NationStates Jolt Archive

Take My Breathe Away (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pk6dKSn-GoU)

It isn't anything special, it doesn't dare be. Events, parties, soirees, galas, celebrations, anything that might be ‘special’ get interrupted, if not by mere governmental grinding extremely fine, it's by such annoyances as assassinations near and successful, terrorist actions, famines, plagues and the incidental war...

No this is Nothing special, and thus nothing shall interrupt it.

Porthos ( http://www.atddm.com/porthos.gif) looked about the private garden, it wasn’t large but it was utterly stunning, and it’s exceptional design made it seem far more spacious than it was. The palace’s urbane major domo nodded, pleased at the effect of the few special additions. A small alteration to were the fae globes with their opalescent light floated above the topiaries, the enplacement of a pair especially large and active Flame Veiled Mock Koi in the crystalline clear pond, and the fortuitous blooming of some especially rare Angles Bells, whose cerulean hued flowers sang melodiously in the soft breeze that traced through the garden – all added to the entire, hopefully romantic, feeling.

The current Empress of the Phoenix Empire of Tanara, Dominique Evanagline Alexandra Ryder ( http://www.atddm.com/off1.jpg), was going to be entertaining a very special guest this evening.

And Porthos intended to see that both guest and hostess enjoyed the evening thoroughly. A small chamber orchestra was warming up in the musicians secret nook, the weather was set to be perfect – clear, all three moons at full, warm in the afternoon but ever so slightly cool after dark. Candles, who’s rich beeswax scent would enhance that of the flowers were tucked into stone lanterns that would light the paths winding through the garden, as the Fae Globes floated over head. The table for two in the tiny gazebo set with fine linens, platinum ware and had carved crystal.

The whole of the garden was set on a tiny cliff, looking over the waters lying west of the Palace. It was late spring, the twilight already becoming long and lingering…

When all was to his satisfaction he ‘vanished’ to ‘reappear’ in Dominique’s suite, chiming a polite arrival tone. “My Lady, all is in readiness.”

“How do I look?” Dominique asked, with just the faintest tone of apprehension in her voice.

Meanwhile above the surface of the planet inside a rather unremarkable looking ship hung outside the atmosphere, it could of been almost anything, a trade ship, a passenger ship, anything at all

However it's cargo was quite unusual, inside Trevor Desorté, CEO of The Garbage Men, was infront of a mirror. He was dressed very formally as if for a black tie event. But he didn't look happy...

"Bah!" he exclaimed to himself as he undid his bowtie and undid the top button. He once again at himself in the mirror staring intently for a few moments. "Ah, much better." The Mix of formality and informality, he carried it off well and looked amazing doing it. He left the room and into the corridoor

"Alright, I'm going, don't wait up for me." He jokingly commented to one of his security guard. "Don't forget to ring now..." was the response as they entered a shuttle that would take them down to the surface where, until it was time for them to part, Trevor to join the empress and the guard to basically hang around outside.

The shuttle was directed to other than the Imperial landing center on its mile high arc - to an even more exclusive landing site within the palace grounds themselves. Porthos was there to welcome CEO Desorté and his bodyguard. "If you will allow me to escort you Mister Desorté. I know Dominique is eager to see you again"

Porthos made light conversation as they wound along the cobbled walk way that led to the garden gate. Once there the TGM bodyguard was handed off to one of the Empress's own- he'd be taken to an over look were he and his opposite number could over watch, but not over hear, and have additional access to the Palaces sentry systems. Ensuring nearly perfect privacy within as much security as possible. Some times it seemed as if Security would only be happy once their secure was encased in an as yet undiscovered, indestructible amber, though the Muri might have and simply not told anyone about tit.

"Mister Desorté" Porthos bowed deeply and the shimmering force field within the MoonGate vanished. “I hope you enjoy your evening.”

The Garden (http://s22.photobucket.com/albums/b316/Drakia/?action=view&current=036bfae0.pbw) awaited

The walk was gently illuminated by the candle within the stone lantern, and softly multihued Fae globes bobbing on the evening breezes overhead. The winding path lead across several wooden bridges before ending at a tiny orientally styled pavilion. The waters of the pond that surrounded it on three sides, seemed to vanish into the vaster waters of Helevorn, the immense black glass bottomed lake from which the island that housed the Imperial Palace rose on sheer cliffs. The sunset, it’s chiaroscuro slide into twilight, cast its last refracted rays over the lucent waters and turned Dominique’s elegant gown in to a shimmering fall of deepest gold ..

Her smile let her face and eyes as she caught sight of him and she came forward over the last tiny bridge to greet him, her hands outstretched to meet his and hold him at arms length for just a moment as she swept appreciative eyes over him. “I think if you looked any more devastatingly handsome someone might slap a warning label on you” She chuckled, then she was giving him a light hug. “So how goes finding fortunes in the ‘other mans trash’ business?” She asked with interested good humor as she stepped back, not letting go of his hands. Her eyes sparkled as she drew him over the bridge, and up the three steps into the open air pavilion.

Trevor smiled, as he also took time to appreciate his host.

"I'm surprised there's no one walking around blind, you're so stunning." he chuckled as well. "It's great to see you again." graciously accepting the hug

"You know what they say, one man's trash is another man's treasure... Things are going on quite nicely. Just recently made contact with a new civilisation"

He followed her up the stairs quite willingly, absorbed in the atmosphere of the garden as they both slowly headed up to the pavilion.

Dominique found herself blushing lightly at his compliment.

The table was set for two and the low centerpiece of greenery and flowers also held candles, their flames dancing in the faint breeze that ruffled the flowers and sent ripples across the surface of the pond. The crystal stemware caught the candlelight and refracted in miniature rainbows that wavered over the mirror polished platinum place setting. The chairs were sturdy, but airy appearing wicker with thick comfortable cushions in a dark green silk. Off to one side was the serving table that currently held a small but carefully selected variety of appetizers and appropriate wines and other liquid refreshment.

"New civilization? What are they like?" Dominique asked curious, as Porthos appeared and took their drink wishes then vanished. Only the burnished gold drones on silent antigravs would serve them this evening unless something special was required.

"oh, well, they were very interested in order. There was us and a few other scout ships that came across them, they dealt with us in a very orderly manner one at a time but not really efficient at all. They also had an empress though we've just met them and we don't yet understand their culture, though it looks like that we'll be constructing a Depot there sometime soon."

Trevor took a glass of red wine, he swired it, smelled it admiring the odour before taking a sip. "Lovely." he finished off, looking at Dominique while he said it.

"Would it be impetuous to offer you a seat?"

