The Pain is Your Reward"
By: Melissa Jarvis, Chief Security Officer, [RNPC]
Teilani Dane, Chief Medical Officer, [PC]

Stardate: 58205.31 0200

Melissa stumbled through he corridors of the Zion in search of her quarters. She was still dressed in the Klingon clothing she had worn at the party. Korg's Batleth hung loosely in her left hand. Her thoughts were scattered by much blood wine and she was tired and very sore. She just wanted to find her quarters.

She was on deck two, she was sure of that. Growling in frustration, she touched the comm panel on the wall. "Computer show me to my quarters," she demanded.

The computer beeped its acknowledgment and a section of the wall began to glow a bright green. Melissa followed the green light hoping that she would not been seen in this shape by any of her men. The transporter operator had been quite startled at her appearance when she had beamed back.

After what seemed like an eternity, the light stopped outside her quarters. She stumbled into her quarters and began stripping out of her Klingon costume when a picture on her wall caught her attention. She dropped the batleth and walked over to look at the picture. It was a picture of her and Charles on Qul Tuq.

Melissa started to laugh, then she pulled Korg's D'ktagh from her belt and with a rather shaky motion she plunged the dagger like weapon into the picture. Glass fragments flew through the air as she pulled the picture off the wall; still attached to the D'ktagh. With a quick flick on her wrist she sent the picture flying across the room.

Melissa then placed the D'ktagh on the wall where the picture had been hanging. She smiled, as she looked at the weapon on a warrior hanging on her wall. Tomorrow she would find a honourable place for Korg's Batleth. Melissa stumbled into her bedroom and collapsed in a heap on her bed.

***

Melissa woke gasping for breath. She had no ideal how long she had slept, but she knew something was wrong. She struggled to draw each breath into her lungs. Her training had thought her not to panic. She needed a doctor. Reaching out to her comm badge she touched it, "Jarvis to Dr. Dane," she said gasping for breath after each word.

Teilani awoke by the beeping of her combadge, who in his right mind was contacting here at this time of night. She was exhausted.

"Dane here, what's up Ms Jarvis." She said.

"Can't," she struggled, "breath," more struggling, "doc"

Teilani heard the gasps Melissa tried to make by replying and that was all she needed.

" Hang on, I'm on my way."

She got out of bed, grabbed her blue overcoat and her med kit and still dressed in her night clothing she left her quarters.

It was quiet on the Zion as Teilani ran through the corridors bear feet and it seemed to last forever before she reached Melissa's quarters.

She hit the chime. There was no response. Teilani knocked on the door. " Ms Jarvis, its me Doctor Dane." No response.

" Computer Medical emergency override door lock, Dane alpha 4."

With a small whoosh the door slid open and Teilani stepped in. She noticed the small broken glass fragments on the floor. She should have taken time to put on her shoes. " Ms Jarvis………. Melissa?" she called.

There was no reply. Teilani carefully stepped over the glass and entered the bedroom. There on the bed lay Melissa, she looked blueish and her breathing was gasping and irregular.

Teilani sat down and took her tricorder. She startled when she read the outcome, heavy bruising and a punctured lung, no wonder she was unconscious. She prepared a hypo spray with Tri-ox that would increase the red blood cells and made the breathing a bit easier. But in order to heal the fracture she needed to be transported to sickbay.

" Melissa? Ms Jarvis open your eyes."

Melissa opened her eyes and looked at the doctor. Her breathing was very shallow and she was so tired and very cold. She was relieved to see the Doctor. She knew she would be taken care of. She opened her mouth to tell the doctor what she thought was wrong but did not have the strength to form the words.

Teilani smiled as she placed a cool hand on Melissa’s forehead. “You’re going to be fine. I will take care of it.”

She then tapped her combadge. “Dane to sickbay, prepare a bio bed I have a patient.” Then she contacted the transporter room.

“Dane to transporter room, medical emergency lock on to my and Miss Jarvis’s combadge and beam us directly to sickbay.

*** Sickbay***

“ Careful,” Teilani said to Marvin and Spice the two orderlies currently on call in sickbay. They helped her getting Melissa to the bio bed. She looked at the holographic display of Melissa’s body and shook her head.

The fight with the klingon woman had bruised almost her entire body, and the major injury was a rupture in the left long. This was more serious and could not be fixed with just the bone regenerator. She needed to operate and fast.

“Xioa, “Teilani called to her head nurse after having made sure that Melissa was stable. “ Scrub up we got work to do.”

Within mere seconds, due to the expertise of her team, Melissa was prepped to under go surgery and Teilani studied the diagnostic display.

“Laser scalpel.” She ordered. And carefully made a small incision in Melissa’s left side, one of her ribs was almost shattered and small bone splinters were visible. Teilani carefully removed them and fixed the rib.

“Micro suture and tweezers.” She called for and smoothly Xioa handed them to her. With the precision of a tailor Teilani sew the rupture in Melissa’s lung. Then after a while, having made sure that all the injuries were treated she whipped her brow, and took off her glove.

She needed to have a serious talk with Miss Jarvis when she woke up. It was the same with Marines and Security personnel they all thought they were indestructible.

“Right, give her some painkiller and some more tri-ox, monitor the oxygen level for the next hour or so.

*** 1 hour later***

“How is she doing?" Teilani asked.

The nurse looked up at the Doctor. She could not quite figure out how Doctor Dane always managed to sneak up behind her without making a sound. It was very spooky when she did that. "I think she is waking up," she replied.

