A/N I am still just borrowing these characters. I want to thank AnonymCzZ for the reviews. I know I sound like a broken record, but reviews do make my day. At the same time, I also want all my readers to know how much having people honor me by reading my stories means to me.

When Tabrina and Solon arrived at the palace, they went directly to Vandor's office. Although they had been given orders to not allow anyone in, his men still obeyed Solon and they were allowed to pass. When they entered the office, Tabrina was shocked when she saw Vandor. The man before her seemed just a shadow of the proud man she had known. He seemed to be taking no pride in his appearance, looking like he had been wearing the same clothes for some time.

He looked up when they came in, "Solon, what do you think you're doing? Why have you brought her here?"

"I felt she had the right to know of her husband's death and she insisted on coming to see you."

Tabrina's plan had been to try to shame the Praetor into moving forward to launch an attack to avenge her husband. She now realized that the problem ran much deeper than that. She immediately changed her plans. "Do not blame Solon, I took advantage of his honor to say I wanted to seek vengeance for my husband. While that is true, my concerns run much deeper than that. Solon informs me that some high placed individuals are actually considering negotiating for peace. I could not believe that the Vandor I know would ever consider such a degrading solution."

Vandor gave a sad smile. "Since you are here, have a seat." As they sat down, he went on, "I am afraid that Vandor no longer exists. It has become apparent to me that I am not the man to be in this position. And as for suing for peace, who am I to question them when it is my incompetence that has caused us to be in this situation."

Then he looked at her, "You more than anyone should understand. I have cost you your husband."

"You have done nothing of the sort. My husband was a soldier who lived to serve the Empire. You did not kill him, the Alliance did and now we are considering rewarding them for it. Solon informed me that the battle cost the Alliance a significant number of ships. If we attack them now, we will see to it that my husband did not die in vain. To let them get away shames his memory."

Vandor looked down, "Where would you find the ships to attack with? Who would be willing to follow my orders? Besides, maybe the doomsayers are right, the need to preserve the Empire comes first."

"If we give in to the Alliance, the Empire is for all purposes lost. Who will fear us then? Our aura of invincibility would be lost. No, the Alliance must be defeated. Only then can we move to regain control. Above all, Archer must be killed, the myth about him destroyed."

She continued, "As for ships, what of Barden and Seltar's ships? Since they have chosen to leave their posts, we should put them to use.

Vandor smiled again, "I am afraid those fleets no longer answer to me. They are ready to serve a new Praetor."

"How about Ruddick? Does he not still follow your orders?"

"There appears to be some question about that. It is rumored he seeks the throne himself."

Tabrina was stunned. The situation was much worse that she had even considered. She thought for a moment she should seek support from Ruddick. But she realized that if Vandor remained out of it, those seeking peace would most likely prevail.

She spoke up, "You must realize if you do not make use of your power, all could be lost. Will weakness preserve the Empire? No, you must reassert command and find ships to crush the weakened Alliance. Only a victorious Empire can solve its problems."

Solon, who had been listening intently, continued to marvel at Tabrina. She was making sense, but he feared she underestimated the task ahead. Neither the Senate nor its fleets would give up their goal to remove Vandor easily. It would almost surely involve conflict.

Vandor was speaking, echoing Solon's thoughts. "You are a remarkable woman, Tabrina and you speak eloquently for your beliefs. But you grossly underestimate what is involved in my reassuming power. The Senate and their fleets will not give up their goals. If Ruddick does stand by me, and that is still unknown, the result will likely be a Civil War. With me stepping down, there is hope it can be done peacefully."

Tabrina was beside herself, "Peacefully! Negotiate! Surrender! What have we become? Vulcans? "My husband would be appalled. He died for this?"

She sneered at Vandor, "You have found your place in life. Hiding out, afraid to show your face. Why don't you just kill yourself and save everyone a lot of effort?"

Vandor grew irate, "No one talks to me like that." Rising from his chair, he drew his knife and moved toward Tabrina. But Solon stepped between them, his sword drawn.

Vandor ranted at him even as he stopped, "You would stop me? Did you not hear what she said?"

"I heard and there was a time I would run her through myself for speaking to you like that. But that was before you gave up. Before you became someone I do not recognize. Before you shamed me and your tribe."

