Keeran Leffen barreled through the door to her Dormitory and chucked her data pad across the room in an ostentatious display of hostility and aggression. The electronic device crashed against the painted entry room wall leaving a good chunk removed from the plaster dorm wall. The device itself was built durable and capable of far worse so it remained relatively intact with only a few stretches on the screen.

“Where does that glorified bilge sneet get off saying no to me!” Keeran let out the most frustrated and passionate angry growl as she kicked her black loafers off in the same direction she had flung her data pad.

In the next room, a stocky male Titan with wispy brown hair, turquoise eyed and a reddish complexion say lazily at a data console swiping away at a holo emitted screen in front of him. At the sudden crash-boom, he lurched slightly and peeked towards the door in time to see a flash of black and navy blue Keeran storm by, if there had been smoke coming from her ears he almost wouldn’t have been surprised.

“Keeran’s back from class I see…good afternoon to you!” The Titan spoke in a dull relaxed voice that was only a little deeper than Keeran’s contralto tone.

“Shut up Hedyn!” Keeran hissed viciously as she barreled into the room, throwing herself with purpose down onto the two seat sofa, tightening her arms across her chest and throwing her stocking clad feet up onto the center table.

“Sure come on in, make yourself at home…put your feet up and stay a while.” Hedyn chuckled, he had a bit of face stubble that formed a neat looking beard, and wore a charm like earring that wrapped around the back of his head and looped over his right ear.

“It’s my dorm I can come and go when I please!” Keeran seethed, she was in no mood for sarcasm, which Hedyn was of course all about.

“Ohhh-kaayyyy….” The stocky mildly over weight Titan turned on his chair and leaned forward, resting his chin in his hand. “Tell Hedyn whacher on about? What’s got poor little Kee-kee all hot and bothered eh?”

“SO I went to talk to that…that…that THING like you suggested…and do you know what he said! HE told me to get out! He kicked me out…IT kicked me out of ITS OFFICE and sicked its little whore on me!” Keeran threw her hands down and grasped tightly at a pillow, chucking it across the room in anger.

Hedyn sat back and crossed his arms causally over his chest, letting his black desk chair recline a little. “Did you set up a meeting properly and alert him of your coming? Or did you barge in like a Hytot in heat and barrel him over?” Hedyn asked cleverly, he knew Keeran well enough to know the answer already.

Keeran was silent for a moment, but no less furious than before. “I just had a few questions it wasn’t going to take long!” Keeran grumbled as she eyed the immediate vicinity for something else to throw.

“Kee, you can’t just barge in on a man like Dr. Freeman…he’s used to being treated differently…he’s one of them smart humans remember.” Hedyn reached out and took hold of a metallic can, he took a drink from it and set it down. “You can’t treat him like a pet…you have to be careful around him ya see. Use yer noggin…stroke his ego…play to his game and he’ll give you whacha want.” Hedyn chuckled and turned to face his screen.

“Yea well I don’t wanna do my study on his stupid little rock anyhow! To Topar with him!” Keeran grumbled, in more of a pout now.

“I hope you didn’t make a fool of yourself there too, you could get in a lot of hot water for this…not to mention what his attack Kipp will do to you if…WHEN she finds out.” Hedyn sounded highly amused as he swiped at his screen, he appeared to be playing a game of sorts.

“Oh that harmless little Tupp can hardly bumble out two words….”

“I’m not talking about Kymie Abaforad….I’m talking about Naskia Bass.” Hedyn spoke, a bit more serious.

Keeran was quiet for a moment, and defiantly, but much less confidently huffed and waved her hand dismissively. “I hope she does try something, then I can have that human-licking kipp put down like the shuuk she is!” Keeran muttered and slumped down on the sofa.

“Oh Kee, you’re always good for a laugh eh? You let yourself get far to bothered by things.” Hedyn chuckled and took another drink from his soda can, rocking his chair back and forth on its swivel rod a little as he played his game.

