So.. Ehliena is off on some well deserved leave for a short time and Horatio is left to do some thinking of his own.... Was Guinan right to encourage Ehliena to take some time off?
Enjoy
Lucy
Chap 33
Horatio sighed. For a few weeks, Will had introduced him to various social scenarios, helping him to develop ‘relationships’ with different women on the holodeck. Occasionally the commander had joined him, but most of the time had left him alone, explaining that what worked for him may not work for the Ambassador.
Glancing around 10 forward he smiled, several of the women on board had ‘helped’ him in his research, including Beverley and Ro Laren, he was relieved when he found out that Ehliena was on leave and also visiting Starfleet Academy for a seminar, for some reason he did not feel comfortable asking for her help in this instance. They had joined him for dinner, accompanied him to concerts and plays, yet he had always drawn the line at the final step – commitment to a relationship.
Lost in his thoughts, he barely noticed when Will sat next to him and ordered a drink. “So Horatio, how’s the research going?
Horatio gave a wry smile, “Research is going well, and I get the feeling that a couple of the girls might be interested in taking things a little further, but…”
Will smiled sympathetically, “Not sure which one to choose? Especially if nothing is going to come of it.”
Horatio nodded, “I feel it would be… unfair to just ‘use’ one of the girls to further my education, from their reactions, intimacy without a commitment is not what they are interested in.”
Will nodded, “I’ve discovered that many women are the same Horatio, most see intimacy as an integral part of a relationship. There are not so many that are willing to share themselves so casually.” He became thoughtful for a moment and then began to smile softly. “I think it’s time you had a holiday.”
Horatio gave him a surprised look, “A holiday? But I haven’t done anything to warrant one.”
Will chuckled, “You don’t need a reason Horatio, everyone takes holidays – and I know just the place. It’ll help you to relax – and learn.”
Horatio raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”
“Yeah… Risa is just the place for you right now. I’ve a couple of friends there – they’ll look after you – in more ways than one.”
Horatio blushed at the sensuality in Will’s tone making the first officer chuckle, “Don’t worry Horatio, it’s part of Risan culture that the men and women share themselves before they marry. They believe that it helps them to become a better partner when they finally commit themselves to a long term relationship.”
“I’ll send a message to Joval, she’ll certainly help you.”
Horatio gave a soft but cautious smile, he was still wary of what might happen, but Will’s up-beat talk certainly gave him optimism.
&&
Ehliena laughed with delight as Geordi spun her around in another crazy move. 10 Forward was the setting for a party to celebrate some festival or other that she hadn’t been able to track down. Since returning from leave, Ehliena had felt much closer to her friends on the Enterprise – absence certainly did make the heart grow fonder.
As she and Geordi joined Data, Worf and Beverley, she could not help noticing Horatio sitting in a corner enjoying an animated conversation with Ro Lauren and fell silent for a moment. When she had arrived back from Andevian II she had found out that the two of them had been seen together on several occasions.
Horatio had shyly admitted to her that he liked Ensign Ro’s company and Ehliena had encouraged him to continue. She could still sense his whereabouts on the Enterprise – but as Guinan had suggested, her time away had de-sensitised her to his presence. Happy to see the effect had been almost neutralised, she chose to keep her silence.
A voice interrupted her thoughts asking her to dance. Looking up, she smiled to see Will Riker looking down at her, “Seeing as Deanna is away, the only person I’m safe dancing with is you – I’d get told off if I danced with anyone else…”
“You make Deanna sound like the jealous type Will… and I know that’s just not true.”
The Cdr chuckled, “But I do know that you were off in your own world a moment ago.” As he pulled her to the small area that had been set aside for dancing and pulled her closer he gave her a studied look. “What’s wrong Ehliena?”
The empath was startled, “Nothing, why do you ask?”
“Because since you’ve come back you’ve been quieter than your usual self. Especially over the last few days.”
“Really? Sorry, I hadn’t realised.”
Will gave her a soft glance, “Yeah. Actually, it seemed to start around the same time as you found out Horatio was dating Ro Laren…”
Ehliena gave him a sharp look, “Just what are you insinuating Will Riker… Are you trying to suggest…” She started to pull away an angry look on her face, but Will held her tight.
“Ehliena, this is me you’re talking to and I’m not suggesting that you would do anything to harm that relationship – but I think I know you well enough to say that it makes you uncomfortable.”
Ehliena tried to shrug of his comment, “Why would you think that?”
Will pulled her to him for a hug, “Because I know my girlfriend’s little cousin well enough to sense that she’s hurting inside…”
She paused for a moment, “Will don’t, please… I’m glad that Horatio is settling down into his new persona – and that he’s comfortable enough to start a relationship with someone. It’s important for him.”
“But hard for you.” He led her to a table in a corner where they could talk quietly. “Ehliena, I can see that your feelings for Horatio are stronger than anyone else realises – probably because I know you better than they do, but if it’s going to be difficult for you to see them together – I need to know about it.”
Ehliena became angry, “You think that it would affect my work? Jesus Will, thanks for the vote of confidence.” She stood to leave, but he caught hold of her wrist and pulled her back down.
“This has nothing to do with your job Ehliena, but you. I don’t want you to be hurt and if staying on the Enterprise will do that, then we’ll have to sort it out. If you’re not careful, others will also notice.”
Tears began to well up in Ehliena’s eyes as she realised that Will’s concern was personal not work related. Looking up she gave him a soft smile, “I’ll be ok Will, seriously and don’t you dare go saying anything or I swear you’ll see a side of me that rarely comes out. Horatio needs time to grow into a relationship - any input from me will destroy the confidence he has just gained.”
The Cdr stood up giving her a soft kiss on the cheek before moving to join the others, “If you need a shoulder to cry on, you know where to find me. I’ll always be here for you when you need a big brother, you know that.”
Ehliena nodded, giving him a weak smile; left on her own for a few minutes she sighed, no longer feeling in the mood to party. Quietly she left the bar and went to her own quarters not noticing that she was spotted by a pair of eyes from the opposite side of the room.