PrisonerofVengeance Part 5 Celestial Surrender Sc3

I must have leapt nearly three feet in the air, at the sound of Khan's voice coming from behind me. BUSTED. "Nothing, just admiring the sophistication and advanced technology used to create the- the-" My voice was several octaves too high, much too fast, giggling to cover up my guilt, and I whirled around to face him, losing all manner of speech, as he flooded my vision, forgetting entirely what I was going to say.



"Thank you. I did design them myself." He grinned brilliantly, showing off those perfectly white teeth, and I stumbled, grabbing the side of the desk for support. Holy. Lord. I felt sure I was going to faint. I knew it. Khan wasn't real. He couldn't be. I decided then and there that he must be a beautiful delusion, part of a reoccurring dream that I kept having. Was I in a coma somewhere, in some Starship Med Bay, suffering from heat stroke, and this was ALL in my mind!?!? Oh GOD, if so, PLEASE don't wake me up!!! My mind pleaded, my heart pounding. Nobody could personify this level of sheer perfection with SUCH style. At this point, I couldn't even remember my own name. What was it again? Just when I think he can't POSSIBLY outdo himself and become any more gorgeous, just when I'm sure I'm getting used to gazing into his beauty, he finds yet another way to steal my breath from me.



He was STUNNING. He was a word even stronger than stunning that had yet to be discovered. His fairness, his flawlessness, defied nature and redefined what it meant to be lovely. I felt my jaw drop as he grinned very gently at me. Khan was captivating, utterly annihilating, in a stormy silver colored, double breasted, cashmere trench coat, with an impossibly high collar that he had popped up of course, the top of it just brushing his ear. I could see part of the tight fitting silver shirt he wore underneath, and he wore the same black trousers he'd worn that day in the desert, the ones with all the pockets, finished off with grey leather boots that tied in the front, and formed to his muscular calves. No fingerless gloves, this time, I noticed, and I admired his bare, slender hands, and those infamously long fingers. His hair though...... OH his glorious midnight hair! It looked extra silky tonight, catching the light, and it had been styled so that none of it had been slicked back, the sleek strands laying atop his forehead, but combed, swept to the side in a way so that they didn't hang in his face, the longer of them falling to the side of his head. I'd NEVER seen his hair like this before, and I simply adored it, shocked at how much softer it made his face look. Well, that and the gentle grin, that was making my head spin.



"Hi." I managed weakly, my mouth feeling dry, my breathing erratic. I'd fallen into a sort of comfortableness with him, somewhat in the past months, but now it was like I was seeing him for the first time, and I couldn't quiet my trembling nerves.



"Hello," he said with wicked delight, leaning in closer, looking even taller, placing his hands on either side of me, palm down on the desk. His cologne smelled sooooo good, intoxicating my senses. He chuckled, enjoying his obvious effect on me as always, and then let his jade eyes roam over me, taking their time, looking softer the more they gazed, his eyebrows arching. Without warning he took my hand, sending jolts up my arm, and twirled me around very slowly, taking in every inch, every detail, every curve, every sparkle and every curl, the sleeves of my dress floating in the air with the movement. "Hellooooooooooooo." He said again as he twirled me, his voice growing deeper. When he stopped, he didn't let go of my hand and he smirked at me very deviously. "And just what star did you fall from?" He asked very flirtatiously, and I blushed, toying with one of my curls.



"Ever the angel, aren't you Ally? I'm pleased to see the dress fits you so well. In fact, I think you make it what it is."



I blushed even deeper, and his fingertips grazed down the length of my sheer sleeve, sending a tingling sensation to wherever they touched. "Exquisite," he said softly.



"It absolutely is!" I chimed in, finding my voice. "I've never had a dress fit me so perfectly, so flatteringly. Thank you, Captain. Haha HOW many times did you say you watched my training videos?"



Khan smirked still feeling the fabric of the sleeves, now tracing his finger along the curved sparkling pattern. "More times than I feel comfortable admitting to you, My Dear," he said with a lovely sound of a laugh. "However, that wasn't how I got your measurements. Also....... I wasn't talking about the dress."



He looked up at me then, holding my gaze, his right hand slipping beneath the gauzy fabric to curl around my arm. "I beamed, looking back into his eyes, struggling to create words again. "Oh r-really? How-w did you get them then, my measurements?"



"Simple enough, actually. You listed them on your application in regards to your cadet uniform."



"I nodded, impressed. "I see. Clever you!" I grinned leaning closer to him, feeling giddy. He smirked a little more, letting his fingertip trace the edge of my bottom lip, careful not to smudge my lip gloss. "No, LUCKY me." He said almost in a whisper.



I breathed deep, feeling dizzy with the indescribable joy that was coursing through me, filling me up with its wonder. All thoughts of the coordinates GONE as if they'd never existed at all. "Clever, CLEVER, wonderful you! I gave him a knowing smile, gesturing to my hairclip. They're crystals! " I gushed, blushing more. "I'm just...... speechless! That was so incredibly sweet!"



Khan grinned, his eyes crinkling again at the sides, in the way I so loved! "Crystals, for My Crystal." He said softly, letting go of my hand to straighten the hair clip, and dance his fingertips through my hair. "It was practically begging to be done. I was hoping you'd notice." He winked at me, and I swooned, sighing.



"Thank you, Khan. For the stunning dress, and the hairclip. I've never felt so special. Thank you for absolutely everything........ including......... earlier." I looked at him nervously, to see his reaction and also to see if he'd understood what I meant. Khan's lips curled up into a tight smile, actually looking a bit embarrassed, knowing exactly what I was referring to. He cleared his throat. "You can thank me at the end of tonight....... I'm sure I can come up with a few ways," he smirked, and then glanced towards the bridge window, where I noticed his chair, a second chair, and a small square table between them, had been set.



"Sit with me, won't you?"



I grinned and nodded, and he took my hand, leading me over to the chairs, waiting until I sat down in mine, before sinking into his, back perfectly straight, as poised as a monarch. I looked over curiously at the table and was shocked to find it had been laid with two, full, sparkling champagne flutes, as well as a plate of strawberries.



