“I will not!” Jilla shrieked furiously.

“Oh yes you will!” Sulu screamed back as he attempted to pull Jilla through the doorway of their cabin. All he was trying to do was get her go to the mess. She was hanging onto the edge of the door. He was yanking on her arm. “I’m hungry, you're hungry, I’m tired of looking at this disaster area… damn it, Jilla…!”

“DO NOT SAY THAT!”

“ALRIGHT!”

Sulu let go abruptly. Jilla fell to the deck and scrambled back into the cabin. He stepped away from the door, letting it hiss closed. The Indiian glared up at him. “I do not see why you wish me to go with you,” she said tightly.

“For some ridiculous reason, I like your company,” he replied equally tightly.

“To subject me to the tia of other Indiians…”

“You don’t even know they’ll be there!”

“I will still feel…”

“Jilla, damn it…”

“DON’T…!”

“YES, damn it, don’t be ashamed of me!”

“I am NOT ashamed of…”

“THEN WHAT?!”

“MYSELF!”

They stared at one another for long moments. Then Sulu said “Shit!” and sat down on the deck next to Jilla. She threw her arms around him in a fierce embrace and Sulu soon forgot all about food.

Pavel Chekov stormed across the Bridge, abandoning his post to obey an impulse. DelMonde had just taken over at Engineering and the noise he was making, grumbling stupidly to himself, irritated the navigator beyond endurance. Upon reaching the Engineering Station, he grabbed DelMonde’s shoulder, spun him around, and punched him in the mouth.

“Now be quiet, Noel, or I’ll kill you!” he snarled.

DelMonde blinked, then his eyes grew furious and he swung back at Chekov.

“Get him, bubee!” Daffy screamed from the Science Station.

“You little cow!” Ruth shrieked at her and flung herself headlong at the chemist.

In no time, there was utter chaos on the Bridge.

Jade sat on her desk, smiling sweetly as Sanchez and McCoy argued about who was more annoyed at having to patch up the crew’s increasingly serious albeit still minor injuries. The most recent patient, Christine Chapel, was arguing as well. The nurse had become a casualty when she’d tried to get between M’ress and Mrraal, who were in the middle of a cat-fight, Jade giggled to herself. Neither of the doctors seemed to be interested in treating Chapel’s numerous lacerations. Jade, smoking happily, ducked the occasional piece of thrown equipment, and was far more entertained than by the play she was directing.

Within a few hours, Sarek and Costain reported to Jim that the ventilation system had been cleared of all the unrefined zenite. Tomor Rand and Gage reported that Lita Monolem had the saboteurs well in hand and assured the captain that a Monolem was better than a cell in the brig. Jim decided to take their word for it.

He also decided it was time to tell his crew what had been going on. He went to an intercom and make a ship-wide announcement.

“Ladies and gentlemen, this is the captain. We have all been under the influence of unrefined zenite gas for most of the past three days. The ventilation system has been cleared and you are all to breathe as deeply as possible to clear your bodies of the effects. This is an order.”

All over the Enterprise, unattached objects were thrown at the intercoms.

“That was the stupidest announcement I have ever made,” Jim declared as he switched off the com.

Spock uncharacteristically placed a hand on his captain’s shoulder. “You have been under quite a strain, Captain.”

“I know, but still… ordering my crew to…”

“Never mind, Jim.”

Jim shook his head. “Right. Thank you, Mr. Spock.”

“Should we return to our duties…”

“Or stay here still it’s safe?” Jim finished with a wry smile. “No, we’d better go and assess the damage.”

“Yes, sir.”

After Kirk and Spock left the VIP quarters, Rand said to Gage, “So that’s the legendary James T. Kirk.”

“Yeah,” Gage returned. “Kind of pathetic, isn’t it?

“I have a headache,” Ruth complained.

“An after-effect of…”

“I know that,” she snarled at her husband.

“Perhaps the zenite has not fully worn off,” Spock suggested gently.

“I want sympathy,” Ruth pouted at him.

He took her in his arms, murmuring to himself as he did so, "Not quite perfect, perhaps, but just as I want her.”

Ruth groaned.

“Sulu?” Jilla murmured.

“Hmm?” he asked, shifting to hold her even closer.

“Can you forgive my behavior?”

“Nothing to forgive, hon. This wasn't our fault.”

“At least I did not break the Buddha.”

