Sabrina had heard the scuttlebutt. You couldn't miss it, not on a starship. It was the only thing that traveled faster than warp 10, she was sure of that.
She wasn't sure if Kyle would want to talk or not, but he'd been kind to her, and she wanted to make the offer. So Sabrina baked a loaf of banana bread then went in search of the Lieutenant.

She spotted him in the lounge, sitting alone, and walked over. "Hi"

Kyle was reading Oliver Twist on his PAaD when he heard footsteps approaching. On instinct his hand started to move towards the small of his back where he usually carried a concealed phaser. But he stopped himself. They were in the lounge on the Katana hardly a likely place to be ambushed. He looked up, saw who it was, and managed a small smile. "Sabrina, how are you?" he said after she had greeted him.

"I'm doing well, for the most part. Can I sit?" She asked, returning his small smile with one of her own.

"Of course," he replied as he lifted a couple of PAaDs of a chair,"be my guest."

"Thank you." Sabrina sat down, then pulled out her gift. "I brought banana bread. I baked it myself, it's a family secret, not very many people get this banana bread." She stopped talking, realizing she was rambling about banana bread.

"Thanks, I really haven't felt like cooking lately. I hardly feel like eating it seems. But I'll eat this," he took a whiff, "it smells delicious."

She smiled, pleased to see her gift was appreciated, and even happier to hear that he'd eat it. "It taste even better, I promise."

"I hope so I've just been..." he stopped and slammed his fist down on the table, "Sorry I keep telling myself not be so melodramatic or maudlin. I really do appreciate the gift."

Sabrina jumped back when he slammed his fist down, almost toppling herself out of the chair, but she managed to right herself and the chair. "It's ok." Then she smiled. "I mean if there's a time to be melodramatic and maudlin...." She didn't want to pry, but she wanted to let him know he didn't have to put on a brave face for her sake.

'I guess, its no secret, Noah has left me, left the ship, with no real explanation. I've known him, we've been, we were a couple for half our lives, and now its all over. Just like that." he snapped his fingers, "just like that."

"That really really sucks." Sabrina commented. "I should have brought you booze instead of banana bread."

"I think I'm boozed out, the bread is a better idea."

Sabrina nodded. "So, a few enlisted are starting a triathlon competition, in the holodeck of course. It's open to all though, you should be my coach." She could use the coach, and figured Kyle could use the distraction. "If you want to..."

Kyle paused for a moment, almost declining the offer. "Sure, I think I'd like that. When should we start?"

"Great!" Sabrina smiled. She was no counselor, and couldn't offer him any words of wisdom, but she could offer a distraction. "Tomorrow Morning, five am. I'm not worried about the swimming at all, and I'm pretty sure the running will be fine too, but I've never really been a bicycle fan."

"Well, I can help you with that. When was the last time you rode?"

Sabrina blushed. "I was thirteen, almost six years. I'll probably fall off."

"I'll hold the back for you, just like my fathers did for me, if it comes to it. But I bet you'll catch on quickly."

She better remember how, because that mental image was beyond embarrassing. "I hope so, and thank you, because Petty Officer Cowell is going down, the big braggart. I so want to carry the trophy around in front of his face." Sabrina blushed again. "Sorry." She realized Kyle probably could not care less about the pecking order among the enlisted ranks, and she was suppose to be cheering him up, not boring him to sleep.

"We'll we will just have to make sure you bring that trophy home then won't we?"

"Yes we will." She smiled. "Thank you, if you change your mind, don't feel obligated." She felt the need to leave him an out. He might just be being nice.

"I won't change my mind, I made a commitment. can I uh, ask you a question?"

"Sure, of course." Sabrina immediately answered.

"I went over to the space station when we docked there(which I'm assuming is about to happen or has I'm not sure)and met a guy there. I mean I didn't go there for that, I just went to have dinner. He was alone, I was alone and we met at the restaurant. and started to have something to eat. And. um. well I... I wound up bringing him back here and.... now I feel guilty. "

"You slept with him?" Sabrina asked quietly, not wanting to have the whole lounge paying attention to their conversation.

"Yeah, I mean Noah had already left by then, so it wasn't like I was cheating on him, I never did cheat on him. Never. But it sure feels that way."

Sabrina felt completely out of her league. I mean, she'd never even slept with anybody, and she was suppose to offer what? Advice? No, she decided, that wasn't her role here. Absolution? "Well, a rebound fling is perfectly normal, right? So it happened sooner rather than later, I don't think it matters, Noah didn't just leave you, he left the ship, that's a pretty definitive kind of gone." She offered him a small smile. "I don't consider it cheating." Not that her opinion mattered, but she thought she'd add it anyway.

"That's not all," he said.

Sabrina sat quietly a moment, then nodded for him to continue.

"The man I slept with, wasn't just some random stranger, I'll never see again. It was Will Morgan, the new Asst. operations chief."

"Oops." Sabrina commented. "Do you think he wants...well something more?" She tried to put it delicately.

Kyle shook his head,"No, I don't think so. I don't know if I could give it to him if he did, but I think he just wants something physical."

Sabrina blushed, and tried to hide it by brushing a lock of hair behind her ear. "So ummm, well... nothing wrong with that. I mean everybody needs, umm well.." She decided to just shut up.

Kyle didn't fail to notice the blush, "I know, but that's just not me. I'm the kind of guy that wants to find Mr. Right, not just Mr. Right Now. I mean yeah I think Will and I both needed each other and he is a nice guy. Whether it's him or someone else I need it to be more than just casual."

Sabrina nodded. "I understand, but everybody is allowed a Mr Right now every one in awhile, I'm sure I read it somewhere." She attempted a bit of humor, seeing as how she was doing so horribly at cheering him up.

That did illicit a smile from Kyle, "I suppose you're right. Anyway if you're going to start training we have to make sure you're in shape. So what's the first thing you want to do tomorrow."

"Hey! I'm in shape." Sabrina gave a mock offended stare to Kyle. "First thing though. Is to hop on a bicycle and see if I can even ride it."

"Okay. So tell me about this guy you want to beat. Sounds like he's a real jerk. You want to tell me about him?"

Sabrina sighed. "He's just a testosterone junkie. He asked me out, and we had one date. All he did was talk about himself, so I didn't go out with him again. Then he pulled the total high school move of telling some other techs that I was bad in the sack. Which backfired on him because ummm well, well that obviously didn't happen." She blushed, leaving it at that. "So yes, I really want to beat him."

"Well, I could beat him up for you, or spread rumors that he's bad in the sack, I'm sure that would go over really well with his peers. But maybe we should just kick his ass in the triathlon instead."

Sabrina chuckled. "That would probably be best, but I have to admit that rumor has a certain appeal." Sabrina checked her chrono. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to take up so much of your time. Please, enjoy the banana bread, and I'll see you in the holodeck tomorrow morning. If you need anything, don't hesitate to call me ok?"

"Sure, you have a great night and I will see you in the morning."



PO3 Sabrina Corbin
Repair Specialist


Lt. Kyle Weaver
Asst. Intel Chief

As soon as Andy heard that Nathan was finally waking up after his surgery, she started procrastinating. She didn’t like going to Sickbay, even if it was to visit a friend. She tried to make excuses, that Nathan and Jhu needed some time together before she busted in, and as true as that was it was just an excuse to avoid Sickbay. But she couldn’t put it off forever and she eventually made her way down to Sickbay. It was getting late and she worried she would be sent away because he was asleep, but at least she would get an update on how he was doing.

Nathan never slept much, and considering how much rest he had been forced to get with the drugs he had been given while they stabilized him, there was no way he could sleep.

Jhu had snuck him a PaDD and he looked through reports and caught up on things he had missed while gone...Tribbles?

Andy was pleased to find that he was still awake. “Hey you lazy bum,” she teased as she entered the recovery room. “What are you doing laying about, you should be working!”

"Damn doctors." Nathan grumbled jokingly. "Really? Tribbles?" He said holding up the PaDD with his left hand.

“Yeah, you missed out on a lot of fun while you were out. And you got a lot of paperwork to catch up on, your replacement couldn’t do your job for shit!” Andy pulled up a chair and straddled it backwards, resting her arms over the back of the chair.

"You know I'm not going to let you gas the poor things right?" Nathan said. "We will find a better solution then murder."

“Good, ‘cause I didn’t like the idea of killin’ them, I just couldn’t think of nothing else,” Andy admitted. “I’m glad you’re back, Nate.”

"Glad to be back." Nathan said. He gave Andy a look of relief. "Thank you for coming and getting me."

“Anytime,” she replied with a smile. Like she would have left him there? As if! “Alright, Stumpy, lets see the damage,” she said, pointing at his right shoulder.

Nathan rolled up his sleeve for her. "I need your help with this Andy..." he said quietly.

“Not a problem,” she said as she looked at the stump. The doctors did a great job patching him up, he would be able to accept a biosynthetic prosthetic just fine! “I had to go through physical therapy for limb replacement. Same hand too. I’ll help however I can,” she promised.

"Good. I trust you." Nathan said honestly. "I don't want just anyone putting me back together."

Put him back together? “Oh hey, wait… you want me to help with your arm? Like, doing doctor-y stuff? I just meant your therapy and being a friend so you would have someone to talk to, someone to relate to. I don’t know nothing about making prosthetics.”

"I was hoping you would help me with building a new arm. You built a whole android. I don't know much about this stuff but I figured an arm would be simple by comparison." Nathan said. "But if you can't I understand."

“Well, building an android ain’t the same as what you’re asking. Don’t mean I can’t, I’ve just never done it before…” Wow, this was something she hadn’t been expecting. “So… you want… You’re asking to be like me and Vara, right? You want cybernetics to augment the arm?”

Nathan nodded, "If I have to get a replacement I might as well get the best I can get."

Andy wasn’t entirely certain she was comfortable with what he was asking for. “But the biosynthetic prosthetics are already superior to natural limbs.” She wasn’t saying no to his request, but she wasn’t sure she was prepared to say yes either. “I’m just not sure you understand what you’re asking me to do... “

"Tell me what I'm asking of you." Nathan said looking concerned. "I ask completely out of respect for the work I have seen you do. If I have insulted you or upset you I'm sorry. That was not the intention."

“I ain’t insulted,” Andy said right away. “It ain’t that… You have no idea how addictive cybernetic augmentation can be. I coulda had myself restored to a more human state, but the fact is I like a lot of the shit I got in me… And the Lagashi… Shit, Vara's my friend and all, but I hate the Lagashi just on principle. They don’t understand what it is they give up when they do all that augmentation to themselves… And I don’t wanna take part in doing that to you. I won’t make you like me.”

Nathan nodded. "Ok. I understand." He smiled at her.

“Now, I’ll take a look at what the doctors are gonna give you, see if I can’t make some improvements to it, but that’s it. You gotta promise me that it’ll be just this arm, nothing else,” Andy said. It was a slippery slope and Andy was afraid that he would also come to like the strength cybernetic augmentation would give him. She also didn’t want to look at him and feel like she’d ‘assimilated’ him somehow, but maybe if she kept it simple, it wouldn’t feel that way.

Nathan shook his head. "I'll make a promise to you i can't keep. I will never intentionally replace something on me just for an upgrade, but like my arm if i don't have a choice..." It was was the best he could give her.

“I’ll take it,” Andy said. “Do you know when they’ll be fitting you with the replacement?” she asked.

"I don't." He answered. "I think they are just glad I'm not a walking infection at this point."

“Yeah, that’s true. You were pretty messed up when we found you. What did they do to you over there?” she asked, though right away she realized she probably shouldn’t have asked.

Nathan’s look turned a little dark and he looked down. "Pushed me to my limits." Is all he said.

Andy nodded. She could understand that. “If you ever need to talk, you know where to find me,” she said.

" I will need to take you up on that, I'm sure." Nathan said. "I'm going to be forced to talk to so many people about this." Nathan rolled his eyes. "I'm just want to get my arm fixed and back to work."

“Hey, I went through the same thing, so I understand,” Andy said sympathetically. After extensive trauma, psych evals were mandatory to get back to duty. Andy hated them then and she knew Nathan would hate them now. “You know, you don’t have to tell the Counsellor nothing you don’t wanna. All they need to see is that you have someone you can talk to about it and that you’re coping.”

Nathan smiled at her. "Yeah I know. I'll just just be glad when this part is over. I'm going to do what what I need to so I can get back on duty. You of all people I know understand." Andy was probably the only person on this ship who worked harder and longer hours that Nathan.

“I know how that goes,” she replied with a lopsided grin. “Just remember, when you get your new arm, don’t be disappointed if it don’t work right away. It’ll take some getting used to, so be prepared to go left-handed for a while.”

Nathan sighed. That didn't sound like fun. "I will overcome. I'm not the kind of person to give up. I got too much going for me right now."

“You’ll do fine,” Andy said, reaching over to ruffle his hair. He could read reports just fine left-handed for a while. “And I’ll help you adjust. And you’ve got Jhu and Maica, and even Vara. You won’t have to do this alone.”

"Vara needs that promotion." Nathan said, typing on his PaDD.

Andy snickered. He clearly wasn’t letting this slow him down. “Well, I should probably let you rest. You know how to reach me if you need me, and I’ll talk to your doctors about your arm in the morning.”

Nathan nodded. "Keep rounding up the Tribbles in the cargo bay like you have been and while I'm being lazy I'll figure something out to do with them" this experience would not slow him down. If anything it was going to give him a chance to catch up on some of the work he let slip.

“Sounds like a plan.” Yeah, it was really good having him back. “You want me to come by for lunch tomorrow?” she asked as she stood and put the chair back where she found it.

"Yes I do." Nathan said quickly. "Unless Jhu wants the time. Plan on it unless I contact you." He said.

“Can do,” Andy replied. “You rest up, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

"See you then." Nathan said with a smile.

[ON]

The USS Toledo, a small Danube-class runabout, sifted through the space between stars as it had done so for almost two days. Unable to catch up with the USS Katana before it's departure from Starbase, the three freshly-minted ensigns - R'tame Eevoss, Paige Bennet, and Valerie Circe - had been ordered to requisition the Toledo and complete the rendezvous on board the 23.1 by 13.7 by 5.4 meter craft on their own. Once they arrived, the Toledo would return to the Starbase on autopilot.

R'tame sat at the navigational station. His jacket was laying on the seat behind him, and he scratched at his mustard-yellow tunic incessantly. Like most Caitians, R'tame shed periodically. Unfortunately for him and the rest of the runabout's personnel compliment, the amount of shedding rose by a factor of four whenever he was changing environments. To make the situation even worse, his 'transitional shedding' usually lasted at least a week or two. Sometimes even longer during extreme cases. Analgesic creams designed to alleviate the itching merely turned his fur into wet clumps that rolled underneath his tunic, and made them more annoying. And every time he scratched, it made the itching... and the shedding worse.

"By Mraownr, why won't this stop!" He growled, ignoring the lashing of his tail behind him as he scratched more. With an audible sigh, he stared at the computer console in front of him. "Computer, time before arrival."

"We will arrive with USS Katana in nineteen minutes, and forty-four seconds," the computer's synthesized voice returned without a care to his problems. The Caitian sighed again, tossing his hands into the air without saying another word.

Paige rolled her eyes. "Asking the computer every 10 minutes how much longer won't get us there any quicker you know," she told R'tame.

The Caitian grunted quietly.

"You know I'm right," she grinned. She brushed more than a few furs off her uniform and looked sideways at R'Tame. "I don't think I've ever seen you shed this badly," she said. She turned to face him head on, a look a bit too angelic on her face, "you really should get it under control," she said impishly.

R'tame made a noncommittal sound and rolled his eyes. His tail lapping lazily behind the seat as he scratched at a new spot. The fact was that he was shedding more now than ever because he was more nervous now than ever. They were about to begin their careers as Starfleet Officers! He had no idea who he was to report to, or what his superior would be like, or what sort of mission's they'd face. It was a lot for even a Caitian to take in.

Valerie was sitting in one of the back seats in the cabin with her feet prompt up on the console. Her focus for much of the ride was the book on her data padd however the recent dialog between the two other occupants caught her attention. She lowered the padd and turned to face the Caitian. "Are you wearing a standard tunic?" She asked curiously.

Brushing a new clump of fur that had built up on his shoulder from when he was scratching his neck, he pivoted in his chair and faced the new face of their voyage. Well.. that wasn't entirely true; R'tame had seen Valerie Circe on several occasions during their years at the academy. Outside of exchanging pleasantries, however, they'd never spoken to each other. Their course schedules had been too different. He turned his attention to her question, and nodded. "Of course," he said.

"That's why you're uncomfortable, you should be wearing the Tellarite version. Tellarites have hairy backs that are incredibly sensitive. Their versions of the tunic is lined inside with a silk-material that doesn't irritate the hairs. It would be soothing to your fur." Valerie explained.

"How would you know this?" R'tame asked, looking to the red-purple eyed woman.

Val looked at him, "I heard a Tellarite complaining for about a week while I was in residency at Starfleet Medical about how they gave him the wrong uniform when he first started that forced him to shave his back hairs." She made a face after sharing that story, "it wasn't pretty."

Paige tried to stifle a laugh as she pictured R'Tame with no fur but she failed miserably. "R'Tame," she said through laughter, "that could be your new look!" Paige continued laughing as she reflected on the fact that it was a good thing she and R'Tame were more like sister and brother than anything or she wouldn't have been able to get away with giving him such a hard time.

If it were possible for a Caitian to flush, R'tame would have. Instead, his fur cackled gravely while his tail swept in behind his right leg and curled around it. "Only females are shaven..." R'tame explained. "For a male to be shaven means that he is either a prisoner or an exile," he added, which, in fact, would have been appropriate seeing as how he'd been exiled by his tribe for his 'selfish' act of joining Starfleet. Of course, he rarely discussed such things, so it made no sense for Paige nor Val to understand them.

Val glanced at the Caitian, sensing something familiar from him. Isolation. Loneliness. Bitterness. Family. She sighed and looked away, the Caitian must be dealing with family issues; usually those are the emotions she feels from others in the same problem. She never had the family; but she wasn't immune to those feelings. She kept quiet and returned her focus to the story on her PADD.

R'tame tried to focus on his board; the USS Katana was just coming into sensor range. It was smaller than even most Caitian vessels. But he was relatively sure that the Intrepid-class vessel would put even an Atrox-class carrier to shame in longevity, capability, and maneuverability. "The Katana is on sensors," R'tame informed the rest. "I am bringing us out of warp. Full impulse." There was a telltale shift from the inertial dampeners as the Danube-class runabout's warp bubble popped, reverting space-time around it to normal. His paw sailed over the console, activating the impulse engines.

With the runabout dropping out of warp, Val saved the place she was at on her PADD and moved out of her seat. She walked up behind the Caitian so she could have a better look of the Katana through the forward windows. "I don't know about the two of you...but there is something thrilling seeing your ship from the outside."

"It really is something," said Paige.

R'tame scratched the top of his shoulder. Once aboard, he'd make it a point to replicate a new uniform. Even though the itching and shedding wouldn't stop for some time, the appropriate fabric would at least make things a little more comfortable. But like Val and Paige, he was looking forward to this assignment.

[OFF]

[ON]

The USS Katana was underway and, within nine hours, Lieutenant Commander K’a’mirh’un Tegan would lead an away team into the thick of a Gekli pod. “Cameron”, as he was better known, was busy studying the latest data on the pod from the probe he’d convinced Captain Kerouac to send prior to a manned mission. While the Klingon-Trill hybrid didn’t necessarily consider the impending away mission as extremely dangerous, he did wonder if they were being at least a little reckless in assuming that there was little risk. The last time a Federation ship encountered the Gekli, the meeting had nearly turned fatal. And the Katana was dealing with dozens of these things.

So far his only companion was a short glass of Maica’s whiskey. He’d been nursing it slowly. In addition to the label on the bottle being nearly unpronounceable, it had a very high alcohol level – one that rivaled even Klingon Bloodwine.

And then the door chimed.

“Come in,” Cameron shouted.

The door opens and Mizuki pads in quietly, giving him a light bow of her head. She'd let her brown hair down around her shoulders, the neck of her red uniform top peeking through along with her cadet pips. The standard combadge rested on her chest, just above the heart, and to complete the look, she was wearing a uniform skirt and boots that went to just below the knee. In the style of a famous counselor from the Enterprise-E. For now, she speaks, after a moment. "Hello sir, I came to check on several PaDDs that required your review and authorization, before you left for the away mission."

Cameron felt like a dirty old man for the all of two seconds that he was focused more on her dress than what she was saying. Mizuki was in many ways young enough to be his daughter. "Oh yeah, let me find those." Distracting himself with one collection of PADDs, he started looking for the ones she was referring to. He wondered briefly on whether Mizuki had dressed intentionally for this, if it were some sort of coincidence, or if Andy Carter -- hell, even Lia Grae -- were pulling some sort of prank on him. Lia had been known to 'set him up' from time to time with beautiful women. Sometimes more than one at a time. Checking one PADD after another, Cameron grunted an air of frustration. "You might as well have a seat, this might take a while. Just remember one thing. The higher your rank, the more the paperwork. Ah," he pulled one PADD and set it on the table. "One down. Six to go."

Ah the joys of over-thinking. None of the above had set her up this way, but she imagined that Andy would have a few words to tease her with. Like, a child princess, or something. It would be safe to say that this was a coincidence, given that she'd been allowed to choose what she'd wear. A listening ear was better than frothing at the mouth. Or so her dad had taught her. Hearing his instruction to have a seat, she chose a chair close to her, and sat down straight, a bit formal, and clasped her hands together in her lap. Her legs seemed unblemished by scars, though that would be another perk of youth that would be lost down the road.

"So..." Cameron began, trying to fill the silence while he searched. He reached over to his glass without looking, took a sip from it, and returned it to the table. But he'd come no closer in finding another PADD. "Are you settling in alright?"

"I am." She replied calmly, giving him a little smile. "It took me a little while, but I am starting to make friends and learn more about various things. My studies progress, I get more adept at handling the paperwork, and Chief Carter has been a fair immediate superior."

"Well, good." Cameron added with a smile as he plucked a second and third PADD from the stack and set it on the table. He surveyed the overall mess and thought about having her take a more active role in the day-to-day affairs of a bureaucrat. It wouldn't hurt, but he'd turned down her initial offer with the assumption that he could handle it just as effectively on his own. Clearly, that was not the case. He decided to think more on it later. He also thought about asking her about how her training with the other departments was progressing, but finding the fourth distracted him.

"Need help searching for the padds?" Mizuki offered, before taking a look at that bottle. "And what the heck is that you're drinking? It seems to be impairing your search to a degree."

Cameron waved her off. "No... no... I got it. And it's not the alcohol, it's my general lack of organization." There's the fifth. He set it on the table, and the looked over to the quarter-full glass. "If I ever decide to get married, it's just so I can leave messes like this to someone else. As for the alcohol, I don't know. It's some kind of whiskey. Lieutenant Maica brought it by as part of a bribe to have me sign off on her away mission request. Truth is I would have signed it anyways, but she did at least get her petition escalated to the front," he chuckled, and then looked to Mizuki. "You're nineteen, right?" He asked. She nodded. "Well, you might be under age according to Federation law. But quite frankly, I say if you're old enough to fight, you're old enough to drink." He stabbed a hand towards the table where two corked bottles of amber waited while resuming his search. "You can have one if you'd like."

Mizuki remained quiet for the most part. Though getting married to leave messes to someone else seemed...shallow. She wasn't going to say anything, however. Maica again. The diplomat was something else, she had to admit. "That's a unique policy, to be sure." The girl gave, before looking to him. "Yeah. I turn 20 at the end of this month." Then, she padded over, uncorking one of the bottles of amber. Which was potent, like bloodwine, even. She takes a small sip...and immediately sets the bottle back down. The liquid seemed to leave a burning sensation again, and it was stronger than the whiskey. Having managed to make it back to the chair, she sat down elegantly, crossing her legs as she tried to steady herself, breathing a little harder. But not passing out...at all.

Cameron shook his head playfully as he pulled his seventh and final PADD from the stash. He set it aside and then rejoined her at the sofa. "Tell me about yourself, Masterson."

"Me? There's not a whole lot to know about me. Just someone that grew up with her extended family and wanted to follow in her dad's footsteps. I've studied *a ton* but not had too many adventures." Mizuki replied, still managing an even keel at this point. "I suppose you could ask me about specific things, it might help since I'm something of a modest type."

Cameron shrugged. He reached for his glass and sat it on his knee, holding it upright with one hand. "Well, start from the beginning." He suggested. "Where were you born, what did you do growing up, that sort of thing. Nineteen going on twenty years is a long time filled with a lot of experience."

"Earth. I was born on Earth. After my mother died when I was five, life was kind of a whirlwind, I guess. I was always shuttled around to various family members' places, my dad was off doing classified things and that was the only way. I was always something of a princess. That's how my family gave me the nickname of "Hime." I did a lot of girly things. At the age of 9, I joined the understudy program for Starfleet Academy, and devoted myself to studies. The usual subjects of a Federation school. At the age of 14 I was assigned to a frontier outpost to further my study. It was during this time that I wandered off the base and wasn't found until the next morning, passed out. No one was ever really sure what happened to me. Not even me." Mizuki sighed and shrugged a bit. "I was shipped out to the Academy the next day. And continued my usual study life. I didn't have a lot of time for social things. Nor much of a childhood. But I made the best of it. Then I was assigned to come out here. It was a favor to me. My dad knows the Commander, and wanted me to learn in a good place."

Out of all of that, Cameron locked in on the mystery night. "You mention passing out like it's something casual. You really have no idea what happened? You weren't drugged by some native or something?"

Well, she did have an idea of what happened, but it was a little fuzzy to remember. If he was smart enough, he might be rewarded. "No. The base's sensors reported that I walked into a cave and then just disappeared. Wasn't seen again until the following morning."

The whole thing sounded strange. Then again, Cameron had surely passed out at least a few times in his youth. Fortunately for him, he knew exactly what had been the cause: alcohol. Along with the conquest of beautiful women, he enjoyed drinking at a young age during his youth. While Cameron wasn't a particularly great judge of behavior -- (he had Lia for that!) --something about the way she said it and the way she glanced away suddenly made him think he wasn't getting the whole truth. But he wasn't about to probe what could have been a difficult topic for her.

"Must have been on hell of a night," he suggested almost absently as he raised the cup to his lips and deprived it of the rest of its contents, which, admittedly wasn't much.

