Tegan Chronicles STV Style 4:
Canis Major 4
The first thing Captain Janeway saw when she walked into sickbay was Tegan lying on the biobed reserved for surgical and critical patients. She had already been informed that she was neither by Tuvok when he briefed her about what had happened on the planet as soon as they were back in communications range. The second thing she spotted was a rather large four legged animal covered in dried and caked mud from head to toe standing beside the bed, its clear blue-grey eyes the only discernible color on it. She wanted to go up and give it hugs, scratch its ears and give it a good bath, but she was the captain and all eyes were on her. "What the hell is a dog doing on my ship?"
Chakotay was only a few paces behind her. He knew how much she loved dogs and tried his best not to laugh as they came to a stop.
Only seconds after they had lifted off from the surface Seven had called from the back of the flyer where she had just secured Tegan on the shuttle's small biobed; "We must get the dog."
"I do not believe that would be a wise decision."
"He saved her life." Seven quickly stepped through the hatchway.
"She's right. And technically he saved all of us by distracting the Hirogens." B'Elanna wasn't entirely sure why she cared about the dog, or if she did. She was certain she was only trying to back up Seven to get brownie points.
"They will kill him." Seven's subvocal processor seemed to falter as her voice waivered with emotion.
"Fine." Tuvok held his position. "See if you can get a lock on his life signs and beam him aboard."
"I'm waiting for an answer." Bone thin hands perched on narrow hips as the captain puffed out her chest.
"He saved her life." Seven spoke when no one else did. She hoped this was a step in regaining her humanity that Captain Janeway would be proud she took. "We are only returning the favor."
"Absolutely not," she looked down at him as he sat there obediently looking up at her with sad eyes.
"Data had a Cat on the U.S.S Enterprise." The doctor recalled.
"A dog is not a cat, and Voyager is not the Enterprise."
"Captain Archer also had a dog," the EMH ignored the look of warning Janeway shot in his direction. "And that Enterprise was much smaller."
"I do believe Porthos was a Beagle and much smaller than whatever this is." She waved her hand in the general direction.
"Do we even know he's a dog?" Chakotay asked and everyone turned to look at him like he had just asked the dumbest question in the history of mankind.
"It looks like a dog. Smells like a dog. Barks like a dog. It must be a dog." B'Elanna rolled her eyes.
"I mean we haven't encountered any dogs in the Delta quadrant. So how can we be certain?"
"I can run DNA on him." The doctor offered.
Tegan groaned lightly from her position on the bed and the dog barked once before he turned to face her.
"It would appear our patient is waking up." The doctor stepped around to the other side of the bed. "How are you feeling? And please don't say 'fine'."
"I've been better."
"Could you be more specific?" He pushed his lips to one side of his face.
Tegan turned her head and lifted it as she heard the barely audible whine. "What the hell? How'd you get on the ship?"
"We brought him back with us." Seven lifted her chin proudly. "We thought you would be pleased."
"Pleased?" She let her head fall back on the cushion, she felt like she was going to vomit. "A dog can't live on a starship."
"My point exactly." Janeway nodded as Tegan slowly brought her eyes to her.
"Actually Captain," B'Elanna shrunk ever so slightly as the captain swung her eyes to her. She didn't know why she got herself into these situations. "Some minor modifications could be made to the ship so his waste could be easily taken care of."
He put two oversized paws on the side of the biobed.
"Sit." Tegan grumbled.
Janeway watched as he slunk back into a sitting position, his posture as perfect as Seven's. "I don't believe that."
"He could be an asset to security." Tuvok spoke for the first time. "Sending him back to the planet will most likely result in his death."
She shifted her weight and pinned him with her gaze. "Are you telling me you are seeking asylum for this dog?"
"Yes." Seven answered in the affirmative for him.
"No." Tegan rolled off the side of the bed and tried unsuccessfully to stand.
Janeway and Seven were the closest and each managed to grab an arm to keep her from hitting the floor and assisted her back on the bed. "You better stay put."
"Yes Captain."
"You don't want the dog?" Janeway posed the question to Tegan.
He looked up at her with those big sorrowful eyes and whined softly.
