Ensign Terry Sauter sat on the hot, dusty ground of Xanor II repairing a faulty microfusion generator connected to the main medical tent--which was actually a solid building, but everyone referred to all pre fab buildings as tents.

She had had a session with Counselor Bek earlier that morning in regards to her coming to terms with the Khynah battle and she felt, like the other sessions, that it was a waste of time. She touched her torque wrench to one of the many micro subprocessing connectors as she talked out loud to herself.

"It takes time, he says, You did well. Blah, blah blah! I bet a Klingon warrior would have done better and not worried about it afterwards like me!" she berated herself again for the hundredth time. Terry touched another connector. "If I'd been a Klingon...ahhh!"

Suddenly Terry was thrown backwards and slammed to the ground by an energy surge which blasted her into unconsciousness.

It was dark and quiet here. Terry could see nothing around her, not even her own body. "What is going on?" she asked. "Am I dead?" she wondered. Then she remembered the energy blast. " I am dead!" she exclaimed, suddenly a little frightened. She had not thought much about death in her life, at least not until the Khynah battle that is. Now, suddenly she was faced with the reality of her own death, or so it seemed.

"Where am I?" Suddenly there appeared, a tiny point of light directly in front of her, not far away. Instinctively she 'walked' toward it, although she had no concept of actually putting one foot in front of the other.

The light began to grow larger and larger and Terry saw a figure standing in front of it. The figure grew larger as well until she could make out the features of a Klingon warrior, dressed in full battle armor. He was tall and broad across the chest with long bushy hair, full beard and mustache. He stood with his hands on his hips, smiling down at her.

"You are rather small for a warrior", he said, " why are you here?"

Terry stood in awe of this mighty Klingon, but strangely she felt no fear. In fact, she felt comfortable being in his presence.

"Ah, I don't know exactly," she spoke. "in fact, I don't even know where this is!"

Throwing his head back, he let out a booming laugh. "You are not the first to arrive thusly, little warrior."

"I'm not a warrior," said Terry, feeling more than a little confused.

"Ah, but you are, my little friend. You see, we are all warriors in one way or the other in our journey through life. You are no different. But your battle is still raging."

"You mean I'm not dead?" Terry asked, hopefully.

"No, little warrior, you are not dead. But you are still fighting a most difficult enemy. Are you not?"

Terry had no idea what this mysterious Klingon was talking about, unless he was referring to the Khynahs. "Yes, I have fought the Khynahs, " she began, "but that's over now."

"No!" he shouted, "I am not speaking of the Khynah. That enemy was easy to defeat. The one you continue to fight is not."

Now, Terry was really confused! She was not fighting anyone. This is a stupid dream, she thought. She figured it had to be a dream caused by the power surge and she would wake up any minute and be fine.

The Klingon cocked his head to one side and grinned. "You are not dreaming. I am as real as you are."

"How did you know what I was thinking?" she asked rather surprised. "You're certainly not a Betazoid."

The Klingon laughed again. "No, I am fully Klingon. But in this place, thoughts are never hidden."

"What do you mean? I don't understand."

"There is not time for that now, little warrior. You came here for one reason--to seek the truth about the enemy you fight. I will tell you that the enemy you fight is. . . yourself."

"What? That's silly."

"You dare to question me?!" he bellowed.

"I don't even know who you are!" she shouted back, surprised by her own bravery, or stupidity--she wasn't sure which at the moment.

"No, I'm not really. I am a coward! I was scared when I fought the Khynah--so scared I could barely function and I still can't sleep for thinking about it. I am still scared--of everything," she said suddenly deflated.

"You think to be a great warrior is to have no fear!?" he shouted.

"Yes."

"BAH! Ridiculous! The greatest warriors carried the greatest fear into battle and yet returned victorious!"

"What do you mean?"

"To face a formidable enemy and have no fear is to be a fool! To face a formidable enemy with great fear and still conquer them is to be a great warrior! You faced a great enemy, little warrior, with great fear inside you, you fought and won. You are an honorable warrior!"

The sound of his great thunderous voice still ringing in her ears, Terry thought about this for a minute. "Then why don't I feel worthy?"

