CHAPTER SEVEN

They were after him.

As if it hadn't been bad enough waking up from a cryogenic state and discovering that forty years had gone by without you. As if it weren't enough trouble trying to adjust to a world with which you were completely unfamiliar. But then to discover that some enemy authority was after you?

It was all a bit much for Jack Bairnson to take in.

Without a trace of emotion on his face, Bairnson stared defiantly back at the image of Commander Sela on the Enterprise's main view screen.

He said nothing, how could he?

Who would have suspected that Romulans would be after him? More to the point: why were they after him?

Had it really been the Romulans who attacked the medical transport at Epsilon Dräkmar and consequently, Bairnson's Enterprise? And if so, what did they need him for now?

Bairnson barely had time to think as his attention was diverted by Picard once again addressing the Romulan.

"Before I give you my answer," began Picard evenly, "I'd like an explanation as to why you've attacked my ship?"

"I have merely disabled your warp capabilities Captain," sighed Sela. "The damage I have inflicted upon your ship is minimal and repairable."

"But why?" insisted Picard.

"To prevent you from trying to escape with the fugitive Bairnson."

Picard shot a glance at Bairnson. All the former Enterprise Captain could offer for an answer was a shrug of his shoulders. Picard returned his attention to the screen.

"What will you do if we turn him over to you?"

"Why, I will leave, of course," said Sela simply. "We have business back on Romulus." She then stared directly at Bairnson, stressing her last words, "Don't we, Captain?"

"Commander," said Picard, forcing Sela to return her attention to him. "We have set a course for the Epsilon Dräkmar system in order to discover the reason behind Captain Bairnson's presence here. Perhaps if you'd care to accompany us..."

"That is unacceptable!" Sela fumed. "You are stalling for time, Captain. I do not intend to fall victim to your wiles this time. I do not wish it, but if necessary I will destroy your ship to get what I want."

"Is that a threat, Commander?" said Picard incredulously. "I was under the impression that your presence here was benign."

"Make no mistake, Picard," said Sela sternly, "only you will determine whether I will leave with or without firing a shot."

Bairnson had heard enough of this banter.

"Commander," he said finally breaking his silence. All eyes on the bridge suddenly turned in his direction as did the eyes of the female commander on the view screen.

"I'll beam over to your ship in ten minutes."

A satisfied smile came to Sela's face. "You've made the right decision, Captain Bairnson. It's refreshing to see at least one human with common sense."

Bairnson nodded simply, lowering his eyes to the floor.

"I'll expect you in ten minutes!"

With that, Sela closed the communications channel on her end and the image on the Enterprise's view screen returned to the image of the Warbird floating ominously in space.

Picard and Riker simultaneously turned to face Bairnson. The look on their faces indicated that they were not happy about his decision.

"Why did you say that, sir?" wondered Riker. "We might have been able to make them leave."

"With warp engines disabled and shields not at maximum power?" said Bairnson.

"We've faced worse..."

"Will," Bairnson interrupted. "I appreciate what you're trying to do, but really, this is for the best."

Picard took a step towards Bairnson. "Are you sure, Captain?"

"Jean-Luc, I don't want you sacrificing this ship for me. I already have enough deaths on my conscience."

Picard nodded sympathetically.

Bairnson looked to Riker for at least an acknowledgment of what he was doing. He noticed the bearded exec smile weakly and then give a nod to him. Bairnson extended his hand and grasped Picard's and Riker's respectively. Each of them gave his hand a vigorous pump.

Bairnson then turned away from them and slowly paced up the rise to the higher level of the bridge. As he reached the turbolift doors, he turned to, in some way, say goodbye to this crew who had been so kind to him.

As he whirled around to face the on-duty bridge officers, he was surprised to see that every one of them, including Worf, was standing at attention for him. Bairnson's voice momentarily caught in his throat, but he managed a brave smile for the group.

"I'll never forget you," he said simply to the assembly.

He then turned and stepped towards the turbolift doors which parted to allow him access to the elevator. He stepped through the foyer and into the car. Slowly, the doors closed before him, forever obscuring the bridge of the Enterprise.

Bairnson commanded the turbolift to take down to the level on which his temporary quarters were situated. After a moment of descent, he changed his mind and commanded the car to take him to another location.

There was someone he had to see before he left. He only hoped that she would understand what he was doing.

"Well I don't understand!" blurted Ro Laren. She turned away from Bairnson and paced over to the window at the far end of her quarters.

Bairnson sighed momentarily to himself. He was afraid that she would take it like this. Inside, he really couldn't blame her for being upset. She had lost so many other people she cared about in her young life, and now losing him had to be tearing the girl apart inside.

Bairnson stepped warily towards her, lightly placing his hands upon her shoulders. When she suddenly jerked away from his grasp, Bairnson took a step back.

Ro Laren turned to face him. In the dim light, Bairnson momentarily saw the tears streaking down her cheeks. He frowned as she presently sniffed and then violently wiped the tears from her eyes with her hand.

"Well, go on!" she said with sudden anger. "Go on out there and be the big hero!"

