Extra Spicy "
By: Patia Zoei, Chief Counselor, [PC]
Miranda, Lounge Manager, [RNPC]
Matthew Mason, Prisoner, [RNPC]
Giuseppe Silvio, Chief Engineer, [RNPC]

Stardate: 58205.26 2100

==Mason's Quarters==

"Very interesting sensor alignemnt," said Silvio, "I will start re-configuring the tactical sensors. We will see if this gives us an advantage or not."

"It should give you a huge advantage if you run into any cloaked cardassians," said Mason as he leaned back in his chair.

Silvio smiled, "Well, I will make sure to include your cooperation in my report."

Mason nodded and smiled.

Silvio stood up, "Well, I am off to meet Patia at Miranda's for supper, would you care to join us?"

Mason did not want to intrude, however, he aslo did not want to eat alone. "I would like that very much," he replied, "as long as I am not intruding."

"Not at all," said Silvio, "You ready to go?"

Mason nodded.

As they prepared to leave Silvio tapped his combadge and said , "Silvio to Security, Mr. Mason and I will be heading to Miranda's.

"Aknowledged," came the reply.

==Miranda's==

Patia leaned back in her seat and watched the stars as they whizzed past the window. Her cold glass of tea rested on her knee, tiny beads of condensation coursed down the vessel. A small area of damp material spread out from the base. She was tired this evening. Too many late nights and early mornings, with no end in sight, were taking its toll. Quiet moments often found her slipping into the reflective state she was currently in.

As they entered Miranda's Silvio spotted Patia sitting at a table with a good view od the stars. He waved at her accross the room and headed in her direction.

"Hello Patia," he said when he reached her, "I brought Mason along."

"Hello there," she smiled at Silvio as she sat up a little straighter and shifted both feet to the floor. "How are you, Mason?"

Mason smiled, "I am much better now," he said as he sat down across from her.

"Good news," Patia's eyes twinkled.

"You look tired," said Silvio, sitting down next to Patia.

"I think it is chronic," Patia chuckled. She turned slightly so she could see both gentleman. "How is the world of engineering today?"

"Everyting is ready," said Silvio, "I am going to work on Mason's modifications to the tactical sensors tomorrow."

"And then everything is ready to go?" Patia raised her eyebrow slightly as she asked.

Silvio sighed, "It will be until the Federation starts firing torpedos at us. Then they will try to break all the things I have been working so art to get fixed."

Mason chuckled, "I am sure glad that I am not an engineer. That does not sound fin to me."

Patia watched the interactions between the two men. To a casual observer, they would appear to have known each other for far longer than they actually have. There was an easy camaraderie, and it was nice to see that, especially for Mason's sake.

SIlvio laughed, "It keeps me in business."

"How are things in the counseling section," asked Silvio.

She propped her chin on her knee and tilted her head slightly. "Business as usual. You two seem to be developing quite the friendship." Her eyebrows raised as she looked from man to man.

Mason smiled, "Lieutenant Silvio just took pity on me. He did not want to seem me eat by myself."

SIlvio laughed, "Mamma Silvio would have been disappointed if I had let you do that."

Patia chuckled. "Mamma's can have some far reaching influence. Mason, how are you settling in to the ebb and flow of the Zion?"

"So far so good," he said.

Miranda approached them at the table, "Hello," she said, "How are you doing this evenling"

"Good evening, Miranda. How is business tonight?" Patia's eyes sparkled as she asked.

"Business has been pretty good tonight. Everyone is tense and trying to forget their fears," she replied.

Patia nodded. "Here is a good place to unwind. You do provide a nice atmosphere for it," she smiled. "What is your special tonight?"

"I have some wonderful Bajoran hasperate," said Minranda, "Extra spicy."

"I'm sold on that," said Mason, "I'll have some of that."

Silvio was not a real fan of Bajoran food he unconsiously shrunched up his face, "Do you have any pasta?"

Miranda chuckled, "I think I can manage that for you Silvio."

Patia rolled her eyes and chuckled. With a wink, she said, "Can't tell he is Italian, can you? I will have a cup of broccoli soup, if you don't mind?"

Miranda smiled, "One cup of soup," she said With a cock of her head she asked, "A glass of Raspberry ice tea with fresh raspberries?"

"Perfect," Patia shook her head slightly. "Some day, I will want something other than tea. What will you do then?" Patia's laugh tinkled through the air like the chords of a sonata.

Miranda gave the counselor a wink, "Then Counselor, I will bring you a pink lemonade," she said with a slight chuckle.

