The Sseikea arrived. Plutarch's new ship was smaller than it's predecessor but equally as powerful. Plutarch and Ni'ael beamed over to the Enterprise where they met Narek and a reluctant Enid. After a brief exchange with her father she excused herself and was escorted to ten forward with Ni'ael. There she would await the results of the scan on the young Romulan. On the planet's surface, she would have to contend with Missy or Zani, a prospect that she found distasteful. She wanted to go home. She wanted to see her cousins. But this latest incident further eroded Narek's tenuous trust of her father.

She watched the stars from an obscure corner of the lounge, wishing that she could remain on the Gi'halidrl but her father would not approve of retreat. If Plutarch had insisted she be present for the proceedings, she didn't know what she would have done. Neither did he, which is probably why he didn't. Besides the lab was too small for everyone who wanted to be involved. As it was, she was treated to Ni'ael's account of baby Narek's birth and the milestones he had already reached. He brought holo images of the infant and the family. They spoke animatedly for several exchanges. Ni'ael also brought a holo of Ji'ella's most recent gymnastics meet.

"She is amazing," Enid said as she watched her young cousin's maneuvers in miniature on the table in front of her.

"Because of your instruction," Ni'ael said. When Enid fell silent he reached over an squeezed her arm. "Everything will work out."

"Of course it will." Enid's voice shook as she uttered the phrase. She tried to cover by taking a sip of her drink but found her hand shook too much so she laced her fingers together in her lap.

"Hopefully Rynar was in this boy when he died, and that it the end of it." Enid could tell that Ni'ael was not nearly as confident as his voice indicated. She marveled at how people could feel one way inside and project something totally different to the outside universe. It was the one ability that she didn't pick up on from Narek. How easily he could control his fears.

"How many people have died because of me?"

Ni'ael rolled his eyes but his smile was tender. "You are not to blame for this. Yumuen tells me you haven't been well. Your mind will be eased when the criminal Rynar is pronounced dead."

"And the criminals on Vashti? The ones who attacked me?"

"Right now they are safely in Federation custody and out of danger, but again, this has nothing to do with you." Ni'ael finished his drink. "This is not horrible," he assessed as he set the glass down.

"I just want—"

"What? No one to ever die again?"

"Are you mocking me?" Enid couldn't tell sometimes with Ni'ael.

"Never. And I get it. You have experienced the death of an entire civilization."

"You would rather that it made me numb."

"It would have served you better, I think." They sat in silence until Picard, Rios, and Rafi approached.

"May we join you?" Picard asked, looking at Enid for his cue. Enid nodded. She didn't want him to sit down but felt it would be impolite. Picard and Raffi took seats. Rios had to pull up a chair from another table.

"I would have thought you would want to watch the process," Ni'ael said to Picard. Again, Enid was amazed at how easily he conversed with someone he considered the enemy. Likewise, Picard displayed unflappable politeness. Rios seemed concerned but not because of Ni'ael.

"Oh, there are enough witnesses."

"Isn't this procedure the same as was done on you?" Enid asked, deciding that she might try her hand at false self confidence. She was pleased that her voice didn't shake as much as she thought it might. Her hands remained in her lap and she sat up straight as she had in school when she and Jimmy Fisher were called into the administrators office for fighting.

"Indeed," Picard said. His face had a warm smile. "Although, not as much time passed."

"Dr. Jurati isn't sure it will work," Enid said, looking at Rios. She definitely heard him think that but she shouldn't have said anything. She looked down.

"I wasn't going to say anything," Rios said.

"I'm sorry. I couldn't help it."

"Of course you can't," Picard waived off her discomfort. He looked from Ni'ael to Rios, to Rafi then back to Enid. "It's silly to pretend that you can't hear what people are thinking. And equally silly for us to take offense. After all we joined you." Enid's shoulders relaxed a little. She looked at Ni'ael who wore the same confident smirk he always did. She imagined that was what drew Lorlani to Ni'ael in the first place. His consistency of nature. Yes, she originally found him disturbing, but there was an affability about him that was endearing. At this thought, she couldn't help but think of Elnor and smile. Ni'ael was the opposite of everything he honored. He would admonish Enid that she couldn't trust Ni'ael. She was glad he was on the surface.

They talked pleasantly for a time—mostly Ni'ael and Picard. Rafi and Rios chimed in occasionally. Mostly points of contention regarding shared history. Ni'ael was enjoying the debate. Enid probably would have found it interesting except her medication had been returned to it's previous dose but she had built up a tolerance. The doses wore off much sooner now. The procedure seemed to be taking a long time and she didn't have her horgl with her. Was it legal on a Federation ship? Technically it wasn't legal in Romulan space but her father's position insulated her. Eventually these thoughts faded and she listened to the music aboard the Enterprise. There was a zippy cadence as the officers aboard the ship went about their duties and Enid couldn't help but tap her foot in rhythm.