I looked at him eyes alight, playfully touching my clavicle, my mouth open in surprise. "Champagne AND strawberries? My, You DO know how to spoil a girl, Mr. Singh!" I winked at him and he turned to me happily, smirking back. "Actually, it's a sparkling cider, Miss Crystal. He made a disdained face. "I don't hold with spirited drinks." He gave me mine, and then took one himself, his long fingers curling around the glass. Humans are senseless enough as is, without alcohol to aid them in that slow decline. They don't need any help becoming less intelligent, as it has been my experience."



I smiled at the cleverness of his words and raised my glass. "My sentiments, exactly, in fact. Here, here!" I moved to clink my glass with his, as he smirked in my response, bringing his glass to mine. We both took a drink, and then he raised his aloft again. "To a night in starlight, with a beautiful girl who knows how to fight. May she see the serenity of surrender as well." I kind of half smiled, adoring the first part of that, but very much confused by that second part. All the same though, I clinked my glass with his and took another drink, noticing him looking slyly at me, as he took a sip from his own glass.



The sparkling cider, tasted wonderful, bubbling up to my lips. I could hardly believe it. He'd done ALL of this just for me....... I set my glass back down, and picked up a ripe, deliciously red strawberry between my fingers, giving him another knowing smile. "Strawberries, just happen to be my favorite, Captain." He rubbed his lips together innocently, turning his head, trying to look surprised. "Really? I did not know that."



"Yes you did."



He smirked, head still turned. "Yes, alright, I did. Well you told me in fact."



"I did?"



"Correction. Your monthly journal told me."



I shook my head, grinning. "Never should have taken that Psych class."



He looked at me for the longest time, next, making me blush all the more, my fingers tingling with the thought of playing with his beautiful hair, right before he took my lips, and for a considerable amount of time afterward. His lips parted, falling from each other just slightly as he looked at me, in a sort of intrigued reverence.



"Forgive me for staring. I've just never known such beauty before this night. My eyes can't help their curiosity."



I blushed redder than the strawberries, certain I was going to fall off my chair. "I-I feel similarly, Captain. I mean just LOOK at you! Dressed to KILL!" The compliment had flown from my mouth faster than I could ever catch it, the words and their ironic meaning, mortifying me, and my hand flew over my lips, not realizing what I had said before it was far too late.



Khan looked at me utterly surprised, his grin widening, his eyes growing all the more devious and sly. He chuckled amusingly, and my palm jumped to cover up my eyes instead. Oh GOD, had I really just said that!?!



"Not yet, my dear, but yes, you're quite right. I do thank you. I had every intention of looking my best for you tonight, knowing full well you'd be looking yours. Although just how much so, I was entirely unprepared for. I'm pleased my appearance was able to inspire....... the desired effect."



I giggled nervously, thinking how I'd never been so incredibly attracted to anyone in my life. Besides the whole murdering, war criminal thing, Khan Noonien Singh was my perfect man.



He leaned back in his captain's chair, turning to the side, away from me, to look behind him, and I heard the shuffle of people trying to look busy, who'd been previously watching our little scene with nary a sound. The crewmembers on the bridge! I'd completely forgotten they were there! Khan sighed, and bit his lip, partly embarrassed, partly annoyed, seeming to share my exact thoughts.



"Clear the bridge. Dim the lights." He gave the order in a much different, stern, almost reprimanding voice, and at once there was a scramble for the doorway, everybody quick to leave, and the lights dimmed to almost absolute darkness, the window of diamond stars providing the main source of light to the bridge.



"Where's everybody going? Why do they have to leave?" I asked, curiously, wanting to be alone with Khan, very much, but also wary of what he intended.



He chose not to answer my question, and looked at me in a fond, sincerity. "Tonight the skies will come alive with meteors, more commonly known as "shooting stars," in a grand celestial show, dancing far across space, marking the first time this has happened in three hundred years."



I nodded, absolutely fascinated, still not sure what this had to do with the crewmembers conditional existence on the bridge though.



He rubbed his lips together, something I had never seen him do before tonight, but I found I quite liked. "I had hoped....... that you would witness this natural wonder with me....... alone."



I beamed, feeling my heart quicken impossibly fast, and I found breathing much, MUCH, harder with my next thought. "You mean..... kind of like....... a date?"



He smirked at me, his eyes crafty, and he was fighting against smiling wider. "Not exactly, in the traditional sense, but......... if you wished to think of it as such, I would not object.



I blushed, fighting the impulse to run and hug him, looking away, shyly, biting into my strawberry. It was unthinkable. Khan and I were on a date. A real, actual date. My first, in fact! I'd dreamed of this moment so oft, but NEVER could I have expected...... THIS!!



I turned back to him, still beaming, my smile alight with wonder. Who could've guessed this would happen?? No one. Least of all...... ourselves. "I would be so honored captain, if you would in fact, allow me the pleasure to do so, and accompany you for the evening."



He bowed his head very genteel, smiling charmingly. "I assure you, Miss Crystal, the pleasure would be all mine."



I giggled and finished off my strawberry, reaching for another one, and Khan leaned forward, watching me eat it, his knuckles resting on his high cheekbone. I blushed again and dabbed a napkin that I'd found on the table to my lips. "Aren't you going to have one? You know, I don't think I've ever seen you eat even once in two months!" I giggled grabbing another from the plate, and held it out to him. He looked down at the strawberry in my hand, but didn't take it. "My hunger, I assure you is for much different things," he eyed me devilishly, and I felt a full body chill, my fingers trembling. He glanced at it once more, and then returned his eyes to mine. "Feed it to me."



A long, slow, paralyzing chill made it's way down my spine. I was VERY glad, I had been sitting down, feeling my knees buckle, my heart racing at warp speed now, breaking out into my most girlish of grins, dizzy with the thought. Oh GOD yes! I scrambled to my feet, strawberry in hand, and tried to walk very poised over to him, with what I hoped was a sexy smile, and not another squinty-eyed schoolgirl grin. Was this real!?!? Was this really happening? I felt my heart race faster and faster with each step and Khan smiled smugly at me, looking rather pleased with my zeal. I had meant to go around him, and feed him from the front, sitting on the edge of the armrest of his captain's chair, but the moment I was directly behind him, he leaned that lovely sleek head backward, looking up at me seductively, biting his lip, before parting both of them, opening his beautiful mouth just so. Oh my god. This was really going to happen!!!



