Lexxi shook almost violently. Kirk drew her closer and brushed a hair from her eyes, his brow furrowed with worry. "Are you cold?" he asked.
"No." Lexxi's voice was a whisper. "Afraid."
"Afraid?"
She nodded. "Of you…of me…of us…tomorrow."
"Tomorrow."
"Yes. In the morning, we'll go back to the ship, and eventually I'll leave. And you'll move on and I'll live our the rest of my God knows how many years alone." She was close to crying again.
"Shh…" Kirk soothed her. Pressed so close together, her tremors racked his body. "You don't have to be alone. We can stay together forever. I'll have you transferred, I…"
"No. The admiral won't…"
"Why?"
Lexxi turned her face away and didn't answer.
"Lexxi?" Kirk reached out and turned her to face him. "Lexxi, what's wrong? Why?"
A big tear rolled down Lexxi's flushed cheek and she buried her face in his chest. Kirk brought his hand down to her head and began to absently stroke her hair.
"Captain…"
"Jim."
"Captain, I've lied to you."
"That doesn't matter now."
"Yes." Lexxi pulled away violently, almost knocking Kirk over. "Yes, it does matter. I…I've lied…and…and…and ignored…and avoided for so long, I…"
"I don't care."
"You should!" Lexxi searched his eyes with hers. "Ask me how old I am."
"Lexxi…"
"Ask me!" She clenched her fists.
"All right…how old are you?"
Lexxi didn't answer right away, and Kirk saw in her eyes that she was fighting herself. It struck him deeply. He'd seen that look in Spock's eyes before. That inside battle, that…
"282." Lexxi took a shaky breath.
"What?" Kirk couldn't believe what he'd heard.
"282," Lexxi repeated, relief written all over her face. "Ask me…ask me why I'm kept at head quarters."
"Yes," a new voice sneered. "Yes, Kirk, ask her." Admiral Connell stepped from the shadows, followed by Spock and two security officers. Spock's eyes almost pleaded for forgiveness. Connell stood inches from Kirk and Lexxi. "And while we're listening to everyone's confessions, why don't you tell us why you deliberately disobeyed me?" He paused. "Better yet, you can tell us as well as Commodore Wells at your court martial hearing on the Enterprise. Guards!"
"Court martial?" The two security officers came forward and reluctantly took custody of their captain. "Spock!"
The Vulcan slowly shook his head as Kirk was led away.
Connell grabbed Lexxi's jaw. "Thought you could slip through my fingers, didn't you?" He grinned. "Not that easy, kiddo, not that easy." He threw her to the floor and walked out.