Tasha gets good news about her rescue. But will she succeed and at what price?

I do not own Star Trek.

Yesterday's Tasha Part 14

Later, one night, while Tasha and Rejan were in bed, he mentioned a reception that they both would be attending. Tasha hated these affairs, but it did get her out of the house.

Rejan noticed a change in his wife the last few days. She seemed happier, if he could judge by human standards. Perhaps she was at last, content with him, her home and the child they'd borne and raised together.

Tasha was happy, but not for the reasons Rejan assumed. She was nervously anticipating her possible escape. Suralin had not mentioned anything since that one message had been passed on, but Tasha knew such things took time. She felt an arm move around her, pulling her close.

Rejan felt as much contentment as he ever dared to feel. Just the other day, Sela started prattling at him about going with him to work. He had taken her to the shipyards where a vessel of a new design was being built. She asked if she could go on the ship when she was older. He had laughed at her precociousness, but it pleased him that she was interested in ships and space. Tasha, on the other hand, was not so pleased. Maybe if her mood had changed, her opinion on that would change also.

Tasha leaned forward, and kissed Rejan. She felt him deepen the kiss, tasting her tongue and lips. She felt his arousal, and her own. She knew it was not wholly for love she felt this way. If she really loved him, would she be so eager to leave him? But she let him make love to her all the same. Soon, she hoped, she would be gone and this life of hers would feel like a bad nightmare.

Rejan for his part, wanted to have another child with Tasha, perhaps a son. His ideal had come true, which placed him in a most precarious position. His world was about to be shattered, and by the woman he had come to love, and to his detriment, trust as well.

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Rejan and Tasha were attending the reception for some new military promotions, several who were friends and allies of Rejan's. When this happened, it always made him feel more secure in his own position. In Romulan society, the more allies you had, the better.

Tasha looked beautiful tonight, and he'd told her so. She responded with a hug and kiss, thanking him for the dress and jeweled earrings he'd bought for her. Sela was left with the house staff, who had grown to love the blonde child. Tasha knew she would be safe there.

The party was filled with members of all branches of the military. Political dignitaries were there as well. Rejan had to excuse himself from Tasha to make the rounds, so she went outside on a large patio overlooking a lake to get some fresh air. Someone stepped up beside her, causing her to turn sharply in surprise.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you." It was a Romulan woman, obviously military but not one of high rank. "You are Rejan's wife, the human from Star Fleet?"

Tasha grew suspicious, but answered, "Yes, I am. Who are you?"

"I am Telas. I have a message for you." She looked about nervously. "From Captain Castillo."

Tasha's heart raced. Was this her contact who would help her get in touch with Richard? Or was it a trap? She decided to play things cool. "What message could you possibly have for me?"

Telas stepped nearer but acted as if she was saying nothing of importance. She didn't want to alert anyone who might be watching from a distance. "Captain Castillo has a ship that he intends to use to rescue you. He has acquired a cloaking device, and will be arriving in three days. My confederates have a vessel that will take you to the coordinates where he will be waiting."

Tasha, trying to maintain her excitement, asked "Does he know I'm bringing my daughter and a friend as well?"

"He is aware, but I would recommend you leave the others behind." Telas whispered harshly, "The more people involved, the greater risk for detection."

"I won't leave my daughter behind!" Tasha said deliberately.

Telas knew she was up against a mother's love, so she nodded. "Alright, when the time comes, be ready. There won't be any second chances. In three days time, you will meet up with us. A transport will be waiting outside the general's compound. It will take you to a landing field where the ship will be waiting to join up with the Federation vessel. Do not delay, as we won't be able to wait around for you. This will be your only chance to go home, Tasha. Our unit has complete cooperation with the Federation. As long as we go undetected, we can continue to relay information to your people."

Tasha thought about all she'd heard and nodded her agreement. "I'll be ready. Three days. What time?"

"At the hour of Sendac. It will be dark enough then. I will wish you good luck." Telas turned and walked away.

Tasha concentrated on the information given her and began to mentally make plans.

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Later, on their arrival home, Rejan and Tasha checked on Sela, who was asleep in her room. Tasha thought about her daughter and how she would be accepted back home. Would Richard want anything to do with her, having a Romulan child? But it was he who was saving them both. Surely he would care for her, for Tasha's sake. That was, if he wanted Tasha, or if he was just keeping a promise made to her years ago. His intent unknown to her, Tasha kept one thought in her mind. She was going home.

