Chapter 2
The huge space of the Great Hall was gorgeously bedecked, as were the human swarms crowding
it. On the dance floor, the ladies' brilliant gowns shone in sharp contrast against the black
tuxedos and blue dress uniforms of their partners. It was like watching a kind of living
kaleidoscope, the colored patterns shifting in the smoky haze.
Roger Smith had indeed followed orders. His dark blue dress uniform was perfectly pressed,
his black boots and brass buttons gleamed like mirrors, not a strand of black hair was out of
place.
Even Dastun was impressed. He commented that the handsome young officer looked like a
recruitment poster-boy. The major led Roger to a wetbar, telling him to wait til he (Dastun)
returned with his "charity case." Dan then disappeared into the pulsating crowd.
Five minutes dragged by, then ten. Bored, Smith decided to have a drink. Nursing it would
at least give him something to do. He turned towards the bartender, got his drink. Idly, he
continued to watch the barman work. The cheerful din drowned out less insistant sounds. Smith
was totally unaware of the graceful young woman's approach until he heard her order a red wine.
Something about her voice attracted his attention, and it wasn't merely because it was female.
It was low, throaty, with just the faintest hint of a soft accent. Curious, Roger discreetly
glanced sideways, then did a slow double-take. She was watching the dancers, looking away from
him.
The dark velvety fabric (was it blue,black, green? He couldn't tell) of her evening gown
clung to every curve, its subtle sheen highlighting her well-toned athletic body. Her smooth
black hair was coiled, a single silver hair stick holding it in place.
She turned back to the bar for her goblet. Roger politely averted his gaze. She sipped
her wine, again watching the crowd, then glanced at Roger doggedly staring into his glass.
Apparently impressed by what she saw, she tried to strike up a conversation: "You don't seem
to be enjoying yourself very much."
Roger really liked her voice - the unfamiliar accent was fascinating. He straightened up,
turning to answer her...and found himself looking directly (not down! She must be six feet tall)
into one of the most beautiful faces he'd ever seen.
Smooth ivory skin, elegant bone structure hinting at a Eurasian heritage, wonderful full
mouth, and the most amazing eyes - large, almond-shaped, up-tilted ever so slightly, blue-green
like some tropical sea...and all of it strangely familiar. The image of an ancient queen
popped into his head...Nefertiti? Was that it?
He took a breath. "Um," he stammered, the words don't make an ass of yourself thundering
through his brain.
She gestured gracefully towards the throngs of revelers: "This Ball is supposed to be for
charity, yet they could do so much good with the resources they're blowing on themselves,
celebrating their one day of generosity for the common folk. I hate going to these things."
Hmmn, Roger thought, this evening might not be so bad after all - as long as Dastun
stays lost. "Tell, he said smirking, "if you find this so distasteful, why'd you come?"
Her emerald eyes widened at the remark. Oh, that's good Roger, went the little voice in
Smith's head, piss her off (and really where HAVE I seen her before?) when she smiled at him.
It was a sweetly crooked smile, full of mischief.
"A fair question, and directly asked as well...I like that, Lieutenant...?"
"Lieutenant Roger Smith, at your service, miss." He smiled instead of smirking this time.
She proffered her right hand, "Pleased to make your acquaintance, Lt. Smith. I'm Dr. Rowan
Daestar." Her white hand felt very nice in his - cool,firm, not wishy-washy at all. Smith
briefly wondered what the rest of her felt like - stop it Roger, went his inner voice - and
realized he'd seen her picture in the newspapers. Despite that, he found himself feeling very
comfortable with her.
"So, Dr. Daestar, I ask again, why are you here? Is it because your wealthy patients
expect your presence? Do they know how much you dislike them? I imagine that wouldn't be very
good for business."
She narrowed her eyes, the green orbs gleaming like lasers. "You are a louse, Lt. Roger
Smith, but an honest one...and I did deserve that. I rarely treat anyone anymore. I am a
medical botanist now, but I work in a variety of fields. Fortunately, my primary occupation
allows me to pursue a number of avocations." She played with the wine glass. "Anyway, I came
because I had to. I made someone a promise, and I always keep my word." She looked back at
him, flashing her smile. "Okay, your turn."
Smith shrugged his broad shoulders. "I guess we have two things in common - I don't like
being here either - and I had to attend also. I'm under orders from my superior to shepherd some
woman if he ever shows up with her. I think it's a political thing. Anyway, he called her a
'charity case' so I guess some higher-up called in a favor."
"Charity case?" she echoed blankly.
Uh oh, what did I say now? thought Roger. "I don't mean to be rude, I've never met the
lady - those are my major's words..."
