Disclaimer: I don't own Star Trek, though MACO Lt. Kaitlyn Donovan does belong to me.

( FYI - A future story of Donovan is now posted under the Star Trek 2009 Movie listing).

Thank you to Hummingbird2 for the reviews, and to all of you that are reading this story.

All's Fair in Love and War

Chapter 7

0443 - Steel's State room

Malcolm woke up slowly and found himself in a very embarrassing predicament. Kaitlyn had taken a liking to drape herself on him at night to sleep, not that he minded at all, it just complicated things. He'd had a very vivid dream about her last night, hence his current condition. He decided to make a tactical retreat to the bathroom before she woke up.

Kaitlyn frowned as she opened her eyes and looked at the clock. So much for actually sleeping until 0500. She moaned as a marching band rattled around in her head. She was going to seriously have to limit how much alcohol she drank. She'd only had two drinks, one at dinner, and one in the Lounge - and she hadn't even finished either of them. But obviously she hadn't hydrated herself enough. She usually only nursed one drink all night, if she had to drink at all.

She felt sick. She got up and ran to the smaller bathroom and proceeded to empty the contents of her stomach.

Malcolm grew concerned when Kaitlyn wasn't still in bed when he came out of the bathroom, then he heard her getting sick in the other bathroom. He quickly went to her. By the time he reached her, she was washing her face. "Are you okay? Do you think it was something you ate last night?" he questioned as he got a washcloth from the cabinet and wet it and handed it to her.

She put the cool washcloth on her forehead. "I think I didn't hydrate enough and had too much to drink."

Malcolm frowned, "You didn't even drink half of either of those drinks and you drank three glasses of water at dinner alone." He shook his head and touched her cheek gently, she wasn't burning up. "I'll be right back." he retrieved the medical scanner from the kit out of the closet. He turned it on and went back to Kaitlyn. He quickly scanned her and waited for its analysis. His eyes widened at its list of possible diagnosis - all of them were a result of poisons. It recommended immediate medical attention and a complete blood workup.

Kaitlyn snatched the scanner and read it. She blinked. Poisoned?

Malcolm sighed, "It had to be in your drink at the Lounge." he crossed his arms. "You had the wine at dinner and it was poured at the table." he pointed out. "Come on and get dressed, I'll take you to the infirmary." He took the scanner as she handed it back to him and slowly walked to her dressing room. He put the scanner back into the bag and followed her.

Kaitlyn sat down on the bench. She closed her eyes and covered her face with the washcloth again. She fought another wave of nausea.

"Do you want me to get your clothes out of the dresser? What do you want to wear?" he offered to help.

Kaitlyn looked up slowly, "I think there is a pair of black leggings in the middle drawer, and I'll wear that long, brown button down shirt." she pointed to the shirt on the hanger a few feet away.

Malcolm quickly got the clothes and put them on the bench beside her.

She smiled softly, "Thank you, I think I can take care of the rest. You might want to page Timai and tell her where we're going, so she holds off bringing breakfast." she suggested.

Malcolm nodded and quickly paged Timai, then changed into a pair of navy pants and a light blue button down shirt. He was putting his shoes on when she came out of her dressing room. He stood up and offered his arm as they made their way to the infirmary on the fifth level of the ship.

The nurse on duty quickly led them to a private room and scanned her. She frowned slightly, then announced she'd be right back.

A few minutes later the nurse came in and took a sample of blood and told them the doctor would be here in just a few minutes.

Kaitlyn handed the washcloth to Malcolm, "Could you wet this again, please?" she requested as she blanched again.

Malcolm quickly wet it at the sink and rung out the excess water and handed it back to her. He rubbed her back gently as he stood beside her. He was getting angry, he wanted to know who the hell had poisoned her.

She raised an eyebrow at Malcolm, "And what are you going to do when you find out?"

He moved in front of her and ran his hand over her arm. He sighed softly, "I guess it depends on who it is."

They looked up as the door opened a few moments later.

A tall, brown hair, middle aged man came in quickly. He nodded to the two of them and stretched out his hand to Malcolm, "Mr. Steel, I'm Doctor Kouri."

