Back At HQ, Tomilson, Leadul, Franklin

[Ayeshalan]

Part One
2008:04:21

Leadul and PK arrived at Starfleet without complications. She still wondered how he was going to get an exemption, or if he even could. She wasn't sure what she would do if he wasn't able to get one. Upon their arrival they had been granted quarters together. PK couldn't believe how much she had changed in the time she had spent on Delta IV and how much she had grown to love this man. Another thing she had never expected to happen.

Laying next to him with her hand resting on his chest she heard the comm unit beep. Quietly she got up and grabbing a sheet she wrapped herself and answered the hail.

"Lt. Tomilson, you and Lt. Leadul are ordered to report to the Dark Bio offices at 0900. Do not be late." Before she had a chance to answer the screen went blank.

Damn, she thought. I was hoping for some more time before reporting in. Oh well, I suppose duty calls. Looking at the chronometer on the desk she realized she -- they -- still had a couple hours. She returned to the bedroom and quietly slipped back into bed.

At the appointed hour, they arrived and were ushered in to the office of Captain Waisale Maninga, commander of the Dark Bio Project. PK stood at attention. "Good morning Captain. Lt. Tomilson reporting as ordered. This is Lt. Leadul from the USS Lovell. He has been reassigned to the Dark Bio project, but I am guessing you already know that." She smiled as she mentioned Leadul's name.

"Indeed," Maninga said. "I've heard nothing but good about you, Doctor, and Doctors Tremayne and Varga have been voluble in their praise for you." He turned back toward PK. "And it would seem that the two of you have a solid partnership."

PK smiled inside when she thought of the solid partnership with Leadul. It truly did feel right to be with him. "Are Logan and Toni going to be joining us? They were a great asset on the last mission."

"At least initially, we will be sending the two of you on your own," Maninga answered. "The situation is not yet what we would call a crisis, so we want to have some of our resources available in the event a crisis presents itself elsewhere."

"So exactly where will be going sir?"

"We are sending you to the colony of Fen-Kalish," Maninga said. "The colony there has been in existence for nearly seventy-five years, and most of the time thrives. However, once every fifteen years, some kind of disease breaks out and causes a significant number of the colonists to sicken and die. We want you and Dr. Leadul to find out what's causing it, and stop the cycle."

"Fen-Kalish? I don't believe that I have ever heard of such a colony. Let alone this type of outbreak." PK looked at Captain Maninga. She wanted to ask him about this exemption for Leadul but didn't think it was her place.

"Neither had I," Maninga answered, "though once the problem was brought to my attention, our researcher was able to do a very good job of ferreting out the background from the Federation archives. I suggest you consult with her before you leave, and she can provide you with the same information. Your transport will be departing at 0900 tomorrow. Will you be ready?"

A terrible thought started to rummage through PK's head. Female researcher.....it couldn't be Sam could it? What am I supposed to do now? "Uh...excuse me sir but just who is this researcher we are to consult with? As for being ready to leave I am sure we will be ready." She glanced at Leadul with a look of confusion. Please, Leadul, you have to help me if it is Sam.

"Ensign Samantha Franklin," Maninga replied. "She has said she knows you, as well as Doctors Tremaine and Varga. Is there a problem?"

PK's face must have gone as pale as she felt. It was Sam that was the researcher. How was she going to manage to work with her and explain everything? She didn't want to hurt her yet at the same time she didn't want to lose Leadul. "Uh, no sir. No problem. When would you like us to start working with her?"

Maninga paused a moment, looking at PK, then said, "Given that you now have slightly less than 24 hours to settle things, I would not waste time. Ensign Franklin's office is just next to mine. If there are no other questions, you are dismissed."

Making a sharp turn PK made her way to the door. Once outside she leaned against the nearest wall. She didn't feel ready to face Sam yet she knew she must. "How do I explain all that has happened to Sam? I am totally at a loss."

The Deltan looked startled. "When was the last time you spoke to her? Did you tell her you were going to Delta IV?"

"I haven't talked to her since she sent us the report about the First Federation. And then it was only about her job. What am I going to do, Leadul? She must know something is going on."

"No doubt," Leadul said. "Surely the team returning told her where you'd gone, so she will understand the what. You will need to explain to her the why."

She supposed that Leadul was correct in that she had to tell Samantha something. She wasn't sure if now was the proper time...especially since they had to leave in less than 24 hours, and they still needed to garner a look at the information regarding their new mission. She certainly wasn't looking forward to this encounter.

