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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">NRPG:
I though I already sent this, If I did, sorry Tim. If not, here we go.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br>
</span></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">RPG:</span></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br>
</span></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mission:
Death in the Shadows</span></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Day
7</span></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Stardate:
2446.02.07</span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(USS
Illuminar - Deck 2 - Personal Quarters- FO Commander Sienna Williams-Verin and CTO Ensign T’Mur- 0600)</span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">T’Mur
had spent the night sitting and watching Sienna sleep. She couldn’t let her love know the depth of her own troubled mind. She had been relieved to have Sekal probe her mind and find the entity of Rito gone. She was not even surprised by the news. Her certainty
of her ability to defeat the entity, or whatever it was was never in question. But what it actually was did leave a great deal to contemplate. How was such a thing possible.</span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On
Vulcan it was not unheard of for the dying to implant their Khatra in the mind of another. Many examples could be cited, starting with the late Ambassador Spock, and the eminent Dr. Leonard McCoy. But even then, it was not a new idea, just something rarely
done. How had this being found a way to implant his own personality into the mind of another. And if one thing was certain, neither Sanchez nor Rito were telepaths. Rito had been searching a telepath out in order to free him from the bonds of Quinna Solice.</span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There
were too many questions, and not nearly enough theories. Once Sienna had finally fallen to a restful sleep T’mur had gotten out of bed and sat at the computer for most of the evening looking to see who this Rito could be. After three and a half hours she
had finally found some information, at least about the man, if not about his work, which was highly classified.</span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Once
she had exhausted that arena of research she went back to the bedroom and sat down in the soft chair and watch over her Sienna, as she breathed easily in her sleep. She followed the pattern of her breathing. It was almost musical. The pattern created another
pattern with her heart rate, and T’Mur was able to integrate them into a single musical rhythm. She was so beautiful, even in her sleep. </span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She
began to play with words, as she did as a child. Although her aptitude was for language and art it had been her parents’ wishes for her to join them in the merchant’s guild. Still, her natural propensity for language always seemed to be there. And tonight,
for some reason, the pattern of the breathing created a poetic sense in her.</span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;text-align: center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">::If
love were only an emotion</span></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;text-align: center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Then
why does logic still acknowledge it</span></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;text-align: center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If
there were no room for feelings</span></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;text-align: center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Then
how can there possibly be love.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;text-align: center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If
it were the will of all the people</span></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;text-align: center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That
emotions were set aside</span></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;text-align: center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I
would abandon them for you</span></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;text-align: center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And
be with you till the end of time::</span></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sienna
woke, the sounds of music in her mind, surrounding her with love and beauty, “Morning, my girl. Sorry I fell asleep on you so hard last night. Things, my memories, are such a blur. I can’t really remember clearly. But I’m so glad you came. I wish I’d thought
to have had Luma grab you sooner. At the first sign of fear or trouble. I just was feeling foolish because it was -Quinna-. I know intellectually that it was not Quinna but it looked and sounded like her. I hope it doesn’t ruin our friendship completely.”
That was the aspect that she was fretting over the most. Sienna turned towards her lady-love. </span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">T’Mur
got out of the chair and lay in the bed with Sienna, snuggling into her. “I know that Quinna feels guilty. I could see it in her behavior last night. We will need to take time to repair the damage done.”</span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Yes.
I need her friendship and I know I’m clinging to this by a thread, but if she goes away, I won’t really have any friends. She’s pretty amazing and it seems like I can’t do anything right to fix this mess.”</span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">T’Mur
began to absentmindedly run her hand up and down Sienna’s arm. “You try too hard. Friendships just happen. If you force the issue you will only drive a wedge between you. This can be corrected. Besides, you always have me.”</span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sienna’s
smile softened, “Yes, I will never be alone again. You are the most important person in my life. And you are right, maybe I am holding too tight to Quinna. But … I think she needs me as much as I do her. And the ship needs her stable.”</span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“The
ship needs you both,” T’Mur stated. “As do I. Although I need you more.”</span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Tonight
I’d like to go to the Prancing Pony and play something, a gift for you?” She made it a question. “Please?”</span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Of
course,” T’Mur replied, “a distraction might be what is required.”</span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She
was not particularly convinced that an evening of frivolous amusement was what she needed. As much as Sienna was concerned about her lack of friends, which T’Mur felt she had many, T’Mur was still very awkward with others that did not really know her. Sienna
would tell her that her mannerisms would “put people off,” Although she never explained what they were put off of. However, the gist was that people were not thrilled to speak with her at length. But this night would be for them to be together. If others
joined them, then so be it.</span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sienna
followed her mate’s thoughts and laughed, “They will adjust. You are the mate of the first officer, you are like… ship royalty. As well as being the chief tactical officer, which is a senior officer role. You have a social place that no one can take from you.
Besides, I will have to attend many an event - be it dinner parties or diplomatic events - and I need my girl on my arm. Otherwise I might have to dance with the guys and that would be yuck. I really do not understand why guys affect me the way they do. I
tried with Lt. Alyl at Alaya’s wedding, but even just dancing felt a bit wrong. Uncomfortable.”</span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">T’Mur
shrugged, “Males are just…,” she searched Sienna’s surface thoughts for a word, then found it, “gross. I believe the word disgusting might be more accurate. I cannot say that I have had many positive experiences with males… with the exception of Sekal.
