Instead of going to bed, Terah sat in a chair in her room, watching Stephi sleep in the dim light of her quarters, thinking. Normally she'd be quite opposed to any sort of interference, this was their problem and they needed to learn how to handle problems together. But from what Jesa said... she wasn't sure if Buck even knew there was a problem, and Jesa was determined not to push him.

Anger built inside of her, knowing how much Jesa cared for him. She didn't know Buck, in fact, to this moment, she had never met him. She couldn't judge his normal behavior, but maybe that might help her in this instance. She would do her best to see who he was now, without the benefit or detriment of previous knowledge. But she knew that Jesa trusted him and loved him, which meant a whole hell of a lot. Terah knew Jesa's trust was very hard to earn.

Terah contemplated sleep, but she knew that she wouldn't be able to sleep until this situation had changed somewhat. She wondered about Jelandra, what did she think about Buck's relationship with Jesa? Maybe she could find a comrade at arms in his sister. Her lips were pursed in a thin line. The more she thought about it, the more she thought she needed to do something.

To let a problem like this go without saying something... was rather unlike Terah. Meddling she did, reluctantly, and she did try to avoid it. She judged it to be one of those things that people could invest themselves in, instead of living their own lives. But sometimes meddling was necessary. And meddling was what she would do tonight. And with that thought, she threw a robe on that looked more like a casual dress, and departed, taking off straight for Buck's assigned quarters.

Terah stood outside Buck's doors with purpose etched on her lips. In her black eyes lay the quiet determination which was so trademark of the Callen women. She reached out and chimed the door once, and waited patiently for a response. A minute ticked by, and there was no reply, she chimed once again, thinking the occupant may have been asleep. But again, no reply was evidenced from within the doors.

The young betazoid woman reached out into the quarters, and felt the single candle of a presence burning within those walls, and she knew he was not asleep, though he might as well have been from the even darkness of his mind. 'I know you're in there, and I need to talk to you.' She said to the man, having never before spoken to his mind. She felt impatience and annoyance, with a load of other, darker things, quietly withdrawing from his mind. She stood in silence until the door opened.

"First of all, I'm sorry for disturbing you so late, but this is important to you." Terah said, walking quickly into his quarters. She was somewhat nervous about her actions, but was doing her best not to let it show. Quickly locating him, she stood and waited to be offered a seat.

"You don't need to talk like them. It's bad for a telepath to let her skills wane through lack of use, you know." A voice came from the chair, the back of which was facing her. The lights were low and the mood in the quarters was broody.

The red-haired woman shook her head slightly; she was tired and really didn't want to have a conversation about her telepathy. "It's late, and I'm tired, so I'll keep this short. Jesa needs you." Terah said, simply, folding her hands together.

"Does she?" he asked, with a calm questioning tone to his voice. But there was an edge to it, "Think carefully before you answer the question. She has suffered more harm than good, most of it I fear has been caused by me. Not intentionally, you understand, but there are certain..." He paused. "Factors, of which you are no doubt unaware."

"Before god, Buck, she has been through a lot lately. Whether it was caused by you or not, she still needs you... she's hurting badly right now and refuses to come to you, she wants to give you distance, and she wants to give you the space you require---even at her own cost." Terah ended softly.

"Do you know what is the price of peace of mind, I wonder... Or freedom. Or both." His voice was musing, while his thoughts seemed distant, "We all have our dues to pay the piper --- myself more than most. Do you have any idea of the debt that will be claimed from me?" he said, his voice going on, seeming very contemplative and distant.

"No. And I don't claim to know. All I know is what I see in my sister's eyes. She's a strong woman, but she is hurting. And I think that whatever you both have been through; in each other's arms you should find comfort, not harming each other like this." she spoke, her eyes flashing towards the back of his head.

"Find another hobby --- interfering in the affairs of others is a road to almost certain misery. Read Emma, by Jane Austin. You're too meddlesome, child." He said, a clearly condescending manner residing in the word 'child'. Terah seemed to take no notice.

"Yes, I am a meddlesome woman, especially about those I care about, and especially about my family. I don't know much about you, this is true... but I don't need to." her voice softened slightly "I know Jesa loves you, and if you have love for her in return, you should go to her..."

There was a silence. Then he spoke. "Is that all, child?" he said, repeating his belittling gesture.

Terah nodded. "That was all I wanted to say." She couldn't help but feel that she hadn't gotten through, but maybe a few of those words had reverberated off of his thick masculine ego and made their way down into his actual mind. "Just remember she loves you... she's hurting... try and find some compassion for her."

The woman walked towards the door, turning once she reached the threshold to look back at the Betazoid man in the armchair, his favorite armchair, though she could not have known that.

"Goodnight."

"I doubt it, child. I very much doubt it."

Terah shook her head slightly, barely even hearing the child part. And with that, she left, biting back a few more angry words about how stupid people can be, especially when it comes to each other.

Loaded: 06.23.2004