She knew that Leadul couldn't read her mind, but she'd learned he could read her expressions all too well, and was reminded of it when the Deltan spoke. "This may not be the best time to do this," he said, "but to put it off any longer would be cruel. We could be gone for months, and it has been nearly two months already since you spoke to her at all."

"I know.... you are right. I need to talk to her and explain things. However, before I do, I need to know exactly where things stand with you and I. Are we in it for the long haul so to speak, or is this just a ... fling is not the correct word. I don't know what to call what we have or don't have. I suppose I need that clarified before I can honestly speak to Sam. Does that make sense?"

While they were talking Sam had decided to stretch her legs and go for a walk. She had been cooped up in her office for much too long. Her nerves were on edge as she knew she would be dealing with PK and her team. She wanted to make a good impression. As she stepped out of her office she noticed two other officers talking and after taking a second look she realized one of them was PK. She ducked back into her office and leaned against the closed door. She hadn't recognized the man PK had been talking to. Who was he? What was he to PK?

Leadul looked deep into PK's eyes and said firmly, "As far as I am concerned, this is a serious, committed relationship, to use the terms from your language. Susidisesis, to use the Deltan word. I will be with you for as long as you want me to be."

"That could be a very long time my friend." PK reached up and cupped Leadul's face, leaning in to kiss him softly on the lips. She would never grow tired of his smell or taste.

He smiled at her for a moment, then looked toward the door to Sam's office. "She has seen us."

"Will you come with me to talk to Samantha? I would really like for you to be there. I am not sure how she will take this new development."

"As you wish," the Deltan said quietly.

Taking a deep breath to calm herself, PK started to walk toward Samantha's office. She still had no idea what or how she was going to tell her about Leadul. As they approached the office she felt her heart start to beat faster and her hands became clammy. She hesitated outside of the door for a brief moment before she rang the chime.

[Ayeshalan]

Part Two
2008:05:06

Sitting at her desk Sam knew she was going to be facing PK soon. She was filled with excitement and apprehension at the same time. She still wasn't sure who the man was with her and what their relationship was. That lack of information was what scared her the most. She knew she had feelings for PK and she was almost sure she was in love with her. Her train of thought was interrupted by the door chime.

Taking a calming breath, she replied with the standard command. "Enter."

As the door opened PK and Leadul both entered the office. "Lts Tomilson and Leadul reporting as ordered."

Sam looked at PK with astonishment. "You can relax, PK. After all, you do outrank me." Standing she pointed to the chairs in front of her desk. "Please have a seat. Dr. Leadul, it is a pleasure to meet you. I have heard about the work you did with the First Federation. Very impressive."

The Deltan smiled as he sat down. "The information you provided to us through your research was also very helpful."

Sam simply smiled, still trying to figure out the relationship that was definitely in evidence before her. "I gather you are here to learn what I have found about Fen-Kalish? It took a while to find it. As you may know they have managed to fend for themselves quite well over the past. The curious thing is the epidemic of sorts that occurs." Moving things about on her desk she found the data pads she needed and handed one to Leadul to peruse. While he was doing that, she looked at PK almost willing her to speak.

Leadul accepted the data tablet, and glanced down at it, before looking briefly at PK. As he looked down again, he said, "I believe you and PK also had some unfinished business to discuss."

PK wasn't sure what to say, now that Leadul had opened the gate. "Sam, as you may or may not know I have spent the past few weeks on Delta IV with Leadul. During that time I have come to understand quite a bit about myself. One thing I have learned is that I have real feelings for Leadul." She paused a moment to let Sam take in what she was saying. "To be honest, I am in love with him." Looking over at Leadul, she hoped the feelings were the same.

Sam sat there looking like a bomb had been dropped on her. "I knew you had gone to Delta IV, however I was unaware of this .... development. I thought we had something together, and that we would continue it when you returned. What am I supposed to do now? I can't just toss my feelings for you aside, like you apparently can."

"Sam, that is not true. We never really got a relationship started and you know that. You know I was conflicted about my feelings at the time as well. I did not come to this conclusion easily. I also never meant for you to get hurt. For that I am sorry." PK looked at Leadul for some kind of support. Some way to explain the situation to Sam.

