out to take his hand and sighed when he drew back. ~~Call me when you're up. I have the day off.~~ She stood and moved to leave.

Victor watched her leave silently, not moving until the door had slid closed behind her. Then, with a sigh, he stood and moved to his desk. His fingers danced on the LCARS panel inset there, calling up the standard block of duty forms that were available for access by the entire crew, paging down until he reached the one that he was looking for: 'Commission, Resignation of.'

It was easy to fill out, just a few lines. He worked his way through it in less than a minute, face never changing expression. If his first solution wasn't a good one - and he had to admit that the Counselor and Dr. T'lan had been right that it wasn't - then this would have to do. There wasn't any other way to do what he'd sworn to do when he took his oath. If he was going to protect and defend the ship and her crew from threats internal and external, he had to leave. It was the only way he could protect them from the threat that he, himself, represented.

He stopped when he was done; the few words on the screen that he'd needed to enter beating at him like hammers. This was all he knew, all he'd ever wanted to do, and all he'd ever done. With one touch of a finger he was going to wipe all that away, make everything he'd done with his life meaningless - and he didn't have a choice.

He reached for the screen, finger descending to keep true to his oath. No matter what it cost him, the crew and ship would be safe.

*Beep*

Victor frowned and depressed 'send' again.

*Beep*

He tried a third time.

*Beep*

~Enough is enough - that's not a system slow-down, it's a denial of access signal. Quick's handiwork again?~ He pushed the thought aside and keyed in a different sequence, requesting a clarification of the denial.

=/\= Authorization required for request,=/\= the computer chirped at him.

~Authorization? I have to be *authorized* to resign my commission? I knew BuPers was ludicrously overdoing it with the latest regulations revisions, but this is a real winner,~ Victor sighed to himself. He keyed in his personal authorization code.

=/\= Krieghoff, Victor Heinrich, Lt. (jg) is denied access to this function, =/\= the computer replied. =/\= Please access file 348B2 =/\=

Victor's frown deepened and he mechanically called up the file, already suspecting what he'd see there.

The attached message was short. -Nice try- it said. -Ella-

His frown fell over the edge into a scowl as he closed out the screen and stood up. "Computer, what is the current location of Lt. Ella Grey?"

=/\= Krieghoff, Victor Heinrich, Lt. (jg) is denied access to this function, =/\= the computer repeated cheerfully. =/\= Please access file 348B2 =/\=

Victor's eyes narrowed. ~All right, we'll do it her way.~

****

=/\= Renkert to Grey =/\= Indigo's voice came shakily over the comm.

Ella raised an eyebrow as she put down her computer PADD to hit her comm badge. Indigo sounded upset, unnerved even. And there was only one person that she knew of that upset her roommate. Damn the man, she thought. Didn't even wait five minutes after I was out the door.

=/\= Are you there? =/\= Indigo asked.

Ella snapped her fingers once and then picked up her PADD. Indigo would know to turn on their terminal to access her replies. *Was he angry?* she wrote.

=/\= Like a thundercloud. =/\= Indigo replied. =/\= He scowled when I said you weren't here and he was muttering to himself as he left. Honestly, Ella, I don't see... =/\=

*He's my friend* Ella wrote, ending Indigo's thought. She wasn't going to be able to explain to her roommate so she left it at that.

=/\=Well, I suggested he try Engineering and that was about a minute ago. It took a minute for my heart to calm down. Are you going to see him?=/\=

*No, I don't think so. He's annoyed me and now he gets to think about his actions.*

=/\=Christ, Ella. Sometimes I don't understand you. I'm going to stay the night at Bill's.=/\=

Ella frowned. It wasn't unexpected but made her a little sad. *All right, see you later, Indy*

=/\=Take care of yourself, El =/\= Indigo said and then was gone.

So Victor was seeking her out. Well, he was just going to have to wait. Ella waved goodbye to one of the ensigns, she'd come on the late shift just to help out with a minor problem, and headed for the arboretum.

"Aftermath" Part 2 of 3

[Backpost]

[Takes place between 'Memories of Home' and 'Anything Can Happen']

Primary Cast:

Lt(JG) Victor Krieghoff
Lt(JG) Ella Grey

****

USS Galaxy
Assorted Decks and Locations

"T-the arboretum."