"I'm sure you'll be able to offer them very efficient service. Were they humanoid? She asked, and then her smile brought out her dimples as she answered his enquiry about seating her "Impetuous? Not, at all Trevor" And she stepped back as she sipped at her own goblet of wine, so that he could more easily pull the chair out for her.

Her dress was a off the shoulder confection that shimmered like moon light on dark waters as it hugged her body closely. The fae globes luminescence highlighted her rose gold hair as it draped about her shoulders in a silken swirl.

"I have to admit, I am quite old school when it comes to manners." he smiled slighly as he grabbed the chair by both hands and just lifting it slightly off the ground steped back with the chair in the hands, ready for Dominique to step in, where he would replace the chair right behind her.

Walking around his own seat he sat down in a very fluid manner controlling the chair with ease as he did so. "They basically are human, a few relativelly minor evolutions, only one that really is noticible are larger pupils than normal pupils.

Dominique settled back in her seat, pleased at his 'old school' courtesy. She quite prefered it. "Larger than normal pupils. One might guess they evolved for an ecology of lower than average light." She knew that 'average' was more mythical than not but it was fun to wonder about how the various alterations to the basic 'human' template had come about.

She nodded to the silently floating drone server and small plates set with samples of each of the varied appetisers were set before her and Trevor, along with goblets of ice water.

Trevor took his own seat and sat down, his keen sense of smell looking for any hint of onions or garlics. "The Alliaceae family just doesn't agree with me, Sorry, I forgot to mention it before but I don't really want it generally known."

He found one that didn't have any hint of the smell or look of onion or garlic on it and popped it in his mouth, it was small enough to easily do and he started munching on it, he apparently liked it as he sort of groaned... "MMmmmmmmm"

"We'll only remember it for cooking for you, I promise. And I sincerely doubt my chef would include anything that's going to have a strong after taste as well." Dominique smiled lightly. "He tends to go for more subtle flavors. But have you ever tried mock onion? It's native to Midgard here, and while it tastes very mildly of traditional Terran Onion, it isn't in the same family, and has none of the "active" ingreedients."

She laughed at his moan of gastronomic pleasure "I know, I'm an absolute foodie." She nibbled on a bit of fig wrapped in ham and sighed happily "though some times it can be a horror, with terrible tasting food and I have to find a way to compliment it honestly"

"I've found that saying that "the chef must have worked for hours on his creation and be very proud of it" is a good way of being diplomatic."

"No, I haven't tried it. I remember hearing something about it, in passing but that is all."

"It can be a bit of a hassle, though sometimes, especially if it is in private then it could be prefered to be brutally honest. Sometimes the chef deserves to be told."

He picked up another item from the tray he had had one of these before previously and he really liked them.

"We'll have to have some of it sent to yur dietician, and let them check it to see if its acceptable for you" Dominique smiled which became a grin. "I've had some chances to be frank, but more often not.

"Here's a question that has been put to me recently. Have you ever had much of a problem with archeologist howling in outrage that your company is 'destroying the future of archeologists'?"

One of her friends with an interest in such had made the claim - and Dominique did indeed know that middens, trash heaps as it were, were often the most valuable of finds for archeologists, if not the most glamorous.

"Well, to be honest we do alot of our own archaelogy, Any old worlds we look at, we attempt to find technology and new items, anything in terms of artifacts and information or technology we get we catalogue, with holographs, and information about where, how we found it and context of the find.

These catalogues only for those type of reclaimed worlds, where there was once a people but no more are available for any archaelogist, that wishes to subscribe, So I don't know why they would complain, we do all the hard work for the them. Bypassing defenses and such..."

That last made Dominique throw back her head and laugh. "Oh but I don't think that most of them think about things like still active automated defenses. And some probably feel that your company does not have the requisite 'piled higher, deeper' alphabet soup after various last names, Trevor. Some academics had hold their noses higher than the worse 'Society Matrons' I've ever met." Her eyes twinkled, jesting but with no malice behind it.

"The best people in their field I generally find have little need for anything more than a simple Job Title, despite the fact that sometimes the Job is anything but simple. The job of 'Empress'... You are one of a kind and I can't imagine anyone doing a better job."

"And you, sir, are an arrant flatterer" Dominique blushed at the compliment "I'm still learning the ropes, though my intentions are the best." Her smile was wry "And while the very old saw about good intentions still holds true today - I have good advisors, and I'm not afraid of hard work. But in all seriousness, it's not that much a different job than yours since effectively you helm a very active, successful nation. You do an admirable job, and you make it look effortless”

A light rain began to fall, the fat droplets making a gentle tympani on the pavillions roof, as the silent golden hued drones removed their appetiser plaets and slid fresh plates before them

Shortly they would present the evenings entrees, so that Dominique and Trevor could make their choices. Grilled Makari, a firm fleshed fish with a mild flavor, Rosemary Orange baked chicken, or medallions of Megabison, the famously ill tempered oversized cattle Midgard was known for. There were a number of vegtable dishes to chose from, and all would compliment any of the meat entrees.

"Don't sell yourself short... I've had alot of practice at this and, as you just said you're still learning the ropes. Now imagine a Dominique with my level of experience, that is a force I would not like to cross."

Trevor seemed distracted for a moment, imagining the scenario where she did have as much experience as he did. However the drones disturbed him.

He couldn't go past the mega-bison, it just appealed to him on so many levels picking that and one of the selections of vegetables.

"Medalions - interesting choice of presentation for a type of cattle."

"Well no Megabison will ever win any medals for congeniality or appearance. But their flavor always wins awards" Dominique chuckled as she chose the same for herself "We tried for centuries to breed a domesticateble version, falied utterly. You can't herd them, you just have to hope that your fencing is strong enough to keep them in. And if a Kill of Hexpumas gets among them it's even odds wether they'll take the dozen pluss extended family on or stampeed." She shuddered a little at that. Several hundred multi ton ill tempered naturally armed and armoured beasts all plowing aside anything in their way was not a nive image - and her family had ranched Megabison for generations.

"I can see how that could cause some nasty issues... How common is Megabison ranching now-a-days?"

Trevor started into his main course cutting into a medallion skewering it onto his fork before adding a piece of vegetable and putting it inside his mouth.

There was something about Dominique, something more than he could put his finger on and it had been a long time since there had been anyone whom there was something about them that he couldn't quite put a figure on. He prided himself on being an excellent judge of character with all their nuances, but what was it that he couldn't quite see.

He looked at her, he was intrigued about her there was something that attracted him but he needed to find out what it was... he was just that type of person.

"Oh it's very common. We clone grow beef, chicken and many other 'meats' in vats, but that’s' another oddity thing about Megabison. We have never been able to clone grow them. They are as stubborn in that regard as in the flesh. That is part of our reason for likening low planetary populations. Not only to give them room to roam, but us too."

