Warnings: none

Chapter 2:

The Mission

They had patrolled the border of the neutral zone for about three hours. Several starships were patrolling the border watching for activity. The neutral zone was the only area of space that was undisputed and belonged to no one. All planets within the zone were peaceful and neutral. No ships were allowed to enter the zone so Starfleet typically patrolled the border periodically to make sure Revenants didn't enter the zone.

The bridge crew was restless and Nicole was trying her best to keep her emotions at bay with Waverly sitting right next to her. She inhaled deeply trying to calm herself and then she smelled the sweetest scent ever. She smelled so good.

"Captain?" Waverly whispered quietly to her.

"Yes counselor?"

"It's lavender," Waverly said.

Nicole was sure her face was as red as her hair.

"Captain," Mercedes said. "Long range communication coming in from Starfleet Command."

"On screen," Nicole said standing up.

Admiral Nedley appeared on the screen. "Captain, hows the crew settling."

"Admiral," Nicole said with a smile. "The crew is settling in well. We have our counselor and everything is up and running."

"Excellent," Nedley said. "I have a mission for you. There is a high tension situation with two Federation planets. We've negotiated peace with them but it looks like they're trying to war again and we need to avoid it. One of our best negotiators is on route to negotiate to avoid war, in the meantime we need you over there to stop any aggressive action and mediate temporarily."

"Yes sir!" Nicole said firmly.

"I've sent the coordinates, you need to get there as soon as possible."

"Got it sir," Dolls said looking at his small computer.

"Good luck," Nedley said before cutting off communication.

Nicole clicked her comm badge. "Bridge to Engineering."

"Bustillos here."

"Lieutenant is our Warp Drive completely warmed up?"

"Yes Captain, I can get us to top speed Warp 9 right now."

"How fast will that get us to the Solaris system?"

"20 minutes."

"Captain," Mercedes said, "we could do that but it'll take some maneuvering through an asteroid field."

"Nothing I can't handle Captain," Wynonna said with a confident grin.

"Holliday, how are our weapons?" Nicole said.

"We are ready for a battle if it comes to that Captain," Doc responded. "20 photon torpedoes, and a fully charged phaser bank. Shields at 100% percent efficiency."

"Captain to all hands," Nicole said after clicking her combadge. "Red alert, prepare for possible battle, set course to the Solaris system Warp 9."

She turned to Wynonna then and said, "let's see those pilot skills."

Wynonna smirked. "Aye Captain."

Nicole turned to Waverly and said, "counselor let's talk in my ready room. Dolls you have the bridge."

They both said a quick "Aye Captain," then moved to obey the order.

"Counselor have you..." Nicole said once they entered the ready room right beside the bridge.

"Waverly, Captain."

"Hmm."

"Please call me Waverly."

Nicole took a deep breath. "Okay. Waverly. Do you have any experience with mediations of this type?"

"Yes," Waverly said. "I travelled with my father on various missions. I helped mediate the Great War between the Federation and the Klingon Empire."

Nicole blinked in surprise. "I'm sorry did you say..."

Waverly smiled. "I had to learn Klingon and be very aggressive to convince a warrior race to stop fighting."

"That war went on for two centuries!"

Waverly grinned with pride and confidence. "I think I can handle this situation."

Nicole gulped and felt a warmth run through her body.

Waverly smiled. "I'm very flattered Captain."

"I'm, I'm s-sorry," Nicole said embarrassed.

"It's okay Captain," Waverly said stepping forward. "I also think you are very attractive."

Nicole could actually hear her heart thudding her ears. "T-thank you, but I'm the Captain and I can't..."

"Hook up with your subordinates," Waverly said stepping into Nicole's space. "I know. But rest assured that it's definitely mutual."

"I don't know how appropriate it is that you practically told your Captain you wanna have sex with them."

Waverly grinned. "Better than feeling it. Also pretty much everyone on this ship wants to sleep with you. You're really hot."

"That is just not..." Nicole took a deep breath. "Do they really think that?"

Waverly laughed softly. "They do Captain. Now give me your hand."

"W-what?"

