Letant ran her name through his computer in the flyer car on the way to her house. The more he learned about this Bea Wylder, the more she captivated him. He had met many humans during the war with the Dominion, but most of them were men. The few Starfleet women he had encountered did not impress him. They were capable enough to get the job done as far as fighting the war, but they were not at all like this exceptional lady.

He chuckled softly. "An elf, am I?" he said to himself as he continued to read her file. "Indeed, my spirited Miss Wylder, I will show you what an elf I can be…"

Bea closed her eyes and let the hot water engulf her. After all of that mess, she decided to take a bath instead of a shower. She took a gulp of wine and tried to unwind. Her thoughts turned toward Senator Vreenak. That saucebox baby-kisser at the library had reminded her of him, for the simple reason that he was a Romulan senator, too. "'I am still not convinced you aren't homeless,'" she scoffed. What a shameless smart-ass!

Sadly, her paramour was off to Greece to marry her friend Jan from the museum, who he was head over heels for. Bea remembered the media frenzy about them a few months ago, but she had thought it was all hype at the time. Obviously, it was not.

Bea sighed. She hadn't even gotten a chance with Vreenak. It was bad enough that her friend had taken her umbrella, but did she have to take her man, too? But Vreenak was in love with Jan the first time he had set his eyes on her. It just wasn't fair!

After her bath, she took the rest of her wine with her to the kitchen to drink while she made dinner. She decided to prepare extra. There was going to be a mountain of grading to do the following evening, and she didn't want to have to think about cooking. She was also looking forward to working on her romance novel for the rest of the night, as she knew she wouldn't have time for it the rest of the week.

Just as she was about to sit down to eat, there was a knock at the door. It wasn't very late, but the rain had picked up considerably, and there was thunder and lightning. Who would be crazy enough to be out on a dark and stormy night like this? She opened the door and dropped her wineglass in shock. A flash of lightning illuminated her caller.

Senator Letant lifted a brow as he eyed the spilled wine on the floor. "I hope that doesn't permanently stain your carpet." He was holding a bouquet of roses and a box of chocolates.

"What are you doing here?" she demanded lividly. "How do you know where I live?"

The Romulan responded with a devilish smile. "Why my dear Miss Wylder, I know everything about you." He closed his eyes and inhaled the aroma coming from the kitchen. "Including the fact that you are a noted food critic. You must be an excellent chef, too. Well, I had planned to take you out to dinner this evening, but since you are already in the process of preparing something… My, your hair is very pretty, now that it's dried and arranged," he said, admiring her dark tresses.

"You're not welcome here!" She slammed the door in his face, but not before he placed his boot on the doorstop.

"Wait," he calmly requested. "I have something you've been looking for." He pulled out a data rod from his pocket.

Bea's expression softened. Her curiosity superseded her wrath as she gazed at the item in his hand. "What's that?"

"A film called, My Big Fat Greek Wedding," he replied triumphantly. "Though why a woman as educated as you are would stoop to something so utterly ridiculous is beyond my comprehension."

"How did you get that?" she asked incredulously. For the time being, her anger had completely faded away.

"I'm a senator," he shrugged nonchalantly. "I have connections. Now are you going to let me in or not?"

Bea pouted. "Okay, fine," she surrendered. "Come in."

"Congratulations, Miss Wylder," he said as he stepped inside. Only then did she notice that his bodyguards weren't there. "You've convinced me that you are not a wandering vagrant after all." He flashed another wicked grin at her and presented his gifts.

"Yeah," she responded dryly. "Have a seat." She gestured toward the table and started wiping up the mess. Once she got the spot out, she went back into the kitchen to get another plate and silverware set. "Would you like some wine, Senator?" she offered half-heartedly.

"That is acceptable," he responded as he sat.

Letant examined the vittles on the plate she set before him. "What is this?" he asked after he took the first bite.

"Ginger beef stir-fry and rice," she informed him. "You don't like it; you don't have to eat it." Even though she was famished herself, she made a heroic effort to eat her food slowly and politely.

"You mustn't leap to conclusions, Miss Wylder," he told her indignantly. "I said nothing of the sort." He took another bite. "I like it very much, for your information." While he savored the flavor of his third mouthful, he seemed to be considering another matter.

"Yes," he decided, after he swallowed. "That settles it. You shall indeed be my wife."

Bea narrowed her eyes, not sure that she really heard what she thought she had heard. "Excuse me?" she sassed.

"You needn't feel inadequate, Bea," he took her free hand and kissed it. "Rest assured, a woman with your abilities and accomplishments is more than worthy of me."

She snatched her hand away. "There is no way in hell I'm going to marry you, you cocky hobgoblin!"

The undeterred politician laughed softly and took another bite. "We shall see, my feisty beauty. I must say," he admired the food on his fork, "I look forward to more of these exceptional dishes you will prepare for me in the future."

"Get out!" she hissed.

"But my dear lady," he looked up in surprise, "we haven't finished dinner yet. And I thought we were going to watch your film together."

"You thought wrong!" she chased him toward the door with the serving spoon. "Out!"

"I can't believe you're doing this to me. Why don't we sit back down and rationally discuss the matter?" he pleaded, as she pushed him through the doorway.

Bea threw the flowers and chocolate out after him. "There's nothing to discuss!" With that, she flung the door closed.

Letant stood on the porch for a few seconds, staring at entryway that was now shut to him. The evening had not gone at all the way he thought it would. He was a man who was accustomed to getting his way when it came to non-political concerns.

A glimmer of hope shined in his heart when the door opened suddenly. Of course, she was a learned woman, a university professor. She would see reason and realize the mistake she had made. His prospect was crushed, however, when the data rod was hurled in his face.

"And you can take your stupid movie, too!" she yelled. Once again, the door was closed.

If she had been a Romulan woman, this behavior would not have surprised him. But he had never witnessed a human female act in this manner. Her fiery spirit made him want her all the more. Bea Wylder would be his consort eventually. He would persuade her. Reaching into his pocket, he activated his communicator and contacted his bouncers.