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The band played a soft melody for the well-dressed couples twirling their way across the dance floor. Dinner aboard the luxury space station D-D Omega was well underway. The transparent ball room, whose walls and ceiling showcased the majesties of the Crimson Spiral, the whirls of the Prism Nebula and the twinkling lights of the Firefly Galaxy was abuzz with life and laughter. Below, the ocean planet of Ranmahotep glowed a brilliant blue-green. The lights in the room were low allowing the natural illumination of the cosmos to provide the proper ambiance.
At the tables and the bar, a myriad of species mingled, sharing meals from various parts of the universe. Some were common like the arachnid-like Therpodians or the human beings from Earth. Others were rare like the spindly silicone-based Glassers or, rarer still, two Time Lords of Gallifrey.
The Executor spun the Samaritan away and then back as they danced over Ranmahotep. They wore careless smiles as good food, drink and fun kept their spirits light. He wore fine linens of red and gold, she a gown seemingly made of starlight. His hair, long and dreadlocked, hung down to his chest, black moustache and goatee carefully trimmed. She was a vision, her blonde hair in curls, blue eyes sparkling like her dress. She had a wide smile and dimpled cheeks which reddened when the Executor held her close.
The song ending to quiet applause, The Lord and Lady of Time left the floor heading from the ballroom outside to a shielded terrace where they took up a spot at the railing and shared a kiss. The Samaritan turned toward the heavens and leaned against her man, sighing contentedly.
"Could we do this forever, just keep coming back to this night over and over?"
"That is an idea," the Executor replied, planting a kiss on the top of her head. "I think people would begin to notice after the fifth or sixth time."
"Mmm an entire dance floor just full of us," said the Samaritan. "How could I avoid all those left feet?"
"Shut it," the Executor chided with a chuckle.
"How about we hop in the TARDIS and take a night cruise down there over the south sea?" the Samaritan asked.
"My Lady Samaritan, are you being improper?" the Executor playfully asked.
"My Lord Executor, I resent the implication," the Samaritan replied. She looked up into his eyes seeing them glitter like a predatory cat. "You know full well I am being most improper."
"For certain," the Executor said. "And I accept your most ungracious invitation."
The Samaritan stepped back giving him a slight curtsy. "Allow a lady to powder her nose and then we can depart."
The Executor watched her go with a wistful smile. Sighing, he turned back to the view. How did he end up there with her? Considering his origins, something like this should have been impossible. Over three millennia in age he had come into his prime during the Last Great Time War. Waged in another universe he had raged throughout Time and Space destroying his enemies, a race called the Daleks. At the height of his power, he sunk to the bottom of his depravity losing everything including his will to fight.
It was the Samaritan's father, a Time Lord known as the Doctor who had spared him from his depression and inevitable demise. The Doctor hid him for a time until resurrecting him from exile and bringing him into a larger world. Since then he had traveled, finding the Samaritan and then this place, this universe separate from his own. Choosing to stay he had found new worlds, foreign corners of a new Time and Space full of adventure.
The Executor smiled shaking his head. It had been a long journey on a very crooked road. There, among the stars, he was as happy as he had ever been. Where had she gone?
He turned and found her walking toward him, her expression not what he expected. She was smiling but it seemed pained. He took her in his arms, cupping her chin with a hand.
"What happened? Are you all right?"
Sniffling, the Samaritan shook her head. "I tried one of those pepper balls." She sniffled, tears running down her cheeks. "I don't think it was a good idea."
The Executor smiled. "I would have to agree. Well, you live you learn or you regenerate. Want some wine?" He was surprised when she held him, her body trembling. "Whoa, that hot?"
The Samaritan wiped at her eyes nodding. "Let's go on that cruise."
"Before or after dessert?" asked the Executor.
"Right now," she replied. She looked up at him and smiled. "I love you, you know that?"
The Executor kissed her forehead, "And I you. Let's get out of here." He ushered her toward an exit that was being ignored by the other guests. He did not see the Samaritan look over her shoulder toward one of the waiters who was looking after her.