“No, you didn’t. I love you.”

“And I you.”

“I am sorry, Noel,” Chekov said sheepishly to the man in the Sickbay bed next to his own.

“Don’ call me ‘Noel,” Del answered. Then he brightened. “I t’inkin maybe you injure me bad ‘nough to get out o' th' play?”

“Well, I hope I was of some help.”

“Daphne?”

“Never mind, Judy.”

Jade Han woke from a sound sleep, clear-headed and feeling very much her usual self. Being on duty, she, of course, didn’t even consider filling her pipe, and had a nice, strong cup of coffee instead. She glanced at the chronometer, then realized that the performance for the ambassadors and their delegations was later that day.

Later today?! she thought with sudden, almost panicked clarity. Not with those maniacs!

No, calm yourself. It was the zenite.

The hell it was! They were maniacs before…

And James missed the final dress rehearsal.

With abrupt fury, Jade stabbed at the intercom on her desk. “Captain!” she growled.

On the Bridge, Jim jumped at the angry voice. “Yes, Doctor?” he answered as calmly as he could with his heart racing a mile a minute. The tone that came from the com was no longer soft or sing-song.

“Can you come to my office on a matter of some importance – immediately!” it demanded.

“Certainly, Doctor,” Jim replied and before he could say anything more, the com snapped off. He turned to the Science Station. “Spock, are you sure ventilation in Sickbay was cleared?”

“Yes, Captain,” Spock assured.

“I was afraid of that.”

“Doctor…”

“You missed the final dress!”

“I was rather preoccupied.”

“I don’t care! This wasn’t my idea!”

“Nor mine, Jade. I know the part.”

“I was hoping not to spring it on the rest of the cast at the performance!”

“They’ll live.”

“You may not.”

Jim Kirk left Sickbay wondering if he’d ever see Jade Han’s sweet smile again.

“Captain?”

Jim turned around at Sulu’s hesitant voice, and found himself facing the helmsman and Ruth Valley, Noel DelMonde, and Daffy Gollub. The turbolift he had been waiting for came and went. “Yes, what is it?”

“We were heading for your office, sir,” Ruth said.

“We don’t mean to disturb you, Captain” Gollub added.

“But we wanna ask, Captain, sir…” DelMonde put in.

“Why are you all sounding so contrite?” Jim asked suspiciously.

The two women and the engineer looked to Sulu. So, therefore, did Jim.

“About the incident with the Haven drugs, sir…” Sulu began.

“We thought we’d try groveling,” Gollub interrupted and was glared at by the other three.

“What are you people talking about?” Jim wanted to know.

“I don’t want to be an ensign,” Ruth said quietly, contritely. “It wasn’t as if any of us took anything. We all told Gage to go to hell.”

Suddenly Jim remembered what they meant. “Ensigns. Ah yes, that.” He cleared his throat. “Zenite. I was affected as well. Let’s forget about that, shall we?”

There was a chorus of relieved “Yes, sirs” and Jim pretended not to notice Lieutenant Gollub fall gratefully to her knees as he turned to wait for the turbolift once again.

“Are you sure you don’t want to see the play?” Sulu asked reluctantly.

Jilla smiled faintly. “I am sure. I do not wish to take the risk – “ she paused, “ – and you do not wish me to see it.”

He smiled at her. “You know me too well.”

“Just well enough, I should think.”

Sulu kissed his wife and headed out of their cabin, his costume folded discreetly under his arm. He didn’t notice Jole Costain waiting at the opposite end of the corridor.

There was a soft tap on the door. Jilla glanced up from her desk. A feeling she couldn’t define swept over her and instead of calling ‘come,’ she rose and went to the door.

“Yes?” she said as it slid open.

“Quickly, child!” came her father’s voice as he pushed past her. She immediately closed and locked the door, then turned, pressing herself against the metal. Father! Her heart thundered within her, her palm blazing in sudden pain.

Jole forced his emotions down and gazed at his daughter. Except for the aura of Judgment around her, she looked as she ever had; small, fragile, delicate, beautiful… and too much like her mother. Tears came to his eyes as he held out his arms.

“Daughter,” he whispered.

She sobbed and rushed to his embrace, her cry of “Rosh!” muffled against his chest. They both ignored the sharp sting in their hands, the grief in their tias, and clung to one another. Jole stroked his daughter’s hair, careful to avoid her altered ears. She held more tightly, shuddering.

