Long Day's End "
By: Ian Hunter, Commanding Officer, [PC]

Stardate: 58205.30 0100

Hunter had just finished reading the last of the initial reports. He saved them away and leaned back, rubbing his eyes.

It had been a long day. The ship survived a battle against high odds.

He stood up and walked slowly toward his portal. He stood for a moment collecting his thoughts as he stared out into space.

"Computer, record log."

The computer chirped.

"Captain's Log, Stardate 58205.31. It's the end of a long day. Most of us are alive to talk about it. " Hunter crossed his arms, "It's been a good day, we saved a world from the Federation's clutches. But it hasn't been without sacrifice."

He turned and picked up a padd from his desk. "We are currently on a heading of 345 mark 0. Destination, Qul Tuq. We left Qul Tuq only a month ago to transport prisoners to Rura Penthe. Since then a lot has happened. " He exhaled sharply, that was an understatement.

He intentionally eluded to the incident in which Gordon Birkoff made a mess of his ship. Enough detail existed in previous reports and logs.

"The USS Zion," he continued, "will need to undergo extensive repairs."

It went with out saying that the dry dock chief, Hard-Luck Harry, would have a few choice words to say about bringing a ship barely 3 months old back in the shape it was now.

Hunter cracked a smile, "The Zion has earned her red badge of courage, she destroyed 2 Galaxy class ships, the Wellington and the Gates were destroyed when we engaged the Armada. She destroyed 2 Steamrunners, the Rockwell and the Redmond, not to mention 2 Galor class Cardassian ships."

It was regrettable, thought Hunter, 44 members of his crew would not be returning home. Then again, many Federation boys would not be either.

War was hell.

Taking a sip of his tea, he cleared his throat, "I highly commend Mason as well. The former Federation officer provided us with insight which helped us defeat the enemy ships which held Pacifica hostage. The ease which we were able to detect the Cardassian's as they were cloak provided an opportunity to quickly reverse the Federation's grip on that planet's government.

While we were surprised to find the Federation had a previously unknown Sovereign class ship, in the end, it too was destroyed."

Hunter paused and reflected on the ramifications of the Yamato. If the Federation were able to continue building Sovereigns unhampered, it could perpetuate the war. The Maquis Sovereigns where what was finally making a difference in the cold hard edge of combat.

He set his tea cup in the replicator and watched it vanish.

"The Klingon ship, D'Kuul is escorting us to rendezvous with several ships from Tango Fleet which were also damaged in their engagement of the Federation armada. Tomorrow night they are inviting us to join them in celebrating victory. "

Hunter looked through the files on his PADD, "A few names have come forward whom, in addition to the senior officers that will be invited to come along because of their heroic bravery."

Hunter set the PADD down.

"End log," said Hunter.

Fixed up "
By: M'Ressha Mikaht, fighter pilot , [RNPC]
Teilani Dane, Chief Medical Officer, [PC]

Stardate: 58205.30 0800

Blitzer entered Sickbay.

The day after battle, the Quartermaster found out Blitzer had been injured, he ordered him to sickbay.

When he arrived he found the nurse and explained to her what had happened.

She had him sit on the bio bed until the doctor came.

He waited, his tail twitching nervously. Then he saw the red headed Doctor coming. He purred a sigh of relief. He liked her. He remembered having shared a meal with her, and how nice she was making his tail feel better after someone had stepped on it.

Teilani sipped her coffee as she walked back to main sickbay, and smiled as she saw Blitzer sitting on one of the bio bed.

"Mr Blitzer," she said softly. "How may I help you?"

"I got my leg ripped open by an over grown...bug," he said.

She set her coffee down. "Lay down and let me look."

Blitzer reclined.

"It looks clean, who made the field dressing?"

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you," he said, and with a whisper added, "..a holographic pixie"

"Don't tell me it was Krystal?" Teilani said in disbelief. "So I better be on the look out if she wants to take over my job hey, "she responded with a grin.

"You know her?" said Blitzer as he removed his pants and Teilani scanned the wound, removing some of the fur in the process.

"Oh yes," she responded laughing. "Fisty little thing if you ask me. She is not to fond of our EMH so I m surprised that she acted like one.

Blitzer shrugged. "She got real big," he added.

"Big??' Teilani echoed. "What you mean, she is only about 10 cm tall."

"Yeah, there was pixie dust everywhere and suddenly she was as tall as you are."

"You are joking really? Well I guess it could be done, after all I mean using the holo emitters and such."

"I don't know anything about that stuff," he said with a chuckle and laid back down.

"This is going to hurt a little," Teilani warned him as she sterilized his wound. "Ok, this hypospray contains some pain killer and inflamatory meds, it will help reduce the infection. She calmly but swiftly redressed the wound.

Blitzer wrinkled his snout as she administered the drugs into his neck.

"There you are Sir, almost as good as new."

"Ooh, that feels much better," he said flexing it some."

"What can I say, its magic." Teilani said smiling, putting away her tricorder. She grabbed her coffee and took a sip.

Blitzer stood up, "Its wonderful to have a doctor like you on board," said Blitzer getting dressed. "My past experience with ship doctors isn't so good."

"Well what can I say, I am a nice girl," she countered back with a grin. "Be careful next time."

Blitzer smiled widely and nodded. "I will," he said as he headed out the door.

It Now Belongs to You "
By: Ian Hunter, Commanding Officer, [PC]
Darg , CO , [NPC]
Melissa Jarvis, Chief Security Officer, [RNPC]

Stardate: 58205.30 1300

==Security==

Melissa looked at the strange weapon. It was a horrible thing. She felt it was important to figure out how it worked. She had taken it to the holodeck and did some test firings with it. It seemed to work by killing a person inside out, just has Korg had described to them as he was dying. Melissa suppressed a shudder as that memory. She decided that perhaps now that the Chief Science officer was back she should let him take a closer look at this weapon as well.

Her thought were interrupted by the chirp of the ship's comm. system. The calm voice of Captain Hunter spoke asking her to meet him in his ready room. Melissa acknowledged his request and carefully secured this dangerous weapon and then made her way to the bridge. Along the way she pondered the reason for the meeting, she was not altogether sure that the tactics she has used to get her team off the Yamatto would be endorsed by him or the Maquis, she had been extremely glad that he did not ask in complete detail about what happened. Still in the back of her mind she was waiting for the hammer to drop. She had no regrets, she would do it the same all over again if she had to. In her mind the ends justified the means.

==Bridge==

Melissa stepped onto the bridge and made her way to the ready room. She rang the door chime and entered when the captain gave his permission. The captain was sitting at his desk. Across from him sat the Klingon Darg. Laying across Darg's lap was a Klingon Bat'leth.

Darg stood up as Melissa entered.

"Please, have a seat, Lieutenant," said Hunter with a gesture.

Melissa looked from Hunter to Darg, she did not know what this was all about.

"Darg has asked me to remain as a witness to your responses," said Hunter. "There is no legal precedent or protocol for this matter. Do you understand?"

"Understood Sir, what is the problem," she asked as she sat down in the chair next to Darg.

Darg sat back down, "I will get right to the point," said Darg, his face sneered slightly. "As Korg was dying he clearly stated you were his mate."

Hunter's eyebrows quirked upward.

"Did you and Korg engage in the Klingon mating ritual?" implored Darg.

A wave of grief started to roll over Melissa as she remembered that evening, but she pushed it away, "What has that got to do with anything," she asked a hit of steel in her voice. These two men were about to tred an a very private moment and she was beginning to get annoyed.

The Klingon shifted forward and glared menacingly at her, "answer the question."

Hunter nodded at Melissa to proceed.

Melissa glared back at the big Klingon, "We did." she said her face darkening in anger.

Darg's facial expresses changed several times, reflecting his thoughts on the complexity of this situation.

"Korg..." he said somewhat softer and with a little affection in his voice, "he died a true warrior...."

Darg looked away from Hunter to the bat'leth in his lap. He gripped it gently and looked up at Melissa shaking his head, "His house owned no lands," he shook his head, "he owned nothing of value other than his weapons."

He stood and faced Melissa who also instinctively stood up. "Because he declared you his mate," said Darg with a pause, "Korg's bat'leth," he said holding it out to Melissa at arm's length, "belongs to you."

The anger that had began creeping up inside her was now gone. Darg was not here to cause an issue, he was completing a task for his dead friend.

Suddenly Melissa felt a little embarrassed by her own reaction. Trying hard to hide her feelings she reached out and grasped the klingon weapon. Its hard solid handle for some reason felt comfortable to her. "Thank you Darg," she said.

Darg reached into his vest and pulled out Korg's dagger. "This is his d'ktagh...it now belongs to you." Darg's head cocked back as he regarded her more worthy. He was feeling more comfortable with this...human.

"You..." he continued, "are the closest thing he had to a family."

He turned and faced Hunter and then back to Melissa, "It would serve his honor to have you speak tonight about his glorious battles and his journey to Sto-Vo-Kor."

His hands gripped the lapels of his battle cloak in a confident gesture. He worried some that Melissa would not fully appreciate the significance of this but it would have been Korg's wishes.

"I will speak," said Melissa who was unable to think of anything else to say.

"You must be aware that among our ranks there will be those who will find your mating... apalling." He nodded his head downward so as if to deepen his eye contact with Melissa, "You must be careful."

Melissa nodded, it had been only one night, she had not expected this to happen. "I will," she said.

"Then," said Darg standing, "there is nothing more I need to say." He walked toward the door but paused and leaned in close to Melissa's ear. In a quiet whisper he said, "should you need help with the heroic battles part..." he glanced back toward Hunter, "uhm...talk to Max."

"Thank you," she said, "I shall do that."

