Blood Oath

Posted on Sat Oct 19th, 2019 @ 11:44am by Tom Vercetti & Vito Russo & Splendora Sage

1,941 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: Episode 100 - A Hatred of Atonement
Location: Tom's Quarters
Timeline: MD3 - 1000hrs

ON:

Splendora was feeling better this morning. She had signed herself out against medical orders yesterday and things were shaky but with each hour she felt herself getting stronger. Today she was off to see Tom. She had made enquiries of the computer and it told her that Vito was there too. Aided with her, now shadow, she made her way towards Tom's quarters. She motioned for her sidekick. "Stay here. Make yourself a shadow."

The large Klingon growled but acquiesced.

Splendora walked the rest of the way along and rang the chime. Today she'd just thrown on a an outfit that was quickly becoming her favourite, black leather pants, a black tank top and a black leather jacket. She tied her dark tresses into a messy bun and had opted for a new white eye shadow that made her violet eyes pop. Finishing the look was a deep purple lipstick. She felt different today, like herself yet not. It was a lot getting used to this.

Tom and Vito were talking over a deal they had agreed to make, but was now on hold with the new war. The Restaurant’s staff had already made repairs along with a small damage control team and was open again. The small memorial service for Marco was planned for the next evening as well.

“They aren’t going to like the delay?” Vito said.

“Nothing we can do about that now. The station doesn’t have any ships outbound, and any unplanned ship coming in with be under security’s eye.” Tom replied.

“When is the next transport ship due?” Vito asked.

“Your guess is as good as mine right now.” Tom replied. “Why did we ever agree to this?”

The door chime sounded and both men instinctively drew their phasers and aimed at the door. Both were a little jumpy still from the recent attack. They glanced at each other and put the weapons away, glad no one else had seen their reaction.

“Enter.” Tom said after a moment.

Splendora walked in. She looked at the two men who meant the world to her. She scanned the room, her eyes taking it in as if recording every detail. She could sense the tension. "A little tense boys?"

Tom eyed Splendora, "What are you doing here? And what in the hell are you wearing?"

Vito raised an eyebrow, "And your eyes have changed color."

"Are you feeling okay?" Tom asked, concerned.

Splendora smiled, "So many questions. I'm feeling okay...well like myself but different. Very hard to explain. I checked myself out of sickbay and I came to see you." She walked over and placed a kiss on his cheek. "As for wearing...I kind of like this and it's good travel clothing."

Tom looked Splendora up and down, it was defiantly a different look.

Splendora turned to Vito. "They have indeed. I'm liking the purple." She gave him a hug. "I hope you two are alright."

"Yeah, we're okay." Tom replied. "There's a small memorial service for Marco planned for tomorrow evening if you'd like to come. I know you didn't know him very well."

A beep came from a comm panel in Tom's spare room.

"I'll get that." Vito said as he walked away.

"Are you sure you're feeling okay?" Tom asked.

She sighed, "Honestly I don't know. My body is sore but I feel stronger then I did yesterday. I guess it's safe to say I'm mending."

Tom smirked, "Anything would be better than yesterday. Is there anything I can do for you?"

She smiled, "Just continue to be you." She gently stroked his cheek.

In the spare room, Vito typed in a few commands and a shadowy figure appeared. "Where's Vercetti?"

"Occupied." Vito coldly replied.

The man let out a grunt. "Tell him we'll be at your station in three days, and he better have the stuff we requested, the latinum, or..."

Vito cut him off, "We have your merchandise. How are you planning to bring it aboard? With a war on now, security is on high alert."

"Don't worry about that." The man replied. "Our, associates are looking forward to doing business with you. Three days, twenty-two hundred hours station time." The channel closed.

Vito shook his head and returned to the living room area of Tom's apartment.

Splendora looked up at Vito. "Vito can you please go and get me the box I gave you?" She looked at Tom. "I want to speak to both of you. I won't be able to stay for Marco's memorial I'll be off station by tonight."

Vito nodded, and left to get the box before he heard Splendora says she wanted to talk to them both.

"Leaving?" Tom asked, confused and concerned.

"An old friend is on the station, Dakor. He saved my life a couple times and he's calling in a blood oath I swore. I'm going to the Klingon home world. Then I'm coming back." She looked at him and touched his arm. "I am coming back."

"Wait." Tom grabbed her arm. "You just...you just died. I know you say you're feeling better, but no Klingon blood oath is as important as you recovering. Even a Klingon should understand that."

"Tom. I know what I've been through a lot but I need to help him...." Her words were interrupted by Vito's return.

Vito returned carrying the box. Once the door closed he eyed Tom and Splendora. "What's going on?"