Vandor stared at him and then walked back to his chair. He sat there quietly for a time, not looking their way. Then he turned back to them and said quietly. "I have a lot to think about. Will you leave me now?"

Solon looked at him for a moment and then took Tabrina's arm and walked with her out the door.

Mary Robbins had visited the Lakeland Good Samaritan Home on many occasions, but she wished to be anywhere else now. It had been five days since the Commander had visited her and she had finally gathered enough courage to break the news to Kathy's Grandmother, Henrietta Nelson. She had arranged to meet with the head of the Home and he told her that a Mrs. Edna Brown was a close friend at the Home. So now she and Edna found themselves outside Henrietta's room.

Taking a deep breath, Mary opened the door. She saw Henrietta break into a smile when she saw her, but it quickly faded when she saw Edna was with her. They moved to stand by her chair and Mary started, "Good morning, Grandma Nelson."

Henrietta looked past her at Edna and nodded as if she saw something she had expected.

"Kathy's dead, isn't she?"

Mary was stunned, but managed to sadly nod.

"Was it during the battle?"

When Mary nodded again, she said, "Did she die well?"

Mary moved closer, "Yes, in fact they are recommending she receive a medal."

Henrietta nodded, "I am so proud of her."

Then Mary started to cry and Henrietta reached out her arms and said, "Come here, dear."

Mary leaned down and they hugged as Mary cried into her shoulder.

After a few moments she stepped back, wiping her eyes, "I'm sorry, I came to console you, not have you need to console me."

Henrietta smiled, "Helping you cope is the best thing to help me cope as well. It made me so happy when you and Kathy got together. You were so beautiful together."

She looked up at Edna. "Thank you so much for being here. You and I will talk later."

Edna nodded and turned to leave, "I am so sorry for your loss. I will miss her coming to visit."

Henrietta turned to Mary. "Why don't you sit down and tell me all you know."

Mary sat down and handed her a PADD, "Here is what I received from Admiral Archer and Commander Tucker." She hesitated, "There is also a letter from Kathy to me."

Henrietta looked surprised but then leaned forward, "Let's read them together."

Natalie had finally gotten Charlie down for his nap and was looking forward to some time alone. She left the bedroom, closing the door quietly behind her. Suddenly, the front door burst open and Parker came storming through the door. Natalie absurdly thought, 'I forgot to lock the door again, Trip will be upset with me.'

He rushed across the room and backhanded her across the face. She reeled back, bounced off the wall and slid to the ground feeling blood in her mouth. Before she could recover, he was on her, his weight on her body and his hands pinning her arms down. She tried to struggle but he easily held her down.

She started to scream, but remembered Charlie in the other room and stifled it. He began to tear at her dress. With one arm free she tried to hit him but he slapped her again, smashing her head into the floor. Dazed, she realized he was tearing her underclothes away. Suddenly, he was in her. The pain and shock immobilized her for a moment, but then she tried to push him off her but he held her down. Then mercifully he was done. In a surreal moment she thought to herself, 'What a lousy lover, no foreplay and done so soon.' Then the shock and shame hit her and she cried out softly and pushed at him to get him off her.

Parker got up, pulling up his pants and grinned down at her. "How was it to have a real man?"

"You Bastard, you pig, just get out of here!"

Still grinning, he chuckled and reached toward his pocket. "Not quite yet, Sweetie. First, I am going to kill that precious little brat of yours in front of you and then finish you off. Tucker will no doubt figure out who did it but he'll never find me. Maybe I'll come back and kill him too."

Natalie suddenly saw nothing but red, it filled her eyes and mind. Without thought, she got to her feet faster than she would have thought possible. With a scream she leapt at him, her fingernails going for his eyes. Caught off guard, he barely was able to get his arms up to grab her wrists. She quickly drove her knee as hard as she could into his groin. He collapsed to the floor, holding himself and went into a fetal position on his side.

He managed to painfully say, "You Bitch."

Still acting completely without thought, caught up in incredible anger, she took the solid metal figurine off the coffee table and started to strike him on the head. At first he screamed out, but as time went on he came completely still. As for her, she never let up, striking him over and over, the blood staining the rug, her body, and what is left of her clothes.

