A Visit to Romulus

[Tess tLhoell]

Lt. Cmdr. Tess t'Lhoell
[USS Healy - Deck 2 - s'Lhoell quarters] (January 5th, 2398)

It was strange how much her life had changed in only a couple of days. She was a married woman now, wife to the one and only person she loved from the bottom of her heart. And as if that alone wasn't a big step in someone's life, she also had learned that she was expecting a baby. She was going to be a mother! The thought still was mind-blowing to her. While she knew that they both wanted to have children, she had been focused so much on getting married that the topic of getting pregnant had gotten in the back of her mind - only to surprise her even more when it had actually happened. But she surely wouldn't complain. She was as happy as she could be.

They were on the way back home now. After spending two more days on Ba'ku it was time to return to the station. Tess was looking forward to a full week on Meridian as their honeymoon. Jada had shown her some nice places that would make perfect spots to spend some alone-time with Rayek. Little did she know that her husband was about to surprise her once again.

Right now she was munching on an apple slice and played with Thrafv. Tess struggled with morning sickness, so she hadn't eaten before now when it was early afternoon already. While she played with the little ferret - Thrav tried to sniff Tess's hand - she couldn't help but keep looking at the wedding bracelet around her wrist.

Married! She was married!

[Rayek trLhoell]

Cmdr Rayek tr'Lhoell
[USS Healy - Deck One - Bridge](January 5th, 2398)

With the wedding behind them, Rayek had hoped his paranoia might settle but the truth of it was - with their marital union and news of Tess' pregnancy - though he was overjoyed his sense of responsibility more than tripled.  He knew all too well how close ties could be used against you.  So he needed to be alert and keep Tess safe from enemies that could be lurking for opportunity to hurt him through his family.   But really this was nothing new to the Romulan's mindset.  He would just need to be sure that his methods of overseeing her safety wouldn't be noticed by others.  He knew exactly what the likes of Miss Judy and even Beja would say.  That he was controlling, and not trusting his wife.  While he mulled over how to accomplish this, he had other plans he had prepared in advance that he needed to bring to light, now that they weren't so busy.

The first couple days following the wedding had been spent on Ba'ku.  He would have liked to say alone but he knew it could be a long while before Tess got time to spend with her brother... or rather brothers.  The revelation that Tolun.. or rather Tamonar was her brother had come as a bit of a shock at first.  It was a revelation that Rayek had doubted suspiciously until he'd seen the DNA scans himself.  Tess had 3 brothers now.   As such private time for the newlyweds had been relegated to the wee hours of the night while the siblings got to know one another.  Surprisingly, Rahul who Rayek would have thought to have been the most upset seemed to relish the idea of having a big brother, though he was understandably upset that Tamonar/Tolun hadn't been honest with him years ago.

It had been hard to see Tess' tears at leaving her two eldest brothers behind.  Which made Rayek all the more glad that he'd arranged for Benjin and Fabiano to remain with Katra for longer terms and not just for the immediate duration of the wedding.  They would help keep Tess from being overly sad at her elder brothers' absence.

Despite the advice of some others about being on duty so soon afterward the wedding, Rayek 'needed' to be on the Bridge during their trek through the Briar Patch.  He need to assure himself of their safe passage through that tumultuous area.  He'd expressed this to Tess a few short hours ago.   She seemed to understand and hadn't tried to urge him to stay with her in their quarters. He believed she remained there due to her 'morning sickness' which was a bit of a misnomer since it wasn't only in the morning her bouts of nausea would hit.

But now that the ship was out of the Briar Patch, and Rayek had seen off his Best Man who was heading back to the Challenger, it was time to return to Tess.

"Captain, with your permission, I will be returning to my Leave status.  Thank you for allowing me to be on the bridge for this part of the journey back.  I will see you in again in a few days time."

He left the Bridge and headed down a deck to the quarters he shared with Tess.  Arriving, he called out, "I'm home!"  A smile formed on his face as those words sounded so wonderful to him.

Not seeing her in the main living area, Rayek headed to their bedroom, belated wondering if she was napping and berating himself for possibly waking her if that was the case.   He peered around the open doorway and saw that instead of sleeping she was playing with Thrafv and munching on some what appeared to be apple slices.

[USS Healy - Deck 2 - s'Lhoell quarters]
"Hello, e'lev.  We've exited the Briar Patch and Lek is on his way back to Challenger.  How are you feeling?"

