"The Saga begins again..."

Webwitch of the woods
Viktor, a huntsman
Other nPC's

OOC: This brings us up to date: Warning here there be M/F Sex...

=2 days pass..=

Viktor had changed in to his nicer clothing but stopped by town and picked up a little gift for the woman who saved his life. He had no family, having been an orphan boy since he could remember. Now he was going to thank her, and he also brought her some smoked meat from his stores. Walking up the pathway to her house he saw the spiders again and knew that they would announce his arrival.

She greeted him at the door, heavily veiled and dark eyes glittering. "You are walking better.", she said matter of factly.

He smiled, "No thanks to your aid my lady." He handed her a bolt of a fine silken cloth and a heavy package, "I brought you these gifts as a thank you."

She took the items and set them down inside her door. "No payment was asked for, but I will accept them all the same."

"It is the least I can do." He smiled again, his eyes sparkled a bit looking at her, "you did not have to aid me, I am in your debt."

Why she did it, Kyleea didn't know, but she said it anyway. "How else am I able to lay claim on souls if not with my herbs and potions?"

He chuckled, "Ahh the old rumors of the fishwives."

"Are you so sure?"

"I would not be here if I wasn't sure..."

"And what makes you so...sure?"

"Call it instinct, if you were after my soul you would not have let me leave...." He shrugged, "Or maybe you are trying to trap my soul now..." His eyes sparkled as he teased her.

"How do you know I didn't trap your soul already and that is why you came back?"

He cocked his head, "did you?"

"Now why should I tell you...", she purred.

He smiled and his body languaged changd to show some definate interest in her... he raised an eyebrow, "Why indeed.." then he let his hand brush against hers, "Do you need anything done around the house, perhaps I can assist you some times..."

"I have all I need here.", she said, pulling her hand back.

He nodded, "Very well.. I apologise for disturbing you..."

"Come again if you need curatives or other such that are not available in town."

He paused, "Could I come to see... you?"

Kyleea blinked. No one had ever said that before. "You walk of your own will, do you not?"

He turned, "I only ask to make sure my presence to speak with you is not an unwelcome presence. I would not wish to impose where I am not wanted."

She shrugged enigmatically.

He nodded and walked over to her again, "then may I come by tomorrow, I would like to see you again..."

"Do as you will."

He nodded, "I will stop by then. I enjoy your company." He then bowed, "Untill tomorrow then... good day."

She nodded, rather mystifyed about this one.

The next day he came back as he had promised, this time he brought with him a bundle of wildflowers and he approached the cabin.

He had thought hard before making this journey but here he was. This time the spiders seemed to ignore him and he was able to knock on the door.

Kyleea had stepped out to go bathe in the stream.

Viktor figured she was away and looked around. Maybe she hadn't been expecting him this soon. He could go home then come back but instead he decided to wait, his leg was much stronger so he was able to sit and wonder why he had come here.. was he going to court the webwitch of the woods.

She was different then the other woman who had been here before. He could go searching for her, but what if she was indesposed.

Kyleea noticed the spiders coming to make her aware she'd had a guest and she hastily jumped from the stream and dressed, some of her robes clinging to her wet body as she hurried back to her hut, adjusting her veils.

When she approached Viktor stood up slowly and admired some of the robe's cling to her but he smield, "Hello... "

"Oh..you.", she said as she adjusted her robes.

He walked over to her and handed her the flowers, "Am I not welcome?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.

She blinked at the flowers, surprised at the gift. For once she was at a loss for words.

He paused, "If my arrival is an unwelcome thing I will go..."

"Why did you bring these?", she asked as she looked at the flowers.

"A gift for you... they are not as beautiful as your eyes though..." He smiled sheepishly.

The eyes that captivated him opened wide and blinked.

"I Guess I am trying to say, that I find you interesting..." He paused and felt his heart thud in his chest.

"Interesting?"

"A fascinating person, I like to talk to you..." He sighed, "I wish I could explain it, better but I am nervous."

"No one has ever just come to...talk.", she said still feeling a bit out of her realm of things.

"I did not mean to make you uncomfortable." He paused, "if you would like we coudl talk... if not I will go."

"I do not know what we could talk about.", she said.

"We could talk about our pasts, stories of us growing up."

"I have always been here.", she said, echoing her mother's words.

"You have to have grown up here then, what was that like?"

"You must live in harmony with those around you."

"I do the best I can, I live on the edges of the woods, I make my living as a hunter. Take only what I need and I do well for myself."

She nodded. "That would explain why I have not seen you before. I know all who dwell here in the wood."

"As the one before you did."

She blinked in surprise again, trying to cover it. "There is only one Webwitch, and I am she."

"When I was younger, there was a witch in these woods, she had a companion with her, a man... he did work for people around." He looked around and could see she was surprised, but he didn't show it.

"You knew them?"

"I knew of them, I was younger then, learning from the man who adopted me, I saw them around." He nodded, "Did you/"

She was silent, mulling over what to say. "They were my parents.", she said softly.

He nodded, and looked at her, he didn't touch her even though he waned to to hold her hand, "Oh.." was all he said.

"Mother had always been here.", she said, continuing on, "Father was from town."

"I did not know that, I had heard rumors of a member of the duke's court who fled in to the night but I had heard he perished."

"He did not.", she said with a smile hidden by her veils.

He caught her eyes crinkling as she smiled, she probably had a beautiful smile, but it did not show. They sat silently for a bit as he watched her, trying to think of conversational topics.

"You said you were adopted?", she asked, though it sounded more like a statement.

"Not formally, it was more like I was taken in after I was found in the woods. My parents died in the war with the kling... the man who took me in never named me, when he passed on I took his name to honor him."

She nodded and said nothing.

The conversation was stilted at best, getting information was like pulling teeth and he tried to talk more to her, but in the end he rose and took his leave. Then went back to his residence.

Later on during the day Dyen came out to visit his sister, checking on her to make sure she was ok.

Kyleea was making dinner, her stance so very much like the Webwitch before her as she stirred the pot.

He walked in, "Smells good as usual Kyleea, what are you making?"

"Mother's venison stew.", she said, "I had a taste for it."

He nodded, "It has been time since I have eaten Venison stew." He checked the shelf then his eyes were drawn to the flowers, "who gave you these?"

"Someone greatful for healing."

"I thought that what the silk and elk were for?" He looked at her, "these look like you may have had a suitor?"

"A what?", she said as she looked at her brother with a raised eyebrow.

"A gentleman who is interested in beginning a romantic relationship with you."

She still looked at her brother with a raised eyebrow. "Is this one of those town things?"

"Yes... father tried to explain it when I was younger, but it is how Marissa and I began our relationship, he is trying to express an interest in you..." He paused, "What do you think of him?"

"He is a hunter like the rest.", she said with a shrug.

"Yet you didn't chase him away." Dyen raised an eyebrow looking more like his father. "May I offer advice?"

"You always did even when I threw rocks at you."

"I am not going to tell you how to live your life, but towards the end when I began my relationship with Marissa, father told me, the greatest thing in life is to love someone and to be loved in return." He paused for a bit, "Next time he comes by... invite him in for dinner... if there is nothin there, fine, but at the very least you'll have a meal companion."

"I am fine as I am.", she said.

He shrugged, "As you see it. Though Wobby was fine as she was too...." He looked at her directly, "End of my discussion."

Her reply was a spoon chucked at his head.

He caught it and smiled, he still had good reflexes. Then he tousled her hair again, "Predictable as always sister."

"Then I must practice harder."

He smiled and shook his had, "Just think about it..." then he hugged her, "I worry about you is all."

"And you've caused enough worry yourself in your days.", she said as she returned his hug.

He kissed her cheek, "I know... I caused wobby worry, and I regret it." He sat down in one of the chairs, "You know how it can be."

"She never let father take me out of the woods.", Kyleea said with a soft smile.

"He did though I bet."

"No, he was true to his words to her in private. My first visit was to you."

"Oh..." Dyen nodded, then kissed her on the cheek, "I Have to head back to home again."

"Take some of the beesweets for Saladin.", she smiled, "My attempt to lure him away from the town to here."

He laughed, "You would have to take him away from his mother too...I will bring him out some night for a visit."

"I look forward to that.", she said with a smile.

"He wants to see the spiders again..."

"I take that as a good sign.", she grinned as she headed back to the firepit to finish cooking.

Dyen headed back in to town....

=3 days later=

Viktor had stayed away since his first meeting with her, but he still thought of her, those eyes that drew him in. He was out in the woods again on another hunt, trying to find something he could fill his larder and sell some for gold.

Kyleea was taking another bath in the stream, having accidentally spilled a pot of dye on her. Her robes were scattered on the banks as she sat on a rock scrubbing her skin.

Viktor stepped out in to a clearing and saw her, without her robes and veils, her skin was as fine as the rarest parchment, a tan portion, the gentle curves of her face were visible, and it took his breath away she was beautiful, stunning.

A twig broke and the young huntsman fell down the banks in to the river where he fell with a splash.

Kyleea jumped to her feet and stood looking down at the huntsman with her hands on her hips. "Stumblefoot.", she said with a glare.

