Return to Valjiir Stories
It was a nice enough flight. Air rushed past him without much sensation on his burnt skin, which was a blessing because if he could feel, it would surely hurt like a whole big fuckin’ lotta hells. Funny how, on the astral plane, the damage was real but the pain wasn’t. He was sure it had been the other way around – over there.
I am a poor wayfarin' stranger
A'travelin' through this world of woe
There is no sickness, toil or danger
In that bright world to which I go
Nice tune, fellas, he sighed to the angels who carried him in their shining, feathery arms. Nice words. That mean I goin’ to heaven?
The choir-like voices changed, memory overlapping with present reality – like this is real – and it was his mother singing to him, rocking him gently in her strong, tea-colored arms.
I'm goin’ there to see my mother
She said she'd meet me when I come
I'm only goin’ over Jordan
I'm only goin’ over home.
Comin, Mere! he called as he had when just a small boy and she’d call him in from the yard for supper. If he closed his eyes, he could see her standing in the doorway of the house, the sleeves of her bright dress rolled up, her hair wrapped in the colored turban she almost always wore.
Mon dieu, boy, get your skinny li’l behind in here!
Her strength surrounded him, her touch cool and welcome against the blackening of his flesh.
I been a bad boy, Mere. I done bad t'ings…
Hush now, chil’. You are what you are. And oh, my baby boy, I surely do love you.
I know dark clouds will hover on me,Hey, Jordon is my river!
I know my path is rough and steep
But beauteous fields lie right before me
Where weary eyes no more will weepI'm goin’ there to see my father
I'm goin’ there no more to roam
I’m only goin’ over Jordan
I’m only goin’ over home.
The golden sunshine startled him. Raw-eth, what you doin’ here?
Bringing you home, Del.
Non, cher, I goin’ home.
Come with me, Del. It’s too soon.
You shittin’ me? After what I jus' been through?
I need you. Don’t leave me.
You need him, darlin’. There was no rancor in the words, no pain. A little sorrow, a little wistful regret.
Not like I need you.
He almost chuckled. Don’t go fuckin’ wit’ me now, babe. I see all. I know all.
I love you, Del, Ruth’s voice said, filled with all the remorse that hadn’t been in him. Not like I do him, it’s true, but… please, you know I do. Don’t leave me.
Too much pain in that house o' flesh an’ bones, he told her.
I can heal it.
An’ if I not wanna be healed, what then?
Don’t be such a stubborn ass, another voice scowled at him, and he recognized it as the same one who’d told him about the open heart. But he couldn’t place it. Instead, he again addressed the Antari.
It peaceful here, cher. It quiet. Jus’ like sapphire, but I can feel. Like them li’l blue pills, but wit’out the crash waitin’ ‘round the corner. You wanna take that away from me?
I want you! Please, Del, please!
Noel Christopher, is that your love callin' you?
Yeah, Mere, but she not belong to me.
You run from it, boy? I not teach you any better’n that?
It hurts, Mere. I wanna come home.
An’ you will, my honey lamb – but what holds you there ain’t black nor twisted nor evil. There so little good in the life I give you, chil’ – you not leave it when it call to you.
Mere…!
I be here, baby. I always be here. I be waitin’ on you. The soft, strong voice smiled. Time not pass here, li’l Christmas. I not even notice.
Come back with me, Del, Ruth begged. Please, I love you. Don’t leave me.
Del sighed. He glanced at the angels carrying him. What you t’ink, fellas? he asked. They answered, as he’d come to expect, with music
When you’re down and troubled
And you need some lovin’ care
An nothin’, nothin’ is goin’ right
Close your eyes and think of me
And soon I will be there
To brighten up even your darkest nightYou just call out my name and you know wherever I am
I’ll come runnin’ to see you again
Winter Spring, Summer or Fall
All you have to do is call
And I’ll be there
You’ve got a friend
Ruth’s gentle voice joined the choir.
If the sky above you
Grows dark and full of clouds
And that old North Wind begins to blow
Divine Wind, came the unidentifiable voice with an ironic chuckle.
Keep your head together
And call my name out loud
Soon you’ll hear me knockin’ at your doorYou just call out my name and you know wherever I am
I’ll come runnin’ running’ yeah, yeah, to see you again
Winter Spring, Summer or Fall
All you have to do is call
And I’ll be there, yes I willNow ain’t it good to know that you’ve got a friend
When people can be so cold
They’ll hurt you, yes, and desert you
And take your soul if you let them
Oh but don’t you let them
Don’t let them take you, even if they are angels! Ruth pleaded.