Long minutes passed before they mutually pulled from the embrace.

”Rosh…” Jilla began. Jole shook his head.

“You are well, my daughter?”

“As I should not be,” she replied, her head lowered. He nodded.

“Your work has been exemplary. I’ve followed news of you.”

“I know, Rosh. I have always been grateful for…”

“You are my child, Jilla. We don’t have to speak of it.”

Jilla glanced up at him. “How can you…?” she stammered.

Jole smiled. “I’ve been a diplomat most of my adult life. I’ve learned to deal with much that is incomprehensible. I don’t understand it, but I accept it. You are my child, my flesh. Still. Always. Damned, yes – but my child.”

Jilla’s tears again soaked his shirt as she came to his arms. He hushed her, soothed her, then again put her gently away.

“You are – content – Jilla?”

Again her head bent. “Aema sumin tu – yes, Rosh.”

“You love your – partner?”

“Yes.”

“More than…?”

Her reply was nearly inaudible. “Yes.”

There was a long pause before Jole asked, “And he…?”

“Loves me, yes, He has given the only vow open to him, and he wears a Terran sign, a ring.”

“The only…” Jole began, then abruptly stopped. “Child, I don’t wish to know.” After another pause, he continued, “But the ring, it is a good thing.” He cocked his head, studying her. “Mr. Scott is a good zilos for you, child.”

Jilla flushed. “He does think of me as a daughter,” she said, almost shyly.

“That, too, is good.” A third silence lay between them for a short while. “I must return to my aides, Jilla.”

“I understand.”

“It gives me joy to see you.”

“And I, you, Rosh.”

“Will you – apologize to – your partner – for…”

“Yes, Rosh. He too understands.”

Jole quickly pulled Jilla to him one more time, kissing her forehead. “Success, my daughter.”

“In all things,” Jilla returned.

She turned and opened the door and Jole stepped quickly into the corridor.

Jilla was about to close the cabin door again when she heard her father’s voice say “Mr. Scott!”

She quickly stuck her head out the door. The Chief Engineer stood in the hall, grinning broadly.

“Mr. Scott, I…” Jole began.

“Aye, I ken, Mr. Ambassador,” Scott said. “No need t’ explain, I assure you.” He nodded at Jilla. “A fine man, lassie, as I’ve always said.”

Jole flushed and hurried down the corridor.

“Mr. Scott, please, this must not be spoken of…” Jilla began urgently. Scott put a hand on her shoulder, squeezing gently.

“I know, lass. I know. He’s made a grand show of it. I’ll not carry tales.” He chuckled. “And I thought Indiians couldna lie.”

“It is not a lie,’ Jilla insisted.

“No. No indeed. Good day to ya, lassie.”

Jilla watched him leave. He didn’t understand, but she knew he would say nothing. Yes, Rosh, a good zilos, she thought. She went back inside her cabin and closed the door.

I’m late. I know I’m going to be late. She’ll pull my hair or shrink my head or do something else awful if I’m late which I’m going to be but I couldn’t help it I had work to catch up on and I’m going to be – oy god, what’s that?

The door chime, idiot.

Right.

Ruth yelled. “Come!” and finished pulling the long red dress that was her costume over her head. She reached behind her to pull her hair out from under the material, and glanced at the opening door.

Amanda Greyson Xtmprosqzntwlfd stood in the doorway, smiling hesitantly. “Hello, Ruth,” she said.

Ruth blinked, all thoughts of the performance fleeing her mind. “Uh – hi, Mom.”

Amanda’s smile widened. “May I come in?”

“Yeah, sure – I mean – um, that is – “

“My home is yours?” Amanda supplied.

“Yeah. That.” Why don’t I remember these things when it counts?

Amanda stepped into the cabin and looked around. “It’s certainly changed since I was last here,” she said as she headed for a group of flowerpots. She stopped in surprise halfway there and stared at something pink and silver that was lying on the deck. “Is that a tribble?”

“Yes,” Ruth said.

“Yours?”

“Uh – no. Can I get you some cof – no, tea?”

The older woman smiled. “Not yours. I see.” She straightened, gazing at the Antari. “Ruth, I’ve done a lot of thinking since Spock informed us he would marry you. I vowed I wouldn’t be as formidable as my in-laws.” She shook her head. “Best intentions sometimes go awry.” She smiled again. “All I’m really concerned about is my son’s happiness. If I seem overbearing because of it, I’m truly sorry.”