Splendora looked at Tom and then Vito. "I'm going to the Klingon home world to fulfill a blood oath." She took the box from Vito. and turned her attention to Tom. "Tom. As you said I died. When I was dying...it's you who were in my mind. When I awoke you were my first sight and thought. When this started my biggest fear was that I would not feel for you the same as I did before it started but I do. I love you and this," she held up the box. "Is a question that you have to answer. When I come back...and I will I would love the answer to be yes but you have to think about it."

She turned to Vito. "I know what you're going to say but I have to go and help. I can rest on the way there and I am getting better by the hour. And you both know about the Klingon culture. Ask Bremer how important these oaths are."

She turned back to Tom and handed him the box. "I love you, you have to know that." Will you promise to think about this." She tapped the box in his hand. "I'm sure you'll know the question when you open it."

Tom looked at the box for a moment, he didn't know what to say at the moment. He was angry she was leaving, yet ready to jump for joy because she still loved him. It was a mix of emotions he hadn't felt in a long time.

"Can we trust this Klingon? I'd hate to have to hunt him down, in the middle of a war, if anything happened to you." Vito stated.

She smiled, "He saved my life quite a few times. If you'd like to meet him he's outside. I'm surprised you didn't see him."

Vito looked at Tom who was still looking at the box. After a moment he looked up, "Bring him in."

Splendora walked out and down the hall leaving the two alone.

"Romalingon!"

A growl from the shadows and then Dakor walked out. "Really?"

She grinned. "Sorry had to say it. Tom and Vito want to meet you."

"Why?"

"They don't trust you."

"Good I don't trust them."

She rolled her eyes and after a few minutes they were ready to head back. It took a moment but she came back with a six foot nine Klingon in tow. The iceberg of a man was oddly dressed in civilian clothing yet did not look like a push over. He said nothing.

Splendora sighed, "Vito, Tom this is Dakor from the house Gervoy." She turned to Dakor. "That's Vito and that is Tom."

Dakor gave a nod. He said nothing.

Vito eyed the Klingon for a moment, he was even bigger that Vito. Tom only glanced at the Klingon for a moment before he turned around and took a few steeps away. He slowly opened the box and his heart sank. Splendora had this all planned, even before she died...before she was reborn. He already knew the answer to the obvious question.

"How do I know you're an honorable man and will protect her? You're not a warrior." Vito paused, waiting for an answer.

Dakor growled and would have lunged at him if Splendora hadn't stepped in the line. "Dakor! Enough!"

"He dishonours me. I am a Klingon warrior and he questions me?" His voice rumbled.

Splendora rolled her eyes. "Enough. You touch him and blood oath or not I will lay you out."

Dakor growled.

"Give me your word you'll keep her safe?" Vito asked.

"I will do what I can." He sneered. Then he sighed. "She will be safe. I have always managed to keep her safe."

Splendora looked at Tom. "Tom?" She asked. She could sense his emotions.

Tom closed the box, set it down, and turned around. He walked up to the Klingon. "Always? Where were you on Cardassia a few months ago? Where were you just yesterday? She is my par'Mach'kai and you expect me to just trust you to keep her safe on QonoS, in the middle of a war, to satisfy your selfish blood oath, and you can't even wait to satisfy it long enough to allow her to recover? You disgust me, k'pekt. baktag!"

Tom had been around enough Klingons to know the only want to gain respect from a Klingon was to stand his ground and show no fear, even though the Klingon was at least fifty percent bigger than he was. He wanted to see just how far he could push Dakor, and wanted to make sure he was sincere in his words.

Dakor studied the man. A grin spread on his face and then he threw his head back and laughed. He turned to Splendora. "I can see why you have chosen him. Heart of a warrior." He looked Tom straight in his eyes. "You have my word. On my honour I will return your par'Mach'kai to you."

Splendora had been ready to step in when Tom had stood up to Dakor but he'd done right standing up to the Klingon. Then her brain locked in on the word par'Mach'kai. She smiled at Tom and walked up shoving Dakor aside.

"Hey!"

"Is for horses," Splendora finished. She stepped right in front of Tom. "Can you say that again...the part after you asked him where he was yesterday?" She was grinning, her violet eyes shimmered lightly.

Tom smiled at Splendora, then looked back at Dakor. "k'adio" His Klingon was rusty, so he hoped he just said 'thank you' and not another insult.

Tom then looked back at Splendora, "When you return, you'll have your answer."

She wrapped her arms around Tom drawing him into a hug and whispered in his ear. "I love you Tom." She pulled back. "I will be back."

She turned to Vito and gave him a hug and kiss on the cheek. "Take care of yourself and Tom."

She turned and she and Dakor headed out.

Tom and Vito turned to each other after Splendora left.

"She'll return." Vito said.

"I know." Replied Tom.

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