Disclaimer: I do not own Star Trek.


Chapter Three:

Stranded

"It's been two weeks! Two weeks!" Elli shouted to the Romulan who was purposely ignoring her.

Brax turned in his chair to only see the human girl's head poking out from above the couch.

"Thank you for the notice, it's much appreciated." He drawled sarcastically, as he turned back to his computer console.

"Commander, are you listening to me?" Elli moved now, sliding off the couch and waltzing behind him. "I'm bored. I don't think you understand what it's like to sit in this room all day long and do absolutely nothing. I can't take it anymore. Just kill me. Shoot me, throw me out of shuttle bay! But I beg-" Elli gestured by throwing her arms wildly in the air, "Give me something to d-" She was silenced by his finger gently pressed against her lips. She was so caught up in her rambling she never noticed he moved from his seat over to where she was standing.

"Alright, I get it!" He cut her tantrum short as moved around the couch, "I'm sorry that you feel like that, I am. But there isn't anything I can do about it. You are to stay here, not only because you're a prisoner, but because it's for your own safety."

"What is the point of all this? Why am I even here? I'm honestly surprised you haven't executed me. Do you honestly think I know something that you are willing to keep me around?"

"That isn't the only reason. We can't let you return to the Federation."

"Why the hell not? It's not like I've been exposed to any secrets! It's not like I can return with bundles of Romulan information that will benefit the Federation. You think I know something and you want to know what it is. You think I'm a spy don't you?"

"That is an assumption, yes."

"Speculation! That's what it is, and it's not even plausible! It's complete rubbish! Are you Romulans really that paranoid? You know…that doesn't make you look any better. It only makes you look suspicious!"

"You were in a Federation shuttle! What do you want me to think?"

"That I was in a Federation shuttle! You people really are paranoid! Not everyone is a spy!"

"You can't blame us really."

"No, I don't blame you. But you're being conjecturable and might I add, silly. You're keeping me prisoner based on a shot in the dark. Let me go!"

"I do not have that power, Elli."

Elli. She wasn't sure when she stopped calling her human. It was nice hearing him say her name.

"I'm sure you can do something. Tell them I know nothing and ask them to let me go! I never even knew your race existed until recently. Why the hell would I care about your stupid Empire because I clearly don't."

"What do you mean you just recently discovered our race?" He was a little calmer now, his brown eyes full of curiosity.

Elli watched his features transition from cold to confused in less than a second. He looked softer when bewildered, somewhat like a puppy. She smiled to herself, trying not to let her sudden admiration show. Elli didn't exactly find the Romulan race that appealing, maybe it was just because of her distaste for their way of life. But Brax was strangely handsome. He had sharp, high cheekbones and thin lips that suited his face quite well. His jaw was defined but not broad and his chin reached into a soft point. His eyes were a vivid brown, they weren't big but they were expressive. He was much taller than her, a couple inches over six feet if she was correct. His build slightly lean and fit, but mostly average.

"I grew up on Earth, I lived with my mother until she died and without any other family, I was forced to travel with my father. I was twelve years old when My father died when delivering supplies to a planet that was struggling with war. I was then stranded and taken in by one of the rebel leaders. I was raised there, grew up with their way of life and had no knowledge of what was going on in the Federation. If I did hear about your race while I was living on Earth, I was young and didn't pay any attention."

"I sympathize, but that doesn't mean you don't work-"

"I don't want your sympathy, Commander Brax! I want your understanding. I'm not a spy!"

"Why did this conversation start in the first place?" He stood there, both brows raised.

"Because I was bored." She answered frankly.

"Exactly, now follow me." Brax beckoned for her to follow him, escorting her out the door.

Elli quickly scrambled behind him, curious about his intentions, "Where are we going?"

"Just be quiet for once and follow me," he glanced at her, watching as her long blonde curls bounced around her as she scurried to keep up with his fast pace.

Elli was tough, but that didn't mean she couldn't be scared. She hated being lead around by her captor without knowing their destination. Was he going to interrogate her again? Torture her? A part of her wished he would just kill her.

Brax lead her through a much smaller corridor, darker and a little duller than the rest of the ship. Just at the far end were doors, doors that she found herself dreading to enter.

But just as they both walked in, a wave of relief washed over her. It was a lounge of some sort, much like the Enterprise's ten forward. She smiled and followed Brax to a bar and sat down next to him. He turned to look at her, leaning in to whisper quietly. "Now, behave yourself."

"What you think I'm going to do? Get drunk and dance on the bar?"

