Dinner & Discussion

Posted on Sun Jan 24th, 2016 @ 12:49am by Commodore Leon `Lee` Pike & Sergeant Maal son of Torg & Lieutenant Saith i-Ki Baratan & Commodore Alexandra Harrison

3,297 words; about a 16 minute read

Mission: Episode 90 - The Great Relink

Maal was sitting at the desk in his and Saith's quarters, he was speaking to his father getting all the details from the kidnapping of Alex.


"nuqneH puqloDwI' chay"
(Hello my son how are you?)


Maal:"rup vav, bIpIv'a'"
(I am fine father, how are you?)



Torg:"jIpIv. Hov waw' 400 neH DaH mej maH qaSpu'DI' lee 'ej Alex chagh."
(I am well. We are just now leaving Star Base 400 after dropping Lee and Alex off.)


Maal:"glad luq 'ej paw QaD wItI'nISmo' naDev lee Alex 'ej buSbogh."
(Glad to hear Lee and Alex are ok and arrived safe back here.)


Torg:"vaj. pagh nID 'ej qaStaHvIS wej Ha' Alex quch succed vaj chaH 'e' 'op qoH Har."
(So am I. Can't believe some fool would try and think they would succeed at getting away with kidnapping Alex.)


Maal nods then stops Saith walk into their quarters:"vav, came juH ghaj saith."
(Father, Saith has came home.)


Saith entered from the corridor. She had been on duty and was glad the shift was over. She glanced in Maal's direction and kept walking to the bedroom.


Torg:"ghaH teH parHa'ghachwIj?"
(Do you truly love her)


Maal gives a toothy grin:"Hija vav ghaH teH vImuSHa' Huch law'."
(Yes father I truly love her very much.)

Once she had changed clothes and loosened her hair she returned to the common area and stepped up behind Maal. She rested her chin on Maal's shoulder and said hello to both him and his father.


Torg nods to her:"Hello Saith. Do you truly love my son?"

Saith gave a small smile, now was the time to try out her surprise for Maal. She took a deep breath let it out slowly and with what she was sure was not great pronunciation replied “HIja', teH vImuSHa'chugh.”
(Yes, I truly love him)


Torg:"batlh vaj 'e' member tuq torgh invitation vaj accpet SoH."
(I would be honored if you would accept my invitation to be a member of the House of Torg.)


Maal slightly taken aback from what his father just said turned to look at Saith:"My father has just invited you to become a member of the House of Torg."


Confused Saith looked from the screen to Maal, and back again. Because she had just started learning Klingon, she had not understood what Maal’s father had said. It sounded just as foreign coming from Maal in Federation Standard.

Her mind raced, was this a good thing or a bad thing? Was this the typical way this worked? She was not sure if it was, or if Maal was shocked by his father.

She suddenly blurted out, “um, yeah, okay sounds good,” very quickly. She did not even try to put those words into Klingon. Realizing what had just subconsciously come out of her mouth, Saith flushed green, straightened up, turned around and headed to the kitchen for a drink. Once there, Romulan Ale in hand, she wondered if Maal and his father had set her up, or if Torg had done this on his own, maybe Maal didn’t really want to get married but his family wanted him married and she was the only viable suitor at the moment. “Oh shut up” Saith whispered to herself and took another gulp of ale.

Maal said his goodbyes to his father then got up and walked over towards Saith:"What is wrong?" He put his big arms around her.

Saith shook her head slowly. "I don't know. I hadn't expected your dad to ask me to join the family," she shrugged, "and honestly, I didn't know I wanted to. Do you think that is strange?" She took a sip of her ale.

He stood there looking at her for a moment before speaking:"No it's not strange and if you don't want to join the family right away we will understand. It is your choice."

She looked down and nodded, then with steely eyes she looked directly in his, "I do want to join your family. I just was not expecting that I would want to." She shrugged, "although I have never been a good 'family' type person."

He looked at her then barked out a short laugh:"Most Klingon families are not what you would call typical family types.