Malcolm shook the doctor's hand and stepped out of the way so the doctor could reach Kaitlyn.

Dr. Kouri shook Kaitlyn's hand, "Mrs. Steel, it seems as though you've been slightly poisoned." he stated.

Malcolm nodded, "We figured that out. It had to be in her drink she got at the Lounge last night. What type of poison?" he questioned.

Dr. Kouri was slightly taken aback that they were already aware of what her ailment was, then he remembered that one of their businesses was Security. He glanced at the PADD, "Trinitrogen chloride, it's found in a lot of cleaning products."

Malcolm looked at Kaitlyn and held her hand. He gently rubbed his thumb on her hand, also used as an explosive, he pointed out to her.

Kaitlyn nodded, "I don't remember ordering that in my drink." she tried to smile and make light of the situation.

Malcolm wasn't in a humorous mood, he glanced at the doctor, "What does Kaitlyn need to get it out of her system?" he questioned.

Dr. Kouri smiled softly, "Luckily, not too much of it got in her system in the first place, and she's gotten rid of most of it. Her body seems to be doing a good job of counter acting the poison. I suggest you drink a lot of water today, and avoid alcohol for 48 hours. Eat well rounded meals." He pulled out a hypo and injected her, "Here's an anti-nausea, you should feel back to normal in just a few hours." He pulled out his PADD, "I'm very sorry about this, Mrs. Steel - I've notified Mr. Osbourne, our Head of Security. I'm sure he will get in touch with you soon. I'll come by and check on you after lunch to make sure you're on the mend." he patted Kaitlyn's hand.

"Thank you, Doctor." Malcolm shook the man's hand, then the doctor left. He turned to Kaitlyn as she got down off the table.

Kaitlyn looked up at him questionably when he stood fixed in place in front of her.

He touched her cheek gently, "Someone poisoned you on purpose." the little worry lines on his forehead became more pronounced.

She nodded slowly, "It usually takes a few more days for me to get under people's skin. I must have really ticked someone off."

He tried to smile, but he really didn't feel like it. He guided her out of the infirmary and back to their State room. He led her to the couch and had her sit down, then kissed her forehead. He quickly went and brought her back a bottle of water, then paged Timai that she could go ahead and send breakfast. Malcolm sat next to her on the couch as he pulled out his PADD. "Okay, let's go through people you've ticked off." he suggested.

Kaitlyn mulled it over, "Hammond, I cut off his access to the Security feeds - though really, it could be anyone that had figured out how to use them." she pointed out.

Malcolm nodded, "Abigail Fitzpatrick." he suggested.

"But I didn't confront her until after I'd had the drink, unless she spiked the drink thinking it would get me out of the way for awhile." she frowned. The woman was a menace, but she didn't think she'd actually poison someone.

They looked up as the chime for the door rang.

Malcolm got up and let Timai in.

"Good morning, Mr. Steel." Timai nodded and rolled the breakfast cart in and quickly placed the domed covered plates on the table and poured the cranberry juice in the goblets. "Dr. Kouri made some recommendations for your breakfast, Mrs. Steel." she explained.

"Thank you, Timai." Kaitlyn smiled softly as she came over and sat down in the chair. She lifted the lid and surveyed the contents. Toast, grits, ham, and fruit. She looked over at Malcolm's plate of eggs, hash browns and bacon and had to admit that his breakfast, which she normally would like, didn't seem that appetizing to her at the moment. She took a sip of juice, then started to eat her toast.

Timai went to the fridge to check the contents, "I will bring more water and juices when I come back. Is there anything else I can get for you?" she questioned Kaitlyn.

"Actually, is there a room we can practice dancing this afternoon?" she inquired.

Timai smiled gently, "I will see if one is available." she quickly left.

Malcolm looked up, "You still want to practice this afternoon?" he questioned her.

"I'll be fine by then, besides do you really want to dance tomorrow without having practiced?" she inquired, she knew he had reservations about having to show off their dance moves every few nights.

He sighed, "No. I just don't understand this ship's infatuation with dancing after dinner." He stabbed at his eggs.

