A/N: I'd like to pause for a moment to give you something of a roadmap of what's to come. I had originally intended to post the next few stories as one long part, but the more I mapped it out, the more I realized that it really did need multiple parts to 1)avoid confusing the reader; and 2) to tell a more cohesive story. While the next few parts will be devoted to characters and their relationships, they will also lay down some important plot threads that will be coming to fruition very soon as we're approaching the point where the two universes will come together in a meaningful way. Here's where I begin to lay the groundwork for that with the formation of diplomatic relations—not everyone, especially in the political structure of the Systems Alliance—is going to like or accept the ideas and values of the UFP and Romulan Republic. The UFP will, however, prove appealing to not only many humans, but those of other races as well. Also…when—not if—the Klingons make their appearance, there will be those, especially among the krogan, who will find their outlook on life very appealing.

As for Clone Shep and her crew: We're going to see some MAJOR developments involving them next chapter.

Finally, I hope ya'll are also enjoying "To the Green Fields…" While it won't immediately figure into events, the Pathfinder and his crew will eventually come into play. Again, I hope everyone enjoys this part and as always, I thank all of my readers and I do appreciate and read your reviews even though I don't always reply to them. Thanks again and take care!

R.R.W Gallena

"Course laid in for the Citadel." Joker reported from the warbird's helm. "Approaching Mass Relay. Do you want us to activate the cloak?"

"No. Not this time." Subcommander V'lana Avesti, the Gallena's Romulan commanding officer, shook her head. "It's time for everyone to see their new allies, don't you think?"

"Yes, Ma'am." Joker grinned in anticipation as the mass relay grew larger in the viewscreen. "Can't wait to see the look on their faces."

"We're cleared for the relay." Sublieutenant T'Rev declared from the warbird's operations console. "Three…two…one."

Immediately upon returning to normal space in the Serpent Nebula, V'lana commanded, "Open hailing frequencies, request permission to assume standard orbit."

"Aye, Subcommander." Specialist Traynor responded, complying with her commanding officer's request as the appearance of the Romulan warbird at once attracted the interest of several ship commanders in the Citadel Fleet as well as a shocked turian duty officer.

Citadel Control

"What the hell!" The senior duty officer exclaimed as the alien warship identified itself.

"Citadel Control…" Samantha Traynor's posh English accented voice announced from the speaker, "This is R.R.W Gallena requesting permission to assume standard orbit."

"Identify your race." The turian duty officer commanded.

"The Gallena represents the Romulan Republic…we are allied with the Citadel and Systems Alliance. Please feel free to contact the Council for confirmation. We will maintain station outside the defense perimeter until cleared."

"Alien warship holding station. No sign of weapons or barrier activation." A human technician announced. "They're playing it by the numbers, Sir."

Nodding his head in acknowledgement, the duty officer pointed to another technician. "Get me the Council." Turning his attention back to the alien ship, the duty officer requested, "Continue to maintain status. We are confirming your identity now."

Moments later, the technician declared, "The Council has granted approval for the Gallena to approach and requests the presence of its commanding officer at her convenience."

"Gallena? This is Citadel Control." The duty officer announced, "Council approval has been granted for you to assume standard orbit. The Council also requests that the commanding officer meet with it at her earliest convenience."

"Thank you Citadel Control." Samantha replied, "Subcommander Avesti wishes to extend her greetings and looks forward to meeting with the Council soon. Gallena out."

Letting out a breath of air as the alien vessel peacefully crossed into Citadel space and entered its assigned parking orbit, the duty officer joked, "Hell of a way to start the day."

Asari Dreadnought Destiny Ascension

"Goddess!" Matriarch Lidanya gasped as the Romulan warbird appeared on her ship's viewscreen. "It's beautiful…"

"And terrifying." Matron Tesyla, the Citadel flagship's executive officer finished as she regarded the clean lines of the warbird. "It looks like a predator."

