Posted by Commander Roman Alden (First Officer & Chief Science Officer) in When Paparazzi Hide in the Bushes

Posted by Ensign Rand Farquharson (Yeoman First Class) in When Paparazzi Hide in the Bushes

Posted by Commander Roman Alden (First Officer & Chief Science Officer) in When Paparazzi Hide in the Bushes

(snip)

When it finished, Roman hugged her again, tight, not letting go, waiting for her to relax at least a little. “And it’s done now.” He said, voice low and calming. “Easy, right?”

~ Roman

She removed the keys and turned off the computer. Rand turned so she was fully facing him and just tried to breath. She wanted out of the tiny office. It was easy, fixing the keys, but she didn’t feel like it was. She was suddenly pushing him out of the room. “I’m sick.” She hurried into their quarters and into the bathroom. Luckily all she’d had was tea. She wanted to go to bed, but she had to go back to the conference room and finish.

Rand

Roman rushed after her, following her into their quarters. In the bathroom, he held her hair and rubbed her back. “Wash up first. Then we’ll finish the paperwork, together.” He said gently. “Are you okay? Should I call Randy?”

~ Roman

Rand shook her head, “I don’t want Randy.” She washed up and leaned against him for just a moment. “I just want to finish and go to bed.”

Roman hugged her when she leaned against him. “Then let’s hurry up and get done.”

The next few days were calm as far as they could be. There was an insane amount of work for Roman but no more than what Rand usually handled. She didn’t have to go back into her office and there were no more letters or media articles. For five days.

Roman hadn’t yet told Randy about the letter. He wasn’t sure he wanted to. Maybe it would be the only one, anyway. Maybe it wasn’t the big deal he thought it might be. As days passed, he began to worry a little less about it.

Rand wouldn’t have known about the next article at all, except a friend from home wrote her about it. The friend was Arvin Reoch. Actually he was Randy’s friend, and had been since they were little. Rand was surprised by the letter, and it was awkward because Arvin had been her very first date. She thought at first he might be asking about Randy’s birthday.

Hello Rand,

I know we have not spoken in a long time. I think of you often. Of course I speak to Randy frequently. I remember the the problems and fantasies the media weaves. I know that Randy would tell me not to believe everything I read. I saw the photo of you dancing. You looked breathtaking as always. I was always enchanted watching you dance. I was always envious of your partners.

It has been years since I have seen mention of you in the papers, but after this latest one I simply had to write and make sure you are okay. I know Randy would never allow anyone to harm you, but I simply had to make sure for myself. I await your response, and hope you are in good health.

Yours truly,
Arvin

Attached was another article. Entitled Is there Darkness in Paradise?

Sources have told us thar Starlet Miranda Farquharson has been felled by misfortune. Details on how her injury happened are scarce. What we do know was that our Westend Darling broke her foot in several places. She may never walk on it right again. What a shame and we are sure her past co-stars are heart broken. (This was followed by quotes from people she had performed with but never co-starred beside lamenting loosing her as a dancing partner.) We have confirmed that she was alone with Sir Roman Alden, when the accident happened. He has refused requests for an interview. As seen in the picture Miranda was not alone. Her constant companion and protector, Lord Randall Oyne Tavish William Ian Farquharson, her twin brother was by her side. Given the stand off we can only assume that Lord Alden is the cause of her injury. Is Miranda safe? Has Lord Alden hurt her or saved her?

Rand scrolled quickly to the photo that had obviously been doctored. Rand looked terrified and Randy and Roman were squared off at the end of her biobed looking like they were going to start hitting each other.

Rand was sitting at the computer in their quarters as she read and exlaimed in dismay, rather loudly just as Roman came in. “NO! Nonono!” She covered her face with both hands as the color drained from her face.

Rand

Roman came around and looked at her screen, quickly reading the article. It was… insulting. How dare they write such things? He would never, and had never, hurt a partner, or anybody else for that matter.

He took a deep breath. It was a garbage paper. A tabloid. He had to ignore it, to forget what they said about him. It didn’t matter anyway. He saw the letter from Arvin and recalled the name from Rand’s stories. Apparently the man was still hung up on her. It meant little to Roman. He was confident Rand wasn’t going to leave him for anyone. He shut the PaDD. “This is from before we caught the traitor. It’s awful but all we can do is ignore it until it goes away.” He looked at Rand, “I know it’s hard but try not to be too worried about it. That’s what this traitor must want.”

~ Roman

“How can they say that about you? About Randy?” Rand looked up at him. She was upset and shocked, but there was a twinge of anger in her eyes. “If you hadn’t heloed me my ankle would have been a lot worse. Randy would never let anyone hurt me.” She tapped the PaDD without turning it on. “Roman that was before we started dating. Randy wasn’t even there. He wasn’t working in medical then. The whole photo has been altered. This was months before the dance.” Then she went really pale. Her voice sounded kind of strangled. “Roman....” She grabbed his hand, squeezing nervously. “LaCroix wasn’t on board then…”

Rand