On Risa Buffy looked at herself in the mirror, "A toga. Well, looking like I'm going to a Frat party but hey, I've got great shoes." She stuck out a foot and looked at the high heel with a ribbons criss crossing up her calf.

The dresser smiled, checking the fit. "Looks good, mmhm, mmhm, turn some more, yes. Perfect." She looked at Buffy, "Now to your hair and face."

            Buffy sat patiently and let herself be expertly made up, and her hair done. The dresser did her hair in ringlets tied back up with some curls hanging around her face. It had been a long time since she had been pampered and she was prepared to enjoy every minute. She turned when T'pol entered the dressing area with what was almost a frown on her face.

            "If one more Ferengi pats my bottom I will not be responsible." She complained and went to sit carefully in an overstuffed chair.

            "Just make nice and play with their lobes T'pol." Buffy surveyed her friend carefully, something else was up.

 "I cannot, the Vulcan Ambassador to Earth has arrived."

Buffy spun around, "Soval? Is Jon fit to be tied?" Buffy exclaimed and the dressing woman smiled at the expression on the women's faces.

            "He is…unhappy." T'pol replied.

            "I'll bet." Buffy snorted.

            Malcolm strode in, resplendent in his dress uniform. "Wow! Lt. Reed, what a hottie!" Buffy exclaimed, examining him in her mirror. The dresser nodded and Buffy stood to face him.

            He smiled and looked Buffy up and down, "You look ravishing Ms. Summers." He replied formally, then winced as she smacked him, inclining her head at T'pol. His eyes slid to T'pol, "As do you Sub Commander."

            T'pol smiled faintly, "Thank you Lieutenant. I fear that Buffy outshines me however."

Buffy and Malcolm looked at her in surprise, "Thanks T'pol, that means a lot."

Malcolm's wrist unit chirped, "The Captain has arrived."

            The dresser flapped her hands, "Go, Go. You're to be at his seat kneeling when he arrives." Buffy nodded and shot out of the room, T'pol and Malcolm following more circumspectly. Buffy arrived and looked at the other women, and knelt down gracefully, head lowered.

            Jon was seething politely as he entered the room and found his seat. He ignored the Risan women draped all over the floor. Soval was seated about 3 meters away and the Ferengi Nagus directly across from him. Soval had a small contingent at his back, as did the Nagus. He had T'pol and Malcolm behind him but wondered where Buffy was. She had left on the first transport and he missed her terribly.

He looked around at movement and saw Risan hostesses began moving into place. One hostess came and touched the blond woman kneeling in from of him, "This woman will be your attendant for the time you are on Risa."

            Jon panicked, "Oh, but"…then his words failed him as the blond head lifted and Buffy's beloved face smiled mischievously at him. Shaking his head at her, he grinned at the hostess. "Of course." Buffy stood in a graceful movement and took a drink from the Hostess tray and served him.

 "This is a one time gig, don't get too comfortable." She said quietly. She walked over to an area with cushioned stools and took one, placing it at Jon's side, and sat by his knees, the very appearance of a proper Risan woman.

            Soval frowned reprovingly and the Nagus chuckled appreciatively. "Beautiful choice Captain."

            "Thank you Nagus." Jon replied graciously, resting his leg against Buffy's arm, feeling her return pressure in reassurance.

            Soval stood, "Shall we being these negotiations?"

            The Nagus looked at the Vulcan in dislike, "Who invited you?" he asked.

            Soval looked down his nose at the little troll like Ferengi, "As Earth Ambassador I was asked to smooth the way for Captain Archer who is young and impulsive." He replied grandly.

            T'pol started and Malcolm glared at Soval. Buffy laid a strong hand on Jon's leg and he didn't move a muscle. Instead he leaned forward conspiratorially, "Well Nagus, remember Rule of Acquisition #79." (a/n-Beware the Vulcan's greed for knowledge.) he said and the Nagus eye's went wide and he threw his head back and guffawed. Soval looked befuddled.

            "I like you Captain, but I'm reminded of Rule #214." (a/n-Never begin a business negotiation on an empty stomach).

            Jon laughed appreciatively, "I agree." He leaned down to Buffy, "We would like our meal to be served now." She nodded and rose to confer with the hostess before gracefully walking back to seat herself by Jon's knee.

            Malcolm watched in admiration, as Buffy's eyes never stopped watching for danger, even if it appeared she was flirting with the Captain.

            Soval was irritated and a little confused. He sighed as the meal was served and everyone began to eat. Buffy served the Captain, leaning over and offering tantalizing glimpses of her breasts, distracting him.  His eyes shot up to hers and she smirked before resuming her seat beside him.

