Jazined Targan was a handsome, though not very tall man. Len noticed immediately how his presence commanded the loading dock. To say he was impressive was an understatement. His white hair was styled to show his place in society, short but not too short, classic no matter what world he was on. His clothing did not betray from what planet he hailed, only his deep black eyes gave that away. He held a quiet confidence that managed to intimidate both Len and Jim, though they were sure he did not mean to do so.

Len understood what influenced Seri as she grew, why she had a quiet strength. Her father taught her to be the strong independent woman she was. One day he would have to thank Mr. Targan for that. One day hopefully Len prayed he would prove to her father that her choice was worthy of a woman as magnificent as the one he had raised. Len helped Jim and Kenakin load the craft. Joanna stayed close to them, looking a little lost in the new surroundings.

Jazined hugged his daughter to him as if he was afraid she would disappear. "How is my girl?"

"You don't have to talk dad. Len and Jim don't mind."

"Young lady I have better manners than that." He would only talk to her telepathically after the men were more comfortable.

"I'm doing well. Let me introduce you. This is Jim."

Jim extended his hand. "It is a pleasure to meet you Mr. Targan. Seri talks about you all the time."

"It is a pleasure Jim. You do like to be called Jim?"

"I do. James is too formal."

"You may call me Jazined." Jim looked uncomfortable. "Or not, it's alright."

"It just doesn't seem right. If it is alright, may I stick with Mr. Targan for now?"

The older man was smiling. "It is, for now."

"Dad, this is Len."

Len stepped forward and extended his hand. Jazined eyed him up and down before a smile took over his face. He took Len's hand. "So, you are the man my baby is in love with."

"Yes sir. I hope to be worthy of that love." Len had never been this nervous in his life. Emory was nothing compared to this.

"Hmmmm. We'll see."

"Dad stop it." Seri was laughing. "I know you have been waiting to do this for years, but it isn't funny."

"Then why are you laughing princess. And who is this lovely young lady?"

Jo came around from behind her father. "Dad this is Joanna. She is a princess just like me."

He extended his hand to Jo. "Why hello there, Miss Joanna. Seriana has told me a lot about you as well. It seems you and I have something in common. I love horses too."

Jo beamed. "You do?! I love to ride. I love all animals, but horses and dogs are my favorite."

"Mine too. If your dad says its alright, maybe we could go for a ride while you're here." Jo looked at her dad.

"If you are good then yes."

"Joanna, I have a surprise for you. I rented this craft just for you. Put your seat in the boot and come here."

"Boot?"

"I'm sorry I believe you call it the trunk."

Jo placed her seat in the trunk but kept her stuffed horse. She kept an eye on her father as she followed Mr. Targan to the middle door of the limousine. "It's alright Turtle."

She stepped in front of the older man to see in the craft. He pushed a button and the middle seat unfolded to reveal a child's seat with restraints. Her blue eyes sparkled as she jumped into the seat and started to buckle in. "I guess that is our cue. Jim, you and I are in the seats in the back row. Len, Seriana, you are on either side of Joanna. Is that alright?"

"Dad, that is perfect." Seri could tell that her dad was getting a feel for the other men in her life.

"Seriana, I needed to tell you, your mother and sister won't be home until right before the wedding. Something about redecorating your sister's living room."

"Because that is so much more important than seeing your daughter that lives light years away." Her dad looked at her. "Sorry. It is actually okay. We have tomorrow together."

"And tonight. I have the garden set up for dinner. Tachin is a great cook gentlemen. You'll love her food."

"Guys, she is Kenakin's wife. She is an amazing cook! She is also very funny. You'll like her."

The ride to the house took a little over an hour. They laughed the entire way there. Jazined told Jo about the puppies and how Seri's old room was cleaned and set up just for her. She was to consider it her room. Jo looked up at her father, eyes smiling. This was an adventure she would remember the rest of her life.

Kenakin turned into a long winding drive. It led to a house that could best be described as grand. It was a too formal for Jim's taste, but Seri's dad that was different. He made Jim feel at home. There was something about him, maybe the fact that his daughter looked a lot like him, that appealed to Jim.

Len was still nervous. He needed to talk to her dad. Her dad, the man she adored, the man he knew she rated all other men by, the man whose daughter he was taking away. Seri took his hand. "Don't worry Imzadi, he likes you. I can feel it. Jo has him in her little pocket already."

"But I am sleeping with his daughter."

