Karissa awoke with a contented sigh as she felt Ryan's arm around her waist
and his body against hers. She smiled and rolled over gently so she could face
him. Even in the darkness, she could see his face clearly, as if it were bathed
in light. He stirred, but did not awaken. Tenderly she caressed his face. For
the first time in what seemed like forever, she was happy. All the major issues
of her life had been dealt with. Everything else was falling into place. And
now that she had finally come to terms with the loss of Ah-Jian and had had
a chance to truly grieve, she was feeling better. She pictured him as that little
happy angel and it helped ease the pain that would occasionally come. But even
the pain was getting less and less.
As she laid there, she was finally ready to count her blessings and see all the good that was in her life. Yes, she had made mistakes . . . But now, she had love, she thought, as she caressed Ryan's face again. She had good friends who had been by her side through all the bad times she'd had recently . . . who, even though she wasn't natural, loved her for who she was . . . And she was going to be a mother. Something she had always wanted to be . . . And she had her parents and little brother. Her life really was full of blessings, and for the first time in several weeks, she was able to see that in all its glory. With a smile, she kissed Ryan.
As she pulled away, his eyes opened and he returned the smile. Though he was no telepath, there was something different about her. As if some great weight had been lifted from her shoulders. He caressed her face with a twinkle in his eyes and drew her to him for another kiss. There was still time before they had to get up, he reasoned. He didn't let her go.
She had finally completed going through all the files and had set up several appointments. Karissa's work was fast and efficient. More so than it had been in awhile. As she was going over yet another report, the door to her office opened. With surprise, she looked up. No one was there, but she felt a presence. Suddenly, Torasu jumped upon her desk and looked right at her. She was startled a bit, but she laughed as she saw his yellow eyes staring at her. Gently she stroked his fur.
"Ah, and do I have another patient today?" she laughed. She picked him up and held him in her arms. Immediately she was rewarded with his purring. Contentedly, he laid there. "So have you missed me or something?" she asked. He just nuzzled her hand.
Suddenly Dinara entered. "Karissa, I was looking for Lt. Maxwell's file, but its not in my database . . . Torasu?" she said with surprise.
Karissa giggled. "Apparently he needed a counseling session," she joked. Quickly, she managed to pull up the file and transfer it to a PADD, holding it out to Dinara. "Here's the file. I've been updating them . . . In fact, I've managed to get quite a bit done today."
"I guess so," she replied with a smile. "In fact, you seem in a pretty good mood . . . The best I've seen you in awhile!"
"Several things have finally resolved themselves for the most part . . ." Karissa answered, with a smile, still stroking Torasu's black fur.
"Such as?" she asked, "I mean, I don't mean to pry . . . Just, it's good to see you so happy!"
Karissa nodded. "It's good to be so happy," she replied. "I have just come to terms with certain things . . . Like the baby I lost . . . and things about myself that I can't do anything about . . . I just woke up this morning and felt like, for the first time in weeks, the sun had come out . . . I have so much to be happy about . . . Two other babies that are healthy . . . the love of a man I love very deeply . . . Good friends . . ." she smiled. "And my family . . ."
Dinara smiled. "It's good to take stalk in the things we have. Sometimes we take them for granted."
"Yeah," Karissa agreed. "You know, you and Nige, and so many of my other friends aboard this ship really have helped me through a very difficult time . . . I know you didn't always understand what was going on, and you still might not understand everything, but . . . Thank you for being there as my friend . . ."
"Well, that's what friends do . . ." Dinara replied.
Karissa smiled again, as Torasu continued purring.
Alpha shift was over as Ryan, hurried off the Bridge. Tyran saw him and smiled, knowing he was most likely going to see Karissa. Quickly he entered the lift with the other bridge crew. As the doors opened on the right deck he stepped off. He caught Tyran's smile and returned it. He walked to Karissa's quarters. As the door slid open, he was hit by a wonderful mix of aromas. The room was dark except for several lit candles of all sizes and shapes. There were a few sticks of burning incense. The dinner table was set for two with candles lit there as well. There were also covered trays set upon the table. Music played softly in the background as he approached the porthole. Karissa was not there in her favorite place. Suddenly, a figure emerged from the bedroom, in a long, thin, black dress. Her hair was pulled back, with a few tendrils hanging around her face framing it beautifully.
"Hi," she said, her dark eyes glittering in the soft candlelight.
"Hi," Ryan simply replied, a little bewildered by this scene he had been confronted with.
"I thought I would surprise you," she said, as she went to him, and took one of his hands in hers.
"You've succeeded," he said looking around. "What's all this in aid of?"
"A celebration!" she replied, she giggled. "I wanted to do something special of you . . . For us . . ."
"You are in a good mood today, aren't you?"
"Is it that obvious?" she laughed, leading him to the couch. There was a bottle of chilled non-alcoholic wine waiting for them on the table with two long-stemmed glasses. She poured the wine and handed him a glass, taking one for her self.
"So I'm guessing by your mood that you're finally coming to terms with everything . . . the babies and your DNA manipulation . . .?"
"You could say that," she replied. "And I wanted to thank you for being beside me through all of this . . . "
"Hey, it's nothing any decent person wouldn't have done," he replied with a smile, "And I was happy to do it for you." He took a sip of his wine. "I love you after all." Their dark eyes met and held.
"And I love you too," she replied, putting her wine back down and caressing his face. "I just never want to take you for granted . . . I want you to always know just how deeply my love run for you . . . " she smiled.
"And what could make a perfect day better than spending a night with me?" he grinned.
"Of course!" she replied, with a sparkle in her eyes as she seductively nibbled her lower lip.
Ryan grabbed the rose out of the
vase on the table, put it in his mouth, picked Karissa up and headed for the
bedroom, her gently giggling echoing through the quarters.