Teilani adjusted the display and indeed the oxygen level was almost back up to 98%, blood pressure and heart rate were within normal parameters.

Melissa felt warm again. She did not remember much after being brought to sickbay. She opened her eyes and focused on the doctor and a nurse. She felt no more pain and she thought she was breathing ok. A very slight smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.

“You gave us a bit of a scare, Ms Jarvis.” Teilani said softly. “How are you feeling?”

"Much better now," she whispered, "Thanks." Melissa drifted off to sleep.

Teilani smiled as she covered up Melissa a bit with the blanket. “Let her rest for as long as she wants, keep checking her vitals every hour.” She said to the nurse.

Teilani yawned it was time she needed some rest too, and the couch in her office was calling.

“Computer lights off.”

A Death in the Night "
By: M'Ressha Mikaht, Fighter Pilot , [RNPC]

Stardate: 58205.31 0400

Blitzer stirred and turned on his side. He slowly became aware of a loud angry buzzing sound near-by.

His head was dulled by the quantities of bloodwine he'd consumed at the party. A single eyelid opened slowly.

His mouth was dry and with a little cough, he stirred more. Sitting up in his bed, he became more aware of the loud angry buzzing sound.

On his dresser sat the angry spider in the jar. It glowed with a red-green hue that made the fur on Blitzer's neck stand on end. His foot slowly reached for the deck.

When it made contact he slowly lowered his other foot until it too was firmly on the ground. He steadied himself as he stood up.

He walked slowly toward the jar which rattled on the dresser. Carefully he picked it up. The spider had doubled in size and now occupied most of the volume inside the jar. He remembered what the Vulcan had said about it consuming radiation from the engines. He was astounded.

He could sense the spider was telepathically probing his mind. He tried to say something but he felt paralyzed with fear. He remembered the horribly huge insect like creature which nearly killed him.

He began to shake. Suddenly the jar broke in half and the spider slithered to the floor and disappeared from site.

He turned toward the exit to get out of his room but with great speed, the spider blocked his escape.

He turned to take a blanket from his bed to cover the spider in and as he pulled the bedding he felt a sharp pain, he looked down. The spider had latched to his leg. He ripped it off and threw it against the wall. Fur and blood trickled down but the spider disappeared again.

He tried to speak, but he couldn't. He began to run for the door but it seemed so far away. The faster he ran the farther it seemed.

Then he tripped and landed hard on the floor. He laid there dazed. Unable to move. Through the pain he managed to speak, "Krystal," he said weakly.

He could see the legs of the spider creeping menacingly toward him. He couldn't move. The fall had knocked the wind out of him. He couldn't breath.

The huge spider clamped its pinching mandibles onto Blitzer's side, he could feel the burning as it pumped its poison into his body.

His mouth moved but no words could escape. He could feel it burrowing into his abdomen, ripping its way through his vital organs...

He could no longer breath.

Blitzer sat up with a start. "LIGHTS!"

He looked at his dresser. The spider was gone. He relieved a moment of panic until he remembered... the Vulcan kept the spider.

He swallowed hard and flopped back down on to his pillow. It felt as if his body were spinning on a turntable. His stomach quickly forced him to run to the bathroom where he involuntarily coughed up more than a hairball.

He sank to the floor where he laughed softly for a minute. Then, crawling on all fours he returned to his bedside. To weak to lift himself up, he resigned and curled up on the floor. He muttered a caitian curse and vowed never to drink more than 2 glasses of blood wine ever again.

The Evil That Men Do "
By: Giuseppe Silvio, Chief Engineer, [RNPC]
Patia Zoei, Chief Counselor, [PC]

Stardate: 58205.31 0400

Silvio's eyes rocketed around under his eyelids. Beads of sweat began to form on his forehead, soon his hair was drenched in sweat and his breating came in several short bursts. He struggled, in vain, to break invisible bonds that held him. He mumbled words that to the dcasual observer seemed garbled and confused. Finally, the words "Nooooo," escaped his lips.

***

Silvio awoke, to find himself on a foreign ship. Someone had removed his uniform and his arm and legs were bound to the wall. The room was almost dark, he could make out a table and chair in from of him. "Hello," he called out. The room was oddly silent.

Silvio ran though his memories. The last thing he remembered was being in the lounge on the Kittyhawke visiting with the doctor. They were traveling together to meet up with their new assignment on the USS Zion. He vaguley remembered red alert sounding just before the kittyhawke was struck with several explosions. He remembered watching the doctor being killed by a Cardassian and then nothing.

Silvio strugled aginst his bindings. He scanned the darness for anyhting that might be of use to him. There was nothing. Suddely the door slid open filling the room with enough light to make Silvio flinch back in pain at the unexpeted light. A Cardassian entered and stood in front of Silvio, a cruel snear formed on his face as the door slid shut plunging the room back into darkness. "Hello Mister Silvio," he began, "I hope you are enjoying your experience. I know I will."

"Who are you," asked Silvio.

"My name," said the voice in the darkness, "is not important. You can call me Sir, and will will eventually call me Master."

Dispite the fear he felt, Silvio actually laughed, "I doubt that."

No sooner had the words past his lips that a hard, heavy fist struck him in the head. "You have started out bad human, perhaps you want to try again."

Silvio could feel a smal trickle of blood roll down his face. He said nothing.

