Loire Valley, Earth
Late night, Wednesday 19th January 1994
Wanting nothing more than to get her into his bed, Krang had accepted Chrissie's invitation with alacrity. Bending to kiss her, he led her into his room. Removing his uniform jacket, he flung it on the floor. The undershirt quickly followed. Naked now from the waist up, Krang turned away from her slightly as he bent to remove his boots.
Chrissie gave a gasp as she saw the ridges on his spine. Somehow, more than anything else, they reminded her that this man was not human. He was Klingon… the enemy… and she should not be here with him. But none of that mattered. She had been alone too long and all she could think about was touching him, kissing him, making love with him.
Facing her again, he saw the expression on her face. "Is something wrong?" he asked gently, hoping that she had not changed her mind about this encounter.
She shook her head. "No. Turn around."
Surprised, Krang obeyed and sensed her move closer. He felt her hands on his back, touching his spine. He smiled in relief. So that was it, she was just curious about his body. Krang knew that he was built differently to Terran males and he doubted that she had ever seen a Klingon out of uniform. This was a whole new experience for him as well. Chrissie was nothing like the Klingon women he was accustomed to and he would have to take care not to injure her. For a few moments he stood there, allowing her to touch him and enjoying the feel of her hands on his skin. Then he turned back to face her again and lifting her in his arms, carried her over to the bed.
Sometime in the middle of the night, Krang woke to find himself lying sprawled across Chrissie's body with his head pillowed on her breast. He was too heavy for her, and very carefully he shifted his weight to lie at her side, trying not to waken her. He did not succeed. His movement had disturbed her and she was awake and watching him. Propping himself up on one elbow, he looked down at his lover, thinking how beautiful and sexy she was. His body stirred again and he let out a groan. After what they'd just done, how could he want her again so quickly? Reaching for her and pulling her against him, he allowed his hands to wander her body, touching her in the way he had learned that she liked.
Pushing Krang onto his back, Chrissie moved to lean over him and lowering her head to kiss him, she nipped playfully at his lip. The Klingon pulled away, taking a deep, shuddering breath as he fought to retain control of his passions. "Do not bite me again," he warned harshly.
A little frightened by his sudden change of mood, Chrissie drew back, worried that she'd done something wrong. "I'm sorry. I… I thought you'd like it."
"I like it too much," he admitted. "I am much stronger than you, Chrissie-oy. Klingon sex is rougher and more violent than you could withstand and biting forms part of that. If I lose control, I will hurt you."
Chrissie considered his words. That he'd been keeping himself under strict control as they mated had been very obvious. His lovemaking had been vigorous but at the same time careful and at even the slightest sign that he was being too rough, he'd pulled back. No, she thought, she trusted him with her body. He would not hurt her. Leaning forward she closed the gap between them and bit him hard. Krang's response was immediate and instinctive. His growl became deep and aggressive and before she knew it, he'd pushed her onto her back and was on top of her.
She had quickly learned that he had not exaggerated when he'd said Klingon sex was rough. Their lovemaking had been wild and exhilarating, but she'd been right; at no point had he hurt her and she felt vibrantly alive in a way she had felt only once before, during that stolen night with Miguel. Sated and content, she fell asleep.
For his part, Krang was the happiest he had been in a long time. As he had thought, he'd needed to be very careful. Chrissie did not have the physical strength of a Klingon female and she had not made it easy for him to maintain his control. But for all Krang's concern, she'd had much more stamina – and been more inventive – than he'd expected. Mating with her been a good experience; more than that, it had been something special.
Krang had not realised just how lonely he had been. He was a powerful man, both by birth and through his work and as a result of that, he had not lacked female companionship when he had wanted it. Out here though, on Earth, there were not many Klingon women and all of them were under his direct command. To make use of them in that way would, in his view, be inappropriate.
He glanced towards the sleeping woman. What would happen now, he wondered? Where did they go from here? He was a senior officer of Klingon Imperial Intelligence and she was a Terran, a member of an enemy, subjugated race. Why was he even thinking like that, he asked himself irritably, it was just a one-night stand… wasn't it? Any relationship between them was impossible. And yet… her presence here and the presence of her children in the room down the corridor, felt so right.
The clock on the table told him it was almost 06:00 hours and he frowned. It was time to waken her. The children tended to be early risers and they would be stirring soon, wanting their pre-breakfast mok'bara lesson. His frown turned to a smile at the thought of them – they would be so surprised to see their mother!
Putting action to thought, he moved over to the bed and leaning down, carefully shook Chrissie's shoulder.
"Hmm?" She rolled over slightly and came awake with a sensuous stretch, making a little sound that made him want to forget everything and just climb back in there with her.
"You need to get up," he told her with regret. "Your son and daughter will be awake very soon."