"I imagine it was." she said carefully, inclining her head in agreement. Watching the rivulets of alcohol go down his throat, she noted the details. And then, whether spurred on by the alcohol that she had tried, or something else, she spoke, very gently. "Cameron.." she ventured, using his name. "What kind of man do you believe yourself to be? A personnel file can only tell you so much, and after our first meeting I have been wondering that about you."

Cameron rose a brow. "Not big on formality, are you? He asked, although his voice was absent of overt disapproval. He looked across the room and thought on her question. As it was sudden, it was also a bit difficult for him to put a thumb on the answer to. After a long moment, he shrugged. "That's not an easy question to answer. Are you speaking professionally...?" He looked back to the young cadet. "...or personally?"

"I have had some potent stuff., so please forgive my lack of formality, sir." Mizuki pointed out, lamely, in her defense. "A little of both. For how you are personally can reflect on you professionally to a degree. I guess I want to know if you're a trustworthy person. Someone that can keep a secret." In truth, the XO intrigued her for some reason, but she hadn't thought much on why.

The line of questioning was getting strange, and he didn't particularly like the direction this conversation was going. Cameron leaned forward and studied Mizuki more closely as he debated on whether to go with it or play hardball. "Something on your mind, Cadet?" He asked, finally.

"Yeah." Mizuki replied, staring at him in return. "The truth is, there is something more to that night. I remember a little more than I let on. Something happened there that made me better, in the long run. But I didn't say much about it. I didn't want to be treated differently, or viewed any differently because of it. Yet, out here on the frontier, it might show itself...and it might be good if you knew about it first. I wanted to see if I could trust you before I said anything. Right now I have the feeling that I can."

Cameron nodded. "Why don't you tell me about it, then?" He asked.

"There's nothing really I can say that would make it believable, but I will give it my best. In the cave there was some kind of large ring. Like a belt. It was stone, in the center of the cave. Being as young as I was, and perhaps a little stupid...I tried putting it on. It activated, and fused into me. It also awoke a number of strange creatures...and that's when I mentally passed out. When I next opened my eyes, I had left them all laying after they attacked me. I was able to get out of the cave before passing out for good. This...artifact remains within me."

Cameron listened and tried to look unaffected by what he was hearing. But the whole story sounded incredibly strange. "I don't know, Cadet," he started to say after a long moment. "That sounds pretty far fetched. You're young, you're very attractive. Isn't it more likely that some boy... or girl for that matter decided to slip something into your drink or meal one day?" He asked, but before he could give her the chance to answer, his mind slipped to another thought. "Have you had the presence of this so-called artifact confirmed with a doctor?"

"Would that that were the case, sir..but I'm afraid it's not." Mizuki mumbled, with a quick shake of her head. His words were flattering, but they did make her feel a little better. "Thank you for thinking so of me, but I haven't visited a doctor to medically confirm it. Not when I can do this instead." With her right hand out-stretched, she sat a little straighter and brought the right arm across her body, causing the artifact, or better put, a belt, to appear around her waist.

Watching the belt with an electric-gold center materialize from out of nowhere elicited several feelings from Cameron. Dealing with the unknown, he felt a surge of adrenaline mixed with a strange fascination over the device -- as if he were a fly being drawn into the light. Only several moments afterward, once his brain was able to catch up with him, did he attempt to say anything. She hadn't confirmed this with a doctor. Did that mean she hadn't told anybody before him until now? "Who... who else knows about this?" He asked, his eyes still studying the device.

"I can count them on one hand.." Mizuki murmured quietly, turning to look at him. "Three department heads and the resident Lagashi. All new friends of mine, and all ones that I believed to be trustworthy. I can only hope my belief is not misplaced."

Cameron nodded. "And the Captain?" He asked.

"I have not informed him. The opportunity has not presented itself." Mizuki replied. "I guess I just want to say before we go any further that I do not intend to use this power unless it's a life or death situation, or the lives of the crew are at stake. It just seems like the right thing to do."

"The right thing to do would also be to fully inform your chain of command of this," Cameron pointed out. "Think about it, Cadet. You have an unknown artifact of indeterminable purpose or power inside you. What happens if you don't get a choice on whether you use it or not. Keeping something like this from Starfleet, from someone like the Chief of Medical, isn't only irresponsible... it's dangerous." He wished he hadn't taken a drink now; Cameron wanted to be clear and focused.

"Respectfully sir...I'm not going to be a lab rat." She stood up, staring at him. "The power is one thing. My best guess is that it evolves, but whether over time or as I need it, I don't know." Pausing for a moment, she continued. "As for the purpose? I know what the purpose appears to be thus far." She extends her hands outward and then claps the pads on either side, light emanating from the electric yellow circle in the middle of the belt and soon the change occurs. "I'm a peaceful person.." she began, standing regally before him. "But if I must, I will fight with honor. And if it should ever become as you say...that I no longer have a choice in the matter, then I will leave the ship until such time as I get better. I don't believe the Captain would advocate me being a lab rat...so I will inform him, but that's all."

Cameron cleared his throat and nodded. While he didn't doubt her honesty and determination not to let this ability of hers cause problems for the Katana, he knew all too well how even the best of intentions had a way of being circumvented, whether by choice or not. "You will, Cadet." He told her. He didn't like playing tough guy when he didn't need to, particularly when the person he was tough-talking was an attractive woman like Mizuki. But this was one of those situations where he felt it necessary. "You sound like a Klingon, which I admire. But Kerouac needs to be made aware of this."

"He will be." Mizuki's voice hardened, a tough-talk of her own coming out. "If you will make the arrangements, sir, I will do so with you present." A golden light runs over her form, returning her to normal. "If used correctly, I can be a great asset to the defense of this ship. Please remember that."

"I don't doubt you could be," Cameron said a little more softly. "Nevertheless, it is not up to a nineteen year old cadet to make a decision on her own that could affect the lives of almost a hundred and fifty of her fellow crew." He reached across the table and grabbed the PADDs, handing them to her. "We won't have time to address this until after my away mission. But I'll coordinate with Captain Kerouac, and will let you know when we've prepared a time to discuss this."

"Whether it's my decision or not...you're going on the away mission. And until you return and arrange that, I will be a girl of my word." Mizuki gave, receiving the padds elegantly. "I thank you for hearing me out, at least."

Cameron pursed his lips into a thin smile. "Very good. You're dismissed."

"Yes sir." Mizuki bowed and turned around, walking out of the room the same shy, attractive girl that had come in.

[OFF]

[ON]

Cameron Tegan returned to the bridge at 22:55 hours with a small but telltale collection of PADDs in his possession, a sealed bowl of the Chef’s Plasma Leak Soup, and a mug of Raktajino. He didn’t look extremely enthusiastic. Despite serving as Commanding Officer through Bravo shift, he’d decided, albeit reluctantly, to serve as Gamma’s as well.

Gamma shift aboard an Intrepid-class starship usually necessitated the presence of no fewer than four officers manning the bridge – a member of the senior staff, plus an assistant chief and any duty officers who wanted to catch up on their secondary projects while most of the crew were asleep and ship systems available. Since the USS Katana was at Starbase, however, and the risk of danger small, the manning roster dropped down to a mere two.

While a senior officer needed to be present in case of an actual emergency, he would have preferred putting someone like Cadet Junior Grade Mizuki Masterson as officer of the deck on nights like today. It would have been a good learning opportunity for her… given her interests in commanding a Starship of her own someday. But Cameron was still catching up on paperwork, and figured that he’d have an opportunity to do more catchup by taking on another shift.

Plopping down into the Captain’s seat and setting his collection of property aside, he looked at the view screen which, for the moment, was blank; there was nothing pretty about staring at a giant piece of the station.

“XO has the bridge. Report.”

“Nothing new to report, sir.” A tired-sounding officer sitting at Ops replied.

Cameron sighed inwardly. It was going to be a long night. A moment later, the turbo-lift behind him opened, depositing gamma shift. A look of relief crossed the half-dozen faces of those whose shifts were about to end. “Very well. Bravo shift, you are relieved,” he turned his neck to the back of the bridge and recognized Lieutenant Hayley Collins from her service jacket. “Gamma shift, take your stations… er… station.”

"Aye, sir." Hayley walked to the front of the bridge, taking her seat She was normally on Alpha Shift but being docked at Starbase Bravo, she had been assigned as night shift commander, which she hated. Gamma Shift was the graveyard shift--nothing ever happened on Gamma Shift. "Anything exciting, sir?" she turned to ask the XO.

Waggling a hand towards his sealed bowl of what was probably now luke-warm Plasma Leak soup, and his stack of PADDS, Cameron shook his head. "Not unless you consider being a lab-rat for one of the Chef's new inventions," he said, stopping to study the helm officer. This ship was filled with attractive women, which was going to make his job as the Katana's executive officer that much more difficult, as evidenced by his trade-mark smile propping itself up on his face, even though he at least made some effort to mask it behind subtle professionalism. "How about you?"

"Not too much, sir."

A crewman brought a plate of coffee. "Here you are lieutenant," the young crewman announced.

"Ah, never could say no to coffee. Thank you, Crewman," Hayley said as she took the cup and took a sip. It was a bit sweet but good nonetheless.

Cameron decided that some sustenance was probably a good idea, so he pried the top off of his bowl of soup, grabbed a spoon, and took a taste. It was luke-warm, even a little cold in some areas; he'd let it sit for too long. But it was also food, and his stomach was growling for some of that. The crewman seemed to materialize next to Cameron with a second cup of coffee, which he took graciously, but didn't drink from yet. "It's just another day in paradise, then," Cameron suggested as he continued to sip down from the soup.

"Paradise, sir? Doubt I'd call this ship paradise," she chuckled.

Cameron grinned widely. "That's the point, Lieutenant. Fake it till you make it," he chuckled; some of those phrases were something only enlisted (or, in his case, formerly enlisted) people would have ever heard, so he expected it to seem alien to her. Officers had it easy... even in Starfleet. "False motivation is better than no motivation," he finished.

"I'd still take real motivation any day," she commented. She was beginning to feel down however she wouldn't admit it to anyone. The toll of the last mission and being alone was beginning to wear on her. She often wondered if Starfleet had been the right choice for her.

Sensing Haley's sudden, if not subtle, change in demeanor, his lips thinned and he chewed on the left side of his gum. Between Jhu's panic attack and this, it was apparent that crew morale was at a low, and that something needed to be done. Time at Starbase usually had the benefit of alleviating any tension, but he hadn't seen much of a drop since the Katana arrived. Heaving an inaudible sigh, he reached over and picked up a PADD. "Don't worry, lieutenant. We'll get there."

"ETA, sir?" she joked. Though she was doubting her decision to join, she wasn't going to let it affect her mood and cause the shift to drag on.

Cameron let out a small chortle. "Momentarily." At that moment, his stomach made a noise. It wasn't the kind of noise that would indicate that he was still hungry; obviously, the Chef's soup wasn't going down as well as he thought. He pushed the discomfort aside. Setting the PADD down, he decided that working on reports wasn't a necessarily good idea right now. Something about reading lines from left to right made him feel queasy. "Tell me about yourself, Hayley... right?"

Hayley turned--the XO using her first name was a surprise to her. In doing so, she felt he bridge spin. Blinking a few times, she shrugged. "Not much to tell, sir. Grew up on Earth to overbearing Starfleet parents. Wasn't the best student or citizen at times."

Cameron smiled but said nothing at first; he clearly expected a more thorough description. When it didn't come, he sighed inaudibly. "What changed?" He asked, "I mean, what brought you to Starfleet?"

"A good friend intervened named Ben Hoskins. He's retired from Starfleet and was the one who taught me how to fly." Hayley explained.

Cameron nodded. It wasn't the first time he'd heard about how the previous generation had inspired the next. He then sorely thought about his mother, who had been a Starfleet Officer before she was killed in a freak accident on Chiron. She was survived by him and his father, who he thought less than dirt of. After a moment, Cameron smiled. "Good for him, you, and us in that case."

His stomach growled again.

"And why is that good for us, sir?" she turned. Why was she feeling hot? She unzipped her blouse some.

Cameron waggled a hand in the air, although the fact that she'd loosened up her tunic had caught his attention. "I can't think of anybody else I'd like to fly us through a pod of space whales."

"Flattery will get you everywhere, sir," she replied. She turned and checked the environmental controls which showed normal. She was having a hard time concentrating. For some reason, she was getting an overwhelming urge to remove her clothes. What the hell was gong on?

"Everything alright?" Cameron asked, sensing (or rather smelling) Hayley's perspiration and discomfort.

"Just fine, sir," she lied. She wasn't feeling sick...just hot...and a strange attraction to the commander. 'Cool it, girl,' she thought to herself.

Cameron eyed Hayley curiously for a long moment before nodding and returning to his PADD. He leaned back into his seat in order to give his stomach as wide a birth as possible -- it wasn't feeling particularly good, which was saying something given the fact that he was part Klingon.

Haley couldn't focus as she looked at her console. she was sweating and could get thoights of the commander out of her head. Her uniform felt restricting, insufferable. The next thing she knew she was up and headed for the commander as her hands unzipped her jacket, tossing it the ground. Her hands unzipped her blouse, pulling it down and finally removed her bra just as she straddled Cameron.

There had to be something with this crew, Cameron thought as he held Hayley by her waist, enjoying the heat of her body. In the back of his mind, he wondered whether it were possible for him to eventually end up sleeping with the entire female crew, but before his brain could process the rest of that, his stomach chimed in with an alarming sensation. With a reverberation that shuddered like an earth quake, he felt his insides expand and tense. Then there was a rise. And it wasn't the rise he was eager for. "You should probably get of--" Cameron tried warning, but his voice cut out as if the airway had been obstructed... which it had.

And not a fraction of a moment later, he spewed the Chef's Plasma Leak soup onto her.

[OFF]

Nathan made his way through the halls of Katana to a turbolift. The first official thing he had to do before getting back to active duty was speak with the Captain. Nathan had only been out of sickbay for 24 hours, had not even gotten his prosthetic yet.

He was dressed in his uniform even though he was not on duty. He liked being back in his yellows even if the right arm now hung empty at his side.

The turbolift stopped and opened. Nathan walked across the bridge and to the Captains ready room. He pressed the call button.

Why am I always in this damned Ready Room thought Kris as he prepared himself for a meeting with his Security Chief, the real Lieutenant Nathan Tonkin, not the Section 31 operative who had infiltrated the Katana and blended in with the crew through surgical alterations to make himself appear like Tonkin. The chime of his Ready Room door alerted him to Nathan's arrival.

"Enter" said Kris firmly as he reached over, tapped a control to command the entranceway to open. "Nathan," said Commander Kerouac with a tone that displayed his relief to have the man back aboard. "Have a seat" added Kris gesturing to a vacant seat on the other side of the desk.

"Thank you Captain." Nathan said as he took the offered seat, sliding a PaDD on the Captains desk. "My full report sir."

Kris took the PaDD and slid it to the side of the table. "I'll have Lieutenant Commander Tegan read it when he comes back" replied Kris. "All that tells me is what I need to know... not what I want to know, Nathan" added Kris explaining his lack of interest in the report. "How are you holding up?" asked Kris with concern for his Security Chief.

Nathan understood exactly what the Captain was saying. He too liked the personal touch a verbal report came with and the ability to ask questions to get clarification.

"All things considered, I'm doing incredible well sir. I am very glad to be home." Nathan said with nod. "Thank you sir for coming after me." Not that he had ever held any doubt that they would leave him, he just wanted everyone to know he appreciated the effort.

"I spent several weeks in a Breen prison camp, Lieutenant... There was no way in hell that we'd ever leave one of our own behind. You're part of this family and a family sticks together" Kris replied, leaning forward. "If you need any time off, you just ask. I strongly suggest you see a counselor for the time being as well. More importantly, I want to know what happened. How the hell did this happen?"

"I just want to get my arm fixed." Nathan said with a sigh.
"To be honest sir, I'm surprised you're not going to force me to see the counselor. I was fully prepared to be at her mercy as to when I could return to active duty. I was going to beg you to let me on light duty." Nathan said with a smile.

"As to the what's and whys. They took me right out of Jhu bed Sir. I fell asleep next to her, woke up in a cell. They never told me anything as to why, but from a tactical standpoint I made sense. Not only do I hold some of the top levels of clearance on this ship, but at the same time they were able to hurt Jhu." Nathan pauses for a moment. "All they did to me was hurt me."

"And piss me off" added Kris sharply. "I do not appreciate Section 31 and their damn actions aboard my vessel. We are in enough danger as it is right now... they only worsen the situation by taking you away from us."

Nathan nodded. "We are in agreement on that fact sir. I will still continue to take every step possible to keep them off this ship." There was a edge to Nathan's tone.

"Right, however, at this moment, Section 31 may go fuck themselves elsewhere. I have more dire concerns and need this starship ready for the worst of it. I don't know what you were brought up to speed on and what you haven't but we are weaponizing Chief Carter's nanoprobes against a potential encounter with Species 8472" said Kris grimly.

Nathan blinked a few times and in a moment of pure unprofessionalisum he said. "Uh what?!" But it took him only a moment to compose himself. "Sorry sir, I had not been brought up to speed on that fact. Do you have a moment to fill me in?"

"Do you have any liquor?" countered Kris.

Nathan shook his head slowly. "No sir, I'm not in the habit of bringing liquor with me to the bridge. The only bottle I had was...liberated from me." Nathan told the Captain, making a mental note to go see Maica very soon. "Not to mention I just got out of sickbay."

Kris shook his head. "You've got a lot to learn" said Kris as he reached into a desk drawer and pulled out a bottle of Skagaran whiskey and took a few swigs. "So, let's start with what you do know. Are you up to speed on the Gekli?"

Nathan chuckled at his Captain. "No one has brought me up to speed on anything sir. Last I had heard about the whales was that we were enroute to the pod. Past that...well I have only been out of sickbay for under a day." Nathan shrugged. "That Bajoran Doctor you got in there runs a tight ship. Jhu could not even sit on the side of the bed with me with out getting kicked out. If anyone had come to update me, she probably ran them off."

"Well, then... A quantum singularity had recently been discovered by a Vulcan science vessel nearby. They sent a probe into the singularity and it was quickly destroyed. However, readings indicated fluidic space and a Undine/8472 bioship exited the singularity and destroyed the Vulcan vessel. We believe that the Gekli are either from fluidic space or had at least passed through. We need to learn more about this and close the singularity before it is too late. We may encounter the Undine. Therefore, we have been making preparations for this potential encounter" explained Kris.

Nathan leaned back in his seat. "So we are not really here as whale watchers then..." Nathan trailed off as a thought hit him. "Was my double made aware of this? Was he ever near the nanoprobes?!" He asked sitting forward in his seat suddenly.

"Unfortunately, he very well may have. You are Chief of Security of this vessel, Lieutenant. Operations, Intelligence, and Security have been working with Engineering to get this ship ready" explained Kris. "I hate to think what Section 31 knows."

The look on Nathan's face grew dark. "Who do I report to on this topic?" Clearly Nathan's cleanup was not going to be as easy as just figuring out what to do with a cargo bay full of Tribbles.

"I would go speak to either Chief Carter or that thing you share a bed with" replied Kris. "Jhu is acting First Officer while Lieutenant Commander Tegan is off the ship. She'll likely be able to provide you with everything that you need to know."

Nathan had been around long enough to know about the Captains and Jhu's relationship. He chuckled at the Captain. "She does not like being referred to as an object." But Nathan was always quick to slip back into his professional attitude. "Yes sir. I will report to the Commander and let her know that you have filled me in." Nathan said, repeating the underlying order.

"She's an object of my sincerest affection... which causes be an infection. She's like a bad case of lice" replied Kris. "Treat he nicely, Lieutenant. I don't know what I would do without her."

Nathan chuckled at the Captain again. "I was told that if i broke her heart I would be the one leaving, out an airlock." He leaned back in his seat. "We don't know each other that well yet Captain but I'm a man of my word. I swear to you that my intentions with the Commander are not a short term thing." Nathan said mater of factly.

"Understood. We all need someone, Nathan. I'm happy that she has you" replied Kris. "If that is all...?"

"One more thing if I may Captain. It's of a personal matter if that's acceptable." Nathan told the Captain.

"Yes?" asked Kris.

"Lieutenant Weaver and I have been trying to organize and poker game. I thought you might interested in joining us." Nathan said.

"I'm a Black Jack man" replied Kris. "I don't think you'll be into my kind of poker" added the Commanding Officer with a small wink.

Nathan blushed and shook his head. "Gotcha sir." He stood and turned to face the Captain.

"You may want to ask Maica or Carter. I think they may be poker players" added Kris.

"Good to know sir. Thank you." Nathan said.

"You are welcome" added Kris. "Now, if that is all... you're dismissed."

"Good day Captain." Nathan turned and headed out. What a great visit. Not even placed on medical leave.

ON:

While Maica was sure none of her colleagues would say anything, she was coming up due for her annual psychological examination in a few months and with her new body, she wanted to try to get it out of the way. She also wanted to welcome Lt Lia Grae aboard. This was why she was outside the counsellor's office with a bottle of Romulan Kali-fal in her hands. Pressing the door chime, she waited and hoped she wasn't disturbing anyone and that she could get an appointment soon.

Lia heard the chime to her office door from behind her desk. She had finished unpacking and was settled nicely in her new office. "You may enter." she called out.

Walking through the open door, Maica headed towards the desk with a smile. "Hi, I'm Maica, ship's diplomatic officer. I brought you a housewarming gift," she said, offering the bottle to Lia. "I'd also like to get my psychological eval early if possible."

Lia took the bottle and smiled at Maica, "Thank you..." she said as her eyes reviewed the label. Romulan Kali-fal, wow never had that before. Hope it's good. she thought to herself as she placed the bottle on a spot on her back self. "So you want a psychological eval... how about right now." She grinned and gestured her hand outward, "Please have a seat, Maica."

"Sounds good to me," Maica said, plopping her plushness into the offered chair. "Do you need time to look over my profile?"

Lia smirked but shook her head, "I don't need to, you're the android correct?"

Should that smirk worry Maica? "I am. You're familiar with me then?"

"Not with your specific model no, but I have an encounter with one before." She mused and the smirk formed a smile, "Because you don't need a psychological eval, would you still like to talk?"

Maica blinked at that. Lia's met another android before? She was curious about that but didn't press just yet. "I would actually. I just turned 10, had my whole body replaced, and was transplanted from a Ferengi holosuite core to a positronic brain. I may not be required to have evals, but since I do try to apply the same standards to myself as the rest of Starfleet has to follow... Well, except for the physical... That wouldn't make sense, would it? My old body, though designed specifically for sex, had nothing organic in it. I suppose I might need to start visiting sickbay now that I have these organelle things inside me." Maica's chipper and happy disposition started souring a bit at the end as she rambled on. She still wasn't used to these things Andy had rebuilt her with.

"Have you studied your new schismatics?" Lia asked.

Tapping her forehead, Maica nodded. "I have them all up here, though I don't understand almost all of it. I'm a diplomat, not an engineer."

"Why can't you be both?"

"My programming is geared for... relations, so to speak. I'd have to go through at least a few years of schooling to become an engineer just like i did to become a diplomat." Maica wasn't sure where this line of questioning was going, but she was curious to find out.

"How long did it take you to become a diplomat?" Lia asked with a smile.

"Four years at the academy, then a year as an assistant rather than the normal 2 years." Maica was really curious at this point.

Lia nodded, "My father is a diplomat, served many years with on the Federation Diplomatic Corp. How you like the career?"

Maica had to smile at that. "I love it. I had aptitudes for counselling and diplomacy and though I have all the qualifications for being a sex therapist, I liked the diplomat uniforms a lot more so focussed on that path."

Lia gave a small laugh hearing about the uniforms and nodded with agreement, "Yes it seems the diplomats got the designers, they are more comfortable that's for sure. You said you have a new body. If you don't mind me asking, what happened to the old one?" she asked.

"There was a 10 year expiration countdown. A few days before that hit, my old micro-fusion reactor almost went critical and melted part of it." Maica explained.

"Whoa, I can't possibly relate to an experience like that. The engineering team must have worked around the clock to build you the replacement."

Maica shook her head, a soft smile on her face. "No, no team. Andy did it all by herself. She did in a couple weeks what the best minds before her took months to years to do. When the reactor went critical, she actually had a lot of it done so I wasn't too bad off."

"Andy? You are referring to Chief Carter, correct?" She asked.

"Ah yeah. We're a couple too, so I tend to use her first name," Maica replied.

Lia smiled and nodded, "That's fine. How's the relationship progressing?"

"Incredibly well. I think both of us are doing wonders for the other. She's awoken something in my soul that's brought more life to my existence and I can tell she's happier now than when I first met her. She's calmer too." Maica couldn't help but smile brightly as she thought about Andy some more.

Lia grinned, "Well I'm happy for the both of you. So I take it you're adjusting well to the new body."

"Well enough. I'm still trying to get used to having actual biological functions rather than simulated ones, but I'm getting there. The stomach is creepy..." Maica said.

"Well, the stomach maybe creepy, but the taste buds make it worth it."

Maica had to giggle a bit at that. "Yeah, She added in proper taste buds too. I can still analyze anything in my mouth, but the flavor inputs... They've taken some time to calibrate."

Lia nodded leaning back in her chair. "Have you experienced any other issues? And they don't have to be new body related... I mean in general."

"In general... Well, I've been sleeping and dreaming. I have nightmares about my early years as a sex slave. Memories I had somehow forgotten, mostly." Maica said thoughtfully.

"Do you want to talk about those nightmares or would you rather leave your past behind you?"

"I think I've been pretty resilient so far. If they happen too often, I'll come back, but for now Andy and I have been doing pretty well comforting each other after nightmares." Maica wasn't looking forward to delving into that topic without Andy here and she knew Andy would never willingly come to a counselling session.

Lia nodded, "That's fine. If those nightmares are becoming less frequent that is a good thing." She smiled, "was there anything else you would like to discuss?"

"I can't think of anything offhand," Maica said with a smile. "Though if you ever find yourself needing a sex therapist, like i said, I do have those credentials." Should she mention she could still smell when people had had sex even 3 showers later? No, that might be considered a breach of privacy. Especially mentioning who she suspected it to be with.

Lia chuckled, "You know you are more than your original programming right?" She asked. "You have a new body... no need to have the old purpose. You're more than just a sex-bot."

