Naruto: Infinity Divide
Family Feud
Blanket Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Star Trek
AUTHOR'S NOTES:
The first chapter of 2024! Several people have asked for more about S'Harien's background, so this chapter is mainly character development. Here is Chapter 82, Enjoy!
Port = Left
Starboard = Right
[ ] Signifies a foreign language
{ } Signifies hand signs
…
Last time:
Fleet Captain Naruto's Quarters
The blonde was relaxing with his wives, and they were all lounged about in their standard duty uniforms. T'Lyra was gently strumming her ka'athyra and said, "You all have no idea how thankful I am to be enlisted and do not have to attend banquets for dignitaries. The amount of attention lavished upon them is highly illogical."
Samui smiled. "It is patently ridiculous how much kowtowing we have to do just to earn their approval. I thought Rafi was going to tear her hair out."
"It is what it is." stated Shizuka. "We are in the military and are expected to put up with such inconveniences on occasion. Besides, the entire staff and crew were given medals."
M'rella said, "The new Palm Leaf medal was certainly unexpected."
"You've been awfully quiet this evening Naruto." said Alison. "What are you thinking about?"
"I was thinking about how close I was to rebelling and throwing all those dignitaries off our ship so we could have some peace." he replied.
Samui raised her eyebrows. "It isn't everyday you hear the Fleet Captain advocating mutiny." said the blonde bombshell with a grin.
"I think it's an elegant solution to an irritating problem." exclaimed Alison with a laugh.
"It seemed like the most logical course of action at the time." explained Naruto.
"I like your logic." giggled M'rella.
Shizuka just shook her head at her husband's antics…
…
Chapter 82
Stardate 2286.021, Planet Earth Orbit, Spacedock One, Berth 4, NCC-1602 U.S.S. Wolverine
Much to the relief of the Wolverine's crew, three weeks of shore leave were granted after the Romulan Peace Mission. Virtually everyone on the ship was crashed out and recovering from the massive influx of visiting dignitaries.
Naruto was lying in bed with his beautiful wife Shizuka. In spite of her strict military demeanor, she'd been pent up, stressed out and frustrated from keeping security tight during the numerous visits from the Admiralty, politicians, and so on.
The blonde hybrid had taken care of his fiery, raven tressed mate all night long and she awoke in his arms with a big smile on her face. Shizuka woke up feeling aroused and despite the fact the Security Chief was very tired she wanted an encore performance of the night before. The fact Naruto's morning wood was poking her in the thigh didn't help matters either.
Shizuka awoke her husband with a passionate kiss and things heated up quickly from there…
...
Planet Earth, San Francisco, Daystrom Institute of Technology, Supercomputing Annex
While Naruto was making love to his most illogical mate in the heavens above, down on the surface things weren't nearly as romantic. Doctor Sara Calico was dealing with a most unwelcome visitor at the Supercomputing Annex. The lovey Betazoid woman was playing host to an inspector from Admiral Fitzpatrick's office, a Starfleet Lieutenant Commander named Chloe Tattler.
Commander Tattler was there to help militarize the Supercomputing Annex which was about 50% civilian. The Starfleet officer had already ordered all civilians in their white and teal blue Daystrom Institute casual dress to be forced to wear brevet rank pins and answer to said ranks. The staff was less than thrilled about this move.
Doctor Calico had been brevet ranked as a full Commander given she was the co-director of the Isolinear Chip Program. The Betazoid computer scientist was having mutinous thoughts about the strictly military Lieutenant Commander Tattler though. As Sara looked at the brunette Starfleet Officer she thought, 'How could such a pretty, educated young woman turn out to be such a rude, pretentious bitch? I abhor violence but I want to choke her!'
That's when Sara's co-director Doctor Siegfried Schrodinger M'Fau came walking into the building. He'd spent the weekend speeder bike touring with his mate S'Harien and was very happy under all that Vulcan logic. Sara saw the telltale gleam in his ice blue eyes and being Betazoid figured Siegfried had a wonderful time. Doctor Calico had learned to read the platinum blonde fairly well since she'd known him.
