Chapter 2 – He Was Part Of My Dream… I Was Part Of His Dream

Mei-Wan felt herself drifting through a hotel’s corridors. At first she couldn’t recognize it then… the Magellan--the place Forcas was staying.

A moment later, she flashed to standing on the balcony, Forcas walking up behind her.

“Come to bed with me, and I will tell you everything,” he whispered into her ear.

Instead of walking away, Mei-Wan felt herself turn to him. “You don’t have to tell me anything… Dajjal.”

“It is you, isn’t it?” Forcas asked.

Mei-Wan felt herself lean forward, kissing him.

God, no! This can’t be happening!

A moment later, they were in the bedroom, both having shed their clothes.

Mei-Wan floated over to the bed, resting on it, and smiling at Forcas. “Come to me, Dajjal, as you did all those billions of years ago.”

The next moment, he was atop her. They were making love.

At his moment of climax, Forcas cried out, “Ulithia!”

Mei-Wan bolted awake, full of dread and disgust.

“Are you okay?” Dani asked from beside her.

“I don’t know.”

Dani pulled Mei-Wan into her arms. “Are you having doubts about today?”

“No… it isn’t that,” Mei-Wan said. “I was having a dream, a sexual dream.”

“Interesting,” Dani replied. “Not with me?”

“No… Forcas.”

Dani looked into her eyes. “You did tell me you felt he was exerting a mild telepathic appeal to you, a sexual one.”

“Yes, but… I don’t think it was me.”

“But how could it not be you?” Dani asked.

“At the point of climax, he called me Ulithia.”

Dani nodded a moment. “Perhaps what you experienced wasn’t a telepathic influence from him after all. Given Ulithia resided in your body for a period of time, perhaps some part of her still remains, an imprint of sorts. Given their relationship in the past, it might very well be it was her desire for him you encountered. And it may have been him sensing her presence in you that draws him to you.”

Mei-Wan fell back onto the bed. “Great. It isn’t enough I have memories of the various Mei-Wans from other timelines in my head, but I’ve got the residual desires of an Ancient Progenitor as well.”

“It is likely,” Dani said. “The Ancient Progenitors were exceptional telepaths and having been in close proximity with Forcas on several occasions, I suspect it triggered a reaction from any residual influence of Ulithia. While I would advise you to be careful with this, it might also be useful in the future.”

“How?”

“If it can give you insight into what Forcas is planning, it might allow us to thwart that plan.”

Mei-Wan had to admit that could prove useful, but she hated having even more crap in her head. And having Forcas infatuated with her made her feel ill. Someday she was going to have to spend a lot of time with a therapist to sort all of this out.

“When does your sister arrive?” Dani asked.

Mei-Wan glanced over at the clock. “Three hours.”

“Could the dream also be a result of you being apprehensive about my meeting her?”

“I’m not apprehensive about that,” Mei-Wan said. “I’m curious to see what you think about her, and what she thinks about you.”

“I have been looking forward to the insights she might provide about you.”

“Just remember, Li-Na grew up with the me from another timeline,” Mei-Wan said. “I don’t know how much insight she’ll provide into this me.”

“All the better,” Dani said. “If I come to understand the you of that reality, it might reveal something of what you’re going through having these memories in your mind.”

“But you’ve been inside my mind.”

“Yes, but it could take years to sort through all that goes on inside you that way,” Dani said. “Li-Na could show me things in a more immediate way.”

Mei-Wan grinned. “So are you saying I have a complex mind?”

Dani smiled. “I thought I’ve said that on numerous occasions.”

Mei-Wan leaned over to kiss Dani. “I’m so excited to announce our engagement to the universe.”

Dani’s hand gently touched her cheek. “So am I.”

***

Melissa Vargas hurried into shuttlebay two. She arrived just as a Type 6 Starfleet shuttlecraft came to a rest on the deck. She quickly took in a long breath to steel herself for what was to come. She’d only been notified of the new arrival ten minutes earlier. She was sure she’d get a dressing down for something given how unprepared she and the ship were for this.

