With a sharp breath Wesley's eyes opened swiftly. Leftover panic coursed through his veins as he sat up scanning the room. He let his shoulders fall slightly as he saw her sitting up facing away from him, her legs hanging off another bed across the room.
"Veredian.", he said delicately.
She turned around with eyes that read of relief. She crossed the room in a second as he naturally reached out his arms. Their embrace was comforting to say the least as they sighed into each other.
"I thought I'd lost you.", he muffled into her shoulder.
"I'm so sorry my love. I'm fine and so is the little one.", she whispered calmingly.
As they let go of each other only then did he notice an unfamiliar constriction up and down his right arm. He looked at it with confused curiosity and back at Veredian for answers.
She returned his look with solemn and her hand grabbing his.
"Your arm was burned. It is only damaged on the surface but it will never look the same.", she replied running her fingertips over the fabric, barely making contact.
His arm was wrapped in a beige bandage from where his neck met his shoulder to where his wrist met his hand. He lifted part of the wrap only to wince at his beaten scarred skin.
He took a sigh as he looked down and back at her. "The flames certainly left their mark. It doesn't matter though, you're both safe, that's all that matters to me.", he said cupping her cheek, moving his thumb side to side over her smooth white skin.
"How did the fire start?", asked Wesley.
"It was Griege.", said Picard who walked in the door followed by Riker, Data, and Deanna.
"Griege? The creepy guy?", asked Wesley.
"Yes, his loyalty has always been questionable.", said Veredian.
"Him and his things were found missing this morning. All that was found in his room was this.", said Riker handing Veredian a note.
"The Seethe will not rest.", she read out loud.
"So Griege is working with The Seethe?", asked Wesley.
"I believe he is of Seethe descent. When I was little I thought I saw the mark of the sun on his ankle. Every Seethe is born with it.", continued Veredian.
"I wonder why I didn't sense any deception from him.", said Deanna.
"You see the Drazun are empaths, The Seethe did not like their thoughts invaded. After years of trading they were able to learn how to create a block in their minds from being read.", responded Veredian.
"The Seethe are after us and our child. We being next in line for leadership of The Sage, we won't be safe anywhere. We don't have an army and certainly no weapons or protection.", said Veredian with fear in her eyes as she looked at Wesley.
"I have already requested asylum to the federation but it was denied. They fear our protecting you will ignite the war even further therefore violating the prime directive in it's core. I'm so sorry. Believe me after the argument I gave, well let's just say I am not the admirals favorite anymore.", said Picard.
"We have no choice but to go into hiding. If it weren't for you and the child I would stay and fight, but last night I felt something far beyond fear or grief. I just got you, I don't want to risk losing you.", said Wesley his hand on her neck.
"I researched the landscape of the entire planet in great detail. There are dense parts in the rainforest in the east where you would surely never be found.", suggested Data.
Wesley and Veredian looked at each other with hesitant agreement.
"I can build us a home where we will be safe. And if things become settled then The Enterprise will tell us and we can return.", said Wesley trying to read Veredian's thoughts through her eyes.
"As long as we're together...nothing else matters.", she said with watery eyes. Their foreheads met with closed eyes as they breathed together for just a second.
They pulled away as he grabbed her hands. "We can't wait any longer we have to go now. With Griege's knowledge The Seethe know everything.", said Wesley.
She nodded in agreeance as they left with swift intent.
The once fantasy like haven was now filled with eerie emptiness and abandoned halls.
They packed necessities and prized possesions only. Wesley carried everything of course and with efficient ease. The team had beamed up already to the ship as they waited for Wesleys okay to beam the two of them to the coordinates in the east along with whatever they thought Wesley might want or need from personal belongings to tools and seeds.
"Veredian, Wesley! Thank goodness we didn't miss you Captain Picard told us what you're doing. It is the only way but my dears we will miss you. Oh and Wesley you musn't bring any technology with you The Seethe can track the slightest energy reading.", said Empress Porcelain with Emporer Obsidian nodding in agreeance.
"What about you will you be safe?", Veredian asked her parents.
"Yes there are enough guards for the two of us back at the palace. It will give us enough time to build walls and protective measures but we have to leave now sweetheart I wish we had more time. Be safe we love you.", said Obsidian kissing his daughter as they left hurriedly.
Veredian bit back tears as Wesley took a necessary second to kiss her cheek before taking her hand as they ran.
The couple gathered the last of their things as they looked at each other for assurance. They hugged each other tightly realizing they were now the only comfort they had left in the world.
"We'll be okay, I promise.", he whispered.
He tapped his communicator with reluctance and fear. "Enterprise...before you energize I just want say that I'll miss you all very much. You've all been my home, my family for so long and I can never repay that. I don't have time to say everything I want to say but...I just hope you all know how much I love you. Veredian and I and our child thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your help. Tell my mom I love her and that I'm safe...and tell her I'm happy. I know this all happened so fast and I can't believe it's come to this, but just know that I'm happier than I've ever been and I know my life, our life together will be so beautiful and content. I'll destroy my communicator once we get to the other side so we can't be tracked. I know there's not much time but I just...I just want you all to know I'll be okay. We all will be...energize.".
The bridge was a speechless tearful room as Picard choked on his words.
"Godspeed son.", was all he had time to say before Obrien energized.