Something else flooded Doctor Calico's senses though. It was emotions coming from Lieutenant Commander Tattler. Chloe was perspiring heavily. Her heart rate was elevated, and she was blushing. "Oh, my god. That is the most handsome man I have ever seen. I wonder if he is married." whispered the Lieutenant Commander under her breath as she gawked at Naruto and Samui's son.
Sara had to admit Siegfried had grown into quite a looker and had a great body. But she also knew his personality and knew he was totally dedicated to his beautiful girlfriend S'Harien. Suddenly, Doctor Calico got an uncharacteristically evil smile on her face and said to Commander Tattler, "That's Doctor Siegfried Schrodinger, my co-director. Perhaps you should introduce yourself. I'm sure he'd love to hear your ideas."
"Y-you think so?" stammered Chloe.
The Betazoid replied, "You should ask and find out."
Tattler nodded and gathered her confidence.
…
Siegfried sat down in his office and checked his electronic messages only to find a deluge of complaints about the new uniform and job title policies that started that morning. More than one person was terrified that they were going to be drafted. The platinum blonde was not amused. Admiral Fitzpatrick was messing with the (logical) way things worked in the Supercomputing Annex and Doctor Siegfried M'Fau would have none of it.
The Vulcan hybrid immediately started accessing Starfleet regulations regarding civilians and shot so many holes in what Fitzpatrick was trying to pull that he was confident he could crush the Admiral in an argument. Siegfried began drafting a letter to refute and reject the whole initiative when he heard his door open, and a female voice say, "Hello there gorgeous."
The younger Doctor M'Fau's gut reaction was to glance around the office to see who was being addressed but quickly realized he was the only one in the room. His ice blue eyes looked up from his datapad and locked upon Chloe Tattler. Her chocolate brown eyes widened as his eyes lit up like stars and he said in a commanding voice, "Identify yourself and explain to me exactly why you did not knock before entering Lieutenant Commander."
She was taken aback and turned on at the same time. 'He's so…dominating.' "I'm Lieutenant Commander Chloe Tattler and-"
"You are the same Tattler that I have 146 complaints about and is trying to induct my people into some quasi-military command structure?" thundered the platinum blonde.
"Ummm…yes?" she squeaked.
Doctor M'Fau growled, "You will take your brevet rank pins, military titles and uniform ideas and report back to Admiral Fitzpatrick at Starfleet Headquarters. You will tell him his ideas are officially rejected or I will come down there personally and refute his every argument one regulation at a time until he begs for mercy. You are dismissed Lieutenant Commander. Now go."
Tattler couldn't scurry out of Siegfried's office fast enough as his blazing glare was enough to scare her witless…
…Once Tattler left the Supercomputing Annex with her tail between her legs, Doctor Calico exploded into evil laughter. After calming herself down twenty minutes later, Sara knocked on Siegfried's door and he bade her to enter.
He was in hyperthought. "One moment Doctor Calico." said the platinum blonde as he entered data on his computer with his fingers in a blur. She sat down and about ten minutes later Siegfried finished. "Done." he said.
Sara asked, "New concept Doctor Schrodinger?"
"No, a letter to Admiral Fitzpatrick." replied the hybrid. "I would like you to review it if you can work it into your schedule."
She smiled and said, "My whole morning was disrupted by Lieutenant Commander Tattler. I'll be happy to read it right now." Over the next hour, Doctor Calico read a searing multi-page document that told Admiral Fitzpatrick where to (logically) stick his ideas and the consequences that would occur if he didn't.
"This is beautiful." Sara said with humor in her voice. "It is concise, precise, and irrefutably logical…not to mention absolutely brutal. Are you going to deliver it personally?"
"The thought crossed my mind, but I believe that priority one electronic mail and Tattler's report will suffice." replied the hybrid.
