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cardassiankittygoth · 1 year ago

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What a difference ten minutes makes.

(All chararcters, Star Trek and the franchise are not mine, property of Paramount and I own none of it.)

What a difference ten minutes can make.

Chapter 1 – For the sake of ten minutes.

“Stay with the Doctor.” With a last sorrowful look at the now orphaned boy, Lt. Worf strode determinedly from the ambassadorial quarters.

****

“Multiple stab wounds to the chest and abdomen, extensive trauma to the internal organs. Fortunately we were able to stabilise her just long enough to place her in stasis. But Jean-Luc the damage was extremely severe, she was medically dead for minutes.” Dr Beverly Crusher informed Captain Picard, her voice grim as she shoved her hand frustratedly through her shinning bronze hair.

“Where’s Worf?” Captain Picard stood next to the Chief Medical Officer in the now wrecked and bloodstained ambassadorial quarters.

“I don’t know he left just as we arrived.”

Commander Riker, the Enterprises second in command stood next to his Captain, his face grim. “Riker to Lt. Worf. Lieutenant Worf respond.” Commander William Riker tapped his combadge and receiving no answer said Computer locate Lt. Worf.”

The disembodied feminine voice of the computer responded “Lieutenant Worf is not aboard the Enterprise.”

“Where is he?” Captain Picard felt even grimmer understanding the implications.

“Lt. Worf transported to the Klingon ship Vorn at 17:30 hours.”

Captain Picard gave a significant look at his second Officer. “Commander.”

“On it sir.” Commander Riker strode purposefully from the room.

As the hover Gurney containing the stasis pod was guided from room 142, the Dr and Captain followed making their way to Sickbay through the Enterprise corridors. As they entered Sickbay, Doctor Crusher left the other medical personnel to install the Ambassador into the stasis chamber facilities and entered her glass walled office with Captain Picard. Both wore grim and grave expressions.

“So this attack was murder Doctor?”

“I believe it was intended to be a fatal attack, yes. My patients best chance for survival and a full recovery is to get her to the nearest star-base with fully equipped facilities. Does Lt. Worf know?”

“Commander Riker and Lt. Commander Data will be returning with him shortly.” Capt. Picard heaved a weary sigh “ He killed Duras in ritual combat.”

“Between you and me Captain, I understand his rage.” As a widow and a mother to a son who’d lost a parent, Beverly empathised deeply with that pain and loss.

“A Starfleet Officer, no, no. There will be official consequences, there has to be. Regardless of my personal feelings Doctor.” Captain Picard strode over to the window of the office and looked into the sickbay where a small Klingon boy sat with the Vulcan, Dr Selar.

As was usual for her people Dr Selar was tall, slender and dark haired, elegant and composed as she spoke to the bewildered and scared Alexander.

“We will make best speed to Star-base 73 as soon as Commander Riker and Data return with Worf. Keep me appraised Dr. Crusher.” So instructing, Captain Picard strode from the room making his way to his ready room off of the bridge.

*****

Having returned to the Enterprise under guard, Lt Worf now stood to attention in Captain Picard's ready room. The Klingons bearing was rigid and his face betrayed nothing.

“Mister Worf, you have been an exemplary officer aboard this ship, until now.” Captain Picard's voice was grave.

“Sir, I have acted within the bounds of Klingon law and tradition.”

“The Klingon High council would seem to agree, they consider the matter closed. I do not. Mister Worf, the Enterprise crew currently comprises representatives of thirteen planets. They each have their own individuals and values and I respect them all. But they have all chosen to serve in Starfleet If anyone cannot perform his or her duty because of the demands of their society, they should resign. Do you wish to resign?”

“No Sir.”

“I had hoped that you would not throw away a promising career. I understand your rage Lt. We all admire K’Eheyler. A reprimand will appear on your record. Dismissed.”

Captain Picard paused, now that the duty of official censure was complete he ventured to ask “Mister Worf, isn’t it time for the truth about your fathers innocence to be told? After all you only accepted discommendation to protect the name of Duras and to hold the Empire together. Now that he has died in disgrace – what is to be gained from further silence?”

