Everything was quiet and no one seemed to care that she was out and about, but she was being watched. Brandi wasn't sure if they were simply keeping an eye on her or if there was a level of distrust. She had been given a clean bill of health by Larkin, so she kept telling herself that they would see no logic in suspecting her of being Borg.

For the moment she was content in just roaming the halls, looking around. Solok wanted to know more about the Borg, she knew, and as much as she didn't want to she was trying to think more of any information she could remember that may help him out. It was difficult as everything seemed to be a giant blur of images and sounds.

Some how at some point she ended up in the mess hall which was nearly empty aside from two Vulcans on opposite sides of the room who seemed engrossed in reading. Her stomach chimed in that it required sustenance so she headed to the replicator, "One order of...ham and cheese omelet with mashed potato's and brown gravy, please."

Once the meal materialized she stared at it only a moment before taking it and heading toward a table by the window where she sat and slowly started to pick at it. It felt weird to be able to just help herself, but she was hungry.

Larkin came in a moment later and ordered a bite to eat. He looked over and noticed Brandi sitting by herself, and as much as he had intended on reading alone he knew she must be lonely. So he walked over, "Would you like company?" He asked.

Brandi looked up and gave a nod, "If you want."

An odd response, but he sat regardless, "I trust you found Delvok to be acceptable?" He asked, attempting conversation.

"He is very nice. Though not all that lively. Relaxing for sure." Brandi answered.

"A common opinion among humans. However, if you would like I could make a list of different music for you. Not just Vulcan. It occurred to me music now is not like what you are used to and that there is a vast amount to chose from." He added and began picking at his food.

"Oh that would be nice. Though be sure to throw in some more Vulcan music. I think I may try sleeping to it." she answered with a happy nod.

"The silence is uncomfortable?" Larkin asked.

The question caught her a little off guard but she gave another nod, "If there is no sound, my mind makes up it's own. I end up psyching myself out."

"That is not uncommon. I shall add in some of my favorite selections from our home world if it will ease you." He scanned her a moment, feeling a little sorry for her. She was pulled from the terror that was the Borg and thrust into a much different world then what she was used to. Regardless of how safe she was, it had to be unnerving and he did not envy her.

"Thank you." She bit her lip, "Not just for the music, but for talking to me. I really do appreciate the company."

Larkin gave a small nod, "I had thought it would be agreeable to you. I know my race can be a little...off putting at times."

"I wouldn't say off putting so much as having a high value for silence and thought. Assuming anything I know of Vulcans is truth, your people value their alone time." She said and chuckled, "It really isn't a problem. I am simply glad to be around people who aren't trying to assimilate me at every turn. So the distance does have it's good points."

He found himself a little shocked at her statement but pushed it aside, "I will admit I have met many humans who do not seem to understand the slight complexities with Vulcans. Your view is...refreshing."

Brandi smiled and blushed a little and he stared at her a moment, but was pleased his comment had such an affect. Though he gave a small tilt of his head to acknowledge it and took a bite of his food, "You need to eat." He said and glanced her her untouched plate.

"Oh. Right." She giggled and started to eat a little. It was good, though tasted a little off, but she ignored it.

They finished their meals in silence before Larkin stood and said his goodbye to her as he headed off back to work. She put her plate away and looked around before heading out herself. To where she wasn't sure. She didn't want to touch anything for fear she would break something, so she found her way back to her quarters and plopped down on the bed, feeling a little tired. Perhaps a nap would be a good option. She had been sleeping in short bursts for weeks now and seemed to be still programmed to do so. So she curled up and drifted off.

O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O

Solok ended his shift and looked at the time. He had promised their new guest that he would assist her in meditation to help her sleep so he headed to his quarters to change out of his uniform into his meditation robes. Perhaps a gesture that was not required, but more personal preference for his own comfort.