She enjoyed chatting with Trevor immensely. and already he felt like a friend, some one she had known, was comfortable with, for a long time. And that was not a feeling she had about many.

She'd never minded scandalizing the society matrons because she kept the vast majority of them at as long an arms length as she could. And the unsought, inadvertent publicity that had tended to surrounded her for years...It had even been so intrusive that she could no longer continue her practice, something she was deeply resentful of to this day. She preferred as much privacy she could, and that ended up meaning fewer friends than most.

No her very enjoyable evening with Trevor was an uncommon one for her and she was appreciating it and him. Especially him.

"I never knew stubborness was a genetic trait. How stubborn was your father?"

His slightly obtuse friendly jab was accompanied by a smile. Though to be honest he appreciated it in her. She was a leader and in part that is her job to make decisions and make sure her decisions are carried out. In many cases it required stubborness, a dogged determination. Something that too few people had, those that were wishy woshy blown by the fickle winds of public opinion or those that merely relied on everyone else to do their job for them.

"Oh, and speaking of roaming on the wide open plains... I would like a walk around, and I would love it if you came along too."

That brought another laugh from Dominique. "He was stubborn enough that he was estranged from the family for years when he wouldn't go into the family business. He and Daddy Rish made their millions from the ground up" Then she waited a beat "And my mothers were stubborn enough to not marry the men their parents had planned for them to. When I was a kid there were lots of relatives who weren't speaking to us on all sides of the family. But they got over it"

And she set her fork down and took a last sip of water.

"I'd love to go for a walk"

Trevor took a sip of his own water, washing some of the remanants of meat and vegetables out of his mouth before standing up moving over to her side and extending his hand to help her up and out of the seat, not that she needed the help just it was the gentlemanly thing to do.

"My dear Empress, would you do me the honour of escourting me around this lovely garden of yours?"

Setting her napkin aside, Dominique took his hand and rose lightly from the chair, but did not let go of his hand afterwards. Her smile lit her face as she gave him a tiny curtsey "It would be my pleasure to show you the gardens my dear Mister Desorté. Though I can't claim any responsibility for their lovliness. My thumb is, sadly, only slightly green." Her chuckle was merry as the couple began to stroll down the path that wound through the small cliff side garden.

"And please, would you honor me by simply calling me Dominique."

The three moons gleamed brightly, echoed by the warm multihued dimness of the fae globes, as they meandered through the garden.

"Seems that I don't have any choice in that matter, Dominique, but it wouldn't be fair of me to deny you the same. Call me Trev or Trevor."

"Well, good thing or otherwise I'd have to take you to the hospital - Green thumbs is not a good sign of health."

He paused for a moment and started to feel the stem of a lovely flower with his free hand. He didn't know what it was called "Sometimes, I'd hate to admit it but you can't see the beauty right in your face."

Green thumbs is not a good sign of health."

"Unless one is an Rihansu or a Vulcan" Dominique agreed with a chuckle "But I can not claim any such genetic heritage"

She noted the flower he was observing "That, if I remember correctly, is a Falling Heart from the planet Lyrielle." The tiny, heart shaped petals were a deep crimson and cascaded downward in a frothy plume.

She nodded at his comment about over looking beauty "We are so often going so fast, concentrating on the big picture, that we just...miss it. We don't slow down and savor the small things that are the foundations of the 'big picture'. And I think that the ability to slow down and savor is what makes those who are happy, satisfied and content so. The ability to step aside and let the big picture take care of itself, or perhaps simply not matter so much."

"Sometimes the most simple things are the most rewarding." He said smiling to Dominique. It had been such a long time since he had been this happy. "You know, I haven't been this comfortable with someone since... well, let's just say a long time."

A small alarm sounded on a bracelet that was barely visible under the collar of his shirt on his right arm.

"Oh, I'm abit embarrassed but... I have to tell you something. My skin is terribly sensitive and easily rashes I have to smother it with a special cream everytime I go outside. and I've got to re-apply it now."

He smiled nervously as he pulled out a small plastic tube about the size of a standard sunscreen package simply labelled "Skin Cream" little other markings on it (appart from the TGM logo of course). He let go of Dominique's hand as he squeezed a goodly amount of it on the palm of his hand and started rubbing the cream into his hands and face and wherever else he had exposed skin.

"Well, now you know my secret." he smiled warmly as he once again took her hand. "Special recipe... I bet you can't even tell I put it on." He would continue on a walk.

Special recipe... I bet you can't even tell I put it on."

Dominique lightly stroked the back of his hand as it held hers. "Theres nothing to be embarrassed over. And no I can't feel it at all, and I won't tell any one. But I'm sorry if I had known how sensitive you were, I would have asked that the meal be held inside." She looked momentairily abashed as having put some one she realised she liked so very much, in such a predicament.

She strolled with him and mused for a moment "I'm sure you've had the best look at the problem, but I don't know that those would have included a Xa' Cz'inn'i specialist. They are incredibly advanced in the life sciences and might be able to tailor a treatment that works on the cellular level."

"Oh, don't worry about that. I've to an understanding with it, my thorn in the flesh, you might say. A reminder just how fragile life is, brings the here and now back into focus. Also I wouldn't rather have dinner with you anywhere else."

He smiled softly and gazed into her eyes, contented on being with the woman he loved. This caused Trevor to second take, did he really love her? if he did it snuck up on him like nothing else. He paused in mid stride the smile turned into a serious look. It only took him a second but there it was, the answer was staring him in the face. YES, YES HE WAS!

Trevor put his foot down and turned to Dominique... taking her other hand and lifting them up to about shoulder height. "This might be a really odd question, and totally inappropriate but it's one that I must ask... Dominique, Do you love me?"

There was obviously some sort of nervous anticipation that surrounded Trevor as almost if his whole life depended on the answer to this one simple question.

Dominique looked at Trevor, caught off guard as he stopped abruptly, discerning easily the serious earnestness that seemed to engulf him with surprizing suddeness.

"Inappropriate? Oh it's not, not at all..." Her vocie trailed off for a moment as she blushed faintly "and yes, oh so very much. I love you, Trevor."

She'd liked him the minute Michiko had introduceted them. And fell in love with him with him when he had, with utter aplomb and calm, snatched that little hold out weapon from her and targetted the attacking Komodren between the eyes. He'd handed it back to her with a bow and made off with her heart then and there.

He paused and looked deeply into her eyes sharing a moment of eternity with her, it could be seen in his eyes.

"Then I have something to tell you to." he bent over and kissed her hand putting his face down towards it in a show of devotion. "I love you too."

