"Believing In Magic" JPL by: Dane Nguyen

"Believing In Magic"

  
Ensign Dane Nguyen stood behind his chair, in the pub they had visited for dinner. He was wearing only his uniform trousers. He, still looked a bit astonished at what he had just been able to do.

  
"That was amazing, Dane," Lt. Troy Banning said from the counselor's side. "How do you feel, now?"

  
"Better than I have felt in a long time," Nguyen replied, looking into Banning's eyes.

  
Commander Allyson Dutcher had risen from her seat and was looking at the counselor, "Are you sure you are alright?" She could not believe what she had just seen with her own eyes.

  
Lt Amelia Moore smiled and looked at the now half naked counselor, "Showing off the pecs are you?"

  
"Hey, you aren't supposed to be looking at other guy's pecs," Lt. Robert Andrews said, in mock protest.

  
"I, really, am fine, Commander," Nguyen assured the Eagle's XO.

  
"Do it again! Do it again," Mork demanded.

  
"Only this time, try to shrink your clothing with you," suggested Dr. Ian Resork.

  
Dane, again, looked to Dutcher. He did not want to try it, if she was going to be uncomfortable.

  
"I kind of liked it when he didn't shrink his clothes," commented Mindy. She fluttered up and landed on Banning's shoulder.

  
"He's spoken for," Banning told the female fairy.

  
Amelia giggled, "Well, I tend to see a lot of them in my line of work, dear. But I still like yours the best." She slid her hand over his torso.

  
Ally frowned slightly but moved back to her seat, "You can if you want to Dane," She said out loud, but mentally finished, ~ But I'd rather you didn't.~ She wasn't to keen on this whole 'magic' thing.

  
Amelia giggled at Mindy, "I bet you did!"

  
Rob smiled at Amelia's response. He, almost, commented on her hand running over his torso, but decided that could be saved for later. He looked over to the counselor.

  
"Do it, Dane," Mork insisted, again.

  
Dane gave a subtle nod of his head. He glanced down his body, focusing some more attention on the clothes he was wearing, then looked, into Troy's eyes, again. He smiled, and the glitters of gold started to swirl around him, once more. Before their eyes, he started to shrink. His uniform trouser dropped to the floor, and when he was down to the six-inch fairy form, he was still clad in his dark boxer-briefs.

  
"You did it!" Mork exclaimed, flying over to the miniature counselor.

  
"Will you all quit playing around," requested Soria, the barmaid. She was bringing out all of their food.

  
Dane stared down his body, for a moment, then zipped off, taking a flight around the pub. "Yipee!"

  
Amelia snuggled closer to Rob as they watched the counselor shrink again, this time keeping on the boxers. She chuckled as he flew off. "he seems to be having fun."

  
Ally wasn't all that pleased, but it seemed to be alright at the moment. She leaned back as Soria brought out their meals, trying to keep an eye on the fairy counselor. She turned to Ian, "Please tell me this," She said waving her hand towards the counselor in flight, " Is not detrimental to his health in any way."

  
Ian turned, slightly toward the Eagle's XO. "Oh, I can, whole-heartedly, tell you it is not detrimental. You see, it is a natural ability. It has always been within him, all he needed was the chance to tap into magical energy."

  
"He sure does look like he's having fun," Andrews answered Amelia. He looked down to the chicken parm platter, that had just been placed in front of him. "Mmmm, this looks and smells so good."

  
Dane came back around and landed on Troy's right shoulder. He stretched his small body fully upward, holding out his arms wide. "Oh, the stars!" he exclaimed. "This is so freeing!" He leaned in and placed a kiss on Troy's cheek. "I know you are a man of science, and find this hard to grasp, but, all my life I've had this fascination with stories of magic, and magical kingdoms."

  
"I'm sure it is all, still, science, Dane," Banning assured the tiny counselor, "Just a different type of it. Now, why don't you return to normal and join us in dinner."

  
"That is correct, Mr. Banning," agreed Dr. Resork. He started in, on his own meal, as he watched Dane return to normal size and pull on his uniform, then sit down to begin eating.

  
"I, really, am hungry," Nguyen claimed.

  
Allyson wasn't sure if she liked the fact that their counselor had turned himself into a fairy, twice. He really did look like he was enjoying himself, and that also concerned her. Not so much that he could do what he did, but that he may enjoy it too much. With a sigh of resignation she turned to her own meal, and was pleased with both the presentation and the aroma. Her stomach also commented, embarrassingly loudly, that it too was ready to enjoy the meal. "Oh Dear," She said, "I must be more hungry than I thought."