My left hand shook as it rested on his cheek, and I brought the strawberry forth with the other hand, almost certain he could hear the relentless beating of my heart now that it was so close to his head. I gently touched the strawberry to his full bottom lip, envying that bit of fruit terribly, as I brought it back and forth from one corner of his mouth to the other, almost teasingly. He smirked and took a slow bite, his lip brushing my finger accidently, and I could scarcely breathe. Why was this so..... SO enthralling and sexy? He chewed and then swallowed, and I blushingly brought the half eaten strawberry closer to his lips again. He took another bite, bigger this time, slowly finishing it off, looking at me intensely, purposely brushing his lip against my finger now, and the green part fell from my hands, fluttering to the floor.



He'd finished eating, but did not bring his head up, and I did not want him to. Those eyes like twin, glowing pools, magic in their swirling light, I stared down at, nearly falling into. I leaned forward, my hair tumbling over my shoulder, the curls gently brushing his neck. "You've um, uh got a bit of uhh juice on your lip still, I laughed nervously, using my thumb to wipe it away. However, once done, I couldn't pull my thumb from the soft, silkiness of his lip, and any effort to do so, resulted instead in my thumb running back and forth over it, just like the strawberry had done. We stayed there, frozen, like that for awhile, neither of us having any desire to move, and as I teetered on the edge, I did fall into such eyes, their warmth washing over me in a grand splash. Back and forth my thumb went, my breathing shuddered, as I imagined those lips pressed to mine, so warm and full, tasting sweeter than the strawberries had themselves. "Ohhh my," I murmured pleasurably, and I moved my thumb now to his top lip. His eyes softened as he closed them, relishing in my touch, and I felt his lips pucker beneath my thumb as I moved it to the middle of them, as if he were kissing it.



BOOOOOOOOM!!!!



The deafening noise startled me, and I jumped. My thumb had been pulled away from the warmth of Khan's lips, and the clamor itself had pulled me away from the tender moment. "It's starting!" He said excited, eyes shining, and I hurried back to my seat, ready to witness this natural wonder with him, unprepared for the unique beauty I would soon see.



There was a loud CRACK and another BOOM, sounding very much like fireworks, and the already starry sky lit up in fantastic fashion, a surprise gasp escaping my lips as a sparkling trail shot across the sky, and then another, and another, until they were darting back and forth, appearing and disappearing behind the veil of night, adorning it like diamonds in the sky! "Ooooh!!! How GORGEOUS!!!" I sat at the edge of my chair and marveled at the ethereal beauty, like tiny fairies dancing through the stars, twirling, and speeding away, raining pixie dust. I looked at Khan, mouthing the word, "WOW!" and he smiled back fondly, the starlight blinking across his face, making him all the more dashing. "Look at that one!" I exclaimed in awe, as a particularly bright, almost blue one shot across the window, surprisingly close to us, twirling in a spiral, more beautiful than any firework show I could ever remember. "Don't you just feel like you could reach out and touch it!?!? Climb on, and soar upon its sparkling form to somewhere magical??"



Khan looked over intently, no longer looking through the window, his eyes gazing upon me. "Yes." He said softly, his voice low. "Make a wish, Cadet."



I grinned, and watched another blue star shoot across the sky, this time perfectly straight, speeding faster than any of the others had. I wish for you, Khan. I wish we could be together, and last as long as time itself. I wish I could have you as my very own, and be your blinding light in the darkness....... I wish I didn't have to fight it anymore...... I slowly closed my eyes, everything becoming clear. The coordinates, the beacon, NONE of it mattered, if I didn't have him. I didn't want to bring him home on a chain to be thrown into some dismal cell. I wanted to bring him home one day, hand in mine, holding his cheek as I told my mother I'd found the man of my dreams...... I'd found true love at last.........



I felt my chair move, which startled my eyes open, and found Khan's hand was gripped around the armrest as he'd kicked the table out of the way, and was now bringing my chair flush to his. He smiled at me sheepishly. "Better view," was his excuse, again rubbing his lips together.



I smiled at him slyly. For who, I wonder? I brushed my curls out of my face and looked at him, very seriously now, my eyes roaming his fascinating face. "Yes...... yes it is." He smirked back and flipped up his left armrest up, along with my right one. "These damn things can be so uncomfortable, so constricting. I nodded, shyly, and we sat there, on our makeshift couch, the sky continuing its celestial show in crescendoing grandeur.



"Look," he pointed. "That one's nearly purple." My eyes darted to where he pointed, and I squealed in delight! "It is! It's SO beautiful! Khan lowered his pointing finger, very slowly, bringing his arm to rest on the back of my chair. "I've never seen anything so awe-inspiring in my life!" I said excitedly, my eyes dancing as the glittering stars continued their repartee across the atmosphere. Khan smiled secretly, eyes intensely luminescent. "I have."



I turned to him slowly, my cheeks flushing, surely he couldn't mean...... me....... His arm fell forward a bit, just inches from my upper back as I sat perched on the edge of the seat. "You put it all to shame, Dear. More lovely than even space's very best. I'd be very nearly bored if you weren't here." I looked at him, with a shocked, whimsical sort of smile, and gently eased myself back in my chair, his arm flinching as it finally touched me. "I've never been so beautifully complimented in all my life!!! Such a wondrous thing to be compared to! Khan chuckled, better arranging his arm around my shoulders, pulling me closer to him, and instinctively my curly head laid itself comfortably atop his shoulder. "The night isn't over, Ally, and as I've said...... There is NO comparison."



