Tara Carmichael was astounded as she walked through the Promenade. She had woken up late in the VIP quarters almost thinking everything had been a dream, until she had opened her eyes. Then the reality of everything hit her all over again. Her and Ryan were really there and they were there to stay. With a sigh she had gotten up and put on some new clothes that had been replicated for her the day before, had actually replicated a large brunch to feed herself, her growing baby and her skryll. She'd been amazed at how it had tasted. Even though she had been released from sickbay with a clean bill of health the day before, she was still told to take things easy. But she figured a little stroll wouldn't hurt her, and since Ryan had told her about the Promenade she had wanted to see it for herself. Finally, turning her dishes back into the replicator as she was shown to do, she left her temporary quarters.
She walked around a bit, and with some directions and the turbolift, she found the Promenade. She was astounded by what she saw. So many alien races and alien things it made her head swim... and NONE of it Taelon. In some respects it made her feel very out of place.
As she window shopped her mind returned to her friends from her Earth. James had been her big brother, more or less. And his wife Jen... The first time they had actually met, Jen had saved her life. Not only had she replaced Tara's CVI as it broke down with a mutating virus, but had replaced it with one that didn't have a Motivational Imperative. Just like the one that had been damaged. It turned out Ra'el, Jen's Companion had secretly sanctioned the work, and James had also had a CVI without an MI. At first, James wasn't sure about Tara, but it hadn't taken long for them to become very close. He had known just how hard it was for her working under Zo'or when she had worked under Ta'al... Ta'al had been like family to her... Zo'or had been just the opposite. And then there was Grace. Her other close friend. Grace had also saved her life. When Ta'al had been forced to join the Great Void by the Synod, or so Tara had been told, it had devastated her. She had also lost Will Boone that same day, another friend. He had taken her under his wing when she had been transferred from Greece to North America. Though no one else had picked up on her emotional upheaval, Grace knew... She was another of the Protectors without an MI. She had followed Tara and stopped her from doing the unthinkable... Instead, she had talked Tara into joining the Resistance. Tara had not only been part of the Resistance, she had been part of the Ta'az - the Taelon Rebellion. Her whole world was living a life between those groups and Zo'or... She had been the one to discover that Ron Sandoval was not who he pretended to be. His MI had broken down. But due to an experiment her and Tara had unwittingly participated in for Zo'or's amusement, she had become pregnant... and they had ended up very close. Her and Ron had tried to keep their meetings together as quiet as possible. They hadn't wanted Zo'or to know that they honestly cared deeply about each other. There was always that chance Zo'or would use it. Do something to hurt them... But here she was now. Everything she knew was gone. There were no Taelons, no people she knew... She was a fish out of water. Except for Ryan, she was alone.
Suddenly, she saw a face and she just stopped. It looked almost like Ron's! But he was too far away. She decided to follow, only she couldn't move that fast. Being seven months pregnant slowed her down, but only a little. Still, the man seemed to be walking much faster than she. But she kept following. She had to see him, though she knew she was acting crazy. But after a few minutes, she lost him in the crowds. With a sigh, she stopped walking. As she looked around, she found herself in front of an interesting shop. In the window were all kinds of crystals, books, tarot cards and what looked like runes. There were other objects she didn't recognize as well. She looked at the sign - Kassia's Cave of Curiosities and Mystery. She arched her eyebrow for a moment considering what to do, and then entered the establishment.
As she walked in, she was immediately struck by all the different objects and how exotic the place looked. It fit its name, she thought as she carefully picked up an intricately cut peacock crystal as it shimmered several different colors. She put it down and looked at some of the books. Everything from astrology to how to read Alentorite Runes was covered, whatever those were. Then there was all the ritual objects. She recognized the rosaries, the tarot cards, Norse runes... there were candles and candle holders, crystal balls... But there were so many other things that were obviously things she'd never seen before. Suddenly her daughter gave her a strong swift kick and she grunted a bit.