That your answer, huh? Del asked them. This time, he could hear his own voice in their musical reply.
You just call out my name an' you know wherever I am
I come runnin’ runnin’ yeah, yeah, to see you again
Winter Spring, Summer or Fall
All you have to do is call
An' I’ll be there, yes I will,
You’ve got a friend
Del? Del?! DEL!
DelMonde’s chest abruptly rose as air filled his lungs. “Not so loud, babe,” he managed, then rolled to his side, coughing. Ruth threw her arms around him, her tears streaking down her face.
Phen was concerned enough at Sakura’s departure to seek out Roger and Lace and tell them about Pavel’s ‘freak-out.’ With only an exchange of worried, fearful glances, the Sevrinites raced to the cargo bay, just in time to see DelMonde holding tightly to Chekov’s shoulders, Irina and Chione sobbing in one another’s arms.
“Reeny?” Chione was asking. “Does this mean that we’re free?”
“No,” Irina replied, gently touching the blonde woman’s face. “As long as we live, they will find a way to try again. This is the only freedom for us.”
Then both figures were encased in a sudden burst of glowing energy that took them with it when it faded.
The engineer fell away from the Russian, who cried out, then collapsed in unbearable grief.
“Motherfuck!” Roger breathed.
There was a commotion at the other end of the bay, and Phen cried “Saki!” then started across the bay as the Asian woman hit the wall.
“What the…?” Roger managed as Paget, too, went flying. Sulu moved, hovering over Ruth as Roger and Lace joined Phen in rushing toward the knot of Clavists.
Before they got there, the helmsman had sunk to his knees, his fingers at his temples, eyes tightly closed, a look of rapture quickly replacing the cynical disdain that had been there seconds before. Ruth was up, racing in the direction from which they had come, heading straight for Chekov and DelMonde.
“Rog, what’s…?” Lace began.
Jeremy gasped, trying to suck air into his lungs.
“Saki, “ Phen was saying as he cradled her head in his arms, “Saki, are you okay?” Lace moved to aid him.
“Stop… have to stop…” Paget was rasping.
Roger knelt down next to the TerAfrican. “It’s over, man,” he murmured. “They’re gone.”
The security man’s eyes went wide with fear. “Who’s gone?!” he cried.
“Relax,” Roger said. “Chione and Irina. Your team’s fine.”
“No, they’re not,” Jeremy groaned and tried to push himself up. “Where’s Kam?”
“Right here, babe.” Sulu’s voice had a dream-like, far-away quality to it, then he added, apparently not to Jeremy, “sorry, sir. I’ll try to concentrate.”
“I’m alright, Phen,” Tamura was saying. “I’ve got a hell of a headache, but I’ll be fine.”
“Looks like a slight concussion, Rog,” Lace put in from her position next to the yeoman.
“What the goddamn motherfuckin’ hell just fuckin’ happened here?” Paget demanded, then winced, his hand coming up to his breastbone.
“Looks like somebody cracked a few ribs, there, Cobra,” Roger reported.. “But like I said, everybody else seems okay – except for Chione and Irina.”
"Gone,” Jeremy repeated suddenly. “You said they’re gone?!”
“Phaser blast from the looks of it,” the Sevrinite replied calmly. “Self-inflicted.”
“Yeah,” Phen put in. “That was the biggest freak I’ve ever seen. I mean, there they were, cryin’ and shakin’ and Irina said that it was their only freedom and zap!” He shook his head. “If I hadn’t seen it, I’d’ve never believed it. I mean, Irina and Chione were so totally One…”
“He won,” Paget was murmuring. “The dumb Cajun son-of-a-bitch won.”
“You mean won won?” Roger asked, blinking.
Again Jeremy tried to get up and again winced. “Motherfuck…” he gasped.
“Lacey, go get some medical supplies,” Roger said, and gently pushed the TerAfrican back against the wall. “We gotta set those ribs,” he said.
Jeremy nodded, trying to breathe shallowly. He could see Sakura’s frown of annoyance as she fended off Phen’s ‘concern,’ and his eyes sought Sulu. The helmsman was now arching his back in obvious ecstasy, his mouth open in silent exclamations of pleasure. The thin, wiry body tensed, every muscle contracting, then with an audible exhalation of passion, collapsed to the deck. The murmured, “gods, I love you!” was all the explanation Jeremy needed.
