T'Beth perused her patient with a slighly tilted head staring into his eyes as if peering into his soul. "Chief, if you want anything, please let me know. You need more rest. I will leave you to rest now."

He brought her to a halt. "There are a number of things I need, nurse. Since I will be incarcerated under your care, please call me Mac. Chief is so formal.” Mac grinned as he said `incarcerated.' The humor did not register with T'Beth. "Secondly, I could use a shower, a shave and something to eat. Lastly for now, what do I call you? Nurse, Nurse T'Beth, or just Tabitha?" Mac thought Tabitha fit her just right.

T'Beth's left eyebrow went up at the last name and her cheeks greened. She said, "My name is T'Beth. For the rest, the orderly will get what you need." She turned and left the room.

Days later, Mac sat alone on the observation deck of Starbase Ten. For hours, he looked out into space, wondering if he would ever see his family intact. The question she had answered did not equal the new questions that arose. He sat there thinking and plotting his revenge. He eventually fell asleep.

Mac awoke when touched by a soft hand and the smell of perfume. He turned to see Yeoman Takara standing next to him.

"The Enterprise is waiting for you to beam aboard. I guess it's time to go," she said. "The grapevine around here thinks congratulations are in order, Lieutenant."

"Thank you,” said Mac as he got up and slowly walked out the door thinking: 'What are they going to do to me next?'

1)

Breacan a fheile: Traditional Scottish attire of the Kilt and Plaid.  ↵

Created with Writer2ePub

by Luca Calcinai