Chapter Two

Surprises

Olivia did not want to show up for her shift, which was surprising. She was always on time and prepared for duty. Today, though, her head felt as if it would burst, and she stumbled backwards onto the floor as she tried to get ready.

"Ow."

Olivia sat there for a moment. Would it be so bad if she took the day off? It would only be to rest. Only to do as McCoy told her. Something at the back of her mind was nagging at her, screaming at her to go to work, but she felt so comfortable lying limp on the floor...

No, Lieutenant Fasura had to go. She stood. Her mind ached as she got into uniform and stepped out the door.

Spock noted that Olivia did not greet him or the captain as she usually did everyday. Nor did she sit erectly in her chair, but rather slumped over her station. Jim seemed to notice this, too. He shot Spock a look that said, 'What do you know about this?'

The Vulcan turned to Olivia. "Are you well, lieutenant?"

"I assure you that I am perfectly fine."

"You are lying," he stated with an eyebrow raised.

"I am not lying if that is my opinion, sir," she shot back.

Spock did not continue the conversation after that. He began battling his human emotions; anger that she would lie to him about being ill, slight regret that he could not help her. Suddenly, he was interrupted. The Enterprise rocked violently.

"Keptin! Ve are under attack. It's ze Klingons, sir," Chekov announced.

Spock tuned out for a second. He observed Olivia, who was now perking up a bit at the word 'attack'.

"...Zey are attempting to board ze ship, sir."

Everyone began to scramble to take control of the situation. In the midst of the chaos, Spock reached Lieutenant Fasura. He made her face him.

"Olivia, you must listen to me. You are not fit for duty," the tall Vulcan told her.

"Commander, I-"

"I cannot risk your safety. You must promise me you will hide and stay unharmed until we regain command of the ship."

"I...I promise," she said softly, searching his face.

"I will see you soon."

I cannot risk your safety.

Did he truly care that much about her? Or was it just a friend protecting a friend in an intense situation? Whatever the case, Olivia was doing as she was told. Her brain raced with ideas for potential hiding spots.

The sick bay?

Perhaps down in Engineering?

Or maybe just her own quarters?

Without any logical conclusion, she picked Engineering and began to head there. The halls were nearly empty except for the occasional person jogging to the bridge.

Almost there.

An arm swung out and grabbed her by the throat. Maybe people were running that way for a reason other than just getting to the bridge.

Oh, shit.

"Look what I caught...An officer of Starfleet," growled a Klingon.

"Shall we kill her now?" came the voice of a second.

"No...I wish for her to suffer."

"Y-you...let...me...g-go!" Olivia gasped out.

"She wants to be tough, does she?" the second Klingon snarled.

A new voice broke in. "I advise that you let the woman go if you are one to value your life."

Then, everything happened quickly. The Klingon attempted to crush her, shots were fired, and Olivia Fasura's world went dark.