Kirk woke early the next morning to a message in his personal inbox from an unknown hailing frequency. In it were 2 names: Chekov, McCoy. There was nothing else. Kirk stared at the names. Bones was a dog, he knew, but he had actually been amused when Chekov put his name in as a volunteer. Barely 20, and having been an active ensign since the incredibly young age of 17, he was pretty sure Chekov had never even been with a woman. He had even noted it in the file. Why would Lena want him?

Kirk shook his head. It was really none of his concern. She had agreed to his deal, and that was really all that mattered. He called Bones and Chekov to his briefing room.

"Gentlemen" Kirk said, "I want you to accompany me in the landing party. Make sure you look sharp".

Chekov's eyes widened but Bones looked at Kirk suspiciously. "I thought this whole she-bang was getting called off?"

"No, we're going down there", Kirk said, an odd feeling of jealous rage starting to bubble inside him.

"But, Sir, I thought Cowander Spock vould not agwee?" the ensign interjected.

"I'll handle that, ensign", Kirk said with a snap "dismissed".

Chekov left, but Bones looked at Kirk, "What's going on Jim?" he asked.

"Don't worry about it- everything is fine."

"You know, you say that alot."

"Bones, it's fine!" Kirk nearly shouted.

"I can count on one hand the number of times it's been true."

"Bones!- Just go, I have everything under control, OK?"

The door to his briefing room opened and Spock entered Uhura right behind him. She glared at Kirk like she could strangle him.

Bones looked at her, then Spock, then back to Kirk, "For your sake, I hope so."

When Bones left Uhura started "I just heard from Chekov that we're going down there, which I wouldn't believe, except for the fact that I also saw a message from you to Laveen that Spock had agreed. What are you doing? Please tell me you're not doing this"

"Additionally, Captain", Spock said, "upon reading through the culture material Brok supplied us with, I found that further attempts to contact the Princess are inadvisable. We are fortunate in our lack of success last night. It would have constituted as a high crime-punishable by death, to contact a high ranking Winged Daughter without proper approval."

"I know! –just…" Kirk sighed. It would be difficult to convince them.

"I need you to trust me", he began. "It will be OK. Spock is not going to be the gift, I promise. I just need you guys to. . . go along with it . . . Spock, that means saying you agree, and Uhura that means not freaking out. It'll be fine. Please."

"Jim, that's the worst argument I have ever heard!" Uhura snapped. "You promised me!" Angry tears were starting to form in her eyes. "I can't believe I trusted you . . ."

Without being dismissed she turned and left.

Spock did not follow. "Jim", he began, "I am not sure what you are doing, but I can tell you that Vulcans do not lie."

"Can the human part of you lie then?" Jim asked exasperated. "You are half human you know! Look, everything is going to work out, OK? Please, just . . . .keep her calm!"

"I do not see the logic in your plan" Spock stopped, "unless . . . . Jim, you did not actually contact Princess Lena, correct? If so, we must leave this space immediately, or your life could be forfeit."

"Relax Spock, everything is fine", Jim said.

"You say that often"

Perhaps, Kirk thought, it was time for him to start utilizing more of his vocabulary.

"Tell me you did not establish contact with her", Spock pressed.

"I didn't talk to her", Jim lied. "I just know this will work."

"How?"

"Can you just trust me? I know how this looks, I am just asking for some good old fashioned blind trust. You know I would never do anything to jeopardize your relationship. Please - just tell them you say 'yes'"

"I cannot lie, Jim"

Jim gave his friend an incredulous look.

"However", Spock continued, "You can order me to tell them I consent - even if, in truth, I do not."

"Tell them you consent", Jim said.

"Yes, Captain"

Spock loved loopholes.

Laveen was exceptionally pleased. She had been concerned she would not be able to deliver the humans to Princess Lena, thereby causing her much displeasure. She was ecstatic that Kirk had agreed after all. Humans were a strangely prudish culture. She had no doubt, however, that once the Commander met the Princess, he would be overjoyed to have been selected. It was truly a great honor.