“Each member of the High Council shared in that lie. They will not be so willing to admit their own dishonour. But the day will come when my brother and I will convince them to speak the truth.”

“Perhaps when the Ambassador has recovered you will have assistance in that quarter Lt?” At this Captain Picard allowed himself a small smile as Lt Worf strode purposefully from the room, no doubt headed with great alacrity to Sickbay.

******

The long grey metal tube held a single clear window which displayed the inert pale form within. A young dark haired boy, barely tall enough to see into the stasis tube, held his small hand to that window.

“Mother?” Like his form, his voice was small and vulnerable.

The doors to the stasis room hissed quietly open admitting the tall broad figure of Lt. Worf. Worf, he paused, held immobile by the scene that met him. Gathering his courage the Klingon moved to Alexander’s side, he bent to one knee before him.

“I miss her too.”

Alexander turned his face to Worf. It struck Worf again how this child's features were so very like his own.

“Are you my father?” Alexander voice was stalwart, steady, almost demanding an answer.

“Yes, I am your father.” The words could not be denied, despite his earlier assertions to K’Eheyler, Worf knew that he could not turn from this, not for any reason, this was his son.

Moving with an instinct he was unaware that he possessed, Worf gathered the boy in his arms and held him to him as he stood.

“I will care for you until we reach Star-base ## where your mother WILL be made well again. Then she will join us.”

“I want to stay with you.”

“Alexander you deserve a home and a family, when your mother is recovered, we will speak of this again.” So saying, Worf looked down at the stasis tube. K’Eheyler lay unmoving, as if sleeping, her dark hair framed her pale face with its almost delicate high Klingon forehead ridges.

*****

Captain Picard entered the brightly lit and sleek modern star-base medical facility to be greeted by the sight of his Klingon Head of Security, sat tensely in the outer waiting area, no doubt keeping vigil.

“Lieutenant Worf, how is she? Is there any word?”

The towering powerfully built Klingon stood and faced his Captain as the medical facilities doors hissed shut behind him assuring them some privacy from the busy star-base corridors outside medbay.

“Ambassador K’Eheyler is in surgery but Doctor Crusher and Dr Rahlek are cautiously hopeful that she will make a full recovery.”

“How is the boy?”

“Ambassador K'Eheylers' son Alexander is in the Enterprise school facility sir, I did not wish him to worry. I will inform him when she is awake and well enough to see him.”

“The Ambassador’s son?” Captain Picard raised his eyebrow at Worf and gave him a knowing look.

Before the uncomfortable Lieutenant could form a reply the inner doors to the surgical bay whooshed open and Dr. Crusher and Dr. Rahlek entered the room both clad in surgical scrubs, both looked exhausted but pleased.

Dr Rahlek was a medium height Andorian and his skin appeared bluer next to Dr. Crushers pale complexion and bright copper coloured hair.

“The Ambassador is resting, she should wake soon. The surgery was successful and the damage was repaired. However, I would insist she receive a mandatory sick leave period from her duties, of at least twelve weeks. I will forward the recommendation to the Federation Embassy on Q’ronos and to Federation Headquarters on Earth.” Dr. Rahlek’s antenna twitched and curled as he spoke his low voice gravelly.

“Worf, you should go and be with her when she wakes,” Dr. Crusher smiled warmly albeit tiredly at her Klingon shipmate.

“Thank you Doctor.” Worf nodded respectfully to both Dr. Crusher and Dr. Rahlek before walking through the doors that they had just used, leaving the three figures without a backward glance.

*****

“K’Eheyler?” The slim pale hand clasped in Worf's large dark one twitched and tightened.

Worf kept his voice low and spoke softly as he sat in a chair beside K'Eheylers' bedside. The half Klingon females face was pale and drawn, but as her eyes opened and she recognised the figure next to her, she smiled.

“Worf, we meet again.” K'Eheyler's voice was weak but retained a shadow of her usual sardonic humour.

“What happened, where's Alexander?” K’Eheyler frowned her raspy voice sharpened with concern.

“Our son is fine, he is aboard the Enterprise. We are at a Star-base, your injuries required the medical facilities. Duras is dead, I killed him in ritual combat.”

“You challenged him?”

“It was my right, you are my mate. I have claimed our son.”