As soon as Spock had left the Bridge with Mrs. Majiir, Jim rose from the con. “Uhura,” he said, “I want Dr. Han and a full Security team in the transporter room on the double,” then turned to McCoy. “Let’s go, Bones. Authorization will just have to wait.”
There was a short wait as the turbolift controls cleared the tube of the unmoving car and brought up a second lift, and Jim and McCoy took it to the transporter room. Jade Han and five fully outfitted Security officers, led by Tara Ryan, waited there.
“Are we gettin’ our team out, sir?” Scotty asked.
“We are,” Jim returned. “I only pray they’re all still in one piece.”
“Where’s Spock?” Jade wanted to know.
“From what we saw, keeping Ruthie and Mrs. Majiir alive,” McCoy answered grimly.
Jade drew in a soft breath. “Oh my,” she said, but her eyes mirrored her fellow doctor’s fear and concern. The landing party quickly arranged themselves on the transporter’s platform.
“Energize,” Jim said.
The news of what had happened to Chione and Irina spread quickly through Dreamland Base. From all corners of the station, people abandoned their work, seeking first each other, then an explanation. Tongo Rad roused from his psychic terror and immediately sought Sulu.
The hum of a transporter beam began and Roger stood from bandaging Paget’s ribcage. “Stand your ground!” he called urgently to the Sevrinites that had begun to gather in the cargo bay. “We’ve done nothing wrong, we have nothing to hide! Stand your ground!”
“Del,” Ruth said, pulling him up from the decking, “the cavalry’s here.” She glanced over at Pavel. The Russian’s head had jerked up. “You, too, Pavel. Come on.”
The navigator’s reaction was slow and defeated. “What have I to go back to?” he murmured and his grief nearly broke Ruth’s heart.
“Pavel…” she began.
Non, cher, Del’s voice said. Don’t tell him.
But that’s cruel…
Daffy need to see the look on his face when he find out she alive, the Cajun returned. She need to see it before he can cover it with his stoic Russian bullshit or some damn Fleet protocol.
You looking out for Daffy? The angels must’ve rubbed off on you.
You a real bitch, babe. An’ after I jus’ save the fuckin’ universe…
Ruth almost laughed and made herself get up, pulling him up with her. “Hey,” she said to the Russian. “Help me.”
“Yes,” Chekov muttered. He rose, his movements stiff and heavy as he aided Ruth in getting DelMonde to his feet, supporting the Cajun on one side as Ruth put her shoulder under Del’s arm on the other. “I must – I must give my report.”
“I not a fuckin’ invalid,” Del grumbled, but he leaned on his fellow officers nonetheless.
“This is private property,” Roger stated as soon as Captain Kirk’s form had completely materialized. “You have no right to be here.”
“And you are?” Jim answered sternly.
“Roger McMillan, I’m - “ Roger glanced around him. “I guess I’m in charge here.”
“Well, Mr. McMillan,” Jim returned, staring at Paget, Tamura and Sulu, “you’re harboring mutineers and deserters from Starfleet. That’s an offense under Federation law. If you’ll just hand them over, we’ll be on our way.”
“No!” Phen shouted, and pulled Sakura close to him.
“We don’t wanna cause you any trouble,” Jeremy began as Jade immediately knelt next to him, opening her medkit. “Let them take us, Phen. Don’t let the dream die because of us.”
“We’ve offered them asylum…” Lace put in.
“I’m afraid you don’t have that authority, Miss…” Kirk started. When she glared defiantly up at him, he shrugged. “Miss. You’re not a recognized government here.”
“And you’re a sledging Herbert!” Phen rejoined.
“Captain,” McCoy said, “there’s the rest of ‘em,” and he pointed to where Ruth and Chekov were helping DelMonde cross the cargo bay.
“Miss Ryan,” Jim said, and she, McCoy and two of the security team hurried to the trio’s side.
“Ruthie, are you alright?” McCoy whispered as the security men relieved her and Chekov of their burden.
“Not really, Bones,” she murmured back. “I’m poisoned. And Del is…”
“We’ll get it all sorted out once we’re back on the ship,” McCoy promised.
“Hey, easy there,” Del mumbled. “I your savior, y’know.”
The security guards exchanged puzzled glances as the engineer startled chuckling – then coughing.