Saith smiled, she supposed that was true. "Okay, I will try to quit worrying."

Maal took her hand:"Come on let's fix a huge dinner and invite Lee and Alex over."

"That sounds wonderful, do you know what Alex's favorite dinner is?" She was sure he knew what Lee's was.

He looked at her and chuckled:"I have no clue what she likes, do know she's not to fond of Klingon food." Maal barked a laugh


"So, you are saying she has taste?!" Saith said as seriously as she could. Not being able to maintain her mock composure she laughed.

"Why don't we just do a buffet style dinner and have a variety of everything." He takes her hand and heads over to the comm to send a quick message to Lee and Alex before heading into the kitchen.

"That sounds good, I can add a couple of Rihannsu dishes then as well."


"Lee and Alex, come join Saith and I for dinner tonight in our quarters. Bring Paul along too."

Alex was a little surprised about the invite. It was unexpected. She knew what Lee's answer was without asking, "We would be happy to join you for dinner. As for Paul, I'm not sure but I'll ask."

The comm beeps as Maal starts programming dishes into the replicator, adding some Klingon dishes, a few Earth ones and a couple Vulcan ones. "Go ahead and add a few yourself hun will I go check the comm"

Saith did exactly as bid, adding a few Romulan dishes. She moved dishes around until she found a layout she liked. Then she added plates and silverware for the items that needed them.

Maal stepped over to the comm and received a message saying they would be there in an hour:"They'll be here in about an hour Saith"

She was setting chairs around the table and nodded, "great." She looked up and smiled at him. "Soooooo,"she started softly, then paused, "Should I go send a message to mom and dad before they get here?" She cocked an eyebrow at him. Saith knew Maal would know she meant her adoptive human parents. She did want them to know about Maal and her before they told friends, and she had a feeling that Lee and Alex were probably going to find out tonight.

Maal turned and looked at Saith:"Yes, why don't you go tell them now while we wait"

Saith nodded and headed for the other room. She set the computer the task of locating her adoptive parents. She did not know exactly where their ship was at.

In a few minutes, an audible beeping alerted her that connection had been made. "Hi father," she started as she looked into the kind eyes of Josh Byrne. He smiled, but it was tight. "Something wrong hun?" he asked. She shook her head, "no just the opposite actually." Seeing his smile she jumped into her news and without hesitation told him all her hopes and fears and worry about if she could do it. He convinced her she was capable. They talked until Maal called for her.


Lee had just stepped out of the bedroom after changing for the dinner wearing a Betazoid silk outfit."Hey Imzadi are you ready? And is Paul going?"

"I'm ready." Alex called out, "Paul are you ready?"

Paul stuck his head out of his room, "Yeah."

Lee slipped on his dress shoes then stood up smiling at the two:"Ok let's go then"

"Come on Paul."

Lee held out his hand for Alex.

She took old and started to the door.

All 3 of them headed out of their quarters and headed for Saith and Maal's quarters. Lee pressed the door chime.

Maal heard the door chime and walked over to answer the door. Seeing Lee, Alex and Paul he smiles and steps aside. :"Come on in"

"Hi. I hope we aren't too early."

Maal:"Saith they are here"

"Great." she called as she entered the room. She rubbed her cheeks to get rid of any trace that she had cried. Talking with her dad had been cathartic. She smiled at their guests, "Welcome. This dinner is long overdue." She gave Lee and Alex both quick, slightly uncomfortable hugs. She still wasn't very good at connections. She stepped back and looked at Paul. "Hello Paul, welcome. I hope you are hungry." Saith was nervous and rambling a bit.

Looking at Maal, she added, "My father wants me to tell you he is very pleased." To Lee and Alex, "my adoptive dad." She flushed slightly realizing that they would already know about her being adopted by her human "parents." Why am I so nervous, she wondered.

Glancing at Paul she pointed at the food, "go ahead and start. I know young men are always hungry, and we are being informal tonight. We decided buffet style and choose whatever you want." She rubbed her hands on her thighs in a nervous gesture.