I took a deep breath, and nuzzled his shoulder, marveling at how right, how natural, it all felt. Khan and Ally, no longer held back by our roles in society, not war criminal and cadet, but just two crazy kids on a first date, watching the stars. "You smell amazing." I said dreamily, not as Starfleet Cadet Crystal, but as Ally, Khan's Shadow, the LUCKIEST girl in the universe. I could hear the smirk in his voice, laying his head atop mine for a few moments, holding tight to what he couldn't have, what they'd told him all along it was wrong to want. "Thank you. It's one of those cologne things from Khria. A gift from the eldest and most wise of the leather crafters, for my more than generous business. I've never worn it before. But then, I've never had a reason to....." I smiled to myself and snuggled closer. "You're absolutely intoxicating, Khan. Yes, now, you certainly do have a reason." I giggled and the arm that was around my shoulder, snuck to wind around my waist. "Do I? It's nice to have a fan. Nobody really gets the chance to compliment you, when you're beating them to a pulp. Perhaps I should allow them to speak before I attack" He said teasingly, his face alight with his cleverness and mirth.



The stars continued to dazzle us with their glittering sway, one right after the other, and I wanted so badly to kiss his neck, and make my way up to his lips. However, I didn't. I couldn't yet. Who knew if tonight was just one elaborate, well-played manipulation. EXTREMELY well played, in fact. I was certain at this moment I'd do absolutely anything for him, anything he wanted..... I raised my head up from his shoulder, looking into his eyes. He smiled at me and looked back, long fingered hand on the right side of my head. I'd found the answer in the soft glow of his eyes, and crook of his smile. This wasn't the same Khan who'd bit and manipulated me, eyes laughingly cruel, that second night........ This was the Khan that showed up on extremely rare occasions, twice in fact, calling me beautiful, and then today, laying his head on my shoulder. There was something different about this Khan, that the other Khan never EVER showed. My searching eyes found it at last, and I stroked his brow. It was poetry, really, and in my heart I had seen it all along, just never fully believing. There was nothing quite like a glimmer of good in a bad man's eye. How startling the contrast is when even the tiniest pinpoint of light, pricks the darkness. You're not who they tell you are, Khan Noonien Singh. You, yourself, don't even know, but I....... I do.



I smiled softly, nuzzling his cheek with my wildly curly head, my eyes returning to the stars, as he rubbed my back. "I've never been so incandescently happy in my entire life!!!" I said breathily, and his arm tightened around me. "Nor have I. You..... you make me feel things. Things I never knew a man like me could feel." I looked at him then, my lips forming an o-shape, saddened to hear him say that. "Men like you?" I asked confused, my hand on his shoulder. He looked at me knowingly, sweetly, twirling one of my hanging curls. "Oh, dear, dear, Ally. All is right and lovely in your eyes. I'm a villain, Darling. In their eyes, in everyone else's eyes, I'm naught but a cold, unfeeling, methodic terrorist. Quite plainly, a very, VERY bad man. The kind of man, lovely young girls like you should always feel protected from. However, when I'm with you....... and you look at me with such........ adoration, I'm not the villain anymore, Ally. I get to be the hero. Your hero. And, secretly....... I love it."



I beamed at him, instantly blushing, his words sending my spirits to soar with the stars, and I marveled that he'd truly said that. He was my hero and my villain, as well as everything my heart had ever desired. I felt as if I were floating, airy and giddy, spontaneous and utterly free. I took both of his hands in mine, resting my forehead against his, my voice blissful and high spirited. "Dance with me!"



Khan frowned, clearly not expecting it. "What?" I giggled again, hopping to my feet, still holding both of his warm slender hands in mine, my happiness now filling me up with its golden light. "Dance with me! Haha c'mon Khan, it'll be fun!!" Another shooting star streaked across the sky, and he scowled distastefully, shaking his head. "No. I don't know how." I giggled again, squeezing his hands tighter, tugging on both arms. "I can teach you! After all, you taught me something today, allow me to return the favor." I winked, and he was still pout-frowning, looking unconvinced. "I think not." I let go of his hands, laughingly exasperated, crawled into his lap, teased the back of his jet black hair with my fingers, batting my eyes winningly, and said. "Please? For me?"



Khan rolled his eyes, and sighed. "Damn it, that's not fair. Alright. Teach me."



Grinning triumphantly I pulled him to his feet, both hands holding his again, and he reluctantly rose up into his full height. "First allow me to take off my coat, I feel exceedingly too warm for some reason." He gave me a knowing smirk, and I blushed as he undid the six buttons, and belt tie on his gorgeous cashmere trench coat with his quick fingers, shrugging it off his shoulders very quickly, and had I blinked I would have missed it. Khan moved faster than time itself.



I could see his snug-fitting silver shirt clearly now, hugging tight to his incredible physique, each muscle clearly defined by the clinging fabric. I blushed, wishing he'd shed it as well, thinking about his soft, pale skin beneath. This shirt was much like his black one that he'd worn that first day in the desert. However, the Starfleet logo was much more prominent, and colored black, on this one, standing out beautifully from the silver, something I counted odd, until, upon my double take I realized I'd seen it wrong.



"Why do you have an upside down Starfleet logo on your shirt, Captain?" I asked curiously, trying to make sense of it. Khan's bottom lip curled up menacingly. "Brilliant isn't it? Not only does it signify Starfleet's entire world, being toppled, turned upside down, and their eventual fall from power, but with the insignia inverted, it also creates a delicious little something." He brought his thumb and forefinger just below it, his voice sly. "Look closer."



I leaned in closer, gasping in surprise, as sure enough, an upside down Starfleet logo created the perfect "V."



"Genius." I whispered in absolute amazement, my emerald eyes wide.



"V for the rise and rule of MY Vengeance." He chuckled cleverly. "Ohhh yes, I've taken their little symbol and made it my own. They'll come to see it as their constant reminder that I won, that I was far more powerful, and that I ALONE am the ultimate ruler of the universe. When they see it, I want them to remember who it was that sent them to scatter, and know that I can NEVER be stopped. Soon Starfleet will be merely a memory. All that will be left of them, is this symbol of their broken hope. My time is nigh.



His voice softened, as he looked at me now, his laughing slowing to a stop. "I've made one just like it for you, Cadet. And I hope when the time arises, you will wear it......."



