My apologies for not posting the last part of the story sooner but life does tend to get busy. Anyway, I am back at it with vigor! More stories are being written as we speak as well as a new adventure of Captain Torchescue and her first officer! Stay tuned!

Please R&R! A struggling writer will thank you!

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Alexandra rose with a yawn and for the first time in weeks she felt rested and refreshed but she remembered last night and shook her head with a rueful grin. Vorik had cheated she thought as she dressed and walked to the bridge. Once there she took her place at the desk and poked her first officer in the shoulder none too gently.

"Thanks...but that was super sneaky of you." There was a sly smile on her lips.

Vorik looked to her and noticed at once that she looked much better after a good night's sleep.

"My actions did not carry any deception. I merely used my ability to quiet your mind and allow you to enter a more relaxed state of REM sleep. I believe your species requires this in order for your bodily functions to recharge. Either way...Meet me after you are off duty this evening at 1600 hours on Holodeck 3 to begin your training."

Alexandra stopped smiling when he mentioned the training and remembered the bargain they had struck the evening before. Damn she thought to herself.

"You weren't really serious about there were you?" She asked hesitantly.

"Yes I was. This training will benefit you greatly Captain."

"But...but the Haskian coffee...can't I still have some?"

"No..it would be counter productive to your training."

"One case, come on." Alexandra pleaded.

"No." Vorik said returning to his PADD.

Alexandra glared at him now. "You know I could just order you to have the stuff over."

Vorik looked up from his PADD and gave her the most inscrutable deadpan look. Alexandra held his gaze for a little while then snarled and walked off muttering under her breath. Smart ass Vulcan she thought to herself. She walked over to Lt. Lowell's station and looked over his shoulder at the reports he was pouring over.

"Have we identified the accelerant used?"

"Yes. A common compound of Triethenagenic oxidase. Highly volatile. Only half a gram was even needed but the bulkheads were laced with at least 30 grams. Can we say over kill?" Lowell said grimly.

"Ok..common explosive accelerant. How come the sensors on the ship didn't pick it up?"

"It isn't a compound that the H'lirken would be familiar with thus their sensors weren't calibrated for it. Also Dr. Baran confirmed that most of the officers on the H'lirken ship were dead or dying at the time."

"Alright...now why did our sensors let us down?"

"Someone used an access code. A command Access code." Lowell looked around then dropped his voice so only she could hear. "I told the security chief about this and she managed to find out who's code it wasn't. It wasn't your code or mine or Moleto's. That leaves Dr. Baran, and Commander Vorik. And Lt. Nosea has an air tight alibi for the time in question when the sensors went dead. She is quietly trying to narrow down the search for who's code it was."

"I don't like the fact that we are looking for one of own. Why would anyone want to tank this summit?I don't see where anyone gains from it not going forward."

"Stumps my ass too."

"Alright keep at it Lowell."

Alexandra went to her office and began looking over all of the information they had gathered so far. A command code was used but she didn't think it was one of her officers. At least she didn't think they would willingly destroy this trade summit. A stolen code perhaps? Again not likely. She didn't have stupid or careless people under her. Who would benefit from this trade agreement happening? Many races in the federation would benefit from this technology and from those races others would also benefit. It was the question that kept rolling around her head for the next three hours. She finally tossed down the last PADD and pushed away from her desk. She left the bridge and went to her quarters. She changed into her work out clothes and went for a run to try and clear her mind. As she ran, she passed the cargo bay where the H'lirken had delivered the dilithium generator then slowed her pace and stopped altogether. That generator was an important piece of equipment...it was the first that the H'lirken had ever parted with...till now, the technology had only been whispered of. It suddenly dawned on her that the summit wasn't the target. She turned around and ran as fast as she could back to the cargo bay. She knew three officers were supposed to be inside watching the generator but when the doors opened the cargo bay was empty. She ran to the spot where the generator was supposed to be but it was missing.

"Torchescue to Bridge! I need Security in cargo bay 8!" She didn't get a response and called out again but still there was nothing. Comms must have been disabled here so she turned around to head out of the cargo bay but came up short. There was a disruptor pointing right at her and she slowly backed and raised her hands.

"I should have known."

"I honestly thought you would figure it out before now." The man holding the disruptor stepped forward. "I see you didn't learn anything from our last encounter."