"Ahhh... the j-jefferies tube on stardrive d-deck 10, near t-the l-lateral sensor arrays...."

"Main replicator control. Please don't kill me."

"N-not h-here. I d-don't know w-where."

"Oh God, you're... him. No, I, ah... I didn't mean it that way. I just... Who? Oh! Ummm... Main Engineering. Yes, Main Engineering."

"No, I'm not answering that, especially for *him.* You tell him to go... Oh crap, he's right behind me isn't he? Quarters. She's gone to her quarters."

****

USS Galaxy
Deck XX
Ella Grey's Quarters

Ella frowned at the replicator. She was an engineer, for Christ sake, she should be able to program a decent meal. The door buzzed and Ella ignored it, figuring that Victor knew how to override the locks easy enough. She watched as the replicator materialized a strange meat-like thing in front of her and scowled slightly. Maybe she was spelling her request incorrectly.

The door slid open as she regarded the meat-like substance, Victor's presence filling the room in a way it normally didn't as he entered. It was almost a palpable sensation pressing against her, and she knew without looking up that he was, for the first time, angry with her.

"Grey." His voice was flat, but not the calm, contextually-scrubbed tones he normally used. Instead it was flat and sharp like a sword, the edges of the words cutting through the air.

Human after all, she thought. She'd probably pushed his buttons too far but it was too late to regret it. She frowned at the meat and tossed it in the waste recycling. She half turned. ~~I was going to make a meat dish for dinner but my stupid replicator won't cooperate. Do you like chicken?~~

When he spoke, the words were coming from closer, the sense of his presence stronger as he crossed the room. "Not your place, Grey. My decision, not yours."

Ella turned. ~~No, I don't think so.~~ Her eyebrows raised. ~~Are you going to hurt me, Victor? I'll fight back. I daresay I'll lose but you don't have to have my death on your conscience as some mindless slaughter.~~

He stopped literally at the two meter mark, though she couldn't tell if it was to give her time to react to an advance by him or vice versa. His eyes were angry - the first time that she'd seen them that way - and the way he stood was different, like a predatory animal held in check by the thinnest of margins. "It was my decision, Grey," he repeated in a growl.

~~It isn't the right decision for you~~ Ella signed, happy to throw his words back at him. ~~For me maybe. I'm not attached to Starfleet. I can leave any time and never look back. This is your whole world. What would you do if you weren't a security officer?~~

"Doesn't matter," he replied. "I swore the oath to protect them from all threats, internal and external. What price I pay in doing that wasn't part of the deal."

~~That's stupid.~~ Ella said.

"Whatever it takes, Grey. I'll do whatever it takes."

Ella set her jaw. ~~So will I. Resignation denied.~~

"Grey..." He made a fist at his side, and for a flickering instant he was something terrible, something that made an atavistic tickle of fear touch Grey's nerves... Then he forced his hand open and seemed to shrink, withdrawing in to himself until he was merely an angry Victor and not Death itself. "It's better than my first choice, Grey," he growled.

~~I can just imagine.~~ Ella's fingers flicked. She purposefully sneered at him so that she could forget that for a moment Victor had really scared her. ~~Some great noble gesture of sacrificing yourself to the Federation? How weak.~~

"No. Nothing great. Nothing noble. I'm neither." He leaned forward slightly, as if being restrained from moving closer by someone Ella couldn't see. "What I am is too dangerous to be here."

~~Everyone has the potential to be dangerous.~~

"Grey, you can say what you will, but it doesn't change the fact that I am not like you." His feet shifted, moving him forward a few inches. "I don't think like you." He moved a few more inches. "I don't act like you." Another few inches closer. "I'm... not... like... you."

Ella scowled and then she stepped forward to him. ~~Good... for... you. I wouldn't want you to be.~~

"Who would want to be?" he growled back. "Weak? Afraid? So scared of shadows that you can't even speak?"

Quick as a flash, Ella's hand snuck out and smacked him. Eyes wide, she inhaled but stood her ground.