Maal smiled down at Saith:"That's good to hear he is." He then looked at the others:"Please help yourself there is plenty of food."

"Thank you ma'am." Paul wasn't ashamed to start first. He piled some food on his plate and sat down. Alex smiled as she shook her head. She took a plate and proceeded to get her food as well.

Saith followed Alex and filled her plate up, heavy on Romulan, light on Klingon, with a moderate amount of Human food. She sat down across from Alex and smiled. "We haven't really gotten to know each other yet, I hope to remedy that." She glanced up as Lee and Maal came to the table.

Alex smiled back, "I agree."

Maal and Lee walked over to the table with a plate, Maal filling his equal parts Klingon and Romulan foods before walking over to sit down. Lee filled his with Klingon, Romulan and some Vulcan foods. He walked over putting his plate down then walking over grabbing the pitcher of tea and bringing that to the table.

Maal stood up:"I would like to make a toast, To happy times for us all and to family."

Saith raised her glass then took a sip of her tea. She wondered if Maal was going to break the news or if she should. She wished they had discussed it. Considering even after her years on the ship she still knew relatively few people and congregated with even fewer, she was compelled to add softly, "you are my family. I have my adopted parents and sister and all of you."

Maal smiled taking a sip of tea then looked at Saith:"My dear would you care to share the good news with the others?"

Saith was suddenly nervous as all eyes shifted to her. She took a deep breath and blew it slowly out of her mouth. Taking Maal's hand and glancing at him she smiled. *I wonder if I look uncertain* she thought. Turning toward Lee and Alex she said "we have not made any plans yet, but we have decided to get married." She waited, shaking, for their response.

Alex glanced over at Lee then back at Saith. A big smile formed on Alex's lips before she burst into elated joy, "OH MY GOD! I can't believe it! That's great news!" Alex almost jumped out of her seat, "Congrats you two."

Lee smiled at the two and gave Maal a big slap on the shoulder:"Congrats brother I'm happy for you."

Maal nodded:"Thank you my brother, I would like for you to be my best man?"

Lee looked at Maal:"It would be my honor to be your best man." He then turned towards Saith:"Congrats to you as well Saith"

"Thank you," she said with a small smile. She had been nervous. She had half expected Lee and Alex to tell them all the reasons they couldn't or shouldn't be together. Instead, they both seemed genuinely happy for her and Maal. She was also keenly aware that Maal had just started the plans, asking Lee to be the best man. She frowned a little considering she had no ideas on who or what she should do. She glanced up and caught Alex's glance. She smiled, a little relieved.

"I am going to ask my human sister to be my maid of honor, but I would like you to be a bridesmaid, or if she can't do it if you would be my maid of honor." She asked Alex, "I know it is pathetic, but I haven't any friends." her voice trailed off.

Lee turned hearing Saith he looked at her for a moment then turned towards Alex.

In the half-second pause Saith rushed on, "don't feel you have to, it is okay if you don't want to, I know we don't really know each other. . . "she paused again, then stood, "excuse me a moment." She left the room and went to the bedroom, closing the door. "Stupid Saith, stupid," she said angry with herself.

Maal watched them talk then let out a sigh giving Lee and Alex a nod. He went towards the bedroom :"Saith it's Maal, open up."

Alex got up and moved near Maal, "Here, let me talk to her. You go back and entertain Lee."

Maal turned his head hearing her:"Ok Alex" He then headed back towards where Lee and Paul was.

Alex waited for Maal to leave, "Hey Saith, it's Alex. I'd like to talk to you but I can't exactly do it with a door separating us."

Saith allowed the door to open. She turned to Alex as she entered the room. “I am sorry, I should not have put you on the spot like that. I am not good at this . . . ,”she shrugged, waving her hand around, “connecting to people thing.”

She sat heavily on the bed and sighed, “I am also a bit rattled right now. This is going so fast, and Maal is so sure of who he is and where he is going, and me apparently, and he had all his stuff figured out long before now. Me, well I, I feel a little like a tribble caught on a transport pad.” Saith rested her forehead on her hand and took a deep breath.

