FADE IN:
40. EXT. OVERLOOKING LAKE CATARIA – DAY
Zor Velan and his Accomplice have Kara and Jaredan at point blank range. From OS, there’s a BOOM as the shuttle wreckage EXPLODES. Taking advantage of the distraction, the Cadets dive. Jaredan dives for cover, but Kara TACKLES Velan.
Jaredan grapples with the Accomplice. They wrestle over the phaser rifle for a few seconds. Jaredan is able to FLIP the Accomplice over his shoulder, but the Accomplice ends up with the gun. The Accomplice sneers. Jaredan drops into a SWEEP, knocking the Accomplice’s feet out from under him. The Accomplice stumbles, then goes OVER THE EDGE.
INSERT: LONG SHOT OF CLIFF (CGI)
The Accomplice falls to the water.
Jaredan turns back to find Kara held hostage, Velan’s phaser pointed at her temple. Jaredan scoops up another phaser.
ZOR VELAN
Most impressive, Cadet. Drop the weapon.
Jaredan’s expression darkens.
JAREDAN
You do realize that holding her as hostage gives you absolutely zero
leverage. I know for a fact you intend to kill her, no matter what
I do.
ZOR VELAN
Quite right. But I’m told that a phaser blast at this range is
excruciatingly painful.
Jaredan approaches slowly, phaser up.
JAREDAN
(a statement)
You’re going to let her go.
ZOR VELAN
(amused)
And why will am I going to do that?
JAREDAN
(cold)
Because then I’ll kill you quickly.
ZOR VELAN
Why, Cadet, I do believe you’ve gotten our roles reversed. I
do the threatening here.
JAREDAN
(maddeningly calm)
You don’t seem to get it. I’ve killed with my own two hands before.
I can do it again.
Velan is getting nervous.
ZOR VELAN
Stop right there, Cadet.
KARA
(calmly)
Shoot him, Jaredan.
ZOR VELAN
Shut up!
(to Jaredan)
I said stop!
Jaredan keeps coming. Velan points his phaser at Jaredan now. Jaredan drops his own weapon, but Velan is still scared.
ZOR VELAN (CONT’D)
I told you to stop!
With a lighting fast move, Jaredan grasps Velan’s hand, twisting and squeezing. Velan lets Kara go, and she steps aside, watching in confusion. Jaredan continues to crush Velan’s hand, then TOSSES the man like a rag doll towards the cliff edge.
KARA
(pleading)
Jaredan, that’s enough.
Unhearing, Jaredan picks Velan up and strikes him with two massive punches. Holding Velan by the neck, Jaredan holds him out over the edge. Kara puts a hand on Jaredan’s arm.
KARA
(softly)
Jaredan, please. Let him go.
Jaredan drops Velan, who collapses. Jaredan turns away, disgusted. As Kara puts an arm around him, Siyal and N.D. Security Officers ARRIVE.
JAREDAN
(to Siyal)
He’s all yours.
There’s a GROWL from OS. Velan rushes at Kara and Jaredan. Reacting on reflex, Jaredan pushes Kara out of the way and delivers a sharp strike to Velan’s throat. Velan crumples, dead.
Eyes cold, Jaredan looks down at the dead man silently. Kara again holds him, but he’s just not there.
CLOSE – ON JAREDAN’S EYES
PULL BACK TO REVEAL:
41. INT. STARFLEET BASE – SIYAL’S OFFICE – AFTERNOON
Jaredan and Kara again stand in front of the desk. Jaredan retains the same faraway look, while Kara continually glances towards him.
SIYAL
I’ve made it clear in my report regarding the matter of Zor Velan’s
death that you were acting completely in self defense.
(beat)
You’re both to contact Superintendent Brand at the Academy as soon
as you’re en route.
JAREDAN
(dully)
Yes, sir.
Both Kara and Siyal wait to see if he’s going to say any more, but there’s nothing coming.
KARA
Thank you, Sir. You took a real chance allowing Cadet Aquino
and myself to pursue Velan. We appreciate it.
SIYAL
I took no chance. I put my trust in the two best pilots and most
capable persons I had at my disposal.
(beat)
That takes care of it, then. An excellent job, Cadets.
They shake hands, and exchange pleasantries. Jaredan and Kara EXIT the office.
CUT TO:
42. EXT. STARFLEET BASE – ENTRANCE – AFTERNOON
Kara and Jaredan COME OUT.
KARA
Now there’s just my parents to say goodbye to, and we can get underway.
JAREDAN
Could you give them my regrets? I’d like to get back to the ship.
Make sure everything’s ready to go.
KARA
(trying)
That’s the most you’ve said for hours.
(beat – no reaction)
Of course. I understand.
(beat)
I know that they’d want to thank you for everything you’ve done for
us these last few days.
She kisses him on the cheek. He’s surprised, but still mostly spaced out. Shaking her head, Kara heads towards the flyer stop, and we FOLLOW HER. The SOUND of the transporter picks up, and she looks over her shoulder.
As Jaredan starts to DEMATERIALIZE, he waves to her. She returns the gesture until he’s gone. She turns away again.
CUT TO:
43. EXT. SPACE – U.S.S. ENDEAVOUR IN ORBIT (CGI)
ESTABLISHING SHOT for a beat, then
44. INT. U.S.S. ENDEAVOUR – VARIOUS PLACES
A MONTAGE OF SCENES, with no sound under the score.
Jaredan arrives on the Bridge, and heads straight for his Ready Room. The crew look puzzled.
We can just see the IMAGE of ADMIRAL BRAND on Jaredan’s terminal screen before he CLOSES it down. He rubs his temples.
Kara arrives in the Transporter Room, where Jennifer meets her, looking extremely concerned. They start talking.
