T'osa shrugged her shoulders and shook her head. "I don't think I wanted you to do anything about it. I just needed someone to talk to." For almost two days, she had wanted nothing more than to get to Stephen and tell him this. Now, she was forcing herself to admit why. "All the people I thought I could trust on Romulus I'm not so sure about any more. You were the only other person I thought I could turn to."
Stephen was still torn. He wanted to believe her, but something kept telling him not to trust her. If she was right, that meant part of the romulan government was helping the remans stage a coup for the rest of the government. The results could be disastrous not only for the Romulan Empire, but for the Federation. On the other hand, if this was all just some kind of grand deception meant to poison the leadership against the Federation, anything they did would play directly into their hands. According to T'Nia, the reporter already admitted such a ploy was in progress. Yet, here T'osa was, looking genuinely helpless and desperate... not even wanting him to help; not that he could. His eyes wandered to the bottle of brown liquid T'osa brought in with her. "Are you thirsty?" He pointed to the bottle. "Would you like some of that fishty you brought?"
She chuckled and pushed her hands forward defensively. "It's called vishri... and no. That stuff tastes terrible. I never understood how people could drink it."
Kirk blinked, surprised. "And you brought it here?"
T'osa shrugged. "Sure... what could be more harmless than an innocent woman bringing swill to drink?" She smiled. He returned the smile. "It would have kept you off your guard."
Kirk nodded. "I guess it would have."
She perked up a bit, remembering a human drink she had once, many years ago. "Do you have any of that..." she snapped her fingers, "oh, what's it called... chocolate... warm... hot chocolate. I think that's it."
Kirk gave her a wary eye. "Hot chocolate? Are you trying to act demure again?"
T'osa cocked her head. "No. I forgot what it was called. It had some white, floating things in it, too. They were really good."
"Marshmallows."
She snapped her fingers again. "Yes! Marshmallows. I'd love some of that, if you can make it."
Stephen stood up. "I'll see what I can do." He walked over to the replicator in the wall of his small dining area. "Computer; two hot chocolates with marshmallows." The small alcove shimmered and glowed. As the lights faded, two mugs of steaming, frothy liquid sat within. He carefully scooped them up and walked them back to the living area.
T'osa watched Stephen walk into the adjoining room, her chin resting on her fist. Everything about this afternoon had been so un-romulan. Her life had been nothing more than 'obey your orders', 'rely on yourself', 'do what you have to to succeed', and 'never trust humans'. That had been her life... until now. Now, she was questioning what it meant to be a true patriot. Is there ever a case when true loyalty meant betrayal? Were there really instances when true strength didn't come from you, but from others? As she watched Stephen standing at the replicator, it suddenly dawned on her... he had nice shoulders. She smiled to herself and imagined her chin resting on them with his arms around her.
"Penny for your thoughts," Stephen said lightly as he placed a mug in front of her.
She shook her head somewhat violently to clear the thought and blinked several times. "I'm sorry..." she stammered. "What's a penny?"
He shook his head and smiled. "Never mind." He pointed to the mug. "There's your hot chocolate. You looked deep in thought for a second." He sat back down.
Slightly embarassed, she took the cup eagerly. "I have a lot to think about." She sipped the hot beverage.
"Yeah," Kirk took a sip.
She had already come to the conclusion there was nothing she could do right now. She'd have to play along with whatever was going on, but keep wary on the goings on of the Tal'Shiar. She was, however, curious to know what Stephen thought. "Okay, so what if you were me?"
"You mean, what would I do?" He didn't want to admit it, but his confidence in his own leader had been faltering a bit, too. Scenarios played through his own mind on what he would do if faced with a conflict of leadership. He didn't have any answers, either.
She nodded.
He shook his head. All he could think to do was what he was doing. "I don't know there's much you CAN do. I mean, keep the stuff you've saved... but keep it safe. Get evidence as it comes to you. I'm sure stuff will present itself as time passes, considering your line of work." He smiled. She chuckled softly.
Kirk shrugged. "Eventually, you know, the players are going to make their move. Then you'll know whose side everyone is one. You might get lucky... they may try to recruit you. Just act like a loyal Tal'Shiar agent."
She hadn't thought of that. She had planned to keep up her act, but just to stay out of trouble. She didn't think it could actually lead her to the people behind the coup. "I hadn't thought of that."
"Who knows? If you bring them down, you could wind up a hero." He concluded, smiling.
"Or dead," she countered.
"Well, yeah... there is that," he remarked.
She took another sip of the chocolate that sucked off all the marshmallows. "I guess I should let you sleep. It IS night time here, after all," her voice was mocking, remembering the correction she received from T'Nia. There was no doubt about it... that vulcan definately did not like her. If she and Stephen were going to have a relationship of any kind, that would have to be addressed.
Kirk's mind began to war with itself again. Part of him was relieved, the other part disappointed. "Yeah, I suppose. We can't have too many revelations in one night. We'd run out of things to talk about." The two stood up. As she turned for the door, he found himself speaking before he could think. "Hang on... I'll walk you to the transporter."