Starfleet Commander Ananda Greydon is a graduate of The University of Betazed and, a member of the newly formed Starfleet Counseling Service.
Half human, half Betazoid - her silhouette could be described as imposing: A tall woman by any standard, sh...
Khan and Ananda listen to Ericsson's receding footfalls then turn to one another for reassurance and to formulate a plan.
"Noonien? Admiral Ericsson... He has your face. Or do you have his? I'd never laid eyes on the man before. He'd always avoided being seen directly. What's about to happen when we go downstairs?" Ananda prattles a series of questions in rapid fire succession. Khan hears the sound of Ananda's voice, but is working from his own internal dialog.
"Ananda, I must admit that I am entirely at a loss. We can only surmise that he believes he has reason to intrude upon you in this fashion, though this unscheduled visitation seems to be in furtherance of a personal agenda. Our best chance of coming through this is to volunteer nothing. If you are in fear of yourself or..." He places a hand over her middle and closes his eyes. Ananda leans in, kisses his eyelids and nuzzles his earlobe.
"He said he'd been waiting for me at his office, but he's not in uniform. This is not Starfleet business. He's come here of his own accord. We've yet to suss out why, but this can't be good for either of us."
Ananda's observation rang true with Khan, and while he's glad that her observational skills aren't dulled by fear - the need to devise a plan of action takes on greater importance. He's so immersed in his own thoughts that his brain begins to ache. It's if the synapses are conspiring to rend his mind into shreds. He winces and groans out loud. Ananda looks on him with concern and wonders aloud about his welfare.
"Noonien!? Wha... What's the matter?" "NOTHING!" Khan growls through clenched teeth. "Nothing. Please, I... I'm fine, Ananda." "I'm looking right at you, Noonien. No, you are not."
Ananda strokes Khan's face with the backs of her fingers, then cards them through his hair. He pulls away from her, grabs both of her hands and holds them together by her wrists.
"Get dressed, Ananda. Now, please." "Noonien? You're scaring me." "Whatever happens next, please know this... I love you. For my life, I love you."
Khan kisses Ananda's hands then releases them, placing one of her hands over his heart and holding it there as he speaks to her.
"We're alone, so there's no better time to speak these words to you - If I have to sacrifice myself to keep you from coming to harm I will." His tender words are spoken glacially, but his eyes display the true depth of his passion and concern.
"I understand. I love you too, Noonien. Let's pull ourselves together, and walk downstairs together."
Ananda gazes at Khan intensely, and cups his face as she kisses him more passionately than she ever has. The kiss is searing. It crackles with heat and ferocity. Khan moans into the kiss, and gives himself over to the moment, but breaks away.
"Please, Ananda... No more. When you touch me like that, I..." "Apologies, my beloved." She nuzzles his nose and leaves the bed to pick up her clothes and dress herself.
Khan takes the opportunity to clear his head with a cold splash of water to the face. He drags himself over to the en suite and turns on the faucet. He cups his hands beneath the running water, props his elbows on the edge of the vanity and bends over the sink. He flings water at his face very aggressively, almost slapping himself in the process. Once again, Khan has a momentous and intense flash of pain inside has head. He steps back from the sink and looks into the mirror.
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The reflection staring back at him in the partially lit bathroom is not the face of John Harrison, but the man he was three hundred years before: Noonien Singh. He stares for an instant in the half light, then blinks the image away.
Khan crinkles the top of his nose and mutters,"What's happening to me?!"
Not wanting to alarm Ananda further, he gathers his clothing, dresses quickly and trudges toward the threshold of Ananda's bedroom.
As Khan nears the doorway, Ananda offers her hand, which he gladly accepts - lacing their fingers together.
The duo gracefully make their way down the staircase, side by side.
"Awww... Look at you two. Aren't you precious?" snarks Jack Ericsson.
Khan bristles up and lurches forward, but Ananda squeezes his hand and pleads with him.
"NO! Noonien... don't. Please..."
Khan squeezes Ananda's hand until he feels certain that he'll not strike out at Ericsson.
"Sweet, sweet A-nan-da!" Ericsson laughs. "Come, have a seat, you two." Jack orders Ananda to have a seat in her own home making Khan seethe with a rage he can barely contain. Right now, Khan would enjoy nothing more than ripping Ericsson's head away from his shoulders barehanded.
How dare he? No Noonien, don't do it!
Ananda? You... You can hear me? I can hear you...? Please, take a breath, Noonien - your thoughts are overwhelming me. We'll get through this.
How long have you been able to hear me? I realized just as we began descending the staircase. Perhaps our enhanced capabilities have triggered something within us due to our mutual discomfort? I'd never considered that our bond is now chemical in nature. Does that mean?... Yes. I think it means exactly that.
Khan circles a protective arm around Ananda's waist, drawing her closer. They stand confidently, hip to hip, ready to face whatever happens next.
If Ericsson lays a hand on you... I will end him. Please still your thoughts, Noonien. Your anger is crowding out my ability to intuit.
Ericsson approaches the couple and moves to separate them. But first, he places a hand over Ananda's tummy and comments on her as yet unconfirmed impending arrival.
"Oh look at widdle mommy! How lovely. Glowing already, are we? Betazoids are absolutely fascinating. So, who do you think your halfling will grow to resemble? Hope it looks like us. Eh, Johnny boy? It can call me Uncle Jack. Oh! How wonderful!?" Ericsson circles around the two as he mocks them - studying Khan from head to toe as he gives him a critical once over.
"Pretty damned good for a cheap copy. Wouldn't you say, Ananda? Loses a bit in the translation, though. What. A. Shame. Ananda... fancy a go with the real deal, luv?"
He pulls her away from Khan by her free arm and shoves her down on the sofa. Khan launches himself at the man and the two begin to grapple on the floor.
"Noonien!" Ananda calls out.
She freezes for a moment, then moves toward the skirmish. Uncertain how to proceed, she attempts to grab hold of Ericsson, but is thrown clear by the squabbling men.
She lists to her side, slightly dazed. When she looks up, Carol Marcus is staring down at her. Carol's eyes are dark, angry and half crazed.
"Carol, what are you..." Before she can finish her sentence, Carol stomps on Ananda's hipbone with the heel of her boot. Ananda feels a dull ache, but does not cry out.
"I'm here to reclaim what is rightfully MINE! My father created John for me. He was being groomed to succeed him, take over Starfleet and eventually head the Federation. With me by his side. His crass little arrangement may have loaned you my Johnny as some kind of... What...? Donor? That arrangement will not stand, Ms Greydon. John is mine, and I'm not leaving until I get what I came here for. And if I have to take it by force, so be it."
