Icicles 17
Disclaimer: Do not own Star Trek
Annora McGivers lounged in her home office. He was late. She scowled at the analog clock on the wall above the door as if it would make the man magically appear. Several more minutes passed until she heard his footsteps approaching. Annora stared as the door opened.
"Good evening, Alexander. How lovely it is of you to finally join me." She gave Marcus a cold smile as he approached the desk. "Sit." She instructed.
"You look lovely-"
"I don't want to hear it. Now, you are going to tell me why my dear Auntie Marla is disappearing." Annora lit a cigarette. "Or I could choose to release images of Carol drinking with Honey the night my darling, poor, unfortunate niece overdosed." She slid a picture of the two girls across the desk.
Marcus glared as he picked it up and examined it.
"I'm waiting." Annora raised an eyebrow. "It would be such a shame for them to speculate that innocent little Carol had anything to do with the business Honey was wrapped up in. The girls did used to be best friends after all, well, whenever Honey was supposedly clean, who's to say they didn't share a little coke? I mean, both you and I know that Carol is far too much of a good girl to do that, but the press doesn't. You know she was there because I imagine she called her daddy the next morning sobbing about how she discovered her friend died an hour after she left her alone." Annora took a long drag from her cigarette.
"She is going undercover." He spoke harshly through gritted teeth.
"Where?" Annora leaned forward, exhaling smoke in his face, not unlike a dragon.
"I can't tell you that Annora."
"Yes, you can and you will or else the scandal magazines will have this picture in five minutes." Annora smiled her icy grin once more as she leaned back. "I can only imagine the headlines."
"A strip club in Houston." Marcus grumbled. "Enlisted officers won't stop running their mouths to strippers."
Annora pursed her lips before taking a drag off her cigarette and flicking the ash at Marcus.
"Alexander, how long have we been friends?" She asked as she examined a fleck of dirt under her nails.
"Since grade school." He responded cautiously.
"Who was it that introduced you to your wife?" Annora asked as she took another long drag.
"You."
"Yes, so now you are going to listen to me. A McGivers should always go above and beyond their duties. If this mission you are sending her on is for the safety and welfare of billions of lives, I will allow it. She should be proud to defend her planet and others in apprehending whoever is putting them at risk. But I warn you, if she is recognized before that honor comes to our name, or even if this all turns out to be for nothing, I will destroy you."
"We have that taken care of." He dismissed, fear beginning to seep into his veins. He honestly would rather be dealing with a very pissed off Khan at that very moment than think what all Annora had on him from all the years.
"You are not reconstructing her face." Annora rolled her eyes. "There is too much risk in permanently damaging it."
"Then how do you propose we disguise her?"
"Prosthetics. A decent wig." Annora spat. "Fake tattoos, fake piercings, I don't care make her unrecognizable."
"Fine." Marcus grumbled.
"Good. If she tries to use the family as a last resort, let her know I support your decision. Perhaps this will teach her to think twice before going behind my back to my sister. Remind her of her duties to protect and serve." Annora extinguished the butt in an ashtray. Marcus eyed it. "Do you like it? It's made of red stone from Vulcan before it was destroyed. Shame, I wanted a matching one."
"What the hell happened to you, Annora?" Marcus leaned back in his chair. "You used to be so…nice."
"I simply realized that between my sisters and I, I had the disadvantage of the bunch. The middle child. Well, I set out to make a name for myself and I did."
"And you became a cold hard bitch in the process." He muttered.
"Say what you want Alexander. You nor I have not gotten to where we are today by being nice." Annora scoffed. "Now, get out, I hear you have loose lips to sew up and I have a bath to take."
"Is it time to bathe in the blood of virgins again?" Alexander sneered.
Annora responded with a look that sent chills to his very core. He rose to leave.
"Alexander." She spoke.
"Yes, Annora?" He answered.
"I do enjoy our little talks. Expect another large donation to the Academy and your wife's charity from me before the week is out."
"Thank you."
"Shut the door on your way out."