A wide grin emerged he felt almost like a child again, even though that was a long time ago. Though it wasn't long till the simplicity of childhood was challenged by the adult complexities of life. He didn't mention it, he didn't even want to admit they were there but he knew that the best that he could hope for was to delay the enevitable.

He wanted this moment to last forever and he was going to do as much as he could so it would.

Dominique couldn't breathe in that timeless moment, she had no need to. She met Trevor's eyes and plunged into them, bottomless wells that she'd willingly fall into forever. Her smile matched his, brilliant, lighting her whole face, softening it's stong lines as she turned her hand in his and for a second cupped his cheek, relishing the warmth of his skin against the softness of her palm.

Then she was cupping her hands, visibly empty, but to a love's eyes ever so full (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fv2kmFZTDeY)

"Here is my heart and I give it to you
Take me with you across this land
These are my dreams, so simple and few
Dreams we hold in the palm of our hands."

Trevor kept his eyes in hers absorbed in them a timeless situation. He clasped his hands around her's. "and here is mine, you will never be alone. For whereever you are, you will always have my love."

He was still getting over the wonderful shock first of realising that he loved her and realising that she loved him back, but there was something bothering him and it started to show.

"I love you, I love you so much..." he started to get overwhelmed with emotion and looked like he was on the verge of crying yet something was holding him back. "but I fear we just can't be together, Please tell me I'm wrong."

Trevor ached inside he wanted so much to be with the woman he loved and the woman that loved him in return but he just could not see any reasonable way out. He was doomed to be in a relationship that could never be fulfilling yet one that he couldn't live without.

"but I fear we just can't be together, Please tell me I'm wrong."

"Why can't we be together? I know that both of us have duties that will keep us away from each other - at times - but why should be not be able to spend most of our free time together?' Her smile was gay.

"I can transport aboard one of my starcraft in the mere blink of an eye, the vessel can then microjump to the Frankel limit- another blink of an eye, then even if you are hundred of millions of miles away, a DeSitter Translation Jump can bring me to you in just minutes. Why if you read the old novels when people drove automobiles, or rode old fashioned subways, it seemed to take them an hour just to get home. I could be to you or you to me, relaxed in a bath, changed into loungewear and read a holomagazine in that time..."

The her look chanbed to mock concern, her voice half teasing "You do take time off each day? I know we both love our professions, but..." she nestled in close to him "you do have a life outside your job?"

"Even if I didn't I would make the time for you..." he brushed her hair with his fingers and smiled briefly

"but what about the political ramifications? The future of the corporation is dependent on it's neutrality, it's ability to find and perhaps create profitable markets. The corporation's image is very important and eventually, perhaps not right away, but it'll be seen as an extenstion of Tanara. If we were to have children, by whatever means, then the Tanaran Imperial House and the leadership of the Corporation would be forever joined, and over the lives of our descendents there would be a myriad of conflicts between the best interest for Tanara and for the corporation, and one would dramatically suffer. I couldn't ask that of you, or from our hypothetical children"

"You wouldn't be the man I know you to be Trevor, if you even considered asking that" She looked at his, her love shining in her eyes as she continued, hoping to reassure him.

"Oh Trevor, there is no such thing as a 'Tanaran Imperial House'. Any children of mine can not be my heirs, though they could possibly be heirs of a future Emperor or Empress. The Heirs to the Phoenix Throne, all dozen of them, are chosen from among the Empire's Citizens - three by myself, three by the Upper House, three by the Lower House and three by the Citizens at Large."

She explained further how it was done. Prospective Heirs to the Phoenix Throne must be Citizens, have their backgrounds thoroughly checked and vetted to make sure that not only were their histories free from legal entanglements but that they also met the requirements of education, additional Service and more.

It was a bit more complicated that she said, but it certainly ensured that whoever came to the Throne after her was qualified and acceptable. There had only been four appointments to the position of Heir so far during her still brief reign, but with in the next five or so years the majority of the dozen would be named. Tradition held that one or two slots be held open 'just in case'.

"Your company would be unentangled with Tanara, treated no differently than any other business. Now the majority of both Houses, upon recommendations of a certain minimum number of Citizens, could request that the Throne award the Corporation a Recognition of Merit. And what that means is that your corporation would be acknowledged as being a provider of quality services, and given a modest tax break."

She loved his touch on her hair. And hoped that her brief explanation of the not so common methods of the Tanaran Empire helped lay to rest his concerns…

"You know, you've gotten rid of all my excuses... and I have to say, I've never been glader to be wrong." His muscles in his face started to ache from smiling so much, but he didn't care. He reached out and hugged her, pulling her close to him. He rested his head on her shoulder and reached with his head and kissed her neck.

After some time, just enjoying being in such close proximity to her, he slid his hands down her shoulders following the arms and grasping her hands once again. After doing so he gazed into her eyes, "but before we do anything, there is something I should so you, at my place."

Oh how she loved the feel of his arms about her, and his lips against her neck sent a wave of sensation through her that had her eyes drooping closed and her head tilting to offer her neck more to his touch.

Her eyes were dreamy as they held hands and gazed into one anothers eyes.

"I would love to see whatever it is you have to show me, Trevor. We can go any time you wish."

"There's no rush now... Let's just enjoy each other's company for now." He paused for a moment. "Just wait a moment." he said as he let go of her hands and bent down. He picked the flower that he was admiring before. "Here," He looked for a way to link it in her blouse or in her hair or something. "This flower can be a symbol for our love, to allow us to remember that it's the details of life, the small picture that makes looking after the big picture worth while."

Dominique tilted her head slightly so Trevor could tuck the blossom behind her ear.

"Oh that is a lovely thought Trevor, and one I shall remember when ever I see this flower" The Falling Heart flower instantly became her favorite, and in the days to come she'd make sure her gardens were graced with many of the small lovely bloom.

The Falling Hearts scent was not strong but disctinctive- a gentle, not brassy, floral that blended well with others without being overwhelmed.

"Let's finish our meal, It's too good to waste and I don't want your cook to try and poison you next time." He said with a sly smirk as he started to take a few large steps back towards their Megabison medallions.

"Come on, what are you waiting for?" he turned around and started heading backwards facing Dominique.

Dominique had been enjoying just looking at him, then she stepped forward to take his hands with a free and joyous laugh.

"No we don't dare offend the cook. While he wouldn't poison us, he would be so terribly hurt. And he's ever so sensitive." She said jokingly as she and Trevor ended back up in the tiny pavillion.

Trevor had a goofy smile as he laughed with her, as they made their way back to the table. He pulled out her chair for her once again almost as if he didn't need to think twice about it. Making sure she was settled he took his own seat opposite. The view he had was perhaps the best he had yet to see, but there was still that something little niggling him. He had to show her, she had to know the deep dark secret he was keeping... but no not here.