“I do not! Urg you know what Hedyn shove a cork in your hole and mind your own next time! I swear this is the last time I take your advice!” Keeran took hold of another pillow and threw it aggressively at the back of Hedyn’s head.

Hedyn ducked almost at the perfect moment, the pillow moved effortlessly through the hologram screen, distorting it for a second. As the screen rematerialized, Hedyn turned back to face Keeran, he didn’t look as amused as before but his voice was still calm and lazy.

“Look, I didn’t tell you to burst into the man’s office and assault him…that clever bit of thinking came from your own dome Kee.” Hedyn knew Keeran well enough; he didn’t need to hear her half of the story to get a picture of what likely went down in Dr. Freeman’s office.

“Why should I waste my time making an appointment to see a gorram human!?” Keeran’s chest heaved as she breathed viciously, her eyes piercing her friend like a hawk.

“Because some humans are different Kee, some are not pets, Dr. Freeman like it or not is a faculty and a respected mind at Tannhauser and you don’t molest faculty OR respected minds!” Hedyn nodded, and turned back to his screen. “Dr. Freeman is very approachable when you do it right, I had a nice chat with him about my midterm last week and he was a very nice chap about it. Likeable, the kind of man you could have a drink with actually. You’re just a spazz!”

Keeran made a sour face at the back of Hedyn’s head and sighed, looking up at the ceiling, and the three spinning blades that circulated air throughout the social room. “That case study would have been amazing…I would have won the Tednfum Award of Excellence for that…who does a case study on Earth, with accurate information form an actual Alien from Earth? Gorram that little sneet stole this from me…I’d love to get my hands on him…ohhh the things I’d do to him!”

“Killing humans is against the law Kee, in fact you might have a lot of water to tread now enough as it is. You really don’t think Dr. Freeman is going to let this slide do you?” Hedyn looked back, mildly concerned.

“I didn’t hurt him, he can whine all he likes I broke no laws!” Keeran defended, she didn’t seem to concerned.

“Maybe not, but Dr. Freeman is good friends with Head Master Lert…and most of the adjunct faculty in fact…as well as a good portion of the student body…Kee…you don’t want him as an enemy.” Hedyn sighed.

“Look what ever ok! I have more important things to worry about now! Like what I’m going to do about this case study!” Keeran stressed, throwing herself back against the sofa once more.

“Well you could study the Great Ocean?” Hedyn looked hopeful.

“Like a dozen other average Joes? Oh maybe I could take pictures of the great big gorram puddle they all live in! That should get me a nice AVERAGE mark!” Keeran groaned.

“Fribbulus Xax?” Hedyn shrugged.

“I WISH NOT TO SCREAM AND YELL AND SPEAK TO ICKY LIZARD PEOPLE!” Keeran threw on her best Lur voice. “AND IT’S TOO HOT THERE!”

“Ok, well you don’t want to study the Dunnermac, and you don’t want to study the Lur…how about the Mantids?” Hedyn grinned sarcastically. Of course she didn’t want to study the Mantids, nobody wanted to study the Mantids. Of all the Insectoid hives, the Mantids were perhaps the least likely to buddy up to you. The Mantids had a command structure which could be closely compared to the Mafia back on earth, only rather than chubby Italians who loved wine and guns, the Mantids were 100ft Praying Mantis creatures with wings and bladed hands.

“That…is actually brilliant…Hedyn that’s a good idea!” Keeran cheered up suddenly. She stood and moved over to Hedyn’s computer terminal, shoving him out of the way she began to swipe at his screen with gusto.

“Kee…no I wasn’t serious…besides do you even know a Mantid?” Hedyn spilt his soda on his shirt and wiped it off as he followed Keeran’s movements with interest.

“No…but I might know somebody who does….” Keeran grinned. “Let Dr. Freeman have his dirty old blue ball…this is gonna blow me into a whole new category!”