She waited for the landing party at the entrance of the Palace of the Winged Daughters. They were to beam down, then she would take them inside to present to Princess Suria. The "Gift" would be given into her custody and taken into Princess Lena's private rooms for bathing. She would have him tonight. In the meantime, the Captain would meet with Princess Suria. The following day the Enterprise would land on Ya-Mo and the entire 278 person crew would be treated to a great tournament to showcase the combat expertise of the Winged Daughters, and then there would be a large feast. They were having quite a difficult time pulling together a party for so many, but Princess Lena had insisted. Laveen also suspected that the Princess wanted to get a better look at their enormous ship. But, of course, she would never voice such an opinion.

The landing party was larger than expected. The Captain was accompanied by Commander Spock, Lt. Uhura, and Lt. Sulu, which was who they had agreed upon. But he had also brought with him a young male Ensign, and the ship's Doctor - which he hadn't mentioned. Laveen almost said something, but considered the tenuous relationship she now had with the Captain; she was glad he came at all.

Brok, who had beamed down with them, led the Captain to Laveen.

"Captain", she said with her most welcoming smile and pheromones.

"Ambassador Laveen", he smiled back.

Wordlessly she led him into the palace.

Kirk felt his jaw drop. It was nothing short of spectacular. Though the structure stood nearly 200 feet tall, inside was only one floor, with a ceiling the full height of the building. The walls and columns were the brightest white, a stark contrast to the beautifully intricate multi colored pattern that covered the floor. There were airy translucent tapestries draped from row upon row of mezzanines. There was the smallest of staircases that would allow a non-winged Virosa to gain access to them, but it was clear from the design; this structure was made for people who could fly.

"This is amazing" Kirk commented.

He felt a warm pleasure emit from Laveen as a response.

Kirk looked at Uhura and Spock. Both were completely impassive. Even the beauty of the structure could not move them. Kirk had unintentionally witnesses a scene between them right before they climbed onto the transporter.

Uhura had been crying, cursing Kirk in every language she could think of while Spock held her in his arms. He told her he trusted the Captain's judgment, and believed him to be acting in the best interest of the crew and Federation.

"But not the best interest for us!" she had exclaimed.

"Nyota", he said, "I am not privy to what the Captain is planning, but I have chosen to trust him. And to trust there is a reason he has not disclosed his plans."

"He doesn't have a plan Spock! He's just going to go down there and wing it! Like he always does - but this time he's fucking with us!"

"I hope that is not the case" Spock said.

"It IS!" she screamed. "He doesn't get it, he doesn't get relationships. Everything is just sex to him, he doesn't understand why this is a big deal! He's never had a serious relationship, ever. You don't know him like I do - he fucked everything he could find in school."

"Nyota-"

"And don't even get me started on the personal hell he put Carol through. She had just watched her father's murder, for fuck's sake, she was vulnerable and trying to move on - make a new life for herself. And here comes Jim Kirk, deciding that he wants what he wants and weaves this disgusting web of lies to get her to like him and then . . . .THEN he decides, wait actually I don't like you, please go away now!"

"Nyota, I do not understand how Dr. Marus is involved but-"

"Don't you? He's doing it to you now, to us. Making promises he has no intention of keeping to get what he wants out of us."

Spock had no answer for her.

"Look", she continued, "if we're going to be OK, we have to depend on us. I - I - I give you permission. To be their fucking gift. I'm not going to let Jim's lack of personal empathy ruin us."

"Nyota, I have no intention of -"

"But that's what it's going to come down to. Jim won't be able to talk his way out of this - and these, Winged Daughters are used to getting their way - they're basically gods. Don't put the ship, the crew, . . . me, in danger. I'll get over it. I'll never forgive Jim for this, and I hope you don't either."