Brax rolled his eyes, shaking his head in discontent. "That is not what I meant."

"Well…I can't possibly know what you meant, so what are we even talking about?"

Brax just ignored her snarky comment and focused on the what he was going to order. "Romulan ale and-" He paused, eyes giving Ellie a once over, "And Kali-fal for the human."

"Why can't I have Romulan ale?" Elli grumped, nose in the air.

"Because you're human and you won't be able to handle it." He mocked, leaning in closer to her as he did so.

Ellie laughed out loud with a shake of her head. "You've obviously never been to Teegan."

"Where?"

"The planet I was raised on. Despite the war and chaos, those people know how to party."

"Really now?"

"Yes, although you're probably right. I could never hold my liquor anyway," She lied knowing damn well she could drink any man under the table. She studied the glass as it was placed before her and took hold of the glass gingerly. She took a sip of Kali-fal and coughed, taking a deep breath.

Brax watched her, smirking vaguely. "Kali-fal. It's so aromatic, it opens the sinuses."

"Yes, well I can see that," she shook her head again, her face scrunching up from the sour taste, "No, I'll do you one better, I can feel that." Ellie shook it off quickly, guzzling more.

"Despite the aroma, is it good?"

Ellie nodded, "Yeah, I have to give it to you, Romulans know how to eat and drink. My favorite is the Osol twist you made me try. "

"Well, I'm glad you find something good about my race."

"Don't push it." She winked and eyed his ale. She reached out just as he placed it down and lifted the glass to take a quick swig. She put it down and beamed at him, "very good."

"Hey!" Brax said and then shook his head, and resided into drinking his ale. What was the point? Elli was Elli. Although, talking with her was always interesting. She kept him on his toes that that was for sure. He wasn't used to openly talking to someone like this, especially a prisoner and human at that. But Elli had one of those personalities that you sort of didn't have a choice but to converse with her. The way she talked to him was bold and daring, especially because she was his captive. Despite her anxiety and want to go home, she still managed to laugh and joke with him, like she was simply visiting a friend. It was admirable, but a little annoying. It made being her jailor a lot harder than it was supposed to be.

"So tell me about you, Commander. How does someone as young as you become the Commander of an entire ship?"

Brax was hesitant to answer, not sure if he should engage in such a personal conversation. But then again his father did tell him to be civil and gain her trust. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat and then finally decided to abide. If he gave a little about him, perhaps she'd give a little more about her.

"I'm not the Commander, I'm only the Subcommander."

"Oh, well how does someone so young become a Sub Commander of an entire ship?"

"I'm not that young. Romulans age slower than humans. I worked hard and did nothing else but work on proving myself to my superiors. My father commands this ship."

"Oh so what you are saying is, despite your hard work, daddy pulled some strings."

Brax glared at her, getting a little closer. "No. I earned my rank and it is not your place to assume otherwise."

Ellie leaned back, hiding behind a gulp of Kali-fal. "Whoa, easy there. Don't let your green blood boil, I was joking."

Brax didn't say anything else for a while. Both of them just continued consuming their beverages in silence. What seemed like the most awkward moment of both of their lives, Brax finally turned to look at her, "Do you miss Teegan?"

Elli's face paled, and she didn't respond at first. She worried her bottom lip between her teeth and swirled the contents of her glass.

Her back was slammed against a wall just as warm lips connected with hers. She could feel his passion and need in the way his teeth scraped against her lips and the way his hands gripped her waist. She lifted herself up, and he quickly assisted her as she wrapped her legs around his middle.

His lips found her neck, trailing hot kisses along her jaw until he reached her lips once again. She groaned as his hands tangled within her hair, tugging at her braid.

"Elli?"

Elli blinked from her thoughts before turning to look at Brax, "Oh, sorry. I was thinking about someone."

"Who?" He queried, studying her from behind a sip of his ale.

"Someone from Teegan. He um—" she shrugged, "He died in battle."

"Someone you were close to. Someone you loved?"

"It wasn't like that, but it was intimate," she shrugged, "Sometimes."

Brax raised a brow but decided not to farther dig into it. It wasn't his business what she did while on Teegan. His only business was what she was doing now and if she was a spy or not.

He opened his mouth to speak but was stopped by the sudden quaver of the entire ship and the sound of an explosion.

Elli fell over as the ship jolted side to side. Brax reached out and caught her before she knocked right into him.