Victor stood there for a moment, silent, as the red imprint of her hand appeared on the side of his face. A pair of heartbeats passed before he tilted his head to the side and looked at her, as if seeing her from a new viewpoint. His eyes changed, something moving in them that Ella had never seen in them before, something dark and primal and deadly. Another heartbeat passed, and then he smiled a tiger's smile at her, the kind that was the last thing that prey saw before everything went black.

His hand flashed out, faster than any blow that he'd ever thrown in their sparring, filling Ella's field of vision - and stopped, her eyelashes brushing one knuckle.

Ella flinched and it took all of her willpower not to move backwards. She looked back at him angrily.

"It's that easy, Grey," he growled, withdrawing the hand slowly, the movement obviously taking some effort. "That's all it takes. Just one blow and I'm gone and something else is here instead. Something that would have killed the Counselor, or done worse if given the chance. Something that would kill you, or worse, if it gets out. Something that doesn't care who you are, or if you're my friend or not."

He stepped back, still angry, his fist still clenched. "I have to go, Grey. Before I kill someone. Before I hurt someone else. If you won't take the lock off, then I'll resign in person. I can't stay, not and be true to my oath."

She set her jaw but then sighed. Ella moved forward slowly, just in case, and reached up to brush a hand where she had hit him. Victor didn't stop her.

~~I'm still here. I haven't run away screaming. And you haven't hurt me. I trust you not to. I know evil and you're not it. So run away if you want. I can't stop you forever.~~ Ella turned and went started to head for her room. ~~Incidentally, Flitt has nothing to do with me not speaking. Imply that again and I'll kick your ass.~~

Victor remained absolutely still until she'd started to turn away - but his eyes were his own again when her hand moved back to her side. He watched her take three steps, and then spoke. "You're not good enough."

She turned. ~~Excuse me?~~

"To beat me. You're not good enough. Not yet."

Ella snorted. ~~Never underestimate a woman, Tiger.~~

His body language was different. Not normal, or what passed for it with him, but less fierce, as if the anger had begun to leak out of him. He waited just long enough that the silence between them was uncomfortable for her before he spoke. "I never said I was evil, Grey. Dangerous, yes. Evil... no. You have to make a conscious choice to be evil - and I can't do that. Not when I'm like that. I just act, there's no thought involved."

She shrugged. ~~Maybe you should work on that.~~ Ella held up a hand before he could comment. ~~You're a good person, Victor. Whether you believe it or not.~~

"I don't." He regarded her in his odd, tilted-head fashion. "I'm not certain why you do."

~~I just do. I guess we'll have to agree to disagree.~~ She moved closer to him again. ~~What would keep you here? What would make you stay?~~

"I'd have to be sure I wouldn't hurt anyone else, Grey. Not you, not the Counselor, not anyone."

Ella tilted her head. ~~How would you do that?~~

"I don't know how." He watched her move closer, but didn't back away, as if testing himself. "That's why I have to leave, because I don't know how to do that."

~~I don't suppose it helps to know that *I* believe you wouldn't~~

"The problem isn't that you believe, Grey - it's that I don't."

Ella moved to sit on her couch. She rested her head on the back of the sofa. ~~I thought about suicide once.~~

Victor frowned. "I wouldn't have thought you would.... oh. Control. It was a control issue, wasn't it? At a time when you had none - or thought you did."

She barely nodded. ~~It was when Flitt had me. Second day. I had been singing, he made me sing for hours on end, for a few hours, my voice beginning to hoarsen and he let me take a break. He was talking to his friend and I saw these scissors nearby. And I thought to myself 'just end it, he's going to kill you anyway.'~~ Ella sighed. ~~Didn't even occur to me to take the scissors and stab him.~~

"People don't think that way, Grey. It's been bred out of them. That's why they're sheep: because they've forgotten how to defend themselves - or why they'd need to." He shook his head. "You're not most people, though. Why didn't you?"

~~I think I had hope then.~~ Ella shrugged.

"Why don't you have it now?"

She waved a hand. ~~Oh, I meant it in a different sense. I thought someone would come rescue me. Doesn't happen that way though, does it? You have to save yourself.~~ Ella looked at him sharply. ~~Suicide is weak, nine times out of ten. A cowards way out.~~

"And the tenth time? What is it then, Grey?"