"Find Yumuen," Ni'ael said as he touched her arm. She had a feeling there had been more to his sentence so she stared blankly at him. "We should go find Yumuen," he repeated. She tilted her head and he repeated, "Yumuen." Then he made a motion with his hand as if he were smoking a horgl. Smiling, Enid nodded and stood.

"Mind if I walk with you?" Picard asked.

"I don't think that's appropriate," Ni'ael said.

"But, I take it you don't know sign. I do. And I was heading down to the planet anyway." Ni'ael narrowed his eyes a moment then agreed.

"Why do you think it's taking so long?" Enid signed to Picard as they walked through the hallways to the transporter room.

"I don't know," Picard replied.

"You are going to have to translate for me," Ni'ael said.

"Of course." Picard paraphrased their conversation. "If you don't mind me asking, why haven't you learned sign?"

"He's been busy," Enid signed and told Picard about the extension in Ni'ael's family. To which Picard responded with a hearty congratulations.

Elnor found Missy lurking about the inn where Yumuen was staying. The man had not emerged yet and he was getting worried. He had seen some men check in without luggage and it struck her as odd. Something didn't feel right. He ran into Missy on the stairs.

"What are you doing here?" He stopped her on the stairs and challenged her.

"Trying to find out who Yumuen is," she hissed at him.

"You shouldn't be here. The Tal Shiar is dangerous," Elnor said.

"I know that."

"I didn't think you did," Elnor pushed past her on the stairs.

"He can't be Tal Shiar," Missy trotted after him. "My bet is Section 31."

"They are just as dangerous," Elnor said.

"Maybe to you…"

Elnor whipped around and squared up to the reporter, "If you hadn't introduced Enid to Narek."

"What? Her father had dozens of operatives on Kiara. She—"

"We could have gotten to her in time. We were on our way to help her but she," Elnor shook his head and scowled, "She was seduced by Narek."

"Surely your charm should swept her off her feet." It was Missy's turn to push past the young Romulan.

"You make too much noise when you walk," Elnor said pointing to Missy's shoes. He passed her again on the stairs and she followed on tip toe. When they reached his floor they could hear shuffling from a room at the end of the hallway. Elnor lanky legs propelled him down the hall. Not waiting for Missy to catch up he burst through the door. Soon two men came running past her. She managed to catch it on a pocket recorder then poked her head around the corner. Elnor was helping a rather beaten Yumuen from the floor.

"Those weren't Romulans," Elnor said. His eyes hardened as he regarded the imposter.

"He's not Romulan," Missy pointed out as she closed the door.

"I have to get back to the Gi'halidrl." Yumuen took the pillowcase off his bed and wiped his face.

"Hell no," Missy said.

"You need to give us some answers." Elnor widened his stance and blocked the exit. "Your from the Orion Syndicate."

"How did you deduce that?" Missy frowned.

"Section 31 wouldn't bleed red. They have stuff for that." Both young people looked at Yumuen for confirmation.

"This is really not your concern," Yumuen tried to pass but was restrained by Elnor. He raked his hand through his hair and let out a sigh. "Fine. I'm with Starfleet Intelligence. My job was to keep an eye on Enid and maybe convince her to defect."

"Do you have credentials?" Missy asked.

"Covert operatives in Romulan space carry credentials." Yumuen rolled his eyes.

"I can't believe Star Fleet intelligence wouldn't have green stuff." Elnor said.

"I developed an allergy to the stuff. Seriously. I should have submitted for reassignment as soon as it happened." Yumuen looked out his window at the street below then backed away.

"Why didn't you?" Missy stood with her arms crossed.

"Do you have any idea how delicate your friend is? Physically?"

"So you stayed to take care of Enid? I don't believe that!" Elnor said, his lips set in a grim line.

"Surely you realize how bad the state of Romulan hybrid medicine is?"

"So?" Elnor fingered the hilt of his sword. "You want me to believe you stayed out of caring for Enid?"

"Look, Enid is sick. Sicker than even Narek knows. I couldn't leave her to just anyone."

"How do we know you aren't killing her somehow?" Missy pointed her finger at him as she made the accusation.

"Let me spell it out for you. I'm Betazoid. Enid and Narek are what we call a dyad. Dyads are mythical. Sort of like you—" he gestured towards Missy, "No, just like if you saw an archangel or…found the holy grail. I can't let her die." Yumuen earpiece had fallen out during the scuffle and it was blaring now on the floor. He picked it up and returned it to his ear. "Enid needs snakeleaf. Ni'ael's on his way. Please, go and say nothing. I promise I have no intention of hurting Enid. If you bust me, it will only make things worse for her. Please."

"Come on," Missy pulled at Elnor's arm. "I believe him."

"You trust him?" Elnor eyes widened.

"For now."

"You don't want to be here when Ni'ael gets here," Yumuen said, hoping that was enough to get the pair going.

"Fine, we will be watching you." Elnor left and Missy followed, leaving Yumuen little time to clean his room and tend to his injuries before the explosive Ni'ael entered with Enid.