Turning to Silvio she said, "Silvio will have a cherry cola, and you," she regarded Mason as if she was sizing him up for a new suit, "I think you will like a coffee, black and strong." Miranda looked at him.

Mason simply nodded his head and Miranda walked away to get their order. "Wow, she is pretty good at her job," observed Mason.

"That she is," Patia nodded sagely. "And, the truly frightening part of this is, my substitute would have been a pink lemonade." She shook her head slightly, then giggled.

"A facinating woman," said Mason as he watched her work accross the room.

Patia nodded. "You are a daring one, too. Miranda mentioned your dining choice will be extra spicy. She wasn't kidding," she faked a shudder as she grinned.

"That is fine with me. The hotter the better," said Mason.

Silvio chuckled, "I think you are going to need more than a cup of coffee."

"Much, much more. Better ask Miranda for a pitcher of water when she comes back," she subtly winked at Silvio.

Miranda returned with their food. SHe palaced a large steaming bowl of Linguine with red sauce in frot of Silvio along with a iced glass of cherry cola. In front of Patia Miranda placed a cup of soup and glass of tea. Finally with a smile, she placed the hasperate in front of Mason along with his coffee and a large glass of milk.

"What's the milk for," asked Mason.

"You'll see," she said with a wink at SIlvio and Patia as she turned and left.

Patia ducked her head to hide her smile as she arranged her cup of soup in front of her. Through the curtain of her hair, she glanced up to watch Mason as he took his first bite.

Mason could sense the eyes of Silvo and Patia on him as he took a bite of the hasterat. THe waitress has been true to her word, it was extra spicy. Not wanting to show any sign that he even noticed he managed to keep a straight face, however, small beads of perspiration began to from on his forehead.

Mason eyed the glass of milk but instead of taking a drink he took another bite of his food. It got worse. He was now certain that they would need to remove his tongue becasue it was dead. turning his head he caught a glimps of Miranda across the room smirking at him.

"Just a sip," he thought as he reached for his coffee. The heat in his mouth was so intence that he could not take it anymore and grabbed the milk. He drank the glass down and then waved to Miranda for another one.

"Better ask for a pitcher," Patia choked.

SIlvio struggled to swallow the mouthfull of linguene. WHen he has he laughed and said, "Don't worry, I am sure Doc Dane can fix your tongue."

Miranda brough thim another glass of milk. "Drink it slowly," she suggested.

Patia couldn't contain the laughter. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she wrapped her arms around her stomach. "I am sorry," she hiccuped, "I know it isn't funny, but it seems to be a rite of passage here. Welcome aboard," she giggled.

"Thank you," he croak horsely, take another drink of milk.

"Funny," said Miranda," The captain had the same meal earlier today and he barely broke sweat."

"Hunter is tough," suggested Silvio.

Patia's eyes twinkled as she watched Miranda. "Sometimes it is just a matter of how you cool your palate, and what you use, no?"

"Yes, the captain used spring wine from Bajor. It seemed to do the trick for him," agreed Miranda.

"Wait a minute," said Silvio, "I thought intoxicating beverages were off limits."

Miranda winked at Silvio and whispered, "I forgot." Her laughter trailed along behind her as she walked back to the bar.

Patia propped her chin on her hand and watched the shocked expression on Silvio's face. "What? Miranda can't have a memory lapse?" She almost choked again on her giggles.

"Silvio finished his food and shoved the plate aside, "Miranda does not forget."

"No? Never? Maybe she was having an off day or maybe she hadn't heard there was a yellow alert, or maybe the Captain looked like he could use a glass of wine?" Patia asked.

Silvio smiled, "Nah, Miranda always knows what drink a person needs, not necessarily what they want." Silvio remembered back to the amber liquid she has searved him. The stuff packed a punch, but it was just what he had needed.

Slowly, she narrowed her eyes as she watched, then shook her head. "No need to elaborate as to how you know that," she chuckled.

Silvio chuckled, "Ah, no, we do not need to get into that.

Mason turned his head and watched his two favoriate security guards enter into the room. "Oh look," he said, "My new friends have arrived to keep an eye on me."

Mason stood up, "I am a bit tired, I will see you all tomorrow," Mason paused, "Listen, you guys keep yourselves safe tomorrow."

"Sleep well, and keep safe yourself," Patia smiled.

Silvio watched as Mason left, "He seems to be a nice guy."

She nodded absently, "seems to be."

"So what are you going to do now," he asked.

"Watch the stars from the observation deck. You?" she asked.