"You might not want to mention that fact." She smiled up at Len. Len still couldn't see what others saw in him. Seri knew if he could he wouldn't worry. Kenakin opened the limo doors. The gang piled out. Jim and Len helped with the bags as Jo took Mr. Targan's hand. They walked up the wide stairs to the front portico.

Jazined could feel the tension in both men. He wanted to play with Len a little, but he could make Jim feel at home. "Don't worry Jim, no one really uses this door. We all use the side and back doors. I never liked this one, but my wife does. This was my family's house for generations, but frankly it was never my style. Let me show you to your rooms."

They walked up a grand stone staircase that led into a long gallery. The far end the gallery broke into two wings. Mr. Targan turned left, leading them down a long corridor. "Dad, are you putting Len and I together."

"Of course. You're adults. Besides, I'm not a prude like your mother. Anyway, Jim you are in here."

The door opened to a room about the same size as his one back home. It was a single room with a rather large bath. The woodwork was painted white and the bed had a white net canopy. "Thank you, sir. This is wonderful."

"If you go through that door there is a private balcony that looks toward the city. You can see the lights at night. Come here Joanna, you are next to Mr. Kirk."

He opened her door. It was a princess room. The posts on the canopy bed were carved to look like castle turrets, and the ceiling was painted to look like the sky. Len and Seri were behind her, but Jim was still in his room. "UNCLE JIM! You have to see this!"

Jim came running in. "Munchkin, you scared me. Wow! This really is a room for a princess. It explains some things about Aunt Seri."

"Watch it." Seri tried to look irritated, but it didn't work.

"Joanna, everything in here is yours. If your dad says it's alright you can take anything you want back with you." Jo walked around the room, running her hands over everything.

"Really?"

"Of course. That way you will always have something from here with you. I know your Aunt won't mind. Will you princess?"

"No dad. She is the princess now."

He moved closer to his daughter. "She reminds me so much of you at that age. I can see why you love her. You and Len are bonded? Was it on purpose?"

"No, it just happened as they say organically. He is my equal. Of course, mother will hate him."

"You leave her to me. We don't speak much, but she does know when I mean business. I'm glad you're home baby. Let's get you and Len settled in." "Len, your room is across the hall. I thought you two could use the privacy. It overlooks the back yard."

Len followed behind the father and daughter. The bedroom had double doors that opened into the largest bedroom he had ever seen. "Holy shi…sorry."

Jazined couldn't help but laugh. "Don't worry, I've said much worse. This room is a bit of a playground. They rooms are set up so you cannot hear what goes on in them unless you put your ear to the door." Len was turning pink.

"Dad, stop it."

"Princess let me have some fun. I couldn't play with your sister's husband. He was always too weak. It was like kicking a puppy. Now Len, that's different. I can see he and I becoming close. Unless he hurts you on purpose, then I'll eviscerate him."

"Father!"

"Later on, I need to talk to you. There is a reason your mother isn't here."

"I assumed it was more than me bringing human's around. We can talk after dinner. These three should get to know the house and grounds. I'll get them a map."

"Wouldn't it be more fun to watch those two get lost? I believe the little one will have no problem finding her way." They were laughing in unison. "Alright, who would like to go meet some puppies?"

Jo came running from across the hall. "Me, me, me!"

"Then we should go. They are in the back sunroom." Jo took her dad's hand as they went down one of the back staircases. Jim liked it, it was a lot like the one back home that led to the kitchen. It emptied into a hallway that was more of an atrium. They followed Mr. Targan to a backroom. As the doorway opened puppy barks could be heard.

Jo walked in first and was attacked by ten greyhound puppies of various colors. They were jumping on her and licking her all over. She was squealing and giggling as the adults pulled the fluff balls off of her. "I love puppies!"

"I know you do Turtle. I think they like you too."

"Joanna, why don't you sit on the floor over here and let them come to you. Their mother's name is Cordelia." He looked at Len. "I'm a Shakespeare fan. If they get too rough, just move to the couch. You can bring one at a time up with you. They are too small to be able to get up there by themselves."

Jo sat on the floor. The puppies came over and began to smell her. One grey one slowly came to her hand. "Jo, you have a friend."

"He is the sweetest of the litter. He is big, but his siblings bully him anyway. He's a very rare color."

Jim was watching the scene on the floor. "I always found it funny that blue was the rarest color considering it looks grey and they are called greyhounds. Jo, I think he loves you."

