You're in luck! I was able to finish editing early, so I can post in one day! Hopefully I will get another chapter or two up this weekend.

There is a little thing down at the bottom if something confuses you. If you are completely confused go back to the beginning.

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Meeting of Fates

One month later…

Dear Journal:

I spent the last month mending arguments, repairing ships, working out negotiations, and taking care of Celina and Rekel. My younger brother, Kadesh, loves to play with them. I'm happy to see that now he has some one to play with since there are no other children on the ship. But despite all the distractions, I can not get thoughts of Michael from my mind especially at night. When I come from work to my cambers, there is silence except for the soft pad of Vespavia's paws. No one to talk to, nothing to keep my mind from wondering back to the solitude of the planet with Michael. When I lay in to bed meant for two, it is even harder to prevent the memories and the fantasies from coming to my mind. I have hung the sketch of Michael on the organic walls next to my bed. Sometimes it is comforting, others depressing, but I do not have the heart to take it down. However, something changed today…

I awoke one morning and went about my daily tasks. It was a particularly slow day as if the fates were trying to torment me with memories. Then, in the evening, a subspace transmission came in. This is nothing out of the ordinary since this is one of the foremost ways of communicating from hive to hive. What is surprising was it was addressed to me and only me; normally it is addressed to a particular hive or to all. Rarely is a transmission addressed to only one person even a queen.

I send my guards and crew-members out of the room and lower the mist scene used for viewing such things. On the screen appears a rather nervous looking Michael! The message read or more says, "Matia, I'm sorry about the last time we talked. Any ways I'm on Calina and need to talk to you. I know you are busy but could you please come." I fell back in my throne in shock. 'Why would Michael want to talk to me especially after the way he acted when we parted?' I wonder. I did not hold out much hope, but could he have changed his mind? Could he want to work with me and maybe? No, I shouldn't let my imagination run away. He could just have something I left or need more help with his experiment. I let my guards and crew back in. "Set a course for Calina. I want to be there as soon as possible. I will be back in an hour or so." I order. They nod as a sign of respect and that they heard me.

The next day we arrived on Calina. I and several guards land and walk towards the main building. When I see Michael standing alone in a medium size room, I want to running up and hug him close and maybe even kiss him, but I have guards with me and it would be inappropriate. Michael eyes the guards then turns his back to me and sighs.

"Leave me. I will be safe." I tell my guards. Once they are gone Michael looks up at me.

"I'm sorry I have wasted your time. I will go now." He says with a hit of regret and sadness as he walks towards the door at the end of the room.

"But you must have wanted to say some to me." I say catching his arm

"It is of no importance now." He says looking back at me.

"Well, tell me anyways, please?" I ask.

His face darkens and he says harshly, "No, you would not care."

"If it is about my guard: that is just standard routine when I visit my best friend I have guards." I say trying to ease his mind.

"Really? You weren't afraid of me or did not like me?" he says meeting my gaze.

"Really Michael, I like you." I say smiling reassuringly.

"You like me?" He says with surprise.

"Yes." I say wondering how many times I will have to go over this.

"You really do? Or are you telling me this to make me happy?" he says crossing his arms.

"I really do. Does I seem like I'm lying to you?" I ask, "You may read me if you wish."

"No thank you, I guess I can tell you. I just had to be sure of one thing." He says coming closer.

"I understand." I say nodding slightly.

"Remember when you said I could come to your ship?" I nod, "Well, can I come back with you now? I would bring all of my research and I'm very good at repair work and I would try not to get into trouble." He chatters nervous.

"Do not worry, Michael, I'm sure you will fit in." I tell him placing my hand on his right shoulder as he faces me adding, "I'm glad you decide to come with me." I lean in and nuzzle his cheek. He responds placing his hand on the back of my head. He pulls away from slightly then meets his lips to mine kissing me. I freeze for a minute unsure of what to do since this has never happened to me then I slowly kiss him back. We separate and I back up surprised.

"Did I offend you?" asks Michael worried.

"No, I'm just not use to this." I answer.

"I understand,"he says moving closer to me and wrapping his arm around my shoulder,"I would never want to hurt you or make you uncomfortable. If I do something to offend you please tell me. I will never do it again."

