How Long Love Chapter 11: A Targ Named Bradley
Elsewhere-
Tet-chan-
'Right when dinner was almost ready!' Tet-chan couldn't help the thought and he really didn't try to. Not only did Chris have to sneak off, but he chose the worst time to do it. His soufflé was never going to survive with Pon-chan watching it. At this rate, the Count was going to be reduced to eating that replicated garbage that was passed off as food and Tet-chan didn't k now if he could stand the shame of that.
It was morning now, hours since he'd run out of the petshop looking for Chris and he wasn't sure if he wanted to know what was going on back at home. Surely, the Count was angry. Chris had only just woken up and now he was helplessly wandering around this dangerous new place, but Tet-chan couldn't even find him.
Tet-chan had long since passed being worried. He wasn't even angry anymore. Now he was just scared and he hated being scared. More than anything else, he loathed being frightened. It made him feel weak. If there was anything he was sure of, it was that he, the legendary Tou-Tetsu, was NOT weak. He was strong. Savage. Deadly.
So why was he skulking around, trying to hide in shadows that didn't exist?
Oh, yeah. Chris. He was doing this for Chris. The boy had better appreciate it. Humans were food, not something to rescue and certainly not to hide from. 'I'm not hiding. I'm...searching.' Yeah. That sounded much better.
He couldn't go senselessly attacking the humans on the ship, he'd get spotted and then it would be twice as hard to find Chris. Sneaking was the only way he could do this. Why, he might have to kill all the humans on the ship and he wouldn't be able to eat all that meat before it went rancid. 'I could share...' The thought crossed Tet-chan's mind for just a brief moment before it fled and was forgotten. Tou-Tetsu's didn't share. They weren't social animals by nature.
He went on for a good long while and his mood didn't improve at all. He'd lost Chris' scent when Chris had gone into one of those elevator things, the turbo lifts, and wasn't able to find it. To make it worse, he was limited to one level of the ship because he couldn't operate the controls of the turbo lift without drawing attention to himself. If he could have, he'd have asked Mellow for help, but he hadn't had time to even find out if Mellow was still in the ship's computer or if she'd gone back to the Count's personal little computer. He didn't even know how to find out.
He was on his own and, from what he'd heard of Ten-chan's little adventure, he might not even be able to assume his human-like disguise. Better not to try. He was better able to defend himself if humans thought he was an animal. On the other hand, if he took his humanoid shape, he wouldn't have to hide. The Ship was all white and insanely brightly lit. There were no shadows and no darkness. How was one supposed to hunt? Beside that, his humanoid shape meant that it wouldn't take such a long time. He looked human enough when he tried and it was nearly impossible to find ways to hide. He could just ask the crew if they'd seen a small blonde boy. In his humanoid shape, he'd have his long, heavy knife he always carried to hunt with and...
"I'm Alexander." There was a small alien child standing in front of Tet-chan and he was shamed. How could he have been so distracted that he let a child discover him? "My father once had a targ for a pet." The child was very young, at least Tet-chan believe it was a child. Male, by the outward appearance. In fact, the child was really no bigger than Chris, but those were the only similarities. This child's skin was much darker and his hair was coarse and thick, coming only to his shoulders where it was neatly cut off. His skin was quite dark, but no darker than that of many humans, with small ridges on his forehead. The child was dressed, like everyone else Tet-chan had seen on this miserable ship, in a dual colored, one piece jumpsuit. It was awful looking and had no sense of style of originality at all.
Tet-chan growled, letting his large fangs show and hoping the child would run away. He didn't have time for hit sand it just plain irritated him that a child had managed to spot him. His fangs were enough to make most grown humans soil themselves, but the child began to smile. He wasn't the least bit afraid, but Tet-chan thought he might be mistaken. After all, the child obviously wasn't human. Perhaps his fear smelled differently. No. That wasn't fear. The child looked like he might laugh, though.
"Are you hungry?" Alexander asked, holding his hand out to Tet-chan. "I didn't know there were any targs on the Enterprise. I suppose you got loose from somewhere, huh? Father won't let me have a pet. Maybe he'll let me keep you. He likes Targs; it's not like you're a cat. He hates cats. Says they're nasty, sly things."
'What the Hell is a targ?' Tet-chan wondered, keeping his distance from the boy. There was no time for this! He had to find Chris.
-Chis is home now, dear Tet-chan.- The Count's voice was the only thing that made Tet-chan stop from turning away from the child and bolting. He kept his eyes on the child, weary that the alien Alexander might prove to be far more dangerous than human children, but listened carefully to the Count. His bad mood had vanished almost instantly when he heard Chris was safe. Still, it wouldn't do to let down his guard.
-Where was he? I've been looking everywhere.-
-Just on an errand. There is nothing to worry about and I am sure he will tell you when you return home. However, at the moment I have a favor to ask.- The Count was always doing that. He never ordered anyone to do anything, but he asked so sweetly that it was impossible to refuse.
-Anything.- Tet-chan knew it was a dangerous answer, but didn't regret it. Not a bit.
-The child you are with wants you to go with him. Do it. I had intended to use Ten-chan as my eyes and ears on this ship, but he is unable to use his disguise and is weakened. Will you take his place?-
-I am not what this child thinks I am. He believes I am a targ.- The Count's request did make sense. If he used Alexander's home to hide in, when he wasn't prowling the ship, Tet-chan wouldn't have to go to the petshop so often and, therefore, he wouldn't draw unwanted attention there. -Can I use my other shapes?-
-I believe so. Ten-chan's sad fate was a warning from...others of my kind on this ship. They are unwilling to let me too close to those of power. Make sure you stay away from the bridge of the ship and the captain. I think it best that you do not hunt here, Tet-chan. Keep yourself as secret as possible. Humans will see what they please, but this child's father may prove difficult. He is not a child of Earth, I can not predict how he will see you. Be scarce when he is around. I do not wish you to be in an unsafe situation.- There was real concern in the Count's voice and it made Tet-chan feel weak. He hated feeling weak.
