Chapter 19: "Tough As Nails"

=/\= - =/\=

Inundated by emotions, the kiss seemed to last forever. All other concerns had vanished in the presence of Timir's affection. Arhea had made peace with the fact that this would probably be the last sensation she'd ever feel.

But the universe had other plans for her... for them.

=/\=

"Wait a minute! When did you two...?"

The familiar voice caused Arhea and Timir to break the kiss. They turned to its source, a pale-faced and confused looking Anthony Greco gazing at them from a bio bed in the Paladin's sickbay. They had made it!

Greco shook his head. "I'm really getting too old for this if I haven't seen that one coming." A prolonged sigh, and he sunk back onto the bed at Doctor Karpenko's urging.

"You're getting too old for playing space cowboy, too, Commodore," Lev reprimanded. "Now lay still so I can stitch you back together."

"Tony!" Arhea let go of Timir and rushed to Greco's side, happy that he was alive. Though, her initial smile was replaced by a concerned look. "Will he be alright?" She glanced to Lev.

"Hey! Of course, I'll be fine," Greco protested. A cough. He voice was less vigorous, "Don't act like I've got one leg in the grave already."

Karpenko let out an exasperated sigh. "If he'd lay still for one moment, relax, and let me do my vork, he'd be fine a lot sooner." He glanced to Arhea with a stern look. "He's lost a lot of blood, but vhatever impaled his chest missed the heart... by millimeters." He motioned for her to move. "It definitely vould help if everyone vould give me some room."

"Oh..." She looked apologetic and took a step back. "I'm sorry, Doc."

"If you don't need immediate medical attention, it vould be a good idea to leave and let the medical personnel vork," Lev suggested without outrightly saying 'get out'.

"The Doc has a point, Arhea," Timir put a hand to her shoulder and peered over it at Greco. "The Commodore's tough as nails, he'll be alright under the Doc's care." He gently grasped her arm. "Come on, let's give them some room."

"Tough as nails," Greco's lips spread into a wide smile as Lev released a hypo into his neck, "I like that..." He visibly relaxed and closed his eyes, muttering, "I'll be fine... honest... I'll be just... fine..."

=/\= - =/\=

Arhea let out a long exhale. "Doc says he was able to repair the damage, and Tony is resting now," she reported aloud before shutting down the computer.

Timir stepped up behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders. Gently, he began massaging her tense muscles. "I hope that means you'll be able to relax now." He leaned down and softly kissed the nape of her neck. "I had hoped the shower would have done that for you earlier, but you're so tightly strung, I thought you'd snap."

"I'm sorry." She closed her eyes, letting the feeling of his warm hands kneading her muscles wash over her. Once more she exhaled deeply. "You know how much he means to me."

"He means a lot to me, too," Timir reminded her.

"I know." She turned the chair to face him.

His hands slipped off her shoulders as she swiveled around. He lowered himself to one knee and peered up into her deep green eyes. "Look," he took one of her hands into his, "I don't want anything to happen to him either, but the fact of the matter is, in his line of work that's not a reasonable expectation. He's good at what he does. He's smart, alert, and tough, but even he is not invincible. Things can and will happen." He brought her hand to his lips and placed a tender kiss on it. "Worrying overly much about it doesn't help him... or you."

Arhea's gaze met his amber eyes. His words brought sudden clarity to her mind. Greco was a father figure to her, one she had clung to during all those years she had been away from her real family. But even so, she had never worried this much about her own father while she had been an officer in the Galae, and especially not after becoming a Tal'Shiar agent. Family had to step into the background. It had been a tough choice, but she had made it with the belief that it was necessary for her to be able to carry out her duties without undue distractions. It was the Rihannsu way.

Had her time in the Federation made her weak?

"You're right." She stood abruptly. "I don't know when I became this soft," she remarked, clenching her jaw, "my worries are only paralyzing me, keeping me from moving on like I should. I'm defaming my Rihannsu heritage."

Timir had risen with her. He blinked. "Uhm... that's not exactly what I meant."

"But it's true. I've spent too much time absorbed in Human customs, being around them, assimilating their ways..."

"Arhea," he put his hand on her shoulder, his eyes compassionate and kind, "it afforded you to learn to express more easily that you care. I don't think that's a bad thing."

"Rihannsu care," she countered. "We just... have a different way of showing it."

"I know." He sighed. "But I like it that you've learned to embrace both cultures and that you were able to mix your natural Rihannsu passion with the compassionate ways taught in the Federation."

"Wait," she narrowed her eyes at him, scrutinizing his facial expression, "I thought you hated the Federation?"