Jaredan is in his quarters, trying to finish his dinner. His glass slips, spilling the liquid on the floor. He picks it up and drops it again. In a fury, he grabs it and throws it against the wall, shattering it. Jaredan falls into a chair.
45. INT. U.S.S. ENDEAVOUR - JAREDAN’S QUARTERS - BEDROOM - NIGHT
Jaredan drops to the bed, obviously exhausted. The events of the last few hours have obviously taken their toll. The room is dimly lit, and warp stars streak by the windows. Taking a long gulp of water from a glass on the nightstand, he climbs under the covers.
TIME DISSOLVES
Jaredan tosses and turns, then suddenly sits upright. He cradles his head in his hands. There is a sudden electricity in the air, and Jaredan looks up. The air shimmers with a transporter effect. Kara materializes, bathed in soft blue light, wearing a diaphanous (but still fairly modest) silk robe.
JAREDAN
(half to himself)
Well, the dream’s gotten better.
Kara smiles gently and takes a few steps towards him.
KARA
No dream, love.
She sits on the edge of the bed.
KARA (CONT’D)
It’s me.
She takes his hand in hers, then sits beside him on the bed. Jaredan still isn’t sure if it’s real.
JAREDAN
What are you doing here? You don’t want to do this.
KARA
I don’t? Why not?
Jaredan places a hand on her cheek.
JAREDAN
You don’t want me. You deserve better.
Kara plants a gentle kiss on his lips.
KARA
There is no better than you.
Jaredan turns away some.
KARA (CONT’D)
Damn it, Jay, you can’t go on like this. I know what happened
in the Mirror Universe has you disturbed, but this isn’t like you.
JAREDAN
I don’t know what is like me anymore. I don’t know how you did
it, but I can’t let it go…
KARA
What?
JAREDAN
I was given the chance to look at myself completely from the outside.
To understand what it is that makes me tick. I don’t like what I
saw.
KARA
(exasperated)
We’ve had this argument before, Jay. That wasn’t you. A
dark, twisted copy, maybe, but not you.
JAREDAN
But it was. They read me his service jacket while we were onboard
the other Endeavour. I looked in his eyes. Inside, he’s the
same driven, ambitious…
(beat)
He was what I could be if I let it happen.
Kara sidles up and embraces him from behind.
KARA
But you won’t let it happen. Yes, you’re driven. You’re
ambitious. But you’re compassionate. You’re tender.
She nimbly moves around to face him.
KARA (CONT’D)
You’re loving. You have the biggest, sweetest heart I’ve ever
known.
JAREDAN
I’ve killed with my bare hands… twice.
KARA
Both times to protect me.
JAREDAN
Is that really why?
KARA
(beat, smiling)
I’m a telepath, remember? Trust me.
Jaredan just lets a smile touch his lips before frowning again.
JAREDAN
But the way he treated her… you… He made her his…
(venomously)
Captain’s Woman.
KARA
(shaking her head)
You don’t know, do you?
JAREDAN
Know what?
KARA
That Kara was the Captain’s Woman, you’re right. But she was
there because she wanted to be.
Kara pulls him closer.
KARA (CONT’D)
In her own, strange way, she loved him. She loved her Jaredan…
CLOSE IN. No more than an inch separates them.
KARA (CONT’D)
… as much as I love mine.
Jaredan blinks in surprise.
JAREDAN
Say that again?
Kara smiles. This is more like him.
KARA
I love you, Jaredan Aquino.
JAREDAN
I love you, too, Kara Lionetti.
They begin kissing passionately. Slowly, they lower to the bed.
TIME DISSOVLES TO SHIP’S MORNING
Kara & Jaredan lay blissfully asleep, tangled up in each other. Kara lies with her head resting on Jaredan’s chest.
CLOSE - ON KARA
Kara’s eyelids flutter, but don’t quite open. A satisfied grin spreads across her face.
Kara tilts her head upwards, only to meet Jaredan’s open eyes and smiling face. Quick pecking kisses are interspersed through the next lines.
JAREDAN
Good morning, love.
KARA
Mmm… Good morning, lover.
JAREDAN
Hmm. “Lover.” I like the sound of that.
KARA
(Hugging him tighter)
I like the feel of it.
(beat)
What time is it?
Jaredan tilts his head towards the nightstand.
JAREDAN
Uh… 0800?
KARA
I’m usually up well before now.
JAREDAN
I know. I wonder why it never felt this early before.
KARA
Probably because bed never felt this good before.
They kiss for a few moments before Jaredan breaks contact.
JAREDAN
Kara– last night. While we were… you know…
(beat)
I could hear you in my mind.
KARA
And I could hear you.
(smiles)
It was wonderful.
JAREDAN
Yes, it was. But there was something… a word.
(to himself)
What was it?
Jaredan visbly concentrates, as Kara looks at him expectantly. She thinks to him, but not broadcasting.
KARA (VO)
Come on, Jay– I have to hear you say it.
Jaredan’s eyes snap open with realization.
JAREDAN
You called me… Imzadi.
Kara repeats the word with a look of pure elation.
KARA
Yes. Imzadi.
JAREDAN
What does it mean?
KARA
It’s a Betazoid word. The exact meaning is kind of difficult
to explain, but the best translation is… “beloved.”
(beat)
It’s used to describe the one truest, most passionate love of a person’s
lifetime. It’s what you call the one person in the universe you could
never be without. And once two people are Imzadi, it is a bond that
can never be broken. Not by separation, not by time, not even by
death.
Jaredan gazes at her adoringly, tracing the lines of her face gently with one finger. He then holds her face, letting her hair loop into his fingers as he pulls her lips closer.
JAREDAN
(whispering)
Imzadi…
They kiss.
FADE OUT.
THE END