"That's because it is." The matriarch replied as she pointed to the bird of prey painted on the alien ship. "See that? They painted that to tell everyone they encounter exactly who and what they are."

"They're requesting clearance to assume orbit." An asari manning the communications station reported. "Citadel Control has granted permission. Alien ship is complying."

"Good." Lidanya acknowledged as her eyes again turned to the Romulan vessel peacefully orbiting nearby. "Have they armed weapons or raised barriers?"

"Negative to both." The dreadnaught's weapons officer crisply replied.

"They're blocking scans though." An asari manning a sensors console declared with a frown.

"Are they scanning us?"

"Negative."

"Think they're waiting for an invitation?" Tesyla inquired with a thoughtful look on her face.

"Maybe." The matriarch replied, "Drop our barriers and allow them to scan us. Let's see what they do."

"They've ceased blocking scans, Matriarch." The sensor operator reported, "But they're not scanning us."

"Then don't scan them and open a communications channel." Lidanya ordered, "Let us begin our relationship on the right foot, shall we?"

Turian Dreadnought Primarch's Pride

"Kinetic barriers raised. Power diverted to weapons." The executive officer of the turian dreadnaught, Primarch's Pride, finest vessel of its class in the Turian Navy, announced as all eyes were focused on the alien vessel moving towards the Citadel.

Caeus Sevemus, the admiral commanding the Turian portion of the Citadel Fleet and commanding officer of the dreadnaught, cupped his chin with his hand as he regarded the alien warship on his screen. "Have they taken an aggressive posture, Commander?"

"Negative, Admiral." The XO crisply responded, his mandibles flaring in anticipation of action.

"Then why are we?" The admiral sternly rebuked. "Lower barriers and reduce power to weapons, but maintain ready status—just in case."

"Yes, Sir." The executive officer acknowledged, carefully hiding his embarrassment and anger behind a deferential mask, "Barrier lowered…weapons systems depowered."

"Status of alien vessel?" Caeus requested, turning now to the ship's sensors officer.

"Assuming orbit. Communication intercepts indicate that they are following procedure. The Destiny Ascension and Iowa both confirm identity of alien vessel as allied—R.R.W. Gallena, Romulan Republic."

Nodding his head in satisfaction, the turian captain lectured his executive officer, "You must learn patience, Kaerius, if you seek a command of your own one day. A mistake was made by an impatient officer a generation ago. An error that led to needless loss of life."

"The Relay 314 Incident." Kaerius interrupted with a scowl, "All the human commander had to do was follow orders and heave to for boarding and there would have been no conflict."

"Would you have done that were you in his position?" Caeus responded, "Would you have permitted an alien boarding party that you had never heard of until that moment board and search your vessel? That is even assuming you understood what was being said to you—which the human commander did not. Had our commander waited just a little longer, he'd have realized that the humans were newcomers and didn't know about the law regarding activating dormant relays or why it was put in place. But instead, he acted first. Without thinking. And a war that need not and should not have happened was fought and innocent beings died. There is a time for sudden action and a time for prudence, Kaerius. A wise commander knows which time is which. Now is the time for restraint."

"Alien vessel has opened a communications channel." A crewman called out.

Inclining his head as he looked down on his crew from his perch, Caeus commanded, "Respond. Let us extend a greeting to our new guests. This time, we will handle first contact properly."

SSV Iowa—flagship, 5th Fleet

"Looks like our allies have decided to let everyone see them." Captain Morrison remarked to the Fleet Admiral standing next to him.

"Indeed it does." Admiral Stephen Hackett responded, his lips turned up in a grin. "Open a channel to the Gallena."

"Channel opened." The communications specialist responded. "We're getting a response…visual and audio."

"Put it on." Hackett commanded as he straightened his jacket. "Time to officially welcome our allies."

RRW Gallena

"We're being hailed from multiple locations, Subcommander. The Citadel Council…Destiny Ascension…Primarch's Pride…Iowa…have all opened channels." Specialist Traynor called out from the communications station.

