Loss "
By: Jonathan Wright, Executive Officer, [PC]

Stardate: 58204.19 2300

John Wright had had a rough day and he wanted badly to go into Miranda's and have a good strong drink. He knew that to give in to that desire would cause nothing but trouble. Instead Wright left the bridge and went to his quarters. Sitting down at his desk, he carefully opened a drawer. Wright took out a ornate box and placed it on the desk in front of him.

Wright glanced at a picture he kept on the corner of his desk. It was a picture of him and a stunning vulcan woman, his wife T'Pril. He had met her during their service on the USS Comfort, a Federation hospital ship. It was this very day 8 years ago that when the Comfort's command staff decided to defect and it was this day 8 years ago that Wright had lost his wife in a battle as the Federation tried to stop them from defecting.

Wright briefly placed his hands on the cover of the box. The desire to have a drink burned within him as he felt the cool stone lid. Wright let go of the box and went into the fresher. He took a shower and when emerged he wore a vulcan robe. Wright took the box from his desk and sat down with it on the floor of his living area.

Opening the box he removed a candle with an ornate stand and placed it on the floor. Taking another device from the box he lit the candle and instructed the computer to turn the lights off. Wright began to focus his attention on the flame of the candle before too long the desire for drink had fled and images began to fill his mind.

*** "Humans are too emotional to learn meditation. Your minds are never empty of emotion." said T'Pril as she looked across the candle to Wright.

"Teach me, " said Wright as he looked across the pale flame of the candle. He had to admit he was finding it hard to concentrate on meditation with such a beautiful teacher.

"Very well," said T'Pril. "focus all of your attention on the flame. Let go of all thoughts and feelings..." ***

The memory of their meditation time slowly faded from Wright's mind as he continued to focus on the candle. A single tear rolled down the side of his face as still another memory came to his mind. *** Wright stood next to T'Pril in the common lounge on the USS Comfort. They were surrounded by their friends. T'Pril wore a purple vulcan ceremonial robe and Wright wore his dress uniform. Next to T'Pril was an elderly Vulcan also wearing a purple vulcan robe. Standing before them was Captain John Po of the USS Comfort.

"T'Pril of Vulcan do you agree to take Jonathon Wright as your Husband in good times and bad for as long as you both shall live?" Captain Po smiled at T'Pril

"Yes," said T'Pril.

Wright watched the look on Po's face and she simply answered his question. Po had clearly not expected this answer. To Po's credit he recovered quickly and turned to Wright "And do you Jonathon Wright take T'Pril of Vulcan as your wife in good times and bad for as long as you both shall live"

Wright looked at T'Pril smiled and said ,"Yes."

***

Commander John Wright continued to focus on the candle as the memory of his wedding began to fade. More tears began to trail down the side of his face but still the memories returned.

***

Wright looked at his new bride. They say facing one another on their bed.

"Are you ready to begin," asked T'Pril.

Wright knew that this was an important vulcan ritual to her. "I am."

She took Wright's right hand and placed his finger tips against the side of her face, She likewise placed her fingertips on the side of his face. "My mind to your mind," she began. Wrights heart began to beat faster. "Your thoughts to my thoughts. Bonded are we now. Never shall we be apart."

It was like a window opening. Suddenly Wright could feel the presence of her mind. It was a strong and disciplined mind. It was the most magnificent thing he had ever experienced in his life. As their arms folded around each other in an embrace he was overwhelmed with the intense feeling of love and to his astonishment she was sharing her love for him.

***

The candle flickered and Wright felt calm, no more tears fell but he knew there was one more memory he must face. The most painful one. Trying with all his might to bottle up his emotions he continued to focus on the flame.

***

The red alert klaxon flashed in the corridors. The captains automated abandon ship order was being broadcast through out the ship. Wright ran through the ship. cold fear swept through him. He feel her pain. She was injured and needed him. He reached their quarters and found the door blocked by debris. "T'Pril," he shouted as he began throwing debris out of his way. EPS conduits sparked and the lights flickers as ships was rocked with another explosion. He had to find her soon. "T'Pril he shouted again." Wight stopped tossing debris and listened. The he heard a sound. Frantically he clear away the debris until at last he found her. Her wounds were bad and she was covered in blood.

"John.." she said

"Not now we have to get off the ship." Wright picked her up and carried her to the nearest escape pod section. Placing her in the pod he climbed in after her and jettisoned the pod.

"John," said T'Pril in a weak voice. "I am not going to make it."

"We will get you some help T'Pril. Just hang on." said Wright.

She reached up and touched his face. "I... Love..." Wright watched as the life left his wife. There was emptiness in his mind. Where once his loving companion had dwelt in him there was nothing now...that was perhaps the worst pain Wright had ever felt in his life. Wright screamed in agony.

***

Wright was calm now. He reached out and snuffed the flame out. He was exhausted. He curled up into a ball on the floor and fell asleep. It was done.