Perhaps we can make him an honorary female?”</span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A
laughter of enormous proportions ripped through Sienna, “No. Nonono. He’s just fine as the example of what an ideal male should be. If I wanted a male, maybe it would be him. Maybe.” She shuddered. “Although, there are some things that I’m pretty curious
about.” She leaned up to kiss her mate happily. </span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“What
do we have planned for today, anyway? It seems too early to be awake.”</span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">T’Mur
shifted her position so that she was now on top of Sienna, “We need to be on duty soon. Then we have a senior staff meeting at 2200 hours. It is a little early. I had not expected you to wake up so early. I had anticipated waking you at 0700. So we have about
48 minutes.”</span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You
were awake. Why wouldn’t I be awake as well? Our thoughts are at times one.” She longed for those moments of clarity and connection. “So what will be doing in these 48 minutes?”</span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“47
minutes, 30 seconds,” she corrected. “And I believe we can occupy that time with some vigorous cardiovascular exercise.”</span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She
moved her lips to Sienna’s. “And maybe you can show me how women are superior to men.” Her lips moved to nuzzle at Sienna’s neck. </span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Or,”
she added, “we could just contemplate the nature of the universe,” as her mouth continued its voyage to the lower parts of Sy’s body. </span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sienna
made a soft whimpering sound as T’Mur explored, but did nothing to hinder her mate, “We could indeed contemp…” She broke off with a groan as T found a sensitive spot. “I have a bad feeling the Captain..” She tried to hang onto the thought as T’Mur was being
quite wicked, “Is going to make the 3 of us have mandatory counseling sessions.” She wrinkled her nose at that thought which was killing the mood that T’Mur was building. </span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">T’Mur
rolled onto her back and looked at the ceiling. “The nature of the universe it is. Would that be so bad? Perhaps he would be correct in doing so. We will have to talk about what happened, eventually. If we do not reconcile feelings without intervention,
then perhaps we can with the help of a counselor.”</span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I
suppose not? I spent a lot of time avoiding counseling. Trip needed a counselor when the bomb that exploded killed his imzadi. Her name was Rae and she was pretty amazing. It helped him but he resisted it and our parents thought that I needed counseling too.
I do not want to go see a counselor. At least not those. I don’t trust the new ferengi counselor at all, and I don’t want to mix my friendship with Alaya with counseling. Maybe if we could go together but that might not be the best choice.” She snuggled into
T’Mur’s body, craving the contact. “I want to go off with you and have it just be the two of us. After this mission, maybe we can go away for a week or two?” She asked hopefully, wanting that time for both of them. </span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You
are avoiding the subject,” T’Mur chastised Sienna, putting her arms back around her mate. “If the captain orders counseling sessions then we must comply. Perhaps avoiding that by talking with Quinna ourselves might be the better option.”</span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You
think Quinna wants to talk with us? Honestly? I doubt it. She is going to hide from us, like a turtle and she will avoid us. I don’t know that I have the energy to keep chasing after her. I don’t know what the emotional wound is that makes her believe that
no one wants to be her friend.” She sounded so defeated. </span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">T’Mur
knew that the truth was that Quinna and Sienna were very similar. They both were wonderful people who have trouble believing that they are worthy of the friendships of others, even though others are their friends. She put a mental image of tying them both
to a chair until they talked to each other through their connection. </span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sienna
giggled at the mental image and wrangled her eyebrows, “I doubt Quinna would cooperate, she isn’t like me in that way. The entity talked a lot of trash, but I’m glad that it’s over and we are all safe from it. I just.. I have this feeling that it’s incomplete.
We need to figure out who the roanoke on this ship are. There can’t have been more than 3 or 4 considering.” She nuzzled her mate’s shoulder, thinking through things, ::T, do you mind that my brain is stuck on puzzles this morning and not on mating?:: She
didn’t want an unhappy mate.</span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">T’Mur
sent a pleasant image through their connection. “I enjoy stimulating discourse with you. And snuggling, so it’s fine.”</span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She
gave Sienna a kiss on the cheek. “I love you and not just because we have excellent mating experiences. I also enjoy solving problems, if you haven’t noticed.”</span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Yes,
yes you do. And I love listening to you as you work through the problem.” Sienna was clearly besotted. “You are brilliant.” Sienna thought that Sekal and T’Mur were more intelligent than she was, not realizing that their talents were different. </span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You
are very intelligent as well, my love,” T’Mur said as though stating a fact. “I would have liked to have seen your work in the science labs. I imagine that you did some amazing work.”</span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Mhmm.
I guess? People made this huge deal on the breakthrough of the Trill symbiont virus, made it seem like this huge thing, but all I did was look at the problem from a different direction and see how all the pieces fit. Anyone could have done that. Others continued
off my research. I’m just a botanist with some pretty good chemistry skills. I’m not a ‘real’ scientist like Sekal was.” Sienna wrinkled her nose at that thought.</span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">T’Mur
rolled over, “But that is what I love about you. You don’t think that you are analytical but you look at problems from angles that do not occur to others. I would disagree with you. Only someone that thinks like you could have done that. And you, to my
knowledge, are the only one who thinks like you do.” She kissed Sienna’s tummy. </span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">An
odd image came into T’Mur‘s mind. With her mouth on Sienna’s stomach, she took a deep breath and blew it out with force. The ensuing noise and vibration it caused gave the Vulcan an enjoyable sensation. Not to mention what it did for Sienna’s mood</span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sienna
giggled in delight as T’Mur teased her, effectively ending the conversation that the two women were having. Sienna rolled over atop T’Mur and began to tickle her mercilessly. A different kind of play but play nonetheless. And all of it deepening that bond
between the two women. </span></p>
<br>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(reply
none)</span></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(posted
by Al Muir and Mel G)</span></p>
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