Once again the fist came out of the darkness and struck him several times. The Carsssian began to laugh as he rained blows upon Silvio. Silvio was not sure but he thought he was singing too. When the beating stopped Silvio spit several broken teeth out on the floor but said nothing.

"Such a noble soldier of war," mocked the Cardassian, "What has it gotten you? You are bound to a wall naked. I can do as I please with you."

Silvio ignroed him and stared out into the darkness. He tried to focus his thoughts on his parents. He tried to block out the pain.

"Nothing to say, have you," asked the Cardassian. "I would have thought a good beating might loosen your tongue a bit, but I see we will need more persuasion."

Silvio heard a strange buzzing noise. Openeing his swollen eyes and blinking to clear the blood from them he saw the faint glowing red light coming at him. The light waved in front of his face several times. Silvio could barely see the lizard like features of his tormentor bathed in the glow from the strange device. "Let's see if this helps."

The Cardassian touched the device to SIlvio's bare chest. Pain surged through Silvio's body. It felt like every cell in his body was being overloaded. Silvio gritted his teeth hard to keep from screaming. He did not want to give this beast the satisfaction.

The Cardassian laughed a loud cruel laugh, "You are a tough one," he said as he pulled the rod accross Silvio's chest. "Tisk tisk," he said pulling it away.

Silvio relaxed and took several deep breaths. The pain was starting to go away when he noticed the rod now glowed blue and the buzzing was more intense. He watched as the Cardassian seemed to admire the tool he held in his hand. Then suddenly in once swift motion he plunged the rod into Silvio's groin.

Silvio could not even attempt to surpress his scream. The pain was so overwhelming. Hot white fires engulfed his very being. At that very moment Silvio wanted to die. It was like nothing he had ever experienced. He screamed until he finally passed out.

***

Silvio's body hurt. He opened his eyes, almost afraid at the monster he would see. The room was now dimly lit. There were now two Cardassians sitting at the table. They appeared to be playing some sort of game. Silvio's attacker put down his cards, "Ah look what he have here. It woke up."

The new Cardassian turned around and regarded Silvio with a cold stare. He got up and stood in front of Silvio.

"Bring him here."

The new Cardassian turned off the binding mechanisims and Silvio collapsed in a heap to the floor. THe new cardassian grabbed Silvio by the hair and pulled him to the chair across from his tormentor.

"Mister Silvio," he began, "I have been a terrible host." He smiled demurly at Silvio. "Perhaps I have over reacted. I will not hurt you anymore," he said as he picked up the strange device that had casued Silvio so much pain, "Just call me Sir."

Silvio tried to repress the urge to shudder but he began to shake ever so slightly. Still, he said nothing.

The Cardassian sighed, "I tried to be nice Mister Silvio," he said as he put the rod back on the table. "I will keep my promise though and I will not hurt you. You will see that I am a kind master. I will be back later to see if you changed your mind." He got up and nodded at the new Cardassian, "Don't kill him." The Cardassian left the room even as he heard new screams of agony from behind him. He was sure the end would come soon.

***

The room was dark again. He was cold, so cold. He layed on the floor barely able to move he could not even huddle himself into a ball to get warm. He could no longer see becasue his eyes were swollen shut. His fingers were broken, he was not sure but he thought that his toes were too. The new Cardassian seemed to enjoy causing pain. The pain was so bad now that Silvio inwardly begged death to come. Suddenly he heard the door open.

"Hello again Mister SIlvio," said the Cardassian, "Did you sleep well?"

Silvio let out a slight laugh, "You are a funny one."

"Well, now that is progress," said the Cardassian. "Did you like the entertainment?"

Silvio did not reply.

"I can make it all go away you know," he said. "Do you want the pain to end?"

"YES," shouted Silvio.

"Call me Sir," demanded the Cardassian.

SIlvio considered it. It would not be all that bad. All he needed to was say Sir. Would that hurt anymore than the beating he has taken, he asked himself. Silvio decided that he had not suffered all of this pain to give him now at the end. He said nothing. He knew what he needed to do now.

The Cardassian kicked him. "I am growing tired of you Silvio," he shouted.

"Go find a rock and sun yourself you damn lizard," croaked Silvio. Silvio's last ditch effort was to make him so mad that he killed him. It would end the pain.

The Cardassian kicked him again.

"All this you have done to me and I still defy you, you miserable lizard." Silvio tired to push himself up but his shattered limbs would not cooperate.

"I can make you suffer," shouted the Cardassian kicking him again.

"You already have you bastard. You lost,"replied Silvio in as loud of a voice as he could muster.

The Cardassian let out a scream of frustration and pulled a long jagged dagger from his belt, "Then Die!" He grabbed Silvio by the hair and brought the dagger to his throat.

"That will be enough of that," said a voice from the back of the room. Silvio thoguht it was human. "You may not kill this man. I have need of him."

"That was not our agreement Jenkins," said the Cardassian, letting go of Silvio's hair.

"I am changing that agreement. Bring him to the shuttle bay," said Jenkins, "Alive."

***

Patia jerked awake, her body bathed in cold sweat. She had been in this state for a time; the sheets covering her were clammy and smelled faintly of fear. Her hands ached, her chest throbbed and she couldn't feel her toes. Nothing was there to have caused this pain, but she felt it as though she had lived it herself. A scream echoed in her mind. The voice was harsh and hoarse. The sound was familiar, but the changes made it hard to identify who it belonged to at first. A piteous wail erupted and she knew who was screaming, Silvio.