"Come!" He ordered as he quickly steadied her, grabbing her as they made their way back to his quarters. As soon as they were in, he turned to make a quick exit. "Stay here!"

"Wait!" Elli cried, but it was too late, he was gone.

Elli quickly held onto the couch as the ship shook, with only one thought in mind—what the hell was going on?

Brax stumbled his way to the bridge, with not as much ease as he had hoped. "What's going on!?" He demanded as he dashed onto the bridge.

"We're being attacked!" Tebok informed him, not once tearing his gaze from the view screen. "They came out of nowhere, we never detected them until they were firing upon us."

"By who?" Brax quickly made his way to tactical, brushing the officer aside and looking at the readings.

"We're not sure honestly. Their ship is uncharted." The tactical officer replied.

"Were we cloaked?"

"Yes, but they managed to break down our cloaking device, our shields are only at fifteen percent."

"Fifteen percent!" Brax shook the brief overwhelming sensation and moved closer to the helm. "Have we tried hailing them?"

"Yes, Subcommander, they only responded by firing."

"Dammit!"

"Clam down Brax." Brax's desperate eyes met his father's, before nodding in agreement.

"Commander!" Came a voice through the communicators.

"Yes, what is it?" Tebok answered with haste.

"Sir, we have unidentified persons onboard the ship!" The tactical officer abruptly shouted.

"What do you mean unidentified?" Tebok spat angrily.

"Sir, that is what I was contacting you for—" Came the voice from the communicator, "we are being invaded, there is an unknown fleet commandeering—" But the voice went out just at the sound of continuous phaser fire.

"Get your weapons and follow me." Tebok stood from his chair, selecting a few from the bridge to follow him while pulling out his disruptor and wiping nervous sweat from his brow.

Brax took a deep breath, following behind his, father along with the some of the bridge crew.

"What exactly is your plan, Commander?" Brax queried, as he briefly checked the setting on his disrupter.

"We're taking our ship back, that's what."

Brax gave a firm nod as they all discreetly made their way through the corridors. They couldn't discern how serious the situation was, and just how much force it would take to accomplish their mission.

Elli could hear phasers in the distant and explosions throughout the ship. "Are they being invaded?" By instinct, she headed for the door but remembered it would not open for her.

"Dammit!" She cursed, banging on the door. "Someone let me out!"

She backed up suddenly as the door was being shot in. Elli moved quick, diving behind the couch and waiting for the intruder to enter. She steadied her breathing, anticipating every advance and movement that would come her way.

The moment the doors opened, she shoved a pillow in her attacker's face, quickly grabbing them by the scruff and kneeing them in the stomach. She turned quickly, letting her elbow fall right into the back of their neck.

Once the intruder was rendered unconscious, she grabbed his phaser and quickly left the room.

This was the perfect time for her to escape. The ship was in chaos, and they wouldn't even think to come check on her. She headed in the direction of the shuttle bay, trying to remember her way there from when she was first taken, prisoner. She quickly ducked, hiding behind a wall as one of the unknown aliens passed by. They were a strange looking race. Humanoid, but wearing odd cloaks over their heads. She couldn't make their faces out, but she was sure they too were covered by something.

Elli covered her mouth, trying to block the smoke and fire that seemed to be deflagrating throughout the ship. Phasers started firing her way, so she quickly took off into a sprint, dodging flames as she went. She turned a sharp corner to hear a sudden shout. "Brax!" A male cried, his voice radiating off the walls.

Elli turned to see the Subcommander being drug under a closing door. She didn't know what caused her to react, or why she even bothered, but she acted on instinct, and she couldn't help it. She ran for the door, knocking Tebok out of the way and sliding under it before it hit the ground. It took Elli a second to focus after her brave response, but once she managed to shake the dizziness, she was able to process what was happening.

The alien race had Brax in quite the scrape. He was surrounded, but he was giving them a solid fight. But they were too much and eventually they had him on the ground. Elli quickly slid to his rescue, pulling out her phaser and firing, letting her leg trip one of the aliens.

Once Brax noticed her presence, he quickly regained his strength and stood up to help her fight. "How did you get out?" He moved closer to her, letting their backs touch to guard one another.

"Is this really the time, Subcommander? I'm trying to save your life, if that means anything to you!"

"I don't need saving, especially from you out of all people."

"Why because I'm human?"

"Yes." He said, as if it was the most obvious thing.

"Speciesist!" She spat, just as she blocked a swing coming his way.

