TEASER

FADE IN:

1 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE

Establishing shot of the station, with the Defiant and the Xhosa both docked...

2 INT. DS9 - SCIENCE LAB

Last seen in 14x09 “Crossroads”. CANDLEWOOD focuses hard on his panels, deeply engrossed in his work - to the extent that he doesn’t even notice or look up when the door opens and several pairs of boots enter the lab.

TENMEI (o.s.)
John...

Candlewood doesn’t look up - he is not being deliberately rude, he’s just really into what he’s doing.

TENMEI (o.s.)
John? Hello?

Candlewood cocks his head, stares at the screen, hmmmmms...

TENMEI (o.s.)
Lieutenant Candlewood! Report!

The command voice finally jerks him out of his absorption. He looks up, confused...

...and sees TENMEI with her arms folded, unimpressed, at the head of all their friends from the Engineers’ Table. CHAO, PERMENTER, K’UHLLO, TH’SHANT and SLAINE.

TENMEI
What are you doing?

CANDLEWOOD
I’m... working...?

TENMEI
You’re supposed to be in Quark’s.

Candlewood rolls his eyes and turns back to his work.

CANDLEWOOD
Is that what this is about? I’m
busy, Prynn. I can’t come out
to play right now.

Team leader Tenmei steps forward, softens her stance...

TENMEI
John, this is the third week in a
row you’ve skipped out on our
regular get-together in Quark’s.

CHAO
It was all your idea in the first
place, remember?

SLAINE
The only time in the week all of
us are off shift at the same time?

CANDLEWOOD
Of course I remember. But I’ve
got work to do.

th’Shant steps forward, tries to see Candlewood’s screen...

TH’SHANT
What are you working on anyway?

Candlewood immediately moves to block th’Shant’s way...

CANDLEWOOD
(sharp)
None of your business.

th’Shant steps back, surprised at John’s unusually harsh tone of voice. Tenmei is likewise shocked at her friend...

TENMEI
John... what the hell is going on?

Candlewood softens, takes a deep breath, thinks how best to handle this...

CANDLEWOOD
Look, I’m just busy, that’s all.
I’m under orders here, I’m under
pressure, and I need to get back
to work. Hanging out with you guys
is going to have to take a back
seat for a while, okay? I’m sorry.

Tenmei appraises her friend for a moment, then nods her acceptance and gathers the others together to leave...

TENMEI
Alright, John. We’ll leave you in
peace. You know where to find us.

As Tenmei crosses the threshold, Candlewood calls out...

CANDLEWOOD
Prynn...
(she turns back)
...I am sorry. It’s nice that you
all came to find me, I appreciate
that. It’s just...
(re computers)
I really am working on something
important here. And I can’t tell
you about it. Captain’s orders.

TENMEI
Alright. But don’t work too hard,
okay? You need time off like the
rest of us... and we miss you.

Tenmei leaves and the door closes. Candlewood leans on his console and sighs...

3 INT. DS9 - INFIRMARY

BASHIR exits the surgical suite back into the office area, in surgical reds, just peeling off the gloves. It’s been a long day, and he’s tired and short-tempered. He drops the gloves and the cap into a sterilising bin, turns...

...and stops up short at the sight of SARINA, the deputy security chief and his live-in girlfriend, standing there. He turns back to his consoles, typing up his notes.

BASHIR
Lieutenant Douglas. Is there some-
thing I can help you with?

SARINA
Excuse me? “Lieutenant Douglas”?
Is that what we’re reduced to?

Bashir coldly points out Nurse RICHTER working at tidying up the exam room, far enough away to not overhear them...

BASHIR
We’re on duty.

SARINA
We’re not supposed to be. This
is not your shift, Julian. And I
thought we had plans for dinner.

BASHIR
Doctor Aylam had to go to Bajor.
Lieutenant Aleco cracked a rib
in his martial arts class.

SARINA
I heard about that. I also heard
it wasn’t serious.

BASHIR
No, but since I was free...

He wasn’t free, that’s the point. But Sarina lets it pass, tries to build bridges...

SARINA
Well, since you’re finished, how
about we make it a late dinner?
I’m sure Quark can find us a
table, or there’s always Vic’s -

BASHIR
(too loud)
I don’t want to go to bloody
Vic’s, Sarina!

A moment for everyone to catch their breaths...

...including Richter, who definitely heard but keeps her head down and just gets on with her work...

...and Sarina steps closer, keeps it cool and collected.

SARINA
Grow up, Julian. This nonsense has
been going on for months, and I’ve
had enough. I’ve been nothing but
honest with you, and these petulant
little displays accomplish nothing
except to invite everyone else in
on the secret.

Bashir grinds his teeth, refusing to look at her...

SARINA
(continuing)
So pull yourself together, and for
god’s sake make a decision about
what you actually want at last.
I’ll see you at home.

She turns and leaves the infirmary. Bashir leans against his console and seethes...

BLACK OUT

END OF TEASER