As Darg left Hunter approached Melissa. Trying to stifle a smile, he asked, "Lieutenant?"

"Yes sir?"

Hunter squinted as if to pierce the innocent expression on her face. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"No captain, not really," she paused, "I should start getting ready for my speech tonight."

Invitation"
By: M'Ressha Mikaht, Fighter Pilot , [RNPC]
Bart "Burner" Reed, Fighter Pilot , [RNPC]
Ryan-Steven ‘Rusty Ryan’ Madriani, Marine CO, [PST]

Stardate: 58205.30 1520

Blitzer entered the pilot's lounge and spotted Burner at the Bar. The lounge was perhaps the smallest nook of the ship, but it suited them fine.

He sat down on the stool next to him and nodded, "hey,"

"Hey Blitz, did you have a good time flying that bus?" Burner laughed.

"I had a great time," he said with a wink, "...and it wasn't the bus."

Burner chuckled and then to a drink, "You sure surprised me."

"I couldn't help myself, I was itching to shoot something," said Blitzer.

He reached over the short bar and punched in his favorite drink and pulled it from the replicator.

"So are they going to keep you driving the bus or are you coming back to your fighter where you belong?"

"Oh, you'd like it if I drove the bus," sneered Blitzer back rolling his eyes.

The smile fell from Burner's face, "No Blitz, I want you where you belong." Burner sighed, "Your stand-in did not survive the Pacifica battle."

Blitzer's ears drooped, he took a sip of his drink, "Billings?"

"Yeah, I told him to stay with me. He didn't listen." Burner took a drink.

"I saw something blow, but I couldn't tell..."

"To Billings," Burner said, lifting his glass.

Blitzer's ears snapped forward attentively as he raised his glass, "To Billings."

He clinked his glass to Burner's and gulped it down.

A long silence passed, "I almost didn't make it back either."

"I noticed you had a injury, what happened," asked Burner.

Some big bug almost ripped my leg off. I almost bled to death. but I was saved by a Faery."

"A what," asked Burner.

"You know," said Blitzer waiving his arms around mimicking the way Krystal flies, "...a Pixie."

Burner looked at his friend wondering if he had gotten into some bad catnip or somehting.

"The computer specialist had some sort of holographic thing, Oh! you have to meet her!"

"I look forward to it," he said finishing his drink. Burner got up and got a fresh drink from the replicator.

"I guess everything is going to be alright on Pacifica huh?" said Blitzer.

"I guess so," said Burner, "Their men on the ground did not have much to offer us."

"They sure do have a few flying aces left though don't they?"

"They had some left," he corrected with a laugh.

"Whew," replied "do you remember when we were up against the Sulu's wings?"

"How could I forget," said Burner.

Blitzer bottomed up his glass and fetched another.

"It was a good little fight," he said.

Blitzer raised his glass, "To Murphy and Carson."

Burner raised his glass in a silent toas to the memory of lost friends.

"Burn, I gotta ask you something personal," said Blitzer.

"Go ahread," said Burner lifting the glass to his lips

"Have you ever seen .... porn? I think it is used to arou..."

Burner choked on his drink and sent a slight spray if it across the table. "What," he asked.

Blitzer covered his snout a moment, "Its uhm... Do you know of it?"

"Yes, umm where did you hear about porn," Burner asked tring very hard to keep from laughing.

The Cait's whiskers twitched nervously, the subject seemed to have a wide range of effects on humans. He flipped his paw upside expressively, "It came up in conversation, Krystal was asking about...Uhm, er... never mind."

Blitzer turned on his stool, "You have to meet them, they're a hoot," he said changing the subject.

"Sure thing Blitz," said Burner.

"So what happened after Billings was shot down?"

"In a nut shell, the Marine's landed and started taking out Federation positions," said Burner taking a drink. "It did not take very long, the Federation men seemed to have forgotten to bring the backbones to Pacifica."

Blitzer turned around on the stool and leaned against the bar. Other pilots now occupied the lounge as well. He noted that Nova wasn't among them. "Nova sat out the mission?"

"Yeah," he replied.

Blitzer nodded.

Blitzer watched as their commanding officer, Madriani came in. Everyone including him and Burner stood at attention.

"At ease," he called out. He made his way to where Blitzer and Burner were. "Congratulations Boys, your going to a party." He handed them both a padd.

Blitzer's jaw dropped as he read their presence was being requested on the D'kuul. He looked at Burner who was scanning the PADD.

Before he could say any thing the Major said, "Dress uniforms." Madriani looked down at Blitzer's tail which was swishing anxiously back and forth, in turn he looked them both in the eye, "don't make spectacles of yourselves."

Blitzer returned a salute.

Burner also saluted his commanding officer.

"Yes Sir," echoed Blitzer.

Once an engineer, always an engineer"
By: Craig Witmore, Engineer, [RNPC]

Stardate: 58205.30 1805

The tremors that sent the ship into it's sudden bucks like a bull in that insane Earth sport that was called "Rodeo" made Craig’s head ache while he diligently worked on solving the problem. He was becoming more irritated by other officers, some asking him to get more involved in the social life of the ship, to get out of engineering and do something for himself. He would tell them he had things to do on his own, art to work on, previously made appointments to keep. In truth however he'd been in engineering long after his shifts had ended.

And why shouldn't he? He justified this in his mind that his work was more important than anything else. The ship's tremors were inconveniencing everyone, why shouldn't he be working long hard hours to get it fixed? He was an engineering officer of one of the largest and most advanced vessels in Starfleet.

It was his responsibility now, wasn't it? Still, this same job kept his head reeling as he tried to pinpoint the problem and solution, and while he worked he became more distant from the rest of the crew, he didn't even know what was going on outside the walls of the engine room.

People spoke with him less frequently, and when they did it was strictly business. Was this what he wanted? He thought this to himself for a few brief seconds before his mind was again on business mode. He told himself he wasn't happy, but this was the way it had to be, he was a Maqui officer, and he had a duty to perform.

Party Like a Klingon "
By: M'Ressha Mikaht, Fighter Pilot , [RNPC]
Bart "Burner" Reed, Fighter Pilot , [RNPC]
Ian Hunter, Commanding Officer, [PC]
Jeff Westfall, Tactical Officer, [PST]
Greggarmax (Max) , Klingon XO , [NPC]
Jonathan Wright, Executive Officer, [PC]
Krystal, Hologram, [RNPC]
Giuseppe Silvio, Chief Engineer, [RNPC]
Maxine Lucinda Tapert, Computer Specialist, [PC]
Miranda, Lounge Manager, [RNPC]
Ryan-Steven ‘Rusty Ryan’ Madriani, Marine CO, [PST]
Samantha Carter, Security Officer, [RNPC]
Teilani Dane, Chief Medical Officer, [PC]
Zarg , Klingon Warrior , [NPC]
Melissa Jarvis, Chief Security Officer, [RNPC]

Stardate: 58205.30 1900

Wright tugged at his uniform collar and walked over to the captain. "Good evening captain."

The Captain nodded, "Commander," he smiled. "Are you ready for an evening of bloodwine and gahg?"

Wright was not sure about the gahg thing. He was proud of the fact that he would try anything once, however, in this case he did not think he would try more than once. "Ah, I'll give it a try," said, "Have you ever had gahg before captain?"

"Oh, plenty of times." he said. "Not that I'm thrilled about it," he said shaking his head, "its just a courtesy thing."

Wright chuckled, "I understand sir." Wright looked around, "What else are we expecting?"

Hunter chuckled, "if they serve targ, it is usually charred, not to bad..." Just then the transporter room door opened, Madriani stepped inside and saluted the Captain. Hunter saluted back.

"Major, this is an off-duty function, you can dispense with the formalities."

Wright was not sure that he agreed with the captain. It seemed to him that a Maquis officer was never off duty. Wright still understood where the captain was coming from though. Marines were so fanatical about saluting officer. It really made his head hurt. "Yes Sir," he said stepping near the transporter padd.

Ensign Jeff Westfall walked into the transporter room wearing his full dress uniform and a serious look about him. He looked stiff and somewhat uncomfortable.

He preferred company on a casual encounter basis. He knew he owed a great debt of gratitude for all that the Klingons had done, since the disastrous encounter with the "refugees" from the Lynx, on their way with the prisoners' break-out and takeover of the Zion, on the way to Rura Penthe.

His former anger had turned to cold resolve, to honor the Zion's dead, and in their memory, vowed never to let himself be lulled into the false sense of security that "all is well". That was probably where he'd made the mistake, assuming they had "grateful survivors" instead of hostile guests in their midst.

Max, the Klingon First Officer had cross-trained his entire security force, using Klingon methods. He had the success of the current mission to show for it. As with any combat situation, there were deaths, however, they were far less senseless.

"Captain, Commander, greetings". Jeff Saluted his superior officers and stood at attention.

Hunter saluted back. Must be something about dress uniforms that makes people want to salute, he thought to himself.

Wright returned his salute as well. "Not him too," thought Wright.

"It is time we paid our tributes to fallen comrades on both sides of the alliance, I am honoured to be able to attend in the presence of the warriors of the Klingon Empire to honour their fallen comrades and our own," Westfall said.

Hunter gave Westfall a grin patted him on the arm, "and to the living," he replied.

"Without the living, there is no victory, Sir," Jeff said.

Hunter nodded and turned as Madriani approached.

"Greetings Major Madrani". It's good to see you again, after the engagement at Pacifica. I understand your mission was successful," Jeff said to the Marine CO, with a crisp salute.

Madriani looked out of the corner of his eye at Captain Hunter. He declined to return the salute because of what the Captain had said, "Yes, you could say so." he said nonchalantly.

Next Blitzer, Burner and Maxine Tapert entered.

