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Water came to Barclay's eyes as he kept coughing. Kyree watched concerned.
'Are you all right? Do you need more water?' She asked. Barclay nodded and rasped. 'I'm fine.' Kyree got up and went to the bar. Barclay saw her ask Guinan for water. As she waited, a man approached her. Barclay held his breath. He could tell the guy was making a pass at her. Kyree looked his way then spoke back to the man. Whatever she said made the man slink off in embarrassment. Thanking Guinan for the water she returned to the table.
'Here, this will help.' Kyree handed him the water.
'Thanks.' Barclay managed to croak out. Clearing his throat with the water he wanted desperately to ask about the encounter but he didn't have the nerve. He started cautiously eating again, hoping she had forgotten about the words she didn't understand. Kyree persist as she asked again.
'The words what do they mean? Cradle robber?'
'Well....It refers to our age difference.' Barclay couldn't look her in the face as he told her. 'They think you are too young for me.'
'But I am an adult. I do not understand.' Kyree frowned.
'Don't worry about it. They are just trying to be funny.' Barclay tried to put her at ease. But he had thought of it too. She was so young. And so beautiful, Barclay added as he gazed at her. Beautiful women didn't go out with him. Kyree's exotic looks captivated him. He continued to look at her until she looked at him questioningly. Barclay broke off his admiring stare. He toyed with his food a little and got the nerve to say what he thought.
'I was just thinking,' He cleared his throat. 'About how beautiful you look.' A look of surprise crossed Kyree's face.
'I am not beautiful.' She murmured. 'Males tell a women that to make her ready to mate. Do they not?'
From the neck up, Barclay flushed deep red. It suddenly became extremely hot in Ten-Forward for him. 'Well...I suppose..um..some do.' He felt beads of perspiration on his forehead. 'B bbut… not all. SS Some when they admire the looks of a woman, j.just say it.' Barclay felt helpless as he tried to explain.
'Looks are important to humans.' Kyree commented.
'Yes, to some. Most people d..don't judge people by their appearance.' Barclay had suddenly become an instructor of human behavior.
Kyree looked bewildered about something. She met his eyes. 'Do you mind me asking these questions?'
'Of course not.' Barclay's voice cracked to show the lack of confidence he had in the statement.
'You are the only one I have talked to on the Enterprise. Besides work and the play.' Her face softened and her eyes shifted from his to her plate. 'I do not make friends easily. I am too different.' She said softly.
His heart melted. Barclay found the nerve to reach across and take her hand. 'I know exactly how you feel, Kyree. I've never been able to make friends easily. If it weren't for Commander LaForge, I I don't know where I'd be right now.'
'But you are human. How can you not fit in?' Kyree felt a warmth in his touch.
'You don't have to be a different species to feel like you don't belong.' Barclay knew this subject well. 'I've always been...well...shy. It's really hard for me to interact with others.'
'But you are here with me.' Kyree wondered at his confession.
A big smile flashed on his face. His eyes shown as he said. 'I sure am.' His smile and voice aroused a shining smile on her face.
Still grinning Kyree said. 'You are beautiful when you smile.' Barclay flushed again. Kyree noticed but said nothing about it.
The pair finished their meal slowly. Conversation became easier. Barclay found Kyree did not expect to have a steady flow of small talk. Even though some of her questions put him on the spot, Barclay found he like trying to tell her about human behavior.
After dinner they took a walk in the arboretum. Barclay held her hand gently as they walked back to her quarter. At the door to her cabin, he paused to say goodnight.
'I I've had a wonderful time this evening, Kyree. Thank you for having dinner with me.' Barclay swallowed hard. He would never find the boldness to kiss her.
'I enjoyed our time together. You do not mind my questions.' Kyree smiled at him.
Transfixed by her smile, Barclay stood desperately trying to find some courage. A crewman walked by, eyeing the pair of them critically. Whatever nerve he had gathered quickly vanished.
'Goodnight. Kyree.' Barclay dropped her hand and backed away nodding slightly at her.
With a puzzled look Kyree returned. 'Goodnight, Reg.' She watched him turn and hurry away. Totally confused, Kyree stared at her door. She did not feel sleepy. She started walking in the opposite direction.
Her feet led her back to Ten-Forward. The crowd had left. Kyree found her spot near the windows empty. This time the few people in the bar did not interest her. She was trying to figure out the evening. Over and over Kyree mulled the conversations, looks and the unspoken language people seldom pay attention to. She sat with her arms around her legs and her chin resting on her knees, sighing often about things she did not understand.
Dr. Crusher and Troi occupied a table near her. The two had seen Barclay with Kyree. Dr. Crusher had gloated about her match making until Kyree came back to Ten-Forward alone. They watched her for a short time. Then with a nodding glance at each other they rose and went over to the young woman.
