TEASER

FADE IN:

1 INT. DS9 – INFIRMARY

ELIAS VAUGHN lies in his uniform on a bio-bed, watching curiously as a scanning device runs slowly down the entire length of his body and back up again.

JULIAN BASHIR also scans him thoroughly with a medical tricorder while Vaughn patiently waits. He’s in no rush.

PRYNN TENMEI stands to the side, a whirl of feelings. Ecstatic that her father’s home, impatient for the results of the scans, worried what the scans might show up.

Finally, Bashir has finished his scans. He puts away his machines as Vaughn sits upright.

BASHIR
Well, I’ve tried every scan known
to Federation science, and I can’t
find a single thing wrong with you.

PRYNN
You’re sure?

BASHIR
Absolutely. In fact, I find myself
reduced to the most basic tool in
a doctor’s diagnostic bag.
(to Vaughn)
How do you feel, Commander?

VAUGHN
I feel fantastic. Renewed. Like
I could run a marathon.

BASHIR
I'm not surprised.
(re scanners)
According to these, you are in
the best shape you’ve been in for
twenty years. Your bone density
is up eighteen percent, to the
extent that I’d recommend taking
you off the Ostinex altogether.
Your eyesight is almost as good
as mine. Even that scar at the
base of your skull is gone.
(smile)
You’re a new man, Commander.

VAUGHN
(cheerful)
I guess I have the Prophets to
thank for that.

BASHIR
Well, that’s up to you. But I
can’t find a single negative
side effect of your experience.

VAUGHN
Thank you, Doctor. That’s good
to hear.

Bashir takes his leave. Prynn watches him go. The moment he’s out of earshot, she launches on her father, hugging him fiercely. He holds her too, grateful to have her.

PRYNN
I'm so glad you’re okay... I was
terrified of what might have
happened to you in there...

VAUGHN
I'm perfectly fine, Prynn.
Better than fine.

Prynn bursts into tears, sobbing into Vaughn’s shoulder.

VAUGHN
Hey hey hey... what’s all that
about? I said I'm fine.

PRYNN
I know, but... Dad, I'm sorry.

VAUGHN
For what?

PRYNN
For not getting you out. Or for
trying to get you out when you
told me not to. Or for not being
there when you first got out...

Vaughn pulls back, looks at Prynn’s tear-streaked face. He smiles, almost amused.

VAUGHN
Will you stop being so silly? I
couldn’t be happier about the
way things turned out, except for
the pain it caused you. I should
apologise to you. But you did
nothing wrong. Nothing at all.

Prynn smiles at him through the tears, relieved.

PRYNN
You sure you’re okay?

VAUGHN
I’ve been given a new lease on
life, Prynn. And I intend to
make the most of it.

Off Vaughn’s beaming, happy face...

FADE OUT:

END OF TEASER