Madriani frowned slightly, the dress uniform looked ridiculous on the Caitian. He just wished his best pilot didn't have a .... tail.

Blitzer saluted the officers who where present. He gulped a little that the Captain of the ship was present.

Madriani saluted them back.

Burner looked around, he was uncomfortable to say the least. Dress uniforms and formal parties was not his thing, however, it did not seem that the Major was inclined to let him out of it so here he was.

Although decked out in her dress uniform, Maxine was a little less formal and rather than saluting, she stood at ease and nodded to the officers. "Sirs." Her tone was both serious and respectful. If she was uncomfortable in the dress uniform it didn't show. As a matter of fact, she looked extremely comfortable in it.

Westfall hadn't had the opportunity to say hello to Blitzer and Ensign Tapert. They came in together, and Blitzer looked uncomfortable in the formal dress uniform and the social environment. He was a top-notch pilot though, and Jeff respected that--he walked over to say hello, he hoped casually.

"Hello Blitzer, it's good to see you again. I understand you and Ensign Tapert had a little adventure with "big bugs". I'm sure the science officer will have a bit of homework figuring out what they are.

"Yes," agreed Blitzer, "the Vulcan has never seen anything like it."

I'd like to talk to you and Ensign Tapert, if I could get her attention, Blitzer, I've not really met her yet, would you mind introducing us?

"Sure, Max, this is the ship's tactical officer, "Jeff Westfall, Jeff, Maxine Tapert. " Blitzer looked closely at Max. He could see she was wearing Krystal's emitter but since he didn't see Krystal, he let it go at that.

When Blitz spoke the young computer specialist blinked out of her musings and turned her attention to the tall Cait next to her, and Ensign Westfall. Up until then Maxine had been watching everyone as they gathered in the transporter room. Some she knew and some not, but people-watching was a hobby of hers... Or perhaps it was homework because everything she took in got rearranged into code somewhere in the murky depths of her mind. Even now she was turning Madriani into the 'scowling officer' code and comparing the way his uniform fit to the other officers and then in turn to how Blitzer's fit. Without conscious thought she made a mental note to tweak his uniform replicator program.

"Ensign Tapert that was pure genius tying Krystal into the Medical Database, I'm not sure how you managed to do that, but you managed to stabilize Blitzer by doing it. I just wanted to say "good work". It doesn't always come out in the report files when a feat like that is accomplished".

Maxine smiled at the compliment and couldn't help the sideways glance at Blitzer. "Thank you, but in all honesty it was more out of desperation than genius. I'm totally inept when it comes to anything medical," she admitted.

"I would like to "talk tech" with you soon, about a few ideas I've had for a while.

"I'm just not sure whether we should list Krystal as backup E.M.H., or Emergency Medical Holographic Veterinarian, as a tactical asset".

"Oh, probably a Vet," she half joked, and a faint hint of indignant twittering could be heard when she did. "What she can tap into in technical knowledge she totally lacks in bedside manner. Which I'm sure our recent prisoner would attest to," she grinned, remembering Krystal's antics with Bocca. "I'm just glad she could keep the big guy alive till we got back to the Zion."

"How do you feel now Blitzer"? Jeff asked.

Blitzer looked down at his leg and stretched it, "I saw the doctor today, it feels pretty good."

Teilani had been debating with herself what to wear, and she knew that on official occasions like this she had to wear her dress uniform, but whoever had designed it should be hanged. It was tight, itchy and uncomfortable.

Looking in her wardrobe she found the seagreen dress she had purchased on QT a few months earlier. That would be a nice choice and at least something different. She quickly changed and decided to let her hair hang loose. It was a completely different sight what she saw in the mirror.

Some lipstick and blush made it all complete and after leaving her room she hurried towards the transporter room. As she entered she noticed that the majority was present and they all looked gorgeous.

"Gentlemen," she said nodding at Hunter, Wright and the rest.

Sam ran through the corridors, she was abit late but she had searched for a great poetry book to give to Zarg. Just before the transporter room she stopped, tugged her uniform and entered.

She smiled and nodded. "Sirs." Then she stood next to Teilani. "Shees doc, you look smashing." she whispered.

"You think it is a bit overdone?" Teilani asked nervously.

"No way, let our hosts see that we have beautiful women as well." Sam responded with a grin.

Hunter approached and greeted the two women, "Good evening," he said, "You ladies look lovely this evening."

Teilani smiled. "Why thank you Captain, you look handsome yourself as well."

"Thank you Sir," Sam replied softly.

Jeff Westfall was nervous. He wanted to see the doctor soon, so that he could get a counter-intoxicant to the potency of the Klingon blood wine. A major part of the tribute to fallen comrades was recounting the manner in which they had fallen, and their place and contribution toward the victory.

Drinking blood wine was an equally social component, and after all the Klingon officers had done to toughen the Zion's crew, he didn't want to *NOT* take full part in the event.

"Excuse me Doctor Dane, could I have a quick word with you before we leave"? Jeff Westfall looked like a target, in his dress uniform, and very uncomfortable, fully knowing what Klingon Blood Wine had done to many crewmen when he'd seen it sampled, and they were veteran "Consumers".

"What's the matter Mr. Westfall.?"

I haven't had an alcoholic beverage in about 20 years, I didn't like what it was making me feel like then, and I don't want to offend the Klingons, since drinking Blood Wine is a major part of the traditional observance of tribute to the dead, and their part in achieving victory. Do you have a counter-active that I could take before we go".

"Mr. Westfall, does it look like as if I could hide a hypospray in this dress?" Teilani said as she spread her arms a little.

"Good point Doctor, I salute you," Westfall grinned this time, as he came to full attention and saluted the Chief Medical Officer.

"I suggest that you don't drink too much of the wine then. They will have other beverages as well."

"Very well, Ma'am...I'll just have to hope I don't get a belly full of the stuff. Your attire looks wonderful, if I may be permitted to say".

"What do you have there Lt Carter?" asked Hunter.

Sam showed the book, just some new Klingon poetry.""

"Klingon poetry, interesting," remarked Hunter knowing what Klingons usually use poetry for.

"It is fascinating."

"I'm sure." said Hunter with a smirk.

Silvio entered the now crowded transporter room. He noticed the doctor. She had dolled herself up and clearly stood out against the rest of the uniformed party goers. He made his way to the captain. "Good evening sir," he said.

"Good evening Lieutenant, Counsellor Zoei not with you?"

"Counselor Zoei sends her regrets, she feeling under the weather and will be unable to attend," he said. Silvio wished that he had been sick to. Spending the evening with Klingons did not really appeal to him, but it was his duty to attend.

Hunter nodded, "very well."

Wright looked around, "Are we ready to go," he asked everyone in general.

Everyone seemed to be in agreement, Hunter stepped on to the Transporter pad along with everyone else.

A moment later they materialized on the Klingon ship.

Hunter was the first to step off the pad. Darg grabbed Hunter by the shoulder. "Q'Plah!" he said. Hunter returned the grip and said, "Victory!"

The Klingons in the room cheered. Everyone filed out of the room and headed to the ship's messhall. The largest open area on the D'Kuul.

As they Entered Blitzer's nostrils took in the scent of Klingon cuisine, he licked his lips.

"Doc?" Sam asked when she and Teilani entered the ships mess hall.

"Yeah?"

"If they ask where I am I'm going to look for Zarg alright, I promise to visit him once we got here"."

"Sure Lieutenant, I will let them you, you have fun" Teilani said smiling.

Zarg spotted Sam from across the mess hall. He elbowed Mat'l "See, there she is."

"Which one?" his fellow warrior asked, "They all look a like to me."

Zarg backhanded Mat'l hard, both laughed loudly.

"I'll see you later."

He approached Carter. "Sam!"

"Zarg!"

"Hello, how you been doing."

"I have been well."

"I brought you something," she handed him the book.

Zarg took the book. It was old. It was a book of Klingon poetry.

He opened the book, the covers were made of targ skin and the pages paper made from trykita.

"Where did you get this?" he asked.

Sam smiled. "I did some research and bribed a few crewmembers. You like it?"

"I do, thank you."

"So what's the plan for tonight, speeches and drinking?"

Zarg thumbed through the pages and glanced up, and looked about the room. "Pretty much that." he said with a chuckle.

He closed the book, "we have a few minutes before the festivities start. Let us find a quiet spot and make use of this book" he said with a smirk.

"What you have in mind," Sam said suspiciously? She followed Zarg though the mazes of the ship.

Zarg turned and smiled, taking her hand he lead her into the dark recesses of the ship.

***

Hunter watched the door close as Carter and Zarg left. Darg slapped Hunter on the back. "Don't know what it is about human females," Darg said offering Hunter a drink. Hunter gave Darg the evil eye. "Excuse me," he said as he spotted the Doctor mingling.

"Oh hello Captain," Teilani said as she watched Hunter approach her. "Fascinating decor isn't it?" She gestured towards the banners on the walls and the big barrel of bloodwine sitting at the table. Some Klingons were bringing in large plates of unrecognizable foods. Teilani could swear that some of it was still alive.

She looked at her attire, yup she was over dressed for the occasion.

Hunter smiled at Dane. "Well, I must say, you are the prettiest female on the ship."

"Thank you again Captain, but I bet you say that to every pretty lady." she replied with a smirk.

"I didn't really have a chance to chat with you earlier. How was your day?"

"Quiet I must say, did some research, dismissed some patients, the usual. How about yours?"

"I think I read more reports today than I ever had before."

"Command must be so much more exiting than sickbay, haven't you consider switching some time?"

Hunter smiled.

"I guess not, so what are we supposed to do here?" Teilani asked.