"Ahhh," she breathed in that delicious voice..."and would that happen to be your major
approching now?"
"Wha?" Roger looked up as Dastun reached them. Before either man could speak, Rowan Daestar
planted a kiss on the major's cheek.
"Hello, Uncle Dan" she cooed. She smiled wickedly.
"Uncle Dan?" Smith echoed this time, quickly figuring out what was afoot.
She continued teasingly, "It's so nice to know your real opinion of me." The young woman
gently shushed Dastun when he tried to speak. "I'm sure your fine lieutenant will be equally
appreciative of being referred to as a charity case as well."
Dastun's ears turned beet red; he began to talk and gesture rapidly: "Now, Ro, stop
this. You know I don't really think of you that way - nor you Roger, don't look at me that
way!"
The lieutenant nearly choked stifling his laughter.
"Uncle Dan, please explain yourself. You of all people know I don't like being
manipulated this way." Her calm voice was belied by the green fire in her eyes. Her
stillness was actually more intimidating than if she'd stared a scene.
Man, thought Roger, this is one gal to watch. He'd never seen anyone make Dastun sweat.
The major's shoulders sagged in defeat. "I am not going to argue with you, Ro. Just
listen to me." His stern gaze swept for Rowan to Roger, then back again. "You are both -
hear me Roger? - both locking yourselves up in your own angry little worlds. I can't stand
by letting good people, people I care about, destroy themselves. But you're both too
blasted stubborn to do what normal young people do...go out, do something different, have
some fun for god's sake. Oh no, I couldn't set up a blind date - I HAD TO ORDER IT!"
Dastun paused for a moment to see if his words had sunk in. "You know what? You ARE a couple
of charity cases!" He stalked his way over to the bar. "I need a whiskey." He downed it neat,
then turned back to his audience of two.
"Okay, I did my good deed and got punished for it. The rest is up to you. Go." Dan gently
shoved them towards the dance floor.
~
The next day brought a new Roger Smith to work. He didn't look different. He didn't really
act different, as punctual and professional as always. It was just...he was cheerful even
though it was only 8 A.M. He never smiled before noon; yet there he was, doing paperwork
(which he hated) not only smiling but humming.
Major Dan Dastun was quite pleased with himself. His niece had already thanked him. He
hadn't heard her laugh so easily in a very long time.
The huge space of the Great Hall was gorgeously bedecked, as were the human swarms crowding
it. On the dance floor, the ladies' brilliant gowns shone in sharp contrast against the black
tuxedos and blue dress uniforms of their partners. It was like watching a kind of living
kaleidoscope, the colored patterns shifting in the smoky haze.
Roger Smith had indeed followed orders. His dark blue dress uniform was perfectly pressed,
his black boots and brass buttons gleamed like mirrors, not a strand of black hair was out of
place.
Even Dastun was impressed. He commented that the handsome young officer looked like a
recruitment poster-boy. The major led Roger to a wetbar, telling him to wait til he (Dastun)
returned with his "charity case." Dan then disappeared into the pulsating crowd.
Five minutes dragged by, then ten. Bored, Smith decided to have a drink. Nursing it would
at least give him something to do. He turned towards the bartender, got his drink. Idly, he
continued to watch the barman work. The cheerful din drowned out less insistant sounds. Smith
was totally unaware of the graceful young woman's approach until he heard her order a red wine.
Something about her voice attracted his attention, and it wasn't merely because it was female.
It was low, throaty, with just the faintest hint of a soft accent. Curious, Roger discreetly
glanced sideways, then did a slow double-take. She was watching the dancers, looking away from
him.
The dark velvety fabric (was it blue,black, green? He couldn't tell) of her evening gown
clung to every curve, its subtle sheen highlighting her well-toned athletic body. Her smooth
black hair was coiled, a single silver hair stick holding it in place.
She turned back to the bar for her goblet. Roger politely averted his gaze. She sipped
her wine, again watching the crowd, then glanced at Roger doggedly staring into his glass.
Apparently impressed by what she saw, she tried to strike up a conversation: "You don't seem
to be enjoying yourself very much."
Roger really liked her voice - the unfamiliar accent was fascinating. He straightened up,
turning to answer her...and found himself looking directly (not down! She must be six feet tall)
into one of the most beautiful faces he'd ever seen.
Smooth ivory skin, elegant bone structure hinting at a Eurasian heritage, wonderful full
mouth, and the most amazing eyes - large, almond-shaped, up-tilted ever so slightly, blue-green
like some tropical sea...and all of it strangely familiar. The image of an ancient queen
popped into his head...Nefertiti? Was that it?