…
Starfleet Headquarters, Admiral Fitzpatrick's Office
An hour later, Lieutenant Commander Chloe Tattler reported into Admiral Fitzpatrick who had a Starfleet lawyer from the Judge Advocate General's (JAG) Office reading Doctor Siegfried M'Fau's blistering letter. Tattler came into the office just in time to hear the JAG Lieutenant say, "With all due respect Admiral, you wouldn't have a leg to stand on in a court of law be it military or civilian. Doctor Siegfried could bring you up on charges of coercion if you press the matter."
The Admiral looked dumbfounded and asked, "What course of action would you suggest I take then Lieutenant Ross?"
Ross fidgeted a moment and said, "A formal letter of apology from you would probably be the best solution sir. Further attempts to militarize the Supercomputing Annex could lead to a legal disaster."
"So, you're saying I poked a sleeping dragon in the eye with a stick Lieutenant?" asked Fitzpatrick sullenly.
The Jag officer swallowed hard and said, "That's a very apt description sir."
"I'll get my staff to write a letter to Doctor Siegfried and clear the air between Starfleet and the Daystrom Institute." said the Admiral tiredly. "Thank you for your time, Ross."
"It is my privilege to serve sir." replied the JAG Officer before he departed.
Admiral Fitzpatrick looked over at Commander Tattler who was standing in the doorway and motioned her in. "Come on in Chloe. Tell me what happened…"
…
Tattler explained the events that occurred that morning and how she'd been summarily ejected from the Supercomputing Annex after meeting Doctor Siegfried face to face.
Fitzpatrick grumped, "He's just like his old man, fearless. He was even as a boy…"
"You know Doctor Siegfried's Father sir?" asked Chloe.
The Admiral nodded. "I'm sure you've heard of him. Fleet Captain Naruto of Vulcan is quite famous. He commands the U.S.S. Wolverine. I've met both of them and they are cut from the same cloth. I guess I should have predicted this little fiasco."
"The Fleet Captain Naruto of the famous Think Tank?" asked Commander Tattler enthused. "He's a great hero! I've read his papers on tactics. They are brilliant!"
"Great hero or not, Captain Naruto doesn't let anybody push him around. Even Fleet Admiral Nogura was impressed." groused Fitzpatrick. "It sounds like Doctor Siegfried turned out just like his Father Naruto from what you've described. What a nightmare…"
"What is the plan of action sir?" asked Tattler.
The Admiral replied, "The whole concept of bringing the Isolinear Chip Program under Starfleet's sphere of influence is hereby cancelled. We're just going to have to be happy with their results and assign a liaison officer up at the Daystrom Institute Supercomputing Annex. At least then we can keep tabs on them."
"I'd like to be their liaison for Starfleet sir." said Chloe. "I think if we try to nudge them in the proper direction then we can get more accomplished than trying to order them."
"Are you sure you want to try it Lieutenant Commander?" asked Fitzpatrick. "You've certainly got the background being a computer science major, but our previous attempt made you rather unpopular from what you've said."
She smiled. "I think I can win them over sir."
"Alright Chloe, we'll give it a shot." The Admiral paged his secretary and began drafting a formal letter of apology…
…
Daystrom Institute of Technology Campus, Siegfried and S'Harien's Apartment
S'Harien was at home reading about the superbike championship coming up in 2286 when she heard knocking on her front door. She and Siegfried rarely had visitors so the tall, beautiful Vulcan woman was puzzled as to who it could be.
Opening the door, S'Harien was very surprised to see her 19-year-old younger sister Sreil who was now a Junior Priestess in Raal. The two had always been close as children but like the rest of S'Harien's family they hadn't been in contact for the past six years.
Sreil looked at her older sibling and beamed. "S'Harien, look at how radiant you've become. You could easily pass for a fashion model. You have no idea how pleased I am to see you looking so well."