Timir exhaled with force. He turned and walked to the small window. His gaze hung out in space for the longest moment. "I hate their policies. The fact that they think they must bring their way of life to everyone, and it's the only right way of life." He glanced back at her. "I don't believe that. But... I have come to respect and care about a few people in the Federation that don't show that sort of delusional thinking. They are noble people in my eyes," he shrugged, "if that makes any sense."

"So, you don't necessarily dislike the values the Federation and its people hold, but the fact that the Federation as a political entity tries to push their policies on everyone, thinking they're bringing salvation and order to places when they're actually causing disruptions," she summarized. "Am I getting that right?"

He nodded. "Pretty much." Leaning back against the bulkhead, he crossed his arms. "Federation leaders seem to think that their way is always the right way... I don't agree with that."

Arhea crossed the room and stopped just short of him. She cocked her head, eying him for a long moment. "I suppose you hold that opinion because of something in the past?"

Again he nodded. "I do."

"Will you ever tell me about it?" She reached for his arm.

A light smile spread on his face at her touch. "Maybe," he uncrossed his arms and pulled her close, "another time."

She returned the smile, peering up at him. "I suppose you're right. It's not a bad thing that I express my care more openly than other Rihannsu. I guess... I've always been a compassionate person. Living among Humans has just taught me to let that come to the fore more readily." Her hand ran up his arm and stopped at the wound on his shoulder. A frown. "Shouldn't you let Lev take a look at this?"

He chuckled. "Are we changing subjects now?"

She flashed him an impish grin. "I'm simply showing my care."

Timir outright laughed. "I see. Well," he glanced to his shoulder, "I think it'll heal by itself just fine. It's just a flesh wound. And I actually thought that a scar would help to remind me of some of the lessons I've learned during this... mission."

"Mmhmm." She eyed him with mock displeasure. "I think you just want to look tough."

"I am tough." He gave her a deadpan look.

"Sure you are." She ran her hand to the back of his neck, gently combing her fingers through his curly hair. A seductive smile played over her features.

Her touch caused a shiver to run down his spine. Oh, she was good. A sparkle lit up his amber eyes as he leaned down, "Well... I'm tough most of the times..."

=/\= - =/\=

Riov Hvaid tr'Khaiell dematerialized in the Paladin's transporter room some six hours after their hurried escape from the Talvath system. He had gotten word that Commodore Greco was out of danger and recuperating in sickbay from his grave injuries, and requested an audience with the Federation officer and his senior staff.

Much to Doctor Karpenko's dismay Greco had insisted to have Hvaid beam over and hold the discussion in the private sickbay room that he called his temporary home right now. Greco simply didn't want to be left out of the loop, despite trusting and believing in the competence of his XO, Commander T'Luz. Some things he just wanted to handle himself.

=/\=

"Stop the fuss," Greco grumbled at Karpenko when Hvaid and Lt. Cmdr. Edmundson entered the room. "I'm staying in my bed. You can monitor me. Everything will be fine."

"You know exactly that I can overvrite your orders," Lev countered in irritation.

"And you know exactly that I'd kick you off my crew if you'd ever tried," Greco reminded his CMO.

"You," Lev held up a finger, "are an impossible man."

"You should be used to that by now." Greco turned his attention to the arrivals. "Have a seat, gentlemen. There's a few others coming."

As if on cue, the door opened once more and Commander T'Luz and First Lt. Armello stepped in, followed by Lieutenant Carax. And a minute later, Arhea and Timir joined the group.

They all found seats and looked expectantly at Greco.

=/\=

Tony glanced around the room, looking at each person present in turn. He folded his hands on his chest, "Alright. How about if we start with a general report. I've been out of the loop for six hours now. What's the status of our ship?" He looked at T'Luz and the group of his senior officers.

"The Paladin is in one piece again," the XO began. "Rejoining procedures went well. None of the damage we sustained while separated kept us from reconnecting the sections. But the damage is extensive. We are in full repair mode right now."

"We need at least twenty-four hours to repair enough of the damage to allow us to even think about heading back to Federation space," Armello, the Chief Engineer, piped in. "And even then, I can't guarantee any speed over warp six."

"If you have forty-eight hours, will you be able to increase speed?" Greco asked.

"We might be able to make warp eight then," Armello noted, "but even then I can't guarantee you if we'll be able to keep that up all the way home."

"Well, do your best, Chief." Tony pondered a moment. "What about the cloak?"

"It's not online," Armello answered with obvious dismay. "And I'm not sure if we'll be able to get it back either."

