Double Meetings

Posted on Wed May 7th, 2025 @ 6:24am by Princess Royal Giana Orsini & Lord Khalon Price & CJ Zajak & Nolan Nazar
Edited on on Wed May 7th, 2025 @ 6:24am

Mission: Historiae Terrae Et Imperii
Location: The Pyramid
Timeline: Date 2372-02-03 at 1500
6889 words - 13.8 OF Standard Post Measure

It seemed to Giana at times that she spent more time in her office at the Pyramid than she did anywhere else these days, and in reality she likely wasn’t that far off. It wasn’t as if she had something or someone waiting for her at home, and with the amount of work she had when one considered all of the roles she was playing in her life, it was likely for the best. She stood at the back of her office looking out of the massive window that served as the fourth wall in its entirety. Her thin arms were wrapped around her thin body, and a mild frown rested on her beautiful face. While she had physically restored herself after CJ had approached her over a month ago, Giana still wasn’t sleeping well and was constantly exhausted. She couldn’t remember the last time she had a full night's sleep. Her day was predictably full of meetings, though these two were the last. One was a meeting with CJ, and the last one would be a meeting with Khalon. Truthfully, she wasn’t looking forward to either. The office door opened, and her assistant spoke up just enough to be heard.

“Chancellor Zajak is here to see you.”

“Send her in.” Giana replied, pulling herself away from the window and taking her seat behind the large white desk.

Several moments later, her door was opened by an aide and the Chancellor entered with the Director of Imperial Intelligence in tow. CJ wore a white blazer and black suit pants with stylish, comfortable shoes she’d acquired from Bella Gia and Nolan walked rigidly in his signature smokey pin-stripped suit. They both moved with modest, smooth confidence, two operators from different sides of the tracks. They bowed and curtsied at once before the desk.

“Your Highness.” CJ said. “I brought Director Nazar along as I anticipated the topic which is likely foremost in your mind.”

“It is good to see you both.” Giana nodded and gestured to the two seats in front of her for them to sit. Once they were settled, she sat back and folded her hands together, the Emperor’s blue eyes peering at both through long, dark lashes. “I’m sure you aren’t wrong in what I want to talk about, so please, update me on the current situation with the Romulans.”

“The Romulan Ambassador had an..unfortunate accident. His villa in the countryside was reduced to rubble by a bomb that several expert sources can confirm was designed, built, and shipped to Terra in a chain from Cardassian Prime.” Nolan said, having received a nod from CJ. “He, his wife, and their three children were killed in the blast, along with several servants.”

“A tragedy.” CJ said, looking almost sad. “First Consul t’Nairrehk has been beside herself with concern. He was, after all, her maternal uncle. She’s doing her best to stabilize her government, especially considering the wild accusations the Second Consul is issuing that we are responsible for his death rather than the Alliance.”

“A ludicrously unprovable accusation based on no physical evidence whatsoever, I assure you.” Nolan added, his cold eyes falling on Giana. “The emergency workers are searching for the Ambassador’s remains, but the explosion was so devastating, it’s an impossible task. Some even dare to speculate he isn’t dead at all, but rather hidden away in some dark deep hole..where no one will ever hear from him again.”

Giana listened to the two intently, her eyes moving back and forth in turn as they spoke. She found herself mildly annoyed that they were giving her the runaround and not simply being direct when it was she who enabled them to do any of this, but she supposed it was natural for them, and she would simply have to read between the lines. It wasn’t her forte, but she had gotten consistently better about it over the past few months. After a few long beats of silence, she gave a sigh.

“How terrible for them. Make sure we do everything we can to figure out exactly what happened.”

“Yes, ma’am.” CJ said with a knowing expression. “The Ambassador had a Klingon friend he liked to visit once every few months in the depths of space. He has gone silent.”

“And when was the last time the ambassador visited this friend?” Giana prompted patiently.