Kaitlyn smiled, "Look on the bright side, at least you get to dance with me. That is something that not many men can say." she pointed out.

Malcolm grinned, "Well, there is that." She was a very good dancer. He tilted his head slightly, "Where did you learn to dance?"

Kaitlyn laughed softly as she leaned back in her chair. "I had to have four courses in a fine art for my degree requirement, so I decided to take a dance survey class for the first course. I liked it, it was active and kept my body limber, so I took the other ones they offered."

"Wouldn't your theatre courses have counted?" he wondered.

"Well, if I'd been interested in theatre my first two years of college - which I wasn't. I didn't get involved in theatre until after I'd already taken the dance courses." Kaitlyn shrugged.

Malcolm was intrigued, "So, how did you get interested in theatre?" She acted so well, he just thought she'd always been inclined. His eyebrows arched as she proceeded to blush furiously. He grinned, "Now you have to tell me."

"I lost a bet." she admitted. "So, I had to try out for a play."

Malcolm grinned, "Obviously the director liked you for the part - what play?" he questioned.

"The Taming of the Shrew - don't laugh!" she threatened.

"Pray tell, did you play Kate?" his grin widened.

She sipped her juice and watched him carefully, he was enjoying this too much. "Yes, and I did a very good job." She stood up when the chime rang and opened the door. "Good morning, Mr. Osbourne. Please, come in." she offered him a seat on the couches.

Malcolm came over and sat beside her, as Osbourne sat on the couch across from them.

Osbourne looked between the two, then focused on Kaitlyn, "I was very displeased when I heard this morning that someone had poisoned you. Dr. Kouri said you thought it happened at the Lounge last night?" he inquired.

Malcolm nodded, "Had to be then. The wine at dinner was poured at the table."

"Could it have been afterwards?" Osbourne asked.

Kaitlyn shook her head, "I didn't have anything else after the drink at the Lounge last evening."

Osbourne nodded slowly, "You had an altercation with Ms. Fitzpatrick last evening?"

"Yes." she answered simply.

"Could she have poisoned you, because of that altercation?" he wondered.

"No. My altercation with her was after I left the Lounge, when I came back." Kaitlyn stated.

Osbourne was puzzled, "Why did you go back?"

Kaitlyn glanced at Malcolm as he held her hand gently. She looked at Osbourne, "I take it this will be held in confidence?"

The Head of Security cocked his head, "I can't guarantee it, but I'll try."

Kaitlyn sighed softly, "Abigail Fitzpatrick was outright flirting with Mr. Weston, his wife got angry. I left with Catherine and later, when Malcolm told me that he was still in the Lounge - I went to get him."

Osbourne blinked slowly, "You went to get him?" He wondered why her husband hadn't gone with her to get Weston, "Why?"

Kaitlyn leaned closer to Osbourne, "I thought it was my duty to get Mr. Weston back to his wife."

"I still don't understand." Osbourne shook his head.

Malcolm could feel Kaitlyn's anger start to build. He tugged her back to lean on him and squeezed her hand gently. "Mr. Osbourne, Abigail Fitzpatrick had already flirted with me the day before and my wife was rightly perturbed at the woman." He narrowed his eyes at Osbourne, " Now, even though the woman is a menace, we don't think she did this. I suggest that you watch the video feeds to see if you can find out who poisoned my wife." he stood up, effectively ending the conversation.

Osbourne quickly stood up, "Of course, Mr. Steel."

Malcolm walked the man to the door and shook his head as the door closed, "He should have already looked at the feeds and be questioning people by now." he pointed out as he went and got two bottles of water out of the fridge. He opened the door when it chimed and let Timai in, then headed back over to the couch. He handed Kaitlyn one of the bottles, then reached for the PADD again to finish working on the recommendations for Weston. He glanced at Kaitlyn, she still looked really tired. "Why don't you rest for awhile?" he suggested.

Kaitlyn had to admit that she was still not feeling that great. "We really need to finish Weston's recommendations." she pointed out.

Malcolm smiled and put one of the pillows in his lap, "Get the throw and lay down. I'll work on it while you rest. If I've got a question, I'll nudge you." he promised.

