-CHAPTER 4-
The floating creature looked down at me as the wall closed again.
"You will need help operating the device."
"What?" I asked, not sure I trusted this creature.
"You could have left me, but instead you showed compassion. I'm giving you back the right to make your own choice."
Less than a minute later, we entered a room very similar to the chamber back on the dead world where this all started. A platform raised out of the floor and light flooded the small space.
The Wubon turned to me. "Choose. Will you remain here, or return?"
I didn't hesitate. "I want to go back."
"Despite the knowledge your people might be given by the one who took your place? Imagine the secrets she will unveil to your kind."
Sparks exploded from the door we'd entered.
"They are coming for you."
"My people can find our own knowledge." I walked toward the light. "Send me back."
I stopped to turn to him. "Thank you."
"Mei-Wan, the ones you call the Ancient Progenitors have lied to you. They intend..."
The door parted and Manu burst into the room with several guards. He screamed, "Stop!"
I leaped onto the platform.
Again light engulfed me.
But the transition was different this time.
I found myself back in the chamber, but on the floor and in restraints, my hands bound behind my back.
But I could tell I had hair again.
Carlos Lorente walked up to me. More than ever, I was glad to see his handsome face.
"What the hell am I doing tied up like this?"
"The answer depends on who you are," Lorente said, raising an eyebrow. "Who's your favorite music group?"
I frowned. "Organian Dream. What the hell kind of question is that?"
He knelt down next to me and smiled. "One an Ancient Progenitor couldn't answer."
***
The expedition's doctor, a Bajoran woman, looked at the scanner's display.
"The odd neurological reading is gone," she said, leaving us.
Lorente removed the restraints binding my arms to the cot.
"Did I... she, say much?" I asked.
"At first you seemed dazed, so we let you rest, but after a couple hours I was told you were accessing the data network, retrieving information about Starfleet and its capabilities."
"Not something I'd likely do."
"My thought exactly," Lorente said. "I had you monitored and realized you were under some sort of alien influence. After a bit of a fight, we brought you down here to the medical section, letting the doctor examine you. Two days later, the device reactivated, so I decided to risk putting you in it again."
"I'm lucky you did."
"How are you feeling?" he asked, sitting in a chair near the cot.
"Strange, but okay I think." I smiled. "You know, when the machine reactivated, it might have been to strengthen its control over me. Why did you risk that?"
He shook his head. "I felt it was the right thing to do. Given the way you, she, reacted when we brought her into the chamber, I was convinced it was the right choice."
I closed my eyes. "Thank you."
"You mind telling me what you experienced?"
I spent the next hour recounting my time on Hel'yra of the past. The only part I left out was any mention of the dark skinned man. I'd have to endure a psychological evaluation eventually, but not now. I was too afraid what it might reveal about me.
How long had I been imagining him? What else wasn't real in my life? How a mental illness like this could have gotten past my family doctor and Starfleet Medical troubled me as well.
Questions about my mental health would have to wait.
"The Ancient Progenitors told you there was another person this had been done to?"
I nodded.
"I'll have to report that to my superiors."
"But it could have been a million years in the past or in the future for all we know," I said.
"A temporal incursion is a serious matter." He stood and walked to the door. "The Temporal Investigations Advisory Committee will likely want to debrief you in person."
I didn't like how this short mission seemed to be expanding. "And how long will that take?"
"Several weeks travel time to Earth, then several days..."
"We have to go to Earth?"
He smiled. "You have something against Earth?"
"No," I said with a grin. "But afterwards, I'll be free to go?"
He seemed lost in thought for several moments. "I would think so."
I'd better be. Or there was going to be ten kinds of hell to pay.
"I should let you rest." Lorente smiled. "I'm glad we got you back, Mei-Wan."
"Me too."
My mind drifted off to sleep.
***
"I can't believe I'm back here." I settled into a couch. Not only was I back on Purlewe, and staying again at the Arcadian. But some odd twist of fate had arranged to give me the exact same room.
After turning over the remaining examination of BR-59301 to three staff archeologists from Temporal Investigations, Lorente and I had headed back to where our mission began. We wouldn't be on Purlewe long. We both had tickets aboard a starliner to Earth which left at noon the next day.
One evening of fun, then back to space.
I watched the rain come down outside my window for almost an hour with a joy I'd not had toward such minor things since I was a kid.
But the rain eventually tapered off, and I activated the room's display, thinking I'd check out the news. I found there was a new story about the Ancient Progenitors.
"... obviously Starfleet Security doesn't want us to ask Dr. Lau about this, but we here at the Federation News Service..."
