Post 527: Until Next Time

Stardate: 71028.1448
Title: Until Next Time
Author: Fox Margolis
Place: Personal Quarters
Time: Following "Wrap up with a nice little bow"

It had been a long, but rewarding day. First, there was the promotion, which Fox had to admit was a bit unexpected, though still a very pleasant surprise. Second, there was the completion of the transfer and departure of the women and children from planet, née moon, of Yensul V.

Now, it was time for some down time, which started with a long, hot, and, of course bubbly, bath. Fox slid down into the bubbles and sighed. The only thing showing above the bubbles was her head.

"What a tempting sight."

Fox turned her head to the side and saw Xander Corbinsky leaning on the frame of the door. She sat up slightly and said, "Now, why am I not surprised to see you?"

"Far be it for me to leave without a proper good-bye, Faustine." Despite the recent events, his charm was alluring as ever.

Fox laughed. "Of all the times and places, you chose this one. Hardly proper."

"You wouldn't have it any other way."

"No," she countered, the corners of her mouth curling into a picture perfect smile, "~you~ wouldn't have it any other way."

"You're right. I wouldn't." He walked into the bathroom and sat down on the edge of the tub. "I hear congratulations are in order, Lieutenant senior grade Margolis."

"Is there anything you don't know?"

He remained silent for a few beats and then softly said, "How to win you over."

There was something utterly sincere in his words and the look on his face, and it made Fox sad. "I wish I had an answer for you. You ~do~ deserve one, an honest one. But it wouldn't be fair to pretend, knowing that Michael could still be out there," she said.

Corbinsky nodded, knowing that he could expect no more. He knew that as long as she believed that Michael Rosenforth was alive and well in the Nexus, she would never give up any hope of seeing him again. It was a fixation that had bound up her heart for many years now.

Knowing it was an awkward situation, Fox poorly shifted the subject to a less unpleasant one. "Where are you heading now?"

"Here, there, a little of everywhere," he cryptically replied.

"Is anything ever written in stone with you?"

"Just this." Corbinsky leaned over and gently picked up the Andorian stone he had once given her, the one she still wore around her neck. She sat up in the tub and gently kissed his lips. Remaining close, Fox then said, "Charming as ever, Dr. Corbinsky."

"I do believe you're the one who says, 'When you've got it, flaunt it.'"

Fox happily sank back into her bubbles. "Flattery always works."

"Almost always." Corbinsky stood up and looked down at her. "Until next time."

"And when will that be?"

"When you least expect it." And then, as he had on so many other occasions, Xander T. Corbinsky simply disappeared.

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Lt. SG Faustine "Fox" Margolis
Operations Officer
USS Independence NCC-90791