"To take away your pain."

"Should you be taking my pain when you're about to go into mediation?"

"And are you about to go into a possible battle holding baggage that was triggered by the arrival of Wynonna and myself?" Waverly challenged. "I can handle strong emotions Captain. I deal with them constantly because they're practically impossible to block out."

"Really?" Nicole said. "You can't block it out? Doesn't that take a toll on you?"

Waverly smiled. "We can cleanse our souls periodically and release it all."

"This mission might have a bit of danger," Nicole said. "Can you heal physical wounds like full Angels."

"It's the only thing I can't do," Waverly said. "The most I can do is reduce my pain. So I'll try my best not to get hurt."

"Please do," Nicole said.

"Hand please."

Waverly took Nicole's hand gently and closed her eyes. Suddenly Waverly was pulled into the memory. She could feel the rough hands, biting teeth, licking tongues, scratches, tear of clothing. She could feel the absolute terror and disgust.

"Waverly!"

Waverly gasped and snapped out of the trance. She had tears sliding down her cheeks and felt her heart thundering hard with fear.

"Are you okay?" Nicole said.

Waverly released a small sigh and wiped her tears. "I will be. How do you feel?"

Nicole looked thoughtful then her eyes widened in surprise. "It's gone! Like I know what happened but the memories and feelings associated with it are gone."

Waverly smiled slightly and said, "I'm sorry you went through that."

Nicole looked at her sadly knowing she was feeling those horrible moments.

"Don't look at me like that, it'll be gone soon," Waverly said gripping Nicole's hand. They both felt that pull again and barely had time to say "Oh no" before they were emerged in a new memory.

...

*flashback*

Waverly and Wynonna shot up out of their beds as Michelle Earp ran into the room with a look of desperation. "Waverly! Honey we have to go!"

Little Waverly only 6 years old looked confused. "What's going on mom?" Wynonna said standing up from bed.

"No time to explain, I have to get Waverly out of here before you dad finds us," Michelle said hurriedly picking up Waverly.

"He found out she wasn't his daughter?"

Michelle looked at Wynonna in surprise. "Y-you know?"

Wynonna shrugged. "Willa and I knew for a while mom. It happened when Willa and I were trying to build the treehouse and then that big storm hit and all our hard work was destroyed. We were so upset we cried for hours until Waverly found us. She was only four and she placed her hands on Willa and me and all of a sudden all the pain went away. It's like we knew what happened but all the pain was gone. And then Waverly was crying so hard like if she was feeling what we were feeling moments ago. We knew then, that she wasn't entirely human."

"Well damn," Michelle said. "She's half Angel."

"Angel! Damn! Go mom!"

"Not now Wynonna, we have to go, Ward just found out and if I don't get her out of here he will kill her!"

Wynonna's face turned serious. "What!? No. No. Not babygirl. Let's go, I know a way to get you out."

Michelle didn't know how much trust to put in her 12 year old daughter Waverly found out as she clinged to her mother, but it didn't seem she had another choice so she followed her.

She could hear Ward yelling and throwing things around the house and Willa's sleepy voice asking what was going on as she clung tighter to her mother. She could feel the anger, the hurt, the betrayal and it was too much for her to handle.

Wynonna led them out a secret entrance that was hidden behind one of the shelves in their shared room and they ended up in a random field.

Wynonna led them to a well where there was a small shuttle. "I've been practicing flying within the atmosphere cause I'm not allowed to leave until I'm 18," Wynonna explained. "I can get you to the Federation Transporter pad, then you can transport yourself to Angelus or catch a transport flight on a passing cruiser."

"Wynonna," Michelle said. "If your father finds out..."

"He won't," Wynonna said confidently. "Now get in."

They clambered inside quickly and Waverly could feel Wynonna's nerves. She felt nervous every time she flew even though she knew she was a good pilot.

Wynonna started the shuttle and nervously lifted it up into the air. Waverly reached out and touched Wynonna's arm taking her nerves away.

Wynonna gasped as Waverly trembled with nervousness and fear. Wynonna only looked back for a brief moment and said, "thank you," then with complete confidence zoomed at full speed.

