Dear readers, there will be no update next week due to the Christmas Holidays.

Merry Christmas and Happy holidays to all of you who celebrate.

Stranded

Chapter 16

"The best-laid schemes of mice and men often go awry."

"To a Mouse"

Robert Burns, 1786.

"So what do you think, Len?" Nyota looked into the now alarmed blue eyes.

"No, Nyota! Absolutely not! It's much too dangerous! You cain't just be goin' to that hotel willy nilly to confront Orion slaves, not without back up! What if somethin' goes wrong! It's not gonna happen! I hate to pull rank on you, but I am your commandin' officer, and I out rank you. I say no!" Leonard's voice was hoarse again in his agitation. "I won't hear of it. Jim would have a hissy fit if you went there alone without any backup!"

Nyota looked at him in dismay. "Len, Len, stop...calm down, please! I'm so sorry, I should have explained things better. I'm not planning to do anything or go anywhere right now, I'll wait until the ship gets here. First, because you can't be left alone, you're much too sick. So until someone from the ship can stay here with you, or Scotty beams you up to Sick Bay,I'm staying right here with you. Second, I have to run my idea by the Captain. I want to make sure he's willing to help the three girls, get them back to their home planet."

Nyota's mobile face was contrite. "I'm terribly sorry I upset you, making you think I was going to do this right away," Stupid, that was so stupid, she thought, All I did was agitate and upset Len. I should never have said anything to him, not until Jim and the ship got here.

"I'm so sorry I didn't explain things better to you. What I wanted to do is talk the idea over with you to see if you thought it had merit before I run it by Jim. Those poor girls are being held against their will, made to do God know what by those pirates, and now on top of all that they're sick."

Leonard drew in a breath of relief. Maybe he'd over reacted a little, but Nyota's safety was paramount with him. It was bad enough that she might catch this virus while taking care of him. He couldn't, wouldn't countenance any additional danger to her safety and well being. There was a brief silence as he thought things through. Now that he was sure Nyota wasn't going to the hotel right away, he was able to think about her idea much more calmly and clearly.

In his heart of hearts, Leonard admitted to himself that many times in different situations on the ship he'd behaved like a recalcitrant idiot, (Jim would say stubborn as a mule), but never with Nyota. Aside from Jim and Scotty, she was one of his closest and dearest friends.

His grandmama and his mama had raised him to be a gentleman, to admire, honor, and appreciate brilliant, accomplished, courageous, beautiful, women. Nyota personified all these qualities in spades. Sick as he was, Leonard would have gotten up and sat on her before letting her leave this house to go confront Orion slaves on her own without someone to back her up.

"Thinking it over carefully," he said, breaking his silence, "I think your idea has merit, Ny. I also think Jim, Spock, all of us really, would agree that in good conscience, we cain't just leave those girls at the mercy of the Orions. Knowing Jim, knowing his compassion and kind heart, I bet he'll be okay with rescuing the girls. Once the ship gets here, you can talk it over with him and Spock and see what they say about your idea," he added hoarsely

Nyota nodded and stood up. "I'm happy you think my idea is a good one, that it has some merit, but that's enough talking for right now. We can discuss it at length later. Right now it's time for your meds, and then I want you to rest. You face is flushed again, so your temperature is probably climbing again." I sure hope it wasn't my big mouth that caused his temperature to go up, Nyota thought worriedly.

"Yeah, I can feel it, it's definitely goin' up."

Nyota got the hypo out again and inserted the first cartridge, the antipyretic. According to Geoff, getting Len's temperature down and keeping it down was the biggest priority. She gave him the dose, and immediately injected the second hypo of pain medication. She had noticed that this virus seemed to follow a pattern, if Len's fever went up, his pain level also increased.

"There that should do it. You'll feel better soon. Close your eyes and get some rest, Len. It won't be long before Doranna gets here with your lunch and I know she'd like to visit with you for a few minutes... if you feel well enough. She and Alarik have been worried about you."

"I'd like to visit with her too, I want to thank her for her kindness." Leonard murmured, closing his eyes.