He looked up at her and got a view of flesh, then looked away, "I'm sorry... I really am, I was hunting in the woods, I heard something, I didn't mean to see anything, I'm sorry.."

"You are a strange one.", she said as she looked down at him, only grabbing a veil to cover her face, "First time anyone's apologised for being a stumblefoot."

He smiled, "I'm apologizing for seeing you in undress..." He was soaked head to toe and his bow was cracked.

She blinked. "I look the same as any other woman."

"I-I've never seen a woman before..." He stood up slowly, then asked, "Why do you veil your face.. you are beautiful."

"It is the way.", she said, "My mother did it as did the one before her and so on."

He smiled shyly, "Well... you are still beautiful..."

"You are a strange one....and soaked to the skin."

"Why am I strange?" he asked her honestly.

"You have all these notions on how things are, makes everything more difficult than it is."

"I only know what I have seen in town, I do not know any other way.. is there another way?"

"There definitely is.", she said with a glitter in her eyes, "Be direct. I am."

"Ok.." He looked at her, then unfastened her veil, "I think your beautiful and am very attracted to you. I would like to see if we can begin a relationship..."

"You're still being overnotioned like a townsman.", she said matter of factly.

"What do you want?"

"Be direct.", she said, not sure how else to say the words.

He walked over to her and kissed her lips tenderly, slipping his arms around her waist and drawing her close.

She jumped slightly in startlement, but she wrapped her arms around him as she returned his kiss. When it broke, she smirked at him.

"Was that so hard?"

He smiled back, "No it wasn't." He unconsciously nuzzled her neck, "Where do we go from here?" He asked honestly.

"First, we must get you into some dry clothes before you catch a chill."

"Acceptable..." He nodded, "then what?"

"I don't know.", she said simply.

"Well... if we are not being overnotional I would like to stay over some evening?"

"It is your choice.", smiled.

He smiled and kissed her lips, "I would like to stay." Then he took her hand in his, his large hand encircling her smaller one.

"Then that is your choice.", she teased.

He slipped his arms around her waist and kissed her again, "But now i am still wet and cold... Shall we?"

"I must dress first.", she said as she slipped out of his arms and gathered up her robes.

He examined her, " 'tis a pity.." His eyes sparkled and he picked up his bow.

"I don't like getting scratches from the brush.", she said as she dressed.

"Reasonable."

Kyleea led the way through the woods back to her home. She looked behind to make sure Viktor was following and once she was inside, she dug out some of her father's clothes that still remained.

He looked over the clothing then began to undress then bundle up by the fire to warm up. He was colder and wet then he thought and needed to warm his body up. He used a blanket to cover his naked body.

Watching him warm up by her fire, Kyleea added a little water to the ever present stew she had going so he could eat something filling.

Once he had warmed up he dressed quickly and laid out his clothing. Watching her move he was attracted to her and his eyes hungrily followed her as she moved.

He smiled at her and dressed quickly, he was broader across the chest then Saladin, and a little wider across the waist then her father, also taller so his pants were shorter on him.

"Are those better?", she asked as she laid out his to dry.

"They are nice..." He streached his arms and the shirt was open she could see his broad chest. "What are you making?"

"Stew.", she said, "There is always a pot going for whoever is in need."

He walked over to her and unconsciously slipped his arms around her waist, without meaning echoing something Saladin had done many a time. "It smells great.

"Old recipe.", she said with a soft smile, "And always good."

He leaned foreward to deliver a kiss. "I look forward to tasting it."

"Well, sit down and I'll get you a bowl.", she smiled.

He nodded and then began to assist her with setting the table, drinking bowls and spoons.

Kyleea poured bowls for them both, and set them down as she sat.

Viktor ate with her and smiled. Unconciously he ran his leg along hers.

She remembered her parents doing this thing with the legs when she was a child and she simply followed suit.

He smiled at her and his eyes sparkled, they ate heartily, They began to talk a bit, about life, anything, sharing stories and discussing anything.

Kyleea had to admit, she'd missed having company around her. It was a pleasant rememberance of when her parents were alive and how they'd discuss anything or just sit together in silence.

He reached over and took her hand in his, then kissed it tenderly.

She watched him with a soft smile, remembering her father doing the same.

He walked over to her and kissed her gently, softly caressing her cheek with his fingers, then brushing her dark hair back.

Kyleea returned his kiss, letting her arms once again slip around his neck.

He scooped her up in his arms and kissed her back, Then he looked around for a bed...

Her eyes widened as he scooped her up and she kinda got the idea of where he was looking for. "That way.", she pointed to the room she'd had as a child and still slept in.

He walked in to her bedroom and laid her on the bed, then laid next to her and began to kiss her gently, "We don't have to.. tonight?"

"We shall see where things go.", she said with a glimmer in her eyes. Kyleea was curious about what went on between a man and woman, so why not now with this interesting, but confused huntsman.

He kissed her softly and let his arms slip around her waist and he let his hands begin to tentatively caress her figure, tracing her breasts softly.

A soft 'mmm' escaped her lips as she felt his touch on her. Now she was beginning to understand that secret smile her mother always had for her father.

He began to softly kiss her neck, letting his hands unfasten her robes, exposing new flesh for him to touch or taste. He also began to shed his attired for her to see him in his natural form.

She'd seen enough of him out of the corner of her eye as he changed into the dry clothes and she helped him off with them. Kyleea began to nibble and kiss what skin of his was bared as well.

He let his hands move down to her breasts as he leaned down and began to suckle them gently, her hands on his skin let a low moan escape his mouth...

A soft cry escaped her lips as he suckled her and she began to breathe deeply.

He kissed her again and rolled her on to her back. His fingers began to trace her netherhairs as he let one finger slip inside her.

Kyleea's eyes widened as he intensified his touch and she cried out yet again.

He kissed her lips again, this time with a firely passion, his manhood was rigid against her leg, the tip teasing her nethers.

Instinctively she wrapped her legs around him, ready for what came next.

He guided himself in to her and let her move with him. His hips moved slowly in to her.

Kyleea's body tensed as he broke through her maidenhood and she gazed into his eyes as if to say he could move at his own pace.

He sped up slightly, still moving in to her kissing her tenderly as they began to move slowly. He groaned as he felt his hips thrust deeper in to her.

She alternated between biting her lip and softly moaning out this incredible pleasure she felt building up within. It had already drowned out the earlier jab of pain and a thin sheen of sweat began to cover her body.

He sped up his thrusts as he moved in to her, kissing her with increased passions as he thrust faster and harder. He began to grunt harder almost primal as he held her hands in his.

Her nails dug into his back as her back arched her body up into him as her world exploded into white hot pleasure.

Then he felt himself spend in to her, He cried out as his body shuddered. His climax was powerful and he kissed her as his body spent himself in to her.

Kyleea returned his kiss and held him as she caught her breath.

He laid his head on her breasts and held her close. His softening manhood slipped out of her and he kissed her chin. A soft smile crossed his face and he nuzzled her neck.

She could feel him leak out of her, drying on her thighs. "I gather you will only be leaving to gather your things?", she said softly.

"To gather my things and come back here if I am welcome..."

"After this, why would I not welcome you?", she teased.

He smiled, "It is your choice after all..."

"You have come this far, why not the rest of the way?"

He softly kissed her breast gently, "Then I would like to bring my belongings here."

"Then bring them.", she smiled.

=844=

Viktor brought back a large beast, one of those Elks hunting was still good. He dropped it off and went in to get his cleaning knives. He looked over at Kyleea who was making stew and helping their daughter with recognition of some of the herbs of the woods.

The child ran to greet her father with an excited squeal while Kyleea just smiled as she stirred the pot.

He picked up the young girl for a hug then walked over to kiss his mate. "The hunt was good..."

"You do as well as my father did.", Kyleea said with a soft smile.

"High praise." He nuzzled her neck, "Love you.." He had begun saying that after he moved in, each day he spent with her he did love her more and more.

"I love you as well.", she said as she returned his nuzzle.

His eyes sparkled with love, and interest... "You look beautiful..."

"You say that.", she smiled, "And at risk of sounding like my mother, I am the way I am."

He kissed her tenderly an hugged her. "I will dress our dinner then wash up."

"Good.", she said as she returned his kiss, "And Dyen might be coming by later."

"Ahh good... He is always welcome."

"The look on your face that one night said differently.", she teased, recalling a night where she had been entwined with Viktor before the firepit and Dyen had gotten more of an eyeful than he probably ever wished to see.

"Well It was embarrassing, and I'm sure he was embarrassed as well." He laughed, "While I do not have sisters, I would not wish to see any of mine in that position."

"I didn't know his face could go such a deep shade of beetroot without dyes.", she laughed aloud while their daughter just laughed because her parents were in high spirits.

"Well the positioning we had taken was enough to do it."

"It did feel good."

He grinned, "It did indeed."

"Then perhaps later tonight....", she purred with wiggled eyebrows.

He grinned, "Perhaps that other thing we did that one time..." His foot touched her leg under the table.

"That too.", she grinned.

He grinned back and then went outside to clean up the elk.

Kyleea went back to the stew while thier daughter hurried out to help Viktor.

Eventually the elk was parts and some of it was being salted and smoked for winter. He worked hard with his daughter and soon they had it done, he stripped off his shirt and went over to clean his arms and hands in the stream, after burying what they didn't season.