They arrived to the transporter pad within minutes where they immediately found a cruiser from Angelus that was transporting trade supplies.

Michelle arranged a ride with them. Wynonna couldn't stop holding Waverly. Tears wouldn't stop flowing from both of them as they hugged tightly. "Don't take this pain away from me babygirl," Wynonna said softly. "I will use this pain to become a badass pilot and then I will go find you and mom again."

Waverly nodded gently then said, "I love you Nonna."

"We have to go," Michelle said solemnly. "Wynonna you need to go, if your dad found out you helped us for some reason you escape. You come right back here and hide out until you're 18 and then come to Angelus."

"He won't find out momma," Wynonna said confidently.

"I'm sorry I have to leave you behind, but taking you would be considered kidnapping and we would never be safe," Michelle said. "I love you so much."

"I know momma, I understand," Wynonna said. "I love you."

Wynonna hugged Michelle tightly both of them crying desperately. Waverly knew that she could take their grief away, but this grief was stemmed out of love and that was a good kind of grief to have. Michelle and Waverly stood together holding hands watching Wynonna scamper away back to her shuttle and disappear into the night.

*end flashback*

...

Waverly broke free with a gasp and Nicole stumbled back stunned. "What the hell is going on?" Waverly breathed leaning over with effort. It's true she had never delved into the mind of someone with just a touch because of her human side, but no one, not even the most powerful full Angel in the universe, could pull someone else into their own mind.

"Is that an Angel thing?" Nicole said breathlessly.

"No," Waverly said, "That's never happened before."

"Can you control it?"

Waverly shook her head. "I never know when it's going to happen."

"I see," Nicole said frowning. "That can be dangerous. Going into a trance like this during a battle situation could be deadly."

"Agreed," Waverly said.

"So until we either figure this out or you learn how to control it you should not touch me."

Waverly gulped. She didn't like the idea of never touching Nicole again and based on the feelings of sadness and dread Nicole was feeling, it was obviously mutual. Regardless, Waverly cast her head down sadly and said, "Aye Captain."

...

"Hello?" Waverly said entering sick bay. She had about ten minutes before they arrived in the Solaris system and she couldn't stand waiting too long to be able to touch Nicole again even if nothing could ever come from it because Captains cannot have relationships with the members of their crew without the most obscene amount of paperwork and still people would disapprove and look down on it.

Still even if they couldn't be together Waverly couldn't stand the idea of never being able to touch her because of this.

Waverly felt a rush of pure joy and she gasped. With Nicole's memories rushing through her still it was a nice contrast. "Welcome to sick bay counselor, I'm Lieutenant Commander Jeremy Chetri."

Waverly smiled realizing that those emotions were coming from Jeremy. "You have very beautiful and pure emotions Doctor."

Jeremy beamed. "I'm just happy to be here."

"I can feel that."

"How can I help you Counselor? You feeling okay?"

"I was hoping you could help me," Waverly said. "Have you ever heard of half Angels who can delve into other's feelings from a single touch? Or any angels at all who can bring a non angel into their own memories?"

Jeremy's face looked confused and fascinated at the same time. "Are you experiencing those symptoms counselor?"

"Waverly, please call me Waverly."

"Waverly," Jeremy repeated scanning Waverly with a small gadget that beeped softly. "What symptoms are you having?"

"Well I've never been able to delve into someone's life with one touch without extensive preparations like full Angels can," Waverly said.

"Very normal," Jeremy said. "And now there's someone you can do that with?"

Waverly nodded.

Jeremy hummed. "Well there are dozens of documented cases of Angel hybrids. The majority of the time this occurs with a romantic partner or potential partner, but it's been known to happen with family members or close friends."

"R-romantic partners?" Waverly repeated gulping nervously.

"Now you said you pulled a non angel into your own life?" Jeremy said moving Waverly to sit down on the examination bed.

"Yes, the same person."

Jeremy looked thoughtful. "I read some research about that once. Hmm, let me look."

Waverly watched him nervously as he went to a console and started typing away.