“The discommendation?” K’Eheyler was all to cognisant of the fact that Worf refused to claim her as his mate or Alexander as his son because of the stain of dishonour that his discommendation that would be transferred to them if he did so.

Worf spoke in serious tone. “The discommendation stands, however the Klingon High Council considers the ritual honourably satisfied. I acted with the bounds of Klingon tradition. Gowron is now the leader of the Klingon High Council.” Worf paused and taking a deep breath he spoke almost warmly and reverently. “As you lay dying, I realised that I had been a coward, if you are brave enough to stand by my side, I would be fool to deny you and so I claimed the right of vengeance, in so doing I declared the truth, that you are my mate and Alexander is my son.”

Worf and K’Eheyler shared a quiet but intense moment before Worf spoke again with a slight smile on his lips.

“Chee Dok…”

K’Eheyler responded “Marj Tok…”

The back and forth of the marriage vows were spoken solemnly in low voices over clasped hands.

When the ceremony was complete they stayed sharing a gaze over joined hands before Worf noting how weary K’Eheyler was, reluctantly rose.

“I will return later with our son. You should rest.”

“Husband?” K’Eheyler’s eyes were heavy but she fought sleep valiantly to mischievously tweak the Klingon Lieutenant “I am half human and if I am expected to respect Klingon tradition then I would like to get married and respect my mothers customs as well.” The half human ambassador had a mirthful smile and a twinkle in her expression.

K’Eheylers eyes closed and Worf left the facility intending to return to the Enterprise to inform Alexander that his mother truly was well.

Chapter 2 A new beginning.

It was six weeks later and the Enterprise was on a nebula exploration and charting mission at the edge of mapped space in the alpha quadrant. Captain Picard was in his ready room reviewing crew readiness reports submitted by department heads when he received a communique from Starfleet headquarters, he elected to receive it at his desk.

“Captain Picard.” Admiral Cheyenne greeted Captain Picard with a warm smile.

“Admiral, what can I do for you? This is unexpected.” Captain Picard was surprised, although given the Admirals warm demeanour, he had hope that this wasn’t grim news.

“I have received two pieces of unexpected and unusual news, both unusually pleasant, makes a change and so I wanted to deliver them personally.”

“Oh? Good news is always welcome Admiral.”

“Firstly, Ambassador K'Eheyler has resigned her commission as federation ambassador to the Klingon home world – given recent events – this is quite frankly absolutely understandable. As such this presented Starfleet brass with a unique opportunity, and leads to my second reason for calling. It has not escaped notice of how the Klingon political situation has and is continuing to impact the federation and its border worlds, as well as the myriad of other delicate and potentially explosive diplomatic incidents that occur with increasing regularity now. Here at headquarters we feel that it would be advantageous to appoint a post on fleet ships, a Diplomatic Officer, whose duty it would be to brief and advise the senior staff on such situations as well as to lead negotiations and take point in peace talks.

On the Enterprise this post could – with your approval and her acceptance – be filled by former Ambassador K’Eheyler. I can only hope to be as lucky with applicants to the other thirty plus ships in the fleet that this is being implemented on.”

“Thank you Admiral, I have no objections and if I may be so bold, I concur with Starfleet recommendations. Although if you would permit me, I would like to present this to Ambassador, sorry, former ambassador K’Eheyler myself?” Here Captain Picard permitted himself a smile, as a Starfleet Captain he found it wise to take what pleasure he could from the happier aspects of his position, it was too often bad news that he was forced to deliver.

“Granted Captain, please let me know K’Eheyler’s response as soon as possible. Now I will wish adieu Captain, I have a lot of work to do. Cheyenne out.”

As his personal comm system reverted to the federation emblem at the end of the transmission, Captain Picard sat back in his chair and smiled, he looked forward to speaking to K’Eheyler and presenting the Admirals offer.

******

“Captain Picard to what do we owe this unexpected pleasure?” The tall slim woman today dressed in close fitting vibrant red bodysuit with matching short jacket gestured for him to enter Worf's quarters.

The Captain smiled and accompanied her to sit on the long sofa against the bulkhead.