"You are still fighting a great enemy--yourself, but nothing lasts forever. You must stop now. The battle has been won. Rest. You have earned it, little warrior. You will be ready for the next battle--the next enemy. And you will meet them with the same courage. Go now and rest."

The Klingon began to fade before her eyes as the light behind him began to dim.

"Wait!" she shouted, "Who are you?"

"I . . .am. . . the. . . warrior . . .within. . . you," he said, his voice fading, "rest. . .rest. . .rest"

"Rest is what she needs right now," said Dr. Montgomery as Terry slowly began her climb back to consciousness. "Welcome back," said Mira.

"Wha. . .what happened? Where am I ?" Terry asked weakly.

"Do you know who and where you are?" asked Montgomery.

"Um. . .yeah, I'm Terry Sauter, Ensign. And I'm on Xanor II. I was repairing a subprocessor. . ."

"That's enough, good. No need to talk anymore Terry. You're going to be just fine now, " Montgomery assured her. "Your neural synapses were overloaded by an energy surge, but there is no permanent damage. Although, I'm sure you must have a heck of a headache right about now."

Terry rubbed her head, beginning to really feel the pain now. "Yes, doctor, I do. And it's getting worse."

"That's expected, Terry. Don't' worry about it."

Montgomery turned to the nurse who was standing by the bed, "Kate, 10ccs of Lorzetarine, please."

"Yes, Doctor," replied Kate, quickly handing the hypo to Mira.

After injecting Terry, Mira asked, " Better?"

Terry took a deep breath as the pain began to ease immediately. "Yes, much better."

"There is someone here who would like to say hello, if you feel up to it," said Mira.

"Oh? Sure, I guess. Who is it?"

"It's the man who carried you in. He was walking by and saw what happened. His fast action saved you a lot of injury and pain."

Mira motioned for the man to come closer to the bed.

Terry slowly turned her head, so as not to trigger another headache, and saw the man who had brought her to safety.

"His name is Ryan Turillo," said Montgomery, as Ryan came up close to the bed and smiled down at Terry.

He was Terran in appearance, slim with curly blond hair and twinkling blue eyes, about 5' 10" in height, dressed in a long sleeved light blue shirt and pants. He wore a gold necklace in the shape of a sun around his neck. Terry thought he was very sweet looking with wonderful warm eyes.

"Hi," he said softly. "I hope you are feeling better."

"Yes, thank you. And thank you for bringing me here."

Ryan smiled, "You are most welcomed Ensign Terry Sauter. I hope you will be well soon."

"Call me Terry. And thank you again," she said, trying hard to stifle a yawn.

"I think she needs to sleep now," said Montgomery.

"Of course, " said Ryan. "May I return later to inquire as to her condition?" he asked.

"Terry?" asked Mira.

"Sure. I'd like that," said Terry.

"Later tonight would be fine," said Montgomery to Ryan."

"Good. Then I will see you later tonight, En. . .Terry."

"Mmmm. . ." mumbled Terry as she drifted off into a restful sleep.

Montgomery and Ryan walked away from Terry's bed. "Are you ready for your injection now, Ryan?" asked Mira.

"Yes, Doctor. Thank you. I am feeling much better today."

"I'm glad to hear that, Ryan," said Montgomery, "come this way and I'll get you fixed up and then you can be on your way."

**************

Terry stayed in the med tent for the next 30 hours. After that, she was sent home with strict orders not to return to work for the next 30 hours and then only for a few hours per day.

Terry walked up to the flat rock sitting underneath one of the few trees surrounding the outpost, to rest after working for two hours. She hated to admit it, but that energy blast has really made her weak, and she didn't feel like being around anyone just yet.

She climbed upon the rock, pulling her legs up, she wrapped her arms around them and rested her chin on her knees. She had not told anyone about her vision or dream, or whatever it was. She was afraid that no one would take it seriously. Her session with Bek earlier today had been about the same thing--he was telling her that nothing lasts forever and the way she felt about herself would change in time--be patient. She was sure he was right, only it was so tough being patient!

"Mind if I join you?"