I nodded, tucking a curl behind my ear, realizing that, when the time arises, I would have to choose. My organization, my home, my planet, and the people that counted me as their own, or............ the man I loved. He bit his lip, turning his head to the side, disturbing his silky strands, his hands reaching for both of my forearms. "Don't fret, Cadet." He said taking them tightly. "It will be quick, swift, and of those that surrender, some may be given the chance to join me in this glorious new age. It shall be a bloody fight, My Dear, but I promise you.......it must happen. It must happen so that there's nothing keeping you from me. You have made me even more fervent in my fight."



I looked away, not wanting to think about any of it, not wanting to think about that heart-wrenching choice, I'd someday be forced to make. I'd heard of love inspiring people to do crazy things, but aiding in violent total world takeovers had never been mentioned before. Khan stepped, closer, his hand sifting through my curls, noticing the fretful downward take in my mood. "Now," he said, rolling his eyes, making me giggle. "Just how are you to teach me to dance when there's no music?"



My eyes lit up excitedly and I rushed over to the main control that his chair usually sat in front of. Khan chuckled. "Just WHAT do you think you're doing, Dear?" I laughed, my nimble fingers moving over the keys as I typed quickly. "Using the Starfleet Database to play us a Waltz, Captain." I grinned, and he frowned in confusion. "I'm unfamiliar with the term, I'm afraid. Explain?" I giggled again, shaking my curly head. Khan knew every type of fighting there was in the universe, every skill, every technique, yet a simple dance term, he was utterly lost to. It was so cute. "It's a type of dance, actually, my favorite, in fact, that is choreographed to a three, four time count."



Khan nodded, looking at me curiously. "I see. You certainly seem to know a lot about this. As I understand, Starfleet does not offer these kind of courses, or am I mistaken? I giggled, still typing. "Oh no, I didn't take Ballroom Dance at Starfleet! I took it in high school, and I absolutely loved it! I cued the waltz music to begin in ten minutes, and hurried back to him, grinning. He smiled back hesitantly, and unenthused. "I've never done anything of the kind before. This..... this frivolity. I've never understood the purpose." I smiled at him, finding it adorable that he was nervous. "The purpose is to have fun!" I giggled, leading him to the middle of the bridge. "I'll teach you, Captain, and I think you might quite like it." He nodded slowly. "I suppose if anyone could do so, it's you, Ally. What music have you selected?"



I smiled to myself, knowing exactly which arrangement I'd chosen. "It's funny, in high school, most of the other girls liked the flowery, better known, more famous waltzes like Strauss' Voices of Spring, or Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake Waltz. But I....... I was always different. I was always drawn to this lesser known waltz, by a Romanian Composer. I don't know, something about the danger and mystique of it, the tantalizing tune beckons to me. It's just so daring, flirtatious, and beautiful."



"What's it called?" Khan asked, becoming more interested, enjoying my zeal, the more I spoke.



"It's Doga's Predarea Ceresc! Which means-" I gasped, suddenly remembering the English name for my favorite waltz, not even believing how perfect it fit this very moment! It was unthinkable. As if thousands of years ago, Eugen Doga, himself, composed this masterpiece just for me and Khan, knowing we would dance to it, in the beams of falling stars. "It means-" I began again shakily, still thoroughly bewildered.



"Celestial Surrender." Khan said softly, his deep, velvety voice stunned, yet reverent, arching both eyebrows. "Remarkable. How fitting, indeed."



I looked at him, emerald eyes wide. "Isn't it though? I'm just- Speechless. It only hit me just now. I can't believe it..... Irony abounds!"



Khan nodded, smirking. "I do like the sound of it. Alright then, Instructor, explain the strategy of "Waltz," to me. I am your willing pupil." He bowed his head very nobly.



I blushed and giggled, very much liking the sound of THAT! "Haha okay, first take your stance, I said with a wink, playfully using the same terminology that he had used earlier during my own lesson. I strode up to him, and he held out his perfectly sculpted hands, palm up. "First, place your left hand in mine," I instructed, and he smiled, slipping a slender hand in mine, long fingers grazing over my palm, before wrapping around it, making me swoony. I nodded my approval up at him as he seemed to tower over me. "Yes, uhhm good, now place your right hand around my waist." He eyed me slyly, smirking, curling his other long fingered hand around my waist, squeezing it hard. "I can definitely do that."



I smiled, biting my lip, shyly. "Haha perfect!" I, in turn, slipped my other hand behind his back, resting it just on his shoulder blade, and he grinned devilishly, one eyebrow raised, as the music sounded.



The jaunty tune began, in its flirtatious and familiar way, with quick, fast, and then drawn out violin strokes. Excited, I urged Khan to glide forward, and he did so........ well, kind of, anyway. He thrust us both forward, much too fast, and rather haltingly. The quick back and forth music floated through the air, filling the bridge with its heartfelt rhapsody, and tinkling bells. "Alright, um now glide to the side, step back again, then to the side once more where you first began, and you'll have made a waltz box step!" I grinned at him encouragingly, and he stepped to the side, awkwardly, pulling me after him, and I stumbled with his rough movements. He then stepped back sharply holding tight to me, then yanked me back to where we first began. He scowled, clearly not enjoying himself. "I look ridiculous. I am KHAN. Khan DOESN'T glide." I giggled happily, taking note that even his most distasteful of scowls did not even begin to mar the handsomeness of his face. "No! It's okay, you're doing well! I don't find you ridiculous at all, Captain, but instead, think it's incredibly sexy that you're trying this for me. I winked at him, and watched his scowl morph into a mischievous smirk. "Alright, very well. What am I supposed to do next?"



