The support/manifest crew of DS13 was hard at work. They had all worked all day to try to finish the inventories before the big party that night. After an entire day of lifting, counting, entering information, recounting, reentering, and lifting again, there was an end result of a support crew with sore muscles--and short tempers. Everyone was tired, cranky, and starting to wonder if they would get out of the cargo bay in time to get ready for the party.

The crew's fearless leader, Lt. Kylah Dannon, was no exception. She had arrived that morning before anyone else to try to get some of the work done. Kylah herself was unsure if she really wanted to go, but she knew that her crew did. Besides, they really did deserve a night to enjoy themselves. They'd all worked hard lately to finish the inventories, even working over their normal shifts.

The crew itself was taking extra care around Lt. Dannon as of late. Since her arrival on DS13, and her reunion with her crew, she had been acting, well, oddly. She seemed more distracted and short tempered. More than once some member of the crew had caught her staring off into space, lost in thought with a sad, pensive look on her face. But when they had asked if anything was wrong, she had only snapped at them. If it had been any other officer the subordinates would have just decided that she was a witch. But Kylah had always been very popular with the manifest crew. They were more worried about her than angry with her.

And the lieutenant herself wasn't unaware of their unease. She could sense their worry and concern. She just didn't know what to do about it.

A glance at the chronometer on her wrist revealed to Kylah that there was only an hour left before the party was scheduled to begin. The dark haired lieutenant sighed in resignation, realizing that they had finished all that they could get done today. She turned to her staff, all working nearby. They were all periodically glancing at their own wrists, like school children waiting to be released at the end of the day. Kylah suppressed an amused giggle, then spoke.

"Are you clowns ready to call it a day?" she asked, crossing her arms across her chest and leaning against a stack of storage units.

They looked up, glanced at one another, peered up at her and nodded eagerly.

Kylah laughed. "I feel like an old schoolmarm releasing the natives at the end of the day." Her pretty face abruptly turned serious. "Now, I have a strict, serious order for all of you."

"What is it?" Angela Leazito asked cautiously. Considering the way Kylah had been acting, you just couldn't be to careful.

An abrupt smile broke out on Dannon's face. "Go to the party, and have an absolutely fantastic time!" Everyone laughed, and began to go their separate ways for the evening.

"Are you going to the party?" June Thomas asked curiously.

Kylah sighed deeply. She really didn't feel much like partying, although, she felt like she should at least make an appearance. "Well..." she hesitated, looking for an excuse.

"I really don't have a date...." A date. Briefly, an image of Alexei entered her mind, but she pushed it quickly away.

Joshua Kerts, ever the clown, threw his arm across her shoulder. "Aw, come on, Dannon. I'll be your date."

A laugh escaped her lips. "Sorry, Kerts. No fraternizing with the subordinates. Some other time."

He pretended to be crushed. "Well, gorgeous, you can't blame a guy for trying....."

June and Angela pushed him away, all three laughing. Then they turned to Kylah. "Seriously, lieutenant, you should go." Angela said. "You might suprise yourself and actually have a good time."

She hesitated. "Well....I don't know....."

"Picture it: the vivacious, beautiful, intelligent, seductive Lt. Kylah Noreese Dannon enters the party," June painted the picture. "All the men in the room stop, struck by this dark haired beauty. She is whirled from one pair of arms to another all night. Martin Taggert professes his undying love, and vows to leave his wife, all for this striking creature."

Kylah had to laugh. The entire picture (with, of course, the exception of Martin Taggert) would have been true...of the Kylah of old. But that was before Aurelia. Before she learned to fall in love.

Before Alexei.

Still, she had to admit, the temptation of getting gussyed up and heading out for the night did sound appealing. Maybe even therapeutic. Dancing the night away.... trying to forget.

"Well...." June and Angela had picked up on her weakening resolve, and became more determined.

"Come on, lieutenant," Angela said, taking her by the arm. "Between the two of us, we'll have you looking like a million bucks before the party starts.

The lieutenant finally crumbled. "On one condition," she finally said. "What's that?" June asked, warily.

"If you're so insistent on taking me to the party with you, DON'T call me 'lieutenant' all evening! It'll drive me crazy. Just for tonight, call me Kylah."

