Forwarded by the ASC-VSO Posted: 12 Feb 2004 16:29:42 -0800 In: alt.startrek.creative From: whoa_nellie40@hotmail.com (whoa nellie) Title: The Goddess FaQtor Author: Whoa Nellie (whoa_nellie40@hotmail.com) Series: TNG New 1/4 Rating: NC-17 Codes: P/Vash, Q Summary: During her adventures with Q, Vash tried to stay out of Author's note: Feel free to archive to any pertinent site. This occurs in the Reasons of the Heart timeline. As always: Paramount owns all the marbles. We just have a lot more fun playing with them. Feedback is always appreciated, posted or e-mail. Whoa Nellie's Picard/Vash Romance Fan Fiction Website is at: http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Galaxy/7926/ Whoa Nellie's Sci-Fi Romance Fan Fiction Website is at: http://www.geocities.com/whoa_nellies2000 The Goddess FaQtor "You'll find a god in every golden cloister And if you're lucky then the god's a she" --One Night in Bangkok "Captain's personal log, the Enterprise is in orbit around the planet Sharia in the Gamma quadrant. We have finished negotiating an agreement that will allow us to chart areas of space claimed by the Sharian including the nearby Verath system. Interestingly enough, Sharia was originally colonized by people from the Verath system tens of thousands of years ago. My wife and I along with Commander Riker and Counselor Troi have been invited by Tamrof Latigid, Sharia's Chief Administrator, to attend a formal reception this evening at the capital's great hall." ............................ With the final course of the banquet being served, Captain Jean-Luc Picard's attention was drawn to his wife who was sitting a few seats down from him. The soft tailoring, grey pinstripes and long, slim skirt of her black dress suit gave her an air of elegant sophistication while she engaged in conversation with two senior Sharian governmental officials. Both older men appeared enchanted as she graced them with her most charming smile. When Vash thanked the waiter placing a dessert plate in front of her, the young man seemed almost in awe. Observing her on the receiving end of male adulation was nothing new to Picard, she was a petite brunette with sparkling blue eyes, perfect curves, long legs, and a vivacious personality; to put it quite simply, men liked Vash. Nevertheless, Picard had noticed during the evening's festivities that all of the Sharians seemed notably deferential toward Vash with the males especially attentive. She turned her head toward him. Catching Jean-Luc staring, Vash's eyes locked with his for a brief moment. He appeared quite dashing with his crisp, white jacket trimmed with gold braiding and the fitted black trousers of his dress uniform emphasizing his sleek, muscular build. She lowered her gaze and peered flirtatiously through her lashes giving him a coquettish smile full of promise before returning her attention back to the two Sharian officials. The captain knew she was deliberately playing with him, tempting him. He fought to rein in his response even as his pulse quickened, demonstrating the sway this woman could wield over him with a mere glance. He wanted to kiss her; he wanted her to be sitting next to him instead of being so far away. "You must forgive Rojem and Ronem, Captain Picard. They usually don't behave like besotted adolescents. They're obviously so dazzled by your wife's presence that they have forgotten themselves." Picard blinked as the sound of Creanne Latigid's voice startled him out of his reverie. Inwardly chastising himself, he turned toward the Chief Administrator's wife with his most diplomatic smile. Creanne Latigid was a mature, stately-looking woman with dark eyes and aristocratic features reminiscent of Ambassador Sarek's widow, Perrin. "There is nothing to forgive. Vash seems to be enjoying their attention and I view it simply as one of the repercussions of being married to a beautiful woman, Mrs. Latigid, a burden your husband shares." "You're quite the charming diplomat, Captain, thank you." "You mentioned that this building houses some of your planet's foremost pieces of artwork as well as being the place your government's legislative body meets," Picard quickly changed the subject, picking up his glass. "Yes, the finest collection of art on the entire planet," Creanne Latigid smiled with pride. "Would you and your party be interested in a tour of the artwork contained in the Great Hall after our meal?" Taking a drink, Picard set down his glass and nodded, "Indeed, we would." "Very well then, it's settled," she replied. "Thank you," Picard nodded graciously. Riker winked in Deanna's direction. 