Morgan sat alone as usual in the mess hall eating a simple lunch. He lived his life according to a tightly regimented plan, eating whenever possible at exactly the same time and as close to the same things as possible. He was Klingon. He valued discipline in himself and others.
But not all disruptions from routine were unwelcome. He smiled inwardly as Talia sat down to join him at lunch.
"So how's your day going?" she smiled.
"It is going according to routine," Morgan said. For him, nothing could be better.
She smiled as she took a bite of her lunch and smiled. "You need to work on your spontineity level!"
"Combat provides me with all the spontenaity I could possibly crave," he said as he took a slug from his prune juice. He grinned as the purple fluid rushed down his throat. "Ahh, yes...a warrior's drink! So, how is your day?" he asked.
"The usual," she replied. "What are you doing later?"
Morgan thought for a moment. Perhaps a little break from his routine wouldn't hurt. "My schedule is open," he said.
She smirked with a twinkle in her green eyes. "Want to go to the holosuites?"
"It's been a while since I've gone. Why not?" he asked, surprising even himself.
"Good!" she replied, as she took a drink of her water. "Maybe something pretty intense? Are you up for it?" she asked with a hint of a challenge. But it was a playful challenge.
"You need to ask if I'm up for a challenge?" Morgan said with a grin that made him look positively terrifying.
She raised her eyebrows and smiled brightly. "Good!" she replied. "This should be great!"
"What do you have in mind?" he asked as he took another bite of roast targ.
"Oh, I was thinking of program my TaliaHostile-224. My most intense program," she replied. "I haven't run through it in awhile and I thought it might be fun to run through it with a partner..." She winked.
Morgan's eyes lit up. "Sounds intriguing! I shall look forward to this one greatly!"
"I'm glad!" she replied. "So what time should we meet up?"
"Hmmmm...1800 hours work for you?" he asked.
"Definitely works for me!" she replied. "This is going to fun!"
"Agreed! 1800 it is! I look forward to battle!" he said with a growl.
"And it will be a battle for sure," she finished her water and took another bite of her lunch. She looked at him again and smirked. This was going to be an interesting evening.
Morgan and Talia met at holo pursuits at 1800 ready to start the program.
"Are you ready?" she asked with a devilish look in her eyes.
"I was born ready!" he said with a snarl.
"Good!" she replied initiating the program. As they walked in, they were in a jungle. It was hot and muggy. Foliage everywhere... And they had opponents frozen in fighting stances ready to go on command. They took positions and Talia started the action.
The first opponent charged Morgan, who slashed at the creature's head with his bat'leth. The creature's head went bouncing off into the distance as its decapitated corpse dropped to the ground. Two other creatures tried to take him from either side. Morgan gutted one and drop-kicked the other. "I like this!" he yelled with enthusiasm.
Talia had two swords in her hand. Easily she spun and took on two of her opponents as they ran to engage her with their own swords. With a quick strike, she thrust into one of her opponents and he crumpled to the ground. She spun to the other and quickly decapitated him with her two swords. Soon they were engaged by more opponents.
Morgan and Talia stood back-to-back as the circle of opponents closed on them. Morgan yelled a challenge as he retrieved a javelin from a fallen warrior and thrust it at the nearest attacker. The creature howled in pain but kept moving forward, aided by three of its mates. Morgan yanked the javelin free from the wounded creature and jabbed one to the left of it while swinging his bat'leth one-handed in a wide arc toward the two to the right. The bat'leth caught one of them in the temple, nearly taking off the front of its skull. "Survive and succeed!" Morgan yelled as he wrenched the javelin about in another creature's chest.
The remaining attacker tried to grab Morgan from behind, but he was ready for this. Thrusting backward, his d'k'tag met the breastbone of the newest attacker. The creature staggered back, taking his dagger with it.
Talia was attacked by three opponents. As she swiftly dodged around one, she sliced and diced the other as he came at her. The other two attacked her from opposite directions trying to get the drop on her only to find themselves with a blade in their guts. They too, crumpled to the ground dead. As another opponent showed himself, she grabbed a dagger from her belt and threw it, nailing him through the throat. He clutched at the blade, but he still fell. More attacks continued to arrive. She just smiled at Morgan as the fun continued.
After awhile as all the opponenets lay dead around them Talia, sweating, looked at Morgan then looked at the bodies littering the ground around them.
"So, did you like the program?" she asked as she looked at him curiously, sensing he enjoyed.
"This is it? Where's the challenge?" he said with a hearty laugh as he placed his hand on her shoulder.
"You!" she said as she sucker-punched his arm playfully.
"What do you expect from a Klingon?" he said as he retrieved his dagger.
Talia laughed and got her swords, "So you up for drinks too?" she smiled. It wasn't exactly their first time hanging out together.
"Of course! A battle like this deserves drink and song!"
"Good!" Talia replies. "I could definitely use a drink!"