He took a breath. "Um," he stammered, the words don't make an ass of yourself thundering
through his brain.
She gestured gracefully towards the throngs of revelers: "This Ball is supposed to be for
charity, yet they could do so much good with the resources they're blowing on themselves,
celebrating their one day of generosity for the common folk. I hate going to these things."
Hmmn, Roger thought, this evening might not be so bad after all - as long as Dastun
stays lost. "Tell, he said smirking, "if you find this so distasteful, why'd you come?"
Her emerald eyes widened at the remark. Oh, that's good Roger, went the little voice in
Smith's head, piss her off (and really where HAVE I seen her before?) when she smiled at him.
It was a sweetly crooked smile, full of mischief.
"A fair question, and directly asked as well...I like that, Lieutenant...?"
"Lieutenant Roger Smith, at your service, miss." He smiled instead of smirking this time.
She proffered her right hand, "Pleased to make your acquaintance, Lt. Smith. I'm Dr. Rowan
Daestar." Her white hand felt very nice in his - cool,firm, not wishy-washy at all. Smith
briefly wondered what the rest of her felt like - stop it Roger, went his inner voice - and
realized he'd seen her picture in the newspapers. Despite that, he found himself feeling very
comfortable with her.
"So, Dr. Daestar, I ask again, why are you here? Is it because your wealthy patients
expect your presence? Do they know how much you dislike them? I imagine that wouldn't be very
good for business."
She narrowed her eyes, the green orbs gleaming like lasers. "You are a louse, Lt. Roger
Smith, but an honest one...and I did deserve that. I rarely treat anyone anymore. I am a
medical botanist now, but I work in a variety of fields. Fortunately, my primary occupation
allows me to pursue a number of avocations." She played with the wine glass. "Anyway, I came
because I had to. I made someone a promise, and I always keep my word." She looked back at
him, flashing her smile. "Okay, your turn."
Smith shrugged his broad shoulders. "I guess we have two things in common - I don't like
being here either - and I had to attend also. I'm under orders from my superior to shepherd some
woman if he ever shows up with her. I think it's a political thing. Anyway, he called her a
'charity case' so I guess some higher-up called in a favor."
"Charity case?" she echoed blankly.
Uh oh, what did I say now? thought Roger. "I don't mean to be rude, I've never met the
lady - those are my major's words..."
"Ahhh," she breathed in that delicious voice..."and would that happen to be your major
approching now?"
"Wha?" Roger looked up as Dastun reached them. Before either man could speak, Rowan Daestar
planted a kiss on the major's cheek.
"Hello, Uncle Dan" she cooed. She smiled wickedly.
"Uncle Dan?" Smith echoed this time, quickly figuring out what was afoot.
She continued teasingly, "It's so nice to know your real opinion of me." The young woman
gently shushed Dastun when he tried to speak. "I'm sure your fine lieutenant will be equally
appreciative of being referred to as a charity case as well."
Dastun's ears turned beet red; he began to talk and gesture rapidly: "Now, Ro, stop
this. You know I don't really think of you that way - nor you Roger, don't look at me that
way!"
The lieutenant nearly choked stifling his laughter.
"Uncle Dan, please explain yourself. You of all people know I don't like being
manipulated this way." Her calm voice was belied by the green fire in her eyes. Her
stillness was actually more intimidating than if she'd stared a scene.
Man, thought Roger, this is one gal to watch. He'd never seen anyone make Dastun sweat.
The major's shoulders sagged in defeat. "I am not going to argue with you, Ro. Just
listen to me." His stern gaze swept for Rowan to Roger, then back again. "You are both -
hear me Roger? - both locking yourselves up in your own angry little worlds. I can't stand
by letting good people, people I care about, destroy themselves. But you're both too
blasted stubborn to do what normal young people do...go out, do something different, have
some fun for god's sake. Oh no, I couldn't set up a blind date - I HAD TO ORDER IT!"
Dastun paused for a moment to see if his words had sunk in. "You know what? You ARE a couple
of charity cases!" He stalked his way over to the bar. "I need a whiskey." He downed it neat,
then turned back to his audience of two.
"Okay, I did my good deed and got punished for it. The rest is up to you. Go." Dan gently
shoved them towards the dance floor.
~
The next day brought a new Roger Smith to work. He didn't look different. He didn't really
act different, as punctual and professional as always. It was just...he was cheerful even
though it was only 8 A.M. He never smiled before noon; yet there he was, doing paperwork
(which he hated) not only smiling but humming.
Major Dan Dastun was quite pleased with himself. His niece had already thanked him. He
hadn't heard her laugh so easily in a very long time.