I laid in sickbay for a few more hours before all hell broke loose. What started as a routine mission to investigate a distress signal turned into a nightmare. It all happened so suddenly too. One minute the captain and few others in a landing party go down to the surface of the planet to investigate, the next they're coming back with one of the crew dead and four strangers, who promptly managed to take over the ship. They not only took over the ship but they turned the crew into these odd balls. No, not crazy, but into literal white balls! Each ball was in the exact spot the crew member had been when hit with that odd energy the strangers shot out of their belts. (And there was something vaguely familiar about the situation but I couldn't quite put my finger on it.)

I'd managed to get a look from Mac when he came back from investigating the noises from the crew and knew from his face that I'd better hide my ass if I wanted to keep it. In the time I'd been on board Scotty had shown me a few lesser known nooks and crannies that I could easily hide in until it was safe(er) to come out. I don't know how long I was stuck in there but by the time I literally fell out of hiding and carefully sought out Mac, most of the feeling was gone from my arms and legs, and with my muscles already sore from my Thames swim, I winced wtih every step.

"Mac!" I whispered to the doctor from through the ventilation shaft. "Psst! Mac!"

Mac turned and stared right at me, "Be careful Brenna! These bastards mean business!"

He helped me open up the shaft so I could come out and sit down behind the desk he was working at. He explained who the strangers were, Kelvans, and what they wanted. I could admire their desire to go home after so many centuries but they could've picked another ship, another crew, and a better way in my opinion. (Even their names hit a nerve in my memory but for the life of me I couldn't place it.)

One, Kelinda I think her name was, blonde, tall, and fascinated by the captain-go figure. Scotty had one of the men, Tomar I believe, entertained in his quarters, probably regaling him with stories and scotch. The leader, Rojan, followed Kelinda around while he tried to keep a handle on things, including his own emotions. The one that posed me the greatest threat though was Hanar, the young man Mac had injected with a formazine stimulant to keep him on edge.

"So do you think you can take him down?" Mac looked at me once he finished explaining things to me.

I scoffed, "Huh? I'm not a professional wrestler here Mac! Scotty is doing what he does best, drinking. James is doing what he does best, seducing. And you're doing what you do best," I grinned, "tricking. How am I supposed to take down this Hanar dude?"

Mac wiggled his eyebrows, "By doing what you do best." I raised my eyebrows at him and he smiled. "By confusing the hell outta him."

"And how do you expect me to do that?"

Mac shrugged, "Well you could always scare the hell outta him by dropping on top of him and wrestling away that little belt of his," I growled and he shook his head, "but I don't like the thought of you fighting with him any more than you do. It's that blasted belt of his that I'm worried about."

"Me too."

We sat in silence for a few moments, both of us contemplating what in the heck we were supposed to do. Everyone who was still in body form was doing what they could to confuse and arouse the Kelvans, since they weren't used to emotions or sensations in human form. It was a logical attack, and I'm sure Spock gave his hearty consent to this course of action, however how was I supposed to help?

"You should probably disappear again," Mac spoke softer than before, "I think I hear someone coming."

I quickly got up and hoisted myself up into the ventilator shaft, Mac hurriedly locking it into place behind me. We shared a look before I crawled away, leaving him to deal with whoever had come to him. As I crawled I kept running over the facts in my mind. Hanar was edgy right now, angry and confused, so what was the best way to capitalize on his situation and come out alive?

I slid down the shaft as quietly as possible and slithered along the shaft that ran along the hallways and corridors of the ship. I don't know what I was looking for, or running away from, but I just kept moving. At least I did until I saw Hanar come out of the turbolift and I stopped, holding my breath and hoping he'd keep going. However, my hopes were crushed when he stopped nearly beside me and grabbed hold of the wall. He was panting and I could see beads of sweat dotting his brow. Sheesh, Mac was seriously doping this guy up! Even if he was the bad guy, I couldn't help but feel sorry for the poor soul.