Uhura sat cross-legged on the wicker couch on her balcony. The noise of the city echoed up to her ears and the lights reflected off the sliding glass door behind her. The cool night air breezed over her brown bare legs and arms. She brought her knees up and rested her chin upon them, observing the scene before her. Normally, she would not be in shorts and a tank top this time of year, but Spock was staying the weekend and he had cranked her heat up to, only what she could guess, imitate Vulcan's heat while she was out. She had given him permission to do so, but regretted it when she found herself constantly getting up in the middle of the night to turn it down a bit so she wasn't sweating, but noticed Spock would turn it back up if he got up to use the bathroom. She was considering putting double-sided tape over the thermostat so the half-Vulcan wouldn't touch it. With the Vulcan level of sensitivity on his fingers, Spock didn't particularly like touching sticky things like tape and she was certain he'd leave it alone. From what she understood, it was like raking nails on a chalkboard level of cringe for Vulcans. She understood he needed a certain amount of heat to feel comfortable and not constantly shiver and be bundled up in sweaters and multiple layers of clothes, but she needed a certain amount of cold air to not have a heat-stroke in the middle of the night.
Nyota's eyes wandered up to the sky, even though she knew she wouldn't be able to see the faint light that was the space station with the lights of the city. She felt like a stranger on Earth some days, like she belonged among the stars in the cold, vast nothing. But when she was on board the Enterprise, she wanted nothing more than to feel grass beneath her feet.
She heard the sliding glass door rumble behind her as it opened. Spock shut the door behind him before settling himself next to her on the cheery floral cushions. He wordlessly offered her a cup of tea before continuing to eat out of the pint carton of strawberry cheesecake ice cream he had.
"No chocolate tonight?" Uhura smiled to herself.
"I have no wish to be intoxicated." Spock replied as he continued to eat his ice cream.
"I can imagine after what happened last time."
Spock raised an eyebrow before shrugging.
"I have no recollection."
"My point exactly." Nyota laughed. She remembered when he had discovered the wonders and joy of a bag of dark chocolate truffles her sister had sent her.
"I fail to find that amusing."
Uhura held two fingers up. Spock rolled his eyes before pressing two of his own fingers against hers.
"Nyota, what are your feelings if we happened to be off planet when your sister gives birth?" Spock questioned.
"Well I imagine I would be sad, but I would get to see the baby whenever we get back to Earth."
Emotions had become a regular topic of conversation between the couple. Spock had attempted to completely shut his off growing up, only to lose control of them when Vulcan was destroyed. Since then, he had begun to attempt to understand others emotions about various situations. Uhura guessed that maybe losing control had triggered a sense of curiosity. She was careful to draw a clear, concise line in certain situations with his curiosity. The last time Spock had become intoxicated, he had proposed a mind meld during sex. At first, she thought it was romantic, well that was, until he added that he wanted to in order to conduct an experiment for science on the effects of mind melding between humans and Vulcans and send his findings to the remainder of the Vulcan Science Academy. She recognized that it was logical to him to do that, but she had felt insulted and hadn't had sex with him since.
"Nyota?"
"Yes, Spock?"
"Do you require anything to be taken to or retrieved from the station?"
"Not that I can think of."
Spock was silent for a moment.
"If I turn down the heat, will you come back inside?" Spock asked.
Uhura gazed out once more across the city.
"I suppose."
The pair rose from the couch and retreated inside.
Marla sipped on her wine in the small booth as John told her the story of the Klingon attack. The pair had finished dinner and found a small lounge bar where they settled. It reminded Marla of her great-aunt's dark Victorian styled house. The small booth was dark wood and red velvet with a small intricately carved table in front of them upon which sat a tiny candle in a hurricane glass.
"We finally managed to get to warp and made our escape. We made our way to the closest station away from Klingon territory for emergency repairs."
Marla was silent as she took another sip.
"So, what does this mean?" She asked quietly. "Surely this isn't going to push towards a confrontation with the Klingon Empire?"
John paused as he brought his own glass to his lips.
"There may be in the future." He finally answered.
"I don't even know what Starfleet's position is on war. I feel so…old and out of touch and stupid-"
"Marla." John interrupted her sternly. "You are not old or out of touch and certainly not stupid. You've been frozen two hundred and forty years. It's understandable you have a lot to catch up on, but you can't cut yourself down because you aren't completely caught up yet. As for war…" He dropped his voice and motioned her closer. "There are certain Starfleet officials gunning for it whole heartedly, but ultimately it is up to the Federation and I doubt they want a full out war. It does no good worrying about it."
Marla was silent as she studied the candle on the table.
"Let's go for a walk. We've already paid; I'm going to take you somewhere you haven't been before."
Marla nodded. He stood up and gathered their jackets as Marla finished her wine. She stood and allowed him to assist in putting her jacket on.
John led her to an elevator. She glanced at him as he put in the deck number.
"Where are we going?"
"It's a surprise." He smirked. The door pinged and the doors opened. "We have a little walk. It's not far."
