Taryn lay silent on her bed. A PADD sat on her lap, as she read quietly. Absorebed as she was in her reading, she didn't hear the door pen.
"Hello." a voice said at her side.
Taryn practically leapt out of her skin. "Ohmygod!" she exclaimed.
"It's ok!" a voice laughed, "It's only me."
Taryn looked to her side and saw Commander Tucker, a big smile on his face.
"Sorry." she said sheepishly, "I didn't hear you come in."
"I noticed." he said wryly.
There was a moment of silence between them. "Is there a reason you came?" Taryn finally said.
"I, uh, came to ask ya a question.." he said, suddenly becoming nervous.
"Yes?"
"Well, your last name is Beille, right?" he asked, as she nodded the affirmative. "I once knew someone with the same last name, Natalie Beille. Do you know her?"
It took Taryn a moment to respond. The subject of her mother had always been touchy to her, and now she had to think of something to tell her father.
"She's my cousin!" she blurted out. It was the first thing that she had thought of.
"Really?!" said Trip, a look of curiosity appearing on his features.
"Yeah."
"Did she, uh, ever mention me?" he asked excitedly.
"She said that she loved you very much." Taryn said honestly. Her mother, even though she had never said his name, was always telling her how much she loved Taryn's father.
"Oh." said Trip, surprised but happy. "Thanks Taryn." he said, flashing her a smile before heading for the door.
"Any time. Good night, Trip." she said.
" 'Nite Taryn."