Orchid was reading to Brenna when Nicole got home. Nicole was still creeped out by her meeting with the Jarada. Nicole could hear her reading the words. Nicole quietly climbed the stairs and stood in the hallway.
Orchid looked up. Their relationship was still very strained but at least they were in the same house. Orchid finished the story, "Now sweet Brenna, you get some rest."
Orchid walked out. Nicole just started telling about the insect like Jarada. She needed to tell someone. Her skin was crawling. Seeing the bugs and then going to the Colony refugee offices and seeing literally 10000 of them in a line creeped her out.
Orchid only half listened. She picked up an actualy pocket book; not some PADD representation. She liked the feel of the real paper. She plunked her butt down in the chair and started reading; she paid no attention to Nicole.
Nicole continued her story, even though she knew Orchid was barely listening. Nicole just wanted to talk to her.
"What is the book?", Nicole asked.
"Shakespeare in Love.", Orchid responded, barely lifting her head.
"You gave it to me. In the camp. I think I have read it 10 times.", Orchid looked up; tearing up.
"Nicole, when I was in the camp. I had nothing. I am a doctor, Nicole. I had nothing. You came there and risked everything you had gained to give me a book. Why did you do it?", Orchid looked across their living room.
"I would do anything for you.", Nicole responded.
"You sold your soul to get into the Vulcan ranks and yet you brought me this book, Nikki.", Orchid held up the book.
"You needed to be free of the walls. At that time, I could not do that so I provided a limited escape.", Nicole explained.
"You saved me, Nicole. I did not realize it until today, in the Liwei Institute, working on immunizations and working on getting things cleaned up and back to normal, but I was ready to give it up. To quit and then I saw you. You gave me this book. I was then free to leave the walls of the camp. To be with Shakespeare in love. You have no idea how grateful I am.", Orchid explained.
"Desperate times calls for desperate measures.", Nicole explained.
"Including siding with the Vulcans.", Orchid snapped hurtfully.
Nicole felt the barb to her very soul. Orchid looked over, "I am sorry, Nicole."
"I would have done anything to protect you and these people, from the Cardassians here in Little Lakaria to the bugs, the Jarada who arrived this week.", Nicole responded.
"And yes, if that meant working with the Vulcans, I would have done that too. Our time would come. Thanks to Captain Yamamoto and Admiral Hunt, we are free now.", Nicole explained.
"The camps were horrible.", Orchid started to cry.
"I promise you this, Flower. It will never happen again.", Nicole hugged her.
"Thank you for the book, Nikki. You saved me.", Orchid responded.
Posted by:
Vice Admiral Nicole Branson
MLA - Little Lakaria
Territory Omega
Phoenix Colony
Phoenix Fleet