Then she heard a voice cry out, "Mommy!"

Like coming out of a trance, she looked back to see Charlie standing there, his eyes wide and staring, tears coming down his cheeks.

Suddenly the anger was completely gone. Without even looking at Parker, she put the figurine carefully back on the table, and pulling what clothes she had left around her body, she walked slowly toward Charlie, speaking softly to him.

"It's okay, honey, the bad man won't hurt you or Mommy." She took him by the hand and led him back into the bedroom. Wanting to hug him but cognizant of the blood on her, she carefully picked him up and laid him on the bed. She then slowly caressed his hair and sang softly to him, being careful to keep her blood off him. After a time, he finally settled down and closed his eyes.

She got up and removed the last of her clothes and picked a loose sweater and slacks out of her closet. She went in the bathroom off the bedroom. Knowing she should not shower because of the need to preserve the evidence, she settled for washing the blood off her skin. She then dressed and returned to the bedroom and sat down on the bed next to Charlie.

Picking up her phone, she was about to contact the Police when she thought of the notoriety and publicity that would occur. Instead she dialed a different number.

Lieutenant Benson answered the phone, "Starfleet Security, this is Lieutenant Benson."

"This is Mrs. Charles Tucker. A man broke into my home and assaulted me. I killed him."

Benson was stunned, "Uh, Mrs. Tucker, uh."

Noticing Benson was apparently struggling, Commander Brasket walked over and inquired, "What's the problem, Benson?"

Looking up at his superior, Benson stammered, "It's a Mrs. Tucker, Sir. She says she has been assaulted. I was just going to tell her she should call the police."

Commander Wendell Brasket had been in Starfleet for a long time. He was well aware of politics and spotting incidents that required special handling. "Mrs. Charles Tucker?"

"Yes, Sir."

Brasket's mind quickly rushed through the needed information. Mrs. Charles Tucker, wife of Commander Tucker of Enterprise, a hero of the Xindi mission currently off to war. Something else… of course, her father, Lester Warren. He took the phone from Benson, "Mrs. Tucker, this is Commander Brasket. How can I help you?"

"As I told the other man, I've been raped in my home. The man is dead."

"I understand, Ma'am." He quickly punched up some information on the computer, "Are you at your home in the Glades? Does anyone require immediate medical attention? Are you in any danger?"

"Yes, No, I will be okay."

"We will be there as soon as possible."

As Brasket hung up, Benson spoke up, "I don't understand, Sir, this is not our area. She should call the police."

"Let me worry about that Lieutenant. As far as you are concerned, this call did not occur. Is that clear?"

"Yes, Sir."

Brasket pushed a button on the console.

A face appeared on the screen, "Ensign Perkins."

"Perkins, this is Brasket. I want a female doctor and nurse, along with you and Saunders to meet me in Shuttle Bay 7 ready to leave in ten minutes. We'll be taking an unmarked Shuttle."

"Understood, Sir!"

As he left, Brasket called out to another officer, "Stevens, you're in charge until I get back."

"Yes, Sir."

After he left, Benson spoke again, "What was that all about?"

Stevens answered with steel in his voice, "Didn't I hear the Commander tell you that nothing has occurred?"

Benson now subdued, Yes, Sir. Sorry, Sir."

The shuttle came to rest on the landing area next to the Tucker house. Saunders and Perkins climbed out followed by Brasket, Dr. Helen Browning, and Ensign Veronica Hastings.

Brasket, starting to head for the house, "Perkins, take a Phaser, stay by the Shuttle and stop anyone who tries to enter the house. Saunders, you take a Phaser and check out the grounds. The rest of you come with me."

When they rang the doorbell, it took a few moments for Natalie to answer. They noticed her puffed lips and face, her eyes red as if she had been crying.

"Mrs. Tucker, I am Commander Brasket."

Natalie nodded and moved out of the way. As they entered, Hastings involuntary gasped as she saw the battered body on the floor surround by blood with the head beaten to a pulp. Brasket walked up and looked at the body.

"Had you ever seen him before, Ma'am."

