Of course, any characters and places you recognize are not
mine. They were conceived by the brilliant Gene Roddenberry, and copyright by Paramount.
Here we go again! This is the second story in a series. You don't have to read the first story, but it sure helps! Believe me! There are spoilers for the first story in here, BTW, so be forewarned. Well, enjoy the story. Oh, and if you have any comments, critiques, flames, etc., you can mail them to me when I finally get an address. :) Have fun!!!
Dedication: This story is dedicated to Kira, without whom the Eysu Moraht would never have existed, not to mention to my prereaders, without whom this story would not have existed. Thanks for the death threats on the previous one. You've given me a goal to reach.
Also, this story is written in loving memory of Eloise and Jimmy Hill, and of Anne King.
The Things Which I Have Seen
by Yuuki Miyaka
Prologue
Arys sat across from Jake, curious. She had met him only the day before, and was amazed at how comfortable she felt with him. Perhaps it was the fact that she had experienced just about everything possible in the Occupation, but she attributed it more to the fact that she had dreamed of him for ages. And yet, he wasn't the Jake Sisko she had dreamed of for so long. He was different, softer in some ways, harder in others.
Jake caught her eye, and she blushed, looking away. There wasn't much she could say to him right now. She just couldn't give him the third degree, like she wanted to right now. But they had so little to talk about. Finally, he broke the silence with a question.
"Arys, are others this confused on a first date?" Jake was staring at her, his eyes imitating that of a Terran puppy's. She found the look irresistable.
"I don't know, Jake. I don't think so. I suppose part of it is because we know each other so well, and yet so little. I mean, we have nothing in common here, yet we could talk about anything in our dreams and understand each other. What are we supposed to do about that?" She looked down at the table, moving the pieces of her Creole shrimp around the plate, letting the sauce run in rivulets through valleys she created.
Jake had insisted on this place. He loved it, and knew that she would too. And she did, both in and out of her dreams. She hadn't told him much about those dreams yet, but she knew she would soon. He was a writer, after all. How could he not be interested, especially when she was having dreams of the same place and time as he?
"Arys?" Jake wasted no time. "About those dreams. I wanted to ask you what your dreams were about. I had some, but some of my memories aren't included, except as passing statements. I mean, I remember our wedding, but the wedding night is rather hazy, as though I didn't actually experience it, but rather experienced a holonovel of it." Jake's face flushed, and he looked down in embarrassment. "That didn't come out right . . . ."
Arys nodded. "I know what you mean, Jake. I feel the same way. I can remember so much more than I experienced. And it isn't strange, in ways. But sometimes, I wish that it was different, that I remembered only what I experienced. I don't even remember the actual wedding." She sighed.
Jake looked at her. "What do you remember?" He reached out and touched her hand, and she felt a small thrill run through her. She couldn't explain what it was. Perhaps it was attraction, perhaps it was just being near her closest friend after a lifetime of doubt. Who knew?
"Too much." Arys trailed off, and Jake continued to look at her, waiting patiently. "I don't know what is real, and what isn't anymore, Jake. There are so many paths I could have chosen, and I'm not what I wanted to be." She looked down at her hands, remembering her goals from the Occupation. "Jake, can I ask you something?"
Jake nodded, trying not to feel too afraid. He could remember times when she would ask the things he didn't want to discuss, usually in such a way as to help him. But it never failed to scare him.
"Why did you write Alliance of Hope? I mean, I know how hard it is to have the dreams and not tell anyone, but why tell the entire galaxy?"
Jake swallowed. "I'm really not sure. I suppose part of it was to find anyone out there left. After all, we're missing Ari and Katassa still. And part of it was that I couldn't talk to anyone. I've never felt that way about my feelings before. Even my mother's death was easier in a way. I could talk to Dad, and he would understand. But this, I couldn't discuss with him. He wouldn't laugh at me, but it was too close. Do you see?"
Arys cocked her head to one side thoughtfully. "Yeah, I think I do. I'm so sorry, Jake."
"Well, it's not that important. What's important is the fact that you're here, with me, now. I love you so much, Arys. I have for twenty years."
Arys shook her head slightly, a little afraid. "What if this doesn't work, Jake? Will we still be friends?"
Jake touched her hand. "If this doesn't work, I will still consider you my soulfriend in all the ways that matter."