O Flame Of Love, Which Burneth Bright pt I
Posted on 11/22/2020 @ 2:03pm by Lieutenant JG Solpec
Edited on on 11/24/2020 @ 1:50pm
Mission:
S3E1: Time of Change
Location: Earth - San Francisco
Timeline: Day 88 at 1800
For those Starfleet officers with no permanent habitation on Earth, particularly during transfers and shoreleave, there was housing provided. In a complex precisely 2.4 kilometers from the grounds of Starfleet Academy, Lieutenant Solpec was just coming back from having delivered a guest lecture at the Academy.
Entering the building and heading towards the lift, he was surprised to see a familiar figure ahead of him... Someone he had not seen since his own Academy days.
"Kiara, is that really you?"
Kiara had decided to take some shoreleave while the chance was still there. She still had one more box to remove from her temporary accommodation and had decided to return to get it herself instead of leaving it to be sent on for her. Hearing a familiar voice she turned and looked. “Solpec?” She stood open mouthed for a moment before walking over to him. “It’s really you! I thought I was dreaming!”
"So did I, at first..." He stood there, a bit awkwardly. "Forgive me--I am not sure how to go about greeting one's former lover after years apart."
Kiara smiled not many thought Vulcans charming but she had always found Solpec just that. “How’s about this ...” she stepped forward, taking his hand and gave him a polite kiss on the cheek before stepping back a little. “I was just on my way to my quarters to collect a box would you like to accompany me?”
"If you wish it, yes... I was on my way to my own quarters, but a diversion would be welcome." He fell into step beside her. "How have you been? I know that we lost touch after graduation..."
“I was well up until last year, then a lot changed.” Her smile disappeared for a moment before she pushed the unhappy memories away. “How have you been? You had so many aspirations at the Academy, have you achieved any of them?”
Solpec raised one eyebrow. He was curious about the dark shadow that had crossed Kiara's fair face, but it was not his place to pry. In answer to her question, he said, "Not all of them... I'm afraid command of a science vessel is still a few years away. Still, I was instrumental in deciphering a text recovered from the homeworld of the Ikthal'n... What of your asspirations?" The entered the turbolift, and he waited for her to call out the floor number.
Telling the lift where to take them Kia looked at Sloped. “I always wanted to make Head of a department and that’s what I’ve done. I’ve just been assigned to the USS Crazy Horse as Chief Diplomatic Officer.” She smiled. “I just returned to duty after a year of medical and personal leave.” She frowned and sighed. “I’ve been through hell and I’m slowly clawing my way back.” As the lift came to a halt she stepped out and started towards her quarters.
Solpec also exited the lift. "I have just been transferred to the same ship... A junior science officer... Strange how the universe acts, does it not?" He came to a stop, turning to her. "Forgive me for being bold, but I was wondering if you would like to get dinner together? It has... Been some time since we have had the chance."
“Are you ... asking me out on a date?” Kia smiled as she looked at Solpec before nodding. “I would love to.”
Solpec raised one eyebrow. "I do not believe that was my intention initially, but I find myself... Not opposed to it... I believe I saw your favorite place opened a new venue not far from here. We could go there, if you wish?"
“I would like that very much” Kia smiled warmly. “Never mind the box I can pick that up later, let’s go and have dinner. I have something I need to tell you.”
Sitting in a secluded booth at the restaurant, Solpec sipped at his drink--altair water with a hint of lemon and ginger--and speared a small shellfish on his fork. "You had something to tell me, Kiara?" He touched a button, and a slim curtain folded down from the ceiling, creating even more of a private space. "Would now be appropriate, do you think?"
Kia finished off the food in her mouth before taking a sip of her chilled water. “It’s kind of a long story, shortened version my ship was called to a massacre, we found one survivor injured but alive. I was assigned to help him while the investigation was underway. What we didn’t know was he was the killer. He .. kidnapped me, tortured me ...” She paused and sipped her drink again. “He tried to ... to force himself on me and I ... stabbed him. He died from a combination of prior injuries and what I did.” She took a deep breath. “I have scars, lots of scars ...” she lifted her hair for him to see the scars on her neck before re-covering them.
