The chaos having abated, Tarik checked his people and gathered his own thoughts. He couldn't believe what he'd seen! He had known that Captain Mallory had something in mind for the arrival of the entity known as Kalimar but had no idea that Kassia was so intimately involved.
The response by the Marines and security was meant to lull Kalimar into complacency, thus allowing Kassia to weave her spell and strip the entity of his power. It was a classic diversionary attack--made all the more so by the tight security around the operation. No one knew more than he or she needed to know to pull it off.
The Commerce Section had sustained some damage, and even as Tarik's team regrouped maintenance crews were busy cleaning up the area. Tarik detailed some of his people to aid in the cleanup as he tried to make sense of Kassia's new--and staggeringly awesome--power.
Kassia saw Tarik after she made sure Tara had gotten to a Medic. She sensed he was unsettled and sighed, not sure what to do. She didn't know if she should go to him or not. For a moment, they made eye-contact, but instead of walking over to him, she went into her shop. She went into the back room and picked up the table Kalimar had flung over.
Carefully, she picked up the objects that had been knocked over and placed them back where they belonged. The incense had burned itself out, but the candles were still lit. She sighed as she sat down, staring into the flames. It had been quite a day and she still had to report to Captain Mallory.
Most of the cleanup outside had now been finished, though repairs were in progress. Tarik dismissed his people, then went to join Kassia. "Need a hand?" he asked.
"I've gotten most of in here straightened out, I think," she replied. For a moment, she didn't meet his stare. "You don't know what to think of me now, do you?" she asked quietly unsure how this would change their relationship.
"Actually, I don't," he said. "I've never seen anything like this before in my life, and I just don't know..."
She nodded and looked at the flame of a candle before her. "I didn't know I was telekinetic until today," she replied. "I knew I could work spells... That I was pretty sure of anyway, though I didn't quite expect that... But the station is safe now... That's what I wanted."
"And you're safe," Tarik said. He had a very unsettled feeling inside--that perhaps she didn't need him anymore. Or maybe had moved beyond him.
Kassia suddenly looked at him, tears misting her eyes, but they didn't fall. Tenderly she reached up and placed her hand on his chest. "Tarik... Just because I have these gifts doesn't mean that I don't need you," she replied. "I will always need you... You're a part of me. If I didn't have you, I wouldn't be whole..."
"I'm just afraid that maybe you'll grow beyond this existence...beyond me," Tarik replied softly. "And as much as I hate to admit it I don't want to imagine my life without you."
She shook her head. "I can't grow beyond this existence. This is my existence, just as it is yours... But my people... The girls like me, can do these things. We're special... But I will never grow beyond you... Never..." She stood up and caressed his face. "I can't imagine my life without you either... We were meant to be together. We're bonded. Ever since that first day we met," she smiled softly.
"That's good to hear," Tarik said. "If you only knew what I was thinking when this Kalimar creature had me pushed back...had I the power I would have torn him to shreds on the spot! And yet, I knew this was far beyond anything I could do. I felt...helpless...I don't like that feeling."
"I know..." she replied as she gazed at him. "If Tiyanna hadn't of had that vision, there would be a lot more dead... I'm thankful that I figured out who the bad man was in it. She didn't know who he was... But with discovering Kalimar alive it wasn't hard to put two and two together... Things could have been much, much worse for everyone," she replied.
"There will be a reckoning, I can feel it," Tarik said with determination. "I don't know how, and I don't know when, but somewhere deep within my being I can sense that there will be a reckoning for this creature."
"Let's hope so," Kassia replied. "And I hope its Katianna that can give it to him... and not the other way around." Kassia leaned her head on his chest. Part of her was concerned as she went through events. Kalimar knew who she was now and what she could do. She was a threat to him... She wondered what that would mean for her, if anything.
"I know what you're thinking. If I were Kalimar I'd be looking for you too. And maybe I can't do much by merely mortal means, but you'd better believe he'll know he's been in a fight if he tries anything!"
"I don't know what might happen, but promise me that you will not go up against Kalimar," she said, as she gazed up at him. "He would kill you, like he's squashing a bug... He would not hesitate doing that and not care about it afterwards... This is a demon. A mortal can't kill a demon... Not that I've found yet."
"If a way can be found, I will find it. And if he presses me I will not stand aside. I cannot--not and remain true to who I am."
She nodded as the tears fell from her eyes. He was right. She knew he was right, but if it came down to it, she didn't want him to end up as one of Kalimar's casualties. "I know," she replied quietly. "I'm sorry..."
"Now, no need to panic! You think I'm so foolish as to go up against him unprepared?" Tarik asked, sensing Kassia's distress. "I want to learn what you know. I may not be as powerful, and it may not even work--but I won't stand by and let him attack you."
"He won't attack me... Not yet..." she replied. "Katianna is the main course of the day. If she doesn't succeed in stopping him..." Kassia shrugged. "All bets are off... He'll come after me, because I'll be his one great threat. But we'll see what happens."
"So it's best to use the time we have to prepare, because we know he's out there and that he will come. But I am glad that you are okay," Tarik said with a smile.
"And you're not afraid of me?" she asked, just wanting to hear it for herself.
"Afraid? Why would I ever be afraid of you? The only thing I fear is that someday the world you live in will prove too enticing and that you won't want me anymore," Tarik said, surprising himself with this sudden burst of emotion.
"That will never, ever happen..." Kassia replied as she kissed him gently. "This is my world. The only world I care to live in... If what I can do will make it better then so be it... That's what my gifts are for. I was just afraid that with what you saw... I mean, how many guys see their girl telekinetically put a piece of glass through someone and pin them to the wall... Even if that person is a demon?" she said.
"Now why would I be jealous of that?" Tarik laughed. "I've got someone who can cover my back now!"
For the first time since their exchange, she laughed. "I will always cover your back!"
"Good! Now, let's get out of here. Enough excitement for one day!"
"Definitely," she replied. "I just need to give a personal report to Captain Mallory then my job is done for the day."
"By all means get that done. I need to write my report as well--such as it is," Tarik smirked.
Tenderly, she kissed him again. "Maybe we can do something special when I get that over and done with."
"Hmmm...do your new powers operate in that arena as well?" Tarik asked with a light in his eye.
"I guess you'll have to wait and find out," she smirked as she kissed him again.
Tarik smiled as they parted ways, each to finish their respective reports. He made sure his was brief and to the point.