“You aren’t the one who’s…” Ruth began.

“I know Sarek feels the same way,” Amanda confided, and from her tone, Ruth knew that she was actually apologizing for her husband. “Though he’d never admit it.” She paused, and a twinkle came into her blue eyes. “To anyone but me, that is. I’m sure you understand all about that.”

Ruth found herself nodding knowledgably.

“What I’m trying to say,” Amanda continued, “is this: do you love my son? Do you know how much he loves you? Are you, both of you, glad you took this step, despite the difficulties inherent in such a relationship with a Vulcan?” She turned, her hands clasping together. “I know I have no right to ask these things, but…”

Ruth smiled reassuringly, finding that she was beginning to think very fondly of her husband’s mother. “Yes, to everything,” she said. Then added mischievously, “And thanks for the rug. We like it a lot.”

“Do you?” Amanda again faced her, her entire countenance lighting up. “Does that mean… dear, are you…?”

Ruth suddenly remembered the purpose of the pon-san.Unaccountably, she blushed. “Not yet.” At Amanda’s crestfallen expression, she continued, “But we’re working on it.”

Amanda started to laugh. “There I go, bullying you again. And over children! I am sorry Ruth, but Spock is my only child.”

“And my only husband,” Ruth pointed out with a teasing smile. “We will work on it. That’s a promise.” Amanda abruptly reached out and hugged her.

“Spock made a perfect choice,” she said, then lightly kissed the Antari’s cheek. “Be happy with each other, dear.”

Ruth shook her head. “Somehow,” she said, “I thought you’d be more – reserved.”

“On Vulcan, around Vulcans, I am,” Amanda told her. “But we Humans need to be ourselves occasionally.”

“Minneapolis, huh?” Ruth said with a grin. At Amanda’s blank look, she went on, “I’ll tell you someday, but right now I’ve got a performance to give and I’m late and the director’s Jade Han.”

Amanda looked shocked. “By all means, dear, go quickly. I know the Han girl!”

Ruth laughed. "The Han girl? I love it! She was a girl?”

“In Minneapolis, dear,” Amanda said warmly. Go.”

Ruth went.

No one had noticed him yet. Jim was glad of that. It lessened his worry that Dr. Han’s prediction of a backstage riot would actually come true. His costume consisted of his dress uniform and a white cape with a wide purple strip near the hem. He supposed that his role was an appropriate one – at least, he’d thought so when Jade had cajoled him into it – but having Tiberius for a middle name had always made him a bit sensitive about things Roman.

At least I won’t have to sing, he though gratefully. He had no doubts about his acting ability, even with only some private coaching from Jade and no real chance to rehearse. But singing; no, that wasn’t his field.

The thought of Jade, which is occurring more and more frequently, he had to admit, caused him to glance around the crowded chaotic, purposeful confusion of the backstage area for some sign of the show’s director. He found her deep in conversation with Bones and Lieutenant Mrraal. She wasn’t in uniform. Instead, her thin form was flatteringly dressed in black slacks and an over-sized, amber-colored tunic. Amber. Drugs. Well, Havens are Havens and my crew was under the influence… Vapid, James. Maybe, dear Doctor, but endearing nonetheless.

He heard the opening strains of the overture, Jade yelling, “Places all of you, break both legs, and one screw-up and you’re all in Sickbay!” and settled down to wait for his cue.

To see the Superstar Costume Sketchbook, click here!

All your followers are blind!
Too much heaven on their minds.
It was beautiful, but now it’s sour!

Noel DelMonde presented a forceful, agonized, determined portrait of Judas Iscariot. Jim almost felt sorry for the psi-sensitives in the cast and audience.

**********

Why do you want to know?
Why are you obsessed with fighting
Times and fates you can’t defy?
If you knew the path we’re riding.
You’d understand it less than I!

Ramon Ordona was possibly the most attractive representation of Christ Jim had ever seen. He had a blend of arrogance and hesitancy that seemed perfect for the part.

**********

Everything’s all right
Yes, everything’s fine.
And we want you to sleep well tonight
Let the world turn without you tonight
Close your eyes, close your eyes,
And forget all about us tonight.

Ruth Valley, of course, the THE only possible choice for Mary Magdalene. Jim hoped Spock didn’t mind.

