T'Nia was still a bit perplexed by her captain's absence. Still, she thought it best to not show it. She answered all G'ethren's questions politely, but intentionally left vital information out. Such was proper policy, after all. Still, there was something... disquieting... about this reporter. Through her limited telephathy, she could sense he was looking for some kind of angle. His purpose aboard the Warlord wasn't merely to gain insight into Romulus' new allies. T'Nia wasn't sure what his true purpose was, but it certainly warranted the captain's presence. As the four approached the door to Stephen's quarters, she determined it would be best for her to remain during their interview. She knew Stephen well... well enough to know that, although he had a quick wit about him around his friends, the same couldn't be said when he was in unfamiliar settings. Considering his desire to stay OUT of the spotlight, this would be one of the most unfamiliar settings he would ever find himself in.
She pressed the button to Kirk's doorchime. A few moments later, through a small speaker below the button came Stephen's voice. "I'm here... come on in." The door slid silently open.
T'Nia backed her way through the door, preventing the news crew from following. "If you'll permit me... I wish to ensure he is prepared. It will only take a moment." She took another step in the door, then with the press of a button, she closed it.
Kirk had been pacing for at least a half hour, which was evidenced by the wear marks in his living room carpeting. His calm facade faded quickly to a look of mild desperation. "Where's the news people?" He asked, half hoping they had changed their minds and left.
"They are just outside, Stephen," she replied calmly. "I wanted to make certain you were alright."
Kirk shook his head. "I must have been in some kind of drug induced delirium to think I could go through with this." Nervously, he rubbed his hands together.
She stood in his path and grasped his arms. Her look was thoughtful. "Have you prayed?" Normally, such a question wouldn't have even entered the mind of a vulcan. T'Nia, however, was different. She had been around Stephen long enough to know the benefits of prayer as far as he was concerned.
He stopped as T'Nia grabbed him. "For just a sec, yeah," he nodded. "I guess it didn't help much."
"Might I suggest you do it again?" Her question sounded calm to the casual listener, but Stephen detected a hint of concern.
"What... what's the reporter like?"
"He's very... romulan." T'Nia replied matter-of-factly.
Kirk rolled his eyes. "Fabulous." He sat down quickly on his couch and reached for his Bible, which he planned to reference during the interview. He took a deep breath. "Okay... give me a ten count, then let them in."
"Yes, Sir." T'Nia replied officially. She turned for the door.
"Tee... " Kirk started, his voice softer and calmer.
She turned her head back. "Yes, Sir?" She knew what he was going to say.
"Thanks for having my back." No matter how uncomfortable he had been since taking this assignment, his constant had been his friends. He had been relying on them rather heavily for strength lately. Thankfully, as they have for so many years already, they were there for each other. Sure... he and Tony had a brief spell while adjusting to their new positions, but that was resolved rather quickly. Of course it took him almost dying...
She turned her head to look Stephen straight in the eye. "I always will," Some of her older vulcan acquaintences had found it odd for her to take such a 'liking' to humans. For her, there was a special warmth, a special bond, that she had for Stephen, Tony, and Box. It was difficult to explain. Sometimes, it was friendship. Other times, more motherly. Perhaps it was because she was in her mid forties. Perhaps she truly had spent too much time with humans. Her fianceé had voiced his concern on many occasions that she had become contaminated. She begged to differ. Looking at her friend, she knew why... they needed her. What she found so difficult to admit was she needed them, too. She bowed her head slightly, then turned back towards the door.
Stephen bowed his head and said a prayer he had found himself saying many times in his life. "Show me something I can use to help me." With that, he picked up his Bible, and dropped it on the table. It opened to the book of Psalms. Looking at the first thing on the page that caught his eye, he read Psalms 46:10... "Be still and know that I am God;"