'May we join you?' Troi asked
Kyree jumped slightly. She had been too preoccupied to hear their approach. 'I do not mind.' She said, automatically sitting up straight and dropping her feet to the floor.
'Didn't mean to startle you.' Crusher said as she sat down. 'You must have been thinking very hard.'
'Yes.' Kyree agreed. The one word answer made Troi and Crusher look at each other. This wasn't going to be easy. But Troi preferred problems like this compared to others.
'We saw you with Lt. Barclay earlier. Did you enjoy being with him?' Troi asked. It took a moment for her to answer.
'Yes.' She finally said, a bewilder look still on her face.
Troi could feel her confusion. 'Is there a problem? Kyree perhaps we could help.' The girl shook her head slightly in response to the conflict with in her. 'I know you are confused by something.'
'Yes, I do not understand much of human behavior.' Kyree admitted.
At least she answered with more than one word, Troi thought. 'Tell us. Maybe we could explain it to you.' Crusher prodded gently.
Kyree eyed their friendly faces and sighed. 'I have experianced eating rituals with human males before, at the academy.' She looked into their face to watch their reactions. 'So I know what males want and want to do.' Troi and Crusher fought the smiles that threatened. 'I must have done something wrong. Lt. Barclay did not even try to kiss me.'
'Kyree, Reginald Barclay is a gentleman. He wouldn't pressure you into doing something he didn't know you wanted to do.' Troi began. 'And Reg is somewhat shy. It may take a few dates before he will kiss you.'
Kyree brightened. 'Then you do not think I did, or said something wrong?'
'I'm sure of it.' Troi patted her hand.
'You like Lt Barclay.' Crusher smiled at her.
'Yes, He is very...easy.' Kyree tried to find the words to explain. 'Easy to talk with. He makes me smile when he smiles at me.' She smiled with the memory. 'Although I never mated with any of the males at the academy, I did do the kissing with them. They seemed to enjoy it. It did not make much difference to me. Is it for only males to like?'
Both Beverly and Deanna broke into smiles. 'Not only males, females enjoy it too.' Troi told her. 'It helps if you do it with the right male.'
'Maybe Lt Barclay is the right male. I never wanted a male to kiss me before. And then he did not.' Kyree said soberly.
'Don't worry, he'll will have to kiss you tomorrow.' Beverly told her. 'In reheresal. There are.... I think three places where he has to give you a kiss.' Kyree eyes grew big with the thought.
To distract her, Troi told her. 'Kyree if there are any other things you don't understand, I'll be glad to help you, anytime.'
'There are many things I don't understand.' She sighed. 'You would never get anything else done. Reg answered some of my questions. Although he got very red when every I asked questions about males and females.' Kyree commented. 'He did not like what the others said about a cradle robber.' She frowned. 'I did not understand that either. Once you are an adult, why would age be of consequence.'
'It isn't for most people.' Troi assured her. 'Humans do like to tease about things. And I imagine Reg will get his share if he continues to see you.'
'I know what teasing is.' Kyree said gravely. 'I do not know why people do it.'
'There are many reasons, to relieve tension, to feel superior and some times for the fun of it. It isn't always bad to be teased.' Troi watched Kyree's face. The young woman had drained the emotion from her expression, but the Betazoid could tell Kyree felt troubled by past hurts. Then Deanna felt the Oradican push the pain aside with a prowess that shocked the councilor.
'Are you telepathic?' Troi asked abruptly.
'Sometimes.' Kyree answered cautiously.
'Are all Oradicans?' Dr. Crusher wondered.
'No. Not really. A bond exists between parent and child. Until the child is mated.'
Troi studied Kyree as she answered the questions about her birth planet.
'Maybe your father had the ability.' Troi tested Kyree's reactions to her unknown side.
'I would not know.' Kyree looked away from her questioners into the black of space. Troi could not judge what the woman was feeling. Obviously she was uncomfortable with the direction the conversation had taken, but not so she would not talk about it.
Kyree turned her head to look at the door to Ten-Forward. Troi and Dr. Crusher had not heard it open. Lt. Worf's familiar frame silhouetted the doorway. They watched him glance around then head for the three of them. Troi noticed Kyree felt no intimidation by the Klingon's presence.
'Ensign Kyree.' Worf was not one for small talk. 'You have been assigned to security in two days. I need to test your physical abilities and techniques. When would it be convenient?
Kyree had risen to the officer's greeting. She met his stern gaze without flinching. 'Now would be fine.'
Worf rocked back slightly. 'Usually one is rested before such a test.' He warned her.
'I am not tired. Oradican days are longer than Enterprise days.' Kyree explained.
'Very well. I can test you now in the gym.' Worf stepped aside slightly to allow Kyree to led the way.