Marla hastened her step to keep up with him. He quickly noticed and slowed down.
"One of the crewmen told me about this place while were in for repairs." John informed her as they came to a door decorated in metal leaves and branches around the frame. "It began as a lab for Starfleet botanists, but turned it into a garden for the residents on board." He opened the door and Marla walked in. The air was slightly humid, the lighting imitating a sunset. "I was told to come around eight at night and it's almost that time."
Marla looked around. It looked like a city park almost. Trees, bushes, flowers, even crickets quietly chirped. A frog croaked somewhere. Other people milled around, taking pictures. It had to extend at least a quarter of the way around the tier. Most had started settling around benches. John led her to a wooden bench overlooking it all. The lights began to dim even further until Marla saw them.
"Fireflies! Oh my goodness!" She watched as the little bugs lit up the area with their intermittent glow.
"It's not your secret lake, but I had heard it was lovely."
"It is." Marla smiled before leaning against him. "Thank you."
The pair sat watching the fireflies in contented silence as John absently played with her hair.
"What are your plans for tomorrow?" He asked.
"I signed up for the holodeck at eight in the morning."
"The holodeck?" John glanced down at her.
"I need to do a pole workout and it was either the holodeck or risk breaking things in the room." Marla replied grimly.
"Would you like company?"
Marla chewed her lip as she considered.
"Not particularly."
"I've never been in the holodeck."
"Really? It's nice. Not like anything I've ever been in before."
"Interesting."
Marla played with the pendant around her neck. Oh, she didn't want to do this. She had moved on from that chapter of her life where she needed to strip for tuition payments, beyond from some nights when she left with almost nothing after paying the house fee and tipping out the bouncer, djs and practically everyone else who wasn't a dancer. She didn't want to bother her parents with asking for money nor did she want to be in debt from student loans.
Now was not the time to be worrying about it or war. Right now, she was on a date with her boyfriend in a beautiful garden in space. Marla found and squeezed his hand. God, she had been so scared when Andrew had told her the Bradbury had been attacked by Klingons. She was just excited to see both him and Andrew before she had to go. Undercover was going to be taxing on her, she knew it, but it was a direct order.
Although, she had been equally terrified the second he pulled out that small black box. It had looked so similar to the one Lee had had her engagement ring in. It was scary to her how fast she felt her feelings developing for the man beside her. She was nowhere near ready to settle with anyone again. Maybe this whole thing was just a honeymoon period in a relationship. Maybe when she got back, they would fight and settle and find they weren't as compatible or special to each other as they thought. The thought was unsettling.
Marla leaned into him and glanced down at his hand. No scarring whatsoever that she could see in the dim light from his stitches. She wished he would just tell her. Why was it such a big secret? Her brow furrowed slightly. John didn't seem to notice as he watched the bugs light up the twilight. There were a few possible reasons for his speedy healing. Maybe medicine had advanced enough to speed up healing, as shown with her leg. Maybe he was part another species that healed exponentially. It seemed like a mostly normal thing nowadays. She had heard all the conspiracy theories about Augments from a drunken regular at the strip club. But all the supposed Augments had been wiped out. Besides, it was just a conspiracy theory. Sure there had been stories, but they had always been told by the media, teachers, everyone really, that these were ridiculous rumors, urban legends. Like Mothman or the Illuminati.
Marla looked up at John again. He still appeared to be looking out over the field. The regular's words still were floating in her brain. Indestructible, incredible healing powers, super strength, almost impossibly intelligent and even more impossibly fast learners. John was not indestructible; she had seen him beaten to a pulp. Yes, he healed rather quickly, but she hadn't seen any displays of impressive strength. He was strong and could throw her over his shoulder like almost nothing, but she wouldn't call that super. He had thrown Lakewood down the hall like a ragdoll. No, that was mildly impressive given the size of Lakewood. He was marvelously intelligent; he had to be to be working in the Science Division of Starfleet. She had yet to see him pickup anything new.
Marla scolded herself. She was not some stupid teenage girl in a young adult vampire novel. This was real life. Her boyfriend was not a mythical being and was not genetically engineered in a lab.
"You're staring." John commented.
"I'm not allowed to look at you?" Marla asked innocently. "If that's the case, I'll have to start talking to this firefly instead of you." She scooped up the tiny insect that had landed on her knee. "Isn't that right?" The tiny bug glowed in her hand before taking off. "Fine, didn't want to talk to you anyways."
John snorted next to her before he yawned.
"Tired?"
