Hello again! I hope you all had a great week, and I hope you enjoy this chapter! Thanks so much for reading again, and I have quiet panic attacks when I see the amount of views and reviews this story has gotten, it inspires me to be a better writer and to write more often. Thanks so much!

I was just getting over the shock of the huge room when Carol tugged my sleeve lightly to the nearby table that Demetria was leading us to. I followed, and saw the table had several seats; eight of them to be exact. I counted in my head. The seven people of the landing party, and it was my best guest to see one seat belonging to Parmen, but the eighth seat was a blank for me, as well as the missing one. I sat down next to Carol.

"The rest of your party will be joining you soon. The King and Queen have requested to be seated with you as well, and they shall arrive shortly."

Uh oh.

Queen? The nervousness I had pushed away earlier was beginning to seep through the cracks of my composure. Seeing Parmen was nerve wracking but seeing Sarila seemed a thousand times worse. I had no idea why. She hadn't done the things Parmen did but just the thought of her made me feel hyped up. Not in a good way.

She seemed so perfect. So beautiful, so angelic with a darker twist hidden underneath. But now I know the appearance was a lie, a façade, and her true personality was visible all along if you payed attention. I hadn't.

We had been sitting at the table for a few minutes, Carol and Christine both silent and I tapping my foot and swallowing every few seconds. My mouth felt dry but slowly I felt myself calm down and relax a bit. Jim would be here soon, and so would McCoy and Spock. The witty comments Jim always had in store would no doubt make me loosen up.

It was as if my prayers were answered, for a hand landed on my back and I jolted at the touch. It was just Jim however, standing between Carol and I as he smiled.

"Good evening, ladies. You all look beautiful, as usual."

His voice calmed me down, even though usually I would be embarrassed or irritated by his flirting. I smiled and looked up at him.

Doctor McCoy and Spock were behind him. They all wore a similar outfit to the females in the room, however the males wore garbs that flowed well past their knees and stopped just shy of their ankles. And unlike the cream colored shade I wore, they all wore dark brown.

Jim moved around the table and the three of them sat across from us. I frowned, noticing something odd.

"Captain,-"

"Jim, Stella, Jim."

I nodded.

"Jim, where is Commander Levy? Is he alright?" Indeed, Commander Levy was not in sight.

"Commander Levy was invited to see their science station after an assistant overheard he and Spock talking about the molecular structure of a Cardassian fire weed. Parmen was more than happy to allow him to see it, so I saw no harm in letting the Commander indulge. After all, he is very devoted to that type of stuff."

I nodded, and he and Carol broke off into a separate conversation. I glanced up at Spock from time to time, but our eyes didn't meet for a while. Once they did, I smiled softly. He gave me a nod of acknowledgement before turning and looking around the large hall. Ouch. Probably not the smartest move on my part, but it's not like I should have expected anything else. Minutes continued to pass by, and I wasted some of them by fiddling with my silverware. It was a dark gold color, probably polished bronze, and it was heavy and dense. The cups were clear and sparkling glass, without a smudge, crack, or speck of dust. Just the glimmering reflection of the chandeliers above. They were empty, and I wondered what they would fill it with, just to fill the empty time and idle mind. Water? Wine? Some kind of beverage I had never heard of before?

"Ah, how wonderful it is to see you all again, and it's even more pleasurable to know we are at peace!"

I winced at smooth voice, however elegant it sounded. She walked towards our table, a step behind Parmen as they reached the table. My mouth felt a bit dry but it wasn't too bad. I could see Jim tense up the slightest bit as well, but he stood up and greeted them with straight posture and a wide grin.

Her hair was long and loose, except for the leaves around her head. She wore a perfectly white toga that seemed to shimmer like a pearl as it swayed down to the floor and trailed slightly behind her. She wore several gold bangles and rings and adorned her slender fingers beautifully. Her eyes looked at Jim with a sweet and gently glance, followed by it shifting to us. A familiar phrase rang out in my head.

Don't fall for it.

I smiled brightly, and she returned it widely.

"Stella, it is just marvelous to see you again, the occasion is but joyous more that you have now your voice!" She said, taking a seat at the head of table next to Parmen. Her hand was laced into his as they both sat. Jim had reseated again, and was looking at me. I smiled, and was proud of myself. Faking a smile here was becoming easier each time I did it.

"Yes, and it is wonderful to be here for such an occasion."

She smiled wider and turn to look at Jim, who was no in a conversation with both Doctor McCoy and Parmen. The attention was finally off of me and I took advantage of the time to examine Spock. Not in a creepy or odd way, but to see how he was handling this. I knew I was probably handling the situation the worst out of all of us, however there was less pressure for me to do so in a better way. Jim and Spock were Captains and Commanders of Star Fleet, and were supposed to act valiantly, professionally, and without conflicting emotions getting in the way. Although I knew this was probably easier for Spock, Jim had it worse. He was obviously tense but I commended him silently for his easy smiles that appears effortlessly on his face.

Someone was behind me.

"White or red?" It was Demetria, her red hair shiny and her face flat. I saw Aristo across from me behind Jim and Spock, and he appeared to be holding a pitcher and asking the same question.

"Excuse me?" I said dumbly. Demetria seemed to be invisibly rolling her eyes.

"White or red wine." She repeated, clarifying. I looked at my empty glass, and then back at her. I wasn't sure.

"I'll take red, please." I heard Carol say, and Demetria poured the dark red liquid into her glass. I followed.

