Chapter 26

I woke up at 0600 hours the next morning. I opened my eyes but Data was nowhere to be seen. I stood up and put on a robe over my thin, blue nightgown and noticed Data's PJs orderly folded on the bed.

When I stepped out of the bedroom I saw him, dressed in uniform, in front of his easel, painting. I smiled. It was nice to see him expressing himself.

He noticed me in the doorway and put his painting supplies down. "Good morning. Did you sleep well? I am sorry for awaking you."

I kissed him. "Good morning, hon. I slept very well and don't worry, you didn't wake me."

"I am relieved to hear that."

I had breakfast and got ready in the bathroom. When I came out he sat on the sofa.

"I didn't want to interrupt you."

"You did not. I am finished." He took my hand and led me to the canvas. A quiet gasp escaped me. The young woman in the picture wore a bright smile and her eyes were sparkling.

"This is you. I painted it from memory from the day you became my girlfriend. Are you alright?" he asked as he noticed my stunned expression.

"Y-yes. That's me?"

"Yes. Why do you ask?"

"I…I haven't seen my own face for 350 years. No one has ever painted me. I didn't know that I am so…"

"Beautiful?"

I blushed. "Oui."

He smiled gently. I could see that he had worked on his facial expressions. "You are." He kissed me. I pulled him closer, deepening the kiss.

"Have you finished your report?"

"Yes."

"What are the results of the meeting?"

I grinned. "You are a little nosy, aren't you?" I asked teasingly and rubbed the tip of my nose lightly against the tip of his and kissed him again. He scooped me up in his strong arms and carried me back into the bedroom. "Perhaps."

"Your report, Commander." said the captain two hours later in the observation lounge.

"Certainly, sir. The council wants to lower the Veil without completely getting rid of it. They also want to be informed about crossing. Starfleet is asked not to interfere with the development of the magical world no matter how archaic the habits are. They also want us to be careful. Not all worlds want unification. They consider humans as unworthy and beneath themselves and wouldn't be averse to killing them. As a kind of getting-to-know-program we are invited for a celebration in Perlagan tomorrow evening at 1800 hours. In exchange we have Marie here until then. She wishes to learn something about the other side."

Marie nodded. "If it isn't too much effort, of course."

"It isn't. We want to check you in sickbay and then somebody will show you around," replied Picard.

Data and I accompanied her to sickbay. Marie's amber eyes were gleaming with excitement as she asked about a million questions per second. Data answered them.

In sickbay Pulaski ran a tricorder over her. "You read human, despite your green blood."

Marie sighed. "That's just an illusion. This is not my real appearance. When I became Katharina's servant I was told to change into this human form in order not to scare our young princess from earth."

"You can walk around like you really are. I'm used to you being a ghoul," I offered.

"Actually I prefer this look. This human body is so slender and has nice long legs. I like being able to walk upright on two legs."

She jumped down from the bed and danced across the room so that the brown skirt of her dress swirled around her legs.

Dr. Pulaski smiled and I chuckled at her enthusiasm. "You are free to go."

I saw a piece of parchment on the floor. "Marie you lost something."

She took it and took it back into the pocket of her apron. "Thanks. It means a lot to me."

"What is this?" asked Pulaski as she put her instruments away.

"It's the letter with which I was set free. With this decree I wasn't a slave anymore. You know, in Puvlagon girls count nothing. My mother died shortly after my birth and my father got sick. He couldn't work and my brothers didn't earn enough money. I was seven years old when I got caught by soldiers in stealing food at the market. They escorted me home. My father was heavily indebted to our rulers so they forced him to sell me to them as a slave. Fortunate for me I ended up in the kitchen of the castle. Six years later I was assigned to Princess Katharina because we were around the same age. She was always nice and merciful. She never punished me. She would have had the right to kill me for even the slightest mistake. I was her property but she didn't and we became friends. She even took me to earth for some shopping and ice cream." She looked at me gratefully. "When she found out about my story she immediately signed the royal decree to release me, remission of my father's debts and gave me some money to help him." She turned to me again. "Thank you again. I owe you so much for this."

I blushed. "You owe me nothing. This is what friends do."

We led her to her guest quarters. Before she went through the doors she asked me: "May I help you with your hair and make-up tomorrow? I would be honored."