For the next three days, Tasha had to behave as normally as she could. She could set off no alarms for Rejan to detect. That evening turned out perfect. Her husband would be away from the house, and she would tell the servants that she was going out for a walk around the compound. She even sat in the garden for awhile to make it seem more realistic.

As Tasha sat on a bench near the fountain, Suralin walked up with Sela in her arms, fast asleep. Together they sat on the bench. In a few minutes, it would be time for them to go.

Suralin handed something to Tasha. "You may have need of this."

Tasha smiled. It was her communicator pin. "We just might," she said.

The two women headed for the entry gate, when Sela awoke. Noting that she was in her mother's arms and that they were heading for the gate, she asked Tasha where they were going and where was daddy. Tasha told her that daddy would be coming soon. Sela continued to ask questions.

"She will alert the household, Tasha. You must get her to be quiet," said Suralin urgently.

"I know that! Sela, daddy will be with us soon. Shhh, sweetheart, you have to be quiet now. Please." Tasha attempted to soothe Sela., but the child would have none of it. She knew something was not right. She started screaming for Rejan. Tasha and Suralin ran for the gate, but were quickly intercepted by Imperial guards. In the middle of them, stood Rejan. He walked up to Tasha, hatred suffusing his facial expression. He took Sela from her, soothing the child with his words and his touch.

"Quiet, Sela, everything is fine now. Daddy is here to take you home." The child tightened her arms around her father's neck, and looked at Tasha with confusion in her eyes. Tasha attempted to reach out for the girl, but was held back by the guards.

"You will not touch her, ever!" Rejan looked at his wife, questioning now in his eyes. It was as if he couldn't comprehend Tasha's motives. All he could manage to say was, "Why? I loved you. We had a daughter together. How could you betray me like this?"

She answered dispassionately. "I had a chance to go home. I wanted to take it. How did you find out?" She lowered her head, cowered by his anger, which was so palpable, she could feel it coming from him in waves.

"Haven't you learned yet the efficiency of the Tal Shiar? Those traitors have been under watch for awhile now. They only had to wait for some proof that they had had contact with Star Fleet. Your attempted escape gave them that proof." He walked up to her, his face inches from her own. "I can do nothing to save you, Tasha. Even if I wanted to. All I can do is spare you any further pain." He walked away from her, taking Sela with him. Rejan spoke to one of the guards. He ordered Suralin taken away, then returned to Tasha. "You contaminated the girl. Now she will have only you to blame for her life."

"What will happen to her, Diel?" Tasha asked worriedly.

"She will remain a prisoner in a work camp for the rest of her life. This is what you have done to her." Rejan looked away from her, as he handed Sela to a house servitor. "Take her back to bed," he ordered.

"And what about me, Diel? Will you turn me over to the Tal Shiar?"

He stopped, and stared at Tasha. "You are no longer of importance to them. They will be quite busy interrogating the traitors. As for you......"

Tasha saw again, the anger in his eyes, but she saw something more. Was it possible? Could that be hurt she saw? He must have loved her, she thought, but not enough.

He spoke to another guard. "Kill her, now! I want no trace left." Then he went towards the house, not looking back once, not even when he heard the phaser sounds. Weakness, he thought, as he brushed a tear from his face. Striding into his home, he now had thoughts only for his daughter. She was not to blame for her mother's betrayal. He still loved Sela with all his being. But he would be sure that she was raised as a Romulan. It would be he and his child. His heart would never be given to anyone else.

Epilogue:

Richard Castillo met no ship that day. He didn't know what had happened, only that he was not successful in rescuing Tasha. Later on, he found out that she had been executed for attempting to flee her captor's home with their child. His heart felt heavy with grief. He had tried so hard to come up with a way to save Tasha. And he was so close to success. Plus, now the ones who spied for the Federation were no doubt also dead, or worse. He ordered the ship to return to Federation space. Never had he felt so helpless, even when the Enterprise-C had been destroyed. Even when its crew had been held captive. He returned home with thoughts of a brave Star Fleet officer who sacrificed herself for him. He would never forget.

A/N: thanks to my readers. This is the end of this story. Hope you enjoyed it. I need to take a rest from writing. How does one do that anyway? *smacks back the plot bunnies*