Klingon Hearts 09 Hidden - What Lurks in the Darkness Read online

  "I'm done pretending, Tessa, and so are you. This stops tonight." He grabbed her arm and propelled her down the hall.

  She thought about pulling away from him and was startled when he seemed to read her mind.

  "You can come back to my place and we can talk or we can do this right here, right now. I personally don't care either way, but I have the feeling you don't want an audience for this."

  For an instant she considered calling his bluff--he wouldn't cause a scene here? would he?

  "Do you -really- want to find out?" he asked dangerously.

  She was seething by the time they reached his apartment. She yanked her arm from his grasp the moment they were inside.

  "I don't know who the -hell- you think you are, Mike Burns, but I -won't- be treated like some errant child!"

  "Then stop acting like one."

  Her lips pursed. "Just what was so important that you felt the need to manhandle me here?"

  "I want to know where we are going with this," he told her.

  "With what?" she asked blankly.

  "With us, Tessa. I want to clarify our relationship."

  An eyebrow shot up. "Clarify our relationship? That's simple--we don't have one.... Can I go now?"

  Mike gritted his teeth. "No, dammit! We are going to talk about this!"

  "About what?!" she all but yelled at him.

  "About us!"

  "What don't you understand?! There is no 'us'! There never has been. You're just a nice way to spend an evening, Mike. That's it," she said cruelly and was shocked at the tearing pain in her heart. Lifting her head higher she met his gaze defiantly.

  "Does it make it easier for you to keep telling yourself that?" he asked softly, his anger having left him completely at the vulnerability she tried so desperately to hide from him.

  "Make what easier?" she asked warily as he moved closer.

  "This."

  His lips met hers with tender passion. She tried to steel herself against the ruthlessly gentle assault on her senses, but he knew her too well.

  "I thought we were going to talk...not have sex," she tried to sound harsh, but it came out breathless and soft.

  "We're not having sex. I'm making love to you...there's a big difference," he said huskily.

  "It doesn't feel any different to me," she was lying through her teeth and he knew it.

  "It will...."

  It did. She felt like he was worshipping her body. Every touch was designed to show her how much he felt for her. Every kiss was a declaration of his intent. She was not so naive to not realize what he was doing. But neither could she stop him.

  When he finally joined them she was shaking from emotion. He showered kisses all over her face as he moved slowly in and out, loving her deeply and completely.

  "Love me, Tessa," he commanded gently, tenderly...firmly.

  "I can't," she gasped.

  He moved even deeper, touching the very mouth of her womb, sending shock waves of pleasure straight through her.

  "Love me," he demanded again...and she did.

  ******

  "K'Leena came by to see me today," B'Elanna told Tom quietly.

  They were sitting outside, watching the surf. The sun was just disappearing on the horizon, filling the clear skies with a myriad of brilliant colors.

  Tom Paris knew a storm brewing when he saw one.

  "What did she have to say?" he asked, trying to sound unconcerned.

  "That was the interesting part," she paused to look at him. "She wanted to know about things that happened on Voyager. How everything affected us. How -you- handled it."

  "Voyager?" That surprised him.

  "Why did you ground her, Tom? You never even talked to her before you did it."

  "She's pregnant."

  "I know, she told me today. I don't see what the problem is."

  "She's not fit to fly, B'Elanna. She's a danger to herself and everyone else."

  "K'Leena!?" B'Elanna exclaimed in disbelief. "I can't believe that. From the first time the two of you set foot in a simulator, you drilled 'safety first' into her. I've never seen her launch without doing a pre-flight at least twice. She may be reckless in other areas of her life, but never at the helm of a ship."

  "She's been through too much, she's not thinking straight. I want to give her time to work through everything."

  B'Elanna paused then asked softly, "Give her time, or give you time?"

  Tom stiffened, "What do you mean?"

  "She's always been your little girl, Tom. From the day she was born, it was love at first sight. I don't think you like that someone else has taken your place in her life and you aren't the man she goes to when she's hurt or in trouble....That it isn't your job to protect her anymore."

  "Protect her?! He can't protect her. He couldn't even make sure she didn't get pregnant. How can I trust him?"

  "He loves her, you know that."

  "Sometimes it's not enough. I remember loving you more than my next breath and still hurting you," Tom reminded her.

  "And I remember knowing that you never intended to."

  "He still got her pregnant."

  B'Elanna's lips twitched, "And that -never- happens to other people." She was rewarded with a dark scowl.

  "He hates me, you know."

  "Lucas? Of course he doesn't."

  "Yes, B'Elanna. He remembers. He knows what she did and that she did it for me. His whole life was taken away in an instant and he blames me."

  "How is that possible?"

  "I don't know. Lucas is the strongest telepath I've ever known. Maybe that's how. Does it matter? He's seen it. He knows."