"Oh I know. I got my certifications during my first year at the academy. I just figured I ought to see what my original databanks could get me. I'm also fluent in over 4 million forms of communication as well but I'm not a linguist, though it comes in handy with a lot of my meetings and I'm often asked to translate documents and summarize things for others." Maica had to giggle at her next thought. "Besides, if I were following my original programming, we'd most likely be having sex on your desk right now."

Lia chuckled with Maica as she glanced down at her desk before looking back at the android. "Well, with that visual in mind, Maica, you passed your Eval. I'll make a note in your medical logs." She smiled.

"Thank you Lia," Maica said with a bit of a giggle at her expression as she stood to head out. "If you need anything, please let me know, ok?"

Lia rose up smiling, "Same thing goes for me, Maica. If you need anything, my door is always open."

OFF:

ON:

Valerie pulled her gloves off and tossed them into the receptacle and hung up her lab-coat before leaving the med lab. While most of the day was spent cataloging samples the medical crew had collected in the Gamma Quadrant, she managed to begin some preliminary tests. Now she was eager to relax. A quick turbolift ride, she soon arrived at the Mess Hall. She heard about the CMO and other officers getting sick from the chef's food and quickly made her way to the replicator.

Will was sat at a table in the mess hall enjoying a good warm meal of Chicken Pasta bake along with a tall freshly replicated orange juice, watching the world go by after a lengthy shift recalibrating the auxiliary transporter pattern buffers in Transporter Rooms One and Two and he was glad of the rest. However he was still getting to know crew members and noticed the tall young lady with the dark brown hair who walked into the mess hall and tried not to make it obvious he noticed her.

The humming of the replicator faded as her meal materialized; a pasta dish with a glass of iced tea. As she lifted her tray she sensed eyes on her and she looked around and saw a man glancing at her direction before quickly turning away. A small smile appeared on her lips as she made her way towards him. "This seat taken?" she asked.

Will looked up as she asked the question and hesitated for a moment, trying to decide whether he was embarassed that she asked or happy that she asked about the seat. "Sure," he answered as he stood up and gestured to the empty seat. He was happy of the company and also happy to meet someone new on board. "I'm Will Morgan, Assistant Chief Ops," he introduced himself.

"Valerie Circe, Medical officer." She smiled as she lowered her tray and took the empty seat. "Nice to meet you Will, there is no need to feel embarrassed."

Will was all smiles until she told him to stop feeling embarrassed and suddenly he stopped eating and looked up with the thought of "Telepaths" burst out of his thinking followed by him quietly asking "Are you a telepath by any chance?" and hoping that his recent talks with Lia and Andy weren't obvious.

Valerie couldn't help but smirk, nodding a yes. "I am, and it's no blessing." she replied as she picked up her fork and started to eat.

"Well, that's a first for me, serving with a telepath. It must be a real pain at times," Will admitted to her as he took a sip from his drink. "Well its a pleasure to serve with you, er Valerie?" He asked wondring if it was too soon to go informal for first names after meeting each other seconds ago. "Have you been on board long? I've just transferred on board so I'm still finding my feet," he explained.

"You may call me Val." She smiled, "and I arrived just the other day. So far I'm adjusting all right..." she took a bite from her pasta and eyed him curiously. "Since, I'm the first telepath you're serving with, feel free to ask me anything."

Will smiled nervously and went with the first question that popped into his mind, realising that Val may have already known what was coming anyway. "If you can hear other peoples thoughts, can you turn that on and off at will or do you have to channel it out?" He wondered, catching himself staring at Val as he asked and thinking how attractive she looked.

"Well, I was born with my abilities turned on... left me in an almost catatonic state until I was 10." Valerie leaned back against the chair, brushing her hair behind her pointed ears. "Even to this day I still hear everything, I just have to tune them out." She smiled.

Will took in what she said and was stunned as she explained herself. "Wow, that must've been... Well I can't imagine. However you present an air of calm as you walk about so you must have some excellent control," he observed as she brushed hair back and noticed her ears. "So does the telepathy come from being a Betazoid or from somewhere else?" He asked.

Val smiled at the compliment. "Thank you. and to your question a little bit of both. I'm half Halanan, and a part Betazoid."

"Well its true, you do learn something new every day, I've never met a full Halanan before, let alone a half. You are a very interesting person to meet Val and you hardly know anything about me," chatted Will as he found her more and more intriguing to talk with and he found himself relaxing a little too. "Is there anything I should be aware of?" He asked out of curiousity.

"Aware of? You already know I'm a telepath, I don't know what else you should know." Val chuckled, "Unless you have something specific you would like to know."

Will felt a little mischievious at this point but reminded himself that he hardly this this woman and reigned himself back in. "I'm just making general chit chat and getting to know a fellow crew member, I have no agenda here. What about hobbies and the like? What do you like to do in your spare time? I have a great holonovel that keeps me occupied when I dont feel like reading," he offered, wondering how she used her free time. It also served to remind him that he was due another chapter next time he was off.

Valerie eyed him, catching his mischievous thought before he caught himself. A small smile appeared on her lips. "While I do love reading, holonovels are fun too. What is yours about?" she asked.

"Its one I've had since the academy. Its based on a series of 20th Century science fiction novels by an english author called Simon Green called the Deathstalker Saga," Will explained, "Its about a historian who is wrongly exiled against the Empire he served and eventually overthrows its leaders whilst gaining some supernatural powers and meeting the love of his life along the way." Will couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement through him as he explained. He loved a good adventure. He was also enjoying the company.

Valerie was grinning at Will, sensing his excitement as he described the holonovel. "That does sound like fun, I'm assuming you'll take the role of the historian?"

Will nodded enthusiastically to her question after taking another sip of his drink. "Yup, I get to play the hero. A guy called Owen Deathstalker. Its a hilarious twist. The most peaceful guy in the galaxy with a family name like that and he also gets to meet his love in Chapter One, although it takes them both four novels to finally be happy in love together, before the galaxy throws them a curve ball," he explained. He realised again he was getting carried away again. Was it really that thrilling a holonevel? He wondered.

"Well, if the thought of the story is giving you such excitement perhaps it is just as thrilling." Valerie grinned, replying to his thought.

Will smiled. "Nice," he thought to himself, deliberately looking at Val and saying nothing. "Maybe...you could join me some time, see how much of a thrill it can be..." was his next thought.

Smirking Val nodded, "Sounds like fun, I'm in." She replied winking. "What role did you have in mind for me?" she asked.

Will had only one answer for her. "Oh thats...oh...erm well the other role would be that of Hazel D'Ark. She's a smuggler on the run from a lot of people and she ends up saving Owen's life...before the Galaxy throws one of its many curveballs..." He explained. "Thats if its ok with you?" He asked, realising that he'd just asked a complete stranger, fellow officer, attractive woman to play the part of his characters love interest...something he hadn't asked anyone to do before...

Valerie looked at him, "Considering how much this holonovel means to you. How about we get to know each other a little bit more, and you can tell me more about Deathstalker; that way I can be true to the story and not make a complete ass of myself." She chuckled and leaned forward, "And Will, I think you're attractive as well." she whispered.

Wills sudden joy made him feel bold and confident and he acted upon that boldness. He leaned in as well "Deal," he whispered back, lingering for a moment as he enjoyed the view before him. He pulled back a little as he remembered his PADD. "I have a PADD my uncle gave me with all of the novels on it. Maybe I could pop over sometime to help give you a few pointers?" he offered. Originally he had just come in for a meal before some rest in his quarters. Now here he was sat talking to a beautiful woman who was happy to find out more about him and have a go at his favourite holonovel.

He looked at Val and felt a confidence in himself he'd not felt in a long time and for once, the black cloud that he felt often shrouded him seemed to have gone. Today was a good day.

[MATURE] This post contains graphic content of a sexual nature, viewer discretion advised. [MATURE]


It had been a week since Noah's unexpected departure and Kyle was still not over it. Wasn't sure if he would ever be over it.But after talking to Kris, the counselor, Liam, and his fathers he had decided he had to move on. Everyone assured him that it would get better. There would be a brief shore leave before the start of the new mission and he was looking forward spending some time off the ship. He had no particular plans, beyond dinner and maybe taking in a holovid. That and sleeping some where other than his cabin, which held so many bittersweet memories.

He exited the starbase's transporter room, headed towards "The Ardubin Nights" a Bajoran restaurant. He was dressed in civilian clothes. A pair of faded jeans and a silver and black parrises squares short sleeved shirt.

Will walked along the Promenade of the station, taking in the sights and sounds in what was his third day on board the facility. His ride on a Runabout from DS9 to Unity hadn't been long, but it had given him time to reflect and rest before the Katana arrived and his duty began. Will had spent the last two evenings in his assigned quarters and decided try one of the restaurants. He put on his civvies and pinned his combadge to them. The Stations Chief Ops officer had "borrowed" him already a few times so just in case.

Will entered the Bajoran restaurant and looked for a table to sit at amongst the patrons.

The restaurant had a reputation as being one of the best on the station and it was well deserved. It also meant that it was usually busy. That night was no exception. it wasn't yet standing room only, but there were few empty tables. Kyle, along with a small handful of other patrons were on a waiting list and were sitting in the small lobby. When Will entered he was told it would be about a ten to fifteen minute wait.

Will decided the wait would be worth it and looked for a seat in the small but busy lobby. He saw a gentleman sat by himself with a seat free and approached him.

"Excuse me, can I sit here?" he asked.

Kyle looked up and gave a slight smile. "Of course," he said, "help yourself. I think its about to get crowded."

Will nodded as he took a seat next to the guy. "Looks like, i understand this place is one of the best restaurants around," Will offered, "By the way, my names Will, Will Morgan," he said introducing himself. He felt it was only polite.

"Kyle Weaver," the blond said returning the honors, "And that's what I hear as well. Listen i hate eating alone, would you like to join me, my treat?"

Will smiled at the invite, "Why not? Thank you, it would be great to spend some time with someone. I've been waiting for my next assignment to arrive so its been a quiet few days, apart from the odd bit of work here and there," he explained, happy to have the company.

"Good," Kyle responded, when he left the Katana he'd just wanted to be alone. But it made more sense to just try to pretend to be normal and that meant mingling. Having ordinary conversations with normal people, where he didn't mention his troubles. Besides he would more than likely never see Will again, so if his "social experiment" in normalcy failed, who would know? "I've been cooped up on my ship with only the same people to talk to. It will be good to have a new face." He almost added "especially one as good looking as yours", but he really wasn't in the mood to flirt, especially with someone he had no clue as to whether he would reciprocate, or what Kyle would do if he did.

Just at that point, his table was called and further conversation was temporarily put on hold. It was a short detour as they were quickly led to a booth in a far corner of the room and left with menus.

Will had a look at the Menu whilst looking across at Kyle and wondering how such a good looking guy wasnt fighting off women at every corner or being chased out of the airlock. "Well I'm glad of the company and the invite, its not often that you get to meet new people, especially as good looking as you are, there must be a very happy partner back home for you?" Will wondered, trying to create a talking point.

Kyle had been looking at the menu, rather than at his companion, until he heard 'good looking'. He sat the menu down, his left brow rising almost to his hairline. His face reddened slightly and he didn't know whether to laugh or break down. After a brief pause, he swallowed hard and said, "There used to be, not anymore. And I'm not sure how happy he was lately."

Will took note of Kyles answer and decided to press on. It had been a while since he'd been close to anyone himself and something he kept pride on was being an open minded person. "Oh I see, I'm sorry, I didnt mean to cause any offence," he explained, looking more into the menu. He decided on what he wanted to eat and looked over at Kyle. "Well, his loss is my gain, I'm sure that we'll be able to enjoy the evening together," Will offered.

The man was attractive, there was was no denying that. But Kyle wasn't sure if he wanted to just have casual sex, he'd never had it before. Though he might have been jumping to conclusions that seemed to be what the man was implying. He determined what he wanted and waited until after the waiter had come and taken their order before he turned back to his dining companion.

He was about to politely refuse, but then he decided he needed the touch of another person, even if it were a stranger, it had been sometime since he and Noah had touched, much less been intimate. "I don't know why we couldn't." came the reply,"just so I'm clear, he was the only one I've ever been with so my flirting skills are a little rusty, are you suggesting what I think you are, or do you mean we should go to something like a jazz concert?"

Will was a little caught out with Kyle's question as he was happy with the company aspect of the evening, however the thought of some potential private company was something that wasn't lost on him. Will put the menu down and looked at Kyle. "I wasn't aware I was flirting, however I'm a bit out of practice," he said, "so, what would you like?"he asked.

"I'm sorry, if I assumed something you didn't mean to offer. You're not the only one out of practice. Noah,that's my ex he was the only guy I've ever really been with, so I really don't know what I want. I'm assuming you wouldn't have made the comment about my being good looking, the way that you did if you weren't gay, or at least bi, or am I wrong about that too?"

Will put his hand on Kyle's knee gently and followed it with a grin. "I go either way. I've had experiences with men and women so I suppose that makes me bi...and I made the comment because its true. Noah was a lucky chap and I can see in some way your still hurting from him," Will said. "If you'd prefer my company in a private setting, that's no problem. I have a double bed..." he offered.

Kyle blushed slightly when Will put his hand on his knee, but he didn't back away, "Yeah, I think i would like that. Your place is fine, though i probably have a bigger bed if that makes a difference."

Will couldn't help but let loose a wide grin as he moved next to Kyle to whisper something in his ear. "Deal, besides a larger bed offers more room for more fun," he whispered. Will sat back and waited for Kyle to make a move. "Shall we?" He asked.

"Yeah, I think I could use more fun right now." Kyle said with growing smile. "We can just get our food to go, I suppose. We'll have to get to a transporter, to get to my ship. So, um, what exactly do you like to do with another guy in bed?"

Will smiled at the next question and felt an urge of excitement rush through him that he had missed. "I like the idea of the food to go, that no hassle. As for what I like to do with another guy...its been a little while but I like a good kiss and a cuddle, generally leading to some intimate fondling and maybe as far as some gentle masturbation and even as far as penetrative sex, should the mood take us. I'm quite open as to where this evening leads," Will confirmed as he rubbed Kykes knee gently whilst he spoke.

"By the way, what ship are you on?" He asked, a suddenly thought hitting him like a bolt of lightning.

Kyle was certainly not opposed to any of Will's suggestions, though he may have wanted to go a bit further. Still kissing and cuddling were among his favorite things. He was moving his and towards Will's knee, or possibly his thigh, when the question came. It caught him slightly off guard, but he managed not to show it. "I'm on the Katana."

Will was taken a bit by surprise by Kyle's answer, however that only seemed to fuel the fire inside him. He leaned in again to Kyle. "So am I, I report on board tomorrow as their new Assistant Chief Ops Officer," he explained, "so luckily for you I'll be around for a good long while." He squeezed and rubbed his knee further, rubbing his hand further towards Kyle's groin as he explained him joining the ship.

"Want to make a move to your place?" Will asked.

Kyle was every bit as surprised as Will and a bit chagrined. Not because he was opposed to Will being part of the crew, but he was an Intel officer and supposed to be good at his job, but he hadn't made the connection, nor had he recently checked on incoming crew, something he regularly did. But the feel of Will's hand ever so near its intended target and the promise of Will's going to be around, made him forget his disappointment in himself for not being more together.

He managed to keep his face somewhat neutral as thoughts raced through his head, "That is a very good thing," he said. When the waiter came to check on them they told him they now wanted the food to go. If he suspected anything he kept it to himself. It might reduce his tip and besides the could use the table.

When the food was delivered, Kyle took possession of it and stood to his feet. "After you," he informed his new friend. Will stood up from the table with Kyle and walked out of the restaurant and back to the promenade.
He looked around, unsure of where the Katana was docked and looked at Kyle. "Lead the way, kind sir," he said to him as an urgency seemed to build in him, an urgency he couldn't explain and didn't want to.

This was all new territory to Kyle, he wasn't sure what to expect, but he was looking forward to it. He was also more than a little nervous. He led the other man to the nearest Transporter Room and gave the attendant the proper coordinates. He hardly even glanced their direction as the two men got up on the platform. There was the familiar feeling, that Kyle never really enjoyed as they were dematerialized and then put back together, this time on the Katana. The transporter officer there, a Petty Officer Francine, looked between the two men, looking as if she wanted to say something, but whatever it was she kept to herself.

Kyle then led Will to his quarters, the one he'd shared only with Noah up until now. There were still pictures and other memorabilia of he and Noah in happier days. Articles he had not had the heart to take down yet. "Here we are,"he said.

Will had a look around in Kyles quarters as they arrived. It was obvious he and this Noah were close and he wondered if having a casual moment with Kyle was the best thing. He decided act instead of think. Will walked up to Kyle and embraced him, looking him in the eye. "Are you going to be ok with this?" he asked him, wanting to make sure this was what they both wanted. "I just want something fun for tonight, I'm getting that vibe," he explained.

"Noah has left me, I'm still coming to terms with that," Kyle admitted melting into Will's embrace. "But yes, this is what I want." Then to prove his point he tried something he'd only tried with Noah. He leaned against Will even more and pressed his lips against the other man's.

Will responded to Kyle and pressed his body into his as their embrace became tighter and kiss him slightly harder back, making it known that he was excited and wanted this as much as Kyle did. He let his hands begin to roam under his shirt, looking to feel the touch of his warm skin.

Kyle hesitated as he felt Will's manhood begin to stiffen and his hand lift up the bottom of his shirt and move inside. Guilt fought with lust for the briefest of moments, but then lust,and need, won out and Kyle deepened the kiss and let his own free hand began to explore.

With Kyle starting to feel his body, Will became further excited and couldn't hold back his own lust. He pulled back from him and took a breath as he removed his shirt, exposing his upper body, before moving in close to kiss Kyle deeply again whilst he allowed his hand to reach down inside Kyles pants and take a grip on his manhood, feeling it grow with his touch.

No one else, other than Noah, and sometimes himself, had touched him there. There was just a twinge of guilt in his mind, but his body was just enjoying things and responded accordingly. If he closed his eyes, he could imagine Noah's face, but that wasn't what he wanted. He kept his eyes open. Will was who he wanted. The older man was incredibly sexy and Kyle was going to do whatever the other man wanted.

He swallowed hard as continued to grow under Will's touch and after kneading Will's nipples, brought his own hand lower to reciprocate what Will was doing to him.

Will gasped as he felt Kyles hand take hold of his manhood and looked him square in the eyes as the two of them stood facing each other, slowly stroking each other as the temperature in the room got hotter with the foreplay taking place. Will couldn't help but gasp again and again as he felt Kyles touch force him to grow and the feeling through his nipples was electric. He could take no more and began to undo Kyles pants, wanting to rid him of his clothes. "I need you in bed, right now!" He said with lust fuelled determination

Kyle said nothing, letting his hands do all the talking, he was enjoying what was happening between he and Will immensely. The build up, was intoxicating. After he kicked out of his pants, he managed to move to the bed where he pushed Will down and fell on top of him.

Will laughed as the excitement overtook him, feeling Kyle fall on him and he reached down to grasp hold of Kyles manhood again, stroking it faster as he felt it grow harder in his hand and motion. With his other hand he reached out to Kyle, kissing him deeply before looking him square in the eyes. "Take me, please," he begged, increasing the pace of his hand movements, wanting more and more.

Kyle, trying to maintain his composure under the circumstances pulled Will's pants and underwear off. Not sure if he had understood the man he asked, "You mean like take you take you, like top you, or you mean something else?"

Will smiled as he felt Kyle remove his underwear, freeing his solid manhood and showing him he was willing for more. "I mean Take me as in Top me... Im willing to let you take control and have your wicked way with me," he explained as he rid Kyle of his underwear, stroking his manhood to tempt him further.

Kyle smiled, a bit evilly, "I wasn't sure that's what you wanted, but you're a really hot looking guy. I'm not going to have a problem with that. Just not immediately." Had he been thinking at that point, he might have felt guilt, but he was acting purely on instinct. Instinct and raw animal lust. He spread the other man's legs and began to perform fellatio on him.

Will couldn't help himself as Kyle made his move and he groaned happily in pleasure as Kyle performed on him, releasing the stress and worry pent up in him and allowing Will to relax. He ran his hands through Kyles hair as he continued, loving and enjoying every moment as if time stood still, wanting to return the favour on him. He began to buck, feeling a want to release in him.

Kyle recognized the response, he'd seen and felt it enough times from Noah, so he slowed the process down, letting it drag on as long as possible,enjoying himself and growing harder in the process.

Will decided it was only fair he return the favour to Kyle. He patted him on the head to get his attention and when Kyle looked up, Will indicated he wanted to do the same, offering a sixty-nine position, wanting to give fellatio to him as they were both becoming more stimulated and aroused.


Kyle quickly grasped what Will wanted and he was more than willing to give it a go, so he shifted his position, to give the other man access to himself.

Will took a grasp of Kyle's shaft and stroked it slowly, making sure it was hard and ready for him to take. Then he took it and began fellatio on Kyle, returning the pleasure he was receiving and making sure he matched his pace, spreading pleasure aplenty and falling into the moment

There had been many things that Noah had been good at, was good at, and his had been one of them, though it wasn't his strongest talent, but Will was better. That thought passed through Kyle's mind, even as his body responded to Will's ministrations.

Will continued the fellatio on Kyle, making sure that he gave him the fullest attention whilst he felt his manhood grow under his movements. Wills own tool continued to become more excited as he eyed up Kyle from the view he had and made his next move. Licking a finger for a brief second, Will teased him in his back area and proceeded to penetrate Kyle there, hoping that this move would cause him more pleasure.

Kyle gasped when Will's finger entered him. It felt good. He wasn't sure where things were going to end up, since Will had wanted him to top him, but he could wait for that, if Will had changed his mind, or perhaps Will was just trying to please him before the main event. Kyle really wasn't sure, and he surely didn't care. He was enjoying himself and figured that whatever happened, would happen and hopefully happen multiple times before the night was done.

Will increased the pace of his fellatio on Kyle as he also started a rythmic move of his finger as well, wanting to bring maximum pleasure to this man. It had been a long time since he'd been this intimate with a man and Will was loving every moment of the feelings and emotions that were flooding over and through him, becoming lost in the moment. He took a quick moment and decided. Will moved out from underneath Kyle and lay himself before him.

"Now," was all he said firmly to him as he presented himself to Kyle, feeling it was the right time to move forward. Kyle needed no further urging, he lifted his mouth off of Will's member and slipped inside of him.

Will gasped as he took in Kyles member and embraced every moment of his entry before pulling Kyle's face to his and kissing him deeply, wanting as much contact as possible with him now he had penetrated Will. Will held on to him as they began lovemaking.

Kissing was a turn on in itself for Kyle, so he was thrilled when Will initiated the kiss and he returned with fury even as he began thrusting.

Will kissed Kyle back with passion and equal fury as the moment moved up a level and he gasped and cried out as Kyle began thrusting and was being turned on by each penetration and movement. He moaned as he felt Kyle's manhood move back and forth within him and loved every second of the ferocity of it all before him.

Noah wasn't on Kyle's mind at all now, but he really wasn't thinking much of anything. Just reacting out of need and passion. He was close to climaxing, but he wanted to hold out for as long as possible.

Will looked at Kyle as his thrusting increased and he could tell that he wanted to climax, he wanted release and Will wanted that too, not only to feel but also to see. He looked up at him as he took Kyles hand and placed it on his own shaft in a stroking motion. "Let it go, we'll release together. I know you want it...don't hold back on me," he whispered gently to him.

So Kyle did exactly as Will asked him to.

Will felt the moment arrive and he released along with Kyle, letting the moment flow over and through him.

After the moment had passed Kyle's legs were shaking and weak. He'd never been with anyone other than Noah before and for the first time in his life he was beginning to regret that. "Wow, " he said, "that was amazing."

Will nodded back as he panted for breath. "Hell yeah... Wow. That was awesome," he whispered back letting his legs relax and feeling body do the same. He laid back full of bliss.

"You don't have to go anyplace do you?" Kyle asked, "you can sleep here if you want.'

Will cuddled into Kyle as he spoke to him. "Hilariously I report on board tomorrow to begin my duty as Assistant Chief of Operations so right now, as my stuff is already on board, I'm quite comfy and would like to stay... If that's ok..."Will answered. After the intimacy between them, he was happy to fall asleep there and then.


"More than okay, it's what I want. Like I said, you're the only man I've been with, except for Noah, I don't want this to be just some cheap thing. We're going to be serving together after all. Yeah, I want you to stay, I need you to."

Will looked at Kyle and could see staying meant a lot to him. "Then I stay, but I will be honest, I wasn't expecting a relationship from this. I can tell we both have...baggage we needed to get past and tonight helped us to do that. I'm not going anywhere as I'm serving on board from now on so lets see what happens... I'm making no promises, I just want to make sure I'm in the right place for a relationship again," Will explained. Looking away he was reminded of how the last one ended... "I need time."

"We both do. For now though I just want to hold you, to fall asleep with you."

"Deal," whispered Will as he cuddled into Kyle.

Kyle's arms wrapped around the other man, "Of course when we wake up, you could take a turn."

"Oh I plan to... Morning sex is the best way to wake up," promised Will with a sly smile.

"Well, I think the sex we just had was pretty amazing. But I'm looking forward to having the shoe on the other foot as they say. Never did that much with Noah."

Will snuggled into Kyle and smiled. "In that case your in for an eye opening experience. Get some rest, you'll need all the energy you can muster. The first time can be... Mind blowing..." He promised.

I'm counting on it." Kyle said as he began to drift off to sleep.

Jhu hadn't been able to sleep since her strange "dream" about Species 8472. She wasn't sure if she really believed Andy or not, but the argument had been... convincing. Everyone knew that Species 8472 was telepathic; the part she struggled with was the idea of her own telepathic ability, minor as it apparently was. Romulans and telepathy? No one ever talked about that. Still, she had to tell Kris about it... in case the three-legged demons really were trying to contact her. "Computer, locate Commander Kerouac."

"Commander Kerouac is in Dr. Cohen's quarters... Deck 4, Section Delta Cabin 012" replied the Computer nonchalantly.

Kris was wrapped in Liam's sheets, but Liam was no where to be found. He had left an hour or so ago, called into Sickbay. Kris had fallen back asleep but his sleep was going to be short lived. He lie there tossing around and cuddling with a pillow against his bare chest. I'm going to need a sonic shower when I get up, thought Kris feeling a bit grimy and perhaps slightly sticky.

...okay, didn't need to know about that. Jhu debated whether she should wait, but she'd already put it off for too long. If the threat was real, he needed to know. Even if it meant interrupting something she'd really rather not see. Liam's cabin wasn't far from her own, so it was a short walk. Hesitating only slightly, she rang the chime and prayed they weren't currently having sex.