"Oh I learned plenty...I learned that you are ruthless bastard that I would dearly love to kick the shit out of...Roderian."

The Romulan commander smiled grimly and gestured with his disruptor for Alexandra to move to the far end of the cargo bay. Three other Romulans were with Roderian and probably all of them had Bio maskers. Alexandra did as she was bid too then began to piece everything together.

"So let me get this straight. You must have been planning this for months now. I mean this must have been hatched back at Colony 83. That would have been the only time you could have gotten Vorik's code. I am assuming that is the one you used of course...I am sure you didn't use mine."

"Actually we were there stealing the research of Dr. Sevak. But once I was there and you and your little away team fell so neatly into our hands...I found myself thinking. The opportunity was too great to pass up. We knew the H'lirken were coming here for a summit and the chance to get our hands on this wonderful generator...well...can you really blame us."

"Yeah actually I can. What you are doing is considered an act of war. I really don't think the H'lirken are going to be too happy with you."

"All the H'lirken are going to find is that your first officer's code was used in connection with an act of terrorism and that same code was used to remove this generator. I imagine he will be in for a rather bad time once we are gone." Roderian grinned at her wolfishly.

"And you just expect me to keep quiet about all this?"

"No. You are going to die. With this phaser." Roderian held up a standard issue Starfleet phaser. "It will be covered in some genetic residue of Vorik's. It will look like he tried to clean it but failed."

Alexandra laughed and shook her head. "Trust me, you ask anyone who knows Vorik and they will tell you the same thing. That he is never that careless. Besides I am his best friend, he wouldn't kill me."

"Oh I agree it's flimsy but to the H'lirken...well they will take a dim view. The following chaos to ensue will give us plenty of time to get away. But first...I haven't had a chance to use these new mental abilities. Lets see how I fare against you."

Alexandra frowned but with three other weapons pointed at her, her choices were limited. She stood still and tried to close off her mind as Roderian placed his fingers on her face. Once his mind touched hers, he tried to inflict as much damage as he possibly could but the core of her mind was shielded...guarded almost. Alexandra gasped in pain as Roderian forced himself deeper into her thoughts trying to break her mind. Once the invading thoughts touched the protected part of her mind, Vorik suddenly shot out of his chair on the bridge. He could feel Alexandra's mind under attack, he could feel that she was in danger.

"Computer locate Captain Torchescue."

Lowell looked to Vorik and wondered why he suddenly shot up like that. He noticed that the first officer looked down right panicked. The computer told him that the captain was in cargo bay 8 and he ran off calling for the security teams to meet him there. Lowell stood there scratching his head wondering what was going on. As Lowell was about to sit back down, he got a panicked look on his face.

"Cargo bay 8...my new generator! BOLLOCKS!" he shouted as he ran off the bridge.

Vorik made it to the cargo bay before the security team did. He drew his phaser and crept up to the area where Alexandra was being held captive. He could see the Romulan commander from Colony 83 and three other Romulans preparing the generator for transport. Roderian strained as he tried to keep his assault on Alexandra's mind strong. Vorik could feel the pressure of his attack in his own mind. He quickly realized that his bond with Alexandra was the only thing keeping her mind safe. He had to act quickly. He got as close as he could then rose from behind some crates and fired rapidly. He managed to down two of them but missed the third. Roderian was aware they were under attack and withdrew from Alexandra's mind. Once his fingers left her face, she stumbled back gasping and holding her head. She felt like someone was splitting her head open with a dull ax. She became aware of someone pulling on her arm then struck out with the heel of her hand. She caught Roderian right in his face and watched with some glee as his nose started streaming green blood. Roderian had just lifted his disruptor to kill her when he suddenly stiffened and fell to the floor. Behind him stood Vorik who had just administered the tried and true Vulcan nerve pinch. Alexandra always felt that it was a cheat move in the past but now she was dearly grateful for it. She was still very dizzy and wanted to throw up but soon Dr. Baran was injecting her with hypos and running a tricorder all around her head. The injections began to kick in and Alexandra found she could open her eyes without risk of vomiting all over the place. She stood up and sighed wiping her hands on her pants.

"Take that piece of crap to the brig then tell Ambassador and the H'lirken Chancellor that the culprits have been apprehended. We will hand all of them over to the H'lirken once we are sure that the threat to our security is eliminated."

