Just Saying Goodnight

[Kairi 0]

Staring Kairi and Dielle

 

 

 

“There’s a girl I know

He loves her so

I’m not that girl”

 

 

 

Kairi had just finished reading a message she got from Earth. It was from Sun-Li, an old family friend. She changed into her blue nighty, fixed her hair, and was heading to bed when her nighttime routine was interrupted by a chime at the door. Kairi looked toward the door, sitting at the end of her bed. "Enter."

 

Dielle sauntered in, still carrying her tools in one hand. It seemed odd to see her in full uniform at this time of night. Kairi was a bit surprised to see Dee, but it wasn't unwelcome. She smiled as she stood up. "Well this is a surprise. What brings you here at this time of night?"

 

Dee shrugged. "I was finishing up some maintenance on the replicators, just heading back to quarters. You were on the way." She remained standing in the doorway. "Thought I'd say goodnight."

 

Kairi motioned for Dee to enter. "Please, come in." She then sat back down on the bed. "You'll have to excuse the mess in here. I wasn't expecting company tonight."

 

Dee stepped in, allowing the doors to close. "I wasn't even sure you'd be here." She looked around. "It's not bad. I prefer knowing where everything is. So I'll know if anything goes missing."

 

Kairi giggled. "It usually is clean, but well ... things got out of hand one night."

 

Dee didn't share in her giggling. "Like I said, it's nice to know if anything goes missing." She set down her tools and leaned against the wall. "What's the plan if anyone finds out?"

 

"The idea is to not get found out." Kairi frowned at Dee going straight to the point.

 

She nodded, slowly. "That works too. Hope I'm not messing up your plans. Prell doesn't seem thrilled to have me in on things."

 

Kairi leaned back, trying to relax a little. "Don't worry about him. He's always edgy about things, but he'll warm up to you."

 

"And if he doesn't? Working with someone who doesn't trust me ... it's not ideal."

 

Kairi sighed a moment. Getting up, she walked around Dee, rubbing her back gently. "You need to relax, and trust me. It will all work out."

 

It felt good, after so many hours in the Jeffries Tubes. Dee tried to concentrate, choosing her words carefully. "I trust you. You know that. Your people are like mine. I bet you've lost some as well. Family, people you cared about."

 

Kairi rested her head on the back of Dee's shoulder and sighed. "Family ... yeah. Look, I know you aren't big on Prell, but the fact is we need him right now. He's an important link in our resistance. If he doesn't warm up to you, then I'm sure I can convince him otherwise."

 

Dee stroked her hair gently for a moment before leading her back to the bed. Without thinking, she began to give Kairi a backrub. So many years of training had made it second nature and since leaving Risa, she hadn't had nearly enough practice. "I don't have a choice. He's my boss. He could have me killed in a second."

 

Kairi tried to relax. "He won't, I promise. He's not like the other officers on this ship. Javin is trying to help. He's not out for blood."

 

"Maybe not yours." Dee smiled as she continued. "He seems to have it out for Robair and Kroells, though."

 

She smiled a little. "That's because they have it in for Prell. I don't know, it may be that whole male testosterone thing. I don't quite get it myself."

 

"It's much nicer not to deal with that, isn't it? So much simpler, no egos to deal with. No reckless behavior to compromise anything."

 

Kairi leaned back, resting on Dee. "It sure is."

 

"I'm not trying to cause trouble for you. I just want to make sure you know what you've gotten into. Betrayal is not an experience to cherish." She stroked Kairi's hair, pulling it back and kissing her gently on the neck.

 

She smiled, leaning her head back a little more. "I know. I promise though that nothing like that will happen."

 

No one can promise that. Dee let her relax for a moment as she considered her options. Kairi seemed genuine, and the rarity of it made it a hard trait to resist. Still, it was best not to tell any single person everything. "I should head back." She stood up, resolving to go back to her quarters to analyze the situation objectively. Career advancement was a tricky subject.

 

Kairi stood up, straightening her silk nighty in the process. "Dee, wait ..."

 

The Risan paused on her way to the door. "You have a habit of doing that," she said with a smile.

 

Kairi seemed a bit nervous and innocent suddenly. Biting her bottom lip, she finally asked, "Stay with me tonight?"

 

Dee's smile widened. "I thought you'd never ask." Maybe her plans could wait another night. She stepped back towards the bed, closer to Kairi.

 

Kairi smiled as she took Dee in her arms. "Maybe I can use some of that Vulcan Pressure Point I learned. Javin never let me use it on him..."

 

"I'm not Javin. I'm better." Before Kairi could protest the statement, Dee kissed her. It might take a little convincing, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t enjoy it.

Edited August 20, 2006 by Kairi