She reached up and kissed him quickly on the lips.

Kirk walked in, pretending he hadn't heard anything and they beamed down together.

Remembering Uhura's harsh words dulled the beauty of the Palace. He could understand her anger -he knew it seemed like he didn't have a plan - once the swap was made, she'd forgive him. What he couldn't shake was her comments about Carol, and how he had used her and then discarded her - how he habitually used women. He never considered it to be true, but, thinking back, he could definitely identify a pattern: attraction, seduction, then a fade out. He didn't know why. Granted, he had never particularly wanted a serious girlfriend, but he was never opposed to it; he had always assumed it was because he hadn't met the right girl. But maybe there was some truth in Uhura's words…maybe he should give Carol another chance, and really try this time? But, even the thought of doing something as simple as having dinner with her bothered him. She was brilliant and beautiful, but she didn't understand him. There was no banter, no laughs - only forced conversation. Princess Lena sprung immediately to his mind and he had to hastily disguise a laugh as a cough when he remembered her telling him she wanted to have a threesome with Spock and Uhura, deadpan. But she wanted Bones and Chekov, of all people.

Suddenly a great set of doors opened and two women walked towards them. Kirk immediately realized neither was Lena.

The dark haired one stepped forward. She was tall, nearly as tall as Kirk, with huge wings that arched over her head, making her seem like a giant. Her hair was nearly black and gathered up on top of her head in an elaborate braid that hung down to her waist. Like Lena she wore a metal chain around her forehead, only hers had two strands. She was extremely beautiful. Beside him he heard Bones whisper, "Wow".

"Welcome, Captain Kirk", she said, "I am Princess Suria, Second Princess of Ya-Mo"

Brok had explained this part to him. The Winged Daughters were highly ritualistic.

"Greetings Princess", he said respectfully, "It is an honor to be in your presence. I have brought you a great warrior for the enjoyment of the Princess Lena, first Princess of Ya-Mo. I respectfully present him to you now."

Suria looked pleased. Kirk had used her native tongue. She walked over to Spock, who remained impassive. Uhura betrayed nothing.

Suria turned to the other Winged Daughter. "Daughter Kale, what say you?"

This was part of the presentation ritual. Kale, who was also quite beautiful, was technically below Suria, but was still a ruling member. Kirk could see she was heavily pregnant. Her tenure on Ya-Mo was coming to an end. But where was Lena?

Kale flipped her reddish braid to her other shoulder. "He will be quite pleasing. Captain, we acc-"

"Where's the other one?" Kirk interrupted. "The- the Princess Lena?"

"Do not interrupt Daughter Kale", Laveen snapped at him.

"I'm sorry, I . . . I'm just wondering . . . .I thought there were three of you", he finished to Suria.

Suria frowned and Brok stepped forward, "Princess, Daughter -I make many apologies for Captain Kirk. His society is quite different. He doesn't understand what it is to be of the Winged Daughters. Humans, and especially the Federation, are a tremendously egalitarian people - and he is of very high rank."

"Noted, Brok" Suria said. "Princess Lena is not coming. Our customs dictate that she not be presented with her gift until he has underwent a ritual bath, as I am sure you were informed. Brok is one of our best customs ambassadors - did he not explain this to you?"

"I must of forgotten", Kirk lied.

Suria opened her mouth to say something else when her bracelet began to glow - amethyst. She looked at it clear annoyance and ignored it.

"Are you going to get that?" Kale asked.

"Nope" Suria answered.

Laveen's bracelet began to glow – amethyst, as well. She took a quick, terrified glance at Suria, who rolled her eyes. "Just get it", she said.

Laveen pulled up the interface.

"Princess! - Yes, of course!"

Laveen turned to Suria, "Princess Lena is requesting that we open the roof"

"Absolutely not", Suria said.

"Yes, Princess Lena - no, Princess Suria has said we cannot open the roof - I do not know why - oh oh my!"