“Just a few days before the massacre on Palvo.” CJ answered, her meaning clear.

“Our suspicion is that the Ambassador was an important link in a chain of intragalactic figures who oppose the cooperative efforts of the Empire and the Republic.” Nolan said, pursing his thin lips together. “The Klingon is only another link in that chain.”

“My chief question has been how high the chain has been forged. It seems this conspiracy involved at least a handful of influential Romulan statesmen.“

“A good question… and one that would be best served answered quickly, I would imagine.” Giana ran a hand idly over the polished white wood of her desk. “Do we know where this Klingon is?”

“He’s returned to Qo’noS, hiding in some dark hole where he believes we can’t touch him.” Nolan answered, his eye contact unwavering. “He’s quite wrong, but that makes no difference. He won’t be able to give us the answers we desire.”

“We believe the two of them were mere middle men, working to further the ends of higher ups, ma’am.” CJ responded. “If that’s the case, the Klingons can do nothing for us. Rather, we will be looking for who directed the Ambassador.”

Giana listened to the pair in front of her, focusing on their words and allowing them to lead without being overt as much as they could. Things just seemed to be more comfortable that way. “Fair enough. Do we have any leads on that?”

“Yes, Highness.” Nolan said, reaching up and touching his chin for an instant, a rare move from a typically stoical and unnaturally constant man. “How much do you know about the L’Haan Party in the Romulan Senate?”

“Nothing detailed. I know they are an opposing
party to the current one in power and they lean more toward neutrality in the war we wage against the Alliance.” Giana supplied.

“Officially, they desire neutrality. Some of the major members of their party, however, have been known to advocate for a closer relationship with the Alliance.” CJ explained. “The Ambassador was a known associate with some of those individuals, and our suspicion is that he may have been cooperating with some plot designed to destabilize our relationship with the Republic.”

Giana looked at CJ when she spoke, but when she was done the woman’s blue eyes drifted between CJ and Nolan again. “How confident are you on that being a possibility?”

“At this point, ma’am, it is something like an unconfirmed certainty. Our only source of that certainty has confirmed it, but under duress. We have a network of agents working to confirm the truth of the matter and to figure out the main players.” Nolan reported. The assignment went far beyond those limits, but Nolan kept that to himself.

“So, we are stuck waiting?” Giana asked slowly, a note of uncertainty mixed with apprehension in her voice.

“At the decision-making level, yes.” He answered. “But rest assured, your highness, Imperial Intelligence is hard at work to get to the bottom of this and identify those responsible.”

“In the meantime, the Romulan First Consul has issued a rebuke against the Alliance for this attack, but significant numbers in her government suggest that we are responsible.” CJ answered with a calm tone. “If there were any overtures between the Romulans and the Alliance, the death of the ambassador has certainly thrown confusion into it. The same can be said, however, for our relationship with the Romulans.”

“I would imagine so.” Giana paused then, considering what she had before her. “Usually, we would make some sort of overture as a token of our friendship. Perhaps we might do the same here… what might be beneficial to us?”

“The Foreign Secretary has suggested the same. A public show of support for their cause would at least give us an opportunity to advance our own aims in their name.” CJ responded, steepling her long, slender fingers. “We could deliver them a scalp from the Alliance which they couldn’t easily refuse without indicating they’re playing both sides.”

Folding her hands in front of her, Giana nodded. “That sounds reasonable, is it safe to assume the two of you have someone in mind?”

“Certain evidence has been made to suggest that the Ambassador’s accomplice, General Korr of the Alliance, is responsible for the plot to kill the Ambassador. This is the same man that fled to Qo’noS.” Nolan reported, folding his leg and looking at the princes with serious calm. “Taking him out and reporting it as assistance to the Romulans would seem quite helpful.”

