Kylah sighed dreamily as she rolled over in bed. She was curled up nice and cozy in the early Aurelian morning. A glace at the chronometer on a nearby wall revealed that she still had two hours before she had to be at the dig site, and at least an hour before she needed to get out of bed.

The young lieutenant pulled the blankets up higher under her chin and snuggled deeper into the bed. She had just dozed off when the communicator at her bedside beeped. With a sigh Kylah untangled her hand from the blankets and grabbed the commlink.

"Dannon here," she said sleepily.

"Good morning beautiful," a familiar voice replied.

Kylah smiled. Alexei. Somehow the sound of his voice always brought a smile to her lips.

"Hi," she replied softly.

"Are you up yet?"

She looked down at the mounds of blanket, and thought of the flannel pj's she still wore. "No, why?"

"How quickly can you be down at the site?" he inquired. Kylah could detect a slight excitement in him. What was going on?

"I don't know, maybe twenty minutes....."

"Well, come down as quickly as you can. I want to show you something."

"What in the world are you doing down there so early?" she asked, curiously.

"Just hurry here and I'll show you," he replied impatiently.

"Ok, give me a few minutes."

"I love you..." he said before letting her go.

"Love you too...."

*** Thirty minutes later, Lt. Dannon arrived at the dig site. The only person she saw there was Alexei. Odd, she thought, usually there's at least twenty other people around.

"Morning," she said, greeting Alexei with a kiss. "Now what was so important that you had to drag me out of bed an hour early?"

"This," he said reaching into his pocket. "I found it last night, but was unable to get it out of the dirt then. I waited until this morning to finish." He held out a sparkling blue gem for her to examine.

A confused look crossed her face as she looked at it. "This isn't Aurellian," she said. "It looks almost Betazoidian." She switched her gaze from the gem to Alexei's eyes. "But that's impossible."

"No it isn't. It IS a Betazoid treasure. It's been missing for several weeks, stolen from a museum."

"Then how did it get here?" she wondered.

"My guess would be that whoever stole it put it here for safe-keeping. It should be returned to it's proper place, though."

"Definitely," Kylah replied. A tiny wave of anger was welling up inside of her. She couldn't believe anyone would steal something like this from her home planet.

"I'm going to make arrangements for you and I to travel to Betazed to return this. I think the dig can continue with out me. But Kylah, don't say anything to anyone about why we're going. If, by chance, the theives are still around, they'll come looking for it. Understand?"

She nodded. "I understand."

Alexei smiled. "Good girl. After we return this, we'll take a little vacation, just you and me. Okay?"

Now it was Kylah's turn to smile. "More than okay," she gave him a long kiss. "I can't wait."

*** Oh, such a sense of deja'vu, Kylah thought to herself, surveying her surroundings. Once again she was on board a Ferengi transport. This time, however, she was on her way to Betazed instead of Aurelia, and there was only one other passenger; Alexei.

She had to admit, this ship, bad as it was, was actually nicer than the other one. The only problem was the pilot. He seemed nice enough (for a Ferengi), but he continually gave them strange looks, and she often caught him gazing at the shoulder bag which had the gem tucked safely inside.

Don't worry about it, Dannon, she thought to herself, nuzzling her cheek against Alexei's shoulder. Dr. Andreev himself was sound asleep. Kylah knew she ought to be. With a sigh, the lieutenant settled against Alexei and fell into a fitful sleep.

*** "Well, now what do we do?" Alexei wondered aloud. The duo had arrived on Betazed only to discover that no one was available to talk to them. They would have to wait until the following day and keep the gem overnight.

"We could go visit my grandparents," Kylah replied. A slight shudder went through her. She did NOT want to do that.

"You don't seem thrilled by that prospect," he observed, slightly amused.

"I'm not." It was no secret that Kylah's relationship with her grandparents was strained at best.

"Let's take a walk instead, then find a place to stay for the night," Alexei suggested.

Kylah quickly agreed, and they took off.

Soon they found themselves in a nearby forest. Kylah sighed contentedly and wrapped her arms around his waist. Her cheek rested against his chest as he slid his arms around her.

"I can see why you love this planet so much," he commented, looking around.

"I grew up here, and I have many fond memories of this place." A small giggle escaped her lips as she remembered some of her wilder escapades. "Some of them fonder than others."

Alexei started to say something to her, but was interrupted by a phaser in his back.

"Don't move, either of you," a slightly familiar voice said harshly.

Kylah and Alexei glanced at one another, both startled. What was going on?

"Now, turn around slowly, and don't try anything funny."

They turned around and found themselves face-to-face with the pilot of the ship they'd left only hours before.

"What do you want with us?" Alexei asked. "We paid you your fee. Leave us."