Laveen looked at Suria in a panic, "Princess Suria, Princess Lena says she is in a dive!"

"Well then Princess Lena is going to have to pull out of it"

Laveen spoke to Princess Lena once more, "Princess Suria has respectfully recommended you pull out of the dive -Princess Suria, Princess Lena wishes to speak to you directly".

Suria raised her eyebrows.

"I am not interested in speaking to her directly; I am busy entertaining her guests."

Laveen looked at Suria in fear. "I do not know what to do!" she exclaimed.

"Oh fine", Suria snapped and opened her own interface.

"Lena, what exactly are you doing? - You are not caught in a dive - I am trying to entertain these aliens you so desperately wanted me to contact for you- You are NOT caught in a dive - 1000 feet is plenty of time to pull up! - YOUR WING IS FINE!"

Suria was shouting now. Kale looked annoyed, Laveen terrified, but Brok was amused. Kirk wasn't sure what was going on, but he shot a glance at Uhura who was staring at him cock-eyed.

"Well if you wing is injured then you're dead anyway, the roof is marble, the floor is marble, losing 200 feet before you shatter into a million pieces won't make a difference, and I'd rather you not make a mess in front of our guests. - No I'm not catching you -Why are you DOING this right now!?"

"Princess Suria!" Laveen shouted, "Please please please let me open the roof!"

Suria looked as though she'd bitten into a lemon.

"Fine", she said, "I hope you're happy - this is SO INAPPROPRIATE and just so we're clear, I'm not catching you", she snapped her interface shut.

The great roof opened almost instantly; a figure shot inside and zipped as a winged blur twice around the large room. It came to a sudden halt and dropped to the ground in one fluid motion, right in front of Suria.

"How's your wing?" she asked sweetly.

"Much better now! The extra 200 feet really made quite the difference. Thank you for saving my life!" the same clear voice that Kirk heard the night before rang out. It was Princess Lena.

Lena stepped took a step towards them and Kirk was instantly overwhelmed with her scent. Uhura had been right about the pheromones. She was even more beautiful in person. She was shorter than Suria, but had longer wings which she stretched out to their fullest capacity. Her hair, which seemed dark brown the night before was actually more of a golden brown in the sunlight. Like Suria's it was piled on her head and hanging down in an elaborate braid. Unlike Suria, who was wearing a dress, Lena was wearing some sort of catsuit -backless of course, for her wings. A non-winged female hurried over to Lena and quickly wrapped a skirt around her waist, instantly transforming her outfit into one that mirrored the other Winged Daughters'.

"Welcome Captain Kirk" she said, "I am Princess Lena."

Her pheromones were incredible. It was like he was breathing in pure sex; like his face was between her legs and not six feet away. Maybe this was why Uhura was concerned.

Suria noticed too "Lena, WHAT are you doing?!" Kirk felt the scent pull away from him rapidly, leaving him quite confused.

"Nothing", Lena said innocently. "Where is my gift?" she asked, sounding like a young child.

"Commander Spock!" Laveen volunteered. "He is half human, half Vulcan, Princess! Additionally, he is almost as physically strong as you! I thought him to be a perfect gift!"

Lena glanced at Kirk - it was time. She was going to ask Kirk a series of questions about Spock and he was going to answer. The answers wouldn't please her and she would seem disappointed. Then Kirk would say that, though Spock was honored to have been chosen, he would understand if she wished to choose someone else. Then he would mention the list, and then she would ignore him and take an interest in Bones and Chekov, and ask for both. Kirk would say "yes", and she would lead them away for her pleasure later on…it wasn't fair.

But instead of asking Kirk her first question, she had taken an interest in Uhura. Kirk had to admit she was handing this incredibly well. She stood a few feet from Spock, and gazed with polite interest in the goings on. Spock, on the other hand, looked pissed. Kirk hoped they couldn't read Vulcan emotions. Lena stepped closer to Spock, but, Kirk noticed, she was not engaging her pheromones.

