Notes, disclaimers, and all that:
Finally! It's done! I was beginning to think I'd never finish this monstrosity.
I initially set out to write a story that would explain some of the null
space, so to speak, in the series timeline. It sort of grew from there. If
you've never read any of the stories in our series, this one may actually
be a good place to start. Although this takes place after Ninjababe's
story, "Ace in the Hole", the flashbacks span from Triona's first getting
involved with vampires, to the founding of Imladris. Think of it as a clip
story <g>
Other stories in the series can be found at "The Dragon's Hoard Fiction
Archive": http://www.ondragonswing.com/vortex/ We also have an announce
list for the Bloodties universe at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BloodtiesArchivist
If you're just joining us, welcome! I hope you enjoy the story. If you've
been following the series, thanks for all the support we've received over
the years! It's been much appreciated.
Special thanks to my beta readers: Tammy, April, Kylie, and Glo. Any
remaining errors are my fault entirely.
All Highlander,Forever Knight, and Star Trek characters belong to their
respective PTBs. Triona and the rest belong to me and to my fellow
Bloodties authors. Please archive only with permission. Rated: PG13 for
violence.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Last Time We First Met - Part One
by: Denise Underwood
c. 2001
"A job well done, Picard," the short, black man wearing an admiral's pips
said as he and Captain Jean-Luc Picard walked down a perfectly manicured
garden path at Starfleet Command.
"I did my duty, Admiral Dean -- my crew, and I." the slim, blue eyed
Enterprise captain said with his usual modesty.
Admiral Dean sighed good-naturedly. "Always so self effacing, Jean-Luc.
When the man walking next to him began to protest, the admiral waved him to
silence. "Never mind. I did want you to know I have arranged for those crew
commendations you asked for."
"Thank you, Admiral."
"It's the least I can do." He looked sidelong at Captain Picard. "Zefram
Cochrane.... I envy you, Captain, I really do. Here I am flying a desk,
while you're out experiencing one of the most exciting moments in Earth
history."
"Experiencing Earth's history is one thing, Admiral. However, I could have
done without another experience with the Borg." Only someone who knew
Picard well would have noticed the almost imperceptible clenching of his
jaw at mention of the Borg.
"Of course, of course, Jean-Luc," the Admiral replied, not really paying
attention. Picard looked to see what was distracting his superior officer
as Admiral Dean continued with a wink, "Of course, there are some
advantages to flying a desk."
As a very familiar form walked up the path towards them, the admiral called
out, "Minister MacAlpine!"
Triona MacAlpine, defense minister of the Imladrin Planetary Union, smiled
and quickened her stride, rapidly drawing even with the two Starfleet
officers. She looked to be in her early thirties, but her jade green eyes
belied the youth that she still wore on her face. Her long honey blonde
hair, swept up in an intricate knot, was held in place with jeweled pins
that were alien to Earth. Clad simply in a dove grey jumpsuit and a heather
green cape that brushed the tops of her knee length grey boots, she looked
like she had sprung from the twilight of the Pacific coast night that
surrounded them.
"They told me I'd find you up here. Captain, Admiral." She nodded in
greeting. Admiral Dean took her proffered hand, bowing over it. She rolled
her eyes over the admiral's bent head and grinned at Jean-Luc. "And since
the Captain's debriefing is over, I'm assuming I can expect a copy soon?"
she queried.
"It shall be in your hands by the morning," the admiral assured her. "You
are still coming to my little gathering tomorrow night, aren't you,
Minister? My children will be so disappointed if they don't see you on this
visit to Earth."
"Of course, Terry, I wouldn't miss it." She looked at Picard. "But, if
you're finished here, Jean-Luc...?"
"I believe we are, Minister," Picard replied, looking at the admiral for
confirmation.
Admiral Dean looked from Captain Picard to Minister MacAlpine with
interest. "You didn't come up here to see me, did you, Triona?" he asked in
mock disappointment.
Laughing, she replied, "No, I'm sorry, Terry, I didn't. I came for a moment
of Jean-Luc's time." She looked up at the dashing captain and smiled
softly. "We have matters to discuss that have waited for some time."
