[ Earth - Moscow ]
Natalia sat next to the kitchen window in her parents' Moscow apartment, looking out at the beautiful panorama of the ancient Earth city from the vantage point of the 80th-story residence. It was a clear morning with blue skies and only a few wispy clouds in sight. She cradled a warm cup of coffee in her hands and admired the view. Nestled in between the tall skyscrapers were sprawling parks and global heritage buildings, some of which were hundreds of years old, but most having been restored after their destruction in World War III.
"Good morning, my darling," a voice said from behind her and Natalia turned to see her mother entering the kitchen, dressed in a warm robe. "What are you doing up so early? You should be in bed still, relaxing. I could have made that for you."
"Mom," she smiled and pulled a hand through her tangled her. "I haven't seen the sunrise for so long; I wanted to enjoy it for a change."
"It's so good to have you here," Zanira Trzetrzelewska smiled as she walked over to her daughter and placed her arms around her. After all the years of living on Earth, she still had a strong Halanan accent. "I could get used to seeing you here in the mornings. It's nice to have someone here when I wake up. Your father is always at work when I open my eyes in the morning."
"Papa's never been one to sleep in late," Natalia commented. "Even when I was little, he'd have half his work for the day done by the time I went to school."
"Indeed," Zanira chuckled, brushing a strand of dark raven hair aside. "What would you like for breakfast?"
"Please, you don't have to go to trouble, you've been making me breakfast all week," Natalia insisted.
"It's no trouble! I enjoy it. It's lovely having someone to spoil for a change. What are your plans for today?"
"I'm going to London," Natalia replied after a moment. "There's someone I need to see there." She couldn't yet tell her mother who that was. They'd been very close when she was younger, but the nature of her Starfleet career had made her become too comfortable with keeping secrets, and it was a hard habit to get rid of.
"All right, but after breakfast?" Zanira insisted with a glint in her eye, clapping her hands together. "Let me make you something first!"
Natalia just laughed. There was no refusing her mother when she got that look. "All right! Breakfast then. But afterwards I have to go."
Satisfied at her answer, Zanira beamed and began to shuffle around in the kitchen with pans and ingredients.
[ London - Cranfield Center ]
Although visiting her parents was a major part of her visit to Earth during the Chimera's R&R, there was another reason for her visit. Fr'r'n Lakqost was still being treated at the Cranfield Center after he sustained extensive injuries during the Chimera's encounter with the strange Honohrans. She felt partly responsible for what had happened to him because he was on the away mission sent to rescue her from the Honohrans' clutches. It wasn't her fault directly, but she felt if she had been more cautious in her dealings with the Honohrans, she wouldn't have been in that situation in the first place.
After her last meeting with Rangi, who kept her updated on his condition, she promised herself she would go to visit him at the first opportunity. He had no family or other relatives. The doctors then had no clear indication just how well he would recover, if at all. Her fear was that if he was released from Cranfield, he'd be sent back to Xenex. While she respected the right of his people to request his return as a citizen of Xenex, their medical standards were not nearly on par with that of the Federation and he would receive much better care on a Federation world if he were disabled.
After her last meeting with Rangi, who kept her updated on his condition, she promised herself she would go to visit him at the first opportunity. He had no family or other relatives. The doctors then had no clear indication just how well he would recover, if at all. Her fear was that if he was released from Cranfield, he'd be sent back to Xenex. While she respected the right of his people to request his return as a citizen of Xenex, their medical standards were not nearly on par with that of the Federation and he would receive much better care on a Federation world if he were disabled.
But that was the worst case scenario. Before she left Unity for Earth, she spoke with the doctors at the center and they had good news. He was awake now and could speak. He still had some functional problems, but there was a good chance he would improve.
Natalia had arrived at the Cranfield Center a few minutes ago and was told that Fr'r'n was outside. He'd improved rapidly the past few days and was well enough to venture around in a hoverchair. She ventured down the stone steps onto the paths of the sprawling gardens. Surrounded by tall connifers, Natalia walked down the cobbled path, her shoes clicking against the stones as she looked around in hopes of spotting him. It took her a few moments, but luckily there weren't many patients outside.
He sat in the hoverchair beside a grove of tall oak trees, dressed in white and gazing at the wisps of cloud in the sky. She stopped for a moment before stepping on the grass, feeling somewhat nervous about approaching him. Chiding herself for being foolish, she took a breath and walked slowly over to him. He didn't notice her at first, but as she came closer, he turned his head to look at her. It took him a moment to recognise her, but when he did a lopsided smile crept over his lips.
Natalia couldn't help but smile herself. Fr'r'n wasn't someone who smiled very often, his former position as Chimera's Security Chief being something he took very seriously, but when he did smile it made it all the more special. She came closer to him and hunched down next to his chair, looking up at him. He was still smiling softly, his blue eyes gleaming.
Things between them had never developed into anything intimate, but the feelings were there from her side. When they were on the Honohran ship, when Fr'r'n was injured, there was a moment when Natalia touched him and the touch connected them. It was an infrequent occurence with Halanans, but it was not unheard of during times of emotional stress, and for that brief moment they'd shared emotions. Though she was still unsure of herself, she though then she had felt a sense of fondness for her from him. Whether he had felt her attraction to him, she didn't know... and it was eating her up inside.
"Fr'r'n... do you remember me?" she asked him, not sure if his memory had fully recovered. The doctors had said he was still confused at times.
He slowly reached out his hand towards her and she took it. "Natalia..." he said slowly and closed his fingers around hers.
She felt a great relief at hearing him say her name and smiled affectionately at him. "You don't have to say anything more," she said softly, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You don't have to speak."
[ End Log ]
Commander Natalia Trzetrzelewska
Executive Officer
USS Chimera NCC 96899-C
Executive Officer
USS Chimera NCC 96899-C