Hedyn sighed and leaned back in his chair. “Kee…you don’t want to get involved with the Mantids…if you want to study a Hive how about the Muuk? Or the Greech? Maybe the Xxxezzt?” Hedyn asked hopefully.

“Nope…Mantid…this is gonna be great!” Keeran sat back as she eyed a contact number on her screen. “Perfect….” Keeran looked to her friend and gave him a hug. “You’re the best Hedyn, thanks!”

***

Niall took a drink from the small round glass, the sound of the ice against the glass made a jingling sound as he slammed the glass down on the bar table. Sitting next to him a human sized Kymie stiff and tense as Niall continued to spout off. Niall’s voice was a bit slurred from the whiskey in his blood. Well, the holographic whisky…the effects would wear off as soon as the program was over…it was a nice little addition he had added. The illusion of drunkenness, perfect for stressful work days.

“Dr. Freeman I really think we should….” Kymie whimpered softly but was cut off by Niall.

“Balls we should! This doesn’t leave this holosuite…you got me Kymie?” Niall was shouting a little more now because of his inebriated state.

“We can’t let something like this slide I really think….”

“Look, it’s bad enough it happened! I don’t need everyone knowing about it!” Niall grumbled.

“Please Dr. Freeman she can’t get away….”

“No Kymie!” Niall took a drink and slammed his glass down again.

Kymie jumped a little, but not out of fear. She had no reason to suspect Niall would ever lash out at her, holodeck or not. She trusted Dr. Freeman as much as he trusted her.

“Sorry.” Niall grumbled softly, realizing he may have startled her. Naskia had once told Niall that lashing out against those closest to him was never a good idea. She was right about that.

“It’s ok.” Kymie spoke softly. She wasn’t all too offend. Mostly she was embarrassed and ashamed. How could her own kind be so barbaric and heartless? She was raised to believe Titans were the epitome of civilized enlightenment. They were the great judiciaries of the universe. What she had just witnessed was not just, it was not enlightened, it was barbaric.

Niall took another drink, there was a long pause between then broken only by Kymie’s soft sobbing. Niall was a bit shocked to hear it, as it was not Kymie that had been accosted, it was him. Still he felt somewhat paternally responsible for the girl, and set his hand on her shoulder gently.

“What’s up with ye?” He half smiled and turned his chair to face her.

Kymie sniffed quickly and dried her eyes with her sleeve. “Oh…sorry nothing Dr.Freeman….” she didn’t want to bother Niall with more drama, but the truth was she felt responsible for the whole thing.

“Kymie…what’s wrong? Out with it now, I know you better than that woman!” Niall laughed, it was dry and tranquilized but it was a laugh.

“It’s just…well….Dr. Freeman…I should have been there! It was my fault this happened. I should have got back there faster, waited outside your office when you told me to go! Dr.Freeman I’m so sorry this happened I was so neglectful and…”

“Wait a minute? How the hell was this your fault Kymie?” Niall narrowed his eyes and furrowed his brow.

“Because of people like me Dr. Freeman…because of us!” Kymie spoke through restrained tears.

“People like you? Us?” Niall’s expression was a cross between confused and amused.

“Titans…us…my kind…people like me Dr. Freeman!”

“And just what do you think people like you are?” Niall grinned.

“Monsters Dr. Freeman! Monsters that do horrible thongs to anyone weaker than then.” Kymie set her head down on the bar counter and sulked.

Niall casually took a drink from his glass and set it down carefully. “Kymie, you’re a smart lass most of the time…but every once in a while you can really be a ditz!” Niall laughed, he was starting to feel a little bit better.

Kymie looked up to Niall as if she was about to cry. “What?”

“Kymie dear, people like you are not monsters, people like you are not responsible for what that woman did…the truth people like you? I owe my life to people like you.” Niall spoke softly, solemn and seriously.

