Being a medical officer was incredibly satisfying for her. Alice found her calling on board the U.S.S Enterprise. She was close to hitting her one month mark here and couldn't believe how fast time was flying.

Everything here was fast paced, they almost never had shore leave like the other vessels. It was always one mission right after the other. And she loved it.

The other doctors and even the nurses assured her that with time she would grow accustomed and would soon grow bored and even dream for shore leave or time outside of the same hallways, same room, same medical office.

Alice hoped that day would never come. There were 42 decks on The Enterprise, and she wanted to see them all. Heck, she hadn't even had time to properly meet the Captain yet.

The only senior officer she knew was their CMO Beverly Crusher. Doctor Crusher was very kind, helpful, but a little bit impatient. She required perfection every time from all staff. That didn't exclude Alice's three-year post-graduation experience.

Alice had been lucky to join Enterprise after only serving aboard the U.S.S Akagi. She'd worked her tail off and, thankfully, her work had paid off.

Captain Yamaha had been sad to see her go, and she had been distressed herself. The Akagi had been her training wheels, she'd learned a great deal from all the crew. But this was a chance she couldn't give up.

"Alice, you were off over an hour ago. Why are you still here?" Doctor Crusher was using her mother voice again. The same tone she used to chastise her teenage son. She couldn't blame her, it certainly worked. Alice ducked her head sheepishly.

"I'm sorry Doctor Crusher. I was just finishing up some last-minute reports."

Alice took a glance towards the clock nearby, it really was 20:30. She rubbed at her eyes, forgetting her makeup. Doctor Crusher smiled down at the young woman and patted her back softly.

"You've been here since 06:00, Alice. Whatever files you need to fill can wait until tomorrow."

Alice tried to protest, there was only one left. Ensign Smith had come in for a pregnancy check-up. It would be easy to write in her vitals. Doctor Crusher pushed Alice's chair slightly and bent over the screen of her PADD.

"Alice… this is almost incomprehensible. Your notes are too jumbled. Whatever you have to write can wait until after you've had some sleep."

Beverly placed her hands under Alice's elbows and lifted. Alice stretched her arms and yawned. Maybe, just this once, she would give in and just follow orders. She waved Doctor Crusher goodbye and made her way to the turbolift.

"Deck 7." The ping rang out and she leaned against the wall. The wall was cool and felt nice against her skin. She almost grumbled when the turbolift began to slow.

"Stop at Deck 4" the computer informed her.

The doors swished open and Alice opened an eye to see the green glittered tint of the ships third in command. Alice stood a little straighter and gave a nod to Lieutenant Commander Data. This may be her first time meeting him in person, but his reputation certainly preceded him.

Data's eyes flicked down at her shirt, the color and ranking on her right collar. The medical insignia was obvious, she liked to wear it with pride.

"Good evening Doctor, may I join you?" He was polite and gestured towards the turbolift, waiting patiently.

Alice nodded and let her back lean against the wall once more. She was beginning to feel warm.

Commander Data strode into the turbolift with ease and called out, "Deck 8."

The doors closed and away they went. The turbolifts were flawless, they glided around the shift with speed and dexterity. Why could she now feel every miniscule bump? Alice began to breathe slowly in through her nose and out through her mouth.

She tried to look forward but the glare from the lights was beginning to be too much. She closed her eyes and felt her stomach protest immediately. She could no longer use her eyes to tell her stomach they weren't being thrown around space, but the growing headache wasn't going to allow her to open her eyes.

"Doctor, are you alright?" His voice was soft in their enclosed room. She forced her eyes open again and blinked against his dark outline in the glaring lights. She couldn't tell how close he was now, he sounded far away but the shadow was moving in.

Alice pried her tongue off the roof of her mouth and had to wet her lips before she could breathe out, "I'm fine Commander, thank you, just tired."

She let the wall behind her fully support her now, her hands resting against the railings felt nice. The metal was still cool to her touch and she wished the same chill could be all over her body. For a moment she imagined stripping off her medical uniform and leaning against the metal panel in the wall nearby.

The commander's voice returned and doused her fever dream entirely.

"You seem to be perspiring at an abnormal rate for a human."

His voice was closer now, but still a little clouded. It was as though the Commander was yelling from the end of a tunnel.

A sudden chill crossed Alice's forehead and she instinctively leaned in, a soft moan passed her lips before she could stop it. Her breathing was becoming labored now and her stomach was jumping erratically. If she had eaten dinner or even lunch it would be all over the turbolift.

Her eyes squinted open again and she was met with the chill of her desire.

The back of Commander Data's hand was resting against her forehead. His yellow eyes were staring right at her, but she could tell that he wasn't really looking at her. Every so often his eyes would fidget, as if he were reading an invisible book.

"Deck 2." Data called out suddenly, Alice groaned and let her head loll back against the wall and away from his touch.

"Commander, i'm fine, truly. I've been working for over twelve hours now, I really don't want to go back to the sickbay already."

She hoped she didn't sound as whiny out loud as she did in her own head.

"I am sorry Doctor, but you are experiencing a fever. Your current body temperature is 40 degrees celsius. And rising."

40? She must've heard him wrong. Everything was starting to jumble, she couldn't see the Commander's eyes anymore. His face was becoming one big blur of dark but the blasted lights were shining even brighter now. Her head was throbbing.

She tried to keep her breathing slow but she was almost panting now. Her arms began to claw at the hot fabric surrounding her. She clenched onto her jacket and began to try and tear it off. It was caught on her elbow and as she pulled harder the more it entangled her arm. She gave out a whimper as she became desperate to take the heat off!

It was gone, suddenly. She opened her eyes again and could make out a slight white, mixing with the dark shadow she knew was Commander Data. Had he helped her take off the offending garment?

She was panting now, full gasps trying to replenish the oxygen in her body. Her mouth was so dry a moment ago but now it was filled with saliva.

"Deck 2" the computer let them know of their arrival. The doors swished open and the blessed cold was back, this time on either side of her arms.

"Allow me to help." Oh, Commander Data was holding her arms. She felt like a child, being led by a patient parent on her first attempt to walk. Her legs were quickly turning to jelly and she stumbled lightly.

"Commander." She felt that if she opened her mouth too much she would drool down her chin. She swallowed and tried not to choke as she continued to gasp.

"Commander!" What did she need to tell him, again? It had seemed important a moment ago? Something she had to warn him about.

Her stomach gave one last quiver and then she retched. Oh. That's what she needed to tell him. The lights gave one last glare and then everything went dark.