It was quite clear Giana was paying attention to what was being said to attempt to make an informed - and correct - decision. While she knew better than to have implicit trust in literally anyone, the two people sitting before her had been loyal and true to her father and CJ had been loyal to Giana herself; they had their motives, they wanted power, but if their motives were aligned and true to the safety and prosperity of the Empire and Emperor, they could have their power. “Very well. When could this be done?”

“A few days at most.” Nolan said, the slightest hint of a smile on his thin lips. The man would be dead in hours, but a bit of wiggle room never hurt.

CJ’s foot tapped for an instant, a rare flicker of restlessness from a woman who was typically as even as an undisturbed pond. She had been given the authority to handle the situation herself, but it was always safer for a career to get a royal to share the responsibilities for any successes or failures. If one sticks one's neck out too far, one get one's head cut off.

“With your ascent, ma’am, we’ll move forward. Some smart actors in the Republic will know that it’s a set up, but enough of the Romulans will be convinced to throw their diplomatic realignment with the alliance into serious chaos. In the end, the easiest and safest bet would be to remain our partners. We predict it will create an opportunity for a serious political realignment. We already have an ideal candidate in mind to form a new government, if it comes to that. At the same time, we’ll put diplomatic pressure on them to actually engage militarily in joint ops. Ramsay has made it clear he wants joint fleet deployments with Imperial and Republic ships connected at the hip…less chance for any more double crossing.”

“Or more and just of a less subtle kind.” Giana replied dryly while her blue eyes rested on CJ. It was quite clear that the princess was entirely less than thrilled by the prospect of a continued relationship with the Romulans, and who could really blame her considering. Still, there was a certain set to her jaw that indicated a grudging acceptance. For now.

“Do what needs to be done and keep me informed. Is there anything else?”

“One of the inefficiencies of a weak state is competition for control of affairs.” CJ said with a subtle smile as she rose. Nolan stood with her. “Nothing else, ma’am.”

“Thank you for your time.” Nolan said, his voice rigid and droning.

“I look forward to our next meeting.” Giana bid them goodbye with a nod; it wasn’t exactly clear if the words were genuine, but with her personal stake in the matter it seemed likely that they were.

The pair turned and left together, CJ moving gracefully in the lead and Nolan following behind her. Later, they would have a brief conversation about how well the Princess-Regent was managing her role, a fact that gave CJ no small amount of joy.


It was only a few minutes before her aide returned, announcing that Lord Price was ready to meet her. The woman turned to go get him, but was shocked to find that he had already followed her back and was standing in the hallway behind her. She grinned awkwardly and stepped aside, and Khalon walked into the office.

He wore a dark grey suite with a custom, crisscross design, a pair of polished brown shoes, a bold red tie. As always, he smelled like a cologne ad. He offered her a curious expression, knowing she was tired even from his place at the door. She was always tired, it seemed.

“Your Highness.” He said smoothly.

“Lord Price.” She greeted in return as the door was still in the process was closing, but as soon as it was Khalon could see her shoulders drop into a more relaxed position. Her face did the same, and he could see exactly how tired she was, though there was something else there this time, some sort of deep apprehension. This time she stood from behind her desk and moved to pour herself a small glass of wine.

“Would you like some?”

“I never miss a chance to drink with you.” He said, stepping in and sitting down on one of her couches, his body language growing more familiar. He crossed one leg over the other, watching as she grabbed the wine. “If you don’t start getting some sleep, I might have to start drugging you, ma’am.”

“Gods, don’t ma’am me, Khalon.” Giana half scoffed, though it was through a mildly amused smile. “I swear I’m starting to hear it like a mother bird hears her chicks constantly screaming for food ‘ma’am, ma’am, ma’am’.” She raised her voice to sound small and childish to parrot the words, then chuckled as she poured the second half glass of wine. It was an amount that wasn’t meant to bring relaxation, but it was a typical amount to bring the edge off nerves - and serve as a bit of a shield.