Kyleea headed out as thier daughter ran inside once Viktor finished with the Elk. She tracked his way down to the stream and she playfully splashed him with the water.

Viktor jumped then splashed Kyleea back with water and smiled, "Hey..."

"I could not help it.", she said with a smile.

He splashed her again and then touched her face with his cold hands.

Kyleea squealed like a child at his cold touch and almost fell into the stream.

He then let his hands run down to her breasts with his cold hands, letting him feel her nipples harden.

She arched her back, pressing her breasts into his hands as she leaned forward to kiss him.

He kissed her back and slipped his arms around her waist as he deepened the kiss, "Mmm..."

Her arms wrapped around his neck as she returned his kiss with just as much fire.

He grinned, "As tempting as taking you on the stream bank is, our daughter is alone in the house.... "

"She is responsible for her age, but she would try to act like a big girl.", Kyleea said as she took Viktor's hand, "We must head back."

"Tonight... though..." His eyes sparkled, "or if we can have Dyan take her for a couple of days..."

"I will not have her going into town.", she said, "Not until we have another on the way."

He nodded, "she would be in her brother's care though..." He didn't push the issue, "I just figured it would be time for us alone..."

"There is always entrusting her with one of the others out here, the ones who either knew my mother or their children who live here now."

"Do you know anyone?"

"I do.", she said, "The silent one's get or the one of the Wolfwitch of Kling's who didn't take to the healing ways."

He nodded, "We should discuss it with our daughter too.."

"Very well.", she said as she kissed his nose

He kissed her lips tenderly and then nuzzled her neck. "Come along love..."

They headed back to their home and their daughter was busy setting the table.

Kyleea smiled and began to help the child with the things she couldn't reach.

Viktor helped out and occasionally swapped a kiss with his mate, as they finished setting the table.

After the roasted elk was sliced and served with some savory cooked roots, they sat down to eat.

Viktor sat down and occassionally played some footsie with Kyleea as they ate the savory meat.

She couldn't help but smile at how much this was like her own childhood, just with her and Viktor in mother and father's place. At least she wasn't as stubborn as mother was on some things.

He looked at her and smiled, "Is everything ok?"

"Just remembering.", she said with a soft smile.

"Oh?" He cocked his head.

"My parents...they were like us."

"Really?" She hadn't talked much about her parents. He had seen where they were buried and he built a fence around their stone in honor of them.

"You could just tell they were a pair by the way they complimented each other.", she said, "He had his town ways and she'd always been here."

Viktor smiled and kissed her, "That's always a good thing." He took her hand and smiled softly.

"They were always touching, kissing, letting each know they loved the other.", she said with a soft smile, her eyes misting up, "They passed on together, in each other's arms."

He put his hand on her arm, comforting her, that was sort of a nice way to go. His eyes met with hers and he smiled softly.

"I knew that they would not last long if they were separated.", she said, "Like the mourning doves."

He squeezed her hand, then leaned over to kiss her, before going back to his meal, "I wish I knew my parents..."

"Do you know anything about them?"

"No I was an infant when they were killed."

"No one knew who they were?"

"No.." He admitted, "They were on the outskirts of town, one person mentioned she was a midwife...my mother."

"It is possible that my parents knew them.", Kyleea said, "I heard the tale that my father sent a midwife to help with my brother's birth and mother had the spiders chase her away."

"I wish I knew..." He shrugged and took her hand, "Maybe some day they will be revealed, I believe you mentioned it once, the web.."

"Mother only found it once and that was how she knew her lifethreads were bound with my father's. Someday if it is meant, you will find the Great Web too."

He nodded, "Perhaps... Have you foudn it?"

"No, and I have not looked either."

He nodded and got up from his chair then began to massage her shoulders.

She smiled and kissed his hand. All was right with the world.

==YR 850==

Kyleea felt the first full body cramp and knew it was time. "Please...get..your..father..", she gasped out to their daughter who ran off as fast as her legs could carry her.

Viktor was out in the back area splitting logs for the fire pit. The Logs split cleanly and he threw them on the pile, looking over he noted his daughter running. "What's wrong?"

"Baby's coming.", their daughter said with eyes wide.

Viktor planted the axe in the stump and ran back to the house at full speed. Soon he was at her side, "Kyleea." He began to rub her back gently.

She hissed as she tried to make it to the bed and her water broke, splashing her legs and drenching the floor.

As he had the first night they were joined he picked her up in his arms and carried her to bed, "Come along love, I will help you with this..."

He could feel her body tense as the contractions came and she did her best to breathe through them.

"Keep breathing love..." He set her on the bed and began to rub her belly. "We're going to have our child now..."

"We?", she said through clentched teeth as she began to push, "You are not passing a child through your nethers."

"True..." He moved in to position to catch the child as he did before. "A figure of speech."

Kyleea kept pushing and breathing while their daughter got her cool cloths from the stream. She hissed loudly as she felt the infant's head crown.

Viktor supported the head and shoudlers suctioning the mouth and nose as best he could, soon an infant's piercing cry came through the room.

Kyleea groaned softly, feeling winded and weak.

He tied off and clipped the cord, and wrapped their son in a wollen blanket. He handed her the infant and busied himself cleaning up the remnants of birth.

She smiled softly at thier son, and forced herself up to begin to nurse him.

He carried out the afterbirth and other refuse to be buried in teh woods. then he walked back in and watched their son sleep. "He has your eyes."

"And your appetite.", she said with a soft smile as their daughter got on the bed to see the new baby.

Viktor laughed hten kissed her, "I will send word to Dyen that his nephew is born."

"He was worried for my time.", she said, "He worries too much."

"He is your brother."

"And he will worry himself bald before his children are grown to find mates."

He laughed, "you mean Balder..."

"His hairline is going back.", she chuckled.

Viktor chuckled, "Why I do not know." He kissed her again, "you rest tonight, would you like me to stay in the other room tonight?"

"We have not slept apart since our first night together, why would that change now?"

He nodded, "True.. I would miss you in my arms."

"And I you."

"I will try not to snore."

"You get the cold feet to the backside if you do."

He laughed, "But will he choose his own name when it's time?"

"What feels right to you?", she asked.

"I cannot say..."

"Then he will choose his name when the time is right."

He nodded, "it is a good tradition...it is how you learned your name."

"It is, as did my mother and the one before her.", Kyleea said, "My father said mother never told him her name, but he knew it all the same."

"Really..." He looked curious, "Like I heard yours after that night we were together..."

"It is.", she said with a soft smile.

He leaned in and kissed her, "I do love you Kyleea. With all my heart and soul."

"And I love you with my all.", she said as she returned his kiss.

He hugged her gently then took their son, "I have set up the creche for him to sleep in here."

The newborn had fallen asleep as he'd now had a full belly, and Kyleea laid down, exhausted from the birthing. "Good.", she said as she pulled the sheets around her.

He kissed her gently, then curled up in bed next to her. He heled her close as she slept.

==YR 852==

Kyleea sat outside watching the children play with the spiders. She remembered her mother doing pretty much the same before Dyen had gone.

Viktor walked up to the house with a large deer. The Elk had moved back in the woods and when he got one they ate well and when they didn't he would get a good sized deer, hoping they were the same.

The children ran happily to greet their father, squealing and sending spiders scurrying out of the way.

He kissed them both then walked over to Kyleea and kissed her gently. "The hunt was good again, one of those Elks would have been nice.."

"Deer is good too.", she smiled, "My mother would tell tales of how she was fortunate for a bit of rabbit when it was just she alone."

"Well you need your strength up." He kissed her tenderly, then nuzzled her neck.

"I have been resting.", she smiled as she returned his kiss, "Just finding more to do since the blackwort seems to be dying out in the wood and it is the best for venom from those that slither."

"Oh..." He kissed her again, "Is there another venom?"

"The star head snake's bite is lethal save for the blackwort root. Since the war with Kling, it has been slowly dying away."

"Maybe we can try and find more blackwort and plant it around here."

"It must grow naturally, only the light and moist with most is what makes it sprout at the base of the trees."

He nodded, then kissed her lips tenderly, "Love you, now I'll clean the deer."

"I'll get the children cleaned up and the table set.", she said as she kissed him and called the children in.

He finished cleaning up the deer, buried what they didn't fix then salted and packed away the rest. Once that was done he cleaned up in the stream then went back to the house to see his family.

Kyleea had a rich vegetable and root stew cooking with some fruit nectar that had been given by the vintner's wife for a fertility draught.

Viktor slipped his arms around Kyleea's waist and kissed her softly, "Smells great.. what is it?"

"The same type of stew we had before.", she smiled, "And you always act like it's the best thing you've ever tasted."

"Because it is." He kissed her, "Because you make it."

"You sound like my father.", she teased.

He kissed her softly, "I'll take that as a compliment."

She chuckled. "Get our wild one, it's time for dinner."

He walked outside to find their daughter who was off somewhee running around. He caught up to her and tapped her shoulder, "it's time for dinner."

The child giggled and hurried off to the house where Kyleea had dinner waiting on the table.

Viktor follwed her and looked for their son who was more and more underfoot as he grew.

