My Photonic Friend

By

James Doyle

Chapter Seven

Miley arrived at the Lake Tahoe Airport, where she immediately spotted a limo driver holding a card with her name.

Showtime, thought Miley to herself.

"I'm Miley Stewart," announced Miley.

"Right this way, Miss Stewart," replied the driver as he took Miley's carry-on bag. "You must be really excited to meet Hannah."

"You have no idea," said Miley.

Miley entered the limo, trying her best to act as though it were a novelty for her. Inside, she found her father, already in costume.

"Where's Rico and the Doc?" asked Miley.

"Already in place," answered Robbie Ray.

"And the driver?"

"He ain't the brightest lamp in the chandelier, but he'll play ball."

"Good," said Miley. "I've been in this business long enough to know that there's ten thousand things that can go wrong on any given night."

"I know that's right," agreed Robbie.

As far as venues Hannah had played, the Lake Tahoe Coliseum tended toward the small side. Nonetheless, there was no shortage of adoring fans. Indeed, the walkway lined with temporary fences, security guards, and wall-to-wall fans could easily have been he Hubert Humphrey Metrodome to the casual observer. As soon as they arrived, the Doctor appeared beside her, already in costume.

"Took ya long enough," snarked holo-Hannah.

"Don't bury yourself in the part," retorted Miley.

"I can't help it. I'm a method actor."

"Well, in that case, Hannah, let's get this party started."

Out of the limousine emerged a sight that, until then, the world had never seen: Miley Stewart and Hannah Montana, arm-in-arm. Robbie Ray began his customary slow shuffle, bringing up the rear as holo-Hannah greeting fans with both hands, occasionally pausing to sign an autograph.

"I gotta admit it," muttered Robbie to himself, "He really sells it."

After what seemed like an eternity, the two girls arrived in Hannah's dressing room, where Miley set forthwith about donning her Hannah costume.

"Could I get a little privacy here?" requested Miley.

Holo-Hannah rolled her holographic eyes. "Beam me up, Rico."

With that, holo-Hannah disappeared and reappeared inside the van.

"I don't think Miley realizes I can see everything within range of the holo-emitters," Rico said smugly.

"Turn that off this instant!" insisted the Doctor, appalled by Rico's voyeurism.

"Fine," sulked Rico as he redirected the relevant monitor to some technical readouts. "You people never let me have any fun."

"Hannah to Rico," came the rock star's voice about twenty minutes later. "We're ready for holo-Miley."

"Roger that," replied Rico. "Loading Miley Stewart template."

The Doctor's blonde hair turned brown, and his outfit changed to the one Miley had just set aside, effectively transforming holo-Hannah into holo-Miley. A moment later, holo-Miley disappeared from the van and reappeared in Hannah's dressing room. From thence, they proceeded to the backstage area.

"Five minutes," announced a stage-hand as they arrived. The two girls took a few minutes to greet the opening band as they made their way backstage.

"How's it going, Cory?" asked Hannah, shaking the hand of Cory Baxter, the drummer for DC3.

"It's going all right," replied Cory. "And yourself?"

"Can't complain. Hey, I'd like you to meet my new friend Miley."

"Enchante," greeted Cory, kissing holo-Miley's hand.

"Two minutes," interrupted the stage hand.

"I guess we'd better get going," said Cory.

"Catch you guys after the show?" asked Hannah.

"Can't," regretted Cory. "Have to head back to Reno to catch our flight. It was good seeing you," Cory turned back for one last word before leaving. "Oh, I don't know about you, but I think Oken was asking for it when his shorty decked him."

Hannah smiled at these words of vindication for her best friend.

"Ladies and gentlemen, put your hands together, for Hannah Montana!" announced the announcer as Hannah and holo-Miley made their way onto the stage. Holo-Miley paused took take in the bright lights and the screaming fans. I could get used to this, she thought to herself.

"Good evening, Lake Tahoe," greeted Hannah. "Y'all remember my good friend Jackson Stewart, right?"

The audience cheered in the affirmative.

"Well, tonight we have his little sister, my friend, Miley Stewart. She's gonna show us some of her moves, so give her a big hand."

Holo-Miley took her place among the backup dancers as Hannah launched into "Rock Star," her favorite leading number.

Meanwhile, back at the Stewart house, Jackson answered the door to greet Lilly, who sported a look that could only be described as sexy. She had her blonde hair done up, with two small strands of it falling on either side of her head, and she wore a black Holly Golightly dress that accentuated her figure, with black high-heels to match.

Indeed, thought Jackson, a classic never dies.

"You look amazing," complimented Jackson, still catching his breath.

"Thanks," replied Lilly. "You're looking pretty sharp yourself."

"Thank you," said Jackson as he handed Lilly her bouquet. "By all means, come in!"

Lilly took a moment to smell her flowers before placing them in the vase Jackson had provided.

"Can I get you anything?" offered Jackson as he escorted Lilly to the couch. Though she'd sat upon that couch many times before, something felt different about it. Something felt different about the entire setting. A good kind of different.

"No thanks," Lilly politely declined. "Whatever's in the oven smells good, though."

"It should be ready in a few minutes," informed Jackson. "I hope you're hungry."

"Are you kidding? I haven't had a chance to eat all day. The Doctor's been going on and on about how incredible the Central Valley and the Sierras are."

"Only the Doctor would think the Central Valley is anything special," noted Jackson with a chuckle.

"And of course, he describes it with clinical detail."

"Kind of makes you wish Miley hadn't taught him how to TXT, doesn't it?"

"Totally!"

Just then, the oven timer sounded.

"Well, I think we're just about ready," announced Jackson as escorted Lilly to the table and pulled out a chair for her.