"Do you think there are anymore creeping around anywhere Captain?" Security chief Nosea asked.

"No...this was a clandestine attempt. They over reached themselves...in fact I wouldn't be surprised if the Romulan high command denies any knowledge of them. They will get left out in the cold."

As Roderian was being led away he began to laugh. It was a little unsettling the way he was so unconcerned with his captivity. Alexandra looked to Lowell and pulled him close.

"Search the entire base for explosives or booby traps or anything even slightly out of place. I don't like how relaxed he looked."

Lowell agreed and went to engineering to make sure the base was safe. Alexandra walked over to Vorik and smiled at him.

"Well buddy..I owe you again."

"You owe me nothing Captain. I was merely doing my duty as a Starfleet Officer."

Alexandra gave a little chuckle. "Well keep it up for another 2 hours please. I need to go puke and then pass out before tackling the ambassador and his infernal questions."

Vorik took hold of the clean up and 20 minutes later he was back on the bridge but his mind was far from easy. He too was unsettled by Roderian's behavior. Roderian had been in Alexandra's mind, was it possible that he discovered the secret. Vorik decided it was best that he find out so he left the bridge and headed to brig. He dismissed the security officer there then walked down to Roderian's cell. The imprisoned Romulan looked up and grinned.

"I was expecting you." Roderian sat down on the narrow bench and folded his hands in his lap. "My my my...you do surprise me Commander Vorik. I supposed our examination of your brain had some unforeseen side effects. Pon Farr I will admit wasn't what I expected."

"I would rather not have to enter into a verbal jousting match with you. Seeing how you are to be turned over to the H'lirken security team very soon, you might want to take advantage of the time you have and be direct."

"Ahh yes...direct. Well let's see. You mated with your captain during a unnatural Pon Farr. You mentally bonded with her and what's truly funny...she has no clue. Were you ever going to tell her or just let your mind have it's wicked way with her."

Vorik had nothing to say and merely turned around to leave but stopped in his tracks. Alexandra was standing there. From the look on her face, Vorik could tell she had heard everything. Alexandra walked to Roderian's cell and waved a PADD. She had a grim smile on her face.

"So...I have the test results from the exam Dr Baran gave you. You know...I must say, I feel sorry for you. I really would not want my mind to deteriorate while I am inside a H'lirken prison. I hear they regard people with mental defects as little more then toys. Yes...it is really going to be bad for you Roderian."

The Romulan furrowed his brow and eyed the PADD in Alexandra's hand. "What are you talking about?"

"Oh nothing much. Just, as we speak, you brain is turning to soft cheese. The little enhancements you made to yourself are having rather horrible effects on your cerebral cortex. My Doctor said it's literally a matter of weeks before you are a drooling vegetable."

"So what are you going to do about it?" Roderian asked grimly looking at the PADD Alexandra just passed to him.

"Give you this. It's a genetic stabilizer. I will eventually nullify your modifications but you won't be eating your own hair." Alexandra held up a hypo spray then passed it into the cell with Roderian. Roderian knew that his government would mount some kind of jail break eventually and he could begin anew. But risking brain damage was not in his plans. It could have been a trick but he could not take the risk. He picked up the stabilizer and injected himself. A few seconds later, he crumpled to the floor unconscious. Vorik looked to Alexandra with surprise on his face.

"Did you kill him?"

Alexandra glared at her best friend. "No. It's a compound the Doctor made up for me. It will give him amnesia for a few days. By then he will be in a H'lirken prison camp and what he has to say won't effect anyone...namely you and me."

Vorik was about to say something else but Alexandra had already left the brig. Vorik sighed and entered Roderian's cell to dispose of the hypo spray then left the brig himself. He walked around the base for an hour trying to collect his thoughts. He spent the next two hours writing up reports and when he had exhausted all other options, he decided to face his captain once again. Things needed to be explained and set right. It bothered him more then he cared to admit that he would loose a friend this night. Vorik found Alexandra in the gym beating on a punching bag. Alexandra was aware when he entered the gym but did not acknowledge his presence till she was done with her set. When she was done she walked over to a bench and wiped her sweaty face with a towel.

"So...you were going to drop that little bomb on me...when?" From the tone of her voice, it was easy to tell she was still highly agitated and angry.