  "He doesn't hate you, Tom. He might be angry with you, but I don't think Lucas could ever truly hate you.

  ******

  "After the time jump I was thinking...," K'Leena began, unsure.

  "Mmmmm?" Lucas asked sleepily, pulling her closer.

  "I was wondering....Well, I thought maybe...that maybe...we could...."

  "'Leena?"

  "What?"

  "There's nothing I want more in the world than to make you pregnant. I'll give you as many babies as you like, but can we go to sleep now? We have to be at Command early tomorrow."

  "Really?"

  "Really. Now go to bed."

  K'Leena smiled and wiggled back closer to him. He bit back a groan when she settled against the part of him that was already in a state of half arousal, bringing him fully awake and at attention.

  "You're a witch, you know that?"

  "And you love me for it."

  "So...you want to get a head start on this baby making business, do you?"

  "Couldn't hurt to practice a little...."

  Lucas woke to an empty bed, disoriented from the dream. These glimpses into their other life were unsettling, to say the least. Sitting up, he hauled in a huge breath, desperate to regain his inner balance.

  Moonlight filtered through the window blinds, illuminating K'Leena's still form as she looked out the glass doors of their bedroom. He got up and went to her. His arms came around her from behind and she leaned back against him. One of his hands traveled to rest on the soft swell of her stomach.

  "I'm so sorry, Imzadi. I never imagined he would ground you."

  "I know. I'm sorry I thought you did it. I should have known better."

  "A part of me wanted to. I'd do anything to protect you, but I knew I couldn't. I had to trust you."

  "I was going to ask your father to reassign me to the academy. They still need a flight instructor. Now I can't even do that," her voice broke with a sob.

  Turning her around in his arms, Lucas looked down into her tear streaked face.

  "You don't...," he took a deep breath. This was almost impossible for him to say. "You don't have to have the baby. We could wait."

  "Oh...Lucas...no!...I want the baby." K'Leena was shocked to realize how much she did. The admission stunned her. "Kahless...this is our -child-. I could never do that." It horrified her that he
thought she could.

  "I just want you to be happy."

  "I -am- happy. I guess I'm just being selfish, that should be enough, shouldn't it? It shouldn't matter if I can fly or not."

  "Hey...there's nothing wrong with wanting something for yourself. I know what flying means to you. God, K'Leena, you're the best thing I've ever seen at the helm. You fly circles around other pilots, myself included. I would never ask you to give it up, it's part of who you are."

  *****

  ...and threatens....

  She was gone when he awoke. Damn her! She'd slipped away like a thief in the middle of the night, taking his heart with her. Mike threw off the blankets with a growl. If she thought she could just walk away from this, she had another thing coming. Stubborn little fool.

  Stalking into the bathroom he stepped into the shower and planned his next move ruthlessly. After all, he was an expert at tactical situations. Tessa Kim didn't stand a chance.

  Smiling grimly on the thought he wondered just what you wore to a Betazoid wedding, then laughed out loud. Talk about an oxymoron.

  *****

  K'Leena watched her father fidget with wicked pleasure. She was still angry enough with him to -really- enjoy his discomfort. His expression, when she and Lucas informed her parents that they would be having a 'traditional' Betazoid wedding, had been priceless. He was just lucky Lucas was insisting on only immediate family for the ceremony. If K'Leena had her way, she would have invited just about everybody. Including the Delaney sisters.

  Even though he thought he was keeping the real reason for why he wanted the ceremony secret from her, K'Leena knew what motivated Lucas. At five months, her pregnancy was visible when she was unclothed. Lucas didn't want people to know about the baby and she had a pretty good idea why. She let him keep his illusions of protecting her, though. He was worried about everything enough as it was. He didn't need to know she was aware of it all as well.

  Besides, her Aunt Ani's raised eyebrow had been enough. Who would have thought? K'Leena had the feeling her parents younger days were a -whole- lot wilder than she ever imagined.

  On the small of her parents' backs was a tattoo. A double heart, that intertwined so you couldn't tell where one ended and the other began. Below the image was the Klingon word "tlqwlq"--of one heart. K'Leena knew the old legend well. Smiling, she caught Lucas' eye. He was looking at her with such intensity, her breath caught in the back of her throat.

  Not even the gods....

  ...can stop the beat of a Klingon Heart.

  It's a strange feeling when you realize your -parents- were actually people before you came along. That they loved and laughed, hurt and cried, and maybe knew more about life than you thought.

  When she faced Lucas to exchange their vows, K'Leena said a small prayer that they would know the love her parents did.

