A/N: Reposted without the typo. (Thank you Biggest-Baddest-Wolf, don't stop, I really appreciate it.) It's my goal to post one of these without one, though ;) I wanted a bit more insight into how B'Elanna might experience waking in this state while I was writing. I thought it also gave a nice parallel to Seven's waking moment. As usual, please point out typos or other misspelled words.
Chapter 8- Time To Get Up
B'Elanna found herself emerging from the most restful sleep she has had in a very long time. The only problem was that she didn't remember going to sleep and had no idea where she was.
It didn't last long.
She was invigorated, felt alive and energetic with a sharp awareness that usually took longer to achieve after emerging from sleep. B'Elanna snapped up to a sit and quickly realized she was in Sickbay. Memories of the away mission and Seven getting hurt flooded back to the fore of her mind. She still wasn't sure what happened to herself however, or why she was naked on a biobed covered only by a sheet with several diagnostic and monitoring medical devices attached to various parts of her anatomy. She quickly clutched the sheet that had fallen to her waist to her chest when she sat up and looked around quickly to see if anyone saw. The slight blush disappeared before it began. Her whole body tingled with energy and she flexed her right hand into a fist noticing a new definition to her muscles she didn't have before. She realized that although she felt chilly initially, she seemed more and more comfortable with the room temperature as the seconds ticked by.
"Kahless Doc, whatever you gave me, I'll take two more!" B'Elanna looked around with a giddy smile on her face but the Doctor was nowhere to be seen.
Listening quietly for a moment while clutching her only covering to her chest, B'Elanna heard nothing but the hum of the warp drive and a slight buzzing from the various pieces of medical equipment around the room.
That's odd, the warp core sounds louder than normal… and the port nacelle is out of alignment by 0.3% or so… wait, I can't normally sense a misalignment that small…
B'Elanna tried to keep her hearts from involuntarily speeding up as she was noticing that her vision seemed far more acute than normal as well. As she hopped off the bed feeling no soreness in her muscles, she looked down at the medical devices attached to her wrists, chest and ankles briefly before rubbing her forehead and finding another device attached to her left temple. While her muscles were not sore, they felt stiff, like she hadn't used them in a while.
A brief thought that she'd somehow been infected by some of Seven's nanoprobes was quickly discarded. She'd know if she'd been assimilated, she'd been once before already when they'd infiltrated Unimatrix Zero, and what she was currently feeling was nothing like the enhancements of a Borg drone.
Enhanced, yes, that is what she felt like- or more like simply herself on her best possible day... ever... ever. She wasn't sure how she felt about his new realization. It was a weird feeling in a way, B'Elanna concluded, but she wasn't going to complain, she had a ship to keep together after all and could deal with this later.
Everything seems to be in the right spot- I've got engines to nurture.
She had a brief feeling that she was supposed to be remembering something from when she was unconscious, but dismissed it shaking her head.
The small brunette bounced over to the nearest replicator to get a fresh uniform and began to remove the monitoring devices after she'd put on her undergarments. All too quickly she realized her mistake with a small groan as the EMH shimmered into existence.
"Lieutenant Torres, I should have known. I take a moment to compile my program and you attempt to escape Sickbay."
"Take it easy Doc, I feel fine so discharge me so I can get back to my engines already." B'Elanna squirmed as the Doctor ran a tricorder the length of her body and then began unceremoniously removing her bio-monitors.
"Lieutenant, with what happened to you, I'm well within my power to keep you here for another week simply for observation. In fact, you will need to stay here for the next two days at least so I can run more tests." The Doctor was putting the bio-monitors on the nearest medical tray for Paris to put away later when he shows up for his evening shift in Sickbay.
B'Elanna turned back to the Doctor after she had gotten her uniform pants and tank top on and quirked her eyebrow in question. Ignoring the part about being stuck in Sickbay for the next two days, she focused again on her current state of heightened awareness. "What do you mean `what happened to me'? I figured I'd passed out from exhaustion after the surgery on Seven-" glancing around quickly and crushing a tiny morsel of dread that seemed to spring into her consciousness, B'Elanna continued, "- speaking of Seven... she ok?" she said having noticed more hope in her tone than she would have expected. Inwardly she scolded herself for not noticing the absense of the tall blonde immediately.
Ordinarily the Doctor might have been stunned at B'Elanna asking about Seven's well being, but remembering back to her care of the ex-Borg and dedication the day before, the Doctor chalked it up to a bit of away-mission camaraderie. "Seven is currently regenerating and will be fit as a fiddle once she finishes her regeneration cycle which should be soon actually. Once again, my skills have exceeded their potential and I've performed yet another miracle." The self-satisfied smile etched in the photonic man's face as he spoke was almost enough to cause the small hybrid to reprogram some of his personality subroutines. It was his lack of acknowledging her assistance in the matter that set B'Elanna's jaw, ruined her `morning' and made her even more determined to escape Sickbay.