-Yes, master.- No matter how much he didn't want to. Even if it pained him to be away from not only little Chris, but the Count, Tet-chan would do as he was asked because it was the Count asking. He couldn't imagine refusing. -I'll be alert for anything going on.-
-Thank you. I trust you, Tet-chan. Report anything that might involve my Leon.-
-Yes, Count.- So, with as much enthusiasm as he could muster, Tet-chan turned back to Alexander and wondered exactly how he should behave as a targ. When he wasn't playacting the role of a harmless pet for the child, he would try to take his humanoid shape to more easily wander the ship. That should take him away from the child's father.
"It's funny." Alexander obviously saw no reason to fear Tet-chan and came right up to look in Tet-chan's face. "Father never said anything about targs having horns. I thought he said they had tusks." That little discrepancy didn't seem to really bother Alexander and he gave Tet-chan a soft pat on the head. He either didn't notice or just ignored Tet-chan's bristling and muffled growl.
Tet-chan hated being treated like a pet. He knew he shouldn't be so insulted, he was a pet. He was Count D's pet. Everything he was belonged to the Count. Pet. Slave. Yes, he was both and knew it. Slave was a bit strong of a word. The Count would never...
'No more. There's work to do.' Tet-chan firmly told himself.
Alexander put his little hand on the back Tet-chan's neck and began leading him away, all the while talking about his father and how Tet-chan would like their home. Tet-chan allowed the touch without the slightest hint of aggression, but Alexander's next comment nearly made him reconsider.
"I think I'll call you Bradley. Which one do you like better?"
'No. Don't eat him. This is for the Count.'
Petshop-
D-
Yes. That was good. Now Tet-chan was on the ship D would be able to know the general attitude of the crew and the atmosphere of the ship. It was useful, but not absolutely necessary. D liked to know what was going on, especially since what went on around the ship intimately involved Leon.
"Here you are, boss." Ten-chan, looking decidedly awkward dressed in Tet-chan's apron, held out a tea cup on a saucer which D took with a smile.
"And when did Tet-chan start teaching you to cook, Ten-chan?" D asked, trying to keep his smile as he looked down at the 'tea'. Why was it orange?
"Oh, never." Ten-chan smiled broadly and went back to the stove where Tet-chan's lovely stew was cheerfully burning, sending black plumes of smoke rising to the ceiling.
D's smile faltered. Tet-chan had only been gone a single night. A few hours, really. How had this happened? Piles of dirty dishes were overflowing from the sink, the stench of it nearly overpowering smell of the burning stew Tet-chan had started just before he'd gone out to look for Chris. The floor was already collecting filthy, along with some of the smaller pets scavenging for snacks. Tet-chan never allowed anyone to sneak snacks; not in his kitchen! "What are you cooking?" D asked as sweetly as he could while Ten-chan busily stirred the burning mess. His head vanished into the smoke when he moved to check the stew.
"Don't really know, boss." Ten-chan smiled over his shoulder. "It was here so I thought I'd keep and eye on it for Tet-chan." He continued blissfully stirring, headless of the odor and the smoke, but for a little cough.
"How kind of you." Tet-chan was going to have fits when he came back and saw the condition of his kitchen. "You really don't have to do that. I can cook perfectly well, Tet-chan simply does it because he thinks it please me."
Ten-chan bounced around, dropping the large spoon he'd been stirring with in the process, though he quickly picked up it and put it back in the stew. D didn't fail to notice that Ten-chan hadn't bothered to even wipe the spoon off and cringed at what he knew Tet-chan would say about that. "It's not bother, boss!" Ten-chan said, brightly. "I screwed up before, so I'll do my best around here till Tet-chan gets back. He always said no one would eat right without him. I'll feed everyone now."
D didn't often feel regret for his actions, at least not in recent years, but now he did. Tet-chan wouldn't be coming back until Leon was safely back on the Enterprise and that would take hours or even longer. He was considering keeping Tet-chan out in the Enterprise until he could get them all back to Earth again. That meant weeks...months...perhaps longer. Months of eating Ten-chan's cooking? 'The kitchen will not survive.' D tried to dismiss his fears. Ten-chan was his most intelligent pet, with the possible exception of Mellow. All right, things hadn't gotten off to such a good start, but Ten-chan would be well able to get the hang of running the kitchen for a few hours.
There Ten-chan was, looking at him with hopeful, worried eyes.
"I am certain you will make a lovely lunch." D smiled for Ten-chan's sake and made to leave the kitchen which was rapidly filling with smoke. He didn't leave before Ten-chan kindly reminded him of the tea and D took it with him into the parlor. "I will let you know when Tet-chan is expected back." Maybe he could get Chris or Pon-chan to help Ten-chan. At least Tet-chan had been teaching Chris a little skill in the kitchen.
D was quite happy as he lounged on his sofa and thought about what was to come. He thought about what his family was doing on Earth. He thought about how he would deal with the two resident Kami on the Enterprise. He thought about what, exactly, he was going to do to Mr. Brannon Goti when he got his hands on him. Of course, he knew where Brannon Goti was. Baby D was keeping a close eye on him, but so far had nothing good to report. All the better. D didn't want to hear nice things about the person who had done so horrible things to Leon. He wanted to hate the man.
