Post 325: With Further Ado

Stardate:70727.1130
Title: With Further Ado
Authors: Grace, T'Ana and Biggs
Scene: Grace's Quarters/Runabout Bay
Time: Following "The Situation" Part Two, and in and around "Taxi!"
----------------------------------------

"No," February protested, as Lily tugged her through the door and toward the turbolift.

"No what?"

"No, you're not going to Trill. Not unless you're doing it in the capacity of science officer on a mission for the ship."

"I'm doing it in the capacity of your best friend." T'Ana was not willing to take no for an answer.

"Lily,"

"You're the second Grace host that has been important to me. Wen was my friend, too." Lily's voice revealed that Wen's death still haunted her. "She's gone now, but she lives on in you, February, through the symbiont. So if something is wrong with Grace, I have to be there. For you, and Wen and for Grace itself. I'm going." The lift doors closed behind them and she addressed the computer. "Deck 23."

"What about Angus? Your time together?"

"We've spent a lot of time together the past few days, and he'll still be here when we get back. In fact, he said he'd stop by the bay, that he had a surprise for you."

"Oh. That's. Nice." February was afraid that word was out and she wasn't going to escape as quietly as she had hoped.

"You won't have to go through this alone. I promise you. We'll all be there for you, on the trip and once we get to the planet."

"All?" February grew concerned. "What do you mean, all?"

"Well, there's me of course. Dr. Trind, Simon. TC. The Vedek, Uncle RJ."

"Halt turbolift." February demanded. She put her hands on Lily's shoulders. "Did you say Gilmore?"

"Yes. He's been ordered to take shore leave on the planet. I don't know where he's going after we get there but he'll be on the runabout with us."

February didn't ask any more questions, because she didn't want to hear anymore answers. Lily told the lift to resume.

They reached the runabout bay, and with hearing that had become more sensitive as her eyes had failed, Bru processed the sound of several voices engaged in conversation. So much for her quiet exit. Everyone fell silent, and she turned red. She knew that she was the focus of attention.

"Your friends have come to wish you luck," Lily explained. She moved Bru toward the group, and one by one they greeted her.

"I expect you back at the helm in a week, Lieutenant." Zanh Liis was first in the line, and she gave the girl a pat on the arm. "You take care of yourself, that's an order."

"Yes, Sir. Thank you."

Next, February felt a pair of gentle hands enclose her own, and she knew instantly who it was. "Vedek Jariel?"

Knowing she couldn't see him sign, he squeezed her hand to affirm he was there, and she blinked back a fresh storm of tears. "Thank you for coming." He squeezed her hand once more before letting go.

"Marshmallow roast-a-thon when you get home, my quarters." Fox Margolis had made a special trip all the way down to the shuttle bay to see February off. "Toasty. Not blackened. We'll have that spa night with Lily we talked about. You'll feel good as new."

"I'll look forward to it. Thank you, Fox."

Security chief Lt. Commander N'Dura had come in with Margolis, and she thumped her chest once. "Q'apla, Grace. May you find the healing you seek."

"Thank you, Chief."

TC Blane had gone into the runabout to assist Reece in performing the final pre-flight checks. He returned to the group now at Reece's behest to try to speed things along.

"We're just about ready to depart, everyone. All aboard." He felt sorry for Grace, who was obviously a sweet kid who got a bad break. "We'll have you home in no time, Lieutenant."

"Thanks, TC."

Simon Biggs offered February a pat on the back and a few kind words, then proceeded toward the runabout. Zanh moved to speak to him as he prepared to board.

"Simon, have you got that computer virus sample secured for transport?"

"Yes, Captain," Simon responded. He indicated a small container that was affixed to his belt, which held the islolinear chip containing the virus sample.

"Very good. Don't let it out of your sight until you hand it over to the people at the embassy."

"Yes, Sir."

Zanh noted that Simon was carrying an extra, seemingly heavy metallic suitcase with him. "Um, Biggles? What'cha got there?"

"Back up equipment." Simon replied seriously.

"Back up? You're going to Trill. What's to back up?"

"Well I've got," he paused, unlocking the suitcase and showing her its contents. "An extra tricorder. A palm beacon. Two weeks worth of field rations. A miniature med-kit, a hydrospanner,"

"Everything but the kitchen sink." Zanh interrupted, peering in.