"I suppose I'll have the same thing." I hoped I didn't sound too unsure. Demetria poured some into my glass, and I watched it splash up against the sides gently.

I stared at it until Parmen stood, and I realized everybody else had the same colored beverage in their glass as well. The entire room, every single person, was now seated and hushed as Parmen began to speak.

"Nobles, Priests, Scholars, and all others gathered in this celebration today,", He began grandly, "I ask you to welcome our guests with your absolute and sincerest acts of humble appreciation and kindness! They have travelled here today to join us in our supper and ball, and to enjoy our societies culture. Please, pleasure yourself to food and wine and the ornamentation with no qualms at all!" He took a large sip of his drink and set it down. There was a large cheer throughout the room and glasses clinking and clapping. I took a sip of the red wine, expecting it to taste like the wine I had tasted before. Instead of that however, it was different.

Not terrible tasting, and not unsavory. But different and unfamiliar. I took another sip and set it down.

The next hour was spent eating bits of food, which was mostly bread with oil, a tender meat which Demetria informed me was called Giouvetsi, and baklava, a small pastry with honey and nuts. I had also taken a liking to the drink; I was almost half way done with my third glass, and I was beginning to wonder why I was not getting the least bit inebriated. I was not dizzy nor had and dull thoughts swimming around my perfectly alert and coherent brain. It was obvious it was the same for Jim, for I had seen him down three glasses already and he was still sober and completely appropriate. I ignored it though, seeing as everyone else seemed to go on without any word about it.

Demetria came and went throughout the meal, as well as Aristo. However, while his face was smiling and his eyes shiny, her own face was placid and calm. I was beginning to question why he was so hospitable and she so...well, not. She delivered food, poured more wine, and made little effort to add into our conversation, unlike Aristo, who would ask us how we were, if we were comfortable, if the bread was warm enough.

The food was absolutely delectable. My plate was almost empty, but I was full enough to keep me content for an entire day, or so it felt like. My plate was whisked away, along with my glass and silverware. Small talk was to follow.

"So tell me, , you must inform me, what have you been up to with your crew for the past few months?", Parmen asked. Jim nodded.

"Well, we have just been monitoring the frequencies of some nearby stars that may go supernova in a couple of years. We want to make sure the measurements we have taken on it are correct to avoid any radio messages breaking up during the explosion."

Parmen nodded. A few minutes of discussing supernovas and the conversation began to take different gears.

"Stella, I would very much like to know how you have revived your voice...was it a surgical procedure? I have heard much about Doctor McCoy's medical expertise, so I am sure he would be very capable of such a practice."

Everyone was looking at me. I smiled.

"Actually no. While you are correct, Doctor McCoy is a stellar doctor,", I said, and I saw Jim nudge McCoy lightly in the arm and smile. "But it was no surgery at all. With the help of some friends I was able to speak on my own with will power and concentration."

Parmen nodded, and Sarila smiled. I was again captured by her beauty and her appearance of perfection. I reminded myself again. Appearences could by very deceiving. Very.

"That's is truly remarkable. It's quite amazing, is it not?" Sarila turned to Parmen, and he nodded.

"Yes, it is." His hand, which was once again woven into her own fingers, tightened around them affectionately. I was a bit surprised at his obvious display of adoration for her. But then again, I had forgotten several times throughout the night that they were people too. They were married; they loved each other and no matter what contempt I held for them, they held none towards each other. A reminder that they weren't heartless. Maybe I was overreacting. I knew that what they did was wrong. I knew it was unforgivable, but was it really? We were at peace, and the excuse they used for their previous actions was valid for them, and maybe they truly did want to welcome us on good terms now. Maybe I had to forgive and forget.

More time passed until Parmen stood up, his hand holding Sarila's as he walking with her near the ball room floor. It was shiny and waxed, and looked as if not one person had ever danced on it, ever. Parmen looked at us.

"Please, feel liberated to dance and enjoy the evening. After all, this is a ball!" And with that, he took her into his arms and they walked across the dance floor. Others were beginning to join in, and they seemed so...happy, I guess. It even made me want to dance.

Jim stood up, looking at Carol and raising his eyebrows.

"Carol, would you like to dance?" He said, smiling, and Carol smiled back, a sly look however flattered. She stood up and took his hand, her blonde hair framing her face and shining against the golden white light above. I watched with a smile as they walked to the floor and his hand wrapped around her waist. She smiled. He smiled. They looked happy.

My eyes met McCoy's, and I saw his eyes flicker right, towards Spock. My smiled disappeared off my face, and he smirked, just in the slightest way. I frowned and he stood up. I thought he was about to ask me to dance with him, which I suppose would have been fine, but he didn't.

"Christine, what do you say we dance?" I froze. I looked at Christine, who looked back at me with a grin on her face.

"I would love to, Leonard." She said, and with that, they both walked off, but not before McCoy looked at me and gave me a knowing look. I sighed.

I looked at Spock, and our eyes met and locked.

"Stella, would you accompany me in a dance? It seems to be the appropriate etiquette seeing as we are two of the only guests that have not danced."

I suppose I should have seen that coming.

AAAND it's a cliff hanger. Kind of. Maybe. I don't know. I hoped you liked this chapter! I think the next chapter will be adorable romance and advancement in their relationship, and the one after that will be a lot of action. Again, do you trust Parmen? Hmm.

Thanks so much for reading! Review, follow, and whatever, you know the rest! Ideas are always welcome again!

Have a great week!