That was for later, for now, he'd have to content himself finishing some slightly cooled Megabison medalions and the most beautiful woman in the world.

Dominique found she couldn't take her eyes off of Trevor, and she didn't care in the least if any one thought her smile looked 'sappy'. Being in the presence of the man she loved made life all but perfect. She finished her meal, but didn't taste a bite. She did remember every word of their soft voiced, meandering conversation however - yes the night was perfect, the moons - all three were up but not all in full phase - were perfect for lighting the garden, the chimes that could be heard ever so faintly on the wind were an added layer of enjoyment, and much, much more. Touching lightly on her childhood, her university studies, the many inadvertent adventures she’d found herself entangled in…And listening wholeheartedly to Trevor's replies and comments. Dominique was an outstanding listener.

When the gilded servant drones offered a third round of after dinner coffee she merely nodded, still not taking her eyes from Trevor. They had been talking for over four hours, though she was certainly not watching the time. She shivered slightly with the much cooler deep night breezes.

Trevor enjoyed listening and responding to Dominique and had the opportunity to share a number of his own experiences, most were fairly modern over the last 6/7 years, the others that weren't were fairly difficult to place, they had very little information about where they were when they were just enough information to portray the purpose of the story.

Time seemed to stand still and oddly also passed way too fast as the moons as he looked towards his gracious and lovely host. The small tell-tale signs that she was getting cold. "Here, you look cold." He slid off his un-buttoned jacket and put it around her shoulders. The jacket had the dual benefit of being already slightly warm and acting as a mechanism to keep air warmed by her own body close to her.

Trevor himself took some coffee had a few sips but not much more, "Wonderful night..." he commented "I'd like to do it again... At my place. Say in a week or 2?"

"Whenever you have time Trevor. I so very much want to spend more time with you. This night has been marvelous" Dominique too had enjoyed hearing of his experiences. She snuggled into his jacket, inhaling the mingled scents - his clean masculine scent and that of his prefered cologne. They mixed well, complimenting one another, forming a unique olfactory memory.

"One last stroll through the gardens?" She asked hopefully. She knew that both of them carried long days, and she most certainly didn't want him worn from an overly late night with her. But she allowed herself to be a litle greedy for a little while longer with him. She had never felt happy, and the night was alive with the majick of their love.

"Alright." he smiled as he took her hand and started walking together along side her. "I will love you forever. As long as the universe goes along it's rythmic sway , my love for you will be there."

He paused looked into her wonderful eyes again and then suddenly kissed her, properly, on the lips.

Dominique melted into his arms, returning the kiss - her eyes closed and she found her toes curling - an effect that when others had mentioned it she had scoffed at...

Unfortunately the kiss had to end at some point, and she sighed sadly when it did. She could have kept on kissing Trevor forever.

"And my love for thee shall be as true and as strong, eternally, untill All passes away"

They strolled though the gardens until the moons set, and then she watched, never taking her eyes from the smnall craft, as his shuttle carried him away.

"Oh Trevor I miss you all ready" She whispered to the night sky, before turning toward her own suite. Dominique knew what her dreams this night would be of.

"Well, Don't forget, two weeks my place. Come in casual clothes..." Trevor smiled something sly, he had formed a quick plan. Some food, fun and then down to the serious stuff.

"Expect a call soon to confirm details." He yelled out after her if she didn't it didn't worry him, he'd call her soon enough after confirming with his PA times available.

He was happy, though he couldn't feel anything but insecure, "What if..." he thought. He couldn't think like that, hopefully she'd be able see passed it.

And so he left the garden, met up with his security officer and soon vanished out of sight. The small craft being a defacto home. He made a secure call to his PA getting things in motion for the big night.

OOC: No point in seperating this into another thread... so.
---------

*Two Weeks Later*

Trevor was in his office, the temperature was warm, warm enough to easily wear shorts all the time, even in the dead of night, though outside the air had a bit of a chill to it, much less than you'd expect for winter at this time of day.

Though the meteorologists had predicted snow in an hour so that probably was the reason. It was a great evening to be inside, Trevor looked out from the position in his office that looked out over the entire corporate HQ complex. Trevor was dressed with a plain T-shirt and shorts. Looking out the window waiting for her, waiting for the night to finally begin.

His Personal Assistant had been directed to show her in immediately when she arrived

It had been the longest two weeks of her life, and the chance to see Trevor again the most anticipated event of her life so far. She was absolutely certain that her coronation hadn't left her in such a state. The call to Trevor to confirm the details had led to other calls from her , just a couple as she did not want to intrude too heavily on him, but they were moments she had come to look forward to.

She gave her hair one last brush and glanced over at Marne, her personal dresser - she'd been with Dominique since she'd had her coming out so many year ago - and the matronly woman nodded approvingly "Yes Dear, that sun dress looks absolutely lovely on you. and just casual enough without being too juvenile or too aggressive." She handed her charge a small spritzer of her favorite perfume. "Just a dab of that and the light wrap that goes with the outfit, and you're set."

Dominique twirled in front of the mirror one last time, scooped up the wrap and was out the door where she picked up her usual protective detail. The senior agent checked to make sure that the Empress had her emergency retrieval beacon, and the completely invisible, unscanable by most standard scanners PALADIN armor. The psionic based nanomatrix mesh shimmered briefly – a barely visible iridescent blue glow less than a molecules distance out from the Empresses skin - then went invisible. The detail chief still wasn't happy, she'd be going without any accompanying presence - well beyond the shuttle anyways.

But soon the Imperial shuttle, armed and armored, was touching down and an aide bowing her out of the craft and escorting her to where Trevor waited. The shawl had proved necessary as a few flakes of snow were drifting down. She gave Trevor’s personal assistant a warm smile. “I’m not too early am I….Ms?” Blushing slightly - she felt terrible about not knowing Trevor’s long time personal assistant’s name.

"Joan, but don't worry about it. I prefer to work behind the scenes, get things done in an apparently magic way." she smiled and lead her guest towards the large double doors.

"Oh, I wouldn't be worried about that, he was almost ready for this when he arrived back from your previous date. He's got something special planned, but I won't spoil the surprise."

The entrance hall was large, every landing pad had a customer reception area, and a door for "Authorised Personnel Only". She opened this door and let Dominique through. After the door closed a panel on the door lighted up.

"Stay close to me, to the unitiated this place can be quite a warren."

They walked through the labrinthyne corridoors finding a lift. Taking that up to level 34. They had to take another couple until they arrived at Trevor's door. There was nothing that was in their way apart from simply getting there apart from the maze to get there.