She walked over to the couches and gave him his wine, then took a seat in one of the chairs across from him so she could face him. “I need to talk to you about something… personal and rather sensitive…”

He accepted the glass, his fingers brushing hers in a way that belied a casual flirtation that had become a pattern for him with her. He lifted an eyebrow, leaving the drink resting in his hand for now.

“Personal and sensitive.” He said, smirking slightly. “My specialty.”

Giana eyed him in a way that easily communicated he was about to not enjoy this conversation anymore than she. She raised her glass and took a sip of her wine, then took a deep breath after swallowing it. “The gods have seen fit to keep my father away, and I do not know how long that will last. Our older brother was a monster of a man not worth anything in this world or the next.. But I have no more brothers, I have no uncles or cousins I trust besides one, and frankly I don’t know his… moral character well enough to approach him about this.”

If Khalon had been a different man, he would have leaned forward. Instead, his wine glass went to his full lips and he sipped, his eyes glinting with curiosity. He didn’t interrupt, only let the silence create space for her.

She didn’t continue immediately, instead just sat there looking uncomfortable and for the right words to say. She took another sip of her wine and then finally a deep breath. “My brother is… reaching a certain age…”

A small smirk crossed Khalon’s face, but he maintained his composure, taking yet another sip. He would let her finish, but this was certainly getting interesting.

When she saw the smirk on his face, Giana was immediately mildly annoyed. She was certain he knew where she was going with this and instead of helping, he seemed to be enjoying her discomfort. She pursed her lips and looked away briefly, wondering if perhaps it was a mistake, but who else could she talk to? Ramsay? He would be appalled. She knew Paolo was close to his trainers that had been with him the past few months, but they were largely peasants and minor nobles who wouldn’t understand the weight of the choices needing to be made.

“I’m afraid his age is going to make him do foolish things with the wrong sort of people. That needs to not happen. I’m sure usually fathers or older brothers or other trusted men in a family would help with this, but as I already said, I’m fresh out of any of those.”

“With Lady Amalie?” He asked simply, his voice smooth. He knew she seldom exercised her sense of humor, so he wasn’t really surprised to see the flash of annoyance on her face. It was a funny, awkward little problem. He figured a Princess might not see it that way. “Because, if it's a matter of her virtue, stranger things have happened.”

“No.” Giana paused, still seeming to try to be diplomatic about it, and then gave up with a disgusted sigh. She put her wine glass down and crossed her legs.

“I’m afraid Cuntessa or a woman like her is going to fall on top of Paolo, smother him with her tits, and his dick is going to accidentally slip into her while that’s happening. She’s been after him since he was like twelve. It’s gross but not unexpected. Problem is he’s a fifteen year old boy, so he’s quite interested.”

Khalon nodded, his eyes widening ever so slightly as he saw the issue. He licked his lips, deciding to keep the humor to himself since she wasn’t ready for that.

“Don’t think I’m being dense here, but I just want to understand your perspective and hopes here.” He said, looking her in the eyes squarely. “Are you concerned that he will break off his engagement and hurt his intended?”

“I don’t think he would break off his engagement, no. My fear is Contessa will grab him by that stupid teenage dick of his and yank him around whatever way she wants to. That is a risk that I’m not willing to take. Now, I will be very clear in saying that I will not allow that to happen, but for the sake of peace I’m hoping some alternate… enticement could be offered. Someone unproblematic and loyal.” Giana held his gaze, still clearly hating this entire topic, but also resolute in her belief in its necessity.

He smiled again, less mocking and more impressed than before.

“That depends. Does he like her personality best or those gigantic fake balloons she wears under her dress?” He asked, a rare instance of crudeness. “Either way, someone can be found, but it would be a hard sell. It doesn’t seem to me like your brother is exactly ready to rip a random woman’s clothes off. He and Contessa have history, as you noted.”

