Mason "
By: Patia Zoei, Chief Counselor, [PC]
Matthew Mason, Prisoner , [RNPC]
Giuseppe Silvio, Chief Engineer, [RNPC]
Teilani Dane, Chief Medical Officer, [PC]
Bones , EMH , [NPC]

Stardate: 58205.25 0005

Mason's eyes popped wide open and he gasped for breath. As he sat up he noticed a startled doctor standing over him.

Bones nearly had a heart attack, if that was even possible for a hologram. With the swiftness of a old gunslinger he drew his tricorder. This was a remarkable situation. "Doctor Dane," he said in his prissy voice. " Would you please take a look at this."

Teilani who was adding some additional medical information to one of the Zion's crewmembers file looked up. Behind the EMH figure she saw some one sitting up and she quickly walked over.

Mason looked at Dane, finally someone he recognized, "Where is that counselor lady," he asked.

"Good morning to you too Mr. Mason. Welcome back. Teilani checked the tricorder readings it was remarkable. " I will get Ms Zoei for you."

"What happened," he asked, "I mean, the last thing I remember was running for my life." Mason coughed. He looked around, "I was trying to get back here, but I did not make it."

"You were attacked and after you were found, some of the Zion crew brought you here. You have been unconscious for some time. I began to wonder when you would decide to wake up," she said with a smile. Lie back down I will try to get Ms Zoei for you."

Mason began shivering uncontrollably, "I was being hunted," he paused, "have you regained control of the ship."

"Shhhhht, its alright. It took some effort but we regained control of the ship. We also delivered all prisoners safely to Rura Penthe and we are now on our way back to QulTuq." Teilani explained softly.

Mason continued to shiver, he did not understand why he was so cold, "Then I am not joining them there?"

"You are still here because both the counselor and myself asked that you be granted asylum here. You did save our lives remember?"

"Thank you," said Mason, "Why am I so cold?"

"You have been in stasis all this time. Your body needs to regulate itself. It will soon pass." Teilani turned around and took a hypo spray from a tray. Making small adjustment to the settings she pressed it against Mason's neck. " There this will help you." she said. She also took a blanket from another biobed and placed it over Mason's shoulders.

"What happened to Captain Rogers," he asked.

"Captain Rodgers was killed in a firefight and unfortunately Mr. Birkhoff and one of our own crew managed to escape with one of our shuttles."

"Johnson," said Mason with disgust, "The traitor." It was Johnson that decided to turn Mason into prey for the Cardassians and anyone else who wanted to hunt him. He was a very twisted individual.

Teilani nodded. "Indeed."

"Doctor Dane to Counselor Zoei. Sorry for disturbing you this late hour. Would you please report to sickbay. Someone is requesting your presence."

The sound of Dr. Dane's voice filled Zoei's head and brought her abruptly to consciousness. I will be there momentarily She quickly rose from bed and dressed. With a twist, she rolled her hair into a tight knot and clipped it in place. As she approached, her doors whooshed open, and she hurried to the turbo lift. She settled back and leaned against the wall as it hurtled through the darkened ship. The only patient in Sick Bay she could think of was Mason, but he had been in a coma since the day he was found.

She exited the turbo lift and headed to Sick Bay. Zoei peeked around the corner of the patient area. The biobed where Mason had been at was still occupied, but an unprecedented flurry of activity was happening there.

Mason say the counselor and said, "Hey there."

"Hello there. Welcome back to the land of the living. Doctor Dane said you wanted to see me. How are you doing, now that you are awake?" Zoei asked. She settled into a chair next to the bio bed. The steady thrum of the equipment vibrated against her leg.

"I am doing much better," said Mason, "The doc tells me that you and she kept me out of Rura Penthe."

"It didn't seem right that you get shipped off there after what you had done for us. You didn't exactly seem the hardened criminal type, although, I suppose, you could just be pulling the wool over our eyes?" Patia asked with a twinkle in her eye.

Mason thought back to his interview process, he was interviewed by the arrogant guy that he attacked in sickbay, Atwood was his name. Mason and he did not hit it off at all. He was rude and arrogant and demanded information that Mason could not give him. Mason had lost his temper and tried to attack Atwood and the next thing he knew he was heading for Rura Penthe. "What happened to that Atwood fellow, I did not kill him did I," asked Mason.

"No, you didn't kill him. He has been reassigned and is no longer on the ship," Zoei replied.

"What will happen to me now," asked Mason.

"I do not know, but I can help you find out," Zoei smiled softly.

Mason looked at Patia, he had to admit, she was an attractive woman, "Thank you for helping me," he reached out and stroked the side of her face with his hand.

Zoei caught his hand between her two and held it gently. She smiled slightly. "It is my pleasure, it is all part of what I do for our crew."

Whistling, Silvio entered sickbay, he could not sleep and decided that he would work on that stasis chamber that the doctor had ordered maintenance on. What he saw when he entered made his breath catch in his chest. Patia was sitting next to the only remaining prisoner, holding his hand. Silvio stopped whistling, he instantly, had a terrible feeling in the very pit of his stomach.

"Hello Silvio, Teilani said. She noticed his look towards Patia and Mason. The look was one of jealousy, or distraction. What you can I do for you."

"Hello doc," said Silvio, distracted, "I came to take a look at that stasis chamber you ordered maintenance on," he made his way past Mason towards the chamber.

"Hey," said Mason, "I know you."

Silvio turned and regarded the man, "Yes," he said with no trace of a smile on his face. Silvio did not understand the feeling he had, it was not rational to feel this way; she was just visiting with him.

"You came charging in with your phaser firing," said Mason, "You saved my life."

Silvio nodded.

"Thank you," said Mason.

"No problem," replied Silvio, making a pretense of looking for something. He needed to get out of here and he needed to get out now. He sighed, "I forgot a part I will need, I will be back in a bit," he said to the doctor, a bit uncomfortably. Silvio quickly left.

Teilani watched Silvio leave and turned her attention towards Zoei. She raised her eyebrows in question.

Zoei raised her eyebrow in return, and shrugged. She slightly shook her head as she turned her attention back to Mason.

"Something wrong with him," asked Mason.

"I am not sure. He said he forgot a part and he is very thorough. Most likely, it is bothering him that he left something behind." Patia smiled slightly. She would be talking to Silvio later, but those thoughts were not for Mason's ears.

Mason got the impression that she knew more than she was letting on but said, "I see, well he saved my life. He came charging in like a mad man with that phaser. Surprised the heck out of them Cardassian's." Mason paused reflecting back to that night, "Before I passed out he was standing toe to toe with one of them. I would not have expected that from an engineer."

Patia smiled a little broader. "That one is not your run of the mill engineer, I must say. I'll leave it to him to tell you if he likes, but you two have a few things in common."