“Well K’Eheyler I’ve just spoken to Admiral Cheyenne at Starfleet headquarters and she informed me that you’ve resigned your position as Ambassador to Kronos.”

“Yes Captain, according to Klingon lore, as Worf’s wife I am also discommendated and well, that would make council meeting somewhat awkward, what with talking to everyone's backs.” Here K’Eheyler gave a sardonic smile and a dry chuckle that caused an answering smile from Picard.

“Yes, I can see how that would be problematic. However the Admiral, on behalf of Starfleet has tasked me with offering you the position of “Diplomatic Officer” aboard the Enterprise – its a trial position which is being implemented across the fleet, although Starfleet Captains are trained in diplomacy, given the increasingly fraught nature of such situations, it was felt that a dedicated and specifically trained personnel member was appropriate. The exact specifications of the role have been sent to you via subspace and you should read them as you consider this offer.” Captain Picard was pleased to see that K’Eheyler looked both astonished and very pleased at this news.

“I will Captain, thank you.” Seeming to steady herself and composing her expression a little K’Eheyler said “Captain on a personal matter, I am given to understand that Starfleet Captains have the authority to perform marriage ceremonies aboard ship?”

Now it was Captain Picard's turn to be both surprised and very pleased and his face softened into a very genuine smile.

“Yes that’s correct, it dates back to Human Naval seafaring in ancient times.”

“Good. I’d like to arrange a ceremony, in the human tradition, as soon as is reasonably permissible given shipboard duties. I know that I and Worf would be honoured if you’d perform the ceremony.”

“It would be my pleasure K’Eheyler. Please liaise with Guinan regarding the details of the ceremony and I’m sure she will notify me with the time and date that I’m required. I can sincerely say that I am looking forward to it.”

*******

it was only a week later that Captain Picard stood in his dress uniform in Ten-Forward, the senior staff, security department and other shipboard personnel were gathered, the neatly pewed seating filling the large lounge, which was now decorated with large swathes of dark and light blue fabric accentuated with multiple arrangements of brightly coloured flowers.

Commander Riker entered and came to stand at Captain Picard's side in front of the panoramic view of the Ataxia Nebula, keeping his voice low so as not to be heard over the low babble of conversation he leaned in conspiratorially.

“Lieutenant Worf will be along in a moment, if I didn’t know better I’d say he was nervous.”

“Nervous Commander? Perish the thought that a Klingon warrior and a decorated member of Starfleet should have something as banal as wedding jitters.” Here Captain Picard could not keep a small chuckle from breaking through his normally implacable mien.

There was another subdued whoosh as the doors to the right opened to admit the towering figure of Worf son of Mogh, his countenance every ounce the proud Klingon warrior as he strode determinedly to the front of the gathering and stood before his commanding officers, like them he was wearing his much maligned and universally detested dress uniform, although his contained the addition of his heavy metal sash.

A tense moment later music orchestral music began to play through the lounge and the assembly stood and fell into a hushed expectant silence as all present focused on the double doors to the left.

The first figure through the entryway was Alexander, he was dressed in an outfit that was a close approximation of his fathers formal Starfleet uniform, high collar and long straight stiff tunic over black trousers and boots.

Jean-Luc Picard was glad that he was stood where he was as it accorded him the sight of the look on his chief of Security’s face as K’Eheyler stepped through and began to walk solemnly up the aisle. Worf looked, the captain thought, stunned.

K’Eheyler, now Diplomatic Officer K’Eheyler, was dressed in a floor length, form-fitting, long sleeved white gown, with (as a nod to Klingon tradition) cut-outs to the shoulders and chest. The woman was as imposing as she was beautiful, her almost delicate Klingon ridges framed by a plain silver coronet of an intricate twisted design, her long chestnut hair was unbound and fell in smooth waves down her back. As K’Eheyler strode sedately behind her young son, the silver metal embellishments on the sleeves and at the waist of the dress caught the light. The dress was, like the woman herself, an elegant mix of Human and Klingon elements.

As they reached the foot of the raised dais on which commander Riker and the Captain stood, the audience of friends and colleagues sat down in respectful silence, awaiting the ceremony.

*******

#star trek #fix it #fanfic #star trek worf #k'ehleyr

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