"I didn't realize that the two of you knew each other so well." Again the
look of interest on Terry Dean's face as he waited for Triona's answer.
"The Captain has been an invaluable aide to me in the last few years. I
consider him a good friend," Triona explained, wondering now if she should
have waited till the captain was alone before approaching him.
Perhaps the admiral's interest was purely innocent, but she wasn't that
naïve. Triona knew that the knowledge of the captain's friendship with the
defense minister of the secretive Imladrin Planetary Union was a nugget
that would be filed away for later use. Sighing inwardly, she decided that
it was too late now, and that in the future, she should be a little more
circumspect. After all, she was an old hand at this game and should know
better.
Her only excuse was that she'd been waiting for this day for four hundred
odd years. Ever since that cold Montana night when she'd bumped into a
starship captain from the future. It had only been a brief encounter, but
it had changed everything.
"In that case, Jean-Luc," Admiral Dean said jovially, "you must join us
tomorrow! It just wouldn't do for such a lovely lady to attend unescorted."
"But, Admiral..." the captain began, looking very much like a child who'd
been told he had to eat Brussels Sprouts.
"No, no, I won't take 'no' as an answer. Nineteen hundred tomorrow. Make it
so, Captain," Admiral Dean ordered. "Triona, till later," he said in
parting before turning away and heading back to his office.
Triona laughed at the appalled expression on Jean-Luc's face. "Is taking me
to the Admiral's party such a horrifying prospect? I assure you I know
which fork to use."
"No, of course not," he replied hastily. "I just loathe these social events."
"And if you ever want to make the admiralty, you *need* to get out more!"
She shook her head. "Really, Jean-Luc, when was the last time you socialized?"
"I don't recall. And have you considered that maybe I have no wish to be an
Admiral? I like what I do. Being a starship captain is what I am."
"One doesn't necessarily preclude the other," she said, considering. "You
are head and shoulders more qualified than half those stuffed shirts!" Not
to mention that Picard as an Admiral would be strategically advantageous.
"A few nudges in the right places..." she murmured half to herself.
He was a friend - more than a friend - and they had shared a great deal.
But Triona was a pragmatist. Her first duty was always to her family and
her people. What they had suffered through during the Third World War and
its aftermath had taught her that sentimentality and power didn't mix. All
they had accomplished upon going to the stars was something she would do
anything to preserve. Even if it meant arranging a few things, or a few
people, here and there to assure the protection of what she loved.
And for that matter, Jean-Luc was among those she loved. He was the father
of her unborn daughter, and as such, was family to her. What needed to be
done, and what she would do if need be, was as much for him as it was for
the Imladrin people.
"No!" he said sharply. "I do *not* see you as an entrée into advancing my
career." He placed his hands on her shoulders, looking at her intently.
"You must promise that you will never do anything to pull strings for me."
"I can't make that promise," she said quietly. "I don't have to do
anything. Just by virtue of our relationship, the strings will be pulled. I
think you know that." This at least was true. But Triona knew that her
presence in Picard's life had changed the course of that life irrevocably.
Picard shook his head. "I suppose I do. It doesn't mean I have to like it."
Looking at her intently, he added, "Just try and contain yourself, Minister."
Deciding that Jean-Luc seemed to know her just a little better than she'd
quite like, Triona ignored his last comment. "Do you always do that?"
"What?"
"Switch to French when you get agitated?"
"Did I?"
"We've both been speaking it for some time now. I just thought I'd mention
it," she said, grinning. "Well, you know I didn't actually come here to
discuss your promotion prospects."
"No, I didn't suppose you had."
"I think it's time, finally, to answer all those questions." Triona cocked
her head. "I think you understand now why I've held back."
"It's all become much clearer." He looked at her as if seeing her for the
first time. "Just how old are you, Triona?"
She just laughed. "Now, Captain, don't you know you never ask a lady her
age?" Suddenly serious, she added, "Not unless you think you can handle the
answer." She shook her head. "Not here. We need to go somewhere more
conducive to revelations." Looking up at him, she extended her hand. "Shall
we, Captain?"
Picard took the proffered hand. "Let's."
*********************
Denise * ithildin@ondragonswing.com* Ith
http://www.ondragonswing.com
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