Jo had picked up the puppy and was snuggling him in her lap. "He just needs someone to love him best, that's all Uncle Jim."

Jazined looked at Len. "You know your daughter is an empath, don't you?"

Len looked startled. "Seri thought it might be a possibility, but she was going to have her tested when she gets older."

"Trust me, she is. You can have her tested to see how strong she is, but I can tell you she picks up on feelings; humans more than animals. I could tell from the time I picked you up."

"Dad is a very strong telepath. He can tell when someone is a telepath or an empath within the first few seconds of meeting them. I think it's a gift."

"Don't worry, she won't reach her full potential until her late teens. It's a fun time." Sarcasm obviously ran in the Targan family. "Len, would you mind coming with me." "Don't worry Seriana, I'll be good. I've scared him enough."

The two men left the puppy room. "Mr. Targan, You have a beautiful home. Thank you for welcoming all of us."

"It is my pleasure, I promise you." They walked out a glass side door and into a well-cared for formal garden with a small area that contained a tiny table with two chairs. It was a secluded spot that could not be seen from anywhere inside or outside of the house. "Please, have a seat."

Len was concerned, was he going to be told to stay away from Seri? He would never stand between her and her father. Len had been blocking his thoughts. He wasn't comfortable having this man, who he did not know, knowing his every thought. They sat, there was a pitcher of some cold drink with two glasses. Jazined had obviously planned this moment. He poured a glass for Len and himself.

The younger man studied the father across from him. How would he feel if there was a young man like him who wanted Jo? A man who had one marriage already under his belt. A man who had a daughter of his own. Would he welcome him? He didn't know. "Thank you, sir."

"You're welcome. You love my daughter very much, don't you?"

"More than I thought possible."

"You were married before?"

"Yes, sir."

"Then you know what mistakes not to make. Your daughter is a very happy little girl. You have done a remarkable job raising her."

"Her mother has."

"You both have. A child doesn't turn out like Joanna unless they are loved by both of their parents. She is at ease with herself. Not like us, not like Jim. We are damaged, not like that baby."

"Thank you for that. We have tried. My ex and I have worked hard to become friends again. It doesn't do anyone any good if we hate each other. Besides, if I'm honest with myself, the divorce was completely my fault."

"Was it? In my experience it usually takes two to destroy a marriage. I know that is the case for me. It was my fault for marrying her and expecting more from her than she is capable of giving. It is her fault for not bending to some of my needs. But it isn't a complete loss. I have Seriana."

Len was surprised. This was not the conversation he had expected. He liked this man, but more than that he understood him. "May I infer that you are getting a divorce?"

"Yes. I am going to tell Seriana after dinner. I wanted you to know before in case she needs your support." He looked at the younger man. He couldn't read his thoughts, but he could feel his understanding and compassion. "After her reaction to the moving of Seriana's money and safety deposit box I was done. I couldn't continue with the charade anymore. I kept up the pretense for the girls, but it wasn't necessary anymore. They are grown women with their own lives. I need to begin to live mine. I cannot read your thoughts. My daughter has taught you well."

"I'm sorry. I know how you must feel. The sense of failure that comes with the declaration. It hits you whether it is your idea or hers. Seri will be more concerned about you than anything else."

"I don't want her to think its her fault. What happened this past weak was just the end of a very long string of things."

"The straw."

"I'm sorry?"

"An old Earth phrase, the straw that broke the camel's back."

"I like that. It is appropriate. I'm giving her a decent settlement. She will never want for anything, but she won't be able to live in the manner that she has these past thirty-two years. Her constant need to acquire things is one of my issues with her. She has done nothing to better herself or help others. She… I'm sorry Leonard. You didn't come here to hear this."

"Give me a minute. I'll be right back." Len ran up and grabbed the scotch out of his luggage. There were two glasses on their nightstands that he also took as he left the bedroom. Jazined had not moved from the table. He was looking at the table but not actually seeing it. "Here, it was a gift for you, but I think you need it now. I hope you like it. It is an alcohol made in a place on Earth called Scotland."

"I love scotch. Nice, you have very good taste."

Len poured a couple of fingers for each of them. "Here you go. I don't mind hearing about this. I feel bad you have to go through it. When did she leave?"

"Yesterday. I told her I wanted her gone before our daughter got home. She told me Seriana was my daughter, not hers. I won't tell Seriana that. She doesn't need to know how cruel her mother can be."

