Kudara's Stories

Deadlier than a Scorpion's Sting - Ch. 11

Deadlier than a Scorpion’s Sting – Chapter 11

By Kudara

Disclaimer: Star Trek Voyager and crew belong to Paramount/Viacom and no infringement of copyright/trademarks is intended.  The only thing I lay claim to is the solar system I created for Pegasi 51, the background and culture of the Pegasian’s, and the original character Alexa Nikoleon.

Note:  This story diverges from the canon storyline during the events of Scorpion II, and thus is essentially, an AU story.

Rating:  Mature

Feedback: Always welcome, feedback is what encourages me to keep writing.  Please let me know what you like and what you dislike about the story.

Revision History:  03/01/07

Summary:  Seven’s surgeries are completed, Seven and Alexa’s neural interfaces are modified so they cannot connect with the Borg subspace interlinks, and Marie Hickman gets a surprise.

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Stardate 51023.7 (Wed, 09 Jan 2374 15:15 GMT)

Alexa watched in wonder as Seven’s eyelids fluttered open and two beautiful ice-blue eyes, one framed by the external portion of her optical implant, focused upon her.  The Doctor had done an excellent job in creating a replacement for that part of Seven’s optical implant; even though she knew which eye was artificial she could see no difference between the two. 

“Hey,” she softly greeted, smiling at Seven warmly as she gently placed her hand on the bare shoulder showing above the silvery sheet.  She didn’t know which was more beautiful to her right now, the pale blue eyes staring into hers, the shining shoulder length mass of wheat blonde hair, or the sight of bare shoulders and the delicate line of collarbones leading to the hollow of Seven’s throat.

“Alexa,” Seven swallowed and the shoulder underneath Alexa’s hand tensed, “This silence is uncomfortable,” the Borg announced.

“I know,” Alexa admitted in a low voice, not particularly wanting to be overheard by the Doctor or Kes who were currently hovering over a console in another part of Sickbay replicating anti-Species 8472 nanoprobes.  “I didn’t realize how used to your presence I had gotten until we modified your neural interface and you stopped transmitting to the subspace interlink.”

Captain Janeway had come to Sickbay earlier to inform them that she was approving their request to modify their neural interfaces.  As they were at a point in the Borg’s surgeries requiring them to awaken Seven and run diagnostics on her cortical node anyway, Alexa had suggested they obtain Seven’s approval and proceed with the modification to their neural interfaces.  The Pegasian knew they were approaching the coordinates for the Sector 12 transwarp corridor location.  Before the Captain could order Voyager into the corridor, the modifications to their neural interfaces had to be completed.  Otherwise the danger of running into a Borg vessel and their being pulled into the Collective consciousness was simply too great of a risk, both for themselves and for Voyager.

Alexa continued, “As soon as your feeling up to it, I’m going to have the Doctor proceed with modifying my neural interlink and removing the carpial implant in my hand.”

Seven looked relieved, “Acceptable.  I am ready now.”

That was all the warning Alexa had before Seven sat up and the thin sheet fell to her waist.  Grabbing the edge, the Pegasian jerked the covering upward, hoping that the two security guards at the door hadn’t been looking in their direction at that moment.  Her eyes met startled blue ones, “I guess I need to find some clothing for you,” Alexa finally managed, trying not to dwell on the memory of pale, full, rose tipped breasts.  Now was not the time to be thinking about the soft, smooth bare skin just the thickness of a sheet away.  “Computer privacy screen,” she croaked.  As they were in the main surgical bay, a semi-circle of opaque forcefield formed between them and the rest of Sickbay, obscuring both sight and sound.

“You are aroused,” observed Seven.  Then, even though she had known what the Doctor was planning to complete today, she noticed she had hair for the first time.  Seven reached up and drew a lock forward so she could look at it.  “My hair follicles have been stimulated,” she said, her voice betraying her wonder.

“You have beautiful hair; it reminds me of the color of wheat ready for the harvest,” Alexa commented huskily, “It suits you.”

Seven eyed her dubiously, “My hair reminds you of a grain?”

Alexa’s voice took on a far off tone, “The wheat stalk pales from green to this color when the wheat is ripe, my father grows fields and fields of it.  When I think of fall on Pegasus, I think of golden wheat fields rippling with the wind.”