"Thank you, I will," I say smiling up at him, "I wish there were more men like you. Ever other man who has courted me seems too worried about getting in my bedroom and not about me."

"The thought never crossed my mind. I want to get to know you." He says laughing lightly.

"I'm glad. Are you ready to go? I do not mean to sound pushy, but I have somewhere I need to get this afternoon."

"Yes I am. We will merely have to pickup my creations, but we may do that some other day."

"Come on." I say motioning him to follow me. We walk out of the room and meet my guards. We had to an open area where my ship can beam us up.

Once on the ship I lead Michael to his quarters. He explores them quiet eagerly. "These are my quarters?" he asks me with surprise.

"Yes, Michael." I smile and nod.

"But they are so big and nice. I have not done anything to deserve this. Why do you favor me?" he asks confused.

"I favor you not. Many on my ship have quarters such as these. I also do not believe that you must do something to deserve them." I inform him, "Come with me. I want to show you the lab where you will be working and see if it will be adequate."

"I'm sure it will be beyond adequate." He smiles at me, "Tell me, back there," he says as we walk, "You said that I did not have to do anything to earn your favor, why not?"

"I do not believe in ruling with a clinched fist. All are in my favor unless they do something to fall out of it." I tell him.

"So every drone and scientist are equal?" he asks looking at me.

"Well no, I still believe in rank because it is the way we are born. You and I have the intelligences to think through a problem which is why we are ranked where we are, but a drone can only follow orders." I explain.

"I understand. An interesting philosophy and from what I have seen a valid one." He says as we walk into the lab.

"This is where you will be working if you find it satisfactory."

"Satisfactory? This is beyond satisfactory. It is wonderful." He says staring around the room. I lead him over to a row of drawers in the wall and show him everything inside.

"I'll have and incubator put in for your eggs. One other thing, I have a young biologist who I think could use some mentoring, could you help train him?" I request.

"Yes, I would be honored." He says, "Where are the creatures I gave you?"

"Come, I'll show you their progress," I say lead him out into the hallway, "I have a younger brother who has enjoyed playing with them. It has given him something to do since Mother died. I have not seen him this happy in a long time."

"I'm glad," says Michael, "I never thought of them as play mates, but I guess they are much like pets."

As we approach the nursery I tell him, "My brother calls me mother. Please forgive him but he was very small when my parents died." He nods to me as we go in.

Celina and Rekel come running up as if they recognize Michael. He smiles at them pleased with their progress. Kedesh comes in. "Hello mother," he says to me as he looks at Michael, "Who is this?"

"This is Michael, Kadesh; he is the one who gave me Celina and Rekel." I tell him.

Kadesh stares strangely at Michael and then asks, "What is wrong with him?"

"Kadesh," I growl at him, "That's rude. Nothing is wrong with him," I turn to Michael, "I'm sorry for his behavior. Please forgive him." Michael smiles. "Kadesh go back to your studies." I order him.

"Have fun with your mate mother." He laughs at me.

"That is unacceptable!" I raise my voice at him, "Hurry along. We will talk about this later."

Michael smiles dismissing Celina and Rekel with a wave of his hand, "He's a handful isn't he?"

"Yes, I'm glad he is not mine. At the very lease he may be able to pilot a dart."

"I will head back to my quarters and set in." Michael tells me.

"Good I must be leaving too." We bow are heads to one another as a sign of respect.

In the next few days I keep my distance from Michael as he adjusts to his surroundings. He seems wary of everything except the rooms I have shown him. He did not associate with the others either. I begin to question his story now that I see the strong wall the he had put around himself. It will take hard work and long hours to break through it.

I have a spare afternoon for the fist time in the last two weeks. I into Michael's lab a watch quietly as he examines a tissue sample under the microscope. He tells his apprentice something then looks up. He bows his head and says, "My queen, I did not see you there." I scowl inward at the title that distances us.

"Would you like to come get something to drink with me?" I invite him.

"I would be honored." He smiles and turns and gives instructions to his student.