"Well, the preparation is my favorite part of a mission, Captain." Biggs replied. "Besides, you never know what could happen, and I wouldn't be much of a security officer if I didn't go the extra mile to make my crew mates feel secure, would I?"

"True enough. Remind me to get you a merit badge for preparedness when you come home." Zanh smiled at him. "Carry on, Ensign."

Even though Dr. Ashlyn Trind had spent the entire night before with February watching over her, she still offered a hug "for medicinal purposes" and said she'd be setting up some monitoring equipment back by the bunks. She expected February to occupy one of those bunks as soon as they departed. Reluctantly, the young woman agreed.

Angus MacDougal placed a kiss on February's forehead and whispered that he and Trick were planning a special dinner party in her honor when she got back, to celebrate the return of her vision. Too choked up to speak at this point because of the care and concern of her shipmates, February just nodded. Then Angus asked Lily for a moment of her time, and the two quietly slipped away from the gathering.

Even Sunshine offered February his own well-wishes in the form of a quick lick on the back of her hand and nuzzle cold, wet nose. She patted his head and excited by the gesture, the dog began to run circles around her. His leash became tangled around her legs.

She began to teeter, and Micah Samson (still holding the other end of the leash) was pulled into her by the strength of the animal.

"Good grief. I'm sorry," he groaned as he tried to extricate himself from their predicament without knocking her over again as he had on the holographic beach. "I swear, I am usually not as accident prone as I seem to be when we meet."

"It's not you," February declared,"it's me. And it's all right. I really appreciate that you're willing to look after my cat. Thanks again."

"It's the least I can do." He shook her hand. "Feel better, Lt. Grace." He led the dog away at last, wanting to prevent her from tripping again.

Captain Gilmore had been watching all of the goings on from a distance and nearly tripped over his own cane when he happened to glance over and caught Angus literally dipping Lily backwards, in the middle of a very enthusiastic kiss goodbye. He cleared his throat loudly and MacDougal jumped back. Lily laughed and shook her head.

"You're going to have to get used to that, MacDougal."

"Can't promise I ever will." He touched her face gently. "Have a safe trip, Butterfly. I'll see you soon as you get back."

"Count on it." She walked toward February, ready to take her onto the runabout.

"Wait," RJ Gilmore stopped her. "Let me do that." Lily nodded, and walked up the gangway.

Hearing the tell-tale sound of Gilmore's cane as he approached her, February sighed. *It's official.* she thought. *Things cannot possibly get any worse.*

"Your runabout awaits, Lieutenant Grace," he said, "May I offer you a hand?"

February gulped hard, and held her arm out. Gilmore linked his through it, and they began to move toward the ship.

*I'm going to be stuck trying to make small talk with him all the way to Trill.* She thought. *Maybe I'm already dead, and I'm in Hell.*

She was wrong, however, in thinking that things couldn't get worse. Very, very wrong.

"All ashore goin' ashore!" Commander Reece called to the pair, as he began making a last minute sweep of the bay to be sure all his designated passengers were aboard.

"Keep your shirt on, Reece, we're coming." Gilmore growled. "You'll be home soon enough."

"Reece? From Trill?" February cocked her head to the side. The name set off deafening, red alert sirens in her head.

"Dabin Reece." He said, looking at her sideways. "Latest in a long line of charming hosts for the illustrious Reece symbiont. It's nice to meet you, Lt.?" he waited for her to fill in her name.

"Grace." she replied. "February Grace."

"Grace. Now that sounds familiar to me somehow. Huh. I wonder-"

He stopped speaking, and Gilmore noted that his eyes flew open wide. February noticed that his voice rose an octave and he took several hyperventilating breaths in quick succession.

"Wait a minute. Grace? You wouldn't happen to be the Grace who previously had a host called Deveral by any chance, would you?" Reece tapped his foot impatiently and put his hands on his hips. "Would you?

"Oh, god." February groaned. "This is can not be happening to me."

----------------------------------
Lt. February Grace
Helm/Flight Controller
USS Independence NCC-90791

and

Lt. Lily T'Ana
Science Officer
USS Independence

and

Ensign Simon Biggs
Security officerUSS Independence