Title: A Beat in My Heart (Patient X)

Author: Jadeblueafterglow17

Disclaimers: If I could make a profit, I wouldn't be teaching. Characters belong to Paramount...story idea is mine.

Summary: Patient Zero is the origin of any disease. Sometimes being last can end in disaster.

Note: This vignette is dedicated to my brother, Michael. He acquired Colon\Liver Cancer at age 43, he was given less than 1 months to live. He suffered through surgery and several rounds of chemo and fought to live 11 months. At age 44 he is my inspiration and my big brother I love dearly. I miss you Mike. M.A.R. May 27-1968 - August 21-2012

Chapter 1: Last But Not Least?

Stardate: 44117.85 ( July 22, 2366)
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Wesley sat in his stellar cartography class doodling on his PADD. He yawned for the eighth time this hour and tried desperately to stay awake for the remaining minutes of the class.

He never considered himself a daydreamer, but the pounding behind his eyes, and the sheer lethargy consuming him, made it difficult to concentrate in class. All he could think about was that the Enterprise was due for shore leave in just five short days, and he'd never needed it more than he did right now.

In his wildest daydream he couldn't even begin to fantasize of frolicking on some sun drenched beach with a beautiful woman at his side, all he could dream of was a nice warm bed and an alarm clock smashed to bits on the nightstand beside him. If there happened to be a beautiful bikini clad girl nearby giving him a massage and whispering sweet nothings in his ear, then those were certainly brownie points in this particular dream.

Wesley was snatched from his pleasant thoughts as he noticed his classmates began to disperse. He gathered his materials and hurriedly walked out of his class. As Wes reached the exterior hallway, a familiar twitch of his nose assailed him.

In an instant his facade of calm faded as a series of rapid force sneezes came from his nose and mouth causing him to lean against the wall as some of the others around him dispersed cautiously away from him.

"Uh oh Wes!"

"Huh?" (achooo!) "What?" (Achoo!)..." he groaned as a petite young brunette handed him a tissue.

"Thanks." he replied. She reached up on her tippy toes and stroked a few unruly hairs away from his forehead feeling the cool clammy skin beneath.

He blushed under her featherlite touch as a rush of warmth flooded his body.

Wesley had been on an away mission the last two days and his skin couldn't help but take on the sun lit olive glow that he now had as a result of working on the planet adorned by two stars. His hair had taken on a lighter brown with a hint of auburn, and his eyes twinkled an unusual hazel as they slipped behind almond shaped eye lids with long lashes. Now as he stood conversing with his friends he was oblivious to the young girls at his side stroking his hunter green sweater sleeve and staring at him dreamily.

"You better hope you're not getting sick Crusher. Our exam is tomorrow, and it's gonna be a killer."

Wesley pointed at his head. "It's all up here Parker."

"Well care to share with those of us who aren't super geniuses?" Wesley felt a blush comes to his already peaked cheeks, he hadn't meant to sound cocky.

Wes wiped his face and nose suddenly feeling as though his head was now a balloon on a string. Robert Parker stepped back as the sneezing continued. "Maybe we can (achoo) study later...(cough)...(sniff)... ok?"

"Yeah right Crusher ...if you're still alive I'll meet you in 10-forward after your shift 2200 hours...?"

"Sure..." Wesley tried to smile but could only manage a grimace as he tried to suppress another sneeze. Something must have triggered this fit of sneezing he thought. Although he loved dogs, and cats, he was dreadfully allergic to them.

Maybe someone had the fur on their sweater. Wesley shrugged as he continued down the corridor on his way to his quarters. By the time he reached his room he'd already started to shiver. He slipped off his clothing, pulled his uniform from the closet and was assaulted by the cold temperature of his quarters.

He went into the bathroom and stared at his reflection. Gone was the youthful expression of the 16 year old boy, in its place was a pale boy with a bright pink nose, already peaked from sneezing and wiping. Wes prayed it was a simple cold, he was too busy to be sick. As he ran his fingers through his unruly hair, he stared longingly at his bed behind him in the mirrors reflection. It would be so easy to curl up under the covers until he felt better.

He'd have to stop by sickbay during his break, perhaps his mother would have something for the innocuous symptoms he was experiencing. He splashed water on his face and went to put on his uniform.

Arriving on the bridge, he managed to make it to his seat on time for duty without too much effort. They were docked planetside and would be en route to Earth soon. Wesley, as navigator, would be in charge of docking the Enterprise in the next 96 hours at McKinley station. He was so looking forward to that. He'd never flown the Enterprise manually under those conditions. If he nailed it he could be promoted to full Ensign soon.

First things first, he had to navigate the ship out of the gravitational pull of the planet below. He scanned the instrument panel in front of him. As he reached for the appropriate button he noticed his dominant left hand start to shake. He pulled it in quickly as he glanced over at Data. He hadn't noticed.

Wesley took a deep breath stifling a cough as he squeezed his hands tightly and tried again. A flash of terror consumed him as an image of him being strapped down and being consumed by fire flashed into his mind. He shook away the image and quickly resumed his duty. A lone trickle of sweat inched its way down his temple onto his cheek.

Something was very wrong.
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