~ By Laura Cynthia Chambers
Grace wandered over to the buffet table, looking over at Albix as she selected from a wide variety of foods. Instead of the casual clothes he had worn on the Enterprise, he was now clothed in a bright orange robe similar to his father’s. He stood by Descin’s side, greeting several people he knew, and introducing them to the captain and Mr. Spock. Descin’s face shone, clearly proud of his son.
Several members of the crew were also milling about the large room which was flanked by tall blue curtains that hid several small alcoves leading to a balcony two storeys above the ground. Three musicians played large stringed instruments similar to harps, while a fourth beat softly on a small drum.
Riley appeared next to her, munching on a drumstick. “Hey, why aren’t you hanging around with your new boyfriend?” he asked, mouth full.
Grace blushed crimson. “We barely know each other.”
“Suit yourself. At least the food’s good.” He paused, the almost empty bone pointed at Descin. “What’s with this guy anyway? If it were my kid, I’d have a few words to say to him, and they wouldn’t all end in ‘I love you’ either.” He reached for a cup of punch and took a sip. “I mean, yeah, I kinda feel sorry for Albix and all; don’t get me wrong. But still…that’s a lot of dough.”
“Well, I think it’s wonderful,” Grace snapped. Then more softly, she asked, “What if it were you, Kevin?”
“Ya mean if I was his wayward son? Let me tell you, if I came home and said ‘Guess what? I lost all your money, pops,’ and he took me back like that-“ Riley snapped his fingers “-I’d have some serious doubts about his sanity.” Sobering, he took another drink, finishing off his glass. “All kidding aside though…” He swallowed hard. “…I’m a little jealous. To be honest, I don’t know what my dad would’ve done. Never got the chance to find out.” He turned away from her, his head down.
She placed one hand on his shoulder. “I forgot. You’re an orphan, too…”
“Yeah, well…if you’re waiting for me to cry on your shoulder or something, you’ll be here all night.” He stuffed his hands in his pockets. “Not that I wouldn’t mind being consoled by you, though…” He winked at her, grinning like an impish leprechaun.
“Not a chance, Riley.” Grace smiled back. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Albix moving towards her through the crowd. “Try to come back sober this time, okay?” she teased. “You’ll be sorry in the morning if you don’t.” Riley toasted her silently with his empty cup, even as he moved towards the punch bowl for a refill.
* * *
Kirk watched Albix cross the room, headed in Grace Berlin’s direction. She took his hands, beaming, After speaking for a minute, she nodded and they headed out onto the balcony terrace together.
“She seems quite taken with my son.”
Kirk looked back to see Descin watching too, as the curtain fluttered closed behind them. “Yes, that’s Lieutenant Berlin, she’s actually the one who rescued him. Well, her and Riley. They found him starving and brought him back to the ship.”
Descin turned to face Kirk and Spock. “I cannot express my gratitude enough to all of you. You have made an old man very happy.”
“Thanks are unnecessary.” Spock folded his hands behind his back. “Knowing that we have been able to aid you is our reward.”
“Still…I must do something. Would some crates of breesin be acceptable?”
“Breesin?” Kirk asked.
“A well-aged beverage made from breesa, Captain. Full, rich, and flavorful.”
Kirk shared a look with Spock, before turning to smile at Descin. “I think we could squeeze one or two into one of the cargo bays,” he replied.
“Excellent!” Descin clapped his hands. “It is settled, then.”
“We will make arrangements to receive your generous gift.” Spock bowed slightly, eyes closed. Kirk did the same, but opened one eye when he heard a loud creak.
They looked up to see a man standing by the doorway, talking to one of the guests. He was large, square-jawed, and rugged looking. As the guest answered him, pointing beyond the curtain, his features darkened. Frowning, he pushed through the crowd until he stood in front of his father.
“What is the meaning of this?” he rasped angrily.
Descin smiled, but his features were strained as he took the man by the arm and tried to calm him. “The best of news, Todar. Your brother has returned to us. Come and celebrate.”
Todar’s face looked anything but merry. “Celebrate what? I have no brother, and well you know it,” he growled. He waved his arm around the room. “And what are all these Starfleet officers doing here?”
“I invited them,” Descin explained. “Todar, this is Captain Kirk and his first officer, Mr. Spock. They brought Albix home again.”
Kirk offered his hand, but the man ignored it, turning his back on them. Stabbing his finger at Descin’s chest, he opened his mouth to say something. His expression changed from anger to an eerily calm one. “Starfleet…” he muttered. A smile slowly crept across his face. “I am sorry, Father. Perhaps it is good news, after all…” He retreated from their group and left the room, bumping into Riley on the way out, whose hiccupy “’Scuse you,” was barely heard over the music.
Spock raised an eyebrow. “A turn of 180 degrees.”
Kirk frowned.
* * *
The party was more subdued by now. Several people had departed; others had gone outside to walk along the orchard. Their voices echoed along the rows of trees while the light of two moons overhead shone down on them.
Grace leaned over the balcony, looking up at the sky, her face illuminated by the moonlight. “It’s a beautiful evening, isn’t it?” She looked to her right. “Albix?”
He had left her side and now stood by the curtain, looking between the slight gap. Grace sidled up next to him. “I never figured you for a people watcher.” At the sight of his drawn features, her mouth turned down.
“My brother.” The two words were filled with sadness. “He is here.”
“Really?” She moved towards the curtain and pulled a handful of drapery aside. “I’d like to meet him. I’ll bet he has all sorts of stories-“
He held one hand up. “Please. Stay.” She dropped the curtain and stood there, frozen by the pain on his face. “Our relationship was never close, and from what I saw on his face, I’m pretty sure he still holds the grudge our Father doesn’t.” Albix walked over to the railing and leaned on it.
Grace put her arm around him and pointed at the sky. “See that?” He followed her gaze to where the two moons hung overhead, twin curves in the sky. “Crescents. As though the heavens are happy with us.” She leaned on his arm, and they watched the sky together.