Kris rolled over at the sound of the chime. Not Liam he thought logically. Oh great, someone is looking for either him or they tracked me down to here the Commanding Officer played out in his head. He then sought help from the computer "Computer, who is outside these quarters?"

"Lieutenant Commander t'Dharvanek is presently outside Dr. Cohen's quarters" replied the computer.

Oh this ought to be good thought Kris with a smirk on his face. "OH YES YES YES! Oh MY GOD, LIAM!" shouted Kris as loud as he possibly could so Jhu could hear with those pointed ears of hers. Kris then reached over and started to smack the night stand with a heavy pounding. "OOOOOH MY YES!" continued Kris as he wrapped his robe around himself and left the sleeping area of the quarters.

He came out to the living area and opened the door. "Commander t'Dharvanek... how lovely to see you" said Kris with a smile.

"Not emotional enough," Jhu deadpanned, smirking slightly. "If you were really screwing him, I imagine there'd be more joy involved. Can we talk?"

"I'm sorry that Liam's not as of a screamer as your little Security toy boy" countered Kris. "So, why am I honored by the presence of her Hobgobliness?" asked Kristopher tying his night robe.

"Liam's not even in there, and how the hell would you know if Nathan is a screamer or not?" Flushing a deep shade of emerald, Jhu ignored the hobgoblin comment. "It's not something I want to discuss in the hallway, Kris."

Kris smiled "Well, your quarters are not that far away... sometimes you can hear things" joked Kerouac. "Then by all means, get your spotted ass in here and talk to me. Liam was called away to Sickbay a while ago."

"You're an asshole." Sighing, Jhu stepped inside and let the door close behind her. It's about Species 8472."

"Well, at least mine doesn't have spots" said Kris with a jab. "What do you have on them? Something new to report?" asked Kris going into a more professional tone.

"Maybe. I don't know." Chewing her lip, Jhu sat down on the edge of a chair, only to immediately get up again, pacing. "I don't really know how to explain it. It's... weird."

"Out with it, Commander" said Kris sternly. "This isn't a situation to think about. Tell me."

"When I go to sleep, I can hear them. Sounds crazy, doesn't it?" Nervous and agitated, she couldn't stand still, and the words started to run together a bit. "They're coming for us."

"What do they want? Why are they coming for us?" asked Kris. "I want you to see Lia. The Counselor may be able to help you. Also, perhaps you are not alone in this."

"I'm not crazy! What good is a damned counselor going to do when I've got three-legged space demons screaming 'the weak shall perish' at me when I'm trying to sleep?"

"Did I fucking say you are crazy?!" shouted Kris. "Lia has abilities. She can sense things, hear things. If anyone else has been having trouble sleeping, it would be her" added the Commanding Officer.

"I hate talking to counselors, and you of all people ought to understand that!" Jhu growled back, matching him in intensity but not volume. "First I'm hearing of her being telepathic, and she can't be the only other person if it's a general message."

Kris crossed his arms and looked at Jhu as if to say 'would you prefer an alternative?' as he took a short breath and sighed. "There may be others who have. I haven't, but it is possible that because you are partially Romulan... maybe something from your Vulcanoid heritage allowed you to better receive the message? I am only suggesting the Counselor due to her abilities, not her profession. However, Lieutenant Verak is half-Vulcan. Perhaps he has experienced something as well?"

"You're forgetting our Betazoids, Circe and Ifarr." Jhu still wasn't on friendly terms with Verak, but she had to admit that his telepathic centers would more closely match her own. "I don't like Verak. But I suppose he's the closest match to my genetics...ç

Kris glared at her "There are over a hundred personnel aboard. Do you really expect me to remember them all off the top of my head?" countered Commander Kerouac. "You don't like Verak because he blew up a console in your face."

"It hurt and I was deaf in my right ear for three days! Not to mention half-blind for a day and a half." Jhu scowled a bit, still bitter over that incident.

"And yet you are here" replied Kris. "He was brash and impulsive. He's only half-Vulcan, and clearly logic was not on his mind then. I threw him in the brig for a week and stripped him of his duties, and demoted him. He went through a month of not being allowed in a helmsmen seat" added the man. "What would you have done in his boots? The Commanding Officer of your starship left the ship without warning, without informing Security or the First Officer. He's had severed communications..."

"I wouldn't have blown up a console in someone's face," Jhu groused at him, crossing her arms and sitting down. "He's a jerk."

"Yes, and you are a cold, hard ass bitch. I'm a fucking bastard and an alcoholic, former drug addict. We are all flawed. Hell, my Chief Diplomatic Officer is a fucking Android built for sexual services, and my Chief of Operations is a red haired former Borg Drone who is also a bitch. My Counselor confuses the hell out of me and may very well be even more crazier than me....my First Officer is a man whore. This God damn crew are all flawed but we're a family, Jhu."

"Is this the part where you tell me that no matter how annoying my brother is, I'm stuck with his irritating ass and better get used to dealing with him?"

"There's hope for you yet" said Kris with a nod.

Jhu sighed at him. "Fine. I'll talk to Verak."

"Good. Also, stop by Sickbay and see what Liam can give you to help you sleep. You are bitchy enough as it is... I do not care to deal with you when you are sleep deprived."

"I was planning on doing that anyway," Jhu admitted.

"Excellent" replied Kris. "Now, If you'll excuse me... I need a shower."

"You most certainly do." Jhu chuckled a little, getting up and retreating through the door.

BEFORE

"You may use any means and any personnel that you need to get this ship ready. You have a go, Lieutenant. If you need me, I'll be somewhere aboard this ship" said Kris as he proceeded to head out of the man's office. "I hope that you stick around. It would be nice to come down here and see your face here each time."

The last comment had the engineer smiling brightly as he followed after the Captain, "Thank you, Kris, and I plan on it! I'll keep you and Commander Tegan updated on our progress." Such a nice man, the Captain, and Rayze was pleased to see them hitting it off so well. He'd given some thought as to getting Kris to smile more some other time, but right now there was a lot of work ahead of him.

"Okay, listen up people..." Rayze called out to the engineering staff, gathering them around so they could figure out the best way to go about doing so.

NOW

"...for those who I haven't had the pleasure of meeting yet, I'm Lieutenant Rayze," the Risian man continued once the officers and crewmen had assembled in the large open space between the warp core and the main doors to Engineering. "I've been assigned as the new chief, but I'm going to rely on a lot of you to help me get used to your ship and this team. We can get to know each other better later, but right now I'd like to get some names, specialties, and get us started on how we're going to make sure we're prepared. If you ever have a suggestion, I'll want to hear it, and especially now when it relates to our mission." Rayze nodded at the first person on his right to speak up next.

With the entire engineering staff squeezed into Main Engineering, it was crowded. Sabrina has been squeezed into one of the smaller jeffries tubes with a repair, so had settled for a place in the back, hoping her slight tardiness went unnoticed. She wasn't sure about this new CEO, and wondered if such a turnover was common. Matthews had been kind to her, but she knew nothing of this Rayze. She listened to his speech, though she couldn't really see him from her spot in the rear.

The Assistant Chief Engineer was a towering presence in the room, and noticed the little human in the back. She would introduce herself later. For now, she listened to the speech, and then spoke with a commanding tone. "I am Konora Storm. Combat engineer and technology specialist. If it pertains to with engineering or technology, I will know something of it."

R'tame Eevoss, a Caitian whom had earned the curiosity and chagrin of much of the engineering staff, found a corner of the wall where he could watch and listen, and perhaps even contribute to the conversation if need be. He'd been making an effort to stay clear of most of the team, or at least to maintain a healthy distance, so as to not incite any allergic reaction to his presence.

After a few more of the team had made their rounds, Rayze doing his best to look them in the eye and imprint their name on his brain, the room fell silent. It wasn't that everyone had spoken up either. He noticed a number of people, officers and enlisted alike, who hung back. Rayze studied them silently for a while, and had a serious expression on his face instead of the smile he'd worn almost throughout. Alright then, he could accept that maybe they didn't think themselves actually counted amongst the number of people he had invited to speak. That couldn't be further from the truth.

He hadn't noticed one slip in a little late, but as a fellow engineer he would have understood. Sometimes things took as long as they could. What he had seen though with his lanky height was the top of her dark head and flash of her collar through the crowd. "We're all here because the Captain thinks we're the best people for the job," he addressed to the young woman and to the rest of them confidently even though he didn't know them yet.

"Okay, how about you, Petty Officer in the back?" Lieutenant Rayze called in the direction of the one in the rear of the crowd, in his most hospitable Risian tone. Rayze gestured for the people in between them to move out of the way too so he could at least see her. "I could make it an order," he joked, face brightening and smile widening to show he meant it that way, "but more seriously if I'm going to be a good leader to you all I need to know what you all can do and where I can use you."

Sabrina didn't realize she was the Petty Officer being spoken to until those in front of her started to shift slightly, something akin to the parting of the red sea, only this was a sea of mustard collars. He wanted to know what she could do? "Oh well, I'm good in the Jeffries Tubes." That comment got a few chuckles. There weren't many engineers who hadn't caught her in Bob, and the running joke now seemed to be that she was dating the junction. She had to admit, it was better than being hazed. At least it felt like the joking around of comrades more than the bullying of high school.

Rayze smiled along with the others and nodded his head, rather liking her already. She looked quite young, but that didn't mean lack of technical ability or potential, only experience and they all were getting that together at the same time. "That's good to know," he said, grinning. "And what do they call you? Petty Officer takes so long to say!" He'd sorta meant to have that conversation with Konora first, but had been eager to get started, to see if she felt things should be more formal and if he would have to struggle to remember calling people by their rank or if they could keep it quick and simple and go by names. Rayze glanced the Klingon's way for a moment.

"Sabby." It was out of her mouth before she could think about it. She hurriedly corrected. "Petty Officer Third Class Sabrina Corbin, sir." She got out in a rush, blushing slightly at her faux pas. He had asked what they called her, and she'd simply answered. She hoped she wasn't making a horrible first impression.

Konora let out a hearty chuckle at the faux pas. The human was adorable. But she wouldn't say that directly. The Risian glanced her way, and she lightly shook her head. So that's how it was going to be. He wasn't her type. Maybe a little cute, but wasn't her type at all. "You may call me Konora or Storm. But no nicknames." She found them belittling of her name, but could potentially be convinced of the other intentions of such nicknames.

"Tucker Mallory" he said gently as he finally spoke up. "People call me Puck on account that things go crazy when I tinker around. I don't know how much help that I can be" added Tucker.

Ah, so that was the young woman that the Captain wanted him to keep an eye on. Rayze could tell he was going to like her, but then again he typically liked everybody. The wit was charming though, so that would be a joy. He'd have to see these amazing repairs she could make that Chris told him about. Rayze was glad that Konora seemed okay with the first name basis idea, and that Tucker had a nickname himself. A formal Engineering might be more regulation, but it wasn't as efficient he found. Engineers were a different kind of team, and he much preferred keeping things simple this way to let their sometimes eccentric personalities room to express themselves.

"Don't sell yourself short, Puck, some of the best engineers in history were those who pointed a phase modulator at something just to see what happened," he said to that young man with a flashing grin. The rest of the people finally followed suit, and soon everyone had introduced themselves. "Alright, I'll get with the staff off duty later, but for now, we have work to get to. Konora, I'd like you to assemble a team and investigate ways we can increase the output of our weapons and shields, see if you can put Puck's tinkering to good use. I'll take another team to cover doing the same for the warp core and the main deflector. Sabby, I want you in on that. The rest of you get to work running diagnostics on the other ship systems and report even a minor issue so we can jump on it before it becomes a problem. Ensign, I'd like you to supervise the diagnostics here," the last part he direct towards the Caitian R'tame. Anybody need to bring something up now? The Risian looked around the room, expectantly.

"Nothing to bring up Lieuteant-Rayze.." She corrected herself. "I'll assemble a team and get on it. Will call if I need anything." She strides through the assembled and picks out three people to go with her, effectively beginning her assignment by studying the current layout and seeing what could be made better.

"Alright then," Rayze said with a smile for the assembled group of engineers. "Let's get to work!"

Leaving the USS Black Hawk had been a very difficult decision for Noxa to make. She has essentially kissed her Starfleet career goodbye by leaving the Security Department for the Intelligence Department. Typically, an Intelligence Officer could still have a successful career in Starfleet. However, Noxa had turned in her honor and respect to work for one of the most hated sub-divisions of Starfleet... Internal Affairs. Though her home office was on Earth, Lieutenant Noxa had found herself staying put in the Gamma Quadrant because Internal Affairs needed someone out there right now and she was the only one.

"USS Katana, this is Lieutenant Noxa of Starfleet Internal Affairs... requesting immediate approval to land in your primary shuttlebay by order of Starfleet Command and Starfleet Intelligence. I am transmitting my credentials now" said Noxa as she approached with her small shuttle. It only took a few moments before the Katana's shields were lowered and Noxa landed her shuttle in the bay. Her arrival was as typical of Internal Affairs.... without warning. No doubt, Security personnel for the starship would be alerted. She awaited their arrival as she departed from her shuttle and descended down the ramp.

Nathan was quick to get to the bay with two of his sign in tow. They were all armed. "Lieutenant Noxa? I am Lieutenant Tonkin, Chief of security. You check out, but may I ask what you're doing here? We were not informed of your arrival. Even our internal Intel Commander was not informed." Nathan said with an easy smile. But the first thought in his head was oh shit, a Feringie.

Noxa sighed "I see... Lieutenant Tonkin. You are the reason why I am here. If you were all informed of my arrival, then that would allow you all to get your stories straight and hinder my investigation. If there are any concerns about my being here without warning, then so be it. All the better to snoop around and see what is going on here" replied Noxa as she looked up at the tall man. She otherwise would be starring at the man's gut.

She shifted her weight and bit and placed her right hand on her hip as she retrieved a PaDD with her left, shoving it into the man's chest. "As you can see Lieutenant, my credentials do check out and I am here to investigate the various problem aboard this starship. None the least being your apparent Section 31 problem. Perhaps that is why you were no informed in a timely manner of my pending arrival. Your security aboard this starship was apparently faulty at best and your Intelligence Department sounds to be more like an Ignorance Department" said Noxa matter of factly.

"If you thought I wouldn't hear you say that, you were sorely mistaken." Jhu's voice was icy as she leaned on the railing of the maintenance catwalk, looking down at them. "In case you hadn't noticed, the bastards are trying to kill me, and I'm who discovered their presence. Do yourself a favor and march your tiny ass back into that shuttle and leave."

Noxa glared at the woman above her on the catwalk. She was taller and clearly of a very mixed and interesting heritage. "Jolan tru and screw you" replied Noxa. "You must be the Chief Ignorance Officer. I'm here under direct orders from Starfleet Intelligence and Starfleet Command. You may file your formal complaints to your superiors... oh but that won't do you much good considering they are the ones who had Internal Affairs send me" added Noxa sharply.

She looked at the woman and shook her head. "I should have figured a Romulan would be aboard. This starship is one of the most problematic cases of security breaches that I have ever seen."

"Watch your tongue, Ferengi bitch." If Noxa wanted to play that game, Jhu could play it, and she had more experience with it. "This Romulan happens to be second officer and quite capable of throwing you out the nearest airlock. I doubt anyone would mind."

"By all means, do it and throw your career away while your're at it. I am sure that arrangements can be made to return you to your people. I suspect they would love you lock you up for a very long while" countered Noxa. "I am not here to start fights with anyone aboard this God forsaken starship. I am here to dig around and turn up information. All three of us have a problem and it is Section 31. Your duties are to protect this starship. My duty is to get Starlfeet answers as to why you two are incapable of securing this starship."

Jhu snorted at her. "You're not very bright, Lieutenant. Don't you IA types read reports? Or are you too high and mighty for that? Too busy trying to ruin other officers' careers? The ship's been secured. At great cost to Lieutenant Tonkin, or did you not notice that either?"

"We read your reports, Commander. That does not mean shit to me nor does it mean shit to my superiors, nor Starfleet Command. You assume that just because you rescue him," said Noxa looking at the Security Chief "and because you've taken care of some of Section 31, that your starship is secure. What about infiltration? Have you ever considered that you have operative still aboard this starship? Hell, you could be working for them for all we know. How about your Commanding Officer? I've read through his personnel files, his command reports and the reports of Lieutenant Commander Tul Zanaar. It is awfully suspicious that the First Officer aboard this starship who did not approve of Commander Kerouac's actions was one of two essential fatalities from a security failure during a Dominion invasion of your starship."

Nathan sighed and looked to his two ensign with a shake of his head. "If you two ladies are done showing off who's got the bigger dick yet..." he glared slightly at Jhu. "I would like to take this ignorance officer to her quarters so she can start harassing the rest of the ship." He said pushing the PaDD roughly back into Noxa's chest. "You would be wise to watch your mouth Lieutenant. You have not been on this ship 5 minutes and you're already pissing off the wrong people. Oh I know, you don't care who you piss off. Keep it up, you might care. Standing order while on Katana, we are currently dealing with a Tribble infestation. If you come across any you are to report it to myself or Chief Carter immediately. Am I clear?" Nathan was not smiling any more. "IA or not," he said sticking his finger in Noxa's face. " fuck up on this ship and you deal with me."

"Wonderful" replied Noxa with a small squealing tone. "Because, you are on the top of my list to speak with. I'll settle in my quarters and schedule an appointment with you" added Noxa.

"Excellent. I look forward to informing Starfleet about the group who is using its clout to terrorizes one of there ships. I'm sure my father, admiral Tonkin will likewise be interested in how professionally the internal affairs department is handling itself." Nathan did not like usInglis father or his position to get anywhere, but this woman had put Nathan in a very difficult position from step one on the ship. "If you can please follow the Ensigns they will take you to your assigned quarters." Nathan had taken the liberty of picking a room for Noxa. He would clear it with Andy later. He wanted to keep tabs on this one, and that was before she staggered on board and took pock shots at Jhu.

"Sure, I'll follow your ensigns. However, if your father has any problems... perhaps he should go speak with the Federation's Department of Defense" said Noxa with a flashing glare.

Nathan just smiled his easy smile at her. "I'm sure the Admiral knows who to speak with." Nathan was already over the assaulting language the tiny woman had flown off the shuttle with. He gave Jhu a glance over his should and decided maybe he would walk with Noxa. "Seeing as why you're here, I will be your point of contact on the ship for the time being. If you require anything for your comfort while aboard please let me know and I will make every effort to accommodate you. As I'm sure you are aware, we do not let weapons out freely on the ship so if you have any on you you will need to check them into the armory. Holodeck are on deck 12 and the mess hall is on deck 2. Any questions?" He spoke as he walked to a turbolift.

"No, I have no questions. The only weapons that I need, I already have. My intellect and fists are more than enough" countered Noxa.

Nathan just nodded to her comment. "If I may impart some advice to you?" He asked.

Noxa snorted "I didn't ask for advice, but feel free to give it."

Nathan looked down at her. "I know how people feel about IA, and I'm sure you're use to getting all kinds of additude from people. We are a very laid back crew, easy to get along with. At the same time we are a very close crew. A family. We are quick to come to the defense of our own. What I'm trying to say is, this could be the easiest assignment of your career, or it can be the hardest. It's up to you." Nathan turned to leave but stopped and turned back to Noxa. "Oh and you might want to avoid Lieutenant Maica, her years as a Feringie sex slave has soured her opinion on Feringies." Nathan smiled. "Good day Lieutenant. I'll be seeing you soon."

"See ya around, handsome" replied Noxa. "I'll be sure to see Maica."

Even from the catwalk, Jhu easily overheard that comment, and she smoldered, glaring at the short Ferengi woman before stalking off. It seemed that Noxa had no end to her creativity when it came to pissing people off.

The way to avoid waking up to an empty bed and becoming both melancholy and an insomniac was to stay up so late that you fell into an exhausted sleep. He didn't have to do that every night any more. In fact it had been eight days since he had, had to resort to his own self-medication. But tonight was the one month anniversary of Noah leaving him, so he figured it might be best to preemptively carry out his remedy.

So dressed in a pair of black chinos, boots, and a teal, long sleeved, mandarin collar shirt, he found himself in the ship's lounge sipping a Venusian Sunrise and listening to ancient Terran ballads, by a group that had called themselves Rascal Flatts. Their Broken Roads song was haunting and was bringing back bittersweet memories.

Having gotten caught up on the Katana's current state and figured out a duty roster, Rayze made his way directly from Engineering to the lounge. It was likely he was going to be spending a lot of time in this place as he enjoyed nothing more than to socialize when off duty. The officer stepped inside a moment after the song started and stood just far enough to let the doors close behind him. The first words out of the singer's mouth on the song were almost plaintive as he told his story and caused Rayze to take note. Whoever requested it must be deeply in love," he thought, eyes scanning the room.

There didn't seem to be any couples, or at least not ones who were obvious. Finally his eyes came to rest on a blonde human in a teal shirt with a high collar sitting alone, and he knew he had figured it out. In love yes, but love lost maybe. The man's expression was mingled joy and sadness it seemed. As the final chords of the song sounded, Rayze had approached and gestured to an empty seat at the same table, "Mind if I join you?"

It took a second or two for Kyle to come out of his reverie. The song had been their song, one they had sung together, if what Noah did could be properly be called singing. But Noah, being deaf, had never known just how badly he sang. Kyle had never had the heart to tell him. Off key yes, but to him he hadn't really seemed all that bad.

He looked up, a bit surprised to see someone standing in front of him. A Risan came a subconscious revelation, but he didn't think much of it. He waved dismissive hand towards the empty place. Then shrugging his shoulders he said "If you want, I'm afraid I won't be good company though."

Rayze slid the chair out and sat down, but before he could answer the server came to ask for his order. "Ah, I'll have a Tellarite Stout, please." As soon as he was gone however, he turned a small smile towards the man at the table. "I couldn't help but notice you seem out of sorts," he said. "And I'd bet a slip of latinum that you were the one who had the computer pull up that beautiful song. Is there anything I can do to help? Did you...recently lose someone? I understand that the ship was attacked by Jem'Hadar not so long ago."

It might seem odd, coming from a complete stranger, but it was honest. Seeing the handsome man's face look sad had called out to his instincts to try make people happy, and he was curious to see what a smile like look like instead. His observant guesses were based on that instinct, and having seen how humans behaved. He'd paused a moment again when his drink arrived, and just held it between his hands for the moment. "If you'd prefer not to talk about it though..."

"It's okay,"Kyle responded, wiping at his right eye that seemed to have something irritating in the corner that looked as though it might start to water, "It wasn't the Jem'Hadar, he's still alive, he left of his own accord, Just grew tired is all, I guess."

"Ah," Rayze nodded in understanding. Loved, and lost indeed. He took a swallow from his glass and studied the man over the brim. How to cheer him up? He knew many humans limited themselves to a single partner so the loss of the one might be very hard to bear indeed. Interesting to note that the man had used male descriptors for his former lover though. "It sounds like you two had some very good times together. From the song, I mean."

"Half of our lives. " Kyle said not sure why he was opening up to a stranger, hell though, he'd opened up to half the ship it seemed, what was one more. "We met when we were both fourteen. I remember like it was yesterday. We did have a lot of good times. Much more good times than bad, but I'm sure you don't want to hear my sob story. It is getting better.

Okay, not much better. I still have a hole in my heart."

The engineer reached across the table to pat the man's arm with one hand, "I'm sorry. That's a long time to be with someone. But if it would help, I'm open to listening." He pulled his hand back and took another drink. "Or if you'd like, I also recommend Jamaharon. It can be very uplifting for both your body and your mind. I would not mind." Rayze had delivered that offer as simply as he had offered to listen. It hurt his own heart to see people so hurt like that. Relationships should be joyous, never sad if it could be avoided.

"Jamaharon? What's that?" Kyle asked curiously.

Rayze smiled broadly, "You have not heard? It is a Risian traditional, a ritual." He paused a moment to wet his throat with his drink, then leaned forward. His elbows rested on the table and his chin on his hands. "It is the act of intimate pleasure between two people," he continued. "But Jamaharon is also more. It is a sharing of all that one has, at least for a time."

Kyle's only reaction at first was to blink several times. Then he found himself staring at the other man, uncertainty. "I've only ever been with Noah, except for a one night thing a day or two after he left. That didn't feel right. Not afterwards anyway. What would make this any different?"

The Risian nodded, "A fair question. It is about what such intimacy means to you. I do not speak of just sex, a raw, physical thing. For my people, Jamaharon is an act of giving of mind, soul, and body to another person. How they receive it, as pleasure, as comfort, as love, that is for the one who seeks it." He finished the rest of his beer and pushed the glass aside. "I think what you did with this other person...was it out of anger in any way? This is an offer for joy instead."

"You would do that, for a total stranger. i don't even know your name. How do you share such intimacy like that?"

Well, the conversation might not being going quite the way he'd expected, but Rayze was pleased to note that at least the man seemed more surprised now than melancholy. That was a start. He held out his hand to shake across the table, the same calm smile on his face as before, "I am Lieutenant Rayze, new Chief Engineer." Once the introductions were taken care of, he answered the question, "It is our nature, our culture. It may seem strange to you but to me it seems strange that your people are not...forgive me...so giving of themselves."

"You mean like multiple partners? Open Relationships? I don't know, maybe some Humans are. But I've always been more about emotional connections. How can you emotionally connect to multiple people?"

"Yes, we often do have multiple...partners," Rayze said, though his smile turned a little amused. He had encountered human prudishness on a number of occasions it always had entertained him. But the longer they talked, the longer the man wasn't thinking of his woes and that had been the goal from the start. Now to see if he could provoke a smile. "How can I not?" he asked in return. "What I feel for one, I could feel for another, without diminishing the level of either. Tell me, do humans have have to ration their love? And are you going to tell me your name in return, or am I going to need to guess?"

"I'm sorry, the Intel Operative said, "I'm Kyle Weaver and I wouldn't classify it as rationing, just giving oneself totally to another. The Risan concept is just one I have a hard time getting my head around. I'm intrigued, don't get me wrong, and you are a good looking guy. but I... I don't know."

