I don't own Star Trek just my Ocs.

Chapter 9

"Leila, want some?"Mccoy asked holding some brandy.

"No, thank you."Leilani said "So are you alright?"

"How can i be okay, if one of my friends is leaving the ship."Mccoy said "You really are something Leila. I still don't like the idea of you getting married like that but i can't stop you."

"I know, you're not the only one that thought of that."Leilani said

"I'm glad to know i'm not the only one that thinks of this engagement."Mccoy said

A few minutes later everyone was seated on the large table. Leilani was sitting next to Angelo.

"A toast to the young couple and their families."Kirk said raising his glass. "And that this union would be a productive one."

Everyone raised their glasses and toasted. Leilani raised her glass but she didn't feel the need to take a sip of the alcohol at the moment.

'Leilani, are you okay?"Angelo asked her telepathically.

'I'm fine.'Leilani said to him.

"Captain, i am sure you know that Leilani and i are going back to betazed a few days after the wedding."Angelo said

A bell was rung as all betazoids except Leilani ate. She was just in deep thought while Sara had an annoyed look on her face.

"Must you do that?"Sara asked seemingly irritated at the bell.

"As well as you know it is the betazed way of giving thanks for the food we eat."Diana said

"You never did this when you visited us back at earth."Sara said

"I do it now."Diana snapped

'Oh, Little one i still can't believe that she will be part of our family, i don't think Angelo is good enough for you.'Diana said to Leilani telepathically.'I would rather have the Captain as your husband or even that Vulcan.'

Leilani gave her mother a look and secretly wished that she would stop it. 'The captain always say nice things about you i can feel that he feels something towards you. That Vulcan even though he doesn't show it, you could feel that he seems a bit troubled at the news that your leaving.'

'Mother...did you read their thoughts?' Leilani asked She only read their minds if it was work related to evaluate them never read their minds without asking unlike her mother of having the habit to do so.

'Oh, i see that the doctor has a few things in his mind about you too. I had a feeling about that but i think it's more of a friendship nothing more.'Diana said

Leilani let out a sigh lightly gripping her glass.

"I am curious about the betazed ceremony you mentioned."Spock said "Counselor Rhodes only mentioned a few things but not the ceremony."

"Why i'd be delighted to tell you, it's an ancient ceremony widely regarded as the most beautiful in the universe."Diana said full of pride."After the young couple remove their clothing...'

"Wait a minute, the couple get naked?"Mccoy asked, Leilani could feel herself heat up, she hasn't said anything about the betazed wedding.

"Not just the couple all guest must go unclothe."Diana said "It honors the act of love being celebrated."

"Mother, i think that's enough."Leilani said

"Oh don't worry Leilani, apparently a few males in this room rather like the idea of seeing you naked, you do have those hips suited for childbearing after all."Diana bluntly said "I think Angelo here would want to see you unclothe. Sara don't worry about those strechmarks im sure some make up would-"

"Diana! "Casey said

"Stop this petty bickering all of you! I had enough of it!"Leilani snapped slamming her hands on the table getting their attention. "Especially you, mother! you always have something to say to Sara just leave her alone!"

Leilani took the bell from the table and threw it hitting the wall as she ran off in anger. A few people were whispering and gasped at Leilani's outburst, Spock raised an eyebrow while Mccoy couldn't help but feel a bit surprised at that scene while Kirk stayed quiet. He glanced at the wedding party Sara and Casey were clearly surprised while Diana was quiet and kept on eating. Angelo on the other hand lightly chuckled and tried not to snicker.

Leilani wanted to get away from there, she knew she'd go back and apologize to them for her outburst but she just couldn't take it anymore the constant bickering and her mother not knowing how hard it was for Leilani to try and fit in. Trying to get used the the different customs and species while being herself yet at the same time she felt trapped. She looked at the window seeing the vast stars twinkling.

"Leilani...I was surprised at what you did."Angelo said walking over to her.

"I'm sorry, I just lost my temper..."Leilani said

"Don't be sorry I'm actually happy."Angelo said giving her a small smile.

"Happy? For losing my temper?"Leilani said

"Yes...you see..I have to be honest with you."Angelo said he moved his hand gripping hers ever so lightly giving a soft squeeze. "I don't want to marry you."

Leilani didn't know why but she smiled brightly. Angelo gave her a curious look she then hugged him.

"I'm so glad!"Leilani said

"I was expecting a slap in the face or something not a hug, but I'll take it."He said after she released him from the hug.

"I feel the same, I don't want to marry you. It's not that you're not attractive or smart I just don't have feelings for you only a strong friendship."Leilani said

"I feel the same, I didn't want to upset my parents and your mother...I tried finding the right time to tell them but they wouldn't listen."Angelo said" I just decided to honor those vows."

"Me too I wanted to honor the vows too. But if both of us don't want to get married then let's tell them together. " Leilani said "So how do we tell them? Truthfully I'm scared on how they will react."

"I'm scared too, I haven't seen anyone breaking off an engagement before much less a traditional betazed engagement."Angelo said

Hey guys, I'm back from the very long vacation so I'll be posting chapters for my other stories soon. Please leave a review and tell me what you think.