"Put them all on screen, Specialist." V'lana commanded as she sat up in her seat, "Split image."

"Admirals…Councilors…I offer formal greetings from the Romulan Republic. It is my hope that our peoples will enjoy a long and fruitful partnership." V'lana formally announced.

"The Citadel Council extends its greetings to you as well, Subcommander Avesti." Tevos replied, answering for the Council with a twinkle in her eyes as she jested, "It is good that we can now finally acknowledge our relationship."

"It is, Councilor." V'lana responded with a playful smirk of her own. "I would like to extend the hospitality of my ship to the Council and also to you, admirals…Matriarch. I would enjoy giving you a tour of the Gallena, and then perhaps dinner afterwards? My chef is very good and has learned a variety of asari, turian, and salarian dishes."

"We gratefully accept your hospitality and look forward to your arrival on the Citadel."

"Thank you, Councilor." V'lana answered back, "My crew has been on active duty without shore leave ever since we arrived. We welcome the opportunity to…how do the humans phrase it? Stretch our limbs?"

Chuckling, the human Councilor, Anderson, interjected himself into the conversation with the approval of the asari Councilor standing next to him, "Admirals…Matriarch Lidanya…would you join us at the meeting as well? We have much to discuss."

All traces of levity gone from her features, V'lana answered back, "We do indeed, Councilor…admirals. We will also commence preparations for shore leave for my crew. Please be assured we will follow all Council laws and regulations while on the Citadel."

"Thank you and we look forward to meeting you soon." Tevos replied with a grin, "Citadel Council out."

"Now that we're out in the open…" V'lana grinned as she turned to her executive officer and human lover seated next to her on the bridge, "…it's time to behave like it. Set up shore leave rotations and have Solana coordinate with Citadel Security on protocol. I'd like for there to be a Romulan or Starfleet security officer with C-Sec should there be any incidents involving our people. Also, I want groups of no less than two—preferably four—and no wandering into any red light districts just yet. Tell them to think of this place as another Paradise City or Argellius and act accordingly. I don't want any clashes or disturbances."

"In other words, no barroom brawls." Tovan quipped with a wicked grin.

"Exactly, Big Brother." V'lana replied. "Future shore leaves will be dependent on how things go here. Make sure the crew understands that."

"Will do, Little Sister." Tovan acknowledged, "Anything else?"

"Yes. I want you and Kaidan to join me in meeting the Council. Satra? Cilla?" The subcommander turned to address both her science officer and the senior Starfleet officer who also served as her second officer, "I'll need you as well. Mordin? Miranda? Tali? I'm going to ask that you be on call in case we need your input. Everyone else…" V'lana announced to her ship, "Enjoy your shore leave. You've earned it."

Destiny Ascension

"She seems so young." Tesyla noted as the communication with the Romulan subcommander ended. "Barely a maiden."

"Come with me, Tesyla." Matriarch Lidanya commanded. "What we must speak of has to be in private." After withdrawing to her quarters, the asari matriarch poured asari mead into two goblets. "Here. You'll want this when I tell you what I'm about to tell you."

"Thank you, Lidanya." The attractive asari executive officer responded as she took a sip of mead. "So…what is this universe-shattering news that you can't tell anyone else?"

Laughing, Lidanya answered back with a crooked grin, "Interesting choice of words…universe shattering."

"What do you mean?"

"This is not the first time the Romulans appeared in Citadel space…" Matriarch Lidanya recalled, "They arrived some months earlier and made contact with the Council."

"Why couldn't we detect them?" Tesyla inquired with a worried frown, "Do they have some sort of advanced stealth system?"

"You might say that." Lidanya replied. "It appears that their people are able to make their ships totally invisible."

"Goddess!" Tesyla gasped, "You mean to say they are immune to all scanning—even visual?"

"Yes." The matriarch nodded her head, "At least for our technology. Apparently where they're from the knowledge does exist to pierce through their cloaking. Needless to say, they're not willing to share that information with us."