“It isn’t that I don’t want to marry Maal, I do. I just have no guideline for how this all is supposed to work. I don't know what is required of me.”

"Well, unfortunately, marriage doesn't come with a manual. I do know that communication is very important in a successful marriage. Talk to Maal about it. And as for putting me on the spot, you didn't. I am honored that you asked me." Alex smiled, "You'll do fine, believe me."

Saith smiled at Alex, "we never did have our get to know you gathering." She laughed softly, then sighed. "I guess part of me doesn't understand why Maal wants me so I sometimes doubt that he does, and I don't always . . . no cancel that, I don't believe I deserve him." She laced her fingers together and set them in her lap. "I don't want him to regret taking me." She admitted.

"You do deserve him and I am pretty sure that he won't regret it. You're a great person and don't forget that."

Saith gave a slight nod; that was easier said than done. Glancing at Alex and pointing at the door with her chin she asked, "Thanks. Do you think I have totally freaked him out?"

"Naah. He's Klingon. I doubt it." Alex looked towards their partners.

Lee and Maal sat there eating and drinking, Maal then turned and looked at Paul:"So what do you think of having Lee here as a step father?"

Paul glanced over at Lee then back at Maal. "Lee here is pretty cool. My dad and me never got along with each other. I always felt like he thought I was more his property than his son. Lee has been more of a father to me than my own dad." He looked again over at Lee and smiled this time.

Maal gave a nod:"Lee is a pretty good guy, I am very honored to serve under him."

Lee smiled back at Paul then turned his head and looked at Maal:"I am honored as well brother." He then looked back at Paul "I am honored by your words Paul, I would never make you feel like you are property. I will always be here for you and your Mother. You can always come to me about anything, no matter what. And I'll never think of you differently or treat you different."

"I know. That's what I like about you. You care." Paul added, "You and mom should really think about having another kid before it's too late. He or she would be lucky to have you as a dad."

"Yes I do care about people, especially the ones that mean a lot to me." He barked out a short laugh "Are you saying your Mother and I are getting old?"

"Well, um, what I meant is..." Paul sighed, "...yeah, I guess so." Paul became flushed.

Lee chuckled a little bit then called out:"Hey Imzadi, your son says you're getting old."

Alex called out from where she was, "Yeah? Well, he might be right."

Saith stood and looking at the door suggested that they return to the dining room.

As they entered she looked at Maal, Lee, and Paul, "I am sorry for the interruption. I . . . "she realized she didn't know what else to say so she shrugged and moved over to Maal, "really,I am sorry, I hope you won't regret being with me."

Maal turned his head looking up at Saith:"Don't be silly, of course I don't regret being with you" He grabbed her around the waist and pulled her down onto his lap.

Saith smiled and kissed Maal. "You say that now, just wait!" She glanced at Paul and Lee, "sorry if I interrupted your dinner, it looks as though you managed to keep going," she laughed softly. She hugged Maal once more before getting off his lap and returning to her plate of now cold food.

Maal sat there watching Saith.

Lee turned his head raising an eyebrow at Alex.

Alex cocked her head slightly to the right. Then looking at Paul, she couldn't help but smile at Paul who seemed a little embarrassed, "So, what am I getting too old for?" She deepened her stare at Paul to make him a little more uncomfortable.

Paul shifted in his seat and sighed, "I wasn't being mean or disrespectful. To tell you the truth, I wouldn't mind having a little brother or sister. Remember, I'm going to the Academy soon and you both will be alone. It would be a good time to have another one."

Alex smiled at Lee, "He does make a very good point. Don't you think dear?"

Lee nodded looking at Alex then at Paul then back to Alex:"Yes he does make a very good point Imzadi, I'm ready to try whenever you are."

Alex smiled brightly.

Maal got up from the table then walked over to get more food.


Saith watched him go refill his plate. She felt a little uncomfortable, but in a good way. This was a supremely intimate discussion, but she realized suddenly these were the people she cared most about.

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