A frown etched itself upon Seven’s face.  “You will show me this when our link is reestablished,” the blonde stated, aggrieved.

“Of course,” agreed Alexa, understanding the blonde’s frustration.  Seven had become accustomed to Alexa’s memories providing information about things she had never seen or experienced.

The Doctor walked through the forcefield followed closely by Kes.  “I believe you need these,” he indicated the neatly folded stack of clothing in his arms. 

There had been quite an argument between them over his proposed choice of clothing for the former Borg.  The initial biosuit had been a skintight silver biomesh fabric complete with matching two-inch high-heeled pointed toed shoes.  Alexa had taken one look at it and informed him that he was absolutely not dressing Seven in it or at least not only in it, and she was certainly not going to let him make Seven wear those unhealthy shoes.

“But,” he defended, “I’ve seen several women wearing these during their off duty times.”

Alexa stared at him, and then a suspicion of an idea formed in her mind, she turned and looked at Kes.  There they were, the same type of shoes the Doctor thought Seven should wear.  She turned back to the EMH, “Your right Doctor, but Seven’s used to flat-bottomed Borg body armor boots, not heels, and you have to admit those aren’t the healthiest shoes for someone to wear.”

“Well…no,” he agreed reluctantly.

Kes, who obviously realized she was the Doctor’s source for shoe ideas, broke in, “Doctor I wear these so I don’t feel so short all the time, but I don’t think Seven’s going to have that problem.”  The Ocampan smiled gently, “Perhaps Alexa and I can take another look at the replicator database and choose something more comfortable for her.”

“I suppose that would be alright,” he sniffed and stalked off, “since my suggestions have been deemed inadequate.”

The eventual results of their search now resided in the Doctors arms: Flat-soled, soft-sided boots, a dark grey jumpsuit with royal blue piping, a silver biosuit designed to go underneath the jumpsuit, and a lumbar-sacral brace.  The latter the Doctor recommended along with strengthening exercises until Seven’s muscles were used to supporting her posture, until now that task had primarily been performed by her Borg body armor.

Noticing Seven eyeing the clothing with interest Alexa shook the sheet slightly, “Here hold this,” she waited until the Borg had a hold on the sheet.  Turning to the Doctor she took the stack of clothing out of his arms and then stared at him expectantly.

“What?” he asked defensively then realizing that she was waiting for him to leave, “Really!” he exclaimed.  “You do remember I was the one who removed all her armor, and anyway I’m a Doctor, I’m not going to look at her with prurient interest!”

Since the clothing he had chosen seemed to indicate otherwise, Alexa simply raised one eyebrow and gave him a steely look.

He humped, “Oh very well, I’ll be in my office when you are done.”  Irritation obvious, he turned and exited back through the forcefield.

“I need to monitor the nanoprobe replication process,” Kes announced looking intently between the two of them.  She hovered there for a moment longer, a slightly puzzled look upon her face before turning abruptly and walking back though the forcefield, leaving them alone.

Alexa knew that Kes had empathic abilities, and wondered if she had picked up on the attraction between her and Seven.  Before she could comment on the thought to Seven, the blonde had dropped the sheet and slipped from the biobed to stand beside her.  Alexa froze, torn between turning and looking her fill, and insisting that the other woman cover up before she explained how the clothing was worn.  She could hardly touch Seven at the moment, and as soon as her own surgery was finished the Borg had a 48 hour regeneration cycle.  It would be two to three very long days before she could be with Seven, and it seemed as if knowing exactly what she couldn’t touch for that length of time was certainly a type of finely honed torture.

Finally, even inevitably, she turned and drew in a sharp breath at the sight that awaited her, pale skin, interrupted here and there by strips of dermalplastic tape that did not detract from Seven’s overall beauty.  The full breasts she had fleeting seen earlier, a trim slender waist, womanly curved hips, and triangle of golden curls at the apex of slender long legs that tapered into delicately trim ankles and feet.  Her eyes retraced their path, finally meeting blue ones, “You are so beautiful,” she whispered reverently.

Seven’s eyes widened, she stared at Alexa for a long moment then stepped toward her.  Alexa promptly took a step backward and snatched the first item on top of the pile of clothing and held it up in front of her defensively.  It was the back support, “We can’t do this right now, you have to get dressed,” she said pleadingly.