"And where are they from?"

Taking a deep breath and exhaling, Lidanya dropped the other shoe, "From another universe."

"Well…shit."

Citadel

On disembarking from their shuttle, the Romulan diplomatic party was met by a crush of curious onlookers and reporters held back by C-Sec. Looking down at the red carpet and then at the delegation awaiting them, Kaidan muttered in a low voice as he pulled down his dress blue Alliance tunic, "Looks like they've pulled out all the stops."

"Not everyone's pleased to see us." Lieutenant Commander Cilla Oudekirk, a tall willowy human woman wearing a gold 23rd century dress miniskirt, her long blonde hair did up in a beehive style, remarked as her gaze fell on a group of human protestors.

"Terra Firma fanatics." Kaidan whispered, "Saracino probably riled them up."

"Did someone actually call us race-traitors?" Cilla muttered to her fellow human as V'lana led her delegation to the Councilors waiting at the end of the carpet.

"Ignore them." Kaidan murmured back. "They're not worth your time."

"Already have." Cilla responded with a smirk as they drew closer to the end of the carpet.

"She's a human." Rear Admiral Boris Mikhailovich pointed out, his eyes falling on the willowy blonde wearing a miniskirt.

"You were briefed on the existence of humans in the other universe." Admiral Hackett muttered back to his subordinate.

"Yes…" Mikhailovich responded, his facial features showing their disapproval, "But to actually see one. And is that…" he sneered as his eyes fell on the miniskirts the women in the Romulan delegation, including the human, were wearing, "…what passes for a uniform in their universe?"

"Apparently so, Boris." Hackett replied with a grin.

"I was informed by the Subcommander that individual captains determine uniform standards in their universe." Councilor Anderson interjected, "Some captains are more particular about uniforms than others."

"That's no way to run a military organization." Mikhailovich sneered as the alien delegation drew nigh.

"We can discuss this later." Admiral Hackett directed as his gaze fell on the approaching envoys. "The dog and pony show's about to start."

The subcommander approached the Council delegation and saluted with her hand over her heart, formally addressing their new allies.

"I offer greetings in the name of the Romulan Republic and United Federation of Planets." V'lana announced in her most diplomatic voice. "Please allow me to introduce the rest of my delegation." Smiling at the human councilor and Admiral Hackett, the lovely Romulan presented her liaison, "You already know Staff Commander Alenko." She then presented her executive officer, "This is Centurion Tovan Kev." Finally, she introduced the council to the other human in her party, "And this is Lieutenant Commander Cilla Oudekirk, my second officer and senior Starfleet officer on my ship. She is also the senior representative of the United Federation of Planets. We thank you for the warm welcome."

"Welcome to the Citadel." Ambassador Tevos politely greeted her new guests, "If you would please join us, we have much to discuss."

"Indeed we do, Councilors." V'lana diplomatically responded as the two delegations walked away together, the presence of several C-Sec officers keeping the reporters and crowd at bay. "I have specialists on call should you have questions of them as well."

"Excellent." Sparatus, the turian councilor replied, "We look forward to hearing from them."

"Shall we?" The salarian councilor motioned towards the door. "We have much to talk about and I suspect little time in which to act."

The Council Chamber

"I'm sure that you've already been briefed on what we found at Tuchanka?" V'lana stated as images of the cybernetically enhanced Cerberus troopers and krogan scout played on the conference room screen.

"We have, and I must say that I find these images quite disturbing." Tevos declared with a worried frown.

"Are you sure all traces of these 'nanoprobes' have been destroyed?" Sparatus asked, his features also reflecting concern at what he had just seen.

"We are." The Romulan subcommander replied with an affirmative nod of her head. "We used a tricobalt warhead and afterwards conducted extensive scans both on the ground and from orbit to ensure that no Borg nanoprobes survived. Urdnot Wrex has also agreed to our keeping a monitoring team at his main camp to monitor the site and scan the surface regularly to ensure that Cerberus does not try this again—at least not on Tuchanka."

