As the two groups neared each other Wesleys breath fell out of his lungs. It was so sudden as soon as they locked eyes. They both slowed their pace with surprise at the immediate connection. In that moment they'd known each other for a thousand years. Her hair was up as her escaping jet black tendrils (he could have sworn it had a tint of midnight blue in the light) fell against her fair skin. A veil made of Persian green colored diamonds covered her face falling down to her knees. Behind the veil sat a silk gown that flowed over onto the floor, the color of ivy after a frost. Deep amber eyes squeezed his heart until it beat out of his chest. He prayed no one could see it.

Their mutual gaze was yet to break and as pleasentries were made they forgot to blink.

"I present Empress Porcelain, Emperor Obsidian, and Princess Veredian.", stated a man who was very tall and skinny. His skin was a disturbing shade of faded white and his cheekbones made ominous shadows on his long face.

Each royal member bowed or curtsied at their announced titles.

"Oh relax Greige these are friends not delegates!", said the Empress with a relaxed laugh.

"Leave the poor man alone darling he's only doing his job.", chimed the Emporer.

"Yes well you're right but he could stand to relax a bit, Olive go get Griege a bottle of wine and bring us two bottles.", she said to a plump servant woman as she chuckled with her husband.

"No thank you Empress.", replied the creepy man.

"Oh you're no fun Griege.", she teased.

"It is very nice to finally meet you all.", said Picard with a smile. "I am Captain Jean Luc Picard, this is William Riker my first officer, science officer Lieutenant Commander Data, Counselor Deanna Troi and Ensign Wesley Crusher.".

Both groups looked at each person who was being introduced, lastly landing on Wesley. She was an exquisite dream causing him to misplace his words. To their surprise he offered out his hand.

The princess gracefully split the veil that connected in the middle bringing it around both sides of her head reconnecting it on top of her raven curls. She then gave her hand to his as he bowed down low with eyes closed landing a gentle kiss to it's delicate surface.

Deanna had to stop her mouth from dropping open at the surprise in character she both saw and sensed between the two shy individuals.

Her touch blurred his vision making him ask the stars if he could borrow back the moment. The feeling was beyond explanation. He wanted to know what made her laugh in her head or what she did on slow rainy days. He wanted to know what made her cry at night and what made her smile in the mornings. He wanted to kiss the ground she walked on and die before his eyes left her divine form. He would trade his soul for just a moment with her. He was intoxicated.

"Well shall we adjourn to the consultation hall?", proposed Obsidian.

They nodded as the royals led the way.

"Green is officially my favorite color.", mumbled Wesley as he watched them walking away. The officers but for Data laughed at that of course.

"Come on heartbreaker.", said Riker putting a hand on Wesleys shoulder as they followed the group.

A few minutes later they were almost to the room as they walked through the heavenly halls. As the night grew closer her breeze picked up ever so slightly. It was soft and seductive towards the large curtains that flowed far enough in for Wesley to reach his hand out and touch. The material was softer than satin and warm from the brush of the setting sun. He played with it in his fingers for only a second having to keep walking. He wished he could stop time just to wrap up in it like a burrito and take an eternity long nap.

As they entered the room there sat a jade table with papers and maps flopping in the wind.

"I propose we ask The Seethe for workers to help build shelters in the villages. In return we are prepared to build a canal from our reservoir to their main city. From there they can export it wherever they need.", said Empress Porcelain as they sat down around the table.

"Yes, here you can see is our largest river. If we can build a canal around the thick brush here and through these trees than we have a straight shot from the end of the tree line.", said the Emporer pointing on a tan faded map.

"I think that is a wonderful proposition, do you think The Seethe would be willing to negotiate?", asked Picard.

"I don't know they are quite stubborn. But they are also quite desperate. The little water supply they have left from The Drazun is running out. I believe we have a chance.", replied the Empress.

"The Seethe's Sultan and his royal court are very reluctantly coming here in three days time per our request. As for tonight we dine in your honor!", beamed the Emporer.

They were led to a dining hall as the sun was just about gone behind the horizon. Only a little pure red light reached the embassy as it landed on Wesley's cheek. He closed his eyes for a moment relishing it's beauty and warmth. Little did he know it made the blood run quicker in Veredian's veins.

They sat around an even larger table of jade now as dinner was served. Many more members of the royal court and even servants joined the feast according to the kind leaders request. Laughter echoed through the hall among lighthearted conversation. The wonderfully delicious food was long gone as well as the wine leaving a group of slightly giggly diplomats. Well except for Data, Wesley, and Veredian. The two non-androids didn't need alcohol, they already felt like they were under the influence.