I grinned, having had a feeling that would work. "Okay, I have an idea! Why don't you let me lead for awhile, and then you can take over." He nodded, determined now. "Yes, I think that would be much more fitting than continuing to make a fool of myself. I'm not used to failing at ANYTHING, you should know. This is all very new to me." I giggled shaking my head, "Awww no, you're doing fine!" I couldn't resist it, and I smirked to myself, adding. "We just need to do something about that ATROCIOUS footwork," I said playfully mimicking his voice, my eyes dancing as I giggled. He laughed too, highly amused, that lovely fleeting sound adding to the soaring music, as the violins trilled their lovely song, the arrangement quickening with my heart. I let it fill me up with its romantic measure, and I glided forward, my feet barely touching the ground, having done box steps thousands of times, in my room, in class, waiting for transport shuttles, and yes, at that dance Starfleet held towards the beginning of the year, the one that Natalia had dragged me to. I glided to the side and instinctively began a turning box step, my feet nimble and quick. "Feel the music, Khan, let it surround and guide you with its rhythm! One, two, three, up on the balls of your feet, turn, back down, one, two, three."



I felt Khan release me, wanting to see it done on my own for a bit, and I closed my eyes and twirled, light on my feet, combining turning box steps, one after the other, faster and faster, whirling about the bridge, one hand high over my head, the other arm poised gracefully in front of me, my dancing figure rising and falling with the music. I opened my eyes, and saw my sleeves floating with my turns, and I hopped into another twirl, and matched the repartee of the cheeky music, stepping forward and then back just as fast, turning and doing it yet again.



I heard Khan clap softly, his eyes intrigued, smiling proudly, and I turned to him in pretend curtsy.



"She dances, she fights, she dazzles. Tell me, Ally, anything you can't do?"



I looked at him daringly, up and down, and gave him a slow, sexy, smile. "I certainly can't take my eyes off of YOU."



Khan's mouth fell open partway in surprise, at my sudden brazenness, not at all expecting it, and he grinned, showing off all his teeth. "Oh really?" He then ran at me, picked me up off the floor, making me squeal, and twirled me around. "Look who's not so shy anymore." He whispered, returning me to my feet, hand on my back, holding me to him, and I grinned, truly feeling more bold after having danced for him, my heart beating against his. "As this is inspiring a delightfully dauntless and may I say rollickingly kittenish side to you, I want to try again." He took me in his arms, and effortlessly dipped me, eyes fierce. "Shall we continue?"



I felt my breath quicken, looking up into Khan's eyes, suspended in the air by his muscular arms, wondering just WHAT had gotten into the both of us, but loving every second! "Well," I said, trying to get my breath back. "You certainly have the dip down, Captain. Flawless execution!" I fanned myself with my hand, looking up at him coquettishly, and he raised one eyebrow again, enticing me, returning me to my feet, and back into his hold.



"Haha alright, now your movements feel very...... well..... robotic, and yeah, a little intense and frightening. You have to have fluidity and grace, when you dance, not halting, choppy, angry steps." My eyes lit up, very excited as I came up with the perfect metaphor. "Like when you fight, Khan! You have such grace, and poise when you fight, such elegance and swift momentum. Dancing is no different! There's a counter for every movement!"



He nodded, thumb and forefinger to his chin, slowly understanding. "I see. So when you step forward, I in turn step back, as if we were in a skirmish?" I nodded, thrilled that he'd gotten it. "Yes!!! Mirror what I do, as if we were sparring, lift your feet to go faster."

Khan nodded, ready to try again. I smiled at him as the music replayed itself. I stepped backward, and was amazed at how gracefully he slid forward. I turned on the box step, and he did too, and together we danced in and out of the flickering beams of light from the shooting stars, that were still dancing their own way across space in full force. Hand in mine, he twirled me, the gauzy material of my sleeves flying out, and then we finished off the turning box, his feet quick, and his manner poised as he integrated his fighting skills with the dance. "I think I'm getting the hang of this." He said chuckling, smirking at me, and I agreed, extremely proud of him.



"You dance as well as you fight, Ally." He said  admirably as we began another turning box. I blushed and held tighter to him as we danced, matching the music's swell. "Thank you, Captain. I have quite the penchant for both, in fact." He nodded teetering and stumbling ever so slightly on that last step. "Yes, I see." He looked at me seriously now as we began yet another turn. "Tell me this....... why does a young woman so naturally gifted in hand to hand combat, standing out brilliantly in an all male dominated field of study, choose instead to major in........ Navigation of all things? I'm afraid your talents are being sorely wasted, Darling."



I held tight to his shoulder, as our feet moved in smaller, synchronized steps, repeating the same, slightly turned box so that we might talk. I felt myself looking away, my curls tumbling in my face."I may be good at fighting, Captain but-"



"Excellent at fighting," he corrected abruptly, making me blush, and then placing his hand under my jaw, to turn it back to him, whisking the hair away from my face, starting to get a feel for the rise and fall of the dance.



I nodded shyly. "Thank you, Khan, but believe it or not, it isn't my true passion. My physical abilities, as advanced as they are, are NOT the reason I joined Starfleet, and if combat classes were not a required part of the curriculum, my secret talent would be known only to me, and whoever was unlucky enough to inspire it.



Khan frowned, his eyes narrowing, looking confused by all of it, and he leaned forward, intensely curious. "I'm listening."



"I joined Starfleet," I told him, my heart feeling light again, having told only Jamie and my mother this before. "Because I absolutely adore space travel." I slipped into a whimsical grin. "I'm an adventurer, Captain, and I love the romance of exploring seas of endless stars, that feeling of being suspended in space, surrounded by the unknown, a final frontier, if you will, discovering new worlds teeming with creatures, and sights never before seen. Sharing cultures, learning new ways, and teaching our own. The thrill of navigation, not knowing where the next turn may take me, not knowing what kind of treasures I may find, as I reach out my hand, and touch every star in the sky, there's nothing that inspires my heart more." I had broke into a grin, during my impassioned speech, as I swayed with Khan, but it slowly faded. "I never had any intent of becoming a professional combatant. I hope, I have not disappointed you."



Khan turned his head almost fondly, smirking to himself. "On the contrary. You fascinate me. You're a young woman afire with so many passions, gifted in so many ways. You crave what lies beyond the horizon, beyond the provincial. It makes perfect sense to me." His smirk crept into a sly, knowing grin then. "However, something awakens in you, when you fight. You can't deny it."