'I shall let Tet-chan have him, perhaps. I think Tet-chan deserves a treat. He does so love hunting his own dinner. He won't even have to share, this time.' The thought made D smiled, maliciously. Tet-chan could have free rein on Earth and hunt the human as far as he pleased.
-Count, you are pleased?- Mellow asked, drawing D's attention to the small, old-fashioned computer, compared to those of the Enterprise, he kept in a discreet corner of the petshop's parlor. In the years since Leon's death, D had added the computer to the one he had in Mellow's small room. If nothing else, it gave Mellow a greater opportunity to see the other pets.
"Yes. Very pleased. Things are finally starting to work out properly." D went to the little computer and sat in the plush chair in front of it, so he could speak to Mellow properly.
-Oh.- There was something about her tone that worried D.
"Is anything the matter?"
-I do not wish to disturb your happiness, Count. I should say nothing.-
D put down the tea and promised himself that he'd remember to throw it away when Ten-chan wasn't looking. "If there is something I should I know, you must tell me, regardless of whether it will make me happy or not." There was no room for careless mistakes, not when Leon was at stake and D had brought all his precious pets with him to a place where he could barely protect them.
-I have found several disconcerting transmissions.-
"Yes, go on."
-This ship will be attacked shortly.-
"I see." This would call for more drastic measures than D had wanted to take.
Engineering-
Reggie-
The day was going normally, if a bit nerve wracking. Not that it was unusual. Reggie had decided long ago that he was losing his hair because of the stress of his job. Of course, it wasn't actually the stress of engineering that made Reggie stutter and suffer bouts of depression. Engineering was easy. After the years of study he'd done at Mr. Goti's Home, Reggie often thought he could do anything when it came to not only computers, but building and fixing what Starfleet equipped it's ships with. There were times, alone at night, when he even knew he could improve most of what he was saw on the Enterprise.
Reggie's stress came from the people he worked with. He liked them well enough. More than well enough, in fact. Especially Geordie. He'd always admired Geordie's confidence and ease when dealing with other people and with life in general. Geordi was the kind of person Reggie wished he could be. Unfortunately, he couldn't. Reggie never got what Geordi had; a carefree childhood. There was something else, though. Just being around other people made Reggie unbearably nervous. He couldn't shake the feeling that they were laughing at him behind his back and, because of that, he worried every minute of the day.
Paranoia wasn't a happy state of mind, yet Reggie had to deal with it ever since he'd stopped taking his medications.
The morning passed quickly enough with Reggie hidden away near the back of engineering in one of the little alcoves he usually hid in. 'Hiding. Makes me sound like such a coward.' He didn't like to think of it as hiding. He was doing valuable, important work and if he didn't do it, someone else would have to. Reggie rapidly typed the commands into the computer and was satisfied with the result. It was just a monitoring job, to see that the warp core was acting as it was supposed to. The fact was that once one started on this work, tucked out of sight of everyone, one was supposed to finish it and it could take up to six hours. It was perfect. It kept him away from the serious assignments that could lead to being noticed and Reggie definitely didn't want to be noticed. He knew he was smart and if anyone else realized how smart, they would want to put him in a position of responsibility. He'd already gotten one person killed. Reggie couldn't handle another burden of guilt.
He stopped his work and frowned at the thought. He hadn't killed Deirdre, not intentionally. What he had done was almost as bad. Worse, considering her faith in him.
Random chatter from the main part of engineering floated back to Reggie when he heard everyone laughing. He heard Geordi and Data's horrible, faked laughter. From the corner of his eye, Reggie could see people hurrying around, rushing to get everything perfect. Not a single person even glanced at him.
The tedious job gave Reggie opportunities to daydream about his work at home. He still wasn't sure what he was trying to build with the table full of bits and bobs of things, but he was sure it was going to be something wonderful. The more he fiddled with it, the more Reggie could see the patter shaping in his mind. His mind worked funny like that and Reggie wondered if other people saw things in the same way. It was beautiful what he saw in his Mind's Eye. Wires and circuits, shining metal and flawless symmetry. It was like art.
"Hey, Reggie." It was Leon and he put his hand on Reggie's shoulder before Reggie had even turned around from his station.
"My, but don't you look spiffy." Reggie couldn't help but ogle Leon's new uniform. He must have gone back to his own quarters for a shower and general wash up before he got ready for duty. Not only was he dressed in his new gold and black uniform, but he was also sporting his phasors and new com badge. It wasn't much, but it was all he should need on a routine mission like this one. It wasn't really Leon's clothes that caught Reggie's attention, though. There was something about Leon that Reggie had never noticed before. He was almost, well...glowing. "Has something happened?" Reggie cautiously looked over Leon's shoulder to make sure no one was listening in as he knew Leon valued his privacy as much as Reggie did.
"Maybe." Leon couldn't hide his smile no matter how much he tried, which wasn't very hard. He never had been very good as concealing his emotions. In fact, the fact that Leon was teasing at all was an interesting sign. If they weren't in such a public place, Reggie was sure that Leon might have been rocking back and forth on his feet, grinning like a child. "What were you thinking about? You had a weird look on your face and you were smiling."
It was too embarrassing to talk about it, even to Leon. Leon just wouldn't understand it. Oh, he'd be nice about it, but he wouldn't understand. "It's nothing. What about you? You didn't answer my question. What happened to put you on cloud nine." He took a wild stab in the dark. "Is this a maybe that might involve a Count D whom you were so sure was involved in something nefarious?" Okay, maybe it was more than just a guess. Reggie might not be an expert on relationships, but he wasn't blind.