"Somewhat." He admitted.
"It's been a long day. Do you want to go back to the room and call it a night then?"
"I am enjoying sitting with you on this bench." John replied.
"Alright then."
Hikaru Sulu hummed to himself as he happily carried out his weeper plant from the botanical gardens. The other volunteers had taken excellent care of Beauregard the plant while was away. He made his way back to the entrance as his plant snapped up the occasional firefly. His eyes glanced around at the people still in the park. A couple sat on a bench, completely in their own little world.
Hikaru felt so fortunate that Stanley McKenna had caught lungworm or else he would not be helmsman aboard the Enterprise. Granted, he had encouraged McKenna to drunkenly make out with the Caitian woman who had given him lungworm. Hikaru shrugged and made his way towards his quarters.
Regardless of the circumstances that brought him to the Enterprise that may or may not have been his fault, he certainly had had his share of adventure. From salt vampires to having Yeoman Tina Lawson turned into an iguana, he was sensing that this was just the beginning.
He glanced at his watch. He needed to hurry up and get to the holodeck for the time he had signed up for.
Andrew sat in a temporary office, filling out paperwork. He would much rather be eating at Amanda's at that very moment. Or eating with Marla. Or with John. Or just eating.
"No." He muttered to himself. "We are not going to eat our feelings." He was going to instead bury them in his mountain of paperwork that needed to be done for the repairs from the Enterprise, Bradbury, Galileo, a freighter that needed minor engine repair, and two runabouts.
He glanced at his phone before picking it up and dialing. He put in an earpiece and resumed work.
"Hello?"
"Hey, Amanda, it's Andrew."
"Well hello there stranger! Andrea and I just sat down to watch our shows. What are you up to?"
"Paperwork."
"Oh isn't that just a joy?" Amanda chuckled.
"Oh yeah. Best time ever right here. I just called to check in and see how everyone's doing."
"Aren't you sweet? I think I'll have to keep you. Tyrone and Marie are starting to plan their wedding since Tyrone got a promotion at work. A big one! Oh we're so excited."
"That's good." Andrew nodded. "Have they set a date yet?"
"No, not yet. They're still looking at venues before deciding. I told them both I was helping pay, no arguments. I don't have grandchildren to spoil, so they're going to get it. Marie wants to wait for Marla to get back to look at dresses."
"Well…that might be awhile." Andrew leaned backed. "Marla has to go away on business for an unknown amount of time. She wanted to tell you, but can't say much and doesn't know for how long."
"How dreadful! I know Marie will be disappointed. Hopefully she'll be back soon enough."
"Hopefully." He echoed.
"How many ships are in right now?" Amanda asked.
"About six I think. Three are Federation exploration starships, two freighters and a Rigelian ship."
"I heard on the news they're towing the Enterprise to the Yard? They've told us we can see it in the sky at a certain time."
"Yeah. She should be on her way tomorrow."
"It's so exciting! Andrea and I are going to the hills to sit and watch outside. You always see the pictures of them, but never actually get to see one. Of course, you can go on the tour of the yard, but it's not quite the same as seeing it fly."
"I guess." Andrew had never really thought of it that way. Well, alright, he did when he first saw one, but after time, the feeling had diminished.
"I remember years ago watching them launch the Kelvin. It certainly was something." Amanda sighed. "My friend Bonnie and I drove out on a road trip just for that. We sat in a field with a picnic with twenty other people and just watched."
"That sounds fun."
"It was." Amanda responded fondly.
Khan closed his eyes, utterly content. He currently lay on Marla's lap in bed as she read a book by the bedside light. They had gone back to his quarters after the garden, had discovered his bed and bathroom were warmer and bigger than hers, moved her stuff over, had sex, rinsed off together, and now lay in bed utterly exhausted. He had to admit he was happy she moved into his room instead of keeping two separate rooms.
Marla yawned, marked her page and closed her book. Khan sat up and moved next to her, reaching his arm out as she turned off the light, throwing them into complete darkness, save for a small light on the door, and snuggled in next to him. He kissed her temple as she settled.
Khan knew it was quite unusual for him to be so physically affectionate towards her or any other human being. Growing up, they never received much physical affection. A couple of the new doctors had begun cuddling and hugging and being affectionate with the younger children and occasionally the older group he was in when they allowed themselves to be. By that age, most of them didn't want much of it.
With Marla, it felt right. It felt perfect and he felt as if he could let all his guards down. He wanted nothing more than to tell her everything, but knew better. Marcus would likely have her killed along with her brother and friends for good measure.