"She knows. I won't let her blame herself. The only people to blame for a divorce are the people in the marriage."

"True. Tomorrow I thought we could go to town. Joanna would love our museum. There are displays that are interactive for children."

"Will Ms. Targan be at the wedding?"

"No. She feels she is better than them. She said that she is no longer forced to associate with my friends and family. I have a feeling they will be happy they no longer have to associate with her."

"Mr. Targan…"

"Jazined."

"Jazined, I need to talk to you about something. It isn't the custom here, I know, but Seri only cares about what you think. Her mother's opinion doesn't matter in the least as far as she is concerned."

"Alright." Len drank the scotch in one long gulp. "You know I don't bite?"

"I want to marry your daughter. It won't be for a while, definitely after graduation. But I want to marry her. I have been in love with her for moths and I can't imagine life without her. She is my equal and I pray I am hers. I may not always make her happy, but I want to try my damnedest to. I want to be there for her at her best and worst. I know I don't deserve her, but I need her."

Jazined had a soft smile on his face. With this man his daughter would have the marriage he never had. He was her equal, something he had doubted his daughter would ever find. He had found himself telling this man about the divorce, not just that it was happening, but about his feelings. Leonard was a good man, Jazined was sure of it. "What exactly are you asking? You don't need my permission."

"No, but I would like your blessing. I would never come between you and your daughter. I couldn't hurt her like that. If you don't want me in her life, I would understand. I would walk away. She would hurt, but she would move past it."

"But you wouldn't. My boy, she wouldn't either. You two are bonded, that is for life. More than that, I believe you are good enough for my daughter. That isn't something I thought I would ever say to a man. She is my baby, my princess. I want her to be with her equal. I don't want her to make the mistakes I made. With you she will be with her equal. You are more than married. I would be proud to call you my son."

He stood up and Len joined him. Jazined embraced his future son-in-law. The embrace was returned. "Thank you. God, I don't know what I would have done if you didn't want me for her." They separated and sat again.

"She has been telling me about you for almost a year. I could probably tell you everything about you and Jim. She adores you. I knew that before you did. You gave her a family. One thing I know is you two will always take care of each other. Trust her, and trust yourself."

"It is easier to trust her. I think she is smarter than me."

"She is smarter than me." He was laughing. "Don't tell her I said that. Tell me about Jim. I didn't think he would be as quiet as he is."

"I think he is afraid of saying the wrong thing. He doesn't usually care, but you are Seri's dad."

"I like your nickname for her."

"Jim's idea. He is a good kid. Jazined?"

"Yes?"

"Are you always like this? Are you always this open?"

"To be honest, no. I am the person in the room who blocks all others from my thoughts. Most Betazoids don't do this. It is you. The way you look into people. You have a lot in common with your daughter. Anyway, I know she will want to move to Earth. I am all she has here and I doubt that would be enough to make her stay."

"We can come visit."

"Or I could come to you. I hear Earth is lovely."

"Some parts. I think the farm is beautiful, but I am biased. Seri seems to like it, and Jo loves it. That's what matters."

"Jim Kirk…Kirk, why is that name familiar?"

"George Kirk."

"Shit. Sorry. Uncle?"

"No, father."

"That poor kid. Now I understand the nervousness. I've enjoyed our talk."

"Surprisingly, so have I. At least I'm not terrified anymore."

"No need to be. Unless you hurt her on purpose."

"That will never happen." Just then the gong was sounded.

"Dinner is ready. Don't worry, I have stopped the tradition of sounding the gong all through dinner. It is annoying. The table is set over here. I'm sure Seriana will bring the other two."

Len followed to the dinner table. The table was near the lake. It was a long wooden table with candles down the middle. Kenakin was lighting the candles as his wife supervised. There were several other servants to serve the food. There were candles floating in the water. "Thank you for this. It is beautiful."

"Dinner usually isn't this grand. I wanted to pull out the best for my baby and her family." Just then Seri led Jim and Jo to the table.

"Dad this is lovely. Tachin!" Seri gave the elegant lady a hug. "This is perfect. Thank you. I know this was all your doing."

"You are welcome. It is nice to have you home, even if it is only for a short time."

"Where are the children?"

"At University. The twins started this year."

"No! They can't be that old! I am ancient! Let me introduce you to my friends. This is Jim, watch out for him. This is Len; he isn't as grumpy as he seems. And the is Joanna; she is our princess."