Rayze smiled and lowered his eyes a moment at the compliment, "Thank you. As are you." He remained quietly in thought for a while, and only nodded when the server came to offer him a fresh glass. After they were alone again, as he knew humans were often embarrassed by public discussion of sexuality, he looked up and continued in that same open and friendly manner, "There is no pressure to accept and nothing wrong in refusal. But you see, it is the giving of all that one has to another person. If you were to seek it with me, then for that time that's exactly what I would do." Rayze wasn't sure if there was any other way he could explain it better and still didn't understand how doing the same for another person would diminish the act with any of the others.

"Perhaps this is one of those times like they trained us in the Academy to respect the diversity of other species and know that sometimes we just won't be able to understand?" he asked with a wry grin.

There was a slight hesitation in Kyle's eyes before he replied. "I can respect diversity and I think I need what you're offering. I need that connection. It's been exactly a month since he left, Noah that is, and I don't think I want to be alone."

Both of Rayze's eyebrows went up in surprise. He hadn't thought that the offer had been welcome. The Risian nodded and closed his eyes for a moment, bringing to mind the parts of the ritual. When he opened his eyes again to seek out Kyle's there was a deep look in them that hadn't been there before. Without having moved, the Risian was suddenly and rather overtly seductive in his body language. There was a part of it though, the way he held himself, that seemed to be an offer of many things beyond the sex. He would do what he could to make Kyle feel attractive, desired, beautiful in mind and body, to feel that he was worth something and deserving of pleasure. Kyle would be free to accept it and find out what sort of connection they could make, or turn away.

The Risian rested one of his hands on the table, palm up, for the human to take, "All that I have is yours, Kyle Weaver, if you do this for you and not out of spite for another." It wasn't exactly the ritual greeting, he'd added on that last part.

"Noah did what he did because he felt he had to, or needed to, or maybe just wanted to. But I can't hold that against him. I'm not doing this to spite him. I'm doing this to heal myself."

Rayze laughed again, stood, and walked around the table till he stood next to Kyle. Then he took the man's hand in his own and pulled him to his feet. "Taking my hand is part of the ritual," he said with wink, and completely uncaring what others in the lounge might think if they glanced their way. "I have surprisingly comfortable quarters. I suggest we go there and I can show you the next. You do have some time I hope. Jamaharon can take a while..."

"I have all the time we need," Kyle said his hand wrapping around the other man's.

They proceeded to Kyle's cabin and once there Kyle said, "Should I turn on some music?"

ON:

Mizuki had been working hard, with a lot of her superiors busy. Including Hayley. But that was another story. Right now, she stood in front of the Holodeck Arch, and tapped her combadge. "Ensign Cho'Ren, when will be the earliest time that you are free? I have some free time that may be devoted for sickbay purposes."

Vara took a few seconds before replying. she was still fresh from sickbay herself and could use something to distract her. "I'm free right now, If that's good. I can be there in a couple minutes."

"I will await your arrival. Masterson, out." Mizuki awaits, stretching her arms a bit. After conferring with the XO, she had decided that perhaps it was best to gather more information about this power. Was it an absolute power? What were its limits? Was it something...Q-like? At least with Vara, who was a strong warrior in her own right, Mizuki would be able to safely test this out. And if it turned out to be too hazardous? Then she would rid herself of it. No matter what.

Vara didn't take long to get there. She just had to put her arm back in that stupid sling and slip her jacket over her shoulders. When she got there, she saw Mizuki-san and waved with her still fully usable hand and smiled uncharacteristically warmly. This young woman reminded her of herself in many ways so she kind of felt a kinship to her. "Mizuki-san, it's good to see you again. How have you been?"

"It's good to see you as well." She bowed, a radiant smile on her features as she gave the Lagashi a brief hug, minding the arm. "I have been...well. Just, doing some thinking, in addition to my studies. I need your help." The young princess backed up a couple of steps from the hug, to look into Vara's eyes.

"That's why I'm here. How can I help?" Vara spoke with a softness and a look that was a complete polar opposite of her normal self. Perhaps she was just tired or something, but the normal bloodlust wasn't flowing through her veins like usual. Maybe it was the meds she was on right now...

"The holodeck...remember it?" She asked...quietly noticing the demeanor of Vara and perhaps thinking that it wasn't a good idea. "I need either you, or one of your training programs...to help me see what that other form is all about.. I don't know much about it."

"That's easy enough." Punching up one of her programs on the arch, Vara set it to level 1 and started it, the room filling with combat robots across a dojo setting. "The difficulty setting is set at 1 for now, but I'll bump it up as you go along. I'll be monitoring everything as well, so go wild but please try not to hit the walls."

She quietly steps into the dojo setting, nodding to her. Doing the hand motion from before...nothing happened. "Eh?" she tried it once more, but nothing happened. "Don't stop the program.." She looked at Vara before awkwardly making her way in, trying to dodge or avoid what she could..

The robots came at her with wooden poles, swinging almost wildly as Vara watched. None of them had hit Mizuki yet, but it was only a matter of time if she wasn't going to use her artifact powers.

And yet, with her ability like this, she was having difficulty dodging them all, and was hit several times by wooden poles, and one backhand that sent her flying into a wall. Slow to get up, the young girl almost panic'd. It wasn't appearing..had she really become so dependent on it? Her footsteps slowly take her backwards, until her back touches the wall. With seemingly no hope, and a life or death situation even if it was on the holodeck..she understood. Impatience, and trying to tell others about what was going on with her had tampered with her in some way. Made her..take it for granted. It would only appear if she was in a life or death situation that she couldn't get out of. Or, perhaps, if someone she cared about, like a friend or a crew member that she knows, is in immediate danger. Having it within her...changes nothing. "I'm still me." she whispered. executing the hand and arm motion again. This time, the belt with the electric gold center emerges, and her demeanor changes. The artifact has taken over, as the pads on either side are activated, and the armored figure with white scarf stands there in her place.

There it was. Vara nodded and moved the level to 3, the poles changing to longswords. Now at a higher setting, the robots moved in more systematically, swinging with purpose.

The initial form was Ground Form, the most systematically balanced, as the power of the element Earth would be. Inclining her head to one side, she missed a blade strike, and blocked a second strike with her left gauntlet. Her right hand gripped the blade, and slid in behind it. Using it to block an attacker who was behind her, while she elbowed the robot that was behind her now square in the face.

That last robot stumbled and stepped back as the others pressed forward. They moved out of sync with each other, still individually controlled. Vara, a glimmer of her old self returning, raised the difficulty one more level, the sword blades gaining a light plasmatic sheath around them. It wouldn't hurt much, but it would burn enough to let her know when she was hit and discourage using her hands to block the blades.

The figure took a step back, not even stopping to think as she activated the left pad, the center of her belt glowed blue as a rest. Her armor changed to match, and a blue short halberd with golden ends shot out of it center, causing impact to one robot before it bounced back to her. The golden ends unfurl, and Storm Form was present. Fluid and agile, yet graceful and precise. Like dancing on the water. The figure would hold her weapon and attack with it, being forced on the defensive because of the multitude of enemies vs the one weapon.

Vara saw she was doing relatively well defending, so she decided to click it up one more notch, the robots each pulling out a second sword and moving more in sync with each other. with the longer reach, Mizuki would likely be able to keep them at bay, but the robots were surrounding her and learning her moves as they attacked. Soon she would have no recourse but to pull out all her power.

As they surrounded her, she was able to defend most of it, but several strikes got through, affording appropriate damage. Her reaction was to jump up and over all of them, and turn around in place upon landing. Beginning to twirl the halberd, water is generated around her, while also being tossed onto the enemies as a delaying tactic. Deliberately, she presented the weapon forward,, and ran in the same direction, slashing several robots right in two. Their forms held together until a silver halo of light appears over them, which prompted them to fall over and explode. In the moment directly after, she would be open to counter-attack.

Which the remaining robots did, slashing at her ruthlessly while ignoring the flying debris of the exploding robots. Vara was analyzing her sensor data already. Those explosions weren't normal. If those were real people, she was pretty sure they too would have exploded. That was rather worrisome... Tapping the arch controls, she quickly replaced the downed robots with more at the back of the dojo. She also kicked the level up to level 7, the robots becoming synchronized with a sort of borg-like hive mind.

After being slashed backwards and onto her back by several blades, she shifted into another form by clapping the right pad on the belt, and a green halo appeared above her head. Jumping up to her feet, she drew down the Tempest Longbow, and her armor changes to green, to match. Even though so named, it was a bit shorter than a traditional longbow, and possessed bladed ends on either side of the grip, facing forward. Noting the impending threat, the figure took off to one side, and drew back on the bow whilst hopping into a run along the wall. Three green energy arrows were loosed, followed by the figure using the wall as a springboard, twisting her body in a circle and piercing the veil of robots. She'd come out on the other side of the room, unsure as to how many were remaining, since her back was to them.

Nodding, Vara increased the number of robots again to replace the destroyed ones. This was becoming somewhat fascinating to her as even she struggled at times on settings higher than 7. Since Miyuki didn't seem to be straining too much, Vara only had to wonder what exactly that artifact was doing to her.

The crest that adorned the immediate area on either side of the bow-grip opened up, as the tempest began to gather around the figure, green energy rushing to an arrow in her bow as it glowed and grew brighter, the green light painting the figure in a good way as she quickly raised up and fired into the air..the single arrow becoming a barrage of energy arrows that rained down upon the front two rows of robots, leaving them to clutch and pull at them as the silver halo appears over them again and they explode. Her breathing began to get heavier as she ran to one side, her back to Vara now...

Vara was prepared for the energy halos that time and had plenty of samples to analyze. This was definitely a dangerous power judging from those readings. She still kicked the level up, though. She went to her own training level of 14, the robots now armed with 4 arms and 4 plasma swords with self replicating abilities. They also fired plasma bolts every few seconds from their chests as they almost wove themselves together into a single unified fighting force.

Her form reverted to Ground Form, and she jumped in, almost fool-hardily. A well executed punch managed to smash a robot's head, and a roundhouse kick took care of another's arms. All four of them. But that's when she was blasted back by plasma bolts, landing on her back. Jumping to her feet, she would punch and slap aside several more bolts, albeit with reduced effort, before setting her feet. The crest on her head opens up, right hand extended...left hand held near her belt. The right hand arcs as she prepares for an attack...but she looks at her hands after a moment, clenching them back and forth. The crest retracts audibly, and she stumbles over to the arch, being pelted by several bolts that force her to her knees...her battle ability depended upon her host's body, and this was her limit.

Vara hesitated before pausing the program, but in the end she did, about 2 dozen more bolts paused mid-air mere inches from Mizuki's face. "Are you ok? Is that your limit? Did you figure out what you were hoping to?"

A golden light encases Mizuki's body before running up and into the belt, returning her to human form, the sweat visible. "That...is my limit...for now.." she coughed slightly. "My little body isn't made to be a fighter...but maybe I can be a good person, and not a great fighter. Can we...go to your quarters? I'd rather not go to sickbay..if I could help it.." The young girl looked vulnerable in that moment.

"Of course. Would you like me to carry you?" Vara asked with a somewhat sly grin. "By the way, that last bit was the setting I myself can't get past. You did amazingly well."

"I'll...be okay..." Mizuki managed to mutter, trying to get to her feet before slipping and falling towards Vara. "Um..on second thought, could you carry me? And..thanks. Do you keep holo-recordings of your training programs?"

Vara easily caught her one handed and slung her over her shoulder like a potato sack, heading out of the holodeck. "Computer, end program. I'll download my sensor data to a PaDD for you to review. Want anything from my replicator before that?"

She hadn't anticipated being slung like a potato sack, and made a small sound in playful but weak protest. "Some water and something that will help give me energy." the younger gave once she was calm.

"Can do." Thankfully, Vara took a back way to her quarters so they saw very few people on the way. After entering the quarters, she dumped Mizuki off in a chair at the table before going to the replicator to get 2 empty glasses, a glass of water, and 2 bowls of tomato soup. Depositing the tray on the table, she sat across from Mizuki and started taking her jacket and sling off.

Mizuki's eyes watch Vara before bowing her head in thanks for the water and soup, quietly eating some of it. "This is good.." she murmured softly.

"It's the only thing I find palatable from Federation replicators, sadly," Vara said as she opened up a bottle of rice wine and poured 2 glasses, setting one before Mizuki. "I'd love to share a bowl of real katsudon with you, but the replicator can't get it right."

Mizuki's eyes sparkled just a little. "Katsudon? I've had it before.." she chuckled. "It was well made, back home on Earth. I probably still have the recipe, somewhere.." she gave with a smile. "The replicator is good...but it doesn't capture the love that goes into the cooking.." she whispered, taking a sip of the rice wine.

"I've got my dad's recipe burned into my implants. As for the replicator... it's way too uniform and sterile. Everything is precisely recreated in an exacting manner. There's no zen balance or feng shui to it at all." Vara didn't like the replicator at all for another reason, but it wasn't a very 'Federation' viewpoint so she'd be keeping it to herself for now. She did sip at her rice wine and soup, though.

"Maybe I could try making it for you sometime?" she asked Vara, giving a small smile. "And I agree to a point regarding the replicator."

"If you can get real fresh ingredients and a place to cook..." Vara trailed off with a smile. She could kill for some real Lagashi rice.

"I'm not sure how I'd go about getting the fresh ingredients this far out...but I would like to try. Or perhaps when we call on a Starbase next." Mizuki gave with a smile, reaching over to gently touch Vara's hand. "For now, we share the rice wine and tomato soup. Thank you for those, by the way." she added, putting her hand back where it was before.

Vara smiled almost motherly. "Any time. The thanks for the wine goes to Lt Maica though. I ran out of my own weeks ago."

"Sou ka.." she mumbles, nodding softly. "Maica is quite the person, isn't she? I've been pondering my area of specialization aboard the ship, and noticed that she seems to be short-handed...but I have no idea if I could be a diplomat or not. The one time I tried entertaining a visiting guest did not go so well."

Vara just waved her hand in the air. "If you can put up with the days of paperwork and meetings she puts up with on an average day and keep it all straight, go for it. I couldn't do it. And don't worry about entertaining guests. I haven't gotten any reports, so you couldn't have done too bad."

"Nothing bad happened..I did quite well all things considered, but...so far at least, I get rather shy and embarrassed when things related to ...copulation are mentioned. Or innuendos. I guess it's a human thing."

Vara had to chuckle at that a bit. "No, it's common to most races. If you want to be desensitized to it, working with Maica would be a good idea."

"Thanks for the advice." Mizuki chuckled softly. "i'll be sure to seek her out, once she's back. And...thank you for being my friend." It did mean a lot to the cadet, and she wanted to properly express that.

"It's an honor," Vara said, bowing her head slightly. "If you ever want to marry into my family, I'll support you fully."

"Marry? Well...thanks for the thought of me. But I'm not ready for such a momentous thing at all." Mizuki waved her hands a little bit in dissuasion, though she didn't get too shy.

"Granted it is, but the offer stands." Vara didn't make the offer lightly - she knew this young girl would need a lot of guidance in her powers and she felt it was a good means to that end that she was able to provide.

Mizuki stared at her for just a moment..taking in that she was serious. Slowly, she stood to her feet, and rounded the table...giving Vara a hug. "I think I understand how important that offer is from your perspective..and that you don't make it lightly. Thank you." she whispered.

Vara hugged the girl back almost motherly. "You're very welcome, Mizuki."

OFF:

Cadet JG Masterson
Yeoman
USS Katana

Ensign Cho'Ren Vara
Security Officer
USS Katana

Maica had returned from her away mission and though she was happy everything went perfectly well, she was worried about the rumors she had heard. One of her first visits was to sickbay to see Nathan. "Knock knock," she said as she headed through sickbay to his biobed with her patented warm smile. "Are you feeling better? I heard a lot happened while I was away."

Nathan had spent the last 24 hours in sickbay. He was stable but there was worry about infection. He was happy to see Maica. "Hey! I'm feel much better now that I'm home. How was your away mission?" He asked with his easy smile.

"Perfectly," Maica said as she gave him a small hug. "So what exactly happened? I heard you were kidnapped and replaced with an asshole and no one realized it."

Nathan chuckled at Maica description of the situation. "Something like that. Jhu and Andy figured it out really quick and came and got me."

"That's good. I heard Vara took quite the beating, too." Maica nodded to the Lagashi sleeping in the next biobed over.

"Vara is and always will be an invaluable assets. I don't think we could have gotten out without her." Nathan said in agreement with Maica.

"Well, the important thing is that you're back. Or most of you, if my thermoptics aren't lying. Is your arm ok?" Maica asked, concerned.

"I left them a souvenir." Nathan said holding up what was left of his right arm. "It was hell... but enough about that. Tell me about your away mission. Did Waterson do well?"

Maica rolled her eyes and smiled at the mention of Waterson. "He was a perfectly diligent security officer following his protocols to the letter. He'll make a wonderful Chief someday. Seriously though, I'd take him to any diplomatic function."

"I expect the best." Nathan said proudly. Then he reached over and took her hand with his left hand. "Andy did so good Maica. You should be very proud of her."

Nodding somberly, Maica looked back over at Vara. "You know, I'm upset she put herself in danger like that and that she was hurt in her alcove, but I'm also proud of her for going after you and bringing you back. I just wish she didn't have to keep pushing herself like this. Between saving me and you, I'm almost amazed she's still with us."

"She loves us. I'm very lucky to have such a friend. All of you." Nathan smiled. "You should take her on some kind of a vacation on the holodeck." He suggested.

"I intend to. Any recommendations? Mountains maybe?" Maica should know her well enough to not need advice, but she still wanted input from Nathan on this.

"She loves that bow of hers. Maybe take her shooting?" Nathan said. "You are always welcome to use my program that I took Jhu to on our first date. You did help me create it after all."

Maica had to grin at that. "Thanks. I just hope she'll actually take the time off. You know how much of a workaholic she is."

Nathan laughed. "Yeah I think we are competing for who works more." He gazed up at Maica. "I'm so glad to be home."

"I bet so. Want to talk about the experience?" Maica asked, squeezing his left hand.

"No. I'm going to have to talk to a bunch of people before I get to go back on active duty. Right now I would rather just be happy." Nathan said with honesty.

"Then let's sit here and be happy together," Maica said with a smile. "You know what's funny? Some of my old programming is telling me to flash you. Crazy, isn't it?"

Nathan sat up on the bed with a chuckle. "Yeah but you know me better then that don't you?" He said.

"I know you would blush like crazy and you'd likely enjoy it, though you only have eyes for Jhu," Maica said, giggling a bit.

"Will you settle for a hug?" Nathan asked holding his left arm out to her.

"Always," Maica said as she hugged Nathan again.

Nathan hugged her again. "Am I missing anything out there? The space whales do anything crazy?"

"Nothing that I've heard about. I haven't even had time to sit down with our guest yet." Maica knew little of Aznihel other than recognizing the name from some of the reports that had crossed her desk.

"We have Tribbles..." Nathan informed her with a raise of his brow. "I would be excited, but they are causing hell on the ships systems according to the reports."

"Tribbles?" Maica had mixed feelings there... She wanted one, but she didn't want them everywhere... "What's being done about them?"

"So far," Nathan said. "They are being rounded up up into a cargo bay. I need to figure out what to do with them." He huffed a little. "Then I need to find the breach."

Maica was thoughtful for a moment. "Do you think Shira could do anything? They're gamma quadrant tribbles, right?"

Nathan shrugged. "I'm reading a PaDD and have been stuck in sickbay. Have not even see one yet. Andy has been helping the other guy with rounding them up. You should ask her."

"I'll do that then. I know there's been an issue with the export of them back to the other side of the wormhole. A good number of them are actually born sterile, but they're still on the hazardous species list." Maica would have to ask Andy about that later...

"Well then it's a good thing I'm getting rid of the idea to gas them." Nathan said with a shake of his head. "The other me was not very me..."

You could still gas them... But with a knockout gas so they don't wander into other areas." Maica didn't like the idea of killing them off either, but... "I'll make a few inquiries and see if any of the freighters caught with them will tell me where they come from. I doubt I'll get any of them to talk though."

"Thank you Maica." Nathan said. "We could always open a pet store..."

"The sale and export of hazardous species is against trade regulations. Yes, the android with top secret Caitian tech in her body and dozens of illegal bottles of alcohol in her room and cargo bay 4 is against it." Maica spoke a bit sourly, but this wasn't a thought she wanted hanging around. Especially wanting one and knowing she couldn't just keep one hidden away. "I mean, we'd need a license for the sterile or neutered ones... but even then..."

Nathan chuckled. "You know I'm just kidding right? We could make a killing though."

"Oh I know. And I'd be the best tribble lover this side of the delphic expanse. I'd care for each one like it was my own." Maica said with a lopsided grin.

"That's why you would be part owner. We would need someone to care for all the little balls of fur." Nathan joked.

Maica just shook her head. "Too tempting... I might have to see if I can snag one as a pet anyway..."

"Get it fixed and I'm ok with it." Nathan said. He didn't see any harm and he knew that it would be the most pampered love Tribble I'm this quadrant.

"I'll have to get permission from Andy. She might not want the fur in her implants or something." Maica did have hope, at least.

"I'm sure you can convince her." Nathan said "When I'm out of here we can go to the cargo bay and you can pick one out."

Maica grinned softly. "That sounds good. I might have to dive into them though."

Nathan smiled and whispered "Me too!"

Nathan had been back for a few days now. He was required to spend 2 days in sick bay to watch for infection considering the level of harm he had been subjected to.

But he had been released this morning. All Nathan could think about since he got back was Jhu's actual water shower. So when he was let out of sickbay he went right to her quarters. He let himself in, spent a moment saying hello to Lydek, and went right to her bathroom.

He had made sure the Doctor would let Jhu know he was released. Now he stood in the shower, letting the hot water spill over his body as he rested his head against the wall.

Jhu hadn't slept much since the doctors had practically kicked her out of sickbay; she spent too much time worrying. Still, she'd managed to sleep through the door opening and Lydek's mewing only to be woken by the sound of falling water. Wha... oh. Right. Nathan. She'd read the message they sent, but she hadn't really paid attention to it. Scrambling out of bed, she peeked into the bathroom to make sure it was him.

Nathan heard the door swish open and he turned his head in her direction. "Hey..."

"Hey. You could have woken me up... I don't sleep much lately anyway." Jhu smiled a little, amused that he'd apparently come just for the shower.

"You looked so peaceful, I didn't want to bother you. If you have been sleeping like I have lately... you probably needed it." Nathan said over the water.

"Well... yeah, I do. Still wouldn't object to spending time with you. I mean, really. Your doppelganger was awful."

Nathan felt like saying he was sorry at first, but then he reminded himself he had nothing to be sorry about. "I can't imagine..." was all he could think to say. He was sure everyone went through hell.

"Nothing like what you went through, obviously. Mostly it pisses me off that they pulled that nonsense." Scowling a little, Jhu crossed her arms.

"Not a competition I really wanted to win." Nathan said with a sigh.

"I'm of the opinion that you lost, love. I was merely stuck with a poor copy of you. You got tortured, not what I'd call 'winning'."

Nathan didn't really want to ask this question but it had been eating at him "Did he... touch you?"

Jhu shook her head. "Not sexually. Honestly, I think he had a hard time looking at me... like I said. A really poor copy."

Nathan sighed in relief. "I'm glad you didn't have to suffer that." He said. He looked into the hot water and let it splash on his face.

"Believe me, so am I. Plus it was one of my clues." Jhu smirked slightly. "Some people thought I was a bit nuts, but I knew something weird was going on."

"Thank you, Jhu..." Nathan said.

"Nathan." He wasn't looking at her, but Jhu gave him a soft look. "You don't have to thank me. It's my fault you even got into that mess, and I had to get you out of there."

Nathan poked his head out and gave her a hard look. "Don't ever say that was your fault again. Do not put any of the blame on you, Jhu. You did not do that to me." Nathan actually looked upset, but his face softened almost right away. "You saved me...everyday. When I wanted to quit, it was you who would keep me going."

"I believe that, every word of it," Jhu said quietly, not quite looking at him. "But they beamed you right out of my bed, and I didn't even notice. I knew they were after me, and I didn't have transport countermeasures in place. I could have prevented this."

Nathan sighed watching her. "Jhu..." he didn't have words to make her feel better at at the moment. He was struggling himself at the moment.

"So yeah. It's my fault, whether you blame me or not. At least you know your double's dead."

Nathan slowly shook his head at her. "I can't take your blame from you. But I will never hold you at fault for this. You were the solution to this, not the cause. It breaks my heart to hear you blame yourself..." he said sadly.

"None of this would have happened if I wasn't on this ship. I brought those soulless bastards here."

Nathan could not deal with this topic anymore right now. He decided it was time to change what they talking about. "Why are you still standing out there?"

"Being polite..."

"I have never taken a shower in your room without you. I thought it was the hot water I liked so much but I'm starting to think it might have been the company." Nathan gave her a grin.

"I think this is a ploy to distract me." Jhu grinned back at him, slipping out of the minimal clothing she'd slept in and joining him under the hot water.

As soon as she was in the shower Nathan wrapped his left arm around her waist and drew her in for a very long, hot kiss. Since he had been back they had not gotten much contact. As Nathan broke the kiss he whispered to her, "God, I missed you..."

"I missed you too." Leaning comfortably into his chest, she gently traced along an interrupted portion of one of his tattoos. "We'll have to get these fixed."

"Yeah, but that's ok. I'm more worried about my arm." It was strange to not have his other arm to hold her with. Not to mention that of all his tattoos, the one he had lost most of on his upper right arm had been one of his most precious tat's. But for now he was just glad to have Jhu back.

"We'll fix that too. For now I'm just glad you're alive."

He smirked a little. "Modified Klingon pain stick and a sword. Going to have to try a lot harder than that to kill me."

"Well your double was a wuss." Jhu snickered a little. "But really... I knew you were tough but a painstick? That's masochistic."

He chuckled. "Everything I have heard about that guy sounds like they did a poor job of copying me. Vara was very unimpressed." He said with a shrug. "It was modified to hurt more. That's what caused the burns." Nathan added about the stick. "I wonder what a normal one feels like..."’

“They’re not so pleasant either. No burns, obviously, but it makes all the nerves in your body feel like they’re on fire. It’s an unbelievable level of pain, even without modifications.”

Nathan leaned his head on the top of her head, just content to hold her for the time.

“Actually, it’s probably not too different from the modified ones, now that I think about it. Just no surface damage… it’s all internal. Personally, I think that’s worse.” Jhu was sure he didn’t really care about the comparison, but it was something to talk about… that didn’t involve how he’d gotten kidnapped in the first place.

