Star Trek: Metamorphosis
Westfall/Star Trek TNG Crossover Fanfiction #2
Scene 16
“You may rise!” The voice was muffled by the water of the tub.
The woman did as she was told and sat up as water ran down her skin, hair, and clothing. She wiped her eyes clear–and quickly ran her fingers above her brows to her forehead. She blew out a heavy sigh.
Beverly laughed. “Smooth again?”
“Yes,” Gemini laughed as Hudson handed her her glasses. There, in the mirror across the room, was a white and brown-haired Aravasti woman in a tank top and shorts. “While it was fun, it’s good to see my old self in the mirror.”
“I’m mighty glad to see it.” Hudson was far more relieved than the others as he took Gemini’s pale fingers and helped her step from the tub. “Not that there was anythin’ wrong,” he added nervously as he took a towel and wrapped it around her, ”I’m just… I’m glad to see you.”
She could tell there was something more to Hudson’s words, but she found herself unable to do more than smile and hug him. “I’m glad to see you too,” she spoke into his uniform shirt as his wide hands wrapped around her towel-covered back.
Worf stood nearby, his stolid expression bordering on mild disappointment as he watched Gemini the Aravasti interact with Hudson and Beverly.
Deanna glanced at him with her eyebrow cocked and an amused grin on her face. “Qul’tuq is still there, you know,” she said.
He instantly stood up straight and looked at Deanna. “That is not–” he huffed and diverted his eyes. “It was simply nice to be around other Klingons,” he concluded softly–and without his initial accusatory tone.
The half-Betazoid simply grinned wider. “Of course.”
All the while, Doctor Hayward had a pleasant smile on his face, still standing at the head of the tub near his transformation machine. He sighed somewhat dreamily before shutting down the machine and in preparation for packing it up. His actions slowed when Gemini stepped up to him. ”Yes, ma’am?” He asked, glancing over his round-framed glasses as his head bowed.
“I just wanted to thank you for your part in our mission,” she smiled, glancing at Worf at the other end of the room. “We couldn’t have done it without you.”
“Oh,” he shrugged somewhat sheepishly. “Of course, Miss Gemini. I am thankful I was able to help. And, thank you, for allowing me to meet an Aravasti in person.”
She nodded as they shook hands one last time. “Remind me, before you leave, to bring you to the holodeck. I can turn off the fire suppression system there,” she held up her hand, displaying her veins glowing with white light.
Giorgio was already bursting with excitement. “Oh–yes–I will!”
With that, Gemini returned to her fiance and friends.
The visiting doctor again tried to return to his machine when Worf approached him. His head tipped back to meet the tall Klingon’s eyes. “Mister Worf: I assume no one figured out her secret?”
”No, sir. To both myself and the others, she was indistinguishable from a true Klingon.” He bowed his head as he spoke, his hands clamped tightly at his back. While he was still bowed, he leaned more deliberately toward the visiting doctor. ”Is there a way to… allow her to appear Klingon from time to time?” His voice was nearly hidden beneath his breath.
Giorgio’s face had rediscovered its smile. “Ah,” he laughed, “no, sir; not without this machine, and it will be going with me when I am returned to Earth tomorrow.” He patted the device as his bespectacled eyes looked upon it. “I need to make a quick trip to Andor,” he spoke through clenched teeth. “There are a few Andorian I need to… ‘reset’... and then I will retire this machine.”
“Retire?” Beverly returned just in time to hear his words. “But, Giorgio–”
“No, no,” he shook his head. “While it was incredible to see it in use, we also saw a glimpse of some of its dangers. I fear, if this machine were to ever fall into the wrong hands, we could see much more dangerous uses.” He turned to his attache case, closed it, and flipped each lock securely. “I believe it best to leave the shapeshifting to the Roshak at this time.”
“Understood.” Doctor Crusher relented with a smile.
Worf, however, had twisted his expression. “‘Dangers’, doctor?” He repeated Doctor Hayward’s words.
Both doctors glanced at one another. Giorgio was the first to duck out and relocate with his case, leaving Beverly with an increasingly scrutinizing Worf.
Hudson rested his hand on Gemini’s back. “Shall I walk you back to your room? You can get dried off the rest of the way an’ back into your own clothes.”
“Sounds good to me,” she slipped her hands around his arm and the two stepped out into the hall.
A pair of Klingon were passing by, and both couples gave a respectful nod to each other.
Gemini slowed, recognizing the pair.
Yamtek and Mara also slowed their pace, looking over their shoulders as they passed. Yamtek narrowed his eyes onto the green-eyed Aravasti at Hudson’s side.
“Can we help y’all find somethin’?” Hudson asked politely.
“No,” Yamtek straightened his posture but had not yet relinquished his gaze. “Forgive me; your mate seems… familiar.”
The woman cleared her throat and glanced aside. “Perhaps we’ve crossed paths earlier on the ship?”
At last, the leading pair of Klingon turned their attention elsewhere. “Perhaps.” Yamtek nodded.
With that, the two couples continued on their way.
Scene Notes
- And everyone is happily back to normal. Although I think Worf could have gotten used having another Klingon around :D