What I wouldn't give for a D'k tahg right now just to stab him a few times with… but I do want to find out what happened to me. If it's bad news, better to hear it sooner than later.
Seeing the set jaw, crossed arms and tapping foot beneath a scowl that could send a pack of Klingons running for their mothers, the Doctor thought it wise to bring the Lieutenant up to speed- well, as much as he could.
"Lieutenant, you may want to sit down a moment." The Doctor tried to gently guide B'Elanna over to one of the biobeds, but she didn't move an inch and continued to fix her gaze on him. Sighing in frustration, the Doctor started again. "Do you remember being attacked by the reptilian creature on the planet?"
"Yes, the damn Doch tlhej ghobe' quv attacked me from behind." B'Elanna spat with a look that could only be described as `go on'.
"Well, that `thing with no honour' as you so eloquently called it, had some very unique offensive and defensive biological adaptations- one being a `deoxi-mutating toxin' which was secreted through micro-fissures in its claws that spread from the wounds on your back to your entire body- and quite rapidly I might add." B'Elanna decided to give the Doctor a break and put her socks and shoes on after hopping up on the nearest biobed.
"…and?"
Not being a complete fool, the Doctor had caught on to B'Elanna's mood change since he'd arrived and not wanting to incur further wrath from the now more-dangerous Engineer, he took a moment to try and explain the situation in the best way possible.
"Lieutenant… from what we've been able to determine, this deoxi-mutating toxin seeks out and attaches to the victim's DNA and forces cellular replication which basically discards then regenerates each cell in the victim. Before cellular replication occurs, the toxin attaches what appears to be `dunk DNA' to the code. The incredible thing is, and more importantly for you the fortunate thing- had you been fully Klingon or fully Human, you would have suffered irreversible cellular decay and would have died before you even got back to Voyager."
That hit home. B'Elanna sat stunned for a moment as she absorbed this new information. There was something familiar once again floating at the back of her mind just out of reach that she felt she should remember. Shaking her head and trying to digest what the Doctor was saying, B'Elanna asked the first thing that came to her mind.
"Wait Doc, that's insane. There are billions of cells in the human body, never mind bone and cartilage. Is this 'process' still going on? Am I currently changing? I feel great."
"That is another of the mysteries. The whole process took under 18 hours to replicate and replace every cell bone and bit of cartilage in your body and even produce more cells adding to your already unique nature. You've gained almost 16 kilos in mass. I could show you your old hair that died and fell off your head if you want. You were bald for almost 21 minutes."
"Yuck, no thanks... So, you're saying that the fact that I'm a hybrid saved my life?" B'Elanna unconsciously shifted her weight from foot to foot getting a feel for her added mass. She really didn't notice a difference.
The Doctor leaned back against the console across from B'Elanna and quickly glanced at his most recent tricorder readings once again. "That is exactly what I'm saying Lieutenant. Seven's nanoprobes were able to fight off the infection, but any other member of this crew, save possibly Naomi Wildman, would have been killed. The Captain spent a number of hours in Bio-Sciences studying the creature yesterday with some of the Xenobiologists from the science department. From what they could determine, it seems that the animals native to that planet exhibit mutating amalgam-DNA properties. There is so much we still don't know, for example, there are amino chains in the creature that seem to have likely come from another species, but not through procreation. It is all speculation at this point, but I suspect that both the herbivores and carnivores are able to spontaneously hybridize a portion of their DNA with either a plant (in the case of the herbivores) or another animal (in the case of the carnivores). Basically the carnivores and herbivores continually mutate and evolve offensive and defensive capabilities to counteract each other. It is really quite remarkable- and mostly speculation I'm afraid."
"Heh. Hard to believe my being a genetic mutt actually worked in my favour." B'Elanna muttered as she looked for her uniform top and combadge. …something to be proud of... finally. That feels… right somehow… It was all very interesting, but she was feeling fine and just really wanted to get back to work. And check on Seven... that crazy Borg, I owe her a drink.
Other than that, as far as she was concerned, she had heard the important part of the science diatribe- saved from death- good enough for B'Elanna Torres.
The Doctor had been satisfied that he had done enough to keep the testy Engineer in Sickbay for a while longer while he performed some more tests so he could better understand what was happening to her and if she was somehow contagious to the crew. "Now Lieutenant, if you'll move back to the diagnostic station, I'm going to run some more tests-"
"Oh no. I'm fine, you said it yourself my hybrid DNA kept me safe from the whateveritwas and I feel great. I'm going back to work." B'Elanna cut the Doctor off seeing his usual I've-got-a-new-lab-rat enthusiasm that drove her nuts.
"Lieutenant Torres." He said with as much firmness his holomatrix vocal subroutines could muster. "You are not cleared to leave Sickbay. As I said, I could keep you here indefinitely simply due to the fact that we don't know exactly what is happening to you. Yes, you `appear' fine, but that could change, I simply don't know for sure. Starfleet Medical Quarantine protocols dictate that subjects exposed to unknown toxins need to remain under supervision for a minimum of 24 hours." The Doctor was prepared to use a sedative and force fields to keep the half-Klingon in Sickbay if necessary.