Nathan kissed the top of her head. He was over things that cause him pain for a while. He was even not really interested in his tattoos right at this moment. He changed the topic. "Tell me about the Tribbles."

“Oh boy.” Jhu giggled a little. “They were everywhere. Still not sure how they got here, but they were crawling all over the ship. Mizuki got buried in a pile of them… her own fault though. Your double told her not to open doors and what did the silly cadet do? Opened a door and got tribble-piled.”

Nathan chuckled, his hand slowly sliding up and down her back. "According to the reports they still are everywhere. Were him and Andy really going to gas them?"

“Okay, maybe they are. I hardly leave my office, so I wouldn’t really know.” Jhu sighed a little, rolling her eyes. “Yeah. That was the plan. I’d really rather find a different solution… they’re just animals. They don’t know any better… and besides. They’re adorable.”

"We will find another way." Nathan stated firmly. He was not going condemn innocent animals for something that was no fault of their own.

“I’d appreciate it. I might be cold-hearted and nasty sometimes, but killing tribbles? We’re not Klingons. Well… we have half a Klingon. But even he wouldn’t do that.”

"We are not monsters... They need to go home." Nathan was already formulating a plan in his head.

“Well you know… I suggested using the sensor logs to figure out where mama tribble came from.” Jhu made an irritated noise at that memory. “You know who was not receptive.”

"The poor replication of me?" Nathan said with with a sigh. He almost was glad Jhu killed him.

“Yeah. He got pissed off and kicked me out of your office.”

"I would never..." But he stopped himself. He was sure she knew. "Fuck that guy."

“I know.” Jhu kissed him gently, smiling a little. “You wouldn’t forget about dinner either. Or that my shower runs water because sonic showers hurt my ears... and you wouldn’t feed me hard-boiled eggs for breakfast.”

"Uh yeah, you like them soft boiled so you can mush them over everything." He smiled. "Too bad for him. His mess ups just make me look better."

“Exactly. I can’t believe any of us ever thought he was you.”

“Its ok, he had to be at least somewhat like me. He fooled both you and Andy. How did he fool Vara though?” Nathan asked, pushing back a little bit so he could look down at Jhu.

“You know… I’m not sure he did. I think she noticed first and was just waiting to see what was going to happen.” Jhu paused, thinking back a bit. “I’m not convinced Andy was fooled either. And honestly, I was just trying to… make this work. I wanted to believe there was nothing wrong.”

“I will do whatever I can to never make you feel like you need to make this work.” Nathan said looking her in the eyes. “I promise you that.”

“I know. But I need you to promise something else. Promise me you’ll tell me when something’s wrong, whether it’s something I did or just some random thing. I can’t do that thing where couples don’t talk about problems.”

“I promise you.” Nathan said seriously. “ It would only cause more problems if I didn’t. But you have to do the same.”

Jhu nodded. “I can do that. I mean, if I can talk to Tegan about my personal issues, talking to you about them should be a cakewalk.”

“Tegan?” Nathan ask with a shocked look on his face.

“Yep. Tegan. I mean, I didn’t seek him out to do it… O’Connor got a call from Section 31, and the question of how they breached our systems came up…”

“And your suspicions came out. Looks like I owe him for being there for you when I could not.” Nathan said nodding.

Jhu nodded slightly. “I don’t think he believed me at first, but he listened. That’s what mattered. If you want to thank him, I’d suggest some male bonding over raktajino. Just don’t bring him here… he’s allergic to cats.”

“Allergic to cat’s? Do I need to be worried about you two?” Nathan teased her.

“He tries to get rid of Lydek and he’s dead,” Jhu responded cheerfully, grinning. “Nah, he won’t do anything. Not like Zanaar… I don’t think Tegan minds that some of us have pets.”

“I’ll fight for Lydek...besides, when I was going through the little bit of work that other me did do I found some interesting security footage files that were flagged of our friend. Seems someone on this ship likes to be intimate in public places.” Nathan shared with her with a grin. “Mind you I’m telling this to my girlfriend and not my commanding officer.”

“In public places? You’ve got to be kidding… he got all annoyed about us being together at all!” Jhu snickered a little at the thought. “Well. He is half Trill... “

Nathan got a very mischievous look in his eyes. “You know, as second officer and head of intel it might be a good idea to show you anything that the other me found interesting…” He raised his eyebrows at her.

“Hmmm. Yes, I think it would.” Jhu grinned mischievously at the thought. “But you’re on medical leave… can we access the files from here? It would save us a trip and keep you from violating your doctor’s orders.”

Nathan got a mock serious look on his face. “Well I would hate to disobey orders. Commander Tegan gave me a very stern talking to about that.” Then he laughed.

“I’m not even worried about him. That Bajoran doctor has a temper.” Jhu smirked at him. “She’s the one who kicked me out of sickbay and made me go home. Apparently I was getting in her way.”

Nathan reached over and shut the water off. “I don't know why you were being so clingy anyways.” He leaned in and kissed her. “You are going to love one of the security feeds I got.”

“Because I love you, you idiot. And I was worried.” Jhu paused, raising an eyebrow at his statement about the security feed. “Why, what’s on it?”

Nathan stood there for a moment looking at her, then he reached over and pulled her into a passionate kiss. When the kiss broke he gazed into her eyes and said,” I love you too.”

Jhu blinked at him for a second then grinned broadly. “Glad we’re on the same page.”

Nathan grinned back, “On the same page. Now come on, Teagan pukes on someone and you will never guess who it is!”

It wasn't often that Jhu managed to get a midday break, so when the chance presented itself she'd hastily left her office, deciding to beat Andy to the mess hall and steal one of her lunch dates with Nathan. She wasn't used to navigating the lunch rush in the corridors, and the crowd she ran into tested her patience. But it was the lone officer in science blue who full on collided with her that got her hackles up. She scolded him only briefly, quickly going on her way. As she continued into the mess hall, a bit of sway entered her step, a change she hardly noticed.

Nathan sat at a table eating and reading a PaDD. He had just gotten his prosthetic and was eating trying to learn it. It was slow. He had to concentrate and didn't notice Jhu enter.

Jhu spotted Nathan sitting alone and quietly came up behind him, hugging him from behind and kissing his neck. "No lunch date with Andy today?"

Nathan blinked and looked at Jhu. "Hi. She should be here soon...what are you doing here?" Not that he was not happy to see her, just shocked.

"Came to see you." Playfully nibbling at his neck, she hugged him a little tighter.

He pushed his chair out from the table and turned to face her. "I love seeing you." Nathan said with an odd gaze. "You seem...happy today."

"Do I? I guess I must be happy then..." Not quite releasing him, Jhu sat on his lap, kissing him more fully.

Nathan kissed her back with passion, but broke the kiss after a moment. "Ok...should we go somewhere else?"

"Why? Is something wrong?"

Nathan's arms slid around her waist, the right one was a little awkward. "You are not normally this public with your affection. I'm not complaining, but if you're looking for some attention I'll be more then happy to cancel with Andy." He offered her.

"Maybe I'm just in a really good mood..."

Nathan smiled at her. "Good, well Andy will be here any moment and you can see all the fun we have at lunch."

"Sounds exciting." Oblivious to the stares from people in the mess hall, Jhu kissed him again.

He kissed her back, slightly embarrassed but he was not going to push Jhu away, not after being with out her for so long.

"Alright, now let's see some tongue action... yeah, that's good..." Andy said as she zoomed a camera in on Nathan and Jhu's lip-lock.

Nathan broke the kiss and held a hand up to block the camera. "Andy, what the hell?" He said with a chuckle.

Andy turned off the camera and shoved it in her pocket. "You two are so cute," she said with a smirk, picking up her lunch from where she set it on an adjacent table so she could join Nathan and Jhu. "So, how's the new arm! How's it feel?"

Ignoring Andy, Jhu wrapped her arms around Nathan's neck, trying to kiss him again.

"Sluggish and weak..." Nathan said around Jhu's mouth. " Seriously Jhu, we can go to your quarters if you want but..." Nathan looked torn.

"If you wanna go shag, you won't hurt my feelings," Andy said with a snicker. "If your arm is weak, stop by the cybernetics lab later, I'll take a look at it."

"Are you sure?" Nathan asked Andy concerned about the conversation they had had in sickbay.

"I said I'd help," Andy replied without a second thought.

Not paying attention to the conversation, Jhu unzipped Nathan's jacket, starting to push it off his shoulders.

Ok, something was wrong. "Jhu!" Nathan whispered "What are you doing?"

"What?" Jhu asked innocently.

Andy tilted her head curiously. "Jhu, how are you feeling?" she asked as she took note of Jhu's body temperature, which was elevated.

"I feel fine." Jhu gave Andy a curious look, wondering why she was being so nosy. "Why?"

"Because your body temperature is elevated," Andy said uneasily. She cast a glance to Nathan. Jhu's behavior was abnormal. It wasn't so much that that she was acting out of character by being so forward, it was that it was making Nathan uncomfortable and she didn't seem to care. She could see Jhu wanting to let her hair down, but never at Nathan's expense. That coupled with her body temperature was making Andy nervous.

"What do you mean?" Nathan asked Andy. After everything that had happened...

"Does it matter? Ignore her," Jhu said brightly, shifting so that she faced him more fully.

Nathan was starting to feel a little warm under the collar himself, and a little excited. His concerns were of little mind to him now. He knew what he wanted and it was right in his lap. "Good idea." Nathan growled as he slid his hands under Jhu and lifted her up. He headed right out of the mess hall with her.

"Nathan, I think you two should go to Sickbay," Andy said firmly. she didn't like this, Nathan's vitals were shifting as well. Not good.

Nathan was not listening, he was kissing Jhu and heading to the turbo lift with all haste.

Andy sighed and followed them into the lift. This wasn't right. She probably should have called in to Sickbay, but she didn't want to jump the gun if it was something harmless. "Can I watch?" she asked.

Andy wanted to watch? Jhu shrugged slightly, pausing in her affections long enough to glance over. "Sure. If you want."

Nathan just moved to Jhu's neck when she stopped to talk to Andy, nibbling on her spots.

What the hell was going on? This was not like either of them. Okay, after the incident with fake-Nathan, she wasn't taking any chances. =/\="Carter to Sickbay, I've got a situation. I'm bringing in Commander t'Dharvanek and Lieutenant Tonkin. They're presenting with elevated body temperature and abnormal behavior."

"You're no fun, Andy." Jhu giggled a little, tilting her head sideways to give Nathan unfettered access to her spots.

"No, I'm a load of fun, but under the right circumstances," Andy informed her friend. "If I thought for a second that either of you were in your right minds, I might actually join you."

Nathan unzipped Jhu's duty jacket and pulled it from her shoulders. He really bit down on Jhu, dragging his teeth across the side of her neck.

Andy rolled her eyes and used her Operation maintenance overrides to reroute the lift to take them to sickbay.

Jhu quivered under the unusual advance, catching sight of Andy's disapproving look. "Oh, come on, Andy. Don't you want to have some fun?" Leaving Nathan just for a moment, Jhu grabbed Andy in a hug and kissed her.

"Computer, halt turbolift and lock down, authorization Tonkin alpha two." Nathan said and joined Jhu, his lips locking onto Andy's neck this time.

Well this was certainly unexpected... But soon, the warmth that was affecting Jhu and Nathan was coursing through Andy. Though initially hesitant, she did eventually respond to their advances. What was left of her fading conscience knew they were probably going to regret this later, but she didn't care. She grabbed Jhu by the hair and kissed her hungrily. Sink or swim, she was in this now...

[Later]

The call had come through that Chief Carter was bringing Commander t'Dharvanek and Lieutenant Tonkin in, but minutes passed and there was no sign of them. Just as Nolira was starting to think it had been a joke or a false alarm, the three of them staggered in, in various states of undress and... all over each other. Oh boy. With some help from the orderlies, she separated them and looked between them with an exasperated look on her face. "What in the name of the Prophets are you three doing?"

"I think the better question is what haven't we done," Andy said suggestively, then snickered.

Nathan was wrapped around Jhu at the moment locked in a passionate kiss, staggering along where he was lead.

"That's enough." Nolira pulled Nathan away from Jhu, only for Jhu to turn her attention to Andy instead. "Okay then." Sensing she wasn't going to make much headway, Nolira pulled out her tricorder to see if she could see what was making them act so strange.

In the back of her mind, in the part of her brain unaffected by this thing, Andy was screaming at herself that she knew the answer to what was causing this strange behavior. But the rest of Andy, with her inhibitions stripped away, was only interested in Jhu. Andy hopped up on one of the biobeds then pulled Jhu closer, hoisting her up until she was straddling Andy. Her metal-plated hands explored Jhu's supple curves as her lips danced across the spots at Jhu's neck.

Nathan was in no way interested in being left out. He walked up behind Jhu and started kissing along the spots on the other side ofher neck. His hands sliding around her and to Andy's hips.

Nolira rolled her eyes, trying to ignore both the behavior and the... enthusiastic sounds it created. Before long, the culprit became obvious, and she almost laughed seeing it. How had they even been exposed to that? "You're not going to like me much in a minute..." Picking up a hypo and quietly loading it, she pressed it against Jhu's arm first.

The change in Jhu's posture was instantaneous as her eyes went wide with the realization of what they were doing. "Ahh! Get off!" Turning an impressive shade of emerald, she shoved at Andy, trying to escape her and Nathan. "I can't believe this... where's my shirt?!" Mortified, she crossed her arms over her chest.

Andy was notably more chilled about her reaction once she got a dose of what was in the hypo. In fact, she grew a rather wide grin. "I had sex with Jhu and Nathan in the turbo lift," she said rather proudly.

Nathan stood there for a moment, then quickly pushed himself off the two girls. "Oh boy... my uniforms in the lift."

"...fuck. So is mine." Jhu glanced at Andy. "Hers too. How the hell did this happen?"

"Well, first you were all over Nathan in the mess hall, then he was all over you, then I followed you to the lift where you kissed me and then-" Andy then made a few obscene gestures to 'illustrate' that they had sex.

Nathan quickly walked over to the replicator and replicated him and Jhu's clothes. He didn't know Andy's size so she was on her own. She didn't look that uncomfortable anyways. "Exactly what the hell just happend?" He asked Doctor Nolira, putting his clothes back on.

"Have any of you heard of polywater?" Nolira smirked a little.

"Vaguely familiar." Jhu grabbed the clothing Nathan offered, hurriedly getting dressed.

"Fuck..." Andy blurted out, her giddy mood gone. She stormed over to the replicator, grabbed some clothes and hastily put them on. She stormed out of Sickbay without waiting for further explanation.

Nathan watched Andy go but figured he could deal with that later. He turned back to the doctor. "I have not heard of polywater."

Puzzled, Nolira watched Andy leave before answering Nathan. "First discovered at Psi 2000... contamination causes people to act... drunk."

"That was a little more then drunk I would say. How the hell did something like this get on the ship?" Nathan said. "And what can we do to make sure that's that last outbreak? "

"I don't know, but I'm going to find out," Jhu growled gruffly, heading for the door.

Nathan watched Jhu storm out and sighed. He looked back to Nolira. "As always, thank you Doctor."

"You're welcome. Please be careful... and keep that woman from doing anything stupid." Nolira put the hypo away and tucked her tricorder in her pocket, hoping this was an isolated incident.

"Which one?" Nathan asked with a chuckle. "Will the medicine you gave us protect us from future contact?"

"Both of them." Nolira smirked a little. "You'll be fine... it should provide some immunity."

"Both of them? HA!" Nathan said. "I don't control the one I'm dating, what makes you think I can make Andrea Carter do anything?"

"Be creative," was all Nolira said as she went back to work.

Nathan laughed. "You're funny. Have a good day Doctor, see you soon I'm sure."

The Captain had told Nathan everything, from the real reason they were 'whale watching' to the Nanoprobes. So now it was time to report in and let the rest of the team know that he was back and ready to work.

Nathan came into the intelligence office and hit the call button on Jhu's office door.

"Come in!" Jhu yelled at the door, her head buried inside the desk while she searched for one very specific PADD. It had been on the desk before, but now she couldn't find it.

Nathan walked through the door. He stood there for a moment watching her dig around in her desk. "This place is a mess!" He said with a teasing tone.

"No one asked you!" Jhu retorted, finding the PADD and dropping it back on her desk where it belonged.

"Someone's got some attitude today..." Nathan said, stepping around her desk to kiss her. Nathan did not go into her office very often, and when he did he always made a point of not looking at what was on her desk.

"I have a headache." Jhu kissed him, simultaneously flipping the PADDs on her desk face down. "There something you need help with or am I late for something?"

Nathan moved from behind her desk and took a seat on the other side. He didn't even blink at her hiding the PaDD from him. He knew her job and understood before he rang her door that first night that some secrets would have to be had between them for work purposes. He never let it bother him.

"Technically I'm here to help you. I wish this was a personal visit but I have been sent by the Captain to assist with the modifications of the torpedoes and to help with the weaponizing of Andy's nanoprobes. I also need to know how much access my double had to this project." Nathan said, all business now. He was sure the amount of info he had would shock Jhu.

Surprised, Jhu raised an eyebrow at him. "And where did you hear about the nanoprobes? Tegan doesn't know about that and I know I didn't tell you..."

"Like I said, the Captain. He brought me up to speed and sent me to report to you. I think that was right before he threatened me if I ever hurt you while at the exact same time insulting you in the most creative way possible." Nathan was sure that his explanation of his conversation with the Captain would most likely set her mind at ease.

"Just making sure. And your double hasn't seen any of it. I've been working alone until we could figure out what was going on." Jhu grinned a little, amused by the thought of Kerouac trying to hurt Nathan. "I keep the nanoprobes in my pocket." She unzipped the jacket pocket they were in, pulling the ampule out to show him. "I need help modifying the torpedoes."

Nathan looked at the ampule and nodded. "Give me the specs and I'll handle it for you. Hopefully we will not need them." But he doubted it.

"The specifications are highly classified... I'm not even supposed to have them. I won't say how I got them, but I have to be there while you work on this, even if I'm not directly helping."

"Of course." Nathan said with out hesitation. "I expected you to be there regardless. I might need help and I don't think we should be just letting anyone know about this. Jhu, are you sure my double didn't know about any of this?" Nathan asked her. "I don't even want to think about what Section 31 would do if they knew about this..."

"Only people who knew were Kris and Andy. It was right after Kris asked me to do it that things started getting... weird." Jhu shook her head slightly. "I don't have any notes on it, and I don't talk about it. Andy wouldn't have told anyone. So they don't know."

Nathan nodded. He trusted both women completely. "I'm sure this does not need to be said, but I'm going to say it anyways. We can not let that IA Feringie find out about this at all costs." He added.

Jhu snorted at him. "I'm not telling the Ferengi bitch anything. She can kiss my spotted ass."

Nathan got a very serious look. "The only person kissing your spotted ass is me." Then he chuckled at the joke, his serious look melting away.

"Oh, you know what I meant." Jhu chuckled a little. "So when do you want to get this project started?"

"We have lost a lot of time on this already. Modifying the torpedoes is not a small task and is going to take us hours. I suggest we start right away so that we have ammo in case the worst happens." Nathan said. "We may want Andy there to help since she already knows. I could show her what to do and she could split the work." He was working the problem out loud. Something he tends to do.

"Yeah, we could ask Andy to help. No one else though. I don't know who we could really trust with it."

"No one..." Nathan said. He didn't even wanted to be trusted with this but what's done is done. "I have a security meeting in an hour, but after that I can be free for the rest of the day. I'll clear my schedule for tomorrow and we can spend the day working on them. How many do you want and where are going to store them once they are modified? I don't want them anywhere near the normal cash of torpedoes. Last thing we need with IA crawling up our ass is a mess up on that scale."

"I can clear a space for them in this section... it's just me and Weaver in here and he won't mess with anything if I tell him not to. As far as how many... as many as we can manage. I want to be ready when Species 8472 comes crawling this way because they are coming, even if everyone thinks I'm crazy."

"Thinks you're crazy?" Nathan said cooking his head to the side. "Who thinks you're crazy and why?"

"I'm starting to think I'm crazy." Jhu sighed resting her head on her hands. "Those three-legged fluidic space monsters won't let me sleep."

Nathan blinked a couple times. Then he stood and walked around her desk. Any sense of professionalism was dropped. He was no longer the chief of security, now he was a concerned boyfriend. When he was near her he crouched down and put a hand on her knee. "Talk to me."

"I can hear them. But only when I'm asleep."

Nathan was confused. "I have not heard anything at night and I'm awake most the time reading next to you. How are you hearing them?"

"In here." Jhu tapped her temple.

"Why have you not said anything? Just because I'm going through some shit does not mean I don't want to be here for you." Nathan said. "Don't forget the deal we made."

Jhu sighed at being caught breaking her own rules. "I didn't want you worrying or freaking out about it."

"First of all, you have only ever seen me freak out once...and really that was more of the aftermath. Do you really think I'm the kind of guy who's going to freak out about something like that?" Nathan placed his hands on either side of her face. "I told you that I loved you and that meant something. So next time, trust me okay?"

"I do trust you. But this... telepathy thing. It's new for me and I don't like it."

"Ok, so what can we do about it?" Nathan asked.

Jhu shook her head. "Nothing. One of the doctors gave me a sedative to take before I go to sleep, but I didn't like how it made me feel."

Nathan leaned up and kissed her. "We can keep each other company at night at least. Once we get out of here it should stop right?"

"Uh... maybe? I don't really know."

Too many 'I don't knows' for Nathan. "There is something we can do and we will figure it out." Nathan stated with a tone of finality.

Jhu smiled a little. "Let me know when you figure it out. Because I'd like to sleep sometime soon... before the headaches get any worse."

Nathan smiled. "I know people in sickbay." Then he winked at Jhu.

Jhu snorted at him. "Yeah, me too. I just hate going there."

Nathan shrugged with a smile. "You get use to it after a while."

"I'd... rather not get used to it. I spent a lot of time getting patched up when I was with Section 31... too much time, really."

Nathan stood and stretched his legs. "The facilities here are so much nicer though."

"They are but... you know." Jhu leaned back in her chair, rubbing the lingering soreness in her shoulder. It was ironic that she'd gotten shot there when rescuing him.

"I got like 45 minutes till my meeting. You want me to rub that for you?" Nathan asked her.

"Please. It aches and burns and nothing helps. I think there was more damage than the doctor realized." Jhu winced as she tried to work a knot out of the muscle.

Nathan moved behind her and, gently at first, started rubbing both her shoulders.

Jhu flinched at his touch, gentle as it was. "Fire and ice, that hurts. Was yours this bad?"

He made his touch even more gentle. "Do you want me to stop? No mine was not that bad, but I have a very high pain tolerance. "

"No, don't stop. I think it's helping a little."

Nathan continued, gently working the hurt area. "I know how much to are going to love me saying this, but you should get it looked at...hey look how well I'm working this thing." He said commenting on his arm.

"I did get it looked at." Jhu winced and pulled away slightly. "Okay. I'll go again."

"Good." He moved to her other shoulder to give her hurt one a break.

Jhu relaxed slightly, flinching as the injured nerve kept firing pain impulses even when it wasn't being touched.

"Jhu... what did they hit you with?" He had never seven a phaser set to stun do that kind of damage after someone had been treated.

"I thought it was a phaser, but now I'm starting to wonder if it was plasma-based. They were experimenting with those when I left."

"What are the dangers of a plasma-based weapon?" Nathan knew a little about the weapons but had never seen any before.

"Burns... nerve damage too, I think." Jhu put her head down on the desk, exhaling slowly. "I think I'm gonna take off early and try to sleep."

"Well if that's the case, my evening just became open..." Nathan said. "Wanna do dinner?"

"Definitely." Jhu grinned even though he wouldn't see it. "Just nothing really heavy. And don't feel bad if I fall asleep right after we eat."

"Naw, I'll just join you. But tomorrow we have got to get to the torpedoes... You, me...and Andy." Nathan snickered.

"No polywater and no alcohol!" Jhu snickered a little. "Yeah... tomorrow."

Lieutenant Nathan Tonkin had warned her not to. However, her assignment was to investigate the USS Katana and find answers. She could not leave any corner of the starship untouched nor could she avoid speaking with any of the essential crew. This android Chief Diplomatic Officer, this Lieutenant Maica had to be questioned. Noxa had only briefly set up her guest quarters aboard the starship before she proceeded to the crew quarters of one Lieutenant Maica.

Arriving outside the android's quarters, Noxa adjusted her uniform and pressed the chime on the door. She then gave the door a few knocks for the hell of it. "Starfleet Internal Affairs" she said identifying who she worked for. "Lieutenant, we need to talk" added Noxa firmly.

Internal Affairs? Maica had worked with them a few times before. It normally tested even her patience. SHe had all her papers in order and all her bottles were registered so she shouldn't have any issues. "Come in," she called, tapping her comm panel to a different screen just in case. She had a complete diplomatic isolation suite installed and those were the controls she had pulled up and as long as she stayed at her desk, she'd be ok.

Lieutenant Noxa entered with a PaDD in hand. She looked around the quarters, examining them. It did not take Noxa long to find the android who looked like an Orion. Noxa presented the PaDD to the Chief Diplomatic Officer. "I'm Lieutenant Noxa, Starfleet Internal Affairs... I've been ordered to investigate the recent actions on this starship pertaining to the security breaches and Section 31 activity" explained Noxa.

As soon as Maica saw the woman that had entered, time seemed to freeze for her. Her normally cheery demeanor at such a meeting was absent, replaced by a rather dark expression. She started calculating probabilities as fast as she could, trying to figure out what this Ferengi whore really come here for. Was she a spy? An information broker? Instead of taking the PaDD, she pressed a few controls on her comm panel, locking and sealing the doors, shutting off computer voice access, and disabling any other possible monitoring system. For extra measure, she also entered her own polymorphic passcode to lock the panel. Even the deck hum from the engines vanished completely, leaving the room in absolute silence. "Why are you really here?" She said the words as plainly as she could, but there was still venom dripping from her voice.

"I'm here to talk" said Noxa feeling a change in the personal environment. "There were security breaches aboard the USS Katana, people died. This aroused concern and suspicion from Starfleet Command, who approached Starfleet Intelligence. Intelligence then dispatched their Inter Affairs. I have come here to investigate because additional breaches on the starship have lead to an officer being abducted and replaced. We are looking into the possibility of Section 31 operatives being aboard. It is my duty to interview key personnel of this starship. Therefore, I have come to speak with you."