            The meal concluded and was cleared. The Nagus burped cheerfully then smiled at the Risan woman who was rubbing his lobes.

            Jon ran an absent hand over Buffy's arm, taking comfort from her. He looked at the Nagus, "I'm reminded of Rule #284.(a/n-Deep down everyone's a Ferengi."

The Nagus shook his head, "I live for the Rule #13, (a/n-Anything worth doing is worth doing for money.)

            Jon nodded and the two of them dived into the negotiations, Soval left out in the cold. It took them enough time that Buffy was comfortable with getting up to leave. She stood and the Captain paused, his amber eyes on hers. He nodded and she inclined her head gracefully and left the courtyard. She did a turn of the area before noticing an alien watching the proceedings. Now there were lots of aliens that visited Risa but this one stuck out in Buffy's mind.

            Malcolm had bent the rules and let Buffy in on the Temporal war, Daniels, the Suliban and Silik. The time thing she didn't quite get but the rest was just like listening to Giles at home. She was aware of Silik's interest in Jon and realized that the cloaked alien was the ugly guy in question. Stopping behind a potted tree she tapped her lip thoughtfully. Tell Malcolm and possibly lose Silik, or take him out herself.

            Duh.

            She walked silently up to him and touched his arm making him jump. "Excuse me, is there something that you desire?" she asked quietly.

            "No, I'm fine." He said brusquely, dismissing her as yet another Risan woman. He turned back to watch the conference.

 "Are you quite sure? Perhaps a drink?" she pressed.

            "Leave me be!" he ground out and Buffy shrugged. "Hey, I tried." He turned to look at her and Buffy slugged him. Hard. He dropped on top of the greenery with a thud. Buffy bent down and rifled his pockets, taking everything, including his armbands and wrist units, careful not to push any buttons. She stepped back, waiting for someone to walk by. As luck would have it,  Trip came by with a Risan woman.

            "Trip!" she hissed and waved him over. His eyes widened at the sight of Silik and she grabbed him by the shirt, "Get Mal. Now!" he nodded at her urgency and spoke quietly to his date then ran for the conference. Buffy cast an eye at Silik, then walked over to the disappointed woman, "He's a friend of mine and the nicest guy, he'll be back." Buffy said and the woman smiled, "Thank you."

            Malcolm came at a dignified stride, then dashed to Buffy's side. "You're brilliant!" He secured Silik and called for a security team to take him to a secure area.

"Where are his devices?" he asked after frisking him and Buffy patted herself, "I have them. I'm gonna get a box to put them in to avoid pressing any buttons or going  'boom'."

            Silik twitched and Buffy grabbed Malcolm's arm, "I'm outta here. I don't want him to remember me." She dashed off and Trip came back to stand with Malcolm as Silik came around, staring up at them in dismay.

            "How did you know?" he asked Malcolm smiled, "A Suliban woman. You must have been done something naughty for she was very happy to do this. You know how it is, a woman scorned and all that?" He lied glibly, enjoying the confusion on the Suliban's face.

            Buffy begged a box off of the Dresser and carefully arranged the items inside when she felt something and turned around. There stood a man, slicked back brown hair and dark eyes staring at her in consternation. "What are you doing here?" he asked.

            Buffy smiled, "Daniels I presume?"

            "Buffy!" he said warningly and Buffy laughed, "You may want to remember that I haven't ever met you before." She replied dryly before continuing to empty her pockets carefully and arrange the items.

He walked over and looked in the box, "Where is Silik? These are his. I've been tracking him."

She shrugged and added the last item, "I punched him out. Mal has him in custody."

            "Mal?" He asked, trying to remember the crew's names and Buffy smiled, "Lt. Reed?"

Daniels nodded, "Oh, right."

            He stood there for a moment watching her arrange her dress and looked at her, "Your inclusion in this timeline is sending out ripples." He complained.

Buffy turned to him, waving a finger, "Don't you whine to me! A demon did this, I'm just living it!"

He waved a hand with a smile and said, "Yes, yes. I'll take the box. Silik won't stay in custody long before someone finds him."

            Buffy nodded thoughtfully, "I didn't think it would be long until someone was sent to find him. I hope I made it harder." Her hand indicated the items she had taken.

Daniels laughed, "It's good to see you Buffy."

            Buffy raised her eyebrows, "It's nice to meet you for the 'first time' Daniels." She jumped as he leaned forward and kissed her cheek. Then he grabbed the box, pressed something and with a wave disappeared.

            Buffy looked up, "To whoever is listening, I really wish I knew what was going on!" and she headed back to the conference.