Kassia had gone to one of the drinking establishments on SB901. Since opening shop, she hadn't had much time to relax and get to know her way around. She had been busy setting things up so that her little place of business, Kassia's Cave of Curiosities and Mystery would be her perfect ideal of what she wanted. She had been so wrapped up in hanging the sheer black material over the bulkheads, setting up the lighted shelves, and arranging for the subdued lighting that she hadn't realized just how much time she was spending on her place. After arranging the inventory on the shelves, and taking one more glance around, she decided it was time for a celebratory drink. Troy works at Soma. I'll go there . . . she thought to herself.
Soma was a rather large dance club where her brother had managed to get himself a job as a bartender/bouncer. It just depended on what the establishment needed at any given moment. Kassia dressed appropriately in a short, black satin dress with a leather jacket. As she approached, she saw the lights swirling out the door and the loud thump of music. This was a little too loud for her, she thought as she drew closer, but she wanted to see Troy. As she entered, she got the full impact of how popular this place was, as it was packed with people. Of course, this was also after hours for most individuals and they were ready to let loose. She took a deep breath to clear her mind of all the random thoughts floating to her and headed to the bar. She took the only empty seat available and waited. She could see Troy at the other end serving a Klingon. As he finished, she turned her head so that he wouldn't recognize her. He approached wiping up the counter as he went.
"What can I get you?" he asked.
Kassia turned to him and smiled. "You know what I like!"
"Kassia! What are you doing here?" he asked, smiling back.
"I"m done with the shop and thought I would see how your job is coming along," she replied back. "Its very loud in here!"
He laughed. "Its a club, what did you expect?"
She shrugged. "How about that drink?"
Knowing what she liked, he immediately set to work making her a fruity concoction. As she took a sip of it, she smiled her approval. "Time to get back to work," he said and walked to the other end of the bar where another patron was waving him down for a refill.
A couple hours passed and Kassia was starting to get tired. Tomorrow was going to be her grand opening. Just as she was leaving, a young man of possible Bajoran decent and yet not quite, followed her. She picked up on him instantly.
"Hey!" he called out, "I want to talk to you."
She kept walking. She could read his thoughts and she wasn't in the mood to deal with him. However, it didn't stop him and there was no way to escape him except to bolt away at a run. Something she wasn't willing to do. Within moments, he had caught up to her and grabbed her by the arm.
"Stop!" He said, forcefully. "Didn't you hear? I want to talk to you."
"I heard," she replied. "I'm just tired and am planning on going home and going to bed."
"Would you care for some company?" he asked, smiling.
She could smell the alcohol on his breath and shook her head. "I'm sorry. Tonight I plan on keeping my bed to myself."
Suddenly, her arm was yanked and her back was pressed against a bulk head. His arms were blocking her from leaving. "Don't make me hurt you," he continued, with a hint of menace in his light brown eyes.
"Don't make ME hurt YOU!" Came a voice from a few feet behind.
When the man turned, he saw the bartender from the Club. "Hey, buddy, I saw her first..." he replied, "Just we can share her."
Troy smiled back, like this guy was an idiot and he was going to wipe the walls with him just for fun. "I don't think so . . ." he said, "I don't share my SISTER!" With that, he took a step toward the man. Punching one of his fists into his opposite hand. Instant fear went into this man's face as he realized the trouble he was in.
"That's okay, Troy," Kassia smiled, her green eyes sparkling brightly. "I think I can handle this . . ." Tenderly, with a playful look in her eyes, she caressed the man's face. But suddenly, like a viper striking, she lifted her knee forcefully. The man crumbled with the impact andfeel to the deck. "Now, if you want him, he's yours," she said, patting the man on the back as he moaned and smiled at her brother.
"You are a very bad girl," he laughed. "Remind me never to tick you off!"
She laughed back. As the man started to move she held out her hand. "Let me help you up, as long as you promise not to do that again."
He took her hand and stood up slowly. Immediately, Kassia was hit with a vision. This young man was running down a corridor, just a few feet away. He was then jumped from behind and stabbed, being left for dead. As she let go of him, she was overwhelmed with concern.
"Now get out of here!" Troy said forcibly, "And if you ever hurt my sister I'll kill you. Make no mistake about that."
Instantly the man started to run. "WAIT!" Kassia yelled after him, as she saw head toward the corridor where the vision had happened. "Don't go that way! Someone is going to stab you!"
But he didn't listen and kept on running. A few minutes later, they heard silence. Kassia's heart sank. "What did you see?" Troy asked.
"There's not time! I'll tell you later!" With that she took off running, with Troy right behind her.
They ran maybe 50 yards down the corridor when they saw the man crumpled on the floor in a pool of blood. Kassia sank to her knees, pain in her eyes. She felt for a pulse and found one, though it was weak. The man opened his eyes. "I'm sorry," he muttered and then fell unconscious.
"I"ll go get help!" Troy said and took off running. Kassia stayed by the young man's side.
"He'll be fine," The EMH stated. "But he is lucky you happened upon him so quickly. He could have easily bled to death."
"I know," Kassia replied softly, touching the young man's light brown hair.
"Do you know, Mr. Toren Len?" he asked.
She shook her head. "I only met him tonight . . . "
"Well, don't worry now. He'll be up and about soon."
She nodded and stood up. Immediately Troy was there. He wrapped a protective arm around her shoulder. "Lets go and get some sleep. You open shop tomorrow . . ." She forced a smile as they left. A few minutes later, Toren Len came around. He looked and saw where he was.
"And how are you feeling?"
"How did I get here?" he asked, still feeling a bit of pain.
"A woman and man got you here in time to save your life," he replied.
"She tried to warm me this would happen . . ." he said, "But I didn't listen . . . And even with how I treated her . . . she still saved me . . ."
The doctor gave him a quizzical look, but before he could inquire further, the man feel unconscious again. It was for the best. The man needed to rest and recoup.