"I wasn't sure until recently. You have to understand that when I went through...that. It wasn't a natural Pon Farr. I didn't have the awareness to warn you that when I had gone through Pon Farr before, I tried to mentally bond with the woman I had chosen."

"Must have happened while you were still in the delta quadrant."

"Yes. Chief Engineer B'Lanna Torres."

Alexandra dropped the towel and sat down on the bench. "Is it reversible?"

"Not at this early stage. No." Vorik gave a sigh and sat down next to her. "I am aware that if this gets out that your judgment and mine would be called into question. I am also aware that this is strictly prohibited by Starfleet regulations."

"And yet here we are. Basically married and not a god damn thing we can do about it." Alexandra threw down her towel angrily. Vorik raised a brow at this and sighed.

"Anger and other useless emotions will not serve us in this predicament."

"Oh spare me the logic speech Vorik! I am really pissed off right now and I am going to stay that way till I find a solution."

"The bond can be broken after the first month or so. We could go to Vulcan and have it discreetly done. Sometimes accidental bindings happen and when this does, people will seek out the ministers in Tevehk Province. They are discreet and keep no records. It is handled quietly and without reproach."

Alexandra's face softened a little at this news. A month wasn't so long she thought. They could keep it quiet till then.

"Alright. I will come up with an excuse in one month to get us to Vulcan and we can be done with this mess."

Vorik clasped his hands together and was more then a little bothered by her words. "So you do not wish to remain bonded to me then?"

"Well...no. You are my first officer. I can't have that kind of relationship with you. I mean...I am human. You couldn't stand me and, while I think you are a great friend, I doubt I could stand you."

As Alexandra said the words, she began to feel a sting of disappointment and sorrow but after a moment, she realized that the feelings did not originate with her but with Vorik. She looked to her best friend and shook her head pinching the bridge of her nose.

"Vorik, you really don't want to go there. I am flattered but.." Alexandra was interrupted by Vorik suddenly rising and turning away from her crossing his arms.

"You didn't like me saying that, why?"

"I have heard it all too often. I heard it from B'Lanna when we were aboard Voyager. The mate I was originally bonded too also rejected me when I returned to the alpha quadrant."

"Vorik you will find the right one for you. I am not it thought. I am sorry."

"Then why have you been having the same thoughts of me since we first met?" Vorik turned around to face her again. His eyes bored into hers and she knew he was going to be like a dog with a bone. "As you can read from me, I can read from you. Since I have been connected with you, I have learned a great many things. While I do not share your emotional state, I can understand their meanings. That knowledge came with my experience with Lt. Torres."

Alexandra sighed and looked away. She had always been attracted to Vorik despite his lack of emotion. Indeed sometimes she found that his most appealing feature but out of respect for him she never voiced nor acted on her attraction to him. She merely placed her efforts in building a valued friendship with him.

"Fine. Alright I admit it. I am attracted to you. It still doesn't matter. There is nothing I can do about it nor should I."

"It matters to me." Vorik said softly. "If it matters enough to me to put aside the basic principals of my entire being by lying and causing deception, what will you set aside for it?"

"What if it doesn't matter to me at all?" Alexandra asked darkly.

"Then you are a liar."

Alexandra shook her head and left the gym without saying another word. This conversation was like playing Kal'To with him. He was always maneuvering her into a situation that left her little to no option. She retreated to her quarters but the solitude offered her no solace or possible solution to her crisis. She walked to the sink and began splashing her face with cold water and the whole while, the words from her talk with Vorik ran through her head. It mattered to him. He wanted to stay bonded to her and moreover, he wanted her. Alexandra remembered the night they spent together and how good it felt to act on all those hidden desires. She thought that her abandon and eagerness during that time was just because of the blood fever...but was that just a convenient excuse? Alexandra went about her normal nightly routine then went to bed. She laid awake tossing and turning till her alarm went off. She put on her dress uniform and made herself presentable before making her way to the bridge. The rest of her staff was also in dress uniform.

Lt. Moleto looked up when the captain arrived. "Captain, U.S.S. Tolstoy is in orbit and are ready to receive the Chancellor and his party aboard."

"Alright everyone, let's go give the H'lirken a good send off. "

Alexandra led her staff to transporter room 1 and stood at attention with the rest of them as the chancellor and his people walked by. The chancellor stopped in front of Alexandra and handed her a scroll then bowed. Once he righted himself he spoke.