The two sisters resembled each other in that they both had dark brown hair and reddish-brown eyes but while S'Harien was tall, beautiful and voluptuous, Sreil was short, modest and cute like their Mother and three older sisters.
S'Harien was stunned to see her little sister all grown up as well and said, "I am pleased to see you also Sreil. You are a Junior Priestess now, congratulations. You have done well. I must ask though; how did you locate me?"
Sreil replied, "Your friends in the Le-Matyas at the Vulcan Science Academy told the family that you were living on Terra and taught at the Daystrom Institute of Technology. After that it was simple enough to track you down. Surely you received Mom and Dad's electronic letters."
The taller sibling replied, "I saw the letters and deleted the mail without reading it. I want nothing to do with them."
The Junior Priestess wanted to sigh. "I thought you might feel that way. Am I welcome in your home?"
"Of course you are little sister." answered the taller sister. "You will always be welcome in my home."
"I am very glad to hear that." said Sreil. "I feared you would not want to see me."
…
The two sisters sat down in the front room and Sreil was admiring the décor. "I see your sense of aesthetics is as good as ever." said the younger sister. "It is both harmonious and ergonomic."
S'Harien served some of the spiced tea she had learned to make from the M'Fau's to her sister and had a Terran beer herself. She said, "I truly am pleased to see you Sreil but I must ask, what is your real reason for tracking me down?"
Sreil was enjoying her tea. She delicately set her cup down and said, "Consider me an ambassador of the Sofek Clan. Mother and Father tried to write to you to explain everything. They want you to come back to Vulcan where you belong."
"I belong here with my mate." stated the older of the pair.
"You mean Nirak?" asked the Priestess in puzzlement. "He claims you left him behind."
S'Harien's eyes flashed with anger for a split second. "That fool Nirak was cruel to me. I broke off our betrothal because of his abusive behavior. I will speak no more of him."
The younger sister looked pensive and said, "That explains a great deal. Forgive me for bringing up a poor subject."
"You did not know." said the tall beauty. "There is nothing to forgive."
"You could have come home after that." said Sreil. "Mom and Dad-"
"They cast me out of their home when I informed them that I no longer wished to be a Priestess." said the biker. "I would sooner go into exile as ask them for help."
'The pain and anger still run deep.' thought the younger sister. "Would you talk to our parents if I brought them here? They are here on Terra."
S'Harien shook her head. "I am not welcome in their home, and they are not welcome in mine. It is logical to avoid one another."
"Surely you realize-" started the younger sibling.
The older sister held up her hand in a 'stop' motion and said, "I understand you want to make peace in the family and I find that very admirable little sister. I am afraid the damage is too great. Please let us discuss another subject."
Sreil sagged slightly. 'S'Harien is as stubborn as ever. I suppose there is no helping it. She got that from Dad.' Changing to a more positive subject, the younger sibling said, "Tell me about your mate. What is he like?"
S'Harien said in a contented tone, "He is my other half. He completes me. There is no one else like him."
The younger sister perked up. "What is his name?"
"Ziggy." replied the tall beauty with a faraway look in her eyes.
The priestess's eyes widened slightly. "Ziggy? What kind of a name is that?"
S'Harien turned to her sibling and said, "His name is Siegfried M'Fau, I call him Ziggy."
Now the younger sister was bug eyed. "Siegfried M'Fau, the famous holder of the Zee-Magnees Prize?!"
"Yes, that's him." replied the biker girl. "His achievements mean a great deal to me. I'm surprised you've heard of him."
"Everyone on Vulcan has heard of Siegfried M'Fau sister. He is a brilliant scientist." said Sreil. "This is amazing news. What kind of a person is he?"
"Well, he is really, really smart. He's also very kind and caring. Ziggy is a wonderful mate to me…Would you like to meet him? He'll be home in about an hour."
…
Supercomputing Annex
Doctor Siegfried M'Fau was wrapping things up for the day. He'd spent an inordinate amount of time along with Doctor Calico assuring everyone that the Supercomputing Annex was not going to become a military dictatorship and that things would return to normal the next day. He felt the whole day was wasted because of Admiral Fitzpatrick's highly illogical whims but decided to simply pick up where he originally planned tomorrow.