"Commander Spock", she said. "I have heard that consent for sexual activity among your people is paramount." She had deviated from the script entirely.

"Your statement is accurate", Spock said coldly.

"Are you consenting?" she asked.

"I have been ordered to give my consent, so I give it", he said.

Kirk thought he heard a ruffle of feathers from one of the mezzanines.

"I smell her on you", Lena whispered.

She looked at Kirk, who looked wide eyed back. She was winging this.

She stepped past Spock and looked Uhura directly in the eyes. "I smell your tears on his uniform", she said. "Is he your mate?"

Uhura breathed in "Yes", she said.

"For how long?"

"Many years"

"Do you have a child together?"

"N-no" Uhura's composure was finally breaking. "There hasn't been an appropriate time." Spock whipped around, stunned by her answer.

"Why would you let him do this…give your consent…if you do not wish him too?"

"The Captain -we're not married - I . . .don't - give it . . . my consent" she finished.

"Good", Lena said.

Turning on Uhura she said to Spock, " Do you love her?"

Spock stumbled, "I - that is a very personal question."

"That is not an answer."

Spock took a deep breath "Yes. I love her. I love with everything I possess. I would give my life to make her happy. She is the most precious thing in my universe."

Uhura looked like she was going to burst into tears - it dawned on Kirk that Spock had probably never actually said those words to Uhura. Lena had somehow read that about him, and had decided to force it out.

"Laveen!" Lena shouted, rounding angrily on the ambassador. "Why are you trying to present me with Lt. Uhura's mate?"

"I . . .I didn't know, Princess!"

"How did you not know, exactly? I was able to figure it out in under a minute!"

"There were no records . . . "

"Did anyone suggest to you that he was already mated?" Lena asked.

"I . . . yes . . . but the evidence wasn't compelling, and if anything we would have just presented both!"

Kirk saw Bones' ears visibly perk up. Suria was watching the interaction intently, while Kale was staring directly at Kirk.

"After all Lt. Uhura has done for us! Learned to speak our language, reached out with information, set up our rendezvous - why didn't you show her more respect?"

Laveen was near tears "I'm SORRY! I . . . made an error . . ."

Lena smiled, "You are forgiven, completely . . . .they are a strange people and you did not know. I am glad of the opportunity to resolve the error."

"That being said -Commander Spock is off limits to all Winged Daughters. We shall show Lt. Uhura our respect."

She turned to them, "My personal apologizes to you both" she released a comforting scent.

Uhura looked shocked but visibly relieved. She shot Kirk a look - one that Kale, unfortunately, saw.

"Captain" Lena said, "I must reject your gift. Can you present me with an alternative?" And she was back on the script. Kirk mentioned the list - apparently he could now leave out the part about how honored Sock was, and she walked over to Chekov and Bones.

"What about them?" she asked.

"Or me?" Kirk said. Why had he said that?! But he couldn't stop himself, "I would be more than honored Princess, and I mentioned it to Laveen . . ." Uhura and Brok stared at him in pure panic, while Lena shot him a "what are you doing?" look.

"But of course" he continued, "I was told that was not acceptable, and I wouldn't ever want to offend the Winged Daughters and I . . . I . . . . am merely paying you a compliment."

"A compliment?" Suria interjected, "Why does the Princess need a compliment?"

"It's just a thing . . .that humans do . . .sometimes . . ." His attempt had not gone as planned.

Lena stared at him for a moment then repeated her question, "What about them?"

"Um yeah, Bones is our Doctor, highly educated and decorated, Chekov was a child prodigy and is now the youngest acting member of Starfleet. They are both brilliant and honorable." Kirk couldn't muster up the enthusiasm he was supposed to.

"Excellent!" She sounded quite chipper, "I will have both."

"Lena, you cannot have two gifts" Suria said in a monotone voice.