"Don't start telling me what I know," Sam said tartly. "I thought we had a relationship, and if you were conflicted about your feelings, you didn't bother to tell me about it. I guess I should have seen the writing on the wall then. What I know is that you went off on your mission, then to Delta IV, and never bothered to tell me a damn thing. Not even a simple text message. And now you come back with someone else and have the gall to tell me we never had anything between us to begin with?" She stood up and glared.

PK was in shock. This was not the reaction she had expected at all. In fact it was a side of Sam she had no idea even existed. "I am not trying to tell you what you know...far from it. I am trying to explain how I feel and where I am coming from. If you can't sit and discuss this reasonably then there is no reason for me to remain here. We can go over the information you gathered somewhere else and be out of your way. I did not come here to fight with you, Sam. I don't know what you want from me. I have not just tossed my feelings for you aside. I still have them."

Sam took a deep breath, blowing it out slowly as she sat down. "PK, you just said, 'we never got a relationship started and you know that.' How is that not telling me what I know? And if you still have any kind of feelings for me at all, why didn't you tell me where you were and what was going on? I had to hear it from Logan! What do I want from you? To know where I stand. That's all. Is that so much to ask?"

"Sam, I still have feelings for you. The trip to Delta IV was on an impulse to help me sort out my feelings and to learn more about myself. You are probably right in that I should have let you know and for that I am sorry. I have learned that I can have feelings for more than just one person." Pausing she took a deep breath before continuing.

"Leadul is very important to me and is a big part of my life. You can be a part of that life if you want. That is something you have to decide for yourself. I know this makes no sense to you and again I am sorry." Turning PK looked at Leadul. "I'm sure Leadul can explain it better than I can. If you are willing to listen with an open mind. Are you? Willing that is?"

Sam took another deep breath, looking first at PK and then at Leadul. The Deltan sat in his chair, a placid island in the midst of the storm. "I'm always willing to listen and keep an open mind," she said slowly. She looked back at PK. "Whatever it is that we've had, you and I, I'm not ready to give it up yet. So okay. Tell me what I need to expect, and do, to keep this going."

Looking at Sam, PK had to wonder if she would fully understand what she was going to hear. After all it had taken her a while to understand, but once she had she embraced it fully. "I think I will let Leadul explain it to you. He can do a much better job of it than I can." She looked at how calm Leadul was and wished she was as calm. Taking a deep breath she sighed and nodded to the Deltan. "Would you mind explaining things to Sam?"

"PK and I are friends, and lovers," he began, "but in the way of my people. PK has been working with me and others on Delta IV; she has been learning about how we communicate and relate to one another, and we have been learning the same from her. Sex is a means of communication for us, one of the most fundamental ones we have. Any healthy, adult relationship between Deltans may have a sexual component. It is as natural to us as breathing, and very nearly as common. Many other species see us as carelessly promiscuous, but it is not so. It is not about using one another for purely physical gratification, but about being with and knowing others -- in all the senses of that word."

He looked over at PK for a moment. "I know that PK still loves, cares for ... desires you. What she now knows is that she can love and desire you, and me, and others perhaps, at the same time. If you and she wish to be lovers, that is something I would accept with joy, and PK would as well."

"What about you? That wouldn't bother you?" Sam asked.

"Not in the least. Sexual monogamy is something completely unknown to us. In fact, for one of us to be sexually monogamous would be incredibly damaging to our emotional and mental well-being. Thus I would not expect anyone I have a sexual relationship with to be monogamous with me, any more than they would expect me to be monogamous with them."

"And ..." Sam hesitated. She was finding herself attracted to the Deltan. Whether that was the natural effect of his presence, or something more, she couldn't tell. "And you. Would you have to be part of the relationship between PK and I? Would you want to be?"

"Want, yes," Leadul said. "But would I have to be? No. It is up to you, and to PK, whether you wish to invite me in. Also there is the matter of my oath of celibacy which pertains when I am serving aboard Starfleet vessels. Because PK has now had training and experience in our Deltan techniques, I believe she can be exempted from my oath ... but this is not yet true for you. I hope you understand I mean no insult by this."

Sam nodded, rubbing her forehead. "All right ... I understand all this. I think." She got up, and slowly walked around the desk, squatting on the floor in front of PK so that their eyes were level. "What do we do now, PK?"

