Rise

Damson Rhee sidled up to the Caitian lying on his back underneath an aft console on the Bridge and clucked at him. "Ensign !" She called lightly. "Did you forget something ?"

He nearly bumped his head as he started at the sound of her voice. Growling, he stood spanner in hand. "Doctor Rhee…" He purred. "…is there something I can help you with ?"

"You were supposed to come by last night to fix my replicator." She said, the first stirrings of unease beginning to creep into her mind.

"Of course, Damson." He said, patting her shoulder with a palm. His palm was warm against her arm and quickly took on the shape of her arm.

Their eyes locked and a moment later, he was pulling her close to him. "Please, Lieutenant…" He cooed. "….allow me to make up for it."

Rhee was tempted to give into the moment, to kiss him right here and now, to allow the baser side of her instinct to give into the man before her.

She had however, she realised, been through this before. She had already suffered the consequences of her love for this man; for her giving over of herself to the Caitian who stood before her.

She abruptly pulled away from her and moved toward the doorway arch. Leaving quickly, she called three words over her right shoulder as tears formed hotly, irrevocably behind her eyes. "Computer, end program."

The doors of the now empty holodeck slid solidly shut, closing Rhee's escape from reality once more. She had barely escaped this time, she realised, but, leaning against a bulkhead, she smiled. "I don't need him." She assured herself, a little less unsure this time.

She’d entered the holodeck to pass some time, whilst the ship was under repair. There wasn’t a great deal for the science team to do, most of the work was being handled by the Engineering teams.

"Lieutenant J’ross to all senior staff, please report to the main briefing room in half an hour." The voice of the Taurus’s temporary Captain announced. "Our new Commanding officer will be arriving and wishes to meet the senior staff."

*Just enough time for a quick shower and a change of uniform.* Rhee thought, heading for the turbolift and her quarters.