Maica didn't detect any wavering in vocal intonation, thermoptics, eye movement, heart rate, or well... anything else... Every sense was telling her this woman was telling the truth. But then again, Ferengi are born liars so she'd still have to be careful. "Then talk. Who else are you working for? Who told you about me?" As tempted as she was to pull the holdout phaser from under her desk drawer, she remained motionless, unblinkingly staring the intruder down.

"No body in particular. However, you are the Chief Diplomatic Officer of this starship... that's a pretty important position. I wanted to talk to you about the diplomatic missions that you've been on with this crew" said Noxa. "Actually, Lieutenant Tonkin told me to avoid you. However, I can't simply avoid you. You are important to my investigation" explained Lieutenant Noxa.

That last statement set off red flags in Maica's mind. It might have been paranoia, but she couldn't help but consider that a threat to her continued freedom and existence. "My reports are uncommonly thorough, including personal analysis and feelings on each mission. Which missions are you interested in?"

"Well, your assessment on the Jem'Hadar on Kendi is of interest. However, I am more interested in your trips to Arboria. If you would please discuss this... Shira individual. She's now a member of this crew from what I have read?"

So that's what this was about. Maica wasn't about to let anyone take Shira or any of her people but for now she'd humor this Ferengi to see what exactly she wanted. "Yes she is. Do you believe her to be a Section 31 agent or do you want to recapture her and sell her to the highest bidder?" Maica let that last out to gauge her reaction to the words.

"Oh please" said Noxa rolling her eyes and muttering something in Ferengi under her breath. "The Grand Nagus can kiss my ass" quipped Noxa with a sigh. "Lieutenant, I have no interest in sending Shira back to her home world any more than I have any interest in ever returning to mine. I may be Ferengi by appearance, but I am an officer of Starfleet. I'm a little more progressive. I do not suspect Shira to be Section 31. However, you are one of the few individuals aboard who can communicate her. I'll require your assistance in my asking her questions. Frankly, I'd like you to please be a translator for me, and I also would like you there to ensure her rights are protected."

Maica almost lost it at the utterance in Ferengi. She did her best to remain calm though, gritting her teeth. "She can speak fluent English and any other officer on this ship is just as capable as I am at preserving her rights. I'll be there to protect her, but I'll want Commander t'Dharvanek and Ensign Vara there as well. If you really have abandoned your people's ways, we'll see it firsthand. Also, Shira has little fondness for trolls so I recommend doing your best not to distress her."

"I personally prefer the term 'rat eyes' to describe Ferengi" said Noxa with a bitterness in her tone. "I'm sorry. I have not caught up on everything and I was unaware. Though there are other members who could protect her rights, it is you as a Chief Diplomatic Officer who would be best suited. I don't mind who you want present, Lieutenant."

Maybe this Ferengi would leave Maica's quarters alive... She still wanted to torture the intruder, but she had to admit that 'rat-eyes' was good. Perhaps she wasn't here for some ulterior motive... Perhaps she could work with her just as 2 Starfleet officers... With ground rules, of course. "Very well. We'll do everything on my schedule here in my office under full isolation protocol. You will not have immediate direct access to her. You will avoid her until that time. You will only approach or speak to her when she says it's ok. If she refuses to speak with you, her word is final. Do you understand?"

Lieutenant Noxa nodded a few times, keeping her opinions to her self at this point. Oh I understand perfectly well. You have serious issues and I will be making note of this in my report. We'll see what Starfleet Command has to say about your continued presence aboard this starship. Hell, your Commanding Officer may be removed by the end of this thought the small Ferengi woman. "Yes, Lieutenant. I understand your terms and agree to them" was all that Noxa had to say.

"Excellent," Maica said finally relaxing a bit. "Keep in mind the stress she's been through by other Ferengi. Given her telekinetic powers and that, these terms are for your safety as much as hers." Disabling her locks and shutting the isolation systems off, Maica nodded. "If there's nothing else?"

Noxa understood just fine. "Ferengi can be scumbags" said Noxa sharply. "I'm well aware of the perverted and corrupt shit that my people can do, especially the males" added Lieutenant Noxa. "Not at the moment, no. I will call you if I need anything from you."

"As always, I look forward to visits from Internal Affairs," Maica said sarcastically before sighing heavily and recomposing herself. "On a more personal note, you need to get laid. Is it safe to assume you prefer submissive men? I might have a friend if you want a fling..."

Noxa chuckled. "No, thanks. I am happily involved with a nice man" explained Noxa. "I just do not want to rush things with him" added the Ferengi woman.

"May I offer you a nice wine then? Something smooth with a gentle flowery bouquet?" Maica asked leaning over to a shelf next to her and grabbing a tall thin bottle with Orion lettering.

Lieutenant Noxa shook her head. "No thank you. I am on duty, Lieutenant. In all honesty, I do not drink."

"I know. People that drink a lot smell different. I meant as a gift. It's low in alcohol anyway." Maica explained. "Though it may have a mild aphrodisiac in it... Oh well, up to you."

"I uh... I have a meeting scheduled with your Commanding Officer. I really must be going, Lieutenant Maica. Thank you for your time" replied Noxa.

Maica giggled at that. "I hope for your sake he's not drunk. Replicate some nasal numbing agent if you haven't already, just in case."

Noxa looked at Maica with curious gaze. Why would he be drunk? He's on duty and he's the Commanding Officer thought Noxa. "I'll keep that in mind. I've dealt with drunks before. I used to be a Security Officer" she said with a nod.

"Good luck then." Maica set the bottle back on the shelf, smiling politely to the Ferengi woman. She might come to like this person...

"Thank you, Lieutenant. Please, enjoy your day" said Noxa as she swiftly turned and exited the woman's quarters. That went better than I had expected.

Andy stormed into the quarters she shared with Maica, obviously in a mood. She wasn’t wearing her uniform, which was a dead giveaway that something was wrong, and she started pacing aggressively across the living room. She looked like she was fighting the urge to punch the wall, but even she knew that wouldn’t help her feel any better. She just couldn’t believe it had been the polywater! How did she not notice?

Andy’s mood actually scared Maica a bit, pausing in her typing at her desk. “Andy?” she queried softly. “What’s wrong?”

“Someone brought a fucking polywater infection onto the ship!” Andy said angrily as she continued to pace. “If I find out who the fuck did it, then shit’s gonna hit the ceiling….”

“Polywater?...” Maica didn’t know what that was so she looked it up on her desk computer real quick. Psi 2000… crew of the SS Tsiolkovski… USS Enterprise D… “We have a cure… What’s wrong? Is there something personal about it for you?”

“I should have noticed, Jhu and Nathan were acting so strange, I should have known what it was…” Andy paced a bit longer, then sighed. “My dad was on the Tsiolkovski.”

There it was. That was what Maica had been expecting. All hands had been lost on that ship while studying a red giant because of the polywater. “You’re not perfect, Andy. You can’t catch everything. I’m sorry about your father, but I doubt you had any way of knowing what it was.” Standing, she rounded her desk and headed to Andy, arms open wide.

“Oh, I caught it, alright,” Andy said flatly as Maica hugged her.

“And you’re acting grumpy and sober. That means you’re ok, right?” Maica didn’t want to simulate the effects it would have on her own systems and really hoped she couldn’t catch it.

“I wasn’t a little while ago,” Andy confessed. “Jhu kissed me on the turbolift when I was trying to take them to Sickbay. And, well, stuff happened…”

“I know. I can smell both of them all over you.” Maica wanted to giggle, but she stifled it. She had to comfort Andy right now. Hugging a bit tighter for a moment, she guided Andy over to the couch. “And that’s perfectly ok with me. I just want to know one thing. Are Jhu’s spots as sensitive as I think they are?”

“Yeah, they are,” Andy said with a hint of a laugh. “I knew you knew, I just didn’t want you to think I was hiding stuff from you. And I ain’t upset about what happened between us, I’m just mad at myself for not figuring it out. And I’m fucking pissed someone brought it onto the ship. That shit is dangerous!”

“There’s my Andy,” Maica said, kissing her cheek softly. “As dangerous as it is, the transporter will filter it out, right? So that means it was someone that boarded via shuttle or while docked. That should limit the number of people it could be, at least.”

“No, transporters can’t filter it, but we’ve got the cure and now Sickbay knows so this can be contained,” Andy said, slouching in her seat. She was still in a bit of mood about it being loose on the ship, but at least they did have the cure. “Just be careful who you come in contact with, you can be affected too.”

Maica settled in next to her love, snuggling up to her side. “I don’t even want to think about that… My old body had oil based systems but the one you built for me… I’m all water based now, aren’t I?”

“Even your old body would be susceptible. I heard Data caught the infection when the Enterprise investigated.” Andy put an arm arm around Maica. “I wonder if it’s possible to inoculate the crew, give them cure to prevent further spread of this thing.”

“If the cure stays in the system and can prevent re-infection, I don’t see why that wouldn’t work. I’m no medic though.” Maica had always considered herself somewhat immune to disease and the like, but this was starting to scare her a bit. What if there were unknown effects on her? What if the cure didn’t work on her?

“The doc said I’d be immune for a while at least. I’ll suggest it to the medical staff and see what they think.” Andy could tell something was bothering Maica, but she chose not to ask what. If it was important enough, she would say what was bothering her. “So, you’re alright with what happened? I just don’t want you to get upset with Nathan and Jhu. They’ve been through enough already.”

“I’m a bit miffed I wasn’t there, but I’m sure there’ll be other opportunities. I just really hope this polywater thing gets nipped in the bud and nothing else happens with it. You know I’ll have to send a report up now that I know about it, right?” Maica was feeling unusually snuggly thinking about this virus thing but her internal diagnostics checked out just fine. She just wanted to feel safe in Andy’s arms.

“Well, the next time I get infected by a virus that strips away all inhibitions, I’ll be sure to come find you,” Andy said, pulling Maica into her lap for a heated kiss.

Kissing back passionately, Maica purred a little. “I’ll hold you to it.”

Andy chuckled. “And I know you’ve got to report this. Hell, Sickbay has probably already informed Kris, but I know you’ve gotta do it too.” She sighed. Like she needed one more thing for Kris to chew her out about, like it was her fault...

“No, not report it to Kris… To the Diplomacy Corps. They need to know about potential outbreaks and the like and this fits that criteria.” Maica just shook her head. “It’s not like they distrust him or anything, but it’s… He’ll be getting a copy of the report as well.”

“Oh, well, do whatcha gotta do,” Andy said. She didn’t understand much of the protocol Maica had to work with, but she knew Maica didn’t understand anything about Engineering or Operations either, so it was all good.

“Besides, they’ll need it to track the source of the infection. Trace it back from the ship and all. That was a part of the job I didn’t like doing. Sifting through reports is one thing… Trying to backtrack the start of something is a pain.” Maica sighed heavily, flopping against Andy and closing her eyes.

Andy started massaging Maica’s neck and shoulders to help ease some of the tension. “Well, you don’t have to do it alone,” Andy said as her hands worked their magic on Maica. “You’ve got Medical’s help and part of Operation’s responsibility is to keep the ship running efficiently so tracking things like this kinda falls in there.”

Maica relaxed a bit, purring some more at the massages. “On the ship yeah, but the Diplomacy Corps is the ones that generally get stuck with tracking it across starbases and planets. And besides, I don’t think I’ll be tasked with helping. I’m emotionally involved with you and you were infected.” Maica couldn’t help but melt a little more. “Seriously, I had no idea how good that actually felt before. Thank you.”

“See, and you thought I was crazy before,” Andy said with a snicker. “Not so crazy now, huh?”

“You are crazy. I don’t know what you’re talking about though.” Maica was definitely relaxing now, android putty in Andy’s hands.

Andy chucked. Crazy and proud of it! “Well, maybe it’s a good thing you won’t be working on this. You seem so stressed. Maybe you should take a break.”

“Yeah they’ve really stepped things up lately. Meetings upon meetings and documents to process… I’m amazed they let me sleep somewhat normal hours…” Maica felt like she spent at least 20 hours a day at her desk and it really was starting to wear her out. “Please explain to me how I can be stressed out.”

“Fatigue,” Andy said simply at first, thinking it over a bit. “It ain’t just physical, though, it’s in your head. You’re developing and evolving so fast, Maica, you have needs outside of just doing your work. You need to just stop and think of yourself from time to time. Those meetings and documents will always be there, you just gotta make time for yourself in there too.”

“That’s a lot to learn…” Maica murmured. “How about we take a vacation together then? Go hiking on the holodeck for a couple days. Just you, me, and a sleeping bag.”

“I think I can get behind that idea,” Andy said with a small grin. Just the thought of the two of them with only a sleeping bag. Forget the sleeping bag, just them and the stars...

“Then it’s settled.” Maica suddenly looked up with a mischievous grin. “I’ve already put in a request for 3 days of leave for both of us. We just need to decide when we want to do it.”

“I’ll need to check my schedule. We got stuff going on I can’t exactly leave unfinished,” Andy said, looking at her suspiciously. She had already put in a request for leave? what was this woman up to?

“Same here, but I think we can make time.” Resting her head back against Andy, Maica smiled and settled back in. “Spending time with you is important to me and since we both work so much, I don’t get to see enough of you.”

“I guess I could cut back my hours a bit. I guess,” Andy said awkwardly. She still had room to delegate some of the things she usually saw to personally, which would free up some of the extra hours she worked so she could spend them with Maica.

“We both know you wouldn’t do that. You’re too much of a workaholic.” Maica giggled happily. “But I’d like it if you did. And don’t worry about interrupting my meetings. It happens a lot for the others and several friends of mine keep asking me about the woman that both stole my heart and built me a new one. Especially Ambassador Volet… He’s had a crush on me since we met at Khitomer.”

“Who is this Ambassador Volet and where can I find him? I’mma kill him,” Andy said, but she was just teasing. “But I would cut back my hours, but just for you. Only reason I’m such a workaholic is I like it. I work with my hands ‘cause it makes me happy. But so do you, so I’ll cut my hours.”

“Skaren 3. He covers a lot of trade agreements.” Maica said simply. “And thank you. I’ll be declining some optional work as well. I want plenty of time to spend with you.”

“You better,” Andy said with a grin. “Now lets go plan that vacation…”

Aznihel had been looking for the Captain of this vessel for some time and though she knew he had to be very busy, she would be remiss if she didn't at least introduce herself. This is why she was where she was, pressing the button next to a door that she was pretty sure was his quarters.

Working hard at his desk in his crew quarters, Kris was continuing his study on things he had no idea about. Geklis, Undine, quantum singularities, and Borg nanoprobes. It was so much to take in and so much to adapt to. He was unsure how he was going to do it. He was not a damn scientist and he sure the hell wasn't an engineer, mechanic, or a tinkerer of any sort. Hell, he was even questioning if he was a capable Commanding Officer when the door chime drew his attention away.

He stood up and left his desk behind, proceeding to the entrance to his quarters and opening the door, only to find himself taken aback by the strange woman standing there. "Uh...hello" he said not sure who the woman was. However, she did not looked armed nor had their been an intruder alert issued. This only peaked his interest. "May I help you?" asked Kris.

Holding her hand out stiffly, Aznihel smiled brightly. "Hello! I'm your visitor, Aznihel of the Devoran Science Council. I've come to offer my services as a space biologist. I'm also looking forward to observing your crew. I rarely meet other races, let alone such a varied crew of mammalian species all on one ship."

"Uh huh" replied Kris having no clue what the hell a Devoran was, although it was evident that one was standing before him, nor did he remember reading anything about them sending the Katana a space biologist. This is why I am supposed to read things when they end up on my desk thought Kris to himself with a small mental flicking. "Right. Well, Ms Aznihel, I am sure that we could use all the help that we can get and I appreciate that the Devoran Science Council has loaned us your services."

Aznihel's smile faltered a moment as she dropped her hand back to her side. "I saw you in the area also studying the space whales and since I recognized your vessel's affiliation from someone... I think they're called May-co? I decided to come study them with you and possibly share information about them and the liquid demons and space holes. I specialize in space-born fauna, you see, and the opportunity to meet another crew, especially one of so many various mammalian races, is a delight and a wonder I would never pass up."

"I think that I like you already" replied Kris. He extended his hand to shake hers. "Welcome aboard" he said with a smile.

Aznihel pressed her cold hard hand to Kris's, smiling brightly. "Thank you. It's an honor and a pleasure to be a board."

"Have you seen the Quarter Master? They'll get you settled into your quarters. Also, feel free to explore the ship a little. I want you to feel like a welcomed guest aboard this vessel."

"Ah yes, the unpleasant one helped me. He's put me in... vee eye pee room 4. Much nicer than my pod-craft." Aznihel spoke with a cheer that was unflappable. "It was fascinating observing a negative member of your crew. Thank you."

Kris nodded. "VIP Room... those are quite lovely" replied the Commanding Officer. However, it was her other comment that he did not know how to approach. "What do you mean by 'negative member' of me crew?"

"Your quartermaster was kind enough to provide me a sample of negative behavior in your species. Human, I believe." Aznihel explained it as simply as if it was a commonplace occurrence.

"Wonderful" replied Kris. "I would be delighted if you'd dine with me tomorrow morning? The Mess Hall is having chocolate chip pancakes" added Kris.

Aznihel clapped her hands together excitedly. "Oooh! More cuisine to sample! I look forward to it."

"Now, that's the sort of thing I like to see. A foodie" he said with a small smile. "Ms Aznihel, I will see you in the morning. I'll come by your guest quarters and personally escort you to breakfast myself."

"Thank you so very much. I'll see you then." Happy as a schoolgirl, Aznihel left Kris's door and headed back to her quarters. She had a lot of studying to do and this crew seemed an amazing collection of species to study.

Kris retired to his quarters once again. His one front and center thought James T. Kirk would have done her he thought with a smirk.

You watch as her softly rounded form is enveloped by the grey mist. You wonder to yourself "Could such a creature actually exist?" In that space between sleep and waking, she does. Vara sighed as she read her latest novel from home. She didn’t have much else to do until one of the doctors said she could return to duty. She wasn’t complaining, but that stupid sling Nolira made her put on really annoyed her.

Nathan had not seen Vara since she came to rescue him and he wanted to thank her. He asked the computer where he could find the Ensign. Now he was outside her door. He hit the call button.

Ah, a distraction! Vara jumped at the chance to talk with someone. “Come in,” she called from the couch, glancing over at the sling she was supposed to be wearing.

Nathan walked through the door and smiled. "Hey little shadow!" He said happily.

Smiling softly, Vara was able to not blush at the nickname this time. “Hey boss! They actually let you out? Can I get you a drink?” Standing, she moved towards the replicator.

"Yeah, Captain didn't even put me on medical leave. Can you believe that?" He held up his right hand. "Got a new arm out of the deal. I'll have whatever you're having."

Punching up 2 green teas with ginger, Vara carried the 2 cups to the coffee table and sat back down, offering one to Nathan as she motioned him to sit. “Is that your first augmentation? How are you doing with it? Any motion feedback?”

Nathan took the offered seat. "Thank you. I love ginger." He took the cup and took a sip. "Yes, this is my first. I'm not exactly sure what motion feedback is but I was having trouble with it feeling sluggish. Andy did some adjustments and gave me some exercises to do. To be honest I have found the best thing so far has been rubbing Jhu's back." He shrugged. "The repetitive motion and pairing with my left hand seems to help."

“Yeah, it will. One thing we learned fast on Lagash is that if you only augment one side, work both simultaneously so you synchronize with your cybernetics easier. It trains your brain to react the same way for both nerve impulses from flesh and from cybernetics.”Vara had to grin wryly at that. “Something I know a fair bit about having gone through so much rehab myself. As for motion feedback, that’s a sort of double ghosting in your mind where you feel like you move your arm twice. I don’t suppose you have to worry about that without cranial implants.”

"Have not experienced that yet." Nathan said with relief. "Just the sluggishness and it feeling a bit weak. Everyone says that it's normal so I'm just trying to get through it." He took another sip of his tea.

Sipping at her own tea, Vara nodded. “Yeah without a nerve translation controller, I can see that being normal. You have to train your brain rather than…” She paused a moment and sighed heavily. “You don’t have a supercomputer sitting in your brainpan. It’ll take time to adapt.”

"Yeah...so I hear you took quite a beating. I was not in a very good position to witness it myself but Jhu said you were an asset. You used a door?" Nathan chuckled.

Vara grinned at the mention of the door. “Not one of my finest moments but when they started prying their way through the door, I ripped it from the wall and started beating them with it. Over the whole mission, I only had fifty three confirmed kills. If I hadn’t been trying to catch phaser blasts that could have hit everyone else, I could have done a lot better…”

"Success or failure is not always measured by body count. Your count was impressive and your mission was one hundred percent successful with no losses on your side." Nathan paused to sip his tea. "I don't see how you could have done better. Thank you Vara." He added.

For a moment Vara had a flashback to her childhood of her martial arts instructor saying the exact same things. She still felt she could have done better though. Jhu had gotten shot and she hadn’t been able to block it. Bowing her head respectfully, she spoke softly. “You’re very welcome, Sir. Next time I won’t let anyone else get hurt though.”

Nathan cringed. "I'm off duty. I'm here as a friend not your boss. Nathan." He said to her. "Jhu is tough. She can handle a phaser blast or two. I'm not into prissy little flowers. I like a woman who can hold her own. Jhu will be ok." Nathan smiled.

Vara smiled a bit as she looked back up at him. “You’re still my superior and elder though. I can’t help but defer to you. Besides, I feel I owe you for some reason.”

Nathan blinked. "Owe me? Vara, you came and saved me. If we are keeping count I owe you, and a lot at that." Nathan leaned forward. "And I'm only your superior by rank." Nathan picked up his tea and sipped it. "If everything works out how I want it you will not even have that to fall back on soon."

“Heh… No, you’ve been an excellent example to me. That alone is worth more. You and my own dedication to duty and honor are what keep my more violent impulses in check.” Vara didn’t feel at all pleased with herself over those impulses, but they were a part of her and she had to live with them.

"Your dedication to your work is very honorable and you show me great respect with your service. But, I am more honored by your friendship you have shown me. To let me into your personal life is one of the greatest honors ever in my opinion."

Vara could only look down at her tea and nod at his words. She wasn’t sure how to reply or if a reply was even warranted. She’d have to say something though. “I don’t have much of a personal life. I rarely talk with my family these days. I incurred a lot of debt and shame on the Hera when I was a cadet and while I know it wasn’t directly my fault, I still feel responsible. In many ways, the people aboard the Katana are more like family than they have been lately.”

Nathan blinked. "But they are your family. Shame or honor, they are supposed to love you regardless." Nathan had a very strong opinion on love and devotion. "They should be the ones who lift you up when you make a mistake, not bring you down. Is this distance self imposed?" Nathan had a feeling.

“I’m sure it partly is. They don’t smile like they used to, though. And I don’t get nearly as many messages. It feels like they’re doing it more out of habit now. They’re still getting the packages from the Diplomatic Corps that I earn by being here, but it’s not enough to cover the expense of my surgeries, let alone to provide for them. Even the kids have stopped sending me letters. I just got a letter today and all it was was one of my moms’ latest books she wrote. Four parents, two spouses, and three kids and that’s all I’ve gotten in a month…”

Nathan's eyes fell on his cup of tea. "I'm so sorry Vara." Nathan couldn't even imagine what that was like. "Is there anything I can do to help?"

Vara shook her head no. “Not unless you know how to fill the void in a heart. We Lagashi augment ourselves from birth but still I have no idea how to deal with this kind of emotion other than through training and physical violence.”

Nathan looked up at her. "It never helps does it?" He said with a knowing nod. "How often do you contact them?"

“I send them a message every week, though lately the messages have been pretty slim. I don’t know what to talk about with them anymore.” Vara said before sipping at her tea. “Maica has been able to confirm they’re getting everything, at least.”

"Well you have us..." Nathan said, not really sure how much that could help. He could not imagine being so far from the people who he loved. Not spouses and children.

"Thank you." Vara finished her tea and stood back up, wincing in pain as she headed to the replicator for a refill. "I suppose I should have expected this. I married them as an away mom and they expected me to make money. They talked me into joining Starfleet to begin with and the Federation is generous, but it's not lucrative. More tea?"

Nathan finished what was in his cup and handed it back to Vara. "Yes please." As she got the refills he said. "I'm trying to promote you. If I can get Tegan to sign off on it I want to bump you two ranks to full fledged Lieutenant with marks for exceptional work performance. You have been an asset to me and this ship. You deserve it. That should give you a boost in pay right?" Nathan was not sure how that program worked.

“It might. I’ll have to check with Maica.” Handing Nathan a fresh cup, Vara sipped from hers as she sat back down. “Don’t tell Nolira I’m not wearing my sling though. Those phaser hits aren’t exactly healing perfectly.”

"I don't report to Doctor Nolira." Nathan said as he took his fresh cup. "But I do want you back to one hundred percent. So take care of yourself. That's all I ask." He sipped the tea.

“I think I can do that.” Vara stared into her cup for a few seconds. “If I get promoted like that, what will my role on the ship be?”

"You're getting a promotion, not a transfer. I want to keep you right where you are if you are ok with that." Nathan said. He liked knowing that Vara was there. She was the best backup and he trusted her.

“If that’s ok. I always equated promotion with more duties and responsibilities though I’ve probably taken on well more than I should have as it is.” Vara sipped at her tea thoughtfully. ”By the way, is there a plan in place for the tribbles?”

"Maica and I are opening a pet store." He said jokingly. "No not yet. But I am looking into humane ways for dealing with them. It would be best to find a uninhabited planet to drop them off on."

“Do that and they’ll starve to death or multiply without limits. We need their homeworld. Either that or dissolve them into the transporter buffers…” Vara wasn’t entirely fond of the furry critters, but she didn’t want to see them suffer either. “I’ve killed a lot of beings and found that there’s no real ‘humane’ way to kill anything.”

"We are not killing them." Nathan stated firmly. "They have done nothing to deserve death. I will kill anyone or thing that willingly threatens this ship or its crew, but I'm not going to kill something just because it bugs us. That's never ok."

“I agree.” Vara didn’t want to kill them either. “Have we figured out how they got on board at least?”

"I have managed to track on of the oldest back to the science department...but I don't know how the other one got on yet." Nathan said. "The science department has been very neglectful as of late..." he said in his own head for a moment.

“They’re scientists, not security. A bit of leniency has to be applied. Why do you think there are 2 original tribbles though? I thought they were born pregnant and reproduced asexually.” Vara said.