Pushing Sam's hair away from her face, PK looked at her. "It's up to you. What Leadul said is completely true. I do love him, desire him as a lover and a friend. I also have feelings for you. I have learned that being with one person does not have to diminish my feelings for someone else. It seems to intensify it. Will you be able to accept my being with Leadul? Would you be able to handle being with Leadul? Could you handle a menage a'trois if it came to that? There is a lot here to think about. This is not something you enter into lightly."

PK looked over at Leadul and reached out and took his hand. "I love this man more than I thought I could." Cupping Sam's face PK smiled, "I also have feelings for you." She leaned in and kissed Sam softly while still holding Leadul's hand.

Sam kissed her back, then gave her a quick hug before standing up to lean against the desk. "I can accept you and Leadul being together," she said. "For the rest ... I don't know yet. Maybe. You're right. It is a lot to think about, and I'm going to need some time. No offense to either of you."

"No offense taken. I know what you are going through as I went through the same thing. Perhaps this knowledge and mission have come at a fortuitous time. While we are away you can take the time to sort through your thoughts and feelings about this. I will abide by whatever decision you come to, Sam. However, remember that I do care very deeply for you, and as far as I'm concerned, we can still be together."

She looked at Leadul and back at Sam, "Perhaps we should get started with this briefing. I have a feeling there is going to be a great deal to learn in a short time."

[Ayeshalan]

Part Three
2008:06:01

Sam nodded. "I think you're right. Okay." She leaned backward across the desk and picked up a data tablet, feeling the mental shift she was now making almost as a physical thing. "I'll make sure copies of this get uploaded to your ship's library computer. There's a fair amount of detail here, so I'll just hit the high points. You can always go over the full reports while you're in transit.

"The colony of Fen-Kalish was founded seventy-three years ago. Things were a little rough at first, by all accounts, but the colony took off after a few years. Then, after thirteen years, some kind of disease struck, and wiped out about a third of the population. Somehow the colony survived, and did all right, rebuilding a fair amount of its own population plus getting new colonists. Fifteen years later, the same disease hit again, and killed about a fifth of the population. Then it disappeared again. It wasn't seen at all until fifteen years after that. And so it went, four times in all. And now ... it's due to hit again. Within the next few months at most."

Listening as Sam told them about her research, PK could sense the confusion and pain in her voice and in her mannerisms. "Has anyone from Fen-Kalish tried to figure out what was or is causing this outbreak? It seems a little strange that it occurs every 15 years. Almost sounds man made. Designed to react to some stimuli every 15 yrs or so. Could it be some bizarre form of population control?"

"The colonists and their medical experts have been working on the problem since the first time the disease manifested," Sam said. "Exactly what triggers it is still unknown. It could be artificial, or it could be something native to the Fen-Kalish environment that operates on its own cycle independent of the new lifeforms. The colonists requested help from the Federation, hoping that we could supply some medical expertise beyond what they have available. The population of the colony now is greater than it has ever been -- so everyone's worried."

"I would imagine so. If this problem continues as it has been, it is likely that they will lose much of their population." PK hesitated before saying anything more. "What do you think of the problem, Leadul? Any ideas would be helpful." She wondered to herself why he was being so quiet.

"There appear to be many possibilities," he said, "ranging from something artificially created and released by one or more of the colonists themselves, to some native lifeform, dangerous at some stage to the colonists, which operates on its own, independent life cycle. I think we will have a serious task ahead of us, and the first challenge is going to be more of an interactive and investigative one than a strictly medical one. Going through the material you have researched for us, Sam, should give us a very big boost in those investigations."

Sam nodded. "The colonists didn't send much recent information when they made their request for aid," she said, "so I think you're right. The first thing both of you will need to do when you get there is talk to people and go through their records. I'm sure their historical information is a lot more detailed than what I have. But if I find anything else while you're out there, I'll send it to you."

"You have done an excellent job Sam. I think you may have found your niche in Starfleet." PK smiled softly at the woman. "As for what else we discussed, this mission will give us all time to think about it. Is there anything else we should know before we depart on this mission?"

"That's all I have. Like I said, my full report is in your shuttle's library computer, so you'll be able to go over it while you're in transit. Good luck, and take care of yourselves ... both of you," Sam added quietly. "We'll have a lot to talk about when you get back."

Standing PK looked at Sam. She moved closer and gave the young woman a close hug. "You have been given a great deal to think about. I do hope you will take this time to do just that. I do want you....and Leadul in my life." Before leaving she held Sam a little tighter.