"Aha! Here it is!" Jeremy said motioning Waverly to join him at the console.

"You found it?" Waverly said standing beside him.

"Only one documented case, but it was a full Angel," Jeremy said. "21st century Earth."

"That long ago?" Waverly said.

"Yes that's 7 centuries ago," Jeremy said. "An angel named Cearius was undercover on Earth looking for the famed murderer Bulshar."

"Bulshar? THE Bulshar?" Waverly said gulping. "The human who sold his soul to the devil then launched into outer space to escape and created the Revenants?"

"Yes the very one," Jeremy said.

"I was taught that generations of my family hunted for Bulshar, they were the only ones who knew what he would do," Waverly said. "It was my grandfather David who finally killed him. So if Cearius..."

"He must have been your ancestor," Jeremy said. "Hang on let me check that."

On a different console he typed away and said, "Look at the family line."

Waverly looked and saw it clearly. Cearius had three sons, one of the sons was the father of Avita who was the mother of David, who was her father Julian's father. Under Julian's name she saw her own name and her seven half siblings.

"Wow your dad had quite a few wives," Jeremy said.

"My brothers and sisters are all older than me," Waverly said. "My mother was the only one he ever loved and stayed with until the day she died."

Jeremy looked at her sadly. "I'm sorry."

Waverly nodded her thanks but then changed the subject. "So tell me what happened with my great great great grandfather."

"He was posing as a human and fell in love with a human man named..." Jeremy scrolled around looking for the name. "Wyatt Earp."

Waverly's eyes were wide. "W-Wyatt... oh my god."

"You know him?"

"He's an ancestor of my sisters from my mom's side," Waverly said.

Jeremy looked pensive then it seemed to click. "Wynonna! She's your sister?"

"Yes," Waverly said.

Jeremy typed on the other console then nodded. "Yes Wyatt Earp is Wynonna's great great great grandfather."

"We've been connected for centuries then," Waverly said. "Cearius fell in love with Wyatt Earp?"

"Yes, Cearius logged in a memoir that whenever he and Wyatt would shake hands or even pat each other on the shoulder Wyatt, a human, would delve into Cearius' life."

"That's exactly what happens to me," Waverly said.

"According to the memoir at first it was only memories of their lives then it started showing deep secrets and fantasies."

Waverly could have screamed. "F-fantasies?"

Jeremy looked a bit dark. "No one wants that revealed."

Waverly was slightly reeled by the intensity and darkness of Jeremy's sexual emotions. "Surprisingly dark there Jeremy?"

Jeremy blushed. "Ahhh, n-no!"

Waverly chuckled. "Does it say anything about how to control it?"

Jeremy looked at the console and searched. "It says it took him a while to create a method," Jeremy said his voice still a little cracky from the embarrassment. "Apparently Wyatt was helping him hunt down Bulshar so they had to work together constantly."

"Does it say what the method is?" Waverly said.

"Yes," Jeremy typed away. "I created a Holodeck program with all this knowledge. When you're ready, you can upload it onto any holodeck, it's called Waverly one. It has a holographic version of Cearius possessing all his memories and knowledge. He should be able to help you."

Waverly breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you so much doctor."

"Anytime Waverly."

"Bridge to Counselor Earp."

Waverly clicked her comm badge to respond. "Yes Captain?"

"We've arrived at Solaris," Nicole said over the intercom, "meet me in transporter room one to meet with the first ambassador."

"Aye Captain."

...

"Welcome aboard ambassador," Nicole said giving the stuffy ambassador a firm handshake.

Waverly could feel the ambassador's angry and disgusted emotions. Mediation here would be difficult because it was more than a disagreement, it was hatred.

"I appreciate the Federation trying to mediate between our planets by sending Starfleet here Captain," the ambassador said. "But unless you are giving us weapons, we are not resting until we destroy those disgusting Anyarkans."

Nicole glanced at Waverly who stepped forward and extended her hand. "Welcome aboard Ambassador, I am Counselor Waverly Earp."

The ambassador shook her hand and Waverly focused. The emotions were clear. Anger. Hate. Revenge. Heartbreak.