"Yes, his name is Parker. He used to be in Starfleet until he was kicked out. He held a grudge against my husband."

"I see, thank you." Inwardly he sighed in relief. With the assailant once being in Starfleet, it would be easier for him to justify the actions he's taken.

"Now, Ma'am, is there some place Dr. Browning could examine you?"

"My son is sleeping in the master bedroom. If one of you could please look in on him, we can use the guest room. It's this way."

Meanwhile, Dr. Browning had knelt beside the body and was scanning it. "He's been dead for less than two hours."

Brasket went on, "All right, Doc, you go with her. Ensign, why don't you stay with the boy? You can let us know if he wakes up. Mrs. Tucker, after the Doctor is done, you and I need to talk."

"Of course."

While Ensign Hastings went to be with Charlie, Natalie and Dr. Browning went into the guest bedroom, shutting the door behind them. Dr. Browning spoke first, I'm sorry we have to put you through this…"

"It's all right, I understand."

"First let me look at your face." She leaned over and ran a scan over Natalie. "Well, the good news is that it looks like nothing is broken. Your teeth seem to be all right. I'll give you something for the pain and swelling. Shouldn't be any sign of it in a couple days. Now could you please get undressed?"

Natalie slipped off her clothes and sat on the bed.

"Please lie back on the bed and bring up your knees. Here, let me put this pillow under your lower back. We should be doing this in a hospital but Commander Brasket seems to think you want this kept as discreet as possible."

"Yes, and I appreciate it."

Browning ran a scanner and took some swabs. "There is some vaginal tearing, but does not seem too severe. There is no bleeding. I would like you to see your own Doctor as soon as possible for a complete examination."

"Alright."

"Did he sodomize you or abuse you in any other way?"

"No," then Natalie shocked herself by giggling, "Just the missionary position." She then blushed "I'm sorry, I don't know where that came from."

"Don't be ashamed, just a result of the trauma and shock. I'll give you something to relax you so you can get some sleep. Now, you can get dressed. Do you want to take a shower or are you ready for the Commander?"

"I'd love to, but I want to get this over with. I'll shower later."

"Alright, just let us know when you are dressed."

Browning went out and went over to where Brasket and Perkins were standing by the body. Perkins was taking photos from various angles.

Brasket turned toward her, "How is she?"

"Hanging in there. Certainly appears she was raped. I got a semen sample. She'll let us know when she's dressed."

"Okay." He held up Natalie's torn and bloody clothes. "Ensign Hastings found these in the bedroom." He also showed her a switchblade knife. "Found this in his pocket. Doc, do you see anything that points to anything different than the obvious? That this Bastard came in and raped her?"

"No. Do we know how he got in?"

"That is one thing we need to ask. I had Saunders check down around the gate. Looks like somebody messed with the Security System."

Natalie opened the door to the bedroom, "I'm ready now."

Indicating to Perkins to remain where he was, Brasket and Browning head back to where Natalie was. Natalie sat on the bed while Browning took a chair. Brasket remained standing and took a Recorder from his jacket. "Okay, Mrs. Tucker, we'll do this just as fast as we can. Just tell us in your own words what happened."

Natalie took a breath, "I had just put Charlie down for his nap and I had just closed the door when the front door burst open and Parker came barging in."

"The door was unlocked?"

Natalie looked down, "Yes. If Trip told me once, he told me a hundred times. To set the Security System and bolt the door. But I was too Goddamned stupid…."

"Had you set the Security alarm?"

"Just the outside one…" She looked up, "I should've heard an alarm…"

"One of my men found someone had tampered with the system."

"He…Parker… was an engineer in Starfleet."

"Go on."

"Before I could do anything, he rushed over and struck me. I fell and he was on me. I tried to fight but he held me down and hit me again. Then he…" She looked up at him, tears in her eyes, "I tried to fight him, I didn't scream because of Charlie. I tried…" She put her head in her hands, sobbing.

As Browning got up and put an arm around her shoulder, Brasket reassured her, "There is nothing you could have done. Do you need a moment?"

Natalie, wiping her eyes, "No, let's keep going."

"Did he say anything?"

Natalie looked gratefully at Browning, who returned to her chair.