'Nice save by the Captain,' he thought to her. 'Vash clearly has him distracted this evening. What is it you always joke about? There's nothing like a little perceived male competition to spur on the alpha male?' Counselor Deanna Troi covered her own amusement with a drink of her wine as she thought back, 'I'm beginning to suspect there may be more to the Sharian's preoccupation with Vash than mere sexual attraction.' 'Are you detecting a threat . . .' 'No, nothing malevolent,' Deanna rushed to assure him as she felt his growing wariness. 'I'm sensing tremendous emotional reaction at Vash's appearance in particular from all of the Sharians, male and female. It's more like astonishment or awe than actual attraction and, for some reason, the males are particularly mesmerized. I can't tell you any more than that right now.' 'It looks like this might turn out to be a very interesting evening,' Riker thought in reply. 'Just keep working on it and if you feel anything even remotely threatening--' Deanna sent him a droll look. 'You'll feel it before I can even finish thinking it, Imzadi.' .............................................. Chief Administrator Tamrof Latigid and Creanne Latigid led the small group from the Enterprise through the maze of corridors in Sharia's Great Hall, briefly describing the history and cultural significance of each piece of artwork they passed. Walking through the massive double doors, the group entered the ornately-decorated chamber where the planet's governing body met. Paintings and carvings along the walls showed the history of Sharia in brilliant color. Curved tables formed a gallery in front of an officious-looking podium, all of which looked somewhat out of place in the opulence of the room. Behind the Chief Administrator's podium was a recessed alcove flanked by elaborately-carved pillars with a single, immense painting that dominated the alcove and made it appear almost as a shrine. As Jean-Luc Picard took in the painting, it stopped him in his tracks. In the painting, a woman stood adorned in an ethereal, mesh-like gown made completely of glittering multicolored jewels. The sparkling filigree of the garment concealed only enough of the woman's exquisite body to incite the observer's imagination. It was only when his eyes had traveled past the perfect curves of her feminine silhouette to reach her face was he struck still, instantly recognizing the seductive, come-hither expression. Picard blinked, unable to believe what he was seeing; however, there was no denying the obvious. The beautiful, alluring woman in the painting was Vash. 'Now, I've heard of a boudoir painting, but this is just a bit over the top, ' Deanna thought to Will as soon as she recovered. 'Even for Vash?' Will sent the teasing thought with a wicked glint in his eye. 'Even for Vash; although, the painting does explain the Sharian's reaction to Vash,' she replied. 'While opening a virtual Pandora's box of questions.' Riker glanced over at Picard. Complete shock registered plainly on the usually-unflappable captain's face. Only half-joking Riker added, 'Should we call Beverly and have her prepare another artificial heart?' 'He's not quite that bad, close but not quite.' She fought down her own growing amusement. 'And the subject of the painting?' he couldn't help asking. Vash was standing next to Picard, laying low for the moment. Deanna gaze followed her husband's toward Vash's direction. 'The whole thing is certainly playing to her vanity. She is mildly surprised but in no way as stunned as the rest of us. Her emotions right now could best be described by the word ooops.' "This painting is our planet's oldest known piece of artwork. It is a depiction of Vasharia, the ancient Verathan goddess of beauty for whom Sharia was named," Chief Administrator Tamrof Latigid explained, moving toward the painting. Chief Administrator turned to Vash. "Mrs. Picard, I do hope our reaction to your presence hasn't made you uncomfortable. It must be a coincidence of cosmic proportions, however, as you can see your name as well as your appearance bears an uncanny resemblance to the goddess Vasharia." Vash responded with a small graceful nod of her head, slipping easily into the role of a dignitary. "I thought that the Sharians were the most hospitable and sociable people I had ever had the fortune of meeting, but I'm so flattered to know that you see a resemblance in me to such a