Kahn Noonien Singh the man who called himself John Harrison paused outside the bar that was considered the place to party by every officer and cadet in Starfleet. He knew that he must keep up the pretense of being like everyone else; however it still felt awkward to act –normal. The noise inside was deafening and John wondered how anyone could stand the jarring decibels for any prolonged length of time. The interior of the bar was dark and humans as aliens from all walks of life jockeyed for attention. John rolled his eyes and inwardly sighed at the individuals he considered inferior to himself. They were all so transparent in their quest of attention from the opposite sex or same sex depending on each being's sexual preference. "Things hadn't changed that much from his time on earth. I must attempt to attract a partner," John thought as he contemplated the assignment Admiral Marcus had given him. He could still hear the Admiral's voice. "John Harrison is a strong good human name. However, John you must make an attempt to fit in, or someone might become suspicious of your true purpose."
John's sad eyes bored into Admiral Marcus's blue contemptuous ones. "Someday he would execute Admiral Marcus for killing all of his sleeping companions-his family. Well, until that day comes I must play the Admiral's game," John thought as he fantasized about crushing the Admiral's skull between his hands. John was starting to feel conspicuous as he sat at the bar alone. He must find someone to pick up, man, woman, whatever it didn't really matter to John one way or another. John took a deep breath and then another, to slow his heart rate so that he could concentrate on the task at hand. Figures laughed, danced, flirted, drank, their shadows shifting and swaying in slow motion. In the midst of the crowd John spotted someone who didn't fit in. She had pink hair, which she nervously pushed out of her face, as a cadet grabbed at her waist. She lost her footing and fell to the ground trying to evade the cadet's advances.
John crossed the room in a couple of strides and reached down and pulled her to her feet.
"Wow, thanks, you must be pretty strong, because well I'm no light weight, I mean I don't think I'm fat I just well you know…" He voice trailed off in embarrassment.
John nodded. "My name is John Harrison and whom do I have the pleasure of rescuing?"
"Julie Clarkson," she said as she nervously licked her lips.
"How would you like a drink, Julie Clarkson?" John's low beautiful voice asked.
Julie's eyes were as big as saucers. "Did the most gorgeous man on the planet just ask if he could buy her a drink? Hurry up answer before he changes his mind." Julie thought as her heart hammered against her ribs. "Yes, that would be lovely John Harrison."
John was still holding her small hand in his as he led Julie to an empty table. Julie looked up at John with such trust, that it somehow unnerved him. Those blue eyes held John Harrison's blue-green eyes in a wide eyed gaze and it was as if Julie could see through John's disguise straight through to his heart. John cleared his throat and was mildly irritated that he was the first to look away.
After they ordered their drinks John looked over at Julie. "So, Julie what do you do for a living?"
Julie laughed. "You make it sound like an interview. Your voice is so serious." When John didn't answer Julie nervously babbled on. "I mean that's fine…um I am a librarian for Star Fleet. So, what do you do, John Harrison?"
John Harrison paused and then smiled. "I'm in security."
Julie nodded sensing his reluctance to talk about his job. "So, John where are you from?"
John cleared his throat. He hadn't planned for all this chit chat. "India."
Julie laughed. "You are joking, right?"
John chuckled, it was a sound he had not heard from himself in many years. "I'm from London, U.K."
For the first time in a long while John enjoyed listening to someone else talk. All too soon John realized it was late and he had to get up early the next day.
"Julie, I have to get up early tomorrow, so how about we call it a night. I can't tell you how much I have enjoyed this evening," John said as he helped Julie put on her jacket. "May I see you home?"
Julie nodded eagerly, she didn't want this night to ever end.
.
John looked at her in surprise, for she was the first person that he hadn't felt the need to strangle since Admiral Marcus had awoken him from his 277 year old sleep. When it was time to say good night, John walked Julie to the door of her apartment. She lifted up her face for a kiss. In order to fulfill his assignment John bent his head down to place a gentle kiss on her lips. However, when his lips met hers something inside him snapped and before he knew it the kiss turned into a passionate one. Julie returned his kiss with the same intensity. For a few moments John felt young, not just in age but in spirit as well. His knees felt weak and he gasped when Julie put her arms around his waist. He had to stop pretty soon, for he wasn't sure he was ready for physical contact of a deeper nature. With reluctance John broke away from Julie's grasp.
"Julie, I've got to say good-night. If we keep this up I won't be able to leave." John's spoke his throat raw from emotion and need.
Julie nodded. "Let's not take things too fast." Julie then reached up and kissed John's cheek.
"I'll call you in a couple of days, after the project I am working on is over," John answered.
John glanced back at Julie's face, not knowing that this would be the last time he would ever see her. A few days later she was dead, killed in the Data Archive Explosion he had instigated. John had let his guard down and he vowed that he would never again act normal for anyone. It was just too painful.