In the end, the trio didn't return directly to Starbase 901. Kim spent the good part of an hour detailing everything that had happened to her for the last few days -- how she'd accidentally met Thomas Riker back on the station, how he'd convinced her to help him leave Federation space, how they'd stolen her Banshee and then the desperate fight against the three Nausicaan fighters, resulting in their marooning on the planetoid.
As she talked, Garek just sat, finding the whole thing a little hard to believe. He trusted Kim completely though, so he believed her, and he found Riker's story of his long incarceration and daring escape from the Cardassian labor camp heroic and inspiring. So in the end, it wasn't really very difficult for Kim and Thomas to talk him into taking the 'Flier on a little detour to drop Riker off someplace safe.
"I've got just the place," Garek said cryptically, and began setting a new course into the nav-computer.
Kim and Riker looked at each other, and Kim just shrugged. She had no idea what Garek was up to, but as the Lambda Flier aligned on its new heading straight into the heart of the Briar Patch, she suspected she might have a guess. A look at Garek was enough to confirm her suspicion. He smiled cleverly and winked at her.
A few hours later, the 'Flier had set down near a small village on the Ba'ku Planet. The village leaders, Sojef and Anij, had come out to welcome their visitors, and had graciously agreed to shelter Thomas Riker for however long he wished to stay.
Twenty minutes after that, all good-byes having been said, the Lambda Flier was off again, but this time with only two occupants. All record of Lieutenant Thomas Riker -- former Starfleet officer, ex-Maquis, escaped Cardassian prisoner -- were wiped from the ship's memory banks. His secret would be safe with Garek and Kim. When everything was taken care of, the two returned to the pilot seats. Garek finally broke the awkward silence that followed.
"You're gonna have a little explaining to do when we get back to the station," he said.
"I know," said Kim, a little dejected, dreading what had to come.
"Well, I'll help out if I can," said Garek. "Being Chief Engineer, I have a little influence... I'm just glad you're back." He suddenly smiled. "I missed that little tushy of yours!"
And with that simple sexist statement, Kim knew everything would be all right. She smiled that honey-sweet smile of hers, and reclined in her seat.
Garek stretched tiredly and said, "I'm going to go sit down in something more comfortable. I'll be in the back." He got up and kissed Kim on the forehead as he made his way aft into the living compartment of the ship. Sitting down in the big lounge chair, he reclined it, bringing up the foot rests. His eyes were just beginning to drift closed when he was awakened by the sudden downward pressure of extra weight on his chest. He opened his eyes to see Kim's eyes looking into his.
"It's too cold up front," she said simply, nodding her head in the direction of the cockpit. She rested her head on Garek's chest. Garek smiled and closed his eyes again. Everything was going to be fine.
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