This time, Giana did giggle in genuine amusement. It seemed she appreciated the crude, and given her own turn of phrase over the last few minutes, it likely wasn’t all that surprising. “Did you care about a girls personality when you were fifteen?” She challenged mildly. “I know it may be a difficult thing, but the fact is Amalie is too young, really, and her virtue should be protected if possible. If we can place the woman in his orbit often, perhaps things will sort themselves out and I’ll see about Contessa perhaps having less time to wave her balloons around.”

He seemed to consider the situation for a few moments, studying her as he did six he looked at her with an expression full of mystery and interest, not showing his full mind in any situation.

“I’m going to be honest with you, Giana. This seems like a long shot to me. Of course, you know your brother far far better than I, but I don’t know where we’ll find a woman to bed him who won’t try to wed him as well. They wouldn’t be less crafty than Contessa by far, of course, but honestly, how long could an affair with her last? He isn’t even the Emperor anyway.”

He sipped his wine again, watching her.

“I can go on the search if you’d like, but it might be better to just take care of her..save yourself the trouble. I could do it myself.”

“I don’t particularly want to kill her. Despite seeing her exactly for what she is, she is useful and does give Paolo a good financial education. I’m also relatively sure she single handedly keeps my father’s blood pressure from dipping too low by showing off so much cleavage.” Giana shook her head. “Paolo isn’t Emperor yet, but he will be. Perhaps sooner than he should be, if the gods are cruel. I will not allow another Lisya to harm our Empire in whatever form she may take now. I would like to think with how everything is playing out, she might realize that it is a poor choice, but I think like many women she feels powerful men will protect her. They won’t.”

“Alright.” He said, seeming to take her perspective very seriously. “I think searching for someone a bit closer to his age..someone more developed. But I think it might be hard to keep Amalie from finding out. And that may end up keeping him faithful anyway. A few tears from those big blue eyes and Paolo might take vows of chastity.”

He laughed, leaning back on the couch more. He considered the history; an Emperor and an Orion mistress. It was a tale of weakness and misrule, and he was no more willing to see the Empire suffer such a curse that she was. Perhaps, in the process, he would visit Contessa and make her an offer that would give her a portion of the status she wanted.

“Well that would be much preferred if he did.” Giana shook her head and smiled, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “As for Amalie, whatever comes she will simply have to accept it as any woman does. What other choice would she have; not be Empress?” She waved a hand. “If you have any other ideas on this matter though, Khalon, I’ll listen. I’m not a man, this is simply outside what I know. I can only see the big breasted snake in the grass.”

“Honestly?” He asked, then pressed on without waiting for confirmation. “I think Paolo is getting red blood. No one is tempted like an Emperor, but he’s not there yet. Women will throw themselves at him all his life, and if he grows up to be a looker, it will be even worse. I would suggest you let him get it out of his system and show Contessa her place. Then, if she makes a move, she disappears.”

He sipped the wine and then licked the remnants off of his lips.

“But, if we can control who he fucks, all the better. I can look for some experienced young common girls and we can arrange to have them put on his staff in low level positions. That, or young ladies from noble families who will try with all their might, at their parents' insistence, to do what Contessa is doing.”

“You know, I don’t think I would be nearly as bothered if it was anyone but her, but she is just… so very transparent about her desire for power.” Gianna reached up and rubbed her forehead, feeling a headache budding. “Peasants are easier to control than nobility. We’ll also need to make especially sure he isn’t siring royal bastards.” Pausing, she sighed.

“Or you could befriend him and remind him that girls have all sorts of cooties. Do you think that would work?” She asked with a small smile tugging at her lips.

He returned her grin.

“He’s at the age where being covered in cooties sounds like the best fun he could possibly have.” He said, looking her up and down. “I’m inclined to agree.”

Giana gave him a knowing smile and picked up her wine again. “Dear me, are you saying he will never grow out of it?”

“Never.” He said. He studied her form, too thin, but still beautiful to him. “So, what do you want me to do?”

“Do you want the completely honest and improper answer, or the answer I’m going to give you?” Giana asked, quirking a brow.