"Not until it was over. I pushed him off me and he said something about having it done by a real man. Then he said he was going to kill Charlie and then me."

She looked up meeting his eyes, "Then I don't know what happened. I just lost it. I have never felt such hatred and anger. I got up somehow and went for his eyes. He grabbed my wrists but I kneed him and he went down." She lowered her head, "I grabbed the figurine that sat on the table and hit him. I just kept hitting him over and over. I don't know how long I would have kept going but then I heard Charlie say mommy behind me." She looked back up, "Suddenly the anger was gone and I took Charlie to the bedroom and got him back to sleep. Then I changed clothes and washed off the blood. I was going to call the Police but I thought of the Press and called you. I'm not even sure what I had in mind. That's about it."

"Did he have a weapon?"

"I didn't see one. But he was reaching for his pocket just before I lunged at him."

Brasket showed her the knife, "He had this in his pocket."

Natalie turned pale and looked stricken.

"Had he ever threatened you?"

Natalie took a deep breath and seemed to recover somewhat. "Once at the 602 Club, before Trip and I were married, he came up and said some bad things to Trip. He didn't really threaten him. I don't know what happened to him after that, except Trip mentioned he had been thrown out of Starfleet."

"Do you have anything more to add?"

"No, what happens now?"

Brasket glanced at Dr. Browning, "We have a body bag in the shuttle. We'll take Parker with us." He hesitated for a moment, "Mrs. Tucker, I have to call the police." Seeing the look of disappointment on her face, "I have a friend on the force, a Lieutenant Graves, who owes me a couple favors. I think he will go along with us keeping the lid on this. But the body will have to be turned over to civilian authorities and his next of kin notified. I hope that once they know what happened, they will want to keep this quiet, but if they do want to go public, then all bets are off."

"I understand, I really appreciate what you have done."

"Glad to help, hope our luck continues. But the Lieutenant will need to talk to you. He will want to be sure that everything is how we have said it. Oh, don't have the carpet changed until the police have been here."

"Of course. When do you think the police will contact me?"

"I don't think it will be until sometime tomorrow. He'll want to go over what we have. We'll take the clothes and the figurine for evidence." Nodding to Browning, "Well, I'll get Perkins and Saunders to take the body and we'll get out of your hair."

As he turned to leave, Browning stopped to talk to Natalie, handing her a couple bottles. "Take these. One should help with the pain and swelling and the other should help you get some sleep. Is there anyone you can call to be with you?"

"I called my father. He and my sister-in-law are on their way from Florida."

Brasket turned back at the door, "You should have told us, we could have sent a Starfleet Shuttle for them."

"Thank you, but he is planning to use his company shuttle."

"I see. Are you sure you will be alright? I can leave a man outside."

"No, I'll be fine. Thanks again."

Mary Robbins looked up at the impressive edifice of Star Port 17. She stood by the hearse that was one of hundreds arrayed in the parking lot. Grandma Nelson sat in a wheelchair under an umbrella next to her. When Mary had told Henrietta about Kathy's body being returned, she had been stunned, although she supposed she shouldn't have been, when Henrietta insisted that Mary would make sure she was there as well.

So, when Starfleet notified her when the K'Tar would arrive, she had notified the Home. In spite of her doctor's objections, Henrietta had been adamant about going.

The K'Tar had arrived in orbit and shuttles traveled to and from it, bearing the bodies to the Spaceport. They were then checked and rechecked as to their identities and placed in coffins draped with the blue Flag of Starfleet. Those who had chosen to meet their loved ones had been assigned places in the lot and the coffins were carried to that location by a Starfleet Honor Guard. The body was loaded on to the hearse and the flag ceremonially folded and given to the indicated individual.

Finally, Mary and Henrietta were notified they would be next. They watched as Kathy's coffin was carried to them and placed in the hearse. When the soldiers folded the flag and handed it to Henrietta, she shed her first tears as Mary hugged her. The soldiers gave their condolences before they saluted and left.

It had been a week since Natalie had finally visited her doctor and she sat quietly looking out her kitchen window, watching Charlie playing outside. She had spent much of her time this way during the week. One blessing from the whole affair had been that apparently Charlie remembered nothing of what had happened. The Therapist had said that didn't mean than it might not someday come to him.