Solpec regarded her a moment. "Thank you for trusting me, Kiara... I know how empathetic, how compassionate, how tender a soul you have... It was not easy for you to tell me that, nor easy for you to deal with the incident and its aftermath--I know that." He reached out a hand. "May I touch just one of them?"
Kia was uncertain at first but Solpec had meant a lot to her before and she trusted him now. She didn’t say anything she simply nodded.
Gently, the Vulcan moved Kiara's hair away, then with one finger, traced one of the dark scars on her neck. The touch allowed him to also send out a telepathic message to her. 'Its all right... This... Violation... does not define you. Strength can be found in the most unlikely of places. If things go well with us, I will not leave--I promise, by honor.'
Kia closed her eyes as Solpec's finger traced over her skin, she hadn’t allowed anyone to touch her besides medical professionals since she’d been hurt. Solpek’s gentle touch combined with his telepathic contact made her feel more at ease. She opened her eyes and raised her hand to gently touch his hand. “Thank you Solpek, I have missed you.”
"As I have missed you... I find myself gratified we will be serving on the same ship... It has been rather difficult, being away from you, all these years."
Kia nodded. "I need you Solpec. I need your strength, your stability and ... your love." She offered a warm smile.
Solpec moved his hand from her neck, gently grasping her right hand with his left. Bringing it up to his lips, he gently kissed her palm, then each finger. "One step at a time, Kiara, though I find myself in need of you, too."
"She was enjoying his touch but at the same time she was afraid. "Can we go somewhere more private ... to talk?"
"Of course... We should finish our meal, and then we can talk. Where would you feel most comfortable, Kiara?"
"Would you mind if I came back with you?" Kia offered a smile. "I would say mine but it's all bare now I've moved my things into storage on the ship."
"I have no objection... I still have your favorite tea available."
In his temporary quarters, sitting on an L-shaped sofa, candle lit before them, Solpec gently took Kiara's hands in his. "You wanted to talk about more things? We can either verbalize, or we can open our minds to each other if you wish--whatever is easier for you, Kiara."
Kiara nodded. “Can we ... meld?” She gave Solpec a concerned look. “I warn you, what you’ll see and feel isn’t pleasant, but you’ll understand what happened to me better.” She held onto his hands feeling comforted by his grip.
Solpec looked into the candle for a long moment. "I am not the best melder, but I did agree to it, however vague the wording... Could you give me a little time--thirty minutes, maybe? Just... Sit where you are... Let me do what I need to do."
Kiara nodded “of course, take your time. There’s no rush.”
Kiara sat looking at Solpec, they had melded and she had shared her memories of what had happened to her. She couldn’t help but feel the emotion that it had stirred inside Solpec, even though as a Vulcan he didn’t show it on the outside. “I’m sorry! I told you it wasn’t ...” She bit her tongue trying not to cry before she suddenly broke down, she leant forward wrapping her arms around Solpec as she cried broken-heartedly, her head resting against his chest.
Solpec gently rubbed her back, just as he had done years ago. Staying silent, he held her, trying to convey that he would be there, her rock and refuge. After a few minutes, he spoke quietly. "Vulcans have a saying... 'Even in the sand, life blooms'. It was not pleasant, no, and if he were still living, I would be hard-pressed to resist revenge... However, he is not living, for which I am thankful. My priority is you, Kiara. You are strong, and you will get through this. I will help, where and when I can, if you will let me?"
Looking up at Solpec her face wet from her tears Kiara simply nodded before resting her head back against his chest.
{T.B.C.}
A Post by:
Lt jg Kiara Rahl
Chief Diplomatic Officer
Lt jg Solpec
Alien archaeologist/anthropologist
