PART 20:

Liana stood with her father in the dinning hall, stealing nervous glances at the door.

She was hoping that Trip had gotten so busy with his work, that he'd forgotten about the dinner invitation, but her hopes were dashed when she saw him walk through the door on time with the others.

Ezral moved to greet his invited guests, then stopped when Liana didn't follow him.

"Liana, is everything all right?"

"What?" she replied nervously.

"Is there something wrong?"

She forced herself to smile. "I'm fine. It's just been a long day."

Ezral made his way over to the others. Liana took a deep breath and went to join him.

Drak stepped in her way.

"What are you doing here?" Liana asked surprised to see him.

"I switched with the regular steward so I could watch you with the human."

She glanced quickly at Trip, who caught her eye and waved.

"Remember what I said Liana," he whispered to her. "Stay away from him."

He slithered passed her as Trip walked over.

"Hi there!," Trip said leaning in to give her a kiss.

Liana turned her head and his lips grazed her cheek.

Trip frowned. "Something wrong darlin'?" he asked.

Liana shook her head and avoid his eyes. "Of course not, but I really need to be with my father, please excuse me."

Trip stood there with a confused look on his face as he watched her walk away.

"If everyone would take their seat," a steward announced in a loud voice. "We'll start dinner."

Trip pulled a chair out for Liana, she sat down without even glancing at him. The engineer sighed and took his seat next to her.

Throughout the serving of the meal, Trip tried to get her to look at him. He even tried to get her to talk to him, but she continued her strange behavior. He couldn't understand why, and he went to hold her hand and she pulled away.

"Did I do something wrong?" Trip whispered to her.

Tears formed in her eyes, and she ducked her head. "No," she whispered.

"They why won't you talk to me?"

She struggled to maintain her composer. She turned to her father. "I'm not feeling well, Father, please excuse me." She stood and walked out of the room.

The southerner watched as Liana left the room. He sighed heavily, picked up his wine glass and drained it. From the corner of his eyes he caught T'Pol's stare, but somehow just couldn't seem to bring himself to care. He set the glass back down carefully and then caught his Captain's questioning glance.

'Everything okay?'

Trip shrugged his reply as if to say, 'I don't know.'

End of Part 20