Hunter picked up a heavy plate and handed it to the Doctor, "Shall we sample some Klingon food?"

"Sure, why not." She leant over to Hunter a little. "Just stay close incase I need to puke." Then she smiled to a large Klingon woman. "So what is all this nice food?"

"Ah... your delicate tastes might get a shock." the woman answered. She pointed at some plates. "That is Marzonion buds in Krasie Juice, that one is Skull Stew with Tripe and Organ stew. Over there we have Racht and of course Gagh, Rokeg Blood Pie. She scooped some of the live worms on Teilani's plate. She looked at Hunter. "And for you Captain we have grilled leg of Targ with Zilm'kach. She handed him a large plate. Then she turned and filled to large goblets with Klingon wine. "Enjoy!!"

Teilani looked at her crawling plate. "Well my mother always said never insult the host but this is....... different."

Jeff Westfall looked over at the table where the banquet was piled very high. It was buffet style and you were supposed to "Help Yourself". In the normal social circumstances, he loved nothing better than experiencing food in the context of "Native Culture," so he thought he'd better find a Klingon to tell him what made a combination meal in a Klingon household, so as not to miss the finer points of epicurean delight.

He was looking for a Klingon officer he knew, but thought he'd better just line up, and get started.

He met one of the senior Klingon security officers, K'log, in line behind him, and greeted him very loudly, "K'log! It's good to see you again! Long time no see! Since there's no signs here to say "What's on special," could I impose upon your splendid hospitality to select a suitable combination plate as would be eaten in a Klingon Banquet"?

K'log grinned and laughed from his large belly, shaking at the delicately worded question. "Westfall, you've got to learn to step WAY OUT, and just enjoy life. That's what we're here to celebrate! Victory in the battle against the Federation, and to commemorate the victorious entry of our dead to StovoKor! Klingons have always said before they go into battle, "IT is a good day to die". There is no fear of death in our culture, we're BORN to die, and there's no greater achievement than to die in combat". As for what to eat, it's all good! And if it *crawls," it too will DIE in the grinding of your teeth and the acid of your stomach!!! Pick a little of each, and have some Blood Wine with it. It also cleanses the palate. As to the question of "What is it"? We call it all DINNER"!

"Thanks for the information, K'log," Jeff felt better just for having talked to someone who had been part of the training team from the Imperial Klingon Fleet.

He chose an empty chair within shouting distance of Captain Hunter. "Hello Captain, I won't ask what it is, I probably don't want to know, though I think I see Gahg...that's about all I recognize," Westfall said, looking apprehensive.

"Doctor, I know it's all carefully prepared, but some of the "dishes" are *live*. I suppose it's not acceptable to just step outside and *STUN* my plate, is it"?

Teilani grinned while trying to capture one of the live worms. "Mr. Westfall, just eat it.... before it crawls away."

"As usual, Doctor, you do have a point, I wonder if dinner in a Klingon household is partly experiencing *the thrill of the hunt,* and the kill," Jeff Westfall said with a grin, popping one of the blood worms into his mouth. The strong acidic taste might explain the root of Klingon culture's appreciation of Blood Wine...a pallate cleanser, before the next wiggling delight.

Jeff sincerely wished he'd paid more attention in biology class, since he'd be able to identify what was crawling on *OR OFF* his plate. There were tales on Earth of restaurants, infested with bugs. All they'd need would be a Klingon crew to come in for lunch, "Such a waste of good food," he thought.

Wright and Silvio took their placed at the table, each of them with their plates of Klingon cuisine. A large Klingon filled their goblets with Blood wine. Wright looked across the table at Hunter and the Doctor. He was disappointed, the captain actually got something cooked.

"How do we eat this stuff," asked Silvio really wishing that he had been too sick to come. He looked at the squirming worms on his plate.

Wright looked around at the Klingons eating, "Just like they do," offered Wright. Wright drained his glass of blood wine. "The food might be odd but I do like the blood wine."

Silvio chuckled. He took a handful of the wiggling worms and popped them into his mouth. At first, it was pretty disgusting, however, after the first crunch they stopped wiggling and Silvio found that they did have a pleasant taste. Silvio took another handful ate that one, "Hey," he said wiping a little blood from his mouth, "These are pretty good."

Teilani looked in awe as she saw Silvio taking a bite of the worms. "Chief you must be hungry". Then she looked at her own plate and managed to put a worm in her mouth. A large Klingon woman sitting next to her, patted her on the back. "See they are delicious!! the fresher the better."

Silvio eyed the Doctor's plate, "Doc, if you are not going to finish those, Could I have them, said Silvio gesturing at the worms on her plate.

"Mr. Silvio." Teilani said softly. "Be my guest." She slide the plate over to him.

Wright eyed Silvio and shook his head. He too took a bite of gahg. It was not a pleasant thing. Wright washed the foul taste down with another goblet of blood wine. He was already starting to feel its effects. It was going to be a long night.

Miranda watched the crew of the Zion contemplate their dinner with a mirthful smile. Commander Wright had worked out an arrangement for her to cook some food more acceptable to humans. Captain Darg had agreed, however, he wanted them to at least try the Klingon food. She watched as they all took a bite.

Calmly she took her plate of food, Prime rib with a baked potato and mixed vegetables, and sat down next to Wright, "Good evening John," she said.

Wright looked at her plate and smiled, He waited as everyone around them began to notice the wonderful aroma of the food on her plate. "Evening Miranda," he said, "Nice little party."

"Indeed," she replied, "Great food too."

Miranda chucked and started about the task of cutting up her meat. Despite her attempt to surprise the crew she realized that she was quite hungry herself. She had spent a good deal of time getting things ready for the crew and had not eaten.

"Hey Miranda! How'd you wind up with a plate like that? It looks like "HUMAN" Food to me. Did you have trouble learning to read Klingon menus in cooking class"? This is good stuff they've prepared! (Just don't ask me to name it, will ya")? Jeff scooped up another forkful of the (what he thought was targ). Its strong taste reminded him of...umm, nothing he could think of, actually.

Jeff got up and got himself a drink of the blood wine, it was obvious to him that the strong taste of the Klingon prepared delicacies were partly cleansed on the pallate by the blood wine. He took a large draught, winced and felt it burn on the way down. He belched blood worms, and blood wine. Maybe this was why he didn't drink much, anymore. "A little strength to your resolve", eh Jeff?, he thought to himself.

Teilani poked Hunter in the side, "you didn't say that Miranda had prepared normal food too!"

Maxine had kept close to Blitz. Not because she was afraid of Klingons, or even afraid of social situations, but because she was worried about getting dwarfed in a room full of such huge people. Of course, social situations weren't her forte and she did feel a bit out of place, so she stuck to Blitz because she knew him.

"I don't know what 'alf this stuff is," Max confided to Blitzer as they made their way through the buffet line. "And m'not eatin' any bugs," she added in a whisper and watched wide-eyed when Miranda passed her by with steak and potatoes.... "I want some of that..." she whispered again and nodded towards the café owner who was now engaged in conversation.

Blitzer eyes were wide. There was so much food. He stood up to get Miranda's attention, "excuse me..." he said to her.

Miranda looked at the big Cait. "Yes, are you enjoying the party?"

He felt kind of embarrassed, but he persisted, "Yes, of course, but... is there some more of that?" he said indicating the plate Miranda had.

"M-my friend Maxine isn't feeling too hungry for Klingon food,"

Miranda chuckled, "Yes, I will get you some."

Miranda watched Blitzer's tail swish as he sat back down. Catching the eye of one of her waiters, she nodded her head. Moments later the waiter delivered a plate similar to hers to both Maxine and Blitzer.

"See? No Bugs!" he said with a smile as she set it before her.

Maxine had watched in awe as the big Cait procured a plate of food for her that wasn't crawling and threatening to bite her back. "That was ... great.. Thank you," she told him with a smile.

As they ate, two Klingons sat next to Max and Blitzer.

The first Klingon spoke, "I am Max." he said, "and this is Tamog."

Blitzer's ears popped forward, "They call me Blitzer and this is ... Max" he said with a gesture.

"Maxine," the red-haired computer specialist nodded to the Klingons. "Just so we don't get confused," she added.

"Are you Kzinti?" Tamog asked Blitzer.

"Kzinti? I'm sorry, I'm not," replied Blitzer, his ears sagged slightly.

Max, the Klingon, interjected, "Insult was not intended. I told him you were Caitian."

"Well, its okay. But I am of the Mikan clan."

The Klingon shifted with interest, "Your planet's warrior caste?"

Blitzer responded to the interest with a nod.

Max, the Klingon, continued, "Your clan defended the Ferosa system against the marauding Kzinti Hegemony."

"Yes," said Blitzer, "almost 90 years ago. My great-grandfather fought in the war."

Max Grinned. "The Kzinti by then had lost 4 wars with the humans."

"And to regain their strength, sought to take our planet by force to consign our males and steal our resources." Blitzer paused, "You seem to know a lot about us."

"I know much about other warrior cultures."

Blitzer didn't know what to say, "Well... I really like Klingon culture... and your food too," he exclaimed.

Max the Klingon smiled, "Is that so?"

Blitzer raised his goblet of bloodwine, "to warriors"

The other Klingons near by joined, "To warriors."

Then, Blitzer began singing a Klingon Opera in a deep baritone voice,

"Kak-lah... Kak-lah ... Kah-pool-AYYY-do-la-kak-lah... Yoh boo la to dah..."

The Klingons nearby began to hoot and hollar, and joined in,

"Yoh boo la to da... Ah... do ro may... do ro may... do ro may...

With a sparkle of pixie dust Krystal popped into view perched on Blitzer's shoulder. She looked like she was holding onto a lock of his hair while one arm was raised in the air as her high soprano voice rang out in song; which in all honesty sounded rather funny in Klingon and mixed with all those deep tenors and baritones....