She sighed softly and pulled the throw around her and laid her head down on the pillow. She closed her eyes slowly and felt herself quickly falling asleep.

Malcolm looked up as Timai came out from fixing their bedroom about thirty minutes later.

Timai smiled softly as she saw Kaitlyn sleeping peacefully. "Mr. Steel, Mr. Schultz has invited the two of you to lunch to discuss the recommendations you sent him yesterday and he'd also like for you to dine at his table this evening." she said softly, so as not to disturb his wife.

"That will be fine." Malcolm nodded.

"I reserved the Dalma room for you at 1400, so you can practice dancing. It has a speaker system with access to a full library of music." Timai explained.

"Thank you, Timai." he smiled.

"I'll send your acceptances for lunch and dinner to Mr. Schultz." she said, then left and took the dishes with her.

Malcolm watched Kaitlyn for a few minutes as she slept. She really was very beautiful and looked quite peaceful as she slept - but he also knew that she was deceptively strong. When she'd blocked Lieutenant Gates' blows, had it really only been four days ago? she'd held back and only stopped him. Even when she took him down, she could have done far more damage to him - but she held herself back.

When he'd read her files, he'd learned that she had been part of the forward ground unit in the incursion on Alpha Centauri last year. A group of aliens, their identity was still classified as need to know, had attacked two of the outer lying cities and had taken over the deuterium facilities there. The aliens were butchers, they not only attacked the workers at the plant, but they'd also terrorized the women and children. The quick reports he'd read said the fights were brutal hand to hand combat scenarios. The MACOs had been quick about it and took out the butchers in less eighteen hours.

He frowned and closed his eyes. He knew she could take care of herself - but how could she do that if he allowed her to get poisoned! He looked back at the PADD. He was supposed to watch her back. If Osbourne didn't hurry up and find the person that poisoned her, he was going to have to find them himself. Malcolm shook his head, he was a damned incompetent fool for allowing it to happen.

Kaitlyn could hear Malcolm's thoughts clearly, as he was practically yelling them. She kept her breathing even, as he recollected the reports on Alpha Centauri. He was right, the fights were brutal. The aliens had been the Nausicaans. Alpha Centauri and United Earth had wanted to keep it quiet on who the aliens had been. If the public had found out that these aliens were able to just come out of the woodworks and terrorize planets and its citizens, it wouldn't be good for colonization of other planets. Ever since the incursion, MACOs had been stationed on Alpha Centauri and other colonized planets were asking for a unit of MACOs - just in case they were needed.

She opened her eyes slowly as Malcolm's self-deprecations became too much for her to tolerate. "You are not incompetent, nor a fool." she stated firmly as she looked up at him.

Malcolm moved the PADD so he could see her. He sighed softly, "I'm sorry, did I wake you up?"

Kaitlyn sat up and watched him, "I was waking up." She noted that he didn't take back what he was thinking about himself. "You're too hard on yourself." she pointed out.

Malcolm shrugged, he wasn't going to disagree with her. "When did you start to wake up?" She was very good at playing possum, he hadn't detected a change in her breathing.

"When you started to think about Alpha Centauri, I picked up on it." She reached for her water on the table and drank it slowly. "They were butchers." she agreed with his assessment. She kept the images way in the back of her mind, but she could talk about it. "The Nausicaans." she stated, knowing he wouldn't tell anyone else. "They did unspeakable things to the women and children. They were given no quarter." she stated.

He nodded in understanding. "Did you get any information from the Nausicaans?"

"Yes." she took another long sip of water. She winced as she remembered the distinct sound Nausicaan bones made when they broke, how it felt as she had broken them.

Malcolm watched as her lips twisted, she was obviously thinking of something horrible that had happened there. He decided to broach the subject he'd been dreading to bring up. He took a deep breath, "Kaitlyn, about last night . . . "

Kaitlyn looked over at him slowly, unsure about what part of last night he was bringing up. Then she saw the questioning look on his face. "Oh, when I kissed the living daylights out of you?" she shrugged slightly. "I guess I could blame it on the poisoned alcohol - but that's not it. I told you that you intrigue me." She watched for his reaction before she went on. He was really good about not revealing how he felt in his expression. "Did I offend you?" she asked.