It was that idiot Stands. I killed the display.
"How about you tell them how you tricked me into to talking to you... jerk."
I was sure there was footage of my "interview" later in the report, but I had no interest in watching how they twisted that.
I was about to search for a book to read when someone tapped at my door.
I moved cautiously to open it, worried it might be another reporter hot on my trail again.
I was pleased it wasn't.
"I hope I'm not disturbing you," Lorente said, reacting to my smile with one of his own.
"Not at all. Come in."
He strolled inside my room. "Actually, I wondered if you would mind coming with me."
"Some new mission?" I asked with a smirk.
"Of a sort," he said. "I thought perhaps we might go in search of dinner. I hate the thought of eating this hotel's room service again."
"I'll get my coat."
***
Three hours later, we were back at my door, having had a friendly dinner, and a more than friendly walk around the city.
"Thank you for rescuing me once again."
His eyes narrowed. "I'm not sure I've rescued you even once."
"You did get me back to this time, and..."
I paused as he looked up and down the hallway, evidently the habits of his ingrained cloak and dagger life were hard to break.
"... and you kept me from a boring evening alone in my room, or worse, being pursued by another reporter."
Carlos grinned. "I enjoyed the evening too, Mei." He leaned forward, giving me a gentile kiss on the cheek.
My heart thumped away in my chest like some mighty engine ready to cut loose of its bolts. His lips touching my skin made me light-headed, but also supremely aware of everything around me.
But the moment ended with him leaning back.
"Goodnight," he said.
After he disappeared around a corner, I went into my room, more frustrated than pleased now that he was gone. My heart had calmed some, but not nearly enough.
"No, Mei. Remember, two months before getting involved with someone."
I leaned against the wall, sliding down it as my thoughts focused all the more on my dinner companion. I exhaled the air out of my lungs.
"This is stupid."
I stared at the carpet for five minutes, my mind drifting across every degree between yes and no.
Best to forget him. You know it'll never work anyway.
Resigned to my fate, I trudged over to my luggage and pulled out a PADD. There were some reports I needed to go over for the new Archaeological Institute. Best to get them done now rather than do something foolish I'd regret later.
I flopped down onto the bed and began reading the first report.
But with every sentence, my thoughts strayed further from the text on the PADD.
I like him... a lot. So why don't I go see him?
I read another paragraph.
Mom would kill me if she found out I was even considering this.
And another paragraph.
"Damn it!"
I pitched the PADD back into my open bag.
"What's the point of having a life if I'm not going to live it?"
Then as if she were in the room, the voice of my mother rose from the depths of my own thoughts, Would you be living it, or ruining it?
"Everything worthwhile involves risk." I looked at the closed door. "My life is on the other side, not sealed up in here all alone. It's time I went where I haven't been before."
I marched out the door, determined to live life with the kind of boldness I'd never allowed myself.
***
I knocked at Carlos Lorente's door again. Waited, but no answer.
"Damn it," I murmured.
I waited another minute, but nothing changed. I left the hotel and wandered through the center of town, hoping to take my mind off Carlos.
I stopped, pausing to listen to the laughter and cheering coming out of an open door. I peered through the entrance, curious about the happy time those inside seemed to be having.
Bright colors and frantic activity flashed across large screens along the curved walls of the huge room I entered. Just being there made me a little more joyous.
"Can I get you a table?" a smiling, scantly clad woman asked.
"No, thank you. I think I'll just roam for a while."
The woman smiled, pulling up the corner of her top which was about to slide off. "If you need anything be sure to ask one of the waitresses."
"Thanks."
I sauntered about, pausing briefly to see what was displayed on each screen. It didn't take long to figure out this was some sort of gambling establishment where people sat watching sporting events, placing wagers on the outcomes.
After going full circle, seeing the twelve screens available, I decided I'd rather find a quieter place to spend the evening and headed for the front door.
Half-way there, I stopped, and so did my heart.
Carlos walked through the door and halted as our eyes met. After a quick grin, he made his way to me.
"I know what this looks like," he began.
"What's that?" I asked, a smile on my face.
"I'm not following you. Really."
"I kind of hoped you were."
He chuckled. "So you wanted me to follow you?"
"Actually, I was looking for you."
"Oh?" his brow raised a little. "Whatever for?"
"I had something..." Okay, now what do I say? I had to figure out some explanation. "It was something I wanted to discuss with you."
"Okay."
"Uh..." Now faced with the prospect of my desires actually being fulfilled, I was suddenly unsure. "How about... Can we go back to your room?"