"do ro MAY de lat so may... Uh clop-doh... uh gah..."

Maxine blinked and covered her face with one hand as a soft expressive groan escaped her.

Of course Krystal continued undaunted, because that's just the way Pixies are.

"Uh clop-doh uh gah dor.... Uh clop-doh... uh gah... dor ray... dor ray... dor ray."

The little pixie hologram finished on a very high note which she held dramatically, and then she giggled and clapped her hands with a spray of golden dust and a cute little bounce. "WARRIOR TOES!!!"

Slowly the singing faded until only Blitzer's voice remained.

One of the Klingons said, "What is that?" pointing to the pixie.

Another laughed hysterically, "Its an overgrown targfly."

He began to reach and swat at the pixie.

Krystal giggled and wiggled her fingers at him as his swat passed right through her.

Maxine groaned again and rolled her eyes. "She's a pixie," she told them. And then with a big display of bravado, Krystal began singing the Klingon Victory Song in her high pitched voice.

"Ya-zjah kay-oh... yIja'Qo' bah-dah too-moh... Bagh Da tuH moh"

Maxine laughed as the group of Klingons that had been singing picked up the song and joined in with their loud raucous voices.

Wright had turned his attention from his worm eating engineer to the big Cait butchering Klingon Opera. Overall it was going pretty well. With The exception for Silvio no one was really eating. "Ok, you guys, as you can see Miranda has access to umm, well better food. Captain Darg asked that we try the Klingon food first." Wright sighed apparently Klingons has a odd sense of humour. He turned to Miranda, "Whenever you are ready," he said.

Again making eye contact with her waiter she nodded again and several of Zion's wait staff came from the galley and placed a plate of delicious food in front of the Zion crew.

When the waiter tried to deliver Silvio's plate he politely declined, "No thanks, can you bring me some more of these blood worms?" Silvio again wiped the blood from his lips. He never would have thought he would like these things so much.

"WHAT is that smell," shouted a Klingon from a nearby table., "It smells like rotten targ." The whole table of Klingons erupted in laughter.

Wright smiled at his crew members, "Next time all we need to do is ask for rotten targ," he suggested with a laugh. Wright downed another glass of blood wine. He got up and walked to the wine barrel and filled up his goblet. As he was sitting back down he noticed Lieutenant Carter entering the mess hall. He wondered what she had been up to.

***

"Recite that last part again?" Sam asked as she walked next to Zarg. They had been reading and enjoying the poetry from the book Sam had brought with her.

Zarg spoke with flare, "Bath ma cheth bejj, ej yo keej dahk batlh maHghbej'jyoqIjDaq Vaav, poo ma de, muv pa rech, ma shoov tach vavpu'ma' DImuvpa'reH maSuvtaH"

"Beautiful." she said while she tried to straighten her uniform. She fiddled with the little buttons

As the door closed, they notice quite a ruckus. Some were singing operas and battle anthems.

"We should find food," said Zarg.

Sam nodded and glanced towards the other Zion members, it seemed that they were having a blast. She took a seat at the table and before she knew it Zarg had supplied her with bloodwine and some undefined reddish food.

***

Melissa sat in a private dining room just off of the main mess hall on the Klingon ship. She had been there most of the afternoon. The Klingon first officer Max had set her up with access to their computer and a translator so she could review Korg's record. Max had impressed upon her that the speech she was about to give was very important to Klingons and that she should take it seriously.

Max has also informed her about B'talla. She apparently had designs on Korg's affections and was very unhappy when she had heard about Melissa. Max had pointed her out of the crowd when people began gathering for the celebration. Melissa would need to keep her eye on that one.

Melissa had decided not to join her crewmates for dinner, she was too nervous. She instead practiced the beginning of her speech, which had to be said in Klingon. Max told her that it amounted to a challenge and no one would take her seriously if she spoke in standard tongue. She found the Klingon language to be harsh and it was difficult to make her tongue bend the right way to pronounce the words. Max has spent a good deal of time helping her with that as well.

Melissa stood up and began pacing the room. It would not be much longer now. She hefted Korg's Batleth and held it out in front of her. She willed her nerves to calm down and slowly her shaking hands steadied. It would do her no good to go out there and talk to the assembled Klingons if she was trembling like a baby.

Melissa watched on her console as the party progressed. Max got up and addressed the room. Max would lead them in celebrating their battle victory. There was much shouting, and banging on tables as Max spoke and plenty of blood wine was being consumed. Melissa noticed that Commander Wright appeared to be enjoying the blood wine as much as the Klingons.

After reliving their victory Max began remembering the warriors who did not survive. After each battle they had won was remembered the Klingons celebrated loudly and more blood wine was consumed. The atmosphere began to get rowdy as Max went on.

Korg was the highest ranking warrior to be killed so Melissa had to wait until last. When Max was finished he introduced Melissa as Korg's mate. There was a moment of stunned silence as Melissa entered the room. She was not dressed in her Maquis uniform, but that of a Klingon woman. She wore Klingon armor underneath a gray Klingon cloak. In her hand she carried Korg's batleth. Dressing in Klingon attire had been Max's suggestion. He felt it would be more appropriate than a Maquis uniform. She stool and faced the crowd. Immediately, her eyes searched out B'talla, she was right in front. Their eyes locked for a moment, Melissa could feel the anger in those eyes.

"What is this," demanded a Klingon. Several other Klingon voices joined their complaints.

"This is an outrage," shouted another Klingon. More rumblings.

In a loud voice she spoke in Klingon, "I am Melissa. The mate of Korg, son or Krol. I have come before you to honour the memory of a great warrior." Melissa paused, "If any of you wish to defile his memory step forward now." She waved Korg's batleth with precision. "I will accept your challenge."

There was again silence. Melissa was relieved, as it appeared that she now had them surprised enough that they were not sure what to do. Not hearing any challenge, she began.

"Korg, son of Krol, fought many glorious battles," she said, now speaking in standard tongue, "Like the battle of Kittomer, where he defended the Empire in combat. Showing no mercy to his enemy."

"YES," shouted a Klingon in the back of the room. He held up his goblet, "to the mighty Korg."

The other in the room, who were now gathered around Melissa lifted their goblets and drank to Korg. Melissa smiled and walked past B'talla and grabbed a goblet from the table. She dipped it into the wine barrel and drank as well.

"Korg again defended the Empire during the battle of Bak'tal," she continued, "The mighty Korg led his men against the hated Cardassians. Once again he took no prisoners and left no enemy standing." Melissa filled her goblet again and held it aloft. "To Korg!"

This time several Klingons joined in, some of them banging on the tables and walls, other shouting in Klingon. Melissa drank again.

"Then did the mighty warrior Korg do battle with the soulless Romulans during the battle of Shi'tok."

"Glorious battle," interrupted a Klingon. Several others agreed the room echoed as the Klingons continued to celebrate.

"Korg did the Empire proud yet again," shouted Melissa, to be heard over the noisy bunch. She filled her goblet again, "To Korg," she shouted drinking again. The blood was now rushing in her veins, as the blood wine took it's effect. Melissa stole a glance at B'talla, she too was caught up in the memorial of Korg, just as the other Klingons had. Things were going well, she thought.

Melissa continued the litany of battles in Korg's name, and the closer she got to the end the more fired up her audience became. A few small fights had already broken out. She hoped that the crew of the Zion was ready for this. When Klingons partied they did it full force.

Loud cheering now erupted as Melissa told the story of Korg's skill during the battle of No Man's Land. The blood wine kept flowing and the noise level in the room got louder until finally, she was at the Battle for Pacifica.

"Finally," she shouted, "Was the mighty Korg felled by the vermin Federation. Even as he died Korg fought to his last breath and even now does the warrior Korg stand in Sto-vo-kor striking fear into the shades of death. "Drink, to the mighty warrior Korg, son of Krol. May all Sto-vo-kor tremble at his arrival." Melissa drained her glass and slammed it to the ground. The room erupted into mayhem. Melissa smiled, as she watched the Klingons act out on their battle lust. The atmosphere in the room was on fire, more fights had broken out and the noise was at a roar. Melissa surveyed the room. She had done it.

Hunter, who was standing among other Maquis officers applauded for her.

Silvio watched as Melissa's speech concluded. The room around him was starting to get dangerous. Several fights had broken out near him. He watched as one warrior was thrown in his direction. Silvio quickly grabbed his plate of Gahg and moved it out of the way as the Klingons crashed down on the table. Another Klingon shoved Silvio out of the way as he reached for his opponent. The shove sent Silvio's Gahg crashing to the floor, "Hey," said Silvio, "I was not done with that." Fortified by the blood wine that he had ingested, Silvio bravely dove hard into the Klingon knocking him to the floor. The fight was on.

Jeff knew from the amount of blood wine, and the numbers of Klingons in the mess hall what was likely to be next on the *un-official* agenda.

He was glad he hadn't had that much of the blood wine. Anything could (and was likely to happen). He walked over toward the senior officers from the Zion, pushing his way forward, using his elbows.

Teilani listened to Melissa and shook her head as she figured out what was going on. Seems like the party was over so she stood up and started to walk towards the door. A large Klingon woman tried to prevent her from leaving. " One false move," Teilani said, her eyes spitting fire, and I kick your butt to Kingdom come!!" The woman grinned and tried to grab Teilani. She made a side step and kicked the woman in the stomach. Then a ripping sound could be heard and a big tear was visible in Teilanies dress.

"Damn you torn my good dress," she yelled. Then Teilani took up the heavy metal serving plate and smashed the Klingon woman over the head with it. The woman looked at the doctor with a dazed expression on her face and then collapsed to the floor.