Leon's smile blossomed into something radiant and Reggie knew something wonderful had happened to Leon, obviously involving Count D. "I'll tell you later. Gotta run. Just wanted to tell you to forget what I said about D last night. I think changed my mind."
"Did you go see him without me?" Reggie hoped he didn't sound too encouraging. It was surely a good thing if Leon was so happy about seeing Count D. He'd been so suspicious just the night before, but Reggie knew that could only be nerves. Poor Leon had never been in love before. "I thought you wanted to wait." Best not to embarrass him.
"Yeah. Well...it's just..." A faint blush colored Leon's cheeks, which he quickly killed by scowling and turning his voice harder. "Look, if I wanna go it's my business, right?! I don't need permission."
"Absolutely not." Reggie agreed. It was very hard to hide his amusement.
"It's not like he's got anything to hide. Security let him on in the first place and all his papers are in order. It was just my mind playing tricks on me before." Leon's voice began to rise and he took awkward, sharp steps, pacing as much as he could in Reggie's little alcove.
"Whatever you say."
"He's an alright guy and there's not a reason at all to be..."
Reggie laughed, careful to cover his mouth, least anyone hear him and he distract them from their important work. "All right, all right. I get it. So, you're on good terms with the Count, now?"
Leon lost his bluster and just nodded. "Yeah. I guess. I gotta run. Just wanted to tell you... you know..."
"Not to worry about him? Got it. Not worrying." To be honest, he really wasn't worried in the first place. "Hey, what about," He leaned in close, putting his hand on Leon's shoulder so he could whisper right into Leon's ear. "The meds? You can't take them on the mission, you'd be seen." It was one of Reggie's biggest worries, now that Leon was on the Enterprise. It would go badly for both of them if Leon's addiction should be discovered. Even more worrying was what would happen to Leon, deprived of the meds. At least if he was on the Enterprise, Reggie could take a day or so off and look after Leon.
"Not a problem." Leon hastily assured him. "I just took another dose. I'll be fine till tonight, about ten hours." Leon said his good bye and left and Reggie felt pretty good about it. Leon would be fine and they'd have dinner together, unless Reggie could convince Leon to invite Count D out to dinner, instead.
It was with a lighter heart than usual that Reggie went about his day and began to count down the hours till Leon's return. A couple of the other engineers even came to ask Reggie what he was so happy about, but Reggie would play it down as nothing and keep it to himself. If Leon wanted people to know, that was his business. That didn't stop Reggie, however, from going to meet Count D himself. Even if Leon had said he didn't need to, Reggie had his own reasons for going.
The strange stories Leon had told him about Count D's home were surely exaggerated, but he'd be lying if he said he wasn't curious. More than anything else, Reggie had to make sure this person was, to put it bluntly, worthy of Leon. Yes, Reggie knew it made him sound more than a little like a doting mother hen, but he had reason to worry. If this really was Leon's first love, as Reggie believe it was, then Reggie wanted to be forewarned if Count D was just playing around with Leon.
'I lost Deirdre. I won't lose Leon.' He would have been laughed at if any of his fellow crewmembers had heard him say such a thing. Reggie knew what the general opinion of him was. Mr. Broccoli; even Captain Picard had called him that, right to his face. Of course it was an accident, the captain no doubt had a lot on his mind, but that didn't stop the embarrassment. Right in front of the entire command crew, too. Even counselor Troi, whom he was supposed to trust more than anyone else, was tired of him and his endless worries and fear. He could tell every time they ran into each other in the halls and she would give a weary sigh before smiling brightly at him. Reggie knew everyone thought he was weak, but this was one thing he couldn't be weak about.
Leon needed him, this Reggie knew for a fact. Though Leon was certainly more bold than Reggie, it didn't change the fact that Leon needed to be protected. Now, Reggie was capable of protecting someone. Unlike before, when they'd all been helpless before Mr. Goti and had survived each day as best as they could. Survival. It was such a stark word. But they had survived. Survived to live and try to forget what had been done to them. But they hadn't forgotten. Since Leon had gotten to the Enterprise, he'd spent a good deal of time with Reggie and neither of them had spoken about Mr. Goti but for the brief mention of Leon still being on the medication. It wasn't just the drugs that had affected them both. There had been other...crimes.
Images of Deirdre, bleeding and crying in pain, filled his mind before Reggie shook his head to chase away the memories. They were replaced by memories of other things. The cold, sterile classrooms. Machines that input data instead of teachers. The endless cleaning. Enforced silence.
'I can't do much, but I can make sure Leon doesn't get hurt. If it's the only good thing I ever do, I'll protect Leon.'
When his shift ended, Reggie went straight to Count D's quarters. The doors of Count D's quarters opened before Reggie even touched the controls that alerted the occupant that there was a visitor. Count D was there smiling at him with his hands folded before him and dressed as elaborately as he had been before. How strange. It must be that Count D was getting ready to leave and they just happened to be at the door at the same time. "Greetings. Mr. Barclay, if I remember correctly."
"Er, yes." Reggie smiled as confidently as he could, but he was afraid it didn't turn out well. Leon was the only person Reggie ever felt really comfortable around and he could already feel himself starting to sweat under Count D's intense eyes. Talking was just so hard. "I'm a friend...a friend of Leon's and..."
"Yes." Count D stepped aside and bowed. "Please, come in. I have been expecting you."
"You have?"