They placed their arms around each other's shoulders and promptly swaggered out of the holosuite, weapons in hand.
"Where would you like to go this time?" Morgan asked.
She smirked and raised her eyebrows as if in thought for a moment. "How about your place?" she replied confidently.
"My place it is!" he said with a gleam in his eye as he thought of the possibilities.
They marched off together to Morgan's quarters, a chamber as spartan as his lifestyle. A bed, a wardrobe, a weapons rack, and a small shrine to Kahless were all that adorned the small room. The room was lit very dimly, an ambiance Morgan added to with several candles.
Talia wasted no time in kissing Morgan as soon as he handed her a drink.
Morgan returned the kiss passionately, almost spilling both of their drinks. "Now this is the proper way to celebrate a victory!" he said with a smile.
"Absolutely!" Talia smiled and kissed him again, guiding him over to the bed. "And this is definitely going to be a celebration!" she added as she nipped his ear.
Morgan gave a low growl as he returned the nip, then cuffed Talia on the shoulder. "Are you attempting to start something?" he asked with a mischievous smile.
"Always," she replied with a smirk. "So what are you going to do about it?" She was actually challenging him, and she knew it. It wasn't like she didn't know what she was doing. A distinct mischevious twinkle was in her eyes.
"What do you think I'm doing?" he said as he grabbed her suddenly and lifted her up by the waist. "If we're going to do this, let's do it right!"
Talia grinned and cuffed him back across the collarbone, looking at him, ready for anything.
"That's the spirit!" Morgan shouted as he returned the blow. "Now, claw at me! Make me hurt!" he yelled as he felt his Klingon blood rising. Mere human mating rituals held no draw for him!
She just about growled as she smiled and obliged him. She clawed at his chest and bit at his shoulder as she had the opportunity.
Morgan returned the favor as he clawed back at her and shoved her to the bed. The clawing continued, and soon their clothing was in shreds.
As he drew blood from her, she felt no pain. She just wanted him even more. "I want you now," she said as she pierced him with her gaze.
Morgan roared with joy as he continued to seduce her in true Klingon fashion.
Talia awoke later with the covers wrapped around her and Morgan's body pressed against hers. She was sore and knew that she'd have a fun time explaining the scratches to anyone, so she was going to be careful about what she did until she could take care of them. She was very thirsty though and wanted some water. She carefully tried to get up without disturbing Morgan.
Morgan was, as always, a light sleeper despite five flagons of bloodwine. He woke up groggily. "You were wonderful," he said with a smile.
She smiled. "So were you," she replied, as she went to the replicator to get her water. She returned to the bed and sat back down, taking a sip.
Morgan decided to take his chance. Dare not, risk not. Risk not, live not! he thought. "Have you considered making our partnership more...formal?" he asked.
Immediately she took a sharp breath in, then she took a drink and shook her head. She knew this would happen sooner or later.
"Morgan... I just can't," she replied, but she looked away from him.
"I know the Klingon way of marriage and partnership is different from what you've known, but it is something I think you could adapt to, even enjoy!" Morgan said, disgusted with himself as he felt his human half pleading for her company. "Why can't you?" he asked.
She became evaisive. "Because I just can't..." she replied. "Besides, I thought we agreed in the beginning to keep this light. If we make this serious, it's not light anymore. It's not fun... And then it becomes something else... Something... I don't know... Something I just don't want," she replied. But there was something more in her eyes, as if there was something deep in here that haunted her.
"It has never been anything less than serious for me, Talia."
She looked troubled. "Morgan... I don't know what to say," she replied. "I like you a lot. You're one of my best friends in this universe... But I'm not ready to commit to anyone. I just can't, and I can't go into why..."
"If ever you change your mind, I'll be here for you," he said. "But I have never taken this less than totally seriously. Have you ever known me not to take anything seriously?" he asked with sincerity.
She looked down. She had to admit that he was right. She had probably been fooling herself into believing he'd take things as lightly as she did.
"Maybe I should go..." she said as she started to get up.
"Please...stay for a while. I did not mean to press you so hard," he said, his softer human half desiring her companionship; his harder Klingon half not wishing to concede defeat.
She smiled gently as she felt him take her wrist. She stopped and turned. "If you want me to stay, I will," she replied. "I just can't be what you want me to be..."
"Someday, you will find that strength. I know you too well, Talia."
"You have more faith in that that I do," she replied, as she leaned back and into his embrace.
"In my position faith is all I have," Morgan said solemnly.
"Until then, can we try to keep it light?" she ask. "Or at least pretend?"
"I'll do my best. Besides, this is too much fun!" he said with a smile.
Finally, she breathed a little easier and turned to kiss him. "My thoughts exactly..."
Morgan returned the kiss and felt his blood heat up immediately. Perhaps it wasn't what he wanted, and maybe it would never be what he wanted. But for the time being it would do.