'May we come?' Dr. Crusher seemed a little curious about Kyree's abilities.
'If you wish.' Worf said as he followed Kyree out of Ten-Forward.
Word had spread fast and a small group of spectators gathered to watch the testing of the Oradican. Riker joined Troi and Crusher as Worf and Kyree stepped on to the mats. Worf glared at the audience but said nothing to them.
'Ensign Kyree, This is not a competition. It is to determine your skill level in basic defense techniques. There is no dishonor trying.' Worf instructed. Kyree nodded as she met his eyes. The intense eyes of the Oradican surprised Worf. He wondered if he might have underestimated this woman. He stepped away from her and gave her a curt bow.
She bowed in response. Worf suddenly rushed her. Nimbly Kyree sidestepped the attack. A foot struck Worf's backside with enough force to use the momentum of his lunge to push him to the floor. Worf regained his feet in a second.
Cautiously he circled the woman. Her stance showed her readiness. Worf feinted then grabbed at her again. The Klingon had fully expected to gain a hold on the girl this time. But the agility of the Oradican foiled the plan. He felt a wisp of air as his large hand grasped air, where her arm would have been.
Worf pressed the assault with a quickness that took Kyree by surprise. Seizing her right arm he prepared to flip her. To Worf's dismay, the strength in Kyree's arm pulled him toward her. She dropped to her back and easily flipped the Klingon over her head. Kyree was on her feet before Worf landed with a thud.
Instead of being angry, Worf rose with a delightful snarl on his face. A worthy opponent, very few Ensigns caught him off guard like that. In tests he permitted a student to flip him if they had earned it. But very few times had he allowed it. Worf circled Kyree to the right. She watched him warily but with no fear in her eyes. Worf attacked again. Again she surprised him by not avoiding his on rush.
Kyree met his charge with an offensive strike of her own. Her quickness matched his. And as they locked in battle, Worf knew her strength did too. As the combat continued it became more than a test to the on lookers.
'Isn't this going a little far'? Dr. Crusher wished she hadn't come. She never enjoyed fights.
'She's all right Dr. Worf knows when to stop.' Riker said. To himself he added. 'I hope.'
'Kyree isn't afraid, Beverly.' Deanna commented. 'In fact I think she likes the challenge.' The slight distraction made them miss what had happened on the mats. A loud hollow thud, made the three look back.
Frozen in a ready stance the combatants stood staring at each other. A second later Kyree crumpled to the floor. Dr. Crusher rushed to her side. Anger filled her as she took out her medical scanner.
'I can't believe you did this, Worf.' A quick pass with the scanner made the Dr. furious. 'She has a fractured skull. I need to get her to sickbay.' She glanced up for help but glared at Worf not to even try to touch the girl. She touched her con badge and ordered the injured woman and herself to be transported straight to the medical unit. Worf followed subdued.
The diagnostic beds confirmed the skull fracture. Dr. Crusher worked to determine if any brain damage had been done. Riker watched in silence both the Dr. and Worf. Troi stood beside him knowing Riker was about to act.
'Lt. Worf.' Riker's voice was stern. 'What happened?'
'What happened?' Dr. Crusher turned on the first officer. 'In the interest of security he may have murdered this girl.'
Crusher's teeth clenched as she spun back to her patient. Worf's eyes held a strange worried look. 'Lt. I'm waiting.' Riker prodded.
'It was an accident, Sir.' Worf insisted.
'She's coming around Dr.' a medical aide reported. Worf and Riker turned as the woman tried to sit up.
'Stay still, Kyree, You are in medical. Please lie still.' Dr. Crusher spoke in a loud voice to get through Kyree's fogginess. Kyree quit her struggles. Slowly her eyes came into focus. She rubbed her forehead where a large bruise was appearing.
'Klingon's have hard heads.' Kyree said with respect. Dr. Crusher grumbled under her breath. The Oradican noticed the Dr.'s anger. 'It was not Lt. Worf's fault. Dr.' Kyree saw the Dr. was not convinced. 'Really. His head was coming up as mine came down. It was not intentional. Unfortunately my cranium is not as thick or as well developed.' Her words cooled the Dr.'s anger. Crusher looked at a relieved Worf.
'I'm sorry about what I said, Worf.' Beverly touched his sleeve.
'Do not be. It was my fault. I should have stopped it. I had what I need to place her security level.' Worf refused to be vindicated completely.
'But it was good sport Lt. Worf.' Kyree said. 'It is not usual for me to be able to use more of my strength. It felt right.'
Dr. Crusher finished her analysis of Kyree's condition. 'Well Kyree, the only damage done is a hairline fracture of your skull. I want you to stay here over night. You shouldn't have any problem reporting for duty in the morning.' Crusher wasn't use to having people calmly accept the night in sickbay. Kyree did not raise the slightest objection.