  
Amelia smiled at Rob. "It would be fun to do that, don't you think," she asked as she watched Dane flying around and then settling down on Troy's shoulder, "And just imagine if you could just fly up the Jefferies tubes and not have to climb." She giggled and then began to eat her grilled chicken salad and nodded enthusiastically, "This is good!"

  
"This, really, is good," Andrews commented, as he, too, dug into his meal. "And, yeah, it would be pretty cool to be able to do that. Though, I'm not sure how I could apply that to my job."

  
Ian looked at Dutcher. "My, my. You certainly are hungry," he said to the XO.

  
Ally didn't really think she was all that hungry, "Well, the food is excellent. Makes it very hard to put down the fork and knife."

  
Amelia nodded, "True, it definitely wouldn't help in my job, that's for sure. But it would still be sort of cool."

  
With Dane back to normal size, they all enjoyed their meal. It was the general consensus that they hadn't tasted better. Even Mork and Mindy had some morsels brought out for them, and they dined with the Starfleet crew.

  
"So, what would you all like to see now?" Resork inquired, after the bill had been taken care of, and they were exiting the pub.

  
Amelia wrapped her arm through Rob's and whispered, "I am almost afraid to ask to see anything. I might want to stay here And keep you all to myself."

  
Allyson had no idea what else there was to see, although she was interested in learning more about the settlement. "Ian, can you tell me more about how you all came to be here?"

  
"Well," Resork replied, thoughtfully, as they started walking along the street again. "Most of the people were born here. I was born on Earth, and traveled here... Just to see more of the universe."

  
Allyson looked confused, "But, this isn't our universe. What brought you here? Those egg things?"

  
"Oh, no, no," Resork replied with a little chuckle. "I was born, in this universe. I had, actually been sent to your universe, by a rival. Quite a powerful wizard. It took me quite some time to build up enough magical energy to be able to transport home."

  
Frowning as she looked around, Dutcher asked, "You had to build up energy? How ever did you do that? I wouldn't think there's a lot of magical energies just floating out there. Especially not in, I guess it's my Universe, not yours."

  
"No, there is not," Resork agreed, "but as I said, on the bridge, there is magical energy in all universes. It took me almost the entire time I was a part of the Ealge crew, and I had to find a way to store it, but I, eventually did store up enough to allow me to come home."

  
"I'd be curious to learn how you managed to store the energy, Doc," Lt. Banning said.

  
"If I told you, Troy, I doubt you'd believe me," Resork replied.

  
Ally chuckled, "I don't think he wants to give away his secrets and end up having you and Dane gathering all the magic."

  
Amelia nodded to Troy, "I would be curious to find out too. I would love to be able to learn how you were able to incorporate it back into your biological system without undue harm to you or anyone else."

  
"Well, it is a lot easier to find, if you know how to use it," Resork told them. "I've been doing magic ever since I was a teenager, and I know how to find it, no matter where I am."

  
She merely nodded to his answer. Ally felt like she really should be getting back to the ship. It wasn't that she was worried, but, well, Perhaps the rest of the crew would like to visit, or Rayne could spend a little time off ship as well. "Ian, it has been very interesting. But I think I should get back to the Eagle."

  
A look of disappointment came across Ian's face, but he did not verbally object. He simply nodded. "Of course. I can transport you up, or you can call your ship." He looked to the other four. "Do you all want to return to the ship?"

  
Dane was the first to shake his head and speak up. "I'd really enjoy finding a room, and staying the night." He looked to Banning. "What about you, Troy?"

  
"I'll stay with you," Banning answered.

  
Rob looked to Amelia. "What about you?" he asked softly.

  
Amelia smiled, "A night with you here would be magic enough for me."

  
Allyson sighed. She knew Ian wanted her to stay longer. "I'll call the Eagle for transport. I don't want to put you out any further."

  
"Doing anything for you, would not be an imposition, Allison," Resork told her.

  
Rob leaned close to Amelia. "I think someone is smitten with our XO."

  
Amelia looked between Resork and the XO a few times, "You think so? Maybe we should convince her to stay the night too?"|

  
"Yes, I do think so," Andrews said, "and,I think trying to convince her to stay would be a good idea, but how?"