breathtaking portrait." "You have Vasharia's grace and charm as well," Tamrof beamed. He turned to Picard, "You are indeed a lucky man, Captain." "Indeed," he acknowledged diplomatically. He grasped Vash's arm, subtly but firmly pulling her toward him. "It certainly is an exquisite piece of artwork. I would be very interested in learning more about this goddess Vasharia." He looked down at Vash, waiting until she peered up out of the corner of her eye at him. "Wouldn't you, dear?" Vash leaned in closer and gazed up at him adoringly with her most innocent expression. "Of course, darling; it would be fascinating to learn more about such an intriguing mythological figure." "You are welcome to access our planet's database, everything known about the goddess Vasharia as well as the rest of our history can be found there," Tamrof offered proudly. "Thank you, Chief Administrator. We truly appreciate the gracious hospitality that the Sharian's have shown us; however, we should be returning to our ship," Picard said with a polite nod. "Of course," Tamrof Latigid nodded in return. "May you be fortunate in your travels, Captain." "Thank you, sir." Picard tapped his communicator. "Enterprise, four to beam up." .......................................... Lieutenant Commander Geoff Lar, the Enterprise's Betazoid Chief of Security, stood behind the console in transporter room three. He expertly worked the controls and Captain Picard, Mrs. Picard, Commander Riker and Counselor Troi materialized on the transporter pad. Instantly and unbidden, a vivid and seductive mental picture of Vash from the captain's mind intruded into Lar's thoughts. Picard's attention was intensely focused on the vivid vision, which Lar forced aside with a slight shake of his head, once again surprised at how little human's knew about their own mental abilities. "Unbelievable!" Picard shouted as he stepped off of the transporter platform. "Unbelievable that I could resemble a goddess of beauty?" Vash replied, completely unabashed. "Oh no, little girl, you're not squirming your way out of this one." Picard spun to face his wife pointing his finger at her. "There was no resembling about it. I don't know how, but every line, every curve, every feature of the woman in that painting right down to the bedroom expression she wore was you." Riker watched Vash reach out to gracefully lay her left hand over the captain's 'engage finger' and descended from the transporter pad like a queen with Picard instinctively adjusting his grip to help her down from the pad. The diamonds in her wedding ring glittered in the light as she transformed Picard's reproachful finger-pointing into a gallant gesture. The first officer managed to smoother an escaping chuckle with a cough, but he didn't dare risk a glance much less a thought in Deanna's direction. Watching Vash serenely step down off the transporter pad to stand next to him, Picard's thoughts all revolved around on the Sharian painting. "Captain," Lar called as the image that he now assumed was the Sharian painting intruded into his mind again. After giving Vash a stern look, Picard turned toward his security chief. "Yes, Commander." "You're projecting your thoughts rather forcefully, sir," Lar advised. "Acknowledged, Mr. Lar." Picard tapped his communicator. "Picard to Bridge." Data's voice sounded over the comm, "Bridge here, sir." "Mr. Data, I want a senior staff meeting in ten minutes and tell Commander Chakotay to download all information relating to the goddess Vasharia available in the Sharian database and bring it with him," Picard ordered. "Aye, sir." Picard turned back to Vash, "Professor Picard, as the Archaeology Council's representative and the ship's chief archaeologist, you will be joining us." "Of course, dear . . . Captain," Vash replied sweetly. ............... End Part 1 .................. -- Stephen Ratliff ASC Stories Only Forwarding In the Pattern Buffer at: http//trekiverse.crosswinds.net/feed/ Yahoo! Groups Links To visit your group on the web, go to:http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ASCL/ To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:ASCL-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service. From ???@??? Sat Feb 14 00:52:20 2004 Status: U Return-Path: Received: from n6.grp.scd.yahoo.com ([66.218.66.90]) by kite (EarthLink SMTP Server) with SMTP id 1aRSGE7Ez3NZFkD0 for ; Fri, 13 Feb 2004 21:49:53 -0800 (PST) X-eGroups-Return: sentto-1977044-13194-1076737761-stephenbratliff=earthlink.net@returns.groups.yahoo.