"No." Malcolm admitted. He was concerned, she seemed vulnerable at the moment. He reached for her hand tentatively and held it. He didn't want to break her heart. He often left women wondering what they'd done wrong when the relationship ended. The reality was that he just couldn't allow himself to get that close to any of them and broke it off before they could get too close.

She smiled softly when she heard his fleeting thoughts, "You assume I have a heart to break." She shook her head, "With everything I've gone through in the past year? I really don't have a 'heart' anymore, I just have this thing that beats in my chest and keeps my blood pumping." she shrugged slightly. She leaned closer and kissed his cheek gently, "Thanks for worrying about me, but I'm not going to let you get that close to me either." She stood up.

Malcolm stood up beside her, not exactly sure what she wanted from him. He raised an eyebrow, "But you wouldn't mind something more?" he asked her hesitantly.

Kaitlyn grinned as the console beeped, "I thought I made that clear last night." She quickly went and answered the call. She schooled her expression as Harris came on the screen.

Harris had seen her expression before she'd efficiently removed it. He nodded to her slowly, "Anyone else there with you?" he questioned.

Malcolm came over, "Just us." he stated.

"We got into the ship's communication system and our analysts are going over each of the calls, evidently there is a lot of business going on - over six thousand communications." Harris pointed out.

Malcolm nodded, "There is, we've already been approached." he quickly explained to Harris about their business dealing so far.

Harris contemplated the information, "If we need to get a shipment of weapons to Mobius Prime, I'll need to know soon." he pointed out to them.

"We've got a lunch meeting with Schultz today to go over the recommendations we made." Malcolm stated. He glanced at Kaitlyn, then back to Harris. "Kaitlyn's drink was poisoned last night."

Harris sat up straighter and looked over Kaitlyn, "You're doing fine now?"

She nodded, "The ship's Security Officer is working on finding out who spiked my drink."

Harris looked at Malcolm, "If he doesn't figure it out soon - you do it." he directed.

"I was already planning on it." Malcolm said as he glanced at Kaitlyn again.

Harris nodded, "Forrest is moving ahead with your recommendations. They should all be in place by this time tomorrow."

"And my father?' she questioned.

"He was moved to Starfleet Medical yesterday and woke up last night. He got a bit banged up, and a little burned, but he should be released by the end of the week." Harris stated matter-of-factly.

"Good." Kaitlyn nodded. "Forrest?" she inquired.

"He's getting to leave Medical today."

"And the bombings?" Malcolm questioned.

"Lawson reported that all indicators point to Terra Prime." Harris watched the two of them again. "Any other questions, or problems I should know about?" he got the feeling that something was going on between the two of them.

Malcolm grunted, "Have I told you how much I don't like to dance? We're going to practice this afternoon." he said, hoping to divert Harris' bloodhound like senses.

Harris chuckled, "You'll be fine. Take care." he ended the conversation and the screen reverted back to the console.

XXXXX

Ambassador Soval watched as the three MACOs entered his office. He raised an eyebrow at Major Hayes and Corporal Buchannan.

Major Hayes smiled inwardly at the Ambassador's reaction to the third MACO in the room. "Ambassador Soval, this is Corporal Cole. Lieutenant Donovan recommended that Cole be your guard during the weekdays. She said, " he pulled out his PADD and clicked on Donovan's message, "Quote - I don't want Ambassador Soval to think that all female MACOs are as obstinate as I am - end quote." He looked back at the Ambassador, "Corporal Cole is part of Corporal Buchannan's Squad. His Squad will be here during the day. Corporal Tinner's Squad will be here in the evenings. Do you have any questions regarding the schedule and the duties of the MACOs that I sent yesterday?" he asked the Vulcan Ambassador.

"No, the details were sufficient." Soval stated. "Commander T'Pol can be consulted for my itinerary." he dismissed them.