**********

What then to do about Jesus of Nazareth?
Miracle wonder-man, hero of fools?
No riots, no army, no fighting, no slogans…

Jim had to fight laughter at Bones’ portrayal of Annas. He only lacked a mint-julep to complete the picture of bored cynicism.

**********

Fools!
You have no perception!
The stakes we are gambling are frighteningly high!

The Havens should appreciate Caiphias’ analogy, Jim thought. And Garrovick brought force and power to the role – as he one day would to a captaincy.

**********

Keep them yelling their devotion.
But add a touch of hate at Rome…

Mrraal was a perfect Simon Zealot: who would dare not believe a yowling, maniacal, six-foot-tall black cat?

**********

“James!” Jade hissed frantically. Jim stopped staring at the stage.

“I’m ready, Doctor.”

“As soon as the curtain goes…”

“I know, Jade. Don’t worry.”

“The cast better not…”

“I’ll make it an order.”

“How can you?” Jade demanded.

Jim smiled engagingly. “I can’t. But they’re responsible actors.”

“Ha!”

“And scared to death of you.”

She scowled. “Why are you wearing such a sweet smile, James?”

“That’s not sweet. That’s vapid.” Still smiling, Jim took his place center stage.

**********

I dreamed I met a Galilean
A most amazing man…

The audience cheered hysterically. The cast gasped, then chuckled and whispered in delight. The ambassadors relaxed at the demonstration that all must be right with the Enterprise.

And Jim Kirk kept right on smiling.

The chorus that had accompanied Judas’ tortured inquiry and the title and final song of the opera left the stage, leaving Noel DelMonde on his knees, imploring the audience:

“I only wanna know!”

The stage went dark as the audience applauded, the Indiian delegation moved to tears of anguish. The idea of someone once beloved of a deity betraying that deity resonated strongly with their religious beliefs – but they had never, of course, considered the fact that perhaps such a betrayal might nor be as clear-cut as it seemed. That Judas questioned, even after his death, his apparently pre-destined part in Jesus’ divinity was as shocking to them as it was emotional

Sarek, who had been aware of the content of the opera – if not the opera itself – for many years, his wife having once subscribed to its belief system, was puzzled by the departure from the story as he understood it.

“Judas did not understand his role?” he murmured to Amanda. “That is hardly logical.”

“That’s part of the exploration of this play,” Amanda whispered back. “The authors wanted to consider the implications of…”

A voice suddenly echoed through the performance room as the stage brightened once again. Ruth Valley, in a much more revealing costume of red stood at one end of the space, staring at a newly-costumed Noel DelMonde who was stage-speaking with the characters who had been Jesus’ apostles, also newly dressed; they wore the clothing and accoutrements of a Terran, twenty-first century motorcycle gang.

TO HEAR THE SONG, CLICK HERE

“Oh oh oh oh oh
I'm in love with Ju-udas, Juda-as…”

Ramon Ordona appeared, also re-costumed similarly to the apostles, though his black leather jacket had black feathers at the shoulders and he wore a golden circlet of irregular barbs and a lot of golden chains around his neck. He, too, stared at Judas, repeating Magdalene’s words:

“Oh oh oh oh oh
I'm in love with Ju-udas, Juda-as…”

Ruth’s voice came in again:

“Judas! Juda-a-ah Judas! Juda-a-ah
Judas! Juda-a-ah Judas! Gaga”

Music came in, loud and distorted, with a driving beat. Ramon again repeated Ruth:

“Judas! Juda-a-ah Judas! Juda-a-ah
Judas! Juda-a-ah Judas! Gaga”

Ruth began walking/dancing across the stage to meet Ramon:

“When he comes to me, I am ready,” she sang.
I’ll wash his feet with my hair if he needs.”

Ramon likewise began crossing towards her, but his gaze was still on Judas.

“Forgive him when his tongue lies through his brain, he sang,
Even after three times, he betrays me.”

A spotlight came up on Del, delineating him from the crowd of apostles. He was covertly watching Jesus and Mary as they reached each other and embraced.

“I bring him down,” he vowed in a melodic snarl, “bring him down, down
A king wit’ no crown, king wit’ no crown…”

Ruth and Ramon stood together, each of them gazing at Del but clearly not hearing the other one singing, their voices blending and harmonizing as they and the apostles went into a choreographed dance routine.