The boy was following his father and crawled over his boot, busy chasing a wandering spider.

Viktor picked him up, "Come on lad, dinner is served.."

The boy smiled and reached out with his arms as Viktor picked him up.

He carried him over to his seating chair and he set his son down, then he helped out unconciously around the house.

Dinner passed as usual, small talk about each of thier day's.

He helped out with the kids as he told her abuot the hunt, and some of the news about the town's rebuilding. And the illness of their leader.

She blinked at hearing about the latter. "If there's anyone here that's eternal, it's that one.", she said.

"He is an old man. he has lived for longer then most."

"I wouldn't be surprised if he was around before the one who came before my mother."

"Me either..." he kissed her cheek softly as the kids began to play around the house.

Kyleea cleaned up after dinner and contented herself to sit and watch their children play.

Viktor sat behind her and slipped his arms around her waist kissing her cheek gently. Ever since he came to these woods he only wanted to hold her in his arms.

She smiled and rested her arms atop his. All was right with the world here, no matter what went on beyond the woods.

“Willow Weep for Me.”

Year 821

By Dhanishta Eshe

Her fingers made a useless dam as the slash wounds were multiple. Crawling along her side she reached out towards her bed. Her strength dwindled as her blood flowed freely onto the wooden floor.

Like a jester; he laughed, happy in her misery and pain. Jolly that she squirmed before him, unable to stand and glad that her screams mingled with those outside.

“Where do you think your going?” He said crouching beside her, so close that she could smell his sickly breath. He pulled her back to the centre of the room by her blood stained hair, “I’m not finished.”

As the knife penetrated her stomach wall again she was surprised that this time she couldn’t feel it, and slightly glad. Though the thought crossed her mind; how many times do you have to be stabbed before you feel no pain?

But his onslaught didn’t stop there. The toe of his boot met with her ribs several times. Through the pain she wondered if putting up a fight was worth it after all, it had seemed to piss him off more, maybe if she had just let him take her it would all be over by now. And Ethan would return to find her, or maybe Kal would come back first.

Pore little Kal, all alone in the woods, would he be safe there? Would Ethan find him? Could she live through this to watch him grow?

“Next, I will gut your bastard son. Do you think he will squeal like a pig?” He said looming over her stroking his goatee in thought. He crouched down next to her, “Or will he scream like a girl, like you,” he chuckled leaning close to whisper in her ear, “or will he take it like a man, you know like his real mother did? She looked beautiful surrounded by all those flames, lying there helplessly. Foiled by her own plan.”

Dhanishtas fist uncoiled into a claw. She met his gaze for a moment and then dug her nails into his cheek. With the strength she could muster she raked them down taking strips of his flesh with them.

During his frenzy of pain fuelled curses she crawled under the bed, hoping that from under there she could at least kick him whenever he went to grab her.

She waited but no grabbing hand came, she looked round the room from under the bed but she could see no boots. ‘Is he on the bed?’ she wondered, ‘just waiting for me to come out?’

She knew that this was the end for her, unless Ethan came flying through the door, but that was as likely as pigs flying. She placed her blood covered hand on the wooden floor leaving a hand print. She did this several more times and added lines to the base - a message. As she finished her finger painting a hand grabbed her left ankle, she kicked out, hitting both the floor and the bed, suddenly the floor gave way and she was tumbling and rolling, arse over tit through darkness.

She landed on something soft, yet she could hear noise above her. She knew Ethan had made some moderations to the house but it would have been nice to know of this escape route beforehand!

Her surroundings were shrouded in total darkness, adrenaline fuelled her body as she stumbled through a tunnel, the walls her only guide.

Soon she could see the light; she could hear bird song and smell the familiar undergrowth of the forest. As she emerge from the tunnel the light blinded her eyes. As her vision cleared she saw the willow tree at the centre of the clearing, she could hear the sound of water rushing and smell the sweet scent of the roses blooming. All the sounds here were of nature, she felt safe and some how she knew everything was going to be alright, whatever happened.

She collapsed under the tree in the dappled sunlight, the breeze blowing wisps of her hair around like dandelion seeds.

And then she saw it, as clear as the blue sky above her….

Sunlight bounced of the blade, she felt it this time, ramming into her. She opened her eyes and gasped with shock as she saw her own face above her, bright green eyes burning with anger….

Her body arched belly to the sky ripping her setting wounds open, her scream was muffled with blood that gargled up from her pierced lung. And then she was still. Blood oozed from her wounds and dripped from her mouth.

Her eyes stared blankly at the sky.

“Kaleidoscope through the Weeping Willow”

Year 821

By Dhanishta Eshe

Two little girls hand in hand,
One raven, one red,
Running through tall grass.
Tumble to the ground,
In fits of giggles
And watch the clouds metamorphosis.

The breeze blows, the waves peak, the grass grows.

Ebony:

Flows like a river
Flickers like a ribbon
Fast like lightning

Flashes like broken glass, disjointed tangled and jagged.

Ripped from life,
Torn from love.

Strapped up!
Locked up!
Shut up!

And the serpent slithers within.

REPENT!

But the serpent lives within.

Kicks like a horse
Stings like a wasp
Poison like the ivy
Cuts like a knife

Rattles her bones.

Thumping, pulsing, stabbing, burning, searing
Shaking, shuddering, shivering.

Flows like a river
Flickers like a ribbon
Fast like lightning

Eight legs leads the way through jagged, tangled shards of glass.
Kicks, stings, cuts, rattles, thumps and shakes but the sun comes up and the energy submits:

Ebony is home.

Bare feet and dirt ground,
Rising sun and child sound.

The breeze blows, the wave’s peak and the crops grow.

Eye like eye.
Blood bond.
Returns for the harvest.

Fire consumed by fire and heathen by love.

The land rages like a tornado, spits and hisses:
Pitch forks and hoes,
Clubs and axes,
Arrows and bows,
Swords and muskets,
And the land bleeds,

The smell of sulphur

And the serpent is found

The sound of turmoil

And the serpent is found

The smell of blood

And the serpent is slain.

I can hear the sound of the river as the water flows,
I can feel my hair flicker like a ribbon as the wind blows,
I can smell the undergrowth of the land and Taste the essence of the universe,
I can see flashes like lightning showing me what is to come.

The willow branches lick at my feet, like fingers they caress me, they surround me, embrace me and comfort me.

They weep for me.

The breeze blows, the waves peak and the grass grows.

“I am …?”

Year ?

By Dhanishta Eshe

I am everywhere, I am in the Earth, the supplier of life. I am in the wind that rustles through the trees. I am in the rays of the sun that beats down upon the land. I am in the water that seeps through the ground.

I am everywhere and in everything, the spark of life that ignites the seed and nourishes it to grow. I am the essence of the blooming flower, the petal that falls to the ground. I am the tree that is ever steadfast, strong, ancient and wise.

I see everything yet nothing. The path before me is cloudy yet I walk it as if it were crystal. Knowing yet not knowing, Understanding without comprehension.

No doubt no uncertainty, no anxiety or fear. I walk my path in love warmth and light. I can fly like a bird and can swim like a fish, all at once. I feel everything.

I am in the universe, the stars of the night sky, the beauty in the moon.

I am life and I am death.

I am and always shall be: Dhanishta Eshe.

"The Final Act"

by
Fleet Captain Brhode,
Commanding Officer,
USS Galaxy

Written by:
Ian D.
Robert H.

****

Captain's Log, Stardate 58008.22

The Galaxy has just completed her first tour of duty under my ostentatious command. I'm a bit disappointed that I didn't get to see that damn Liaison Officer get deported off to Breen this tour. He could use the time off to chill out and be useless somewhere else. Maybe those heat-loving Kelvans could learn a thing or two being dropped on a glacier with nothing but your guts and instinct. Damn Federation-types stocking the former pride of the fleet with crew who never stepped foot in the Academy. They think they can do better? HA! We'll see what I can cook up to dump him off at the next asteroid and leave him at the mercy of the elements. We'll see how his pompous attitude last then, won't we? That'll show those politicking bureaucrats what we *really* need out here! We have the most powerful weapon in the fleet mounted on this outdated puppy, and he won't let me use it. What's the point, then? A bunch of scientific pansies playing with their instruments. I thought we all got over playing with the damn things in our teens. Time to be a man and use it for what it was designed for.

For once, instead of reporting the deaths or transfers, I have the sad duty to promote a few individuals as per Starfleet's demands. They don't deserve it in my opinion, so whoever reads this, listen up! Promotions should be given out in the field! That shows leadership, not some racking up of merit points. They never saw or held a phaser with any kind of skill in the last year! Throw them in the heat of battle and see how well they handle leadership then! Thankfully I won't be around much longer to prove your mistakes, but maybe that was your plan, hmm?

Lieutenant Cassius Henderson promoted to Lieutenant Commander.
Lieutenant, Junior Grade Ella Grey promoted to Full Lieutenant.
Ensign Dhanishta Eshe promoted to Lieutenant, Junior Grade.

And just to piss me off, Commander Hawksley has been moved out of the XO slot and back to Tactical where he started, but as a consultant! Now, we have yet another exchange officer coming on board with this goddamn peace treaty with the Romulans. A Romulan at our Tactical console! What the hell are you all planning up there? First you take away von Ernst, and now Hawksley! What prancy-foot are you going to replace them with? Well, not that I care anymore. You hard-asses have got your own plans with me.