Computer, locate Lieutenant Silvio. Her voice was raspy as she spoke. Her throat ached as though she herself had been screaming.

Lieutenant Silvio is in his quarters the canned voice of the computer replied.

Slowly, stiffly, she rose from her bed and shrugged out of her dressing gown. Quickly, she donned the uniform she had neatly folded when she prepared for bed. She slipped from her quarters and quickly strode down the corridor to Silvio's door. Hesitantly she sounded the door chime.

Silvio sat upright on his bed, rocking back and forth. The dream vivid in his mind. The door chime rang again, and a third time before he answered, "Come in," he said in a quiet voice.

Silently, she entered the room. The smell of fear was here as well. Quickly, her eyes scanned the room. Her senses were alert to signs of Silvio's presence. Finally, she spotted him. He was in the middle of his bed, hunched into himself. "Guiseppe?"

Silvio's eyes were wide with fear and his heart was pounding. He saw Patia enter and locked eyes with her, "It all came back," he said.

"I know. Do you want to talk about it?" Slowly, cautiously, she inched forward.

Silvio shook his head, "I was ready to die," he said, "I wanted to die." Silvio looked at Patia as he fought back tears.

She sank to the floor in front of him, leaningforward against his bed. "Tell me," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Silvio got off the bed and joined her on the floor. He reached out and pulled her into a tight embrace, "I cannot. It is too terrible." He did not want Patia to feel those emotions. She did not deserve that. "I love you too much for that."

She relaxed into his embrace, her body fitting with his. "Love means sharing, even during the cold and ugly times."

Silvio pulled back and held her face in his hands, "Are you sure you want to know this," he asked.

"Yes, she nodded slightly.

"Okay," he said. SIlvio started at the beginning and told her all that he could remember.

The Day After "
By: Ian Hunter, Commanding Officer, [PC]
Jonathan Wright, Executive Officer, [PC]

Stardate: 58205.31 0730

==Miranda's QuartersWright woke with a frightened start. He looked around, not sure where he was. He had been sleeping on a couch. Carefully he sat up. He was still dressed in his uniform. He tried to replay the evening events in his mind, he could remember the food, drinking, and fighting, but he could not for the life of him remember how he got to this room, wherever this room was.

"Lights," said Wright. The computer increased the lighting level. It was most certainly a federation ship, but it was not his quarters. "Computer, what is my location?"

"You are in the Quarters of Civilian contractor, Miranda."

Wright let out a quiet whistle, that was a surprise. He looked around the room, there was no sign of Miranda. "What is the time," he asked.

"The current time is zero seven hundred hours on stardate 58205.31," replied the computer.

"Damn," said Wright. He would have to figure this out later. He was die on the bridge. Quickly he left and heading to his quarters to get changed.

***

==Bridge==

Hunter looked around the bridge as he sat in the Command chair.

Everything seemed to be in order except for his head, which felt like it had been flogged by a Orion slave master.

Promptly, the yeoman handed him the morning reports. He pretended to be engrossed by it, but he could hardly make out the words. Instead, he let his mind drift off.

Commander Wright entered the bridge. He had cleaned himself up and changed into a standard issue uniform but his head was pounding and the several cuts and bruises on his face throbbed with pain. He made a note to visit sickbay when his schedule allowed it. "Good morning Captain," said Wright as he took his seat next to the Captain.

Hunter lifted an eye brow as Wright sat down, "Did I forget to tell you the part about ducking?" he said with a smirk.

Hunter tossed the PADD onto the vacant seat to his left which was rarely occupied. He rubbed his eyes, the brightly lit bridge made his head hurt some.

Wright chuckled, "Yes sir, it's all your fault for not giving me proper instructions."

"Well at least now we look as beat up as our ship."

"Maybe even worse," said Wright, "Chief Jarvis had a rather punishing fight last night."

"Looks like she came out on top, how is she?"

Wright had not read through any reports yet so he was not sure if she even made it back. "I'm not sure," he said as he touched the screen of his chair console. He scrolled though his reports. According to the logs she transported back to the Zion about 0145," said Wright. "She had previously cleared her schedule today," he noted out loud. "She must have anticipated that she would need a day to recover."

Hunter settled back in his chair and rubbed his temples, "She's smarter than us then." Hunter leaned over and retrieved the PADD and began to skim through the reports, He handed Wright the PADD, "It looks like Darg was bluffing about his ship's condition, they've decided to return to Qul Tuq as well for repairs."

Wright smiled, "Personally, I think he expected that his warriors would beat us to a pulp last night and we did not do too bad. I think he wants a rematch," said Wright with a laugh.

"Perhaps on our terms." said Hunter with a hint of amusement.

"Except poor Silvio. We better keep him away next time."

"Yeah, did you see that man sail? I think we should put him in for a Flying Ace."

Wright laughed, "Speaking of Aces. Those two marine pilots handled themselves very well too."

"Hmm..." Hunter shook his head as if to shake loosen more memories from the fog in his head. "I remember seeing Madriani and .... " Hunter looked over to the tactical station, "..Westfall, but I don't remember seeing them."

"All in all it was an interesting night," mused Wright, "The doctor chose to ignore protocol and wear a dress to a formal gathering." Wright laughed, "Who ever heard of a formal gown at a Klingon party. I think the doctor needs to get out of sickbay more.

Hunter shared Wright's chuckle. He gestured with his finger, "you know, I almost said something," He looked over at Wright, "I'd be amazed if the dress survived the night."