I nodded seriously, letting him into my innermost thoughts sharing with him my hopes and dreams, and even all of my fears, feeling myself speed away from a safe place. "No, I cannot. Fighting for me, Khan, comes as easy as my next breath. It's a rush, and people are always left astonished, ready with their praise, because no one expects such, just from looking at me. I'm a living, breathing, illusion. However, as natural as it is a part of me, it also frightens me. Knowing what I could do to people....... it's quite the burden to bear, and I'm utterly grateful for my easygoing nature, having never wanted to hurt someone purely out of anger." I smiled at Khan then. "Unless otherwise extremely provoked that is." He smirked back, eyes twinkling guiltily.



"It's wonderful for defense, and I feel this incredible sense of accomplishment, knowing I can protect all those that I love, knowing that my skills could save their lives if need be. But...... I HATE the thought of hurting people, Khan." I hung my head. In class I was always a nervous wreck, and that day Lucas lost part of his tooth because of my backward jab, I cried because nothing hurts worse for me, than seeing people in pain, unless it's knowing that I, myself caused that pain. It's my responsibility to make sure my gift doesn't harm innocent people even by accident! It's my responsibility to protect them...... even from myself.



I felt my voice cracking and tears pricked my eyes. "I don't know..... I've just always had a tender heart, which doesn't exactly match up with my particular skill set. I think that's why fighting with you today, was so incredible! I couldn't hurt you! There was no pain, no agony. Not a worry, nor care in the world, and I learned so much! In truth, you're my perfect sparring partner!" I smiled up at him, which he quickly returned, as he wiped my eye with his thumb. "Ohhh Ally." He whispered, pressing his full lips flush to my forehead, squeezing his eyes shut, both of us barely moving now. "If everyone in the universe were like you......... there wouldn't be a need for people like me."



I smiled softly, nuzzling his chest, feeling very close to him right now, both literally and figuratively. I felt vulnerable as I let him into my heart, my life, my mind, yet also empowered, and strong. For so dangerous and superhuman a man, he was surprisingly easy to talk to. "Thank you, Captain." He held me for awhile, soft hands curled around my forearms and I went on, wanting to tell him more, as he seemed to understand me in a way no one ever had. "As you can imagine, being such an adept female fighter presents MANY obstacles. It's hard to get a date, when the guy you like, knows you can beat him up. They look at you differently than the other girls......Like- like-"



"Like you're not quite normal." He said softly, looking into my eyes with a sad sort of smile. "Yes, I believe I understand. They fear you. They know all too well what you can do to them, so they stay away. They think there's something wrong about you, something damaged."



I nodded, new tears flowing afresh, and he stroked my hair. "They're fools, Ally. Unlucky, pitiful fools. Never have I seen such compassion from any being as I have you. It's baffling. I'm overwhelmed by your capacity to love. However, you are NOT normal, Dear, nor could you ever be so, even if you wished it....... What is normal can never be exceptional. You, Allyssa, are exceptional."



He took my hand again, his fingers roving over mine, feeling each one. "That these hands can be capable of such destruction, yet still have the lightest, gentlest touch full of affection, is quite the poetic notion. You love with all of your heart, it's quite easy to tell. And don't you see? It's that love that helps you to fight!" He whispered in fierce, excited, awe, squeezing my hand tight. "Your love makes you stronger, far more so than your anger does. Your anger may spark it when, properly provoked, but it's your love that keeps you fighting. A quality which I am viciously attracted to." I looked up at him, my eyes flooding with admiration. I had never once thought of it like that. I had always believed my nature and my peculiar talent to be at odds, complete opposites, yet now, Khan had showed me they had been working in tangent all along.



We both got very quiet for a moment, and the music was quick to match our mood, slowing in a sweet tenderness. "I-I'm going to teach you how to slow dance now, I said shakily. I believe you'll find it far easier, Captain. He smirked, "Yes, I'm sure I will, I'm not much for this waltzing ridiculousness, although I certainly DO enjoy watching you dance." I smiled, pretending to curtsy again.



"Alright, slow dancing is quite easy to do, as there's really only two steps. First I put both of my arms around your neck, like this......" I reached up with shy hands, and hugged his neck, to which he half smiled, very pleasurably. "Ooooh yes, I like this better already. Tighter." He whispered.



"Hahaha HEY who's the instructor here?" I laughed, happily, but did in fact hug his neck tighter. "Now, place both of your hands on my hips." Khan nodded, eyes alight with mischief. "This just keeps getting better, doesn't it? Already, I much prefer it to that bouncing mess of gliding steps." He grabbed both of my hips squeezing them, pulling my body closer to his.



I squirmed and giggled, and gave him a shy smile. "Now..... all you have to do is sway, back and forth, moving your feet side to side like this." I showed him, and Khan did so, effortlessly, hands running up and down my sides as we swayed together to the music. "Oh yes, this is much better. Far more...... intimate." I blushed at his words, staring into his eyes, and they stared back, letting me bask in their glowing light. I breathed deep, certain that if you could look far into time, you'd see that every star in space shined in his eyes. No wonder they glowed from within, and twinkled with their mischief. Beneath those luminous pools of light were entire universes.



I swayed with Khan in this way, almost dreamily, slow dancing as the music ended, and for long afterwards. We could've stopped dancing, returned to our seats to finish watching the show that was still in full splendor, but we didn't, almost not noticing the absence of the music because we were now being lead by the pulsing music of our heartbeats.



"You really DO dance as well as you fight. I wasn't just being complimentary. I however, unfortunately do not hold the same distinction." he chuckled gently, the tender moment enveloping us both, encircling us as if we were dancing figures held in the glass sphere of a snow globe, lit by the sparkling stream of stars just outside the window. We were closed off to the rest of the world, and its reaching troubles, here in this place with only each other. I giggled, shaking my head, hugging his neck tighter, gazing up into those endless eyes. "No, you did very good, Captain! You may master this frivolity yet, if we keep practicing." My words were light and playful, but my voice was soft, serious, my smile a whisper. I slowly brought my right hand down from around his neck sliding over his clavicle, and down his iron strong chest, stopping in the middle. His eyes followed the descent of my hand, and then returned to my eyes, looking at me with the same quiet delight that they had from the floor, his lip twitching.