Chekov squared his shoulders and marched straight up to Kirk. “Captain, all objectives of my mission have been accomplished, and I wish to give my final report…”
“Mission?” burst from several lips at once – including Ruth, Jeremy and Sakura. Pavel faced his fellow officers.
“Yes,” he said. “I was sent to infiltrate this group. You were all to be my cover.” He turned again to Kirk. “There are important records contained in this Base’s communications logs and in its chemistry laboratory which will prove collusion on the part of the Catullan government and several other agencies which…”
“Very good, Mr. Chekov,” Jim cut him off. He gave a quick series of orders to the other security personnel to secure the records. Chekov took a place behind his captain, staring straight ahead. Kirk again addressed Roger. “Mr. McMillan if my examination of your records prove that your group has sanctioned illegal activities…”
“You’ll what, Herbert?” Roger snapped. “We’re not under Federation jurisdiction. We’re not bound by your laws, or your ideas of morality, or…”
“What’s going on here?” Tongo Rad’s voice shouted as the Catullan came rushing up from the corridor.
“I knowed we shouldn’ta trusted you, T’Paul,” DelMonde rasped, but he was smiling.
“These Herberts,” Phen snarled, “want to take some of our people away.”
“You can’t do that!” Rad growled. “This is privately owned property.”
“I told them that, Tongo,” Roger informed him.
“And as I told Mr. McMillan,” Jim rejoined, “you’re harboring fugitives.”
“Let it go, Tongo,” Sulu’s voice said. He was rising from the deck, looking weary but calm. “We’re deserters. We have to face our crime.”
“No,” Rad returned, and though his face was set, his eyes looked stricken. “All I have to do is contact my father. He’ll grant you all asylum.”
“Even if that were a possibility,” Jim said, “this isn’t Catulla. Your father has no jurisdiction here. You’re squatters on an abandoned mining base. We could cart you all to Starbase 11 and let them sort you out…”
He was interrupted when several scantily clad young women came rushing across the bay, crowding around the security officers who were holding onto DelMonde.
“Del, Del!!” Diona cried and threw herself into the engineer’s arms, fastening her mouth on his. He felt her attempt to push two of the little blue pills into his mouth. Take them! her thoughts came clearly. You can break away, you can make them go back to their ship!
They’ll take your soul if you let them, oh, but don’t you let them.
DelMonde gently pushed her away. “Non, darlin’ it over,” he said, and kissed her, pushing the pills back into her mouth. The security officers jerked him away as he blew kisses at Madvig and Ravi and several other young women.
Tongo rushed to Sulu’s side. “Kam, just walk away. They won’t gun you down, not in front of so many witnesses.”
Sulu set his jaw. “After what you tried to do to me, you think I’m gonna trust you?”
“It wasn’t me!” Rad insisted. “I told you, it was Chione – and Irina…”
“They’re gone, brother,” Roger broke in. “They freaked. They killed themselves. Just like Jonehez,” he added for good measure.
The Catullan looked momentarily horrified, then confused, then relieved. “See, Kam, it’s over! They won’t be calling the shots anymore! We can start over, build Eden the way it should be…”
“You said it wouldn’t wear off, Tong,” Sulu returned with soft bitterness. “I’m not gonna be like Sevrin, searching the galaxy for some non-existent cure. I’ll take my chances with Federation medicine.”
“In a Federation prison?” Rad exclaimed.
Sulu shrugged, then allowed a little of The Divine Wind to blow through him. “Tell me you don’t think that’s where I belong,” he challenged.
Rad took an involuntary step back. “But Kam…” he faltered, “Kam… I –“ The rest of the sentence came out in a whisper. “I love you.”
The Divine Wind smiled. “I know,” he whispered back, then straightened. “But like Del said, it’s over, darlin’.”
Most of the lab equipment was beamed up to the Enterprise, along with all the Base’s records. Phen had to be restrained away from Sakura, who actually felt sorry for the blue-skinned young man. In the end, due to the deserters willingness to accept responsibility for their actions, Kirk was persuaded to leave the rest of the Sevrinites at Dreamland Base – with the exception of Tongo Rad, who was to be escorted home to his father. A quick conference with Roger provided most of the persuasion, once Mad Anthony’s nephew had assured the captain that he could lead the movement back to its peaceful, non-threatening obscurity. Roger did have one question, though.
“Chekov,” he said, “why did you confess to being a plant? You could’ve ruined everything.”