Wright continued to scroll through his morning reports. He came across the medical reports, "It seem that Lieutenant Jarvis was brought to sickbay in the middle of the night," said Wright.

Hunter lifted a brow and listened to Wright as he continued.

"It appears her fight was a bit more punishing than we thought," he paused while he read the report, "She required emergency surgery," he said.

"How is she?"

"She is listed as in stable condition," replied Wright.

"I was most impressed with her last night. She handled herself pretty good."

"Indeed, she was very impressive," said Wright. "She is quite an effective speaker." Wright thought back to the previous night, "To stand toe to toe with a Klingon is also very impressive. I am glad she is on our side."

Hunter nodded in agreement, "you put up a good show yourself, how's the hand?"

Wright instinctively flexed the fingers of his recently re-attached hand. "It held up pretty good. I tried to kick the Klingons more than hit them though." Wright chuckled, "Can you imagine the doctor's reaction if I would have damaged it in a fight, less than a week after she re-attached it?"

Hunter chuckled, "Yeah, I think she'd turn red from head to toe."

"She did want me to exercise my new had to build up strength but I do not think a fight was what she had in mind," said Wright.

"No, I suppose not."

Hunter's brow furrowed a bit as he continued through his PADD, "I don't see an update from Engineering, Do you have that on your report?"

"Yes, it was submitted by Ensign Witmore instead of Silvio," said Wright, "Apparently our chief Engineer has rearranged his schedule today as well."

Hunter mused, "Perhaps the Marine Pilots could teach Silvio to fly with less pain."

"Maybe we should assign him to Madriani for a month," suggested Wright.

Hunter looked over his shoulder, "Lieutentant, is Westfall reporting for duty today?"

The young man at the tactical station promptly replied, "He is Sir, he was going to be a little late."

Hunter stood up, "I think I'm going to see how Sickbay is holding up, care to join me Commander?"

"Sounds like a good idea to me," said Wright standing up. Maybe she could give him something to stop his head from pounding. "After you sir."

"Lieutenant, you have the bridge," said Hunter as he turbolift doors closed.

Dog Breath "
By: M'Ressha Mikaht, Fighter Pilot , [RNPC]
Krystal, Hologram, [RNPC]
Maxine Lucinda Tapert, Computer Specialist, [PC]

Stardate: 58205.31 0830

"Hair of the dog? But he's a cat.. sort of," Krystal pointed out as she and Maxine wound their way through the corridors of the Zion.

"It's an expression," Maxine explained to the pixie hovering around her head and shoulders.

"But there's no dog hair in it," the hologram added.

"Ewww.. I should hope not. Dun think 'e'd drink it then. Of course.. I could always not tell 'im if there was." Max grinned and started whistling. She was in a cheerful mood. The party had been fun and there was a bounce in her step as she rounded the corner and headed for Blitzer's quarters.

"That'd be cheating. and mean. Maybe it should be 'hair of the cait'," Krystal giggled and flittered about, leaving a trail of pixie dust that disappeared as Max continued down the passageway.

"Hah! It wouldn't be mean if it made him feel better," Maxine observed.

"Will it make him feel better?"

"According to the research we did," Max nodded and stopped in front of Blitzer's door where she rang the chime announcing their presence.

Blitzer put his hand on his forehead and groaned as he sat up on his couch. "Enter," he said as he stood, wrapping himself in a catian robe.

He smiled broadly when he saw Max and Krystal.

"Come in, come in," he said energetically.

"We brought you dog hair!" Krystal announced with a giggle and flitted over to hover in front of his nose and peer at Blitzer.

He shrugged his nose, making Krystal giggle, "huh?"

"Hi," Maxine grinned back and did her own version of peering at him, only she wasn't hovering right in front of his nose. "You don't look so hot," she pointed out. She was carrying a beverage container in her hands.

"I don't remember bloodwine having such a hangover," he confessed. He looked down at the container and pointed. "You have dog hair in there?"

"It's not really dog 'air. That's just what they call it.." Max explained. "I figured the bloodwine might be givin' y'fits so we made something to 'elp." She held the thermos up for him to see.

"I doubt anything could make it worse," he said. "I'll try it."

He took the container and unfastened the stopper and took a sniff.

"It's not gonna smell good," Maxine warned. And indeed, it smelled like a mixture of bloodwine, dirty socks and something medicinal. "Ya gotta hold your nose to drink it...." she offered.

"We had to hold our noses to make it," Krystal told him.

Blitzer lifted a brow, "okay...." he put his paw over his snout and chugged it down.

He made a grimace when he finished, "eww, it tastes worse than it smells, what's in it?"

As he saw Krystal about to blurt out some long winded explanation he interrupted her, "nevermind, I think I probably don't really want to know."

"Yeah, that's probably a good idea," Maxine agreed with a nod and a grin. "How about some coffee or somethin' t'wash it down? Maybe somethin' t'eat?"

He nodded vigorously as he handed the container back to Max as he coughed.

"Let me, get...dressed..."

"He's coughing..." Krystal whispered to Max, easily within the Cait's hearing ranges.

"Shhhh, I heard..." Max shushed her and a offered a bright smile to Blitz. "That sounds just perfect."

A minute later he was ready, "where do you want to go?"

"Your choice," Maxine smiled and slipped into step beside him as he opened the door. "Mess Hall or Miranda's? My treat."

"I think Miranda's sounds great," said Blitzer.