He packed a small bag with his candles and the like and set off. He was thinking of how best to approach the issue with her. Whether or not teaching her how to form mental barriers would be too much at first. He also had no idea of what mental defenses she already had. It was common for humans to build up their own, though they seemed to be vastly different then Vulcans. He did not want the information to conflict this early as this was just to get her to sleep peacefully and longer then a few hours.

Simple exercises would be sufficient for this evening. There was no need to over load her. He got to her door and rang the chime and received no answer, so rang again a moment later. Still nothing. He put his ear up against the door to see if he could even hear her moving around, thinking perhaps she was out, but he heard something akin to muffled screams and quickly put in his over ride code.

The door opened and he rushed in, his eyes searching for her until he found her twisted form tangled in the blankets and the most pained expression he had seen on her face since she was in the transporter room. Solok set down his bag and carefully approached her wriggling form as she fought against the blankets.

"Brandi. Wake up. Brandi." He said calmly but loud enough he thought she could hear him. Finally he gripped her by her shoulders and shook her gently. Her hands clasped on to his wrists as her eyes fluttered open, tears pouring from them and for a moment she looked as though she was going to hit him.

Instead she sat up and through her arms around him, sobbing into his robes. He was unsure how to handle this but placed a hand gently on her back, "You were dreaming. You are safe."

"I knew falling asleep was going to be a bad idea. I was just tired." She choked out, trying to calm herself, "I'm sorry. I should have waited and now I am getting your clothes all wet." She said leaning back, trying to wipe her tears off his robes with no luck.

"A trivial matter. May I assume you were dreaming of your time on the Borg ship?" He asked calmly reaching for tissues on the nightstand to hand to her.

Brandi nodded and blew her nose a few times. Taking another sheet to dry her face, still sucking in air, "Just a nice little re-cap of that nightmare. I kept hearing a strange voice whispering to me. I have no clue what it was saying but it was beckoning me somewhere. All I knew was that I had to head in a different direction and keep moving. Don't stop. Don't stop or you will die." She grabbed another tissue, crying mostly from exhaustion.

Solok just watched her a moment, having gotten a glimpse of her fear. He knew then they had come to her rescue just in time. Brandi felt as if she was just about ready to give up and let them do as they wished to her. She had been starving and so overwhelmed by her fear she was growing numb. He knew then just what he needed to have her focus on, though it would likely require more then simple meditation.

"This whispering voice...did you hear it while you were there?" He asked, trying to gain more insight.

Brandi thought a moment, staring at the blankets, "I'm not sure. It seems familiar. Though I don't remember out right hearing it."

Solok gave a nod and stood, "Perhaps it will come to you later. The mind is capable of concealing certain things due to trauma."

Brandi got up and walked to the replicator to get a drink, "I did have a thought, though. The Borg likely have assimilated Betazoids, correct? I mean...they exist here don't they?"

He nodded his head and headed into the living area, "They do and I am sure they have, unfortunately." He was intrigued by the question.

"Then it would seem logical to assume that they have utilized their telepathic capabilities? They add things to their 'collective' that are useful. If you ask me that would be a useful trait to have." She answered and sat taking a sip of her chocolate milk.

Solok blinked. He had never thought of that before, but she had a point, "I would agree. You think perhaps that is the source of these whispers?"

Brandi shrugged, "It is the best option I have other then hallucinating it. I mean, they knew I was there but not part of their collective. How best to communicate with me? Not to mention if they could utilize that ability on a grander scale...that would be bad news for the Federation and all who oppose them." She swallowed and took another sip.

His eyes lingered on her a moment as he thought more about telepathic communication and manipulation and just what she meant, "That would be dire. However, in the effort to get you ready to rest, you should not think more on the matter. I wish to teach you Vulcan discipline, if you will allow it. Solely to assist you in processing the emotions that come with these memories of yours, so that we may gain any useful information and to help you heal from your trauma."

"You want to teach me how to be more Vulcan?" Brandi asked, not feeling insulted, but it was an odd suggestion.

"No. I wish to teach you how to master your mind to the best of your abilities. I believe it would be beneficial to you under these circumstances. This will also require frequent lessons over the course of our journey to Earth." Solok responded cooly.

