The Heart Lives On
Chapter 1
The Spring
Vios I
Present
Nyota sat outside in their 'garden', her head was in her hands. Her tear lined face a study of shiny and dusty tan. She had not entered their bedroom since yesterday. He had barely recognized her. The One who had been her teacher, rock, and her joy was dying.
.
When he regained consciousness, he signaled Kasper who appeared at his bedside. He saw the shock on Kasper's face as he revealed his plan. In his mind it was the only way. He knew she would not be reasonable, she would have to be forcibly removed from his side. Even with his mind clouded with pain, he smiled because of her. Her devotion, her love, her genius, and her beauty.
He was constantly amazed at how she loved him, despite all the reasons she could have chosen not to. For years he had been a confirmed bachelor. That unattached state contributed to his mobility and allowed him to go and search out distant places, after all, he was an archeologist. But, she willingly joined him.
While on the way to this distant place she had accepted his proposal. Surely, it was not the wedding that a person as young as she would have envisioned. But for some strange reason she had packed one dress and that garment became her wedding dress. The ceremony was witnessed by his assistant, Kasper and his wife Joanne. These two persons were strangers to her, she had just met them at orientation. Adding to the unusual set of circumstances was an inexperienced ship captain who stumbled through the vows in his unfamiliar role as 'A Tier of Knots.'
She came to him totally inexperienced and he molded her into the lover of his dreams. Her laughter was like the ringing of wind chimes and so he would often initiate reasons for her to contribute that wonderful sound to their intimacy. For over a year, all was perfect. And then, one morning he found her in tears. When she saw that he had witnessed this she ran off like a frightened animal into the surrounding woods.
Past
Terra
While she was seated on that rock after fleeing from Drevi, she recalled when she met him a little over three years ago, ready and so eager to learn and apply herself in his class in this her fourth year of study at the Academy. He was the senior professor in the science department. Dr. Clurt Zn Drevi, a Betazoid. She always had admired his carriage, he had a military bearing, although he was a civilian. Looking at his unlined face the only indication he was not a young man was the slight graying at the temple which just made him even more handsome.
He entered the room, smiled at the class and teasingly said as he pointed to her, "I have chosen not to know your thoughts today." She was not sure of the look on his face, because her eyes were diverted downward. In areas non-academic she hated to be singled out for anything. Her character could best be described as unrelentingly shy. But intellectually, she was unsurpassed, as this professor soon found out. In the classroom he was able to depend on her to set the pace for the others and then outrun them all to the finish.
Initially Professor Drevi explained to the class the gifts that his species, The Betazoid possessed-empathy and telepathy were inherent. These were nurtured and refined within the family unit while Betazloids were young. Training also included the ruling to be very careful in the use of these gifts, never invading the private thoughts of others without permission. Another interesting fact, his people were one of the few species known that could procreate with any humanoid.
One day when Nyota was seated in the mess hall, a shadow fell across her table, her half eaten food and her ever present book. She looked up and saw her professor looking down at her with a smile, "May I sit here?" was his request. Nyota looked up with her mouth full and nodded. His chair scraped the floor as he pulled it out and deposited his lengthy body into the plastic and stainless steel chair.
"Well Cadet, how are we today?"
Interrupting her reading she looked up and saw he was smiling, "I am fine, Sir. How are you?"
Still amused, he replied, "Fine, and how are you? You see Cadet, how this could become tiresome."
"Yes, Sir."
"Cadet, let me be the first to let you know that your work in my classes is very impressive. All of your instructors confer with my evaluation. Congratulations.
"I have never spoken to you about your aspirations. Would you mind advising me of your future goals?"
She closed her book and met his eyes. "When I was younger I used to drive my mother to distraction, by saying I wanted to be a Star Fleet captain. But, after enrolling I found besides language, my real passion is research. Particularly geology and archeology. I can imagine myself being covered in dust for the rest of my life."
Professor Drevi, nodded, "I see passion in your eyes Cadet. I will see what I can do to help you reach your goal. It was very pleasant talking with you. Keep well."
With that he rose, nodded his head and left.
Nyota looked at his retreating figure and wondered, 'What had precipitated that? She had been in his class for two months and this was the first time he had addressed her as an individual since the first day of class when she had wanted the earth to open up and swallow her whole.
But, she had to admit, he was an excellent instructor. He was detail orientated, and had the ability to simplify the most difficult parts of the course. What she was most grateful for was his humor. When he taught physics, he would change his voice to imitate Einstein, or Newton, or Cocran or even some off-world physicist. He made learning a joy, not a drudgery.
When Nyota left mess, she checked the bulletin board by the department head's office and saw something that caught her eye, an expedition to Reis IV to explore some recently discovered settlement ruins. She noted the perks-transportation, room, board, clothing, extra class credits and allowance. She thought for exactly thirty seconds and proceeded to Dr. Douglas' office and requested an application.
There was a bench in the hallway outside the office, she sat on it, completed the request and submitted it all within fifteen minutes. She decided she would not hold her breath waiting, but, she did live in hope.
Present
Vios I
He finally found her in the place they jokingly referred to as their garden. It contained one straggly tomato bush growing forlornly out of the dust. She had a twig in her hand writing in the dirt.
"Forgive me Clurt, I believe it is a hormonal thing, it will pass."
They sat together, he embraced her, she had her head on his chest and he came to realized how much he had taken from her.
It was within her rights to want a normal life, instead of this forced isolation. Their life should possibly include children, a home, friends. But he had put everything on hiatus, his work here was not yet finished. But he promised himself, he would eventually make it up to her for she deserved better than this. After all, he could always return to teaching at the Academy.
He drew her closer to him and they sat for a while longer. He kissed the top of her head.
"Nyota, I swear I will make it up to you. When we return to Terra we will finally settle down. Have a house, a few children and grow old together. This is my promise to you."
