Editing Lo'ren's Story (section)

===Love Runs Hot===

Tarven was sweating. He felt wild. He struggled to maintain his composure. He had to maintain discipline lest he fail to serve the Bajorans who now trusted him to care for them as they would one of their own.

"Good Morning, Doctor." The voice broke through the haze of emotions boiling beneath the surface. He faced her, chest heaving. Ari Sia - he was now fighting to maintain decorum- let alone discipline.

Sia stopped, something was strange about Tarven today, in fact he had gotten increasingly odd over the last few days. Her concern for him overruled the unspoken commitment of professionalism they shared "Tarven? What is wrong? Are you all right?"

The Vulcan shook his head, almost afraid to speak. She continued, taking a step forward, "What is it? Can I help?"

Tarven's eyes flashed - she was dangerously close to being taken by him without her permission. He grabbed a writing tool and hurridly, violently wrote [I am experiencing Pon Farr, the Blood Fever. I must mate or die. I would choose you. Would you choose me?] It was as much as he could give her - he would have her by force if necesary. Tarven did indeed love her and he wished her to be happy in this, not forced.

Sia read quickly the note shoved at her. Her heart leapt, she had wondered if her feelings were reciprocated, but the barriers had been too complete for her to even think to broach the subject. "Tarven," her eyes glistened with tears as her voice sunk into a whisper, "I have worked with you for a long time now. I have come to care for you deeply. I love you and don't want you to die. Am I truly the one you would choose?"

All he could allow himself was a nod. His voice would not work. She could see tears in his eyes, could see his barriers crumbling in the fire of this Blood Fever.

Her voice strained with worry, fear, and love she blurted the question, "I do choose you! What must I do?" They locked eyes and in that instant they both knew they would forever be husband and wife. The official ceremonies could take place later. He lifted his right hand, two fingers extended and held his left hand out to her. Sia understood, she limped forward and let him guide her fingers to touch his in the correct manner. His face flooded with relief, Tarven moved closer letting his fingers move instinctually, tracing her hand and bringing his other hand to touch her face.

He croaked out the words until his voice was in her head and they spoke as one. "My mind to your mind. Your thoughts to ::my thoughts. We are together. Our minds are parted but never apart. You are my Telsu pudvel-tor (Chosen Mate). My k'hat'n'dlawa (Other Half-Soul/Heart). We are one::

Ari Sia felt her mind expand to include Tarven's in this most intimate of touches. She reached out with her heart and cooled the fires that coursed in his blood, cooled him long enough to survive the day. At the end of the day they would come together again.