Bearing Witness

Chapter 12 - Love Is A Temple

Content Warning: Adult Situations, Suitable for Readers 18+

Kay descended the staircase and strode purposefully toward the living room where Khan had been keeping watch over Ananda. She stopped a few steps behind the sofa and confidently declared: "It's handled."

Khan continued to keep watch over Ananda as she slept curled into his side.

"Khan, your platelets were separated and successfully spun into a serum used to inject BeBop's spine. We won't know the results of our handiwork for another twelve hours or so."

He took a long, smooth breath and silently exhaled.

"Thank you for calling me to help, Khan. You've done a beautiful job of keeping Ananda calm. Witnessing a man of your temperament and reputation behaving so tenderly is absolutely puzzling. I'm afraid I'd completely misjudged you. Please forgive me." Kay shook her head, while trying to put the events of the day into perspective.

"I've accepted every twist and turn that has brought Ananda into my life, Doctor. Though I must admit that my first thought was solely to fulfill my part in the Admiral's scheme, and let chips fall as they might. But... Ananda has come to mean much more to me than either of us could ever imagine."

"As you can see, Khan - Ananda is not just a valued colleague, she's also a very dear friend. And, I'm relieved to know that she's in such capable hands." Khan turned toward the sound of Kay's voice. "But please understand that I am still struggling to make sense of this. Not just the incident with Be-Bop, but the plan itself, in toto. As we're both aware, there are no approved sedatives to give Ananda. But you seem very attuned to her needs so, If she continues to struggle with anxiety, confusion or refuses to eat... please don't hesitate to give me a call."

"Yes, doctor - I absolutely will do."

Khan moved to stand, but the doctor waved him off. "No, please keep your seat. I'll let myself out. Expect a call from me later to check on Nanda and BeBop."

"Thank you, doctor. For everything..."

"We no longer need to stand on ceremony, Khan. Please call me Kay. We'll talk soon." The doctor quietly made her exit and feeling secure that Ananda would be well attended by Khan. The Doctor was nonplussed, but satisfied and even a bit relieved for Ananda. There were so many ways things between Ananda and Khan could go wrong, but Kay no longer feared for her safety. Not after what she had witnessed that evening.

...

Ananda awakened snuggled under the duvet in her guest room, and noticed Khan studying her attentively from across the room. He crossed to join her, then took her in his arms and placed a kiss atop of her head.

"Noonien, I need to get away from here."
"I understand."

"No, you don't. I want to go HQ to use a holosuite. If I do that, maybe we can share an adventure together?"

Khan breathed a long sigh. He nuzzled his nose in Ananda's hair and breathed in the lingering scent of the lavender oil he had smoothed onto her temples earlier.

"Where are we off to, Ananda?"

"Mmmm... I don't know. My head is so full of possibilities. Not sure what to choose," she sighed.

"You've had an extraordinarily stressful day. What's in your heart? Let that guide you."

"I want to go somewhere that I've never been." Ananda rolled up on her side to look at Khan. "I'd only ever allowed myself to explore places where I could enjoy being alone. Peaceful solitude had ever been my sole concern."