Falinn giggled to herself, breaking the silence. "What's funny Ehlara?" Reiv asked gently.
She turned and smiled at him, "I was remembering the bit on the Bridge where you tried to get up to greet me and nearly fell flat on your face."
Reiv made a face, "And then you slapped me for no apparent reason just as I'd regained my feet."
Falinn Ehlara sighed sharply and put a hand on Reiv's arm. "I had a reason; you didn't say good bye before you left. I mean I know we'd talked about you going, and that this was the fulfillment of your dreams, and I knew you were leaving, but you didn't even stop to say good bye, you just rushed off. And I only got two letters from you after that; nothing for months! That really hurt me, Garon. I thought I meant more to you than that. I thought we meant more to each other." She removed her hand as he shifted uncomfortably.
"Ehlara, I'm sorry. I don't know what to say to you," Reiv replied, pausing, and lowering his gaze. He then looked up and met her eyes before continuing, "On the day of my departure, I woke up late and nearly missed the shuttle to the academy. Once there, I became so immersed in my work that everything outside of it just drifted away. Ask my family and friends on Bajor; they barely heard from me too."
"You never were very good at making excuses," she replied, an edge creeping into her voice.
"You're right about that," Reiv said matter-of-factly. "I'm not trying to excuse it, just explain it. I could've made more time to keep in touch, to stay a part of your life and to make you a continued part of mine. I should've made more time, but I didn't, and I regret it. You were so supportive of me going off to Starfleet and escaping the hell on Bajor, even though you knew that it might be months or years before we could be together again. I feel as though I've let you down somehow." Falinn grinned at him. "What?" he asked.
"The last thing I expected you to learn in Starfleet was humility, Garon. You were always so stubborn. To hear you admit you were wrong shows me this experience has done wonders for your character," she teased.
"My going away must have been hard on you," Reiv commented.
"Of course it was; I missed you terribly. But now I've pretty much gotten over it," Falinn replied stubbornly.
"Have you really?" Reiv asked skeptically.
"No, but it's nice to think sometimes," she replied. Reiv shifted uncomfortably again.
"Now who's being stubborn?" Reiv teased weakly.
"You didn't miss me much, I'd warrant," she said. "Being distracted with your work and all."
"That isn't true. Just because I made myself too busy with work doesn't mean I didn't think about you, or miss the time we'd shared. As time passed, I began to feel more and more like a part of me was missing." Reiv sighed and continued while Falinn clasped his hand in hers and smiled at the warm thoughts, "I've thought about you a lot since coming aboard the Bristol. I thought about trying to get in touch with you again, but I didn't know if you wanted to hear from me after so much time. I'd suspected you were angry with me, and I didn't know what to do about it, until you suddenly appeared here."
"Reiv Garon, that is the silliest thing I've ever heard!" Falinn said, chastising him. "Of course I wanted to hear from you! I thought maybe you didn't want to hear from me, that perhaps you'd found someone else."
"Falinn Ehlara, that is the silliest thing I've ever heard!" Reiv replied, mocking her reproach. "There isn't anyone else, and there never will be. Can you forgive me?" he continued more seriously.
Falinn's face adopted a thoughtful expression as she pretended to mull it over, making Reiv squirm. "Yes," she said at last, satisfied. "If you promise not to let this happen again. We both have our lives to lead, but I want you a part of mine, and I think you want me a part of yours too."
"I do, and I promise," Reiv said, smiling.
The two began to edge slowly towards each other, finally locking in a lengthy passionate kiss. Within minutes, the unspoken decision to adjourn to Falinn's guest quarters was made, and the two departed the arboretum locked in each other's physical and emotional embrace.
As Reiv and Falinn rekindled their relationship, Ensign Gates and Commander Yilaan were both going off duty. The two left their duty stations and exited the Bridge via the aft-port turbolift.
"Deck Nine, Starboard," Yilaan commanded the lift, indicating one of the ship's two crew lounges. The lift paused, waiting for Gates to give a destination.
"Commander, are you meeting anyone? May I join you?" Gates asked of Yilaan.
Yilaan smiled back at her, "Of course you can Ensign. Turbolift proceed."
The lift did as it was told, and moments after its occupants exited the lift they found themselves at a table in Deck Nine, Starboard. Yilaan ordered tea, while Gates had coffee with cream and sugar.
"So what's on your mind Ensign?" Yilaan coaxed after their drinks were prepared and brought to them.
"I wanted to ask your advice about something. Captain Freeman informed me that Captain Picard of the Enterprise was hoping I'd transfer to his ship," Gates stated bluntly.
"Wow, that's exciting!" Yilaan replied enthusiastically. "So when are you going? We'll have to have a party beforehand and . . ."
"I haven't decided if I'm going," Gates interrupted before Yilaan got any further.
"Oh, I see," Yilaan said in a more subdued manner. "Why not Ensign? It's a great opportunity.
Gates sighed and sat back in her chair, placing her drink back on the table after taking a sip. "I know it is Commander, but . . ." Gates hesitated, and Yilaan gave her a look encouraging her to continue. "I feel good here; a part of things, you know? I mean this is has been such a great experience, being on the Bristol and working with all of you . . ," Gates fumbled for words.
Yilaan smiled, "I know; it's hard to leave your first posting as an Ensign. It's hard to leave anywhere you've been for awhile. You've made many friends here and you're good at what you do, but that doesn't mean you should stay here forever."
"So you think I should leave then?" Gates inquired solemnly.
"I'm not saying that. You'd surely be missed if you left; the captain and I both hate to lose good officers, but we both want what's best for you and everyone else. Don't misunderstand; I'm not telling you I think you should stay either. This is a big decision and it's one only you can make. If it feels right to leave, then go; you'll make more friends and continue doing a fine job under Picard." Yilaan paused to let that sink in before continuing, "Just take a day or two to think about it."
"What would you do?" Gates asked candidly.
"I'd go," Yilaan said without hesitating. "When I was confronted with the same situation, I jumped at the chance and haven't had any regrets."
"Did you like where you were though? Were you comfortable?"
"You bet; I was very happy there. I even had a relationship with a young Lieutenant in stellar cartography. But, I knew when it was time to go," Yilaan said simply. Gates look dubious, so Yilaan added, "Getting on the inside track for career advancement isn't all fun and games, Ensign. Sometimes you have to being willing to make sacrifices."
Gates thought quietly for awhile while Yilaan finished her tea. "Thanks for the advice, Commander," she said at last as Yilaan prepared to leave.
Yilaan smiled back at her, "Don't mention it. And good luck Ensign; I hope you make the best choice for you."
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