“You’re hands are trembling,” Seven observed, but didn’t move toward her again.

Alexa looked, her hands were indeed shaking.

“Of desire for me?” asked Seven, referring to something the Pegasian had said when describing her first intimate experience. 

Alexa noted with a pang of arousal that her voice had deepened ever so slightly.  “Yes,” she admitted in a whisper.

“Acceptable,” Seven replied.

Alexa absorbed the reply then she smiled wryly, “I’m sure I will be much worse off by the time your regeneration cycle is finally finished.”

Seven tilted her head slightly to the side then apparently satisfied that she understood the statement she turned her attention to the garment in Alexa’s hands.  “This is a supportive brace,” she stated curiously.

“Your armor provided a lot of your support, especially for your back, the Doctor recommended this until you build up your back and stomach muscles to better support your spine,” Alexa explained. 

Fifteen minutes later Seven was sealing the opening of the jumpsuit together, staring down intently at the fastening strips as she did so, strands of blonde hair hanging down on either side of her face.  She paused to push it back behind her ears, an annoyed look on her face.

“Your hair bothering you?” asked Alexa.

“Yes,” Seven agreed, “I am unaccustomed to it, it obscures my vision and the feel of it against my face is distracting.”

Alexa considered her thoughtfully, “There are some things we can do to help that, putting it in a bun, using a hair band or barrette to restrain it your neck, or braiding it, personally I think it would look best in a bun or gathered at your neck.”

Seven remarked seeking confirmation, “The latter is the method used by Captain Janeway.”

“Yes,” agreed Alexa, “Though she’s actually had several different hairstyles over the past three years, but that’s what she’s doing right now.”

Seven replied tersely, “Acceptable.”

The Pegasian gave her a concerned glance, “You’re not alone Seven, and the adjustments to my neural interface will be complete in just a few hours.”  Alexa was troubled, if Seven could not accept a few minutes of silence, how would she handle the hours that would regularly occur each day.

The Borg drew in a deep breath, “It is difficult,” she admitted in a small voice, “I am reminded of your injury and the destruction of…” her voice trailed off.

“The destruction of Unimatrix 01 and Borg Prime,” Alexa finished softly for her.  “I’m here Seven, alive and well thanks to you, and you know I was also affected by their loss.”  The Pegasian berated herself for not realizing that Seven’s problem was actually twofold, the silence in her mind and the association of that silence with catastrophic and terrifying events.  She reached out and drew the Borg into a reassuring hug.  “Seven, nothing bad is going to happen, we’re going to drop the privacy screen, fix your hair, you’re going to help the Doctor and Kes with my surgery, and then we’re going to our quarters where you’re going to start your regeneration cycle.”

Seven’s arms tightened around her for a moment then she pulled away, “Let us begin then,” she said determinedly.

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The first thing Alexa felt when she awoke after the surgery was Seven’s relief at the renewed existence of their neural link.  ‘I guess everything went well then,’ she commented silently, still slightly dazed from the sedative.

‘Correct,’ replied Seven, ‘there were no difficulties encountered in completing either procedure.  Now, what does a wheat field look like?’

Alexa was amused at Seven’s impatience; she was barely awake.  Yet she already knew which memory she wanted to show the blonde.  She was much younger, only ten Pegasian years old; it was a beautiful sunny day with only a few wispy white clouds in the sky.  She was standing at the top of a slight rise, and to every side there were fields of wheat surrounding her.  They flashed palely golden under the bright sun with every breeze, and the scent of the ripened grain hung delicately in the air.  ‘That is a field of wheat,’ she said over the link as she let the memory fade.  She opened her eyes, and after blinking at the brightness of the Sickbay lights, focused on Seven.

‘You are correct, the wheat and my hair are similar in color,’ Seven agreed after a moment of consideration.

“How are you feeling Lieutenant?” asked the Doctor, as he stepped beside her biobed, drawing her attention away from the blonde.

“Fine,” she replied huskily.  Lifting her hand to examine where the implant had been, she was pleased to note there was no remaining sign of it.

“Another excellent job if I do say so myself,” the Doctor declared smugly.

Alexa felt Seven’s irritation and turned to look at her, in anyone else it would have been a raised eyebrow, but since the Borg was performing this action with her left eye, she was actually raising the exterior portion of her optical implant.  Alexa found it charming, but she doubted the Doctor, who was currently Seven’s target, found it so.  In fact, she thought, he looked rather intimidated.