End Log

****

[Captain Brhode, incoming message from Starfleet Command. Coded for your eyes only.]

In the Captain's Ready Room, Captain Brhode slammed his fist down on the oak table he recently re-acquired from the thieves who'd stolen it earlier. They had yet to be apprehended. This was the message he was told would be coming. He knew it.

"Pipe it through here, Geluf." His monitor came alive with the image of the sanctimonious image of Admiral Hoth.

"What do you want, Hoth? I hope you're telling me that we're dumping these worthless *explorers* off my ship and giving me a fresh complement of Marines instead. These dimwits here can't get their heads out of their asses long enough to smell the scents of war out here."

[Not quite, Captain, but it is nice to see you again as well. I hope you are well?] He smiled innocently, of which John Q. Brhode knew all too well was full of shit.

"Cut the pleasantries crap, Jurgen. What joke are you playing on me now? I don't like surprises, you know that."

[Very well, John. You know... this hostile attitude is never going to get you promoted to the Admiralty.]

"Who says I want to be trapped behind a desk with my thumbs up my ass? Give me a good ship and a crew that does their jobs. That's all I need."

[You mean like this?] The image of Hoth nodded slightly to his left, and the scene dissolved into an external image of a Sovereign Class vessel bristling with phaser cannons visible every few meters along the saucer and hull section. There were several banks of photon torpedo bays lining the neck. They had all been opened and visble for Brhode's benefit. Then the scene cut back to Hoth, on a wider resolution detailing a streamlined Bridge with crew manning all stations silently. Brhode virtually drooled.

[If you keep your cool, John, this can also be yours. How would you like your own personal taskforce to start with, though?]

Brhode's eye drew to slits. Hoth had something up his sleeve. The sly bastard always did.

"You know I want it back. What part of my anatomy do I need to cut off to get it?"

Hoth laughed as he magnified the image back onto his face up-close.

[No parts, John. Just sign the papers I'm transmitting to you now and it's done.] The console download EQ bar swirled upwards and blinked in completion.

"Give me a minute to read it."

[Take two.]

Brhode scanned the document once, twice, and a third time for good measure. Only a single paragraph. Nothing extraneous. It actually seemed like a gift from heaven when you think about it.

"Very well then, Jurgen. I accept."

[Excellent! I'll have a shuttle meet you at Starbase 212 then! We'll discuss your future in two days, John. You won't regret this.]

"I'd better not, Jurgen, or I'll come after you myself." The download console beeped with his new orders.

[I don't doubt you would, John, but you'd have a hard time of it. No worries though. We'll talk later. Hoth out.] The console blinked out to be replaced by the Federation logo. Brhode wanted to spit on it. Peace-loving idiots.

He read the hard-coded orders. Starbase 212 to pick up personnel, and then wherever. He didn't care.

He gathered the orders and marched to the Bridge.

"Mr. Savoie! Lay in a course for Starbase 212. Warp 5."

Jeremy knew better than to question Brhode. They had previously been bound for patrol relief in the Alpha Onias system to take over for the USS Exeter, now guarding the less technologically advanced, but highly valued for its mineral resources sector. There has been increasing wormhole activity in the area, and now Galaxy class or higher tonnage ships regularly patrolled the sector since the advent of the Dominion War.

Now they were being diverted. Something incredibly important must have arisen.

"Aye, sir. Course plotted and laid in."

"Engage. I'll be in my quarters. Don't bother me unless someone died. Then call when the party starts."

*****

Two days later, the Galaxy was docked at Starbase 212, offloading cargo and personnel. They would remain here for 2 further days as other vessels came and went. The Galaxy was resupplied, and its ships systems were overhauled. Many personnel on the Galaxy were in awe as many hadn't seen the newer Sovereign class Starships up close. It was accompanied by a Valiant Class Heavy Escort that had been heard of, but this was the first they'd seen of it.

"Must be a big shot..."

"Is that the Enterprise...?"

"No... Enterprise is still in drydock at Utopia Planetia..."

"Is that a Romulan shuttle over there...?"

"Damn important people...."

*****

The Galaxy Bridge doors opened, and out strode a fairly well-built, dark officer. His hair peppered grey and streaked, he carried an air of confidence about him that resonated authority.

No one was occupying the center seat, but the gold-suited Kerellian seated at Operations rose at attention to the new arrival, who was flanked by, of all things, a Romulan officer and a pair of Starfleet Security ratings. "Lieutenant Geluf, sir. Captain Brhode is Starbase-side if you're looking for him, sir." He had noticed the four pips on the dark man's collar. Other work crews and Galaxyssigned officers stopped what they were doing to stare at the new arrivals.

"Check your message traffic, Lieutenant Geluf,” the captain replied with a nod towards Curtis’ console.

Curtis looked down as messages started to appear in the queue, one after another in the manner that bespoke of a pre-set timed delivery. His eyes started to run down the list, but stopped on the first one as he recognized the BuPers authorization and saw the heading: ‘Change of Command authorization for USS Galaxy, NCC 70637-A.’

“Fleet Captain Brhode has accepted reassignment, Lieutenant,” the officer continued. “Computer, pursuant to Starfleet Authorization 7645-CCD I am assuming command of the Galaxy as of this moment. I authenticate Captain Daren Runako M'Kantu, 765-30-5180 Delta Echo Zulu.”

=/\= Authorization processing. =/\= There was a second of silence, then the computer continued, =/\= Authorization recognized and validated. Command codes shifted and log updated. Welcome aboard, Captain M’Kantu. =/\=

“Thank you computer,” M’Kantu nodded, then returned his attention to Curtis. “Mr. Geluf, I want you to personally expedite the cargo loads and ensure they’re complete. Have Navigation report for duty immediately and lay in a course for Risa. The Galaxy is scheduled for a two week shore-leave there. I want to be underway in no more than four hours." The deep basso voice rolled the first words of the Galaxy's replacement CO off like a rumble of thunder, the words only separated by the rise and fall of the pronounced accentuation of every other word due to his North African heritage.

"Mr. Savar, Mr. Henderson will be on duty shortly, I hope..." He glared at Geluf, who shifted uneasily in his seat, but stealthily signaled Henderson to get to the Bridge ASAP. "I will be in my Ready Room if anyone needs me." Starfleet Security remained on the bridge, as M'Kantu marched down the gentle incline and into the former chamber of Captain Brhode, leaving no doubt that they were there to maintain watch on the Romulan.

M’Kantu paused at the door to the Ready Room. “Mr. Geluf, while you’re on the comm to Lt. Henderson, please inform him that he needs to check the BuPers document in his Inbox. I expect him to be in proper uniform when he arrives.”

“Yes, sir,” Curtis nodded.

“Carry on then, Mr. Geluf,” M’Kantu nodded before turning and moving through the door, leaving a suddenly quiet and still Bridge behind him.

“Green is good.. for camouflage. But only in the right conditions.”

By Lt. Jg. Jasmine Thelan-Bannon
Chief of Xenobiology

***

Xenobiology Lab

***

Jasmine sat at her workbench reading a PADD. It was on the biological make up of a hybrid on the USS Dominator. The woman was not your normal half and half, but a mix of three races.

Lieutenant Katrina Hastings, Chief Engineer of the USS Dominator, was 1/2 Human, 1/4 Vulcan, 1/4 Betazoid and a level 6 telepath/Empath. She also suffered from .. what the chief medical officer, Commander Veroon classed as ‘Heat’ once a year. Driving her telepathy and sexual hormones into overdrive. And it affected people around her as well.

The problem was complex. How to stop the lieutenant from going into heat every year. The woman’s twin had apparently managed it well by hiding out away from people for the time. Hastings’s had been managed by drugs.. inhibitors to be precise. And she was apparently friends with a Deltan NCO on the ship, and they had feared that his pheromones had triggered her ‘heat’ but that had not been the cause.

Now they wanted a more solid solution to the problem. And so the details had been sent out to all xenobiologists in the fleet to work on the problem. One had suggested that she ‘bond’ with a suitable male.. like Vulcans do every seven years, though this would not work as it would have to be with a telepath equal to her level and normally on Vulcans and Betazoids were that well off other then Deltans and Betazoids were sexual creatures, they needed more then just sex, Vulcans only mated once every seven years and Deltans, well all Deltans in the fleet were under the oath of celibacy and even they needed more then a once a year connection with a lover, like the Betazoids.

~And I thought I had it tough~ Jasmine thought as she continued to peruse the genetic information on the younger woman.

She stiffened as she heard footsteps outside her lab. ~Please go straight past~ she thought, but she was not that lucky. The door to her lab opened and she bit back a groan. An Ensign she had only met two days before stepped in.

“Lt?” He asked stutteringly.

“Yes Henderson?” She asked softly turning.

“Um.. I was just down at counselling and the secretary told me to remind you that you have an appointment with a counsellor tomorrow at 09h. She also said that you need to be cleared by medical before you have it.”

“Henderson?”

“yes Ma’am?”

“Is it customary for you to enquire to counselling staff on other people’s behalf?”