After bidding his coworkers goodnight, Siegfried headed for home across the campus on his speeder bike to see his lovely S'Harien. They had been talking about marriage and both agreed that they wanted to be married on Planet Vulcan. They were discussing whether they should be wed in the old temple in ShiKahr or whether they should marry on Mount Selaya. The fact was S'Harien would have liked a wedding on Mount Selaya but figured they would run into her relatives there which she did not wish to deal with.
The platinum blonde thought they would come to a logical conclusion as he rode home. Parking his speeder, Siegfried was expecting his mate to be in the garage working on her bike but instead found a small pair of traditional Vulcan Priestess sandals in the doorway. 'This is unexpected…' thought the scientist. 'It's rare we have visitors, let alone a Vulcan Priestess.'
…
Inside, S'Harien heard her mate pull into the garage and said to Sreil. "Ziggy's home. He's probably examining your sandals."
Sreil said, "It will be a great honor to meet a holder of the Zee-Magnees Prize."
The tall beauty smirked and replied, "There is much more to my mate than the Zee-Magnees Prize. You will see."
Seigfried came in with his long platinum hair tied back. He was wearing his beard short much like his Grandfather Sovar always did and was wearing his white and teal blue work uniform. He was puzzled as to why a Vulcan Priestess was there.
S'Harien opened the door with a small smirk and mischief in her eyes. "Welcome home my love. I've missed you today."
He gave her a tiny smile. "Not as much as I've missed you. I see we have a visitor. Judging by the insignia on the sandals it would seem to be a Junior Priestess from the Raal region on Vulcan. What is the occasion?"
"My younger sister Sreil has come all the way from Vulcan to visit us." said S'Harien. "She and I are on good terms, so she is welcome in our home."
Siegfried let out a breath of relief realizing a war hadn't come to his doorstep. 'You never told me you had a sister.' he said telepathically as they affectionately crossed their fingers.
She smirked again. 'You never asked. I have three older sisters and my younger sister Sreil. They are all priestesses. Sreil and I have always been very close.'
The pair came into the house after Siegfried took off his riding boots and S'Harien introduced him to Sreil. The younger sister had awe in her eyes. She bowed deeply and said, "It is an honor to meet a holder of the Zee-Magnees Prize Doctor M'Fau. I am Sreil Sofek."
He returned her traditional bow and said, "It is an honor to meet a Junior Priestess of Raal. Please just address me as Siegfried. If you'll excuse me for a moment I must tidy up before I prepare dinner."
…
Sreil blushed green as Siegfried left to change. "Your mate is very handsome sister. To think he is brilliant as well as good looking." Then her face fell a bit. "Did he say he was preparing dinner? Did you not learn to cook?"
S'Harien sipped her beer. "You know I have no delusions that I can cook. Besides, Ziggy is a superb chef. You'll see."
…
"This is truly excellent cuisine." complimented Sreil. "I can't cook half this well. You are very gifted Siegfried."
"My Grandmother and Aunt taught me to cook from when I was little." explained Siegfried. "I thank you on their behalf. Everything I know about cooking is from them."
The three ate peacefully and Sreil seemed absolutely fascinated with Siegfried's background and education. She was amazed that her older sister had changed and grown so much as a person in the last few years. It made Sreil proud to be S'Harien's sister. 'Now if I could only bring Mom and Dad here. I know they would be proud of my big sister as well. I want us to be a family again.' She saw the obvious affection between S'Harien and Siegfried. Sreil could tell the young couple adored one another. It was astonishing to her.
