Doctor Beverly Howard sat back in her office chair onboard the Enterprise-E, despite the ‘E’ being a galaxy class like the ‘D’ that Captain Riker had sacrificed to stop the Borg. The chief medical officer just didn’t feel comfortable in this new office.
Beverly felt tired, after the recent medical mission to the famous cloud city of Stratos on Ardana. The door to her office opened and the ship’s executive officer Elizabeth Shelby entered her office.
–Doctor--,†started Shelby.
–Tell Captain Riker he’ll get his final updated medical report when I’m ready to issue it and not a moment sooner,†said Beverly.
Commander Shelby held her hands up in mock surrender and replied, –I’m not here to chase up any reports doctor. The Captain sent me down here to pass on his congratulations on a job well done.
–No Doctor, the Captain instructed me to ensure that you go and get some rest, and then go get some for myself afterwards, as reward for a hard job well done, and to tell you not to worry about the report,†said Shelby.
Beverly picked up her eyebrow at that comment and then face-palmed herself before saying, –Okay, now I’ve embarrassed myself.â€
Shelby just smiled in reply.
–Well if it’s a captain’s order, who’re we to refuse it? Still that order would suggest to me that you’re finally starting to get onto Riker’s good side,†said Beverly.
Commander Shelby just shrugged and replied, –We’re a good command team; that doesn’t require that we like each other.â€
As Beverly walked round her desk she put a hand on Shelby’s shoulder and said, –No it doesn’t, but it would make both of your lives a lot easier if you did.â€
–Thank you Doctor, but Captain Riker and I have different styles and so like oil and water, we might go together but we don’t mix,†said Shelby.
–Perhaps, I’m not convinced, anyway can I convince you to join me in Ten Forward for a job well done drink?†asked Beverly.
–For a seasonal hot chocolate drink, before bed? Why not, Doctor, we were ordered to rest, not sleep,†said Shelby.
–Yes, with extra marshmallows,†said Beverly with a smile.
Shelby just smiled and looped her arm through Beverly’s and led Beverly out of sick bay saying, –Don’t worry, I’ll scowl at Jack Crusher for you if he comes within four feet of our table.â€
–Thank you, Commander,†replied Beverly.
The two ladies walked down the corridor towards the nearest turbolift, but before they got there they were intercepted by Lieutenant Reginald Barclay. However, before he could tell the doctor and commander about his latest imaginary sickness, a white flash happened and he found himself in the corridor alone with two bananas. Barclay knelt down to study the bananas: they had on the faces and uniforms of the two ladies. In a blind panic, he hit his com-badge and reported this strange turn of events to a disbelieving Captain Riker.
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The Q flashes faded away and Beverly and Elizabeth found themselves in a ladies’ toilet, touching up their make-up and wearing glorious evening gown and tiaras.
They looked at their reflections, looked at the other one and then back at their reflections, then almost in unison screamed, –What now, Q!â€
The two women looked around but no reply came.
–Now what?†asked Beverly.
–If Q is true to form, we might as well see what we can work out from our immediate situation,†answered Elizabeth.
The two ladies dropped the make-up into the handbags provided. Beverly spotted the card first and said, –There in the handbags. There’s an invitation.â€
Elizabeth reached into the handbag and retrieved the card and read it out aloud: –Welcome to the Christmas Multiverse Banana Mixer, Elizabeth Shelby of Verse #087. This is your reward for your endeavours over the last year. A bonus holiday day just for you, where you can party all day with various heroes and friends of many realities. Regardless of your state at the end of the day you will be returned ten minutes after you left, fit for duty. Now go party! Season’s Greetings from your host!â€
Both women let those words hang in the air before Elizabeth added, –Elizabeth Shelby of verse number 087?â€
–I fear we’ve been dragged into a multiverse event,†said Beverly.
–A what?†asked Elizabeth.
–The ladies’ room door opened and Number One and Mr Scott walked in. They had been listening from the other side of the door. It was Number One who said, –A Christmas Multiverse Banana Mixer.â€
Elizabeth and Beverly turned to face the two people who had just entered. The two odd couples eyed each other.
–Bit of a Mexican stand off,†said Shelby.
–So it would seem,†replied Number One.
It took Beverly a moment to realise she recognised the young Scotsman with the raven hair: Montgomery Scott.
–Then I guess in the best traditions of Starfleet someone needs to make the first leap of faith, which I’m going to do now, in the hope I don’t have to heal anyone later,†said Beverly.
She stepped forward and raised her hand in the offer of a handshake before she continued.
–I’m Doctor Beverly Howard, the chief medical officer of the Federation starship USS Enterprise. My colleague is my vessel’s executive officer, Commander Elizabeth Shelby.â€
Much to Beverly’s surprise it was Mister Scotty who stepped forward and shook her hand in response and said, –Hello Beverly. Lieutenant Montgomery Scott, junior engineer of the Federation starship USS Enterprise. My colleague is my vessel’s executive officer, Commander -- well I’ve got to admit, that I dinnae actually know her real name, we just all call her Number One like Captain Pike does.â€
–Why should we trust someone who won’t tell us her name?†asked Shelby.
Suddenly in a Q flash the quartet found themselves transferred to the main party room.
–Because my dear Liz, there’s a good story why she won’t tell you her name,†said Mrs Q as she appeared at nearby table in a Q flash wearing a better dress and tiara than the other ladies. Then with a click of her fingers she made one of Naurr’s banana split dishes appear in her hand from the main table, which she then dug into with a spoon.
–Are you responsible for us being here?†asked Number One.
Mrs Q savored the food on her spoon before replying, –Now my dear don’t be impatient, the card told you the truth, this is a treat for being a good girl, so just relax and enjoy yourself.â€
–What are you up to this time Q?†asked Elizabeth.
–Throwing a party for you little Starfleet heroes, now go and get a drink down you, relax and try the food -- it’s mostly excellent, plus most importantly have fun,†said Mrs Q.
She clicked her fingers and glasses with drinks appeared in the four human hands. They were unable to stop themselves from taking a large sip from the glasses.
–See, that’s better. Make some small talk and I’ll catch you later as I need to go and get some more guests,†said Mrs Q, and with a click of her fingers she vanished.
They all looked at each other.
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