Rojan and Kelinda came around the corner and Hanar jumped to attention. They discussed concern over the possibility of the captain, Spock, Scotty, and Mac retaking the ship. Kelinda didn't think they could or would, Hanar was too jumpy to offer much on his part, and Rojan was just moody because of Kelinda.

I could tell from here that Hanar was getting more and more agitated. He stomped off to do his "rounds" of the ship while Rojan argued with Kelinda over her physical "experiments" with the captain. I had to keep my laughter to myself or else I would've given away my position when she explained how she was merely conducting analytical experiments-yah right, keep telling yourself that chica. Kelinda grew agitated from their conversation and hurried off down the corridor towards her quarters with Rojan close behind. Poor hapless fool.

I waited in my spot for a few minutes, waiting to see if anyone would come back by. When I was satisfied that no one was coming, I pushed out the ventilator opening and slid out of the shaft and down to the floor, careful not to land on any of the "crew." I ran down the hall towards my quarters. Surely there would be something in there for me to use against Hanar. Once I was safely inside the darkened room I dug around in my drawers and closets. Clothing, clothing, random padds of information pertaining to my classes and other such stuff, charts and the like of star systems—as well as plans for mischief, but nothing that looked good enough to use against any of the Kelvans. Sheesh, I was pathetic! Some "fighter" I was…I didn't have even so much as a nail file to annoy anyone with!

I was about to head back out into the corridor when then I heard footsteps pause outside my door. I quickly moved to stand in the shadows right beside the door, having no where else to go in the time presented to me. I knew if I didn't get that little belt away from whoever it was I was a goner. But I also knew that I sucked at hand to hand combat. All I was good at was wrestling with friends and family, not serious life-depends-on-it wrestling. I took a breath and held it.

My door slid open and Hanar stepped through, not aware of my presence yet. Figuring it was now or never, I quickly surged forward, my hand grabbing hold of his belt before he could fully react. Luck seemed to be on my side as my hand came into contact with the buckle on the first try and it fell to the floor. I kicked it behind me, out into the corridor, before the door slid shut behind me. I was so surprised at my success that I forgot that even without the belt, Hanar was still a formidable foe.

He took me down easily enough by reaching around and throwing me over his shoulder. I had always wondered what it was like to fly through the air, I mean it happens enough in action movies. Let me tell you, it happens too fast to really focus on any sensation, and the landing totally sucks! I barely had a chance to fall into a very uncomfortable position at his feet before he was on top of me. We scuffled on the ground, grunting and groaning as we both strained for dominance. My legs entwined with his, rubbing against each other, pulling away, and then repeating. Our arms tangled up and strained, our backs arching and our bellies pressing against each other. Our breaths mingled, our bodies flushed and sweaty, our grunts and moans starting to sound almost sexual. (Yes, we already know I'm pathetic so leave me be.)

Sadly, he won dominance first, though I was far from submitting to him. He straddled my hips, his hands pressing my arms down into the floor, his panting, snarling face close to mine. I was equally winded, my chest quickly rising and falling with my pants. A sheen of sweat coated both of our faces and I knew some of my hair was pressed against my forehead and wrapped around my neck. My shirt had torn, one arm gone completely, and there was a rather large rip running along my side. His shirt was torn slightly near his neck, the clothing dampened with sweat and tightly stretched against his skin, and his hair was mussed in every which way.

He didn't say anything, his expression conveying his extreme anger and frustration, and my expression conveyed my answering anger. However, our expressions changed slightly when we both suddenly noticed something quite odd, and out of place, happening south-of-the-border on his body.

He glanced down and stared at the foreign bulge rapidly growing in his pants, obviously confused as to what it was and why it was there. I was shocked, disgusted, and confused as well. Why in the hell would he be aroused by our fighting? I was trying to survive, he had probably tried to kill me, and now he was turned on?