…
San Francisco, Little Eridani Hotel
That evening, Sreil Sofek returned to the Little Eridani Hotel where she and parents were staying. She was both elated that S'Harien was doing so well but saddened that her sister wanted nothing to do with their family…
Her Father Pekev and Mother Teska were both very traditional and had been shocked and appalled when their most promising daughter had rebelled and decided not to follow in the established family role of being a Priestess. Now they were desperate to find out what had happened to S'Harien and hoped their daughter Sreil would have good news when she returned.
Their youngest daughter came in after hours of being away at the Daystrom Institute and Teska welcomed her daughter back. Sreil came in and said, "I have much to share with you but suffice it to say that S'Harien wants nothing to do with either of you and will not even discuss the subject. She was very cordial and welcoming to me however."
Teska looked crestfallen and Pekev asked, "Did she read our electronic letters? We tried to explain our actions."
Sreil stated, "She saw who they were from and immediately deleted them. She is as stubborn as you are Dad."
Pekev looked down and asked, "Is S'Harien all right? Her friend Dvir said she was an instructor at the Daystrom Institute but would tell us little more."
"Big sister is a speeder bike instructor and the Captain of the Daystrom Institute Racing Team." explained Sreil. "Judging by the lists I read she is one of the most gifted and successful speeder bike racers on Earth. She has been very prosperous."
Teska asked, "What of her abandoning her betrothed Nirak?"
S'reil frowned and replied, "S'Harien said he was cruel and abusive to her. She refused to speak of him after that. I did not press the subject."
Both parents looked dismayed. "Nirak was abusive to our daughter?" asked Pekev.
The Junior Priestess nodded. "He conveniently left that part out when he said she abandoned him."
"No wonder she left him." said S'Harien's Mother. "I would have done the same thing."
"Nirak no longer matters." explained Sreil. "She has found a new mate, and they are very happy together. They are planning to marry on Vulcan."
"What is he like?" asked her Father. "Is he respectable?"
The youngest daughter brightened up. "He is a member of the honorable M'Fau Clan of ShiKahr. His name is Siegfried. He is 18. Perhaps you've heard of him?"
Pekev's eyes widened. "The Vulcan youth that won the Zee-Magnees Prize?" His daughter nodded.
"We must meet our future son-in-law." said Teska in shock. "He must be an incredible genius."
Sreil stated, "He holds three doctorates and invented the Isolinear Computer Chip that is revolutionizing computer science across the Federation…But more importantly, you must make peace with S'Harien if you wish to meet him…"
…
Daystrom Institute of Technology Campus, Siegfried and S'Harien's Apartment
Siegfried was lying in bed with S'Harien running his fingers through her long, dark brown hair. "Do you want to talk about it my love? You know I won't judge you."
She nuzzled his chest. "Seeing Sreil made me realize how much I've missed her. It also brought up a lot of bad memories about things that happened back in Raal."
He kissed her forehead. "When you feel the need to talk about it, I will be here for you."
She looked into his eyes and said, "I will. Let us sleep. You have to work tomorrow."
…
Stardate 2286.022
The next morning, S'Harien was up wishing her mate didn't have to work so early. It was still January and on Terra, the way the school semesters ran, she didn't have to teach for another week. She frowned slightly. 'I serviced the bike yesterday. I've finished planning my teaching schedule for the upcoming semester. Perhaps I should contact Sreil. I told her to come over this evening but-' The tall biker heard the door chime and thought, 'Is it Sreil?'
S'Harien opened the door and found it was someone that she didn't expect but certainly welcomed. "Mother Samui?" asked the tall young woman.
Samui smiled excitedly and said, "How is my favorite daughter-in-law? We got shore leave so I came down to see you."
"I'm afraid that Ziggy is at work." said S'Harien.
"I know that. I came to see you." said the Augment woman. "Get your gear on. I'm taking you out to breakfast. We can ride doubles on your bike to wherever you want to go."
The tall biker girl was soon enjoying her time immensely as they talked about the Romulan Peace Mission and anything else that came to mind. Samui grinned, "So what have you been up to S'Harien? I can tell you are down."
"You can?" asked S'Harien.