"Fern call for the orchestra and get this table out of here!", said the Empress waving her hand half chuckling.

A few minutes later six men and woman sat near the left wall as they played stringed instruments, every note being purely angelic.

Men and woman coupled up on the dance floor as the table and chairs disapeared.

Dresses kissed the tip of the dance floor as the violin type strings caressed each step made in unison.

He looked at her a few feet away as he watched her follow the gliding movements with desire.

Without a thought he found his feet walking to her, his eyes eagerly waiting to meet hers.

"My princess, would you like to dance?".

He wasn't surprised to find her expression a nervous one, he didn't like the spotlight either. He offered his hand as she nodded and took it with hesitation.

Every soul including their own expected an awkward patchy dance between the two shy parties. But they moved like one as his hand sat tenderly on her waist and hers on his firm shoulder. They naturally relaxed into each others rythym as they breathed in sync.

The chief officers and royal delegates watched with uncertain surprise unbeknownst to the two of them as they swayed in their private world.

A sudden elegant heat moved back and forth between them until their bodies were as close as they could be. His hand now holding her back with intensity and hers on his neck with feverish stability.

Each step was taken with a little more purpose and a little more passion. As the music intensified so did they. Her head swung back toward the floor as he whirled them both in a circle where they stood, his hand being the only thing keeping her from falling. He brought her back up as he twirled her out in a swift smooth motion. He caught her smile in the surreal moment that he held her hand as she looked out at the tip of her other outstretched hand.

The two cautious and timid souls eminated a shocking fire in the room felt by everyone. They couldn't help but watch. Deanna felt it the most of course having an unconcious hand on her chest. Picard and Riker couldn't look away either seeing this new look in the young ensign's eyes.

"I wasn't aware of Mr. Crusher recieving any dance lessons.", said Picard vaguely wondering when the boy had learned the art.

"I have no idea sir.", said Riker wondering the same thing.

Wesley looked down at their feet as her eyes followed his. Her right and his left moved together in a circle going out with outstretched legs and lowered bodies. Whether the music followed them or they followed the music was unknown.

He walked forward on the suddenly fast steady beat as she walked backwards on his lead. The song began to slow as they took soft turns around the room. Finally the bows of the instruments fell as did her body towards the floor with purpose. She was but an inch from the surface, floating in his strong hands.

There was applause for the musicians and couples dancing, but nothing was heard by the two who's gaze was yet to break even as he brought them both slowly upright. His safe hold on her was so gentle yet wild. Not wild because of him, but wild because of them.

Their chests pulled at eachother not wanting to seperate for anything. They breathed heavily from the dance as they steadied themselves with one another. They both sensed the overwhelming foreign and almost mystic magnetism of their souls. He looked at her with his head half cocked and a smirk almost wondering if she had something to do with it.

The feeling had been there from the beggining like a lit match. The dance was an ocean of gasoline.

A tendril fell in front of her eye that he cautiously moved placing it gently behind her ear.

Blood rushed to her cheeks that she hoped was hidden by the nights shadow.

"Princess...the Empress wishes to see you.", said a servant who came up to them.

"Very well.", she said following the man taking one last glance back at Wesley who hadn't stopped watching her walk away.

The Emporer and Empress had insisted they stay the night to which Captain Picard graciously accepted.

Servants showed them to each of their rooms as the sleepy moons found a comfortable place to rest among the many stars. There were three of them, each different sizes but they stayed near each other eminating silvery sapphire light.

Wesley's room was a small platform with four walls of the thin white drapes that looked lilac in the moonlight. There was a bed on the left with a simple desk next to it. The floor was bare but for dim light it produced reflecting off the moons.

He took off his cloak, shirt, boots and socks as he layed on top of the soft covers. The moonlight pooled in as it shone softly over his smooth chest. The warm night air caressed his skin with comfort as he stared up at the moons through the sheer curtains, the sound of the wind rolling over the dunes whispered calmingly in his ears.

He went over the unique day in his mind wondering how tomorrow would follow in comparison. He thought a while about the effect the deserts magnificence had on him, and on the uprising of The Seethe. In the midst of these thoughts entered Veredian. She was the meaning of beauty and elegance. His heart lept as a soft smile sat on his face. She ignited feelings he didn't know existed and yet she made him feel a sort of peace even from a distance. Being the sensible scientific person he was, love at first sight seemed like a fairytale improbability. In fact before today the idea would have made him laugh. But he wondered if it was possible now. She made him wonder.