Rayek walked over and sat beside her his hand idly joining her in teasing the young ferret kit.  He leaned forward to greet her properly with a kiss, while his other hand touched at her abdomen lightly in a caress.   "Do you think you feel up to a short walk? I have something I'd like to show you."

[Tess tLhoell]

Lt. Cmdr. Tess t'Lhoell
[USS Healy - Deck 2 - s'Lhoell quarters] (January 5th, 2398)

Of course Tess would have preferred for Rayek to stay with her but she understood his desire to be on the bridge at this time. That however didn't lessen how much she missed him. She had considered to just join him on the bridge but she didn't trust her nausea at the moment. Strangely the usual antinauseants didn't seem to work as effectively as usual.

She was talking to Thrafv, telling him how beautiful their wedding had been, while she played with the young ferret and had taken advantage of a less nauseous episode to get some food into her, even if it was just an apple. She found she couldn't eat her usual breakfast with yogurt which she normally loved - the smell of the yogurt alone had made her wanting to throw up. She just couldn't eat it anymore.

When she heard the doors opening and Rayek calling out that he was home, Tess looked up, beaming. "I'm here", she called but he was already peeking into the room. "I'm feeling good. Just managed to have a bite to eat." She smiled, holding up the last of the apple slices.

Her attention was all on Rayek instantly. When he sat down next to her she leaned over to kiss him back, smiling happily when she felt his hand resting on her abdomen affectionately. "I missed you", she confessed and then smiled as she looked down on his hand caressing her. She thought she would never see him happier than on their wedding day. But it almost had topped that when she had reveled to him that they would be going to have a baby.

"You want to show me something?", she asked back curiously at his question. "What is it?" While she waited for him to reply she picked up Thrafv carefully and then stood up to put him back into the kennel.

[Rayek trLhoell]

Cmdr Rayek tr'Lhoell
[USS Healy - Deck Two - s'Lhoell quarters](January 5th, 2398)

Tess' beaming smile made everything right in the universe.  Her confession that she missed him was acknowledged with a bit of a sorrowful glance.  "Thank you for understanding why I needed to be on the bridge. I appreciate the hardship.  I too missed the time I could have been holding you." he remarked with a devilish grin.

His question of if she felt up for a walk was answered when she by her actions began to put Thrafv in his kennel, and she questioned him back about what he wanted to show her.

"Where is the surprise of showing you if I tell you in advance?" he reasoned back as he headed to the kennel and picked it up before offering his other arm out to her in a gentlemanly fashion. "Be glad I didn't go with my notion to ask if you would allow me to blindfold you."

[Tess tLhoell]

Lt. Cmdr. Tess t'Lhoell
[USS Healy - Deck 2 - s'Lhoell quarters] (January 5th, 2398)

Tess chuckled when Rayek reasoned with her that it wouldn't be a surprise if he told her in advance. Well, that was true, but she just couldn't help her curiosity and ask anyway. She watched with some puzzlement as Rayek picked up Thrafv's kennel as if he intended  to take him with them. Before she could ask what this was about, Rayek distracted her with a much more interesting albeit involuntary cue.

"Blindfold me?", she smirked, ignoring his offered arm for the moment. She slowly stepped up to him, invading his personal space without hesitation. Her hands came to rest on his chest, rubbing slowly upwards towards his ever seducing neck. "Well, I could think about one or two other occasions where you could make up for not doing so now." The smirk became suggestive as she bit her lip, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Then she gave into her curiosity. "Are we taking Thrafv with us to where we are going? Did you find a nest of voles?", she puzzled.

[Rayek trLhoell]

Cmdr Rayek tr'Lhoell
[USS Healy - Deck Two - s'Lhoell quarters](January 5th, 2398)

When Tess ignored his arm and instead stepped tauntingly in front of him to place her hands on his chest, sliding them up towards his neck as she made a suggestive remark, he made a soft noise of absolute contentment.  He glanced down at her upturned face.  Her lips were inviting with that tiny smirk - and those sparkling blue eyes that he could lose himself completely in.

"I like your line of thinking. We'll keep that in mind for later." he agreed to her mischievous comment as her took the arm that had been held out towards her to hold and instead wrapped it about her waist holding her in place as he sought to kiss those inviting lips.

But before he could, her curious nature won out and she queried about his bringing Thrafv.  He sighed at the missed opportunity for a kiss then nodded, lifting his head once more.
"By the Elements, I certainly hope there are no voles.  He's much too young yet.   But to answer your question, yes.  I am bringing Thrafv as I don't intend for us to return for a day or two and I know you and I both would worry over his care.  Thus he comes with."