"Yes. Leon has told me much about you." He smiled and Reggie wasn't sure what to make of that smile. Still, he accepted the invitation and walked in.
The room was very ordinary, if a bit sparse. Actually, it seemed completely empty. Still, a lot of people liked simplicity in their lives. The Count gave another elegant little bow when Reggie was in and Reggie bowed awkwardly back. He wasn't used to such formality, especially not directed at him. "Ummm...what did Leon say about me?" Reggie couldn't help but think it odd that Leon would mention him at all. If he was so enamored by Count D, as Reggie suspected, then Leon should have been talking about himself.
"Only kind things, I assure you." The Count made a sweeping gesture with one pale hand towards the white couch, uniform with every other couch on the Enterprise unless one specifically ordered a different one. "Please, be seated. I am afraid I have nothing but water to serve you." He seemed very embarrassed by that. When the Count stood up he fixed his hard eyes on Reggie, as if judging him, for a moment. The moment passed so quickly that Reggie thought he must have imagined it when the Count turned away and went to the kitchen.
Reggie watched the Count, curiously. It wasn't a mystery why Leon was so attracted to the man. He was, for lack of a better word, exquisite. His clothes, his skin, his hair, everything about him was perfect. He even walked elegantly. His voice was smooth as silk and his eyes were haunting. Even his mismatched eyes were not so much an imperfection as they were an exotic trait. Anyone with eyes would have fallen in love with the Count. When the Count had gone around the corner to the kitchen, the first thing Reggie did was to go to the closet just in side of the door. This was what Leon had been so concerned about.
When he reached for the closet door, Reggie froze, his hand inches from the door. It was silly. This was just an ordinary close. Leon wasn't even worried about it anymore. Then why was Reggie's hand shaking? Why did he suddenly feel so frightened? He sucked in a deep breath and steeled himself. This was for Leon.
The closet was empty, but for a tattered brown suitcase sitting on the floor. Reggie bit back a laugh at his own expense. How foolish. He'd actually expected to find something? Of course the closet was empty. Well, empty except for an antique suitcase. Reggie closed the closet door and went to sit on the couch before the Count returned with the glasses of water on an elegant silver tray. He didn't want the Count to think he was odd, after all.
After only a few minutes, Reggie felt all his uneasiness vanish. Contrary to what Reggie had thought, the Count turned out to be very easy to talk to and he had known, without being asked, why Reggie had stopped for a visit. The Count laughed lightly and knew all the right things to relieve Reggie's anxiety.
"So, you know Leon has a crush on you?" Reggie said, after he and the Count had spoken about Leon quite a bit. Reggie had been very careful not to let slip any secrets about Leon's past, but he did let the Count know he was a very close friend of Leon's and that they were practically brothers.
The Count looked modestly down at his nearly empty tea cup. "Ah, yes. He was quite...friendly when last I saw him."
Reggie smiled. "I'm glad." It was the truth. He'd worried about this more than once when Leon was growing up, but never had any idea how he could help his younger friend. Love was hard enough, but added all the pain and screwed up problems of the childhood they'd both suffered, it seemed that trusting anyone enough to love them was nearly impossible. "I was afraid for him."
"I will care for Leon." The Count lifted the cup, but stopped before he actually drank from it. "I feel as if I have waited for him my whole life."
It was such a romantic thing to say and Reggie was envious. "How do you know that? You only met him yesterday, right? How can you be so sure that he's the 'one'."
The Count was quite and drank the last of his water, setting his cup down on the coffee table with a soft 'clink'. "Logic has little to do with it, if that is what you are asking. I simply know. Perhaps we met in another life."
Reggie smiled at that. "Maybe. Forgive me for interrupting your evening, Count D." Reggie moved to stand, but the Count held out a hand to stop him.
"There is nothing to forgive. Leon speaks highly of you and I am grateful that he has had someone like you to care for him in his life. Without you, I think he may not have lived this long. Leon speaks of you with great admiration and respect. I think I would like to give you a gift."
"Oh, no. Please, you don't have to." Reggie spluttered. A gift? Just for taking care of someone he cared about?
"Yes, I think I do have to. Without you, I would not have found him and that would have pained me deeply. Please, accept this gift. She is a glorious creature and one, I am sure, that will be to your liking." He didn't allow Reggie to argue any further and quickly went into one of the other rooms.
Reggie sat, defeated. It felt wrong to take something for such a strange reason. He didn't want to be rewarded for taking care of Leon and he didn't even do all that much. Had he stopped them from making Leon take the meds? Had he pushed Leon enough to make him stop after they reunited on the Enterprise? He'd never even been able to give Leon any decent advice about anything. So, really... "She?" Reggie realized what the Count had said with a start.
There was no 'she' when Count D returned to Reggie, but a small information disk in his hand. It was exactly like hundreds of disks Reggie had seen, the standard that was used in the Federation. The Count held it in both hands, carefully as if he were holding a baby. "She is fragile and too curious to stay with me, I am afraid. There is not enough room for her to explore here." He looked at Reggie, as intense as he had when they'd first met and when Reggie had appeared at the Count's door. Again, Reggie felt as if he were being judged and he couldn't help but feel how important it was that he passed inspection. "When I sell pets, I have contracts. Three rules that must be obeyed at all times. These rules help both owner and pet to get along as well as keep the pet healthy. This one requires little and is able to take care of herself. I think I have but one rule, and there is no contract. She is a gift, after all. Not a sale."
"What rule?" Reggie asked, before extending his hand for the little disk.
"Let no one know about her." His voice was oddly intent. "For your well-being, as well as hers."