"Yes, I can, Captain Kirk?" She moved to stand directly in front of him and looked him in his eyes, while releasing her intoxicating blend of pheromones again. Abruptly, she pulled them back - she was toying with him.

"Can I have both, Captain?", her voice lowered; her eyes boring into his own. He would give her anything she wanted.

"Yea - yes, I mean Yes, Princess. Bones, Chekov? Is that OK?"

He felt Lena cast her pheromones in their direction. They were not the same she was using on Kirk, they were more to calm than anything.

"Sure thing", Bones said. Chekov nodded.

"Perfect!" Lena clapped her hands like a gay child. "It is settled then."

"And what, exactly are you going to do with TWO gifts, Lena?" Suria asked sourly.

Lena smiled widely, and extended her wing behind Bones' back. They were remarkably flexible - it curved it around and gave him a little push forward towards Suria.

"Give one to you of course."

"What?" Suria actually blushed, "Give one to me? Wait really? . . . Um . . . OK!"

Lena cocked her head in triumph. "I thought you'd appreciate that . . . Maybe now you'll stop being so grumpy".

"I am not . . ." Suria turned to Bones, "I am not grumpy."

"You know, I can appreciate a good grumpy mood, Princess, and, as a doctor, I can be exceptionally good at uh . . finding a cure."

Suria seemed amused, but Kirk wanted to slap him. "I guess this is fine by you then?"

"Always happy to do my duty to serve Starfleet, Jim."

Sulu, who had been silent during the exchange, cleared his throat to cover a laugh.

"And you", Lena's attention now on Ensign Chekov, who regarded her in awe. "You are quite young, are you not?"

"Yes, as…as ze Captain zed, I am ve youngeest wember of Starfleet."

"How old are you, Ensign?"

"I vill be 21 vewy shortly, Pwincess."

"A little on the young side, Lena, even for you . . ." Suria commented. Lena ignored her.

"Have you mated with a female before Ensign Chekov?" Kirk almost felt sorry for the kid, almost. It was hard to feel sorry for someone when you desperately wished to take their place.

"Aye . . . No" Chekov said, not meeting her eye.

"Perfect!" she clapped her hands. Perhaps this was her thing? Kirk mused. Lena motioned to Brok "Call Veelia."

"What, no!" Kale jumped in.

"Why not?" Lena asked.

"Veelia is a child, Lena"

"So is he, it's perfect."

"So you wish to give away your gift to Veelia?"

"Yes. He is of a suitable age and experience level, and she's not a child, you just like to treat her like one. This will be a good experience for her."

"You spoil her, she is very young!"

"She is not as young as I was when I was presented with my first gift."

"Well I don't doubt that."

Lena bristled, "What's that supposed to mean?"

Kale did not back down, "You can be quite . . . reckless, Lena, and Veelia idolizes you. Don't think I don't know that you are grooming her to replace me."

"But I am not", Lena protested, "I am grooming her to replace me . . . in time. This place could use a little recklessness."

Kale looked taken aback. She switched tracks, "This isn't fair to Vexel, you know - she is older, she should receive the gift."

"It's my gift, I can give it to whom I please", Lena answered.

"You cannot do this! I won't allow -"

"I am overruling you", Lena said, her quirky demeanor vanishing. She was back to the inaccessible, authoritarian Princess Kirk encountered when he first hailed her the night before.

"I am responsible for Veelia and her training - this is my decision. Do not question me."

Kale ceased her protests, but looked to Suria for support. Kirk recalled the dynamics Brok had mentioned between the rulers. Lena was in charge, but she did not have absolute power. Together, Suria and Kale could decide to move against her. In addition to this, Lena had to strongly consider the opinions of co-rulers - she was not allowed the dismissal she was now showing. Brok had explained that there was tension between Lena, who was extremely radical, and Kale, who, since becoming pregnant, had become increasingly conservative. Suria generally acted as a mediator between the two, but Suria no longer seemed interested in the discussion. She was whispering to Bones, and, Kirk suspected, enticing him with her pheromones.