"What's wrong?" Marla mumbled.
"Hm?"
"Something's bothering you, your heart rate just spiked. What is it?" Marla rolled over to face him.
"I am concerned about this assignment." He admitted. It was true he was.
"About me being away or about me stripping?"
"A bit of both. Marcus sends away people who are not on his good side for considerable amounts of time. I heard he sent away the Chief of Engineering on the Enterprise for accidentally losing Admiral Archer's beagle."
"But they found that beagle recently…"
"That is far from the point Marla. He sent a man with severely limited rations to Delta Vega to freeze and starve over a dog that wasn't even his pet."
"I'll be fine." Marla stated. "As for the stripping..." she trailed off. She seemed to be gathering her thoughts. "I don't know what to tell you other than it's an act. It's just an act. They pay to have me flirt with them and pretend like I actually give a flying fuck. These men repulse me. It's an act, darling, it's just an act." She touched his arm and moved up, finding and laying her hand on his cheek. "As soon as we find whoever is running their mouth, I'm coming home to you. No more of this. I'm going to resign and apply for a position at a school somewhere in the city and be a schoolteacher. Okay?"
Khan was quiet, processing.
"Marla, you do not have to quit your job." He finally responded.
"If I don't, I'm going to be dragged through a LOT of things." Marla whispered. "He told me I'm an ensign now and when this is done, he's promoting me to lieutenant. I mean, for fucksake I'm a history professor! What is he doing?"
"I don't know." He admitted and it concerned him vastly. The pair lay in silence.
"Marcus can go to hell." Marla muttered. The corners of Khan's mouth twitched. "Why are you even his first officer?" She grumbled as she readjusted herself to rest her head on his chest.
"The pay is extraordinary." He replied sarcastically. Marla snorted.
"It can't be worth the stress."
"I'm beginning to think that."
"Seriously, though." Khan felt her sit up on her elbows.
"I was assigned. I have no choice in the matter." Complete truth. "Let us stop talking about Marcus and speak of other things."
"Like what?" Marla rolled over and laid beside him.
"Did you know," Khan reached over and grasped her hand, lacing his fingers in between hers. "Otters hold hands so that when they sleep in the water, they don't drift away from each other?"
"What? You're making that up." Marla giggled.
"I am not. Look it up if you don't believe me."
"So are we otters now?" Marla lightly squeezed his hand. "What next, are you going to crack open some sea urchin for us?" She teased. Khan chuckled. "Maybe next life I'll be an otter."
"I hope in the next life, we are bats so we can find each other in a dark room without nearly taking someone's eye out."
"Bats are interesting. We would get to hang upside down." Marla mused.
Khan squeezed her hand gently. She squeezed back.
"John?"
"Hm?"
"Tell me about India?"
"I've told you about India already." He sighed.
"Tel Aviv, then?"
"I've also told you about Tel Aviv. It is your turn to tell me a story from history." Khan tapped her hand with his thumb.
"What would you like to hear then?"
"Surprise me."
"Did you know Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth president of the United States, enjoyed telling dirty jokes?"
"No, I was not aware of that." Khan chuckled.
"I know one of them, not exactly, but I think you might enjoy it. Ethan Allen went to London and was treated terribly by the British who knew he was American. Then one night, he was invited to dinner at the house of a lord. He went to the privy and found a portrait mounted on the wall of a very stern George Washington. He didn't say anything to his host and his guests to their disappointment. Finally they brought it up, eager to talk about it. When he asked them why they had chosen such a place for the portrait, the lord replied 'Nothing makes an Englishman shit like the sight of George Washington.' Or at least I think that's how it goes."
Khan snorted. "Alright, that was terrible."
"Fine, you come up with one."
Khan thought for a moment.
"Captain Mulroney's haircut."
Marla burst into laughter. "That's just mean even if it does look like he goes to a poodle groomer instead of a barber."
Khan fought to keep a straight face and failed.
"John?"
"Yes?"
"Do you trust me?" Marla asked quietly.
"In what sense?"
"Any and all."
"Yes, why?"
Marla took a deep breath. "Then tell me, why do you heal so fast?"
Khan released her hand and covered his face.
"Not tonight Marla."
"Then when? You keep telling me this! What is the big secret?"
"Be patient."
Marla groaned and turned over.
"Marla, it's just not the right time to tell you."
"Tell me what? It seriously cannot be that earth shattering."