Then I remembered what Mac had said and I hid my triumphant smile. Kelvan's weren't accustomed to physical pleasure or emotions, especially extreme emotions. Our little tussle had "interested" his body, a body he wasn't used to, and he didn't know what his little friend was for, or what it could do to him. I suddenly saw a way out, an easy way out. With this in mind I moved again, this time with a different purpose in mind. He seemed to sense something was up as he looked back up at me and snarled, though confusion was still apparent in his eyes. I merely growled right back at him, though I raised my hips as much as I could, trying to arouse and confuse him further, at least enough to get the best of him. His eyes widened and he let go of one of my hands to slam it down onto my hip, trying to keep them still. Now that one of my hands was free I moved as fast as I could. Before he could breathe, my hand snaked down and caught a hold of his arousal.

I have never heard such a noise as the one he made then. It was a mixture of a whimper, a moan, a groan, and a growl. It was rather…exciting to hear. Even though he was the enemy and this situation was far from anything safe that noise made delight spread in my subconscious. The fact that I could make someone make that noise gave me great pleasure. His whole body stiffened and his hand that had been on my hips moved to cover my hand that still gripped him. I was surprised he wasn't trying to rip my hand away, though maybe I shouldn't have been since I was holding on rather tightly. Instead he merely pressed his hand against the back of mine, his eyes nearly rolling in his head. I used the tips of my fingers to brush more "nicely" against him and again he whimpered, his eyes nearly closing.

I continued to switch between rubbing and squeezing him until he was distracted enough to loosen his hold on my other hand. Once the opportunity presented itself I snaked my other hand around his neck and pulled him down more firmly against my chest. He quickly tried to pull away but I quieted his movements when I squeezed him, almost painfully. His eyes remained wide, and unsteady, as his gaze changed from anger to lust with confusion always mixed in.

I threaded my fingers into his hear and tugged softly at first, then more firmly, nearly jerking his head back. He just continued to whimper and shake. I leaned up and latched my mouth onto the pulse point in his neck, eagerly sucking at his skin, running my tongue over his fevered flesh. He yelped at my new treatment, his whole body stiffening and shaking at once. His hands roamed over my body of their own accord. They seemed as restless as the rest of him. They never stopped, though they did pause on occasion on my chest or on my hips.

I smiled against his skin, knowing that I was winning this fight. I was better trained, if you could train for such a thing, and I knew exactly what was going on, whereas the poor soul had no clue. I continued to kiss his neck, lavishing hard sucks and bites at various points where I knew the blood vessels were especially thick—hey I knew A&P class would pay off in the end. The hand in his hair continued to pull and tug until finally I moved my hand down to his chest where I raked what nails I had across his skin.

I continued to rub against his erection, though now I managed to work one of my legs out from underneath him and had wrapped it around his waist. I think I'm starting to loose sight of my goal now though. Because now not only is he aroused but I am too, darn it! I need to knock him senseless before I rut with him like a mindless hussy! Keep it together Brenna! Calm down you horny kitty cat!

I used my arm and my leg to push him until I'm straddling his hips and he's beneath me. He seems to gain some sense at the sudden movement and tries to push against the new position but I hush his movements by rubbing my nether regions very firmly against his arousal. His eyes roll up into his head at this and he moans. I use the moment to look around for some sort of blunt object. I spot a rather heavy looking paper weight sitting on the floor a few feet above his head. It'd probably fallen there in our scuffle. It'd be perfect! Now I just had to find some way to reach over him and get it before he noticed.

I leaned down and again took advantage of the poor fool. I pressed my lips firmly against his, using one of my hands to pry his chin down so I could push my tongue into his mouth. That must've pushed his confusion and lust a degree higher because now his hips are moving against mine in an instinctive way and his arms are coming around my waist to hold me more firmly against him. Wow, for a newbie, he's pretty good at this. His eyes are closed and his face is turned into an expression of ecstasy mixed with pain. Poor guy!

I pull my lips away and use the movement of me rubbing up and down his chest, much like a cat in heat, to reach for the paper weight. Drat it! I missed it the first time! Come on Brenna just a bit further! Oh my…did he just bite my neck? Oh please don't do that again…you have no idea how good that feels and I really don't need to think about that. There! Got the stupid thing. Now…how do I hit him with this and not kill him from blunt force trauma? Again, he may be the bad guy but I don't want to kill him. I remember this episode now, he didn't die, and the Kelvan's ended up good, well good(ish).

