The Last Time We First Met - Part Fifteen by: Denise Underwood c. 2001 Once again, night had fallen across the North American continent. For some, the day was ending and sleep beckoned. For others, bed was hours away. Triona and Jean-Luc paused in the foyer of Admiral Terrence Dean's home on the grounds of Star Fleet headquarters, taking in the lay of the land. The strains of a waltz could be heard, filtered through the murmur of hundreds of voices. The two made a striking couple; Picard in his dress uniform, looking dashing and proud, Triona in garnet-red velvet dress that looked vaguely Roman in style. At her ears and throat were crimson red gems -- Imladrin rubies -- set in gold. Pins of the same style held her long wavy hair up in complicated knot. She looked up at her escort. "I'm afraid if I let go of your arm, you'll flee the party," she whispered teasingly. He looked down at her with ill-concealed irritation. "I thought when Governor LaCroix showed up, I'd be off the hook." She laughed outright at his expression. "I'm sorry, Jean-Luc," she said, not very sincerely. "But honestly, you're like a grumpy old bear!" Triona attempted to stifle the giggles that overcame her at the Captain's look of indignation at being compared to a bear. Catching her breath, she continued, "Lucien and I have been going to things like these for centuries. Believe me, he welcomes the opportunity to dump me on someone else." Looking around, she whispered, "Too late now! Admiral at three o'clock." Triona squeezed Picard's arm sympathetically. "Jean-Luc, Triona!" a jovial voice greeted as their host came into view. Taking her hands in his, he told her, "You look magnificent, Minister. What can I do to convince you to spend more time here on Earth?" Triona laughed. "Keep up the compliments, Terry, and see what happens." "What are you two doing hiding out here in the foyer? The party is in there," he directed, while putting an arm around Triona's shoulder, walking them to the main room. The room was a sea of races from dozens of Federation worlds -- and not a few non-Federation systems. A group of musicians played in the corner; the waltz of a few minutes ago now over and a dance tune popular from the early part of the current century was being played. Triona's attention was caught by two of the guests, standing as far apart from the crowd as possible. She looked at Admiral Dean appraisingly. "Romulans, Admiral?" Picard quickly scanned the room at her question. "Was this why you were so eager for me to be here tonight?" she asked, her tone one not to be trifled with. Dean looked more than a little uncomfortable. He coughed a bit, before finally answering, "Honestly?" "That would be a start," she said coolly. Suddenly, the easygoing Triona had been replaced by the steely visage of the Imladrin defense minister. "Could we move this to my office, Minister?" he asked hopefully. "Fine." She walked ahead, knowing the way and forcing the Admiral to follow with Picard close behind. Once in the Admiral's office, Triona waited impatiently for an answer. Dean sighed. "Yes, I admit, you being here on Earth was a stroke of good fortune." He looked even more uncomfortable if that were possible. "We, the Federation, are in a bit of sticky spot with the Romulan government right now...but Imladris isn't." "And you hoped I might use my influence to further the Federation's agenda," she finished for him. "Something like that," he admitted. "I know you have a relationship with the Romulan Empire and I'd hoped you might use it to our advantage." "Exactly," she said forcefully, "your advantage, the Federation's advantage. But what's in it for Imladris? Why should I risk my carefully cultivated relationship with the Romulans?" "Minister," Picard interjected, "surely the goals of Imladris and the Federation are in accord?" Triona looked at the Captain. "Sometimes. Usually. But not always." She perched on the edge of the large marble-topped desk, looking like a queen holding court. "I could name at least half a dozen instances of our disagreement with Federation policy in the last twenty years. But we're getting off track." Once more she turned her attention to Admiral Dean, waiting for a reason. "All I want, all I hope you'll do, is to feel them out. I'm hoping that maybe they'll let something slip about what has changed so much in their government recently, that they are once more taking a hard-line position against the Federation." Dean scrubbed the top of his head with his hand, making a sound of frustration. "The two that came, they're high level diplomatic staff from their embassy here..." Triona interrupted him, "They're Tal'Shiar." Her calm declaration that the two Romulans were members of the elite intelligence Corp startled the two men. "Tal'Shiar?" Picard repeated. "How can you be sure?" "Because I am," she practically snapped. Taking a deep breath, she said in a more measured tone, "Just accept that I know, Captain." Closing her eyes, she put her palms together, the edges of her fingers against her lips. She was angry at the position that Admiral Dean had put her in and even angrier that Jean-Luc had been involved. She wanted to give the Captain the answer she knew he wanted -- but her duty had to come before her personal feelings. Opening her eyes, she glanced at Jean-Luc with a hint of apology, before turning her attention to Admiral Dean. She had no doubt that he had every intention of using her relationship with Captain Picard to pressure her into a decision that benefited his position. "If you didn't already know, Admiral, then know this now; I will not be manipulated -- not by you, or anyone else." She enunciated each word with force and conviction. There could be no doubt that she meant every word. "It does not benefit the position of my government to interfere in the relationship between the Federation and the Romulan Empire at this time." She held up a hand, forestalling the protestation of Admiral Dean. "No, Terry. You gambled and lost. If you'll excuse me?" With no further word, Triona strode out of the room. Denise * ithildin@ondragonswing.com* Ith http://www.ondragonswing.com Dragon's Hoard Fic Archive http://www.ondragonswing.com/vortex Drop by to read, or to submit a story!