"Over here Doc." she then heard someone calling. Sam had managed to find a secure place away from the fighting and was finishing the rest of her meal. "Quit a party isn't it doc?"

"yeah. Look what they done to my dress!"

"Don't worry it will soon be over, they will be too drunk to fight shortly." Sam said as she kicked a Klingon in the gut as he tried to grab her.

Blitzer who now was rather a buzz with bloodwine himself, spotted Dr. Dane and Sam Carter in an out the way spot. He escorted Maxine Tapert out of the way. Lifting her once or twice as a falling Klingon and flying debris headed toward them. Krystal flitted about their heads and made boxing motions to anyone who got close.

"Good evening Ladies," he said with a suave attitude. "Don't worry. I'll keep you saf..."

Before he could finish the words a Klingon had grabbed him by the tail and yanked him into the fighting.

"Pretzel anyone," Sam said as she held out the plate to Teilani and Maxine.

"Thanks," Maxine smiled and took the offered pretzel as she settled down next to the other two ladies and watched as Blitzer got drug off by his tail.

"That had to hurt..." Krystal commented as she took to pacing between the ladies and the fighting.

Blitzer's fur ruffled and he assumed a martial arts-like stance, crouching very low he then pounced on his aggressor in an expected cat-like manner. He knocked his assailant over and was gone before he could get back up.

He returned to where the ladies where brushing off his paws. "there that should...." and he was gone again.

"Go Blitzer Go! Krystal cheered as miniature pompoms popped into view in her hands.

This time the Klingon managed to connect a few punches which for the Cait certainly felt quite hard. He kneeled on the ground coughing and wheezing. Instinctively he wanted to peel his attacker's face off with his claws but even through the stupor of bloodwine, he knew that would be bad.

The Klingon laughed and kicked Blitzer onto his back and stood pointing and laughing at him.

Blitzer frowned. He picked up a long thick rail from a broken table that laid next to him and with cat-like graced rammed it into the Klingon's mid section.

"RAH! RAH! RAH! Sock it to him!" the little pixie made boxing motions with her pompoms as Blitz got the upper hand.

As the Klingon doubled over Blitzer jumped to his feet and spun on his heel bringing the rail around in full arc which abruptly ended with a loud 'whack' on the side of the Klingon's head. The Klingon looked up from his bent over position and snarled with anger.

"You guys really do have thick skulls," taunted Blitzer. The Klingon lunged for Blitzer who dodged him with the grace of a bull fighter, spinning on his heel in the opposite direction. "Whack" the rail found its mark on the back side of the Klingon's head has he raced past him.

The blow sent the Klingon bounding forward out of control, landing into the middle of another group that was fighting.

"Ooh, temper temper," said Blitzer as he watched the invading Klingon's body hefted from the ground by the others who began to include the new comer in their free-for-all.

Blitzer, using the rail, limped back to where the ladies still stood, this time, keeping his tail out of harms way.

"He is good isn't he," Sam said to Max.

"Yeup. Keeps me from getting eaten by bugs. And he has wonderful code," Maxine agreed and looked up at Blitzer with a wide grin when he reached them.

"Rah! Rah! Rah! Warrior Toes!" Krystal giggled and cheered.

Madriani attempted to make is way towards Hunter and Wright make his way toward them. Instead he got an elbow in his ear from a Klingon who was punching another.

Westfall jostled his way over to Madrani, and loudly said, "Request permission to initiate non-drill Hand-to-hand Combat, Sir"!

Madriani, who had drank his share of bloodwine was on the verge of his cool. "Damn right Mister," he said as he grabbed a bench and hit the Klingon over the head with it.

With out further reservation, Madrini disappeared into the swarm of hurling fists.

Westfall figured the best tactic to use was to consider not that "The forces of the Maquis alliance were surrounded in a hostile zone", but rather, they were "in a target-rich environment".

Jeff grabbed the nearest Klingon pummeling on one of the Zion's crew, and bellowed, "And this is for you, from *HIM* with MY COMPLIMENTS," delivering a solid stomp to the Klingon's patella, and running the instep of his boot down to his ankle.

Since there was no "Surrender" in the Klingon vocabulary, Westfall knew damn well, it was a fight to "one of us isn't going to be standing," and if he could help it, it wasn't going to be him...lying on the floor in his dress uniform.

He kept pummeling the large Klingon in all the spots Max, the Klingon First Officer had shown him were vulnerable to attack or pressure.

He realized it wasn't going to be easy, "felling" a Klingon warrior...somewhat like the task of cutting a California Redwood with a pocket knife.

Thankfully, he'd gained a minor advantage: Klingons with bellies full of food and blood wine just brawled, there was little discipline. It was, after all, just a party to VICTORY, GLORIOUS VICTORY!

The huge Klingon, of course would not "fold" easily. Westfall had been, toughened and trained to dodge and cover himself, *BUT* drunken Klingons had somewhat degraded aim. He gasped for breath, as the Klingon caught him with a sudden blow to the throat.

IT was time to get low and get dirty, he dropped and started to concentrate on the back the large Klingon's knees, to attempt to collapse him.

Somewhat choking, Westfall saw red. He wanted this Klingon's blood to flow. Backing up, he propelled himself toward the side of his opponent's knee. IT was all a matter of physics...attack what didn't move, with enough force, and it would *HAVE* to give. The Klingon belched, as Jeff propelled his boot into his stomach.

Jeff narrowly missed a blow from another "non-combatant" raining blows on another Klingon.

"Memo to self," he thought. "Eyes in the back of one's head would be an asset when in close personal combat with Klingons".

Jeff Cursed as he felt himself losing his balance, tripping over another large Klingon body. He hoped he could "fold", and cover himself, brooking no opportunity for a body slam on the floor.

Jeff narrowly missed a blow from another "non-combatant" raining blows on another Klingon.

Suddenly Westfall saw a shadow from behind his attacker, and Jeff rolled, just in time to stand up, winded, as the large Klingon dropped in a pile, from fresh blows inflicted from an equal.

When his breath returned, and his vision cleared, he realized that his benefactor was none other than K'log, the Klingon Tactical Officer, whom Max, the Klingon exchange First Officer used as his training and demonstration partner.

"To your Victory, Mister Westfall," he roared, connecting his former opponent's head with the steel deck. "This one needs to learn how to fight, I have seen better combat from a Pakled". Let us drink to Korg".

"K'log, I've just gotten warmed up decently...let's kick ass, *THEN we'll drink to Korg, by then I'll need blood wine," Westfall grinned.

Burner, never one to back out of a fight jumped right in. He could see that the Chief engineer was in trouble and started moving towards him. Before he could get there, however, he was swept up in another fight. Soon all thoughts of helping Silvio fled and Burner realized that he had his hands full.

Silvio was in a bad spot. He was certainly no match for one Klingon let along the two who he faced now. He tried his best to dodge their attack. A solid knee caught him in the stomach and Silvio doubled over, trying to catch his breath.

The big Klingons let out a howl of victory and grabbed Silvio by the hair lifting him to his feet. One Klingon planted his fist solidly on the helpless Silvio's face. The last thing Silvio remembered before losing consciousness was the sharp sound of his nose breaking.

The Klingons took a hold of Silvio and tossed him halfway across the room where he landed a few yards from where Dane, and Carter were.

"Hi Chief," Teilani said. "Having fun??"

Silvio, of course could not hear her, he was unconscious.

Hunter and Wright stood up as their table was smashed away by a falling body. Hunter looked over at Wright. "Number One... Have you ever heard of the expression, 'when in Rome?'"

"Indeed sir," said Wright. He already had his eye on one of the big Klingons who just tossed Silvio around like a rag doll. Wright jumped up on a table and ran all the way down the length of it toward the other celebrating Klingon. When he reached the end of the table he launched himself feet first at his unsuspecting target. Wright boots connected with the back of the Klingons head and the rest of his body came down on top of him. Most of his weight landed on the poor warrior's head, smashing it into the floor with a thud.

Wright got to his feet, and prodded the unmoving Klingon with his boot. He did not move. A moment of panic shot through Wright as he thought maybe he had killed him. It was just a party after all. Wright got down on his knees and rolled him over, checking for signs of life.

Suddenly, the big Klingon's eyes opened and his fist came flying around as fast as lightning and connected with Wright's jaw. Wright actually thought he was stars as the pain from the blow jolted him backwards.

The big Klingon laughed at Wright, and then collapsed into unconsciousness.

Hunter grabbed the shoulder of one the Klingons who had just launched his chief engineer and spun him around. He cocked his arm and landed a well aimed fist to the zygomatic bone, the most effective place to smack a Klingon.

The Klingon laughed with contempt and wound up to return the blow.

He swung lethargically but missed as Hunter ducked low. Hunter managed an upper cut to the midsection. The Klingon let out a large belch which reeked of bloodwine and gahg.

His eyes rolled up and he began to stagger. Hunter put up his fists to block the warrior as he came toward him. The Klingon managed to land a few good drives on Hunter.

Who began to stagger himself. Hunter and the Klingon locked arms, the Klingon began to head-butt Hunter who managed then to break free and give the Klingon a good uppercut to the jaw. The Klingon took a couple steps back and belched again. He moved toward Hunter but then wobbled and fell flat on his face.

"Good thing for bloodwine," said Hunter wiping the blood off his nostril.

"Rah! Rah! Rah! Go Cappy Go!!!" Krystal cheered Hunter. She was all about the cheering. She had never witnessed an all out brawl before and seemed to be enjoying it immensely.

