The Interrogation of Dr. Mila Tahain

T'Pren was all prepared to leave it at that, to go seek comfort elsewhere or not at all so that the Commander wouldn't have to feel responsible for her well-being. But just as she was starting to cringe at the thought of a Romulan officer -- maybe the counselor and Pren could back each other up if things got speciesist -- she thought again of the Cardassian woman and the other children in the program with her and the fathers she hadn't seen in over half her life.

"Sir?" she said suddenly, calling him back to her. Her expression was an unlikely mixture of vulnerability and determination. "In the event that she doesn't accept my offer, I still need that information." Her brows lifted in apologetic question. Because the only other way to get that information would be the way they just used.

"You have my clearance to attain that information by any means necessary. If need be, together, we'll get it."

The relief that washed through T'Pren was practically tangible and she resisted the urge to leap at the Commander and give him a very big hug. Instead, she expressed her gratitude with the knitted slant of her brow and the slight dimpling of her chin and those green human eyes.

"Thank you, sir."

Just as palpable as her relief, then, was the settling of an unshakable loyalty. Commander Rai had earned himself the unwavering support of his new lieutenant.