Brandi tilted her head, "You are taking me all the way then? Starfleet doesn't have an issue with that?"

Solok shook his head slightly, "I have informed them I am accepting you as my responsibility and that I wish to see you safely to Earth myself. There is also no pressing matters that we need to attend to."

She paused then and stared at him. If she didn't know any better it sounded as if he was hell bent on protecting her, which was odd. "Why? Surely you would have no interest in keeping me here for safe keeping when any information I am able to give, will likely be reported to you. Would it not be easier to just give me to another transport or someone going to Earth?"

"Possibly, however we were the one's who rescued you. You have admitted to being familiar with me and some of my staff. It is my understanding that after trauma's of this level, familiarity assists in the healing process." He answered plainly, not sure just how to read the changing expression on her face.

Curious. Very curious, she thought, "So...are you admitting that you care about my well being?" Brandi asked, not sure what she was pressing for but felt the need to analyze him further. What better chance to get to understand his character more then ask him questions, right? It would likely make it easier to write him in her stories. The fan girl in her was also curious.

Solok tilted his head, "Of course. Vulcans have a similar respect for life that humans do. What happened to you was unfortunate and I wish to correct the damage so that you will be well again." He answered, not all too sure what she was trying to get at.

"Would you categorize this as having compassion? A feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering?" Brandi asked further.

He gave a small tilt of his head, "I believe that that definition is a little strong to reference any Vulcan." He answered, beginning to get the gist of what she may be after.

Brandi set down her glass and adjusted in her seat, "If Vulcan's, or you, have truly mastered complete and total emotional suppression...why come to my rescue to begin with? Why not just let me die on the Borg ship when you destroyed it? Why risk you crew for one meaningless life? You could argue that it was for possibly crucial information." She gave a pause to make sure he was listening, which he was. One of his dark brows rising little by little.

"So now that I am here and in better health; why attempt to help me? Why bother to check up on me? Why not just assign me to your counselor to pry for the information I may have? Or Larkin? Why have you taken such a seemingly personal interest in me? You say you wish to see me returned home safely. Meaning you want to see me safe, and that you do not trust anyone else but yourself to get the job done properly." Brandi paused again, feeling a little bad about questioning his motives, but she was really just attempting to understand.

"I believe Humans have a saying, if you want something done correctly you must do it yourself. So in that aspect, you do have a point. I am sure of my capabilities more then I am in the abilities of others." Solok responded finally.

"Why bother though? Unless you have a latent wanting to? Wanting which is tied into emotions on more then one level for humans. Naming yourself as my protector could come off as possessive. You feel it is your duty to do so as you were the one who rescued me. I am now your charge. You say you respect life and wish to preserve it. That is compassion, Solok. Even if it doesn't show up as a strong emotional response, it still is one. Compassion is what drives someone to bother to protect and assist those who require help." She added.

Solok sat back and stared at her a short moment, "You want me to admit I feel compassion for you?

"What I want is to understand. If it isn't an emotion for you, I want you to tell me what it is. Make me understand. Though it is said that even Vulcan's are not without emotions. You just hide and ignore them to keep yourselves from being highly destructive, which is something I do understand. It is not my intention to tell you that you need to be different. I just find you fascinating." She went on, knowing she just pretty much went off on a limb with the conversation.

"Strange, but a logical way of thinking about it." Solok said, taking a moment to think further. "As a Starfleet captain, there are certain things that are expected from me. I believe that Vulcan's in Starfleet have to understand emotions more then we are taught to on our home world, just to peacefully coexist with others. So feeling compassion...even on the lowest level is not impossible."

Brandi picked up her milk and took a sip. It was a total admittance to having an "emotional response", but it was close enough and she felt rather proud, "Well then...how are you going to help me sleep? What do you wish me to do?" She asked.

"First...finish your chocolate milk. The scent is...rather distracting." Solok answered and moved to set up his candles as she drank the rest.

O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O