The platinum blonde smiled. "Of course, I can. I'm married to a Vulcan, remember? Besides, a little bird told me you could use a friend to talk to."
"Ziggy…" thought the tall beauty aloud.
Samui said kindly, "Tell me about it and I'll listen. I worry about you, you know?"
S'Harien said, "My parents are on Terra."
"I thought you had some sort of falling out with them." said the Augment.
The young Vulcan woman replied, "I was raised to be a Priestess…I decided to become a biker instead. I was 14 at the time."
The blonde raised her eyebrows. "What happened?"
"Mom and Dad cast me out of their home and told me to never come back until I came to my senses and returned to the Priestesshood." said S'Harien. "I moved into the dorms at Raal Technical School and never looked back."
"Did you ever try to contact them after that?" asked Samui.
"When I broke it off with my betrothed…I tried to contact my Mom but she never answered my call. I gave up after that and formed the Le-Matyas. We eventually landed in ShiKahr and I met Ziggy there. You know everything after that." replied the dark-haired girl.
The Augment woman said, "And now they've returned for some reason?"
S'Harien said, "Mom and Dad found out from the Le-Matyas that I was here on Earth and started sending me electronic letters."
The blonde asked, "What did they say?"
"I don't know." answered the Vulcan. "I deleted them. I wanted nothing to do with them after all this time." A tear rolled down her cheek. "I don't know what to do Mother Samui."
Samui pondered for a moment and finally said, "In the time I've known you I've learned you are tough as nails S'Harien. Take them head on. Let them make their case. If you choose to forgive them or reject them, make your decision then. I can tell this is tearing you apart inside. You need to act and make peace with your past…That's what I think."
The blonde Augment found herself on the unexpected receiving end of a hug from S'Harien and gently returned it with a smile… "I'm proud of you S'Harien…we all are." said Samui.
…
Daystrom Institute of Technology, Supercomputing Annex
Siegfried received a personal message on the corner of his screen and saw it was from Samui. He paused his work and answered the call. He saw his Mother beaming at him. "Mum…?" he asked uncertainly.
Samui looked at her handsome son and said, "S'Harien and I had a nice long talk, I think her thoughts are clear on what she needs to do. She's a strong young woman. Just be there for her like you always have been. I'm proud of you both."
…
San Francisco, Little Eridani Hotel
Sreil got an unexpected message from her sister later that afternoon. "S'Harien, I wasn't expecting to hear from you so soon but-"
"Are you still at the Little Eridani Hotel you told me about?" asked S'Harien forcefully.
"Yes, we are in Room 26." answered the younger sister worriedly.
"Are they there?" questioned the elder sibling.
Sreil hesitantly replied, "Yes..."
S'Harien said, "Tell them I'll be there in twenty minutes." Then she ended the message.
'…Here we go.' thought the Junior Priestess. "Mom, Dad. S'Harien is coming in twenty minutes. She told me to tell you."
Pekev said, "This is unexpected. Perhaps we can have a productive talk."
"Yes, I can't wait to see her after all this time." commented Teska.
"I'll go to greet her." said Sreil.
…
Sreil came out on the street level just in time to see her older sister come roaring up on her green and yellow Ducati in her Le-Matyas biker gear and Union Jack tee shirt. The Junior Priestess saw her sister's face was set in stone and waved to S'Harien. "I'll be out here." said the younger sibling.
S'Harien nodded before squaring her shoulders and marching into the hotel. Her younger sister would have sworn she saw the ghost of their late Great-Grandmother who was the High Priestess in Raal for over a century and known to be an incredibly harsh disciplinarian…
Pekev and Teska heard a sharp knock on their door and Pekev answered it. Somehow, he expected his daughter to be as he remembered her: tall, lanky and a bit awkward. Instead, he saw a breathtakingly beautiful young woman whose blazing reddish-brown eyes were burning holes in him. "S'Harien, is that you, my daughter?" he asked in a stunned tone.
