Disclaimer: CBS/Paramount own Star Trek and all the characters established thereon. I am making no money, but the original characters and story are mine.

Author's note: Sorry for the delayed chapter, real life is sometimes an annoyance!

After Icheb closed the connection with Cold Station 12, he tapped his commbadge. "Icheb to Dr. Franklin, please report to the bridge at once."

"Acknowledged, Franklin out."

Icheb looked at his Captain and realized she hadn't moved an inch since her husband had disappeared from the viewscreen. He kept his voice low enough to ensure they were the only two who could hear, "Captain, perhaps we should go to your ready room?"

Ezri turned and looked down at Icheb who was seated in the XO seat next to the Captain's chair, her face had an unfocused, dazed look, "What? We should what?"

Icheb stood up and gently took hold of Ezri's arm and guided her toward her Ready Room. "T'Phir, you have the bridge, when Dr. Franklin arrives, please send him to the Captain's Ready Room."

The Vulcan Science Officer nodded her acknowledgement.

Icheb guided Ezri to the seat behind her desk. She was still looking dazed, but once seated she looked up at her First Officer, "Commander, why are we in here?"

"I thought you might like some privacy, also, I have a report. I spoke to CS12 and they assured me that, although the EMH looks like a Mark 1, he has been updated and is current with the latest medical information. Dr. Bashir is being well taken care of but right now, I'm worried about you."

"Me? Why are you worried about me?"

"You seem a bit, distracted."

"Distracted? Of course I'm distracted. How would you feel if Ensign Wildman was in danger and there was nothing you could do about it?"

Icheb was surprised by the casual mention of his relationship with Naomi, a relationship of which the Captain did not approve. This, almost as much as her demeanor, convinced him the Captain was suffering from shock. As this thought crossed his mind, the door chime sounded. Wanting to speak to Todd out of the Captain's earshot, he went to the door and exited. As he expected, Dr. Franklin was standing immediately outside the Captain's Ready Room. He steered Todd over to the command chairs, signaling Todd he should have a seat.

Dr. Franklin asked his friend, "What's going on?"

Icheb described the situation as quickly as he could, about Dr. Bashir's update, his sudden collapse, Icheb's conversations with CS12, and that the station's EMH had been activated. He also told Todd of the Captain's response to seeing her husband collapse and his suspicion that she might be in shock. Once Todd was sufficiently up to date, the two men headed toward the Captain's Ready Room. Before leaving the Bridge, Todd grabbed a MedKit, he hadn't brought any medical equipment with him, since he didn't know there was a medical situation on the Bridge.

When they entered the Ready Room, Icheb told Dr. Franklin quietly, "Todd, I don't think she has moved at all." The only movement she was making was a repetitive nervous gesture; she was holding a data rod in her hand. She would tap the rod on her desk, flip the rod over and tap it again, then flip the rod over again and once more tap it onto her desk. She was doing this over and over. Icheb was worried, he'd never seen this type of behavior from his Captain.

Todd opened the MediKit, pulled out the medical tricorder, and scanned Ezri. "You'd make a pretty good medic, you correctly diagnosed shock, not a severe case, but still worrisome." Todd filled a hypospray and approached the Captain.

Almost immediately after a slight hissing sound issued from the hypospray, Captain Dax' eyes seemed to clear, and she appeared to be able to focus on the two men. "Todd, Icheb…" then her eyes widened, "Julian! What's happening with Julian?"

Icheb turned to Todd, "If you'll stay here with the Captain, I'll go see if I can find out."

Todd replied, "Certainly."

Before Icheb could reach the door, T'Phir was hailing the Captain, "T'Phir to Captain Dax."

"Go ahead T'Phir."

"Captain, we are being hailed by the EMH on CS12."

"Relay it here, please."

"Certainly, T'Phir out."

The computer console on Ezri's desk came to life with the image of the EMH, "Captain Dax?"

"Yes Doctor?"

"I understand you are Dr. Bashir's wife? Is this correct?"

"Yes I am. How is Julian?"

"He is still unconscious."

Todd spoke before the EMH could continue, "Doctor Franklin here, what are Dr. Bashir's vitals like?"

"They are weak but steady, he doesn't appear to be in any immediate danger."

Todd asked, "Was his collapse brought on by any of the medications administered?"

"I don't believe so. It appears to me his immune system was overwhelmed. I don't think anyone has ever been exposed to this many pathogens at one time. Even though they are all non-lethal, it is impossible to predict how they'll interact."

Ezri smiled, "That's what Julian said when I asked him if he was going to lift the quarantine."

The EMH returned the Captain's smile, "As you can see, he was right. I've moved him to the temporary sickbay over here, which also serves as temporary quarters. He is resting comfortably, and I am awaiting results of some tests. He should be out for the next few hours at least."

Todd asked, "When you get the results to the tests, would you forward them to me?"

"Naturally, I will also send them to the CS12 staff. In this situation I believe the more doctors working on it, the better off he'll be."

"Excellent, is there anything we can do in the meantime?"

"I believe I have Dr. Bashir's complete medical file here, if I forward what I have to you, could you verify it's completeness for me?"

Todd seemed relieved to have a task, "I'd be happy to."

The EMH once again directed his attention to Captain Dax, "Captain, your husband is being cared for quite competently, if I do say so myself."

Icheb turned his laugh into a very unconvincing bout of coughing. His attempt didn't escape the notice of the EMH, who asked, "May I ask what is so funny Commander?"

"I'm sorry Doc…tor, you just reminded me of our EMH."

"What does that mean, 'your EMH'?"

"Sorry, I meant Voyager's EMH."

"Oh, I see. It's not surprising I remind you of Voyager's EMH, we have the same basic matrix. As I was saying, things are under control and there really isn't much to be done until the test results come in."

Ezri asked, "How long will that take?" She had finally put the data rod down and was no longer fiddling with it.

The EMH appeared to be scrutinizing Ezri's face. "It will be several hours Captain, may I suggest you try and get some rest in the meantime?"

Todd spoke up, "I agree. Captain, I can give you a mild sedative if you think that would help."

Ezri looked from the EMH, to Todd and then to Icheb, it was obvious from their expressions they were all worried about her. "Yes Todd, I think I would like to get some rest."

Todd stood up, "I think that's wise, I'll meet you in your quarters shortly, I just have to go get the hypospray from Sickbay."