“Heh! Yea right, good one Dr. Freeman!” Kymie laughed sarcastically and sulked again. “People like me keep humans as pets and make them live in cages! We’ve done nothing kind to you Dr.Freeman!”

“Balls Kymie, people like you have done no such thing! People like you have taken the time to listen, heard what I have to say and have given me a chance. People just like YOU are the reason I’m not naked in a cage Kymie!”

Kymie’s face softened and she looked back to Niall. At this size it was hard to imagine he wasn’t a Titan. He looked just like one, tall, handsome, he was funny and charming. How could his size make other people see him any differently? How had she even imagined the very idea of humans as pets before she had met him? It made no sense. “I think you’re giving me too much credit. That was Naskia…not me Dr. Freeman.” Kymie sighed.

“Exactly…people like YOU. Nas, Loona, and you!” Niall jingled his empty glass and sat back on his bar stool. “Kymie, you did what I asked you to do. It’s not your fault, and if you hadn’t come when you did things would have ended a lot worse.” Niall gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze “So thank you Kymie…I owe you…more than you’ll ever know.”

“You’re sweet Dr. Freeman.” Kymie sniffed and smiled, it may have just been a hologram, but Niall’s strong hand on her shoulder felt as real as could be. She could feel the warmth of his touch just as strongly as she could see the emotion in his eyes. Naskia was truly a fortunate woman.

“Now listen, we need to keep this a secret…from everyone!” Niall’s voice took on a serious and contemplative tone.

“I really wish you wouldn’t….” Kymie sighed and wrung her hands together.

“We have to. Kymie the only thing more embarrassing than what that girl did to me, would be the pity and meddling of every staffer and student on campus. I’d never have a moments peace.” Niall pleaded with her, and it wasn’t something he often did.

“O…ok…if you think it’s best…but Dr. Freeman there is no shame in asking for help….”

“I can hack into the security archives and delete that segment of video…I don’t think Keeran will come around again, not if she thinks she could lose her scholarship funding.”

“You know, hacking into the security archives is against school policy, they could fire you for that ya muppet!” Naskia spoke in a most displeased tone as she stood at the door to Niall’s tavern. Her arms were crossed over her chest and she had a scowl on her face, her eyes narrowed like focused lasers.

“P…petal!” Niall stammered as he stood quickly. He looked like a dear caught in the headlights of a truck.

“Dr. Bass I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to…I mean I didn’t want to…I mean I’m sorry I….”

“Kymie dear it’s alright, you did nothing. Niall is the muppet, aren’t you muppet!” Naskia stormed over, her footsteps determined and pounding.

Niall could almost feel then just as well as when she was Titan sized. “Nas let me explain…”

“Oh I heard enough! Niall how could you even dream of not reporting her! This is a crime and an atrocity!”

“Computer end….” Naskia was cut off quickly.

“Petal no…please…not like that…please?” Niall looked to her, into her gorgeous eyes. Even when she was angry she was beautiful.

Naskia caught her mistake almost as soon as she had muttered it. She quickly wrapped her arms around Niall and buried her head in his chest. “I’m sorry.” She whispered.

“Nas…Petal…I need it to be like this, I need it to go down like this. Please…don’t run over me…I need you, I always need you I know but right now I NEED you.” Niall stroked Naskia’s dark brown hair as he held her tight.

“I’m…gonna go ok?” Kymie stood to leave.

“Kymie stay please.” Naskia spoke, muffled by Niall’s chest.

Naskia pushed away from Niall, she didn’t look as angry, but she still looked serious. “No Niall…she has to pay for this. We can’t let her get away with it.” Naskia spoke with confidence, she always found it harder to stand up to Niall when he was small. When they were on even footing it was for some reason much easier.

“Naskia, I understand that. But I can’t handle what that would cost. Nas, it was embarrassing. It made me feel worthless, pathetic. Now you want me to let everyone else know that? I have to fight ten times harder than everyone else to get half as far…if we report her things will get a lot harder for me.” Niall took a deep breath.