I held the paper weight in one hand and with the other cupped the back of his neck, pulling him into another deep kiss. I pulled again, making him sit up so my legs were wrapped completely around him and the back of his head was better exposed. He seemed to like the new position, since it settled me more directly against him. Oh bother, don't move like that that again…blast!

I bit back a moan and somehow managed to keep my eyes open when he kissed me as if his life depended on it while at the same time his hands scratched up and down my back. Grr…I think I'm a failure as a seductress. I'm a failure because in the process I'm seducing myself. Oh bloody hell! I need to get this over with. I pull my hand up and bring it down swiftly against his head. His body stiffens then goes limp against me, falling back to the ground with a sickening thud. I scramble off him and check for life signs. Oh thank goodness, he's not dead!

I stand on wobbly legs and shake my head clear of the lustful haze that had descended on it. I start towards the door but suddenly the ship lurches and I myself am thrown to the ground, my head hitting the side of my desk in the process. I manage to curse and groan before darkness started to close in. Darn it…

When I wake again I'm in sickbay with a very stern looking James on one side and a slightly amused though trying to look stern Mac on the other. I blink a few times then try to sit up.

"I wouldn't try any sudden movements, missy, you have a slight concussion." Mac gestured over his shoulder. "Though you gave him quite the whopping concussion." He chuckled then. "What is it with you lately? You seem to attract trouble like a light attracts moths."

"Just lucky I guess." Then I groaned as a headache started to set in and almost immediately Mac administered a hypospray.

"How were you able to hit him without him getting the best of you?" James looked like he already knew the answer to his own question, but the silly sod wanted me to confirm his suspicions.

I smiled sweetly, "I asked nicely."

Mac chuckled and shook his head before moving over to check on Hanar. I noticed that someone, probably Christine, had changed me into a medical gown and out of the quite torn uniform I'd once worn. Bless that woman!

"Really, Brenna," James leaned closer so only I could hear his voice and not Mac, who had since moved back into his office to leave the two of us alone, "You could've been hurt or…killed. You shouldn't have put yourself at risk like that."

I rolled my eyes, "Well I wouldn't even be in this room if the blasted ship hadn't lurched like it did. So you need to learn to drive better." I smiled, trying to put him at ease but his expression showed me he wasn't about to chill, at least not yet.

"It's just that I keep imagining the worst. I see Hanar turning you into one of those vulnerable white balls only to crush it, and you." He leaned more against the bed and bowed his head in thought.

I couldn't help it; he looked so cute, so I combed a hand through his hair. He seemed to relax a bit at this and so I kept up the motions until he spoke again, though I didn't remove my hand from his head when he looked up again.

"I'm just glad you aren't hurt worse. I honestly don't know what I'd do if you'd gotten…killed." His voice grew husky at the last word and he reached over and took my other hand. "Bones is right, you know, you do attract trouble, more so than I ever did."

I scoffed, "I beg to differe! You've attracked trouble for much longer than I ever have."

"If you say so," He brushed some hair out of my face--this affectionate thing is starting to become a trend now...uh oh. "Brenna I-"

I leaned forward and lightly kissed his lips. I didn't want the kiss to be deep and sexy, really I'd have enough "sexy" for one day, but I wanted him to know that I understood what he was trying to say without having to risk his pride by saying it. I think he understood because he merely kissed me back before pulling away and caressing my cheek lightly.

"Thank you." He nearly whispered before pulling away and straightening his uniform.

I smiled and winked, "You're quite welcome. Though I'll refrain from saying, 'any time.'"

James chuckled and nodded before leaving to join Mac in the other room. I settled back into the biobed and sighed. Whatever Mac had given me probably had a sedative, the little trickster, because I was suddenly feeling a bit drowsy…