We walk to the meeting room where many of us take a break from the riggers of work, to talk with others, or to simply relax. The soft hum of conversation can be heard. As I lead Michael to a table, many nod and are silent for a moment as I pass. I sit down at a small round table and Michael sits across from me.

"Have you been adjusting well?" I ask him.

"Yes, very, your hospitality is unlike anything I have ever seen." He responds.

"I'm glad. Have you been getting to know some of your fellow scientists?" I ask knowing the answer already. His face darkens as though he is remembering a sad memory.

He is silent for a moment then answers, "I have been busy with my work. I hope I may make time to meet others later."

"I see. What do you enjoy doing in your time off?" I ask curious to learn more about him.

"Not much, sometimes I read or write in my journal. What about you?" he returns the question.

"You know. I draw. It is relaxing and fun to take a blank piece of paper and within a few hours turn it into something beautiful."

"Interesting, I would like to see more of your drawings." He says looking me in the eye.

"Yes I will show you later today. How is your research coming?" I ask.

Michael

I am startled to look up and see Matia standing in the doorway of my lab. Females seem to have a way of doing that. She is beautiful as always. Her long, deep blue dress flows down her tight figure graceful tapering at her knees to reveal some of her legs. I glance back at my student hoping she did not notice my greedy look. I told her the truth. I would not harm her but fantasize about her, now, that was different. I am very happy when she asks me to go with her. As she walks beside me I can barley hear her foot-falls. She carries herself with dignity and pose revealing the queen inside of her. She motions to a table. I sit wanting to look at her face but instead I look away. I answer her questions and, slowly, ask my own. I told myself I would never trust another but Matia has done something to me. What is it I see in her? Is it her gentle green eyes that say "I will never betray you?" or is it her sharp mind and whit? What ever it is about her something deep inside me tells me to trust her. I want to tell her my story but I am withdrawn. What would she think? Then I glance back at her gentle eyes. Yes, I will tell her my story but not now. It is not the right time.

Matia

He launches into description of his work. I listen but I am lost in my thoughts as well. How can I show him I can be trusted? Can I trust him? I have known there was something different about him since I first met him. I can sense it. He has the gene that holds my secret, but he is also kind and caring. I want my long search for my mate to be over, but I know I judge Michael too quickly. I must wait and see. Will he continues on this strait path or will he break my trust and heart with it?

He ends his explanation. "Come, would you like to see my drawings?" I invite getting up.

"Yes, I would," he says. As we head to my quarter, we are watched but unknown to either of us.

I lead Michael into my cambers and leave him in the greeting room while I go to get my sketch books. I come back slowly observing him. He glances around the room taking in every detail. I motion to a chair and sit beside him. I slowly show him my work telling about each piece as I come to it. He looks on interested occasionally asking questions.

Once we are done he says, "You like mythology?"

"Yes, I do. The characters it contains are where we came from and what we should strive to become. I enjoy drawing the strong maidens because it remains me of my own duties. Also with the dragons. They are a symbol of strength and power." I answer.

"I love you drawings. It is like the myths come alive." He flatters looking at me.

"Good, it is what I strive for." I am interrupted by a soft thump as Vespavia jumps down from the back of my chair. She stares at Michael for a moment as if she is judging his character. She meows loudly then jumps into his lap curling her tail and staring at him. Michael stares at the cat in surprise and slow begins to stroke her.

"Her name is Vespavia. I received her right after I became queen. She likes to be petted. And she likes you." I say as the cat happily kneads Michael's lap. She slow began to purr and settle on Michael's lap.

"I do hope you like cats." I giggle.

"Yes, I enjoy the company of a pet. She is pretty. Like you." He says glancing up me. I don't know how to response. Vespavia jumps to my lap breaking the awkward silence.

"I should be getting back to my work. I do not mind having a student, but he is afraid of doing anything." Laughs Michael.

"Yes, I know. That is why I thought he could use some help." I answer, "Will you be busy in a two days?"

"Not to busy for you." He says smiling.

"I'll meet you in the meeting room in two days at twelve?" I ask eagerly.

"Of course." Says Michael head out of the door back to his lab. I smile and head off to the bridge not noticing the dark eyes that watch me.

When Matia says read me, it means read her thoughts through through the telepathic network.

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