Melissa was surprised at the strength of her words. She searched the room for B'talla. She had lost sight of her in all the mayhem. This was not good. Melissa dodged several jostling Klingons when she was grabbed from behind by her hair. Melissa instinctively grabbed the hands holding her hair and twisted her body around breaking the grip of her attacker.

She found herself face to face with B'talla, "Your words were honorable," she said, "but are you?" The Klingon female punched Melissa in the face. Melissa could tell she did not hit her with all her strength, she held back, and that was a mistake. Recovering quickly Melissa grabbed her by the shoulders and slammed her knee into her midsection, and without pausing slammed her head down on the doubled over Klingons head.

B'talla was stunned and Melissa launched a kick aimed at her head, however, it was off balance and the Klingon managed to back her kick and shoved her back into the wall. The Klingon woman did not hesitate and charged into Melissa slamming her hard against the wall.

The two of them fell to the floor. Melissa lashed out at the woman's face with the heal of her hand. Shoving with all her might she got herself out from under B'talla and tried to get to her feet.

"Korg should have been mine," yelled B'talla as she too got to her feet.

Melissa sneered at the Klingon and said, "Your loss was my gain."

B'talla howled in fury and charged at Melissa. Melissa was ready for it this time and side stepped out of the way. As the Klingon woman went by Melissa grabbed her by the hair and the back of her clothing and directed her fall head first into an overturned table. "No wonder he was not interested in you," Melissa taunted, "I have seen Cardassian's who fight better than you."

B'Talla got again to her feet and closed in to attack Melissa, "Enough talk," she said. She came at Melissa with a brutal attack pounding blows to her head and face. Melissa fought through the attacks and landed several blows of her own. The two ladies fought on without realizing that the rest of the fighting had stopped.

Melissa and Btalla did not notice that everyone was now watching their fight. Some with much amusement, and others with concern. The two women fought on until neither could go no more and the both fell to the floor. The room was hushed.

B'Talla began to laugh as she crawled across the floor. Melissa tried with all her strength to stand and finally did so. She did not understand what Btalla found so funny. The Klingon woman limped towards the wine barrel and dipped another cup of blood wine. Holding it out to Melissa she said, "To Korg."

Melissa sighed, and took the cup, "To Korg," she said.

The Klingons in the room echoed the toast to Korg once again and went in search of more blood wine.

Teilani looked at the now relatively quiet crowd and made her way to Silvio. She carefully tapped him in the face.

"Hey Chief, wake up." There was no movement and it seemed that Silvio was unconscious for a long time. "Darn Mr. Silvio, you promised you would never visit sickbay again." Her experience told her that Silvio had a broken nose, and probably a concussion.

"Guess the party is over for me." Teilani said. She tapped her combadge Dane to the transporter room, lock on to my combadge and beam us directly to sickbay!."

Teilani held on to Silvio when the 2 of them disappeared in to a shimmer of blueish light.

Westfall was pleased to see K'log. He'd been trained by him in the aftermath of the Rura Penthe "uprising," and his training methods had yielded success, =even though Westfall was *sore* in the extreme, he knew (more or less) the kinds of tactics to expect.

He walked beside K'log; liberally pushing and shoving bodies aside in the melee, there was no decorum in the brawl. Slowly they made their way to the Captain and First Officer Wright.

"Hello Captain," Westfall said.

Hunter was breathing heavily. It served to further metabolize the bloodwine in his system.

Sir, I'd like to introduce a valued ally in my encounter tonight. This is K'log, the Klingon Security Chief from the D'Kuul.

"Captain Hunter, your crew has fought well tonight, against the Klingon Empire's best soldiers. They will be disciplined severely for their part in this brawl," Klog said.

Hunter, who'd been to more than one Klingon party in his life, laughed, "What? and ruin a perfectly good celebration?" He laughed again and gave K'log a slight shove. "I wouldn't hear of it."

Westfall walked over to the table and brought three goblets of blood wine. "Sirs, I think you three could use this," he said passing them to K'log, Hunter and Wright. He returned with another goblet for himself. "To K'log and the Klingon Method"!

K'log looked pleased to see that Westfall was beginning (apparently) to understand the basics of Klingon culture: Drink to anything!

Hunter looked surprised to see Westfall drinking the potent Blood Wine.

"Sir, What's the matter, you look perplexed," Jeff said.

Hunter stammered a little trying to find a tactful way to word his question, "I thought you were..."

I figure I can crawl "back on the wagon" anytime, right now I feel like I've been run over by it". Westfall grinned.

K'log belched. "Pardon me, Sirs. Too much gahg and blood wine makes me belch".

"Thanks to K'log's intervention, I wasn't reduced to bloody pulp".

"Captain, Mister Wright, may I salute the Mighty K'log, WARRIOR of the Klingon Empire, ally of the Maquis"! He gave K'log a grin, and hammered his back. They all drank. It was back (pretty much to normal) and people had started to re-assemble and pour more Blood Wine.

He could pay the piper for the hangover later, this was how his allies celebrated *THEIR* VICTORIES.

Westfall actually doubted that Doctor Dane could actually do much more than offer condolances for people who'd suffered "Bottle Fatigue," and made mental note to check with Miranda, the Zion's bartender. Sometimes "folk cures" worked better than *medical ones*.

"K'log, I'm damn glad we're allies, instead of enemies. I feel like I've been hit over the head with Thor's Hammer'..., I'd thank your Captain personally for his hospitality, but right at the moment, I don't think I could stand up straight enough to salute him, if I could tell which of the two I was *supposed* to salute".

K'log stood erect to his full height, and laughed deeply, in the way only a Klingon Warrior can, the rich sound coming from within the very core of the Klingon's being; the sound of a man who was enjoying the company of good friends, and the inevitable tale of comrades at arms, fallen in glorious battle, elevated to the status of heroes, in the tales of the day; sent to their great reward. K'log *roared* "Westfall, I hope next time we meet for a victory celebration, you've leared how to drink your fair share of Blood Wine"!

"P-p-p-p-Parrrrrrrrdon Me, SsSir"? Westfall's belch smelled of too many Worms. "What you've had tonight, is a dinner cocktail's worth, for a Klingon CHILD". Jeff colored, and looked unsteady on his feet...suddenly his dress uniform was much too tight, and all he wanted to do was get into the sonic shower and "fall in" (to bed). "Thank you Sir, for your the hospitality of your ship's company, and permitting us to honor your glorious dead,"

"To Korg"! K'log replied. "I do admire, that you've put away your fair share of the Blood Worms...(for a Human). The Grilled Targ was decently prepared too, I must say. We must meet again, and continue your acclimatization to Klingon Culture, perhaps I'll ask your Captain to send you to spend a month aboard the D'Kul. I could perhaps make a decent Klingon Officer out of you in that time".

"THANK YOU, SIR"! Westfall shouted, with every ounce of conviction his Blood Wine polluted brain could muster and sound forth. "Request permission to depart IKS D'Kuul, SIR"!

"Go Ensign Westfall, your own ship awaits"! Remember, IT is a GOOD DAY to DIE"!

Westfall stumbled onto the Klingon transporter pad, and unsteadily swatted at his comm badge, W-W-WestFFFALL here, one to beam aboarRd, Chie-f-f!

Westfall materialized on the transporter pad of the USS Zion, and made a mental note to speak to Miranda about the cure for Blood Wine. "Follow the Yellow Brick Road..." he sang loudly, and off-key...hell he'd had so much Blood Wine, he couldn't even remember which war movie the line came from! IT was good to be "home". "Computer...locate "My little dog too," he said, as he fell on his bed. "Ensign Jeff Westfall does not have "my little dog too" on file aboard the USS Zion" He didn't here the answer, he would wake up *MUCH* later.

***

Burner stumbled towards his quarters. The party had been a blast. He was sure that he would regret it in the morning. He entered his quarters and looked at himself in a mirror. The purple welts on his face had already started to sting, even though, he had tried his best to numb the pain with blood wine. Still, it had been worth it. He stripped out of his dress uniform and collapsed into bed.

***

Sam looked around to see Zarg but in the aftermath of the fight she was unable to. Helping some other Zion crewmembers back to the transporter padds she was glad to be back on board. She hadn't drunk the bloodwine, at least not many of it, and figured that Melissa was too tired and too bruised to take the shift. So Sam walked into the security office and began to read the logs which were stored during their party.

Maxine made her way to the transporter with Blitzer, making sure he didn't crash into the walls from too much bloodwine. Krystal perched on her shoulder and seemed to clasp a lock of hair as she bounced and waved goodbye to the Klingons. "Goodbye Warrior Toes!"

***

Polkadots and Moonbeams "
By: James McIntyre , Doctor , [NPC]
Teilani Dane, Chief Medical Officer, [PC]

Stardate: 58205.30 2122

McIntyre smiled as he watched his patient leave. She was lucky to be alive. He handed the padd containing the patient's medical history to the nurse. "Please verify the annotations for me and forward the updates to Fleet Medical."

"Right away Doctor."

McIntyre made a mental note, the day had gone fast.

Heading back toward his office he spotted Dane.

"I've finished up all the scheduled follow-ups, Ma'am... care to join me for a coffee Doctor?"

Teilani smiled. Glad to leave sickbay behind her she nodded. "I would love to Doctor."

"Excellent," said McIntyre, "after you."

Teilani stuck her hands in her pockets and headed out of sickbay. "So where you want to go for coffee," she asked McIntyre.

He shrugged, "I suppose the Officer's lounge would be fine."

"Fine by me, it has been a while since I had been there."

Before long they were standing in front of the replicators. "What do you recommend today?" asked McIntyre.

"James I am to tired to think, you surprise me." Teilani said softly while scouting for a place for them to sit.

McIntyre grinned, "McIntyre #3" he said to the replicator. A moment later he handed Dane a mug of coffee.