Bairnson could not help but shut his eyes. Ro's words came with the fierceness of a fist across his face. He imagined this might have been what Janet might have said to him about his hot shot flying.

"Don't even give a second thought to... those who... care..." Ro speech came in spurts as another well of emotion burst inside of her. "...About you... the most..." she finally said before burying her face in her hands.

Bairnson rushed over and wrapped his arms around the Bajoran woman. Ro struggled to free herself from his embrace for a moment, but ultimately gave up and wrapped her arms around him as tight as a vice. For a few moments, Bairnson let Ro sob into his shoulders. For some inexplicable reason, he couldn't help thinking that she wasn't just crying for him.

All those others that she had talked about losing in her life, had she had the opportunity to mourn their leaving? Or had she simply kept those emotions buried deep within her; never revealing them to anyone. Until now. Was it that that had made her so outwardly hostile and cold? Bairnson might never have known for certain. But at least she was expressing her feelings for him, now.

Bairnson placed his fingers under Ro's chin, and lifted her face so that their eyes met. Ro's deep, dark, mysterious eyes, now awash with tears were nonetheless burning with an intense fire of emotion. For a moment, the souls of Jack Bairnson and Ro Laren merged and became one. For a moment, the outside world ceased to exist and all that either of them knew or cared to know, was each other.

For a moment.

"I'd better go," said Bairnson gently.

"I wish you wouldn't," sighed Ro.

"You're not alone."

Bairnson pulled her close to him. After a moment he broke off from the embrace. Bairnson gazed deeply into Ro's eyes, a tender smile on his face.

"Who knows?" he said after a moment. "It could be that this Sela has the answers I'm looking for."

"If she does, I'll lick a Ferengi's earlobes."

Bairnson and Ro shared a laugh. He had never heard the Bajoran make a joke before, and this one coming in the face of who knew what, made it all the more special.

Finally Bairnson broke away, and began backing towards the door to the quarters. He never averted his gaze from Ro's lovely eyes, and ultimately, as the doors parted to reveal the outside corridor, a soft smile came to Ro's face.

"Don't forget me," Ro said hoarsely.

Bairnson stopped in the doorway and stood erect before her.

"Laren," he said. "If there's such a thing in the universe as destiny, I'll find you again!"

Ro's smile widened at the promise. Bairnson returned the gesture and quickly turned and strode out the door. As he walked the length of the corridor towards the turbolift, he dared not to glance back.

No more than a few moments passed for Jack Bairnson as he walked the length of corridor towards the transporter room. Yet, in those few moments, a lifetime seemed to pass. As the doors parted before him, he allowed himself the brief luxury of a deep and satisfying sigh. Bairnson then stepped through the archway and into the room. The doors hissed close behind him.

Chief Miles O'Brien stood, as usual, behind the transporter console, his face seemingly impassive. But as Bairnson was savouring every moment of freedom he had left, he took a moment to examine the Chief's eyes. Though outwardly he displayed no emotion, as good Starfleet officer on duty would, Bairnson saw within the Chief's eyes a kind of sadness.

It couldn't be that the Chief was actually saddened by Bairnson's having to leave the Enterprise... could it?

Bairnson was about to step onto the transporter pad without a further word exchanged between them. Something made him stop. He turned around again to face O'Brien. He still had the same outwardly impassive face, but the sadness in his greenish eyes, continued to bother Bairnson.

Bairnson stepped over to directly face O'Brien; only the width of the transporter console prevented him from getting any closer.

"Chief," said the Captain.

O'Brien glanced up from his adjustments. Obviously he had tried to cover his feelings with work, but Bairnson had been too sharp for him.

"I was wondering if you could do me a favor," Bairnson continued.

"Oh, certainly sir," said O'Brien. "What is it?"

"I was wondering if you could look after Laren for me."

A puzzled look came across O'Brien's face. Bairnson guessed that no one else on the ship called her by that name.

"Ensign Ro," explained Bairnson.

"Ensign Ro?" said O'Brien, his voice rising in astonishment.

"Yes," replied the Captain. "I have a feeling that the next few days are going to be difficult for her. I'd just like to know that someone will be there for her."

O'Brien shook his head in amazement. "With respect sir, I think that Ensign Ro is a lot stronger than you think."

"She's like Coronian porcelain," said Bairnson. He noticed O'Brien's brow furrow, not comprehending the analogy.

"Outwardly strong and unbreakable. But one little crack in the right place, and the entire piece crumbles to dust."

O'Brien nodded. "Don't worry, sir. Keiko and I will make sure she's alright."

"Thank you Miles," said Bairnson, clearing away an imaginary obstruction in his throat.

Bairnson then turned on his heal and paced to the transporter pad. He scaled the three-step climb and firmly planted his feet on the closest pad. As he turned to face O'Brien once more, he heard the report of the coordinates for the Romulan Warbird being relayed to O'Brien's station from the bridge.

Bairnson steeled himself as O'Brien activated the transporter. As Bairnson's surroundings shimmered away from existence his mind raced. He had no idea what fate awaited him on the Warbird, but he resolved that whatever it was, he would be ready for it.