Terry was startled to see Ryan Turillo standing beside her. Ryan had come to see her several times while she was recuperating in the med tent. He was standing there with a basket in his hands. "Hi," she said, stretching her legs out.

"I was on my way to your abode when I saw you come up here. I hope you don't mind that I followed you but I thought you might want to share some lunch."

"Sure, that would be nice," she said, scooting over to make room on the rock for him.

He carefully spread out the small piece of material and laid upon it two sandwiches and two bottles of Cola Fizz. "I didn't know what kinds of foods you like, so I thought it would be safe to bring Terran food. I brought chicken salad sandwiches."

"I loved chicken salad and Cola," replied Terry, smiling for the first time since her accident.

They ate in silence for several minutes, each enjoying the taste of their lunch.

"Are you feeling better?" asked Ryan.

Terry finished swallowing a bite of sandwich before she spoke. "Yes, much. It was nice of you to visit me while I was in the hospital."

"I wanted to make sure you would be all right. Dr. Montgomery says you are doing quite well."

"Yeah, it wasn't so bad really," she began, "only. . ."

"Go on, I'm listening," he said, taking a sip of cola."

"Well, it's just that. . .ah. . .something strange happened while I was unconscious." Terry had no idea why she was telling this stranger about her personal vision, but somehow she knew he would take it seriously and not make fun of her.

"Did you have a vision or something?" he asked.

Terry's eyes widened, "You're a Betazoid!" she shouted.

Ryan laughed, "No, no, no! Really, I'm no telepath at all, it's just that one time I had a vision too. Lots of people do you know, in times of stress."

"Oh." Not sure whether she was disappointed or not with him not being telepathic.

"Continue, please. I want to hear about it."

"Well, okay if you really want to."

Ryan nodded in the affirmative.

Terry finished telling him what she had experienced and finished her sandwich. "That was good. Thanks."

"Hmmm, you've had a very powerful vision. I think it's wonderful!"

"You do? Why?"

"Because it's not everyone who gets confirmation that they have a warrior inside them. You're fortunate, Terry, really."

"What do you think it means?" she asked.

"Well, I think it means that you are much stronger than you think you are for one thing."

"And. . ."

"And. . .that you have a lot more going for you than you know."

"Really?"

"Sure. It was obviously a very positive vision. I mean, a Klingon is a really good role model for strength, honor and being a warrior. Now if it had been a Ferengi, I would have been worried," he smiled.

Terry laughed. It was the first time she had laughed since the Khynah battle and it felt good.

"You have a wonderful laugh," he said, gently pushing a strand of her hair away from her face.

Terry blushed and lowered her head. "Thanks," she said shyly.

"Why, you're welcome, ma'am!" he said, getting up. "Now, can I persuade you to go have a little swim with me? It's awfully hot today and I think a dip in that wonderful river would be very refreshing about now."

"A swim? I haven't been swimming in ages!" said Terry. "I think I would like that very much."

After packing up the remains of their picnic, Ryan took Terry's hand in his and began walking back towards the outpost. Funny, thought Terry, how natural it felt to be holding hands with him--how . . .right.

"I have to stop in the med tent for just a minute," he said, "if you want to go ahead and get changed, I'll meet you here and I'll find a ride for us. Two miles is a little far for you to walk so soon after your accident."

"Are you feeling all right?"

"Oh, sure. It's nothing serious."

"Okay. See you in a few minutes." Terry thought to herself what a considerate and thoughtful man Ryan was. It would be good to spend time with him.

Ryan stopped in at the medical building and talked with Dr. Montgomery for a few minutes. When he came out he looked for a ride to the river.

***********************

The next two weeks were the best that Terry Sauter had ever spent in her life! In the mornings, she would work steadily and in the afternoons and at night she spent all her time with Ryan. He turned out to be a wonderful, caring person and Terry wondered how she came to be so lucky to have found him in such an unusual place. It turned out that he was on his way home to Galvin V after having left Earth when the transport ship he was traveling on with 50 others happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. They met the Khynah who fired once at them and then must have decided since they had no weapons, that they weren't worth the time or energy it took to destroy, as they then left them to limp their way here, to Xanor II.