"Then Miranda's it is," Maxine nodded and the two stepped from his quarters. "How's the cure settlin'?" she asked curiously as the two made their way through the ship. "Feelin' better?"

Krystal fluttered around the pair flitting back and forth as they talked. Sometimes she would disappear for long stretches at a time, but she'd always pop back into view.

Blitzer smiled, "Its working!"

They entered Miranda's, it had just recently reopened, there was still evidence of repairs being made.

Max sniffed the air as the pair made their way inside. "Oh, m'hungry..." she announced as if just discovering that fact once the smell of food reached her nostrils. "Honestly.. I don't think I got to actually eat very much last night before all the fighting started."

Blitzer pulled a chair out for Max and helped her get seated, "Oh, you missed authentic klingon food? what a shame!"

"I can't eat bugs..." she shuddered and gave him a *look* as she settled into the seat. "Now t'wiggly things I might 'ave tried, but there was steak!"

A waitress came to take their order. Blitzer looked up, "I'll have a bowl of niltar."

The waitress looked at Max, "and what will you have ma'am?"

"Hmmm..." Max looked from the waitress to Blitz. "What's niltar?" she asked him.

"You should try it. It doesn't have bugs in it." he said with a smug grin. Seeing that didn't satisfy her, he smirked, "Its an ethnic caitian meal, its like stew with vegetables and meats, a little on the spicy side. Your..." he stopped to think, "chinese food reminds me of it."

She started to make a slight face that cleared with his explanation. "Ooohhh.. Alright, that sounds good," Maxine grinned and looked back to the waitress. "I'll have what he's having."

"It's pretty good," she said, "I've tried it myself."

After the waitress left Maxine turned to face Blitz, her smile still evident. "Well, y'don't look green anymore," she teased.

"I feel great," said Blitzer as he licked the back of his wrist and sniffed. "but it seems now I have a bad case of dog breath." He winked at her. "Nothing a big bowl of niltar won't fix."

"Dog bre--?" she looked puzzled for a moment. "OH!" The light dawning in her eyes was rather comical, and her laughter delightful as she poked him lightly in the ribs. Even Krystal's high pitched giggled could be heard.

A moment later their waitress arrived and put their trays down.

"Thank-you," said Blitzer with a smile.

"Oh, it looks delicious..." Max exclaimed and then smiled her thanks to the waitress.

Blitzer's ears seemed melt to each side as if they were very relaxed as he took in the scent of the stewed meats and caitian spices. He scooped up a bite with a spoon but pierced a pale whitish-green vegetable and held it up. "This is the rrrroosha root," he said with a purr in his voice. "A lot like potatoes he added as he popped it in his mouth.

Maxine was taking obvious delight in his enjoyment and for several moments she forgot to eat because she was just watching him. No doubt adding to her extensive code library.

He sipped the reddish broth from his spoon..."and a little winthar milk gives it a slightly cheesey taste." He paused, "almost as good as pizza" he added with a wink.

That made her laugh again and she finally dipped her spoon in to sample the Cait dish. "Ooohh..." her eyes got big and judging from the look on her face she truly enjoyed it. "It's wonderful," she told him. "And it is as good as pizza," she grinned.

As luck would have it, Max's comm. badge beeped just as they were finishing. Ensign Tapert, please report to Main Computing. "I'm on my way," she tapped her comm. badge and answered as she turned apologetic eyes to Blitz and stood. "M'sorry, seems I 'ave to go..."

He stood up as Max did, dabbing his mouth with a napkin. "That's alright," he said nodding, "perhaps we can get together again."

"I'd like that," she reached out and touched his arm. "And m'glad you're feeling better. Later then..." she gave him a wonderful smile and then hurried off. Krystal could be seen peeking out of her hair and waving goodbye to the big Cait just before the pair disappeared out the door.

Blitzer smiled and waved as Max walked out. He turned and motioned to the waitress, gesturing for more niltar.

Is there a Doctor in the House "
By: Ian Hunter, Commanding Officer, [PC]
Jonathan Wright, Executive Officer, [PC]
Teilani Dane, Chief Medical Officer, [PC]

Stardate: 58205.31 0944

==Sickbay== Hunter and Wright entered Sickbay where they were greeted by Dr. McIntyre, "Captain, Commander, how are you gentleman doing?"

Hunter nodded, "fine thank-you."

"Excellent, and to what do we owe the pleasure of this visit?"

"We were surprised to see Lieutenant Jarvis on the medical report this morning," said Wright, "How is she doing?"

"Melissa is Dr. Dane's patient, follow me, I'll see if we can find her."

Hunter and Wright followed McIntyre to where they found Dane.

"Goodmorning Sirs," she said brushing a red curl from her forehead.

"Good morning Doctor," said Hunter. He spotted Melissa on a bio bed across the way, "how is she?" asked Hunter.

"She is stable, when she wakes up she can go but I advise her to work 1/2 shifts for now."

Hunter nodded, "good."

"I see that you require some attention as well?"

Hunter looked at Wright and then back at Dane, "oh, no.. I'm fine," he said looking back at Wright.

Wright grimaced, "I'm not too proud to admit it. Do you have something for a pounding headache?"

Teilani giggled. "Its not a shame to show some weakness Commander," she said while she gestured to Wright to sit down on biobed 3. "It only shows you enjoyed the Bloodwine too much."

Wright sat down, "It was good Bloodwine," said Wright.

