FADE IN:

19. INT. LIONETTI HOME – KARA’S BEDROOM – NIGHT

Nobody seems to be in.  The place reflects its occupant’s personality: young, but practical.  There’s a CHIME at the door.  No answer.  The CHIME again.

BREATANA
(behind door)
Kara?  Kara, darling?

Kara replies from behind a dressing SCREEN.  She sounds impatient.

KARA
What is it, Mother?

BREATANA
(trying)
I would like to come in.

KARA
All right.

The door opens, and Breatana ENTERS.  Kara appears from behind the screen, wearing a robe.  She sits down in front of her VANITY and begins brushing her hair.

BREATANA
Your father and I missed you today at the performances.
(beat)
And last night at dinner.

KARA
I told you that I’ve been busy.
(beat)
Once I had been finally been informed about these… security concerns… it’s been my duty to help Captain Siyal.

BREATANA
I had been under the impression that you were on leave, Kara.

Kara swivels her seat to face her mother.

KARA
I’m never off duty, Mother.  You know that.
(beat)
That’s why you didn’t tell me.

BREATANA
We didn’t tell you about these threats because we didn’t want you to worry about something that we considered… ridiculous.

KARA
You’ve always been disappointed that I was never the perfect Daughter of the Twelfth House you wanted.
(beat)
You just wanted me to be that girl just for a little while, is that it?

BREATANA
Would that be so wrong, Kara?

Kara turns back towards the mirror.  Breatana steps behind her and begins combing back her hair, getting it ready for the future elaborate “do.”

KARA
Mother, it’s been a very long time since I needed protecting.

BREATANA
You may know a lot more about space than I, Little One, but I do know this:
(beat)
There isn’t a single mother in the entire galaxy that would ever voluntarily stop protecting their child, no matter how old they were.
(beat)
How did you want your hair?

Kara is quiet for a few moments.  Then, finally:

KARA
(quietly)
I saw a picture of you at the Miyaran Ball… from when Grandmother hosted the festival.

Edin’s VOICE comes from OS.

EDIN (OS)
You’ll look just as beautiful as your mother did that night.

Both women turn to find Edin standing in the doorway.

EDIN (CONT’D)
Brea, dear, Captain Siyal is calling.

BREATANA
Thank you, darling.
(to Kara)
Pick the color for your hairpins.  I’ll be right back.

Kara nods as Breatana and Edin EXIT, the door closing.  Kara sighs and shakes her head, then begins rifling through a drawer.

CUT TO:

20. EXT. SPACE – U.S.S. ENDEAVOUR IN ORBIT (CGI)

ESTABLISHING SHOT for just a moment, then

21. INT. U.S.S. ENDEAVOUR – JAREDAN’S QUARTERS – NIGHT

Jaredan is standing in front of his own mirror, combing his own hair.  He’s in dress uniform minus the jacket.  The door CHIMES.

JAREDAN
Come.

Jennifer ENTERS, also in (full) mess dress, carrying a PADD.  She hands it to Jaredan.

JENNIFER
(re: PADD)
Security’s report on the would-be assassin, along with the ID.

Jaredan scans it.

JAREDAN
Zor Velan.  Hmm… nothing too surprising here.

JENNIFER
Have you figured out how he got through the security net?

JAREDAN
Hopefully, it was just slacking.
(beat)
Otherwise, it would have to have been an inside job, and that is not something I enjoy thinking about.
(beat)
Either way, Paran’s people are in for the traditional dressing down from the Captain.

He grabs his uniform jacket and starts shrugging it on.

JAREDAN (CONT’D)
However, all of that will have to wait until tomorrow morning.
(beat)
You’re coming down for the Miyaran Ball, I see.

JENNIFER
I didn’t get made up and in my mess dress just to deliver a message, you know.
(beat)
I have the honor of being escorted tonight by one Cadet First Class Hikaru Takani.

JAREDAN
An honor, indeed.  But can this young gallant dance?

They both laugh.  He zips the jacket closed and starts straightening it.  Jennifer smoothes out the shoulders from behind him.  He keeps tugging at the collar.

JENNIFER
So, are you looking forward to tonight?

JAREDAN
To tell you the truth, I haven’t had the time to do much thinking about it.

JENNIFER
Oh, sure, I believe that.
(beat)
You’re telling me you’re not excited about getting to play Prince Charming for a night?

JAREDAN
I don’t drink Betazoid wine, I don’t like formal occasions, and I hate the collar on this thing.
(beat)
The only think I am looking forward to is the dancing.

JENNIFER
And the company?  An entire night where it is your solemn duty to dote on and hang on every word of your First Officer?

JAREDAN
(impatient)
Are you getting close to a point here, Jennifer?

JENNIFER
Well, I’m just saying that you and Kara haven’t had an actual date since the Sadie Hawkins Dance.

JAREDAN
Not that it’s any of your business, but that was merely a matter of convenience.