"So what were you doing on Earth, Ryan? You have friends there?" asked Terry as she nibbled on another Betazoid shrimp. She and Ryan were sitting underneath a tree on the bank of the river which ran about two kilometers from the Xanor outpost. It had become their favorite spot--this one and the flat rock overlooking the outpost where they had first met. The day was clear and sunny, as was usual on Xanor II, with a nice breeze blowing off the river.

"No, I don't know anyone on Earth," he hesitated. "I had some business to do for my father. You know I told you he runs a holographic programs business and I do sales for him sometimes."

"That must be interesting," she said, finishing up her shrimp. Terry looked out across the shimmering river as the bright Xanor sun bounced off the sparkling water. The many trees growing close to the river provided shelter from the blistering sun and there was a tranquil breeze blowing off the river. Terry felt content for the first time in a long while. The sounds of children's laughter could be heard as the many refugees who put down camps in this area moved about conducting the business of living.

"Well, it's fun when you get to travel to all the different places, but the actual dealing with customers can be trying."

"Have you always wanted to travel the galaxy?" she asked, turning to look at him. During the past two weeks, Terry had grown used to seeing his face everyday and missed him when he wasn't within view. In fact, she liked everything about the man!

Ryan pulled his legs up, hugging them to himself as Terry always liked to do and gazed out across the river. "Yes, all my life I have wanted to travel to distant places." His eyes grew reflective as if he were seeing a far off distant place.

Terry sat in silence, just looking at him and wondering where he was at this moment, but not wishing to disturb him.

After a few minutes, he shook his head as if too clear his thoughts, "What are your dreams, Ensign Terry Sauter?" he asked, grinning.

Terry leaned back on her hands, crossing her ankles and looking across the river. "At first all I wanted was to fix things," she began, "my brother Adrian always used to let me follow him around while he made repairs on our farm. After awhile, I got to be pretty good myself. Then Adrian suggested I might like to get away from Earth and join Starfleet. That way I could fix things and see the universe too. I think he was afraid that since I was the youngest daughter, I would never grow up living at home with mama and papa."

"Was he right?"

Terry thought for a few seconds, "Yeah, I think he was." Terry wondered just what kind of a person she would be had she never left Earth. She quickly dismissed these thoughts. " What are you dreams, Ryan?"

"Aside from visiting different planets, I always wanted a large family. I always thought I would be married by now with at least three or four kids."

"Why aren't you then?" asked Terry. "I can't imagine why some woman hasn't snagged you by now."

Ryan laughed. "Well, that's a long story."

"So, we have time. I don't have to report to work until tomorrow morning and your ship isn't repaired yet, so go ahead, tell me the long story."

Suddenly Ryan became serious and turned to face Terry. "Terry, when I first met you I never intended to tell you all about myself. I expected just to see you in the camp now and then. I never expected to feel. . .well to feel so much for you. I hope I'm not making a fool out of myself."

"No, Ryan you're not making a fool of yourself. Please go on." Terry's heart had started to speed up and was now pounding in her chest. She had developed strong feelings for Ryan during the past two weeks and now it seemed that he was preparing to tell her he felt the same way.

"Okay, if you're sure. Well, the reason I'm not married is because, even though I am not a Galvinite, being born on the planet I was expected to adhere to their customs and a marriage is not considered a success if a child is not produced in the first year and---"

"And you don't want children," Terry interrupted, " I can understand that, I don't want any right now either and---"

"No, it's not that. It's that I can't have any children at all. I have this. . .condition which prevents it and no woman wants to marry me for that reason."

"Why, that's silly!" exclaimed Terry. "You could always adopt or marry a girl from another planet, couldn't you?" she asked hopefully.

He smiled. "Well, yes I suppose I could, but my condition is irreversible and---" he looked deeply into Terry's eyes, "fatal," he stated flatly.

Terry wasn't sure she heard right, "Fatal? As in---"

"I only have a few weeks left to live, Terry. I'm sorry, I should have told you from the first, but I never thought we would become so close and---"

Terry sat stunned, her eyes glazed over. She was unable to speak or even move. This couldn't be right! He couldn't be dying! she thought.