She grinned. "Men are such babies." Teilani ran her handscanner along his head and upperchest. "Right some light bruising and indeed a killer headache. It will be gone soon." She reached on a shelf and placed a new vial in a hypospray.

"This might sting a little but it will make you fee much better."

"Wright watched as the doctor administered the hypospray with a soft hiss, "Thanks Doc," he said.

"Your welcome Sir."

"You too Captain. Don't argue with your doctor." Teilani tapped her foot not accepting any comments.

Hunter rolled his eyes and sat on the bio bed opposite of Commander Wright.

"But I'm fine," re-iterated Hunter in protest.

Teilani smiled. "That is what they all say." She had to resist the urge to have him say Ahhhhhh. She chuckled a little.

She ran her handscanner along his body as well. "Ah it seems that the old fracture has been damaged a little." she muttered slightly. "I believe McIntyre told you Sir, not to play rugby?"

"Oh, Rugby, right..." Hunter smirked, "must have slipped my mind."

"Much better to play Rugby than to be the ball at a soccer ball game like poor Silvio," Wright said with a chuckle.

A quick treatment with the boneregenerator and a hypospray with inaprovaline to prevent infection and reduce the swelling Teilani smiled.

"There you go Sirs, al fixed now."

Hunter adjusted his uniform, "Did you have a good time at the party Doctor?"

"Let's just say it turned out a bit different than I expected." Teilani thought of her gorgeous green dress, now nothing more than an old rag.

"Was that your first time to a Klingon social event?" Asked Hunter emphasizing the word 'social' sarcastically.

"Yes it was," she answered calmly noticing the sarcastic undertone in Hunters question. She stuck her chin up in the air. "And it will be the last one."

Hunter squinted an eye at Dane, "You didn't enjoy it a bit?"

"It was fun, I liked the food tasting, the fighting a little less but still fun to watch. I did notice that some of the crew could use some extra hand to hand combat training."

Hunter looked at Wright, "Oh, I don't know, I think we faired well."

"Well it would reduce the number of injuries the day after." Now Teilani answered sarcastially.

"How is everyone else holding up?"

Teilani turned on her professional 'face' so to speak. "Ms Jarvis is the only serious casualty at the moment, the others just minor scraps and bruises, headaches from too much bloodwine." Teilani glared at Wright. "And also some hurt ego's etc."

Hunter nodded, "Hopefully the trip home will be uneventful."

I sure hope so," added Wright, "I think the crew has earned some rest and relaxation."

Teilani looked at Wright. He couldnt be more right, she for instance had her belly full of patients, cut fingers and the lot. She couldnt say sickbay was a drag but a change of scenery would work wonders.

Expanding Horizons "
By: Miranda, Lounge Manager, [RNPC]
Teilani Dane, Chief Medical Officer, [PC]

Stardate: 58205.31 1225

Miranda entered sickbay and walked to the Doctor's office. She looked through the window into the office and saw the doctor busy at her desk. She gently knocked on the window to get the doctor's attention. Then she held up the large cup of coffee that she had brought with her.

Teilani looked up from the reports she had received during the night and the early morning. She felt like she had been hit by a Klingon Targ. She smiled and the smell of coffee reached her nostrils.

"Come on in, tell me that that you are holding is freshly ground coffee??

Miranda smiled, "I thought you might need some."

Teilani took the mug from Miranda and gestured to the chair in front of her desk. " Have seat," she murmered and took a quick sip from the coffee. The warmth and the excellent tast warmed her through and through and it gave her a little buzz. "Wow, this is a new flavour!" she said smiling.

"It is Pacifican," she smiled, "You would not think a planet made mostly of water would grow coffee beans but they somehow manage to do it." She chuckled, "When you live on a planet of mostly water you have to find creative ways of making it taste better."

" Indeed so true." Teilani said visibly enjoying the coffee. " You know I always wonder how you come up with new ideas and flavours. But you had us fooled you know during the party. "

"It was the commander's idea really. To be honest, I do not think he wanted to eat Klingon food either," Miranda laughed.

"The looks on some of the crews faces was to die for," said Teilani. "They never had tasted Klingon food." Teilani grinned. " But I have to admit some of it was not bad."

"Then you have expanded your horizons and grown. Among my people that is a very important thing," she replied. "There is one additional thing that I hope you learned from last night," said Miranda quietly as she watched the doctor drink her coffee.

"Whats that?"

Miranda smiled at the doctor, "Wearing fancy dresses to Klingon social functions is not recommended."

"Oh yes gosh I felt so stupid, but hey this was my first Klingon social gathering, I had no idea they were going to beat eachother up. Besides the dress is ready for recycling anyway and it will be the last time I ever engage such a social event anyway."

"Never say never doctor," said Miranda, "You might find yourself in that situation again. One ever knows."

Teilani drank more of the coffee and tried to hide a yawn. "You gotta put this coffee on my regular menu Miranda, its great."

"While supplies last," said Miranda

"So you picked up any new Klingon recipies?"

"Klingon cuisine requires a Klingon chef," said Miranda, "Even a replicator cannot do it justice." Miranda stood up and looked out of the doctor's large office window, "I see Lieutenant Jarvis is here, is she alright?"

Teilani stood up and walked towards the window. "yes she will be fine, physically that is, mentally I don't know. I had to operate on her, the stupid woman almost got herself killed."

Miranda arched an eyebrow but said noting choosing instead to wait for the doctor to continue.