"Suria!" Kale interrupted their moment. "What say you?"

Suria looked from Kale to Lena, then to Chekov. "Just allow it Kale. Lena's right - Veelia is old enough, more than old enough - this should have happened already."

"You don't find it inappropriate?", Kale baited her.

Suria looked at Bones, "I think we crossed that line when Lena decided to fake a broken wing - "

"Muscle spasm", Lena interrupted, "and it was completely legitimate!"

"-and fly in through the roof. I am sorry, Dr. McCoy. This isn't how gift presentation is supposed to work. I hope this has not made you uncomfortable."

"Everything is perfectly wonderful, Princess, you've made a tremendous impression!"

Suria turned to Lena, "Well, since we've already screwed this up . . . Call Veelia."

Then Suria said to the Captain, "I hope you don't think we're always like this. This is embarrassing to say the least. Usually we are quite organized."

"Don't worry about it Princess Suria. We don't need to record this in the log books. This never happened" Kirk said with a winning smile.

"What about your gift, Lena? Am I correct in understanding your desire to forfeit all of your offerings?"

"Yes . . . Don't want to be selfish, now - you deserve a gift, and I would not demand more from the Captain, of course!"

Suria looked at her with suspicion, but said nothing. She smiled at Bones, then repeated, "Call Veelia".

Brok's pulled up his own bracelet, and it began to pulse: bright baby blue.

From the highest mezzanine a figure swooped gracefully to the ground floor. Apparently she had been up there the entire time.

Kirk's mother had been quite insistent that he study, or at least be familiar with, classical art, particularly from the Renaissance. Though he was familiar with van Eyck, and Raphael, he had never seen anyone so perfectly resemble an angel, as the radiant creature who landed next to Chekov.

Kale was right. She was quite young - had she been human Kirk would have guessed her to be 17. He would have gone wild for her ten years ago. Her hair was a bright gold, pulled elegantly off her beautiful face, and framing her dark violet eyes. She was more delicate than the ruling Princesses, but possessed a wonderful innocent vibrancy that made her seem to glow with energy and inquisition. Chekov, needless to say, was stunned.

"Hello", she said to him brightly.

"Aye - Hello . . . Princess", he stammered back. Kirk felt like he'd walked into a high school dance.

She laughed prettily, "Oh, I'm not a princess; you can just call me Veelia."

"Veelia!" Kale stammered, "Where are your manners, and what were you doing up there?"

Veelia looked to Lena in trepidation, "She was probably just curious, Kale. They are, without question, the most exotic race we have ever encountered", Lena smoothly covered.

"She looks quite pretty today, Lena."

"She looks pretty every day-"

"She looks a little too pretty to be hanging out in the rafters, eavesdropping on a gift presentation, especially for someone who wasn't supposed to be receiving a gift."

"How fortunate for her!"

"Indeed. How fortunate also that you were able to find such a suitable match for her from such a small sample - both members of whom weren't even supposed to be here." Kale shot a dark look at Laveen.

Kirk could feel Spock's gaze turn to him. Kale continued, "Tell me, Captain, are you familiar with our laws?"

Lena was silent for once.

"Yes, Daughter Kale, I am", he answered her.

"Have any been broken? Please remember, it is death to lie to the ruling Daughter."

"May I ask what you are implying then?"

"Have you and Lena been in communication before this afternoon! Did you set this whole thing up?" she hissed.

Silently Kirk thanked his mother for being so strict with him as a child. He could get out of this. "Isn't the punishment for that death as well?" he asked smoothly.

"Yes!"

"Well then, if I wish, to live I really only have one answer to choose from then." Kale narrowed her eyes. "If we did speak, and I say yes, you kill me; if we didn't and say no I have a fifty fifty shot at getting out of this alive. If we didn't and say yes, because that's what you clearly believe, you'll kill me for lying to you; if we didn't and say no, and you don't believe me . . . well . . . that would be quite a tragedy - mostly for me. So, I am going to say no, and hope this doesn't end poorly."