"Terry? Are you all right? Terry?" he asked, taking hold of her shoulders and gently shaking her.

"Oh, I'm okay, but. . .I. . .don't know what to say Ryan," her eyes began to water and as he gently enfolded her into his arms, the damn burst as Terry's tears began to flow, unabated.

"Ssssh," he said softly, "it's okay really. I'm not afraid or anything. Just a bit regretful that we didn't meet sooner is all," he said. "Listen. Do you remember when you told me of your vision and I told you I understood because I had had one too?"

"Uh, huh," mumbled Terry.

"Well, it was about my dying. I saw a wonderful, beautiful place filled with the most all encompassing love that I felt so grateful to be seeing that. My favorite aunt was there too and she told me I would be joining her soon. She said not to worry that everything would be all right. And she also told me," he said as he gently cupped her chin in his hand, bringing her eyes even with his, "I would know love before I joined her. She was right. . .I met you."

Terry smiled through her tears and pulled him tighter into an embrace then pulled away from him, wiping her eyes with the back of her sleeve. "Have you talked with Dr. Montgomery? Surely she can do something! She's the best doctor I know and---"

"Yes, I talked with her the first day I arrived. I'm taking injections which help keep my energy up but that's about all she can do for me. There is no cure for what I've got."

"Are you sure? I mean, have you tried other doctors? Other planets?"

"Yes. I was just coming back from Earth from a medical convention where some of the best doctors in the galaxy met. There is no cure, Terry. . . none."

Terry steadied her nerves and pulled herself together with a considerable amount of effort. "Okay then," she began, trying to accept the inevitable, "then we will make what time you have left the best ever!" She gave him a little quivering smile. She was going to be strong for him, later at night when she was alone in her quarters, she would cry her eyes out, but not here and not now. She would be strong for Ryan.

"So, what do you want to do now?"

"He took her hand and standing, pulled her to her feet. I want to fly to the moon!" he said, laughing.

Ryan had Bryson's Disease which was an extremely rare condition caused by a rare combination of genetics. Certain people would have to mate for at least three generations to produce an offspring with the disease. This was good in that not many people had the disease, but bad in that not much was known about it and not a lot of research was being done because it was so rare.

Ryan had reached the last stages of the disease which resulted in loss of energy, then gradually his central nervous system would slowly shut down. He would live only a few hours after this. This would begin to occur in about two weeks time. If his ship had not been attacked, he would have been at home when he died. Now, he would die on this hot, dusty planet of Xanor II.

For the next week, Terry and Ryan went everywhere together, holding hands. Dr. Montgomery had given Terry the time off so the two could spend more time together after Terry had come to her and requested the leave. She admired the little Ensign, as Terry was known around camp. Another woman would have broken off the relationship the moment she discovered Ryan was dying, not wanting to expend any more emotional energy into a relationship which had no future. Mira worried about how Terry would react once Ryan's time had come. She would be there for her and she knew the other members of her staff would too. Terry had become a favorite with her crew since they arrived on Xanor II.

Terry and Ryan had picnic lunches every day then went swimming, mountain climbing and even persuaded Dr. Montgomery to loan them a shuttlecraft to take voyages around Xanor's two moons. They explored caves, deserts, the polar ice caps and the jungles located along the equator.

Ryan's health began to deteriorate after the first week, and they had to cut down on their activities. Mostly they were seen walking, talking and holding hands around the camp. They still had their picnic lunches, but their mountain climbing and swimming was left off, along with cave exploring and other strenuous activities.

By the middle of the second week, they would stay close to the camp, not even venturing the two miles to the river. Montgomery said Ryan could go at any minute now and Terry and him didn't want to be too far away from immediate help--what help there was, that is--which was only that he be made as comfortable as possible.

One night, as Ryan sat on the ground, his arms around Terry as she sat in front on him, he sighed a very long, deep sigh.

"Ryan? Is anything wrong?" she asked.

"Oh, nothing much. It's just that I've been thinking that the last few weeks have been the happiest of my life."

