QUARANTINE

Chapter 1

By Kiddo

Disclaimer:

I don't have any rights to the TV show "seaQuest DSV," and I am not making any money with this story. This is a translation of my German story, "Quarantäne." The German version was dedicated to Yury as a birthday present and takes place during the second season because she wished for it.

The crew of the seaQuest had just come back from a one-week shore leave, and shore leave was the main topic of conversation during lunch and other breaks on the first day back. This was, of course, the case with Tony Piccolo, Tim O'Neill, Miguel Ortiz and Lucas Wolenczak, who were sitting in the Mess Hall eating.

Miguel Ortiz was talking enthusiastically about his shore leave. "It was so great to see my big sister again. And her kids have grown so much! Her twins just turned 4 and are in kindergarten. The middle one is 9, and the oldest, Michaella, is 15. I told them about the seaQuest and showed them some pictures. I tell you, the little ones were totally in love with Darwin." Now the Cuban smiled at Lucas. "Michaella, on the other hand, was totally in love with your pictures and confiscated every single one. For the next shore leave, she wants me to visit them again and bring you with me. She wants me to introduce you to her and play matchmaker."

Immediately Tony stopped eating and looked at Miguel in horror. "You can't do that! I promised my cousin Angie that I would fix her up with Lucas."

The blond teen smacked his hand against his forehead in annoyance. This was nothing new to him. Why did everyone want to fix him up with his sister, friend, or other various relative? Was there a tattoo across his forehead that said, 'I'm looking for a girlfriend'? Or did he just attract that kind of attention like a magnet? Maybe he should dye his hair blue and get a lot of tattoos and piercings. Or maybe it would help to wear different kinds of clothes in the future. There had to be a way to stop everyone from trying to fix him up with a girl. He never had any trouble doing it on his own.

The computer genius looked questioningly at O'Neill. "Any relatives that you want to set me up with?"

Tim had to smile at the expression on Lucas's face. "Not at the moment, but if you want, I can think about whether I know anyone around your age."

The teenager only looked more irritated. "Please, don't do that!" Then he looked at his roommate and Ortiz. "Let me make one thing clear - you will not fix me up with anybody. I have no problems getting girlfriends on my own."

Miguel scowled. "Okay, okay." He let out a groan. "I tell ya, one week at my sister's and I'm totally worn out. I feel like I could use another shore leave."

O'Neill looked closely at the dark-haired man. "You really don't look so good. Maybe you should go to Dr. Smith and let her examine you."

Ortiz shook his head. "No need. It's nothing that a good night's sleep won't cure."

But unfortunately, Miguel Ortiz wasn't feeling any better the next morning. In fact, it was just the opposite. The Cuban had gotten a terrible headache in the night, wasn't feeling well overall, and had gotten a strange red rash on his skin that was itching. He really needed to see Dr. Smith.

To make sure that she didn't miss anything, Dr. Smith gave Ortiz a thorough examination, although in actuality, one look at the rash told her everything.

The dark-haired doctor tried to keep herself from smiling as she looked at Ortiz. "What did you do during your shore leave?"

"I visited my sister."

"Does your sister have any kids?"

Ortiz nodded. "Yes, why do you ask?"

"Because, I think you caught chicken pox from them," she said dryly.

"Chicken pox?" he asked incredulously. "But that's something only kids get! How can I get something that only kids get?"

"The fact that it's something mostly caught by children doesn't mean that only children can get it. And the older you get, the worse you feel when you have it," explained Wendy, without batting an eyelash.

Miguel's face twisted in torment. "As soon as the others hear that I have chicken pox they'll make fun of me like there's no tomorrow."

Ortiz stood up and started to leave medbay, but Wendy prevented stopped him. "Stop. Where do you think you are going?"

"To my cabin. Don't worry, Doc, I'll call in sick to Commander Ford."

Dr. Smith shook her head resolutely. "Oh no you don't. You will stay in medbay. You are under quarantine."

Ortiz's eyes got big. "Quarantine? But I don't have a dangerous tropical disease. It's only chicken pox!"

Wendy shook her head. "Only chicken pox? Do you know how contagious it is? You've probably already infected half of the crew. I don't want to think of all the work that this will give me. I will advise the capatin about this situation as soon as possible."

Miguel got even paler than before. Now that he knew what a difficult situation could be caused, he was sure that he wouldn't be visiting his sister anytime soon.

To Be Continued…

Written august 2004