“I wished only to ruin any chance of my being able to reprise this mission, or one like it,” the Russian explained stiffly.” He turned to Kirk. “My apologies, Captain, but with Irina gone – I cannot see how I could be of any further use in such an endeavor.”
“You have a point there, Lieutenant,” Kirk conceded. “And,” he added, facing Roger, “it still leaves us with a rather large team of operatives, should it ever prove necessary.”
Roger chuckled. “Yeah, and what a spectacular team it is. Give my regards to my uncle, won’t you, Captain?” He turned, putting his arm around Lace. “Come on, sweetheart, we’ve got some reorganizing to do.”
Ruth, Del, Sakura, Jeremy and Sulu stood together under the faux-watchful eyes of Tara Ryan and her team. The Sevrinites often came up to them, giving them the One sign and wishing them well, some with Loonie-peace and some with tears.
“Come on, come on,” Sulu was muttering, “let’s get the hell out of here.”
“I miss this place,” Del mentioned, almost dreamily.
“You would,” Jeremy snorted, then murmured a quiet ‘ouch.’
“In a strange kind of way, I will too,” Sakura added.
“Only ‘cause you didn’t find the Giant Bong of Dreamland,” Ruth guessed.
“Hey, babe,” Del said to the Antari, “I be t’inkin’ we give ‘em a goodbye song, non?”
“Are you…?”
“As a loon, sugar. But don’t let that stop us.” His eyes were sparkling. “Somet'ing to remember us by.”
“And keep our undercover options open,” Jeremy said.
“I hate you, Cobra.”
The Ter African grinned. “Just doin’ my job, Spike.”
Ruth sighed, then took a deep breath as Del began to sing.
If you wake up an' don’t wanna smile,
If it takes jus' a li'l while,
Open your eyes an' look at the day,
You’ll see t'ings in a different way.
She joined him on the chorus.
Don’t stop thinkin’ about tomorrow,
Don’t stop, it’ll soon be here,
It’ll be better than before,
Yesterday’s gone, yesterday’s gone.
Ruth took the next verse as the Eden-heads began clustering around them.
Why not think about times to come,
And not about the things that you’ve done,
If your life was bad to you,
Just think what tomorrow will do.
Del, Sakura, Jeremy, and even Sulu sang the chorus the second time. Roger and Lace stood, their arms around each other, singing with true gusto.
Don’t stop thinkin’ about tomorrow,
Don’t stop, it’ll soon be here,
It’ll be better than before,
Yesterday’s gone, yesterday’s gone.
The Sevrinites were clapping to keep time. Diona, Madvig and Ravi had tears in their eyes – and so did Phen. Ruth and Del took the final verse together.
All I want is to see you smile,
If it takes just a li'l while,
I know you don’t believe that its true,
I never meant any harm to you.
The entire assemblage began singing
Don’t stop thinkin’ about tomorrow,
Don’t stop, it’ll soon be here,
It’ll be better than before,
Yesterdays gone, yesterdays gone.
As the joyous sound went on, Ruth began a counter.
Ooh, don’t you look back,
Ooh. don’t you look back.
They continued until the Captain called for beam-up and their figures faded with the sound.
McCoy and Han ordered the party transported directly to Sickbay. When the beams solidified, both Ruth and Sulu began coughing and Jade’s med scanner began beeping.
“It’s the tetrodotoxin,” she said.
“Chapel!” McCoy barked. “Get that antitoxin we synthesized!”
The nurse rushed in, handing a hypospray to each doctor. As the medicine hissed into their arms, Ruth and Sulu gasped, then arched, then collapsed. McCoy called orderlies to get them to beds, then turned to the rest of the party.
“On exam tables, all of you,” he ordered.
“I fine, Doctor,” DelMonde insisted. “Ruth heal me on the base. I jus’ a li’l tired is all.”
“You let me be the judge of that, son,” McCoy growled.
Del shrugged, but complied. Jeremy’s ribs were properly laser-fused, the pressure of the subdural hematoma at the back of Sakura’s head efficiently relieved.
“They’ve all got a little of the tetrodotoxin in their systems,” Jade reported, “with the exception of Mr. DelMonde...”
The engineer grinned at her. “They all got drug problems,” he quipped.
“…who has at least three times the amount of xenoneurophene and amyneurophene in his,” she retorted.
“Antitoxins all around, then. Just in case,” he added to the Cajun. “And where’s Mr. Chekov?”