Elli tried not to pay attention to Brax, and instead tired to focus on the current enemy. But Brax found it a little more difficult not to focus on her. She was fighting skillfully and differently, something he's never seen. Although he could have sworn, he saw a few Klingon moves thrown in her technique. That was a question for later, and something he definitely wouldn't forget.

With the help of each other, Elli and Brax managed to bring down their opponents, but not without difficulty and some injury.

Elli picked herself off the ground and made her way over to Brax who was crouched on the floor. She knelt before him, lifting his jaw to get a good look at his face. He had a mild gash on the side of his head, green blood dripping down his cheek. "You're hurt."

"Nothing I can't handle, now come on, we need to get out of here." He allowed her to help him up, and then grabbed her wrist and toted her behind him.

"You fight well for a human."

"I'm still not as strong as you…" She was only honest. Romulans weren't as strong as Vulcans, but they were still stronger than humans.

"I know." He said arrogantly, just as he managed to get the door open. Even so, he was sure she could hold her own against a Romulan. Tebok was waiting with a few men behind him, with disruptors ready to fire.

"Brax!" Tebok acknowledged with surprise and lowered his disruptor.

"I'm fine." He assured, placing a gentle hand on his father's shoulder.

"We need to abandon the ship," Tebok informed regrettably. His expression was stoic and and his tone emotionless. But Elli saw right through it.

"Abandon the ship?" Brax was surprised, but that surprised instantly morphed into livid.

"Get the crew to escape pods, and I'll take a scout ship and initiate the self-destruct sequence. I'll use the scout ship as a diversion and distract their ship. That will give you and the crew time to escape, and then the ship will explode, creating a wall between you and them and killing those that are already on our ship."

Brax felt it wasn't the best plan, but it was all they had. But he didn't think his father should do it. He was quicker and knew he would be better suited for the task. His father was the Commander, and he should lead his crew off the ship. "I'll do it. You lead the crew."

"No, Brax." He father shook his head, panic reaching his eyes.

"Father, please. I can do this, just trust me." Brax assured, holding eye contact with him until his father gave in.

Tebok nodded, clamping a hand over his son's shoulder. He motioned his head for his men to follow him, then left, without once glancing back.

Brax turned to Elli. "I guess you're coming with me."

"This sounds risky…and a little stupid." Elli said. She followed him none the less, as he traversed down the blazing corridors.

"It is stupid. However, it's our only chance to get away. We need the crew to survive. We need witnesses to this attack."

"I'm glad that's the only reason you want everyone to live."

"I didn't mean it that way, now just be quiet and do what I tell you."

"Since when am I part of your crew that you can just give me orders?" But Brax didn't respond; he was too focussed on the mission at hand to pay any attention to her frustrating attitude.

Once they managed to Enter shuttle bay, phasers immediately began to fire their way. Brax grabbed Elli, pulling her down behind a large crate.

"We need to get to that scout ship." He pointed in its direction, which was a good thirty feet away.

"That's impossible, look how many of those guys are just standing there."

"We have to try."

"My runabout is closer, let's take that one."

"No! So you can escape?"

"Seriously! Are you really worried about me escaping? I want to live just as much as you. I'm trying to help you."

"I don't trust you."

"I'll even let you get in first." She bargained.

Brax looked thoughtful, his gaze landing hopefully on the scout ship. "I think…" he then let out a long sigh, "Fine."

With that decided, he turned and slid to the wall were a console was equipped. He hurriedly typed in the appropriate coding, initiating the self-destruct sequence, silently hoping the crew made it to their pods.

He made his way back to Elli. "Let's make a dash for it. We are being timed." He nodded in the direction of the console.

They attentively began to inch their way towards her shuttle, both keeping a sharp eye out. Elli attempted to steady her breathing, and Brax did the same.

"It's clear!" She whispered, both taking off into a sprint towards the runabout. Going unnoticed was too good to be true, shots came their way and only scarcely missed them.

Brax reached the runabout first, so he took the initiative to open the door. "Get in!" Elli shouted, turning around to fire at the aliens that came their way. "Hurry, they're gaining on us."

"Come on!" He was hanging on the edge of the entrance, waiting for her get in.

"Go!" She screamed, backing up as she fired and turned to stand right in front of Brax. She attempted to shove him in, just when her arm was grazed by a phaser. Elli let out a sharp cry, falling forward from the shock. She never hit the floor; instead, Brax caught her and pulled her into the shuttle. Once the doors were closed, he sat her down and rushed over to the controls.

"How does this work?"

