Crossing Paths: Chapter One: A daughter's choice

Commander Taryn Tucker looked out her window. She had a beautiful view of the Atlantic ocean right now. But soon the view would change, the Earth would rotate and the view would be gone. That's how Taryn felt right now.

She was at a crossroads. It was now or never. This oppurtunity would never happen again in her lifetime, maybe not ever again. But there was a problem: Taryn didn't know if she wanted to go through with her descision. If she did, she would be most definitly court-martialed and removed from Starfleet. Her career as a Starfleet officer would be over. But all Taryn had to think about was that she would be saving her father from death.

Taryn was still lost in thought when the door behind her opened with a swish. Taryn turned to see her best friend, Dr. Aeryn Xavier.

"What are you thinking about?" asked Aeryn.

"Nothing. Everything." replied Taryn cryptically.

"To me, that sounds like an invitation to be analyzed by a physcologist." smiled Aeryn.

Taryn smiled slightly. "Maybe that's what I need." she said, turning back to the window.

Aeryn frowned, sensing her friend's sad mood. "What's wrong Taryn?" she asked, crossing the room and putting a hand on Taryn's shoulder.

Taryn sighed. She wished that she could tell Aeryn everything, the plan, her feelings, her doubts. Inside her heart though, she knew she couldn't. "Nothing. It's nothing."

"Oh no you don't! I'm a doctor, remember? My job is to diagnose people. Now, if you were to ask me, i'd say you were suffering from depression or bad digestion!" said Aeryn.

Taryn smiled slightly. It felt weird to smile. She hadn't smiled, a true smile, in a long time.

"Now are you gonna tell me what's wrong, or do I have to drag you down to sickbay?" asked Aeryn.

"I can't tell you." said Taryn softly.

"You can't tell me? I'm your best friend. You can tell me anything. I promise not to tell." said Aeryn, putting a hand on her heart.

"You don't understand." replied Taryn, "I don't want to drag you down with me. I don't want you to suffer with me."

Aeryn was geuinely worried about her friend. "Taryn, I'd give my career if it would help you. Now tell me: what's wrong?"

Taryn sighed, weighing wether to tell her friend or not. In the end, friendship won out.

Taryn sat down across from Aeryn at one of the windows. "I don't have much time, but I'll tell you what's bothering me. It all started 25 years ago..."

*R&R please, tell me if i should continue...*