“We did an excellent job, I mean,” he hastily corrected himself.

Alexa smothered her grin as she sat up on the biobed, glancing around the room she was pleased to note the absence of the two security guards that had been there earlier.  “Anymore tests that need to be run before I take Seven to begin her regeneration cycle?” she asked briskly.  With the end in sight, she was eager to get out of sickbay.

The Doctor replied, “No not today, but I’d like for you to come in tomorrow for a follow-up Lieutenant.  I want to make sure your remaining implants are stable.”

“Alright,” she promptly agreed and hopped down from the biobed to stand beside Seven.  “Shall we?” she asked her.

Seven nodded her acquiescence, as they walked out of sickbay the Borg remarked over their link, ‘You are amused, why?’

Alexa glanced at the woman walking beside her; Seven had decided to wear her hair in a chignon, declaring that the sensation of hair on her neck was too distracting.  Given that Seven was having enough of an adjustment already to everything about her body changing, it wasn’t surprising to Alexa that being constantly reminded of one of those changes was one thing too many.  Besides, Seven looked lovely with her blonde hair up, and her long graceful neck exposed.  Alexa couldn’t help but think of how it would be to trail her lips along the nape of that neck. 

Seven gave her an intense look, ‘I was not aware that area of the body was an erogenous zone.’

‘It’s not,’ agreed Alexa, ‘but neither is a person’s back or fingers…’ she allowed her mental voice to trail off suggestively.

Seven quirked her lips in a small smile, ‘you are correct,’ she agreed, remembering.

‘As for why I am amused,’ Alexa returned to Seven’s earlier question, ‘You look very different than you did.  I’m looking forward to seeing how the people who couldn’t look beyond your armor and cybernetics to see the woman underneath react to you now.’

‘You have consistently accurately extrapolated my current appearance,’ Seven commented.

Alexa smiled, “Not quite,” she disagreed quietly, “my imagination fell rather short of reality.”

Seven raised her implant, “Indeed,” she replied.  She might have suspected Alexa was being insincere if it were not for the neural link between them.  Remembering that Alexa had still not explained her reasoning for her instructions the day before in the Cargo Bay, she asked through their link, ‘You promised earlier to explain to me why I was not to mention to Crewmen Carson that I still consider myself to be Borg, but have not had the opportunity to do so yet.  Is there sufficient time now?’

‘Yes,’ replied Alexa, ‘When people have a strong emotional attachment to a particular idea or belief, their pleasure center activates when they reject any new evidence that their strongly held idea or belief is incorrect. [i]  Are you familiar with this biological process?’

‘I am, it is illogical, they are rewarded for ignoring new information which may be more accurate,’ Seven responded.

Alexa nodded, ‘It is illogical, but it is also true.  There are several people on this vessel who knew someone who was killed or assimilated at Wolf 359.  It is reasonable to conclude they have a strong emotional attachment to their beliefs about the nature of the Borg.  Most people think the Borg and the Collective are the same thing, I thought that myself until I was assimilated and then regained my individuality.  I understand what you mean when you say you are still Borg, but the average person on this crew would not understand the difference between the two without extensive explanations.  I don’t want you to get lumped in their mind with the Borg that they hate and fear before you ever have the chance to have that conversation.  If that happens it will be very difficult to get them to rationally listen to the idea that the Collective and an individual Borg are not always the same entity.’

‘I believe I understand,’ replied Seven after a moment, ‘I should not inform crewmembers I consider myself to still be Borg unless I am certain that they will not assume I mean I wish to rejoin the Collective.’  Seven hesitated thoughtfully then continued, ‘or that I still believe assimilation is the appropriate way to gain perfection.’

Alexa looked at her compassionately, ‘yes, exactly, just because you are Borg does not mean you wish to be a part of the Collective anymore, or that you agree with their current method of achieving perfection, or even if they can achieve perfection by assimilating the known universe.’

They stopped in front of the turbolift, the doors opened revealing Crewmen O’Donnell and Carlson.  The two crewmen stopped speaking abruptly, but Alexa didn’t think it was because of the subject of their conversation.  The two men seemed stunned by their appearance, or more accurately by Seven’s appearance.  They stepped into the turbolift and Alexa requested, “Deck Six.”  Amused, she glanced once again at the two crewmen, “Good afternoon Crewman O’Donnell, Crewman Carlson,” she greeted them.  They just had time to stutter out a reply before the turbolift doors opened once again on Deck 6.

