Lili was cold; that was the first thing she was really sure of when she first started to shrug off the blanket of sleep. For a moment, she was surprised to realize that she was undressed under the covers of her bed, until she suddenly remembered the events of last night, remembered Stephen.
And smiled.
But she also remembered what happened before that, and it left a cold hollow feeling in the pit of her stomach. Mother, Father... every last being on her world... gone. It made her shiver as she though of that. She rose out of the bed and walked to the bathroom.
She could feel herself start to warm down to the very atoms of herself as the sonic waves caressed her. A comforting touch, soft... like a mother's... like her mother's.
Stop it, stop it right now! she ordered herself as she stepped out and dressed herself in the light gray uniform that she pulled from her closet. As she reached for her Honor bracelet, she saw the PADD sitting on the dresser.
Dearest Lili,
I can't tell you everything I want to here; I can't tell you everything you mean to me in just a PADD. Meet me after duty shift in the arboretum and I'll try.
Till later,
Stephen
Lili smiled warmly at the PADD as she sat it back down on the dresser. She walked out into the corridor, seeing the uneasy looks a few of the people gave her. She wasn't sure what these "Jem'Hadar" where suppose to be, but she knew that because of them these people where afraid of her.
But she would win them over. Daddy always says... said... that she was a likeable sort of girl.
She was somehow glad that she had no duty to perform yet. Her mind still slightly unfocused. She heard some of the crewmen and women talking about an away team that had beamed over to a ship, but other then that it seemed like just a regular day.
Except that this day Lili's whole world was different than yesterday.
She entered the Mess Hall, its starry background filling the room with light. She listened to the happy hushed chatter around her as she found herself a seat on a sofa by the great windows and felt herself start to relax.
"Can I get you something?" A fresh faced young civilian, not much younger than herself asked.
"No, no, thanks. I am all right." Lili answered with a half smile as she kept her face turned towards the window.
"Suit yourself, but if you do just ask for me. I'm Lazarus Kox, by the way," the cheerful person said holding a hand out to her. Lili turned and gave this Lazarus Kox a real smile and took the offered hand.
"Thank you Lazarus. I'll remember that," she said softly as she shook the hand, then Lazarus left. Lili looked out at the stars and knew what she had to do.
Standing, she faced the window, taking in the vastness of the space around her. Goodbye Mother, goodbye Father. I love you. Someday... someday I will show your grandchildren the heaven's light... and tell them of the grandparents that loved them very much.
With that she turned her back to the window, away from the past. She didn't know what the future held for her, but she did know this: There was work to be done.