"I'm not interested in payment. I'm interested in that gem."

"What gem?" Kylah asked, trying to stall for time. How in the world did he know about that?

The Ferengi took menacing step toward Kylah. "Don't play dumb with me, girl. I'd hate for anything to happen to your pretty face. You know exactly what gem. My partners saw you and your friend here take it from the place we hid it, and we want it back. That little gem will bring in several strips of latinum for us."

Another glance was exchanged between the duo. Kylah could feel her own fear rising, as well as Alexei's. "We don't have it," she lied.

"Don't lie to me!" he thundered, once again stepping toward her.

Alexei also stepped forward. "Leave her alone," he said, trying to defend his love.

"And don't threaten me!" their adversary shouted in reply. Without hesitation, he opened fire on Dr. Andreev. Alexei fell to the ground, obviously injured.

"Alexei!" Kylah screamed in horror, and reached for him. Her Ferengi "friend" stepped in her way.

"I don't think so. At least not until I get my gem. Now hand it over pretty missy."

Kylah's mind was racing. There had to be a way out of this without giving him the gem. A sudden idea hit her. She let herself take on the look of defeat.

"Alright, I'll give it to you," she said, reaching her hand into her bag.

"I thought you'd see it my way," he replied gleefully. He stepped in her direction, letting his guard down. Kylah chose this crucial error to retaliate.

Instead of pulling out the gem, she quickly withdrew her own phaser and immeadiately opened fire. She knew that the setting was on high stun, and he'd be out for hours.

The Ferengi cried out in frustration and pain, then keeled over in silence. Kylah cautiously approached, making sure he was out. Once she was satisfied he wasn't going anywhere, she fell to her knees beside Alexei.

"Alexei? Come on, love; please answer me," she gently touched his cheek, and he gave a soft moan. Kylah knew he needed medical attention, and soon. She reached for her communicator to try and get help.

*** Hours later, Kylah was pacing the floor of the infirmary in the Federation embassy. Soon after she'd put out her distress call, several Federation officers had arrived, taken their "friend" into custody, and rushed Alexei here. Kylah had come with them, but had been instructed to wait out here while the doctor attended to him. That had been what seemed like a millineum ago. Now she was still waiting to hear something.

The opening of a door caught Kylah's attention. A doctor, looking tired and defeated, emerged and approached her. The doctor motioned for Kylah to sit down in a nearby chair, then sat down herself to face the dark-haired lieutenant.

"Lt. Dannon," she began, "you must understand that Dr. Andreev was shot by a phaser set almost on kill. I've tried everything I can, but the damage he sustained to his internal organs was just to extensive. I don't think he's going to make it."

Kylah was stunned. She was trying to absorb what the doctor was saying, but her heart refused to accept this information.

"He's still alive now, and consious, if you want to see him one last time."

The lieutenant nodded, then followed the doctor through the door. When she caught sight of Alexei, she felt as if someone had kicked her in the stomach. He looked very pale and weak as she approached. Upon hearing her soft footsteps, he opened his eyes and smiled faintly at her.

"Kylah, I am glad you are here." he whispered.

"Did you honestly think they could keep me away forever?" She tenderly brushed a strand of hair off of his forehead. "Alexei,...." she began.

"Shhh," he cut her off, reaching for her hand and squeezing it gently. "I know what is going on. I understand. But we did have some wonderful times, Kylah my love. Remember all the nights we spent on Aurelia?"

She nodded. Boy, did she.

"Then remember those. I wish I could stay with you forever, but fate has other ideas." He paused, and winced. His voice was growing weaker by the moment. "Kylah, I must tell you one more thing. I want you to always also remember that I love you. I love you more than anything, and you've made my life for the past few months happier than it's ever been."

Kylah smiled and swallowed down her tears. She had to stay strong for his sake. "I love you too, Alexei. You're the first man I've ever really loved."

He smiled up at her. She could feel his grip on her hand loosening, could see his eyes closing. "Ya loobloo ti, Kylah. I love you...." His voice faded off. Alexei took one last deep breath, and exhaled.

Then he was gone.

*** Later that night, Kylah sat gazing out the window of the room she was temorarily staying in. She felt as if her heart had been ripped out of her chest. I can't believe he's really gone....

A noise from the corner of the room brought her gaze from the sky. She found herself facing her childhood friend, Jazz.

"Hi," the faux-Q said. "I thought you might need a friend."

"Oh Jazz!" Kylah wailed, choking back a sob. Jazz gave her friend a hug and let her cry.

"It's ok," she said softly. "Go ahead and cry. I know it hurts."

At that moment, Kylah didn't care if she ever returned to her ship, or if she ever saw anyone again.

She only cared about her broken heart.