To guest reviewer Major Julia: Thanks for the nice reviews! As for your suggestion regarding Julian getting sick, I tend to prefer stories where he's being the doctor. However, I do have one story planned (but probably won't get to write it for a while) where he's badly injured himself, but refuses treatment so he can save Jadzia's life.
I'll check the settings for guest reviews, but I did get the reviews you posted for "Knowledge in Dangerous Doses" and "Molly's Malady." Thanks again! Barbie

Chapter Four: Setting the Pace

Chitra at first seemed to slow his steps for the doctor's sake, but then began to realize that Bedru's added weight was little burden to him; that he seemed in no danger of stumbling even as he climbed over rocks without his arms for balance. Gradually, Chitra resumed their speed of the day before.

At a tug on his uniform, Bashir instantly looked down, pushing Bedru's respiratory mask aside. "What is it, son?"

"I'm…gonna be sick!" Bedru said urgently, retching even as he finished speaking.

Bashir crouched instantly, supporting the boy as he vomited violently. There was little in his stomach to come up, but when it was empty the dry heaves continued in choking spasms that shook his whole body.

Bashir looked up sharply to see Dax kneeling beside the open medkit, her eyes fixed on him as she awaited his request. Within seconds, the hypospray of anti-nausea medication was in his hand, and he injected it in Bedru's neck. "Easy, son," he murmured, rubbing Bedru's back. "Take slow, deep breaths; in through your nose and out through your mouth. That's it; you're going to be fine."

As the spasms eased, Bedru fell limply into Bashir's arms, panting raggedly.

Bashir held a canteen to the boy's lips. "Just a few sips to rinse your mouth," he cautioned. "Does anything hurt?"

Bedru shook his head weakly, and Bashir lifted him to carry him a short distance from the mess before laying him on a relatively level space of ground and running yet another tricorder scan.

"Mm. It looks like your hearts are beating at the exact same time; that's what's making you feel sick." He mentally cursed himself for letting it get this bad; why hadn't he been paying closer attention? "Defibrillator, Dax; Bedru, I'm going to pace your heart to get it beating when it should be. It shouldn't hurt, but it might feel a little uncomfortable."

He set the defibrillator to its lowest setting and put the pads over Bedru's heart. The beat was so far off that trying to correct it in one attempt could lead to fibrillation or even cardiac arrest; he paced it once, halfway back to where it should be, then waited several beats and paced it again.

Bedru rubbed his side as Bashir removed the pads, and the doctor smiled sympathetically. "Getting a little sore?"

"Yes," Bedru said apologetically.

"That's understandable; I'm told being shocked feels like someone kicked you, and I probably bruised you a little when I gave you CPR."

Looking at Bedru's skin now in the sunlight, he could see the darkening shadows across it. "Dax, hand me the tissue regenerator; I can take care of some of that bruising, anyway."

He ran the instrument slowly over the bruises, watching as they faded to be almost unnoticeable. "Better?"

"Yeah."

"Good." He ran another tricorder scan, making sure the niter heart was still beating as he had paced it. "You're a little dehydrated, son; that can lead to arrhythmias on its own. Even with the anti-nausea medication I don't want to risk oral fluids just yet; I'm going to have to give you another saline drip."

Chitra made an impatient noise. "We can't stay out here in the open; it's not safe."

"We haven't seen any sign of anyone following us for two days," Dax pointed out. "But I'll keep watch, just in case." She winked at Chitra, lightly touching her phaser, and moved to a rock that would make a good lookout post.

Bashir slipped the respiratory mask back over Bedru's mouth and nose before setting up the IV line. Chitra came and sat by his brother's side, holding Bedru's hand and looking at Bashir with anguished eyes.

The doctor laid a hand on his shoulder. "He'll be all right, Chitra," he promised softly.

Next chapter coming next week!

I proofread all my stories at least once before posting, but if you see any mistakes I might have missed, please let me know!

Please note that I have internet access only once a week, and may not have time to respond to all reviews/messages. If you have questions regarding my Deep Space Nine alternate history, check my profile first to see if they're answered there. Thanks for your understanding! Barbie