"Trevor expressly ordered that you were on you're way here to bypass all security measures, to his security's chagrin. Sometimes they think he's got a death wish, he's just through those wooden door's ahead."

"Thank you Joan, I promise not to do anything that would bring harm to Trevor. But I can guess at how he feels at times. My security frets constantly, and I know they try their best not to smother me, but..."

Yes some times security felt like a lead weight being draped around one.

The complexity of the HQ didn't bother her much the Imperial Palace was just as much a maze - though she did wonder how deliberate that was.

When they finally arrived at their destination Dominique felt a huge smile growing over her face. She couldn't wait to see Trevor again, and found herself hurrying to the doors.

He heard the handles to the doors turn, "it must be her" he thought as he turned around to face the large wooden, yet perfectly silent double doors.

There she was, Dominique Evanagline Alexandra Ryder... or better known as simply "Dominique" Trevor almost whispered as a wide grin stretched over his face and he took a couple of large steps towards her.

Just as the last step before he reached her, he extended his arms and wraped them around her body embracing her. The doors were still open behind her and Trevor caught the eye of his PA.

Joan knew what she had to do as she briefly smiled and went about closing the doors, they'd have at least some privacy now. The seconds passed as they embraced. "Do you remember what we talked about when we first met?" he spoke softly before starting to pull back abit. He wanted to see that lovely face of hers.

Dominique returned the embrace, letting a soft sigh of utter contentment escape, every care falling away with his nearness.

"The origins of your family name" Her winsome smile brought out her dimples as she gazed at him with sparkling eyes. " I did some looking on my own. Did you know in ancient Italian it means sorte luck, or fortune, or destiny? In the Middle Ages it was common to say "acerba sorte" to mean a cruel destiny. ..."

Trevor laughed "Not quite what I had in mind, but thanks..." he released the embrace but took her left hand and backed up slowly taking her with him to another door. "What I more had in mind, was this...."

He opened the door, and you could see a lounge with the back of the dark red/violet fabric. Some of it was obscured by a white clother covering something slightly shorter than Trevor but shaped roughly. Tripod legs could be seen underneath, and front a large white sheet of some type of plastic was held taut by a stand there was only a single lamp on in the room and that was in a corner, a small counter had imbedded clear fresh popcorn cabinet.

Looking at the room, the questioning look on her face cleared in a second, as her well trained memory drew up the memories of the very full day they had met...

"Oh!" She exclaimed delightedly "North by Northwest! Your original copy" Her voice went reverent at the thought of the classic. "And dinner and a movie, just as classic as the movie...I never discuss love on an empty stomach" Her eyes twinkled as she quoted Eva Marie Saints own censor altered line.

"Not that my dietician would approve but, tonight's fare consists of alot of popcorn, drinks and for desert... one or more choctops. Though having desert last is optional." Trevor laughed, "it's not a proper movie date without movie food."

He directed her through the door leading with his hand "Beauty before Age, help yourself to a large bucket of popcorn whatever drinks and there's a mini-freezer in there as well. I'll get the projector running and get everything ready. I won't have time to get my own so, I guess we'll have to share."

Trevor followed in after Dominique and started work, he had already done most of it, the film had been threaded through, all he needed to do was turn the projector light on and start feeding the film.

"Let me know when you're ready and we'll start."

Dominique laughted and handed him a huge bucket of the buttery popcorn. In her other hand she held a large soda and a thick stack of napkins.

"We'll definitely have to share...see... I could find only one straw over there." She'd put the holder filled with such away. She chucked as she made herself comfortable on the divan, and looked up at Trevor. "And I can't wait to watch the movie with you."

He flicked a switch on the projector and the light started and the reels started spining... The screen came alive with the traditional countdown before the start of the movie.

"What a Pity," he smiled as the lights turned themselves off and took a handful of the buttered popcorn shoved as much of it in his face before taking his seat.

He got in close proximity with Dominique and cuddled up to her, "I generally don't like director's making cameo appearences in their films... but in this case I make an exception."

Just as Alfred made his appearance in this the film the bus doors close in his face. This looked to be turning into one of the best nights of his life.

Dominique beamed as Trevor cuddled up to her and snuggled into him with alacrity. "Oh yes, we must forgive him" She whispered as the film rolled on. But she found she couldn't lose herself in the film.

Dominique kept looking over at Trevor, watching his enjoyment of the movie. And teasing him with tidbits of popcorn was fun!

Trevor did enjoy the movie, he had seen it a number of times already, he knew most of the lines but was always ready to laugh when the situation arose that he find funny.

If anyone was watching the two of them they might find humour in that they seemed to keep looking at each other but at different times, frequently just missing looking at each other.

While Dominique teased him with popcorn, he teased her with the soda. He was having a better time watching the movie than all the other times because he was doing it with her. He had not felt this close or connected with anyone in a long time. They shared a love, for the movie and for each other.

They laughed, joked and a few serious comments about the film it all was so easy so natural to talk to each other and share. The hours passed and the movie finished the projector made a tapping sound as the last bit of loose film flapped about with the reel still spinning around.

He was sad and happy at the same time, sad that the special that he had so far shared would come to an end but hopeful of what would be coming in the future.

"I wish it could be just the two of us - here forever."

It was abit of a laughable wish Dominique's and his schedule would never allow a day, perhaps a couple of stolen hours here and there but that's it. The noise of the projector kept going, Trevor sighed as he got up and flicked the machine off. He started to take the reel off and pack it in what appeared to be an authentic film can from the era, after of course cleaning his hands on a rag that was on top of the projector.

The popcorn had all been eaten, the drink had all been drunk and the choc-tops had all been munched into nothingness. "Dom - I've got a serious question for you, but I need to show you something first. Will you come with me?"

"I wish it could too" Dominique replied softly with equal fevor as she gazed lovingly into Trevor's eyes. But like him she knew that could never be, and so she silently wished very strongly that they could be together as much as possible- she had heard that wishing for the possible made it more likely to be answered by whatever deities chose to fill lover's wishes.

Trevor was such a remarkable man, and she had enjoyed the evening thoroughly, more than she had in any one elses company. They shared many interests, but also weren't in lockstep - they would keep one another interested in each other for ages she believed.

When Trevor became serious she looked at him with intent eyes and anwered with complete trust.

"Yes I will." She stood and gave him a merry, loving smile "Lead the way handsome!"

It was perhaps was a bit cliched but there was a secret exit located in the room.

"A secret exit for emergencies, but it's also the only way to go to the most secure location on the planet." Trevor explained as he triggered the door by opening a sliding panel in a mantle shelf and pressing a button located inside.

"We'll be able to talk properly once we enter..."