He released her waist and stepped back, once more holding out his elbow towards her.  "Shall we go satisfy your curiosity?"

[Tess tLhoell]

Lt. Cmdr. Tess t'Lhoell
[USS Healy - Deck 2 - s'Lhoell quarters] (January 5th, 2398)

Tess' grin widened a little in anticipation of the kiss. But she spoiled it herself by giving in to her curiosity which sadly kept Rayek from kissing her.

When Rayek explained they would be away for one or two days Tess looked at him even more puzzled. Accepting his offered arm she moved to go with him but didn't refrain from asking more questions.

"We're going away for a couple of days?" They were on the Healy traveling with warp. How would they be able to leave one or two days? "Are we stopping by some planet? Won't we need some clothes? I haven't packed anything." Anything but the possibility of the Holodeck was on her mind.

[Rayek trLhoell]

Cmdr. Rayek tr'Lhoell
[USS Healy - Deck Two - s'Lhoell quarters >>>> Holodeck]

Rayek smiled at Tess' questioning.  He nodded.  "Yes, a couple days. Call it a precursor to our honeymoon on Meridian, so clothes are optional." he answered with a smirk, his dark eyes showing amusement. "But not to worry I have prepared for our needs."

His grin then widened before he leaned in close to her ear and whispered.  "I believe you would enjoy the surprise more if you close your eyes.  It is a known fact that senses are heightened, when there is a sense of anticipation."

Regardless of if she is watching or not, Rayek leads her on a bit of a tour of the ship at first seeming to head to the shuttle bay only to alter direction and head back the way they came.  Then he lead her to the transporter room. He makes the journey confusing to follow if she did have her eyes closed.  Twice he walked right past the holodecks.  All the while he asked her about how she enjoyed her stay on Ba'ku and her favorite parts of their visit.

After nearly a half-hour of touring the ship he eventually brought them to the holodeck and signaled the doors just as he had every other set of doors. To Tess even if she were watching might think this was another of his false stops, but for the wave of dry heat that would wash over them as they entered.   Rayek had the program running since just before he went to pick up Tess.

"Welcome to Romulus, e'lev."

[Tess tLhoell]

Lt. Cmdr. Tess t'Lhoell
[USS Healy - Deck 2 - s'Lhoell quarters >>> Holodeck] (January 5th, 2398)

When Rayek revealed it would be a precursor to their honeymoon her eyes widened in surprise and excitement. His comment about clothes being optional elicited a chuckle from Tess as she shook her head. Not that she didn't like the idea...

Her laughter subsided a little when he whispered in her ear and those words - or rather the images those words created in her mind - made her skin rise. She got the hint though and closed her eyes, trusting him fully. Cautiously she followed him as they walked down the corridors. Tess tried to make out where they were going but Rayek distracted her with questions which she answered chattily. In the end she had lost orientation completely and she didn't even know how long they were running up and down the corridors already.

When they finally stopped, Tess' senses heightened to the fullest. "Where are we going?", she chuckled. A second later the doors opened and Tess felt a dry heat greeting her as she stepped through the door. She frowned, but kept her eyes closed for now, while she clutched Rayek's hand. "Where are we?"

Her question was answered with something Tess didnt expect at all. Romulus?

Opening her eyes her jaw dropped in awe at what she saw. The Firefalls glowed in yellow and orange as stream of melted rock plunged down the cliff that seemed black in comparison to the glowing spectacle.

Tess was speechless for a number of reasons for a moment. Finally she was able to drag her eyes away from the beautiful sight and she looked around slowly to get a sense of where they were - it seemed to be outside of the big cities - and then finally she looked at Rayek.

"Romulus?", she finally brought out. Then it sank in what he had said. "We will stay here for a couple of days?" The corners of her lips turned upwards, her eyes sparkling with excitement. Apparently she liked the idea very much.

Glancing back to the Firefalls in the distance she smiled, still overwhelmed by the sight. "It is beautiful", she breathed. "I have never before seen something like this."

[Rayek trLhoell]

Cmdr. Rayek tr'Lhoell
[USS Healy - Holodeck 1 (Romulus program)]

Tess' awe and wonder at the beauty of this special corner of his home planet filled Rayek with happiness.

