Chapter 19

When Geordi sat down next to the attractive but severe looking Romulan Sub-Commander Saris, he had no idea what to expect. He sipped from a glass of water in front of him. "So you're an engineer, huh?" He silently cursed himself. He probably sounded like an idiot to her. His fears were confirmed when she spoke.

"How perceptive of you," she said dryly.

He scratched his head. "Um…can I ask you a question? I'm not going to assume that all Romulans know each other, but a few months ago I was stranded on a planet with a Romulan centurion. His name was—"

"Bochra," said Saris, glancing at him. Tomalak had been right about this human, he was quite sentimental.

Geordi broke into a smile. "Yeah, you do know him! We couldn't stand each other at first but later on I think we kind of bonded. I was wondering…how is he?"

Saris turned and focused on Geordi with a laser stare. "Dead," she said simply.

"Wha-what? Oh," he said, sorry that he asked. He stared into his glass of water, and then noticed that most of the dishes being placed on the table were much less recognizable. And some of them seemed to be moving… "I could really go for a replicated hamburger right now," he said. "Most of this stuff seems kind of…alive."

"That is most unfortunate for you Mr. LaForge," said Saris.

"Call me Geordi," he said with a renewed grin.

"No," she said, not seeming to notice as his smile abruptly faded. "But it does not matter to me, for I do not eat Klingon food," she added with a disgusted face.

"When on Kronos, you will eat as the Klingons eat, if only for one day," Tomalak suddenly interjected from down the table, as he seated himself.

"Just follow my lead," Riker spoke up across the table from Saris. "I'm an old pro at this—eating Klingon food that is," he said with a charming wink.

Saris turned to LaForge. "Is your commanding officer attempting to seduce me?"

Laforge nearly dropped his glass. "Um…no I think he's just trying to be friendly. He's just really good at being friendly…."

Beverly had waited outside of the banquet hall for Picard to arrive. As he approached he looked as though a great weight was pressing down on him. He smiled weakly as he reached her and glanced around them before reaching out to touch her arm.

"I am sorry for before Beverly."

She took his hand. "I accept your apology," she said. She straightened briefly as an immense Klingon walked past them into the hall. Once the door shut again she moved in closer and put her lips to his ear, something she knew excited him. "Will you let me come and see you later?" she said softly.

He closed his eyes and nodded. "Yes," he agreed, but moved a little further away from her to more professional distance. "But I'm sure I don't deserve such a visit."

She looked down at their joined hands and sighed. "Why don't we go inside and sit down before you say something else that requires an apology later…."

"Alright," he agreed.

For the most part the mood at the Klingon banquet was better than expected, but things eventually took a turn for the worse. Picard, sat directly to the Chancellor's left, with Tomalak sitting across from him, which did nothing to help his headache. Between Tomalak's very potent Romulan ale and K'mpec's yelling, he was miserable. First the itching and burning began on his face again. The wound felt raw as if it had just been inflicted. And then the whispering started inside his brain.

"Why Captain," said Tomalak, "it has been some time since I have seen Human blood. But are you by any chance wounded?"

Picard reached up to touch his face lightly with his fingers and was rewarded by searing pain. "It's nothing," he said, returning to his food. He ignored Tomalak's delighted expression.

As K'Ehleyr had suggested Troi and Crusher sat as far away from the Chancellor as possible. It was a good try, but the Chancellor was on a roll all evening. "Captain, where did you find such a beautiful Doctor? Most Klingon doctors are disgustingly hideous."

The voice whispered in his mind, but he pushed it away. Picard put his fork down. "I do not select my officers based on their physical attributes, Chancellor," he said firmly, and picked up the fork again. He felt Tomalak's amused gaze upon him.

K'mpec broke into raucous laughter. "Captain, you can't be serious…even when her physical attributes are that pleasing to the eye? I am sure you do not value what you have here, my friend."

"Chancellor…I would prefer it if you would change the subject to a more appropriate topic," Picard said as the whisper in his head grew louder again. "I will not allow you to disrespect my officers," he said trying to keep his voice calm.

The Chancellor pressed on. "Well…Doctor Crusher if you would ever consider freelancing, I am in definite need of a new personal doctor. I haven't felt well as of late." He glared at Commander Korok with open accusation in his eyes. "Ha! I am old and fat. But do they think I do not recognize the difference between medicine and poison?"

Conversation suddenly hushed at the table.

Doctor Crusher trying to make the best of the situation smiled professionally. "We have a wonderful medical facility on board the Enterprise, Chancellor…I would be happy to provide you and your staff with a tour," she offered.

"I am sure that you would," said the Chancellor with a devilish smile. "But I would like my own personal tour of-"

"I said…enough!" Without further hesitation Picard swiftly picked up the sharp knife next to his plate and thrust it into the table just underneath Chancellor K'mpec's jowly face. He stood up slowly as if to challenge the old man, and his expression was one of blind aggression.

Korok stood up and put his hand on his gun, which caused Worf to do the same. K'mpec gazed up at Picard, and then eventually began to laugh heartily, grabbing the knife and pulling it out of the table. He handed the knife to a nearby guard.

"I like you, Picard. Sit down, I mean no harm," he urged him. Picard's expression cleared somewhat and he sat back down looking slightly embarrassed. Worf and Korok sat down as well.

"To the Klingon-Federation Alliance," the Chancellor suddenly shouted, raising his glass. He tilted his head at Tomalak. "And to Romulan Ale," he added begrudgingly before draining his glass.