Waiting around for Mele

[LtCmdr Roget 0]

Surely, petite fille, you have to joking!  You cannot seriously be thinking of entering Starfleet!"  Thierry's depthless jet-black eyes were wide with shock.  "Do you not remember the last time you went gallivanting around the galaxy?"  Margaux sat quietly, knowing it was useless to interrupt him once he got started.

 

   "You were nearly killed!!  First the illness, then the attack on the outpost!  How you managed to get off that worthless hunk of rock is still a mystery, but you did and now you are home.  Margaux, ma chéri, you belong here, with me."  He hadn't even realized that he had stood up and started to pace around the room.  He stopped and sat down again next to Margaux.  God how he wanted to shake this nonsense talk out of her.  "Give up this notion, chéri, if not for me, then for your mother.  The worry and fear of your wellbeing nearly killed her.  When you returned, it was obvious that this little adventure had changed you.  You were distant, aimé, you still are.  You have been home for six months and still you keep me at arms length. ME!  Your financé, your amoureux!"

 

   Thierry stood again, towering over her, and Margaux looked up admiring his tall, lean form.  She knew that she was supposed to love him, used to love him, but now it didn't feel right.  She couldn't place when the change happened, or why, it just did.  Thierry was always perfect, or at least as perfect as one can get.  His hair, as black as his eyes, was never out of place and he carried himself with a confidence that made everyone around him acutely aware of him.  He reached out and lightly fingered a loose tendril of hair on her cheek and Margaux had to force herself to remain still and not pull away.  She gave him weak smile and then stood, turning toward the windows of the salon.  

 

   Of all the rooms in her parents house, the salon was her favorite.  The tall windows faced the south garden, now in full spring bloom.  The entire back wall was a massive hedge of azaleas, erupting in colors of pink, red, white.  She pressed her forehead against the cool of the windowpane.  "You don't understand," she whispered, her voice low and smooth.  "I'm not choosing Starfleet over you, Starfleet over the family.  It chose me, Thierry."  She turned, her eyes meeting his.  "I can't explain it you, and I don't expect you to understand," her voice took on a commanding edge, "what I do expect is for you to accept it."

 

   "Never!"

 

 

   "Margaux?"  Kyle waved is hand in front of her eyes and flashed her mischievous smile.  "You were a million miles away, and hopefully with me."

 

   "Who else?" she gave him a bright smile.  "I can see you're busy, " she nodded in the direction of the ship's counselor, "but I hear there are orders for all department heads to check in for a blood sample?  I can come back, or perhaps, Dr. Faldorn can take the necessary sample."

 

   "If you can wait, I'll be wrapped up here in a minute."

 

   Margaux nodded and took a seat on a biobed to wait, letting the memories return.  

 

The trip back to Earth had been long, but it was necessary in order to reprogram her cranial implant.  To completely and totally block all memories of her life as Megan ... her life as Mercedes.  In order for this cover to succeed, there must be no memories.  It was not enough to look and sound like Magaux, she must be Margaux with no trace of her previous experiences, except for the desire to enroll in Starfleet.  That had been part of the programming.   Megan had laughed when she first came upon the idea, remembering her Uncle's tutelage 'when hiding from your enemies, the best place is often right under their nose' ... what better place to hide from Melville and his minions than at Starfleet Academy?

 

The posting to the Manticore was a fluke, an ugly trick of the fates.  She paused, or was it.  She didn't believe in coincidences, but her cover had never been compromised.  She had no memories of Atragon, and he obviously had not made the connection --- yet.  Margaux cursed herself for letting her guard down in the turbo lift.  It would only cause more hurt if he were to learn the truth.  He went on and created a new life, as he should have.  "Just as I did," she thought to herself.

 

   "Thinking of me again?" Kyle's teasing tones brought her out of her reprieve and Margaux smiled.

 

   "As a matter of fact, I was.  Let's get that blood sample and get out of here, while we have the time.  I have a feeling this whole Outpost thing is going to consume us all."