"Hello Miss Joanna. I hope you like your bedroom."

"Yes, ma'am. Thank you."

"So, you are Leonard. You are the man who is going to take our Seriana from us?"

"Yes ma'am." He shook her hand.

"And you are Jim. Luckily my daughters aren't' here." She was smiling at him.

"It is nice to meet you ma'am." Jim was pink. What had Seri told them?

Jazined Took his seat at the head of the table. They all followed behind him. He singled for Len to sit at the other end. Jo sat next to Seri, and Jim sat opposite them. Dinner was fun. Stories were told of the trouble Seri would get in when she was Jo's age. During the meal it was decided that Jo should call Mr. Targan granddad. Jo told him he should call her Jo. Seri showed her dad her ring. Len told him about the family history behind it.

"Turtle, its getting late and I think Aunt Seri may want to spend sometime with granddad. Let's get ready for bed."

"Can I say good night to the puppies."

"You can see them tomorrow. Say good night now."

"Yes daddy." She went to each of the other adults and gave them a kiss good night.

"It's alright Munchkin, I'm going up also. Good night Mr. Targan. Night kiddo." He gave Seri a kiss on the cheek. The three went back to the house as Seri joined her dad.

"What is on your mind?"

"That was direct." He offered her is arm as they began to walk toward the lake.

"It was. You still didn't answer the question and you have the door closed to that part of your mind. What is on your mind dad?"

He stopped and turned to face her. His daughter, the one he took such pride in. The child who was so like him it was frightening at times. The one he never wanted to disappoint. "I asked your mother for a divorce. This past week was, what did Len call it, the straw that broke the camel's back. I do like that colloquialism. Seriana, I am sorry. I know I have disappointed you, but I couldn't do it anymore. I
need some peace in my life. Life should be like it was tonight, not how it has been for over three decades. I don't regret the marriage, it gave me you, but I can't live like that anymore." Jazined Targan didn't rattle on about anything. Tonight, was a first.

"So, Len knows."

"I told him tonight. We had a very good talk. You chose well baby. He is perfect for you."

"Tell me, how are you doing?"

"I'll be alright. I am giving her a generous settlement. I know she'll fight, but I am not willing to give her more. She'll never want for anything, but she will have to learn to be more practical. She is still the mother of my children."

"I wouldn't expect any less from you. You're a good man dad, better than she deserved. This was because of what I did at the bank, wasn't it?"

"No, it was because of all that has happened over the years. She won't be at the wedding. I didn't want to say anything in the car. She will come by the day after to see you."

"Maybe."

"No, you know she'll be here."

"Can you make sure Jo isn't. The guys are fine, they can handle her. But, I don't want that baby exposed to her bile."

"That should be easy enough. I thought you would be upset with me. Instead you don't seem at all surprised."

"I'm not. I'm happy for you in a way. I know this wasn't easy, but it needed to be done for years. What did Celiasa say?"

"It doesn't matter."

"Yes, it does. I can feel how it still hurts you."

"If I don't take your mother back I will never see my grandchildren again."

"Can she do that?"

"Yes. She'll get that wimp of a husband to agree and it is done. As much as that is killing me, the marriage was killing me even faster. I can't keep doing it. Everyday I would dread coming home. I slept at the office not to have to see her. It wasn't a life, it was an existence."

Seri took him into her arms. "You don't have to keep doing it. You'll always have me. I doubt you will be able to get rid of Jo after today. She was telling me how much she liked you and how nice you were. She said I was lucky you were my father. I have to agree with the munchkin. I am lucky to have you as a father." They stood on the banks of the lake holding onto each other as they listed to the water lap against the rocks. Jazined knew that no matter what happened he would always have the love of his daughter.

They walked through the gardens. The night air magnified the floral smells. "I'm thinking of leasing this place to the Cultural Relations office. I never cared for it, and without you here it seems devoid of life. Besides, I may not stay on the planet. My work takes me all over as it is."

"You should visit Earth. Len lives near a quaint town. I know how much you like the country. I agree with you about the house. I only loved the gardens, and your room."

"And the library." She smiled as she watched the ground. He never took his eyes from her.

"Definitely the library. There were a few books in there I still think about."

"You should take them with you. You need to have some of your past and culture surrounding you."

"No gongs!"