"We cannot rule out the possibility of Cerberus and their patrons conducting similar experiments elsewhere." Valern, the salarian councilor, declared with a frown.

"Agreed." V'lana responded, inclining her head in assent. "From what Kaidan informed me, with Saren you were dealing with a single crisis and so Shepard was able to focus solely on dealing with that threat."

"She did have to divert her attention somewhat." Alenko clarified as Anderson cleared his throat to speak.

"Correct. She had to deal with Cerberus as well as pirates in the Traverse and the Batarian terrorists at Terranova."

"But Saren was her primary focus." V'lana interjected, receiving nods of agreement from the others. "Now, we're faced with multiple threats and unknowns. Cerberus…the Reapers…the Borg…and most likely the Elachi…all coordinating with each other probably under the direction of some other entity. If I were the puppet master, I'd strike in multiple places…force us to divide our attention and resources."

"A sound strategy." Valern replied, nodding his head in agreement. "My advisors in the STG have expressed similar concerns."

"I take it you have suggestions on how to deal with the situation?" Tevos asked leadingly.

"I do." V'lana replied as she gestured in the direction of her executive officer and second officer. "Centurion Kev and Lieutenant Commander Oudekirk, in conjunction with myself, Commander Alenko, Ms. Lawson, and Dr. Solus, have come up with an overall strategy. Your input…of course…would be greatly appreciated."

"Let's hear your plan." Sparatus encouraged as the others on the Council nodded their heads in agreement.

"Tovan?"

"We have assembled a strong and flexible task force…" The Romulan centurion declared, "The Gallena also possesses warp-driven and armed runabouts and shuttles capable of operating both within currently known systems and in systems that you have not gotten around to exploring yet due to the lack of mass relays."

"Our first priority has to be to find a stable and permanent means of traversing our two universes." Lieutenant Commander Oudekirk interjected, her Dutch accent quickly drawing the attention of both Hackett and Mikhailovich. "We know that whoever is using Cerberus and the Reapers must have access to a permanent portal. That they could do so would imply that there are other openings. We must send exploration parties into systems either lightly patrolled or unexplored."

"We have been negligent in exploration because of our dependence on mass relays." Tevos noted with concern. "The humans have actually been far more active in that area."

"Unfortunately, we have had to curtail much of our efforts because of the losses we suffered as a result of Sovereign and the geth attack on the Citadel." Admiral Hackett declared with a frown as he turned to the admiral seated next to him. "Your opinion Admiral Mikhailovich?"

"Our scout and exploration vessels suffered fewer casualties than our line ships." The stern-faced admiral announced. "However, they have been assigned to patrol duties along the Traverse and the border with the Terminus Systems due to increased pirate activities as well as trying to maintain a watch on human colonies. While I can divert a few ships to exploration, I would recommend against a large scale deployment at this time."

"I would respectfully suggest that exploration efforts consist of multispecies crews." Cilla observed, drawing broad smiles of approval from Tevos, Anderson, and Hackett, a look of interested curiosity from the salarian councilor, Valern, and frowns of disapproval from Sparatus and Mikhailovich at the notion.

"I would not recommend that." Admiral Mikhailovich flatly declared, "Setting aside the obvious security issues, the difficulty involved in training and then expecting multispecies crews to live and work together…"

"The Federation has a long history of multispecies cooperation." Cilla interrupted, "And the Romulan Republic is also increasingly employing multispecies crews on its ships as you can see on the Gallena where you have Romulans, humans, Andorians, and species from other races all working together."

"While that might be true in your universe, it is not in ours." Sparatus pointed out with what seemed to be almost a note of regret at having to utter those words.

"Unfortunately…" Tevos remarked in a mournful tone, "And much as I would personally wish it otherwise, Councilor Sparatus and Admiral Mikhailovich both raise valid points. The races in our Council have not reached the point of trust in each other that the races in your Federation seem to have achieved, Lieutenant Commander; or your Republic, Subcommander."

