Disclaimer:
I don't own Star Trek.
I do own everything Kalerium.

Author's note:
Thank you TW for Betaing
Thank you Ace for reviewing.

This is the final chapter to Waiting, Enjoy.

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Chapter 3: Time's up.

* Personal Log (kalerium date 25209.7) *
Today's the day. Today's the last day that I'm twenty four. Today's the day that Turim comes. What am I going to do? All this doubt, it's tearing me apart. I've not slept well, and I started work early. I'm already halfway through the report, I hate to think what will happen when I'm finished. I would loose my sole distraction.

* Personal Log (kalerium date 25209.11) *
I've stretched it as long as I could. This will be my best report yet. I've reread it at least three times. There was nothing left to say. I've given it to my superior, Peter. He was quite surprised I turned it in so quickly. He's a good man. He's married and he has a son. He's taught me many things. I'm going to miss him.
What did I just say, am I thinking about leaving. I don't even know if that's going to be an option.
I must make my own decision soon. But I'm still in doubt. Will what I did today be the last thing I do for Starfleet? Or will tomorrow be just another day?
I'll go see if any of the holodecks are free. I could use a relaxing environment.

* Personal Log (kalerium date 25209.14) *
I was in luck, one of the decks was free. I spend the last three hours in the most relaxing environment I've ever known: the small clearing in the woods, next to the waterfall, only five miles from my parents summer cottage. It only dawned on me there that I met Turim there for the first time. I was only eleven at the time. His parents were visiting mine. They had sent him to get me. It was one of the few times I've actually seen him in person.

* Personal Log (kalerium date 25209.17) *
I've made my decision, or, I've come to a conclusion. I know I can not, and will not decide until I meet Turim face to face. Then, if he asks me I will let my feelings speak.
However, I want to be ready for any outcome. So, I've written a letter of resignation to Starfleet. And, to be completely on the safe side I've packed all my things. I try to keep busy, because if I don't I'm nervous as hell. I'm literally shaking.
In the invitation Commander Riker brought yesterday it stated that I, being a Kalerium, didn't have to wear my Starfleet dress uniform. So, I picked one of my traditional dresses: a green Kasjabe. It's my favourite, it gives me some confidence. Judging by the way I'm feeling right now I'm going to need all I can get. One of the extra's with this dress is the small pocket at the side. I've stored the letter, the chip with the program and the ring in there. I might need them later.
I'll leave soon, I don't want to be late, besides I don't think I can last much longer here.

* Personal Log (kalerium date 25210.3) *
The evening went like this:

I stepped into ten forward, which was already filled with quite a number of people. Turim was standing next to the Captain. They were still busy greeting the guests. Josera, Laras and Kiljano were already present. As soon as I entered they started moving into my direction. Counsellor Troi was not very far away, and I deliberately let her sense my nervous feelings. After one look she immediately walked towards me keeping them at a distance. She directed me towards the Captain. It was the Captain who introduced me, he didn't know we already new each other.
"Ambassador, this is Liniara Kalmea." He said. I made a formal curtsy, going with Kalerium customs. Turim inclined his head. When I looked up he smiled at me, our eyes met and he winked. I lost all my nervousness that instead and found myself smiling right back at him. He must have sensed my feelings as well, now that I think back, and it was his way to reassure me.

Unfortunately I had to share a table with the "terrible three". We were sitting siting at the table next to the Captains table. Turim was, of course, sitting with the Captain. As were the commander and the counsellor. It's very hard to eat when there are three men trying to flirt with you, and the man for whom you just yet realised your feelings run very deep is sitting almost behind you. Luckily Peter was also sitting with us. He'd already read my report, and I could at least hold a normal conversation with him.

After the luxurious diner there was a formal dance, and I couldn't quite escape the three. It was almost ten when I finally seemed to have lost all off them. my nerves were getting to me once again, and then I suddenly found myself in the company of the Captain and Turim. I've tried to observe Turim, and I'd noticed he'd already talked to everybody else from our home world. I looked at him, not really knowing what to expect. There was a long silence, and the Captain was getting a bit uncomfortable. One of the man that had come with Turim, probably his secretary, suddenly approached us. He handed something to Turim. My heart picked up speed. And for some reason I tried to locate the three, they were at the other side of the room, thankfully. Turim remained quiet but he handed me an object wrapped in a silk cloth, he gave it to me. The Captain didn't understand what was happening, but he didn't say a thing. I slowly unwrapped the cloth. I couldn't believe my eyes, inside was a Clystas sphere. I was stunned. There aren't many of those. Used in the right way you can create the most wonderful images and sounds. It's very valuable, whatever I would have expected, certainly not this. I let out the breath I had been holding and then I looked up. I almost drowned in his eyes, my decision was made.
"Do you accept my gift?" he asked.
"Yes." I answered without hesitation. He smiled at me, he had been a bit nervous as well. I could feel that now. I slowly wrapped the sphere again, and he gave it back to his secretary put it away somewhere safe. He wanted to make it formal immediately, with the bracelet. But before he could I took out my letter of resignation and handed it to the Captain. Turim than took a bracelet from his wrist. Next he took my hand and carefully he clasped the bracelet around my arm. Making sure it wasn't to tight. I took the ring, and slid it around his finger. Then I gave him the chip. He looked surprised, but he didn't say anything. He turned to the Captain with a smirk on his face and he said:
"Would you please excuse me for a moment sir, I would like to dance with my fiancee." After that he took my hand, leaving the Captain behind even more stunned than he had been before. The three had been coming in our direction during the entire exchange. And they had heard his words. They were totally gobsmacked. It was the funniest thing I'd seen all night. Every nervous feeling left me there that instant. Turim danced with me, only with me. We danced for a long time, it was the most wonderful night of my live.

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