I nodded with a smile. "See you around."

On our way to our own room Data looked at me. "You are a very generous and nice person."

I smiled embarrassed. "It was the right thing to do. It wasn't fair to capture and enslave her."

We entered our room. It was time to find the right dress. Melli apparently already had, she came out of her bedroom and said:

"I'm having dinner with Wes, will get late."

"Ok, Melli. See you then." She turned towards the doors. "Melli!" she looked at me and I tossed a small package to her. "Don't forget," I added with a knowing smirk.

She rolled her eyes and left.

Data had a puzzled look on his face. I chuckled and handed him another package. He raised a brow.

"I think after the latest events it's better for her to have some."

After I had chosen a dress I taught him some basic dancing. As I lay next to him in bed I thought about the next day. Data noticed my concerned expression and pulled me closer to him, kissing me gently. "Do not worry. It will be alright."

"I hope so." I played with the buttons of his shirt, releasing them one by one. Data responded with sliding a strap of my gown down and kissing my shoulder.

"I think we will not need one of these." He nodded towards the package on my nightstand.

I giggled. "No, I don't think we will."

It was almost evening and Melanie was very excited. Wesley had the run of the quarters, because his mom was absent and Data had checked on him a few days before. She stepped in front of the door and it hissed open. Inside the quarters it was very dim, almost dark. Wesley was standing in the middle of the room, waiting for her.

"Hey Melli," he said and kissed her, "Do you want something to eat?"

"Yes, please."

He went to the replicator and ordered some food. She sat down at the table and waited for him. He came back with a plate of food and two glasses with a red liquid.

"Wes, don't tell me that's wine."

He shook his head. "Don't worry, it's only grape juice."

"But it really looks like wine." He smiled and sat down across from her.

"What kind of food is this?" she asked.

"Just try it and close your eyes." She leaned forward, closed her eyes and opened her mouth.

"Here you go." He took a little piece and gently placed in her mouth.

"That's great."

"Ok, then try this," he said and kissed her on her mouth.

"That's very good. I think I know it," she said and returned the kiss deeply.

"Do you wanna have a bit more?"

"Of course I want," she answered.

"Close your eyes again." He gave her another piece.

"Wes, you know what I mean." She heard him laughing and standing up.

"Can I open my eyes?"

"Yes, take a look. I was training on the holodeck. You gonna be impressed. Computer, turn on music, slow." When she opened her eyes she saw him standing in the room, preparing for a dance.

"You learned how to dance?"

"Convince yourself," he said and invited her for a dance. She laid her hand around his shoulders while he laid his hands around her waist.

"You're really good. I'm impressed."

"My mom thinks I'm hopeless in dancing." She pressed her forehead against his cheek.

"I think you're the best. At least you're my best," she said and kissed him. He pulled her in a hug and let his hand slide down her back until they almost reached her thighs.

"Acting Ensign Crusher, behave!" She smiled mischievously and ruffled through his hair.

"You can't keep your hands off me either," he said and lifted her up kissing her neck and chin. She wrapped her legs around his thighs. In her head there was an explosion of pleasure which shut down her thinking process completely. She hardly noticed that Wesley dragged her to the sofa and half sat half threw himself on it. He let his fingers run from her belly to her décolleté. She moaned in pleasure and stretched her back. He slowly unbuttoned her blouse and laid her on her back. In return she put her hand under his shirt and explored his chest.

"Does it feel good?" he asked when he moved his fingertips a few centimeters under her bra.

"Stop talking and get rid of your shirt." He did what she told him and he removed his shirt. He kneeled over her and kissed her belly.

"Don't move further down," she said and he looked in her eyes. He got up a little and put his hands beside her head on the sofa.

"Can I see a bit more of you?" he asked and his eyes moved to her breasts.

"Not here, Wes. Let's move to your bedroom." He picked her up in bridal style and carried her to his bedroom where he dropped her gently on the sheets. She took off her bra and her skirt. He carefully touched her body like she was a doll. An enjoyable shiver spread over her body. He laid down next to her on the bed and covered her with kisses. She closed her eyes and moaned silently. He pulled her in a hug and kissed her. She snuggled up in his arm and she felt her energy floating away. Also Wesley's body was very tired as she could feel. He pulled a blanket over their bodies. A few minutes later they were both asleep.