PART 28:

Liana ran all the way from her quarters to the drill site. All the there she was hoping Trip hadn't left yet. Her heart sand as she approached the site and there was no Trip, just Lieutenant Reed.

He looked up when he heard someone approach. "Liana."

"Trip," was all she managed to get out as she tried to catch her breath.

"He left here fifteen minutes ago for the docking bay," he told her. "If you hurry you might be able to catch him."

Liana didn't say another word. She turned and ran towards the docking bay, praying she would be in time.

Reed still watching Liana run, took out his communicator. "Lieutenant Reed to Commander Tucker."

"Tucker here," Trip's voice came over the communicator.

"Commander," Reed started. "I need you to wait a few minutes before you leave."

"Why?"

"I have something I forgot to give you to take back," Reed said, he hoped Trip was buying his story.

"Ya got ten minutes, then I'm outta here."

"Aye sir, Reed out." He closed the communicator and put it back in his pocket.

Reed turned his attention to the drill, a grin split his face. He had given Liana the time she needed.

*****************************

Trip sat in the pod waiting for Reed to show up.

"Come on Malcolm," he said. "Times awastin."

He heard, then felt someone enter the pod. "It's about time Lieutenant," Trip said with his back to the person. "What's so important that it couldn't wait to be transported to the ship?"

When he didn't get an answer, he turned in the chair to see Liana standing there. He swallowed hard. "Liana."

"I'm glad I got to see you before you left."

Suddenly Trip realized Malcolm wasn't coming. He cursed him under his breath for what he did. "Well, I'm just about to leave," Trip told her. "So you better go." He turned to face the console.

"Please, don't leave Trip."

He didn't move.

"I want to explain what happened."

"Now you want to talk," Trip said. "Well I don't."

"Please, you have to understand."

"Oh, I understand Liana. You made it perfectly clear."

"Trip I had no choice," she pleaded. "Or at least I thought I had no choice."

Trip turned to face her. "What are you talking about?"

"Someone told me that if I didn't stay away from you, that you wouldn't make it off this planet alive," Liana explained. "I couldn't let that happen."

"Who was this person?" Trip asked.

"His name is Drak."

"Why did he do this?"

Liana put a hand to her forehead and let out a slow breath. "Because he said that he love me and that I should love him and not you."

"So that's why you said those things to me."

"Yes. I hated myself for hurting you like that. I hated myself for the things I said to you," she said. "But I knew Drak was capable of hurting you."

"Was he the one who sent those rocks falling on us?"

"Yes," Liana answered. "So you see why I did what I did."

"What changed your mind?"

"I love you so much," she answered. "I couldn't let you leave without you knowing the truth."

Trip didn't move. He didn't know what to make of what was going on.

Liana watched the variety of emotions cross her lovers face. When she saw him turn his back to the console, her heart sunk and she turned to leave.

"Do you really love me?" she head him ask.

She stopped where she was and didn't face him. "With all my heart," she said tears running down her face.

Trip stood and walked over to her and put his arms around her. Liana closed her eyes and leaned back into his embrace.

End of Part 28