It sounded like a silly rule. Who would want to see a computer program pet, as this obviously was. Reggie nodded. "Sure."
"I think you will suit each other well." The Count leaned over and pressed the disk into Reggie's hand.
"Thank you." Reggie said, unsure of what else to say. He didn't want to be rude, it just wouldn't do to alienate Leon's first love interest. When he made to leave, Reggie was sure to smile and he bowed, more easily this time. All in all, Reggie liked the Count, as far as he knew the man. Polite, genteel, and considerate. He was a little weird, but that wasn't really a problem. Normal people were boring, anyway. Just the sort of person who would be perfect for Leon.
Reggie noticed that he was using the word 'perfect' a lot to describe Count D.
"Oh, Mr. Barclay."
"Yes?" Reggie paused just at the door.
"Her name is Mellow."
Count D-
He watched the man leave, but did not smile. Almost immediately, when the door had closed behind Mr. Barclay, D spoke. "You are sure?"
"This must be." The speaker now sat on the couch Mr. Barclay had only recently vacated. She was just as he remembered. Glorious and powerful, her mere presence was enough to get even a Kami's attention. The phoenix was still very active in Leon's life, though she had yet to reveal herself to him and D doubted she ever would. "He is tainted."
"You could have prevented it in the first place." D couldn't help his slight anger at that. One of the most powerful creatures who had ever lived and she just watched while Leon's body was deliberately poisoned. She easily could have prevented it.
The phoenix shifted her eyes of fire to look at D. "Perhaps. That is not what I promised to do, though. You knew Leon better than anyone else alive. Do you believe he would want to be protected from life, no matter how it turned out?"
Leon had always hated to be protected. That was true enough. This was an entirely different situation, though. He had been a child, confused and helpless, according to the phoenix, herself. He didn't have weapons to protect himself, so he'd fallen prey to a stronger human. "Those foreign chemicals are destroying his body." That was the worst part of it. D could practically see Leon dying before his eyes...again.
"Then those chemicals will have to be removed from his body." The phoenix said, coolly. "He can not survive with them polluting his system and I have grown fond of him. Do what you must to relieve him of them." It was almost an order.
D could see the danger of taking the chemicals out of Leon's body. The shock of the sudden loss of the chemicals could kill Leon. Not taking the chemicals out of Leon immediately would kill him. A slow withdrawal of the poisonous substance could take too long and Leon could die before the process was complete. Despite his joy at finding Leon again, D could see reality all too clearly. He wasn't able to blind himself or fool himself to what he saw in Leon. The slow decay, the too swift march towards death.
D sighed. He didn't need to be told what to do about Leon. He'd already done it. He did what needed to be done when he gave Mellow to Mr. Barclay. Though D was grateful to have had Leon so cared for in his absence, Mellow had another purpose other than to amuse Mr. Barclay. She would serve two purposes while she was with Mr. Barclay. To keep Leon away from those noxious chemicals and to keep him away from the coming attack. The instructions he'd given Mellow could easily mean Leon's death. Worse, it could mean that Leon would die on an alien planet where neither D nor the phoenix would be able to reach him.
'It is the only way.' D tried to tell himself. 'If we had done this while he was on the ship, someone could have helped him and he would have gotten access to the chemicals, again. If he had only known about Leon's dependency on the poison when they were still at Earth, D might have been able to do something more. He could have used his power or begged for the power of his sofu. On Earth, his power was virtually limitless, but here in the Void, he was powerless outside the transplanted petshop. D didn't even know if Leon would survive the short journey back to Earth, if he could somehow manage that. Leon's heart was weakening with every day that passed.
There was no guarantee of anything, let alone that Leon would survive what D was about to put him through. 'I must be a monster. He will suffer so much. There is no other way. I will not allow him to continue killing himself.'
"You had best go back with Mr. Barclay. He'll worry about Leon's beloved crow."
"Yes, Count." She stood and transformed herself into a crow before flying out the door Mr. Barclay had just left.
Reggie-
When Reggie got back to his quarters, the first thing he did was to check out what Count D had given him. He sat at his desk and didn't notice Jill fly in just behind him and silently glide into another room. Curiosity wasn't usually one of his bigger failings, but he couldn't imagine what Count D could thank him with.
The moment he loaded the disk into his computer, the screen was filled with static and Reggie worried that the disk had infected his computer with something.
-Hello.-
The voice was soft and sweet and coming from his computer. Reggie tapped one the controls, trying to get an image or text or anything, for that matter. The static seemed to shift before his eyes, attempting to collect itself into an image.
-Hello? Are you Reggie Barclay?-
Reggie blinked, surprised. "Yes. Who are you? Mellow?"
The static shifted again, this time more wildly with flashes of light swirling around until a picture emerged. It was strange, Reggie had never seen a program quite like this one. -Yes. The Count said you would be my friend.- The static eased into a steady rhythm of motion and a shape in the center of the screen turned into a very distinctive fish.
It was beautiful, Reggie thought. He'd always had a soft spot for animals, but he never seemed to have time to take care of one. The fish, an amazing computer program, was perfect! "I'll be your friend if you like, Mellow." He just had to figure out how she operated and then what the purpose of the program was, other than just a talking fish. Maybe that was all it was mean to be. It was created to respond to simple phrases, like a small scale of the Enterprise's computers.
The lovely fish swam in the water, seeming to study Reggie. -You are not like Jodie. Count D said you were kind, like Jody. Are you kind?-
"I like to think so. Who's Jody?" Maybe this was part of the game. To play along with what Mellow wanted to talk about.
