I like reviews. Tell me what you think. The next few chapters will be emotional and angsty. I love angst.
Chapter 4
I woke to find a tan-skinned, dark-haired man leaning over me. My training told me to immobilize him, then ask questions. I quickly extended my claws, sat up, grabbed the back of his neck with one hand, and held the claws of my other hand a millimeter from his throat.
He was completely calm for someone's who's life was being threatened. "Either impale me or slit my throat," he said.
"Who are you?" I asked.
"The doctor who saved your life. Now, if you would kindly retract your claws, I can check you over."
I let him go after a few seconds and retracted my claws.
"That's something I haven't seen in a Skonian," he muttered. "Metal claws."
"You are Doctor Julian Bashir," I stated.
"Yes. And you are lucky to be alive. What's your name?"
"Tengu. Did Captain Sisko receive the plans?"
"He's discussing them with Starfleet now. So, Tengu, what happened?"
"What do you mean?"
"You requested permission to dock your ship, but didn't ask for medical assistance when you clearly needed it. Then you stumbled into Garak's shop, gave Odo the datapad, and pass out."
I nodded my head.
"Then I bring you here to treat you. There were multiple lacerations all over your body, a nasty shoulder injury, broken ribs, and nearly-severed tendons in your right leg. At the very least, you shouldn't have been able to walk. What happened?"
"I risked my life to get the Dominion's plans to you," I answered.
"You'll have to do better than that."
"I know I will have to be briefed on it. There is no logical point in telling the same story twice."
"You're not going anywhere until tomorrow. Even then, you're going to have to be gentle with yourself."
"I figured as much."
"Lie down," Bashir commanded.
"Why?"
"So I can finish checking you over."
I sighed and lied down. Then I noticed that I was not in my black outfit, instead in more colorful Infirmary clothing. "Where are my clothes?"
"They're being cleaned. Now, I need you to not move as much as possible." Bashir reached down to touch my shoulder.
I stopped him by saying, "Touch me only if you want me to see details of your life."
Bashir's response was a puzzled look on his face.
"I have visions of the past or future that can be triggered by touching a person or object," I explained.
"These visions happen all the time?"
"No. There is no pattern to them."
"Okay," he smiled. "We'll just have to employ doctor-patient confidentiality."
During my examination, Doctor Bashir made a lot of physical contact with me. Through the visions it triggered, I knew much about his life.
"Well, I'm finished for now. You'll have to stay here for the night," said Bashir.
"Doctor Bashir, I-"
"Please, call me Julian. I'm sure you know me well enough for that," he told me with a smile.
"Julian, I feel weak."
"That's expected. Do you feel dizzy or nauseated?"
"No. How long have I been unconscious?"
"Five hours, thirty minutes."
"That means it has been fifty hours since I last had nourishment."
"You're hungry?"
"If that is your word for it, yes." I sighed. "I forgot to replenish my stores of White."
"Ketracell White?"
"A mixture of that and other nutrients I need to survive."
"Well, we don't have any White here. I can take my lunch break now. Any requests?"
"I am not familiar with your foods," I replied.
"I'll get you something good." Julia smiled again. He seemed to do that a lot. "I'll be back soon. I'm feeling kind of Chinese today."
"I do not understand the reference," I told him.
The doctor's smile broadened before he left.
I decided to use the time to explore the Infirmary. I gingerly got out of the bio-bed and heavily limped around the room, touching various things to see what I could see.
I went through the doorway to Julian's office. On the wall was a round mirror. Before now, I had only seen my reflection in dark windows or consoles. Needless to say, those reflections were not very informative. The reflection in Julian's mirror was one of a young woman hardened by the life she lived. Short, blue-black hair framed her expressionless face.
I was still staring at my reflection when Julian came in a few minutes with two trays of steaming… something.
"Are you alright?" he asked.
"Yes. I have reached the conclusion that a Jem'hadar has more facial expressions than I do."
Julian put the trays on his desk and sat down he gestured to the chair across from him. I took the cue and sat.
I did not know how to properly "eat", because I would inject the Ketracell White into my bloodstream. So I followed Julian's example by using the "fork" to pick up the "egg fried rice" and raising it to my mouth.
I was not prepared for the sensation that filled my mouth when I put the fork loaded with food in it. I chewed a bit, then swallowed before telling Julian, "There is a strange sensation in my mouth."
"What do you mean?"
"I do not know. It started on my tongue"
Julian thought for a minute. Then his face seemed to light up. "Taste. You're experiencing taste."
"Taste," I echoed after taking another bite of the rice. I noticed Julian slightly shaking. "Are you alright?"
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to laugh. I'm just wondering where you've been if you haven't experienced taste."
It was not a direct question, so I did not respond to it.
"Tengu, you have me at a disadvantage. You see, you know many things about me, but I only know your name. May I ask you a question?"
"Only if it is not too personal," I agreed.
"Okay… where did you get your armband? I would've taken it off to continue treating you, but it seemed rather attached to you."
"It was given to me by a man named Tholme, before we were… separated fifteen years ago. I have never taken it off."
"Was Tholme important to you?"
"I agreed to one question."
"Can't argue with that logic," Julian commented.
"I am certain that most, if not all, of your questions will be answered at tomorrow's briefing."
"You're going to make me wait," the doctor stated.
"Yes," I replied.
We ate the rest of our meal in silence. Then, when Julian put the empty trays away, he said, "Tengu, you are completely different from everyone else on this station. And I mean that in a good way."
I got up from the chair and looked into the mirror again. "You will not mean it a good way when you know."
"Is that sadness in your voice?" Julian asked softly.
"I do not know. I do not know emotion," I told him.
Julian came up behind me and placed his hand on my shoulder. I did not realize that I had brought my hand up and placed it on his until I saw it in the mirror. My visions showed me nothing.
Why had I responded to his touch? I was an unfeeling, unemotional, cold hunter.
In the mirror, I saw Julian behind me. His concern for me was obvious. Compared to him, I could pass for an android.
"Julian, why are you being so… friendly to me?" I quietly asked.
"You're very lonely, and you can feel that loneliness. Things are going to change for you, Tengu."
"Can you help me with my emotions?"
"Well, I'm not specially trained for that. You really should see our counselor, Ezri Dax. But, I'll do what I can."
"I would appreciate that."
Julian smiled again.
A minute late, I was brought back to reality when I realized how tired I was. Julian walked me over to the bed I was in earlier.
"If you need anything, I'll be in my office," he said.
"You will be there all night?"
The doctor nodded. "I sleep in my office when I have an overnight patient. See you tomorrow, Tengu."
I nodded, then closed my eyes and focused on healing my body.
