Disclaimer: The universe and Liam (and, technically speaking, Moira) belong to Roddenberry-Kirschner, among others. Moira (at least this personality) belongs to Deb. Marianne, Ra'das, the mentioned Sa'ana, Alex, and others belong to Selma.

Selma's Notes: This 'what-if' started out just as a Moira reaction piece to "Seeing..." but Mari decided to go in a different direction. It ends a little abruptly, due to one of us having to go to bed.

Ego 2
by Selma McCrory and Deb Cebulski
copyright 2000

Marianne Elisa Beckett Schultz, former Kimera hybrid (as she'd like to forget) and current human, stormed down the corridors of the Kimera homeship. She'd spent another fruitless half-hour trying to convince Sa'ana to clear her for duty, and the Kimera had refused to do so. She was sure she was passing other people of various and sundry species, as she could sometimes sense shapes clearing out of her path, but she couldn't be bothered to pay attention to that.

Pausing to wipe her tears, she found herself standing next to her great-gran's door. Childhood insticts compelled her to go inside, so she took a deep breath and knocked on the door.

A moment later, Moira Ni Suilleabhain Beckett opened the door. She took in Marianne's tear-streaked face in a glance. Moira blinked slowly, and invited her eldest great-grandaughter inside.

Moira settled Mari into the overstuffed chair she'd brought from Earth and handed her a steaming mug of hot, sweet tea. She smiled. "And what have they done t'you now, dear? You look as if you've had a rough time of it."

At that, Marianne resumed crying."S'ana."

Moira reached over and patted Mari on the shoulder. "What about S'ana, dear?" she asked, as she reached into her pocket for a handkerchief.

"Sa'ana is'n id't."

Moira sighed. "And what did Sa'ana do *this* time?"

"'fused t'clear me. Again," Marianne's face was screwed up in a pout. "Won't clear me until I go back. Didn' say that, but...."

Moira shook her head slightly and grasped Mari's shoulder. "Darlin', you know I love you, but Sa'ana was right. Without your medical knowledge, you'd be a danger to your patients."

Mari shook her head. "I do't want to work there anymore anyway. I don't want Sa'ana harassing me all day. I meant for my other stuff. He won't clear me for any work!"

Moira's eyebrows lifted. "And why not?"

"He *says* it's because he's afraid I might hurt myself because I might not remember things," Marianne said, her expression giving her clear opinion of Sa'ana's opinion. "I remember *fine*. I want to get on with my life in spite of what's happened."

Moira sat silently for a moment. "What work didn't they want you do do?"

"It's mostly my cataloguing work," Marianne told her. "You'd think that, of all things, would be non-stressful.And how can I look for something else to do to replace the medical work? Everybody knows he hasn't cleared me for anything, and isn't going to."

Moira shook her head. "You'd think they'd want you cataloguing. I'd heard it's monotonous work. I think there's another reason there. Have you tried talking with Ra'das or your father about this?"

"Dad shrugged. Ra'das is avoiding *me*. For that matter, he's avoiding Alex. So, no I haven't talked to him."

Moira's face set. "Ra'das is avoiding you, eh? Well, I think I can solve *that* little problem. You two need to talk." Moira picked up her commpad and tapped in a code. Ra'das' familiar features filled the screen.

"Yes?" he asked, obviously startled by her calling him.

A slight smile crossed Moira's face. "Ah, Ra'das. I'm so glad to find you at home. I need to meet with you right away."

"I am at work," he responded, putting something down and doing the Kimeran equvalent of crossing his arms. "Is there something wrong?"

Moira's eyes narrowed. "Yes--and I need to see you NOW."

"Very well," Ra'das said, in obvious resignation. "I will be there." The screen blanked as he blanked his side of the comm, but she could see that he had gotten up before that.

Ra'das shortly thereafter entered the room, stopping upon seeing Marianne in Moira's overstuffed chair. Still, he somehow didn't leave the room. "This is not a good time for this," he said.

Moira snorted. "Ra'das, you and Mari have things you need to discuss, and that won't happen if you keep avoiding her." She stood up. "I'm going to visit my grandson, and you two are going to stay here and work this out." She strode out of her apartment and closed the door behind her.

Marianne and Ra'das looked at each other. "Look," Marianne said, "I think Great-Gran has gotten ahead of herself, but we need to talk...."

Ra'das shook his head. "For once, I am the one who can't."

"Because my *humanness* repels you?" Marianne demanded.

"No, because of the wasted potential," Ra'das replied quietly. "You weren't born human."

"No, but I am now," Marianne said, her eyes narrowing. "Maybe if you can't handle this, then I might as well go home. To Earth. They can't push me off now."

She pushed herself out of the chair. "Maybe it was better when you were avoiding me," she said, leaving Ra'das in the room.

Ra'das stared at his retreating mate for a second, aware that he hadn't taken any communications equipment with him. He quickly used the comm panel in Moira's room to get in contact with Marianne's father, Liam. He knew that the Ambassador's authority aboard ship, as well as his influence over his daughter would be much needed.

The Kimera knew that he shouldn't have to turn to Marianne's father for help; he was supposed to keep his mate happy, in return for her help in producing the next generation. If he let her go now, he knew he'd have failed, losing all the progress he'd made when she was pregnant with Sharilyn. When Liam came on the screen, Ra'das launched a short explanation. "She must not be allowed the communications," he finished.

Liam's hands moved over his comm panel. "I've blocked her code. That should buy us some time." His hands continued to fly across the panel. "I'm programming the scanners with her new DNA pattern. We'll find her soon."