Over their neural link, Seven commented sadly, ‘They were afraid of me.’

“No I don’t think they were,” Alexa responded, “they didn’t draw back from you did they?”

Seven glanced at her uncertainly then reviewed the data from her cortical node.  “No they did not, but their heart rates were elevated, their muscles were tensed, and their pupils dilated, all indicative of a hormonal stimulus response.”

Alexa chuckled, “Well that’s probably true,” she paused in the middle of the corridor.  Seven stopped as well and looked at her puzzled.  “Just not a fight or flight one,” Alexa continued.

Seven’s eyes widened as she realized from the link what Alexa meant, “You believe they were sexually attracted to me.”

Alexa grinned, “As I said, they were indeed fascinated by you, but they weren’t afraid of you.”  She indicated the door they had just stopped in front of, “These are our quarters, Deck 6 Section 14.”  She typed in their access code into the door control panel and the door opened.  Voyager’s double occupancy quarters had a short, narrow entryway between the door and main room designed to provide some privacy if the other occupant was sleeping or getting dressed when the second person entered. 

As soon as the door closed behind the two of them, Seven seized Alexa from behind and pulled her tightly against her, one hand splayed temptingly low on her stomach, the other immediately cupping and caressing one breast.  Seven had wanted to touch Alexa ever since the Pegasian’s reaction to the sight of her nude body in Sickbay.  That desire had not lessened during their trip through the ship, but instead had increased steadily.  No longer separated from Alexa by thick, impenetrable armor, but only by thin, pliable clothing, the Borg reveled in the feel and warmth of the darker woman’s body against her own,  With a low moan, Alexa arched back against Seven, resting her head on the blonde’s shoulder.  The Borg did not hesitate, but begin tasting and nipping hungrily at the length of neck now offered to her.

“Oh!” a shocked feminine voice abruptly intruded.  Jarred out of the sexual haze they had fallen into, Seven and Alexa startled, staring at the end of the entryway where Marie Hickman now stood.  Reluctantly Seven released Alexa.

“Marie, what are you doing here?”  Alexa asked, confused and dismayed at this breach of her and Seven’s privacy.

“We just finished installing Seven’s alcove,” The short brunette explained in a rush, “and decided to wait so she could look it over and let us know if anything was wrong.”  She blushed furiously, “I err… didn’t think you would mind.  I’m sorry.”

“Sorry for what?”  Chapman appeared beside Hickman, and was soon followed by Vorik.

Alexa shook her head, reminding herself that these were her friends; she didn’t need to guard her privacy as stringently with them as she had ever since the Academy.  “It’s alright.  I just didn’t know you were in here is all.”  She half turned and motioned for Seven to come up beside her, “But while you are, everyone meet Seven, and Seven this is Ensign Marie Hickman, Lt. William Chapman and Ensign Vorik.  They along with Lt. Susan Nicoletti… and of course you now, are my closest friends on Voyager.”  The three murmured appropriate greetings while looking at Seven with frank curiosity. 

As soon as the introductions were done, Vorik, ever practical, promptly held out an engineering tricorder, “Would you confirm that your alcove is functioning properly,” he asked.

Seven, relieved to have something easily understandable to do, accepted it and slipped around the entryway wall.  She curiously noted the unopened boxes stacked beside one of the narrow beds, and then made her way to where her alcove was installed against the far right corner of the rectangular room.  All around the alcove wall panels had been removed, revealing the underlying supports, bulkhead, and conduits.  Seven began there first, checking the power converters, which adapted Voyager’s EPS to a power source suitable for a Borg alcove.

“As soon as you’re satisfied with it we will reinstall the room panels, then it will look a lot better,” Chapman assured her.

Seven barely spared him a glance before continuing with her task.  She considered it self-evident that they would replace the panels, and wasn’t sure why he had made the statement.

Knowing that talkativeness was a sign of nervous behavior for Will, Alexa sought to reassure him.  “I would appreciate that,” she commented drawing his attention away from Seven and the Borg’s ignoring of him and his unnecessary comment.