B'Elanna was fighting her temper; Human and half-Klingon patience only went so far. Blowing up on the EMH would give her a headache she didn't need. It was time to go above his head. She tapped her combadge as she reached for her top.
"Torres to the Bridge, why am I still stuck in Sickbay? I've got a ship to take care of!" As the channel opened, B'Elanna could have sworn she heard Tom snort in the background.
It was Chakotay that answered.
"Has the Doctor cleared you for duty, B'Elanna?" The Doctor was moving towards B'Elanna now and she noticed the hypospray in his hand as well as the smirk she could clearly hear in Chakotay's voice. He seemed to think this was all very funny. The Doctor answered as B'Elanna was caught in her observation. "I most certainly have not! Commander, inform the Captain that she is needed here in Sickbay."
B'Elanna didn't think he really needed to lean that far into her chest just to yell into the comm. Still, she was ready to leave and was already stifling a growl. "Doctor, I'm fine, Chakotay, tell the Doctor I'm fine!"
"B'Elanna, you know that you can't leave Sickbay until the Doctor clears you. I'll send the Captain down now Doctor. Bridge out."
Well, that was the end of that. "Fine" was all B'Elanna muttered as she plunked down on the nearest biobed avoiding the triumphant gaze of the EMH.
"Come."
Looking up from her most recent sip... gulp, of coffee, Captain Janeway's surprise at seeing Lieutenant Myles in her ready-room was only betrayed by the slight lift in her left brow. Said brow paused a moment before becoming an inquisitive brow as she leaned back in her desk chair.
Standing at attention and trying not to let the feeling of 'this was a bad idea' take hold, Myles decided to forge ahead. I had a good run...
"Permission to speak freely Captain?" She hoped directness would work. At least, non-Vulcan directness... from another woman. Janeway narrowed her eyes. Or not... thought Myles in mild dismay.
Janeway thought a moment. She found that she liked the woman standing before her. The tall redhead wore the uniform well. Her green eyes danced with life and confidence and she was in excellent shape. It was very likely she was sent to her ready-room by Tuvok- Janeway wasn't blind and she new Tuvok did meddle despite his stance on such things. She knew her duty once she made the decision to destroy the array. She never forgot though, she never forgot... She decided to give the attractive woman a break.
"Go ahead Lieutenant." Janeway's tone was low and dripped with curious amusement.
"If I may be so bold Captain, I don't think this... thing between Seven of Nine and Commander Chakotay is something that will last. I suggest that you simply ask her out- sort out once and for all her position."
"Excuse me?" Captain Janeway's face began its pre-Force-10-glare safety checks. The big gun might fire.
"Captain, you've seen my file. I am an expert on reading people. I know you're interested in Seven of Nine, I also know she's not interested in Commander Chakotay. Despite her reputation for being a private individual, she does show emotion and not once during our away mission or emergency situation did she mention him, besides, he has... a reputation."
The boldness of the young Lieutenant put Janeway's building glare on hold. "What reputation?"
"Only that he carries a torch for you and only has 'flings' with lower deck crew women." She tried to hide her mild disgust but didn't put much into the effort.
Janeway sighed, unconsciously relaxing. "The torch I can deal with, him 'dating' Seven I can't. You saw how heart-broken he's been all day." It was weird how quickly she found herself relaxing around the Lieutenant.
Myles shook her head and furrowed her brow as if she was trying to solve a difficult math problem. "I do not believe he is heart-broken. He's been showing dismay, hurt and anger, but not concern. Something is bothering him, but it's not the welfare of Seven of Nine."
"Are you sure?" Janeway was mildly shocked. Myles was incredibly perceptive, and if she was right...
"I am, to be honest I think Seven of Nine will sort out her situation with him shortly."
If the way she now looks at Lieutenant Torres is any indication… This is ridiculous, I feel like I'm in high school. *Sigh* Maybe the Captain simply needs to get this out of her system, it certainly isn't good for her to bottle things up. Wow that's so lame, you're a security officer not a psychiatrist Myles...
"Chakotay to the Captain." The interruption was welcome for Lieutenant Myles. She was finding herself not liking this entire situation for reasons other than Tuvok manoeuvring her into it.
Janeway sat forward before standing up. "Go ahead Commander."
"It seems B'Elanna is awake and... wants out of Sickbay."
"Of course she does." she pinched the bridge of her nose. "I'm on my way, Janeway out." Myles turned to the ready-room door to allow the Captain to leave ahead of her.
As the Captain walked by, she said "Just ask her Captain." Janeway paused and nodded briefly to the younger woman before exiting to the bridge.
End Chapter 8
***I tend to do some executive vetoing and glossing over of certain issues that would likely be highly complex for the sake of being able to move the story on. I would suspect that Starfleet Quarantine regulations would likely be more strict and defined, but it was not something I wanted to get into. I'll do it with a few other issues in later chapters as well.***