"No, absolutely no gongs. Do you think the men would want to see where I work? It would be boring for Jo."

"I think they all would want to see it. You would be surprised by what fascinates her."

"I know you know that Len adores you. Do you know that Jim loves you very much as well? Obviously not in the same way, but he does. And I know you love him too Princess."

"I do. I see in him what many others don't. He is a leader; he just needs to grow into it a little more."

"I predict that boy will do great things. He will most likely outshine his father, that is if he can get out from behind his ghost."

"You need to stop reading his thoughts."

"Baby, he let me during dinner. He looked at me and I felt his wall drop. I think it was easier for him than talking about it all. There are still some things he is blocking, something when he was a teenager."

"That is for later, if you really get to know him."

"He is in love with Len's sister, but you know that."

"So does Len, though Jim doesn't know that. Please don't tell him. He needs to come to Len of his own accord."

"I won't say a thing. He is a good man. You have built a beautiful family for yourself."

"And for you if you want to be a part of it."

They had arrived at the side door that open into the kitchen. "I would like that. I think the next years are going to be spent traveling. I am setting up satellite offices on several planets. I want to break into the Vulcan market, but that has been difficult."

"You could talk to Len's Uncle George about that. He has a rather large Earth practice, though you wouldn't know it by his offices. He might be a good source, Mama told me he has a few off-world lawyers in his employ. One of them is Vulcan. It is amazing what you learn while breading chicken."

"I would like to talk to him. They sound like a tight family."

"They are, but also very welcoming." She could feel her father begin to retreat. "They want to meet you."

"Thank you Seriana." The house was quiet when they entered. The dishes were washed and put away. "I'm glad you're home baby."

"So am I Daddy. Oh, before I forget, Len doesn't know about Betazoid wedding ceremonies. Please don't tell him."

"Seriana! And you say I'm mean."

"Evidently I come by it honestly. I want to see his reaction, and besides he doesn't have to be naked if he doesn't want to be. Jim will strip; he knows and doesn't care."

"You definitely are my child. Now go join your fiancé. I'll be alright, I promise."

Seri walked up the kitchen staircase to their room. Jazined looked at the bottle of scotch. It was too good for what he had in mind. He wanted to blot out his thoughts, that called for the bourbon. The bottle was taken from the cabinet. A generous glass was poured before he sat down. The kitchen was black this time of the night. The only light poured in through the stairwell. He studied the glass as the amber liquid picked up the light. Suddenly the light disappeared.

"Mr. Targan, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to disturb you. I just came down for a drink." Jim turned to leave.

"Why don't you join me?" Jim sat down as Jazined took a glass from the cabinet and pour the kid a glass. "Thank you for tonight."

"I just thought it would be easier. You had to know who I was, I guess I wanted to let you know, to let you know…"

"Who you really are? You love all of them very much, don't you?"

"More than I ever thought possible. After my life I didn't think I could. I know Seri has told you about me. I also know she didn't tell you everything."

"No, she would never do that. Jim, you don't have to tell me anything. I can feel the man you are. Like my daughter, I can read you. She taught you well. No one can break though your barriers. Please don't feel you need to let me know anything you aren't comfortable with."

"You know, Seri told me a lot about you. She loves you. I think part of her wants to be like you. She is one of the few truly good people I have ever met."

"She isn't perfect."

"None of us are. Least of all me."

"Or me."

"Let me turn on a light." Jazined turned on the small light over the sink. It threw a warm light over to the table. "Things look better in the dark."

"They do. Thank you for having us. Len told me what is going on. It couldn't be easy for you to have all of us here."

"It helps. You know I researched you two? First in your class at the Academy, I thought you would be an interesting house guest."

"Can I assume Ms. Targan didn't feel the same?"

He chuckled. "That is an understatement. Doesn't matter though. It never did I guess."

"It does to you. If it didn't you wouldn't be sitting here drinking in the dark." Jim's eyes were almost a velvet blue as he tried to see into the man in front of him.

"It does. Guess part of me hoped she wasn't who I knew she was. It must sound stupid to you."

"No, we all have that person in our lives. For me it is my mother. I keep hoping she is capable of more than she is. Perhaps one day I'll give up the fantasy."

"Perhaps." He finished his drink and poured another. "But not likely."

Jim poured himself another drink, though he knew this would be his last. He would take care of everything tonight. After what Len told him, and what he was when he entered the kitchen, he knew it would be a long night. He understood Jazined's need to narcotize himself against the pain of failure. "It isn't your fault."