"Actually…" V'lana confessed with a crooked grin, "We in the Republic haven't quite gotten there yet either—although we are working towards it. My ship is something of an exceptional case in the Republic Navy in that it does possess such a diverse crew. Most Republic ships are composed almost exclusively of Romulans with perhaps some Remans. Some of us are still learning how to work and play well with others, I'm afraid. It's hard to unlearn the habits of several millennia."

"A possible solution…" Valern suggested, "Allow voluntary observers on exploration vessels of different races. No more than one or two. Will reduce friction while also permitting cultures to learn to work together. Observers will learn and bring lessons back home."

"That was almost the exact same model Starfleet used to integrate our ships during the later 22nd and early to mid-23rd centuries." Cilla nodded as she considered the salarian councilor's sage advice.

Addressing the other conference attendees, V'lana inquired, "Does that meet with everyone's approval?" As the other councilors nodded in agreement, the subcommander spoke to both human admirals, reminding them with a coy grin, "Didn't the Normandy under Commander Shepard have several nonhumans as part of her crew? And didn't they perform in an exemplary manner?"

Chuckling as he gave his human colleagues a wink, Anderson quipped, "She's got you there David…Boris."

Joining his friend in laughter as the other human admiral glowered in disapproval, Hackett responded, "Indeed." Nodding his head, Admiral Hackett gave his approval, "I see no problems with our exploration ships including observers from other Council—or allied…" he added, giving V'lana a knowing grin, "…races."

"Excellent." Cilla replied, receiving the subcommander's unspoken permission to continue her briefing. "The exploration ships will be looking for large concentrations of verteron and chroniton particles…"

"Verteron? Chroniton?" Mikhailovich interrupted, "What are you talking about?"

"My apologies." The Dutch Starfleet officer replied with a slight blush, "I forgot you don't know what those are yet. They're a type of radiation—very rare…even in our universe. Chroniton particles are often associated with time travel…"

"Time travel?" Mikhailovich scoffed, "This is a bit much don't you think!"

"Don't forget, Boris…" Anderson reproved, "You're talking to people who regularly go from ship to shore and back again through teleportation. The only reason they came in by shuttle instead of just 'beaming' in here was for our convenience. They also have a means of FTL travel independent of mass effect fields or relays and a bunch of other tricks up their sleeve. Not to mention the fact that they come from a parallel universe. Now…is time travel really that big a leap?"

The taciturn admiral responded with a low growl as Cilla continued her briefing. "As I was saying, chroniton particles are generally associated with temporal events, while verteron particles indicate subspace intrusions such as portals opened by the Elachi. Find those areas of concentration and we'll probably find a portal or gateway that we can use."

"Logical." Valern agreed. "Propose one ship from each race: salarian, human, turian, asari. With at least one observer from another Council race…"

"You would also need a Starfleet or Romulan technician on each ship to calibrate and monitor your sensors so that you can pick up on any verteron and chroniton particles in the systems you investigate." Cilla pointed out as Valern inclined his head in agreement.

"Correct." Addressing the delegates at the table, he queried, "Are we in agreement?"

"That seems the most logical approach." Hackett nodded his head.

"Agreed." Sparatus concurred.

"Excellent." Tevos smiled, signaling an end to the conference. "There is one more matter…Subcommander…Lieutenant Commander…while it might be a bit early for the establishment of formal embassies or ministries, if you wish, you're more than welcome to leave a small informal interest section here to represent you if you'd like?"

"As a matter of fact…" V'lana replied, returning the asari matriarch's smile with one of her own, "We were thinking much the same. I do have a diplomatic legate on hand to help with diplomatic matters for the Republic, and there is also a Federation representative that I'm sure would gladly represent its interests. Wouldn't you agree, Cilla?"

