As the room began to clear out, Nancy stood with everyone else and looked around. Seeing Kat once again staring at Tull as he prepared to leave, she moved close and spoke in a hushed tone, "Listen, I'm not one to poke my nose into the personal affairs of others, but I can't help pick up on your thoughts regarding Tull."

Kat blushed and looked down at the ground, but said nothing. Nancy continued, "Just…be careful. I've known him for a long time now and think he's a wonderful guy, but…well…just remember that he isn't human, that's all. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to come by and talk. He can be a bit intense, and he's certainly unusual."

Kat gave a questioning look, "Where is he from?"

Nancy glanced up to see Tull leaving and then answered, "His people were genetically engineered in the Gama Quadrant for use as soldiers to help clear planets as an independent invasion force. They're extremely loyal, obedient and smart. Odds are, if you encountered them, they killed you or you killed them, there is not much room for interactions in between. Tull is a rare case in that he was considered a runt and was left for dead at one point. Fate landed him on this crew."

Kat grinned, "You like him."

Nancy smiled back, "Don't misread my intent. He's my friend. We've talked countless times and he is quite the snuggler once you're part of his social circle, but there's never been anything sexual between us, if that's what you mean. Our friendship isn't like that. I'm a Betazoid, so being naked does not equal an intent to have sex. We actually tend to enjoy a swimming program on the holodeck now and then, but little more than that. If that's your intent, you have my blessing, but I really have to caution you if you go there."

Kat tried to correct her, "Oh, no…I don't mean…I wasn't saying that…"

Nancy held up a hand and said, "That's not my business. I'm just trying to be his friend and hoping to be yours along the way. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to speak to someone else quick."

Kat blushed at Nancy mentioning the idea of being attracted to Tull. That was not what Kat had meant when she spoke, but she now wondered what it was that Nancy was picking up on. As she walked out of the room, she realized that she was unaware just what she had been thinking or feeling about the man. She was fascinated by him and her mind was full of thoughts of home. The look of him somehow brought up memories of her dog, but she wasn't really sure what to think now.

Either way, Nancy was now turning to speak with Sam. Kat took that as her chance to leave and take care of more business before this day was done. She would stop by her quarters first.

Meanwhile, Nancy turned her attention to Sam, who was still watching people leave. Walking over next to the new Science Officer, Nancy spoke up, "So…are you going to tell me, or am I going to have to ask a million questions until you tell me what I want to know?"

The conversation caught Mori's attention. He approached the two ladies and added, "Yes…please…I'm quite interested to listen in on this. If I'm to be your supervisor, I think it is important that I know as much as possible about you, especially on this ship."

Sam glanced around and then replied innocently, "I'm not really sure what you're referring to. If it's about my analysis, I have…"

Nancy gave her a dismissive shake of her head and said, "No, not that. I'm well versed in my gifts and I know the difference between someone blocking my mind and someone who I can't even feel is in the room. I get nothing from you, like you're not even here."

Sam smiled and nodded in understanding, "Ah, I see. I do understand your concern, but I do have an explanation. As you're aware, your gifts tap into certain types of organic energy. I have certain equipment in me that is directly related to your inability to detect that energy."

Nancy gave a look of disbelief, "You have implants? I would think that we would have been given something about your medical records on that. I saw nothing flagged. What are we talking about here?"

Without hesitation, Nancy pulled out a tricorder and began to scan her, "I'm not seeing…"

Sam placed a hand over the tricorder and said calmly, "No, that's going to show only what it is allowed to show. I will eventually let you see a real scan, but now is not the time. I ask that you trust me. The Captain has been briefed, and if she is able to trust me, then I ask that you do the same…for now."

Nancy stared at her for a moment, evaluating all of the tiny facial movements, her eyes, her breathing, all those many non-verbal indicators that might tell her if this woman was lying or being deceptive. She could see nothing that raised a red flag to her. Finally, she put her tricorder away and gave a nod, "Very well. I'll leave it alone for now, but I'm expecting a detailed scan and briefing on these devices soon. I don't like the idea of something medically going on with one of the crew and we don't have it on file. The CMO isn't going to like it either."

Sam tried to give a convincing smile and said, "Thank you."

Morian Dax listened to their exchange and frowned. He was feeling a bit conflicted and confused. The Captain obviously chose this young woman for a reason, and it would appear that it had to do with her skills in analysis of data, but it felt not quite right. He couldn't fathom why she was withholding secrets about herself that might be relevant to the mission.

As Nancy left the Briefing Room, Mori looked intently at Sam and said, "I don't entirely understand, Lieutenant. Frankly, this state of confusion that I feel right now is something I'm not familiar with."

Sam returned his look with equal confusion, "I'm unsure just what it is that you don't understand. Do you need further clarification from the Captain? How exactly can I help you, sir?"

Mori gave a frustrated sigh and said, "No, I think that I understand the mission about as well as can be expected. What I'm unsure about is you. Your insight about the data is disturbing. Why was that information not in the briefing from the Vulcans?"

Sam looked away and seemed to contemplate something for a moment before responding, "Listen, it's complicated. The Vulcans have the data and are working on compiling even more, but they're not big on speculation or following a train of thought that is not clearly indicated by the evidence. I, on the other hand, explore multiple lines of thought simultaneously. Their computers and data analysis is not given to the prospective problem solving that requires a small leap, unfounded by current evidence. The trick is to make a small presumption and then see if the rest of the pieces fit the pattern, thus no longer making it speculation, but supporting evidence of a possible theory. As for me personally…well…it has to do with events in my life that I find quite traumatic and am very uncomfortable with."

Sam looked a bit embarrassed and added, "I suppose that it is a little unprofessional of me, but I have had to deal with a great deal of death and loss in my personal life, and it has made life very hard to cope with at times. I realize that it is a personal weakness and I apologize for that. I'm hoping that I will become more relaxed with all of you and be able to discuss such matters in the course of time. Naturally, should such matters become more important to the mission, I will simply have to swallow my personal feelings on the matter and lay my secrets on the table. I promise that I would do nothing to endanger this crew or the mission."

That was an answer that Mori had not anticipated. He felt that she was being quite honest in her words and he decided not to press the issue further. "Well, I suppose that we all have a few of those painful aspects of our lives that we aren't eager to share until we know people better. I'll do my best to trust you on the matter for now, but I hope that we'll be able to finish this conversation before too much longer. I've not managed to stay alive through the course of three previous hosts without learning when I needed to know more of the story than I was being given."

Sam inquired, "In those lives, were you ever married or had any children?"

Mori hesitated, "Actually, I was married once. I was father to four children and all but one had left home when…well…"

Sam nodded, "Well then, perhaps we might have more in common than I thought. Leaving such a life behind, or having it taken from you, can't be easy. Just as you might not be eager to disclose all the intimate details of your personal life, I am uncomfortable about such matters with strangers as well."

Feeling she had still not exactly answered his original question, he decided he was not going to get any further today and said, "I suppose that is only understandable. If you have any questions, or issues about getting settled in, please don't hesitate to ask."

He then turned and left the Briefing Room as well. Sam watched him go and once more wondered to herself how long before she would have to give her entire story and tell all of her dreadful secrets to the crew. It was hard enough for her to deal with, but to expect others to understand it seemed quite unreasonable.