Lexxi still sat as everyone else began to file out of the room. All charges had been dropped and it had been decided that the records of the hearing would be destroyed. That, in itself, was not entirely within regulations, but Kirk had argued and Wells had agreed that if they tried to right all of the wrongs they would only create a bigger mess. With Lexxi in the middle of it, Kirk thought, and she didn't need that. He kept his eyes on her as Wells shook his head.

"I sure hope she becomes famous someday," the Commodore said, his eyes following Kirk's gaze.

Kirk looked at Wells, startled. "Why?"

Wells didn't take his eyes off Lexxi. "So maybe I could read her biography. 242 years. Damn. Had to be interesting."

"Had to be," Kirk muttered and excused himself. Commodore Wells watched him approach Lexxi and the left the room, shaking his head.

Kirk gazed at Lexxi a moment before speaking. He looked to where she was looking and asked, "What are you doing?"

"Crying."

The answer startled Kirk and his eyes jumped to search Lexxi's face. "I don't see any tears."

Lexxi continued to stare straight ahead, fixated on an imaginary point on a blank wall. "I am crying on the inside." Her voice was flat, almost monotone.

Kirk had a vision of tears streaming from Lexxi's soul. Why?"

Finally, Lexxi looked at Kirk, her eyes flitting back and forth between his. She began to sing, the words barely above a whisper.

Livin' is a gamble. baby, lovin's much the same

Wherever I have played

Wherever I throw those dice

Wherever I have played

The blue run the game.

Before Kirk could speak, Lexxi continued. "I want to thank you, Captain, and you can extend my gratitude to Mr. Spock. I feel like…I am finally…free." She began to study her hands in her lap.

Kirk squatted before her. "What do you want to do now/"

"I don't know. I guess I don't have a job anymore."

"Transfer to the Enterprise," he suggested earnestly.

"No…" she replied, almost absentmindedly.

"No?"

"No, I'm, uh, thinking about resigning my commission."

"Resigning?" Kirk pulled up a chair and sat across from Lexxi.

"Yes…it's getting…stuffy. Does that make sense?"

Kirk nodded.

"And I don't know how much time I have."

"Don't know how much time?"

"To live, Captain. I may not look it or feel it physically. But mentally I'm old. Old and worn out."

"But…"

"Captain, even you need to be free. And I need to know."

Kirk shifted in his chair. "What?" Lexxi had a habit of giving information a half a piece at a time.

"I need to know who I am," Lexxi answered. Kirk started to interrupt, but Lexxi cut him off. "Where I came from, and why I'm here and not there." She paused. "I need to belong, Captain. I need to go home."

Kirk was close to pleading. "Lexxi, this…this can be your home. You can belong here…with me. There are no more lies. There's nothing in our way, we…"

"But…" Lexxi's eyes began to fill with tears.

Kirk sighed. "I understand. How are you going to find out all these things? Where are you going to go?"

"I don't know." Lexxi also sighed and then scowled. 'To Earth first. Than I'll figure something out." She stood as Spock entered the room.

"Admiral Connell has transported back to the Corwin and they are preparing to leave orbit."

Kirk stood. "Good. How much longer are we here?"

"One week, four days, sir."

"Leave a skeleton crew on board and send the rest down for shore leave. Scratch the rotations."

"Aye, sir. And you?"

"I'll go down, you?"

Spock squared his shoulders. "I was planning on staying on board."

Kirk smiled. "No you weren't. You were planning on beaming down with me tomorrow morning."

Spock raised an eyebrow. "Very well, Captain, my miscalculation." He turned and left. Lexxi followed. Kirk watched her leave with fear in his heart. Just how much was she free of?

Spock knew Lexxi was following him, but he did not acknowledge her presence. He could think of no reason for her actions and chose to ignore them. It could, after all, be purely coincidental that circumstances found her walking in the same direction as he. His thoughts on the subject were soon interrupted.

"Mr. Spock." It was barely a shout, but more than a statement. Lexxi's footsteps became more pronounced as she quickened her pace in order to catch him.

Spock stopped and turned to face Lexxi as she approached. He watched as she reached out a grasped his forearm and recoiled in shock at the sudden wave of appreciation, gratitude, and admiration that washed over him from her touch. Taking a step back, Spock tried to clear his mind and analyze Lexxi's intentions. Tears were rolling down her cheeks and he found them forming in his own eyes.

Letting go of her hold on Spock, she too stepped back. "Feelings for which words do no favor." Smiling slightly, she turned and quickly walked away.

Spock fell back against the wall of the corridor, leaning on it for support. He blinked back the moisture in his eyes, stood, and walked in the opposite direction.