A new chapter begins

Posted on Saturday, 25 April 2020 - 11:59am by Lieutenant T'Lanna Vali & Lieutenant Raith Kolani

Mission: Operation: Overdrive
Location: T’Lanna’s Quarters
Timeline: After “The start of something new”

{ON}

T’Lanna lay entwined with bedsheets and Raith’s body, her skin glistening with a fine layer of perspiration from their passionate lovemaking. She smiled as she lay with her head on Raith’s shoulder. “It’s hard to believe that a nightmare event brought us together like this.”

Raith slowly stroked her hair as she lay entwined with bedsheets and with his body. He felt a new calm about him and a newfound sense of happiness after spending the time they did together. He now felt like he couldn't be without her in his life.

"I've heard some amazing stories over the years about the reasons as to why people have gotten together, but I'll admit, having a shared nightmare isnt one I've heard before," he explained to her. He slowly let his hand move down from her hair and towards her back, feeling the fine layer of perspiration upon her skin.

"So, do all former Borg drones who have escaped the collective make love as beautifully as you do? I'm just curious...you worked hard for a while back there," he recalled, a smile slowly stretching across his face as he thought back their lovemaking. What he knew was, now that he knew this about her, he wanted more.

T’Lanna smiled as she gently trailed her fingers back and forth across Raith’s chest. “I like to get the maximum amount of enjoyment out of making love, especially with a man whose come to mean a lot to me in a short amount of time.” She raised her head and looked into his eyes. “Raith there’s something you have to know.”

Raith sat himself up in the bed as he looked over at T'Lanna. "If it's telling me that you're ready for round two, I can tell that already..." he said with a smile. Seeing the serious look on her face, he continued. "What is it? you can tell me."

“Raith I...I’m pregnant.” She let the news sink in before explaining. “I only found out after we got back from the nebula. According to the doctor, I’m seven weeks. The baby is the child of a man who was my best friend, long story short we both had a little too much to drink and one thing led to another...” she sighed. “He was killed on away party duty a couple of days later.” She lay her head back on Raith’s chest. “I’ll understand if you change your mind about being with me.”

Raith sat quietly for a moment as he took in everything she explained to him. Things between them both had moved so fast since the nightmare on the Shuttle and now there was a new challenge to be discussed. Raith did what he thought was the natural thing to do: He moved to T'Lanna and took her in his arms.

"I understand...this must have been difficult enough for you, losing the baby father in an away mission...before experiencing what we did on our away mission," he said to her. He made sure that he looked her in the eyes before he carried on.

"I'm not going anywhere. I know that some people can be scared off by something like this so soon. I'm not. We just need to make sure that we work together as a couple to make this will work between us," he said. "We both want to be with each other, that's clear. Introducing a child into the relationship will be a challenge, especially another mans child...however that doesn't mean that they will be treated any different, you have my word."

He held her gently as he made his vow to here, making sure T'Lanna understood him.

T’Lanna looked at Raith with tears in her eyes. “You are...truly amazing, do you know that?” She gently stroked his face with her fingers. “I don’t want to think of the decision I’m going to have to make once my baby is born. This isn’t a family-oriented ship, which means I’ll have to find somewhere off ship for him or her and right now I don’t know where that’s going to be! Plus I don’t relish spending a lot of time away from my own baby!!” She cuddled up to Raith. “It’s going to be hard and I’m going to need you.”

"As I said, I'm here for you and I understand. I'll always be here for you," he explained as he held her. "I'm sure that there is somewhere safe that the child can be looked after whilst off ship and it gives us an excellent reason to also take leave when feasible to go and visit them when we can, there are ways to make this work that work for everyone," he said.

He could see that this meant a lot to T'Lanna and brought now T'Lanna meant the world to him and it meant a lot to be able to make sure that they were happy in what was a difficult and complicated situation. They were strong individuals and he felt that they would be able to make this work between them.

"Besides, we can never say we'll be bored in any way..." he offered afterwards.

T’Lanna couldn’t help but smile. “Not while I’ve got you to entertain me anyway. I’ve never met anyone like you Raith, I’d be lost without you now.” She gently gave him a loving yet passionate kiss.

Raith returned the kiss and he made sure that she picked up on how he felt despite the very fast beginning to their relationship. "I'm not going anywhere, my dear...I live to service you..." he whispered to her, making sure she understood his sincerity. He was pretty certain that he'd never felt this way about someone before.

T'Lanna had swept him off his feet and Raith liked the way it felt.

“No...you, my love are free to love me, I will never demand anything of you. I simply ask for your love.” She lay back down on the bed gently pulling him down with her.

"Well in that case, I can definitely cope with that and give that," he said, as he laid back down with T'Lanna and kissed her gently. Despite already having made love together, Raith felt safe within her arms and also felt a new happiness when being with her. He knew that this was another new beginning for them both, not just meeting and serving aboard the Fontana, but also for each other.

T’Lanna returned Raith’s kiss, seeing other lovers happily strolling together in the past she’d always wondered what it would feel like to be so in love now she knew and she didn’t want to change a thing. Her fingers trailed across Raith’s skin as she happily enjoyed his comfort and love.

{OFF}