"You have found the culprit of this tragedy and carried yourself with honor and dignity. You are indeed worthy. The stain your father put upon you has been wiped clean by your actions. Take this scroll of my lineage. Let it guide you in your life." The chancellor bowed again then joined his people on the transporter pad. The transporter was engaged and Alexandra was still looking at the scroll in her hand completely speechless. In some ways it was the nicest thing anyone had ever said to her. She dismissed her staff and walked back to her quarters to change back into her regular uniform. Normally when she felt like this she would go sound off to Vorik and he would listen to her in his own logical way and somehow she would feel better. Alexandra called the bridge and told them she would be a few hours late to her shift then grabbed her climbing gear and headed to the holodeck. She pulled up her favorite climbing program and found it was already running so she went inside only too see Vorik prepping his gear for a climb as well. He looked up at her and set down his harness.

"Would you prefer I leave Captain?"

"No, it's fine. I am turning off the safeties though so you may want to reconsider having a climb with me."

"Since both of us have climbed this several times, I feel confidant that all will be well."

Alexandra nodded her head then put on her harness and started the climb. As she began to scour the rock face, she found herself relaxing and enjoying the rhythm of the climb. They reached a small outcropping of stone and decided to take a rest. Alexandra sat with her back to the rock face and took in the fantastic view of the desert vistas of Vulcan.

"I miss this." Alexandra said after taking a few sips of water.

"Vulcan?"

"That too but I miss climbing. I miss how we used to be."

Vorik took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Then I will no longer pursue you. My intent was never to cause you discomfort or distress."

"Oh Vorik, it's not that. This is my fault not yours. I wanted to save your life that night. I didn't care how I did it, I just knew that I could not bear to see you suffer like that." Alexandra capped her water bottle and set it down with a thump. "Alright, I can admit it. Yes. It matters to me. I just...I just never thought it a possibility is all."

"Nor did I. I was somewhat at a loss at first myself."

"How do we even go about having this kind of relationship?" Alexandra asked hesitantly.

"I think I will choose to go about this using a saying you gave me when we first climbed this mountain. One step at a time." Vorik put his own water bottle down and sighed. He then turned to her and pulled her to face him as well. He lifted his hand with his palm facing her.

"If we are going to commit ourselves to this course of action, We should fully cement the bonding. It is only logical after all."

Alexandra couldn't help it as a slow smile spread across her lips. "I always swore that my wedding would be anything but logical Vorik. In fact, it's supposed to be decidedly illogical."

"Would you prefer I drag you by your hair to the nearest cave and have my way with you? I believe that is how you described ancient humans and their mating practices."

Alexandra gave a loud burst of laugh and shook her head. "Alright alright. Point taken." She lifted her hand and placed it against his. She began to feel the slight connection that she already shared with him open up and strengthen. She gave a little shudder then took a deep breath. After a few moments, Vorik dropped his hand down and looked at her.

"It is done."

"So... things can go back to normal now?" Alexandra asked hesitantly.

"For the most part...yes. There will be some changes though."

Alexandra nodded her head and moved to get up but Vorik pulled her back down. He leaned forward putting his face very close to hers now. Alexandra didn't back up but she didn't close the distance either. She just waited. She was never one to press her attentions one someone who wasn't interested. Since she spent most of her life thinking that Vorik would not want her advances...it was hard to break the habit. She gave him a smile and then pulled away and rose to her feet. She ran and hand through her hair and sighed.

"Look...this is going to take some getting used too. Let's just take it slow."

Alexandra felt the need to get some distance about now. Her body was playing tricks on her and she needed to get her head clear. She also needed to learn quickly how to differentiate her own desires from Vorik's. For an unemotional race, they certainly carried a lot below the surface. Before she could walk away Vorik grabbed her hand and pulled her back to him. He rose still holding her hand then pulled her closer to him till their lips were pressed in an intense kiss. Desired suddenly flared in her blood and she found herself clinging to him tightly. She could feel her own desire fueling his and vice versa in an unending cascade. He broke the kiss slowly then looked intently at her.

"I want to see you tonight." He said softly.

"I know. We have to be careful...this is a dangerous dance we are about to start. No one can know."

Vorik shook his head. He knew the course of action he had guided them on was not the most logical but he committed himself and would not look back.