All three laughed. Then June and Angela dragged Kylah down the hall to get her ready.

She hated to admit it, but June and Angela had been right. As she entered the room, Kylah felt good. Wearing a short, form-fitting black dress, her dark hair in an elegant up- sweep, and her full lips painted the color of deep, red wine, she felt much like a Kylah she thought she'd left behind on Aurelia. She felt ready to conquer the room--almost.

Dannon glanced at her companions warily. June and Angela gave her an encouraging nod, and shoved her further into the room. Kylah sighed, drew herself up, and headed determinedly into the large crowd that had gathered.

She couldn't help but notice the appreciative looks she received from many of the male members of this group. This heightened her confidence; made her feel sexier. Yes, the old Kylah was definitely rearing her head.

Spotting her best friend, Priscilla Nates, across the room, Kylah worked her way toward the blonde. Pris was deep in conversation with her boyfriend, Lyndon Fletcher, and Hiakowa Sazuki. Kylah's approach caught her eye, and she waved at the lieutenant with a smile.

"Hey!" Priscilla greeted her warmly when she had reached them. "Wow, I love that dress!" Kylah could sense her friend's relief that she was there. She could tell that Priscilla was aware of something amiss in her friend, but had been afraid to ask what was wrong. Priscilla knew Kylah well enough to know that it she wouldn't volunteer any information about her problems until she was ready.

Kylah could also sense something else within Priscilla. Something was wrong, but now was not the time to ask.

"Thanks," Kylah replied with a smile. "You don't look too shabby yourself." Priscilla was dressed in a short, ice-blue dress that emphasized her slender figure and huge blue eyes. Her silky blonde hair was arranged in a simple braid that made her look mature, sophisticated, and elegant. "Where's the kid?" the lieutenant asked, noting that Priscilla didn't have her young daughter, Carley, attached to her dress hem.

"Found a sitter," she replied, grinning. She slipped her arms around Lyndon's waist. "Somehow, I just didn't think children would fit in too well here...." she trailed off, looking around.

Kylah laughed, then surveyed the room. A good dance tune was playing, and she could feel her feet itching to hit the floor. "Ok," she said, "I'm tired of talk. I'm ready to dance!" She grabbed Hiakowa's hand and pulled him onto the floor. "Come on, Sazuki," she said, "Let's move!" The confused ensign had no choice but to follow.

As predicted by June, Kylah did spend much of the evening whirling from one set of arms to the next, never being in one set long enough to become attached. After a while, the faces of her partners ran together in one big, joyous blur, swirled with music and laughter.

When the final song of the evening, a slow ballad, was announced, Kylah's current partner, who's name completely eluded her, moved to pull her into his arms. Abruptly, the lieutenant stiffened, and pulled away. She thanked him for the dance, then headed for the door.

Kylah couldn't have found her quarters fast enough. The song, the mood it set, had just been too much for her. Thoughts of Alexei that she had pushed to the back of her mind since her arrival on the station came rushing forward. The sudden realization hit her that she really hadn't allowed herself a real chance to grieve. Unable to control herself any longer, she threw herself onto the bed and cried long and hard. She cried fat, hot tears that somehow helped to heal her still-broken heart. Once again, the manifest crew was hard at work. Kylah half-heartedly smiled as she listened to her subordinates chatter about the previous night. They had all obviously followed orders, and had had a wonderful time.

"Lieutenant?" June suddenly asked. "Did you enjoy yourself last night?"

"She looked like she was when I saw her!" Kerts interrupted, snickering.

The rest of the crew swatted at him, trying to silence him. They all glanced at Dannon, waiting to see how she would react.

Kylah spun around to face Kerts. A scowl was on her face, and he braced himself for the worst. He gave a futile glance around the room, looking for an escape from the wrath of Lt. Dannon.

She took a step forward, looked him straight in the eyes, and said confidently "You're just jealous I wasn't dancing with you."

The crew howled with laughter. Even Kerts had to chuckle. Kylah lost the struggle to keep a huge smile off of her face. Kerts just shook his head. "Just wait, Dannon. You'll get yours."

The smile on her face brightened further. "I'll be waiting for it, Kerts." she replied.

The old Kylah Dannon was well on her way back.