“No, ma’am.. but I just thought..”

“In future I would appreciate it if you would stay out of my personal business. Good day ensign.” She turned back to her work dismissing him from her presence.

The ensign walked away and exited the lab.

Jasmine sighed and wished she was not so.. obvious. Green. What a terrible colour to be born. But that was her lot in life. And now that sticky beaked Ensign had gone and pried into her life. She shifted in her seat. How many others would pry into her life before they left her alone? She wished she could lock her lab door, and live and breath her work. She picked up the PADD again and tried to re-immerse herself in her work. She did not want to think about doctors, counsellors, and the like. She wanted to be left alone, to do her job.

"Insomnia"

Primary Characters:
Lt (jg) Ella Grey
Lt (jg) Victor Krieghoff

****

USS Galaxy
Deck 10
Ten-Forward

Ella gave the man a small smile, deciding that she would play coy rather than aggressive this night. He smiled back and then returned to his conversation with his friends but his eyes flickered back to her every now and then. Ella managed a few charming blushes and then pretended to go back to work on her computer PADD.

Score, she thought with a dimpled smile.

It wasn't so much the sex she was interested in, although she certainly didn't object to it, but the aftermath of holding and cuddling. Which was odd, she thought with some annoyance. Ella had never been a cuddler and yet she found herself wanting just that. She wanted to be held. She wanted to be next to someone.

Her own bed had felt oddly empty lately, like she had been sleeping next to someone for years and they had suddenly disappeared.

The ensign said goodbye to his friends and started to walk her way. Ella inwardly gloated and started to plan how she would work around the awkwardness of starting a conversation.

But she never got her chance. He suddenly stopped, gave a weak smile that bordered on nausea, and turned on his heel. Ella made a confused noise, felt like scratching her head, and then comprehension dawned on her. She scowled over her shoulder and waited until Victor sat down across from her.

~~You scared him away.~~ Ella's fingers accused him.

"No, he was still walking. If I'd tried to scare him, he would be running." Victor looked at the departing ensign. "If he were smarter, he'd have already come over - you've been making eyes at him for over an hour now."

~~He's cute.~~ She disagreed, rolling her eyes at the 'making eyes' comment. ~~Besides, he didn't have to be intelligent for what I had in mind.~~

"If he wasn't, then it wouldn't be real, Grey."

Ella tried giving the ensign her best flirty smile but the man, who was now safe in the company of his friends, wouldn't even look her way. She sat back in defeat and glared at Victor. ~~Some of us are actually active adults who have fun enjoying each other.~~

He stared at her silently, the words having rolled over him like a breeze and left no sign of their passing.

She sighed at the loss and then mentally switched gears. It would be another restless night, she imagined. ~~I'm sorry, Victor. That was rude of me. What's up? You don't usually come here.~~

"That's because Friel's profits drop 23% as soon as I walk in the door, Grey." Victor looked around the room at the circle of tables that had just finished clearing out around them and the glaring redhead behind the bar. "She had Savoie ask me to stop coming in during peak hours."

Ella ignored that. ~~Would you like to get some training in? I hear there's a tournament coming up.~~ She asked. She certainly planned on competing. She wanted to see how far she had progressed since the first day Victor threw her over his head.

"We can. Are you going to compete?"

~~Yes, I think its time. Don't you?~~

He nodded. "It'll be good for you. You need to test yourself against someone else."

Ella tilted her head. ~~How about you?~~

"No, I never compete."

~~Why's that?~~

"Because I don't test myself that way."

Ella mouthed an 'oh' and left it at that. Victor probably thought he'd hurt someone, in fact he probably would, and she wasn't in the mood to argue with him. She finished her drink and then winked at him. ~~Last one to the gym is a rotten egg!~~

"Holosuite Three," he corrected as she stood up. "I reserved time there."

~~The bar again?~~

"No, someplace different. I thought you might want a change."

Ella nodded. ~~Change can be good.~~

He turned and followed, not responding until they were in the corridor. "It's a copy of a bar on the edge of the Triangle where Orion and Klingon space run together. I think you're almost ready for it, but there's only one way to be sure."

~~Bring it on.~~

****

USS Galaxy
Deck 5
Ella Grey's Quarters
Two Days Later

She rarely had nightmares but when she did they were hard to bear. Which seemed like an asinine thing to contemplate, Ella reflected as her heart beat wildly, because everyone's nightmares were difficult. She kicked off the pink comforter and let the cool air hit her skin. She watched the ceiling and tried to tell herself that she didn't feel the aftermath of fists pounding into her body. She waited until her heart calmed down.

And after that, since she knew she wouldn't be able to get back to sleep, Ella moved to the living room and tinkered with her miniature shuttlecraft model and lazily worked at finding the pieces to her latest puzzle until it was time to get ready for work.

****

USS Galaxy
Deck 7
Victor Krieghoff's Quarters

Victor stared at the ceiling and willed himself to sleep.

Ten minutes later, he tried it again.

Ten minutes after that, he sat up and looked around the dark room. ~What is the matter with me? I'm tired and I need the sleep, why can't I get any? It can't still be the change in shifts, I was over that a week ago.~

He frowned and looked around the room. ~Something's not right,~ he decided. ~That's what it is. I can't sleep because something's not in the right place.~

He stood up and slowly moved around the room, adjusting the few things placed about the room. ~No, everything's fine.~ He stood in the dark surveying the room. ~Or is it?~

He waved open the door to the main room, checked it and the recently-installed proximity detector he'd gotten from Security's stock and attached to his door sensors to let him know when someone was lurking outside his door. ~No, it isn't Angelina again, there's that at least.~

He moved back into the bedroom, let the door slide shut behind him, and lay back down. ~Something's still not right, though. Whatever it is, it isn't right.~ He stared at the ceiling, wondering, trying to decide what it was that was wrong until his alarm went off and he had to get up for the morning workout with the Marines.

****

USS Galaxy
Deck 7
Victor Krieghoff's Quarters
Three Days Later

Ella stood before the door and played with the ends of her hair, which were in braided pigtails. This is stupid, she thought, looking down at her pink plaid pajama bottoms. I can't believe I'm doing this.

At least she had thought to change out of the matching fuzzy slippers and had pulled on some running shoes instead. And the pink tank with the hearts was covered by her gray sweater. She still looked ridiculous but, thankfully, no one was in the corridor to see it.

Which was all the more reason to knock on Victor's door and be done with it.

Stupid, she told herself again. This was not going to be an easy sell. With any other man, sure, but with Victor? Ella tugged hard on her hair again, pulled back the sleeves of the sweater in determination, and then moved to push the button to ring the buzzer. Her fingers hesitated as they hovered above it and Ella sighed. Why was this so hard? What was the worst that could happen? He could just say no.

Right, Ella thought. He could say no. He could laugh in her face. Well, not quite laugh. Victor never laughed but he would probably give her a look for sure. And Ella had never taken rejection well. What was she doing, anyway? She was about to give up and go back to her quarters when the doors opened.

Victor loomed there and regarded her for a moment. "Grey."

Busted, she thought. ~~Hi~~ Ella said brightly. ~~Are you busy?~~

"No."

~~Can I come in?~~ Ella asked with her best friendly smile.

Victor looked at her for another moment. "Yes." He shifted out of the way to let her in.

She took her time looking around his empty quarters. She still needed to buy the man a plant. ~~I have a favor to ask.~~ Ella signed, looking back at Victor. His face was, as always, unreadable.

Victor waited, then, when Ella didn't continue, said, "So ask."

~~It's, er, a bit unusual.~~ She stalled. How to ask this? Best to just come out with it, she supposed.

He just looked at her, waiting.

~~Can I sleep with you?~~

He blinked. "What?"

~~It's just...I have nights where I can't sleep very well since, well, ever since the Upanishands left.~~ Ella replied. ~~ I can't explain why; I just feel very alone and I can't get comfortable. I feel...like I should be sleeping next to someone.~~ She sighed in frustration. ~~And so, I was wondering...~~

"...if you could sleep with me," he finished, his voice giving nothing away.

~~I wouldn't ask but I have a big staff meeting tomorrow and I need to get some solid sleep tonight. I've slept like crap the past few nights.~~

"And sleeping with me is going to help you do that?" Victor tilted his head to the side as he looked at her. "I'm not a good friend, Grey. I won't do that with you just so you can have a relaxed meeting tomorrow."

~~Oh, no!~~ Ella signed quickly. That would have been an added bonus but she was a bit above begging for sex from Victor. ~~I just meant sleeping *next* to you.~~

"*Next* to me," he repeated. "Why me? Why not someone else?"

~~I tried someone else,~~ she admitted. ~~And I was trying again the other night you interrupted. But it felt wrong anyway. I thought about Cass but I didn't want to give him the wrong idea and it's not something I could have asked of Curtis. Kiora likes me but not that much.~~

"It might be a bit much to ask, yes."

~~ So is it yes or no, Tiger? A girl can only stand so much suspense.~~

He looked at her for a moment longer. "When was the last time someone said 'no,' Grey?"

She sat down on his couch and scrunched her face up in thinking. It didn't take long. ~~No one ever has.~~

"I thought so."