“Give me the dirty one, Giana.” He says low and warm, smiling handsomely and boldly.

For just a moment, she looked at him while taking another sip of her wine, thinking. Finally, she spoke, quietly and clearly. “I just want you to take care of this. It is extremely awkward for me to have to pay attention to this particular concern. He’s my little brother and I am a sister, not an older brother. I know it will likely take him a long time to understand why it is a concern anyways - maybe not until he has his own fifteen year old son - but I think it might be especially embarrassing coming from his sister.”

He nodded. He certainly didn’t think he was about to be given a mission to get the Crown Prince laid, but he was an excellent choice for the role and he knew it.

“I’ll take care of it.” He said clearly, then leaned forward, all confidence. “But who’s going to take care of you?”

“I suppose that depends on the type of care.” Giana returned, not waning from his confidence. “Take care of it however you think is best, Khalon. I know you have options.”

“I think you need a nice hot bath, a foot massage, and a bed.” He said, finishing his drink and standing up. He looked down at her all refined swagger. “Let’s go.”

Giana laughed softly, looking up at him as he stood across from her. He really was very handsome, and his confidence was hard to ignore. “I’ll do all that when I have time, Khalon, but I have more meetings and matters that need tending to.”

“You need to take care of yourself. All of the work you’re piling on yourself can be delegated. You’re turning into a workaholic. A sexy one, mind you.” He said, drawing near her, his hand sliding down into hers. “Let me take you home.”

“You’re very sweet.” She spoke quietly still, allowing her fingers to brush against his dark skin, “but I need to be here. Besides, I did just delegate something.” She gave him a smile and moved to stand, her thin body drawing up close to him.

Giana had been playing hard to get it seemed, but he knew how overwhelming her work was, let alone the personal issues that went along with this time in her life. Still, he wondered if he had become a useful and dedicated tool for her.

“I know one certain way.” He said, looking at her. “I could keep Contessa busy enough that she doesn’t have time for your brother.”

The softness faded from Giana’s face, her eyes finding his. “Oh? How do you propose to do that?”

“However you want me to.” He said smoothly, searching her eyes. “But I am a single man and still the most eligible bachelor in the Empire. She probably dreams of ruling other places..like Mars. And let’s just say I have the skills to keep her busy. What do you think about that?”

Giana immediately looked irritated by the suggestion and pulled her hand from his while withdrawing from the space they were sharing. Her eyes lingered, and then suddenly the fight went out and she just looked exhausted. It wasn’t like she had a claim to him, but he knew how she felt about Contessa.

“Do what you like, Lord Price.” She said and began to walk back to her desk. “I trust you’ll take care of it.”

She couldn’t have been less helpful, but it was no more than he expected. He grinned, stepping after her a bit.

“I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeves.” He said with a casual ease, not bothered but not pushing her where he knew she wouldn’t go yet. “The First Senator wants to push the Colonial Funding Bill and the Conquest Education Bill this week, and everyone on the Council of Lords has weighed in. I just need your go-ahead before it gets a first reading.”

“I haven’t gotten to read those over yet myself, but I will put them nearer to the top of my work.” Giana replied and took a seat back behind her desk. “Was there anything else, Lord Price?”

“You know I don’t want to sleep with Contessa, right?” He asked, looking at her from his standing position. “She’s a pretty blow up doll, but I’ve got my eye on someone else. I’m just trying to figure out if I’m barking up the wrong tree.”

“Then why allude to doing it, hm?” Giana scowled at him, but again it was short lived like a fire sputtering in and out as it struggled to stay lit.

“I wanted to see if you cared.” He said simply and calmly as if it was the most natural thing in the world. “If you do, it means you either see something between us or you feel like I’m yours in some way. If not..well I’m not getting any younger waiting for a clear sign. Besides, it’s not my style.”