"He saved my life." She sighed. "The least I can do is return the favor."
"We could drop him off at the next M class planet we come across." She was trying to get a feel for what Tegan really wanted.
"And what good would that do?" Chakotay spoke up. "How is that better than living on a ship?"
"He'll have plenty of open space to run free." Janeway thought the answer was obvious.
"If the planet is void of animal life he will not have a proper diet." Seven stood with her hands clasped tightly behind her back as she brought up the facts. "If there is animal life on the planet he could become their prey."
"And he would be alone." Chakotay pointed as the dog inched closer to Tegan's feet that were hanging off the side of the bed. "He doesn't want to be alone."
"You think he should stay?"
"I do." Chakotay nodded.
"Tuvok?"
"I will work on training him for security detail."
"I'll take that as a yes." She turned slightly and pulled on her uniform jacket straightening it. "Tegan?"
She opened her eyes as her body swayed. "What do I have to do with it?"
"He will be your responsibility when he isn't working."
"Why me?" She was trying to be completely indifferent through the whole thing.
"Because he has obviously chosen you."
"What if I say no?" He gave her those sad puppy eyes again and she could feel two shifting moods coming from the side of the room where B'Elanna and Seven stood.
"Then I beam him back to the planet right now."
"What is it with me and alien dogs?" She mumbled.
"Sorry?" Janeway stretched her neck toward her to hear her better even though she had caught it the first time.
"Long story. And no, please don't send him back there."
"When you're feeling better I'd like you to check him over."
"Yes ma'am. As soon as I can stand."
"B'Elanna get to work on a relief area for him. And Seven you can work on getting him clean. It will be nice to see what our newest crewman looks like beneath all that mud." She smiled knowing no one on board could say that she had chosen to take a pet or that she had let Tegan have one out of favoritism. "You're dismissed."
Seven tried several times to get the dog to come with her. Janeway laughed boisterously when Seven tried to pick him up and the dog laid down on the floor with his legs splayed. Finally Tegan spoke. "Would you just go with her already?"
He looked up at her for a second then stood up and trotted out the door with Seven.
"How do you do that?" Janeway was impressed.
"I don't know." Tegan laid back down on her side.
"Doctor?"
"I've given her a dose of antibodies and I've done all I can for her shoulder at this point. It will probably be tender for a while." He looked over at her. "You might need to avoid wearing your prosthetic for a while if the protective sleeve bothers you."
"It's fine. I think your antibodies sucks though." She paled as her stomach revolted.
"It will take a while for them to do their job." He gave her an look that was only half filled with annoyance. "If you're nauseous I can give you something to help."
Tegan shook her head regretting the movement which only aided in her feeling sicker. "I'm fine. How long was I out?"
"A little over six hours and you're still weak."
"Looks like your theory didn't pan out the way you wanted it too." Janeway shot her a sad smile. "Tuvok said you took away a dying man's pain."
"I had to do something to help him."
"I'm not admonishing you Tegan." Janeway ran the tips of her fingers over the back of her hand. "Get some rest. I'll have Seven bring the dog to me when he's clean."
Janeway went to her ready room and quickly drafted and sent out a memo announcing the arrival of the dog. She explained that he would have an active role on Voyager but what that role was would be determined at a future date. She didn't want to have to eat crow if he turned out to be a horrible guard dog.
An hour and a half later Seven walked into sickbay and the doctor looked down at the now clean dog that ran over to the bed Tegan was still lying on and sat beside it. He was the size of a medium Labrador Retriever, with a light gray base coat, two black floppy ears, black front paws, and black spots that looked like someone had taken a paint brush drenched in black ink and spattered him with it. He had a deep chest and thin waist with a broad forehead and long snout. His eyes were almost crystal clear and shifted from a very pale blue to a pale gray. "I thought you were supposed to deliver him to Captain Janeway."
"He wouldn't get off the turbolift anywhere but here." She raised her ocular implant and dared the doctor to complain.
"It's fine." Tegan sat back up.
"It's fine?" The doctor marched around in front of her. "This is my infirmary."