"Most definitely." The Dutch Starfleet officer quickly affirmed, "Mr. Gladstone would look forward to the opportunity to serve as the Federation representative pro temp to the Citadel."

"If there's no other business? Then, let us adjourn. I'm sure the Subcommander and the others of her delegation would like to spend some time taking in the sights of the Citadel."

"One other matter…" Anderson cleared his throat. "We've received frequent calls by the press for interviews and/or a press conference. We've been putting them off, but we can't do that indefinitely."

"I'm open to suggestions." V'lana replied, addressing the assembled councilors and admirals. "You know the press in your universe better than I do. How do you want me to handle them?"

"Very carefully." Hackett responded with a crooked grin. His smile disappearing to be replaced by a thoughtful expression, he pondered the subcommander's question. "We do need to address the press and do so with a unified voice—if we don't, rumors will flood the extranet. And that's something I don't think any of us want."

"We could put them off for the moment and tell them it's classified." V'lana suggested. "That'll work short term; giving us enough time to either develop a plausible fiction or find a way to gracefully ease the general population into accepting the notion of parallel universes."

"The less we have to say immediately—the better." Anderson agreed, further cautioning, "But…We will have to be more forthcoming later—and the politicians in charge of our respective governments will want to know sooner rather than later. Thankfully, as you pointed out, we do have a brief window in which we can work."

"That window is very brief though." Valern pointed out. "Our governments will not wait long. Nor will the press be patient. We might need to as you humans say…throw them a bone."

"Suggestions?" V'lana queried as she tapped the table with her fingers.

"Back home we would sometimes embed reporters on Starfleet vessels." Cilla observed, before asking the Citadel delegates, "Do you do the same in your universe?"

"We do." Anderson responded with a nod of his head as he considered the blonde Starfleet officer's suggestion. "We could offer to embed a few select reporters. That would temporarily mollify the press while also allowing us to control the flow of information."

"That'll work." V'lana concurred, "But our first priority has to be finding a stable gateway or wormhole between the universes and do so as quickly as possible."

"Agreed." Hackett affirmed, receiving unanimous accord in response.

"Is there anything else?" V'lana inquired as she got up and made a production of stretching, "If not, then I think we should all go and enjoy this pretty artificially generated day, don't you?"

"I think that is a good idea." Tevos echoed. "If there are no further matters to discuss? Excellent. Meeting adjourned."

After the Meeting

"Begin shore leave rotations, Big Brother." V'lana instructed as the conference broke up. Smirking, she teased, "You taking Tali out?"

"She wants to check out the electronics kiosks." Tovan replied, a slight green blush appearing on his cheeks, "So I thought I'd accompany her…to investigate how we can better integrate the functions of our tricorders and their omnitools." He explained.

"Right." V'lana chuckled, "Of course. Well…you two have fun shopping."

"What about you, Little Sister?" Tovan bantered back, "What do you and Commander Alenko have planned?"

Without a hint of shame, V'lana responded, "We're gonna check in at the Hotel Elysia and then fuck each other's brains out

"'lana…" Kaidan gently reproved as the pair walked away, "Did you really have to be so…blunt?"

"Hell yeah." V'lana chuckled, "Admit it…you thought it was funny too."

"I guess…but…"

Her laughter growing louder, the lovely Romulan quipped, "Come on! It was funny! Tovan wasn't upset…if that's what you were worried about. He was laughing louder than me."

"Yeah." Kaidan chuckled, giving in to the inevitable, "Okay. But you buy dinner tonight."

"Fine…fine…all right." V'lana sighed melodramatically, "I'm buying. But you promised me a Canadian breakfast and you're gonna deliver."

"Okay…Okay…" Kaidan chuckled as the pair walked to a waiting cab, "Tomorrow morning…one genuine homemade Canadian breakfast served to you in bed."

Getting into the cab, V'lana winked coyly, "Hmmm…an entire day and night in bed with you…and breakfast afterwards. I think I'm going to like this shore leave."