  
Amelia giggled, "Well, as her medical officer, I could suggest that she needs a bit more time off the ship."

  
Rob chuckled. "This should be interesting."

  
Amelia smiled, "I'll be right back!" She walked over to the XO and looked her up and down and shook her head. "Commander, as your medical officer it is my observation that you need to relax. I insist you inform the Captain that you will be staying the night. You really need the rest."

  
Allyson looked at the Nurse and lifted her eyebrows, "Are you serious?"

  
Dane followed suit, stepping alongside Amelia. "I think she's right, Commander. I mean, no offense, but you're developing the little crinkles by your eyes. You really do need the shore leave." He tried his best not to laugh.

  
Allyson looked between Amelia and Dane, "What do you mean little crinkles? This is a conspiracy! What about Rayne? I think he should have a chance to visit too!" She shook her head, "We'll see what the Captain has to say!"

  
Amelia nodded and tapped her combadge before the XO had a chance to lift her arm, "Lt Moore to Captain McCloud. In my medical opinion I believe the Commander should spend more time on the planet, and the Counselor agrees. However, she wants to let you have a turn down here. The decision is yours, Sir. Does she stay, or return to the Ship?"

  
"Far be it for me to overrule professional medical judgement, Lieutenant," came the captain's response, over the combadge. "She can stay. We're still looking into the Einstein-Rosen bridge generator issue."

  
Amelia smiled as she replied, "Thank you Captain, We have been invited to spend the night, and we would like to accept the offer." She gave the Commander a look of triumph at being supported by the Captain.

  
Ally sighed, "Alright, you win." She turned to Ian, "It seems I will be staying the night after all."

  
"Splendid!" Resork replied. He had a warm smile on his face. "We can set you all up with rooms at my place." He gave a slight nod to a two-story building just down the street.

  
Allyson glanced towards the structure, "That is very kind of you, Ian. But a hotel would be fine. We don't want to put you out."

  
"Nonsense," Resork protested. "I, actually, insist. It would be no imposition, whatsoever. My place is an old hotel, anyhow."

  
Ally nodded and smiled, "Well, then I guess that's settled." She looked over at her crew, "And I am sure we will all be very pleased with the arrangements."

  
Amelia stepped back to Rob and gave him a hug, "See, we did it!" She giggled and snuggled into his side.

  
Rob returned the hug. "You mean, you did it. I just watched."

  
Ian led the Eagle team down to his place. Entering, they saw an open, comfortable-looking room, which used to be the hotel lobby. There was a wide staircase leading to the second floor.

  
"You may choose whichever room, you wish," he said to them all. "My room is always locked, so you do not have to be concerned with going in there. Each room has a bathroom of its own."

  
Allyson waved a hand to the crew, "Go on, you can have first picks. I'd like to just look around the lobby for a little bit."

  
Amelia squeezed Rob's arm, "Whatever you pick will be perfect."

  
"Would you care for a nightcap?" Resork offered the XO, as the other ascended the stairs to their rooms.

  
Dane looked to Troy, at the top of the staircase. "Care to share a room?" he asked. His heart leapt when he saw the smile on the science officer's face.

  
Smiling at Ian Dutcher replied, "I think a nightcap would be very nice, Thank you." Looking around the main room Ally was not surprised how beautiful everything was. "You have a lovely home, Ian. Thank you for sharing it with us."

  
"No, thank you, for saving me from a boring night," Resork replied, handing her an elegant glass. "Cheers."

  
Alli smiled and lifted the glass. "Cheers." She took a sip of her drink and nodded in satisfaction, "This really is very good."

  
"It is my own special blend," resork told her. "It was a tradition, aboard the Eagle to lift a glass of it, when a new crewman signed on, or was promoted. But, that was under Captain... I mean Admiral Fyrstk."

  
She lifted her eyebrows, "I hope none of them were on duty at the time. But it would be a nice thing to do," She said. "As long as it didn't happen all the time, of course," she finished as she took another sip.

  
Ian laughed softly, but did not openly answer her comment. He just looked at her, for a moment, then said, "May I be so bold as to tell you how beautiful your eyes are?"

  
Ally felt her face heat up, "I... uh... Thank you." She felt a bit self conscious since she didn't think of herself as beautiful. More the plain-jane girl next door.

  
Ian smiled, seeing the XO's reaction. He directed her over to a sitting area, and the two proceeded to exchange small talk for the next hour.

END LOG