He nodded at Tess' repetition of what he'd said. "Yes, Romulus.  While I know you have seen some of it through my memories.  I wanted to have a somewhat memory of it, together with you.   So yes, a couple days.  I've booked the holodeck completely for the next three days with instructions not to be disturbed but for life and death emergencies.  I have turned off all the sensors and monitoring and locked out access to all but Command staff - and I don't see Solluk as the type to peep."

Rayek smiled at her statement.  "These are known as the Firefalls.  The molten lava flows in a slow constant stream from a vent about 5 km away out towards the sea.  I thought we could enjoy a bit of a picnic here.  Enjoy the view.. and each other's company" he added slyly as he turned towards her, setting down Thrafv's cage so that he could wrap his arms about her waist possessively.  He bent his head towards her to capture her lips in a long lingering and passionate kiss.

A remembrance of Lek's explanation of the original purpose of a 'honeymoon' flitted across Rayek's mind.   He grinned - they may have already successfully procreated but that didn't lessen their desire for one another.

Rather than let himself get carried away so soon and make love to his wife on the hot sands right there, Rayek took a step back, collected himself and offered his elbow to her once again.  "I have prepared us a spot just up ahead. Later we can stroll through the city market or visit the Senate Hall, if you wish."

[Tess tLhoell]

Lt. Cmdr. Tess t'Lhoell
[USS Healy - Deck 2 - Holodeck - Romulus - Ki Baratan - Fire Falls] (January 5th, 2398)

Tess' full attention was on Rayek the whole time as he explained to her what arrangements he had made - once again without her knowledge to surprise her. When he then spoke about the place he wanted to show her and then wrapped his arms around her, Tess couldn't help but grin happily up at him, her hands sliding up his chest to his neck to wrap her arms around it loosely so she could be as close to him as possible.

"In these couple of months that we've been together, you have done so many impossible things for me." She looked up at him, her hand sliding into the short hair at the nape of his neck. "I know it's not about reciprocating, but I kinda want to. Though, I realize I won't ever match up to the arrangements and surprises you created for me." She pouted a little, but it was more mocking than serious. And in fact, she had a major surprise for him in store if her hopes would prove right that his father was alive. But she knew it was a long and difficult process. So far, she hadn't heard back from her source at all.

After he finished explaining what he had in store for them, Tess smiled. "I love this - all of this. And I love you." She chuckled at his sly comment about enjoying each other's company. "I agree", she murmured with a grin before she felt Rayek's lips sealing hers with a long passionate kiss. It was astounding that after all that time and the many kisses they shared, he still was able to make her knees go weak with a kiss.

The kiss became quite heated but there really wasn't reason to rush things. When they broke the kiss, Tess chuckled softly as she tried to even her breathing again. Accepting Rayek's offered arm she began walking towards the picnic spot with him. The prospect of getting to see more of Romulus made her eyes sparkle with excitement. "Of course I want to see the Senate Hall! I want to see all of the city! You have to show me everything, every spot you remember, will you?"

[Rayek trLhoell]

Cmdr. Rayek tr'Lhoell
[USS Healy - Holodeck 1 (Romulus program - outside Ki Baratan - Firefalls] (January 5th, 2398)

Hearing her say that she loved this - his gesture of sharing and making new memories of his homeworld with her - made him smile and was just another prompt for the kissing that followed.

At her excitement to see and share his home planet, it was hard not to grin.   At her question he nodded. "As many as I can, Starfleet archives did not have very many detailed scans of many places.  My people would have been suspicious of such data gathering.  I am fortunate that this place was actually in their records... though thinking of that now kind of soils the place.  Latihk and I would often talk privately here believing that it wasn't of interest to many others.  I guess that was kind of naive."

As they came up on a slight outcrop, the picnic set up came into view.

And along with it another breath-taking view of the Firefalls.

Rayek helped Tess to sit down on the blanket, before moving to sit himself down close beside.   He opened Thrafv's cage and set the rodent free to cavort about sniffing here and there.  Then Rayek reached for the picnic basket of foods he'd had arranged - an assortment of fruits and vegetables that had been common to him growing up.  Of course, these fresh native fruits were impossible now but he had managed to locate the sequencing code for the several that he thought Tess would enjoy and had replicated them earlier when setting up the program.

"There is one thing I was uncertain about adding.  Background characters.  The character templates I found of Romulan personas are... less than flattering... though not entirely incorrect.   I could just leave them out... or over lap Federation personalities to the Romulan holograms... or put in a code to have you perceived as Romulan yourself.  Thus negating much of the bigotry and xenophobic reaction you might have to endure otherwise."