Khan closed his eyes. "Marla, enough. I have no desire to quarrel with you tonight. I will let you know when I am ready to let you know."
Silence.
"Sorry." Marla mumbled.
"I understand this is frustrating Marla, but I will let you know my secrets in due time, as I expect you'll let me know your own." Khan reached out in the pitch black, searching for her warm body. "Now come here. You're tired, I'm tired, we both need to sleep or I feel we will become increasingly irritable."
"I didn't move, you did."
Khan grunted and moved over towards her voice, finding her with his hand and enveloping her in an embrace. Marla snuggled into his chest and sighed.
"John?"
"Hm?"
"Can I request something?"
"Yes."
"When I come home, please don't dig up any more of my mother's plants at the farmhouse."
Marcus paced around his home office. He had to plan this carefully. McGivers would be leaving for Houston in under forty-eight hours, whether she liked it or not. It was early, he knew it, but he needed her moved early. The suspected crewmen would be returning to Houston in two weeks for one of the three fleet weeks around the country and he needed all hands on deck, or poles rather. He had twenty women in the clubs most heavily frequented by Starfleet enlisted across the city. McGivers would be in the hub of activity and he needed her back in the swing of things before they were swamped. Fortunately for her, he was sending her in with two other undercover women who had been posted to the club she was being assigned to for a while. They would help her settle in hopefully.
If anything, this upcoming event would be the right time to catch whoever was running their mouths.
He was sending Khan back out to work on the ship. Weapons were needed. Enough messing around, the Augment had work to do. Serious work that would not involve Khan's most likely ill-fated relationship. Surely she had to suspect something was different about him by now. Marcus didn't know how the hell he was going to deal with that one if and when the time came. This was dangerous territory and right now separating the two of them was for the best, for both Khan's cover and to cover his own ass. But for right now, he had the once great and feared Khan Noonien Singh on an incredibly short leash and in a shock collar.
Enough child's play. The Augment could come up with powerful weapons and they needed them if there was going to be an intergalactic war. They needed to be able to protect themselves and Khan would be fulfilling his purpose for why he was even created and awoken. History would sing the praises of Alexander Marcus, the one who commissioned the fleet that would save Earth and the Federation from annihilation.
Perhaps it was time to remind Khan of what was at stake if he didn't cooperate. Remind him that if he didn't want the rest of his crew, his family, to be destroyed, he would do exactly what he was told to do.
Marla groaned as the alarm went off next to her. She quickly shut it off and stretched. John still lay asleep next to her. The room had brightened to a low glow as she got out of bed and began digging for workout clothes to wear in the holodeck. She shuffled towards the bathroom and shut the door. Marla went over what she had to do in her head. Exercise, come back to the room, shower, and meet Andrew for breakfast maybe if he wasn't busy.
John was vaguely awake when she came back into the room.
"Where are you going?" He yawned. Marla looked at him in the dim light, eyes half open, hair disheveled and sheet tangled around him.
"I'm going to the Holodeck and then I'm coming back. Go back to sleep."
"Be careful." He mumbled. Marla leaned over the bed and kissed his cheek.
"I'll be back. Go back to sleep." She repeated as she walked out the door.
The station had appeared to just be waking up. Workers and crew members walked with cups of coffee and breakfast in hand. A few kids trudged along one of the halls, school supplies in hand. She supposed that families did live on board and the kids needed some form of education, so a small school was logical.
She came to the door and was surprised to see Andrew waiting.
"Morning." He greeted. "I saw you were signed up so I thought we could do a work out together." Marla had really hoped to be doing pole work, but if Andrew wanted to hang out, then she supposed she could do one later.
"Alright." She stretched again.
"Ready to get your ass kicked?" Andrew grinned as he held open the door.
"Shut up. Are we sparring or something?"
"You said it, not me."
Marla rolled her eyes as she swiped her ID through the reader and set the controls. "Hand to hand or you want some weapons?"
"Whatever." Andrew shrugged as he handed her a water bottle.
"You're so helpful. Get ready to get a beatdown." She grunted and hit the finish button. The doors to the deck opened.
The room had mats and a rack of weapons and protective gear.
"Knife fight? Really Marla?" Andrew protested as Marla began gearing up.
"What? Are you scared because I was top in my unit?" Marla stretched out her legs.
"No. Just, no knives, no weapons. You and me." Andrew grabbed gear and began putting it on.
"Fine." Marla huffed as she walked to the center of the mat and put in a mouth guard. Andrew stretched out and joined her. "So? COME AT ME!"