"That is NOT an answer."

"That wasn't exactly a fair question, either."

"Kale", Suria interrupted, "enough. This has been a terrible introduction as it is. Let's not make it worse, shall we?"

Kale looked sour, but shrugged.

Lena beamed at Kirk, who felt his heart quicken in response. She took her place beside Suria and Kale.

"Welcome to the Palace on Ya-Mo", she said.

The 100 foot doors opened behind them. The palace was much bigger than Kirk had thought. They led them through a large hall, bedecked with color and tapestries. Kirk counted at least five more Winged Daugthers, all younger than the Lena, Suria, and Kale, and all very pretty.

Laveen explained as they walked, that there were 22 Winged Daughters on Ya-Mo, all young, and in the stages of learning to govern. This Palace had been specifically constructed to receive visitors and house "Gifts"; the Daughters lived elsewhere in a secret location. Many enjoyed the Palace for recreation, and it had become even more popular in the last few years because of the beautiful floor. Previously it had been white.

"I designed it!" Veelia exclaimed excitedly.

"It is most beautiful!" Chekov piped in, "I cannot beweeve you could vake a varp formuva and turn it into art!"

"You recognized it?!"

"Ov course! - It is ze formuva needed to convert matter to pure energy, zo it ees swightwy modified, I fink."

"It is to achieve warp 7! Or at least I think it will, no one has ever done it before. I needed a big space to write it out, and we needed something on the floor, Lena kept crashing into it because she couldn't differentiate it from the rest of the building."

"Zat is awazing!"

"I did not . . . keep. . . crashing into the floor!" Lena sounded flustered. She shot a quick glance at Kirk.

"You crashed 10 times in two years, Lena", Kale said, amused despite her previous anger, "you almost killed yourself. Of course we wouldn't have had to resort to painting the floor had you just slowed your dive before you got inside."

"But that's no fun", Lena countered, and affectionately rubbed Kale's belly. "I will teach your daughter that, since you clearly had an aversion to it."

Kale smiled.

Lena dropped back and whispered to Kirk, "It was not THAT many times."

Kirk could feel his heart pounding. He didn't even know what to say to her. Lena was overwhelming. He looked over to Spock, Uhura and Sulu, noting that Uhura seemed happier than he'd seen her in a while. Chekov and Bones, seemed to be taking everything in stride as well. Bones, he wasn't worried about, but Chekov and Veelia seemed to be getting along. She was excitedly chattering about some formula she was trying to invent, enthralled that he was following her train of thought so easily. She was clearly a genius, like him. Lena had been right to choose him for her.

"Captain", Lena interrupted his thoughts. She was standing on the edge of a balcony with a 1000 foot drop - there were no railings. "I want to offer something to you, but I need your permission…." she said.

Their whole party looked at Kirk, who took a step towards Lena onto the balcony, the wind whipping around his legs. She was releasing her pheromones again, making him slightly dizzy.

"Um . . . sure" he said, God she smelled amazing!

Her skirt pulled off in the strong wing, revealing her catsuit underneath. She extended her hand, which he reached for, "I would like to extend to you the privilege of Kavari, but you must say "yes".

Kirk had no idea what that was - he really should have read the culture briefing. " I . . ."

"Say 'yes', Jim!" Uhura shouted to him, grinning.

"OK! - Yes!", he said to Lena with a smile.

She grasped his hand. Hers felt warm and soft, but incredibly strong.

"Are you afraid of heights, Captain Kirk?" she asked, a mischievous twinkle in her eye, her winging unfurling their maximum length.

"What? No . . . of course not!"

"Good" she said, and took a firm grasp of his hand, leaned back, and pulled him off the balcony with her.