Rayek reached out and brushed a hand over Tess' dark waves of hair.  "What would you have me do, e'lev?"

[Tess tLhoell]

Lt. Cmdr. Tess t'Lhoell
[USS Healy - Deck 2 - Holodeck - Romulus - outside Ki Baratan - Fire Falls] (January 5th, 2398)

When Rayek stated that Starfleet only had limited archives of places on Romulus, it made Tess a little sad. She was aware that, even if Romulus would still exist, it would not change the number of places Starfleet would know in detail. "If there would be a way to visualize your memories of the places you knew of your home..." She thought since she was privy of his past that he usually kept a secret, there would be no reason to avoid any side notes. If it was possible at all.

Tess followed Rayek up to where he had set up the picnic. With the sun starting to set and the breathtaking view on the fire falls... she was speechless for a moment. She smiled at Rayek and sat down on the blanket. Once he sat down next to her, she leaned against him, her hand seeking to hold his. She looked over the foreign food he had selected and couldn't wait to try all of them. "Are they safe for me to eat?" She had no doubts Rayek had checked them over for pregnant women to be harmless but she thought she should ask anyway.

When Rayek talked about adding background characters to their holo experience Tess listened with interest. Even after he asked his question she took a moment to think about it .... and was only a little distracted by the gentle touch of his hand stroking her hair.

"Well", she said quietly and turned so she could look at him while she still held his hand. "If I would have had the opportunity to visit your home planet for real, I would have anyway. I'm very excited about this. So, I would love for it to be as close to reality as it can be." Her eyes sought his. "I'm aware of your people's culture and mindset and I think I can deal with it."

[Rayek trLhoell]

Cmdr. Rayek tr'Lhoell
[USS Healy - Holodeck 1 (Romulus program - outside Ki Baratan - Firefalls] (January 5th, 2398)

Rayek noted the way her voice trailed off when she spoke of visualizing his memories of home, and wondered what she was thinking.  However as they were just arriving to the picnic spot he left his questioning of it for now.

Happily settled on the blanket with her by his side and her hand holding his, Rayek nodded at her question about the food.  "Not only did I check it, I had Ensign Fuller double check to be certain."  Rayek wanted to be certain that both Tess and their child she carried was kept safe.

When Tess was silent a moment, considering his question, Rayek knew he was asking a lot of her to even consider it.  He often felt a mild form of intolerance or suspicion on most Federation worlds and even in Starfleet when he first arrived.   But that would be nothing compared to what Tess would likely face.  He began to second guess his decision to ask her - perhaps he should have just used the human templates... she might not have noticed the difference give her experience with most Romulans on the station.  The Elder t'Movel being the one exception.  He knew that the woman's words had been quite spiteful and had caused a bit of distress in Tess at first.

So it came as a bit of a surprise when Tess answered that she'd prefer the simulation to be as close to reality as possible.  "You're certain?"  It was a stupid question, he knew, given the careful thought she'd put into it.  "Sorry..., of course."  He leaned over and kissed her.

"You never cease to amaze me, with your strength of character." He admitted to her afterwards.  He lifted his head to direct his next words to the holodeck computer.   "Computer, for urban scenes, add Romulan populace Rayek-1.  Initiate."

The computer acknowledged back with an affirmative.  Rayek then turned his loving gaze back to his wife.  "We'll still have this place all to ourselves." he remarked as picked up an apple and a knife and cut off a wedge to offer to her.  "Hungry?"

[Tess tLhoell]

Lt. Cmdr. Tess t'Lhoell
[USS Healy - Deck 2 - Holodeck - Romulus - outside Ki Baratan - Fire Falls] (January 5th, 2398)

She only realized now that she probably had surprised Rayek with her answer that she wanted to have this as real as possible. When he then complimented her for her strength of character, she smiled. "Thank you", she murmured against his lips as he kissed her before reciprocating the kiss properly, her hand coming up to the side of his face briefly.

She smiled when he assured her they would have this spot for themselves still even after adding the Romulan population to this program. She watched him cutting the apple and then leaned forward to bite a small piece off the apple wedge he held out to her.

"I'm actually very excited about what you will show me", she admitted, chewing. Looking around she added. "I remember having seen this place in your mind." But she couldn't recall that well what she had seen. It had only been brief. "Did you use to come here often?" She looked at him curiously after she had glanced over the food he had brought. Picking up something that looked similar to a strawberry to her she looked at it from all sides before taking a bite.