Ella said nothing and closed her eyes instead. She had what would become a killer headache forming.

Victor moved a step closer, frowning. "Are you all right, Grey?"

Her eyes suddenly opened and she smiled. ~~You said I was your friend~~

Victor blinked, thought a moment, and then nodded, "Yes. Should I not have?"

~~True friends don't let each other starve to death. I've changed my mind; I feel like eating fish. Want some? We can still talk over dinner. The beauty of sign language is that you can talk with your mouth full.~~ Ella got up and headed towards the replicator.

"Fish is fine." Victor watched her walk to the replicator, without further comment, not speaking until she was coding in the order. "My mother has a recipe that's good if you'd like to try it."

Ella grinned. ~~All the better.~~

He nodded and walked over to reach around and punch in a code. "Ar'resh and Rexa make her fix it every time they visit. They say the replicated version isn't as good."

~~My friend Laura used to make her meals from scratch. I especially liked her cakes and cookies.~~ She watched as the dish appeared before them. She took her plate and headed for the table. Victor followed.

"I can normally tell," he continued. "Between replicated and non-replicated food, that is. Not always, but most of the time. The replicator food seems... dead. Lifeless."

They sat down at the table. Ella pushed some of Indigo's art work aside. ~~I'm glad you said I was your friend.~~ Ella said abruptly. ~~Makes me happy.~~

He blinked. "I don't think I'm very good at it."

Ella raised an eyebrow.

"Being a friend."

~~You're learning.~~ Ella smiled. ~~Me too.~~

He looked down at his fish and cut a portion free before he answered. "No. I think you already know how."

~~I don't think so~~ Ella took a bite, coughed a bit at its spiciness but liked the overall taste, and followed it with some water.

"Yes, you do. You might not know it, but you do." He put the fish in his mouth and chewed slowly.

~~I could say the same of you.~~

"No. I don't understand. I don't understand why you're even talking to me."

She smiled as she took another bite. ~~This argument can go on for hours. I want you to stay.~~

He worked his way through another piece of the fish before he responded with, "Why?"

~~Why not?~~

"Why?" His repetition was accompanied by a look that told her he truly didn't understand.

Ella sighed. ~~Because I'd miss you if you went away.~~

That comment earned her an outright stare of confusion. She'd only seen Victor look that way twice before - both times when dealing with why she, or someone else, would want to try and get to know him - and it pushed the last traces of his anger away. "Why would you do that?"

~~Because I enjoy your company. And before you ask, I'm not sure why.~~ It was a lie, Ella thought, but one she could probably get away with. She liked Victor because he knew, or almost knew, the real Ella. It had been a long time since she hadn't needed to pretend with anyone.

And also because she thought he was cute.

"Aftermath" Part 3 of 3

[Backpost]

[Takes place between 'Memories of Home' and 'Anything Can Happen']

Primary Cast:

Lt(JG) Victor Krieghoff
Lt(JG) Ella Grey

****

Ella took another bite, prepared now for the spiciness of the dish. ~~You owe me some money~~

Victor blinked once, slowly. "Yes." He ate some more fish, making the fifth mouthful he'd had without something to drink. "You don't owe me a truth."

~~I'll tell you one anyway. I love the sound of coins.~~

"You'll have to wait - I don't have any dollars with me."

She nodded as she took another drink. ~~I'm sorry for hitting you.~~ Not that she didn't think he didn't deserve it. But she had provoked him.

"I made you do it."

Ella started to move her hands but he interrupted.

"No, I did. I'm good at it - I always know what to say to make people mad, so mad they do stupid things. I win a lot of fights that way." He had another bite of fish. "That and not stopping unless they kill me."

~~Why?~~

He frowned, the expression seeming normal on his face, almost relaxing. "I think... I think I wanted you to hit me so you'd understand that I was what I said I was."

Ella shrugged. ~~I'll admit you scared me but not in the way you wanted, I think. I wasn't... I didn't think you would hurt me. You might have hit me but I've been hit before. I guess what I'm saying is that I trusted you to stop.~~

His frown deepened, and he stopped his fork before lifting another piece of fish. "I don't understand."