“The alcove is functioning properly,” Seven announced a few moments later.  Alexa caught her eye, looked at her expectantly.  Seven stared at her for a moment confused, then recalling their discussion on social behavior added belatedly, “Thank you.”

Alexa smiled gently, ‘Don’t worry with practice it will become what is normal, instead of uncomfortable and strange,’ she silently reassured the Borg over their link.  Seven shot her a dubious look, but did not say anything.

Marie and Will replied, “You’re welcome,” while Vorik responded with a more formal, “You are welcome.”  The three quickly and efficiently began replacing the room panels hiding the conduits in the walls.  Within a few moments they were completely finished. 

Looking around uncertainly, Chapman hesitantly asked, “I guess we will see you again in 48 or so hours?”

Seven glanced quickly at Alexa, mildly alarmed at this prospect.  She did not want to be impolite but she already had other plans for the time immediately following the ending of her regeneration cycle, and those plans certainly did not include anyone or anything else other than Alexa.

“Sorry Will, Seven and I need some time together, we will probably see you the following morning, maybe we can get together for breakfast before our duty shift,” Alexa calmly explained.

“Oh,” he paused frowning, “why do you…”

That was as far as he got before Marie interrupted him, “Sure Alexa, ok guys I think it’s time we left.”  The brunette grabbed Chapman’s arm, “Vorik get our tools,” she ordered as she began enthusiastically pulling him after her. 

“Marie, what are you doing?”  Chapman protested as he bemusedly allowed the woman to pull him along behind her.

Just before the door closed behind them, Seven heard Marie say, “I’ll explain in a bit Will.” 

Baffled at their behavior, Seven turned and looked inquiringly at Alexa and Vorik.  Alexa looked amused, and Vorik was staring after his two friends with one raised eyebrow.  Seven assumed his expression indicated that he was just as confused by their behavior as she was.  With a slight shrug, he knelt and began gathering the various engineering tools scattered about where they had been working and placing them in the appropriate engineering kits.

Alexa considered the Vulcan for a moment, and then looked at Seven.  Over their neural link she asked, ‘Do you mind me telling him our friendship is not platonic?’

Seven gave the question some consideration, understanding that Alexa was reticent about discussing her relationships after her experiences at the Academy.  ‘I will leave the decision to you.  I have no objections to him knowing the nature of our relationship.’

The Pegasian nodded, turning back to the kneeling Vulcan she said, “Vorik,” to catch his attention.  When he looked up curiously she continued, “Seven and I are lovers as well as friends.”

He blinked once, and his eyebrows rose for a moment before returning to their usual position.  “That is why you wish an evening together,” he mused.

“Yes,” answered Alexa succinctly.

He looked between them, “Understandable, and may I offer my congratulations, I know you have felt very alone at times Alexa.” 

“Thank you, and yes I have,” she responded.

Tools now all returned to their appropriate kits, he stood, “Good night,” he offered politely.

“Night, Vorik,” Alexa replied.

A second behind her Seven also replied, “Good night, Vorik.”  He nodded and promptly left.

Seven stared in acute frustration at Alexa, knowing what the Pegasian was about to say, and knowing that she could not argue with the other woman’s reasoning.

“It’s too dangerous, you’ve had major surgery today and need to heal, not to mention you need to regenerate to make sure your implants recover from all the modifications we’ve done to them,” Alexa argued softly and with honest regret.  She could feel Seven’s frustration, her arousal and desire, and they fueled her own desires, but her fear of hurting Seven was much greater.

Seven remained silent, for she could not disagree.  Nevertheless, she wanted to touch Alexa, she wanted to experience what it would feel like for Alexa to touch her now that there was no Borg body armor preventing it, and she did not want to wait 48 more hours to experience either.  In one quick move, she pulled Alexa against her and claimed the Pegasian’s lips and mouth with her own.  She did not hesitate, but possessively and commandingly delved deeply into the mouth underneath her own.  Finally, the Borg tore herself away with one last nip to Alexa’s lower lip.  Breathing heavily she instructed the Pegasian, “You will insure that you have satisfied your need for sleep and food before I exit my regeneration cycle.”

With those words, she released Alexa, turned to her alcove and entered in the commands for her long regeneration cycle, and with one last smoldering look at the still recovering Pegasian, she stepped back into its embrace.