He guestured for her to have a seat.

Collecting the mug and letting the warmth of it comford her hands Teilani sat down. Carefully taking a sip from the hot coffee she smiled.

"Hey this is good." she said. " You know I am in for a break, I can't remember the last time I have visited a Holodeck program."

McIntyre nodded, "What do you enjoy doing on the holodeck?"

Teilani grinned. " Actually anything as long as it has nothing to do with medical stuff." She stretched her long legs and yawned. " You know last night I had the urge of painting sickbay purple with yellow polka dots."

McIntyre smiled, "I don't think the Captain would approve of that, why would you want to do that?"

"Don't know, brighten up the place?"

McIntyre sipped his coffee, trying to gage if Dane was kidding or serious.

"...polka dots huh?"

" Don't look so shocked James," Teilani said with a grin. " I'm only joking but you have to admit, it could do with some more colors."

He smiled as he set down his mug.

"So what kind of holodeck programs do you like?"

"Other than medical simulations, I've hardly spent any time on the holodeck. I guess I'm always nervious something unexpected is going to happen." He leaned back, "Commander Wright might share my sentiments," he said with a wink.

"Yeah that was an unfortunate accident. At least we were able to get him his arm back. Although the hook was quit exiting." Teilani grinned. "You know there is a nice holodeck program, which is not exiting but it is nice and relaxing, if you want I can show you sometime.

"Well, if you are thinking about yellow polka dots, maybe now would be a good time for a change of scenery, We could see if the holodeck is available," suggested McIntyre.

"You know what that is a good idea. "Teilani responded. She drank the last of her coffee and stood up. "Shall we?"

Zent stood up, "After you Doctor," he said with a gesture.

*** Holodeck 1***

Having arrived at the Holodeck both Teilani and McIntyre entered the black and yellow grid. At the arch Teilani typed in some coordinates.

"This is my favorite program," she said.

Within seconds the holodeck transformed into a luscious beach, over the horizon the sun was setting, a warm breeze was blowing

McIntyre smiled at Dane, "Very nice Doctor."

He walked over to a pair of large wooden lounge chairs and sat down.

"This view offers an exciting paradox with your coffee," he said with a chuckle.

"Paradox? What you mean Teilani asked.

"Well, Doctor, your coffee is usually very... invigorating, and this...this is so... calm and peaceful."

"O and please call me Teilani or Lani, we are off duty."

He smiled, "sure."

The salty air and the soft breeze made her sleepy, the sound of seagulls in the distance was hypnotizing.

After many minutes, the sun settled below the horizon, but the full moon glowed brighly overhead, shimmering on the ocean waves.

"Beautiful." said McIntyre, looking over at Dane.

She looked back. "Tell me James, where did you grow up, do you have any brothers or sisters?"

He shook his head, "Sorry, I was an only child... spoiled too...and you?"

Teilani suddenly clamped up and it was silent.... "I have a sister and 2 brothers." She glanced over the ocean as she remembered them, or at least tried to....... "I haven't had much contact with them lately.

"To busy?" asked McIntyre.

"I don't know, scared maybe?"

He shot her a reassuring smile. "You have a successful career, what's to be afraid of?"

"Yeah Patia says that too but you know it is not that easy. I mean I have been incommunicado for a long time."

"Oh, are they on earth?"

Teilani shook her head. " No so far as I am aware they are still on Mars. My youngest brother though is Awol.

"He's Maquis too?"

" I dont know, he wasn't when I left but things change, specially with the war."

McIntyre nodded.

"I promised I would find him, but I'm not doing a good job of it. Maybe when we are back on QT I can do something more."

"It didn't by any chance have something to do with you and the Captain going down to Rura Penthe two weeks ago?"

Teilani glanced at McIntyre. "Well apparently someone had seen him there and I asked the Captain if I could go with him to check it out."

"...and?" said McIntyre inquisitively.

Teilani took a sip from a beverage which a sexy waiter had brought over. "Nothing a dead end. So I'm back at square one."

"Hmm... sorry to hear that."

He looked at the drink Dane had, "How'd you do that?"

" Do what?"

He nodded at her drink, "get one of those..."

She laughed, "you just say 'tequila sunrise please'. Suddenly out of the blue a waiter appeared and put the drink on James side table.

He smiled, "nice."

"Oh its something I programmed into it, just to have fun."

McIntyre took a sip, "it tastes pretty authentic."

"Hey it is authentic, I browsed all of Zions database to get the recipe." Teilani said quasi annoyed.

McIntyre kicked his feet back and sipped the drink. "Aaah."

"Now this is the life!" Teilani said while sipping her drink as well.

He looked over at her, "It sure is."

The party is over now "
By: Patia Zoei, Chief Counselor, [PC]
Teilani Dane, Chief Medical Officer, [PC]

Stardate: 58205.30 2330

Teilani stood in sickbay watching the diagnostic display the fysical readings of Silvio.

She tapped her combadge. Dane to Counselor zoei, could you meet me in sickbay please?"

Zoei glanced away from her computer. The conversation with her mother, while enjoyable, had been a little taxing. The interruption was a relief. Zoei to Dane, I will be there momentarily

"Mother, duty calls," she smiled slightly. "Please give my regards to Father." The screen went black as the connection closed. Efficient movements cleared her desk. Once all was in order for her return to work, she strode from her office to Sick Bay.

"Hello, Doctor," she nodded in greeting. "What is wrong?"

"Hello counselor," Teilani said softly. "Sorry to have bothered you but hmmm how shall I say .... I have some one in sick bay who might respond better to you than to me.

"What happened? I hadn't heard of any catastrophic problems, but then, I wasn't at the party." Zoei watched Dane carefully.

"No no no , its nothing serious, just a broken nose and a concussion. You know how Klingon parties can escalate."

"I have heard those events can get rather," she cleared her throat, "involved, for lack of a better term." A slight chuckle rumbled in her throat. "A broken nose and a concussion would be more your arena than mine, though, Doctor." She raised one eyebrow quizzically.

Teilani stepped to the side and pointed towards one of the biobeds where Silvio was laying.

Her eyebrow winged higher, disappearing into her hairline. "Well," she shook her head slightly, "is he giving you some trouble?"

"Oh no, don't get me wrong, he is doing fine but you know I think that when he wakes up he rather see your face then mine. I mean you two are an item ..... Teilani shrugged a little.

She chuckled. "How long until you are ready to release him?"

"When he wakes up you can take him home. I've treated all his injures, he might have some stomach ache from the Gahg but it will pass."

Zoei shook her head, a slight smile tipping the corners of her mouth. "Thank you for letting me know. I'll sit with him until he wakes." Her stride slow and quiet, she walked to the edge of the biobed.

" Thank you Ms Zoei," Teilani said. "Gives me time to put on my regular cloths."

She smiled again. "I can see where you would rather be back in regular clothes while working. If it were me, I would be too nervous I would ruin my formalwear in Sick Bay," she winked.

Teilani grinned and disappeared in her office.

A Sight for Sore Eyes"
By: Giuseppe Silvio, Chief Engineer, [RNPC]
Patia Zoei, Chief Counselor, [PC]

Stardate: 58205.30 2330

Silvio slowly came back to consciousness. He did not open his eyes, he knew that the light would probably make his head hurt. She was there, he could smell the wonderful gardenia scent that Patia wore. "Hello" he said, still without opening his eyes.

"Have a good time last evening?" The hint of a chuckle tinged the tone of her voice.

Silvio opened one eye and looked at Patia, a smile spreading accross his face. "I was doing fine until the entertainment began."

"I guess they weren't kidding when they said Klingon events could be rough," she shook her head slightly.

"How are you feeling," he asked.

"Tired, it has been a long day," she grimaced slightly. "Although, I have to say, it doesn't appear to have been as long as yours."

"It's over now," he said with a smile, "Do you suppose the doc will let me out of here?"

"Aye, Dr. Dane called me to make sure you found your way back to your quarters. I am sure she needs to clear you out of Sick Bay, but that shouldn't be too much of a problem." She cocked her head. "Is your neck bothering you?"

Silvio realized he still only had one eye open. He opened both eyes and smiled, "I was tring to limit the light. My head is starting to hurt from all that blood wine.

She looked quizzical. "If you insist, but, there is something in the way you are laying that just doesn't look natural." Gently, she reached forward and parted the hair behind his ear. "What gave you your concussion?"

"Well, that would have been the fist of a big Klingon," SIlvio paused, trying to replay the night's events in his mind, "or maybe even two big Klingons. I can't remember exactly," he replied.

"It is a might fine thing you have such a hard head, Guiseppe," she winked. "I think I see his knuckle marks here." Lightly, her fingers ruffled his hair.

"That would not surprise me," said Silvio sitting up on the bio bed, "Klingons hit pretty hard."

"Are you sure it was a fist? It looks like you have an imprint on your skin," she moved closer as she looked.

SIlvio smiled, "I'm pretty sure," he said as he moved his face even closer to Patia's.

She chuckled. "Not feeling too bad, though, are you? Let's see about breaking you out of here." Patia sat up slowly.

Silvio sighed and got off the bio bed. "Yeah, I have spent too much time in sickbay the last few months."

"A little more than the average person, I have to say. Say, not so fast, or you are going to find yourself on the floor. It is the first time you have stood upright!" Her hand cupped his elbow in support as he lightly swayed.

Silvio leaned agaisnt the bio bed as to room slowly stopped spinning, "Maybe you're right."

She shook her head. "How's the nose? Can you breathe through it yet?"

"Yeah, looks like the Doc has already fixed me up," he said, "Let's find her and get me outta here." SIlvio lightly placed his arm around Patia's shoulders.

Log Index | Go to Stardate 58205.31