“That’s not true, Niall people will understand, she will be punished and….”

“And then what? Round the clock care? Armed campus security at every lecture? Maybe I can do my work in your pocket instead? Do all my lectures from the holosuite? Naskia no…I can’t handle that.”

“Niall….” Naskia sighed, she looked him over carefully, she found her hands slowly running down his side, resting on his rib cage. the same place those horrible black and purple bruises had been. She would never forget then, she would never forget how they happened, and why they had happened. She hadn’t listened to him, she hadn’t given him the respect he deserved. She barreled over him and forced her will onto him. She could never make that mistake again. She wasn’t that person, she wasn’t.

“Ok.” Naskia whispered softly.

“Dr. Bass….” Kymie protested meekly.

“It’s ok Kymie…Niall knows what he’s doing.” Naskia looked back to Kymie, then to Niall and smiled weakly.

“Thank you Naskia.” Niall spoke with relief.

“BUT we are going to make some changes…call them compromises!” Naskia spoke with authority.

“Such as?” Niall winced.

“First of all no more keeping your door unlocked. A high security door is of no use left wide open!” Naskia grinned.

“Fair enough….” Niall chuckled.

“Second, no more going anywhere without either me or Kymie…ok?” Naskia looked back to Kymie to make sure she was on board.

Kymie nodded with a warm smile.

“I can live with that.” Niall stroked Naskia on the cheek with affection.

“Don’t think of it as round the clock care…try to think of it as…spending time with your two favorite ladies!” Naskia smiled smartly.

“Aye, grand.” Niall laughed in return.

“And third…if this does happen again, we need to take action. Once is bad enough, but if it becomes a regular thing we have to cut it down fast…ok?” Naskia hugged Niall tightly before he could respond.

“Aye…fair enough.” Niall rested his head atop Naskia’s head and sighed.

“I’m not losing you to some prissy gorram bitch Niall Freeman…you hear me? Not a chance!” Naskia spoke with assertiveness.

Niall didn’t speak, he simply hugged Naskia, enjoying the intimate moment they didn’t often share.

“Dr. Freeman…I hate to break you two apart but…you have a Lecture in under half an hour, and after that….” Kymie spoke up softly.

“I know…I suppose we should get some lunch in us before eh?” Niall pulled back and smiled to Naskia.

“I have it waiting in your office, shall we?” Naskia smiled sweetly.

Niall backed away and nodded.

“Computer, end program.” Naskia spoke, no sooner than her human sized avatar vanished, as did Niall’s Titan one.

When Niall’s vision returned, where Naskia once was, stood a pair of feet, and ones he recognized very well. It was always a bit of a shock when the program ended, she always seemed that much larger right out of the holosuite.

Naskia slowly knelt down, and extended her hand, while Kymie kept back, standing with her arms behind her back politely.

“All aboard?” Naskia whispered with a smile.

Niall hopped aboard Naskia’s palm and sat cross legged, she stood slowly, cupping her fingers around him protectively, before she let her hand rest against her stomach, she brought Niall up for a tender kiss, which as always took him his entire body just about.

“I love you.” Naskia smiled, and turned to walk towards Kymie.

“And I you Petal. Niall smiled, but was a little shocked to find himself being handed over to Kymie.

“Niall, I’ll be right there, I just have something I need to take care of first.” Naskia spoke, her tone was sweet but she was hiding something.

Kymie allowed Niall to hop aboard her palm, and then rested it against her upper stomach, fingers curled up slightly to act as a boarder.

“Ok Petal…but don’t be long ok?” Niall watched Naskia carefully, he had an idea what she was up to…and actually didn’t mind one bit.

As Naskia headed for the holosuite door, she spoke through her teeth. “Don’t worry, this won’t take long.” Naskia’s fists were balled at her side, Niall had been taken care of, and he was safe. Now she had to take care of business…and for once she didn’t mind getting as mad as she possibly could.