-He was my friend. I loved him.-
Reggie didn't smile. There was such pain in the voice of the fish that he hesitated. It sounded very real. "Did something happen to him?"
-Yes. Forgive me, Reggie Barclay. There is a task I must see to. I will return in a moment." The fish swam off the screen and Reggie shook his head. This was the strangest program he'd ever seen. Obviously a game of some kind, but whoever had programmed it had done an amazing job on Mellow's 'emotions', so to speak. Of course it wasn't real, Reggie should slap himself for thinking such a thing. Even Data, the most advanced piece of technology in the entire Federation, didn't have emotions. Why should a simple fish have them?
Mellow returned, her mood seeming a bit better. -That is done. We can talk now, if you like.-
"What's done?" Reggie asked curiously as he wondered what he was supposed to talk to a computer generated fish about.
-You would be angry if I told you, so I will not tell you. Please, do not worry. It is for the best.-
Planet: Actura IV-
Leon-
The planet was pretty nearly desolate and Leon couldn't imagine why anyone would want to live here. The colonists must have seen something good in the rocky landscape and the thin, brittle trees that Leon couldn't. There wasn't any water for miles around, yet they'd chosen to settle here. The heat was nearly unbearable, humid and suffocating. Leon felt like he couldn't breathe while he made his patrol around the eerily quiet colony.
Leon ran a hand through his hair, still mystified. It was about the ugliest, most depressing place he could imagine. Even the sky was ugly, a strange shade of orange that just looked sick. Leon couldn't think of any other word to describe it but Sick. Everything about the whole planet looked unhealthy. Even the buildings that the colonists had set up didn't look quite right. They were filthy, probably from sandstorms or something, but no one had been able to clean them. Not with the plague that had taken hold so suddenly.
Everyone was near the middle of the colony, a small town of modest buildings where the victims had all been gathered to where the Enterprise's medical staff could tend to them. From what Leon had been told, it was a rather easy cure, the problem as the amount of people who had to be given the cure and then tended until they recovered. That was what would taking so long.
Time passed slowly and Leon had lots of time to think. He, along with the other security people had little to do. Everyone who might cause trouble was sick and they spent their time alternately keeping an eye on things for Doctor Crusher and walking the pitiful excuse for streets.
Mainly, Leon thought about D.
The taste of D's warm lips still lingered on Leon's and he was sure that it wasn't just his imagination playing tricks on him. D tasted like something Leon thought he should recognize, but just couldn't remember. Spicy and exotic...D tasted like something from a dream. Their first kiss had only been a slight brushing of lips and Leon was almost afraid of what would happen if it became something more. Yes, he'd definitely have to have a long talk with D as soon as he got back to the Enterprise.
D had been so sure when he told Leon about all that past life stuff, but Leon still wasn't sure what he should believe. Starfleet had taught him to rely on logic and science, but D had known so much about Leon's dreams. Leon very clearly remembered dreaming about a man as a child. He knew, without a doubt that he'd never seen the man's face, but he did know that the man was D. He had dreamed of Chris, clear as day. He had dreamed of a woman named Jill, obviously the woman he named his crow after. So many things fit together.
It was all too confusing and Leon didn't think he was up to the task of finding out answers. All he knew, for certain, was that he felt very right when he was with D. Maybe that was all that mattered.
So time passed and Leon saw almost no one all the time he was there. He was posted on the outskirts of the colony, so far from the real action that he had no idea anything was wrong until Lieutenant Worf contacted him on the com badge. -Ensign Barns. Report to base.-
"Yes, sir." Leon replied automatically and happily. Base meant to go back to where everyone was supposed to meet once the mission was over and it was time to go back to the Enterprise. They'd been on the planet for seven and a half hours, a bit longer than Leon had expected. It was miserable standing out in the torturous sun and Leon was incredibly happy at the idea of going back to the ship. Not only would it be much cooler there, but he get something to eat and he'd go see D.
Unfortunately, it didn't work out that way for Leon. As soon as he got back to the base he knew something was wrong by the hushed conversation between the officers present. It wasn't his place to question, so Leon kept his mouth shut, and waited to be told what was going on. A long buried part of Leon told him he should be demanded answers, but he ignored that part of himself. It was just another sign that he had to get back to the Enterprise as soon as possible. The affects of the meds were wearing off sooner than he'd thought they would.
Once commander Riker saw that Leon had arrived, he raised his voice to address everyone. "Now that we're all here, I need to tell you we'll be here a few extra hours. Something's gone wrong with the transporter systems on the Enterprise and we've no way to get back until they're fixed."
Leon went cold all over and then felt a warmth creep up the back of his neck, unpleasantly. A few hours? That was too long.
"I'm told it's nothing to worry about." Commander Riker went on. "It's just a slight delay. We'll just stay here till it's fixed. The captain offered to send shuttlecrafts for us, but I really didn't think it was worth the trouble. For now, everyone back to your posts and continue your work. We'll keep you informed." Commander Riker watched all the security personnel head back to whatever area it was that they'd been assigned to patrol, all but one. "Ensign Barns, is there a problem?"
Leon was jerked out of his own black thoughts by the sound of his name and looked at commander Riker as if he'd never seen him before. Leon floundered, speechless. What could he say? Nothing. "No, sir." Leon turned on his heel and started walking as fast as he could away from the commander. He knew he was starting to panic, but couldn't seem to stop himself.