"This must be important."
"It is."
***
"I do hope this doesn't take long," Carlos said, closing the door behind him.
I spun about and pulled him into my arms. Our lips touched for what seemed forever. He resisted only the first moment of that eternity.
He came up for breath. "On the other hand, long is good."
"I agree," I whispered, pulling him to me again, our mouths coming together.
He maneuvered our embraced bodies over toward the bed, and I did everything I could to assist him. Once there, I pulled my jacket open.
"You sure about this?" he asked, opening his own shirt.
"No," I said. "But I don't want to stop." I slid his open shirt over his shoulders, letting it drop to the floor.
***
Finally, I took a breath.
I found myself curled up in his arms. The lights were out, darkness drifted through the windows on a cool breeze.
He stirred, letting out a long breath. I smiled to myself, then floated off to sleep.
***
I opened my eyes as if it were for the first time. Everything seemed so new, even the morning light from the rising sun. I wanted to notice every detail, and remember it all.
I turned my head. He still slept.
I rolled over to watch him breathe. Everything about him drew my attention. I wanted to know all there was about this man, but I was in no hurry. I wanted to savor the experience... this time.
Just as I had the night before.
I lay there for nearly an hour before he awoke.
"Good morning," he said, opening his eyes.
"Morning." I smiled. "You sleep deeply."
"You did too after..." He ran his hand through my hair, and kissed me.
I sat up. looking down at him. My hand found his and our fingers intertwined. "You made me feel good."
"Only good?"
I laughed. "A little more than that."
"Only a little?"
I kissed him. "It was incredible beyond comprehension."
"That's better. But don't let me stop you. Continue."
I touched his cheek with my hand. "Thank you."
"Mei... I..."
"Don't."
He smiled. "How do you know what I was going to say?"
"I don't. But I don't want to go any further than this moment."
"But..."
"Please, Carlos. Don't tell me something that's going to make me feel like I need to say something else. I'm not ready."
His finger touched my lips. "I was going to say I need to use the restroom."
"Oh." I felt stupid now, but it passed.
"It's okay," he said. "I like this moment too."
I watched him the entire trip to the restroom.
He closed the door behind him.
I fell back onto the bed. "My god... he is so damn good looking."
But more than that, he made me feel like I was the center of his universe. And for the time being, I had no interest in shattering that idea whether it be real or an illusion.
He came back out, and shot me a grin as he crawled into bed next to me. His warm skin was soothing.
"So you really enjoyed last night?"
"I think I said that."
He ran his hand over my back in a slow rhythm. "I thought so, but I wanted to be sure."
A thought I didn't like crossed my mind. I rolled over to face Carlos. "Don't take this the wrong way, but you aren't one of those guys who thinks sex is about possessing the woman, making her a conquest, are you?"
He laughed. "Did you feel possessed?"
"No," I said with a grin.
"Good."
I placed my hand on his chest. The feeling of his heart beating reminded me of our bodies together the night before.
"Roll over and I'll massage your back," he said.
I did as he asked. His fingers kneaded my shoulders in rhythm to his own pulse.
"A good lover gives of themselves. They do not take," Carlos said. "Anyone who speaks of taking a woman is an animal, not a man. A man gives himself to a woman. He sees through her eyes. He fills her needs."
Despite the hypnotic effect of his hands working the muscles of my back, his words held my full attention.
"Making love is a thing for equals," he continued. "A true man seduces a woman with his eyes, his words, his touch. But she gives herself willingly, drawn by her own heart."
His hands moved to my lower back. I let out a soft moan as he worked out the tightness. His hands applied the perfect combination of strength and tenderness.
"That feel good?" he asked.
"Oh yeah," I whispered.
"Only frightened little boys feel the need to possess a woman."
"Unfortunately, those are the kind of men who seem drawn to me," I said.
"Yes... I can understand that."
"What's that supposed to mean?" I was getting angry, but I didn't want to interrupt the massage.
"You had a look in your eyes when we first met."
"What look was that?"
"The one that says 'please take me, I'll do anything to not be alone.'"
I rolled over at those words.
But he smiled and took my hand in his. "If you had remained that way, I would not have allowed us to make love."
"Really?" I said with a grin I couldn't force back. "What changed?"
"You did." He sat back on the bed. "After your incident with that machine, your experience in the past, your eyes told another tale."
I leaned over to him. "Which was?"
"You want to live life, but on your own terms."
I pressed my lips against his.
His breath caressed my cheek, setting me on fire again. "And you like that?"
"More than anything else," he said.
We sank into the bed.