~~I know.~~

"Why would you think that? Why would you trust me like that? I didn't, I still don't."

Ella mimicked his frown. ~~Not sure. I've never been one for blind trust but I trust you.~~

"Why?" He seemed to say that a lot in conversations with her.

~~Maybe because I've always been a sucker for men with Andorian aunts~~ Ella winked.

"How many men with Andorian aunts have you met?"

~~Tiger, just believe that I have faith in you and leave it at that.~~

"I... That's not easy, Grey."

~~Why? Just nod your head and smile. Or scowl. Whatever works best.~~ She signed.

"Because I'm not used to it. People don't act this way to me, around me. Never. I don't know what to do. If you hit me or call me a 'soulless bastard', I'd know, but not when you say things like that."

~~You're a soulless bastard.~~ Ella signed slowly, her gestures as flat as the emotion on her face.

Victor just looked at her. "You don't mean that. There's no life behind the words."

~~Sorry, I just couldn't muster up the enthusiasm. You could insult me some more, I suppose. But I'm ready for it now so it probably wont work.~~ She took too large of a mouthful and coughed some more. ~~Besides, I wouldn't want to ruin my digestion.~~

"Too spicy?"

~~A bit. But I'm a trooper. This isn't like any German food I've ever had.~~

"Traditional German cooking is fairly bland compared to many cultures, but the family recipes all started to change once we spread out. First with other Terran cultures mixing in, and then with extraterrestrial ones. You're likely to find Vulcan spices in the bratwurst and Andorian chilies in the fish as not now."

~~At least its always interesting.~~ Ella signed.

He polished off another piece of fish without responding, finally took a drink of water, and spoke without looking away from his food. "Did you read the report the Counselor wrote, or just the summary?

Ella shook her head. ~~I read the medical report.~~ her fingers replied calmly. ~~It merely listed the injuries.~~

Victor nodded. "I hurt her badly." His voice was back to the flat, emotionless tones she recognized as a sign he'd retreated within himself.

~~Yes, you did. But it was an accident.~~

Victor seemed to not be listening. "I didn't want to - not at first."

Ella remained quiet. Victor rarely gave up information and he needed to get this out.

"Hurt her. I didn't want that at first," he clarified.

~~Are you sure you wanted that at the end?~~

"I did. There's a part of me - the part that I keep locked away so it won't hurt anyone - where violence and... attraction, are two sides of the same thing. I think..." He stopped speaking and ate some more fish.

~~What?~~ Ella asked. ~~You think...~~

"That I thought it was foreplay," he said bluntly. "At least the part of me that was in control did, anyway."

~~I guess we need to reeducate you in that department.~~ Ella signed before thinking. She coughed a bit to cover her embarrassment and gave the fish a glare. We? Oh, great one, Ella.

"Why?"

~~So you won't scare off the next girl.~~

"I'd need someone that would do those things with me before there would be a point, Grey." He speared another bite of fish. "It seems like a low priority given that lack."

Ouch, Ella thought. That hurts. But at least it will remind you where you fit in the scheme of things. She popped up from her chair. ~~Definitely time for cookies.~~ She faced him while she waited for the plate of chocolate chip cookies to materialize. ~~It never hurts to be prepared.~~

"Just because I believe that there's a One for everyone, doesn't mean that I think I'll find them, Grey. Or even that I'll find family to fill the hole until, or if I never, do." He looked up from his fish. "Or that I should even look, knowing what I know now."

~~Well, if you ever have a question, let me know.~~ She bit into her cookie and smiled. It wasn't as good as Laura's but it still tasted like chocolate. Ella came back to the table and set down the plate.

He frowned at her. "Why are you my friend?"

Ella raised an eyebrow. ~~I meant about foreplay. And didn't we already cover this?~~

"No. You keep not answering me." Victor conveniently ignored the fact that he did the same thing with greater frequency.

Ella shrugged. ~~I like your company.~~

"No, that's not why. That's just what you get from being my friend." He peered closer. "Why?"

She tried not to fidget and put on a bright smile. ~~It must be these deep meaningful conversations we keep having.~~

"No."