"Luckily she had the common sense of contacting me last night. You know Miranda, when she is up and about perhaps you can talk some sense in her. Mention that she is not indestructible? She might listen to you more than to her doctor."

"Doctor, do you know much about Klingon culture," asked Miranda.

"I know enough about it to fix them up everytime they had a fight. I know about their honour and songs but thats it. I dont see the reason of them having to fight over every little thing."

"It is that honor you mentioned that is at issue," said Miranda, "If Melissa had declined to take part in last night's party in the manner in which she did things could have gotten very ugly." Miranda did not think she would be able to get the doctor to understand.

"Why don't you tell me about it."

"What you saw last night was a very friendly fight," said Miranda, "No one was really trying to kill anyone with the exception of the woman who fought Melissa."

"You could have fooled me, I thought they were figthing to the death."

"Yes, if she would have been able to she would have killed Melissa without hesitation," said Miranda. "Melissa knew this and did not allow

that to happen. In the process, from the Klingon point of view anyway, Melissa acted with honor and bought honor to Korg's memory as well as to herself, and this ship."

"You know thats all nice and such but there are otherways to honour someone or even this ship. Teilani said.

"You might think this is a pretty barbaric way to deal with things, but it is their way," said Miranda, "What Melissa did last night took a great deal of courage and skill."

"I never said that she did not have courage and skill, but nevertheless look where it lead her, right here in sickbay."

"It is a good thing that you were there for her," said Miranda.

"What if I hadn't heard her, we would have another person to mourn for, is that so honourable?" Teilani said while her face hardend a little.

"Have you asked yourself why she called you directly, and did not just call for a medical emergency," asked Miranda. Miranda placed a very neutral, calm expression on her face, "Why do you suppose she did that?"

"I don't know, perhaps because I was the closest by or perhaps she knows I'm always on call no matter what," Teilani said a bit sarcastically. For somereason a thought flared up in her mind, she wished that they would sometimes call her for just a chat or something else then only needing her medical skills.

Miranda waited.

"The only other thing I can think of is that she only trusts me and considers me as "family" as well?" Teilani said looking at Miranda.

"Perhaps you will get the opportunity to ask her when she wakes up," suggested Miranda.

Miranda stood up, "I am not here to defend the Klingon way," she said, "Next month I will celebrate 100 years of life and in that time I have met many different cultures and studied many others. With the exception of one, I have managed to learn something positive from each of them."

"I'm sorry Miranda for my comments." Teilani said looking back thru the window at Jarvis. "100 years, that's quit an age, which one didn't you learn from?" Teilani made a mental note, she had to see if they could throw Miranda a surprise party.

Although sadness touched Miranda's heart as it does for all of her people she kept a neutral expression on her face, "That is not important," said Miranda. "I better get back to work." Miranda cast a glace toward Jarvis, "When she wakes let her know that I picked up a couple cases of that Pacifican Ambrosia she is so fond of."

"I will," Teilani said softly. "Thanks for the coffee." She sighed a little as she watched Miranda leave. It seems she had again managed to chase some one away again by being pigheaded and stubborn. It seems that her live on the Zion repeated itself from her live back home.

She walked back to her console and called up Maquis HQ, perhaps there were other vacancies, but then again she would be running away from her responsibilities. Perhaps she should stop trying to make friends and just be a doctor, always professional and kind but never letting people close.

Miranda had gotten out into the hallway; the conversation with the doctor had not been a very good one. One of the things she had learned was that you must never leave any unfinished business behind you. Turning around, she went back into sickbay. As she approached the doctor's office she could see Teilani scanning through open positions on other ships on her console. She entered the doctor's office, "Looking for a new job?"

"Expanding my horizon Miranda," she replied. "Did you forget something?"

"I was a little concerned about the way our conversation ended," replied Miranda, "I wanted to make sure there were no hard feelings about my comments." Miranda looked at the doctor. "I only wanted to offer you a different point of view; I did not mean to offend."

Teilani smiled. "I know you did, don't worry about it, it me, I have a tendency of pushing people away."

"Why do you want to push people away," asked Miranda.

"To protect myself. You know as a doctor you decides who lives and who dies, if someone lives then the patient and their family are happy and if one is lucky you will never see the patient anymore, but on the other hand if one dies than you a doctor gets all the blame, even though you tried everything in your power."

"So, if Melissa dies, for example, you feel that you would be blamed for her death?"

"Eventhough I know I have done everything to save her, yes." Teilani said simply. She walked to the replicator. "Coffee, Jamaican blend, double strong, double sweet."

Miranda waited for Teilani to continue.

"So you see as a doctor you can not get too close to people whether they are patients or not, the pain of loosing someone will be hard but not as hard and bitter then when you were true friends. So when I said I push people away its just to protect my self from the possible pain or hartship if someting happens to them and that is why I sometimes react to stubbornly." Teilani grinned while she took a sip. "I should have been born a Vulcan."

"Get your things and let's go," said Miranda.

"Get my things?. Why?" Teilani asked.

"It's lunch time. We are going to have lunch," said Miranda with a smile, "I will not take no for an answer you will not push me away." Miranda paused, "You can try if it would make you feel better, but I have had more time to learn the art of being stubborn than you. You can't win."

"I still have an awful lot to do." Teilani muttered but the look on Miranda's face did not accept any rejection. She smiled. "You win.......... for now." She placed the mug on the table and left some instructions for her nurse then followed Miranda.

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