Reluctantly, Chrissie got out of bed and they both proceeded to get dressed. Both of them felt a little awkward, neither knowing quite what to say or do. She pulled on her dress and he watched appreciatively as she raised her arms to fasten the button at the back of her neck. Not waiting to be asked, he moved up behind her and bringing up a hand, he pushed her hair away from the fastening and bent his head to brush his lips against her skin before securing the button for her. She shivered at the contact and he allowed his hand to trail down her body before reluctantly stepping away from her again.
She'd asked him to pass her handbag, Krang remembered, wanting the little brush she carried in it, to tidy her hair. He'd turned to pick it up and as he did so, he'd somehow managed to tip it upside down, accidentally spilling half its contents out onto the rug that covered the wooden floor.
Krang had not understood at the time why she had been so upset. It had been a simple accident on his part and nothing was broken or damaged. Looking back, it made perfect sense. She must have been terrified, realising how close she had come to disaster – and she'd had reason. At that point in their relationship, he would not have believed in her innocence.
"Earth to Krang…" Chrissie's voice brought him back to the present and he realised with chagrin, that he had no idea what she'd been saying to him.
"You are not on Earth," Krang growled, unsuccessfully attempting to deflect her away from his lack of attention.
She laughed. "It's an expression and you know exactly what it means. I was saying... not that you were listening… that Toni and Fina want to talk to you." Turning away from the screen, she called to the two children.
"Vavvie!" Fina shrieked happily, running to join her mother in front of the comm. screen, joined a moment later by her older brother.
"I have told you before, Josefina," Krang said repressively. "Do not mix your languages. There is no such word. It is 'Daddy' or 'Vavoy."
Toni grinned. "Vav, you know you're not going to win that battle. You're stuck with it."
Krang's lips twitched as he fought to hide his amusement. "We will see about that. Now tell me what you have been doing? Your mother says you have been having fun."
"It's been stellar!" Toni said excitedly, "Aunt Keh…" he stopped himself and started again. "Commander Kehlan let me sit in the captain's chair and I took a watch with Commander Ahmed." He glanced sideways at his sister, before adding, "And Fina has been driving Chief Argyle nuts."
"I have not!" the girl protested, elbowing her brother in the ribs. "The chief likes me! I've been helping him with the repairs and I'm learning lots of engineering things."
Toni elbowed her back and the resulting scuffle was quickly broken up with a sharp word from their mother. With muttered apologies, they both turned their attention back to their father.
"Vavoy…" His daughter used the correct word this time, indicating her seriousness. "When are you coming home?"
Krang was silent for a moment, wondering how to answer Fina's question. He would not lie to his children, but nor could he tell them the truth, that if this went against him, he would never see them again. "I hope it will be soon," he said eventually. "I think a decision will be made in the next couple of days."
"I should be there with you in court," Toni said, suddenly belligerent. "I was there when it all happened and I can remember everything. I want to speak for you."
In all honesty, there was nothing either of his oldest children could add to the story that was unfolding in the courtroom. As his little ones were too young now, so these two had been far too young then. But he would not belittle their courage or their desire to help by pointing that out. "You are almost a man now, my son," Krang said, choosing his words carefully. "But you are not yet legally old enough to testify. Instead, I am relying on you to remain strong and honourable. Obey your mother and Captain Mackenzie and take care of your siblings while I am gone."
The boy nodded seriously. "I promise." Meeting his father's eyes, he offered him the Klingon salute before adding, "Kick their asses, Vav, and come back safe."
Bursting with pride in his son, Krang returned his salute, even as he could hear Chrissie's voice in the background, castigating the boy for his language. "I will endeavour to follow your advice," he said dryly. "Now, let me speak to your mother again before I must go."
The children stepped back from the screen and Chrissie took their place. They talked for a few moments and then, reluctantly, she brought the conversation to an end. "I know you've got to go. You will be in my dreams tonight."
"And I will dream of you," he promised. "Get some rest, my wife. I will see you in court tomorrow."
She sniffed slightly and Krang realised she was trying hard not to cry. In that moment he hated himself for what this trial was doing to her… what he was doing to her. He was putting her through hell and again he wondered if he was doing the right thing. He could have refused, carried on as they were and left this whole mess buried under the carpet. But that was not his way and he wanted his children to grow up without the stain of his dishonour. No, he was doing the right thing, but he still hated himself for hurting her.
"Until tomorrow," she responded, offering him a shaky smile. "I love you, Krang." Touching her fingers to her lips, she reached out and placed her hand on the screen in a way that he knew represented a kiss. Not stopping to think about it, he reciprocated the very un-Klingon gesture before disconnecting the call.
For several moments, Krang did not move, simply staring at the empty screen as he attempted to bring his errant emotions back under control. Then, stepping away from the communications console, Krang turned to face Kreltek, bowing slightly. "qatlho', my friend."
'Thank you' was a phrase uttered very rarely among Klingons, but immeasurably grateful for the opportunity to speak with his family and satisfy himself as to their wellbeing, Krang considered the word justified.
"You are welcome." That was another phrase that just did not work in tlhingan Hol and so Kreltek spoke the words in Federation Standard before swapping back to his native language. "Now come, I think I heard Moragh arriving with food."