A dark-skinned woman with four rank pins on her collar stepped out of the craft, and walked in a straight line toward Melissa.

It took Melissa a moment, but finally she noticed this captain was not wearing the standard duty uniform.

Given she didn’t know what this officer’s command style was, Melissa decided to go with the formal snap to attention.

“Commander Melissa Vargas,” she said. “Welcome aboard, Captain.”

“At ease, Commander,” the woman said, offering her hand. “Captain Tamika Hayden.”

“A pleasure, Captain,” Melissa replied, relaxing her stance and shaking Hayden’s hand.

Hayden took a moment to assess Melissa. “I’d like to get started immediately,” she said. “How about you show me the bridge?”

“Of course,” Melissa said, pointing to the door. “If you’d come with me.”

Hayden followed Melissa out of the shuttlebay and into the corridor.

“Is that the new uniform?” Melissa asked.

“Yes. It was released four hours ago,” Hayden replied. “I’d like for you to see to it the crew converts over by twenty hundred hours. The point of a uniform is for everyone to be wearing the same thing.”

“I’ll see to it,” Melissa replied.

“However, in your case, how about you wear red instead of gold.”

“Captain?” Melissa asked, confused.

“I know you’ve been offered the XO position on the Morrison,” Hayden began as they walked down a corridor to a turbolift. “If you still prefer that assignment, I’ll understand given your relationship with McCall, and all that has happened. However, I’m offering you the XO position here aboard the Chamberlain.”

Melissa was stunned. “Has Starfleet authorized this?”

“I spoke to Admiral Grant three hours ago, and he approved it,” Hayden replied. “That is if you want it.”

Melissa couldn’t stop a smile from erupting across her face. She had dreamed of being the executive officer on this ship for years, but her relationship with Jack had always been in the way. Starfleet didn’t want a captain’s spouse in that position aboard the same ship. She understood their thinking, but it still had hurt. But now… that dream seemed it was going to happen.

They stepped into a turbolift together.

“I don't know the full story on what happened with Captain McCall,” Hayden said. “Starfleet has kept the details under wraps, and I suspect you know far more than I will ever know. But If you're willing to give it a shot...”

“Yes,” Melissa blurted out. After a moment, she realized she'd just interrupted her captain. “Sorry, ma'am.”

Hayden smiled. “I'm glad you're enthusiastic. And even more glad you accepted. The next several months will be a difficult time for this crew. Having a captain removed is always hard on the people he commands, and even more so when the reasons aren't clear. I expect there will be some aboard who will hate me even though I was just the next name on the duty roster, and others who will adore me just because I'm not McCall. I hope you’ll help me navigate all of this and keep the crew focused on their mission.”

“I'll do my best, ma'am.”

Hayden observed Melissa for several moments. “"I only plan to be here a year, maybe eighteen months at the most, barring any major calamity like all out war. In that time, I intend to train you to replace me."

"Me? Command this ship?"

She smiled. "If you hadn't been assigned here, you'd most likely be commanding your own ship by now. I know you gave up a different XO assignment a couple of years ago to remain with McCall. And I understand that. I got married ten months ago, and if I had the chance to be on the same ship as my wife I'd do almost anything to make it happen. But now as that's no longer an issue for you, I think it's time to get your career back on track."

“I agree,” Melissa said.

“You’ve had a taste of command the last couple of weeks,” Hayden said. “If you could continue to do some of the tasks you've been doing, I think that will make a big difference when I recommend you to take command when the time comes.”

“Thank you, Captain.”

Melissa was ecstatic, but did her best not to show it.

“I’d like to do a full review of ship’s personnel,” Hayden said. “I need to know what I have to work with.”

“Aye, Captain,” Melissa said, smiling. “I’ll get right on it.”

“Excellent, Number One,” Hayden replied.

***

Mei-Wan was happier than she’d ever remembered. The day she married Jack was the closest to this, but even it paled in comparison to this.

Ten seconds earlier, she and Dani had announced to the assembled group they were engaged to be married. Each now sported a stunning, but tasteful engagement ring. Cheers and encouragement roared loudly in the small apartment they’d been staying in on Yed Post IV. Many of their friends and acquaintances were present, including Natalie Fowler who had managed to make it down from the Chamberlain still in orbit.

