Epilogue
Three Weeks Later
"Is it advisable to move from a defensive strategy to an offensive one if it is likely that one's position is indeed weaker than one's opponent?" Taurik asked.
Jack, Taurik, Vesta and Japel sat around a table in the Observation Lounge.
Japel laughed, a deep bass rumbling from somewhere in the depths of his massive body. Cecestans might look fearsome with their cracked, mud-colored skin and huge stature but their laughs were downright jolly.
"You mean, should you raise a bet and bluff?" Jack finished shuffling and dealt out five cards to each of his colleagues. "That's entirely up to you, my logical friend. But I want you to know I'm not falling for this "I'm just a poor little Vulcan who's never played poker before" schtick. Una told me Lt. Lavelle had a regular game going back on Enterprise."
Taurik raised an eyebrow, unreadable as always.
Laughing, Vesta picked up her cards and proceeded to best her shipmates with two pairs: Queens and threes.
"That does it for me," she told them, scooping up the pile of chips from the center of the table. "I'll quite while I'm ahead. I have to be on duty in ten minutes anyway." She scooted back in her chair and departed. Her walk was steady, no trace of her injury remained in her gait or her attitude.
Taurik watched her depart. They had barely spoken in the weeks following her renovation of the anthropology blinds, but something subtle had changed between them. If Vesta realized what Taurik had done, she wasn't saying—and the Vulcan wasn't going to press the point. The gambit had worked admirably and paid off on all fronts, anyway. She was making a real effort to extend her respect for him beyond simple professional courtesy. He was satisfied enough that peace, order, and good health had been restored to his crewmate.
"I'm done too, I guess." Japel looked forlornly at his depleted pile of chips.
Jack laughed. "You'll get better, I guarantee it."
Japel didn't look convinced as he headed for the bar for a consolation drink.
"He's the worst poker player I've ever seen," he confided to Taurik once he was out of earshot. "We have to keep him in the game."
"A noble sentiment," Taurik replied.
"You two seem to be good at noble deeds," a familiar voice over Jack's shoulder said. He twisted to see Una standing behind him. She moved around and sat down between the two of them.
"What do you mean?" Jack asked, his mind racing. What had he done now?
"I know about the blinds."
Oh. That. "What about them?" he asked casually.
"I couldn't figure it out for the longest time, but then Vesta mentioned how helpful working on the simulation for them was for her recovery. She said it really kick-started the program for her. Did you know she even convinced Kincaide to count her sessions with us as physical therapy?"
Jack suddenly found the sconces on the ceiling very interesting; Taurik's face was stone.
Una grinned. "Uh-huh. That's what I thought. It was a very sweet thing the two of you did."
"Aw shucks," Jack ran a hand through his dark hair, standing some of it on end. Una's smile widened. He leaned toward her. "Never tell her. Please. She'll kill us," he stage-whispered.
Una leaned forward and whispered back. "Your secret is safe with me. I won't even say blackmail."
"Gee, thanks."
They stared at one another, smiling with their heads almost touching, for a moment.
"Jack?"
L'Diya stood beside the table. "Do you still want to get that drink?" she asked.
Jack looked back at Una. Her expression hadn't changed but he thought he saw it waver for a moment.
"Sorry…" he offered lamely. Why did he feel so bad about this? He and Una only ever fought or ignored each other.
"Oh no, don't let me hold you up," she waved a hand. "Nice to see you, Lt. Nakeet."
He turned back to L'Diya and stood. "Well then, after you." He held his hand out in a flourish and led her away to the bar.
Una sighed and slumped in her seat. Beside her, Taurik said nothing, only raised an eyebrow.
"Oh shut up," she told him.