"I would like that very much, Ally. You're a fine teacher. Perhaps one day, I may become good enough to be your partner in dance, among other things." He buried those rich full lips into the silky curls on the side of my head. "If not..... we could always just do this......." he whispered into my hair, his voice sly and whimsical, causing me to wobble unsteadily.



"Always," I said breathlessly, almost floating, sure that I could live in this moment forever, swaying back and forth, veiled by the alive diamond night, captured in the arms of the man I held most dear. I couldn't have him. Oh HOW I wished for him, but there were too many forces at work against that, which not even a shooting star could halt. All the same though, in this moment, in our little glass sphere, swirling with sparkling trails, he was mine.



We both became very quiet for a long time after that, as if Khan had read my very thoughts, and we were lingering in the feel, the fantasy of this moment, matching each other's rhythm. He breathed into my hair, relaxed and I nestled my head to his chest beside my hand, the other still  above me, wrapped around his neck, toying with the back of his hair. This..... this was bliss, I thought and I closed my eyes, his heartbeat, steady and soothing.



"Ally?" he ventured, breaking the silence of nearly thirty minutes, raising his lips up from my hair.



"Mhmm yes, Khan?" I asked sweetly, raising my own head up to find his eyes, and his face was serious with what waited upon his lips, which trembled just slightly.



"In three hundred years....... I've never known a night like this one......"



My heart quickened with the clever beauty of his words, my eyes filling with wondrously happy tears. It may not have been quite as impressive, but in twenty-three years, neither had I. These were the kind of nights dreams were made of. The nights when romance blossomed in the warm, summer air. The night that I would remember for the rest of my life.



"Had I known....." he began tenderly, almost breathily, one hand releasing my hip. "..........that such a willing, witty, lovely young, and spirited creature was so close to my grasp......" I trembled and then blushed then, as his free hand flitted to the top of my neck, his knuckles grazing slowly down the length of it, before hooking one long finger under the high neckline of my dress, tugging me closer, tugging it down past my clavicle, pressing his fingertip hard to the pale soft skin of my chest beneath. Pressing pause on my heartbeat.



I felt myself nearly hop up into my tiptoes with the feel of his hands, a dizzy breath escaping my lips, and he leaned down from his great height, his voice a soft, sly, growl. "....... I'd have STOLEN you, so much sooner."



I trembled all the more with the excitement of his words, seized by another full body chill, as well as a truly seditious thought, that made sense only here in our lovely little glass orb. I........ I would have let him steal me all over again. Everything I had gone through, on the Vengeance, and even my life before, were all leading me to him, to this moment. He leaned down closer, finger stroking my soft skin up and down, and then let go of my neckline, cupping my cheek instead, hand tightening on my waist. His eyes were afire now, smoldering in their passion, his lips hovering over mine, so that I could nearly taste them. I noticed how they trembled with the force of the kiss he'd planned for me, a kiss that had been waiting, and waiting, not just for months but for centuries. I felt the heat from his breath as he spoke again, eyes piercing through mine sensually, his voice more excited growl than whisper and I knew  the kiss I so pleaded for on the floor would've been a peck compared to this one. All along he'd been waiting for the perfect moment.



"They were right about one thing though...... You didn't stand a chance the moment my eyes met yours. Poor Cadet. Not...... even....... the........ slightest of one. His words grew relishingly slow, and I closed my eyes, exhilarated, needing his lips, his kiss, far more than the elusive breath I couldn't quite catch. It was really happening, and  this time, I wasn't the least bit afraid. Kiss me Khan! Oh kiss me like tomorrow can't find us........No one can find us here in our secret, celestial, place.



My heart thundered and soared when I felt Khan's soft, full lips flit across mine, but then just as quickly they pulled away, and I felt the aching, pain of their absence. Whyyyyy? This was just cruel! My eyes flew open, expecting to see him smirking, eyes dancing with the tease, making me want his kiss more, before indulging me in its bliss. However, this was no trick. I saw before me a very conflicted Khan, brow knitted in anguish, eyes squeezed painfully shut, as tight as he could get them, his nose scrunched up as well, his lips strained with the unfulfilled promise of the kiss. He couldn't do it.



My hand rushed to his face, my heart pounding, the other on the back of his head. "Captain, what is it? What's wrong? Have I done something?" Khan eyes opened blinkingly, his face somber and serious now, and my heart ached, wondering what I had done to lose his favor right before so glorious a kiss. He breathed deeply, gently pulling away from me, walking away a few steps, and I knew something was very wrong.



"The first, I took from you." He began, his voice deep, and serious, almost sounding sad. "You didn't have a choice. You could have fought me, and screamed, yet, still I would have taken it, forced it from your lips, because I wanted it almost at once. This one, this kiss, can't be as such. It has to be your choice........" He looked at me, eyes sharp, his princely chin angled down, silky strands falling in his face, his silhouette lit by the falling stars behind him. "I have to be your choice."



He breathed deep, looking away from me, turning at a downward precise angle. "Just for tonight...... I am NOT your captain, your captor, do you understand? I have no such authority over you, Cadet. You have no call to please me unless you desire it yourself. There is no threat upon your life. Tonight, you have control, you have a choice. You can walk out of here, right now, return to your room, and I won't think any less of you. Things will be exactly as they were before whatever the HELL happened on that floor. I'll even close my eyes, to make it easier for you."



"However......... his voice became more breathy now. If you choose me, if you grant me the honor of your lips, I feel compelled to tell you, that there won't be any turning back. Our relationship will be forever changed, knowing that you are not merely complying with my wishes, but acting upon yours. I have no idea what could happen. It's a powerful thing, what I feel, what I hope you feel, and I've never been so thrilled and baffled by anything in my life. He squeezed his eyes shut now, hands behind his back, breathing unsteadily, actually looking nervous, and I gasped, my fingers flying to my lips. "Now is your chance, Cadet. Now, I'm returning to you, your free will. Choose."