“When is the wedding?” Raymond Saselo, Mei-Wan’s former Academy instructor, and the chairman of the Federation Archaelogical Council, asked.

“We’re going to wait until after we’ve submitted our paper,” Mei-Wan replied. “No use in being embroiled in two activities known to drive people to madness.”

Saselo smiled. “Be sure to give me enough heads up so that I can book transport to Kel-j’na.”

“Not to worry,” she said. “We’ll give everyone plenty of time to make travel plans.”

“I’m really happy for you, Mei. You’re at the peak of your career as an archaeologist, and now… I think this is the happiest I’ve ever seen you.”

“Dani makes me so incredibly happy,” Mei-Wan said. “I’ve never been this in love with anyone before.”

“I’m glad,” he said.

They talked for a few minutes more about mutual acquaintances and other friends, then Mei-Wan began to mingle with more of her guests. She noticed Natalie brooding in the corner.

“You okay?” Mei-Wan asked her.

Natalie acted as if Mei-Wan had caught her off guard in a dark alley. “What?”

“You seem preoccupied.”

“I guess I am,” Natalie said. “We, uh… Have you heard about the captain?”

“Jack?”

Natalie nodded. “He retired from Starfleet.”

“What?!” Mei-Wan was genuinely shocked. “I can’t believe that.”

“It’s true,” Natalie said. “I know you two are divorced but…”

“I still care about him,” Mei-Wan said softly. “I never would have imagined he’d leave Starfleet.” She thought a moment. “How’s Melissa holding up?”

“She’s our new XO,” Natalie replied.

Mei-Wan watched Natalie closely for several seconds. While she could understand her friend being uneasy about a new CO, there seemed to be something more going on with her.

Natalie forced a smile. “Dani seems really nice.”

“She is,” Mei-Wan said, willing to let it go for now.

“I’m glad for you, Mei.”

“Thanks.”

Natalie looked about the room. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”

“Sure.” Mei-Wan led her to the front hall where they could have a little more privacy. “What’s on your mind?”

“That datacore you got from Allatu-Five C, have your people checked it for errors?”

“We do that first thing when we find something like that,” Mei-Wan replied. “Why are you so interested in that particular item?”

“You should have them check it again,” Natalie said. “Do an extensive analysis.”

“Why?” Mei-Wan asked. “What do you know that you’re not telling me?”

Natalie looked up and stared into Mei-Wan’s eyes. “Just have them check it again.”

“Natalie, please…”

“I can’t say more than that,” Natalie said, now looking away. “Let’s just say I’ve heard some things.”

Mei-Wan nodded. “I’ll have them look at it again.”

“It would be best to set it aside completely,” Natalie replied. “I’m sure you’ve got enough information from other sources for your paper.”

“Some of the best recordings came from that datacore,” Mei-Wan said. “I’d hate to lose that evidence.”

“Just… don’t use it for your paper,” Natalie said. She forced a smile then walked back into the living room.

Mei-Wan couldn’t make sense of what Natalie had just told her. Her team had confirmed that artifact was secure and hadn’t been tampered with. It was one of the best items they had found for their work. Why Natalie would be concerned just…

“Someone eat your cat?” a voice asked from behind her.

Mei-Wan turned to see her sister, Li-Na standing in the kitchen. “Hey.”

“Hey, yourself,” Li-Na said. “I know that look. You’re turning something over and over in your mind.”

Mei-Wan smiled. “Just something about the paper we’re working on.”

Li-Na let out a long sigh. “This is supposed to be one of those important, personal moments in your life. You should be enjoying it rather than thinking about work.”

“I am enjoying it,” Mei-Wan said. “Really.”

Li-Na gave Mei-Wan a hug. “Dani is great. And for some reason she seems willing to put up with you. Don’t mess this up.”

“I don’t intend to,” Mei-Wan said.

Li-Na hesitated for a moment. “Do you still miss him?”

“Who?”

“Todd.”