"If you'll excuse me for just one second."

Jackson prepared a plate of food for Lilly and placed it in front of her, then returned a moment later with his own plate. He then poured the wine before taking his seat.

"What should we drink to?" asked Lilly.

Jackson raised his glass. "To friends and family, whatever corner of the galaxy they might come from."

"Here, here," agreed Lilly as she clinked glasses with Jackson.

Meanwhile, back in Lake Tahoe, Hannah finished her second set, and told a few anecdotes as the stage crew wheeled the grand piano out onto the stage.

"And now, ladies and gentlemen," announced Hannah. "For our last set, I'd like to welcome a special guest performer. Ladies and gentlemen, Cousin Dave from Canada."

The audience cheered as the Doctor entered the stage, in his original form, except clad in a tuxedo with tails. The Doctor began the piano part for "One in a Million" as normal. However, as Hannah approached the chorus, he added his own special improvisations and embellishments. After the second chorus, they made the song sixty seconds longer to allow for a longer piano solo.

Hannah and the Doctor took their leave after a single encore, the audience still cheering as they made their way back toward the dressing rooms.

"Did we really have to leave?" asked the Doctor. "I'm sure we could've given them at least two more encores."

"Cardinal rule of performing, Doc," informed Miley. "Always leave 'em wanting more."

The Doctor nodded in agreement as he changed back into holo-Hannah, taking his time greeting the fans outside, again shaking hands and signing the occasional autograph. Once she'd changed back into her mild-mannered identity, Miley relished the opportunity to make a discreet exit as an ordinary civilian. She filtered through the crowds and made her way over to an adjacent side road, where the nondescript sedan they had arranged earlier awaited her. She got in and headed back for the hotel.

No sooner had Miley entered her hotel room and flopped down on the bed. When she heard a knock on the door.

"Who is it?" she croaked.

"It's me," announced the Doctor. Miley groaned.

"Come in."

The Doctor materialized in front of her.

"Thank you for knocking before doing that," thanked Miley, not getting up from her position.

"I'm sure you're eager to rest, so I won't keep you too long," assured the Doctor. "But I did want to thank you for the opportunity to perform in your last set."

Miley sat up and smiled. "You helped me be myself today. The least I could do is return the favor."

"I'm glad I could be of service," replied the Doctor. "Good night."

"Good night, Doc."

Meanwhile, Jackson and Lilly had finished dinner and retired to the living room.

"Jackson, I don't mind saying that was the best chicken enchilada casserole I've ever had," complimented Lilly.

"I'm glad you liked it," replied Jackson.

"And the strawberry cheesecake was orgasmic," beamed Lilly.

Jackson laughed.

"What's so funny?"

"I've never heard you use that word before."

"Well, I've never eaten anything that could be described that way before."

Jackson sighed. "I have a confession to make. I had a little help. A lot of help, actually."

"I know," revealed Lilly. "I overheard you asking the Doctor for tips."

"Yeah, well one thing my time with you has taught me is that I should never be ashamed to ask for help."

"Wow," exclaimed Lilly. "I thought I was just helping you with your calculus homework. I had no idea I'd taught you anything so profound."

"I should've known you had it in you. I should've realized a long time ago."

Jackson placed a hand upon Lilly's cheek, then gently rubbed his thumb along the area where her spoon-like cranial formation would have been.

Lilly gasped. "Jackson."

"Yes?"

"I'm sure you didn't realize this, but that's a very intimate touch for a Cardassian."

"I know," admitted Jackson. "Cooking wasn't the only thing I asked the Doc for advice on. I'll stop if you want."

"No," said Lilly. "But you're going to touch me like that, be sure you really mean it."

"Of course I mean it," declared Jackson. "Lilly, I love you. I've loved you for a long time."

"You mean before you knew I was an alien?"

"Yes. I always knew you were special. Now I see there's no one in this solar system more special than you. You've always your own perspective on everything. Now I know why. Lilly, I don't deserve you. I don't think there's a man alive who deserves you. But if you'll give me a chance..."

"Shut up," interrupted Lilly, pulling Jackson's face forward and attacking his mouth, stealing his breath.

"I love you, Lilly," reiterated Jackson as he caught his breath.

"I love you, too, Jackson," confessed Lilly, her voice quivering a bit.

Jackson and Lilly spent a few more moments exploring one another's mouths. Jackson then slowly kissed his way down to the nape of her neck, then back up the side of her face, before gently kissing that magic spot on her forehead.

"You're so beautiful," marveled Jackson as he paused for a moment to gaze into Lilly's green eyes.

"My hearts are beating so fast," reported Lilly.

"You have more than one?"

"Uh huh," gasped Lilly. "It's a smaller one, two chambers, near the base of mine spine."

Lilly hiked up her dress a bit and guided Jackson's hand to the spot just above her buttocks where her secondary heartbeat could be felt. She placed his other hand between her breasts. Jackson marveled at the counterpoint formed by the separate rhythms of Lilly's two hearts.

"They both belong to you," declared Lilly.

The combination of feeling Lilly's twin heartbeats, their mutual declaration of their love for one another, and the fact that he was touching the woman he loved in a way more intimate than he'd ever done before became too much for Jackson to bear. Jackson decided that, if she were willing, Lilly would be fully his that night. Lilly gasped with excitement, as Jackson scooped her up and carried her up the stairs, Rhett Butler-style. Lilly knew at that moment that she wanted this as much as Jackson did, and the reality that it was really going to happen finally hit as they reached their destination.

"Oh Jackson!" cried Lilly. "You cleaned your room for me!"

End of Chapter Seven

I definitely had to push the limits of my T rating with that one, but it was worth it. Stay tuned!