Nyota saw he quickly dozed off. While she waited for Doranna to bring lunch she set about tidying the house. She went to the bedroom and made her bed, sanitized the bathroom, and put fresh towels out. The soiled ones went into the fresher. She tidied Len's room, straightened the bed linens but decided not to make his bed in case he wanted to get back in it after lunch. She washed her hands and went to the living room where she picked up the tea mug and dishes and took themto the kitchen. She scrubbed the kitchen counters, and put the dishes in the dish washer to sanitize them.

When she finished she went back to her room, changed into a fresh gown and tunic, combed her hair, powered her nose, and put a touch of the local lip rouge on her lips. Say what you will, a little make up did wonders for a person. Satisfied with her appearance she went back to Leonard to check his temperature. She grabbed his tricorder and ran it over him. To her satisfaction and relief, his temperature was down one degree. She sighed in relief. She wondered if Geoffrey would agree that taking a dose of the Apothecary's potions might help with Len's symptoms. It seemed to have helped the slave girl and she obviously thought it would help the other two girls. But on the other hand, who knew which of the many humanoid species they belonged to?

There was a soft know at the door. Doranna was here. She went to Len and shook him gently. "Doranna's here, Len."

He opened his eyes. "I'm awake, Ny. I was just resting my eyes dozing a little. My fever's down, I can tell, so I'll be happy to visit with Doranna. Just don't let her sit too close to me," he cautioned.

"I won't."

Nyota went to open the door. "Please come in Doranna. Let me help you with that."

A smiling Doranna handed Nyota one of the bags. "I hope the doctor enjoys what I brought, Nyota. It will not be too heavy on his stomach. It is grilled fowl, rice, sautéed mixed vegetables, freshly baked flat bread, and fruit pie. I did not bring a beverage, not knowing what the doctor would like. Alarik said you have been giving the doctor tea with honey."

"It all sounds delicious, thank you so much Doranna. Please come in. The doctor is so pleased you're here, he'd like to visit with you. His days have been extra long with just me for company. I'd just like to warn you though, that he gets hoarse very easily, so don't let him talk to much. I thought we would eat in the living room in front of the fire. I have a small table for the doctor, and you and I can use trays if that's all right with you."

Doranna's smiled, her pleasant face lighting up with pleasure at the in invitation. "I would like that very much, Nyota. There is more than enough food for the three of us. Is the doctor eating a sufficient amount of food?" She asked anxiously. "I remember Alarik would not eat when he was so ill."

"Surprisingly, the doctor has a good appetite. In that way his illness is different than Alarik's. I'm very thankful about his good appetite, as you know, his is not of a robust frame, and in fact he is quite thin, so good nutrition is very important for him."

"It is so, Nyota. Now, let us go into the kitchen and I will help you with the trays and serving the doctor. Also I have much to tell you about my time at the market today." Doranna followed Nyota into the kitchen smiling and waving a hand to Leonard. "We will return with lunch, Dr. Mkkoy and it will be pleasant to converse with you."

Nyota looked closely at her friend, there was a look of suppressed excitement on her face.

Doranna put her bags on the table and began to take things out. Nyota got plates down from the cabinet, utensils, and napkins, and they began to plate the bounty she had brought. She also took out two large serving trays for their food.

"So tell me about your trip to the market."

"I will tell you and the doctor together when we sit down to eat, Nyota."

Nyota contained her curiosity and carried Leonard's plate, utensils, napkin, and tea and placed everything on the small table. She moved another side chair next to her usual one well away from Leonard, then she and Doranna carried their own trays and sat down.

"Doranna, this is delicious," Leonard smiled at her. "You and Alarik have been so kind to us. I cain't thank you enough. I'm afraid Nyota has been run off her feet takin' care of me." His blue eyes were somber. "I cain't do very much, I get tired real fast."

Doranna put down her fork. "Dr. Mkkoy, you saved Alarik's life. It is very little what we have done. If there is any thing you need we are happy to be of help. Nyota is my friend. On Torreon friends help each other when the need arises."

"Well you and Alarik have proven to be true friends, Doranna."

"Len, Doranna has something she wants to tell us about her visit to the market. She wanted to tell us both at the same time."

Leonard looked a question at her and Doranna nodded. "It is so, Dr. Mkkoy. It was today at mid-morning, when I went to the market. I wanted everything for your meal to be fresh. Freshness is important for good nutrition."