Suddenly she sat up as if something had occurred to her. At first, she seemed to shrug it off, but then she quickly rose and made a quick phone call. She went into the den and looked through a drawer, pulling out a diagram. She glanced at it and put it in her purse. Checking on Charlie, she then combed her hair and changed clothes. After putting on a light jacket, she crossed to the back door and called Charlie into the house.

As he entered, she told him, "Charlie, Mommy has to run an errand. I just called Myra and she said you can stay with her while I am gone. I shouldn't be long."

Charlie smiled, "That's okay, Mom, she always has chocolate chip cookies."

Checking to be sure everything was secure, she took Charlie out to the car and they drove off. Stopping in front of a house about three blocks from home, she walked Charlie up to the door and rang the chime. They are greeted by a slightly plump woman in her early sixties.

"Here he is, Myra; I want to thank you again for helping out on such short notice.

"Don't think a thing about it, dear. Mr. Higgins ran off to golf and I was wondering what I was going to do all day."

Charlie piped up, "Can I have a cookie?"

Natalie started to admonish him, but Myra just smiled and said, "Of course, Charlie, I just got some out of the oven. In fact, you can have two."

Natalie told Charlie goodbye, returned to her car and drove off. Starting the GPS on her phone, she headed up toward the hills surrounding San Francisco Bay and eventually turned off the road, passing through a gate. Then, consulting the diagram, she traveled up a winding road until she reached the bottom of a small hill. Verifying the location against the diagram, she exited her car.

It's a beautiful fall day, the kind the City Fathers brag about. As she stood by her car, she noticed no one else was around. As she climbed the slight incline, a cool breeze suddenly struck her, causing her to clutch her jacket around her. Upon reaching the top of the hill, she realized what a beautiful spot they had found. The view was over the Bay and she could see the Golden Gate Bridge in the distance.

The tiny grave was in the shade of an old majestic tree, now resplendent in its fall colors. The grave was marked with a simple white headstone, bearing the words:

ELIZABETH TUCKER

CHERISHED BABY DAUGHTER

OF

CHARLES TUCKER III OF EARTH AND T'POL OF VULCAN

ASHAYA

JANUARY 2155

"Hi, Elizabeth, you don't know me. I'm Natalie, your Dad's wife. I wasn't exactly sure why I felt drawn to visit you, but now that I am here, I understand. I needed to remind myself that no matter what evil was involved in creating a life, that life is still beautiful and precious. Now I am going to have a little girl and I know that Trip and I will love her as much as your father and mother loved you. And although she can never replace you in your father's heart, maybe she can help to ease the pain." Wiping a tear from her eyes, she took a deep breath before going on. "When your father gets home, and the baby is born; we'll all come, even Charlie, to spend some time with you." Pausing, "I hope your mother can come too."

After standing quietly for a short time, she made her way back down the hill, entered her car and drove away. Instead of picking up Charlie, she returned home. She took off her jacket, crossed to the kitchen and made herself a cup of coffee. She entered the den and sat by the desk. After she took a few sips, she picked up a PADD and began to write:

Dear Trip,

There is something I need to tell you. It will shock you, sadden you, and make you angry. Please read past it all the way to the end because I believe there is something good that has resulted from this that I want to share with you.

About a month ago, Parker raped me in our living room. Afterwards he threatened to kill Charlie and me. I got so angry and crazy that I kneed him and then hit him over and over with that figurine you always hated. I kept hitting him long after he was dead. He had hit me a couple times, but I am all right. Starfleet Security and the police managed to keep it out of the news. It appears he had become violent toward his wife and children as well.

Please don't feel guilty that you weren't here. It could have occurred even if you had been on Earth.

Trip, I am going to have a baby, a girl. I have absolutely decided that I will not abort her. I want to raise her as our own. But if you feel that you could never raise or keep his child, I understand. Although it would hurt me, I would accept putting her up for adoption.

I'm sorry you have to hear it from me this way. I put off telling you about the rape because I wanted to be with you so we could help each other through it but I know now it would be unfair to wait to tell you.

I love you, Trip, I pray every day that you will return to us safely. Take care.

Yours always,

Natalie