Just a note:  This is actually finished, but I can't seem to find the time to type it.  I plan on getting it all up eventually though.  This chapter was a little hard figuring out, so if things don't make sense…feel free to complain.

"Is Kirk coming?"  Connell was back to growling.

Spock came very close to sighing, but didn't.  There was already enough exasperation at Admiral Connell on the bridge.  They all knew where the captain was and why the admiral wanted him.  Spock wasn't about to add to the tension.  "It was been approximately 28.57 minutes since your last call, Admiral, and your ship is still 3 hours 19.64 minutes from the Starbase.  I assure you, the captain will be aware of your arrival."

"I certainly hope so."

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Kirk sat at the table he's reserved at the VIP lounge.  He was uneasy about tricking Lexxi into a dress, but the feeling vanished as he watched her step into the dimly lit room.  She paused, and he looked her over.  Her hair was pulled back into tiny French braids ending at the crown and spilling silky black curls over her bars shoulders.  At first, her dress appeared black, but the light caught the satin and it bloomed into a deep midnight blue.  It had a halter top and a slim, floor-length skirt, both studded with rhinestones to resemble a necklace and belt of icicles.  Kirk suddenly didn't care so much about Lexxi's legs, but was delighted when she began walking and a slit to her hip showed itself.  He rose and took her hands.  "Your friends are abandoned again?" he asked.

"Actually," Lexxi replied, pulling away and sitting, "I believe, this time I am the abandoned."  She watched Kirk sit.  "How much are you paying them for this?"

"For what?"

"Spending their leave with me."

Kirk grinned and decided that honesty was the best policy.  He had a hidden conviction that Lexxi could see right through him.  "This isn't their leave.  It starts tomorrow.  They're still on duty."

"I see.  You had to…"

"No, they volunteered."

"I see."

They ordered and settled down to eat.

Kirk swallowed a bit of steak and said, "Tell me about yourself."

Lexxi also swallowed.  "Like what?"

"Like…what makes you different?"  That sounded painfully childish to Kirk.

"Are you trying to find out what you're getting into?"

Kirk almost blushed, feeling like a schoolboy on his first date.  "I mean…like, Mr. Spock has better hearing than humans and a heightened sense of smell."

"Smell?"

"Yeah, I almost feel sorry for him."

"Fascinating."

"What?"

"Dr. McCoy judges Mr. Spock by the standards of the human race.  You judge every other race in the universe by the standards of Mr. Spock."

"That's quite an observation."

"Observation of behavior is helpful when dealing with the unknown."

"The unknown?  You're awfully young."  Damn.  It slipped.

Lexxi closed up a bit.  "Don't jump to conclusions, Captain."

"Jim, Lexxi, Jim.  If I'm going to call you by your first name, you're going to call me by mine."

"You are a captain, Captain," Lexxi replied coldly, "and no more to me."  Kirk could almost hear the unspoken word…yet.

"And why isn't your rank higher, Lieutenant?"

"You are jumping to conclusions again.  I have not been in Starfleet long."

"Oh?  From the urgency in Admiral Connell's message, I'd have thought we were rescuing Nogura."

Lexxi sighed.  "Let's just say I'm a special interest case."

"A special interest case?"

"Yes."  Lexxi didn't elaborate.  Information was one thing no one could take from her.  Not without her permission.  Permission was one thing not given easily.  Kirk realized this.

"So…you're important?  But I would think they'd find some way to put you up there.  They have a talent for it."

"More assumptions, Captain.  Besides, me an admiral?"

"Why not?"

"Admirals are inescapably doomed to be desk-kissing paper pushers."

Kirk chuckled.  "But isn't that what everyone is looking for…power?"

"Not me, and not you."

Kirk was startled as Lexxi continued, almost passionate in her speech.

"This is your dream, Captain, live it.  You were meant to be here, on the front lines, out among the stars.  Take it for all it's worth and never let go.  When you lose your dreams, you lose everything."

Kirk sat back, silent, and pondered Lexxi's words.  She could see right through him.  She knew.  But instead of fear, there was a feeling of comfort.  Joy that she understood.  Spock had called her an empath, and he had been afraid.  Afraid of what she would know, of how he would impose.  But this wasn't harsh, wasn't deep.  It was soft and gentle and…Kirk looked into Lexxi's eyes and found a fathomless emptiness.  Nothing.  His heart sank as she spoke again.

"I joined Starfleet to see the stars…to be free."

Then it's not fair, Kirk thought, you're not free.  You're…chained.  Chained to…Admiral Connell.  Why?

Kirk began to say something, but Lexxi cut him off.  "My hearing is actually less than human norm.  Smaller range of frequencies.  I…" she chuckled, "I have better taste."

"Better taste.  In clothes?"

"No, no, no.  Here, you have a rough tongue, whereas my taste buds are so small and sensitive that my tongues appears smooth.  They cove the inside of my mouth and all down my throat.  And I…"

Kirk couldn't help but smile.  "You what?"

Lexxi lowered her eyes and sighed.  "I've been blessed with a heightened sense of reality."