From: neale@mentor.cc.purdue.edu (Neale Davidson)
Subject: STTUQ 8/15
Organization: Purdue University Computing Center
Date: Wed, 26 Aug 1992 20:20:24 GMT

 
  - STAR TREK      ---------------------------------------------------
  - THE UNFAIR QUO ---------------------------------------------------
 
  Part Eight of Fifteen
 
  --------------------------------------------------------------------
 
  CHAPTER EIGHT
 
        Riley had to almost physically keep himself from kissing 
  the beauty he held in his arms. He was already borderline with 
  dancing with Saavik in front of the Admiralty, even though it 
  was a celebatory party, but a kiss would be more than frowned 
  upon.
        He remained content holding her warmth next to his own, 
  realizing how comfortable it was to have her there. "I've never 
  danced before," he admitted, looking deeply into her eyes. "I'm 
  surprised I haven't stepped on your feet."
        "The night's still young," Saavik replied with a mostly 
  hidden smile. "But I am confident that you are improving," she 
  added, hugging tighter against him. "After all, practice always 
  is for improvement."
        He gingerly stroked her back, memorizing every curve. He 
  had never before been in this position. Granted, he'd slept 
  with more than a few while on some missions in godforsaken 
  hellplanets. But he never could say he loved a woman, he could 
  never truthfully say that we wanted one above all others.
        The idea was at once frightening and exciting, a 
  combination of emotions that Riley seemed to revel within. He 
  looked into her eyes once more, seeing the beauty of them, and 
  then dared to look inside them, beyond into the soul.
        Saavik realized what was happening as he started. It was 
  obvious that he didn't intend harm, and she let him in. Their 
  minds touched as their bodies danced together. Images of 
  realities gone by swept through, revealing dreams and passions 
  long forgotten.
        In this union, the two half-worlders sought each-other. 
  There was no logic to this place, no reason, only pure, 
  unbridled emotion. They carressed in this place, gingerly 
  exploring one-another with child-like curiosity.
        But there was another in this mind-reality. A tall 
  blondish man wearing a scientist's uniform appeared, looking 
  hurt and betrayed. Saavik withdrew from Riley, looking and 
  apologizing to the figure whom had emerged from some forgotten 
  past memory.
        "David," Riley said softly, reasserting the two of them 
  into the dance's reality. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done 
  that," he added.
        "It was enjoyable," Saavik confessed for a moment with a 
  sad look across her face, "for a time. I wasn't aware you could 
  do that, I wasn't prepared."
        "Nor was I," Riley admitted. "I've never wanted to 
  before," he added, noting Saavik's confused look. "But it's 
  wrong of me to push. I just never knew how empty I had been. 
  And now I can't help my desires." Riley's communicator chriped, 
  irratating him somewhat as it destroyed the moment.
        "There will be time, Thomas," Saavik answered, reassuming 
  her emotionless facade for the room's benefit. "We have a long 
  tour ahead of us. We'll both have a chance to be ready."
        Again, the communicator chirped. "I know," he softly 
  replied. "I'm just very new at this," he confessed.
        The communicator beeped for the third time, and it was 
  obvious that it wasn't going to disappear. "Excuse me," he 
  offered to Saavik as he regretfully let go of her. "Riley here, 
  this better be good."
        "It's not, sir," R'Ress replied through the pin. 
  "Doctor Matthews is here. Something's happened to Paula," he 
  continued, wavering.
        "Explain," Riley demanded, "Doctor, what's going on?"
        "I'm sorry to interrupt, Captain," Matthews voice came
  over the communicator, "But Grissom's been attacked. She's in
  Bayside, in critical condition."
        Riley's eyes widened, hardly the news he had expected to
  hear. "Get over there as soon as you can. Saavik and I will
  be on our way directly."
        "Yes, sir," Matthews replied.
        "Get security on her door, noone goes in without proper
  authorization," Riley saw fit to add, motioning to Tago, who
  was trying miserably to mix it up with some of the ladyfolk.
        Tago came over, to the delight of the ladies he left
  behind. "Leaving so soon? I thought the party was going well,"
  he protested.
        But there was something different in Riley's eyes this
  time. Tago recognized it, Riley was on business once more. "We
  need a ride to Bayview Hospital. And get my rifle from my
  apartment."
 

-- 

"Our crew's living quarters have left the ship."
			- Secundam Yto aboard the IRON CLAW II
Neale Davidson, another writer wanna-be. neale@mentor.cc.purdue.edu