-1Disclaimer: I don't own Star Trek it belongs to others. This is just a little fan fiction to tie up lose ends. No profit is accepted or intended to be made other then smiles which I will gladly share with the corporations that own the franchise. Thanks to Gene Roddenberry and others for making these great shows and inspiring us with hope.

A/N: Telepathy and Thoughts in Italics

By: Fire Star

2 March 2007

Return to Carbon Creek

Part 92 (Explanations and escorts) PG-13

Mestral allowed Matt to escort them home. Vlad and Zephraim were cleaning up the tavern and Heather was putting away the excess food. He knew that it was best that he not protest. He considered the note the president had sent. He was annoyed that he had not considered all the logical reasons for his family to be guarded. He never considered the danger of exposing the Senator McCormick's plans. Harry's arguments had been well thought out and logical. Mestral had to wonder if teaching logic may have not been the wisest course. He leaned back in the automobile and decided he would definitely need to meditate on the events of the past few days.

Maggie was tired but oddly happy. She been pleased when Matt and Maria offered to drive them home. It would give her more time to catch up with her friend.

"OK now spill it. What happened to make you both decide to come here? The last time we talked you all were certain you wanted to stay in Serenity." Maggie said

"Well… I guess it was just all to much for both of us. We had lived there for years Maggie. I thought I knew the town. I heard how you were treated in town. I thought maybe it was just a bad day . I mean everyone can be testy now and again. But then with Father Wang being shot and the Mayor blaming you all for the temple leaving. It was just ridiculous. Then they had this town meeting. They called Matt on the carpet for supporting Mestral at the temple. Maggie Matt is a law officer it is his job to keep the peace and the town was treating him like a criminal. Well Matt lost his temper and told them so cold hard truths. He reminded the Mayor that the town had supported that Bigot and let him off. No one even seemed to care that a good man was shot and almost died. Even the prosecutor and judge wanted to sweep it under the rug. It was so….surreal. Well Matt lost it and told them if they wanted a yes man he was not it. He took and oath to the law. He looked at them and at Big Tom and tossed his badge in their faces. He said to shove the job because he was not going to be part of any cover up. We honestly thought some charges brought but….They did not care. So here we are." Maria said

"Well I am glad. I missed you. It had been a long time since I had so close of friend. Do not get me wrong I love the people here but…You and Matt are more like family to me." Maggie said

"That is sweet of you to say. I know it feels right to us too. We just knew Mestral's ideas of working together for the common good felt right. He did so much good with Mathew II and well Mathew II been asking when we were coming here and he even got the others in on it. So moving at the very least gives us peace and quiet."

Maggie laughed recalling how persistent a child could be.

They went into the house with Matt and Mestral first checking to see if it was secure. Maggie and Maria were busy getting the boys so they did not notice the way their husbands were acting. Matt showed Mestral the radio and the other safety equipment.

"This is as secure as we can make it. Paul will be here with his team in the morning." Matt said

"All will be well Mathew. We will take no chances."

"You better not Mestral. Maria shoot me herself if anything happens to you or Maggie. I got to go as we have to pick up the kids from Jolene's."

Mestral nodded. "Your service honors us Mathew and I shall not forget it."

Matt smiled. "Mestral I have learned a lot from you. So it is alright. We are friends and you would do the same for me and Maria if the need arose."

Mestral inclined his head agreeing. He was beginning to understand what humans meant by friendship and it was a valuable thing. He was feeling something that was hard to repress. He felt a fondness for the humans here. Something else to meditate on. For he did not think such feeling were necessarily a negative thing.

Matt and Maria left them. Mestral helped Maggie put the children to bed. They were exhausted and were sound asleep something both their parents were grateful for. Mestral was rather startled when Maggie moved into his arms. She hugged him tightly.

"Maggie?"

"I know it is to soon for … I just wanted to show you I loved you."

"I am pleased at this. The birth was hard and I am sorry I could not ease your pain." Mestral said

He pulled her closer tucking her under his chin. I cherish you beloved. Come let us lie together. I know you must heal. I would hold you close.

I love you Mestral and I am afraid. What it they come here to hurt you?

Maggie all will be well our friends will help me keep you safe. I am not incapable of defending us. Mestral pulled back sensing her fear. He took a deep breath and decided to prove they would be safe.

"Come I will show you something." He took her hand and lead her to their room. He opened a drawer and removed a box. His thumb went onto a clear pad and it opened. Inside was a strange pistol He removed it. "This weapon will keep us safe if the need arises. It will disable any who would harm us. This setting is to stun. This one is to kill. I have it set to stun."

Maggie looked at him slightly shocked she had not known he was armed. "To fire it you aim and press this trigger. There is no recoil as with the weapon David left for us." He removed a second box and moved the locks and it opened revealing a 45 pistol.

Maggie shuttered she disliked weapons. She leaned into Mestral "Why did you not tell me about this? About the threats."

Mestral locked the weapons up and pulled her to him once more. "I wanted to keep you safe. I … did not wish to disturb you with thoughts I might have to harm someone."

Do not keep things from me beloved. I would share all of our lives the good and the bad. I know you would not harm anyone if given a choice. I also know sometimes you have no choice. But do not think I love you less for wanting to keep me and the children safe. Baby we are bonded and should share the good and bad. If I had any doubts it was put to rest with the stun gun. You showed me you would try to spare even our enemies and that is more compassion then I would show. So do not think you are a monster for wanting to keep us safe. I would be that monster if someone endangered you or the boys.

Maggie you are kind and compassionate you would not harm anyone.

Maggie smiled a little sadly at this. He really thought only good things about her. She was certain she would do what ever she had to keep her family safe. Anyone would. It was human nature.

Mestral rose and undressed and pulled Maggie to him. His nimble fingers soon had her undressed and pulled close to him. No harm will come to us. We have friends to help us. We are not alone.

I know Mestral but fear is not logical and my greatest fear is losing my family. Maggie held tight to him as he rubbed her back. Soon she drifted into a peaceful sleep. Mestral held her to him.

I will keep the family safe beloved. Rest and dream peaceful dreams. Mestral used their bond to help her relax and sleep. He showed her pictures of the marvels he had seen.

TBC…