The two women at the register stopped what they were doing and looked at her. She smiled back politely, letting them know she was fine, but as she watched, the woman with long dark hair, green eyes and trails of what looked like leopard spots came up to her.
"Are you all right?" she asked.
There was something about this woman that seemed to put her at ease. She sigh. "It was just the baby moving."
"You're due in about two months. It's a girl!" the woman smiled. "She's very beautiful. She'll grow up to be quite a heartbreaker..."
Tara looked at her. "How did you know I was having a girl?"
The woman laughed gently and extended her hand. "My name's Kassia. This is my shop. I'm the resident psychic. Of course, I'm also the station's counselor, but today I have just returned from a vacation and was checking in on things here... And you are?"
"Tara Carmichael," she replied, take the hand. "Resident Fish-out-of-water..."
Suddenly there was a tickle in her brain as Kassia's eyes met hers. ~You're a telepath!~ she said.
Tara's eyes grew big. ~You... You're telepathic too?~ she asked in astonishment.
~So is my partner, Danni,~ Kassia said as she glanced over to the girl working the register. ~As is the First Officer of the station and many others aboard.~
~This is commonplace?~ she asked.
~Well... sort of... some species can and some can't. I'm surprised you don't know this?~ Kassia replied with a bit of concerned surprise, now getting a strong sense that this woman was way out of her element.
~I'm not from around here...~ Tara explained. ~Let me show you...~
~All right...~
Gently, Tara took Kassia's hand and held it. Directing her mind, she went through her life history as quickly and coherently as she could and how she had come to be there. Kassia smiled and nodded.
~I understand...~ She said. ~But please, know you're among friends here... ~
~You said you're also the Station's counselor?~ Tara asked again.
~Yes~
~I have an appointment to see you tomorrow...~ Tara replied. ~I suppose the Captain wants me evaluated...~
~You've gone through a lot and you've had a major culture shock... Its as much for your benefit as ours, believe me,~ Kassia said.
As Tara looked into the woman's eyes, she couldn't help feeling as if she were being told the truth. That somehow this was for her benefit as well. That maybe she could let her guard down just a bit.
As the last customer walked out, Danni joined them. "Hello," she smiled. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but, Kassia, I wanted to ask you something..."
"What is it?" Kassia smiled.
"I was wondering if we could replicate some twinkling lights to hang in the window and around the store for Christmas... maybe even place some fake snow in the window or something... you know, decorate for the season?"
Kassia looked at her curiously with a bright smile. "I didn't think Betazoids celebrated Christmas."
"Oh! We don't!" Danni replied quickly, "But suddenly... I don't know... I just felt like... It was something that we should do! Maybe its those cookies every morning!"
"Have you figured out whose bringing them or how they're getting in?" Kassia asked.
"Nope! But they sure are delicious! And nothing's ever stolen, so I've never told anyone but you!"
Kassia laughed, "Well, at least whoever is doing it is doing something nice!"
"Well, you're a psychic, can't you find out?" Tara asked.
"Maybe," Kassia replied. "My gifts don't always work. But also, as long as no one is getting hurt, what harm is there in a little fun! Do you celebrate Christmas?" She looked to Tara.
Tara's green eyes looked at Kassia with surprise. "Yes, as a matter of fact, I do... But here... I don't know... All my friends are... Well, its only Ryan and I... And I use to celebrate with a tree, popcorn garlands, gingerbread cookies, hot cocoa. Use to hang pine garlands with lights everywhere... I had placed lights all over my new home, but I'm not there now... I don't know if I have enough Christmas spirit in me right now..."
Kassia was thoughtful for a moment and then she walked to her crystal counter. She returned with something.
"Here is your first Christmas gift," Kassia said, as she took Tara's hand and opened it. In it she placed the intricately cut peacock crystal. She watched as Tara's eyes popped opened.