Nathan looked at her and shrugged "I am security, not science. All I know about tribbles is they get everywhere and most girls think they are cute as hell. Past that...I wish I knew how to get them off a ship."

Vara nodded. “I once had to clear a cruiser of vermin during training before Starfleet. We retuned the internal sensors to the particular biosigns of the insects and ran a centimeter by centimeter sweep of the ship bow to stern. We also set up the transporters to autocycle so that when one was detected they were beamed immediately into space. I’m sure Andy can set something similar up. We just need a place more hospitable for them.”

"Already done that. We also sealed up one of the cargo bays and that's where they were transported too. Now we just need a place to drop them off at before the bay bursts." Nathan said.

Vara nodded some more at that. “Then we’re at an impasse until we find a place to relocate them to. Do you think Shira might have brought one aboard? She’s a native of this area of space and might not think they’re dangerous…”

This got Nathan thinking. "And the way she was brought on board...she was a refugee that was rescued not brought thru customs at a space station." Nathan snapped his fingers. "Vara, you're a genius!" He exclaimed.

“Thanks. It just made sense though.” Vara had assumed Shira had been checked when she came on board, but apparently not...

"My double was apparently not very good at teamwork. So bouncing ideas around like this never happened with this issue." They had not been kidding when they told him the double was bad at this job.

“Not surprising. He avoided me like the plague so I’m sure he avoided others too.” Vara said.

"Yeah." Nathan chuckled "He hated Jhu...why did they even send that guy?"

“I would assume to ruin your reputation, destroy your work, and to gather intel on the ship and crew. I’m just curious who they were interested in that they took you. They want Jhu back, Andy was a distraction to keep me busy, your double was sabotage… But for what ultimate goal? The only thing I can think of that adds up and makes sense is that they want to recruit the whole ship or sacrifice us to some other threat. The Dominion doesn’t fill that role and neither does the Borg. The only threat I can think of would be the Undine and they haven’t been spotted in this area that I know of.” Vara’s mind was processing as fast as it could and she had given this a lot of thought. “I’m pretty sure I’ll be a target soon enough, as well. I’ve proven to be a thorn in their sides and you know what they do to threats to their plans.”

Vara knew what was up as soon as she said Undine. Nathan started sweating and his heart rate picked up. Nathan could not keep a secret from Vara.

And she caught those signs easily. “Great… Can I please be wrong once?” Vara shook her head and sipped her tea. “So they have been spotted out here. I bet they’re linked to the Gekli somehow too.”

"All of the correct assumptions you are making are highly classified and I could never comment on them as you're well aware." Nathan said and sipped his own tea.

Vara just stared at Nathan for a few seconds, thinking about what all this meant. “There’s still an operative on board. There has to be, even without one of their transwarp beaming devices. Andy is in place to be used against the Undine, Jhu is distracted, leaving the entire Intel department unaware of any impending traps, you and I are at limited capacity, our first officer is chasing skirts and totally in the dark, and our captain is a drunk. We’re definitely being handed to them on a silver platter. As for the operative on board roaming free, they’re most likely expendable and thus with limited yet dangerous skills.”

Nathan listed to Vara. Strangely it made sense. "Who do we talk to and how do we prove it?"

Vara tapped her forehead. “We Lagashi are awesome at processing data we’re given but as my mother’s latest book proves, we have very little imagination. I’ve got the data analysis that proves it all in my head, but I can’t think of anyone we could tell it all too.”

Nathan sighed "We could tell the IA girl who just landed." He was not really sure he trusted her.

“Internal Affairs? I didn’t know anyone new was aboard. She’d definitely be a logical point of contact. I wonder if she’ll be able to help though.” Vara didn’t know anything about any of that but she definitely had a reason to seek this stranger out.

Nathan nodded. "Yeah, she just got here. Impossible to miss. She's the one with the big ears and bad attitude."

"Big ears and bad attitude? Interesting. Do you want to be there when I speak with her?" Vara asked.

"If you’re ok with that, yes I would." It would be interesting to see how Noxa reacted to this.

"I feel it would be best if you were. That way you can lend some credibility to my genius." Vara said with a chuckle.

"I don't think she likes me. Though she did call me handsome." Nathan said looking a bit uncomfortable. "She felt the need to throw her weight around right off the shuttle craft."

“If you were an unexpected visitor there to inspect a ship and crew, would you let people push you into a corner and hide everything from you? I expect she’s here for the greater good of the Federation and wants to do her best to fulfill the trust Starfleet has placed in her.” Vara said with a shrug. “Or she could be a bitch. Either way.”

Nathan laughed. "One or the other!" He took a sip of his tea.

Vara sipped at her tea as well, deep in thought over all that had happened recently. “I wonder what new surprises the future holds.”

Nathan had been dealing with a lot lately and he needed some down time. He had fired up Vara's bath house program to do some meditation and reflection. Jhu was working late tonight, but Nathan left the doors unlocked in hopes that when she got off she would come find him.

At the moment Nathan sat under the cold water fall in the lotus position as he worked through the events that had unfolded in his mind.

Jhu had indeed worked late, mostly hiding in her office to avoid people. She didn't know who had witnessed the sex escapade, but Intrepid class vessels were small. Word would get out. She waited until the shift change was entirely completed before leaving her office. A quick consultation with the computer showed Nathan to be in holodeck two, so that's where she went. Finding the Lagashi bath program running, she went inside and locked the door behind her.

Nathan's concentration was broken by the sound of the doors opening. A smiled spread across his face when he heard Jhu locking the door. He opened his eyes and looked across the pool of hot water to her. "How's work?"

"Same as always... too much of it and too little time. I'm swamped, and I think some of it is just backlash from SI."

Nathan slipped into the warm water of the hot springs, the heat vs. the cold of the waterfall made his skin tingle. "I'm sorry." He said making his way across the water and over to her. But he stayed in the water below her.

"Oh, it's not your fault. I piss them off all the time." Jhu grinned at him, crouching at the water's edge.

"I'm still sorry your day was hard. Going to come in or should I pull you in?" Nathan pretended to grab her.

"Don't you dare!" Laughing, Jhu retreated from the water, shedding her uniform at a nearby rock before she came back.

Nathan watched her strip and come back to the waters edge. "You are so beautiful."

"I'm a wreck right now," Jhu countered, loosening the braid in her hair and combing it out with her fingers as she stepped down into the warm water. "I have a feeling you don't care how rough I look though."

Nathan smiled "The rougher the better really." As she came into the water he moved his hands over to touch her. "You know I like it a little rough." He said with a wink to her.

"...I don't think we're talking about the same thing." Jhu snickered at him, splashing the warm water on his face.

He took the splash with a chuckle. "Maybe..." his hands roamed down her back and to her hips. "So...we should talk about what happened the other day." Nathan said bluntly.

Jhu groaned inwardly, somehow managing to maintain a more neutral outward expression. "Do we have to? I mean, it's pretty obvious that none of us were completely... there."

"Are we ok?" That was the biggest worry he had about the whole experience.

"...what?" Jhu giggled at him. "I'm not going to leave you for Andy! I don't care that you kissed her... or that you had sex with her. You were... drunk. So was I."

"I was not worried about you leaving me for Andy. I just want to make sure that didn't cause any issues between us. That's all." Nathan said. "You are what's most important."

Jhu giggled some more. "Oh no. We're fine."

Nathan grinned. "You liked it didn't you?"

Blushing only slightly, Jhu nodded.

Nathan chuckled. "Well at least it was enjoyable for you."

"Yeah... I'll admit it was fun. Not something I want to do all the time..."

"Oh! I have something for you!" Nathan said swimming away from her and out of the water. He went to his towel and pulled out a small box. He went back to the water edge and sat down.

"Oh? What's in there?" Curious, Jhu swam over to where he was sitting. Leaning on the rocky edge of the warm pool, she tapped the box's lid.

"Careful!" Nathan said. He opened it and inside was a baby calico tribble. "Found this guy in my room."

Jhu squealed happily, drying her hands on a nearby towel before lifting the little tribble out of the box. "He's so cute!"

Nathan just laughed. No one would ever believe him if he told them he got that kind of reaction from Jhu. "Vato tells me they are born pregnant, so you will need to deal with that and get it fixed. Maica tell me they are a protected species so it might be best to keep it under wraps I gave that to you."

"I won't tell a soul." Jhu petted the tribble, listening to it purr. "Could one of our doctors neuter it?"

Nathan shruged. "I have no idea."

"I'll figure it out."

Nathan slid back into the water. "I'm sure you will. What are you going to call it?"

"I dunno yet!" Jhu nestled the tribble back into the box so it couldn't wander away and get lost.

"I'm glad you like it." Nathan said, sinking up to his shoulders.

"I love it." Jhu embraced him fiercely, nearly dunking him under the water. "How'd you know I wanted one?"

"Good guess. It's cute and fuzzy and you like animals so it was a safe bet." Nathan's arms wrapped around her waist.

"A very good guess." Jhu kissed him then laid her head on his shoulder.

Nathan had been through hell and back when Section 31 had taken him. He had been lucky the Captain had not put him on medical leave. He had strongly urged Nathan to see the counselor. Nathan knew that if he didn't at lest have a visit documented that someone somewhere would be in trouble. Besides, Nathan didn't have any issues with counselors. He hit the call button on Lia's office door.

Lia rose up from her desk and walked over to the door, tapping the panel. When the doors open a smile appeared on Lia's lips. "Nathan. I guess you decided to save me a trip." She grinned stepping back, allowing him to enter.

Nathan stepped in and turned to face her. He pointed at himself "Lieutenant in Starfleet, Chief of Security and stationed on the USS Katana. This is far from my first rodeo and I'm sure it will not be my last. We have not officially met yet. Nathan, it's nice to meet you." He held his hand out to Lia.

Lia took his hand, "Like wise." she said as she shook his hand. "I'm Lia Grae, counselor, you probably know the rest. Please have a seat and we can begin."

Nathan walked over to that chair he assumed was for the patient and took a seat. "So let me guess. Every person you see 'hates the counselor' right?" He said with an easy smile.

Lia grinned, "Most of the time, yeah. But I hope people learn to give me the benefit of the doubt."

Nathan nodded thoughtfully. "That's unfortunate. I personally don't mind. So, what do you want to know?" Nathan sat back in his chair and looked up at her.

"Well... are you here because you want to or because you were ordered to?" Lia asked honestly, taking her seat on the adjacent chair.

"Honestly I am here on my own. The Captain did not place me under medical leave, so there were no orders." Nathan clasped his hands in front of him. "I don't see how anyone could go through something like that and not get a little messed up. What I'm saying in, I'm here because I want to be." He said honestly.

"Good, that is a very good step. Now, Nathan. You just mentioned you don't see how anyone could go through with what you did without ending a little messed up... Do you feel messed up?" She asked.

"I didn't even come back physically whole. Yeah, I feel messed up. I'm coping ok, I have a really great support system here. But I have nightmares." Nathan said with a little sigh. "There was nothing that could have ever prepared me for what I went through. But on a positive note, I know myself better better now. I was pushed over my limit."

Lia nodded, "Well Nathan, believe it or not, this is a really good sign. Most people who had a similar experience, would deny there was a problem at all. So I want you to feel good about yourself and that the road to recovery won't be as rocky." Lia meant every word, and was feeling positive about Nathan. "Now tell me what happened."

"I was taken out of my girlfriends bed, I was tortured for what I am told was a week all while a poor double of me lived my life and cause a security breach so big that Internal Affairs has shown up on the ship." Nathan nodded his head, that about covered it if you didn't count the tribbles and the polywater outbreak. "So yeah, fair warning, IA is on board."

"Good for them." Lia didn't want the topic to go off on a tangent. "What did they do to you?" she asked.

"They hurt me. They did everything they could to hurt me and the person they brought in to do the work was very skilled." Nathan shifted in his seat. "I don't know if I really want to go through all that right now."

Lia nodded with understanding, "that is fine, I am not trying to push you. Want to describe your recent nightmare?"

"It's always just going over what I went through. I go through one particularly messed up session after another. It's great times in our quarters at night." Nathan said sarcastically.

"Have you spoken with Jhu about your nightmares?" Lia asked.

"I have not gone into detail. She does not push me. She knows...but she's there for me when I have them like I am for her when she has hers." He replied

"Nathan..." Lia leaned forward taking a moment before continuing, "You've just been through hell. You already made the right steps on the road to recovery, but I think it would be wise to extend the path. We are going to have to, at least temporarily, suppress your nightmares."

"How do you plan on doing that?" Nathan asked curiously.

Lia rose up, and walked behind her desk. She opened a drawer reaching in and picked up a small device. She walked back to Nathan and handed the device to him. "This is a dream suppressant. While you still will reach REM sleep stage, it prevents you from forming any dreams or in your case, nightmares. Now, this is only to be used for the short term. When you are getting ready for bed, place this behind your ear and sleep."

Nathan looked impressed. "I was worried you were going to push a pill on me." He got so little sleep anyways it would be nice for the little he did get to be uninterpreted. "So what's the plan to get me off this?"

"Medication won't work for you. The plan is as follows. Use this for a week; in this week, I want you to add some entertainment...some fun in your life. Go out on a holodate with Jhu, play cards with your friends. Flood your life this week with fond memories. Then after the week, try sleeping without it, and the next day you and I will talk again to continue our discussion."

"Ok. In the mean time do you have an issue with me going back to work?" Nathan asked hopefully.

Lia shook her head, "No, I don't have any issues. It's healthy to resume your standard routine."

"Great!" Nathan said with a smile. "I have a pile of work to get too."

"Don't overwork yourself. If you need to talk more, I'm here. We'll meet again in a week."

Nathan stood. "Thank you counselor. See you in a week."

"I hope you'll let the others know, there is nothing to be afraid of with Counselors." Lia smiled.

"I don't know Counselor, that was rather painful." Nathan said with a smile as he walked out the door.

Andy had invited Nathan to her lab to help him with his new arm. It felt weak and the reaction time was off.

Main engineering was not a place Nathan spent much time. Too many things he didn't understand to mess up. So when he stepped off the lift his eyes traveled up and around at everything. He may not understand how it all worked, but he still marveled at it all.

Andy was in the cybernetics lab waiting for Nathan to show up. She was setting up the diagnostic equipment to check his arm while silently fuming over what had happened in the turbo lift. It wasn't so much what happened between her, Jhu, and Nathan. She didn't care about that! Well, she did care, they were her friends, but that was beside the point. What bothered her was the polywater intoxication. She should have known, should have recognized the signs and symptoms before they had a chance to infect her.

Nathan had not seen Andy since the turbo lift incident. He was a little nervous. He walked into the lab entrance and knocked on the frame. "Hey..."

"Hey," Andy replied. "I, uh, don't have a biobed, so just find a chair and take off your jacket and your shirt," she said distractedly as she futzed around with some of the equipment in her make-shift lab space.

Nathan found a seat and took off his jacket and shirt as instructed. "I'm going to cut right to the point, why did you storm out of sickbay like that?"

Andy hesitated. She hadn't been expecting that question. "My dad was on the Tsiolkovsky during the outbreak documented by the Enterprise. He was infected and died from explosive decompression when the ship's hatch was blown." She had told this story before, but that was fake-Nathan, so it hurt to tell it again and under these circumstances. "I should have recognized the symptoms, I knew what they were..." She grabbed her scanning equipment and brought them over to a work table next to Nathan.

"Andy, I'm sorry about your father. But that does not turn you into an expert on the illness...or what ever that is." Nathan stayed very still for her. "I hope you're not blaming yourself..."

"Blaming myself?" Andy looked at him, confused. "Why would I be blaming myself? I didn't bring it to the ship."

"Good." Nathan stated. Then he just sat there for her.

Andy began some scans of Nathan's arm. The connection between the real arm and the biosynthetics was still healing, but the nerve connections were good. At least, as best she could tell, she wasn't a doctor. "The arm looks good," she said. "Touch your thumb to your fingers, like this," she paused to demonstrate by touching her thumb to each of her fingers in rapid succession. "Don't worry about accuracy or speed, I just need to see what's going on in your brain," she added as she held the tricorder's probe above his head.

He did as she instructed. "It feels like it takes a second for the thought to get to the arm...if that makes sense. "

"Yeah, I went through the same thing," Andy said as she studied the neural reactions. "Nothing's wrong, you're good. It's just your brain has to learn how to move the arm, so it takes more conscious thought, that's why it's taking so long."

"Well I'm glad everthing looks good." Nathan said "it's harder then I thought."

"Yeah, well, getting a new arm ain't easy," Andy said. "Keep moving it," she prompted as she continued scans of the arm. "The doc got you doing any exercises?" she asked.

"Yeah some foam ball and the finger thing you have me doing." He's said trying to concentrate.

"Keep doing them whenever you get a chance," Andy said. "Even better, if you're just reading reports, try to do them. It helps the motions to become less conscious since your focus will be on the reading."

"That's great advice. Thanks Andy." Nathan said. "Can this thing get stronger by working out?"

"Yes," Andy said as she set the tricorder aside and pulled up a chair next to him. "The synthetic musculature can grow stronger. But remember, you're already going to be pretty strong because of the modifications I've made to it. The system of ligaments I used in Maica, I had the doctor incorporate that into your arm. I also improved the tensile strength of the skeletal system and the shock absorption of the cartilage. Once your brain adapts and you have full control over the arm, you'll be able to arm wrestle and win against a Klingon."

Nathan could not help but grin about that. "Well we seem to be full of half Klingon half humans now so maybe I'll give that a try. Thank you Andy."

"Anytime," she said with a grin. "Look, try not to get too frustrated with your recovery. You're gonna have bad days, days where your arm just don't wanna cooperate, but it gets better. You just gotta be patient. And I'll help however I can."

"How about the skin? Can I get Tattoos on it? Will it hurt?" All quscions he could have asked the Doctor but he had waited to ask her.

She gave his arm a pinch. She knew it would hurt, but the sensory reaction might be a bit delayed.

It was. He looked down at her hand and was about to say he didn't feel anything when, "ouch! Ok so fresh canvas. I guess it's not all bad."

"Yep, fresh canvas," Andy confirmed. "I'd hold off on getting the ink done until you have better control over it, otherwise you'll be twitching and moving when you shouldn't. Ain't like you're in a rush anyway, you got a bunch of other ones that need fixing." She rose from her chair and started digging around through some stuff she had stored in the lab.

"Know any good artist?" Nathan asked turning to watch her as he put his shirt back on. "I don't suppose someone on the ship does tat's?"

"Not that I know of, but that don't mean we can't go to the holodeck and make someone who can," Andy said as she found what she was looking for. She brought a long case over to Nathan and set it on the work space beside him. "While you were recovering, I made something for you," she said as she ran her hands over the case. "I took measurements from that time in the holodeck, then coupled with the limits of your new arm... I started it a while back and... It's probably a dumb gift, but I hope you like it."

Nathan opened the case and looked at the bow. He just looked at it for a moment then up at Andy. "This is one of the most thoughtful gifts anyone has ever given me! Thank you Andy!"

"It's too strong for you right now, and I replicated a lighter bow for you to practice on until you get your form right, but I kinda gave it to that asshole pretending to be you and... Well, you can practice with holodeck bows until you can draw this one. I just wanted to give you something that meant something 'cause I ain't good at talking about stuff and... I just wanted you to know what that meant to me." As awkward as that explanation was for Andy, it was heartfelt and sincere. "I'm working on a quiver too, but I wanted you to have the bow now."

Nathan watched her while she rambled on, when she stop he smiled. "Thank you Andy." He said again. He stood and pulled her to him in a hug.

"You're welcome," Andy said with a grin. She wasn't used to all this touchy-feely bullshit, but she could learn to like it.

That was always the best part of hugging Andy, how you could tell she was super uncomfortable but trying to play it off cool. She was getting better though. It almost made Nathan sad. He pulled back from her. "This means so much to me. It is not a dumb gift at all." Nathan took the bow from its case and looked it over. It was a recurve, like her bow, a sleek but efficient design. The grip fit perfectly in his hand.

"I'm glad you like it," Andy said as she watched him examine the bow. "I put a lot of effort into getting it just right. It's almost as powerful as mine." And that was saying a lot!

"I can tell." Nathan said flexing his hand in the grip. "I can not wait to give this thing a try!" Nathan looked to Andy. "Was I delusional or did you bring your bow when you came to rescue me?"

"It'll be a while before you can give it a go," Andy said with a chuckle. "And yeah, I brought my bow to rescue you. I know it's archaic compared to a phaser, but I prefer it... And I had just come out of the holodeck, the mountain program. I was with him and that's where I figured out he wasn't you and so I shot him."

"Archaic, but very you. I saw you kicking some ass in there." Nathan chuckled. "I thought maybe I was just seeing things."

"No, I definitely shot a few of those guards," she assured him. "I've been toying with the idea of maybe making a replicator device for my quiver so I never run out of arrows, but I'm not sure it would be worth the effort. Ain't like I gotta use it for real one a regular basis."

"But it would be really cool." Nathan set the bow back in its case.

"It would. I would just need to figure out the logistics of the mass it would require for replication..." He could practically see the gears turning in her head as she gave the matter some serious thought.

"Well I can tell you, any away mission I'm in charge of I'll be requesting you and your bow." Nathan said with a nod.

"Meh, I'm an Engineer, not a fighter," Andy said with a shrug, but if he ever asked it of her she would always be ready to step up to help. "Hey, before you go, I think we should talk about what happened in the lift."

Nathan sat back down and blushed slightly. "Yeah I guess we should."

"I just think it would be good to get all out on the table. I know most people ain't as open minded as me when it comes to sex. I mean, it happened, I ain't ashamed of it, and that's it. But if you and Jhu are awkward about it... Well, I just don't want it to affect our friendship," Andy said.

Nathan shook his head. "No Andy, it's not going to affect our friendship!" He looked at her. "All things considered I'm glad it was you. That situation could have ended much much worse." Faces flashed through his head "Way worse." Nathan blinked and looked back to Andy. "Is this going to upset Maica at all?" That was what worried Nathan the most.

"I already told her," Andy said. She was glad it wasn't going to change anything between them. Andy so rarely made such close friends, it would have killed her to lose either Jhu or Nathan. "She was a little miffed she wasn't there to join in, but she's alright with what happened."

Nathan shook his head and chuckled. "Well I'm glad she's ok." He grinned "You looked rather proud of yourself for a moment there."

"I cannot tell a lie, I did think it was funny considering how shy you two were when you first got together," Andy said with a snicker.

Nathan's face blushed again a little. "We are a bit private." He admited. "I would be lieing if I said it was not fun."

"Damn right, I'm always fun," Andy said proudly.

Nathan chuckled. "So...even though it was not the Borg, I have a much better understanding now." He knew he didn't need to say anything more. She would understand what he was talking about.

Andy nodded. She understood what he meant. He may not have died, but life had come to an end for him over there. "I wish it was something you didn't have to learn, Nate. I really wish we coulda found you before that happened."

"Everything happens for a reason." He said. "It was the biggest challenge of my life, but I over came it. You got there exactly when you were supposed to. Captain didn't even put me on medical, can you believe that?"

"Smart man," Andy said with a lopsided grin. "You don't need to be on medical leave, ain't nothing wrong with you." Although no doubt he would be dealing with the fallout for a while yet, she believed him when he said he'd overcome his ordeal.

"I did volunteer to see Lia on my own. I figure it can't hurt to have it on my record that I was willing to "seek help'." Nathan said.

"That woman's crazy," Andy murmured. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black! "I hope it helps, though. And if you ain't comfortable talking to her about some stuff, you got people around you who'll listen."

Nathan smiled to her. "I know. I just don't really know what to say about it. I never knew pepole like that existed..."

"People like that don't exist," Andy said. "When they get like that, they ain't people anymore."

"And for no reason. They didn't want information, the didn't want money. They wanted to hurt me..." Nathan slowly shook his head with a confused look on his face.

"You were just a means to an end." That was a feeling Andy knew well. "Sometimes bad things happen, but there's a reason and it makes it easier to deal with. But then some things happen and you can't find a reason to make it all make sense and then it hurts more."

Nathan nodded slowly. "At least I'm home now..."

"When I was rescued, I didn't have this sense of 'home' like you do, that came much later," Andy said, knowing he would understand she was speaking of her own past. "We're family now, and family looks out for each other. You're safe now and you don't have to deal with this alone."

"I know." Nathan said. Then he looked up at Andy with a smile. "So does that make up kissing cousins now? "

"Dunno, I'll have to check with Maica," Andy said with a lopsided grin.

Nathan laughed. "All of you are keeping me sane, you know that right?"

Andy snickered. "May not exactly be the best idea to trust your sanity to the likes of me."

"You have been doing a great job so far." Nathan said as he stood. "Do you have any more worries about our fling in the lift?" He asked her.

"No. Why, do you? If Jhu turns up pregnant, it ain't mine," she joked with her trademark smirk.

"If it comes out with crazy red hair we are going to have a very long talk." Nathan said with a chuckle. "And no, I have no questions. Sorry Maica missed all the illness induced fun."

"And if you were at all worried about me, I'm sterile, so your swimmers ain't making camp here," Andy assured him more seriously.

"That's good to hear...and I'm sorry." Nathan said with a conflicted look.

"Why are you sorry?" Andy said. "I ain't. I think we both know I ain't exactly parent material," she said with a grin. "I wouldn't know what to do with a brat."

"I think you might be suprised." Nathan said very seriously. "But I'm sorry because I have a feeling I know who took that choice away from you."

"Yeah..." He was right. Andy's assimilation had been fast and crude and it had left that part of her unusable. "Well, no point in crying over spilt milk. I never wanted kids anyway."

"Well then it all worked out." Nathan said. He was getting ready to say goodbye when he remembered some. "Oh! I know you're busy as hell but I need you tomorrow, all day."

"Tomorrow? All day?" Seriously? Did he think she just lazed about all day? "What for?"

"You are one of two people on this ship I trust to help with the reconfiguration of the torpedoes and weaponizing your nanoprobes." Nathan raised his eyebrows. "Yeah, I'm back and in the loop."

Andy nodded, understanding completely. "I'll clear my schedule," Andy said without any hesitation.

Nathan smiled "I knew you would. If we split the work it should only take about 12 hours." Oh this was going to be a long day.

Shit! And she was supposed to be taking some vacation time with Maica! "Fun fun," Andy said. But she would be there.

"At least the company will be nice. 0700." Nathan said. "Sleep well."

"I'll be there," Andy replied. "And make sure you do your hand exercises before you go to bed!"

"Yes ma'am." Nathan called back at her.