The door opened to reveal an empty gap there were lights running all the way down to what must be the ground floor or perhaps further underground. Trevor walked out into the middle walking on air. There was nothing beneath his feet at all.

"Anti-grav lift, detects when you're walking and alters the field so that it mimics walking on a hard surface. It will certainly feel very odd to begin with."

"Oh my... not something for some one with a fear of falling, or heights." Dominique laughed softly and kept her eyes on Trevor as she followed him out to stand apparently unsupported in mid air.

"Yes it does feel a little odd" She noted but with no discomfort, observing with interest.

He let out a little smile, he gently drew her closer to him and then wraped his arm around her. "Hold on. This will be a bit interesting." he said as he was ready to give the anti-grav pit his command. "Descend to Emergency Bunker." he spoke in a loud clear voice, to anyone watching it could be quite comical, they suddenly dropped as if Wyle E. Coyotee suddenly realised he wasn't standing on anything, the pull of gravity seemed to increase to around 15ms-2. Approximately 1 and a half times that of earth.

They were falling faster and faster together, who knows how fast they were falling. After about 20 seconds they must be appropaching the ground level outside but they could just see coming up way in the distance, a bottom to this deep pit which must of be approaching 1.5 - 2 km deep. They were falling fast but something soon changed as the ground loomed up quickly before them they were not being pulled down any they were being pulled up, the force gradually changed from a falling at break neck speed to being lightly pulled up away from the ground looming infront of them and as they touched the ground nice and soft gravity returning to normal once both Trevor's and Dominique's 4 feet in total touched the floor.

As they finally touched down, Trevor was abit worried about how Dominique coped, it was for usage in emergencies after all and being in an office at the top of a magnificently tall building is just asking for it to get shot down from underneath him. "How was it?" he asked tentitavely. Wondering how she coped with falling such a long distance.

Dominique nestled in close to Trevor, while she had no fear of heights, the sudden 'fall' had her closing her eyes and resting her head on his broad shoulder. She shivered slightly as they came to the stop and was ever so slightly pale, but that was her only negative reactions.

"That was indeed a wild ride. Not something for every day I think" She smiled up at him, letting out a small sigh of relief, as she gave him a warm hug.

"No, No, not for everyday." he embraced her back waiting until some colour returned to her cheeks. "It is for emergencies after all."

There were some footsteps as some security officers poke their nose around, they didn't know what to make of Dominique. "Is everything alright, sir?"

"Yes, return to your posts."

"... Are you sure sir?"

"Yes, I am..."

The guard just shrugged and moved off.

"Alright... I'm going to take you inside and I'm going to tell you something. It's important that whatever happens you don't tell anyone, especially any of my employee's. There is no one alive that knows this, and if you want to leave and have nothing to do with me then that's fine, but keeping this to yourself is the only thing I'm asking from you."

The 'Emegency Bunker' was literally just around the corner, it infact made up the corner. Trevor started to shake a bit he had no idea how this would turn out but he knew that he had, if only for his own sake. He waited to hear how she would respond.

Dominique looked at Trevor, sensing the tremors that he was experiencing, but she faced him squarely, her hands coming up to cup his face..."Trevor," Her voice was low, for his ears only and compassionate. "I trust you and I hope you know that you can trust me. What ever it is, it will stay solely and wholly between just the two of us."

Then gently she pulled his head down, drawing him into a lingering soft kiss. Sealing her promise.

"I knew there was a reason I loved you." he enjoyed the kiss and with a warm gentle smile embraced her, kissing her back just as softly as she kissed him. The shakes were gone he was now confident and ready.

"Come on then, let's get this done." Taking her hand gentley he lead her walking backwards to the control panel that opened the seal around the door. He entered a code, confirmed with a voice print, a hand print, and a small sample of blood was taken for DNA analysis, after about 5 seconds of processing the seals unbuckled themselves and the doors to the bunker slid open. Trevor entered leading Dominique through, after she had the doors slid closed again and the seals re-activated essentially blocking them off from the rest of the outside world.

OOC: So everyone knows the secret will be told in OOC privacy as well as IC privacy. That is over TGs. While both Trevor and Dominique are inside the bunker there will be no posts but progress in their relationship will be made. Tanara TG coming soon explaining the contents of the Bunker and the secret.

About 10 minutes later the doors that were sealed opened once more Trevor's arm wrapped around her in an obvious sign of closenesss and affection. A smile was hard to get off his face whenever he looked at Dominique, he had told her his secret but it only drew them closer together and not tore them appart as he feared before.

Now he felt different as if a huge burden had lifted from him. There was someone who loved, cared and appreciated him for who he truly was for if she could accept that then she accepted every part of him. There had been no time in his life that he ever felt as close or connected to someone as he had with Dominique.

Dominique looked up adoringly at Trevor. She had never thought that she would find such a love in her life, and it almost seemed a dream. She sighed softly as the lift whisked them back up to his inner sanctum.

"Would you mind dear if we had the smallest ceremoney we could get away with?" She asked softly as they made themselves comfortable back on the couch they had shared earlier during the movie. She knew well that the mere announcement of their engagement would bring about near frenzy of people wanting to host vast parties for them, newsies wanting to interview them, and an empire wanting to celebrate as much as possible.

The journey back up on the gravity lift was much more sedate than the way down. The sparkle of Dominques engagement ring caught his eye again.

Trevor would like nothing more than a private ceremony, just her and the closest of their friends but he knew just as well, the employee's would love to celebrate such an event, and let alone the Tanarans as well as the innumerable foreign dignitaries, business associates and AAA-Rated Celebreties.

"It's going to be big, that's something that we have to realise from the start but, we can certainly be very careful where we have it. Do you reckon we could get away with... 100?"

OOC: My net connection has glitched three times. I will get this posted, I will, I will, I will!!!

“Dominique laughed softly “Oh Darling I wish we could. But I’m afraid that various friends that will require invitations will make that number impossible” Trevor would know that those friends would be national governments they dared not exclude, even though it was a personal, private celebration, not an international intertwining.

“I think we can request that they send personal representatives not official ones, and since your security and mine will have to work together on this we can also request that they limit the number of security personnel they bring.”

She guesstimated quickly. “Perhaps we can keep it at about five hundred?”

For the wedding of a Chief Executive Officer of a galaxy spanning mega-corporation such as the Garbage Men, and the Empress of an interstellar empire, - even if it was personal and private - keeping it down to five hundred would be a not so small miracle.

The planning would take months given Trevor’s and Dominique’s status and positions. Only the couples absolute, unflinching insistance that the festivites be as small as possible would keep it from ballooning into a mega monstrosity.