Giana put her elbows on the desk and lifted her hands to her face, covering it and rubbing slowly in a way that wouldn’t completely displace her makeup. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly, simply pressing through her own feelings. “Of course I care, Khalon, especially with her. You’re not stupid.”

“I know, I’m quite smart.” He said with a grin. “Not to mention incredibly handsome. Glad to know you care though. I’ll keep my own present wrapped up since you’re so head over heels for me.”

He teased her confidently, angling for the door.

“Will you do me a favor and tell my assistant to push everything back fifteen minutes on the rest of my schedule?” She stood from her chair and moved to the window, her arms wrapped around herself and her hands cradling her elbows.

Khalon wondered how Sacha had unwrapped this particular puzzle. Then again, she wasn’t wound so tight when he was still around. He wondered to himself if he was wasting his time. She was dating her father’s Empire. She didn’t make any time for anything else, especially not him. He considered his mother’s advice to marry quickly since his sister was missing and secure his line. Perhaps she was right.

“I’ll do that.” He said with a quiet nod, and then turned to leave.

“Thank you.” Thanks was a rarity from a royal, especially from Giana. It was beneath them after all. Even though it was two simple words, Khalon could hear the way her quiet voice trembled and the unmistakable sniffle of someone crying.

He watched her for a few seconds, and decided to risk losing his cool image. He stepped around the desk to her and put an arm around her. She needed a hug, and it looked like it was down to him or her little brother. His incredible cologne wafted as he drew her into a hug, saying nothing. Perhaps she would accept the gesture, but maybe she would snap and send him away.

As his arms wrapped around her too thin body, Giana immediately tensed, a natural reaction of someone who wasn’t used to being touched - much less hugged - by anyone without her express permission. After a few beats as if she were trying to mentally process what was happening, he found her leaning into him and her thin arms sliding around his waist. Her head moved to his chest, and she simply continued to cry.

Khalon held her tighter, taking her response as an invitation. His hands, strong and sure, centered on her back, his fingers moving soothingly. They’d been close, but never this close, and he savored the sweet smell of her perfume and hair care products despite the fact that she was so upset. He said nothing, letting her process her own thoughts.

It took a few minutes, but Giana did eventually calm and quiet down. She lingered in his arms with her head on his chest, breathing him in and taking comfort in the embrace with surprisingly little guilt in doing so. Finally she spoke, her voice vulnerable. “Please don’t do that to me.”

He at least knew she cared. The reason couldnt be certain. He rubbed her back, his head moving close to her head.

“I won’t.” He said quietly. His heart raced having her so close. “I didn’t think it would upset you.”

“Of course it would upset me. I don’t know how you could think it wouldn’t.” She pulled back slightly. “I’m so… tired, Khalon. I spend every day in meetings or paperwork trying to figure out who is wielding the smallest knives so when they use them on me, they will cause the least amount of damage. I never thought you’d be holding one too.”

“I’m not. I’ve proven that to you.” He said, pulling back and leaning on her desk so they were close to eye level, his hands were on her arms still. “I would never do that to you. I’ve been protecting you and working alongside you for months. You’re wearing yourself to the bone with this hyper-vigilance. You can’t do it all yourself.”

“I have to try.” She moved one hand to gently wipe her tears away.

“No you don’t. Your father never did this. No one does this.” He said. “You’re running a third of the government and the Council of Lords has been reading documents before they even get to you.”

He looks into her eyes, his hand boldly coming up to wipe tears away from her face.

“Help me understand why you have to work yourself into an early grave for a few budget and education bills.”

He could see the tears welling in her eyes again, but for the moment they didn’t fall. She lifted her hands and grabbed his arms just above his wrists not to stop him but simply to touch him it seemed. “Because last time I took my eyes off something thousands of Terrans died, including my fiance.”