The MACOs filed out of the room. Hayes looked pointedly at Cole, "You stay on his six until your relief comes in the evening. Donovan said he'd try to dismiss you, she said you'll need to be just as stubborn as the Ambassador."

Corporal Amanda Cole gave them a small smile, "Understood, Sir. If you get the chance, please tell Lieutenant Donovan that I'm honored that she recommended me."

Hayes nodded, "She said you'll do just fine, especially since she knows you've been reading up on Vulcan culture and martial arts. Keep your guard up." He advised, then left the Vulcan Compound and headed back to MACO Headquarters.

Corporal Buchannan looked at Cole, "We'll be around the perimeter, if you need us." he stated, then left.

Corporal Amanda Cole took her post outside the Ambassador's office.

XXXXX

1227 - Schultz's State room

"I really don't think we need their help." Rex Osbourne stated as he glanced at the Steels.

Oliver Schultz looked up from his steak at his Head of Security, "Really? Are you familiar with the fighting tactics of Orions and Nauciaans? Have you been training the Security personnel?" he asked the man.

Osbourne frowned, "No, but I don't think we'll have any problems with pirates."

Captain Dawes glanced at Osbourne, "I'm sure The Georgian and The Flamingo didn't think they'd have any problems either." he pointed out.

Schultz looked at Malcolm Steel, "You can prepare the Security and get them up to speed?" he questioned.

Malcolm nodded, "Especially since most of them are former MACOs, it should not be that difficult."

Osbourne frowned at Kaitlyn, "And what will you be doing while your husband demonstrates these fighting tactics to my men?" he inquired.

Kaitlyn raised her eyebrow, "Perhaps I will crochet or needlepoint." she said sarcastically. She set her glass down slowly and tried to contain her anger, "Or, perhaps I will use you as my demonstration partner?" she suggested.

Malcolm covered Kaitlyn's hand with his on the table and tried to calm her down. Malcolm looked at Osbourne, "Kaitlyn will be demonstrating the fighting tactics with me - you don't have to worry about becoming her rag doll." he reassured the man calmly.

Osbourne looked at the couple questionably, "I'm sure I could take care of myself."

Malcolm nodded, "I'm sure you can." He looked at Kaitlyn, Are you trying to stir up trouble?

Kaitlyn frowned, He needs to not be chauvinistic.

Malcolm removed his hand and turned his attention to Captain Dawes, "We'd like to do a cursory review of fighting tactics tomorrow morning." he stated.

Dawes nodded, "It should probably be really early in the morning. I don't want to cause alarm amongst the passengers." he pointed out.

Malcolm nodded, "0600 should be sufficient, we haven't seen too many people up at that time."

Schultz smiled softly, "You're up that early in the morning?"

"Kaitlyn and I run on the treadmills each morning at 0530." Malcolm explained as he finished his steak.

XXXXX

1600 - Odyssey Sauna

"I think you tried to kill me." Malcolm winced as he rubbed his left shoulder muscle.

Kaitlyn laughed softly, "No, I didn't." She had inadvertently pulled his shoulder muscle when she was demonstrating on him how to walk her out in one part of the salsa. "I could rub it out later, or I could get Olga to give you a massage - she does a good job." she stated.

Malcolm frowned, "I saw how she dug her elbows into you - no way! How can you even stand that?" he questioned.

"After the initial pain, it feels good." Kaitlyn shrugged. She looked at the clock on the wall and stood up, "Come on, we need to get back and see if Harris returned our communiqué."

"And I need to lay into Osbourne if he hasn't figured out who poisoned you." Malcolm sighed as they walked out of the room. They stopped in front of the Ladies' locker room, "Are you really going to rub my shoulder later?" he smiled softly.

Kaitlyn grinned, "Of course!" Then she smiled slyly, "Do you think I hurt you on purpose so I'd have to use Osbourne as my demonstration partner tomorrow?"

Malcolm raised an eyebrow and chuckled, "I wouldn't put it past you."

Kaitlyn kissed his cheek, "I'd never hurt you, Malcolm."

At least, not on purpose, Malcolm thought to himself as he headed into the Men's locker room.

XXXXX

TBC

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