"And you'll get over it." She slipped off the edge of the bed and tested her steadiness. Once she was sure she was sturdy she patted the bed. "Hop up."
In one fluid movement he was up on the biobed. She quickly got a blood sample and handed it off to the EMH. "Doctor, do you mind running his DNA and checking it for any pathogens."
He nodded as she walked into the office to pull out what he often referred to as her medieval medical kit. After she finished thoroughly checking the dog over she snapped her fingers at her side and he obediently obeyed.
"I want you to take it easy the rest of the day." The doctor looked her over noticing she was paler than normal. "In fact, I want you to take tomorrow off."
She opened her mouth to protest.
"It's an order."
"Fine." She dipped her head in consent before leaving.
Tuvok looked over as the doors to the turbolift opened and Tegan stepped out without so much as a pause. He glanced down at the dog at her side with great interest and filed away his observation for later. "Captain Janeway is in her ready room."
"Thank you Tuvok." She continued on her way as Chakotay turned around.
"He cleans up nice."
"Yes sir, I thought so too." She pressed the button on the console.
"Come." Janeway looked up from the PADD she was perusing on the sofa. "I didn't expect you to be on your feet so soon."
"I would have been sooner but the doctor refused to inject me with Cortropine."
"A second dose probably wouldn't have been prudent." She gestured to the couch beside her. "As I understand it you injected yourself in the field to be able to get back to the Flyer."
"Yes." Tegan took the proffered seat and pointed to the floor between her and Janeway.
As soon as he sat down Janeway reached forward and began massaging his ears. "He's gorgeous."
"He is." Tegan said with a hint of playful jealousy lacing her voice.
"So what can you tell me about him? He looks like he's still a puppy."
"He is." Tegan grinned. "My visual exam put him between seven and twelve months. Scans further narrowed that down to eight months."
"So he's still got some growing to do."
"Oh yeah." Tegan laughed. "He's a big guy and he's probably going to continue to grow until he's two. The DNA results came back that he is indeed a dog, with major markers pointing to two earth breeds, Great Dane and Greyhound. He's perfectly healthy. No fleas or pathogens, solid muscle."
"A little hardheaded," Janeway added for good measure. "I couldn't even coax him out of the lift with replicated dog treats."
Tegan grinned as he rested his head on her knee despite Kathryn still scratching his ears.
"He's beautiful."
"Not as beautiful as you." Tegan said without thought. She quickly sat up straighter. "I'm sorry."
"Why?" Janeway smiled broadly.
"You're on duty."
"True, but it was still sweet."
"Sweet?" Tegan made a face.
"Yes." She resisted the urge to lean over and kiss her as she stopped petting the dog. "I understand you are off duty tomorrow."
"He has a big mouth you know that right?"
"I am the Captain." She soothed.
"Uh huh, still."
"Why don't you go to my quarters and rest. I'll take care of dinner tonight." She patted Tegan's leg. "I'm almost done here anyway."
When she walked into her quarters she heard the dog whining. "Tegan?"
She walked into the bedroom to find him lying in front of the door with his head on his paws whimpering, he looked up at Janeway and thumped his tail hitting her on the foot. She rapped on the door with a knuckle. When there was no answer she let her know she was coming in. She looked down at the dog. "Stay."
He stood up and put his nose against the door ready to bolt in when the doors slid open.
"Come on." She took him by the scruff of the neck and led him to the living room closing the bedroom doors before he could get through. He started crying and she shook her head. "I'll be out in a minute."
She turned and let herself into the bathroom to find Tegan emerged up to her chin in a tub of now lukewarm water her head laid back on the edge of the tub. She watched her for several seconds letting out her own breath only when she was certain she had seen the rhythmic rise and fall of her chest. She moved over to the side of the tub and ran the back of her hand over Tegan's cheek. "Hey there."
"Hmmm?" Tegan opened her eyes.
"You fell asleep and someone isn't too happy about it."
"He wasn't too happy when I wouldn't let him get in the tub with me." Tegan lifted her hand out of the water. "Ugh, I'm a prune."
Janeway reached into the water and pulled the plug letting the water drain out and snatched a fresh towel off the rack. "Let's get you dry and in some clothes and then I'll fix us something to eat."