"May I ask you a question?" Waverly said softly.

"I suppose," the ambassador said.

"Who's the Anyarkan who broke your heart?"

The ambassador looked shocked then his anger plummeted down to despair. Nicole looked at Waverly wide-eyed.

"It is none of your business counselor!" The ambassador spat out with venom.

"Bridge to Captain."

"Captain here, report Holliday?"

Doc responded quickly, "there are seven Anyarkan battle cruisers closing in on our location. They've demanded to take the ambassador."

"Those filthy mongrels!" The ambassador snapped.

"Dolls," Nicole said, "go to red alert, shields up. Do not engage! If they attack, disable their weapons and nothing more."

"Aye Captain."

"Ambassador," Nicole said firmly. "Is this all happening because of a failed relationship?"

Waverly felt the ambassador's emotions fluctuate. Rage. Love. Hate. Pain. So much pain. "It's more complicated than that," The ambassador said.

"Let's go to the conference room," Nicole said. "We need to resolve this without violence."

"Is the Federation hoping to mediate peace with an inexperienced captain and a hybrid angel?" The ambassador snapped rudely.

"Absolutely not," Nicole said stepping in front of Waverly defensively. "We are avoiding violence until the professional mediator arrives. But in the meantime we are the only thing stopping the Anyarkans from taking you."

The ambassador gulped and Waverly felt his dread. "I believe the Anyarkans have a death sentence that is quite painful," Waverly said.

The ambassador paled and Waverly felt the dread mix in with panic. "Okay!" He cried. "I fell in love with the wife of the Anyarkan King. We had a secret affair when I would go to their planet with the rest of the ambassadors. When the king found out he launched attacks on several of our colonies. Our king doesn't know why we're being attacked, if he found out I would be handed over to the Anyarkan authorities."

"You would let a vicious war break out," Nicole said her anger spiking so powerfully it made Waverly gasp. "You would let innocent people die just to save yourself? After you messed with the King's wife?"

The ambassador felt remorse and guilt. "I don't want there to be bloodshed! But I-I don't w-want to die either."

Nicole was about to respond when Waverly reached forward and touched her arm to stop her.

...

*flashback*

"H-how could you?" Nicole said with a stuttering gasp.

A gorgeous dark-skinned woman stood up off the lap of a muscular attractive man with a look of shame on her face. "Nicky..."

She reached forward towards Nicole but Nicole slapped her hands away. "Don't touch me Shea."

"Nicky let me explain..."

"No!" Nicole snapped angry tears streaming down her face. "I gave my life to you Shea. The only thing I've wanted my whole life was to become the youngest starship captain in Starfleet, I could've done that already! I rejected two command offers and remained here as a Commander, as a first officer, just to be here with you."

"Nicole..."

"I stayed because I loved you!"

"Please, you don't understand."

"I don't need to understand!" Nicole said. "I gave you my heart, I delayed my dreams."

"Nicole, we've just been distant and..."

"I don't wanna hear it!" Nicole cried.

"I'm sorry!"

"Duty has always been my priority and I almost changed that for you," Nicole said. "Hear this Shea, I will delve myself into my work now. I will not rest until I become the youngest captain in Starfleet history. And I never," Nicole stepped forward right in Shea's face, "I never, EVER want to see you again."

*flashback end*

...

Waverly broke off with a gasp and Nicole stumbled forward slightly. The ambassador backed away in confusion. "Wha—"

"Lets go to the conference room," Waverly said shaking it off as quickly as possible. "W-we should contact your king as soon as possible."

The ship shook violently sending them all hurdling to the ground. Nicole clicked her com badge. "Report?"

"They opened fire," Dolls responded. "We disabled the weapons of four of them but the other three are taking attack formations that look like they might collide into us."

"A collision course?" Nicole cried.

"Yes Captain," Dolls said. "Their weapons did nothing to our shields but a collision course..."

"I'm on my way," Nicole said. "Counselor please take the ambassador to the conference room and make contact."

Though she gave her a direct command Nicole didn't dare look at her. Waverly responded nonetheless, "Aye Captain."