"That won't be an issue on your way back," Hvaid interrupted. "Our ships will be instructed to let you pass through our space undisturbed. I will guarantee that."

The Commodore acknowledged the gesture of the Romulan with a light nod. "Thank you." He looked at T'Luz, "Let the crew know we'll be heading for home in forty-eight hours, cloak or not."

"Yes, sir," the Vulcan acknowledged.

Greco's head turned back to look at Hvaid again. "How many of your ships made it out?"

"Three out of the four," the Romulan Captain reported. "And one of the Tal'Shiar ships escaped as well, but they limped away. I chose not to follow. We know what ship it was and who the Commander is. I've already reported it to Galae Command. They will handle that matter."

Tony nodded. "Damage to your ships?"

"I suppose we're about in the same shape as your ship is. Repairs are commencing," Hvaid replied. "Though, one of my ships took some severe damage. I'm not sure if it's salvageable. We might have to transfer its crew over to mine and simply destroy it."

"You could always leave it behind and get it towed back home later," Edmundson suggested.

Hvaid smirked. "Commander, you're not very familiar with Rihannsu policies about leaving ships floating around in space, are you?"

"Are you really worried about anyone stealing secrets from you out here in your own territory?" Kyle Edmundson, the Tactical/Security Chief, shook his head.

"Even out here in our territory there are people that wouldn't like nothing better than to get their hands on Galae technology and information that they could sell for a hefty profit," Hvaid answered with a chuckle. "But I don't expect you to understand that. It's simply that we don't wish to leave ourselves vulnerable in any way."

"Mmhmm." Kyle rolled his eyes. "Galae policies."

"Well, you do as you please," Greco noted. His brow furrowed lightly. "What did Galae Command say about when you reported on the explosion and the Tal'Shiar base?"

"Oh, they weren't too happy. I've been summoned by Admiral Taris to return to Galae headquarters at Achernar as soon as possible. She's demanded to see me about this matter," Hvaid explained. "Considering the damage that was done, I can understand her irritation. Sensor reading taken during the battle and our departure aren't completely clear, and we've had some trouble getting our long-range scanners back to optimal output, but from what we've been able to piece together the situation doesn't look very promising for the system. The explosion of the rift and the subsequent shockwave has caused some enormous damage." He grimaced. "The shockwave devastated Talvath II and destroyed the colony. I don't believe anyone got away with their lives on the planet. Part of the asteroid belt is gone. And even the system's sun has been destabilized. I'm not sure what that all will mean for this region."

"Damn..." Greco sighed.

"That's about what our sensor's observed," Lieutenant Carax, the Chief Science Officer, confirmed. "The effects on the system's sun could very well lead into a supernova in time." She wagged her head. "It's hard to predict right now."

Greco rubbed his goatee in thought. "Hmm..." He glanced at Hvaid. "If you need any help with that... scientific help, I mean... later on down the line, please let the Federation know. We'll be happy to assist."

Hvaid nodded. "I'll pass on your offer to Galae Command. I made the suggestion myself to send a science vessel for further investigation, once the effects settle a bit. I'm hoping their diagnosis will not look as gloomy as ours does right now. We definitely don't need another Hobus." He stood and stepped up to the side of Greco's bio bed. "In the meantime, I must urge my crew on to finish repairs. Taris doesn't like to be kept waiting for long. And I have the feeling there will be some major repercussions for the Tal'Shiar. They might have acted as if they're above military laws for the last time." His gaze briefly shifted from the Commodore to Arhea and then back. "We shall see."

Tony nodded somberly. "Take care, my friend. Don't forget to say goodbye before you're leaving."

"We'll be around for a bit longer," Hvaid assured, "and we'll stick with you here until repairs are accomplished, just in case someone thinks they should take advantage of our vulnerable state right now. It's better to be in a group than a single vessel."

"You mean, the Klingons?"

"I doubt that," the Romulan shook his head, "from what we've seen if any of their ships survived, it was only a couple of them, and they were in much worse shape than us. I wouldn't worry about them." He smirked.

"Who says I'm worried?" Greco grinned.

"Gentlemen," Lev Karpenko interrupted the friendly banter, "if there's nothing else pressing to discuss, I'd like you all to leave. The Commodore really needs some more rest."

Tony shot the CMO a look, but Karpenko pretended to not have seen it.

"Of course." T'Luz stood. "We will handle everything, Commodore. You need not worry yourself. And I will keep you updated on our progress."

"Very well." Greco sunk back into the pillow with a sigh, watching the group file out one at a time.

Riov = Commander (SF equivalent rank - Captain)