The BLTS Archive -I Gave My Love
Fourth in the Cherry Blossom Suite
by Artemis (ArtemisOK@aol.com)

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Disclaimer: Paramount/Viacom own Star Trek. No infringement
intended, no money being made.

Author's Note: This is set before Rand leaves for Tech
School. Thank you to Amy for the beta. Will work for
feedback.

Archive: My place & TOS HET FAN FIC FORUM!

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Lt. Sulu knew something was up as soon as he walked into his
quarters. Yeoman Rand was there. She was sitting on his
bunk, very still with her hands clasped in her lap. Yet for
all her stillness, she seemed to be vibrating with
excitement. She looked up at him as he came in and flashed
him a big smile, then she looked back at her hands. She
looked everywhere, in fact, except at the nightstand.

//Uh oh, he thought, Pandora has peeked into the box.//

He swooped down and embraced her. "How's the most beautiful
girl in Star Fleet, today?"

`Much better now that you are here." She turned her face up
to him and they kissed, deep and long.

Hikaru mentally steeled himself and then he held her at
arm's length. "Janice, I promise I won't be mad. Did you
happen to see what was inside a small black velvet box in my
nightstand?" He did not sound mad, in fact he sounded sad
and a little worried.

Now, Janice felt guilty. She nodded. "Yes, it's beautiful,
Hik. How could you afford it?"

He lead her to sit on the bed. As they sat, he kissed her on
the forehead. //Yuck, she thought, but this is not the time
to mention it.// "Lamby-toes, that's not what you think it
is..."

"I think it's one karat of spent dilithium."

"From the heart of the Enterprise to my soul." //God, she's
lovely// "But, Junie... Jan... Darling, it is not an engagement
ring." He swallowed. "Do you remember, I told you that my
family is, was, is very traditional."

"Yes, I remember. I've been studying the wedding ceremony.
Black and white kimonos, prayers, drinking from little cups.
You get to make a speech and I don't." Her eyes twinkled.
Hik was not much of a public speaker, but she loved to talk,
how funny.

"I'll make my pledge to you and then put the wedding ring on
your finger."

"We can exchange rings, I read that right?"

"Right, um, did you happen to read what the wedding ring
would, um, look like?" His voice was soft; she almost had to
strain to hear it. He didn't want to hurt her. He was afraid
she would be offended by this misunderstanding.

"I thought I knew what a wedding band looked like,
sweetheart." As she paused, he glanced to where the ring was
kept.

Her hand flew to her mouth. "Oh!"

"Yes," he said, "Traditionally, the wife receives a diamond
or dilithium ring. One perfect precious stone for one,
perfect precious lady. Dia...

"Diamonds are forever," they finished together and laughed.
Janice threw herself on Hikaru and hugged him for all he was
worth. She covered his face with kisses.

"Silly sweetie, how can I be upset when I'm the one whose
supposed to be doing her homework?" He gave her a thousand
watt smile.

"But we were supposed to exchange engagement gifts." He
nodded. She froze as the realization dawned on her. Hikaru
did not simply prune the sprig of cherry blossoms from a
tree in the Arboretum. In fact they were 200 light years
from the nearest cherry tree. "How did you... you sneak, you
loveable, adorable, marriageable sneak, I love you."

Fade to black

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The End