Adam Lakewood held onto the bars as he moved down the little lane between them. Physical therapy hurt. He wasn't quite sure what hurt worse, the shattered bones, surgeries to repair or replace them or the physical therapy. He didn't understand why he had been the one attacked. He didn't even remember it, just walking back out of the party and then waking up in the hospital. The nurses said it was likely for the best, the police were beyond aggravated he couldn't remember anything.
Rumors were flying around about who could have done it. Personally, he suspected John Harrison, but he had been with Marlena McGivers when he left and Adam was certain no one could walk from that. Andrew had told him the pair was dating and he admitted he had seen that one coming, though he tried his best to deny it.
Adam's foot faltered in front of him, throwing him off balance. He tightened his grip on the beams.
"You're almost there, Commander." The therapist urged. "Come on."
Adam gritted his teeth as he took the last few steps and collapsed into the chair at the end.
"Good job. Good progress."
Khan sat up in bed, convincing himself to get dressed. It had been about an hour since Marla left. He glanced at his uniform. Soon he was going to be confined in a lab, creating some of the most advanced weapons the Federation had yet to see. If savagery was what would save his family, then it was savagery they would receive.
Funny, how he was so determined to not allow Marla McGivers to distract him and it ended up happening anyways. A small nagging voice in the back of his mind reminded him he was an Augmented Human, with emphasis on the Human. He remembered how he had made her cry in the bathroom the first day she started and felt guilty, guiltier than he had previously. He had realized exactly how deeply he cut her with his words when Lee had shown up.
Khan got up, dressed in his blue duty shirt and black pants, and went scavenging for breakfast. As he selected two breakfast sandwiches from the heated platform in the small convenience store, his eyes fell on a basket of ripe fruit. He smirked as he picked out an apple.
"You're still here, Commander? Here I would have thought you would have wanted both feet firmly on planet after our adventure like the rest of the crew."
Khan turned to face Captain Abbott, who was holding a large coffee in his hand.
"I have someone visiting me here." Khan responded as he and Abbott got in line to pay.
"Your girlfriend then, I assume?" Abbott gave a knowing look.
"Yes, how-" Khan started.
"Commander, I'm fairly certain half the crew witnessed you two playing tonsil hockey." Abbott interrupted with a laugh and clapped him jovially on the shoulder. "Nothing to be ashamed of, you got yourself a decent woman there. I got to talk with her at the Bajoran lectures briefly, but my wife works with Professor McGivers and she's been at my house having coffee on my wife's ladies history nights."
"I see." Khan was slightly startled and uneasy by Abbott knowing who Marla was.
"Well, I best be off. I have to meet with someone about our ship repairs. I will see you around, Commander."
"Captain." Khan nodded as Abbott walked away. He paid for his items and began walking when his phone rang.
"Harrison." He grunted.
"It's me. I'm heading back to the room but it sounds like you're not in the room." Marla's voice came from the earpiece.
"I am also heading back. I have breakfast."
"Oh, good. I'll meet you back there."
"Alright. I'll see you."
Khan hung up and started towards the room.
As he entered, he heard the shower running. The holodeck must have been closer than he thought. Her phone on the bed started ringing. He ignored it as he took off his shoes and sat on the edge of the made bed. Soon the phone stopped ringing. Khan reclined on the bed, put the food on the nightstand, and noticed Marla's book next to where he laid the food. He reached over and began flipping through it, careful not to move her bookmark. He heard the shower shut off as he started reading. The bathroom door soon opened.
"Hey! You better not move my bookmark!" Marla grunted.
"I assure you I won't."
Marla rolled her eyes as she walked over next to him, clad in her towel and sat down on the edge of the bed.
"Your phone was ringing."
"Was it? I didn't hear it." Marla turned and reached for the device and fiddled with it. "Well shit."
"Hm?"
"Admiral Marcus." She grimaced. "What could he possible want?" She redialed and fiddled with the edge of her towel. "Yes, hello Admiral, I…yes…I was in the shower my apologies…I…What? But sir I'm not…I…I understand sir. Thank you for informing me." She hung up and was silent.
Khan reached over and gently stroked her arm with his fingertips. "What did he want?"
"I need a shuttle back to Earth today. He's moved up my sendoff to the day after tomorrow at three in the morning. I need to finalize some things." She glanced at him and then the bag. "Is that food?"
Khan passed her the bag and Marla quickly pulled out a sandwich, unwrapped it, and began devouring it.
"I will accompany you home." Khan spoke quietly as he tapped her arm lightly.