Tegan shook her head.
"You haven't eaten all day and it's already 2330 hours." She held her hand out and helped heft her to standing before wrapping the terry cloth towel around her. "How about chicken noodle soup?"
"No chicken."
"Just broth and noodles?"
"Yeah." She looked out the door. "What'd you do to him?"
"Made him wait in the living room."
"I don't think you are going to be his favorite person."
"When I replicate him dinner he'll forget all about it." She opened the door and he barreled toward Tegan.
"Don't jump." He skidded to a stop and wagged his tail loudly against the floor while she pulled her sweat pants on. "His dog food is under k-nine-one-zero."
"He needs a name." Kathryn looked across the small dining table as they ate.
"Maverick." Tegan said and he turned away from his food bowl and looked at her. "There you go."
"Why not something like freckles?"
"Freckles." She said it in the same tone she had said Maverick but he kept on eating. "Cause he doesn't like Freckles." She didn't like 'freckles' either. She shrugged and then rattled off several names. "Bruno, Zeus, Bors, Hercules, Maverick."
When she said Maverick he trotted over to the table.
"Good boy, now go lay down."
"He needs a collar and he should be on a leash when he's in the halls."
"I've already replicated both he kept scratching at the collar so I took it off after his relief walk earlier." She looked down at him. "He's going to need to go again before bed."
"I'll take him." Kathryn offered.
"Why don't we both take him?" Tegan stood up and took the remainder of her soup to the replicator to be recycled.
"You aren't going to share?"
"No, and you aren't either." Tegan turned to her and held her hand out for her bowl.
"It's just a couple sips." Kathryn protested but handed her bowl over. "Where's his leash and collar?"
She looked over her shoulder. "On the night stand."
On their way back Kathryn told Tegan she needed to stop off and check some things out and she would meet her back at her quarters. When Tegan told her it was late and she should just go back to her quarters Kathryn leaned in closer to her. "I was hoping you would stay the night."
Tegan agreed and was sitting on the couch when Janeway came in with an arm load of stuff. "What is all that?"
"A dog bed and toys." She smiled sheepishly. "He can't sleep on the hard floor and since you're being such a hard nose about his food I figured you wouldn't let him sleep with us either."
"He's too big to sleep in a bed with just one person."
"Well now he has his own bed." She dropped it on the floor. "We can put it in my bedroom for when you guys stay over. It was too big to be replicated in a personal replicator." She held up a large blue stuffed cat. "I got him a kitty to play with, a ball, and a rubber bone. I don't think he'll be able to destroy it."
"You're going to spoil him."
She handed the stuffed cat to him and he shook it really hard before dropping it on the floor and curling up with it. "He's a dog, that's what you're supposed to do with dogs."
"I thought you wanted him to be a security dog?"
"I do, but that doesn't mean he can't have fun when he's off duty." She ran her hand over Tegan's thigh. "Let's get you in bed, you look as beat as he does."
Tegan slid off her sweat pants and folded them neatly before placing them on the nightstand after she and Kathryn moved the dog bed into the bedroom. She slid under the covers and Maverick jumped up on the bed.
"Down." Kathryn pointed to the floor. "Off." She put her hands on her hips. "Get off the bed." Finally she grabbed his collar and started to lead him off the bed. "Down."
When he struggled away from her Tegan looked at him. "Off. You have to sleep in your bed."
Kathryn watched as he slunk down to the floor and walked in circles around his stuffed toy several times before he laid in a ball with his head on it. "How come he listens to you?"
"I don't know. I had another dog that came through the Stargate and he was the same way. It was really strange." She waited until Kathryn climbed into bed with her and she snuggled up behind her with her face in her hair, her arm draped around her waist. Kathryn's buttocks fit perfectly at her hips and she brought her legs up behind hers to follow the contour of her body. After ordering the lights out she lifted her head and kissed Kathryn's ear. "Thank you"
"For?" Kathryn asked as she felt Tegan settle back behind her.
"Letting the dog stay on board."
"I thought you didn't want the dog." Somehow she had always known better.
Tegan grinned into the darkness. "Who says I do?"