'This is ridiculous! The transporters NEVER malfunction! Why today? Why today of all damned days?!' Reggie had been right. Stupid to try and act like nothing was wrong with him. Stupid to try and have a life. Should have just turned himself in when Mr. Goti had gotten caught. 'What am I supposed to do now?' It had been a very long time since Leon had felt so helpless.
"Wait a minute." Commander Riker called out. "Since you're here, take a break. You've been out there a long time and I don't think you'll really be missed." He was trying to be kind, but it made Leon worry all the more. He didn't want anyone see him start to break down. "Try to get some sleep. It'll be dark soon."
Leon swallowed hard, though. "Yes, sir." He smiled as naturally as he could and went into the colony's large office. It was like a town hall where all the colony's business was conducted, so there was plenty of room for the Enterprise's crew to hang around while they rested. In the office there were several doctors and nurses, resting from their own long day's work, and a couple of other security officers.
It was a fairly spacious place and Leon was able to find a corner where he could at least pretend he was alone. He sat on the floor under an open window, though there were plenty of chairs around. His stomach was starting to hurt, but he didn't know if it was the stress or symptoms of what was to come. In all honestly, he remembered very little from the few times Mr. Goti had taken him off the meds. He remembered being afraid and pain. He remembered crying and banging his fists against the unmoving door, begging to be released. He remembered the first night they'd come for him and Reggie had tried to keep them away.
Flashback-
"Leave him alone!" He heard Reggie's furious voice first and knew that Reggie was on one of his medicines again, one of the ones that made him angry all the time. "He's just a fucking kid!"
There was the sound of flesh hitting flesh and an angry grunt. "Keep out of it, Reg. This isn't your business. You knew it was going to happen sooner or later."
Leon didn't recognize the second voice and it frightened him. It was night and no one ever came into their room at night. When Leon opened his eyes he saw Reggie being held by two large men in the pale blue nurse's uniforms. One held his arms tightly while the other was behind Reggie with one arm wrapped around Reggie's throat and the other on top of Reggie's head in a sort of head-lock. They'd effectively pinned Reggie, all but his flailing legs. His eyes were wide and filled with hate as he struggled. A roar broke from his mouth and the man holding Reggie's throat seemed to have had enough.
"Let go, Stan." He ordered. When the man holding Reggie's arms let go and stepped away, the one holding Reggie's throat suddenly jerked him to the side and bashed Reggie's head into the wall. Reggie went very still before he crumpled and his whole body went limp. The man dropped Reggie and let him fall to the floor in a heap.
"Reggie!" Leon cried, sitting bolt upright only to have a hand clamp over his shoulder.
"He'll be find. The kid's tougher than he looks." There was a third nurse at Leon's side who didn't bother with any kind of facial expression. "Come on." His fingers tightened and he pulled, wrenching Leon out of the bed so hard that he fell. At least he would have fallen but for the man's hand on his shoulder. The man hadn't let go and held Leon like a vice. "You've been called."
"Lemme go! Reggie!" Leon was terrified. It was so dark, he couldn't see the faces of the men who'd invaded their room and hurt Reggie. "Reggie!" Why wasn't Reggie moving?
"Enough of that." The man gave Leon another sharp pull, this time pulling him towards the still open doorway.
They gave Leon no choice and dragged him though the corridors of Mr. Goti's Home with tears running down his face. He hated being afraid and the man was hurting his arm. He didn't do anything bad! All the while Leon saw people peeking out of the doors of their rooms, small, frightened eyes watching him. Not a single person tried to help him.
He was thrown into a room and the heavy door closed with a hiss of air. Then, Leon was alone.
End Flashback-
Leon shuddered at the memory. Probably, if he told anyone, they wouldn't understand. He hadn't been beaten or raped or anything like that, but the pain he'd suffered that night was more torture than Leon ever wanted to go through again. Of course, he had gone through it again. Once every other month, so Mr. Goti could see the effects of withdrawal as Leon was denied the medication he'd been forced to take.
When they'd let him back to his room, after recovering, Leon found Reggie with a scar on the side of his head and a hug for Leon. They hadn't spoken about it much after that, but Leon noticed he wasn't the only one. Every so often he'd hear see another child being led to the room he'd been locked in. Every couple of weeks, Reggie was taken there and he always came back worse for wear.
Leon tried his best to look at ease, but didn't think he was doing very well. He was in trouble and he knew it. He didn't know how much trouble until Doctor Crusher walked in the room and Leon saw the faded image of another woman superimposed over her. The woman wasn't young, but she wasn't yet old, either. Her face had a few wrinkles, but her hair was still bright yellow and her smile was full of life. She was saying something, but Leon couldn't hear her. He turned away from everyone and leaned against the wall. All he had to do was last another couple of hours. The meds were suppose to be good for ten hours at the dose he took them, so that was another two and a half hours. Plenty of time for them to find whatever was wrong with the transporters. Right?
'Who are you joking?'
Leon looked into a window near him and saw, as he'd seen just a short time ago on the Enterprise, a reflection of himself. His reflection was still angry at him.
'We're going to die here and if we don't, we'll wish we had. Damn it! Why didn't you listen to Reggie!? What about D? Huh? Chris is waiting for us, too. You stupid shit.' Leon's reflection turned away from him in disgust and Leon buried his face in his arms, now crossed over his bent knees. He didn't bother arguing. His reflection was right.
Enterprise-
Count D-
Count D had taken refuge in his bed chambers and refused to see anyone, even his beloved pets. Instead, he lay on his bed, curled in as tight a ball as he could force himself into. He knew Leon was in pain. It was his fault. There was nothing he could do to help until Leon returned to the Enterprise. If he returned.
To be continued...