Tegan Chronicles STV Style 3:
What's Left of the Flag 17
"There she is." She heard Jack's voice and turned to see him and Daniel walking through the field in her direction. Daniel threw his hand in the air in greeting.
"Colonel, Daniel, why do you both look so young?" She grinned unable to hide her happiness at seeing them again.
"So you would recognize us." Jack stopped his forward progression a few yards in front of her. "Did you really expect me to look 105?"
"No sir."
"It's not 'sir' anymore, it's Jack."
"And it's Tegan, sir." It was a hard habit to break.
"Of course it is. So Tegan," he smiled, "a doctor on a Starfleet vessel, impressive. Although you did take a bit of a demotion from Air Force Major about to be a Lieutenant Colonel down to a Navy Lieutenant."
"It's not like I'm making money." She laughed lightly. "It's really not a big deal."
"Maybe when you get back to earth they'll give you the rank you deserve." Daniel straightened the glasses perched on his nose, the ones Tegan was sure he no longer needed.
"I'll be lucky if they don't throw the book at my captain and there's no telling what they will do with me."
"That's right." Jack rolled onto the balls of his feet and back down. "You two are—" He wiggled his index finger in the air. "How's that working out for you Kiser—sleeping with the boss?"
"It just kind of happened." She blushed deeply. "So, 105 Jack? I didn't know you had it in you."
"Neither did I." He shrugged. "But you've got me beat, over 400."
"Yes but I skipped about 375 of those. I'd think after 105 years actually lived you'd have some great knowledge to impart."
He glanced at Daniel and stole his quote, butchering it badly. "Something about candles smoking and cold dinner."
Tegan chuckled. "I can always count on you for a good laugh sir."
"When I said you needed to rest that didn't include standing guard over her in my sickbay."
Janeway turned and glared briefly at the holo-man.
"Would you give my advice any more heed if I were a real person?" He stepped up with his medical tricorder poised to scan her.
"I doubt it." She stepped away from the medical device.
"Well at least you're honest." He heaved his chest in a manufactured sigh. "Did you at least eat?"
"I did." She nodded. "I replicated tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich."
"I suppose that is better than coffee ice cream with coffee to wash it down." He grumbled.
Janeway canted her head toward Tegan. "Is there any change?"
"I'm afraid not. She's pretty much just as she was when you left this morning." He watched her step up and take her hand in hers. "But that's also a good thing. It appears she isn't going to reject any of the blood transfusions she was given."
Seven found B'Elanna in the mess hall after she finished her shift in astrometrics. She slipped into the empty seat across from her and looked over her tray as she folded her hands on the table in front of her.
"Are you not eating?" B'Elanna glanced up as she swallowed a piece of yellow Leola root.
"I do not require nutritional supplements at this time."
"How are Tegan and the captain doing?"
"I do not know, I have been busy in astrometrics."
"Look Seven." B'Elanna laid her fork down on her tray so she could stare into eyes of ice blue. They hadn't seen each other since the previous morning. "I didn't—I'm not jealous."
"Yes you are." She smiled slightly. "And it is cute."
"Did you just call me 'cute' Borg?" She reached across the table and playfully punched her in the shoulder.
"I did."
"I care about the captain and…" She looked across the mess hall and took a deep breath. "I care about Tegan too."
"They are your friends, you should care about them."
"I don't know if I would call Janeway a friend." B'Elanna shrugged.
"Outside of the chain of command, I do believe she would be honored to call you friend." Seven offered her personal observation.
"What do you say when I'm done eating we both head to sickbay and see how they are doing?"
"I think that would be an efficient use of our time." She watched as a smile curled both corners of B'Elanna's mouth.
Janeway turned and let go of Tegan's hand when she heard the doors to the infirmary open. This is ridiculous Katie, you are the Captain. You can hold anyone's hand you want to. For all anyone knows you are offering her comfort and would be doing the same for any other member of your crew.
But she isn't just any other member of your crew is she? Why did the devil's advocate always have to run around in her head too? She let out a silent sigh of relief when her first officer stepped through the doors.
"Captain." He bobbed his head in greeting. He wasn't really surprised to see her there. "I thought you would be in your quarters."
"She is supposed to be in her quarters." The doctor scowled even though he knew his complaints were falling on deaf ears. Chakotay was as likely to back up his orders as Seven was to sprout wings and fly around like Tinkerbell.
He stepped closer. "I just thought I would stop in and see how she was getting along while I was doing my rounds."
Janeway wondered briefly why he didn't use her name, title or rank. "There's been no change since this morning according to the doctor."
He nodded at Janeway in acknowledgement and turned his head to the EMH. "That doesn't sound promising Doctor."
"Actually at this point I believe it is a good thing. She's stabilized and her body is getting the rest it needs. I will begin to worry if she doesn't regain consciousness in the next 24 hours, however." He looked to the doors as they slid open and B'Elanna and Seven walked in carrying flowers. "This isn't the holosuite, you cannot have your date here."
"They're for Tegan." B'Elanna held the small bouquet up.
"At the rate things are going they will be dead before she comes out of her coma and can enjoy them." The doctor pointed to the office. "I don't need them in my way."
"You're not in a very good mood are you?" B'Elanna handed the flowers to Seven who took them into the office as instructed.
"Because no one listens to me," He started to go off on one of his rants.
As if to prove his point, B'Elanna looked from him to Captain Janeway and Chakotay. "Sir. Captain, how are you feeling?"
"I'm fine, thank you."
"Tegan fine, or really fine?" Seven asked as she returned to the group.
Janeway gave her a half smile. "I'm pretty close to normal."
"That's good to hear." B'Elanna side stepped to look at the pale figure lying on the bed. "How's she doing?"
"She'd be doing a lot better if people would let her rest." The EMH barked.
"I should continue my rounds." Chakotay excused himself before the doctor started breathing fire.
"Can I?" B'Elanna pointed to Tegan and waited until the doctor stepped to the side to allow her to approach. She moved up beside the bed and gently touched her cheek. "Today is not a good day to die, my friend."
Janeway stopped her by putting her hand on her forearm as she was about to pass her. "Thank you."
B'Elanna nodded as Janeway's hand fell away and headed out the door with Seven.