The full length mirror in his quarters was to blame.

Ensign Arbuckle stood in front of it now, phaser in hand. It had just been issued to him half an hour ago. The grip felt powerful and the weight felt good. Like an old friend. It was rare that a fresh ensign became the recipient of the latest upgrade, but he'd somehow managed to wind up at the top of the list.

He studied the weapon carefully. Which setting first? It was automatically set on "stun", of course. Heat? He eyed the Iurian dreaming crystal that graced his dresser. Nah. That could start a fire. Again.

Recharge? Nothing in the room needed it.

Kill? He cast a glance towards the sleeping orange cat in the corner. No. While he'd had moments where he'd seriously considered it, he loved Garfield. The creature had been the bane of his existence for years, but also one of his best friends.

So, back to stun. Sigh. As he turned towards the mirror once more, he chuckled and smiled at himself. Remembering the days when he used to dream of being a cowboy. And then the faintest of notions crept into his mind.

"Hello, stranger. Don't reckon I ever seen you around these parts before." The drawl slipped off his curled lips. He placed his hand on his hips. "You fixin' to stick 'round here long?"

"Well, now, I might at that." The mirror cowboy's voice was older with a similar twang.

"'Round here, my word is law." He curled an imaginary mustache. "And I say this town ain't big enough for the two of us." Pause. "What say you to that?"

"I say draw your weapon, old timer."

"Fine by me." Arbuckle turned and counted ten paces away from the mirror. Then, in a flash, he whipped around and pointed the phaser at the mirror, squeezing the trigger.

His last thoughts before the powerful beam reflected off the mirror's surface were, Wait a minute? Did I put the safety on?...

The powerful jolt knocked him to the floor.

…

Ensign Arbuckle's eyes fluttered open. Good, thought Dr. Crusher as she scanned him with a medical tricorder. At least he's conscious.

The ensign groaned something unintelligible. "What did he say?" she asked Nurse T'Ceel, who shook her head.

Beverly leaned over the biobed to hear him better. "Ensign? Jon, can you hear me? What is it?"

Arbuckle blinked again. "Stupid…..mirror….."