Teska poked her head around Pekev and saw the look in her daughter's eyes. S'Harien wasn't there to chat; she was there to pass judgement. "S'Harien, my child…"
"You two have a lot of gall coming here to Earth to try to invade my life." said the tall girl imperiously. "Explain your reasons why."
Pekev was dumbfounded but Teska said, "Please come in out of the hallway so we may talk."
S'Harien glared hard at her parents before they stood aside, and she entered. Then the biker girl took a chair for herself in the corner before either of them could really react. "You threw me out and told me not to return." stated their daughter.
Teska replied, "We thought you were just going through a phase. Your Father and I were certain you would return within a week. You were a model Priestess. We expected you to return to your true calling."
S'Harien said, "Yet I found my true calling elsewhere instead."
"You would have been a great Priestess." declared Pekev. Your ancestors-"
"My ancestors would have wanted me to find happiness and fulfilment." S'Harien replied. "Then when I did need your help and called, you ignored me."
"If you had just come home and talked to me, I would have gladly taken care of you." pleaded Teska. "I just wanted my daughter to come home."
"We came to make sure you were safe and well here on Terra." explained Pekev. "Your Mother and I couldn't bear the thought of you being alone any longer. You never answered our letters, so we came in person to see you."
Teska said, "We love you S'Harien. We heard from Sreil all the great things that you have accomplished and are so very proud of you."
S'Harien had tears in her eyes but refused to let them fall. She was ferociously angry inside at herself for wanting her parents to love her and be proud of her. "Let them make their case. If you choose to forgive them or reject them, make your decision then." is what Samui had said. 'It is illogical, but I want to forgive them.' she thought.
After what seemed like hours to Pekev and Teska, their daughter said, "I will forgive you, but I do not believe you deserve it. You hurt me more than you can imagine." She stood up.
Teska was torn by her daughter's words. "Will you not stay and talk with us? So much has happened in the last few years and-"
S'Harien shook her head 'no.' "I am going home to my mate now. I will contact Sreil tomorrow."
…
Sreil was patiently waiting outside sipping tea to calm her nerves at one of the tables outside the hotel. She saw her older sister come out looking agitated and uneasy. She called, "S'Harien…?"
The tall biker girl stated, "I forgave them."
The Junior Priestess sagged in relief. "Thank you, my sister."
"They didn't deserve it." added S'Harien.
"You hide your kindness well." said Sreil.
By then, S'Harien had already mounted her bike and put on her helmet. Giving a Vulcan salute to Sreil, she revved her Ducati's turbine and took off like a shot…
…
Daystrom Institute of Technology Campus, Siegfried and S'Harien's Apartment
Siegfried was waiting at home for his mate when she came roaring into the garage, threw off her helmet and kissed him passionately. S'Harien basically collapsed into his strong embrace before he took her inside to take care of her.
Hours later she woke up from the frantic lovemaking they shared and opened her eyes. Siegfried was awake keeping a silent vigil over her. She said tiredly, "I love you Ziggy. You are beautiful."
He kissed her and smiled in the darkness. "You are the beautiful one S'Harien. I love you too."
"Can we…share thoughts?" asked S'Harien.
Her mate replied, "Of course."
The two gently mind melded and felt the stress finally leave their minds. "So, you forgave them?" asked Siegfried. Hearing his mate hum in the affirmative he said, "I'm glad things worked out. Perhaps I can meet them after all. Now all I have to do is strangle Admiral Fitzpatrick and all will be well."
He smiled as S'Harien burst into laughter…
…
POSTSCRIPT:
This idea started a while back as a "Meanwhile, back at the ranch…" chapter with S'Harien not forgiving her family but in the end, I figured that would cause a huge backlash at Siegfried and S'Harien's future nuptials. (Imagine the Sofek Clan crashing the wedding and the fallout from that disaster…) Anyway, I thought this would be a nice place to work it in because Naruto and Co. are between adventures. See you next time. Blue out 1/1/24