Ella frowned. ~~What's that supposed to mean?~~

He turned and started for the desk on the other side of the small room without answering. "Have you tried getting something prescribed to help you sleep?"

She shook her head. ~~I don't like them.~~

"Me either." He glanced at his desk drawer, and picked up a mug from the desk, sipping at the contents. "I'm trying to stay away from things like that for a while."

They were both quiet, thinking about what had happened with the fembots. Ella sighed. It seemed like it was going to be a bad day at work tomorrow. She hefted herself off the couch and started for the door.

"I get up early," he said into the sudden silence as she turned away and moved for the door.

She turned and looked at him with raised eyebrows.

"I get up early, Grey" he repeated. "I have a morning workout with the Marines at 0430. Is that a problem?"

Ella gave a small smile. ~~Not at all.~~ She looked around awkwardly and then back at him. ~~So, what side of the bed do you like?~~

"Doesn't matter, I don't move around much when I sleep. Just pick the side you want and it'll be all right." He finished the contents of the mug off and set it aside. "I'll be there in a moment," he added, moving towards the shared bathroom.

Victor's bedroom was exactly as she had imagined it would be. Plain and functionary. Ella kicked off her shoes and then put them neatly by the bed. She took off the sweater, folded it, and set it on top of the sneakers. Then she got in bed and under the covers before he could notice the little hearts on her shirt. She tried to get comfortable, making sure that she was taking up the least space possible, and closed her eyes.

Victor finished in the bathroom, slipped silently back into his bedroom and moved to the low dresser. Sounds in the darkness gave away the fact that he was disrobing and laying his clothing aside.

Wonder if he sleeps nude, Ella thought and then told herself sternly not to have those kinds of thoughts. Of course, she ignored herself.

As she thought about it, footsteps padded to the edge of the bed, paused, and then returned, a single drawer opening in the darkness. Cloth rustled, and then the feet moved back to the bed and she felt his weight settle on it.

She smirked. He usually does, she thought. It was nice of him to change his habits for her. Kind of a pity too.

The covers shifted as he slipped under them and stretched out. His body's warmth seeped slowly across the intervening space as his breathing started to slow, the feeling of his presence near her slowly stealing across her thoughts.

Better, she thought as she yawned. Not wonderful, not terribly intimate, but better than sleeping alone. Which was a discussion she needed to have with her psyche soon. She had never needed someone before; why was now suddenly different? She scooted a bit further from him in annoyance and found herself almost dangling off the bed. Now that would never work, Ella thought. She sighed and moved back but over rolled and half landed on his arm. She made a surprised noise. Victor, of course, couldn't see sign in the dark but Ella made the gesture for sorry anyway.

"It's all right, Grey," he said softly as he moved his arm. "No harm done."

Ella, naturally, didn't answer. She yawned, instead, and tried to sleep again.

Slowly, over a few minutes, Victor's breathing shifted as he drifted off to sleep, the sound oddly relaxing to Grey. Time passed, and then he shifted position slightly, turning towards her without waking.

Her eyes had adjusted to the darkness and she watched him for a bit and then fell asleep.

She awoke to find herself snuggled close to Victor with his arm wrapped securely around her waist. Surprise, happiness, and panic all hit about the same time and Ella was sure she stopped breathing for a full minute while she worked through the emotions. This was what she wanted, she realized. This felt right.

But it also was wrong. She wasn't going to rely on Victor every time she couldn't sleep. And she didn't want to. This new cuddling Ella was a phase that she didn't want. It went against everything she thought she was.

Ella sighed. She'd work it out later. Now, she'd just use the opportunity to sleep. She closed her eyes again and felt herself start to drift off to sleep...

...which was when Victors arm shifted slightly.

It wasn't deliberate, Ella realized. He was still asleep. And it wasn't particularly seductive. He had just moved his arm backwards and then had slid it back into place in a different position. But her breath caught anyway. She stilled her whole body as she tried to figure out what to do. Normally... ah well. Can't have that, Ella decided before reaching a hand to move his arm away. Can't get too comfortable. Ella sighed again and then fell back asleep.

Only to wake some time later to find he'd shifted his arm in yet another different position, his hand having reached up to cup one side of her chest, folding itself warmly around the heart that was centered over her right breast on the pink top.

I'm being punished, she thought with a shake of her head.

She tried to move his hand even though she really didn't want to. He made a small noise in his sleep as her hand touched his, and shifted with her, unconsciously resisting her first, hesitant attempts to move his hand. His head moved closer to hers, his breath warm on the back of her neck as he snuggled closer possessively.

Ella slowly inhaled. Not fair, she wanted to wail. Just not fair. But that was life, she supposed. She could lie here and pretend that Victor was hers, even if he wasn't for her. Pretending was easy, just as long as his hands didn't move anywhere else that is. She linked her hand around his and, eventually, fell back asleep and dreamt of Victor and of swimming in rivers and of trees.

Victor's internal clock, as always, woke him before the soft chime of the computer. This time, though, something was different, something that was both wrong and right at the same time - he wasn't alone.

There was a momentary flash of disorientation, a quickly discarded idea that Angelina had somehow gotten in his room overnight and not awakened him... and then he took a breath in and the scent that was unique to Ella Grey filled his head and he remembered. Grey had stayed the night, as Rissa had done, needing someone there so she could sleep.

That didn't explain the way she was curled up against him though - he knew she'd started out the night on the opposite side of the bed. It also didn't explain the way he was holding her, or the way her hand seemed to have moved his to her breast and pressed it there. The feel of her under his hand, filling it, was nice, and it took him a moment to realize why.

~Not a good idea.~ He studied the feeling from several sides. ~No, not a good idea at all.~ Reluctantly, he started to move his hand, stopped when she shifted and pressed it down again, and finally worked it free slowly, hoping that the feeling of it slipping across her wasn't going to wake her. ~Rissa did that sometimes, too,~ he reminded himself. ~Sometimes even more, but it wasn't because she really *wanted* those things, she just needed to be held. That's all that's happening here.~

He slipped from the bed, careful to tuck the covers back around her, and pulled on the workout clothes he'd laid out the night before. ~She looks... at peace,~ he decided as he finished donning his running shoes. ~Good, I'm glad she got some sleep.~ For a moment, just one, he considered removing the running clothes and climbing back into the bed with her, perhaps even waking her... then discarded the idea. ~That's not what she wants,~ he reminded himself. ~Friends. Like I told Chief Westwall a few months back, trading six years of potential friendship for six nights of passion is stupid. Friends, be her friend.~

He paused at the door to the darkened bedroom for one last look at the sleeping figure in his bed. ~Besides, bad as you are at that, you're still better doing that than the other. She can find that anywhere - she can't find someone that will just be there when she needs them - and that's what friends do. Be there. She's taught you that.~ He took one last look and slipped away, leaving Ella sleeping.

"Why"

by Lt. Ella Grey

*****

"I am alone Locked in my memories. There's nowhere left for me to hide. But I am not real I've made all I am with lies."

~Stabbing Westward, Why

*****

I use people.

I think on some level, we're all manipulators. We do whatever we can to get what we want. It's human nature. Hell, its humanoid nature.

Naturally, I understood this concept at an early age and, like any good student of psychology, I used it to my advantage. As a child, I was a perfect example of passive-aggressiveness and, being the good child that I was, I usually got what I wanted. And if I didn't, I could usually sweet talk them into it. And then if that didn't work, I could throw a 'you don't really love me' hysterical fit. Of course, it rarely came down to that.

But I really didn't have much of a backbone, for all the influence I could have had over my parents. I spent more time trying to please them for reasons now I cannot fathom. I think, when it all boils down, there are two types of people in this universe. Those who try to please everyone and those who live for themselves.

What a waste my early years were...

I suppose its my fault. I should have told my parents when my interest in singing started to die, should have told them that the glory of the spotlight was something that I didn't crave. I wanted to build things, take them apart, and see what made them tick. I loved creating holo programs, liked seeing what was used to be called 'chick' and 'action' flicks, and wanted to fly spacecrafts. I began to hate the sound of my own voice. I tried to tell my parents a few times what I truly wanted but never, I suppose, with any real conviction.

In that respect, what happened on Coppernicus is as much my fault as it is anyone's.

I awoke in the hospital with so much anger though. I felt so used. Used by my parents for their own pride, fortune, whatnot. Used by my so-called friends for almost the same reasons. Used by a perverse man to satisfy his fantasies and by his friend, who's name I never learned, as a human punching bag.

It would only be pretty poetry to say that I was reborn that day. More accurate to say that whatever part of me I held back for the sake of family, society, etc. was set free. And she had a very singular goal. Never be used again.

I would become the user.

Because better them than me.

The first part of this process was to not to speak again. Partly because some of the first words out of my mother's mouth when I regained consciousness were "When will she be able to sing again?" but mostly because I figured if I could do this one thing, if I could have the willpower to be silent, then I could do anything.

I haven't spoken a word since Copernicus.

I don't suppose Ella the User is that obvious. Mostly, I show the world what they want to see: sweetness, kindness, honesty, etc. My childhood tricks again. If people choose to pity me, I let them and then use it to get whatever I need.

I guess the difference is that as once I used to believe in my goodness, my sincerity, now I no longer do. Because of one action. Two orders. I killed a man, almost killed another. I knew that it was wrong and yet felt justified. I knew that it was wrong and yet didn't care.