“You cannot blame yourself for that. You weren’t even in charge of the military.” He said to her boldly, his tone insistent. “You’ll destroy yourself if you hold that over your own head. Besides, it’s literally impossible for you to pick up everything. I bet all the reports that you got on that military exercise before it happened or filtered through seven different offices, including that of the chancellor, before they got into your box. Are you really going to sit here all day and night trying to read between the lines of every single thing that hits your desk?”

“But I was, and I let Ramsay and my mother take that from me after I killed Giuseppe in the name of stability… then Ramsay failed and you know what, I don’t even think it phased him at all.” She let her hands lower and looked back toward the stack on her desk. “So what choice is there?”

“Obviously, I haven’t seen all the Intel you have, but it doesn’t sound to me like anyone failed. I had a solid Starfleet career before my dad’s death brought me back to Court. These things happen, and sometimes there’s no way to know until it hits you. You have to be a leader. That means you have to forgive people, including yourself.”

He wrapped his arms around her again, this time pulling her close to him. He wanted to make her feel better.

“You’ll catch a lot more detail after a good night’s sleep.”

Giana knew it was a failure, but there was no point in arguing the matter. Even if there was, she was too tired. “Yeah… I’ll get there. I just need to finish the rest of the day.”

“No, you need to go to bed.” He said, his voice firm to the point of insubordination. “I already know I was your last meeting. I checked with your Secretary. What else do you have to do that can’t wait until tomorrow?”

Giana turned her body slightly to gesture to the pile of tablets and paper documents waiting in the box, then wordless looked back to his face.

“No. Those can wait, I guarantee it will keep until tomorrow.” His arms grabbed her by the waist and pulled her in, taking possession of her like she was his.

She was about to speak, but the protest died on her lips when she felt him pull her in. Their bodies connected with a slight bump and her hand found his chest automatically to steady herself. She was thin, but she was still warm and had a softness to her. “I…”

His lips found her in a moment, warm, full, and skilled. It was exploratory, knowing she could punish him for far less. But his hands moved intentionally, every subtle movement of his body screaming sensitive and capable. His hands paused on her arms, ready to move further if she was open and willing.

The gesture wasn’t returned immediately, and when she started to it was hesitant at first, but as his lips continued to linger the hesitation melted away. Her hand slid up from his chest and around his neck to the back of his head where her fingertips gently curled and massaged the base of his scalp. Her own lips were skilled, soft; her other hand found his hip and rested there.

Khalon pulled her closer, his strong hands finding her hips and his tongue finding hers as months of tension broke for him like a damn. Though he reserved himself a bit, his body communicated how interested he was, a passionate manifestation of all the looks he’d given her. Despite himself, his suit pants began to tent and a sizeable sign of his interest could be felt against her.

Any resistance or reservation Giana may have had seemed to have disappeared in the moment. Her skilled lips and tongue moved against his and her thin hands roamed his body albeit a bit more hesitantly than her mouth did its work. It was only when she began to feel the familiar press against her lower abdomen that her lips began to slow. She wasn’t shocked nor was she disgusted, but it was clear she intended to reel in instead of taking the next obvious steps. Finally, she broke their kiss, but her lips didn’t stray far from his; instead she lingered close, her chest rising and falling quickly as she caught her breath. She could feel her heart racing in her chest and the warmth of her own body, but there was no cold grip of guilt to accompany it.

“Don’t work too long.” He said, looking into her eyes, his full lips lingering close to hers. Then he pulled back and rounded the desk slowly, his erection undeniable as a bright flashing sign of his arousal. He paused at the doorway, closing his suit jacket and hiding some of it, then smiled and shrugged. “Goodnight, Giana.”

It took a bit of effort, but Giana kept her eyes on his face successfully until he was at the door, then they were briefly brought down by the shifting of his jacket. Her lips twitched upward in a smile, and she found his face again. “Goodnight, Khalon.”

He offered a wink, confident and calm, and then exited the room, leaving her standing alone again. He would carry out her orders, one way or another, and would find a way to turn Paolo away from Contessa and onto someone he could control.

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