"You don't have to. I mean, if you want to stay an extra few days on the station-"
"No, I am going with you." Khan stated firmly.
"You'll wait for me, right?" Marla glanced at him as she finished off the sandwich.
"I answered this already." Khan grunted.
"I know, but maybe I want to hear it again." Marla shrugged, playing with her wet hair.
"Marlena, look at me." Khan ordered sternly. Marla's head snapped towards him, startled at his sudden change in tone. "I will wait for you as long as you need me too."
"Thank you."
"You are aware I do care about you and I'm not going to run off with someone else. Worrying about it is non-productive."
"The last time I didn't worry about it resulted in me dying." Marla snipped.
"No, you having a motorcycle accident is what caused you to die and I personally, along with Andrew, am nervous whenever you get on that damn thing and am very happy he is lending you the car."
Marla grunted.
"Would you wait for me if I were going on a mission of an indefinite time period?"
"Of course. I care about you." Marla glanced at him as if he had sprouted another head. "Regardless of how many times Annora keeps mentioning wanting to introduce me to one of the Kennedy men."
"I'm sorry, but she did what now?" Khan sat up.
"It's nothing, I shouldn't have mentioned it." Marla sighed. "She kept trying to introduce me at the State dinner in Paris when Admiral Marcus had his back turned, but one of us was always occupied. I did meet some of the Obama family though. They were nice."
"Which Kennedy?"
"I don't know their names. I think Annora had some dream of a united presidential family with politician offspring who would bring in a new era or something along those lines. She was too drunk to understand." Marla wrinkled her nose. "Besides," She stood and took off her wet towel. "Why would I want him when I have a strong, intelligent, Starfleet Commander, who while decent, at times can be a complete asswipe? Hm?" She started to reach for her bag, but Khan seized her around the waist and pulled her on top of him in one fluid motion.
Khan grunted as he played with a strand of her damp hair.
"Not jealous, are we?" Marla teased as she straddled him.
"Not in the slightest."
"Good, because from what I heard, he's spineless when it comes to important matters. How am I to supposedly raise a political prodigy when their father is a weak-minded idiot?" Her lip curled slightly. Khan smirked, remembering the portraits of great conquerors and leaders in her office.
"No, you need someone strong to lead when it comes to being in a position of power. Not a puppet." His hand began traveling down her side, lightly brushing her skin.
"Exactly."
"Someone who seizes opportunities in front of them." Khan grabbed her ass.
"Is my ass an opportunity now?" Marla raised an eyebrow. He released her backside and trailed his fingers down her thighs, hesitating where her scars used to be. He traced tiny circles along the healing incision. It was different than what he had become accustomed to. He exhaled.
"You should get dressed. You're going to catch a cold and we need to find the schedule of shuttles leaving for Earth."
"Have I ever told you I adore the way you say schedule?" Marla picked a piece of pilling fabric off his shirt before rolling off him.
"It's the proper way to pronounce it, unlike the way you Americans butcher it and other words in the English language
"Oh really?" Marla crossed her arms. "Aluminum."
"It's Ah-lu-mini-um."
"Alu-mi-num." Marla enunciated slowly Khan cringed as Marla smirked.
"Get dressed and I'll call the shuttle."
"Hey." Marla tapped his shoulder as he pulled his phone out. He turned to look at her and she quickly kissed him. "Thanks." She turned around and began getting dressed.
Khan watched her a moment before dialing shuttle information.
Forty-five minutes later, they stood in front of the airlock, bags in hand.
"Ready?" Khan asked as the airlock hissed.
"As ready as I'll ever be." Marla sighed as they boarded.
The pair settled next to each other and the takeoff procedures were about to start when a commotion sounded near the door.
"Close the airlock behind me. Now!" Andrew stumbled into the cabin. "There you two are." Andrew collapsed beside Khan, breathing heavily. "I just outran Kirk down the hall. I'm coming home with you two."
"You…just outran Kirk?" Marla leaned forward to see around Khan.
"Yes. He tried to drag me back into discussions about taking that job. But I outran him."
"Is everyone settled now?" The attendant raised an eyebrow.
"Yes ma'am."
"Good." The attendant grunted before finishing her speech and sitting down.
Marla squeezed Khan's hand and closed her eyes as the mooring clamps released.
"Nervous?"
"A bit." Marla admitted. "I don't like flying."
"I'll be right here." Khan squeezed back.
"I know."
She squeezed a bit harder as the engines revved and the shuttle shot off towards Earth.