Across the Stars

“Neelix to Sickbay.” said Neelix, still standing over Orion. “Something seems to be wrong with Ensign Orion.”

“Could you be more specific?” came the Doctor’s voice from Neelix’s combadge.

Neelix looked down at Orion, who was still biting his own leg.

“Well, he’s biting his leg. It’s bleeding.”

“Did you ask why?”

“Yes, but he won’t talk to me.”

“Could someone else try?”

Neelix looked over his shoulder. One of the several watching ponies walked forward.

“Orion.” she said, leaning down next to him. “Could you tell me what’s wrong.”

Orion gave no response, other than biting harder as a strangled sob escaped his throat. Tears were continuing to pour down his muzzle.

“Orion?” Nothing.

“It’s no good, Doctor.” said Neelix. “He won’t answer.”

“Very well. Stand by, I’m on my way.”

Shortly, they were joined by the EMH, known simply as ‘Doctor’ or ‘The Doctor’. He set down his medical kit, leaning down next to Orion.

“Ensign.” he said grumpily. The Doctor wasn’t known for his fabulous bedside manner. “Would you be so kind as to tell me why you are injuring yourself?”

He had as much luck as Neelix and the mare in getting Orion to talk. He opened his kit, and removed the tricorder. He opened it, activating the medical instrument. Removing the scanner from the top, he ran it down the length of Orion’s neck. Orion ignored him, too caught up in the disabling pain. When the Doctor had finished, he returned the scanner to the Tricorder, and examined the data.

“He’s in perfect health.” he declared. “But he has heightened levels of Serotonin. I’d like to take him back to Sickbay and see if I can find anything else.”

He stood and tapped his combadge, which beeped to acknowledge its readiness.

“The Doctor to Janeway.” he said.

“This is Janeway.” said a mare’s voice over the comm, slightly distorted. “Go ahead.”

“Could you meet me in Sickbay?”

“Why?”

“I’ll inform you when you get here. It’s… personal.”

“I’m on my way.”

“What’s going on here?” asked Seven of Nine, coming around the bend in the corridor. “Why is this Ensign bleeding?”

“Seven!” said the Doctor. “Would you assist me in taking Ensign Orion here back to Sickbay?”

“Certainly.”

Seven single-hoofedly was able to lift Orion and put him across her back. He didn’t protest, but he still hadn’t removed his hoof from his teeth. Another strangled sob escaped, as a fresh wave of pain washed through him. Why?!

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Earlier

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“Yes?” asked Sirius, following Orion into the corridor.

“Over h-here.” said Orion, pulling him aside. Though nervous, a strange thrill was burning in him.

“Yes?” asked Sirius again, his curiosity clearly aroused.

“I w-wanted to tell you… I… um…”

“What?” Sirius leaned forward.

“I think you’re an amazing friend…”

“Thanks. But you could’ve told me in there.”

“But t-that’s not all. I… I…” Orion was choking on the word, it was so big. “I-I…”