And afterwards...whatever guilt I felt, I tucked away. And it was easy too. I was used to forgetting about my dreams. It was the same with my nightmares.

In the end, I don't really think I'm a monster but I've done monstrous things. I can no longer return to being the 'good' person I once was.

And, honestly, I wouldn't want to.

I guess my most conspicuous use of people is through men. I don't have long lasting relationships, not after Thomas Candell the Third anyway. After such a long engagement with him, lasting from when I was fourteen till seventeen, the thought of another lengthy one almost sickens me. I think my longest relationship, post-Tommy, lasted about three months. And that was about two years ago. Mostly, I just get what I need from them, whether it be sex or just plain human companionship, and then move on.

Victor says its unhealthy for me but then he's not exactly the best person to give me advice on either sex nor companionship. Victor. He has this notion about love that makes me want to roll my eyes while simultaneously wishing that he felt that way for me, even though I have problems with the notion of romantic love. It doesn't fit into my view of how the universe works. Or at least it didn't used to. I've been having doubts lately, thinking maybe that kind of love is possible even for me, although I don't know why.

It bothers me. Love is dependancy. I hate being dependant on anyone. I hate the fact that there are nights that I have to sleep over at Victors or else I wont sleep. I've tried to stop myself but can't so now I at least limit the nights I'm over.

Companionship...I never needed real friends before, or at least during the Academy I should say. Strange that I should have them now. Even stranger that I should want to keep them. Indigo with her funky clothing and ever changing hair. My roommate who I admire for being so unique and daring. Cass, my intellectual equal, even though his intelligence far outweighs mine. The man who shares my love of human observation. My first chocolate syrup fight. Curtis and Victor- my mentors and my conscience, whether they know it or not. The sweetheart professor and the tiger. The only two infatuations I have never acted upon.

I often find myself wondering what I'm using them all for, for I must be using them, right? That's all I really know how to do now with people. I guess to feel better about myself? I don't know.

Victor is probably the friendship I question the most. Curtis knows what I've done but Victor knows what I am. Or mostly knows anyway. I usually try to avoid people like that but something draws me to him. Lust? A need for someone to understand me?

Why do we have this desire to have people understand us anyway? It would probably be better for me if Victor understood me less. I foresee that it will be harder and harder to get away with... whatever in the future. For that reason, I'll have to remind myself to keep some part of myself on guard with him because I'd hate to loose him.

But I probably will. I'll probably loose them all eventually. The path I've chosen for myself sort of demands it, I think. There is that invisible line that someone will try to cross and then I will have to tell them no and they will be resentful. Cass and Indigo might find out what I've done. Curtis might begin to resent knowing. And if the opportunity to kill Flitt presents itself and I take it, which I will, what will Victor do?

When did life become so complicated?

*****

Ella sighed. It had felt good to write it all out but she knew that she couldn't keep it. Too many incriminating things had been said. She hit the delete button and watched it all disappear.

"A Risa's Night Dream: Entirely Unfulfilling, Of Course"

Ensign 8-ball Hunter

"Ah, Gods, the sun feels good," 8-ball murmured to herself as she relaxed on the beach, her eyes closed, sweat slowly rolling down her forehead. She didn't mind living on a starship, she even sort of enjoyed it except for the whole having to work thing, but after awhile of being cooped up in a little tin can flying through space, it was nice to sunbathe on the beaches of Risa. As she drank her fourth little tiki drink, 8-ball started to seriously consider burning her Starfleet uniform and just drinking on the beach until the end of her days.

It wasn't that she hated the Galaxy or anything. It was a nice enough boat, she supposed. But 8-ball had never been a big fan of duty and work and uniforms, and she was beginning to get a bit bored. She wondered, not at all for the first time, if joining Starfleet was really a wise thing to do.

She certainly didn't feel like she fit in on Galaxy. Almost everyone she talked to seemed to love Starfleet. They worked all their lives to get into and pass the academy. It had been so difficult, so hard, and yet they passed their schooling and made it into Starfleet. Their lifelong dream came true. 8-ball's lifelong dream was to be rich and never having to do a damn thing for it. If she hadn't passed the Academy, she really wouldn't have cared. She would have just wandered somewhere else. Instead, she was here, on the Galaxy, and really wishing that she had just never bothered with this joint.

Maybe if she had some friends. Friends could be nice. You could get into trouble with them. Nothing like disobeying orders and pissing off superiors with friends. The best times she had at the Academy were late at night with a few Bajoran friends when they were supposed to be sound asleep like the good little angels they were. He he he.

8-ball opened her eyes and slowly sat up from her position on the beach. She realized that she was just a little bit buzzed, and she glanced at the empty drink in her hand. Apparantly, Risa made their drinks a little bit stronger than the lousy wannabe crap on the holodeck on Galaxy. She smiled. Good. It had been too long before she got to have some fun.

8-ball walked, only a trifle unsteadily, barefoot on the sand over to the bar where a few people sat. "What'll you have?" the bartender asked.

"Whatever's got the most alcohol in it," she replied and the bartender left to make her drink. He came back with a glass and 8-ball took a sip, noticing the guy a few seats away who was staring at her.

He wasn't a bad looking guy. A few years older than her, brown hair and goatee, looked like a beach bum. Nice muscles on those arms. Would be interesting to see if there were nice muscles under the clothes too.

8-ball made a few winks and smiles in his direction, making sure he noticed her, and then looked away, totally ignoring him. She knew she looked cute. Her little black bikini was sure as hell skimpy enough to get any guy's attention. Besides, she had a good figure, mischevious smile, good tits. The guy would come over to her.

He did. He offered to buy her another drink, and she graciously accepted, on the promise that he made her time worthwhile. An hour or so later and both the guy and 8-ball were completely smashed. He invited he back to his place. She accepted. Or so she must have done, because all she remembered later was stumbling together back to his home, falling over her own feet most of the way, and then waking up next to his naked body the next morning with a headache the size of Risa itself.

8-ball glanced speculatively at him as he snored unconsciously beside her. She barely remembered anything about the night before, certainly less than how his performance had stacked up to her expectations. She pulled up the sheet and looked at his body critically. He wasn't as well-muscled under those clothes after all.

8-ball stood up, cursed at the banging in her forehead, and found her clothes on the ground. She threw them on and walked out of the little hut that the guy had been living in. She never did find out his name. Oh well. He probably hadn't been worth remembering anyway.

The sun was very, very bright outside. Somehow, the heat just wasn't as pleasing as it had been the night before. She considered very seriously putting a plastic bag over her head and then decided against it. It just wasn't worth it.

A night of drinking and sex and supposed fun and all 8-ball had to show for it was an earth-shattering hangover that made her want to die. It just didn't seem fair.

Maybe Risa wasn't all it was cracked up to be, anyways.

[BACKPOST]

"Training"

Sub-Commander Savar ir-Aihai tr'Khellian

- Starbase 72 -

The stares had started the moment Savar set foot on the Federation Starbase. It didn't take much effort to decode these icy looks, from shopkeepers, security guards, citizens, officers. Their eyes all said the same thing: What are you doing here, Romulan? Why are you on the wrong side of the Neutral Zone? Some welcome. Anyone would think he was the commander of a Task Force that had subjugated this area of space and that he was now proudly surveying his new domain, rather than having arrived on a rather small shuttle 'loaned' to him by the Rihanssu Galae.

Tr'Khellian did his best to ignore them all, and, eventually, the stares lessened, though the suspicious glances never stopped. He was to spend two months on this Elements-forsaken hunk of mental, and he was damned if he was hiding away for all that time. He went to bars, shopped, did his best to enjoy life and experience what there was to experience onboard Federation Outpost 72. That is, not very much. Originally established as a military base to 'protect' the Neutral Zone, the Starbase had since become a trading hub where Federation and Neutral Zone merchants met to do business and exchange cargoes. The place was provincial, run down, rather shabby. The Starfleet crew manning the station had never seen battle; Savar would have liked to have seen their pasty faces when they heard of Reman Rebellion and the possible invasion of Federation space.

They were not all bad. One man deserved respect: Lieutenant Commander Belu, a Bolian, the man for whom Savar had been made to travel to this place. Belu was an attache to Starfleet Academy; he ran a small teaching outpost here, where beta quadrant races who were from substantially different cultures were given pre-sessional training before taking up their places at Starfleet Academy. Belu ran courses in the Federation Standard Language, English, basic protocol, and taught the pre-cadets about the cultural difficulties and problems they were likely to encounter when they began life in Starfleet.

When tr'Khellian had first arrived, he had been completely unimpressed with Belu. He came across as a barely competent, rather bumbling individual. Forced to sit through tedious classes, Savar thought the man a glorified nanny, coddling these infants. On ch'Rihan, those lucky enough to be selected for the Imperial War College were expected to undergo a baptism of fire, to prove themselves worthy for the complex and demanding tasks ahead, for the glory of service to the Empire.

But he had changed his point of view, somewhat. Savar's class had been made up primarily of pre-sessional cadets, but there were also people like him: two exchange officers from the Klingon Empire; and one from the Romulan Empire. If he expected any kind