“I saw him,” Mei-Wan said. “The Todd Nakano of this timeline.”

“He exists here?”

“Yes,” Mei-Wan replied. “He serves on the Chamberlain.”

“I’m surprised you didn’t…”

Mei-Wan shook her head. “No. I was with Dani already and he’s got his own life.”

“That must have been terrible for you.”

Mei-Wan nodded. “It was.”

“Maybe I should find him and let him know he has a son,” Li-Na said.

“I don’t think Temporal Investigations would like that.”

“But sooner or later when a doctor does a scan of Enlai his DNA will get flagged, and they’ll let Todd know.”

“I’m sure Temporal Investigations has disabled the usual protocols for medical scans when it comes to Enlai,” Mei-Wan said. “You’ve taken him to the doctor several times by now, and no one has ever contacted me.”

“True,” Li-Na said. She grabbed a drink from the counter. “You should come out and enjoy your party.”

“I will,” Mei-Wan said.

Li-Na left the kitchen.

After a minute, Mei-Wan followed, returning to the living room and the party.

Nick walked up to her. “You okay?”

“Yes,” she said, forcing a smile, and doing her best to shove Natalie’s warning out of her mind. She’d have them look into it when they got back to Kel-j’na. Li-Na was right. She needed to enjoy this moment.

“Dani seems fixated on your sister,” Nick said, tilting is head to a place across the room.

Mei-Wan turned to see Li-Na and Dani in an animated conversation.

“Dani’s drilling her for information,” Mei-Wan said.

Nick chuckled. “Now you’re in trouble.”

“You think I’d blab my secrets to my sister?”

Three hours later, after the party had broken up, Mei-Wan cleared away the last of the dishware and glasses scattered about the living room. Dani walked in.

“Your sister’s child finally fell asleep,” Dani stated. “He is quite intriguing.”

Mei-Wan nodded.

“He isn’t hers, is he?” Dani asked.

Mei-Wan froze in place without turning to Dani. “No. He’s my son.”

“And Todd Nakano’s?”

“The one from the other timeline, yes.”

Dani walked up to her. “Why haven’t you spoken of him before.”

“Because I’m not his mother,” Mei-Wan said more forcefully than she had intended. “A mother is there for you. A mother defends you when no one else will.” She took a long breath to calm herself. “I’m his aunt. It’s better for him this way.”

“But is it better for you?” Dani asked.

“Does it matter?”

“Of, course it does,” Dani said, placing a hand on Mei-Wan’s arm. “Because you matter,”

Mei-Wan turned to Dani and fell into her arms. “For the first time in a very long time, you make me feel like I matter.”

“Did Todd Nakano make you feel like you mattered?”

“Yes,” Mei-Wan murmured.

“Then why did you leave that timeline?” Dani asked. “Why leave him?”

“Because there was more to it than he and I being in love.”

“More than your son?”

“Yes,” Mei-Wan said, sitting on the edge of the couch. “I had a duty to this timeline, and to Jack.”

“Jack McCall again?”

“Not because I was his wife,” Mei-Wan said. She thought a moment. “Okay, perhaps that was part of it. But I had a duty to bring him back so this timeline would be restored.”

“How could you be certain this was the original timeline?”

“Because Jack existed here and not there,” Mei-Wan replied. “He appeared in the nineteenth century out of nowhere when he didn’t exist in that timeline. That told me this was the correct timeline.”

Dani watched Mei-Wan for several seconds. “Do you ever regret leaving that timeline, leaving Todd Nakano?”

“I used to,” Mei-Wan said. She smiled. “Until I met you.”

“But you gave up so much,” Dani said.

“I’ve never been more sure about a choice in my life,” Mei-Wan said. “Even when I see Enlai, when I saw this timeline’s Todd, I have no doubts.”

“Even though it cost you personally? Cost your sister and Robin Nelson? Cost your son a relationship with his father?”

“Like I said, I had a duty to the timeline and to Jack,” Mei-Wan replied. “I knew he didn’t belong back in the past. He was a starship captain from the twenty-fourth century.”

“Is duty all that matters?”

-GO TO CHAPTER 3-