Leonard nodded his approval of that statement.

"I was in the area where the vendors sell the fowls when I saw the girl Alarik told me about. The one who wore the metal bracelet and necklace. She was there in the fowl section of the outdoor market!"

She looked back and forth at Nyota and Leonard triumphantly.

"Umm." Nyota who had food in her mouth swallowed hastily. Leonard shot her a quick warning glance. She took a drink from her tea and willed herself to calm down.

"Well now," drawled Leonard a bit hoarsely. "That was a coincidence. By any chance did you get to talk with her, Doranna?"

Nyota held her breath waiting for Doranna's answer. She hoped not! If the girl thought for even a minute that someone was looking for her it would spook her, and her two companions too.

"It was too difficult. There was a long line at the fowl merchant's stand, and much noise. She was much closer in the line to the merchant than I was. Also, I did not want to get close to her, because what if she is the one carrying the illness, Dr. Mkkoy? It was better that I not approach her." She sighed. "It was too late for those others close to her in line, and I did not want to alarm them by saying anything when there was nothing to be done. They are known to me, so if anyone becomes ill, I will know."

"You did exactly right, Doranna," Leonard responded. "Cain't be too careful, because we don't know much about this virus."

"I did over hear the conversation she had with the fowl merchant," she went on. "I was but four people behind her so I could hear quite well. She wanted two fowls, not one. The merchant did not want to sell her two. He said he had many other customers, that if he sold two to everyone, some would have to go without. The girl then explained loudly that the fowls were going to feed three people, herself and two other girls who were very ill and needed proper nourishment. She told the merchant she was taking care of her two younger sisters, that she was the only one of the three who was not ill. I could see her face as she spoke, it was a worried face, Doctor Mkkoy. I could see how worried she was about her sisters. I also saw that she was nervous, she kept fingering her metal collar and bracelet constantly, as women will do when they are nervous or unsure." She looked over at Nyota who nodded her agreement.

"The merchant took pity on her, Jenos is his name, he is a good man, so he agreed to sell her two fowls instead of only one. I heard him tell her if her sisters were very ill, she should also provide them with fruit, beverages, and vegetables and told her which merchants she should buy those things from. I saw her after I concluded my purchases. She was carrying several bags as she left the outdoor market." She sighed. "I felt badly I did not offer to help her and her sisters, for surely they need help. Here on Torreon we try to help anyone who need assistance."

She bent her head and went back to her meal. Leonard and Nyota exchanged glances. So the three Orion girls were still here, and two of them were still ill.

Leonard cleared his throat. "Doranna, you, Alarik, Killeen, and Ezio, have helped Nyota and I tremendously. Taking care of me would have been much more difficult for Nyota without your help and we appreciate it tremendously. However, in this situation, it is best if you don't offer to help. Exposing yourself to their unknown illness by going there could be dangerous to Alarik. You might not get ill yourself, you're a strong healthy woman, but since he was already a victim of a virus, he might succumb more easily to a second illness. At least here when you have been with Nyota and me, you keep far away from me, you wash your hands, and I, with Nyota's help, shower every day to keep myself clean. She sanitizes everything I touch, dishes, utensils, towels, sheets, quilts, and she also cleans the house. If you were to go help those girls, we have no way of knowing if they even know enough to do these things."

"Yes, I see, Doctor Mkkoy, you have stated it plainly, but it grieves me I cannot help those young girls."

"Doranna, Killeen told me he saw the girl with the metal collar and bracelet at the Apothecary's. She went there to acquire medications for her sisters. Killeen then asked the Apothecary to make some of the same medications for Dr. Mkkoy."

Doranna looked surprised. It was well known how Egan, the Apothecary, felt about Leonard.

Nyota smiled. "Killeen had a conversation with Egan, chastised him for his attitude toward the doctor, and finally he agreed to compound the medicines. The doctor has not taken them yet."

"I hope the medicines will help the doctor," Doranna said, but she looked dubiously at Leonard. "They did not seem to help Alarik, as I recall. It was not until you came, Doctor, that your medicines helped Alarik. Can you not take those same medications?" She asked him puzzled.