Dog Breath "
By: M'Ressha Mikaht, Fighter Pilot , [RNPC]
Krystal, Hologram, [RNPC]
Maxine Lucinda Tapert, Computer Specialist, [PC]

Stardate: 58205.31 0830

"Hair of the dog? But he's a cat.. sort of," Krystal pointed out as she and Maxine wound their way through the corridors of the Zion.

"It's an expression," Maxine explained to the pixie hovering around her head and shoulders.

"But there's no dog hair in it," the hologram added.

"Ewww.. I should hope not. Dun think 'e'd drink it then. Of course.. I could always not tell 'im if there was." Max grinned and started whistling. She was in a cheerful mood. The party had been fun and there was a bounce in her step as she rounded the corner and headed for Blitzer's quarters.

"That'd be cheating. and mean. Maybe it should be 'hair of the cait'," Krystal giggled and flittered about, leaving a trail of pixie dust that disappeared as Max continued down the passageway.

"Hah! It wouldn't be mean if it made him feel better," Maxine observed.

"Will it make him feel better?"

"According to the research we did," Max nodded and stopped in front of Blitzer's door where she rang the chime announcing their presence.

Blitzer put his hand on his forehead and groaned as he sat up on his couch. "Enter," he said as he stood, wrapping himself in a catian robe.

He smiled broadly when he saw Max and Krystal.

"Come in, come in," he said energetically.

"We brought you dog hair!" Krystal announced with a giggle and flitted over to hover in front of his nose and peer at Blitzer.

He shrugged his nose, making Krystal giggle, "huh?"

"Hi," Maxine grinned back and did her own version of peering at him, only she wasn't hovering right in front of his nose. "You don't look so hot," she pointed out. She was carrying a beverage container in her hands.

"I don't remember bloodwine having such a hangover," he confessed. He looked down at the container and pointed. "You have dog hair in there?"

"It's not really dog 'air. That's just what they call it.." Max explained. "I figured the bloodwine might be givin' y'fits so we made something to 'elp." She held the thermos up for him to see.

"I doubt anything could make it worse," he said. "I'll try it."

He took the container and unfastened the stopper and took a sniff.

"It's not gonna smell good," Maxine warned. And indeed, it smelled like a mixture of bloodwine, dirty socks and something medicinal. "Ya gotta hold your nose to drink it...." she offered.

"We had to hold our noses to make it," Krystal told him.

Blitzer lifted a brow, "okay...." he put his paw over his snout and chugged it down.

He made a grimace when he finished, "eww, it tastes worse than it smells, what's in it?"

As he saw Krystal about to blurt out some long winded explanation he interrupted her, "nevermind, I think I probably don't really want to know."

"Yeah, that's probably a good idea," Maxine agreed with a nod and a grin. "How about some coffee or somethin' t'wash it down? Maybe somethin' t'eat?"

He nodded vigorously as he handed the container back to Max as he coughed.

"Let me, get...dressed..."

"He's coughing..." Krystal whispered to Max, easily within the Cait's hearing ranges.

"Shhhh, I heard..." Max shushed her and a offered a bright smile to Blitz. "That sounds just perfect."

A minute later he was ready, "where do you want to go?"

"Your choice," Maxine smiled and slipped into step beside him as he opened the door. "Mess Hall or Miranda's? My treat."

"I think Miranda's sounds great," said Blitzer.

"Then Miranda's it is," Maxine nodded and the two stepped from his quarters. "How's the cure settlin'?" she asked curiously as the two made their way through the ship. "Feelin' better?"

Krystal fluttered around the pair flitting back and forth as they talked. Sometimes she would disappear for long stretches at a time, but she'd always pop back into view.

Blitzer smiled, "Its working!"

They entered Miranda's, it had just recently reopened, there was still evidence of repairs being made.

Max sniffed the air as the pair made their way inside. "Oh, m'hungry..." she announced as if just discovering that fact once the smell of food reached her nostrils. "Honestly.. I don't think I got to actually eat very much last night before all the fighting started."

Blitzer pulled a chair out for Max and helped her get seated, "Oh, you missed authentic klingon food? what a shame!"

"I can't eat bugs..." she shuddered and gave him a *look* as she settled into the seat. "Now t'wiggly things I might 'ave tried, but there was steak!"

A waitress came to take their order. Blitzer looked up, "I'll have a bowl of niltar."

The waitress looked at Max, "and what will you have ma'am?"

"Hmmm..." Max looked from the waitress to Blitz. "What's niltar?" she asked him.

"You should try it. It doesn't have bugs in it." he said with a smug grin. Seeing that didn't satisfy her, he smirked, "Its an ethnic caitian meal, its like stew with vegetables and meats, a little on the spicy side. Your..." he stopped to think, "chinese food reminds me of it."

She started to make a slight face that cleared with his explanation. "Ooohhh.. Alright, that sounds good," Maxine grinned and looked back to the waitress. "I'll have what he's having."

"It's pretty good," she said, "I've tried it myself."

After the waitress left Maxine turned to face Blitz, her smile still evident. "Well, y'don't look green anymore," she teased.

"I feel great," said Blitzer as he licked the back of his wrist and sniffed. "but it seems now I have a bad case of dog breath." He winked at her. "Nothing a big bowl of niltar won't fix."

"Dog bre--?" she looked puzzled for a moment. "OH!" The light dawning in her eyes was rather comical, and her laughter delightful as she poked him lightly in the ribs. Even Krystal's high pitched giggled could be heard.

A moment later their waitress arrived and put their trays down.

"Thank-you," said Blitzer with a smile.

"Oh, it looks delicious..." Max exclaimed and then smiled her thanks to the waitress.

Blitzer's ears seemed melt to each side as if they were very relaxed as he took in the scent of the stewed meats and caitian spices. He scooped up a bite with a spoon but pierced a pale whitish-green vegetable and held it up. "This is the rrrroosha root," he said with a purr in his voice. "A lot like potatoes he added as he popped it in his mouth.

Maxine was taking obvious delight in his enjoyment and for several moments she forgot to eat because she was just watching him. No doubt adding to her extensive code library.

He sipped the reddish broth from his spoon..."and a little winthar milk gives it a slightly cheesey taste." He paused, "almost as good as pizza" he added with a wink.

That made her laugh again and she finally dipped her spoon in to sample the Cait dish. "Ooohh..." her eyes got big and judging from the look on her face she truly enjoyed it. "It's wonderful," she told him. "And it is as good as pizza," she grinned.

As luck would have it, Max's comm. badge beeped just as they were finishing. Ensign Tapert, please report to Main Computing. "I'm on my way," she tapped her comm. badge and answered as she turned apologetic eyes to Blitz and stood. "M'sorry, seems I 'ave to go..."

He stood up as Max did, dabbing his mouth with a napkin. "That's alright," he said nodding, "perhaps we can get together again."

"I'd like that," she reached out and touched his arm. "And m'glad you're feeling better. Later then..." she gave him a wonderful smile and then hurried off. Krystal could be seen peeking out of her hair and waving goodbye to the big Cait just before the pair disappeared out the door.

Blitzer smiled and waved as Max walked out. He turned and motioned to the waitress, gesturing for more niltar.