“I am here, Doctor,” the Russian answered as he stepped wearily into the Sickbay. “The captain ordered me to report for a complete physical after securing Mr. Rad in the Brig.”
Jade was already running a scanner over him. She motioned to Chapel, who brought another hypo of antitoxin. Chekov’s eyebrows rose. “I did not ingest any chemicals, Doctor,” he began.
“Oh yes you did,” Sakura put in. “Just before…”
“Pavel? Pavel took drugs?” came a shocked, heavily accented voice. “Who’d’ve ever thought I’d live to see the – no wait, I didn’t.”
The look that came over the Russian’s face was indescribable. He spun to the sound of the voice, his entire body trembling. His eyes were wide, his mouth gaping open, the stunned disbelief completely overwhelming every sense.
“Daf – Dafshka?!?” he whispered.
Daffy Gollub stood in the door to the Sickbay lab, still in a patient’s gown. Her hands were on her hips, but a smile was fighting its way to her lips. “So, bubee, you get tired of your little Loonie passion flower?” she said.
With another shout of “Dafshka!” Chekov grabbed her, pulling her into his arms, mumbling hoarse, slurred Russian in between sobs as he nearly smothered her with kisses. For her part, Daffy protested feebly, but she was holding on to the navigator just as fiercely.
“Ah, true love,” Paget murmured, and in the bed next to him, DelMonde snorted.
“Please! Please!” Daffy pulled back an arm’s length away from her lover. “A little air for the recently nearly departed, if you don’t mind.”
“But, Dafshka, dearest,” Chekov couldn’t stop himself from running his disbelieving fingers down her face and through her hair. “You were dead. I saw it happen. You were in my arms.”
“Yes, and thanks so much for holding me still for the bastard who shot me in the back,” Gollub turned and gave Paget a toothy smile. “Hello, person who I think is the bastard who shot me in the back.”
“Hey, Daf,” Jeremy returned pleasantly. “How you doin’?”
“Less dead than after you shot me in back, Jer,” Daffy returned with exaggerated amiability.
Paget laughed weakly. “I knew it would take more than a little death to slow you down, Daffodil.”
“Dafshka, darling,” Chekov said, pulling her close again. “How is it possible?”
“Maybe,” Dr. Han said, looking at the instrument she’d just aimed at him, “she’s here due to the same sort of miracle that makes it possible for you to have not taken any drugs but still have marked traces of xenoneurophene in your system as well as the residue of the combination of Haven chemicals that form the drug commonly known by the nickname ‘venus’.”
“Explain that, Mr. I-Don’t-Need-That-Haven-Poison-to-Enjoy-My-Sex-Life,” Gollub said, stepping back and folding her arms.
Chekov was baffled for a moment. “Well, I…”
“The red pill,” Sakura prompted. “The one you got from Phen.”
“Oh.” The lights seemed to go on for the navigator. “Yes. Yeoman Tamura is correct. A circumstance arose and it was necessary for me to…” He looked in dismay at the dubious faces surrounding him. “I assure you, it was strictly in the line of duty.”
Daffy's eyebrows rose indignantly. "Like what the rest of us were doing wasn't in the line of duty?"
"Daffy, Pavel, please," Sakura interrupted. “The doctors are busy. We don’t need to bother them with idle chatter about who was taking what for what sort of reason.”
“You’re right,” McCoy said, checking her readings. “We are busy. But rest assured, Yeoman, I’ve taken note of the devotion to duty it’s taken for you to accumulate the level of Rigellian you’ve got floatin’ around in your bloodstream right now.”
“Why, thank you, Doctor,” Sakura replied, angelically refusing to notice his sarcasm.
“Dafshka,” Chekov put his arms around Gollub again. “My dearest…”
“Stop with the smothering already,” she growled, peevishly pushing him away.
“What’s the matter?” he asked anxiously.
“What’s the matter?” she repeated disbelievingly. “What’s the matter? What isn’t the matter? I don’t even know where to begin..,”
“Then, please, doushka,” the navigator begged tenderly before silencing her with another passionate kiss. “Don’t.”
“Like I was sayin’,” Paget sighed, “True love.”
“Yeah.” DelMonde rolled his eyes cynically. “Ain’t it grand?”
Go To Part Twenty-Four
Return To Part Twenty-Two
Wayfaring Stranger by Emmilou Harris
You've Got a Friend by Carole King
Don't Stop Thinkin' About Tomorrow by Fleetwood Mac