Ella sighed. ~~I can't answer without losing the bet.~~

Victor nodded. "Then I'll let you say it this once and not demand a truth."

~~I can almost be myself around you.~~

"Almost?"

She shrugged. ~~Almost. I don't have to pretend as much around you.~~

"Why not? What are you that I haven't seen before?"

~~Someone I don't think you would be friends with. But I don't think you would agree.~~

"About being friends?" he frowned. "What could you do that would make me stop?"

~~You'll see one day, I'm sure.~~

Victor looked at her for a long moment, and then turned his attention back to the last of his fish. "You're not as bad as you claim. You're not evil."

~~Oh?~~

He looked up as he set his fork down. "If you were evil, I would have killed you."

She smiled. ~~I didn't say I was evil, just someone who's belief system differs. You said it yourself. I'm not like you. ~~

"You shouldn't be like me. No one should," Victor responded. He studied her for a moment. "Different how?"

She took a sip of water. ~~You see people as needing protection. I see them as tools. You would give your life for a stranger. I would not. You wouldn't sleep with someone you didn't care about. I would. I...use people.~~

"Everyone uses people, Grey. The rest... if you're not happy about the way you are, change."

Her smiled widened but it didn't reach her eyes. ~~Who says I want to change?~~

Victor reached up and touched her with a fingertip just beside her right eye. "You do. Here."

Ella looked down at her plate. ~~Maybe I do.~~

"Why don't you, then?"

~~I can't.~~

Victor nodded once. "Why?"

She looked at him. ~~Because I won't let myself.~~

"Why?"

Ella laughed nervously. ~~I blame my parents.~~

"No, Grey. I was born the way I am, you chose to be the way you are. Why?"

~~I don't know.~~

He just looked at her, refusing to let her escape without answering.

~~I... can't be used again, Victor.~~ Her fingers said, barely moving. ~~I don't know what I'd do.~~ She looked away, blinked back the beginnings of tears, and exhaled. ~~I should have replicated some Ben and Jerry's.~~ She took another cookie instead.

"Used?" Victor's frown was back, the one he wore when he was concerned this time, not his puzzled frown.

Ella shook her head. ~~No more, Tiger. I can't give up all my secrets in one sitting.~~

After a moment he nodded. "Fair enough." He looked down at the cookies. "Ben and Jerry's?"

Ella gave a genuine smile. ~~A brand of ice cream from a long time ago. I loved this one with chocolate and caramel and little chocolate fishes.~~

"Ah. I don't eat much of that sort of thing."

~~Poor thing.~~ Ella signed. ~~You should try it sometime, especially when you're feeling down. Women have been doing it for centuries. Now, about your staying on Galaxy.~~

Victor looked at her for a long time, over a minute of silence, before he spoke. "I think it's a bad idea, Grey."

~~Possibly. I don't care though.~~

"One condition."

~~And what's that?~~

"Do you have the replicator code for that ice cream?"

Ella smiled. ~~Of course.~~

“It Is Just A Feeling.”
Ramir Omar.

At His V.I.P. Quarters.

Ramir Omar as a scientist was very curious about these wormholes. He knew that it was extremely strange for a single place to have this amount of wormholes. He had nothing else for occupying himself since Lieutenant Shelly O’Rourke had ordered to have him confined to his quarters for fighting with those Klingons.

Omar sat at his desk and looked at his ornate screen.

“Computer Is Access To Stellar Cartography Restricted?”

“The Access To Stellar Cartography Is Unrestricted.”

“Excellent. You are to show to me these wormholes.” A map of this place appeared with all of the locations of the wormholes having been marked onto it. Omar knew that something was just wrong with this territory.

“Computer you are to conduct a scan of this place.”

“The scan has been conducted.”

“Is there anything about the wormholes?” Omar was very impatient.

“All of those phenomenan are consistent with Type One wormholes.”

Omar was disappointed by this result. “Computer you are to recalibrate the sensors.”

“The sensors have been recalibrated.”

“Computer the results?” Omar was hoping that he would just discover that his unusual feeling was actually correct.

“All of those phenomenan are consistent with Type One wormholes.”

Omar was disappointed again.

“Great.” He dismissed his feeling.

“It was just a feeling,” he said to himself.

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