“I’m just a Holy Fool, oh baby it’s so cruel
But I’m still in love with Judas, baby
I’m just a Holy Fool, oh baby it’s so cruel
But I’m still in love with Judas, baby”

Ruth continued singing as she danced away from Ramon to join the apostles.

“Oh oh oh oh oh
I'm in love with Ju-udas, Juda-as”

Ramon too moved away, heading to the opposite side of the stage away from Ruth.

“Oh oh oh oh oh
I'm in love with Ju-udas, Juda-as”

They stood apart, singing together, their own dance moves mirror images of each other.

“Judas! Juda-a-ah Judas! Juda-a-ah
Judas! Juda-a-ah Judas! Gaga”

Ruth continued, but her gaze shifted to Del, and her voice was joined by his as he glared with equal parts anger and helplessness at Ramon.

“I couldn’t love a man so purely
Even prophets forgave his crooked way.
I’ve learned love is like a brick you can
Build a house or sink a dead body.”

Ruth’s voice dropped out, Del again growling:

“I bring him down, bring him down, down
A king wit’ no crown, king wit’ no crown…”

Ramon and Ruth again went into their refrain, dancing as they gazed at the object of their affection.

I’m just a Holy Fool, oh baby it’s so cruel
But I’m still in love with Judas, baby
I’m just a Holy Fool, oh baby it’s so cruel
But I’m still in love with Judas, baby

Oh oh oh oh oh
I'm in love with Ju-udas, Juda-as

Oh oh oh oh oh
I'm in love with Ju-udas, Juda-as

The stage lights dimmed, leaving the only light on Ruth, who walked toward the edge of the stage as the percussion continued. Her voice was sensual and confidential, speaking rather than singing:

“In the most Biblical sense
I am beyond repentance;
Fame hooker, prostitute, wench, vomits her mind.”

She turned, moving to stand next to DelMonde.

“But in the cultural sense
I just speak in future tense
Judas, kiss me if offenced,
Don’t wear ear condom next time.”

She quickly licked his ear, then turned away, only to turn back as they sang together, she to him, but he clearly to Ramon:

“I wanna love you,
But something’s pullin’ me away from you…”

Then Ruth’s gaze lifted upward, clearly addressing her next lines to a distant deity.

“Jesus is my virtue,
And Judas is the demon I cling to…
I cling to…”

She sang again to Ramon, and again his voice joined hers, but this time he was staring at both she and Del as they moved together to the rhythm of the music:

“Just a Holy Fool, oh baby it’s so cruel
But I’m still in love with Judas, baby
I’m just a Holy Fool, oh baby it’s so cruel
But I’m still in love with Judas, baby

“Oh oh oh oh oh
I'm in love with Ju-udas, Juda-as

Oh oh oh oh oh
I'm in love with Ju-udas, Juda-as

Judas! Juda-a-ah Judas! Juda-a-ah
Judas! Juda-a-ah Judas! Gaga!”

Ramon flung his arms out in a cross position, his head falling back. Ruth sank to her knees, her arms stretched up to him in clear anguish. They froze, as did the apostles who were all in the act of rushing toward their lord. From offstage, Del’s voice cried/sang:

“Who are you, what have you sacrificed?”

The stage again went dark. The Havens applauded loudly, being perhaps the best suited to an appreciation of the nuance and contradictions of the piece. Or perhaps they just liked the clothes.

“What the hell was that?!” Jade demanded as her breathless actors came off stage and the filmed ‘crucifixion’ images were projected on stage as the haunting closing melody of the opera played over the speakers.

“Jus’ a li’l surprise fo’ you, darlin’,” DelMonde said with a grin.

“We thought, after all the trouble we’ve been in rehearsal…” Ramon Ordona added, letting his sentence trail off with a shrug and a grin.

“Because you didn’t have to do any work,” Ruth chimed in. “And it was in keeping with the theme, right?”

“You confused the hell out of the Indiians,” Jade informed them, as several of them were already accosting the captain in the corridor just outside the staging area.

“And my father will spend hours lecturing me on the illogic of it,” Spock’s voice said as he appeared from the small booth from which he had watched the performance.

Ruth grinned at him, her eyes twinkling. “Oh, I’m so sorry, honey.” Spock lifted an eyebrow at this obvious deception, but said nothing.

Del turned and muttered something which could have been, “She still in love wit’ Judas.”