Elli forced herself up, holding her arm protectively. "Move." She groaned as she brushed him aside and quickly started the shuttle.

Ignoring the sound of phasers hitting the shuttle, she sent it off, right out of shuttle bay.

"Does this thing go faster?" He asked, hoping they'd get far enough away for when the ship exploded. They accelerated away from the ship just as it convulsed into pieces, but not far enough. The shuttle took a crucial hit, sending them spiraling in space.

"Hold on," Elli said, her fingers moving with haste over the control panel.

They managed to escape and stabilize the spinning, but the shuttle was severely damaged. "I don't think it's going to survive much longer. We need to land and soon."

Brax nodded, pointing to a remote planet on the map screen. "Here, I'm sure it'll be one of the first places my people will look to find us. If they do try and find us…"

Elli didn't like the doubt in his voice at all. He didn't seem too hopeful. Putting her worry aside, she set the course and hoped they'd make it in time before the runabout completely gave out.

"It's getting a little unstable." She said, trying to stabilize the jolting movement.

"Land quickly then." Brax suggested, staring at the planet that was now close in view.

"That was the plan," she retorted back with a shake of her head. The shuttle now headed towards the planet's atmosphere, but not without serious turbulence. "I suggest we strap in!" Elli said as she fell back into her seat, pulling the belt over her and glanced over at Brax to make sure he was secure.

The land was bumpy, and the ship was slowing down. "I dread this landing." He lamented quietly as the shuttle torpedoed towards the ground.

"You and me both." She agreed as she pulled the ship forwards some, trying to steady it, so they didn't hit nose first. She closed her eyes as the shuttle practically smacked into the ground, dirt flying all around them.

Both of them just sat there, staring out the windows and trying to figure out what they were going to do now that they were stranded.

"Well this just sucks," Elli finally spoke out loud, breaking their silence. She blew a strand of hair from her face and slouched into her seat. Her chest was heaving, and her breath came out shaky.

"I can agree with that." Brax stood up to stretch his legs, trying to process what just occurred.

"What luck…" Elli frowned, turning in her seat to look up at him, "I can't believe we survive that."

"Romulans don't believe in luck." He informed her quietly, looking around uneasily.

"We need to treat that wound." Elli's eyes were fixated on his face. She didn't bother listening to his protests. She just stood up, going retrieve the medical supplies.

"I don't need you to do that." He followed her movements to the medical supplies.

"Oh shut up." She scolded, placing the kit on the table and beckoning him to sit down.

Elli knelt before him. Using her good arm, she lifted a warm cloth to his face, cleaning all the blood from it. She disposed of it quickly then began to treat the small gash across the side of his head.

Brax watched her intently, keeping an eye on her every move. Although, he didn't know why exactly. He knew she wasn't going to do anything. He knew she needed him and he needed her, especially if they were going to get off this planet or survive on it. It would be better to cope with the situation with company, rather than alone.

"Thank you." He said in a whisper, just as she finished. He reached out to grab her good arm and pulled her to sit adjacent to him. "Let me see your arm." He ordered, not really giving her a chance to object. He already had her arm over his leg and was examining it carefully. "It's just a small phaser burn, I think it mostly missed you."

Elli nodded in agreement. "It's just a scratch. Although, if I wasn't standing there, that phaser would have hit you full on you know."

Brax looked up into her eyes, which he noticed for the first time were a vivid blue with a hint of gold around the pupils. "I know." He didn't sound thankful, yet he didn't sound unthankful. Elli didn't quite know how to describe his tone. Perhaps it was regret.

After spreading some ointment on her burn and wrapping a bandage around it, Brax allowed Elli to have her arm back.

"Thank you." She said quietly, getting up from her spot to pace about the shuttle. "What do we do now?"

Brax watched her anxiously walk in circles. "Well, I think we should rest. Both of us have been injured, and I think we need to let ourselves calm down before we make any irrational decisions."

"I agree, we need to rest and eat." She was smiling now, her spirits lifted higher as she bounded over to the replicators to get them both something.

Brax just watched her, taking note of the fact that Elli was mostly a positive person, despite all that she's been through. With that thought, he suddenly didn't mind being stranded on a remote planet with her, even if she was human. However, her display of Klingon technique still bothered him, and led him to a whole knew level of assumptions. Maybe she wasn't a Federation spy, after all, maybe she was a Klingon spy. Brax brushed the thought aside for now and resisted the urge to feed those thoughts. Instead, he enjoyed the hot soup and tea that was placed before him and the human woman who was smiling in his direction.