"Yes, it is. I could have said no to the marriage. But I was young and stupid. I followed what my family told me to do. I was told that she was beautiful and from the right family, that was what I needed in a wife. I was never happy with her, not even for a day. Fuck, that's not true. I had one day, the day Seriana was born. That was the one day. When Celiasa was born all Lenoxia could talk about was how now we had an heir. I had done my duty and given her and her family a girl. Seriana was mine. She meant nothing to them. When she was growing up she went everywhere with me. She is the best of me."

Jim let him ramble, he doubted this man had ever done it before that night. "She is amazing. She sees through me that's for sure. You know she loves you."

"I do." He studied the liquid in his glass. "I don't think she wanted to be a surgeon, but it was a way to anger her mother. You know she graduated from what you call high school at fifteen? She did that to get out of this house."

"She did it to get away from her mother and sister, not you."

"I know. If I had been stronger she wouldn't have had to do that. No point in thinking about it; I can't change it for her." He finished the glass and poured another one.

"Strength has nothing to do with it. You did a wonderful job as a father. She is strong, loving, sweet, ornery, and a little irreverent."

He smiled at his glass. "She is my daughter. I never destroyed her mother. I could have, still can; but I won't."

"You aren't the type of man to let her go without."

"No, that's not what I mean. I can do it, so can Seriana. We can not only read your thoughts, but we can plant vision into you subconscious. You'll dream what we plant for as long as we want. It can be a pleasant dream, or a nightmare. There were days I wanted to plant the worst nightmare into that woman's brain; drive her slowly insane." He looked at Jim. "Don't worry kid, I would never do that. It would destroy her, but it would destroy me as well. I won't become that monster."

"Can all Betazoids do that?"

"No, but there are some of us who can. I don't know if she realizes she has that ability. It takes a lot to push someone to do it. I doubt she has ever been pushed that far. I'll talk to her about it before you go back. I don't want it to take her by surprise. If it does she may not be able to control it."

"Why haven't you told her about it before?"

"Because until now I didn't feel it in her."

"What changed?"

"Joanna, Len, even you my boy. She feels protective for the first time in her life. Before this I had no idea, she had acquired the ability. I guess Lenoxia was right, Seriana is exactly like me. I'm just pleased she isn't making the same mistakes I made."

"You made sure that wouldn't happen. You accepted Len. All you want for her is a good man who will love her. Trust me he is that. He isn't me."

"You are a good man James Kirk. Don't lie to yourself, you are a good man." He was feeling the alcohol. "Probably shouldn't have drunk that much."

"Do you want to go up?"

"I should. That little one will want to do things tomorrow. I don't want to disappoint her, not because of this."

"She is understanding, but I understand your point. Do you need any help?" Mr. Targan stood too quickly and had to grab the table. It was then that Jim realized the bottle was almost gone. "Nevermind, here, let me give you a hand." Jim put his arm around the man's waist as he threw his arm over his own shoulder. "There, I've got you. Don't worry, I've had more than a few people do this for me."

Jim got Jazined up the stairs and to the room the man half led them toward. The older man was stripped down to his boxers and poured into bed. Jim got a glass of water and left it by the bed along with a stone waste basket just in case. He doubted the older man was that bad, but he wanted to be cautious just the same. He stayed until he heard snoring. The moon shown through the bedroom window as Jim looked out across the front lawn. As with the woods in Georgia, everything took on the look of an old black and white picture.

This was the world Seri grew up in. It was a world of wealth, privilege, contempt, anger, and love. The he contradictions hit him. For the differences in their childhoods, all three of them had similar backgrounds. His was more violent, but none of them was peaceful. Jo would have a different life then they had. She would have all of the peace that theirs lacked.

Jim closed the door quietly. He found his way back to his room. The shower felt good and the sheets were soft. Tomorrow would more likely than not start with Jo jumping on him. He felt Cal's absence, but he knew she would be waiting for him when they got home. This was turning out to be an interesting trip. He knew he could easily grow to love Seri's father. He understood him in almost the same way he understood Uncle George.

He had left the drapes open. The city lights could be seen in the distance. Jim laid in bed and stared at the alien city. What mysteries did it hold? He would find out soon enough. Tomorrow he would see some of the things that made Seri who she was. Slowly he fell into a peaceful sleep, knowing that he was loved and accepted.