JENNIFER
Now why don’t I believe you?
(beat)
Why do I think that you can’t wait to play the devoted escort?  Of course, you won’t really be playing anything…

Jaredan turns to her, suddenly serious.

JAREDAN
You know, don’t you?

JENNIFER
I was the only other person present when you were brought into sickbay that day.

JAREDAN
And you heard?

JENNIFER
(nods)
However, I was under the impression that you didn’t remember that particular exchange.

JAREDAN
Kara is still under the same impression, and she will stay that way.
(beat)
That’s an order, if it has to be.

JENNIFER
It doesn’t, but I understand.
(beat)
When are you going to tell her?

JAREDAN
If I tell her, it will be when I decide to.

JENNIFER
Don’t wait to do this, Jaredan.

Jaredan checks the mirror one last time.

JAREDAN
It’s time for me to go.  I’ll see you at the party.

He EXITS, and Jennifer follows, shaking her head sadly.

CUT TO:

22. EXT. BETAZED CITY – CIVIC CENTER – NIGHT

Exterior shot of the massive, ornate building, all lit up.

23. INT. CIVIC CENTER - GRAND BALLROOM - NIGHT

The ballroom is lavishly and ornately appointed, but is just shy of obnoxiously so.  Under crystal chandeliers, nearly a hundred tables surround the massive dance floor, and up on a raised stage is one long table for the VIP’s, with ORCHESTRA right beside.  The side tables are occupied by N.D. ATTENDEES, but the stage table isn’t.

ANGLE ON – ENTRYWAY

A brief HORN INTRO sounds, and the DOORS OPEN.  In resplendent attire, a dozen or so N.D. Betazoid Dignitaries, Captain Siyal and his date ENTER, and proceed towards the stage table.  After a pause, in come Kara (looking absolutely stunning) and Jaredan.  Another pause, and Breatana and Edin make their entrance.

The entire party heads for the stage table, and take their seat to the APPLAUSE of the gathered Attendees.

TIME DISSOLVES

We’ve made it past dinner and all the other festivities, and now the dance floor is in full use.

ANGLE ON – STAGE TABLE

Jaredan and Kara are talking animatedly with Jennifer and Hikaru, who have come up to visit them, when the Orchestra begins a WALTZ.  Jaredan lights up.

JAREDAN
Terrific– a Waltz!

He rises and offers his arm.

JAREDAN (CONT’D)
Would you do me the honor?

KARA
(apprehensive)
Oh, Jay, I don’t know–  It’s been so long since the last time we practiced…

JAREDAN
Do I look like I’m worried?

KARA
No, and that’s why I am.
(beat)
All right, then.

She gets up and takes his arm.  Hikaru and Jennifer watch them HEAD OFF.

JENNIFER
You know, I’ve always thought that they make a really great couple.

HIKARU
You mean they would make a great couple.

JENNIFER
I know what I said.

ANGLE ON – THE DANCE FLOOR, where space is immediately made for Jaredan and Kara.

Jaredan takes her into a perfect dance hold, and they dance.  More specifically, they float– they glide in a beautiful Waltz just like the way we all imagine when we hear “Waltz.”  As they dance, they both get more and more lost, and everything else begins to drop away– noise, conversation, everything– until it’s just them and the music.

All too soon, it’s finished, and Kara and Jaredan are left holding each other close.  VERY close.  Jaredan breaks the moment, pulling back, then Kara discovers that nearly the entire room has been watching them.

KARA
(breathless)
That was wonderful.
(beat)
Would you excuse me a second?

JAREDAN
Sure.

She EXITS, both of them looking completely confused.

CUT TO:

24. INT./EXT. CIVIC CENTER – GRAND BALLROOM – BALCONY – NIGHT

Kara stands on the balcony, staring out at the night skyline.  She shivers slightly.  The glass door opens, and Jaredan steps out, unheard.

JAREDAN
I thought I’d find you here.  Stargazing again?

KARA
(over her shoulder)
You know me.

JAREDAN
Have I told you just how beautiful you look tonight?

KARA
You said something before… but it was kind of hectic.

He steps closer, and we see he’s holding a SILK WRAP that matches her gown.  He places it around her shoulders, and leaves his hands there.

JAREDAN
Maybe, but… I wanted you to know that…
(beat)
…whatever beautiful planets, whatever incredible stellar phenomena we’ve come across…
(beat, collecting)
…I think you’re the most breathtaking sight I’ve seen in my life.

Kara spins, surprised.

KARA
You, uh… you’re looking pretty dapper yourself tonight.
(beat, more serious)
What I mean is… you look… handsome.  Dashing.
(beat)
Perfect.

Jaredan’s hands gently frame Kara’s face, as hers begin to reach around him.  They pull ever closer.  Slowly closer… slowly…

They KISS.

FADE OUT.

END ACT THREE