Terry pulled his arms tighter around her. "Mine too. Is there anything we haven't done that you still want to do, Ryan? We could go to the moon again," she offered.

Ryan laughed, a soft, gentle laugh. "No, we've already been there. Besides, it looks prettier from this distance."

Terry looked up into the brightly shinning orange glow of the largest of Xanor's two moons. The smaller one could be seen to the left of this one. Not as big or bright, but just as pretty, she thought. "Yeah, you're right. It is beautiful, Ryan. But it's beautiful because you are here with me."

He kissed the top of her head. "Terry, there is one thing which we haven't done yet that I would like to do."

"What's that?" Terry couldn't imagine what that could be as they had explored Xanor from top to bottom and even it's two moons! But whatever it was, she knew she would do it. . .for him.

"Get married."

"What?!" Terry turned to face Ryan. "Are you serious?"

"Sure, why not?"

"Well, I never thought about getting married," she said, flattered but surprised that he had suggested it.

"I know we don't have a very long future, Terry, but if you wouldn't mind, I mean. . ." For the first time since they met, Ryan seemed bashful.

Terry took his hands in hers and looking into his eyes she said, "I would be honored to marry you, Ryan Turillo," she said calmly.

"You would? Really?" his eyes widened.

She nodded yes as he grabbed her in a tight embrace, then hopped up pulling her up with him. "Let's go see if we can find someone to marry us right now!"

"Now?! But I thought maybe tomorrow. I need a dress and flowers and. . ."

Ryan took both Terry's hands in his and said quietly, "Terry, it has to be now or. . .never."

Suddenly Terry understood. He was dying. . .now. "No, Ryan! Not yet! It's too soon! I mean, not getting married, I mean---"

"I know Terry, but let's hurry."

Terry nodded and they both hurried to find Dr. Montgomery, hoping she would know who could marry them immediately.

****************

Terry and Ryan were married by a Bajoran Vedik, whom Mira had found on the other side of the planet. They stood by the river banks that night, underneath the full moon. The whole medical department, science department and many others had turned out for the occasion, including three from the outpost. Some wore their dress uniforms, others were in civilian clothes.

Cam MacLaughlin loaned Terry a long light blue dress with lace across the hem and sleeves while Kate found some wild flowers and gave them to her to hold and place in her hair. It was a beautiful, peaceful ceremony. The night was unusually warm, aided by the many candles held by most of those present. Samantha and Al Beckett were to thank for those. Everyone wanted to contribute and help the young couple. They were a symbol of undying love in a harsh world, especially for those who had so recently experienced the Khynah.

According to Galvin V customs, the bride and groom exchanged a single present--once which was emotionally important to them. Ryan took off the sun pendant he always wore and placed it over Terry's head. This was a present to him from his favorite aunt who had died six years before. Terry took off her Andorian ice blue bead bracelet and placed it around Ryan's left wrist. This had been a present to her from her brother Adrian after graduating from Starfleet Academy.

After the exchange of gifts, both spoke their simple vows.

Mira, Cam and Kate were openly crying now as were many others as they stood around with candles in hand. Each thinking of those they loved and some of those they had lost.

Ryan died three hours later in Terry's quarters as she held him in her arms. It was a peaceful death. The next morning Terry took Mira's runabout and in keeping with Ryan's wishes, sent his body into the Xanor sun.

Terry did not come directly back to the planet but stayed close to the sun for several hours. When she did come back, she went directly into her quarters and stayed for the next 15 hours. After that, she quietly went back to work constructing and repairing what needed to be done on Xanor II.

Everyone would say hi to her and try the best way they could to ease her pain, but mostly she stayed by herself, eating her lunch on the rock where she and Ryan used to picnic or spending time by the river.

It was funny, but after Ryan's death, no one referred to Terry as "The Little Ensign", anymore. It was always, "Terry" or "Ensign". They all sensed a change in her, a maturity that had not been there when she first arrived on Xanor II.

When the cargo ship Targ entered orbit carrying more Science and Security personnel, Terry hitched a ride back to Earth.

She never spoke to anyone of Ryan.