Lieutenant Commander Roger Allen moved to the side and let Lori enter the captain’s ready room first.  With a smile of appreciation, she walked in, but upon seeing Commander Perry from Starfleet Intelligence, Lori stopped.  Her shoulders slumped as she let out an audible groan.

“Nice to see you, too, Doctor,” said Perry.

“Please sit,” said Kirby.

“What’s going on?” said Lori, irritation filling her voice.

“Have a seat and we’ll explain,” said Kirby.

Lori studied Matt’s face.  On it she could see concern, but his eyes showed his true feelings.  He was sorry.  Resigned to whatever was coming, she sat and crossed her arms.

“We need you for another undercover assignment, Doctor.  We need you both,” said Perry.

Lori drooped her head and sighed.

“What assignment is that?” said Roger.

Perry paused, apparently waiting for Lori’s full attention.  After a moment, she realized the commander hadn’t replied.

“I’m listening.”

“You’ve heard about the Breen attacks?  Well there’s much more than that.”  Perry explained the situation with the Dominion.

Shocked, Lori glanced at Roger.  The expression on his face showed he was just as stunned.  She followed that by looking at Matt, hoping to find comfort from his presence.  No matter the stress of the situation or predicament they faced, her captain and friend was always a pillar of strength.

“What do you need us to do?” whispered Lori, her mind still tumbling like leaves blowing across the ground.

“We’re bringing back Kavi Rozen,” said Perry.

Though Perry told her there was another undercover assignment, that name was the last thing Lori expected to hear.  Her heart pounded and she became short of breath.  It was like someone punched her in the stomach.

“Lori, you okay?”  Roger slipped his arm around her shoulder.

Matt stood up.

“I’m okay,” said Lori after forcing herself to relax.  She saw how Matt was looking at her.  “Really.  I’m fine.”

Matt stood for a little longer, but once he was satisfied she was indeed okay, he sat back down.

“Doctor, I understand how difficult this is for you,” said Perry.

“No, you don’t.”  Lori gave the SFI agent a cold and icy glare.

“Of course I do.  You don’t think I’ve done undercover work?” said Perry, his voice stern.  “You don’t think I’ve had to be someone I’m not or betrayed a person that trusted me?  You’re not the only one that’s gone through this.”

“All right, Commander, that’s enough,” said Kirby.  “You made your point.”

“You’re right of course, Captain.  My sincerest apologies, Doctor Weaver,” said Perry.

Lori continued glaring, but her countenance softened.  “Tell me what you need me to do.”

“Your backstory is that Kavi Rozen made a power move, taking over the entire Red Heaven organization.  She caused Dex Watson and Nessa Trennel to be arrested by local law enforcement.”

“Stop,” said Lori.  “You shut down the entire group.  You stopped the drugs from coming in.  You sent a ship to destroy the processing facility.  How can I be Kavi again?”

Perry smiled.  “Doctor, we know how to do things without making it look like we did anything at all.  I give you full assurance that your cover story is secure.”

“That’s comforting.”

Perry ignored the quip.  “I’ll give you the information you need.  You know the drill.  Study it.  Learn it.  Become it.”

“What’s my part in this?” said Roger.

“You’re Kavi’s bodyguard and lover.”

Hearing that, Lori closed her eyes, her cheeks warm with embarrassment.

“Obviously we don’t expect you to actually go that far,” said Perry, a hint of amusement in his voice.

“Keep the briefing moving, Commander,” said Kirby.

Lori could see Matt was getting frustrated.

“We’re sending you in before the Eagle arrives so your presence is established and to make sure you’re not connected,” said Perry.  “We have a runabout registered to Kavi.  It’s been renovated for someone of her status.”  He focused on Roger.  “I can’t emphasize enough that you become your new persona.  Both your lives depend on it.”

“I understand,” said Roger.  “We’ll get it done.”

Perry nodded.  “Do you have any questions?”

Lori glanced at Roger who shrugged.  “Just give us the information we need so we can prepare.”  Her eyes locked with Matt.  “We’ll be okay, Captain.  You and the Eagle will be watching over us.”

Undercover work was challenging and dangerous, but knowing that her captain and shipmates were there for her, truly gave Lori comfort.

“Let’s go, Lover.  We have work to do.”