And unless they wanted to offend all of their peoples, it would have to be broadcast so that those at the gatherings held around the Tanaran Empire, or in the comfort of their own homes, could watch – but the palaces holographic crew were consummate professionals and would be so discrete that none would truly be aware of their presence

"It was worth a shot, anyway" Trevor chuckled, he looked deeply and intently into Dominique's eyes seemingly getting lost in there, he didn't mind in fact he rather enjoyed it. "I don't care if we have to invite thousands, there will be for me only one person in that room, You."

Trevor ran his fingers through her hair, it felt wonderful, a shiver ran through his spine. It was a shiver of ecxtasy...

"There is one more thing, a gift I wanted to give you... Come with me..." Trevor bounded and opened the door to his office.

Dominique completely agreed with Trevor. He'd be the only one she'd be noticing. She cuddled her cheek agains the palm of his hand as he ran the other through her tresses. Her eyes drooped closed with the sheer pleasure of his touch, then they flew open at his exclaimation.

Shaking her head lightly at his seemingly boundless energy so late at night Dominique followed Trevor a little more sedately. "Beloved the only gift I want is you. To be your wife and spend forever with you"

She would cherish any gift he chose to give her, she would never deny him the pleasure of generosity and she believed he'd feel the same.

Trevor led her to the small transporter alcove. "Until the day where we can permanently live together, I would like for you to have a companion, Something that would provide you company when your all on your own. A stand-in, something that is loyal and something that will be there for you in your most private moments when I can't."

Having took their places on the pads "Executive Guest Override, Slimery. Activate."

They disappeared from view in normal transporter way and reappeared somewhere else on the planet. It was a large expanse of a dome. They were on a wide metal grating walkway that was a second level looking over the ground before them. Small blobs...which were Trash Slimes (www.nswiki.net/index.php?title=Trash_Slime) could be seen down on the ground running through various obsticle courses, each slime was differently coloured, there were a few that were practically impossible to see if it's wasn't for a glint of light that shifted and changed with the slimes movement.

"Trash Slimes, amorphous blobs of living slime. Would you like a closer look?"

OOC: You link goes to an odd article...

Dominique blinked at the odd but interesting sight. She wasn't quite sure how an amorphous blob of slime would keep her company as much as Trevor would but she was certainly willing to find out.

"Why certainly I'd love a closer look. Are they sentient? From this distance I don't seen anything that looks like cerebral matter." She asked intrigued.

OOC: Fixed

IC: "They span a wide gap, from practically human right down to instinctual reactions, and no, they don't have brains in the normal sense, though you could probably argue that their entire body is their brain as well as every other organ combined."

Trevor directed Dominique down a nearby staircase and they walked together.

"All of the Trash Slimes here have completed their strict training and now how to behave, they also have different personalities and additional properties that you can choose."

"Oh I'd be more concerned about our personalities fitting together than looks or abilities" Dominique smiled as she promptly sat cross legged on the floor and crooned to the Trash Slimes. She was looking to see which seemed to be the most interested in her, meeting some one new.

"What exactly do they eat? Are there treats I can give them? Things one shouldn't feed them?"

"Food is fairly simple, they can eat almost anything as long as it's waste, wasted, unusable or unwanted by any living creature. The more categories it fills the more they like it and the more it nourishes them. The only thing I would certainly keep them away from dead creatures. If for some reason you need to control them, warm soapy water will get their attention."

Trevor followed Dominique as she wondered around looking at the various potential pets explaining what he could about them. (OOC: Check out the NSWiki page linked to previously if you haven't already) One Trash Slime in particular tried to introduce itself to them, It was a strong opaque purple in colour and put itself at Dominique's feet and started to rise to form a sort of upside down bulbous vase shape.

"I think someone else likes you, Dominique." Trevor said with a smile.

Dominique chuckled at the Trash Slimes antics "Why hello to you too!" She said softly as she went down on one knee to offer her hand to the slime. Cupping her palm so it could climb into her hand if it so chose.

"What a handsome fellow you are...though I guess technically you are an it"

The Slime poured itself into her hands, it looked like to Trevor that he was watching purple water pouring out of Dominique's hand in reverse. It weighed around 1 Kilogram (2 lbs). and sat in her hand like a large blob.

It started making a few popping noises, bubbles emerged from it's surface as it sited in Dominique's hand.

"It's trying to talk to you... You'll get to know what it's saying eventually..."

Dominique found herself charmed by the slime's actions "But what is he saying now? Can you translate?" She looked over at Trevor as she moved the slime to the crook of her arm as it rested against her waist, thinking that it might well be more comfortable there.

"I can't speak the language but... I think it wants to be taken home with you... Just like me... but unfortunately I can't. Also... I was wondering, I would like to look for somewhere within Tanara as a private getaway... for us. Whenever I can get away."

Trevor kissed Dominique on the side just above and outside the right eye...

"I wish I could be with you, as we should but one day we will be and that is the most important thing to me."

"I have a small island, it's very private, my great grandmother left it to me." Dominique replied to his comment about wanting a private place. "It's on Tarra Two" Mentioning the most beautiful of the Asgard system's three habitable. When the Tanarans to be first arrived some seventeen hundred years ago they had decided to leave the paradise of a planet as untouched as possible. They had done so suscessfully and the impact of man upon the unspoiled scenery had truly been minimal. Few owned parcels the planet - much less whole islands -and what they could do there in the way of construction and such had strict regulations to contend with.

"My family brought with us an exact replica of Matsu Castle (http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Q9LsuTPHfTM/RzSTy1220XI/AAAAAAAAEmU/RHsJNTE5oN0/PA152235.JPG) and built it there. It is completely secure and very private"

Then she dmiled at him and added "We can't have too many get aways. If you'd like to find one, I'll gladly share it with you"

She leaned her head against his shoulder for a moment, after he had kissed her on her temple, unwilling to leave at just that moment, but shortly she straightened, trying to hide a yawn. She didn't want to leave but she was up very late for her. She chuckled "We both need some sleep love."

She allowed him to escort her back to where she had first appeared, savoring each moment they had together. Careful not to squish her new purple friend, she hugged Trevor close and cuddled with him for many a pleasureable minute.

"Parting is such sweet sorrow, and I can scarecely bear our time apart to come." She whispered softly before she disappeared in a blaze of transporter effect light.

For the first time Trevor didn't feel alone, oh sure, there was no one around. He had made sure of that but there was someone whom he was going to share his life with.

He was happy, a smile permanently plastered on his face. The only thing he had to worry about now... was the Wedding., and at least he had Joan to help with that... but who would he choose to be his Best Man?

That would be the question all of the corporation would soon be asking itself, and the answer might just surprise you...