"How did you know that I -"
Kassia smiled brightly. "Remember, I'm psychic!" she replied.
"But I couldn't take this..." Tara said as she watched the colors dance in the store lights.
"Yes, you can," Kassia replied. "I insist!"
Tara was quiet for a moment as she quelled her emotions. "Thank you."
"You're very welcome!" she replied. "Just remember... Its always hard to leave those you love, but there's no reason you can't make new friends too..."
Tara nodded. "I should probably get going..."
"Take care of yourself," Kassia said. "And I'll be seeing you tomorrow..."
"Tomorrow then," Tara echoed as she smiled softly. With a final look at Kassia and Danni, she left the store.
She spent another hour walking the Promenade, but began to grow weary. The doctor - Cherrin, had told her that she might continue to get rundown easily for a couple of days and to not push herself, so with a sigh, she turned herself around and walked back to her quarters. There was no chance of getting lost. With the CVI, it was impossible. She could retrace her steps easily. With a heavy sigh, she keyed in her code. As the door slid open, she stepped inside and suddenly she stopped. The quarters had a tree in a corner by the porthole all decorated for Christmas. There was even a tree skirt at the bottom and a present. Up along the walls were pine and light garlands twinkling merrily. In places on the ground were poinsettias. And up on one of the walls was even a stocking! There was even soft Christmas carols playing in the background. As she approached the couch, on the coffee table she saw a tray of gingerbread cookies, candy canes and two cups of cocoa. She leaned over and touched one of the mugs. To her surprise it was very hot to the touch and floating on the top were two marshmallows, just the way she liked it... Carefully, she placed her peacock crystal down.
"Ryan?" she called out. "Ryan, are you here?"
Silence answered her. Suddenly, the door to her quarters opened.
"Tara, how about we go to the Promenade for din- Wow! Were you busy?" Ryan asked as he looked around at the all the decorations.
She looked at him with shock still on her face. "I didn't do this..." she said. "I thought maybe you did..."
He shrugged. "Not me... But it does look nice! Maybe the Captain arranged someone to do this for you to make you feel more at home?" he suggested.
"Maybe..." she agreed. "But how would they know I like two marshmallows in my hot cocoa? And this is piping hot! There's one here for you too!"
He went to her and placed his arm around her shoulder. "Well... I would accept this as a wonderful gift, Tara... Why don't we drink this hot cocoa, eat a cookie or two and then lets go to Harry's for dinner!"
"Harry's?"
"It's modeled after a 1950's Earth diner! Earth food and everything! I figured it would be the best place to go," he smiled. "What do you say?"
She sighed and smiled. "All right..." she replied.
"Good!" He helped her sit and handed her a mug of cocoa. "Now enjoy this... try to relax..." He could see in her eyes what was wrong and took her other hand in his. "Tara, I know you miss him... I'm sorry this happened. I wish there was some way to fix this... But at least here you don't have to worry about Zo'or hurting your baby... Wouldn't Ron have wanted that?"
She nodded. "You're right... He would have wanted that for her... It's just so hard to be without him..."
As tears glistened in her eyes, he immediately pulled her into his embrace, careful not to spill.
"I'm all right now," she replied, as she had her full composure again. She wiped away the tears and took a sip of her cocoa. There was a hint of raspberry and she smiled. "You know, James would have already been in my head asking what was wrong," she laughed bittersweetly.
Ryan smiled. "He was protective of you... "
"That he was..." Tara agreed. "I just wish there was a way to let everyone know we were all right... Can you imagine Grace and Jen right now? Can you imagine James? And Ron is probably devastated..."
"I know... But maybe somehow they'll just know..."
She smiled sadly. "It's a nice thought... though unrealistic..."
"Yeah..." he replied. "Well, you never know... This is the Christmas season. Wishes can come true!"
Her smile brightened at his optimism.
"Now, drink your cocoa and we'll head out to dinner!"