A/N- Lena (a.k.a. my best friend) collaborated with me on this one, actually she's helped with the whole thing, so thanx to her. Also I'm about to embark on a week vacation to West Virginia. I'm not sure what technology will be available to me so if you hear nothing for a week don't give up on me. I'll try and leave directions on how to post chapters with Lena but she can be thick so...

Faith

Ch. 4 – Movement

Once in motion, a pattern tends to stay in motion

-J. G. Gallimore

"Ever since you and Torias have been seeing each other," Reittan began.

"We haven't been seeing each other; we both eat lunch at the same place that's it." Beverly cut him off.

"Mmhhm, sure Beverly, how do you explain the flowers?" he retorted. "I've seen you smile more in the past few weeks than you have in the entire year you've been here."

"Oh, please the man's a Janitor!"

"He's a Civilian Maintenance and Beautification Engineer"

He's a Janitor she thought.

"You know I can hear that." He said as he started scans on a Viridian virus.

There was nothing between her and Torias at least she didn't think there was. She didn't really want a relationship, did she? Sure she'd been lonely since Jean-luc had cut ties but who could replace him? A best friend of 25 years isn't something you can just pick up out of a bar. Yet there was something...

"It's called attraction." Reittan said following every word of her thoughts.

"Would you stop that," Beverly snapped. Reittan was a sweet fellow and had

good intentions-

"Yes I do." He said and she glared at him. "All right I'll try and block you out but you humans practically blare your thoughts into the air, it's not my fault."

But he was much more intruding than she was comfortable with. She was the kind of person that needed to believe everyone around her thought she had it together. That she was completely stable and secure in her personal and professional life. With Reittan that was impossible to keep up.

Why did I agree to this? She thought as she saw him sitting at a table for two in the back of Henbane's Restaurant. She considered just walking back out the door and standing him up. It would probably end his pursuit of her. Instead she took another step forward and waved the hostess off. She continued to his table straightened her posture and tugged the wrinkles out of her knit top. He saw her coming and stood. He was dressed in grey slacks and a burgandy collared shirt that fit him nicely and brought out the red in his hair. The brownish markings down his face blended almost perfectly against his tan skin. He's quite handsome she admitted to herself as she returned his smile.

"Well good evenin' Beverly." He said as he pulled out her chair, "Care to join me?"

"I think I will." She said jokingly, "I don't see anyone else I know."

The waiter came by and Torias ordered a bottle of Mentorie White Wine, a particular favorite of Beverly's.

"How'd you know I love Mentorie?" she asked.

"Just psychic I guess."

She gave him a questioning look. He smiled.

"John told me"

"Figures," She laughed.