The Other Torres | A Star Trek Fanfiction *Book 1*

Ex Post Facto-Chapter 25

[The Ren's home]

Lidell opens the front door, carrying Neeka, who growls. "Mrs Ren?" asked Tuvok. "Yes?" asked Lidell. "I'm Lieutenant Tuvok of the Starship Voyager. Would you mind if I asked you a few questions?" enquired Tuvok. "Are you a friend of Tom's?" Lidell asked, Amanda frowned. "I am the Starfleet Chief of Security investigating his alleged participation in your husband's murder. However this is Lt. Commander Torres, she is a very good friend of Mister Paris." said Tuvok. "Stop it, Neeka! She just doesn't like strangers." said Lidell. Tuvok enters, Amanda follows. "Based on your testimony, I assume this is where the murder occurred." said Tuvok. "Yes, right there. I had to have a professional cleaning crew come in to remove the bloodstain." said Lidell. "You chose to remain in the house after an act of such violence occurred?" asked Amanda raising an eyebrow. "This has been my home for over ten years, Miss Torres, Mister Tuvok. Do you really find that so hard to believe?" asked Lidell, Amanda raised an eyebrow not wanting to believe her. "I am a Vulcan, Mrs Ren. By nature, we are a dispassionate people. It is rare to encounter someone as dispassionate as we are." said Tuvok. "Dispassionate? Is that how I seem to you? I think you'd get an argument from Tom Paris. Can I get you a drink?" asked Lidell, Amanda frowned, her human instincts were telling her that Lidell was lying, she looked around and couldn't see anything implicating that she was part of Ren's death but that doesn't mean she wasn't involved. "Thank you, no." said Tuvok, Amanda shook her head. "Mind if I have one?" asked Lidell. "Please. You testified at the trial that you and your husband had an argument the afternoon before he was killed." said Tuvok. "I never said there was an argument, Lieutenant. Have you ever had to end a marriage?" asked Lidell, Amanda frowned, it was just said that she testified that there was an argument. "No." said Tuvok. "Are you married?" asked Lidell. "My wife and I have been married for sixty seven years." said Tuvok. "I'm sure she's a fine, dispassionate woman. I hope you never have to find out for yourself, but I can tell you, ending a marriage, it's a quiet thing. The arguments are long over and there's really nothing much left to say at all. Are you?" asked Lidell. She turned to Amanda. "No." Amanda said coldly. "May I ask why you decided at this time to end your marriage to Professor Ren?" Tuvok stated. "Because I was attracted to another man. I didn't want to deceive my husband." said Lidell. "That other man was Lieutenant Paris. Lieutenant Paris would have been departing this planet in a few days, and yet you left your husband of ten years for him." said Amanda noticing all the plotholes in her story. "Meeting Tom gave me the push I needed. I already knew in my heart that it was time to start over." said Lidell, she knew Amanda saw through her story, all she had to do was make Tuvok believe her. "Exactly when did you see Mister Paris on the day of the murder?" asked Tuvok. "I went to see him at the Engineering Institute after I talked with my husband. Once I was free, I knew he wanted to be with me." said Lidell. "How did you know?" asked Tuvok, Amanda noticed he didn't quite believe her. "A woman knows, Lieutenant." replied Lidell. Amanda rolled her eyes, she couldn't help it. 

[Lidell's memory.] 

"He left his friend Harry to finish the technical research and walk me home. We were caught in a cloudburst on the way." said Lidell, explaining. "I'm completely soaked!" she said. "There must be a centimetre of water in my boots." said Tom laughing. "Here, let me help you." said Lidell. Laughing, Lidell pulls of Paris' boots. Then she pulls him down to her and they kiss. "We shouldn't." said Tom. "It's okay. He knows it's over." said Lidell. "But you're still a married woman." said Tom. "I haven't been married for years, Tom. To him, I'm a friend, a companion. He hasn't treated me like a woman since, it must've been the day of the eclipse four years ago." said Lidell. "Eclipse?" asked Tom. "He was very excited by the eclipse. Don't ask me why." said Lidell. "Our timing's just a little off." said Tom. "You'll be gone in a few days. This is the only time we've got. Let me make you something to warm you up. I love to drink Marob root tea on rainy afternoons." said Lidell.