The handsome couple sat at a small table, overlooking the shimmering blue waters of San Francisco Bay. The low autumn sun gleamed across them, reflecting deep golden glints off her hair and adding a mysterious intensity to his dark eyes. Neither had touched the plates of food in front of them.

"Indeed. And did you learn anything new?"

A quirky smile preceded the pensive response. "She said that it was her idea that you enter Starfleet Academy."

A silent nod admitted agreement.

"And she also revealed that she had been influential in your getting your post on Voyager."

"There is some truth in that statement." Their eyes met. "But... I did have some qualifying talent, too."

"She also asked me if my intentions with you were honorable."

"And your response?"

The answering words were measured and sure. "That I had learned to admire and respect you over our years together on Voyager. That you are a good, loyal and trustworthy person." The words now became lower and more indistinguishable. "And that I have come to love you."

"Mmmm. You know that I really don’t like to hear that word. She would not have liked such an emotional response either. Our relationship is... much more than such a base emotion." The words became pained with anguished memory. "I... I... yes, there was that time aboard Voyager when I allowed myself to become self-centered; the episode nearly destroyed so many people, myself included. I realize now that I should have accepted the help that was offered."

"That’s what we discussed. She said that you had talked with her about your ‘difficult’ period on Voyager; she was relieved that Starfleet was not going to take any action against you for your aberrant behavior." A slight smile lightened the conversation. "And now that we have reached an agreement about our relationship, I will always be with you. You will not be alone; you will not have to face such unpleasantness again."

"You are very kind to say that. I, too, have talked to her about our relationship. She was hesitant in agreeing with its merits at first, especially with the history of violence that you have faced in your life. She feared that such an influence might further enhance our differences. But I have convinced her that all of the past has made you a stronger person."

"You have made me a stronger... and richer... person," came the response. "You have taught me to respect myself and how to overcome the haunting dreams of my past. In many ways, it is almost as if our lives were written -- like a script -- so that we could be together."

"Yes. It does seem to be a logical conclusion when two people are truly matched to one another."

"Will you ever be able to tell me that you love me?"

"I believe that I have demonstrated that to you in many ways."

A sigh. "Someday... I would like to hear you say it."

"Perhaps. When the time comes..."

Her hand reached across the table, gently covering his. "We have three more years until then, don’t we?"

"Yes," he answered. "But there are other ways that I show you... affection."

Her full lips became a pleading little pout. She pulled her hand back, and brushed a wave of the shoulder length golden hair back off her face. "You forget that I have ‘experienced’ Vulcans before; there are ways..."

"Indeed," he answered. "Then perhaps we could explore some of these other ways. In a logical fashion, of course."

"Of course," she responded.

"Annika, there is one thing that troubles me about your conversation with my mother."

"What is that, Vorik?" murmured the tall blonde woman, her fingers beginning to trace slow sensuous spirals around his outreached fingers.

His head fell backwards. Sighing, he succumbed to the sensations she was arousing in him.

"My mother does not even like coffee," he moaned.

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