  Mike watched his friends with a small smile. He'd caught Lucas' eye as K'Leena had walked down the aisle. His questioning look at her obvious pregnant state garnered only a rakish grin from his friend. Mike had to work at not laughing out loud...until he looked over at Tessa. She was sitting with her parents on one side and the Paris family on the other. She was holding hands with K'Leena's younger brother Robbie. He had the most powerful urge to go over there and haul her into his arms to show everybody here, especially Robbie Paris, that she was -his-.

  Teeth clenched, he turned back to the front. It was now Lucas who was looking at -him- with all too knowing eyes and a half-smile. Damn telepaths.

  Tessa was a nervous wreck. Of course Mike would be here, he was Lucas' best friend. Why hadn't she realized it? The sight of him had sent her reeling. She could feel his eyes on her, too, causing her to tremble slightly. He was furious with her. Rightfully so, if she was honest with herself. She was a coward. He deserved better.

  Robbie sat next to her, concerned. He hadn't yet relinquished his loose hold on her hand. Something was upsetting her. He could almost feel the tension coursing through her body. His fingers tightened around hers and he placed a reassuring hand on the small of her back as he leaned over to whisper in her ear.

  "Are you all right?"

  She squeezed his hand back and sagged slightly against him. "No..., don't go far today, okay?"

  Now she was scaring him, blue eyes met blue. "I won't."

  *****

  "Tessa?" Mike stopped her in the hallway just outside her room. She turned around with a sigh. It had been a foolish wish that she could avoid him. One thing she'd learned about this man was that he didn't like to take no for an answer. Damn, where the hell was Robbie?

  "What?" she asked wearily.

  "We really need to talk."

  "Whatever for?" Suddenly she became very aware of the fact that neither one of them had any clothes on.

  "First of all--I didn't like how you left last night. It's not safe for you to be wandering about the city that late alone."

  "Well, as you can see, I'm just fine. You really don't need to worry about me. I can take care of myself."

  Mike almost snorted. "It's still my place to make sure you're safe."

  "Your -place-?" she raised one eyebrow. "And just where would your -place- be?"

  His eyes narrowed at the haughty question. The woman was pushing all his buttons...again. She was hell bent on annoying him until he left her alone. Two could play at that game. He'd had more than enough of her arrogance recently. It was about time someone brought her down a peg or two.

  He bent slightly to whisper in her ear, "Between your legs," and he could feel the shudder that went through her.

  Mike backed her up against the wall. She went to push him away. Instead her hands wound around his neck, pulling him down. His mouth met hers with insistent pressure. Grasping her hands, he held them above her head. He leaned in further with his body. With her breasts crushed against his chest he could feel the nipples harden. The kiss deepened as his tongue plundered.

  Her head spun as her body betrayed her and flared under his. How had he done this to her so fast? Sensation after sensation moved over her. Hot, wet opened mouth kisses. Knowing fingers teased while the other hand still held both hers captive. Arousal dampened her thighs and he knew it. His hand found it. One finger, then two. She arched off the wall, wanting more. A low moan escaped her lips. His thumb found her center and flicked until she was frantic.

  "What do you want, Tessa?" came the whispered question.

  "You...," she gasped, surging against him.

  "All of me?" he asked and she went still. She knew what he was asking. He wanted a relationship, not just sex. She didn't know if she could be with a man like him. Damn him, why couldn't he just leave well enough alone?

  "No," she finally said.

  His jaw set and he stepped away from her. She slid down the wall a little before regaining her balance.

  "Sorry, Tessa, it's all or nothing where you're concerned."

  "Why? Why can't I be like all the others?"

  "You know why."

  "Tessa?" Robbie came around the corner, searching for her. His sharp blue eyes didn't miss a thing. The defensive way she was backed to the wall. The barely leashed anger in Mike's stance. The slightly dazed and passion drunk look in Tessa's eyes. Her kiss-bruised lips. Robbie instantly went to red-alert.

  "Is everything okay?" he asked, taking a step closer and holding out his hand to Tessa. She took it and he pulled her to him, placing himself between her and Mike.

  "Everything is fine...Mike was just leaving," she told him.

  "For now, Tessa. We'll finish this another time," Mike promised quietly then left them alone.

  Robbie placed his hands on her shoulders and turned her to look at him.

  "Did he force himself on you, Tessa?"

  The shock in her eyes was genuine and it reassured him.

  "Mike?! No, he would never do that. It was just a little...disagreement, that's all."

  Robbie had the feeling it was a -lot- more than that, but he also had the feeling she did
n't want to talk about it.

  "Go and get dressed, the reception is about to start and I want to dance with you," he told her with a smile.

  "Okay, I'll be right out."

  *****

  "Yeah, go ahead and laugh," K'Leena grumped. "You try getting a date on a Saturday night when your father is the Captain of the ship. After Lucas left, I had nobody to hang around with."